tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858015800908183982024-03-14T00:17:42.370-06:00The Tale's the Thing...A quiet little corner to share work by outstanding Indie authors. What I cannot find out from them, I'll make up.Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-65128925358495265792012-11-12T06:00:00.000-07:002012-11-12T19:31:03.118-07:00BsB FBH!<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">You've found another stop on the</span></em></div>
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For the next couple of weeks you can make the circuit to all of the participating blogs, and hopefully collect some new friends along the way. We are giving away books as prizes, and each blog will have some hints to questions on the blog entry form. It is super easy to enter. This is not a history or math quizz...</div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">Why are we doing this? To celebrate and share our friendship.</span> </div>
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Some of us are connected in ways that go beyond book creation and marketing. BestsellerBound authors have become family to one another, the kind of friends that understand all the ups and down of this business and that authors are much more than just the books they write. We have become a community sharing and caring for one another through business, health and personal problems.<br />
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I can certainly relate to that.</div>
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Two years ago, my family was facing a serious crisis. Knowing that the future would be uncertain for an unpredictable time, I began to write. My first book became a shelter from worry. It helped keep me sane, actually. That first novel became a second, and suddenly a third because I had the time to fill and the words exploded from my fingertips. How that led me to BestsellerBound is too long a story to include here.</div>
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The concise version is that I knew nothing about self-publishing and had three books in my hands. The community at BsB was instantly welcoming. In no time at all, I realized what a wealth of experience and talent they had to offer. None of my brief ventures into other writing forums worked well for me. There were too many forums that cared only for playing the traditional publishing game. I could not stand the attitude that creativity had no place in publishing. At BestsellerBound I found writers who were just like me—people who were writing because it was deeply personal and important to them. They offered lots of understanding and advice, without any of the condescending attitude. I feel wealthy to have found them.</div>
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Would you believe it—I work in publishing now, helping other authors win their dream of seeing their own books in print. Life is wonderful.</div>
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Here are the participating members in this BsB Hop, and the links to their sites:</div>
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BestsellerBound Recommends (<a href="http://quietfurybooks.com/bestsellerboundrecommends/friendship-blog-hop" target="_blank">http://quietfurybooks.com/bestsellerboundrecommends/friendship-blog-hop</a>)</div>
A Word Please (<a href="http://quietfurybooks.com/blog/2012/11/friendship" target="_blank">http://quietfurybooks.com/blog/2012/11/friendship</a>) - Darcia<br />
Life With Lyme (<a href="http://www.quietfurybooks.com/lifewithlyme" target="_blank">http://www.quietfurybooks.com/lifewithlyme</a>) - Darcia<br />
The Far Edge of Normal (<a href="http://jaletaclegg.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://jaletaclegg.blogspot.com/</a>) - Jaleta Clegg<br />
Maria's Goodreads Blog (<a href="http://www.quietfurybooks.com/lifewithlyme" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/3240707-the-bestsellerbound-friendship-blog-hop/" target="_blank">http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/3240707-the-bestsellerbound-friendship-blog-hop/</a>)<br />
Stacy Juba's One Stop Readin (<a href="http://www.quietfurybooks.com/lifewithlyme" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://stacyjuba.com/blog/2012/11/12/book-lovers-come-visit-the-bestseller-bound-friendship-event/" target="_blank">http://stacyjuba.com/blog/2012/11/12/book-lovers-come-visit-the-bestseller-bound-friendship-event/</a> ) <br />
Scribblings from my mind (<a href="http://www.lanavoynich.com/blog-2/" target="_blank">http://www.lanavoynich.com/blog-2/</a>) - Lana Voynich<br />
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To enter for a chance at the prizes simply visit each of the listed blogs. You will find come special clues to the answers for questions on the entry form. Answer all the questions, fill out the form, and wait to hear if you have won.</div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">Here is the list of prizes being offered by these outstanding authors:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Darcia-Helle/dp/1478392460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352567619&sr=8-1&keywords=secrets+helle" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><em>Secrets</em></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> by
Darcia Helle (Print)</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Haunted-ebook/dp/B00A0U0IK2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1352568112&sr=1-1&keywords=haunted+savva" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><em>Haunted</em></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> by
Maria (Print)</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Standing-Cover-Kindle-Blacktop/dp/B008X9ZCXA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1352568949&sr=1-1&keywords=belkin+mod+standing+cover+for+kindle+fire+hd+7" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">Belkin Mod Standing Cover for Kindle Fire</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sink-or-Swim-ebook/dp/B004GHN6CW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1352569026&sr=1-1&keywords=sink+or+swim+stacy" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><em>Sink or Swim</em></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> by
Stacy Juba (ebook)</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Alaskan-Healing-An-Novel-ebook/dp/B0097G7CYK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1352569060&sr=1-1&keywords=alaskan+healing+lana" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><em>Alaskan Healing</em></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">
by Lana Voynich (ebook)</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nexus-Point-Altairan-Empire-ebook/dp/B008AMC5IU/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352657036&sr=1-1&keywords=jaleta+clegg" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><em>Nexus Point</em></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> by
Jaleta Clegg (ebook)</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">Here is the link to the entry form:</span> <a href="http://tinyurl.com/b7l47gb">http://tinyurl.com/b7l47gb</a></div>
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I am offering a print copy of that first novel, <em>Harmony's Passing, </em>a Science Fiction of deep detail and danger. The joy of writing it sheltered me through one of the most difficult episodes of my adult life. It isn't anything perfect, or extraordinary, but it helped me find personal strength. It helped me onto the path to finding friends who, themselves, <em>are</em> extraordianry, and just about perfect.</div>
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Here is a sample of the text. Perhaps some of my distress was being projected into the story...you can decide. I do write about intense, dangerous, personal changes in my characters. Yet, I always give them help.</div>
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<em>And when it fits the story, I even send them Angels.</em></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-218icjNMu40/UKAjxD0GfmI/AAAAAAAAASg/SMf4ApM9JCI/s1600/flying-angel-clipart-free-angel-right.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-218icjNMu40/UKAjxD0GfmI/AAAAAAAAASg/SMf4ApM9JCI/s1600/flying-angel-clipart-free-angel-right.jpg" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Harmonys-Passing-Joel-Blaine-Kirkpatrick/dp/0557359856/ref=la_B0042NVC3U_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1352674109&sr=1-4" target="_blank">Harmony's Passing</a></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Pages 75-76</span></em></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"> He realized
he was wandering the house, just looking around without noticing things really,
lost in his own thoughts. He found himself just outside the den and heard
Abigail singing softly to Pam on the floor. They had pulled a blanket down and
made a pallet in the middle and were looking up at the fish in the aquarium.
Abigail’s voice was so familiar, why had he never heard her sing before? She
talked to him several times a week it seemed. <em>Oh, at least every other day.</em> He
stood just outside the door, listening, they had not noticed him.</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"> <em>She calls
me every day, twice.</em></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><em> </em>Dennis suddenly realized that Abigail knew what Pam
ate for every meal. How did she do that? How did she keep track of things he
forgot within minutes of sitting down in the space room? Wilson suddenly came to
mind. Wilson, on the phone, or Helen as well, or on the COM link. Voices having
conversations with Dennis almost as often as he talked to Pam. <em>How can I
spend so much time talking about work instead of taking care of my
daughter?</em> The question made him very sad. But they were not always
conversations about work, were they?</span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;">Dennis stood
quietly in the hallway, listening to Abigail sing and realized they were helping
him live his life, so very far away but helping him all the same. If Pam missed
a meal, someone knew it. Someone would call with a silly excuse but remind him
to feed Pam and maybe himself. <em>They are not here because they like the
house, or the town, and certainly not because of the work.</em> Dennis felt
tears on his cheek. They were here because he needed them. It broke his
heart.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"> Then he heard
it. Softly, shyly, his daughter was singing with Abigail. They were playing with
each other’s fingers and Pam twined one hand through Abigail’s hair. They were
singing a silly little song about Simple Simon. Abigail was there for Pam. He
could hear it. Dennis listened as long as he could stand it, and then walked
quietly down to the bathroom to bury his face in a towel.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YVzhppBen88/UKAuRjADBlI/AAAAAAAAASw/v3W_ntI7C0g/s1600/Harmony2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YVzhppBen88/UKAuRjADBlI/AAAAAAAAASw/v3W_ntI7C0g/s1600/Harmony2.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-18509977278943697702012-06-20T21:20:00.002-06:002012-06-20T21:31:15.546-06:00That unwritten book of yours.....The Darling, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jenny-Hilborne/e/B003YYF5F4/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1340235435&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Jenny Hilborne</a>, has challenged me. Not only me; others have been invited to participate in her little blog experiment. She targeted me for the pleasure of causing me torment. She has a game that draws out of us seven lines of text in our current work in progress.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vqkUZ3AHkSE/TNb95nYdTGI/AAAAAAAAABM/3KmY82OEsRk/s1600/Maria+Savva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vqkUZ3AHkSE/TNb95nYdTGI/AAAAAAAAABM/3KmY82OEsRk/s200/Maria+Savva.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b4deT51j0W0/TS9FVHBkDlI/AAAAAAAAAF8/D0jJXaArky0/s1600/Jen+author.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b4deT51j0W0/TS9FVHBkDlI/AAAAAAAAAF8/D0jJXaArky0/s200/Jen+author.jpg" width="142" /></a>Though her invitation came through the equally evil <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Maria-Savva/e/B002BOCDGM" target="_blank">Maria Savva</a>, who was first pestered thus by <a href="http://iamelpi.com/" target="_blank">Elpi Pamiadaki</a>, Jenny and Maria both know well... <span id="goog_1164558944"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1164558945"></span><br />
I am not currently writing a book.<br />
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There are not enough lines of text in a new project to adhere to the strictures of her challenge.<br />
I was miffed.<br />
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There can be only one way to participate. I must create those lines in her honor. I will do so, only after thoroughly messing with the game in my own way. That seems only fair.<br />
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Here are the guidelines she knew I could scarcely follow.....<br />
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Go to page 7 or 77 in your current manuscript (fiction or non-fiction)<br />
Go to line 7<br />
Post on your blog the next 7 lines, or sentences, as they are - no cheating<br />
Tag 7 other authors to do the same<br />
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Well, not even easily done if you have the story in text to begin with...<br />
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Now my twist. Below are the requested lines from each of my five novels. I've attached images, because I can, and to be the bendy-fellow Jenny expects me to be. However. HOWEVER!<br />
Pause not there—I will rise to the challenge a bit further....<br />
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From <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Harmonys-Passing-Joel-Blaine-Kirkpatrick/dp/0557359856/ref=la_B0042NVC3U_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1340235504&sr=1-4" target="_blank">Harmony's Passing</a></em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UHoCklkiTZY/T-Jb_jQXV5I/AAAAAAAAARs/KCy5a7Dpd1w/s1600/Harmony+-+Lucky+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="395" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UHoCklkiTZY/T-Jb_jQXV5I/AAAAAAAAARs/KCy5a7Dpd1w/s640/Harmony+-+Lucky+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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From <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Caraliza-Joel-Blaine-Kirkpatrick/dp/0557425093/ref=la_B0042NVC3U_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1340235504&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Caraliza</a></em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NcOowrhILN0/T-JcF-Aoq0I/AAAAAAAAAR0/1wtbB0Sw3O8/s1600/Caraliza+-+Lucky+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="401" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NcOowrhILN0/T-JcF-Aoq0I/AAAAAAAAAR0/1wtbB0Sw3O8/s640/Caraliza+-+Lucky+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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From <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Breathing-into-Stone-Blaine-Kirkpatrick/dp/0557363136/ref=la_B0042NVC3U_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340235504&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Breathing into Stone</a></em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7_WclQiM0rw/T-JcMRUXMZI/AAAAAAAAAR8/wO5mcDbahYw/s1600/Breathing+-+Lucky+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="417" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7_WclQiM0rw/T-JcMRUXMZI/AAAAAAAAAR8/wO5mcDbahYw/s640/Breathing+-+Lucky+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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From <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shared-ebook/dp/B0046LV97W/ref=la_B0042NVC3U_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1340235504&sr=1-6" target="_blank">Shared</a></em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o4i7IGC_Hx0/T-JcVnOPlZI/AAAAAAAAASE/Tsn1P6ppuZk/s1600/Shared+-+Lucky+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o4i7IGC_Hx0/T-JcVnOPlZI/AAAAAAAAASE/Tsn1P6ppuZk/s640/Shared+-+Lucky+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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From <em><a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/joel-blaine-kirkpatrick/when-america-slew-her-king/hardcover/product-20099144.html" target="_blank">When America Slew Her King</a></em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g5-cJCMKIdc/T-JcgcVzG4I/AAAAAAAAASM/_-_PELe9taI/s1600/When+America+-+Lucky+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g5-cJCMKIdc/T-JcgcVzG4I/AAAAAAAAASM/_-_PELe9taI/s640/When+America+-+Lucky+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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And now—to accept the game, and do what Jenny believed impossible—here are the requested number of lines from my next novel. I am creating them on the fly. They will fit exactly, when I have imagined 76 prior pages. Jen will be watching, and I cannot fail her.<br />
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From <em>Clouds of Green and Blue</em><br />
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<em><span style="color: orange;">"Miss, but I...cannot give you the ticket..." he stammered, not wanting to say it.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: orange;">"Explain to me why," she demanded. "This is the station—I know you sell them. I arrived in this spot six months ago, with such a ticket!"</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: orange;">"Sweet Miss—you are unescorted-" he was near to tears.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: orange;">"I came here that way, just now! How can I not depart if I have clearly come?" Her fury whitened her knuckles on his windowsill.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: orange;">"I'm not allowed, you see..." he blanched. "A blind person must have a companion, and you are so young..." He would have reached beneath his glass to touch her hand, but Clara spun away indignantly...directly into the crowd, who paid her little heed.</span></em><br />
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There Maria, and Jenny. I hope you two are tickled pink...<br />
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Here is my list of new participants: (This game has expanded. A few on my list may have already been tagged.)<br />
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<a href="http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/MarkPaulJacobs" target="_blank">Mark Paul Jacobs</a> (If he has reached so far in his new book)<br />
<a href="http://www.mollyhacker.com/" target="_blank">Lisette Brodey</a><br />
<a href="http://www.cliffball.net/" target="_blank">Cliff Ball</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rjmcdonnell.com/" target="_blank">RJ McDonnell</a><br />
<a href="http://www.jenknox.com/" target="_blank">Jen Knox</a><br />
<a href="http://www.stacyjuba.com/blog" target="_blank">Stacy Juba</a><br />
<a href="http://alboudreau.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Al Boudreau</a><br />
<a href="http://kimberlykinrade.com/" target="_blank">Kimberly Kinrade</a><br />
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.Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-3081277634633248822012-05-12T00:31:00.004-06:002012-05-12T00:36:51.426-06:00Today is my 53rd Birthday.<br />
To celebrate, I'm releasing this dark, dangerous Alternative History...<br />
<br />
This is NOT the history you were taught.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.whenamericaslewherking.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-alblSLEMZAA/T64DaBpz5UI/AAAAAAAAARM/VT63PoVr-qg/s640/bg2.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.whenamericaslewherking.com/" target="_blank">Go to the website</a></div>
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<br /></div>Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-67398232207887005572011-11-12T07:57:00.000-07:002011-11-12T07:57:29.929-07:00An open letter to my (our) Library...Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss Librarian,<br />
<br />
You are witnessing the revolution in bookmaking from a unique perspective; you only collect. Neither promoting nor encouraging, your presence in our community is a testament that people still read. We all know the ways in which reading is changing, so I will not dwell on those facts. I care that you look once again to your obvious influence on the readers.<br />
However apart as you may be from the writers and the publishers, your very presence is a commanding judgment on the books themselves. Your guidelines for inclusion of a book should follow the revolution. At the moment you are ten years behind—at close to the same awareness as publishers.<br />
The community of outstanding authors has exploded. The availability of excellent reading material has bloomed beyond understanding. Self-published authors are finding readers, and it is happening 'no thanks' to publishers. It is also happening, 'no thanks' to libraries. While writers and readers remake the exchange of printed words, the two other Institutions of Text flounder without direction.<br />
Adding eBooks is only marginally interesting; much as adding recorded movies and music. It was a fine move, but superficial.<br />
You are missing out on print. You are not expanding to allow that precious experience for your readers—the choice to hold a book in their hands for a week of wonder.<br />
You are not drowning in the sea of print, as many are, because you have not embraced the revolution at all. I want you to come with us. There is only one, best way you can. Embrace your local authors.<br />
<br />
Every library in America already has a local authors section. I would assure you, it contains one tenth the number of books available to you. Book available at no cost, by the way. Authors would gladly give you a printed copy, if you would only open your arms and allow them to come rest on your shelves.<br />
I say this, because I sat in a corner of the library all spring, with my laptop open to my latest novel file. Right at the shelves of western classics, I saw people come browse every ten minutes on those shelves. Some of them walked away empty handed, others would strike a conversation and complain they had read everything in sight in that section.<br />
What a sad truth to hear. Readers...with nothing to read. And, I know authors in town who write westerns. Their books are not there to be chosen.<br />
<br />
This needn't be a longer discussion. Please open your shelves to every author with a printed book, who lives within an hour's drive of your wonderful building. Don't judge whether they have written well enough to be there among the classics. Let your readers do that, please.<br />
I've heard your patrons wishing they had that choice.<br />
<br />
Thank you,<br />
<br />
Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick,<br />
Father of five books.<br />
Two of which are good.<br />
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.Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-44851334517744022352011-10-19T21:06:00.003-06:002011-10-19T21:11:31.441-06:00The Crazy Cat Lady - or - Messing with kids and calling it Education...Am I the only one who noticed this?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q0s3UAC1xp0/TpwmABC0KGI/AAAAAAAAAOU/TtrDfALSrv8/s1600/Jen+Avatar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q0s3UAC1xp0/TpwmABC0KGI/AAAAAAAAAOU/TtrDfALSrv8/s200/Jen+Avatar.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><i>Sept. 1</i> <span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: orange;"> Jen Knox</span></i></span> on FB - I've got four new motherless kittens to give away. Anyone in San Antonio want a kitten? They are adorable.<br />
<i>Sept. 4</i> I've still got those six kittens....<br />
<i>Sept. 10</i> Yay! Found a home for one of the kittens. Seven to go.<br />
<i>Sept. 17 </i> Gave away three of the adorable kittens to a great family. Anyone want one? Still have six left.<br />
<i>Sept. 20 </i> Eight precious kittens looking for a good home in SA. Know anyone?<br />
<br />
So...what? Jen is a wonderful person, is fabulous with animals. But, her husband is a math genius. I know someone in their house can count. What up then, with the wandering numbers... then I figured it all out.<br />
<br />
Page five of the San Antonio Express News:<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Neighbors are beginning to worry. Someone seems to be collecting kittens....</span></span><br />
<br />
I've read Jen. Have you? <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Musical-Chairs-ebook/dp/B004FN1VNI/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_ke?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319076501&sr=1-1"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Musical Chairs</span></a></i>. Here's a link to <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/139300716"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">my review</span></a>.<br />
Jen is a skillful writer. You believe what she tells you in those pages. I've known of her a bit more than a year and I swear to God, when I read her book I was sobbing, "I hope she's going to be alright...."<br />
Hyper-real is an apropos description when discussing that book. You believe that you will read she died.<br />
<br />
In other words, Jen could adopt out those kittens to the very same folks she 'borrowed' them from—and she probably is.<br />
Let's go back to her book, <i>Musical Chairs</i>. It's not her only book. So if you've been craving another Jen Knox tome...there is another one, just released. <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/To-Begin-Again-ebook/dp/B004OEKGBQ/ref=sr_1_3_title_1_ke?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319076501&sr=1-3"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">To Begin Again</span></a></i>. I wrote an entire feature on the point of Jen's renewed beginnings. She has several.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eiJTvD_gPSA/Tp-Bl9Ur2xI/AAAAAAAAAOc/n4ulcJZzkuE/s1600/Musical+Chairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eiJTvD_gPSA/Tp-Bl9Ur2xI/AAAAAAAAAOc/n4ulcJZzkuE/s1600/Musical+Chairs.jpg" /></a></div>Then I remembered the cats.<br />
Have you looked at the cover art for her first book? There are three cats on that montage. I swear. Evidence of a feline fixation, I tell ya.<br />
(like that cover? So do I.) Oh, here's a link to her <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/Author.Jen.Knox"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">author page</span></a> on FB.<br />
<br />
Now that you know of two books...she has <a href="http://www.jenknox.com/publications.htm"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">a lot more for you to discover</span></a>. Jen is prolific. She has articles, poems, flashfiction and short stories published. They can be found in magazines, ezines, anthologies, textbooks. ? Oh, yeah. She's an educator. Jen's exquisite multiple beginnings have culminated in something akin to Nirvana. She writes, she gets published, she teaches writing. I crave such things, and she often says that she only stumbled into it all.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z-JZS5ZyX-M/Tp-JADQE81I/AAAAAAAAAO8/paQpmgg_vss/s1600/award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z-JZS5ZyX-M/Tp-JADQE81I/AAAAAAAAAO8/paQpmgg_vss/s1600/award.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is just one</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The Chinese claim that cats are lucky. You do the math. Jen gets to see her words in print, and then gets to claim the awards those words have brought her.<br />
Prolific, and Presented.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IpqFNwMErHA/Tp-BxcXkQpI/AAAAAAAAAOk/cHtyo0QZuFM/s1600/tobegin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IpqFNwMErHA/Tp-BxcXkQpI/AAAAAAAAAOk/cHtyo0QZuFM/s200/tobegin.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>I have often argued that, given enough of a writer's words, we will know them utterly. Even if they write zombies, or Jen's personal pet-peeve, vampires. A writer is unable to keep themselves out of their writing; IMHO. Jen goes me one better. She has placed herself so completely in her own writing that you cannot find anything fictional about it. Even the poetry. Poetry, to some, is emotion expressed in alphabet. <br />
<br />
Well, that's Jen. <a href="http://www.fwrictionreview.com/post/8777878403/types-of-circus-by-jen-knox"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Even her story about a lingering love;</span></a> re-sparked memories of a woman, given breath again by nothing more than dry entries in a notebook diary. Jen calls that a sad poem. I call it a sublime glimpse into Jen's mind. She reads her inner diary every day. She searches for the most meaningful lines, embraces them and then lives them again.<br />
<br />
<br />
The cats? Don't you wish your own lazy hound had remained a puppy forever? Jen has found the secret to having kittens forever: borrow them, then give them away and borrow another.<br />
<br />
She still has nine, still looking for good homes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nKnWlS5sKps/Tp-D4k-yusI/AAAAAAAAAOs/6d3hs9ytBoA/s1600/knox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nKnWlS5sKps/Tp-D4k-yusI/AAAAAAAAAOs/6d3hs9ytBoA/s200/knox.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>I wouldn't worry in the least about her influence on those college kids. They are in the company of a very sound mind.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Do your students call you Professor?</span><br />
Yes, even though I tell them to call me Jen. Some students call me ma’am, which seems overly formal and makes me think those particular students can’t remember my name. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Describe one of your courses, and tell us why you chose that subject</span>.<br />
I teach creative writing. I make my student write something creative based on a prompt. Then, I tell them to do better (I’m a little more specific than this), even if they’re already great. When they begin writing better, getting more concrete and intense, telling more potent stories, I tell them to do even better. When they’ve done even better, I tell them to quit making me look bad. It’s a great gig.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Are you a Texan yet?</span><br />
I don’t have the bumper sticker yet, no, but I do buy Texas-shaped cheese, and I like the smoky BBQ smell that’s everywhere.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">“The em dash is what makes a 200 word sentence possible.” If that is an original thought of your own, I love you.</span><br />
Thanks. I love the em dash. Some would think I love it to a fault. For the record, I’ve never written a 200 word sentence, nor will I, but I can’t imagine one existing without the em dash.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Name one literary classic you believe to be overrated.</span><br />
I have to give kudos to any piece of writing that can stand the test of time. If a book bores me, it just means I’m not ready for it yet, or that it’s not what I’m into right now. I like to keep an open mind because what I read now is far different than what I read ten years ago. I’m sure this will be the same ten years from now.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">I’ve heard that you’ve tossed story ideas aside, because they didn’t come alive for you. That implies you write a lot. Do you get to write as much as you like?</span><br />
Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of time to write. I have two jobs and quite a few other regular obligations. I can’t say I’ve ever tossed a story too far away, though I do leave them be when they’re not working. I don’t think everything everyone writes is good. And this is especially true for me. Sometimes ideas don’t take, and when this happens, I’ve learned to save my story and leave it be. Quality, liveliness, vigor: these should come before completion always, always, always. Wanting to finish everything just for a sense of completion often wastes everyone’s time (readers and the writer’s). I hope to get more time to write one day, but if not, I’ll keep writing in the meantime, the in-between time, and I can only hope I’ll stay humble enough to toss things to the sideline when they don’t work.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">I read your poem <i>Relapse</i>. No one reading this needs to be told directly why it’s one of the most unique poems I’ve ever read. They should go find it themselves. What struck me was the support network you gave to Kathy; there are quite a few people reaching out to her. Did you know, it is almost exactly the number of concerned loved ones who supported you most in Musical Chairs? Relatives, friends, even a disconnected acquaintance offering assistance—they are all there.</span><br />
Cool observation. Life is such a tapestry, but it takes a keen eye to see the patterns.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Define a writer.</span><br />
A person who calls his/herself a writer.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Why not vampires?</span><br />
I don’t have the skills to pull off a good vampire tale. Kudos to anyone who can.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">I enjoyed your experiments with music and writing. What did you ultimately decide about tunes and your muse?</span><br />
My muse likes total silence, and she gets moody when it’s not there. She admits to liking rap music, but it makes her want to write raps, and she’s no good at that. I really think my muse needs a therapist.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Where is <i>Absurd Hunger</i>?</span><br />
It’s in the cloud (or should I say on the cloud?). I think I’ll publish it one day. I just don’t have enough emotional distance from the story yet. To be honest, I might just rewrite the whole thing. We’ll see. This is the freedom of not being under contract: I can always put out only my best work.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Is it the only writing you have attempted, from a man’s perspective?</span><br />
Here’s one, here’s one (but be warned that it’s sad): <a href="http://www.fwrictionreview.com/post/8777878403/types-of-circus-by-jen-knox"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">http://www.fwrictionreview.com/post/8777878403/types-of-circus-by-jen-knox</span></a> <span style="color: orange;">Ha! I knew perfectly well, you would take us back to that one.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Do you keep a journal or diary?</span><br />
Not currently. But I’m a big advocate of others doing so. <br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">(</span><a href="http://www.flashquake.org/archive/vol8iss1/editorial/keep-a-journal.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">read this</span></a><span style="color: orange;"> then look at the editor's words at the top again...<i>he thought it felt real.</i> It was David; it was documentary.)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8bEv9THzVGs/Tp-HVrPxvNI/AAAAAAAAAO0/wXT_8mbqEjY/s1600/Blog+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8bEv9THzVGs/Tp-HVrPxvNI/AAAAAAAAAO0/wXT_8mbqEjY/s400/Blog+Banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: orange;">Have you kept anything from your childhood; anything you can pick up to hold, right now?</span><br />
A Strawberry Shortcake doll is on my desk, staring at me right now. She’s not an intentional keepsake. It’s actually creepy the way she’s followed me around, and the way she still smells like strawberries. I’m thirty-two years old, which means she has to be about twenty, and still, she smells like strawberries!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Favorite food: Can you prepare it, or must you go out for it?</span><br />
Caprese salad. I love fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil. It’s such a simple but perfect salad. I suppose I could make it, but I would prefer to a good Greek restaurant.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">What are you reading right now?</span><br />
Ayiti by Roxane Gay. Good stuff.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">I really like the video work on your </span><a href="http://youtu.be/HcBd8OIQVqs"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">book trailer</span></a><span style="color: orange;">. Who is KnoxworX? Why do I get the impression you are also an artist?</span><br />
My father did my trailer. He’s a remarkable visual artist. I’ve often tried to follow in his footsteps, but visual art never quite works for me. It’s funny because that art gene is in every one of my family members. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">What is your favorite type of story?</span><br />
The sort of story that makes me cry or throw things or look in disbelief and reread immediately. I like realistic fiction, the stuff that feels more real than nonfiction, the stuff that screams and whispers at the same time.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Are you a finicky writer, hardly ever satisfied with your words?</span><br />
I like a few pieces. At some point, I’ve liked every piece that I’ve put out in the world; but as I write more and my own standards get higher, I tend to reevaluate my older work and expect more from future work. But this is all part of the game.<br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br />
Does your husband edit for you, or will you let him?</span><br />
No. He’s not much of a reader. He’s a math guy, and I love him for it, or despite it. His equations give me migraines, and I’m pretty sure my literary ramblings do the same for him. I’m thankful for this, actually. It means that no matter how bad a story is, he’ll love me just the same. It also means I can write whatever I want about him and he’ll never bitch because he’ll never read it.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Complete this beginning:</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">The roses never bloom’d there, even as the season called them.</span><br />
The author of a self-improvement bestseller stood over the area and declared the roses responsible for not believing in themselves; a religious leader stood there and said the roses were not there because they were not blessed; the roses across the street said that they could grow there because they were superior roses and what was planted there was a weaker type. <br />
None of them saw the bud that appeared there a little late, none of them stuck around to know that the most remarkable roses grew there, off-season, nor that they were picked by a child who loved them, ran home with them, and offered them to his mother who had been having a particularly tough day.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Have you ever played a game of softball?</span><br />
If so, I’ve blocked the experience from my consciousness.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Your book has just been praised, and you are stunned they had even found you. Who has praised your book?</span><br />
Ellen Degeneres. Thanks, Ellen! No, no need to make a custom dance to accompany my book review. Well, if you insist.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Have you found contentment?</span><br />
Yes! I find it quite often, and I’m grateful each and every time.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">And with that...she becomes a philosophy professor....</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">Thank you, heaps and bunches, Jen.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br />
</span><br />
Nearly all my guests have been friends, before I read them and called them into this corner. Jen was an acquaintance. (We know so many authors..don't we all?)<br />
<i>Musical Chairs</i> made her a friend.<br />
My review was raw truth—I read that book in six hours. It just stunned me that every word of it was a moment of this woman's life, and she wanted me to know those moments. Jen shared herself in ways that family sometimes cannot do. She has been praised as brilliant, brave, even demure...because the text is so bold and she merely presents it as something that happened to her, without grandstanding an instant of it. I hope her students read it and understand it for the example that it, and Jen Knox, truly is.<br />
<br />
I hope you read it too.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-84087616830746835202011-10-02T16:05:00.004-06:002011-10-02T20:36:03.580-06:00Existing in a perpetual anecdote...That guilt I have for not calling my mother? - I get that same guilt for not emailing one of my favorite authors, <span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><i><b><a href="http://lisettebrodey.com/">Lisette "Molly" Brodey</a></b></i></span>. She's going to have so much to say, she'll properly explode if I wait too long.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z5sPKSReE0k/ToaTQPsyDjI/AAAAAAAAAN8/6DRL5rgsxJE/s1600/LB_Portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z5sPKSReE0k/ToaTQPsyDjI/AAAAAAAAAN8/6DRL5rgsxJE/s1600/LB_Portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z5sPKSReE0k/ToaTQPsyDjI/AAAAAAAAAN8/6DRL5rgsxJE/s200/LB_Portrait.jpg" width="158" /></a>Researching authors is not usually necessary. By the time we arrive here together, we've interacted enough to make these conversations easy. But, I do ask around for some amusing stories about a guest, when I know there might be one lurking. Asking around about Lisette, I got eighty-three replies.<br />
Such as,<br />
"Did she tell you about the time she was stuck in the elevator with...?"<br />
And this one,<br />
"She didn't say anything about *** did she...?"<br />
Or,<br />
"What has she told you now?"<br />
One of the quickest was,<br />
"I don't care what she says, I wasn't there...!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I'm giving you the wrong idea - aren't I ? <span style="font-size: large;">☺</span> Hehehe. Here, this one sums it all up the very best; explains L.B. with these simple words,<br />
"Why are you interviewing her? Everybody knows her already...!"<br />
<br />
Lisette IS a story. She is page after page of amusement and delight. I will stop what I'm doing to read her emails. She probably thinks that I wait at my computer all day just to catch them. ( I do. ) So, what about that last response to my snooping...why interview her? Naturally - she's too interesting.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Lisette Brodey is interesting doing nothing</span>. Some of you are nodding your heads.... So far, I've liked everything she's ever said. She's the type of person who you look for soon as you enter the room - "Is Lisette here yet?" She is one end of a streaming conversation, forever. No, I'm not describing a busy-body. No I'm not describing a scatter-brain. Lisette is a writer. She's writerly. It's exactly the kind of conversation you want to have - and look for....admit it. Not one ordinary word or moment.<br />
<br />
Oh, come on! Really! I'm not being rude or mean...NONE of you have ever deleted a single Lisette Brodey email....<br />
Have you. Hahahaaahaaa!<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y8amvsAlTeA/Tlb3Ms7DAhI/AAAAAAAAANg/T1YYmLoEoqE/s200/Molly.jpg" width="133" /><br />
<span id="goog_28489398"></span></a>She <a href="http://mollyhacker.com/interviews/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">blogs with an alternate personality<span id="goog_28489399"></span></span></a>, just to get it all said. Knowing that a single Ms. Brodey couldn't satisfy us, she created Molly Hacker. (Soon to appear in her own book, <i>"Molly Hacker is too picky!"</i>) I believe that to be a brilliant bit of conversational skill. A fictional character with a blog; a substitute Lisette. Almost satisfying enough.<i>Note that I said almost.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">What would possibly go one better than spending a moment with Lisette, or Molly? How about reading one of her books when she's not available? There go those nodding heads again..... Lisette is serious about every thought in her head. She is triple serious about every thought she writes down. Like I said - writerly. Haven't read her? Shame on you. You know something similar to her style of writing though. I hope you hear what I hear. You know already what Lisette sounds like on the page.</div>Where have you heard it?<br />
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<i>"Twelve Angry Men" "Grapes of Wrath" "Gone With the Wind" "Death of a Salesman" "A Streetcar Named Desire" "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" "On The Waterfront" "Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf"</i><br />
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You've noticed the serious tone now, haven't you? Some of you had a ping in your head loud as an alarmclock. A few, "My god..."s were just whispered.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xhXbgmU8dbg/Tlb3XbaYQuI/AAAAAAAAANk/OOQRc-OjsAQ/s1600/Crooked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xhXbgmU8dbg/Tlb3XbaYQuI/AAAAAAAAANk/OOQRc-OjsAQ/s1600/Crooked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xhXbgmU8dbg/Tlb3XbaYQuI/AAAAAAAAANk/OOQRc-OjsAQ/s200/Crooked.jpg" width="134" /></a>Conversations in text that remain with you, and you can hear them now - moments of speech so pure they must be spoken from a stage or by a commanding actor. Characters who are alive in the most writerly way possible. They call it <i>"stealing the scene"</i> or <i>"commanding the stage"</i>. No one makes a sound during the character's dialogue. In <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/CROOKED-MOON/dp/B0014JQ9DI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203874391&sr=8-4"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Crooked Moon</span></a></i>, Lisette calls one of hers Frankie; Mary Frances to her brother. That character can stand and command the audience as any in the above mentioned classics. Frankie is <i>real as you breathe</i>, every time you hear her speak.<br />
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There is a moment in "Twelve Angry Men"; a story that Henry Fonda loved so well, he bought it, and produced the movie himself. The character is Lee J. Cobb's Juror #3, and the scene concerns the knife; the angle of the stabbing that made the murder. Watch that scene again. Then again. Henry Fonda is clearly taken back by the force of the acting from Lee Cobb. You can hear it in his voice. Cobb <i>was</i> the character, <i>so completely</i>, it couldn't have been captured in another take. The great Hank Fonda was reduced to a man in a damp shirt.<br />
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Here is the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R12AIPRNT07SGS/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B0014JQ9DI&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode="><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">link to my review</span></a> of this perfect story.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gsOghS9qdAQ/Tlb3eM2QVZI/AAAAAAAAANo/MnI-UT21PgQ/s1600/Squalor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gsOghS9qdAQ/Tlb3eM2QVZI/AAAAAAAAANo/MnI-UT21PgQ/s1600/Squalor.jpg" /></a><em>That</em> is how Lisette writes characters. And, it's no fluke that I'm implying the strong comparison to a few classic plays....<br />
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Time to have our conversation with her...<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">How on earth do you find time for all the stuff you do?</span><br />
Wow, that’s news to me. I wish I did find the time. I work a ridiculous number of hours trying to get everything done. Seven days a week. I almost never accomplish everything on my list, but I always make my deadlines for the things that must be done. Time, such an elusive little rascal; I so wish there were more of it.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Tell us about Molly.</span><br />
Molly Hacker is the main character in my upcoming novel, <em>Molly Hacker Is Too Picky!</em> Since February 2011 (Presidents’ Day to be exact), I began blogging as Molly so that readers might get to know my snarky, picky, lovably, chatalicious character prior to the publication of her book.<br />
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A thirty-two-year-old reporter in the town of Swansea (an elegant, old-money bedroom community of New York), Molly is on a quest to find Mister Right, juggling men and work, and fending off self-serving matchmaking efforts by the town’s most visible socialite, Naomi Hall Benchley, whom Molly refers to as the “she-devil.”<br />
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Every Monday, Molly blogs about life at <a href="http://www.mollyhacker.com/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">www.mollyhacker.com</span></a>. Every Wednesday, she puts on her reporter’s hat and interviews her creative peers. Molly is a busy girl. Personally, I could never find the time to do all that she does.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Squalor, New Mexico is your second-published book, but your first bit of writing?</span><br />
<em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/SQUALOR-NEW-MEXICO-ebook/dp/B001WAL1CI/ref=pd_sim_kinc1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Squalor, New Mexico</span></a></em> is my first novel, but definitely not my first bit of writing. And it has absolutely nothing to do with New Mexico; rather, it takes place in East Coast suburbia in the ’70s. It is a coming-of-age story shrouded in mystery and tells the story of a family and their secrets through the eyes of Darla McKendrick, beginning from the time she was nine through sixteen.<br />
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While it’s classified as a YA novel, I never wrote it to be. For those curious about why the book has such an odd title, here’s a little something I wrote explaining it: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=124729824228993&topic=323"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">https://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=124729824228993&topic=323</span></a><br />
In the writing of this book, it was very important to me not to side with Darla or with her parents. Readers have had very different opinions about my characters, and that’s just the way I intended it.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">I see you everywhere online. Is there a strategy, which you apply, or did you just dive in?</span><br />
I knew my mother should never have chosen Ubiquitous for my middle name. I was certain I’d pay the price later, and as you see, I have. <span style="font-size: large;">☺</span><br />
Really, Joel? You see me everywhere? I try to do as much networking as I can, but my time is more and more limited. Strategy? Let’s see. Well, I try to be as <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/lisettebrodey"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">visible on Twitter</span></a> as I can. When it’s possible, I make an appearance several times a day, but I don’t stay on for a long time. I like to meet as many people as I can and if I only tweet at the same day every day, I’ll miss getting to know some wonderful tweeps out there.<br />
When time permits, I enjoy reading the blogs and writings of my fellow authors/writers and helping some very deserving people to promote their work.<br />
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I also check into Facebook every day, both my personal and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BrodeyAuthor"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">author page</span></a>, but again, I don’t always spend a lot of time there. So, I guess my strategy would be to simply make the rounds and say hello to as many people as possible in the limited time I have. There are some fabulous sites/forums I would love to be involved with, but my time is ridiculously limited, so I just do the best I can. If authors spend too much time promoting, there will be nothing new to promote.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">What about New York do you love most?</span><br />
The energy. The electricity. The colors. The people (most of them). The lights. Central Park. The eclectic and the eccentric. The photo ops. The inspiration. The passion. There is no city that I love as much as New York. I feel so alive when I am there.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">You have something cooking – career wise – besides being a millionairess author. Can we know what it is yet?</span><br />
My main goal is to be a successful author. There are other endeavors that I engage in to survive, but nothing earth shattering, not yet. I throw things up against the wall every day in hopes that something will stick. When something does stick, I’ll be sure to let you know.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">I’ve heard that you sing while you write.</span><br />
I don’t know who you’re paying for information, but you should demand a refund. Actually, when I’m writing, I have to have complete silence. I often act out what my characters are doing, so if they’re singing, then perhaps I might be, too. But it’s very rare.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">I can go down a list of things I love about <em>Crooked Moon</em>. Top of the list is your characterizations. They are flawless. What do YOU love most about that story?</span><br />
I’m very humbled by your kind praise. Truly. The characters in <em>Crooked Moon</em> are also what I like best about the book. I often feel as if I can’t take credit for them. As I’m sure is the case with many writers, during the writing, it often feels as if we are mere transcriptionists, eavesdropping on a conversation and quickly typing everything we hear—verbatim.<br />
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Okay, so once in a while I did go in and change a word or two, but the characters in <em>Crooked Moon</em> came to life by themselves. There are passages of short narrative in the book that I spent days writing. Once in a while, those passages would come to me magically, too, but never the way that the characters’ dialogue did. I love the characters because they are angry, scared, lonely, needy, confused, and loving. And they have secrets.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">You finally have some time to write... do you have an outline that you visit? Do you read some of the previous bit of work? Have you been planning and plotting for a bit before you sit down. Are you picky about your space, your environment? OR, do you just go at it like a mad woman?</span><br />
The first thing I do when I’m about to write is edit the previous day’s work to get me into the writing zone and into the story. There are exceptions. If I have a scene that is burning a hole in my brain, I can’t worry about editing yesterday’s work. All I want to do is get it down so I won’t lose the idea or the moment.<br />
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I like to know what I’m going to do when I sit down to write. That said, I love it when my story takes me to unexpected places, and characters give me the shock of my life. That’s so cool. But I do write each scene to advance either the plot or the character. If I don’t understand what I’m writing, I don’t expect my readers will, either.<br />
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The cleaner my writing space, the happier I am. My current desk is a lot bigger than the one I used to have, but still not big enough. But, yes, I will do a major clutter reduction before I prepare to write. In fact, just talking about this has given me a huge urge to clean my desk…NOW. Pardon me, I’ll be right back.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GgyxobmRTJ8/ToacuJNkwqI/AAAAAAAAAOA/z-Av0ka-CJ0/s1600/LBPGO_Twitter+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GgyxobmRTJ8/ToacuJNkwqI/AAAAAAAAAOA/z-Av0ka-CJ0/s1600/LBPGO_Twitter+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GgyxobmRTJ8/ToacuJNkwqI/AAAAAAAAAOA/z-Av0ka-CJ0/s1600/LBPGO_Twitter+-+Copy.jpg" /></a><span style="color: orange;">Ryne Pearson and I both were sad to see the kitty photo replaced. Was that a rented cat, or is it a Californian now, too?</span><br />
Yes, I know that Ryne was especially despondent when I took down the photo on Twitter of my holding the cat to my cheek. In fact, previously, Ryne had blatantly called me “Cat cheeker!” on Twitter. Now the picture is just me. The good news is that my cat is right here by my side. She is a native Californian, unlike me, and for the record, I never rent cats.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">You’ve said before, “…moving is really important.” Explain that.</span><br />
I’m learning so much about myself from reading your questions. So, I’ve said, “Moving is really important,” have I? Well, I don’t remember *<a href="http://lmstull.com/2011/03/03/interview-with-author-lisette-brodey/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">saying it</span></a>, but moving IS important. Moving one’s body throughout the day and getting exercise is vital to one’s mental and physical health. Moving from a city or a home you weren’t crazy about to one you prefer is also important. Writing novels that are moving is really important if you want to stir emotions in your readers. Moving a cat off your desk (or your cheek) so you can get to your work is important if you want to be productive. Moving truly is important. How wise that was of me to say, indeed. :-P<br />
<span style="color: orange;">*Link goes to L.M. Stull's blog.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yq7noVI1MOA/TojbHHm_kzI/AAAAAAAAAOI/6sXD7dldb2I/s1600/website+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yq7noVI1MOA/TojbHHm_kzI/AAAAAAAAAOI/6sXD7dldb2I/s1600/website+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yq7noVI1MOA/TojbHHm_kzI/AAAAAAAAAOI/6sXD7dldb2I/s400/website+banner.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="color: orange;">True or False – your nails are painted perfectly at this moment.</span><br />
They are painted, yes. Perfectly–absolutely not.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Have you ever been haunted?</span><br />
I’ve been haunted by memories and regrets, but ghosts, I don’t think so. That said, I do know of people who have been, and I believe I may have had encounters. But an out-and-out haunting, no. <br />
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<span style="color: orange;">What was it like, growing up in Philadelphia?</span><br />
Well, first of all, I grew up in a suburb of Philadelphia, not in the city itself, so that is a very different reality. It was a nice place to grow up because it had all of the elements that one would want in a hometown. And it was ninety miles from New York. I liked that a lot.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">How often do you jot down notes for your stories?</span><br />
Every day. I write down lines, phrases, funny thoughts, character names, and anything I think I might ever use. I go nowhere without paper and pen. <br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Name the one book, which completely melted you emotionally.</span><br />
There are so many books that I have absolutely loved, but nothing comes to mind that melted me emotionally. Not recently. I sobbed for forty-five minutes, unexpectedly, after seeing the film <em>Life is Beautiful</em>. <br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Before you published your first novel, you had actually been a playwright. Was that a job, or did you have dreams of that success? Those influences are suffused throughout Crooked Moon, and you deserve praise for that text.</span><br />
It was such a different world back then. I wasn’t really a playwright. I thought I might want to be one. I had one play that I spent years sending to theaters all over the country with no luck. This particular play began as a short story that I wrote at age seventeen. I never finished the story, but I turned it into a one-act play eight years later. I then gave the play to the director of Temple University’s theater. (This was MANY years ago!) He loved the characters and really “got” them, but said the play needed to be a two-act. He was right.<br />
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So I turned it in to a two-act play, but he never found time to read it. The characters are strong, quirky people with flaws and secrets, and I’m going to novelize the play and turn it into my fourth novel. I’m in the midst of expanding the story and am very excited to begin writing this soon.<br />
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In collaboration with two others, I wrote the book for a full-length musical comedy. I also wrote four screenplays but never did anything with them. <br />
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<span style="color: orange;">What is your favorite play?</span><br />
I love <em>Long Day’s Journey Into Night</em> by Eugene O’Neill, and I really love a lot of musicals. <em>Fiddler on the Roof</em> really touches me, and I’ve seen it on stage five times, including once with Zero Mostel. And I had orchestra seats. I love Tennessee Williams’ <em>The Glass Menagerie</em>, too.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Shakespeare or Stephen King?</span><br />
Eugene O’Neill and Neil Simon. Charles Dickens and Thomas Wolfe. <br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Should new authors query to agents now, or should they go directly to self-publishing?</span><br />
This is an extremely personal decision. I don’t think there is any one answer. The good news is that for writers who want to query agents, it can be done and over with SO much more quickly than it used to be — in most cases. I remember the days when I often had to print fifty pages (or the entire manuscript) of my novel, print out every letter, pay for postage to each agent, and then pay for the postage on the return envelope. This was extraordinarily time consuming and expensive.<br />
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Now, authors can be rejected much more quickly. <span style="font-size: large;">☺</span> Seriously, though, because the process is far more streamlined with email submissions, an author can always try his or her luck with agents and, if that doesn’t prove successful, make the decision to self-publish without wasting years in the process. As I write this interview, I saw an article today that said that one in six Americans own an eReader. I remember just a few years ago when I knew ONE person with a Kindle. The changes in that area are staggering. The world of publishing is changing and evolving.<br />
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I would just advise each author to do his or her homework, study the options, and make the decision that feels best for him or her.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">I’m giving you a fantasy trip – expenses paid – anywhere in the world. Where are you going?</span><br />
That all depends on who is going with me. I’m tired. I think I would go to some place incredibly beautiful where I could relax. Peru, Fiji, Tahiti. Oh, it’s hard to choose, especially because I really love the hustle and bustle of cities, too. And if I don’t say Melbourne, Australia, my friends Lisa and Ross will be really hurt. So let me add that city to the list.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">In Hamlet, the prince takes a simple prop and makes a whole man of it. “Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio…” In <em>Crooked Moon</em>, you took a simple house, and filled it with Aunt Emily. We never meet her, but she is real as Yorick. Does that surprise you?...to hear a reader was touched in that way?</span><br />
Yes, it does. I am so touched by the compliment that it’s almost hard for me to believe. I had a very good sense of Callie’s aunt Emily and wanted her spirit to shine through, but it never occurred to me that a reader would notice her in that way. Thank you. That is truly praise supreme, and coming from such a gorgeous writer as yourself, even more special. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SOgPaXtlf-Y/TojaxkKZeOI/AAAAAAAAAOE/hnfi2avqz7U/s1600/mollyhackerblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SOgPaXtlf-Y/TojaxkKZeOI/AAAAAAAAAOE/hnfi2avqz7U/s1600/mollyhackerblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SOgPaXtlf-Y/TojaxkKZeOI/AAAAAAAAAOE/hnfi2avqz7U/s400/mollyhackerblog.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="color: orange;">Who is leading you now, Lisette Brodey, or Molly Hacker? What comes next?</span><br />
Molly is leading at the moment, but I’m going to be passing her soon. As soon as her book is published, I’ll not only be writing novel #4 that I spoke about, but I’ll be knee deep in other projects as well.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Give me an answer, and I’ll write the question…. </span><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">☺</span><br />
No one was more astonished than I was when I made the decision. I remember the day clearly. At 8:30 a.m., the sky opened up, and a torrential rain fell on the city. I had been mulling over my decision for months, and now there was an obscene amount of rain falling, and I was still clueless about what to do. I remember turning on the radio on my way to the appointment, and the first song I heard was “Cry Me a River,” by Barbra Streisand. I really thought the cosmos was playing a trick on me, teasing me, but somehow, the raw emotion in that song helped me to come to my decision, shocking myself and everyone involved. I wish I had a more definitive answer for you, Joel, but that’s how it all went down.<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Question is: Which City has the best pizza: New York City, or Hollywood?</span><br />
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Thanks so much for having me. You’ve been a gracious and patient host. I really enjoyed doing this interview.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Thank you, Lisette. We seem to share the race to get the most done in the least time possible. You might be winning.<span style="font-size: large;">☺</span></span><br />
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***<br />
Pick one of Lisette's books, folks, and get to know this lady. She will amaze and entertain you.<br />
Watch for her novel, <em>Molly Hacker Is Too Picky!</em> this fall. If you strike up a conversation with her, and she tells you what her fourth novel is about...drop me a note. I'm dying to know.<br />
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.Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-9503546039007919422011-09-08T13:10:00.009-06:002011-09-21T09:23:14.634-06:00BestsellerBound is 1 year old!...You can do a lot of damage by writing a book and tossing it out for the world to consume. Think of all the people you will bother by doing it...<br />
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Rather, think of all the fun you will have when lots of other people help out; Tweeting, and Facebooking, and interviewing, and sharing and reading and Kindleboarding and tagging and reviewing and laughing and all that other stuff you really won't have the least amount of time to do....<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LcJk4qMPcBg/TkCjvO-LT3I/AAAAAAAAAMY/iMrJalb7T18/s1600/BsBlogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LcJk4qMPcBg/TkCjvO-LT3I/AAAAAAAAAMY/iMrJalb7T18/s200/BsBlogo.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of Jaleta Clegg</td></tr>
</tbody></table><i><b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><a href="http://bestsellerbound.com/">BestsellerBound.com</a></span></b></i> is 1 year old! To celebrate, we have given away a ton of stuff. Being one year old now is a small marvel. (lots of startup forums die on the web somewhat quickly. That's sad...) Anyway! There is a group of authors and readers at BsB, who are just silly enough to get involved in your efforts, whatever they are. Some of us won't have the common sense to stay out of it, in fact. We are shameless.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">What do we like best? Readers. (readers are a <i>who</i>, not a <i>what</i>.) Writers who read. Writers who have questions. Writers with a sense of humor, and even some grumpy ones, like me...as long as they continue to Tweet.</div><br />
You don't really want to be doing this alone?...do you? People will think you are anti-social....<br />
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Don't ask what BestsellerBound.com is, you already know. Ask what it does.......<br />
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1. Allows self-promotion.<br />
2. Allows sharing - for any reason.<br />
3. Allows people like me to join. :)<br />
4. Allows anyone to suggest anything that might help sell books.<br />
5. Bands together to beat the Holy Crap out of poor reviewers.<br />
(Not really...but we might write some nasty stories about them.)<br />
6. Write some really nasty stories about poor reviewers.<br />
1. Throws you kicking and screaming into self-promotion. (That suddenly hit me as a new No. 1)<br />
7. Cry, when you are feeling blue.<br />
8. Put your stuff into books sometimes, and offer them all over the world for free.<br />
9. Shares stories about pets - but they have a special section for those posts, to keep the other ones clean and fresh smelling.<br />
10. Scoff at any suggestion that none of us know a thing about what we are doing, because we are going to learn, dammit.<br />
11. Did I say "Allow self-promotion"?<br />
12. Blog. We blog like mad.<br />
13. Fix stuff that's broken... book tech support. Some of us are good at that sort of thing, because we are always breaking things...<br />
14. Defend self-publishing, with pitchforks... That's <i>my</i> idea :)<br />
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BestsellerBound.com is more than a forum, though it began as a place where Darcia, Stacy and Maria could play and be queens of the sandbox. Now, BsB has a massive group on <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/41570.BestsellerBound">Goodreads</a> - a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/BestsellerBound-Free-Anthologies/102994089775599">Facebook</a> page for the free anthologies - a <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/BestsellerBound">Twitter</a> presence - a channel on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/BestsellerBound">YouTube</a> for book trailers - BsB has won <a href="http://critters.org/predpoll/final_tally_writerforum.ht">web awards</a> ...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VfIb1Ma-Nko/TOF-sAsLB3I/AAAAAAAAACE/wSFRNqnvnx0/s1600/maronski+headline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VfIb1Ma-Nko/TOF-sAsLB3I/AAAAAAAAACE/wSFRNqnvnx0/s320/maronski+headline.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VfIb1Ma-Nko/TOF-sAsLB3I/AAAAAAAAACE/wSFRNqnvnx0/s1600/maronski+headline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a></div>What has it been like, being a member there?<br />
Fun.<br />
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What will it be like, being a member there?<br />
Fun.<br />
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Who's already there? (You've been wondering, right?)<br />
Deep breath - - -<br />
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<a href="http://www.quietfurybooks.com/">Darcia Helle</a>, <a href="http://www.stacyjuba.com/">Stacy Juba</a>, <a href="http://www.mariasavva.com/">Maria Savva</a>, <a href="http://www.thefarthestreaches.com/">Jason C. McIntyre</a>, <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/MarkPaulJacobs">Mark Paul Jacobs</a>, <a href="http://alboudreau.wordpress.com/">Al Boudreau</a>, <a href="http://heatherpaye.blogspot.com/">Heather Paye</a>, <a href="http://www.jaletac.com/">Jaleta Clegg</a>, <a href="http://www.jfhilborne.com/">Jenny Hilborne</a>, <a href="http://bitsybling.blogspot.com/">Charlie Courtland</a>, <a href="http://westofmars.com/">Susan Helene Gottfried</a>, <a href="http://www.jenknox.com/">Jen Knox</a>, <a href="http://www.blackwolfbooks.com/">Magnolia Belle</a>, <a href="http://www.theguardiansapprentice.com/">J. Michael Radcliffe</a> - <i>these are five star masters, folks</i>... <a href="http://www.daniellebourdon.com/">Danielle Bourdon</a>, <a href="http://amiblackwelder.blogspot.com/">Ami Blackwelder</a>, <a href="http://www.amysnovels.com/">Amy Saunders</a>, <a href="http://nfaa.wordpress.com/">Alexander M. Zoltai</a>, <a href="http://www.saffinadesforges.com/">Saffina Desforges</a>, <a href="http://www.anjuellefloyd.com/">Anjuelle Floyd</a>, <a href="http://mayneattraction.com/">Ann Mauren</a>, <a href="http://www.pavarti.com/">Pavarti Devi</a>, <a href="http://www.annewhitfield.com/">Anne Whitfield</a>, <a href="http://www.banocanut.com/">Dan Schwartz</a>, <a href="http://cliffball.webs.com/">Cliff Ball</a>, <a href="http://www.danlhays.com/">Dan L. Hays</a>, <a href="http://www.sibelhodge.com/">Sibel Hodge</a>, <a href="http://twoendsofthepen.blogspot.com/">Debra L. Martin</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/TowerRatMainTango">Doug DePew</a>, <a href="http://gail-baugniet.blogspot.com/">Gail M. Baugniet</a>, <a href="http://www.garethlewis.eu/">Gareth Lewis</a>, <a href="http://www.heatherhildenbrand.blogspot.com/">Heather Hildenbrand</a>, <a href="http://www.paulkeefe.com/">Paul Mansfield Keefe</a>, <a href="http://www.jguevaranovels.com/">J. Guevara</a>, <a href="http://www.jtcummins.com/">J.T. Cummins</a>, <a href="http://www.inkyblots.com/">Jaime McDougall</a>, <a href="http://www.jameseverington.blogspot.com/">James Everington</a>, <a href="http://symackay.blogspot.com/">Sandra MacKay</a>, <a href="http://jemimavalentino.blogspot.com/">Jemima Valentino</a>, <a href="http://stephengoldin.com/">Stephen Goldin</a>, <a href="http://jenniferswan.net/">Jennifer Swan</a>, <a href="http://www.itsjerryschwartz.com/">Jerry Schwartz</a>, <a href="http://www.jesscscott.com/">Jess C. Scott</a>, <a href="http://zoe-lionheart.net/">Valerie J. Long</a> - big list, huh? <a href="http://www.freewwebs.com/julizpow">Julie Elizabeth Powell</a>, <a href="http://www.kategeorge.com/">Kate M. George</a>, <a href="http://www.kellisuelandon.com/">Kelli Sue Landon</a>, <a href="http://www.ketadiablo.com/">Keta Diablo</a>, <a href="http://www.kristiecook.com/">Kristie Cook</a>, <a href="http://ktbanks.com/">KT Banks</a>, <a href="http://www.elaineforlife.com/">Lainey Bancroft</a>, <a href="http://www.graceroseangelspeak.com/">Malika Bourne</a>, <a href="http://www.enterthebetween.blogspot.com/">Margaret Duarte</a>, <a href="http://www.markeeanderson.com/">Markee Anderson</a>, <a href="http://www.thewordgang.com/">Mark McKenna</a>, <a href="http://byathread-thebook.com/">Marty Beaudet</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mchanson714">Cynthia Meyers-Hanson</a>, <a href="http://www.michaelscottmillerauthor.com/">Michael Scott Miller</a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/237mvru">Monica Brinkman</a>, <a href="http://neilschiller.wordpress.com/">Neil Schiller</a>, <a href="http://nurtureyourbooks.com/website/">Nurture Your Books</a>, <a href="http://thewordmistresses.com/">P.I Barrington</a>, <a href="http://raven.youareannoying.us/">Raven Corinn Carluk</a>, <a href="http://www.rjmcdonnell.com/">R.J. McDonnell</a>, <a href="http://www.rynedouglaspearson.com/">Ryne Douglas Pearson</a>, <a href="http://jenniferlanebooks.com/">Jennifer Lane</a>, <a href="http://www.sharonpenningtonwrites.webs.com/">S.C. Pennington</a>, <a href="http://thewriteworld.webs.com/">Valerie Maarten</a>, <a href="http://www.simon-royle.com/">Simon Royle</a>, <a href="http://www.jinxschwartz.com/">Jinx Schwartz</a>, <a href="http://home.earthlink.net/~scathcart1964/sharonecathcart">Sharon E. Cathcart</a>, <a href="http://www.shaunjeffrey.com/">Shaun Jeffrey</a>, <a href="http://www.journalstone.com/">Christopher C. Payne</a>, <a href="http://shelleystout.librifiles.com/">Shelley Stout</a>, <a href="http://writerstevensymes.blogspot.com/">Steven Symes</a>, <a href="http://www.stuartjaffe.com/">Stuart Jaffe</a>, <a href="http://www.sueannbowling.com/">Sue Ann Bowling</a>, <a href="http://www.susanschreye.com/">Susan Schreyer</a>, <a href="http://www.tomgahan.com/">Tom Gahan</a>, <a href="http://www.williamtprince.com/">William T. Prince</a>, <a href="http://tyjohnston.blogspot.com/">Ty Johnston</a>, <a href="http://lynnestevie.wordpress.com/">Lynne Stevie</a>, <a href="http://zoe-lionheart.net/">Valerie J. Long</a>, <a href="http://www.believinginhorses.com/">Valerie Ormond</a>, <a href="http://worderella.com/">Belinda Kroll</a>, <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/anabarsrun/">Will Granger</a>, <a href="http://www.authorjwcoffey.com/">J.W. Coffey</a> I know I've missed someone, but will put their name in if they call me on it....<br />
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That is just a smattering, believe me. (And, I bet those folks haven't been called a smatter all week.)<br />
At the least, its a good group of those I could snatch links for easily... BestsellerBound has 461 members, some who've been at this for years and sell thousands of books; who have been downloaded tens of thousands of times. <i>Mr. McIntyre has reached the milestone of more than a hundred thousand downloads... </i>We are a family of writers who design covers; who edit - professionally and for bizarre fun; who blog and interview; who review. Some of us have only one book in print, others have impressive catalogs of work available. One of our members - Mr. Pearson - has even had <i>two books</i> made into movies... We have IT gurus in our midst, eBook formatting experts...and chefs; short story writers, and a few who don't seem able to type the words <i>The End</i>....even one old curmudgeon who works in traditional publishing, if you can imagine that! (Two, actually, but the other one is a sweetheart.) BestsellerBound also has members who are highly respected bloggers, who have organized their own online communities and web shows for Indie book promotion.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DQ4oK8jj3w0/TNtVIZtDocI/AAAAAAAAAB0/KwPfuFv4KAY/s1600/BsBLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DQ4oK8jj3w0/TNtVIZtDocI/AAAAAAAAAB0/KwPfuFv4KAY/s1600/BsBLogo.jpg" /></a></div>Here is the point - I always leave that for the bottom - BestsellerBound is a family of authors and readers who love books. We love working with them, talking about them, sharing them. In the vast expanse of the World Wide Web, there are not many places who just say, "Come join us. Now, what would you like to do?" Conversely, there are plenty of places asking for your money first, then they make some attempt to like you.<br />
Not so, that crap, at BestsellerBound.com I found them early in their first weeks, and fell in love instantly. You will too.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ng6cqmFASU/Td2P1j8wpSI/AAAAAAAAAJc/n-f9wsD3i3g/s1600/BsBShortStorycover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ng6cqmFASU/Td2P1j8wpSI/AAAAAAAAAJc/n-f9wsD3i3g/s200/BsBShortStorycover.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Here are links to the BestsellerBound products - always free to read or download:<br />
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<a href="http://www.darciahelle.com/ebooks/bsbssanthology.pdf">http://www.darciahelle.com/ebooks/bsbssanthology.pdf</a><br />
<a href="http://www.darciahelle.com/ebooks/bsbanthology2.pdf">http://www.darciahelle.com/ebooks/bsbanthology2.pdf</a><br />
<a href="http://www.darciahelle.com/ebooks/bsbanthologyvolone.pdf">http://www.darciahelle.com/ebooks/bsbanthologyvolone.pdf</a><br />
<a href="http://www.darciahelle.com/ebooks/bsbanthologyvoltwo.pdf">http://www.darciahelle.com/ebooks/bsbanthologyvoltwo.pdf</a><br />
<a href="http://www.darciahelle.com/ebooks/bsbanthologyvolthree.pdf">http://www.darciahelle.com/ebooks/bsbanthologyvolthree.pdf</a><br />
<a href="http://stacyjuba.com/blog/2011/09/10/win-book-prizes-during-bestseller-bound-birthday-bash/">http://stacyjuba.com/blog/2011/09/10/win-book-prizes-during-bestseller-bound-birthday-bash/</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-skRHJI6dRiM/Tj9GnCoK0bI/AAAAAAAAAMU/9ExPnan03RY/s1600/bsb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-skRHJI6dRiM/Tj9GnCoK0bI/AAAAAAAAAMU/9ExPnan03RY/s200/bsb2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><span id="goog_1962730692"></span><span id="goog_1962730693"></span>Here are links to other blogs about this anniversary:<br />
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Darcia: <a href="http://quietfurybooks.com/blog/2011/09/bestsellerbound-giveaway">http://quietfurybooks.com/blog/2011/09/bestsellerbound-giveaway</a><br />
Cindy: <a href="http://mchanson714.blogspot.com/2011/09/year-anniversary-celebration.html">http://mchanson714.blogspot.com/2011/09/year-anniversary-celebration.html</a><br />
Maria: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/1521185-bestsellerbound-is-1-year-old">http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/1521185-bestsellerbound-is-1-year-old</a><br />
Jaime: <a href="http://www.inkyblots.com/bestseller-bound-turns-one-giveaway/">http://www.inkyblots.com/bestseller-bound-turns-one-giveaway/</a><br />
Susan: <a href="http://westofmars.com/2011/09/06/its-the-bestseller-bound-birthday/">http://westofmars.com/2011/09/06/its-the-bestseller-bound-birthday/</a><br />
Jaleta: <a href="http://jaletaclegg.blogspot.com/2011/09/best-hang-out-ive-found-online.html">http://jaletaclegg.blogspot.com/2011/09/best-hang-out-ive-found-online.html</a><br />
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Here is the list of prizes: (Giveaway is closed. Winners have been notified. )<br />
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1. 1 coupon code for a free ebook copy of <em>The Dream</em> by <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/MariaSavva"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Maria Savva</span></a> from Smashwords.<br />
2. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for free ebook copy of any one title by <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/DarciaHelle"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Darcia Helle</span></a>.<br />
3. 1 coupon code for <em>The Choice</em> by <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/mchanson714"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Sydney S. Song</span></a> from Smashwords.<br />
4. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for free ebook copy of <em>Echo Falls</em> by <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/InkyBlots"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Jaime McDougall</span></a>.<br />
5. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for free ebook copy of any one title by <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/gdlewis23"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Gareth Lewis</span></a>.<br />
6. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for free ebook copy of <em>The Other Room</em> by <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JamesEverington"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">James Everington</span></a><br />
7. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for free ebook copy of any one title by <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/WestofMars"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Susan Helene Gottfried</span></a><br />
8. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for free ebook copy of <em>Nexus Point</em> by <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaletac"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Jaleta Clegg</span></a><br />
9. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for a free eBook copy of <em>2010 Hindsight: A Year of Personal Growth, In Spite of Myself</em> by <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/fiona64"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Sharon E. Cathcart</span></a><br />
10. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for a free eBook copy of <em>Caraliza</em> and also <em>Breathing into Stone</em> by <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/Kirkpatrick"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Joel Kirkpatrick</span></a> (That's me!)<br />
11. 1 free hardbound, signed copy of Joel’s secret <a href="http://www.brownbrushbooks.com/index.php?p=1_2_Novel-Five"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">5th novel</span></a>, shipped the week it is released.<br />
12. 1 coupon code for a free ebook copy of <em>Sink or Swim</em> by <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/stacyjuba"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Stacy Juba</span></a>.<br />
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Please come join us for all the fun there. We would love to get to know you, learn more about what you write. BestsellerBound.com wants you to reach your dream, and be read by someone who never knew you had written a book. That's like getting a hug from Mama. <br />
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</span>Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-29931387286264874292011-08-25T06:07:00.000-06:002011-08-27T17:26:49.772-06:00Where waters laugh, and clouds dance...<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.tessaapa.com/"><span style="color: orange;">Tessa Apa</span></a> </span></b></i>lives in a fairytale land. I have a good friend who has been abducted by aliens a few times and I’m not talking about anything he has vividly described.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wh7dPG5yiZU/TlZNxyOmpGI/AAAAAAAAAM4/QOchn5GrUNU/s1600/avatar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wh7dPG5yiZU/TlZNxyOmpGI/AAAAAAAAAM4/QOchn5GrUNU/s1600/avatar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wh7dPG5yiZU/TlZNxyOmpGI/AAAAAAAAAM4/QOchn5GrUNU/s200/avatar.jpg" width="198" /></a><i>Aotearoa</i>: Tessa lives where waters laugh and clouds dance; mountains speak to one another and move of their own accord. The more beautifully men will paint their faces - the more terrifying they become, and women there have inspired five hundred years of mermaid tales. I have been dreaming of that place my whole life.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Imagine how wonderful her dreams might be, living in a place such as Tessa’s home! Well, you <i>might</i> be able to imagine it. There aren't many places you can travel which are very much like it. Could you go there, you would notice a few important details right away.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Isolation. Lack of hot dogs.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wBc_YZCOaBs/TlUbb5h4mqI/AAAAAAAAAMo/AUm-vuF5vYg/s1600/dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wBc_YZCOaBs/TlUbb5h4mqI/AAAAAAAAAMo/AUm-vuF5vYg/s1600/dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wBc_YZCOaBs/TlUbb5h4mqI/AAAAAAAAAMo/AUm-vuF5vYg/s200/dog.jpg" width="200" /></a>I'm serious. Tessa has never enjoyed one of these. They would call it a bun <i>kur</i>i, or a coated <i>kuri </i>anyway - not conducive to getting the order right. But...imagine. Being without those!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Back in the 1700s (a jolly time to be alive...) A famous delivery service popped over to her island and brought a lot of new things. No dogs though, or not the coated <i>kuris </i>anyway.<i> </i>And the guy's name was Cook. Bit of a letdown for them, I can tell you.</div><br />
He left there with a pretty well rounded imagination though. The place has been described as magical, bewitching, beautiful, bountiful, ever since. Nice advertising. Now if only someone would invent a way, besides a full-rigged ship, to get over there.<br />
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So, where is this place? I'm ashamed if you haven't figured it out.<br />
Not really. I'm enjoying the riddle. (it's so danged <i>easy!</i>)<br />
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What isolates it? Water. That does a good job.<br />
Men standing on the shore with spears....that's effective, but only used right after Cook left.....<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HZAaULsFyBg/TlUes9XFcYI/AAAAAAAAAMs/jYuY9q2Egos/s1600/Gateway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HZAaULsFyBg/TlUes9XFcYI/AAAAAAAAAMs/jYuY9q2Egos/s320/Gateway.jpg" width="209" /></a>You would be surprised how Tessa's beautiful home can be difficult to reach, and reach <i>out</i> from. We will get into that in just a few more paragraphs. First -<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058V1FUA/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_alp_ffVdob16ZJQWK"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">her book</span></a>.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>She found me, while reaching out across the waves, and asked would I be so kind as to read her book. <i>Homai o homai</i>. I obviously was wise enough to jump at the chance. We had a very surprising connection already. I was predisposed to squeal with delight actually. Tessa lived in that place I'd recently been dreaming....<br />
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You would imagine that her book would be, "Neener, neener! Look where <i>I live</i>..." but, it isn't. I would have been pleased at any rate. However, she writes a bit apart from the real estate, and goes right to the heart of the dream with her text...<br />
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Everything there is <i>wairua</i> (spirit) filled.<br />
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Cook didn't find an empty place. (Any more than Columbus did...) He found a culture, very old, connected to every moment of life. They are well connected to most of the experience <i>after</i> life, actually, but Cook found that part odd. I happen to love it. <i><a href="http://www.tessaapa.com/251696/html/page.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Gateway to Celesta</span></a></i> spoke to me, though I'm quite old and it is a Young Adult novel, because Tessa knows things I've wondered my whole life. She knows them with <i><a href="http://www.tessaapa.com/uploads/91581/files/Angels_Chess.pdf"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">certainty</span></a></i>. What a remarkable key that single word can be. <i>Gateway to Celesta</i> embraces the concept of 'beyond what we experience and know'. An important dimension for kids while they are growing and learning. Tessa wanted to impress her certainty upon her own children, so began telling them stories. It lead, ultimately, to her book. Here is my happy<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/182498224"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> review</span></a>. Go directly to her book listing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058V1FUA/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_alp_ffVdob16ZJQWK"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a>, and <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/70012"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a>.<br />
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There is much more to Tessa than this one book, as there is more to her island home than the beauty of sand and waves. When she has time, and is not writing, she creates photographic art. Her modeling days have been passed down to her daughter, and Tessa looks for any peaceful moment she can find amid the rush. But, she's frazzled in such a beautiful place! This is a beginning point, for you now. This is the point of discovery. Here, we connect and you should not sail away. Stay please, in this warmth, and hear a wonderful tale... <i>Haere mai...welcome.</i><br />
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Oh! She's been waiting for me to hush....<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Tell me all about your book, in 8,000 words or less.</span><br />
Do you know an agent once asked me to describe my book in ONE sentence. I tried really hard to impress her but it was a long long long sentence! <span style="font-size: large;">☺</span> Gateway to Celesta is essentially about the power of thought and its ability to control our lives. It is also about the eternal balance between good and evil. It's for young adult readers although I have to admit a lot of the feedback and emails I get are not from young adults. It also explores the fact that sometimes the truth can be so simple, we just can't believe in it.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Do you live on Te Ika-a-Maui or Te Wai Pounamu?... or do you prefer to say Aotearoa?</span><br />
That made me laugh <span style="font-size: large;">☺</span> I prefer Aotearoa. I live in One Tree Hill, U2 wrote a song about it.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Which of your characters are YOU most like?</span><br />
That’s a hard question! I don’t know if I can answer it……But if I had to pick I'd say Frankie.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">You have admitted beginning to write for your children. Were you a storyteller for them, first?</span><br />
Absolutely - especially when they were little. They seemed to prefer made up stories because I could always throw them (and the dog) into it. They loved that. The only problem was they never wanted the story to end so it was hard getting them to go to sleep.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">I can’t help picturing you on a sandy beach, in a great shady hat, writing in a massive notebook. Where do you write?</span><br />
You are joking right? Umm let's see, in the car outside piano lessons, in the car outside guitar lessons, in the car at netball practice. You get the idea? It is incredibly hard for me to find the time and space to write as I need silence. When you have a big family, silence is elusive. I find early mornings the best, but only if I have had an early night. It's hard to be creative and let it flow when you're half asleep.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NnXOMMCLlmc/TlUuzroIWNI/AAAAAAAAAMw/NaoXZPCWUqE/s1600/Tessa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NnXOMMCLlmc/TlUuzroIWNI/AAAAAAAAAMw/NaoXZPCWUqE/s1600/Tessa.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="color: orange;">What is Celesta?</span><br />
Celesta is a spiritual dimension that exists alongside us. I say spiritual because it's not bound by any of the rules we have on earth. It is home to every thought that any person has ever had. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">You described something in your book that was utterly new to me. You told me that every human thought continues to exist, and can influence us again. It is an amazing idea. What sparked that notion?</span><br />
Have you ever an idea pop into your head from nowhere? Just BAM! And you're struck with this new way of looking at something? Well that's where it started. Where did that come from? Why do I keep on thinking that? Why can't I shake that thought? It also works in a negative way. When we just can't shake a bad vibe or recurring negative thought that drags us down. I began thinking about that concept and wondered if maybe thoughts had a life of their own. I wondered if they could, at times, be coming from outside of our selves. And having considered that, I then decided we could control them too.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Gateway to Celesta is your first book. What else have you written?</span><br />
Only short stories. I LOVE <a href="http://www.tessaapa.com/249755/html/page.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">short stories</span></a>. Probably because it's so much easier to embrace when you are a busy person. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Why did your first book take five years to write?</span><br />
You don’t really need to ask that now do you? Constant distractions and derailing. The idea was fully formed very early on. I just found it really hard to knuckle down and do the work.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Do you go sailing?</span><br />
No and not likely too.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">I like your character, Peter. He really has to confront some unexpected opposites. However, you don’t remake him. Was Peter difficult to write?</span><br />
Yes I like Peter too. He's more interesting to me than the others. Peter was easy to write, for some reason I can feel his darkness and almost relate to his constant dilemma. I'm really looking forward to spending time with Peter as I write the sequel<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Who is the best storyteller in your family?</span><br />
Me <span style="font-size: large;">☺</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Do you love puzzles? What are your favorite types?</span><br />
Yes I do! I love word games, you know those ones where you get 5 letters and you have to make as many words as you can in two minutes. And Solitaire (with cards not on the screen) is a favourite too - that's a puzzle right?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Most people think of your homeland as unbelievably isolated. I bet you don’t think that at all. But, has New Zealand isolated you as an author? What extra problems do you have to overcome?</span><br />
Yes we still wear grass skirts here and the shops close on Sundays. Aotearoa is very difficult country to be a new author. We only have five literary agents here and unless you write NZ-themed fiction, or Rugby biographies they won't even read your synopsis. And as a Kiwi, if you reach out to other countries, they don't really want to deal with someone overseas. So it’s a real dilemma. I did consider adding a Kiwi spin on the book but it would have been fake so I didn’t bother. It is loosely based in the Waikato, but unless you know the area you wouldn’t pick it up. You really should get <i>'Shared'</i> down here pronto!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">You certainly should have readers from all over the world now. Which country popped up as a complete surprise to you?</span><br />
I actually get surprised when someone from New Zealand buys one. Considering we don’t really have many people reading electronic books here, it always surprises me because I thought the USA would be my only market. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V1XAaLzpc9A/TlZPkpMV1uI/AAAAAAAAAM8/2B_trPiuIXA/s1600/Tessa-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="99" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V1XAaLzpc9A/TlZPkpMV1uI/AAAAAAAAAM8/2B_trPiuIXA/s640/Tessa-logo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: orange;">Tell us what it is like in your house when you are writing.</span><br />
I don’t write at home unless everyone else is out. So it's quiet and usually my dog is with me (she's allowed to stay). I like to be really comfy and usually write longhand in a journal.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Name a favorite book you have read, that you are positive I have never heard about.</span><br />
The <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7739858-the-10-p-m-question"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">10pm Question</span></a> by <a href="http://www.bookcouncil.org.nz/writers/degoldikate.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Kate De Goldi</span></a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Where is your favorite place in all of New Zealand.</span><br />
<a href="http://www.pakiriholidaypark.co.nz/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Pakiri Beach</span></a>. Don't get me started.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">There was one element in <i>Gateway to Celesta</i> which was exceeding dark and disturbing to me. Did you argue with yourself about including that, or did it seem perfectly natural and proper?</span><br />
Hmmmm….which bit is that I wonder? Peter's dream? The dog? I didn’t argue about it because it had to be written. <span style="color: orange;">(I won't divulge any secrets...you did a perfect job of answering. )</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ctAqKP04UuE/TlUvPzqudZI/AAAAAAAAAM0/wA6aFwsztNs/s1600/tessas+kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ctAqKP04UuE/TlUvPzqudZI/AAAAAAAAAM0/wA6aFwsztNs/s200/tessas+kids.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="color: orange;">You began writing, for your children. Have you any desire to write another type of book?</span><br />
Yes I am drafting a non-fiction book as well. It's called <i>'Breadcrumbs on a Path to Heaven'</i>. I have no idea when it will be finished.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">What do you read for fun?</span><br />
I read anything but non-fiction history. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">On which side of the road do Kiwis drive?</span><br />
The left ofcourse - But remember our cars are right hand drive.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Who was the first person to tell you, “You should write a book!”</span><br />
I told myself. I didn’t even tell anyone I was writing it until I was well into it.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Who was the first person to read your book?</span><br />
My daughter Arieta.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Angels appear in some manner, in every story I’ve written. It took your short story, actually, to explain them to me. What inspired <i>The Girl Who Played Chess With An Angel</i>? One of the themes within it nearly broke my heart. Is it purely fiction?</span><br />
I am developing that story actually and have just had my cover art done. It started off with the working title '<i>Certainty</i>' and grew from there. I believe Angels are real, I believe demons (tipua) are too. Most of what I write starts with something that I have observed or experienced and <i><a href="http://www.tessaapa.com/uploads/91581/files/Angels_Chess.pdf"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">The Girl Who Played Chess With An Angel</span></a></i> is no different. I am deeply interested in perception and how it has the ability to mold and control our lives. I wanted this story to be told by someone who was open to perceiving life and all its twists and turns with as few pre-conceived ideas as possible. Obviously we all have our own spin, but is it right? Could it be warped? Could we actually be wrong and how open are we to considering a new possibility? My Angels have no personal spin, they can see things as they are without the embellishment that humans seem to give everything.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">What is your next project?</span><br />
I will have <i>The Girl Who Played Chess with an Angel</i> finished this year and up on Amazon. Then I will start the sequel to <i>Gateway to Celesta</i>. I have my plan all done and I'm hoping 2012 will bring a bit more silence so I can finish it in record time.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;"><i>Kia ora</i>, Tessa.... I have enjoyed this, so much.</span><br />
<br />
****<br />
<br />
I've been saying, for a good while, that 'Down under' is a vast, opening market. People have heard me complain that Kindle is not global; that we should stop believing it is. Here is a resident, telling us that we need to bridge this water. We need to make connections there, because retailers are not on the ball. It is unfortunate when any author has to struggle to be read, and such a pleasure to share them when we can. Sharing is <i>why</i> we are here.<br />
<br />
<em>Kore rawa e rawaka te reo kotahi</em>. One language is never enough.<br />
<br />
So, what thrilled me so much, connecting to an author from New Zealand? Oh, come on! You haven't figured me out yet?! She's beautiful! Tessa had a wonderful story in her heart, and it was important enough to share. She said only <i>please</i>, and perhaps had no idea the gift she was offering me. I tried writing about her stunning homeland and needed someone to tell me that <em>I got it all wrong</em>. <br />
<br />
Connect to Tessa Apa at these links. Bridge across your own isolation. <span style="font-size: large;">☺</span><br />
<a href="http://www.tessaapa.com/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Tessaapa.com</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/tessaapa"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Tessa on Twitter</span></a><br />
<br />
Connect to the <a href="http://www.bookcouncil.org.nz/Overview/Support-NZBC/Information.htm"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">New Zealand Book Council</span></a> here, and learn how you can help spread their written words.<br />
<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-7424194485416537912011-08-07T20:57:00.010-06:002011-08-08T21:05:14.225-06:00BestsellerBound.com promoting Indie authors...again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-skRHJI6dRiM/Tj9GnCoK0bI/AAAAAAAAAMU/9ExPnan03RY/s1600/bsb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-skRHJI6dRiM/Tj9GnCoK0bI/AAAAAAAAAMU/9ExPnan03RY/s320/bsb2.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="http://bestsellerbound.com/">BestsellerBound.com</a> is vying to be something extraordinary for independent authors. It is not content to be a forum only. There is too strong a foundation of self-publishing at its core. And self-publishing cannot lie still. Books must be written, we all know that; they must also be moved. Books had once liked sitting on shelves, waiting for readers. Now they want to ride with them - in their pockets.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">For members of her joint-venture website, <a href="http://www.quietfurybooks.com/">Darcia Helle</a>, has collected and edited this special short story edition of independent works. Some of these authors have appeared for interviews on this blog. (see the archives) Darcia wants those authors read. She believes they all deserve that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">That is why BestsellerBound exists. Not to merely talk of books, but to fling them out to be read.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Available FREE to the public, the sole purpose of this anthology, and the earlier released <a href="http://thetaleisthething.blogspot.com/2011/05/bestsellerboundcom-promoting-indie.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Anthology Vol. 1</span></a>, is to put outstanding authors in the hands of readers. With online marketing becoming a major chore for anyone, Indie authors are rarely blessed with help such as this. BestsellerBound is continuing on its very new trail in the land of self-publishing. A generous, welcome trail.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LcJk4qMPcBg/TkCjvO-LT3I/AAAAAAAAAMY/iMrJalb7T18/s1600/BsBlogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LcJk4qMPcBg/TkCjvO-LT3I/AAAAAAAAAMY/iMrJalb7T18/s320/BsBlogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LcJk4qMPcBg/TkCjvO-LT3I/AAAAAAAAAMY/iMrJalb7T18/s1600/BsBlogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: left;"> </div></a><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here is the list of featured authors:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>What Was Lost</em>, by <a href="http://jsoph.blogspot.com/">James Sophi</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>The Art of Breathing</em>, by <a href="http://www.inkyblots.com/">Jaime McDougall</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>Soul Windows</em>, by <a href="http://www.jaletac.com./">Jaleta Clegg</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>I Didn't Know His Name</em>, by <a href="http://www.quietfurybooks.com/">Darcia Helle</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>Red Route</em>, by <a href="http://www.jameseverington.blogspot.com/">James Everington</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>Make a Wish</em>, by <a href="http://www.westofmars.com/">Susan Helene Gottfried</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>The Last Chance Motel and Mausoleum</em>, by <a href="http://www.brownbrushbooks.com/"><span style="color: orange;">Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>Isolation</em>, by <a href="http://www.mariasavva.com/">Maria Savva</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>Beyond The Green Hills</em>, by <a href="http://www.tomgahan.com./">Tom Gahan</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>From Joy We Come, Unto Joy We Return</em>, by <a href="http://www.amiblackwelder.blogspot.com/">Ami Blackwelder</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">To download the eBook in a variety of formats, please see here: (courtesy of Darcia Helle) <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/78449"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/78449</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">You can also add this anthology to your reading list on Goodreads, please see here: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12291891-bestsellerbound-short-story-anthology-volume-2"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12291891-bestsellerbound-short-story-anthology-volume-2</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As always, your opinion and review will be most welcome at both Smashwords and Goodreads.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">All of the BestsellerBound.com offerings can be found together at this download link: <a href="http://quietfurybooks.com/freedownloads.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">http://quietfurybooks.com/freedownloads.html</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
.</div><div style="text-align: left;">.</div><div style="text-align: left;">.</div>Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-87586381513701558822011-07-13T11:24:00.004-06:002011-08-24T17:45:29.548-06:00Yellow zone is for taxis; White zone is for Dragons...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aMzVG2HI-jQ/Th3DH5Zc4YI/AAAAAAAAALk/tKY54kijq5g/s1600/Profile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aMzVG2HI-jQ/Th3DH5Zc4YI/AAAAAAAAALk/tKY54kijq5g/s200/Profile.jpg" width="132" /></a>Beginning his writing career between landing planes at the world's busiest airport, air-traffic controller <i><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">J. Michael Radcliffe</span></i> took nearly eight years to write his first novel. Land a plane, write a sentence; land a plane, write a sentence; land a dragon, write a sentence. I talked with one of his co-controllers who said, <i>"Michael never seemed to feel the stress of guiding the planes. But, he could have saved a lot of time just bringing his laptop to the tower. The man kept jumping into a portal to get back to his study in Kentucky, and would scream a few words to his ghost-writer and then pop back. A few times he would barely put his head through, dictate his story bit; half of him hanging out of that weird swirl of light..."</i></div><br />
Some writers just have the strangest methods...<br />
Imagine, writing in complete darkness, but for the glow in the eyes of four cats. Or less plausible, grinding up newspapers in a whirlwind, to snatch pieces one by one from the maelstrom, for each word in the next sentence. Wizard Radcliffe (<a href="http://twitter.com/#!/Alderdrache"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">@Alderdrache</span></a> which means<i> Elder Dragon</i> ) loves to experiment. I've been told he now trains ravens to type. (They get much more done, in the hour they are allowed in human form, but he hates to waste the other 23 hours with them idle.) My own fingers have erased a third of the keys on my laptop - I can't imagine what they look like after a flock of beaks.) Their favorite word? Marmalade.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-00KAFBVeoNc/Th3DKEsvRdI/AAAAAAAAALo/mAwvxpVrC6g/s1600/GA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-00KAFBVeoNc/Th3DKEsvRdI/AAAAAAAAALo/mAwvxpVrC6g/s320/GA.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>And you thought I would use <i>Nevermore</i>..... Ha!<br />
<br />
Well, you are in for some surprises, reading Mr. Radcliffe's superb tome<br />
<i><a href="http://www.theguardiansapprentice.com/index.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">The Guardian's Apprentice</span></a></i>. I found it to be wonderfully inventive, and he created some surprises for even me. Here is the link to my <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/139297455"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">review</span></a><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">.</span><br />
<br />
When a rich subject is approached by so many writers - and this magical realm has seen exposure since the Bible was first published - common themes surface. These writers have familiars, just as witches and wizards. Mr. Racliffe's familiar seems to be a Dragon. Actually, they also seem to be the backbone of his story. As some of the most ancient creatures in either world, the mundane or the magical, they certainly <i>should</i> have an important role. They have seen it all. Some of the darker things...<i>they even like</i>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz4l9eKF8kU/Th3DL0St5BI/AAAAAAAAALs/CU8e5tmekl4/s1600/BV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz4l9eKF8kU/Th3DL0St5BI/AAAAAAAAALs/CU8e5tmekl4/s320/BV.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>This is still not a saturated genre, regardless of what you might think, and readers are mad for it. Michael seems nowhere near running out of his own ideas. He's already produced short stories from the results of his first novel. Gathered together in anthology form, they are available separately as well. The collection is titled aptly <i><a href="http://journal-store.com/bookstore/beyond-the-veil-anthology/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Beyond the Veil Anthology: The World of The Guardian's Apprentice</span></a></i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> </span> Within its pages you will meet many of the <a href="http://theguardiansapprentice.com/creatures--places.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">creatures</span></a><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> </span>who dwell in Michael's world - some of them are quite nasty!<br />
<br />
You can also read much more on his excellent blog <a href="http://michaelradcliffe.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a>.<br />
<br />
I invited Master Radcliffe to appear for an interview and he consented. The reason that I had to sit with my hand in green fire the whole time...that escapes me...<br />
<i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"></span></i><br />
<br />
<div align="left"><span style="color: orange;">How many Dragon eggs have you hatched?</span><br />
Ha! Can’t say I’ve actually hatched one yet, but they do make an omelet that feeds 15…</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZddrXFTK8Ko/Th3DPo6pEcI/AAAAAAAAAL0/fD-GkL86GRw/s1600/Idris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZddrXFTK8Ko/Th3DPo6pEcI/AAAAAAAAAL0/fD-GkL86GRw/s200/Idris.jpg" width="170" /></a></div><div align="left"><span style="color: orange;">I love your story about </span><i><a href="http://theguardiansapprentice.com/authors-bio.html"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Idris</span></a></i><span style="color: orange;">, your newly acquired desk sculpture. I had a lunchbox once that spoke to me the same way</span>.<br />
Finally! Somebody that understands!! (my kids just gave me the ‘look’…)</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: orange;">Nearly all writers can recall a single book, which ‘flipped that switch’ in their imagination. Which one was yours?</span><br />
Wow, now that’s a tough question. When I was a socially inept teenager, books were my friends. Everything from Tolkien’s <i>The Hobbit</i> and <i>The Fellowship of the Ring</i> to Edgar Rice Burroughs’ <i>John Carter of Mars</i> series. I readily devoured every piece of fantasy, science fiction and mystery I could get my hands on. The original Sherlock Holmes stories remain among my favorites today, as well as James Clavell’s <i>Noble House</i>. If I had to choose just one book however, I would have to say the book that first flipped the switch was <i>The Hobbit</i>. </div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Le0qPPURwC0/Th3DN1DSTjI/AAAAAAAAALw/UHBzp7McIqM/s1600/Foresaken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Le0qPPURwC0/Th3DN1DSTjI/AAAAAAAAALw/UHBzp7McIqM/s200/Foresaken.jpg" width="137" /></a></div><div align="left"><span style="color: orange;"><i>Beyond the Veil Anthology</i>, did you create those stories after <i>Guardian’s Apprentice</i>, or were they originally part of that project?</span><br />
The short stories came about because my over-active imagination created more details and background than I could work into the novel. I keep a separate Word file with plot ideas, characters and creatures that I have continued to add to since publishing <i>Guardian</i>. Last Christmas we were on vacation in Florida and I was suddenly struck with an idea that became <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tears-short-story-Beyond-ebook/dp/B004HB1VUQ/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310574568&sr=1-5"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Tears for Hesh</span></a></i> (shown below) – my first short. It was as if the words came in a flood out of nowhere and I couldn’t get them on paper (well, pixels, anyway) quickly enough. <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Forsaken-Beyond-the-Veil-ebook/dp/B004XQVT4I/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310574568&sr=1-1"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Forsaken</span></a></i> remains my favorite though – it tells the story of Nisha and how sometimes things aren’t always black and white.<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Don't forget </span><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scale-Dragon-Beyond-Veil-ebook/dp/B004KKXTHC/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310574568&sr=1-2"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Scale of a Dragon</span></a></i><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> </span></i><span style="color: orange;">(s</span><span style="color: orange;">hown below)</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: orange;">What drew you into the magical world when you began to write?</span><br />
I absolutely love world building. That’s the nice thing about Fantasy and Sci-Fi – you can create your own world. The rules of your universe still have to make sense however – unlimited magic or power can't make your main character undefeatable – but you still create the system you want. The poor characters in my stories have learned that if I’ve had a bad day, one or more of them is in for a rough chapter. <i>meus universitas , meus sceptrum</i> (my world, my rules!)<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Writing became a safe place for you suddenly, and then a release?</span></div>Absolutely! I started writing in 2002 as a way to cope with stress. I lost a parent and a grandparent that year, and my then three year old had major surgery, and then I was downsized (I call it ‘the year that must not be named’…). Writing provided a creative outlet that helped burn off the emotions. It became a safe refuge when I needed it. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: orange;">You hinted at the Red Order, and their frightening power, in your first book. Do they become the focus of book two?</span></div>Wise you are, Master Kirkpatrick (sorry – channeling my inner Yoda). The Red Order, and particularly their leader, are spellcasters you don’t trifle with. Death is bad enough, but a wizard or witch in red robes will do worse – they will try to ensnare and steal your soul. They will bind your very essence with the pure evil of the Shadow, thereby not only destroying your body, but keeping your spirit in eternal torment.<br />
In <i>Bloodstone – The Guardian’s Curse</i> <span style="color: orange;">(due sometime soon)</span> you will get to meet the real power behind this group. Sava, Stealer of Souls, is a powerful necromancer seeking to control both the Earth and its magical twin. <br />
I’d be remiss if I did not thank author Maria Savva, who kindly consented to my using a variation of her name – though I should point out that Maria is most certainly NOT evil! She just has a wonderful last name!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: orange;">How long had you worked on your first book? I’d read that it was nearly eight years?</span></div>Yes, seven years, seven months and ten days (give or take). <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: orange;">What took so long? Did you rewrite very much of the story?</span></div>As I mentioned above, I started the story when I was downsized. The company I was with at the time was actually kind enough to give me two months notice. They knew I had no work to do but said they’d pay me through the end of the year and let me use my office for job hunting. I sketched out quite a bit of the story within the first six months, during down time between interviews, but then got busy with my new job. Procrastination was also my enemy – I would sometimes go for six months or more without writing a single word [hangs head in shame].<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The story now is a different incarnation of the first idea I had, and it went through at least two significant rewrites. When originally done, I had about 32,000 words, compared to 71,000 now. I also joined a writing group called ‘critters.org’ where authors critique each other’s work – I strongly recommend this to any writer – I can’t tell you how helpful this was.</div>At this point I really must give credit to my sister however. She is a fellow author, published under the name <a href="http://www.maevegreyson.com/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Maeve Greyson</span></a>, and writes paranormal romance novels. She encouraged me to keep at it. After she read the first draft she encouraged, threatened, cajoled and outright nagged me until I published it. She believed in my work when no one else did – and for that I can’t thank her enough.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DWac-oo45t0/Th3DS23Q0CI/AAAAAAAAAL8/CnzmhgZe4kw/s1600/Tears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DWac-oo45t0/Th3DS23Q0CI/AAAAAAAAAL8/CnzmhgZe4kw/s200/Tears.jpg" width="145" /></a><span style="color: orange;">Did you have a character in <i>Guardian’s Apprentice</i> who surprised you completely?</span></div>I have to admit, the villain really surprised me. I can’t say much more without a spoiler warning, but since you’ve read the book you’ll understand. Let’s just say the villain ended up being completely different than I thought he/she would. <br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Where are your books being read outside the U.S.?</span><br />
According to my sales reports I’ve sold books in Canada and the U.K., though I must admit the biggest surprise was the number of sales in Australia. I’ve also noticed a fair number of visits to my website from those same countries.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ry13bOekL8/Th3DRNFB94I/AAAAAAAAAL4/QE9JcB5LLx8/s1600/Scale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ry13bOekL8/Th3DRNFB94I/AAAAAAAAAL4/QE9JcB5LLx8/s200/Scale.jpg" width="136" /></a><span style="color: orange;">What is your day job? I’ve heard you train horses?</span></div>Now that’s funny! Anyone that knows me will double over laughing when they picture me working with large animals. I can’t even get my cats to do as they are instructed!<br />
My day job is the polar opposite of my writing persona. I’m the Compliance Officer for a community bank, which means I’m sort of an internal auditor. I specialize in reading and interpreting the various federal regulations and train our team members to ensure we abide by the law. <br />
By day I have to be buttoned-down, serious and by-the-book, but in the evenings I can unleash my inner demons when I write.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Have you had any more visits from </span><a href="http://michaelradcliffe.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/the-return-of-evil-dr-pork-chop-or-tales-of-the-nomadic-pig-2/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Evil Dr. Pork Chop</span></a><span style="color: orange;">?</span><br />
Alas, the international pig of mystery has not returned. While I suspect she may have developed stealth technology that allows her to rummage about unseen, I consider it just as likely that Cocoa (a.k.a. The Evil One) caught and ate her.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: orange;">Will any of your cats admit to being wizards, only allowed human form for a single hour each day?</span></div>Cats, like dragons, are loathe to give up their secrets. Plus I really don’t want to see Cocoa’s human form – she’s frightening enough as a cat!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: orange;">Please describe how you came to embrace self-publishing.</span></div>That decision came about through utter frustration with the traditional publishing paradigm (sorry – don’t get to use that word much). After I finished <i>Guardian,</i> I sent off several queries, most of which I never heard from. Being a business professional, I become supremely annoyed when someone doesn’t respond – a courtesy ‘thanks but no thanks’ would have been fine. The thought of editors and agents just chucking manuscripts in the rubbish bin (or hitting the delete button) strikes me as arrogant; at least have the courtesy of sending a form rejection email.<br />
Once I fiddled around with Amazon and Smashwords and found out (1) how easy it was and (2) how much better the royalty structure was, it was a no brainer. I had reached the conclusion that I would likely never be picked up by an agent or publisher because either (1) my story didn’t fit the current business model, (2) wasn’t today’s ‘hot’ genre or (3) *gasp* might not be worth reading (this is where my sister’s nagging came in handy, as she insisted it WAS worth reading).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I’m also amazed at how supportive other Indie authors have been. I stumbled across <a href="http://bestsellerbound.com/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">BestsellerBound</span></a> by accident and I’m so glad I did! You, <a href="http://darciahelle.com/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Darcia Helle</span></a>, <a href="http://mariasavva.com/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Maria Savva</span></a> and others have been so incredibly helpful. Forming these new friendships has been just as rewarding as being able to pull up my book on Amazon!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: orange;">Do you have any wizard’s robes?</span></div>I haven’t earned a full set yet, though I DO have a really cool black cape. I actually rescued one of our cats twenty feet up a tree while wearing a full vampire costume one Halloween, but that’s another story…<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: orange;">In <i>Lord of the Rings</i>, Frodo was in his fifties when he began his own quest. I was never able to put my mind around that, preferring the younger version that Elijah Wood brought to the screen. I know that Keegan is in his thirties – does it surprise you that I see him as barely out of his teens?</span></div>Actually it doesn’t surprise me at all! The funny thing is that when I go back and read the story now, I picture him as younger too. I now picture him in his early twenties.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: orange;">Have you been tempted to experiment with audio books?</span></div>I haven’t explored that avenue yet, though I must admit the thought appeals to me if I could find the right voice for the right price. I’m betting Morgan Freeman or Stephen Fry wouldn’t come cheap, though.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: orange;">My son saw your author pic on my laptop, thought it was me, and said I hadn’t looked that good in a long time.</span></div>Ha! We are fortunate to have the best of both worlds – guys with grey hair are supposed to be sexy AND wise!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: orange;">If I asked you what a Tippet was, you would know, wouldn’t you?</span></div>Sadly, yes. Have to admit though; we don’t see them very much in Kentucky. I’m afraid most people around here would think a ‘Tippet’ was a small furry creature related to a weasel…<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: orange;">Tell us what your writing day is like.</span></div>I don’t sleep very much, that’s for certain. My day typically starts at 5:00 in the morning, when I check my emails, blast off a few quick tweets and (yes, I’ll admit it) check my sales on Amazon. (side note – I’ll admit to being a bit ‘CDO’ – that’s ‘OCD’ but with the letters in the right order. I keep a spreadsheet with how many units are sold by title, each day). <br />
My actual writing occurs in short bursts of frenetic creativity. Normally in the evenings after 8:00 I open up my current work in process and dive in. Sometimes I may only add a paragraph before I’m interrupted, while other times I’ll write two or three chapters. Depends on how cooperative the muse is at the moment (fickle witch that she is).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: orange;">Can you write in a busy house, or do you need absolute quiet?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Kids = Chaos. I’ve found I can write just fine while others watch television, play video games, try to dismember each other, etc. though I must admit I get more words out during the quiet moments. I’ve found I’m most productive on the weekends, since my brain forces me awake at 5:00 or 6:00 while everyone else is asleep. I usually end up with my laptop, coffee and at least one cat and am able to knock out a chapter or so before anyone else is up.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LZ9RHaSkIt0/Th3PTRGmHSI/AAAAAAAAAMA/yuKD65Komck/s1600/Blog+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LZ9RHaSkIt0/Th3PTRGmHSI/AAAAAAAAAMA/yuKD65Komck/s640/Blog+banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"></span></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="http://michaelradcliffe.wordpress.com/"> </a></span><a href="http://michaelradcliffe.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">http://michaelradcliffe.wordpress.com</span></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: orange;">How far along Keegan’s journey are you going to take us?</span></div>I originally envisioned this as a trilogy, but now I truly believe I can tell the complete story in two books. Keegan is desperately seeking his place in the world, hoping to find inner peace and acceptance. I hope he will achieve that by the end of <i>Bloodstone</i>.<br />
I have to admit though, I will probably continue writing short stories based on the characters and their backgrounds because it’s just so much fun.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: orange;">Any other genres you hope to attempt?</span></div>Believe it or not, I have several notes jotted down for a Sci-Fi work. It is a political thriller set about a hundred years from now, but it is just in its infancy. I have to say stepping outside of fantasy is a bit frightening – plus I’m not sure my dragon, Idris, would approve.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: orange;">From the way you've described Dragons, and their independence from influence, it might be good to keep Idris happy...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">***</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not necessarily a kid's author, Mr. Radcliffe has still created a story in <i>Guardian</i> which is safe for younger readers. It does have thrills, exciting magic and will captivate youthful readers with its wonders. I'm very happy to have found it, and equally pleased to share this discovery with you. I thank Michael for dropping by, and invite you wander in his world for yourself. Just watch out for the shadows there. They are nastier than any you have yet known.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">. </div>Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-4735265131632391982011-06-27T13:39:00.001-06:002011-08-24T17:44:02.257-06:00Rebecca Ann Ford; may I please bring her back?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YfjLK5ammq4/TgjYqEEFm1I/AAAAAAAAAJg/XoNuTgBfw3U/s1600/Rebecca+Ann+Ford.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YfjLK5ammq4/TgjYqEEFm1I/AAAAAAAAAJg/XoNuTgBfw3U/s400/Rebecca+Ann+Ford.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rebecca Ann Ford. I want not to write that she is gone from us. It breaks my heart that she is. Her passing was sudden, and her loss unsettled still for those who held her very dear. She deserved more life than she was given. She deserves to be remembered and praised. She certainly will be missed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I want her name to be known. I want her picture to be seen. I want the person that she was, to remain. The sound of her voice will be in my heart forever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div align="center"></div>Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-47407294156006567582011-05-25T17:42:00.003-06:002011-05-25T17:53:59.635-06:00BestsellerBound.com promoting Indie authors...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ng6cqmFASU/Td2P1j8wpSI/AAAAAAAAAJc/n-f9wsD3i3g/s1600/BsBShortStorycover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ng6cqmFASU/Td2P1j8wpSI/AAAAAAAAAJc/n-f9wsD3i3g/s320/BsBShortStorycover.jpg" width="240" /></a>Make a list of the good things which can be said about the people behind <a href="http://bestsellerbound.com/">BestsellerBound.com</a> - it will be a very long list. One of the truly rare author-friendly forums on the web, BsB has become a brand, because of efforts like this one.</div><br />
Forum co-founder, <a href="http://www.quietfurybooks.com/">Darcia Helle</a>, has collected and edited this special short story edition of member works, several of whom have appeared for interviews on this blog. (see the archives) <br />
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Available FREE to the public, the sole purpose of this anthology, and the earlier released Sample Anthologies (Vol. 1,2,3) is to put outstanding authors in the hands of readers.<br />
With online marketing becoming a major chore for anyone, Indie authors are rarely blessed with help such as this. BestsellerBound is blazing a very new trail in the land of self-publishing. A generous, welcome trail.<br />
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Here is the list of featured authors:<br />
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<em>Wish Upon A Star</em>, by<a href="http://www.elaineforlife.com/"> Lainey Bancroft</a> <br />
<em>Tears For Hesh</em>, by <a href="http://www.theguardiansapprentice.com/">J. Michael Radcliffe</a> <br />
<em>You Can Call Me Ari</em>, by <a href="http://www.quietfurybooks.com/">Darcia Helle</a> <br />
<em>Flames</em>, by <a href="http://www.mariasavva.com/">Maria Savva</a> <br />
<em>Minor Details</em>, by <a href="http://www.jaletac.com/">Jaleta Clegg</a> <br />
<em>Ice Cream Man</em>, by <a href="http://neilschiller.wordpress.com/">Neil Schiller</a> <br />
<em>No Eyes But Mine Shall See</em>, by <a href="http://home.earthlink.net/~scathcart1964/sharonecathcart">Sharon E. Cathcart</a> <br />
<em>The First Texas Twister</em>, by <a href="http://www.blackwolfbooks.com/">Magnolia Belle</a> <br />
<em>Shadow Lantern</em>, by <a href="http://www.garethlewis.eu/">Gareth Lewis</a> <br />
<em>Stained</em>, by <a href="http://www.amysnovels.com/">Amy Saunders</a> <br />
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For the official press-release, please see here: (courtesy of Sharon E. Cathcart) <a href="http://www.prlog.org/11510266-bestseller-bound-community-releases-all-new-short-story-anthology.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">http://www.prlog.org/11510266-bestseller-bound-community-releases-all-new-short-story-anthology.html</span></a><br />
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To download the eBook in a variety of formats, please see here: (courtesy of Darcia Helle) <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/62029"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/62029</span></a><br />
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You can also add this anthology to your reading list on Goodreads, please see here: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11460620-bestsellerbound-short-story-anthology"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11460620-bestsellerbound-short-story-anthology</span></a><br />
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As always, your opinion and review will be most welcome at both Smashwords and Goodreads.<br />
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All of the BestsellerBound.com offerings can be found together at this download link: <a href="http://quietfurybooks.com/freedownloads.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">http://quietfurybooks.com/freedownloads.html</span></a><br />
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.Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-51386118072995281772011-04-17T08:11:00.003-06:002011-08-24T17:43:16.228-06:00What is a good ebook price, and why would I be changing mine?That is the second subject that brings groans to the lips of my fellow writers. We are not able to really determine what a good, fair ebook price really might be. We would like to, but we have less control than you might imagine. Since I cannot actually tell you this answer, but really want to know, you are only going to read my opinion - balanced with some of those I've heard in the last few months. On this, Indie authors seem to agree on a few things.<br />
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<ol><li>We desire readers above all things. To try and attract them we give away a lot of books (print too) and we come out with a <span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">99¢ price in all the retail locations that let us.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">We are not allowed to have prices that low in many locations. Some of our retailers are very harsh about pricing. Some of them demand to be the lowest, and they still set the minimum price. (See, not even the retailers really know a fair price for ebooks.)</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Some of our favorite retailers are jumping off points - that is, if we put our book there, that retailer will share us out to other affiliate sites. At this point, pricing can become a nightmare. Did you know, some retailers will tack on whatever markup they desire? We must have been daft to think they <i>wouldn't. </i></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">That is the way retail works. But, if they increase the price, do we get more commission on that sale? We must have been daft to think we <i>would</i>. That is not the way retail works.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Because we have different prices everywhere, and sales really happen in the sites most convenient to the reader, authors cannot really tell if a reduced price is causing sales. It takes a good handful of sales to see trends, and like me, some authors only sell a book or two a week. There is no marketing strategy for that. Believe me, I've looked for one. I sell just as many ebooks at $2.99 as I do at </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">99¢.</span></li>
</ol><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">What do I take from those four important points then? Something similar to the guess from most of my friends. Amazon is the biggest fish out there, and they have a $2.99 minimum. To ever have a promotion or sale price lower than that, they decide who and when. We are not allowed that freedom. On Amazon, we have virtually no control over our own price. I'm thrilled it can be as low as $2.99.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">That one price, if we all seem to think it is fair, seems to drag a very troublesome question with it. Aren't our books worth more than that? Certainly print books are. But those are a definable commodity. Ebooks are less easy to price, because they don't cost anything to store and deliver. Regardless of what retailers tells us, they have no operating cost on any electronic information they deliver. But as an entertainment item, it has value, and retailers want their piece of that. Authors are Ok with that, and mostly feel that ebooks just shouldn't be priced the same as print books.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Major retailers are selling a lot of ebooks at print prices, though. How the hell are they doing that? That might have a simple answer. 80% of the book buying public may have never hear the word Indie. Unless they have an author friend on Facebook, readers in general may think ebooks are faddish, gadgety - in short...toys.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">At this point, ebooks do have a problem we would like to overcome. Ebooks exist in almost too many forms. There are quite a few types of formats. We really won't get into that subject, because formatting is the first thing that will cause an groan to escape an author's lips.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Ebooks are still trying to find the most user-friendly state of existence. Gadget builders want to produce the very best screen view, and some are even playing with color screens. The reading public is less confused about cell phones actually, than they are with which type of ebook reader to buy. Cell phones have been around a very long time now. Ebooks still feel new.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Does that answer much then, about how to price these things. Yes. Ebooks should be priced at the dollar the author desires. Only the author really knows what they want to accomplish with their book. I believe that retailers should be less formal about this, but that is not going to happen. For myself, all I can do is set my price as low as I can get it, and have that price be uniform in all my retail locations. That is appearing to be $2.99. I will still give away books wherever I wish. One or two of my retail sites will allow me to drop to </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">99¢ when I desire - I will still have promotions and sales. But, I won't be confused about my price after May 1st. Hopefully, neither will the readers who find me on twenty different websites.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"></div>Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-51386407150244521632011-04-14T20:37:00.001-06:002011-08-24T17:42:42.989-06:00'Ashes' - Clara Gray-Stallings...for the children of Darfur.As a project for her class at Animas High School in Durango, <i><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Clara Gray-Stallings</span></i> wrote this stark, haunting song, for the children of Darfur. Clara is fifteen years old.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxQrbymjsfBLKxsL25FlxW8uajKtshXWGVwyJSFptNc6WmmX8Ce_wdBi4iwuPAqslW8ElHhdeAod2f8CAouYQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-small;">*used by permission. All rights reserved. (©BMI 2011, Clara Gray-Stallings)</span><br />
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We may sometimes be surprised how world events affect our children, and in what form their compassion may be expressed - for things we all barely understand.<br />
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This is entirely new. Clara wrote and performed all the instrumentation and vocals. Her father helped engineer the recording, a classmate performed the rap section. It has been recommended that Clara consider performing this for a video. If that becomes available, we will share it with you here.<br />
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<i>Please enlighten yourself to the conflict in Darfur, by visiting Amnesty International's </i><a href="http://www.amnestyusa.org/darfur/page.do?id=1351050"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">USA website</span></i></a><span style="color: #3d85c6;">.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Ashes</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My ebony skin is being revealed by the sun</div><div style="text-align: center;">I’ve been on my feet all night getting ready to run</div><div style="text-align: center;">Already been burned, lived through the bullets of a gun</div><div style="text-align: center;">And the knots I tied for life have all been undone</div><div style="text-align: center;">Look at what you did; now the world’s unglued</div><div style="text-align: center;">And you’re treating me like the crushed bug on your shoe</div><div style="text-align: center;">But bugs have six legs – I have two</div><div style="text-align: center;">And someday I’ll stand up on these legs, level to you</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The world that we want is so far away</div><div style="text-align: center;">And my memories haunt every step that I take</div><div style="text-align: center;">Please tell me this is just a dream</div><div style="text-align: center;">People never turned into killing machines</div><div style="text-align: center;">I’m gonna wake up, or so I’d like to think</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I know, deep down, it’s really happening</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Take me back to the town that you burned to the ground</div><div style="text-align: center;">With my family in it – now I’ll never hear the sound</div><div style="text-align: center;">Of my little sister laughing with a friend that she found</div><div style="text-align: center;">She’s with my parents who are scattered on the ground</div><div style="text-align: center;">All the people I knew turned into ashes and chunks</div><div style="text-align: center;">And I’m not brave enough to clean them up</div><div style="text-align: center;">If I want to cross the street, I’ll swim through bodies and blood</div><div style="text-align: center;">That wouldn’t be there if the world had love</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Please tell me this is just a dream</div><div style="text-align: center;">People never turned into killing machines</div><div style="text-align: center;">I’m gonna wake up, or so I’d like to think</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I know, deep down, it’s really happening</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mom, Dad, why’d you have to leave?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I’m alone with a baby and I’m only fifteen</div><div style="text-align: center;">Give me a sign that you’re here like I need</div><div style="text-align: center;">I won’t let your ashes blow away in the breeze</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">They call the blacks people in the USA</div><div style="text-align: center;">I pray that’ll happen in Sudan someday</div><div style="text-align: center;">They say, “Genocide is to exterminate.”</div><div style="text-align: center;">So why is there torture? Why is there rape?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Answer this; tell me what kind of coward</div><div style="text-align: center;">Kills kids who can be so easily overpowered?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I wouldn’t call you human with your soul so sour</div><div style="text-align: center;">Do you know the pain your victims felt their last hour?</div><div style="text-align: center;">You don’t even know mine, and I’m still alive</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I think I’m doing worse than the people who died</div><div style="text-align: center;">Because I’m in misery, trying to find a place to hide</div><div style="text-align: center;">And the opportunity for justice hasn’t arrived</div><div style="text-align: center;">See this little baby that I have to feed?</div><div style="text-align: center;">He’s the product of a painful memory</div><div style="text-align: center;">I’m raising a creature that’s half Janjaweed</div><div style="text-align: center;">He stole my childhood – and he’s too young to see</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Please tell me this is just a dream</div><div style="text-align: center;">People never turned into killing machines</div><div style="text-align: center;">I’m gonna wake up, or so I’d like to think</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I know, deep down, it’s really happening</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mom, Dad, why’d you have to leave?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I’m alone with a baby and I’m only fifteen</div><div style="text-align: center;">Give me a sign that you’re here like I need</div><div style="text-align: center;">I won’t let your ashes blow away in the breeze</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mom, Dad, why’d you have to leave?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I’m alone with a baby and I’m only fifteen</div><div style="text-align: center;">Give me a sign that you’re here like I need</div><div style="text-align: center;">I won’t let your ashes blow away in the breeze</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The world that we want is so far away</div><div style="text-align: center;">The world that we want is so far away</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">‘Ashes’</div><div style="text-align: center;">Clara Gray-Stallings Copyright 2011 BMI 2011</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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.Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-34414996780435476812011-04-06T22:32:00.001-06:002011-08-24T17:41:23.107-06:00On the eighth day Man created music...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A Rock & Roll lifestyle can bring a lot of deliciously wicked fun. It can also get you kicked off shortstop position at St. Allen the Meek's Convent softball team, as <i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;">Sister Susan Helene Gottfried</span></span></i> learned. And there were a lot of robe-room arguments they should just let her plug in her Walkman with Megadeth, and just let the little banger play. With all the mascara, she didn't need a ball cap over her wimple even on the sunny days.</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VXpX445en38/TZ0usH22Z0I/AAAAAAAAAIk/oDJg6LcxClY/s1600/Avatar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VXpX445en38/TZ0usH22Z0I/AAAAAAAAAIk/oDJg6LcxClY/s200/Avatar.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">St. Allen's was considered the 'reform' covent. Only the most deviant postulants ended up there. Sister Suzy had arrived quite early in her career, mostly because of the campfires in the garden. There were many in the Meek's choir who groaned it was really for her softball skills. She helped with the hopes they would finally have a kick-ass team. But, in that first game of her only season, when she tucked the hem of her skirt into the back of her bloomers and squatted the way Ozzie Smith always did it...she was marked for special penance. Screaming at the batters in notes higher than Bon Scott could reach, Suzy played that one inning at shortstop.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Only that one inning. It was the outfield, or the showers. She played center field, so they wouldn't hear what she was singing, and she could empty her clandestine box of ready-strike matches - one cute flame at a time.</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">St. Allen's lost 13 in a row. The choir was apoplectic - Sister Sue Hell could have made the place great, with her pipes in the choir or her screaming reach on the ball field between second and third, but Rock & Roll was in her blood and, that everpresent Walkman. Rock was getting in the way. She bolted right out from under their noses, on a field trip no less. Her group was going to a weaving class at the community center, and she scooted underneath one of the school buses in the parking lot. A few fortuitous rips, and she emerged from the other side, and invented Emo Grunge in the same fluid movement. Those knee-high stockings had been the perfect choice that day. She didn't run to a coffee shop - she ran straight to the first tattoo shop she could find.</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Susan admitted it was in that shop that she first felt the tugs of her bass playing character in her now famous fictitious band. A bloke was in the first chair when she came huffing into the parlor doorway, giggling at her escape. The bloke was getting some wimpy tattoo that said stuff, with 'Forever' in it. Only partly outlined, little Sister saw the rough form of 'Trevor' on the rag-burned arm of the big dude. The raw skin, the look on the dude's face, the sound of her panting breath masking even the buzz of the needles... a presence entered her soul.</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Helene-Gottfried/e/B0047NXP1M/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1">Trevor Wolff</a></span></span></i> was born in those seconds; in the whirling mind of a breathless ex-nun, staring at sweaty flesh being colored with something like blood. It would have been Whitesnake's best video, because the big dude being tattooed would later begin to direct for Rock bands, and he'd never forgotten that image of Susalene and wanted to recreate that, but Coverdale had that dorky girlfriend named Tawny. Whitesnake faded, but Trevor exploded. Three doors down from the tattoo parlor was a mom and pop record store. Susan had her first job there before the sting had left the 'Forever' tattoo on the arm of that future video director.</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How do you keep up with an alter-ego delusion that keeps the amps on overload? You write him and plunge into his world. Trevor liked being in the body of a lean little brunette, but he wanted to be written accurately. Suzylean followed him into the darkness he loved more. He took her into shadows where music was the only light. Trevor is not a demon. Sue was thriving and creating, making a name and attracted fame. There were those record guys, who wanted her to sign with them. Not to perform, but to help manage some bands. Trevor wanted a band. Susan said no to the suits, and she made a group for Trev. She would follow him anywhere, and he stepped only further into the rush and glory. He told her who to talk to, who to party with, where to flirt and where to toss a drink. She gave him memories, and new loved ones, and a ball-busting bass guitar. Together, they let their hair go to their asses, and together they touched the thing that burns lesser gods to ash.</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Naughty Sue, who could make a nun's habit look hot, remade herself for Trevor and he taught her music. She named his band for him, and he loved it. ShapeShifter. She wanted to sing beside him forever, and he told her why he came to earth, to answer her prayers. There are three Gospels of Trevor Wolff, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Helene-Gottfried/e/B0047NXP1M/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">at this link</span></a>. Susan Gottfried took that ink-as-blood visual to its corporeal form. She cannot stop writing Trevor; his heart beats through her fingertips - into his pages.</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can't say the rest is history. The rest is in your future.</span><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QinCHl_aNN8/TZ0-F6JiA-I/AAAAAAAAAIw/32aWQ3202bM/s1600/Trevor+Montage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="503" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QinCHl_aNN8/TZ0-F6JiA-I/AAAAAAAAAIw/32aWQ3202bM/s640/Trevor+Montage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Trevor? You don't mind if I start with you? </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Has Susan tattooed your name anywhere yet?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fuck no. Susan's as clean as those sheets Mitchell's mom makes us put on our beds every week. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">Describe the moment that you knew she had heard you, and was waiting for you to speak again. How long had you been whispering to her?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Susan may be a prude about her body, but she's no dummy. She knew from the second I started talking that she'd lost total control. She threw up her hands and told me to go for it. She hasn't been the same since. Hell, I'd even say she's much improved, and all thanks to old Trevor here.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Susan, w</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">hat were the very first words Trevor spoke to you?</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">It's been so long now, Joel, I can't remember.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">Trevor, who put that first guitar in your hands?</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mitchell. He told me I couldn't be in the band unless I made music. I tried singing, but the dog down the street thought I was in heat. It came sniffing around. Confused me for Mitchell. That was when Mitchell said if I wanted in my own band, I had to play an instrument. He said bass was the easiest, so that's what I did. Like I had a choice. It was bass or humping dogs. There's no rocket science there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">Susan, do you play any instruments? Your husband?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">I tried to be a drummer, but sucked at that. So now I play the radio, which is what people say when they want a lame attempt to be cool. Honestly, though, I am more a fan of music once it's created than I am of actually creating it.</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">Trevor, has Susan ever argued with you, about what to write? Who won?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Didn't you hear me? I said Susan's no dummy. She's like Mitchell: they tell me what to do and I go and do whatever the fuck I want anyway.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">They shake their heads like they can't believe I did it, but c'mon. They're saving face. We all know it. Especially them. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lKPUs-sNo8I/TZ05yWo-4eI/AAAAAAAAAIo/kL4kba2GLoc/s1600/DemoTapes1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lKPUs-sNo8I/TZ05yWo-4eI/AAAAAAAAAIo/kL4kba2GLoc/s200/DemoTapes1.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">Will we see a 'Demo Tapes - Year Three' ?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And a four and maybe a five, too. Why not? All it costs Susan is the aggravation of the formatting and the cover art. That aggravation of hers fades REAL fucking fast when she sees the royalty statements. They're not as big as mine, but then again, I'm Trevor Fucking Wolff. Big's the only way to go.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">Trevor, who writes most of ShapeShifter's music? I know Mitchell wrote that song for Kerri, but who else pens songs?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The three of 'em:</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mitchell, Daniel, and Eric. I'll pipe up when M's doing something stupid, which is most of the time, but I wouldn't say I write anything. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And don't mention that song M wrote for Rusty. Our biggest fucking hit, and it's a fucking love song.</span><br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fERqjtEyu84/TZ058Wlcq4I/AAAAAAAAAIs/WbdnxcLdth0/s1600/DemoTapes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fERqjtEyu84/TZ058Wlcq4I/AAAAAAAAAIs/WbdnxcLdth0/s200/DemoTapes2.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">Susan, you must have tried your hand at songwriting. Have you written lyrics for anything? Poetry?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Who doesn't write poetry? I used to get up in the middle of the night in grad school and write bad poetry. Although, I must say when I walked into the poetry workshop one summer, the only time us fiction folk were allowed to mix with the poets, those snooty poet types said it was pretty good poetry -- except it all tended to read like a novel. That totally cracked me up. The fiction people said the exact same thing about my short stories: they read like a novel. Believe me, I see the irony in having more published short story collections than novels.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">Trevor, will you guys be touring this next year? Will you do a repeat in Europe?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ask Mitchell. The only thing I can say is that there are certain things that won't get repeated in Europe. They involve raiding the minibar and stealing a fucking steak knife. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">Susan, did you ever do a tour with anyone?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Not officially.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">The road crew doesn't stop working just because the band is on stage, do they. How hectic is it back stage - during a performance?</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Depends on who the band is and what their needs are, but generally, things are quiet and a well-oiled machine. If they're not, RUN.</span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">During your radio days, were you on air? If so, did you ever have performers in your studio?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Of course I was on air! And yes, we had bands up <i>all the time</i>. For awhile there, I had folk who'd just come hang out; it was a party. I'd do phone interviews with bands, and meet 'em before shows, around sound check. Tour buses, hotel rooms... as long as I had someone else with me, nothing was off-limits. For promo work, that is. I had a reputation as the cool radio chick; I wasn't about to mess that up. Like Trevor says, I'm not stupid, and that reputation of mine was worth the care I put into creating it.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">You claim to be tone deaf. I bet that's really just shyness, a way to hide. You sing, as loudly as you can in the car, don't you.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Not when the kids are around. And yes, I truly AM tone deaf. So say the pros who tested me.</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">Trevor has always led your writing, but you made him wait for his own book, Trevor's Song, now your third novel. Even that came about as the setup to Mitchell and Kerri's relationship. At this point, you were finally pushing Trevor a bit, to accept more of his own spotlight? It doesn't seem that he was begging to be revealed so much.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">No, no. Trevor's Song is my first published novel. I waited to get him on sale; many of my readers held out hopes for a major publishing deal long after I'd given up. That's why I did the Demo Tapes 1 and 2 first. We kept pushing for that deal. And then I had the usual troubles with the cover art and finding someone to help my graphically-impaired self.</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">I don't think it's much of a spoiler to reveal that Trevor had a rough childhood. Did he ever ask that you not include that in the book?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Sort of. Trev's past with Hank and Jenny and his two brothers and one sister isn't something he likes to talk about. Or to hear anyone else talk about. Trevor would like to forget any of that happened. But, of course, he can't.</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">You've admitted that you believe most musical performers are just normal, real people. Haven't you been exposed to a few, who are so 'out there' they make Trevor look tame?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Oh, hell yes. Go find an interview with The Great Kat. Holy head case -- or amazing performer. I'm not sure which, but for her sake, I hope it's the latter.</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">You took a leap of faith, to begin to write, turning your back on some record labels who wanted you. What were they offering? What did you leave behind?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">They were offering jobs, of course. New York City. Get to work around 10, stay until 8, have dinner, and hit the clubs to see your bands. Or your friends' bands. Or a band you hoped would be yours, not your friends. Not that I'd have had any say in the matter; I was going to do publicity, which meant doing the same job I did at the radio station, only from the other end of the telephone.</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">Did you try to push Trevor into being a drummer, or did he stand behind his bass and dare you to write him otherwise?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Nah, Daniel would have been insulted if I'd asked him to step aside.</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">Tell us one of the craziest fan incidents you witnessed at a concert.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Just keep reading my fiction. It'll all come out there.</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">Kerri is an artist - worthy of her own success in that world. Is that you, perhaps, Susan? Do you have that talent?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Art talent? Hardly. When I take ceramics classes, my work gets shoved on the shelves with the kids' stuff. I joke that it means I have a young soul, but who knows. My talent is with words.</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">Who gets the credit for that excellent cover for Trevor's Song?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">The photo is from Getty Images, and my good friend Ann Pino did the Photoshopping to make it into Trevor. Ann's awesome at Photoshop, but she's even better at writing books and online fiction. Yep, that's a hint. Go look her up.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">Are you ever forced into re-writes when you edit?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Hell, yes. This is why writing is a craft</span>. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">One of the things that caught my attention, in Trevor's Song, you omitted nearly all the stereotypical descriptions of the Rock Star lifestyle. Was that conscious on your part?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Yep. I may have seen plenty of the stereotype during my music biz years, but I also saw plenty that didn't fit. The people who didn't fit were the ones who intrigued me the most.</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">You say you are a normal mom, but writing is a real business venture. Describe your workday; do you have an office?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Yep, I have an office. A home office, right off the entry of the house, but it's my office.</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">West of Mars, your website/blog is a massive marketing tool. How much of your time does it take from writing?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Too much. I miss the days when I could do nothing but focus on writing fiction.</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">Do you agree - that it takes about a year of very hard work for an author to even build some visibility, and that sales take even longer to nurture?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">I can't say, really. I put out Demo Tapes: Year 1 in November 2008, but I didn't have lofty expectations for it. To me, it was still a vanity thing, done for the benefit of my readers, who'd asked for it. It wasn't until people started talking about it and non-regular West of Mars groupies started buying it that I realized I had something bigger than I'd envisioned -- and I was <i>not</i> going to complain.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">One part of my online history is that I was blogging long before the books came out. I was visible; what I lacked was the book to put in people's hands. Now, you can't do that. There are too many other writers out there, Tweeting and connecting on Facebook. You have to have at least one book in hand. But waaaaaay</span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">back in 2006, when I started my blog, I was a lone voice.</span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> </span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">You self-published with 'Demo Tapes' but you had an agent before that? What book were you promoting then?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">I had one agent not long after I got out of Grad School. He proved that a bad agent is worse than no agent. Then I met another agent at a writer's conference. She had a blog; I felt like I knew her fairly well. And even though she didn't generally represent rock and roll fiction, she offered to represent me. She thought I was sitting on a goldmine with Trevor. After making that offer (April 2008) and asking me to hold off on releasing The Demo Tapes: Year 1, she vanished. I never got the contract, never got to hear her input into the book, nothing. Not long after THAT, she quit agenting.</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">Is Trevor going to reach for that one love that has always been just a phone call away? (Amy)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Amy? Ha. Shows what you know. Amy's now married to Derek the Dork and has kids. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Besides, Amy's the one chick Trevor took out but never even got to kiss. She lives in infamy for that alone.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">Does Susan Gottfried have any non-music oriented stories in her future? Will you explore any other genres?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">I'll always write about music in one form or another. Keep your eyes peeled; I have something coming out on April 12 that you guys will like. You'll recognize one of the characters, as well. But that's all I'm saying for now, other than check in at the </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://westofmars.com/"><i><span style="color: orange;">website</span></i></a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> or on my </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://westofmars.com/blog"><i><span style="color: orange;">blog</span></i></a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> - or my West of Mars fan page on </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://facebook.com/WestofMarsFans"><i><span style="color: orange;">Facebook</span></i></a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> for the big announcement. I'll say this, though: it'll be not even a dollar well spent. *wink*</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">Now that you have 'hit it', Trevor, how would you react to a Grammy nomination? Which song might get that nod?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If it's </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Still Life</span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, I'm gonna shoot myself. That's all I've got to say. Fucking love song. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No, maybe I'll shoot Mitchell and Rusty instead. Him for writing it and her for inspiring it.</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;">Thanks guys. It has been a pleasure.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange;"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is so much going on at WestofMars.com, you must drop by to see for yourself. Giveaways, authors to meet, tons more information about Shapeshifter. Behind all of it, is that head-bobbing, gum-chewing, powerhouse...who still has that wimple somewhere. Likely it is on Trevor's wall of fame, along with all the other intimate wear he's collected.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"><span style="color: #741b47;">Clockwise - from Smoker: #1 photography by graur codrin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=982 #2 Photography by iofoto / 123rf.com http://www.123rf.com/profile_iofoto #3 Photography by http://www.freedigitalphotos.net #4 Photography by Pixomar / FreeDigitalPhotos.net http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=905 #6 Photography by vegadsl / FreeDigitalPhotos.net http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=792 #7 Photography by Tea / 123rf.com http://www.123rf.com/profile_TEA #8 Photography by Crisian Nitu / 123rf.com http://www.123rf.com/profile_photosmart #9 & 5 Photography by BJWOK / FreeDigitalPhotos.net http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=739</span></span></span></div>Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-55223018359531688212011-03-30T09:51:00.001-06:002011-03-30T09:56:19.294-06:00Why is this funhouse idle?My schedule has been a disaster since January. Several things are getting in the way of the little engine that runs this site: I only feature books I've read, and there has been no time to devote to that. I won't look at something with only half my brain engaged, so...I can't bring you a new author to meet.<br />
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I've been on sabbatical from the real world; I took an entire year off to write. (jealous, aren't you?) Well, playtime has ended, but getting back to work has taken longer than planned. The easy transition I planned, has become an effort I do not like. 20+ years in a highly specialized career is sometimes a hindrance.<br />
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This is only temporary. I promise. Once my schedule is nailed down and some routine is established, new books and new authors will begin to appear. Believe me, if I could retire and do this full time... I would.Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-28425467578955430232011-03-10T21:55:00.001-07:002011-08-24T17:40:00.450-06:00How could you not remember which testicle you have left?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ycp5BXKW3QM/TW2XeXCKnYI/AAAAAAAAAH8/Kvxkj_4gE2c/s1600/author3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ycp5BXKW3QM/TW2XeXCKnYI/AAAAAAAAAH8/Kvxkj_4gE2c/s320/author3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">In the seventeen years since 1993, I've not been overtly public about this. My family and some friends know, but many who've known me for years will be surprised. I am a cancer survivor. I do not, and have not lived my life that way, as a survivor. I learned about it, had it cut out, and forgot about it. It is that simple.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">There are many things I remember about that particular year in Kansas City. I had just remade myself, new type of job, new city, alone. I liked where I was, had developed some wonderful friendships, met my future wife; but I had brought an old worry with me. Most of 1992 I had wondered if something was wrong with my left testicle. By summer of 1993 there was no doubt. A man's 'boys' should be the same size, roughly equal as twins. I was carrying something close to a small hen's egg on one side.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">When the receptionist at the Urologist heard my reason for wanting an appointment, she made one for the very next day. I only had to tell her once, without any follow-up explanation, "I have one testicle larger than the other, and it has no feeling in it."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Kansas City is a beautiful little city. But, it can be a bit difficult to find your way around there. I arrived early to my appointment, expecting to have trouble getting there. They kept me in the waiting room about thirty seconds. No paperwork to fill out, "remove your jeans and lie down on this table". I knew it was the right place to be. I knew that I might have waited too long.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Two doctors came in. The second was an intern. They introduced themselves, told me why the intern was observing, slipped on their gloves, and came to my side. Nothing was said, until the surgeon stopped handling me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">"This isn't good, Son."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Not much of their conversation, then, was directed to me personally. They spoke a lot about my genitals. For five minutes they discussed what they instantly recognized. The intern was being educated while holding my manhood.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">"No one referred you. How did you find us?" Dr. Leifer asked.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">"I looked in the phone book. I knew I needed a Urologist."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">It was very quiet, and they stared at one another.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">My mouth was very dry, I remember that well. Dr. Leifer confirmed my worries about it being cancer. He explained that it needed to be removed, in only days. He would perform the surgery; a Radical Orchiectomy. They would remove that testicle, and perhaps the other, once they brought the bad one out into the light. And that was it. I had just been told I had cancer, and one of the forms which killed many men each year, not so very long ago. But, I was in exactly the right place. No bounce between any physicians, no referrals, no tests. A biopsy would have been dangerous. It is what it is...let's remove it - Tuesday.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Not one second of fear.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">However, the next hour was not normal. I was terribly agitated by what came next. I sat in a quiet conference room, while the surgeon made the arrangements at his hospital, and his nurse read to me from a handful of pamphlets, about living with, and dying from cancer. In that hour, the remainder of my life was planned. They would remove the cancer, which was actually a normal procedure; no worse than the hernia surgery I had endured years before. But, I might not survive beyond a couple of years, if all the later tests came back with bad news.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Nothing the doctor told me had bothered me. His nurse was making my skin crawl.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">I would be in the hospital for 23 hours. They were going to cure me of cancer as an outpatient. A vet could have done it, actually, but there was no real reason to throw the babies out with the one rock. They wanted me strong for what would happen about ten days after the surgery; I needed to be able to walk. Ten days to recover from groin surgery, and the removal of one flawed jewel. Ten days to get all the blood tests back. Ten days to decide if I need radiation, or chemotherapy.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Ten days to learn if I had come in time.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">I hardly remember telling family, one or two friends, and my employer. I lived alone, and would need nearly a month of convalescent care...an angel of a friend told me to stop worrying about any of that; I would stay with her.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">The morning of the surgery, I met a half-dozen physicians, what seemed nearly twenty nurses. One chaplain. I only signed papers; people became stenographers for me, asking questions, filling out forms. I only signed where told to. I was asked to sign one sheet that gave them permission to contact certain people if I died before waking from anesthesia. Every new person who came into the room asked this identical question, then wrote the answer; "Which side are we removing?"</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">"Left side."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">"Which side are we removing?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">"Left side."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">"Which side are we removing?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">"Left side."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">When I go to the dentist, I always ask to be put to sleep. There is no - why? - I just love the sensation of drifting off to sleep, then waking a split second later, having lost an hour. I would lose about two hours, they said, this time. One of the nurses commented that she had never had a patient so relaxed during prep. I get that comment a lot, because I love being put under. It spooks some people. But, I figure, I already knew the worst thing I could know. Why be afraid of the cure? So, I chatted, answered the questions, asked a few of my own, and then began to count as the anesthesiologist requested. I was tasting the IV when the surgeon came in, asked if I was counting...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">"28 - 2<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>9 - 3<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>0<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">"Ok. Let's get ready on the right side."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">I was awake for only part of the next 18 plus hours. My room was not private and more than one nurse apologized to me in whispers when I was awake. I shared that room with someone who lay dying; beyond the help of even morphine. That poor soul only responded in moans to the nurses and doctors, and refused to acknowledge any of the relatives who came in; who begged him to let go - and go home to Jesus. I think I cried about it more than his family did. He was not there when I woke the next morning, and I didn't ask any questions. I wanted to believe he was free.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">This was the week of Thanksgiving, 1993. Everyone said I would prefer radiation. On December 7, I began 15 days of treatment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just two days before, they began the process of making the shaped, lead shields which would protect my vital organs during the treatment. I was tattooed next to my navel, to help aim the beams. Nearly a foot thick block of lead was sculpted to match my innards; one shield for the front of me, one for the back. I would be irradiated from my upper thigh to my collar bone. An uncomfortable, hollow, clam-shaped lead ball rested around my half empty scrotum. The nurse who positioned it every day would laugh that I must not have liked her....prep took nearly an hour those fifteen mornings. That ball would pinch sometimes, and she would come back to do some wiggling.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Ten in the morning, the radiation would begin. I could feel the machine kick on, like a warm breath on my skin. I didn't move. An automobile-sized gun fired X-rays at me and turned like a half-opened hand, above, then below me, around my motionless platform. Half an hour later, they would help me up to let me dress. For two days, I believed that I could handle anything.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">On the third day the nausea began, at precisely two in the afternoon. They never found a medication which eased the nausea. I would scream into the toilet until half past two, and then hobble back out to the couch to lie down and shiver from the shock. Every day for twelve days. I was not sick on the 16th day, but had been warned the nausea could continue for weeks. It didn't.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">I had come in time. My left testicle was dead. Stage 1, but 100% cancerous. It wasn't even sent to the lab. In perhaps a month, or two, it would have broadcast its poison to my lymphatic system. It wanted to kill me. My right testicle was healthy, a tremendous surprise, but they would do a year’s worth of blood tests to be certain. The radiation was actually preventative; deemed a complete success in half a year. I had beaten many, many odds, to hear those reports. But, I had the lowest sperm count that was even practical to count, only hundreds of healthy little rascals. After all the protection, I must have been affected; it might have been temporary, but I was advised to not hold out any hope of being a father. There is always adoption.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">And, I put all that holiday experience away in my mind - as best I could. I didn't do anything that most people advise...I didn’t' live a single day afterwards as a 'victim'. I didn't throw a single prayer to Heaven; something which would put my dear Mother aghast with disbelief. Cancer was my victim. I didn't fight - it had no chance. I got on with stuff. I'm a bit bothered to think my survival is heroic, or a victory of any sort. I only refused to believe cancer would kill me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">But, the experience altered me; that cannot be denied. Hearing the word cancer did not really change me. Lying that one terrible night in that hospital room - that pulled many foundations apart within me. I believe some evidence is in my writing. My characters confront themselves, confront some change they did not expect, and they may never be the same at all. I'm fascinated by such questions; what will I chose to be next? What do I really believe? So, my characters are harshly played things. Some, I try to break; one was even castrated. That seems so funny to me now, I promise that my experience never crossed my mind as I wrote that scene. But, I make my characters face uncertainty. It is for them to sort out, if they can.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Now, happily married to that future wife from KC, with two monstrous little boys, I realize that seventeen years are lived, after learning I might die, after facing my uncertainty. Miles came in 1998, and Colin in 2000; I have one very healthy nut after all. I love the thought of perhaps a daughter, to round out the boys, but Andrea gives me that 'special' look when I bring it up. I'm too old she says, and she doesn't want two of us in diapers at the same time.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Because of my books, there may be a thousand people who know my name today, who did not, even a year ago. It is very easy to know and have some interaction with that many people - something only politicians and movies stars could do when I was my sons' age. Some very dear, and some new friends are battling news, or consequences similar to my experience that month in 1993. On occasion, I see a message, in text, on my computer screen,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">"Well, guess what I learned today...."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">I know what you learned. I've heard the words.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Do not give away one second to fear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span></div>Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-77954587570732712122011-03-04T19:06:00.023-07:002011-08-24T17:38:32.535-06:00Book Pirating: what it looks like when you don't catch it...<i><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">This is a screenshot of my pirated books on Lulu.com.</span></i><br />
<br />
That's right. My own POD - Lulu.com had fraudulent versions of my book listed in their catalog. This post will detail every painful step I was forced to take.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Internet Fraud /Copyright protection tips are posted in a thousand places. Most of them advise you to contact the entity who has stolen from you, and to demand they cease and desist: demand they remove the stolen content.</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">DO NOT DO THIS. LEAVE THAT FRAUD TRAIL ALONE - DO NOT TIP OFF THE PIRATE. The prompt removal of the stolen material gives online retailers their best excuse to do nothing further for you.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Copy this text and keep it somewhere with all your publishing files:</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"> 1. Make note of every change the pirate made - new cover, new title, ISBN, alterations to copyright text...</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"> 2. Take a screenshot of every page where you can find a fake of your book.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"> 3. Make a list of every URL where the fake can be found.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"> 4. Make a list of every title and every author who might have had material stolen and reposted with yours.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"> 5. Try every possible way to find other links to the book pirate. List every URL you can find.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"> 6. <span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Report the incident to this link: </span><a href="http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx</span></a></span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"> 7. Click to report your stolen content right on the website where it appears. Do all your books first.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"> 8. Click to report all the stolen content right on the website where it appears.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"> 9. Save every email response you get from the website. Put case numbers on one of your other lists.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">10. Attempt to contact every other author who had stolen material posted with yours.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">11. Share every URL and your case number with every author, so they can make their own claims.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">12. Keep track of dates for every step; finding the materials, reporting the materials, contacting authors.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ls2nokL4_Tw/TXGTWBNOqMI/AAAAAAAAAIE/jSiZVrrQHWc/s1600/Pirated+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" l6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ls2nokL4_Tw/TXGTWBNOqMI/AAAAAAAAAIE/jSiZVrrQHWc/s640/Pirated+books.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I just found these March 4, 5 pm. Oh, look at that - one of the dipshits thinks they can sell a <i>first chapter sample</i> at $4.50! <br />
<span style="color: orange;">BTW: <i> Lulu has no method for authors to report this directly.</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Why find these only now? Don't I visit Lulu all the time?</span><br />
Yes. I visit my project dashboard, and my storefront. I rarely use their search engines for my own work.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">How long have these been up there?</span><br />
Perhaps since mid February. I don't know yet. Lulu has just been contacted about this, reports made from each fraudulent listing. But, Lulu doesn't react to any support tickets for perhaps 48 hours. I just have to wait.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QXddZuR8J4c/TXGZ3cnzUWI/AAAAAAAAAII/TRbMf67oAHU/s1600/Fake+cover-caraliza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" l6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QXddZuR8J4c/TXGZ3cnzUWI/AAAAAAAAAII/TRbMf67oAHU/s400/Fake+cover-caraliza.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: orange;">Why are they using stupid, cheap covers?</span><br />
Because it is a lot of work to steal cover art. Pirate one of my covers, and it may LOOK so bad that buyers are put off.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Why in hell would they put my name on the damned book?</span><br />
They are stupid enough to believe my name will sell. They don't want credit for writing it - they want to bleed my sales away from me.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">How could they get away with this?</span><br />
Easily. They got PDFs of my work, and reloaded them onto Lulu, using their own account. All they need, is for a buyer to click purchase from that link, and the pirate gets the money.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pKVJroBLJeI/TXGcnqcLeII/AAAAAAAAAIQ/VMGHTNvVxJo/s1600/Fake+ISBN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" l6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pKVJroBLJeI/TXGcnqcLeII/AAAAAAAAAIQ/VMGHTNvVxJo/s320/Fake+ISBN.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not my ISBN.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: orange;">Doesn't Lulu look for this sort of thing; doubled up titles, strange versions, obvious fakes?</span><br />
No. Why should they? That would take a massive amount of work on their end. There is not a retailer in existence that will police your work for you. One of the listings even has a new ISBN. You would think that Lulu would at least contact me to say my book, my name has had such an edit.<br />
You will go insane thinking your POD cares this could happen.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Wouldn't I have noticed this on Google?</span><br />
Very good question. NO. I would have seen my title, my name, Lulu.....and wouldn't have looked any further. I might have seen them, if I used Google images to search my titles. But there are sporadic real time scans of the Internet on those engines. These covers might not pop up for a good while on Google. (I've been checking there and cannot find the fake covers anywhere, yet.)<br />
<span style="color: orange;">How is this being reported to Lulu?</span><br />
I went to each fraudulent listing, which I will now call F**kers. I copied the URL of that page, and went to the bottom of the listing to the <i>report this content</i> button. There, I screamed with lots of caps, and pasted the listing. Lulu does not have a <i>MY BOOK HAS BEEN RIPPED OFF</i> button. They don't make it very easy to report F**kers.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Have they responded yet?</span><br />
No.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oew_uc-WJJU/TXGbXSe01uI/AAAAAAAAAIM/zrjYlm-36lc/s1600/Fake+Lulu+listings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" l6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oew_uc-WJJU/TXGbXSe01uI/AAAAAAAAAIM/zrjYlm-36lc/s640/Fake+Lulu+listings.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: orange;">See those two books on this F**ker page? Right hand side? Wanna bet those are pirated by the same asshole who has mine?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">What can you do, to find and prevent this?</span><br />
Clone yourself. You need to constantly search yourself on the major outlets. If you sell lots of books, search around every week. You could lose a lot of money in a week. Imagine not knowing for a month. Two months.<br />
Google yourself, and follow all the listings until you disappear. Any strange URL - go there. And, yes, I think it might be wise to see if any strange covers come up when you look for Google images on your title.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Am I going to recover any stolen sales?</span><br />
Ha hahahahah hahaha ha. Those F**kers are <i>GONE</i>. <br />
Update: my search to see how many of my titles were stolen, uncovered a storefront on Lulu.com with six pages of different authors and books being listed. My book, Shared, was there along with them. This one pirate was stupid enough to make a storefront page, to suck sales from every author shown. Naturally the user has been reported. Still no word from Lulu after 12 hours.<br />
<br />
Update: (March 5, 8:30 am) I've been contacting nearly every pirated author on the Lulu F**ker page. It seems every one of them has uploaded to Feedbooks.com. I won't blame that website for this - and have contacted their support team - but it explains why someone in Siberia would want a copy of my books. No word from Lulu. I want to pressure those two sites to share information and find the user.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">Update: (March 5, 9:15 am) You will not believe this. That Lulu user is a real person in Turkey. I found them on Facebook. I've been in contact with them on FB messages. Guess what she said. </span><br />
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">"I took down the page - Hope you don't mind."</span><br />
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">My brain is leaking.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-34l4xPqv2WA/TXJk74BLH9I/AAAAAAAAAIU/0TctqQaFMGs/s1600/Fake+books+on+Lulu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" l6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-34l4xPqv2WA/TXJk74BLH9I/AAAAAAAAAIU/0TctqQaFMGs/s1600/Fake+books+on+Lulu.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I feel like Caesar, ready to give a thumbs up, or thumbs down on this kid.<br />
<br />
Update: (March 6, 8:30 am) Lulu contacted me about one of the reports. They are referring the matter to their specialists unit and tell me it will be 2-3 days before I hear from that group. Nearly all the other authors have contacted me, there were a few I could not get a message to. {side note to other authors - you need an email address mention on nearly every site profile you have. Imagine this happening to you and you cannot be contacted about it.} Now we wait to see what action Lulu will take against this pirate.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Update: (March 9, Noon) After waiting for about 5 days, I've received about 5 replies from Lulu. I had reported several dozen stolen titles using their normal process, they did not email respond to every report click I made. But, they told me they were going to look into the matter, and they did. However, there was nothing they could do further to help - I had already done all the work. My correspondence with the book pirate resulted in all the fake ebooks being removed from Lulu, and all the Google links have died off.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Just now, I received the best news from Lulu. The pirate made no sales. She was exposed before she could steal a cent from 52 stolen books. We are a very relieved bunch of authors. But, I'm still quite angry at Lulu. Why? Because they will never to anything beyond removing the pirate account. That is the extent of their actions against copyright material theft. Once it is gone from their site, they are done. That is bullshit.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Piracy happens because it is easy. If the only penalty is to be forced over to another site, well, just set up shop somewhere else and keep on ripping off authors. The very first thing Lulu should have done, is give me resources to continue reporting this crime. They didn't. Lulu should be ashamed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">They won't be. They aren't in this business to correct any ills, just to make money. Unfortunately, I need their lazy asses to make any money myself. I just have to be my own watchdog, and policeman, and lawyer. I will be all those too. I'm going to report this pirate to the appropriate agencies in the U.S. and in Turkey. Internet crime should be treated as crime. I'm happy to be one of the voices demanding it.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
Go check your stuff guys...don't hang around here.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-20597748657730396182011-02-21T09:13:00.001-07:002011-08-24T17:37:26.883-06:00Carnival in Rio has lost one sparkle...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TVAoKqAN9DI/AAAAAAAAAHI/1nJwtvG3D0E/s1600/Zaira.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TVAoKqAN9DI/AAAAAAAAAHI/1nJwtvG3D0E/s200/Zaira.jpg" width="123" /></a></div>There are times when you receive a surprise, so unexpected, it instantly seems a gift. My introduction to <i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;">Zaira Brilhante</span></span></b></i> was one such moment. Her first contact was merely a hello, but has opened a doorway with a gorgeous view. She is the founder of an online culture expo, which touches all aspects of entertainment, and she is building a literary showcase within that new site. She said hello to me, because of a book.<br />
<br />
Let's get one thing out of the way, so it won't clutter the discussion:<br />
Guys! <i>She's engaged</i>.<br />
<br />
Partnered with her fiance, this Brazilian Journalist, Filmmaker, soon-to-be Literary maven, has created <a href="http://www.cultzine.co.uk/"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Cultzine</i></b></span></span></a>. I have warned Zaira, my connections in the self-publishing world are growing into a monstrous network. When I broadcast that she hopes to meet authors, and learn of their experiences...a flood will come. (I bet that in Portuguese, a maven would be...maven.)<br />
<br />
Connected as we all are, some of us with addiction-like passion...we prowl in desperation for a new outlet. Imagine being showcased alongside every current event in entertainment the world over. Yes, people browse the Internet for books, but how many more browse for Music, Theater, Movies, etc.? Oh, yes. Millions and millions more. A single click aside from those attractions on Cultzine... a button with our name upon it... Zaira's doorway to something grand for every name mentioned. The world will be at our feet.<br />
<br />
Ok, that's hyperbole. But, it will be so cool! So cool! I'm about to say groovy. (for Brazilians living in England, who are younger than a few of my pairs of shoes...groovy means very, very nice.)<br />
<br />
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</div><div align="left"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TVAvwkY7hbI/AAAAAAAAAHM/PQZWQQW-4W8/s400/cultzine+banner.jpg" width="400" /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Tell us, in twenty words; who is Zaira Brilhante</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Zaira is a Brazilian Journalist passionate about filmmaking that decided to move to London to direct films, is it 20?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Exactly 20. You've passed my test; you <i>are</i> a journalist.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">With whom are you partnered, to create Cutlzine.co.uk?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">My partner in Cultzine is my partner, full stop. My husband to be Olly Hunter, who is also a journalist.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Do you have links to any of your filmwork?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Yes I do, but they are all short films or extracts of short films. On my director's website, zairabrilhante.co.uk you can check the latest productions I worked on. Here is the link to her <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3841621/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">IMDb director's listing</span></a>.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">How long have you lived in London?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">I've been in London for the past 3 years</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Is the Literature category of Cultzine.co.uk your baby?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Cultzine is my baby. I love Literature and Cinema, so I think I can say they are both my favourite topics to write about.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">I know you have been crushed under other work - when do you plan to begin publishing literary content to that section of the website?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">As soon as possible. To be honest, we are running behind schedule, but this upcoming week we should have our first two Literature articles published.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Name some of your favourite authors.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">I love most Brazilian classic authors, but Carlos Drummond de Andrade is by miles my favourite. I am also a big fan of Portuguese writer Fernando Pessoa. I think to say Shakespeare it is a given, but I love him. Contemporary writers, I love Brazilian Luis Fernando Verissimo, but I read everything, really. And I admire a lot what J. K. Rowling did with Harry Potter, how she kept it fresh, differently from all these other "sagas" that I don't need to mention the names but most of them only money makers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Which do you prefer, a printed book or the new electronic formats?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Printed, always printed. I love to go to bed with a book, to sit comfortably on a sofa and feel the paper on my hands. Call me old fashioned, but I love to look at a bookshelf! The same with my cds and dvds... I <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>do understand electronic formats make it sometimes more accessible, but I still prefer the paper version.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">What publications have featured your writings?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Wow, that's a tricky one. If you think as a Journalist, the list will be big... But recently, besides Cultzine, I write also for <a href="http://jungledrumsonline.com/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Jungle Drums Magazine and website</span></a>. <span style="color: orange;">Recent articles </span><a href="http://jungledrumsonline.com/articles/web_exclusive/picking-up-the-pieces/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a><span style="color: orange;">;</span> <a href="http://jungledrumsonline.com/articles/deep-in-the-jungle/a-glimpse-of-the-untouched/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a><span style="color: orange;">;</span> <a href="http://jungledrumsonline.com/whats-on/cinema/latin-american-cinema-invasion/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a><span style="color: orange;">.</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Are you a story teller, or a journalist?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Mainly a Journalist, but if you think of filmmaking as story telling, then I would have to say both, as I do write scripts. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Have you traveled extensively? Ever been to America?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">I've traveled a bit, but I wouldn't say as much as I'd like to. I've been to America, actually, I lived in a tiny village called Wilmington, in the South of Vermont for about six months and I had the opportunity to visit Boston, Albany and New York. In Europe, besides the UK I've been to the classic touristy spots, Paris, Rome... But I did go on two trips I loved, in one I crossed Norway from Oslo do Bergen on a train, stopping in small towns and villages on the way, and on the other I went from Dublin to Kilkee, in Ireland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">What would you like to do with the Literature section of Cultzine?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">The idea of Cultzine<span style="color: #e06666;">With the Literature section, in particular, we don't want to only review books, but to give authors an opportunity to talk to their readers through us</span>.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Will you have weekly features, or monthly features?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">It is more likely to be weekly. We started less than a month ago, but what we are aiming for is to have an article a day and a feature a week.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Can you outline your requirements for submissions to your website...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">If it is about culture, if it fits in anyone of the tabs in our menu, then it is more than welcome. Of course, we don't want it to become a self-promoting thing and we will look carefully at the tone of any article we receive. But other than that, we are open to every suggestion and our team of editors, that is what we are working on at the moment to define, will make sure we keep up with the quality journalism standards we want.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">What other website links can readers use to find you?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Well, I have my filmmaker's website: <a href="http://www.zairabrilhante.co.uk/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">www.zairabrilhante.co.uk</span></a>. There is a blog on this website that I've been using recently as a portfolio tool, so everything I write that gets published on other vehicles is linked there.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">I also found</span><a href="http://shootingpeople.org/cards/ZairaBrilhante"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> this cool site</span></a><span style="color: orange;">.</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Cultzine trumped quite a few other publications with the Oscar nominations this year. How were you able to pull that off? Is it a journalistic secret?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Haha, there is no secret, everybody knows today that with online journalism you need to be quick on the draw. I believe we were lucky to be able to watch it online (a few years ago that wouldn't have been possible) and, being an independent project, not to have the text passing through the hands of editors and IT teams before it could go online. But I didn't do it alone, Olly helped me. It was amazing teamwork. As I was putting together the article and doing all the blogging business, he was there telling everybody we had the information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Where in Brazil is home?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Rio de Janeiro, the most beautiful city in the world to me!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Have you danced in Carnival?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">I have! And don't think because I am Brazilian this is a given, because it was completely random. But one Carnival I had a call from a friend that had a spare costume offering it to me and I thought "why not?" And there I was, hours after, dancing in the middle of the parade. But it was never something I would have planned, although I enjoy watching it, I usually see Carnival only as a long holiday to enjoy with a group of friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">What is your favourite music?</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">I like so many types of music, hard to pick one. But I can say my favourite group is Travis and that the album I can't stop listening at the moment is 21, by Adele. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">As a film maker, where are the best films being produced now? Is Hollywood really out of ideas?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">I don't think Hollywood is out of ideas. I think producers don't want to take risks anymore. It is all about going with the safe option, the money maker option. The same happens all over the place. It is hard to get studios or funding bodies to give a chance to first feature directors/producers. But there are many good films being made independently. I think the UK at the moment is a great place to be, I am still betting on it. But I recently watched a great independent American feature called Chronicles of a Love Unfound, by LA director Michael Eugene Peter, that proves there are lots of good ideas surrounding Hollywood, people just need to buy it. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">What type of books do you read?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Everything, no prejudice. But nowadays I've been spending most of my time reading filmmaking books. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Are you completely immersed in Cultzine.co.uk as a business, or are you merely following your passions?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">There is a business side to it, but we are at the moment seeing where we can get with it. Cultzine is a mirror of a previous successful experience I had with a very similar website in Brazil called Re-vista!, unfortunately when I left Brazil I had to leave it behind and the project died after a few months. But we managed to establish ourselves at that time as one of the first cultural online magazines in the country and after a while we moved to the events business as well, organising films screenings, exhibitions and promoting small concerts of independent bands that had featured in the magazine. I started Cultzine intending to follow Re-vista!'s steps. But I was naive enough not to think that today, more than ever before, when you're writing in English on the web, you can't think local. Although 63% of our readers today are from the UK, but there are still 37% percent, mainly from US and Brazil, that we cannot, by any chance, ignore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Thank you, so much Zaira, for taking this time with me today. I had warned you how many connections I have with outstanding authors. Are you prepared to be flung to the world of passionate writers?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">I am!! Bring it on!!</div><br />
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</div><div align="left">Here are some peeks at the site; links galore...</div><div align="left"><b> </b><b> </b></div><div align="left"><b>Olly Hunter</b><br />
Journalist with a passion for sports, film, music and to his fiance's dismay, Football Manager. Olly also writes @ <a href="http://www.fmobsessive.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">www.fmobsessive.blogspot.com</span></a> and <a href="http://www.olly-hunter.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">www.olly-hunter.blogspot.com</span>.</a><br />
<a href="mailto:ollyhunter@cultzine.co.uk%20"><i style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">ollyhunter@cultzine.co.uk </span></i></a><br />
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<b>Zaira Brilhante</b><br />
Journalist, producer and director that moved to the UK in 2008. Loves films, theatre and music and web design. Zaira also writes @ <a href="http://www.whatevergirlsheis.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">www.whatevergirlsheis.blogspot.com</span></a>. Her filmmaker website is <span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="http://www.zairabrilhante.co.uk/">w</a><a href="http://www.zairabrilhante.co.uk/">ww.zairab</a><a href="http://www.zairabrilhante.co.uk/">rilhante.co.uk</a></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">.</span><br />
<a href="mailto:zairabrilhante@cultzine.co.uk"><i style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">zairabrilhante@cultzine.co.uk</span></i></a></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TVAyiicN03I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/lCu4Sh5BvPE/s1600/shot1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TVAyiicN03I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/lCu4Sh5BvPE/s400/shot1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left">Cultzine could brag of having the quickest fingers to the keys at the recent announcement of the Oscar nominees; they published the names with lightening speed, turning more than a few heads in doing it...</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">The site has a lean, savvy look to it; designed to be more click friendly than other entertainment sites. The lack of pure clutter is astonishing. </div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TVAz771wXsI/AAAAAAAAAHU/utdiuzCtVtA/s1600/shot2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TVAz771wXsI/AAAAAAAAAHU/utdiuzCtVtA/s320/shot2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left"><br />
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Zaira will pilot the Literature segment, when she has built a bit of a foundation for it - chiefly, connections to authors who interest her, or who show some sparkle of their own which will attract others.<br />
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I look forward to seeing this effort take off, to see where Zaira will be led. The tides are swift and strong out here. We wish her all the best.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From her personal website...</td></tr>
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</div>Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-48413424505091594832011-02-14T07:17:00.009-07:002011-02-15T07:22:22.438-07:00Burning Rome twice in one Emperor....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jW03XVItmOo/TUs93Ji-IhI/AAAAAAAAAGo/_aCOWFTrszo/s1600/img_3450_%25233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jW03XVItmOo/TUs93Ji-IhI/AAAAAAAAAGo/_aCOWFTrszo/s200/img_3450_%25233.jpg" width="152" /></a></div>February is Snowdown celebration in Durango. For some reason, always the most bone-chilling weekend of the winter. Locals line Main Street downtown, stomping, waiting for the single firework above the train station, which marks the beginning of the parade when the first evening stars peep over Smelter Mountain. Crowding close, straining the man-barriers, people eagerly look south to see what they really came to see...the balloon gondolas. Resting on flatbed trailers, they come up the street with burners alight, trying with all their might to send their tongues of flame over the three and four story buildings on either side of the street.<br />
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The crowd Oohs and Aahs, and raise their hands to the warmth.<br />
<span style="color: orange;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Suzanne Tyrpak</span></i></span> plays a fiddle on a crowded corner.....<br />
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Only the fiddle is fiction in that paragraph. Suzanne might not have been there this year, the whole town has been sick, for nearly a month. I'd heard she'd been traveling and might have been tired. She travels a lot, which I envy. Her job for an airline at the county airport gives her that wonderful freedom. I don't blame her for hopping over the mountains at every chance. Once, she hopped over the pond, to the Med. <i>Italy. </i><i>Rome.</i><br />
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There was a flame-lit night in that city's past. Remember that?<br />
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How cool is <i>that</i> tie-in? Yeah, I'm feeling pretty smart.<br />
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Suzanne met me for coffee a few weeks back, to swap books, say hello finally, talk about what we love. Her book is new enough, I couldn't beg a copy. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004G093HQ/ref=cm_rdp_product"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">'Vestal Virgin'</span></a>. She posted me so I could get the file, and I jumped right in. <em>Something had been admitted</em> in that meeting, and I wanted the truth of it, to see what result had come of it.<br />
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Vestal Virgin was edited to the bone after she completed her first draft. It's her method; authors have those, you know. I was aghast. Cutting one of my MS would draw blood from me.<br />
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What happened to those words? Were there holes in the text? The book is about Rome, at the time of the burning. Would this novel have scorch marks, and voids in it from her handiwork, like the burned corners of the Turin Shroud? Could I read this and see the perforations?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TU297ysl0RI/AAAAAAAAAG8/bQhMQsMsXU8/s1600/Vestal+Virgin+smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TU297ysl0RI/AAAAAAAAAG8/bQhMQsMsXU8/s200/Vestal+Virgin+smaller.jpg" width="136" /></a></div>No. Suzanne is an accomplished author, and I'm a dork. An editor once told me; anything can be edited. Done by an expert, it works. Ms. Tyrpak knew which threads to pull out, where to reshape. Here is <span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/139296903">my review of the result</a></span>.<br />
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To the bone.... (her words)<br />
What a bone! There is a feast of Ancient Rome within those pages; a banquet awaits anyone who loves the harshness of the stunning place. But, I would love to read the original draft. Send that Suzanne, instead of a print. :) I'm that kind of reader. You can't give me too much of a beloved subject.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TU3AHKuwhwI/AAAAAAAAAHA/zPifUl0C_wY/s1600/Vibrator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TU3AHKuwhwI/AAAAAAAAAHA/zPifUl0C_wY/s200/Vibrator.jpg" width="136" /></a></div>Now, let's talk about her other book; <a href="http://www.amazon.com/DATING-VIBRATOR-other-fiction-ebook/dp/B003XYFN5M/ref=pd_sim_kinc_4?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Dating My Vibrator: and other true fiction</span></a>.<br />
(I blush fire-engine red. So glad you can't see me right now. I bet you could sell that for $42.95, and it would still fly.)<br />
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So, what do I mean by burning Rome twice?<br />
Hehe. There were two fires smoldering there. Suzanne brings sparks from both into her text. Nero ruled, tyrannated, corruptivated... abused the citizens, at the time that Christianity was taking hold. It was creeping into place, doing what it does, replacing the voids within the downtrodden souls it touched. Rome, her citizens, was seething with a passion for something different. Rome had endured too much, from without and within, and was a tinderbox in too many hidden places. When those sparks ignited... Rome disappeared into smoke, and The Way began to bloom.<br />
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<i>I keep seeing Donna Reed in that book cover.....</i><br />
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'Vestal Virgin' is Suzanne's debut book. She's approached self-publishing the way lions approached the early Christians - she's devouring it. She has some impressive admirers. Check out her thoughts on the e-book revolution in this publication: <a href="http://artsperspective.com/artsperspective/?p=424"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">ArtsPerspective.com</span></a><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> </span>Here is a link to <a href="http://ghostplanestory.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">her website</span></a>. <span style="color: #3d85c6;">As a gift to her readers, and any new ones meeting her for the first time here, Suzanne has agreed to give an e-book copy of 'Vestal Virgin' to anyone who comments below, and also goes to her blog to sign up and follow! The winner(s) will be selected at the end of the feature this week, and will be given a Smashwords code by email.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TVIRIZl-J8I/AAAAAAAAAHg/NhHqVUG6r6o/s1600/Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TVIRIZl-J8I/AAAAAAAAAHg/NhHqVUG6r6o/s640/Banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Ready Suzanne?<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">I’ve been shy about reading ‘Dating my…’ Am I a prude?</span><br />
The stories are basically PG. Most of the stories are set in <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Durango</place></state>—so you might enjoy it just for the setting. I’ve read a couple of the stories at the library, and no one called the police or threw me out so I think you’re safe reading the collection. <br />
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<span style="color: orange;">How many times a year do you hop a plane out of <place w:st="on"><state w:st="on">Durango</state></place>?</span><br />
I work for an airline so I travel a lot. Sometimes more than I want, because I often go to training up in <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Denver</place></city>. Mostly, I travel in the slow seasons—never on holidays. I just got back from <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">New York</place></state>, where my family lives. While I was there I did research for my next novel; I visited the Roman and Greek wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. At the end of this month I’ll be going to the <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Seattle</place></city> area, meeting up with another writer friend who recently moved there, Shannon Richardson. I try to get away about every other month.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Have you ever worked in the café at the airport? The local joke, you know, </span><span style="color: orange;">everyone out there works at least once in the café…</span><br />
There’s a cafe at the airport? No Joel, I don’t work at the cafe, but I often play piano out in the parking lot.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">A three foot snowstorm doesn’t close that airport, does it. Have you ever been trapped out there?</span><br />
Sometimes I work extremely long hours due to snow and rebooking. 4:30am till 9pm and later. It’s a tough job, but I enjoy it. And the airport is a great place to study people. I see people at their best, and sometimes at their worst. I check you in, and check you out.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">You discovered your desire to write Vestal Virgin while on a trip to </span><city w:st="on"><place w:st="on"><span style="color: orange;">Rome</span></place></city><span style="color: orange;">. How </span><span style="color: orange;">long were you there?</span><br />
My first visit to <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Rome</place></city> was a dream-come-true—I traveled with a group of writers including Terry Brooks, Elizabeth Engstrom, John Saul, and Dorothy Allison for about a week. We hung out at cafes, wrote, wandered around the city and beyond. It was incredible. I got the idea for Vestal Virgin when I read a short blurb in a travel guide. There were only six vestals at any given time, and they were the most powerful women in the empire—sworn to thirty years of chastity at age seven, if they broke that vow they could be entombed alive. I thought: there’s a story!<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">The book took you back again, to complete research didn’t it?</span><br />
Yes, I went to <city w:st="on">Rome</city> a second time with a friend from <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Durango</place></state>. We spent about ten days traveling through <city w:st="on">Rome</city>, <city w:st="on">Florence</city> and <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Venice</place></city>. While we were in <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Rome</place></city>, I hired a private tour-guide, a scholar who focused on A.D. 63-64, the time of the great fire—the year I write about. He showed us around the Forum Romanum, and gave me all kinds of interesting details I hadn’t found in books.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<span style="color: orange;">Some of the locations you visited that second time – those were not normal stops for tourists were they?</span><br />
Most people don’t get the kind of details I got from the scholar tour-guide. For example, we walked around the site of the Domus Transitoria (Nero’s palace that burnt to the ground), and he knew the entire layout. I walked from one area of <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Rome</place></city> to another, so I could get an idea of how long it would take to get around by foot. For example, I walked the route Elissa, my main character, walks from the Forum to what once was The Circus Maximus.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">You’ve traveled to writer’s conferences, too? Where?</span><br />
I attended the Maui Writers’ Conference and Retreat where I studied with New York Times bestselling writers including Elizabeth George, Terry Brooks, John Saul, Karen Fowler and Dorothy Allison. I’ve also attended Thrillerfest in Phoenix and New York City, World Fantasy Convention (don’t remember where), the Historical Writers’ Conference in Salt Lake, and one year Blake Crouch (Desert Places, Locked Doors), Shannon Richardson (Deadly Deceptions) and I attended Left Coast Crime together. We flew standby on my flight benefits to <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">San Antonio</place></city>. That’s where I first met Joe Konrath—the King of Kindle.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Are they ever going to finish that damned construction on Florida Road?</span> <br />
I believe construction is scheduled to be finished early in the next millennium. They’re currently building an overpass leading directly to the <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Rec</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Center</placetype></place>, which will allow travelers to bypass Florida Road - the toll will be $5.00, but I think locals get a discount. <br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Dating my Vibrator (and other true fiction) is an honest discussion about your </span><span style="color: orange;">life after divorce? Was that a difficult step to take, to write your own self </span><span style="color: orange;">onto those pages?</span><br />
It’s not a discussion—honest or dishonest. It’s fiction, a collection of nine short stories. Yes, I used my experience as a jumping off point, but I do that with everything I write. Because some of the stories closely reflect my own experience, writing the stories saved me hundreds of dollars that I might have spent on therapy.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">How many times have you ridden the train up to Silverton?</span><br />
Why?<br />
<span style="color: orange;">*snerk*</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Do you bike? Know 60 people who do?</span><br />
Yes. Know in the biblical sense? That question is waaaay too personal!<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">How many bears have you seen near your place?</span><br />
Last summer I had a group of friends over for dinner, and a bear cub showed up at the dumpster. We all ran out to see it—even the kids—before we figured out that might not be a great idea.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">They say you are a local in <place w:st="on"><state w:st="on">Durango</state></place> if you’ve ever spent a dime on Main Street. How long have you been here?</span> <br />
Where do you get these sayings Joel? I moved here from <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">New York</place></state>, Christmas of 1982. Threw my belongings into a VW hatchback and drove across country by myself. It was an adventure. I’m generally up for an adventure.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Is a new book in the works yet?</span><br />
Several novels and another collection of short stories. I plan to bring out another historical suspense novel this coming December, Agathon’s Daughter. It’s set in Classic Greece. Here’s a description:<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Agathon’s Daughter:</span></em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Born a bastard and a slave, Hestia has a gift—the power to read people’s hearts. This gift brings her notoriety and takes her on journey through the upper echelons of </span><place w:st="on"><city w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Athens</span></city></place><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. Sold to Lycurgus, a prominent statesman with sadistic tendencies, she becomes his consort. As Hestia’s wealth and fame increase, so does her despair. Determined to escape her cruel master, she faces enemies at every turn, but the fiercest enemy she faces is herself. To gain freedom, she must unravel the mystery of her past and confront the demons in her own heart.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span></em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Online marketing is a struggle, at best, and we all have our favorite outlets, but you are partial to Kindle Boards aren’t you?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think marketing online is fun—even addictive. I enjoy connecting with readers and writers via my blog, Facebook and Twitter. My fave hangout is Kindle Boards. It’s a friendly forum where readers and writers connect. I learn a lot there, exchange information and keep up on the latest epublishing news. I also hang out at a few Amazon forums in the </span><country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US</span></country-region><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and </span><country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UK</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tell me what your typical writing day entails. Do they happen often enough?</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">At one point, before my divorce, I had time to write for hours every day. Now I write when I can. I like to have a chunk of time, so I can get lost in the story—but it doesn’t always work out that way. I write when I’m not working at the airport.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Highest peak you’ve visited?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The twin towers of the </span><place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;">World</span></placename><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><placename w:st="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Trade</span></placename><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><placetype w:st="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Center</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Explain what you meant by ‘cutting to the bone’ on Vestal Virgin. Why did you feel that was necessary?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I write, and then cut. I prefer economy in sentences. My first draft or two is usually over-written. I like to leave room in my writing for the reader’s imagination. For example, I stay away from detailed descriptions of a character’s appearance and allow my readers to create the images. Less is more.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Is traditional publishing your ultimate goal, or have you reached your desire already?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My ultimate goal is to support myself writing fiction. Thanks to epublishing, I think I can reach that goal in about three years. Traditional publishing was my dream for a long time—I’d love to work with a great editor and see my books in libraries and stores—but traditional publishing no longer guarantees those things. These days, with all the changes in the industry, I’m not sure if traditional publishing would be beneficial or a hindrance. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How long have you been writing?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve been writing seriously for about thirteen years, but I’ve always been a writer. In school, I used to entertain my friends with short stories, and I’ve always written (mostly bad) poetry. I’ve also written a few plays.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is the perfect product, in your mind; an outstanding story, or something so unique that it simply stands out on its own?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A great story well told.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have you ever boated/rafted down the Animas?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I did one of those tourist raft trips once. And I’ve cruised up the </span><place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nile</span></place><span style="font-family: inherit;">. Researching a story—natch. Does that count as rafting?</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">Yes, it counts. Thank you bunches, Suzanne. Coffee is on me next time...</span><br />
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***<br />
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Durango is a river town. Our lovely little Animas. The Spanish named the river "Rio de las Animas Perdidas", <em>"River of the Lost Souls"</em>. Named, truthfully, for the Native Americans who resisted Catholicism, the Animas is a river that kills; if you attempt it during the runoff, too high up from town. There are places where the current is so strong, lost kayakers are not found for days. There were currents in Rome, during the rein of Nero, and he was their cold source, emotionless as snowcapped peaks in May sunshine. Caught in his icy grip, even loving friends might die, friends who loved, but were not.<br />
You thought you had heard that about him? Suzanne rafts you through those waters, but you will be chilled through. And, it's not even Nero's story...<br />
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Remember to stop by her blog, <a href="http://ghostplanestory.blogspot.com/">http://ghostplanestory.blogspot.com/</a> after leaving a comment below. We will notify the winners a day or two after her feature post.<br />
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.Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-88791412576988389922011-02-07T09:35:00.003-07:002011-02-12T13:25:43.251-07:00When a simple happiness is a blessing...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TU7weTEQ1AI/AAAAAAAAAHE/ZvUtaImECdo/s1600/Valerie+Maarten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TU7weTEQ1AI/AAAAAAAAAHE/ZvUtaImECdo/s200/Valerie+Maarten.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Imagine having no safe home.<br />
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That isn't a question about just having a roof over your head. <i>Imagine having no safe home..</i>.no place where you can feel safe at all. Every small happiness, becomes a gift of tremendous value. Endure a lifetime of need, and surprise at even simple things.... <i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://thewriteworld.webs.com/"><span style="color: orange;">Valerie Maarten</span></a></span></i> asks you to feel that, as you read 'The Gift of Joy'. Such is the reality for many women; women and their children, who look to others for the barest of comforts. Women who need shelter from harm.<br />
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I'm so pleased to feature Valerie this week, in her first author's interview. <i>I got a picture of Valerie! Yay!</i><br />
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She has not written a depressing novella for you to slog through. Contrary to that, Joy's experience is uplifting when you become friends with her. Understanding is a wonderful thing to come to. Especially with this subject. You only need to care, to let yourself care. It's how Joy deals with the pains in her past; she runs a shelter for women in need.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TU2zPQAhFdI/AAAAAAAAAG0/XeADhSB3Jac/s1600/The+Gift+of+Joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TU2zPQAhFdI/AAAAAAAAAG0/XeADhSB3Jac/s200/The+Gift+of+Joy.jpg" width="121" /></a></div>Writing a reality based fiction, with this sadness and want at its core, must be done by someone who exudes generosity. I believe that describes Valerie. I've seen her <a href="http://thewriteworld.webs.com/indieauthorsuniteebooks.htm"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">promote other authors</span></a> with vigor on her website. She seems a giving person, if a bit shy. She certainly gave herself to this text, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Gift-of-Joy-ebook/dp/B0047742RO"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">'The Gift of Joy'</span></a> is a labor of love for Val, and I've been curious exactly what sparked it. Perhaps it doesn't need to be told. Nothing would change about this story, knowing where it began to shine within the author. Let's say that I will be satisfied that she wrote it, so it could touch other people. Some people need even a small encouragement. It could make tomorrow somewhat easier to bear.<br />
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Here is the link to <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/127565045"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">my review of her book</span></a>. I've not read 'Second Chances' but the reviews are similar, people love what they are reading.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>No, there aren't any St. Bernards. But Valerie rescues sea turtles...Orlando is her home. Every few weekends she can be found walking the marshy beaches near Edgewater - a turtle under each arm. Unless a Shuttle launch has been scheduled on the Cape. She will drop whatever task is at hand, to brave the endless traffic to be close as possible. I bet she's taken a few turtles along from time to time.<br />
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Where do those turtles go? She won't say, but I've heard NASA has a turtle removal task force at the Cape, and she might be keeping them busy. I think her backyard might be a bit of turtle heaven too.<br />
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*** If this is your first visit to Thing, always - always check the comments, stuff crops up. And say hello. :)<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">What prompted you to write this story, 'The Gift of Joy' ?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">A little girl named Joy that always seemed to haunt my thoughts and live in my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although she was make believe, her story was real.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Was this your first novel?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">This was the first novel that I published.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have many WIP that are clamoring for my attention.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">You read a variety of subjects; what are your favorite books?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">In non-fiction I like history, particularly the medieval period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for fiction, I’m very eclectic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll read anything that grabs my attention.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Give us some insight to your writing process; how do you approach your page?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">This is an interesting question because I’m always wondering about other Author’s methods for writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a little old fashioned in my writing style, I guess you can say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to write every word out in long hand then I do my re-write, edits as I’m typing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some Authors seem to be comfortable sitting in front of the computer screen as the words flow from their fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has the opposite effect for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My thoughts flow easiest when I’m writing.<br />
<span style="color: orange;">You've brought my eyes wide open at that! I know very few people who can do that, it is a remarkable thing to know. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Have you exposed your work to agencies? Do you send out queries?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">I have to admit that I haven’t done that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be quite frank, I never thought that I’d become published because I didn’t like the idea of having to go through the formality of query letters, finding and agent, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I resigned myself to the fact that my work would be mostly enjoyed by me and a few friends before it was relegated to a Rubbermaid bin in the garage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t until this new-fangled idea called ePublishing came about that I ever considered publishing seriously.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">How long have you been writing? What other things have you done?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">For fear of sounding too cliché, I’ve been writing ALL of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poems, short stories, plays…anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love to read and I love to write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a passion that’s been inside me since I can remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can recall my first book I ever read, but if I tell you the title I’d be dating myself so I’ll refrain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Okay, okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop twisting my arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was “Fun with Dick and Jane” and “See Spot Run.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I can hear the computer in everyone’s head calculating when those books were published and tacking on another 5 years for good measure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the record, I’m 25 years old *sneaky grin*</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Did this story spring entirely from your heart, or did you research any parts of it?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">“The Gift of Joy” was entirely from the heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grew up in a time when Domestic Violence was a personal affair where no one got involved or intervened and it was rarely treated as a criminal offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I always wondered what if…?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if you’re the product of a home where this was commonplace?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What type of person would you become…how would it affect your relationships with other people, etc.?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ve always carried this little girl in my heart and in my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, I decided that her story was too compelling to remain untold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted people to know Joy, feel her pain and loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed to make her human so people would know how their inclination not to get involved could affect another person’s life, especially the life of a child that has no one else to protect them.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Have you worked or volunteered in a Women’s shelter before?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ve never volunteered in a Women’s shelter, but I have done volunteer for church where we serve hungry families and give away gently used clothes to the needy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be quite honest, I don’t think my heart would allow me to work under those conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m too empathetic towards those types of situations and I don’t know how I would react under those circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe that’s just my selfish way of protecting my own heart from the pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know how else to explain it. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Why would a contract writer desire more time at the keyboard, to write a novel? </span><span style="color: orange;">What is a contract writer?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">If I had to guess at what a “Contract Writer” is, I’d say it’s more like a freelance writer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this is true, then I would think that writing a novel would be less lucrative for them since they would have to make great sales in order to acquire the fee they’re probably accustomed to by writing bits, blogs, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though I could be wrong…I’m just guessing.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">You are very careful with Gabe in ‘The Gift of Joy’. Were you doing that on purpose, or did Joy cause that?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">It was a little of both, I’d say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an adult, Gabe had a better understanding of what Joy must have gone through in her childhood and to couple that with his own guilt for not doing anything about it, though he was too young, was another reason he had the temperament he had with Joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But overall, I didn’t want an overpowering, “Alpha” male to overshadow the message I was trying to convey through Joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe me, it was a delicate balance of which I hope I’ve succeeded.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">I’ve noticed that you are shy about self promotion; you even admit you were brought up to believe it could be a negative trait. Is that changing for you, as you connect with more people? Are you learning to open up a bit, for the sake of your books?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Some things are just inherent in you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bragging or boasting or calling attention to oneself was just a “no-no” when I was growing up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I did have to learn how to promote in order to sell books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though there doesn’t seem to be a method to the madness, I’ve experimented with various ways to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some ways were quite successful and others, not so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still have a learning curve in this arena, but I am comfortable enough now to at least try.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TUB8SOm9fmI/AAAAAAAAAGU/Q4yZGsdGqKI/s1600/Second+Chance+1+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TUB8SOm9fmI/AAAAAAAAAGU/Q4yZGsdGqKI/s200/Second+Chance+1+-+Copy.JPG" width="121" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Tell us a little about </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Second-Chances-ebook/dp/B004AYD6ZS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1295302477&sr=1-3"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">‘Second Chances’</span></a><span style="color: orange;">.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Second Chances” is another one of those, what would happen if…?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wondered, what would happen if a person spent their entire life believing something to be true, to the point of it festering into a poisonous, debilitating hatred, only to find out later on in life that it was a lie?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would that person continue to use that hatred as a shield?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or would they be strong enough to let it go and begin their life anew?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was experimental, but I hope I was able to convey the antagonism it could cause in a person’s life if they chose to hold on to it…and all that they stood to lose if they didn’t let it go.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Here is a link to a Smashwords <span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/29245">reader review</a></span> of 'Second Chances'.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Have you had days when it just seemed impossible to write?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">All the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that I don’t have a cache of stories in my head, but because I’m not disciplined enough to write when the spirit hits me sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, I’m one of those Authors that let life get in the way and I rarely do anything until I feel I’m “under the gun.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I work best when I feel I’m under pressure, even if I’m the one giving the deadline.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Do you snorkel, or are you a beach-babe-with-a-book?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Easy question to answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a beach-babe-with-a-book.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Have you been deep sea fishing?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Never.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Motion sickness would not allow that to be a fun outing for me…or the other person.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">How many Shuttle launches have you seen?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">In person…none.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Standing in my driveway…all of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately I live fairly close to NASA, so I can see it from my house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know most people think it’s cool to see it in person, but they’ve never seen the traffic it causes when it’s over and I absolutely HATE being stuck in traffic.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Name your favorite amusement park ride.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Oh, I’m a wimp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a hard one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’ll have to be the Tea Cup Ride or the ride in The Cat in the Hat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know, I’m a big baby.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Have you ever ridden an air-boat in the Everglades?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Did no one ever tell you they have alligators in the Everglades?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heck no!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m scared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know I always wonder, what if?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if something happened to the man steering the boat?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if we get stuck in the marshes and it’s getting late?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if…?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Does the Fountain of Youth exist?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask my two grandmothers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are both ninety and beautiful, with very few wrinkles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m still waiting for them to tell me where it is.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">So, I teased about St. Bernards, you seem more the type to rescue Greyhounds. What’s the real story?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">You’re a very intuitive man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would be that type.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though I’ll admit that I love St. Bernards for their bravery and intelligence, I love Greyhounds for their agility and regal stature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re both beautiful animals in their own way.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Which must-see tourist spot in Florida will you admit you have never, never seen?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve never been to St. Augustine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each of my boys has been, but I’ve never made the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is definitely on my list of places to see.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Describe Val Maarten’s perfect day…..</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Now you’re going to expose my simple life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But here goes… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My perfect day is when I’m home alone, I have creamer for my coffee *always seem to run out* and I can read or write or chat with friends all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See, I told you it was simple.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">I’m giving you one million play-dollars, to travel the world. Where are you going?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Yippee!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first place I’m going is Scotland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I’ll shoot over to Ireland, England…make a beeline to Italy and Greece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a break for a few weeks then go to Australia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably not in that order, but heck I have a million play-dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can do whatever I want, right?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Name the one person you could approach tomorrow, to hand them a copy of your books.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">I would say Oprah so I could sell an instant million copies, since she seems to have the Midas Touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’d probably rather hand it over to Maya Angelou.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was one of my favorite Authors growing up and she always seemed to evoke emotions from me and I’d like to know if I could do the same to her.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Will you send a picture, so we can post it with your feature next week?☺<span style="font-family: "Wingdings";"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Joel, I’m sorry that I don’t have any professional pictures of myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise it’s on my to-do list and you’ll be the first one to see me after my 'unveiling'.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">What? My goofy shots are professional? I'm a master at obscure images...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Next day... </span></div><div>I hope you're feeling better today. I couldn't find a professional photo of myself, but I managed to crop one from my nephew's graduation. It's not perfect, but it'll do for now. If you can't stand to see my "mug", feel free not to use it and use a book cover LOL I won't be offended. I'm not really a picture person.</div><br />
<span style="color: orange;">Beautiful! You are smiling out from so many places now....</span><br />
Joel, I'm slowly coming out of my "comfort zone." One day I'll do a better picture, but this one will do for now. Thanks ♥<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">***</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
Valerie, you are very welcome. It is such a pleasure to have you here, to reach one more person with the uplifting messages in your books. And, folks, get over to her <span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="http://thewriteworld.webs.com/">website</a></span> again, right now, for the LinZ Muddy Buddy Treat recipe on her home page. Those might break my addiction to Gummy Bears....<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-44969972499430105992011-01-31T06:57:00.007-07:002011-08-24T17:39:13.498-06:00Emersed in the warmth of a million stares...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TTSNA6RaTZI/AAAAAAAAAGM/6RtAu8_9-DM/s1600/author.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TTSNA6RaTZI/AAAAAAAAAGM/6RtAu8_9-DM/s200/author.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><i>Kelli Sue Landon</i></span> is a member of an elite club; adults who have the attention of organisms younger than the age of 20. It isn't easy to call those things people, yet. Suffice it for now to use the general term YA. If you've been in a brick-and-mortar book store lately, you will know they have renamed that section, Self-Help.<br />
That is it's entire purpose. YA books are guidelines for how to survive as fledglings.<br />
<br />
I wouldn't really know if they work. I have Ys. I don't have YAs yet. Mine might not make it to the A designation; they've barely progressed beyond books with pictures.<br />
<br />
I couldn't find any pictures in Kelli's book. But, I found a lot of guidelines that are well suited to the A half of the generic term. Organisms should thrive, if they could be drawn to her book, and that highest of honors could be within their grasp - Tax Payers. (YATP)<br />
<br />
There is a secret, aparently, to writing for the A progression of the Y crowd. You must be born with the skill. A few old newspapers from her hometown brought that fact to light, in my search for who this woman was, and how she could interact with YAs without a nervous twitch. Kelli has been published before, while she was a kid! That startled me. There were other important details to be learned...I even searched in <a href="http://www.kellisuelandon.com/index.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">her website</span></a> for more...<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Fact Number One:</span> Kelli is only 22. You write what you know. That's only 4 perms - in adult female terms - away from being a YA herself. So innocent, she really believes she stood <a href="http://www.kellisuelandon.com/5/post/2010/04/assignment-5-voice.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">on stage with Rick Springfield</span></a> a few years back. Ha! He's, like, old enough to be her grandfather.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Fact Number Two: </span> Kelli is a psychic. She's clairvoyant. According to the Morton Police Department, Kelli Sue is responsible for the happy outcome of numerous missing persons cases in recent years. I spoke to an officer on one of her earliest cases with their department. <i>"She told us the kid would be at the Mall, probably near the Cinnabon store, or Chic-fil-A. We found that missing kid in twenty minutes. Kelli has our respect, because she can just see things. I never was a believer before."</i><br />
<br />
Kelli is young enough, that her gift of insight has not dimmed. It's obvious when you <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/144826947">read her work</a> - she is still 'one of them'.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TUI7yslhiTI/AAAAAAAAAGc/cM1LzLGwq7o/s1600/Sudden+Moves+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TUI7yslhiTI/AAAAAAAAAGc/cM1LzLGwq7o/s200/Sudden+Moves+cover.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>I have an idea now, and Kelli is just the person I need to enlist on my team. I believe now, after reading her book 'Sudden Moves', that the YA literary movement has an untapped power. I'm all for helping these things grow up, but I'm wondering...why wait for the full benefit? We have stuff which needs doing now. I will be suggesting, here first, actually, that Kelli make some adjustments to her next YA work, now that she has established her 'connection' to her audience. Her next book should include some subliminal phrases.<br />
<br />
Now! I remember all the hooha back in the 70's about the 'subliminal' messages in TV commercials and movies. I protested against that, too. Nothing in my suggestion should rekindle any of the horrors of Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific Shampoo, or the misuse of Tickle Deodorant we all remember....<br />
It could be subtly used. Hardly noticeable.....<br />
<br />
"Would you like to go to the Mall, Candy?"<br />
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">CLEAN YOUR ROOM</span></i><br />
"Sure, Debbie, sounds great! Do you think Mark will be there?" she winked.<br />
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">FINISH YOUR HOMEWORK</span></i><br />
"Oh, God! I hope so! He's so dreamy!"<br />
<br />
With the unbridled cyber fascination within the YA culture, and the growth of hand held E-book readers, Kelli could be helping to tidy rooms and improve grades all across the civilized world with automaton efficiency. I'm already feeling good about our chances for success! I jus<span style="font-family: inherit;">t know, wit</span>h her cooperation, there is a helpful best seller within "Nightmare at Camp <i><span style="color: #38761d;">HELPWITHHOUSEWORK</span></i> Forrestwood". Imagine the benefit when she combined her earlier works into a 'The Diary, Pizza Night, <i><span style="color: #38761d;">GETAJOB</span></i>, Campfire Dreams" collection! K.S. Landon is already on the cusp of this new age! She has them within her grasp!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Spoiler alert: This question might give away some plot elements. It is hidden, until you select it as if to copy it. But - don't read it - until you've read the book! Silly you!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Your gripping story, of Mafia crime, and covert ‘hit men’ has a chilling reality to it. Does that come from living in Peoria, the center of FBI suspicions for a generation?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">I have always been a fan of Mafia movies and believe it or not, when I started Sudden Moves, this was just going to be a rumor for the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I saw an episode of Frasier while I was writing this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fraiser and his brother, Niles, enlisted an organized crime boss to get rid of Maris's traffic tickets that were piling up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, this guy wanted payback from Niles later in the show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought – this is it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had many scenarios written for the ending.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">I’ve detected subtle code words in your text, reading ‘Sudden Moves’. Things like ‘cell phone’ ‘texting’ which have no apparent meaning to me. What are you trying to say with that?</span><span style="color: orange;"> It that YA speak?</span><br />
Texting is a household word these days – I even say it and I'm not a young adult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Texting with a cell phone is done more than calling a person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sending texts are quicker without taking away minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh and yes, young adults are doing it more and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some even get carpal tunnel from it! <span style="color: orange;">I adjust my toupee and try again....</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Define YA for us.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Young adult – to me it's the ages between 14 and 20.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Young adults are the main characters, but for Sudden Moves, it evolves into a more adult ending.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Who wrote your favorite books?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Mary Higgins Clark, Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Sandra Brown and Janet Evanovich.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Did you have a dog like Buster?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">No, but I grew up with a basset hound – we actually had three during my teen years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our first one who lived a long time was named Bosley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Buster is my favorite dog name.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Katie – Kelli….. I could not help wondering. Naming a character so closely to your own name; are you, perhaps, too close to your writing? Could you be regressing?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">This is funny – no, it's nothing like me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was more like Tami (named from my old school friend Tammy) and she was more like Katie!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do have to say – I had the more strict parents like Katie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, there are similarities here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Katie is a name I have always liked – in a way, wished it was my name growing up. I thought it had more of a ring to it and it's not a guy's name like Kelly is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">I still crave Dynamints candies, but can’t find them anymore.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">I forgot these even existed until I looked them up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That took me back!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">I couldn’t help giggle at your Nostalgia page, Kelli. The 70’s are not pre-historic. Haha! I still wear a few shirts I bought back then...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">I love the 70's fashions!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My older brother and sister wore many – along with the old hair styles!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love looking at our old photos.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">One thing is blatantly absent from ‘Sudden Moves’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teenage smoking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, two things then. No underage drinking either. Are you trying to drive kids away from your books? Why are your characters so good?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Well, they are not what I would call “good.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Katie lies to her parents and gets out of the house – even taking her dad's car once and then sneaking out with Brad to go to Sean's house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is statutory rape slightly mentioned with Tami wanting to go out with a married older guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never saw my characters drinking or smoking in this book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I tried it, I would have thought “they wouldn't do this – it's not like them.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My characters run the show in my stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watch for my next novel – Nightmare at Camp Forrestwood – there kids are far from good!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Weren’t you tempted, to toss in a vampire?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">That is funny!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nope – I'm not a big vampire fan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, I like some movies and books, but I cannot write about a vampire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to be my characters to write them – I don't see myself as a vampire!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">How many siblings do you have?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">A brother and a sister plus two step-brothers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All older.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">What was your first book signing like?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">My first signing doesn't happen until March 5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will say that I am going to have a trivia game (questions about me and the book) for a chance to win my next novel!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's in a small independent bookstore and I am so excited!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">There was an upsurge in discussion about violent themes in YA books this last year. ‘The MockingJay’ constantly came up in that debate. Have you read it? What is your opinion of the complaints made against it?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">No, I have not read it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn't aware of any discussion on violence in YA books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sudden Moves crosses over into a more adult like theme toward the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will say the violence in Sudden Moves could really happen and to a young girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It happens every day, but most kids aren't as lucky as Katie was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks for mentioning this book – I want to pick it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see it's in a series of The Hunger Games?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it is correct – I have had a recommendation of The Hunger Games from someone in my book club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may have to read that one first!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Did you ever get an autograph from Rick? Have a link to any of the pics posted online?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">I wasn't able to find online pics of this show!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found a few years ago on a fan's website, this was back when I had my first computer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do have a photo of me and him after the first show I saw him in (Decatur, IL) – a meet and greet where yes, he signed my old 45 record jackets and a couple album covers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a great night that was!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>VH1 was there doing his Behind The Music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me know if you want to see my photo with him – I have long hair!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Tell us a little about ‘Nightmare at Camp Forrestwood’.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">This book came to me so quickly. I have always wanted to do a whodunit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's a senior class trip – they take a weekend camping trip about an hour away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's a lesson to teach teens how to survive without technology – no cell phones, computers, or even Ipods are allowed to accompany them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, little do they know, there is a killer among the group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's in the editing process now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should be out around May.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Describe your writing process. Are you ever really satisfied with a story?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">My writing process is NO OUTLINES!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot plan out a whole book or story, then write it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to write spontaneously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example – Chapter 30 of Sudden Moves was all spontaneous – I had nothing in mind for that chapter until I wrote it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I set it up at the end of chapter 29, then just went with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's actually my favorite chapter in the book-it brought out a good turning point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am satisfied with a story after my first reader reads it and tells me what they think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need feedback from others before I am satisfied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was worried I didn't explain enough at the end of the book – or if I over explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Have you been keeping up with your Journal?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">I am trying!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don't write in a journal every day, only when I get a good idea for my third novel or when I really get the urge to write something down about the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have two journals – one for my plotting and a love journal, writing down the positive things that happen to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes me feel happy and relieves stress when I do this!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">There are youth trends on TV, about which you have expressed a negative opinion on your blog. Are there any such subjects you will tackle in your upcoming novels? Do you see a Young Adult novel as a teaching tool, as well as entertainment?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">I don't like to “preach” to teens with my stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want my novels to be entertaining for young people – they could get teens to start reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That's what I want to see come out of my stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love it when I hear of a teenager reading a book!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn't read my first novel until I was an older teen and was hooked since then!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put myself in my main characters shoes, so I don't see myself as teaching them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are more likely to say “I think this will work” then they do it and it doesn't.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So in a way that is teaching – though action, which is my favorite way to teach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Entertainment is above all when I write with a few teaching elements thrown in.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Would you consider putting some subliminal messages, like CLEAN YOUR ROOM, in your text, as motivational inputs? The YA crowd could use a little help in that arena, right?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">I would put that in, then have the teen get out of the cleaning task by sneaking out of their bedroom window!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love conflict so I try to put that in when I can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmmmm, this gives me a good idea!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Tell me one thing that typical youth oriented literature just does not seem to be saying. Are you bringing that message to your own work?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">As an example of Sudden Moves – A high school crush that isn't what you thought it would be when you find out the truth about the person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a strong message that may be hard to get in this book since there's so much going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's important to me that teens don't get hung up on heartbreak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been a victim of this early in my life and you just have to find a way to press on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would like to see that more in the young adult genre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is something that may be explained more in depth in my third novel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will see where it takes me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Did you have trouble keeping yourself out of your main character? Was Michelle easy to write?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Michelle was very easy to write – she was more straight laced since she was paranoid of her mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was just like this (even though I had a side that was a lot like Tami) but did take chances on sneaking out of the house and lie about where I was going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say – I got caught!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That made me more paranoid!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved being in Michelle's shoes as I wrote Sudden Moves!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no trouble keeping myself “out” of my character - my characters can be a lot like me, so I guess I am the character or am I not?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmmmm, now I am confused!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;">Michelle didn’t mention Rick Springfield even once. Don’t you two have the same taste in music?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">This is funny!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, we both love rock music!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn't mention much about music in the story – didn't see it as relevant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do shy away from mentioning brand names or actual stars, because I wasn't sure how copyright or trademark would work with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you noticed, I mentioned Betty driving a bug – not a Volkswagen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had the brand name, then changed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to come out clean with no conflicts.</div><br />
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***<br />
I'm not sage enough to have advice lying around, ready to hand out for the general improvement of my friends, but, I will mention this bit in thanks, Kelli: Continue to write exactly as you are writing. And, in your next book, namedrop like a Top 40 Pop DJ. Mention every product you can imagine, and make up a few for good measure. Just leave off any asking for payment; big companies won't like that - they didn't hire you to advertise. But, they won't give a hoot for the <i>free </i>adverts and mentions you give them...so, put your kids in designer duds...and write like a machine gun. Release four books a year..... YAs are a vast, hungry audience.<br />
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.Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-91585152084306845182011-01-24T00:01:00.008-07:002011-02-06T16:02:33.278-07:00Leaving corpses where I used to have lunch....<span style="color: #e06666;">Oh, that Susan at <a href="http://winabook.westofmars.com/2011/01/28/madeness-and-murder-by-jenny-hilborne/">Win A Book</a>! She's a piece of work. Hello to her wonderful fans. (where did she get half a billion readers?) Jenny, Susan *sneak* and I have our heads together today...with a devious plan....</span><br />
<br />
Two words come quickly to mind when reading <i>Madness and Murder</i>...insanity, and homicide. Isn't that remarkable?...that rush of 'Oh, my God! I get this!". Such is the skill of <i><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">J.F. Hilborne,</span></i> or JennyFrank. There is a reason you recognize the obvious gift of direction with her prose. She is almost Shakespearean - because - she's from....<i>England!</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TS9FVHBkDlI/AAAAAAAAAF8/fFkG3zCcvg0/s1600/Jen+author.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TS9FVHBkDlI/AAAAAAAAAF8/fFkG3zCcvg0/s200/Jen+author.jpg" width="142" /></a></div>"Well!" you say, "I suspected that, but wasn't sure..."<br />
I know! It just makes you go wobbly, huh!<br />
<br />
Nineteen years ago, plus three, JennyFrank was handed to her parents, and they rushed to get a pram. Her nickname, for years, was Oops. They seemed better prepared in a few years; she was the baby sister no longer, and was a big sister to two other girls. Remember, this was England, the time of great ships, red coated armies who stood in such ordered lines as they marched. A family of six had to hide in the bleak countryside. She longed for years to be able to go to school, as normal, properly numbered siblings were allowed to do. As she tended sheep on the moors, she dreamed of America. Where the language was less strenuous.<br />
<br />
"Someday, in 1997, I shall flee this woolen place! Leave the Henges, and the drizzle behind me. I shall be... a <i>Californian</i>!... and join a society of predatory dogs with verbal skills."<br />
<br />
Oh, you've noticed that smile, haven't you. Ok. I'm lying.<br />
But, I'm not going to tell you, in which parts.<br />
<br />
Like most Britainfleeers. (itsa word! Britain flee-er. Just ask her.) Anyway, like most refugees, she came to Southern California, because she needed a few years out of the rain. Uneducated, unable to speak to the natives, JennyFrank struggled to fit in. But, tall and thin, in a land where no one was blonde, she almost returned to her homeland. It's a mystery why she stayed. None of her sisters will speak of it. They offered me a really nice, hand knitted sweater, to leave them alone, but, I can't wear wool.<br />
<br />
She's just here; and, that, as they say, is...well, that. (God! That language! It'll wack your spell check fo shizz!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TTDcSRbd8cI/AAAAAAAAAGE/-OUmH4TSYVo/s1600/Madness+and+Murder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TTDcSRbd8cI/AAAAAAAAAGE/-OUmH4TSYVo/s200/Madness+and+Murder.jpg" width="133" /></a>So, she writes this book. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/127752606"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">(I think that's it.)</span></a> And some <a href="http://echelonpress.com/?main_page=advanced_search"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">publisher guy</span></a> hears about it.</div>And now she's on a blog. America really has been the land of dreams for this lady.<br />
<br />
But, we ordered a <a href="http://jfhilborne.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">banker from the U.K.</span></a> and they doubled our value, sending a fiend along with her. I've forgotten to mention, the wicked, evil, murderous JennyFred.<br />
Yes, she was born a twin. It is <i>that</i> Jenny F. who penned<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> </span><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jenny-Hilborne/e/B003YYF5F4/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Madness and Murder</span></a>.</i><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">She, who tells me exactly what her serial killer does to his victims; in details to make a coroner wince. Two personalities must be the result of duel citizenship. Either that, or sheep shearing is practice for other means of torture. The second M in her book title gets a very good workout in her tale.<br />
<br />
That brings me to the bridge. The little JennyFrank could boast of living near one of the most famous bridges in the world - The London Bridge. (not the one we were sold.) I've lived near the other, more famous bridge - The Golden Gate, which is painted rust color, BTW. It is near my beloved Art Deco suspension marvel where JennyFred leaves her corpses in M&M. I worked downtown in San Francisco, and had lunch at the Embarcadero regularly; <a href="http://www.embarcaderoshop.com/pages/boudin.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><i>Boudin Cafe</i></span></a> actually. All that time, she could have killed me. She has a second book, due for release on Tax Day this year. If it is set in the Rockies, I may need to move.<br />
<br />
She came to California, in 1997 - remember? I was living in San Fran in 1998.<br />
I could have been a statistic, or headline: <i><b>CRAZED, BLONDE BRIT BATTERS BOJANGLES</b></i><br />
<br />
I suggest extreme caution around her; here she comes.....<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Have you tried to drive down Lombard Street? I lived there for a year and never got the courage.</span><br />
Yes, I did drive it and it’s not as difficult as it looks, in a compact car anyway. I just got little dizzy.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">You were raised in the U.K., but you are now a good-twin/evil-twin citizen. Have you lost your British accent?</span><br />
Not at all. It gets a little diluted when I’m around Americans, but a trip home and a good dosing of Brits levels me out. I do get into trouble now and then for dropping Brit clangers when talking to Americans – you know, the phrases that don’t mean the same in both places.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Brits don’t seem as eager to learn a second language, as others on the continent. Do you speak a second language?</span><br />
Yes, but not fluently. I learned foreign languages from the age of 11; German, French, and later Russian. I can speak a smattering of French and have a reasonable understanding of German. Oh, and I do know some swear words in other languages but I doubt if that will impress anyone. <span style="color: orange;">(This, my dear readers, is only due to Brits needing to phone over the Channel for decent food. The French deliver that week, or it's free.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;"> </span><span style="color: orange;">Why murder mysteries? Aren’t you a banker, by profession? Those are mild folks – or should be.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TTOiKWTpPyI/AAAAAAAAAGI/WxXMrhbabzA/s1600/nudge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TTOiKWTpPyI/AAAAAAAAAGI/WxXMrhbabzA/s200/nudge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I work in the banking industry but I’m not a banker. As for mild…well, I haven’t come across too many mild personalities in this industry. Quite the opposite. I write murder mysteries because I love them, I can craft them, and I can pull from a lot of real life influences when I plot. Plotting makes me look interesting when I’m not even really listening. Say no more, eh?! <br />
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<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Does your job require you to travel much? What is the most exotic country you’ve visited?</span><br />
I used to travel in the job, but not any more. I don’t think I’ve been anywhere I’d call exotic, but the most interesting country I’ve visited is the former Yugoslavia. I went to furthest point before the Albanian border and it was fascinating.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Give us the moment, when you realized you were about to write a complete novel.</span><br />
July 2007. Etched in my brain. I set about with unwavering determination after several years of fear-induced procrastination.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Was there any event in the plot, which arrived as a surprise – something which wanted to move off in its own direction?</span><br />
Yes indeed. My villain came out of nowhere, tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Hey, forget about that other guy. I’m way badder ‘n him!” I let him have his way and it totally altered the course of my novel. I’m far happier with the result.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Do you outline and plan your work in any way?</span><br />
No, I’m a total panster. I sit down and write what comes to me at the time. I fix it all in the re-writes. I’m an eclectic personality; order on the outside, jumbled on the inside.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Describe your first visit to the U.S., what brought you here?</span><br />
A Boeing 747 brought me here. <span style="font-family: "Arial";"><span style="font-size: large;">☺</span></span> I came to America quite unexpectedly. I wanted to visit Canada but couldn’t get a ticket because I left it too late to book. I thought everything was huge. Enormous. The roads baffled me, couldn’t figure out how anyone knew when it was their turn to go. The people were so friendly I came back.<span style="font-family: "Arial";"><span style="font-size: large;">☺</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Any twins in your family?...your sisters, perhaps?</span><br />
No twins. One of me is probably quite enough. I do have 3 wonderful sisters and there are only 5 years between all four of us so we’re close.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Your next novel is also set in San Francisco. What is the draw of that location? Why does it spark your creativity?</span><br />
When I go to a place, it either calls to me or it doesn’t. Most places don’t. San Francisco does. Parts of it remind of England. I had to set my novels there so I could have an excuse to keep going back for the research .<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">I’ve come to think all British children are packed off to boarding school. Were you?</span><br />
No, I went to a regular public school. Funny, how the stereotypes of British folk still exist. We’re not that reserved either, and we don’t have a stiff upper lip. We just sound snooty!<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Were you a creepy kid? You don’t shy from striking descriptions of bodily injury in your text.</span><br />
HAHA. Me, creepy? I was sweet and loving. Barf. No, I wasn’t creepy at all. I was a wallflower. I still am. But definitely not creepy. Am I?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Which would you rather do, on your next long trip; sail or fly?</span><br />
Fly. My biggest fear is drowning. The water is not for me, and I’m a Pisces. I think it’s a cruel twist of fate.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Have you ever seen the Queen?</span><br />
Yes, but only in magazines and on book covers. I’ve been to Buck palace many a time, but she’s never been home. <span style="color: orange;">Has she read your book? </span>You know what, I’ll bet she has, but I don’t think she’d admit it. Folk might think she’s creepy.<span style="font-family: "Arial";"><span style="font-size: large;">☺</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Tell us about Wolfwriters, if you are allowed, please. They aren’t some secret society of murder-mystery fans are they? You know, meeting in obscure places and play acting all sorts of crimes…</span><br />
<a href="http://www.stevepantazis.com/WolfWriters/index.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Wolfwriters</span></a> is a group of writers who meet several times a month in San Diego to read and critique each others work. I’m not currently active in the group due to my hectic commute and work schedule, but they are a great bunch of folk who share constructive criticism and a bunch of laughs with each other. <span style="color: orange;">(That commute she complains about, is about two hours each direction. She advertises her book on the rear window of her car!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Which do you have the strongest passion for – writing, or reading?</span><br />
Both. Writing probably has the edge.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Do you get nervous before book signings?</span><br />
No. They’re just people. I’m delighted to meet them.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Have you ever encountered a ‘strange’ fan?</span><br />
Probably, but I didn’t recognize them.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Give us the title of the book, which you might not otherwise admit to reading.</span><br />
The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Forensics-2nd/dp/159257677X"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Idiot's guide to Forensics</span></a>. I’d rather do my own research but I don’t always have enough time.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Cooking at home, or dinner out?</span><br />
Cooking at home, as long as I’m not doing the actual cooking.<span style="font-family: "Arial";"><span style="font-size: large;">☺</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Did you work in a record store for a while? Here in the U.S. or Britain?</span><br />
I did. It was in the UK for about 4 years in total when I was in my 20’s. I absolutely loved it. What could be better back then than listening to my favorite tunes all day and getting paid for it?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Do you like bagpipes? Can you play them? What instrument can you play?</span><br />
I do like them. Many would disagree with me here, but I don’t have enough wind to play them! I love listening to them. I can play (badly) the drums, the oboe and the violin. I learned all 3 when I was younger and sucked at all of them.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">If you could have named yourself, what name would you chose?</span><br />
I would be Alison. I have a sister named Alison and I think it’s an excellent name. Plus I’d be at the front of the alphabet, which was always an advantage at school. I do like my own name, however. I go by Jen or Jenny, but not Jennifer. I like Jennifer but find it too stuffy for me.<br />
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***<br />
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J.F. Thank you for the sweet use of your answers. I understood every word. But, I must admit. your sister said you would chatter like mad when given the chance. Are you certain you said all you desired to say? Jut drop a note if you wish. I rarely believe interviews should have an ending....<br />
Oh, and if you want to hear bagpipes done <i>RIGHT!</i> check out<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfHerG8s29k">this guy</a></span>...<br />
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</div>Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-72594863679420747372011-01-17T07:00:00.005-07:002011-02-05T13:02:38.420-07:00Treadmarks in the cattle trails...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TS8yjqHKdYI/AAAAAAAAAF0/NsUyfNBm-8E/s1600/Will+head+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TS8yjqHKdYI/AAAAAAAAAF0/NsUyfNBm-8E/s200/Will+head+shot.jpg" width="150" /></a></div> There are many who will say the Wild West never truly died - it only upgraded transportation and weapons. I live out in the Four Corners, where the 'Old' wild west still exists, where it remains unchanged, if you drive away from the cities. Texas is a wonderful place to see that as well, and you don't have to drive far. In certain places, here in the West - along the great river - things only got wilder. The Mexican/American deserts can be wicked places, not only because of the snakes and cactus. There are treadmarks in the dust of the trails now. Outlaws rule vast, open expanses, just as they did in the 1800's.<br />
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The land cannot be tamed, and the outlaws are hardly more modern, but for those vehicles and weapons. <span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://www.thelegendofsasquatch.com/">William T. Prince</a></i></span>, a Texan, brings all this reality to life, far more eloquently than I just have. He does it with a single character, who, amazingly, embodies most of the gun slinging <i>good guys</i> you've grown up reading and watching on TV. Clint is as real as the Wild West gets. He attracts outlaws, almost as easily as he attracts women.<br />
<br />
I wished, reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Sasquatch-William-T-Prince/dp/0741448440/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1294982846&sr=1-1"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><i>The Legend of Sasquatch</i></span></a> - Clint's story - that I was born to grow about 76 inches tall. That is a perfect height to live a perfect life. I'm stuck at Tom Cruise. Not much to brag about. But I weigh 76 inches worth, so, <i>there</i>!<br />
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Mr. Prince must be 78 inches tall, because he writes it well. The way...birds can really explain how to fly; if you are<i> it</i>, you can tell <i>it</i>. But, that also means that William T. could drink me under the table. Someday, we might try that. Over a steak the size of our boots. See, the Wild West lives on, because we LOVE IT!<br />
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Clint - William - both - exist where extremes are permissible. Big land, big guns. Big people, big ideas. Big hearts - very big crimes. Guess what one thing brings Clint - William - me, for that matter - to tears and trembling? Wide open arms of forgiveness. That is about as extreme, in this West, as you can get. Boundless love, when it doesn't feel deserved. Boundless love, in a place where you may still die for being in the wrong place, near the wrong transportation, speaking to the wrong person. Clint could handle the bad guys, and does, but he was desperate for that love. I adored the chapter where he found it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TS8-AhbUdMI/AAAAAAAAAF4/FARMsCwbnv0/s1600/Cover%252C+Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TS8-AhbUdMI/AAAAAAAAAF4/FARMsCwbnv0/s200/Cover%252C+Front.jpg" width="128" /></a></div> Now, I've mixed a lot of elements into all this. So does William T. You can read how he did it, by reading his book. It is the best blending of modern crime and Old West that I've read. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/127752704"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Here is my review of it</span></a>. The story sweeps through its own pages like a twister, picking up every element possible and mixing them together. And it is perfectly written, perfectly - destructively told. William Prince seems to dare you to disbelieve a word of it. And, you won't. Because of Clint.<br />
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Watch the book trailer <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9ix124qXts&feature=player_embedded"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a>.<br />
Or visit William's website <a href="http://www.thelegendofsasquatch.com/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a>.<br />
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William Prince writes his character, Clint Buchanan as though he lived that boy's life. He may have, his occupation away from writing is corporate security; he knows law enforcement. He has put Clint in a tailor-made environment, and it reads beautifully - every bigger-than-life moment of it. So, if this is not actually an autobiography hidden within a fiction...Mr. Prince's superhuman life condensed to quick-turning pages...then it must be a biography still. I'm convinced that 'Clint' was someone Prince knew. I'll just ask. The settings are real enough. I've been there. The author mentions so many familiar places, it only helps to cement his character in my mind, as a breathing human. I like that a lot. In a place so big, they like to say it's like a 'whole other country'...and it is all known to me. The whole damned <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/images/usa/texas.jpg&imgrefurl=http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/usa/texas/&h=328&w=418&sz=38&tbnid=ALKjbGB4pTJnlM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=125&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dtexas&zoom=1&q=texas&usg=__dS4C8WeK0SBWJ1h4F6ixoCi5sU0=&sa=X&ei=Ft8vTdewHoHDgQfvraniCw&ved=0CCkQ9QEwAA"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">State of Texas</span></a> within those pages.<br />
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Yes, the whole thing is large enough, there will be a second book, sometime early this year. After meeting Clint, you will be waiting for his return: <i>The Education of Clint Buchanan</i>. Watch Mr. Prince's website for news about that. Well, he's reachable in lots of places. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3331617.William_T_Prince"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Here</span></a>, <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/TXSasquatch"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a>, and <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Legend-of-Sasquatch/William-T-Prince/e/2940000840306"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a>.<br />
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Do steak joints <i>really</i> cook steaks, big as your boots? <a href="http://www.traildust.com/index.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Hell yes</span></a>! You don't get out much, do you? Not out West, that's for certain. And, stop thinking they are cooked. That's city talk. Damn! You <i>need</i> to read <i>The Legend of Sasquatch</i>. It's a travel guide for non-Texans, and will teach you at least enough that you won't look too silly when you come out. Leave the dorky clothes home when you come, too. We can tell you've never worn boots, by the way you talk.<br />
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I turn the space over to my guest:<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">I always begin fresh with an author, hardly reading other interviews until my questions are written. I’m very curious to hear how Clint became a character in your mind. What brought him to life?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Clint was rolling around in my head for many years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had some very basic ideas about the character and his story (and the opening line) as early as the 1980s, but I never really thought that I could write a novel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In October 2007, I finally decided to give it a try, and I typed the first chapter in a single sitting that really didn’t take very long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That gave me some confidence, so I just kept writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I really got rolling, Clint kind of brought himself to life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His story had to be told, and I was thankful to be the messenger.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">How long did you write in this book?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">From start to finish, it took about five months, but I was actively writing for only about three of those months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frankly, I was surprised that I was able to do it so quickly.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">You work in corporate security. Does that mean you get to chase bad guys?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">No, not really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t do a lot of chasing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The goal of my job is to be proactive—to prevent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I never see a bad guy, it means I’ve done my job well, and it keeps the lawyers happy.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Do you carry a weapon? (At work; I meant.)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">No, I worked briefly in law enforcement, but since then, I’ve never been required to carry a weapon as part of my job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, security directors are generally opposed to weapons of any kind in the workplace, and I practice what I preach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If guns are required, that’s police work, and it’s time to call 9-1-1.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Do you ride a Harley?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">I wish!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, I don’t ride a motorcycle anymore, but if I did, it would definitely be a Harley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I sell a million copies of my novel as a result of this interview, that will probably be my first purchase.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">What’s the longest you’ve lived in a tent?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Well, that was certainly off the wall!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uh . . . I don’t know, probably not more than two or three days, and it’s been a very long time.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Are you a native Texan?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Yes, I was born and raised between the Red and <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Rio Grande</city></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(By the way, only someone who was both born <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i></b> raised in <place w:st="on"><state w:st="on">Texas</state></place> can claim to be a Texan.)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Remember the year the Houston Astros were in the League Championships with the Mets? (1986?) That damned final game went to nearly 17 innings. Do you watch baseball?</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal">I remember that year, and I did watch some of that series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a rule, though, I don’t watch a lot of sports of any kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I follow sports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read box scores, standings, and the occasional recap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I keep up with how my teams are doing, but I don’t have time to watch games.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">The four C’s include cars, don’t they?...making that ‘five C’s’.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Joel, I’m 6-8 and about 375.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cars don’t fit me.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">How much time to do you spend at the gun range? What do you shoot?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">This may surprise you, but I don’t shoot much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was in graduate school, I bartered all of my guns to my roommate for rent, and for many years, I never felt the need to replace them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve purchased two firearms (a pistol and a shotgun) in the last year, and those are the first guns I’ve owned since 1990.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve taken the pistol to the range three times, and all I can say is, “I’ve still got it!”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Was the competition between Clint and a few other officers based on a real event? (I know the steaks are.)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Yes, you could say that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That particular episode in the story is a composite of real events—and, yes, I was eventually put in my place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so brash during my firearms training in the police academy that my instructors gave me a baggy half-full of blanks during a night-firing exercise, and they didn’t come clean until three months later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent those three months praying that I wouldn’t get into a shootout at night!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lesson took.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My pride took such a beating that I dialed down the cockiness several notches after that.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;"><place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Houston</city></place> is the only place where I’ve driven 80 mph in bumper to bumper traffic. That was in the mid-80’s. Is it any better?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">No, not really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s just how things are in <place w:st="on"><state w:st="on">Texas</state></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I’d say that <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Dallas</city></place> is even worse.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;"><place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Galveston</city></place> is my favorite spot to just stand and breathe. Where is yours?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">I prefer the mountains, especially the <place w:st="on">Rockies</place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I could live anywhere, that would be it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favorite place is <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Rocky</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Mountain</placetype> <placetype w:st="on">National Park</placetype></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s so beautiful that even this big Texan gets misty-eyed.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Has your wife nicknamed you Clint yet?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Only in the bedroom!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Sorry, I couldn’t resist that!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously, no, she calls me “Will” just like everyone else—well, everyone aside from my blood relatives, who still use my full given name. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Was book two simmering in your mind before you finished ‘Sasquatch’ or did you begin to feel the need to write it, later?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">It was always there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a rough outline of a story in my head, and “Sasquatch” was only the first chapter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see this as a series of three to five books.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">I have two boys, close in age; perfect monsters – filthy beasts. They actually leave a trail. You, have twin girls, same age as my boys. I cannot imagine the blessing. Please tell me...what is it like, to have sweet, neat, polite children?</span><br />
I wish I knew! ;-) </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Where did Ruth Willis come from? She’s not just a creative bit of text, is she?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Actually, Ruth is entirely fiction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s one of the few characters in the story who is a complete fabrication.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Have you been in a life or death situation before, in your line of work?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Yes</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">What led you into law enforcement?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ve always been interested in crime and criminals, and after about a minute-and-a-half in law enforcement, I realized that I was primarily interested in studying crime and criminals as an academic pursuit and not as a vocation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, police work is arguably the most complicated job in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It requires multi-tasking, and I’m far too linear to be good at it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Which is more difficult?...writing your book, or marketing your book?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Oh, that’s easy—marketing the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marketing is not my bailiwick, and selling the book has been difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sales have picked up some since I started offering it as an e-book, but we’re still talking about a trickle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a long way from retiring from my day job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I try to take inspiration from how Ron McLarty (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Memory of Running</i>) was more or less accidentally discovered by Steven King, but it’s hard not to get discouraged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t write the book to get rich, but I’d like to sell more copies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just can’t seem to get the word of mouth help that I need for it to go viral.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">I ask nearly everyone if they are actively seeking traditional publishing. Are you sending out queries?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">No, I haven’t started doing that yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would like to, but the traditional publishing industry is essentially closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The door is cracked ever so slightly, and it’s tough (nearly impossible) for a self-published author to sneak a foot in that crack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I need to sell a lot more copies before I could even get an agent to notice me, much less a publisher.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: orange;">Were you surprised, that you had an entire novel at your fingertips?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Truthfully, once I got that first chapter out of the way, I knew I could do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My only real question was where to end the first one and start the second.</div><br />
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When presented with a larger-than-life character, in a larger-than-anywhere else setting, it stands to reason there would be more to come. But, Mr. Prince sliced out a major piece of writing with book one. It brings a promise, the second book will be outstanding. You can expect little else from Clint Buchanan.<br />
Actually, you can hardly expect less than excellence from any Texan. They are after all, as gentle as they are grand. Except in those deserts....<br />
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Thank you Mr. Prince. It has been a pleasure. Watch in the comments for other questions. They sometimes crop up there.<br />
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.Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485801580090818398.post-68921372178120312232011-01-14T16:55:00.020-07:002011-08-24T17:52:14.352-06:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;">My Favorite Reads of 2010</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"> Late, but still great. (no order to my adoration.) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TNWIw0Z39kI/AAAAAAAAAAU/QymvnLJtVdI/s1600/AmazonDITG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TNWIw0Z39kI/AAAAAAAAAAU/QymvnLJtVdI/s200/AmazonDITG.jpg" width="133" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TNWI1TuzhQI/AAAAAAAAAAY/XHMxny6qtTw/s200/BookCoverHWD.jpg" width="132" /><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are so many things to say, again, about Charlie Courtland's beautiful Elizabeth Bathory. The best thing to say it that it should be read by all of you.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Courtland/e/B00316M4J0/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;">Amazon Link</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Charlie Courtland has taken a time and event in history and put a story to it that would rival the actual events. She takes the reported facts as well as many of the rumors of the day and spins them into a story so believable that is could be the true events as they transpired.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This story is not for the weak of heart as there is much madness and despair. Be prepared to be sucked into the story and become a part of it. You will see the blood spatters and will feel the actual weight of the horror as it unfolds.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Amazon reviewer</i>, Sept. 18, 2010</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TPA6x3S1ISI/AAAAAAAAADA/acTFs3ZrTHU/s1600/Gathering+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TPA6x3S1ISI/AAAAAAAAADA/acTFs3ZrTHU/s200/Gathering+cover.jpg" width="136" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jason McIntyre unravels your imagination with his words, and presents a better version, which you cannot help but love.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jason-McIntyre/e/B0049YW78G/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1295046754&sr=1-2-ent"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;">Amazon Link</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">"This is a roller coaster ride: you're in the hot sun, chugging to the top, anticipating the drop the whole way and then--boom--the drop comes and you're gasping for air. The hot wind blasts you and your guts are in your throat. In the last half of the book, some scenes had me by the larynx. Highly recommended!"</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Dvier</i>, Sony Reader Store</span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TTDZQE1wNXI/AAAAAAAAAGA/eDm9TFhrHoM/s1600/DreNewCoverFixedBlurbRS.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TTDZQE1wNXI/AAAAAAAAAGA/eDm9TFhrHoM/s200/DreNewCoverFixedBlurbRS.png" width="148" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a new cover for Danielle Bourdon's nightmare, and exactly the creature I saw in my own mind.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Danielle-Bourdon/e/B003QM4BRM"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;">Amazon Link</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Dreoteth is one of the more unique books I've read in a long time."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Daniel L. Carter</i>, October, 2010</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TR6j_VpBMgI/AAAAAAAAAFY/Y_TyXLkXO2s/s1600/Website+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TR6j_VpBMgI/AAAAAAAAAFY/Y_TyXLkXO2s/s200/Website+Cover.jpg" width="130" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Heather Paye illustrates the perplexities of childhood; feeling invisible, yet seemingly always in trouble.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/H.C.Paye/e/B002MY9FC6/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1295047441&sr=8-1"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;">Amazon Link</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">"...It was hard to put this book down without proceeding further. I found this reading material very close to the heart reading. It is a book I would recommend for all the general public. This young writer I feel will go very far in writing more books in the near future."</span><br />
<i>Joyce L. Paclik,</i> April 19,2009 </span> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TTDcSRbd8cI/AAAAAAAAAGE/-OUmH4TSYVo/s1600/Madness+and+Murder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TTDcSRbd8cI/AAAAAAAAAGE/-OUmH4TSYVo/s200/Madness+and+Murder.jpg" width="133" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Very shortly, one of my next interviews. Jen Hilborne writes a vicious mystery.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jenny-Hilborne/e/B003YYF5F4/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1295047879&sr=1-1"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;">Amazon Link</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"I read this book in one sitting--could not put it down! Loved the San Francisco setting and the shout out to the Gold Dust Lounge! Would like to see more of the characters created for this book. Hopefully Ms. Hilborne has more Mac Jackson stories... "</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Amazon reviewer,</i> June 30, 2010</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TNixukarcWI/AAAAAAAAABU/pR9h_E2hf-w/s1600/TheCuttingEdgeCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TNixukarcWI/AAAAAAAAABU/pR9h_E2hf-w/s200/TheCuttingEdgeCover.jpg" width="135" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The first of my Darcia Helle experiences. She made me laugh, then chilled me before the laughter died away.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Darcia-Helle/e/B002LTMF7O"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;">Amazon Link</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"I have read all of this author's books and have loved them all but this one has it </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">all humor with an edge. I could not put this book down the characters are still in </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">my head I hated to see the last page I wanted more."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Lorraine A. Benton,</i> July 14, 2010</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TPpb-v282YI/AAAAAAAAAD0/hYn_1bJw3ow/s1600/Nexus+Point+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TPpb-v282YI/AAAAAAAAAD0/hYn_1bJw3ow/s200/Nexus+Point+cover.jpg" width="134" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I want to flee the earth, in search of this woman; Captain Dace. Jaleta Clegg gave me a new childhood heroine.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A3M314LI9OYME"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;">Amazon Link</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"This book was hard to put down once I got into it. There is something very special about Dace, something very relate-able. This is a wild ride that at points even brought me to tears with the heartfelt and sympathetic character interactions."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Bobbie Berendson,</i> March 19, 2010</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TOcU8_2pwfI/AAAAAAAAACU/L-AD7VGkYaw/s1600/secondchances.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TOcU8_2pwfI/AAAAAAAAACU/L-AD7VGkYaw/s200/secondchances.jpg" width="127" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maria Savva creates a near vacuum between her two characters, and they still harbor love which can withstand the damage.</span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_tc_2_0?rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3AMaria+Savva&keywords=Maria+Savva&ie=UTF8&qid=1295052263&sr=1-2-ent&field-contributor_id=B002BOCDGM"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;">Amazon Link</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"What's beautiful about this novel is that as the plot opens up and takes its twists and turns, the relationship between husband and wife remains the strength of the prose. These two people are so confused, so in love, and have so much to contend with. They need to talk! And each time they do, they seem to say everything but what they need to say. I kept thinking the world seemed against them, but all they really needed was to confide in each other, to share. Notice how I'm speaking of these characters as though I know them? This is Savva's magic."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>J.L. Knox</i>, Dec. 28, 2010</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TS8-AhbUdMI/AAAAAAAAAF4/FARMsCwbnv0/s1600/Cover%252C+Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TS8-AhbUdMI/AAAAAAAAAF4/FARMsCwbnv0/s200/Cover%252C+Front.jpg" width="128" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Next week's Featured author; William T. Prince. His character, Clint Buchanan is humble, as he is tall, but he cannot shake trouble, which rides in an outlaw gang of Texas bikers.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/William-T.-Prince/e/B003AC38RW/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1295052521&sr=8-1">Amazon Link</a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Action packed, a real triller to be sure. The characters are full, rounded and you come to know them as people you want as your friends. 'Sasquatch' himself is a little part in all of us, the good parts, of course. It was a pleasure to read this book, and I look forward to getting my hands on the sequel."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Jay Henderson</i>, June 4, 2010</span><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TQ0rySeTeNI/AAAAAAAAAEo/1jl8QIzfplU/s1600/By_A_Thread_cover_v1a_final_HI-res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TQ0rySeTeNI/AAAAAAAAAEo/1jl8QIzfplU/s200/By_A_Thread_cover_v1a_final_HI-res.jpg" width="127" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Remove the two most powerful men in America, within hours of one another, then stand back to observe if the Constitution will unravel before your eyes. Who, in all the world, might be to blame?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Marty-Beaudet/e/B004FTHEKQ/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1295053042&sr=8-1">Amazon Link</a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"As Beaudet adds layer on layer to the story, it’s like a punch in the gut. I kept thinking, this could really happen.…'By a Thread' has the ring of authenticity—It’s obvious that Beaudet has done his homework when it comes to Mormon customs and culture, to the finer points of our Constitution, in the descriptions of exotic locales such as Vienna and Munich. Most importantly, he understands that love is transcendent." [This is an excerpt. To read the full review, </span><a href="http://bit.ly/BATthrills" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;">click here</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.]</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Neil Badders, Minneapolis, MN*</i>7 November 2010</span><br />
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</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q-XYyb1zG4s/TNixrVKM_KI/AAAAAAAAABQ/LLiMikNN_RI/s1600/EP-Front-Cover-small1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Joel Blaine Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503323611820847723noreply@blogger.com5