Anne E. Johnson - Green Light Delivery

We are very pleased to have Anne E. Johnson with us today to share her book 

"Green Light Delivery."

Where do you currently live?
Brooklyn.

Tell us a little bit about your life.
I worked for sixteen years as a professor of music history and theory. I recently resigned from teaching in order to write full-time. I’m married to a playwright, Ken Munch, who is the most wonderful friend and supportive spouse you can imagine. All in all, I’m ridiculously fortunate.

When did you first start writing?
I’ve been writing one thing or another all my life. My father is a journalist, so writing was a normal thing in my household. My third-grade teacher assigned us to write short stories, which was a real eye-opener. My first professional writing was non-fiction. I wrote some feature articles about music for the New York Times and some non-fiction books for kids for the Rosen Group.

What was your very first story about?
Can’t remember the stories from third grade. The first short story I wrote as an adult was a kids’ sci fi about some three-legged, swamp-dwelling aliens whose swamp is blocked off by a giant boulder. They have to band together as a community to move the rock. It was published under the title “Big Rock in the Big Slime River” in Knowonder! e-zine.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?
Oh, by all means. After I die, somebody will go through my papers and say, “What the heck is this??”

Did you experience anything you've written yourself?
There are embellishments, details, that I take from my real life. But so far I’ve never been drawn to writing truly autobiographical fiction.

Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?
It’s such a long list. But at the top of it are Anthony Burgess, Ursula K. LeGuin, Raymond Chandler, Kurt Vonnegut

What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?
My education has absolutely everything to do with my writing. My undergrad degree is in Greek and Latin languages. My masters is in music history. Having a broad liberal education and a comfort with all sorts of literature (and with libraries!) has made all the difference to me.

How much research time customarily goes into your projects?
That depends what I’m writing. For science fiction, very little. For historical fiction, of course, several weeks’ worth of research before I can even do much plotting.

Who is your favorite literary character?
Mr. F. X. Enderby, of Anthony Burgess’ Enderby novels. He’s a poet. Although I’m nothing like him (he’s a horrid slob, a loner, and a true misanthrope), something deep inside me relates rather desperately to his passion for writing, which blocks out the rest of the world.

Who is your favorite character of your own creation?
I love Webrid, the main character in Green Light Delivery. He’s got a bit of Enderby in him, insofar as he’s a slob with some social issues, but he’s certainly no poet. Yet he has perseverance and loyalty, despite his bad attitude. And I identify with how lost life makes him feel sometimes.

If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?
A Thousand Words a Day

Tell us about your featured book.
Green Light Delivery is a humorous science fiction novel, with a sort of noir feel. My publisher coined the term “spacepulp” to describe it.

It’s the story of Webrid, who works in the city of Bargival on the planet Bexilla, carting items here and there for clients. At the beginning, he’s attacked by a robot, who inserts a laser light into his forehead. Webrid learns that this is a special delivery job. It takes a lot of traveling and investigating to figure out who ordered this laser, what it is, and where it’s supposed to be delivered.

Why did you write that?
I’ve loved science fiction since I was a teen. And in college, I became a bit obsessed with classic pulp detective stories. Green Light Delivery is an attempt to pay homage to science fiction, but with a pulp sense of humor.

Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?
I love to write. Although I’ve published fiction in many genres, and for both kids and adults, I love it all equally. And I’m honored that you’re willing to read my work.

What's a negative trait about other people that you most notice, or that bothers you the most?
Fear of thinking for themselves.

Do you ever notice it in yourself?
No, but I have plenty of other faults.

If you were forced to give something you adore up for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I suppose I could live without Oreos. But I wouldn’t be happy about it.

Do you own any kind of art collection?
No, but when I was a kid I collected the stickers that come on bananas. You wouldn’t believe how many different designs there are.

What is the hardest thing about growing up?
Being weird and brainy.

Was it worth it?
Yes, because I get to be weird and brainy!

What is the biggest lie you've ever heard?
The more education you have, the more money you’re likely to make.

What is something you absolutely must have in your kitchen?
A cherry pitter. I only use it once a year for a huge batch, but there is no substitute gadget if you need to pit cherries.

What is pain to you?
A sensation I prefer to avoid. I do not find it to be a motivator.

What is your dream house?
A three-bedroom condo in Manhattan’s West Village.

Where would you want this house located in our wide world?
See above. The location is part of the point of having the condo.

You've been forced under various circumstances to choose a personal motto. What is it?
If you don’t write it today, somebody else may write it tomorrow.

You're pitching a television pilot to a network. Describe it.
A pair of aliens, of two different species, try to keep a bed and breakfast going when their planet is opened to intergalactic tourists.

Have you ever received a present you really hated? If so, what was it?
A panda cookie jar. Now, I love pandas and I love cookies, but this ceramic was so poorly rendered that it looked like Zombie Panda. Terrifying.

What's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten? Would you have it again?
When I was little, my friends and I used to bite off the base of clover petals while lying on our backs, looking at the clouds. I wouldn’t do it today because I’d be afraid of what might have trod on those clovers!

What's the first thing you would do if you could become invisible?
Put on a trench coat and fedora.

Do you ever have recurring dreams? What is your most common one about?
No. I dream a lot, but it’s haphazard.

What is the kindest thing that anyone has ever done for you?
Encouraged me to believe in myself.

Our very special thanks go out to Anne for being with us. More information can be found on her website: http://www.AnneEJohnson.com

Marta Szemik - Two Halves

Marta Szemik is with us today to tell us about her book Two Halves.

Where do you currently live?
Small town of Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.

Tell us a little bit about your life.
Most of my day is simple, but busy. My schedule revolves around the kids, their activities, school, homework, writing, cooking. And, I’m grateful my hubby does most of the cleaning. One consistency, every morning is a cup of coffee and 10-15 minutes to myself before the kids wake up. This means no making lunches or finishing chores. Just 10-15 minutes of quiet to gather my thoughts.

When did you first start writing?
I learned how to write in grade 1, but I don’t think that’s what you meant :) My writing career began very suddenly in March 2009. After being inspired, I woke up in the morning, sat down at the computer and decided I would write a novel. From the first word, I knew I would finish. I was certain I would finish. There was nothing else I’d ever wanted more that day than to finish the novel and that drive kept me going until today. The difference is that I not only want to write, I need to write.

What was your very first story about?
Honestly, I don’t remember. But I’ve been a story teller for a long time. I think this has a lot to do with growing up in a country where there weren’t too many toys so kids had to satisfy themselves with playing with sticks, grass, rocks and mud, as well as telling stories.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?
Yes, I’ve written a bit in a different genre and only showed it to hubby. He likes it. Perhaps it will be the next step?

Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself?
A lot of the stuff I write about is what I’d like to experience. Like zipping through the rainforest in the Amazon, swimming in a turquoise pond no one else has ever swam in, or what I call vortexing. In my novel some can travel great distances through a vortex in a matter of minutes (but the novel has nothing to do with science fiction).

Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?
J.R.R. Tolkien. The world created in The Lord of the Rings has me gasping each time I read it. As a reader you feel like you’re right there with the characters. That’s what I strive to do as well.

What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?
I have an Honours BA in Economics (Financial Analysis). On top of that, securities courses, financial management diploma, real estate licence, appraisal courses and a Pilates Instructor certification. I think I’ve been looking to find what I love for a while and I wished I’d figured I’m better at using the right side of my brain (creative) than the left (logic). That’s not to say I’m not logical or bad at those other jobs!

How much research time customarily goes into your projects?
It depends on the work, its setting and general concept. If it’s pure fiction, the great thing is that you can make your own worlds. I am working on another novel (or four) that will require me to travel to one of the hotels in NY. Anything that’s real in the novels needs to be researched thoroughly.

Who is your favorite literary character?
Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit.

Who is your favorite character of your own creation?
At this time it’s a shapeshifter named Xander. I liked him so much, I let him hijack my novella. He completely took over and I had to write what he wanted me to. To the point, when I felt some scenes were too ‘risqué’, he wouldn’t let me delete them. I left the scenes in, because it was him. Anything different would have been a lie.

If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?
Dreams Do Come True.

Tell us about your featured book.
Two Halves is my debut novel. It’s about half-breed vampires (the only two in the world) accepting their destiny to save the human, vampire and warlock species from a demonic takeover and ultimately extinction. Gosh, that sounds darker than it is. The story evolves as the main character Sarah, learns about her vampiric side, one she has denied since birth, suppressing her instincts with serums. It’s a coming of age story but instead of transitioning to adulthood, she transitions from the human world to a half-breed world, which are not as different as she thought they were.

Why did you write that?
I was inspired by Stephenie Meyer. After seeing Twilight, I researched the author, read her biography and felt connected. The next morning I sat down to write a novel. From the first word I knew I would finish. I didn’t know how long it would take me, but I knew I would finish.

Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?
I hope my characters stay with you for as long as they have stayed with me.

Where is the one place you’ve traveled where you’ve felt most like you fit in?
Disney in Florida. It was the one place that brought out the kid in me. Loved it and felt very comfortable there. But to steal Dorothy’s line, there’s no place like home.

What activity or hobby, besides writing, do you find most enjoyable?
Skiing, absolutely skiing.

What was your favorite childhood toy?
Didn’t have many, so instead of a toy, I’d have to say my hamster. I loved my hamster over all the toys.

What is your most valued personal possession in life? Who gave it to you?
My wedding band. And of course, my husband gave it to me.

If you lost the ability to see every color but one, which one would it be?
Black, because if I remember correctly from science, black contains all the colours so I’d hope to be able to separate them within the black and see after all. (This is the nerd in me talking)

How do you treat people you’re not fond of?
Kill them with politeness and sarcasm. I love sarcasm and I’m way too good at it.

What is hiding in your closet as we speak?
You don’t want to know, because I don’t even know. But I’m sure it rhymes with ‘tess’. I hate closets. I need them closed at night, and it’s not because of monsters. It’s just something I’d always had to do.

What do you see as your greatest achievement?
My kids. Nothing will ever be better. Second to my kids, my published books.

What, to you, is absolutely wrong?
Not saying ‘excuse me’ after burping and when someone doesn’t give up their seat for the elderly.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
When you’re having bad day, think, “even this shall pass.”

If you had to explain the concept of “love” to someone who’s never heard of it before, how would you?
An eighty year old couple strolling through a park, holding hands.

What about “hate?”
Too dark to describe that one, but it has something to do with not respecting someone else’s life.

You’ve decided to buy an exotic pet, what do you go for?
Monkey, because of Pippi Longstocking. I loved her witty monkey.

What do you classify as an “Adventure?”
Trying something I’d never done before.

If you could learn one new thing instantly, what would it be?
Sign language.

Finish this sentence. “I sometimes find it hard to…”
Open up to others in fear I will not be accepted. This is when I am thankful for the internet and social media. It’s easier to express myself in writing than in person.

Our very special thanks to Marta for being so generous with her time. Her book can be found below, where your cursor should be...clicking.

Cora Buhlert - Countdown to Death

Today, we are pleased to feature Cora Buhlert and her book Countdown to Death.

Where do you currently live?
I live in Bremen in North Germany, famous for the Bremen town musicians from the fairy tale. I write in English, though.

Tell us a little bit about your life.
There's not a whole lot to tell. When I'm not writing, I work as a technical translator and teach English at a local high school. I'm also working towards a PhD degree. Really, I'm quite boring.

When did you first start writing?
I started writing sometime in primary school, though I didn't get semi-serious about it until I was about 15 and really serious until I was in my twenties.

What was your very first story about?
The very first one was a pretty blatant Enid Blyton pastiche about a bunch of kids solving mysteries. Another early work was a "Heimatroman" (a peculiarly German genre of stories about women in dirndl dresses and men in lederhosen experiencing melodramatic adventures in the Alps) about two sisters called Heide and Alice who go searching for the elusive Edelweiss flower. The first story I wrote in English was a never completed science fiction novel which opened with a flying red sportscar kidnapping two teenaged girls with a tractor beam and flying out across San Francisco Bay where an alien ship was waiting. Why San Francisco? I have no idea, except that my 15-year-old self probably thought it was a cool location.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?
There's a bit of early fanfiction that I've never shown to anyone. Not because it was slash – I was far too innocent for that sort of thing. However, in those pre-internet times I thought I was weird for writing stories about other people's characters, so I never showed those to anyone.

Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself?
Many of the descriptions of driving through East Germany or crossing the border between East and West Germany in my Cold War spy novelette The Other Side of the Curtain are directly based on my own experiences as a teenager during the mandated annual family visit to my great-aunt in East Germany. Even the town where my great-aunt lived makes a brief appearance. Communist East Germany was such a weird place that you couldn't make it up.

Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?
In no particular order, Enid Blyton, Jane Austen, Isaac Asimov, William Faulkner, Thomas Pynchon, Leigh Brackett, Magda Trott (a German YA author no one has ever heard of)

What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?
I have an MA degree in English literature and am working towards my PhD. The University of Bremen was one of only two or three universities in Germany that offered creative writing classes in English at the time and I was very lucky to attend those classes. The creative writing professor and editor of the university literature magazine was a great mentor to many young writers, including me, though he never quite got my urge to write genre fiction.

How much research time customarily goes into your projects?
It really depends on the project. I have written quite a few historical short stories and novellas, which require a lot of research. Others pretty much wrote themselves with no more research required than checking a couple of facts in Google.

Who is your favorite literary character?
Do I have to pick just one? In that case I'd go with Susan Calvin, the robotics expert with eyes like liquid nitrogen from Isaac Asimov's robot stories. When I was a teenager stuck among silly classmates with silly crushes on generally silly boys, Susan Calvin with her no-nonsense attitude was a revelation. Susan Calvin did not care for boys or romance or silly social rules. Susan Calvin did not take s*** from men. Susan Calvin designed robots and she was the best person at that job.

Who is your favorite character of your own creation?
It's a toss-up between Stella d'Anvers, singer, dancer and sorceress and just plain awesome, from an upcoming story called Cartoony Justice or Carrie Ragnarok, soy extraordinaire from Shape No. 8. I'm also very fond of Richard Blakemore and Constance Allen from Countdown to Death.

If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?
"I'm really quite boring, so why don't you go and read my fiction instead" On second thought, that might be a bit long for a book cover.

Tell us about your featured book.
Countdown to Death is a thriller novelette in the style of the pulp magazines of the 1930s. It's the story of Richard Blakemore, a pulp writer with the habit of dressing up as his own character, the masked avenger known only as the Silencer, by night. As the story opens, Richard is in deep trouble, for he or rather the Silencer has been found guilty of murdering the mafia boss Antonio Tortelli and was sentenced to death. However, as the execution date draws nearer, the Silencer suddenly reappears to stalk anybody involved in the case, insisting that Richard Blakemore is innocent. So did Richard Blakemore really murder Antonio Tortelli? And who is wandering about dressed as the Silencer? And will the truth come out before Richard Blakemore is due to fry in the electric chair?

Why did you write that?
I did some research on the pulp magazines that flourished in the first half of the twentieth century and was fascinated by how those pulp writers wrote at an absolute breakneck speed, often pounding out fifty or sixty thousand publishable words a month or more. And instead of being crap, as might be expected, a lot of the stories and novellas they produced were still in print some sixty to seventy years later. And they were a lot more enjoyable than many of the Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winners from the same period.

So I decided to write my own pulp-style thriller. I came up with a masked crimefighter, because there were so many of them in the pulps, called the Silencer. But the twist was that the Silencer was a pulp writer himself who had gone over the edge and started to actually live the adventures he wrote about. True to the genre, there's also a beautiful woman who loves our hero, a loyal sidekick and a police officer who has a highly conflicted relationship to our hero. Plus, thrills, chills, danger, action, adventure and a ticking clock.

I set the Silencer stories in the 1930s, because I loved the fashions and movies and design of the period. Besides, the economic, political and social tensions of the era would provide plenty of material for stories.

Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?
There are two further adventures of the Silencer entitled Flying Bombs (It has zeppelins. Who doesn't love zeppelins?) and The Spiked Death (It has a villain doing dastardly things to scantily clad damsels in distress. Who doesn't love scantily clad damsels in distress?). I also have several other stories and novelettes in a variety of genres available at the e-tailer of your choice.

Where is the one place you’ve traveled where you’ve felt most like you fit in?
As a student I spent half a year in London and felt right at home there. I still get that homey feeling whenever I go back.

I also spent quite a bit of time living abroad as a child and teenager, because my father had a job that required a lot of travel. As a result, I lived in Mississippi, in Singapore and in Rotterdam. I felt pretty much at home in Rotterdam, but then the Netherlands aren't that different from North Germany. Mississippi took some time adjusting (mainly the warm and humid weather), but I eventually felt at home there. Singapore was nice and I enjoyed the experience, while it lasted, but I never really felt at home there. Visiting Rotterdam now, it no longer feels like home, because too much has changed. I have never been back to either Mississippi or Singapore, but I imagine the changes would be even more drastic.

What activity or hobby, besides writing, do you find most enjoyable?
Like every writer, I love reading. I like crocheting and quilting. I also went through a filmmaking phase in my twenties and would probably go back to filmmaking, if I wasn't writing.

What was your favorite childhood toy?
The top three are Rosa, a stuffed pink elephant that I was given when I was too young to remember, Steffi, a blonde toddler doll I got for my third birthday from my great-aunt in East Germany (the one we visited every year) and Zebra, a stuffed zebra I bought from my own pocket money. I still have all three of them. Rosa and Steffi are somewhat battered, since they were loved a lot and the quality was not the best. Zebra is still in good shape, though, since he was a quality product and quite expensive for the time.

What is your most valued personal possession in life? Who gave it to you?
That's difficult to answer. I used to collect vintage dolls and toys, antique china and pottery, etc…, so I have several things that are quite valuable.

As for what I value most, it's probably a silver charm bracelet dating from the time I spent in Mississippi. At the time (late 1970s), they were selling all sorts of silver charms at every tourist attraction. My parents bought me charms shaped like every US state we visited and also some from prominent tourist attractions and an enamelled American flag and so on. There's also a plain charm engraved with the dates we stayed in the US. I filled the bracelet up during later visits to the US, though tourist charms became increasingly difficult to find. I bought the last few missing state charms on the internet. Over the years, the bracelet became something of a good luck charm for me. I wore it for exams at school – driving my fellow students mad, because the charms jingle when you write – and later university.

If you lost the ability to see every color but one, which one would it be?
Red. Because I often see red.

How do you treat people you’re not fond of?
Usually by avoiding them as much as possible and greeting them with an icily polite hello before getting the hell away when it's not possible to avoid them completely. However, if someone pisses me off and I am forced to endure their presence, I can get quite nasty.

What is hiding in your closet as we speak?
A big stack of comic books, German pulp magazines, old notebooks full of scribblings and random junk that has accumulated over the years.

What do you see as your greatest achievement?
Gaining my MA degree, gaining my translator's diploma, writing and finishing a novel (coming soon in e-book form), publishing various short stories and novelettes.

What, to you, is absolutely wrong?
Balloon skirts. Cause they look awful on absolutely everybody

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Writingwise? That would be "Write every day, but set yourself a minimum wordcount so low that you can make it every day".

In general? Get yourself a good education, so you always have something to fall back on.

If you had to explain the concept of “love” to someone who’s never heard of it before, how would you?
A feeling of intense attraction to another person, so intense that it makes you physically ill and that the mere thought of being away from that person feels like a death sentence.

What about “hate?”
A feeling of dislike for a thing or person that is so intense, that you just want to scream and beat the offending thing or person to a pulp and all that holds you back is that hitting the thing or person would be wrong.

You’ve decided to buy an exotic pet, what do you go for?
An iguana. Why? I recently watched a TV show where a character had an iguana as a pet and I became quite attached to the little guy (and was heartbroken, when the poor critter was eaten by a zombie). Besides iguanas are unlikely to mess up your home. Monkeys are cute, but the thought of a monkey running free in my home and climbing on my furniture drives me nuts.

What do you classify as an “Adventure?”
Going somewhere I've never been before and just setting off in a direction that looks interesting without looking at a map first. Interestingly, I write much the same way, by just jumping in and seeing where the story takes me.

If you could learn one new thing instantly, what would it be?
A new language. I'm not sure which one, though. Chinese or Japanese, if I actually want to make some money of my new found skills (translators for Chinese or Japanese are always in demand). And something offbeat like Welsh or Irish or Hebrew or Finnish, if I just want the thrill of speaking a language very few people in my immediate surroundings can speak or understand.

Finish this sentence. “I sometimes find it hard to…”
"…sit down and write, but once I get going I find it just as hard to stop."

Throw off the shackles of hesitance and click your way to Cora's work below.

Sara Jo Easton - The Zarder

It is our pleasure to have Sara Jo Easton with us, stopping by to promote her novel The Zarder.

Where do you currently live?
I currently live near Atlanta, Georgia, which from what I've discovered so far has an interesting arts and culture scene. I'm new to the area, which can be intimidating, but I have the benefit of being near family.

Tell us a little bit about your life.
I've come face-to-face with a bear, walked on the trail of the spiritual octopus, and somehow managed to survive living in a household with six younger siblings. The stories I tell at parties are often not believed.

When did you first start writing?
My mother has a copy of a "book" I wrote when I was four.

What was your very first story about?
It involved a pumpkin named Halloween who found his girlfriend, a pumpkin with giant eyelashes and a bow. I'm sure it made perfect sense to my four year old self.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?
I'm ashamed to admit that I've written some love poetry that would give the Vogons a run for their Constructor Fleet. It turned out that it fit the subject matter, though, so I have no regrets. I will never let anyone see that poetry; I'm too embarrassed.

Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself?
I can't say that I've ever had to hide from a fire-breathing dragon-like creature who wanted me dead, but I'd be lying if I said I haven't experienced friendship or a desire to protect those I care about. As far as direct comparisons to my life go, I'm notoriously shy around men I find attractive, and I've noticed that my characters have a tendency to be shy around their crushes as well. It's a subconscious channeling of life into a story, I suppose.

Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?
My three favorite writers of all time are J.R.R. Tolkien, Anne McCaffrey, and Oscar Wilde. It seems like a strange mix of styles, but that's the truth.

What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?
I have a college education in journalism, which has given me a focus on meeting deadlines that has greatly improved my writing skills. The most important thing about writing is motivation, and deadlines help with that.

How much research time customarily goes into your projects?
My fantasy world doesn't involve swords or something that could immediately be questioned by experts in the real world, but that doesn't mean I'm not spending time world-building before I write. I spent almost a decade creating the rules of the Sandleyr, making sure that those rules were easily understandable without too much explanation.

Who is your favorite literary character?
Eowyn of Rohan from "Lord of the Rings" is my minor obsession. She gets to slay bad things, and she gets the hot guy in the end.

Who is your favorite character of your own creation?
My favorite character depends on my mood and how troublesome they were in the editing process. Idenno was the first Onizard I ever drew, so he has a special place in my heart. I admire his bravery and the strength of his love.

If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?
Fact and Fantasy: The Sara Jo Easton Story

Tell us about your featured book.
The Zarder is the story of a human named Jena who accidentally gets her mind telepathically Bonded to the mind of a dragon-like creature, an Onizard named Senraeno. Since the ruler of the Onizards, the Fire Queen, believes humans are inferior beings who need to be "put in their place" through a fiery death, Jena has to fake her own death and go into hiding. The Onizards around her suspect that she may be the key to defeating the Fire Queen once and for all, but there is much to be done (and much to discover) before that happens.

Why did you write that?
It started out as something to do when I was bored, but it quickly grew into something I felt like I had to do. So I worked on the story until it looked like a story and not something an eccentric madwoman threw together haphazardly. It's been a great way to grow personally and creatively.

Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?
Thank you for taking a look at my story! I hope you've enjoyed what you've read so far, and I'm honored that you've spent your time on me.

What is your favorite season of the year, and what makes it so?
I love summer, because it brings fond memories of my grandmother's house and playing in the woods.

When you think of the word “Writer” what comes to mind?
Someone who neglects "normal" activities for a keyboard, blank paper and a pen.

If you had to live in another time period, which one would you choose?
I'd chose the 1900s so I could see women fighting for the right to vote and get a first edition of "The Picture of Dorian Gray". Realistically, the people of that time would probably call me an insane spinster and shun me.

What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try, but never have?
I've always wanted to go hunting for diamonds in Arkansas. I made someone mad when I spent too much time rock-hunting on my last major trip. In my defense, I was finding pieces of petrified wood, and I had permission to take it off the property.

What is your favorite thing to do when you have a day to yourself?
I love reading; I do so whenever I get a spare moment. Since I'm a writer, that hobby should be obvious.

When were you most scared in your life, and why?
A well-meaning relative stole my writing notebook with all of my story notes and threatened to set it on fire for being "trash". Everything I'd worked for was about to turn into ashes, and I wasn't strong enough to stop it. That was the very day my fire-breathing villainess was born.

What is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?
The sunset over Newfoundland is awash with color, and the way the sun hits the water and the coastline as it slowly sinks down cannot be compared with a sunset anywhere else.

First thing you’d do if you were handed a million dollars?
I'd pay off my student loans and buy a house!

What was/is your favorite thing about your childhood home?
There was a laundry chute that went from the second floor to the basement. My brother and I used to tie string to a well-known talking toy and send it bungee-jumping down the chute. Amazingly, we did not get in trouble for this.

What do you most want out of your life? Your ultimate ambition, as it were.
I'd love to own a house and make a living out of writing.

Our thanks Sara Jo Easton for taking the time to participate with us. Her work can be found, just a click away, below.

Ras Ashcroft - Supervillain: The Concise Guide

Today we have Ras Ashcroft with us, promoting his book Supervillain: The Concise Guide.

What is your name?
Ras Ashcroft. Once someone successfully conquers the planet and rewards me for my advice, I’d like to change it to Steelfist McGee Esquire.

How old are you?
24. I couldn’t think of a more creative way of expressing that without resorting to anecdotes about the TV series ‘24’, but I’ll spare your readers the agony.

Where do you currently live?
A town called Amersham in the UK, near the outskirts of Greater London.

Tell us a little bit about your life.
I’ve lived in a couple of areas around the UK from Birmingham and Manchester to various areas around the outskirts of London. I’ve even spent a few years living in India. We sure loved moving! Since graduating from University, I’ve been growing a small business and I love trying out new entrepreneurial ideas that take my fancy.

When did you first start writing?
My first attempt at a novel was at the age of 10. I kept the writing flame alive for the next 14 years with short humorous fiction stories that I wrote for fun. I took my first stab at publishing this year with ‘Supervillain: The Concise Guide’. I had a lot of fun writing it and I can’t wait to get started on another book.

What was your very first story about?
When I was 10, I started writing about two young brothers who found themselves trapped in a haunted amusement park. Unfortunately, I never finished it as I was unable to write the main characters out of a deadly situation involving wise-cracking skeletons. One of my teachers seemed to like the gist of the story when I told her about it, but I’m pretty sure she was just being polite.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?
I didn’t share some of the short stories I wrote over the years, but that was more to do with a ‘letting it rot on an old hard drive’ approach than fear itself.

Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself?
For legal purposes, I have never experienced anything that I’ve written about in my supervillain guide. Yet.

Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?
I started out with Willard Price and Enid Blyton’s books. They were the authors that really got me into reading and writing, before I was weaned on to the classics by the Steinbecks and the Hemingways of the world. Unfortunately, I can’t think of too many authors I’ve read in my somewhat weird humour/parody genre. That being said, my old man penned a humorous novel that I loved. P.G. Wodehouse is an inspiration for his style and I’ve recently started to enjoy his books too!

What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?
I’ve completed a University degree and writing essay after essay has hopefully honed my skills. During the first year of my sixth form education, I took an exam in ‘General Studies’, which was a subject that a friend and I were planning to drop. We didn’t really care about the exam, so we just wrote long fictional stories that were completely unrelated to the questions asked. Needless to say, we both failed in spectacular fashion.

How much research time customarily goes into your projects?
I try to write about subjects that interest me, so that research is something to look forward to, rather than being a chore. For example, several months of prior research, constant fact-finding during the writing phase and my existing knowledge all went into the book featured in this interview.

Who is your favorite literary character?
This honour is shared between Hal and Roger Hunt, the protagonist duo from Willard Price’s ‘Adventure’ series.

Who is your favorite character of your own creation?
This will be the slightly misguided character who foolishly decides to act upon the advice in my latest book. That being said, I still hope I’m adequately rewarded when that person is successful.

If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?
“Armageddon: How I played a crucial role”

Tell us about your featured book.
Supervillain: The Concise Guide does exactly what it says on the packaging. It’s a short humorous guide on how to conquer the planet by any means necessary. People can read it when they feel the urge to start plotting their way to the top.

As the blurb goes, they will learn all the basic tricks of the trade. It starts by easing them into their first seedy business, creating a large organisation with interests in finance, media and politics, and finally building a powerful military force. This will help them launch their crusade to rule the entire planet.

Why did you write that?
A friend of mine recommended a financial self-help book a while ago that everyone seemed to be reading. After reading and finding it…quite bad to say the least, I got the idea to write my own mock parody guide last year. I chose the topic of how to become a Supervillain. In my view, most of us need a quick guide on how to pull ourselves out of the doldrums and become supreme ruler of the planet.

Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?
Yes. Following your heart is overrated; the brain is where the good stuff goes down.

What is your favorite season of the year, and what makes it so?
Winter. I love the cold and I loved skiing when I went. Summers on the beach and in the ocean can be fun, but is outmatched by the spectacle of grown adults in snowball fights.

When you think of the word “Writer” what comes to mind?
Being completely honest, the stereotype of the smug bespectacled gentleman in a warm jumper, typing away on a laptop in a coffee shop while sipping on a premium latte was the first thing that came to mind for some reason.

However that’s not really true, since most writers I know are great people who just want to share their work with everyone.

If you could pick one thing about yourself that would be passed onto your (imaginary/actual) child, what would it be?
The child is imaginary for now, but I would like him/her to have the same relaxed attitude towards life in general.

How about one thing about yourself that you absolutely wouldn’t want passed on?
That would be my desire to rule over the North and South poles. Wait maybe you shouldn’t print th…

If you had to live in another time period, which one would you choose?
I would love to experience the distant future. Some say it will be an advanced utopian paradise based on huge technological leaps, while others predict a hellish landscape wrecked by global warming and strife. It would be interesting to see which party wins that bet.

Name one movie that always has a huge effect on you. Why do you think that is?
“In The Loop” which is a political satire film by Armanda Ianucci. If you’re into that genre and British humour, watch this movie NOW. I think it’s because it manages to strike a great balance between hilarity and “oh my god that’s probably quite close to what happened during the political run-up to the Iraq war”. That and Mr Ianucci is responsible for Alan Partridge and The Thick of It, which are two of my favourite TV shows.

What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try, but never have?
Skydiving. Well, throw most extreme activities onto that list! Once I find the time and the money, the sky is the next stop.

What is your favorite thing to do when you have a day to yourself?
Laze around on the couch with a few episodes of the older Simpsons playing in the background, while I catch up with my browsing, reading, writing and scheming.

When were you most scared in your life, and why?
As a kid, I almost fell into a septic tank after I stepped on the cover and it gave way. Luckily, I somehow managed to grab the edges at the last second and shout for help to a few adults who were nearby. I didn’t stop shaking for the rest of the day. That would’ve been an awful way to go!

What is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?
I remember watching the Hale-Bopp comet on a clear night with the naked eye, as a kid who went camping with a bunch of friends. That was great. The rest of the night got a bit worse once the mosquitoes started going to town on us.

First thing you’d do if you were handed a million dollars?
I would hide the money and orchestrate a massive scavenger hunt to find it, winner takes all. Participating in the hunt would cost $10. I would then invest all of those earnings in lottery tickets or the stock market.

You’ve been given the opportunity to give a televised speech which will be broadcast on all networks, what do you speak about?
The only sensible answer would be to pull the strings on a shocking hoax story, in the style of Orson Welles and his War of the Worlds broadcast.

What do you most want out of your life? Your ultimate ambition, as it were.
I want to be in a situation where I am comfortable enough to focus entirely on my weirder projects, hobbies and schemes, rather than trying the sensible business projects and keeping a sane smile throughout the process. World domination is a close second ambition.

What inspires you?
Ordinary people who manage to make a significant difference in the world inspire me. I hope that I can live up to that standard one day.

Our thanks to Ras for taking time to be with us. Check out his book today, and spend tomorrow ordering your henchpersons around.

James Bruno - TRIBE

It is a great privilege to have James Bruno with us today, promoting his book TRIBE.

Where do you currently live?
Upstate New York

Tell us a little bit about your life.
I worked for the federal government for over two decades, first in military intelligence, then as diplomat with the Dept. of State. I served in S.E. Asia, Pakistan, Cuba, Guantanamo Naval Base, Australia and, of course, Washington DC. I speak seven foreign languages. I’ve spent lots of time at the White House and even served in a presidential protection detail abroad. I am currently a member of the Diplomatic Readiness Reserve.

When did you first start writing?
During and just after college as a news reporter. As a fiction writer, 16 years ago.

What was your very first story about?
My first novel, PERMANENT INTERESTS, is about a corrupt alliance between White House political operators and the Russian and American mobs. It’s been a steady Kindle bestseller.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?
Funny you should ask. I must submit all of my writings to the U.S. State Dept. for security screening and approval before I can give it to anyone else, including my agent. It’s part of the faustian pact I made when I took the official oath. I’d risk serious legal issues if I violated that rule. The screening usually takes around six months.

Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself?
My stories rely heavily on actual experiences in my professional life, from being harassed by Russian and Cuban agents to working in a presidential protection detail. My books’ success owe much to authenticity.

Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?
Joseph Conrad – my overall favorite. As far as studying the craft of writing the spy thriller, Daniel Silva, David Ignatius, John LeCarre, Alan Furst.

What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?
Master’s degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and Columbia University; BA from George Washington Univ. I studied journalism at the Columbia School of Journalism, international relations at GWU and war fighting and strategy at the Naval War College. The skills and knowledge I obtained from all of these heavily influence my writing of political/espionage thrillers.

How much research time customarily goes into your projects?
I’m a meticulous researcher and a stickler for authenticity. For my latest thriller, HAVANA QUEEN, I spent nine months doing intensive research even though I had worked and traveled in Cuba as a diplomat.

Who is your favorite literary character?
Captain Ahab.

Who is your favorite character of your own creation?
Camilla Loomis, the high-powered Washington socialite in my latest thriller, TRIBE. Camilla claws her way from Appalachian trailer trash to Beltway powerbroker through pluck, brains and cunning.

If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?
MISFIT

Tell us about your featured book.
TRIBE is about how power, love, and fathers and daughters come into play in conflict-riven Afghanistan, and how the government gets it all wrong.

What separates TRIBE from its competition is its authenticity - so authentic that the U.S. government censored it. I draw heavily from my service on Afghanistan, including in the field.

Why did you write that?
I spent nearly five years working on Afghanistan with the U.S. government. My duties ranged from spearheading our diplomatic effort to closing our embassy in Kabul to locating 12,000 mules for the Afghan mujahidin.

It was a deeply taxing and all-consuming job. It got under my skin and stayed there for years. I just had to write a story about it. It was a cathartic exercise.

Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?
If you want to read political and spy thrillers that hew closely to the way things are really done as opposed to fantastical artifice, you’ll enjoy my books.

My agent also represents Stieg Larsson. All three of my novels have been Kindle paid bestsellers. I’ve been featured on NBC’s Today Show as well as in the Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor and other media.

What’s a negative trait about other people that you most notice, or that bothers you the most?
Egotism. It’s rampant inside the Beltway right down to the lowliest functionary and I find it repellent.

Do you ever notice it in yourself?
Returning from a successful overseas assignment, one’s sense of one’s abilities can be a bit inflated – only to be deflated once returning as a small fish in the big D.C. pond. I was subject to that, but resumed being human real fast.

If you were forced to give something you adore up for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Watching the evening news.

Do you own any kind of art collection?
Yes. My wife and I collected some lovely original artwork from Asia and Africa, which now graces our home.

What is the hardest thing about growing up?
Figuring it all out.

Was it worth it?
Figure it out or perish.

What is the biggest lie you’ve ever heard?
“Serve in [Afghanistan – Vietnam – Cambodia – Laos – Secret Project] and you will be able to name your next assignment and get promoted fast.”

What is something you absolutely must have in your kitchen?
Food.

What is pain to you?
Not being able to nourish my brain.

What is your dream house?
A cozy place overlooking the ocean.

Where would you want this house located in our wide world?
Pacific Northwest.

You’ve been forced under various circumstances to choose a personal motto. What is it?
Excelsior.

Have you ever received a present you really hated? If so, what was it?
Tight-fitting underpants.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten? Would you have it again?
Raw turtle eggs – in Thailand. Definitely would NOT try it again.

What’s the first thing you would do if you could become invisible?
Hang around the West Wing of the White House.

Do you ever have recurring dreams? What is your most common one about?
Flying.

What is the kindest thing that anyone has ever done for you?
Getting me sprung from captivity by Khmer Rouge guerillas (really!).


Our very special thanks to James for taking the time to answer our questions. Please give his many acclaimed works a look, starting with this one:

Kimberly Menozzi - Ask Me if I'm Happy

It is our great pleasure to have Kimberly Menozzi with us, promoting her book Ask Me if I'm Happy.

How old are you?
40 (And no, I don't have a problem telling you that.)

Where do you currently live?
Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy

Tell us a little bit about your life.
I'm an American who has lived in Italy for the last eight years. I've been married to an Italian since 2004, and he's the reason I came here in the first place. (This is the longest I've lived in one place since before I was a teenager.) I've been writing my whole life (almost literally), and I was first published in 2010. I had completed five novels prior to the publication of Ask Me if I'm Happy, but they're not likely to be published. I'm focusing on more recent work instead.

When did you first start writing?
The first time I recall writing a complete story was when I was about eight years old. Prior to that, I had a tendency to scribble on the inside of book covers. My family's collection of hardcover "classic" books had my tell-tale letters all over them.

What was your very first story about?
The first story I wrote (as I recall) was actually an essay about why we needed to save the whales. I wrote it to entertain myself, so to speak, in school and brought it home to show my mother. I remember taking it to my great-grandparents so they could read it, too.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?
Not yet. I don't think I will. I don't believe in topics being off-limits. As for substandard quality writing, I'm willing to show everything I've written, even though some of my older projects (from high school age up until I was in my thirties) were pretty awful. They've all been learning experiences.

Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself?
In what way? Much of my writing is influenced by my life and experiences, so in that sense, yes, I've definitely experienced things I've written. If you mean in the déjà vu sense, where I've written something and then lived it, that has happened once or twice, for sure.

Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?
I started writing in a dedicated manner after reading Watership Down the first time, when I was about nine or ten, so Richard Adams definitely inspired me. As I've gone on in my literary life, I find myself inspired by the work of Stephen King – his characterization isfantastic – and by John Irving and Louise Erdrich for their ability to draw me in as a reader and make me experience the world they're describing.

What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?
I graduated high school and then managed to put some community college experience behind me. More recently I took courses so I could teach English here in Italy. The lack of a four-year college degree hasn't affected my writing. I've always read above my age level, I've always pursued my various interests with passion and dedication and I love learning – always have, always will. That's what informs my writing.

How much research time customarily goes into your projects?
It's ongoing, so however long a project takes, that's how long I'm researching. I usually do a bit of preliminary research for something before I begin, but as plot points and issues develop, I'll dig into deeper research during the writing process.

Who is your most favorite literary character?
I really can't choose just one. I'm fascinated by T. S. Garp, and Roland Deschain in equal measures, but for completely different reasons. And Bigwig the rabbit, of course.

Who is your favorite character of your own creation?
That's a toughie. I'm partial to Davide Magnani (Ask Me if I'm Happy), but I still love Burke Wilson (A Marginal Life – Well Lived[unpublished]). Davide is a man outside his own time, an intellectual, and a romantic who doesn't quite fit in with the world around him. Burke is similar to Davide, but his yearning for unconditional love drives him to make foolish choices throughout his life. I adore them both.

If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?
Memoirs of the Strange Girl at the Back of the Class

Tell us about your featured book.
Ask Me if I'm Happy is a contemporary Women's Fiction novel set in Bologna, Italy. It's a love story, and it's a very Italian story, too, at heart. The novel follows the relationship between two people in their mid-to-late thirties, both of whom have been burned by their previous partners and who are uncertain of how to trust one another. The way they approach certain matters in this new relationship is conditioned by those prior experiences, and the novel shows how our desires to spare our loved ones any hurt sometimes has the opposite effect.

Why did you write that?
Ask Me if I'm Happy was begun in 2007, after I watched a travel program in the US about the city of Bologna. I was home for the summer and found myself feeling surprisingly homesick after hearing the locals on the show speaking English. I'd only been to Bologna a few times by then – mostly to go to the international bookstore – but I loved the place. That night, after watching the show, I dreamed a 'what-if?' story: what if I had to leave Italy for good, and for completely unexpected reasons?

The next morning, the story (then a short story) was already taking shape. I started writing, and soon had a twelve-page story. It kept growing after that, from short story to novella to full-blown novel. It took two years (and loads of workshops) before it was the novel it is today.

Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?
Yes. I put a lot of effort to make sure Ask Me if I'm Happy was as realistic as possible. There are some fanciful elements to it, but the emotional heart is true-to-life. The characters are realistic, too, and their insecurities and strengths will remind you of people you know – possibly even yourself. It will appeal to a wide audience, but especially to people who love Italian culture on a warts-and-all level. This story is about people living in the Italy I know and love, and where I live every day. It's not the perfect Italy of so many cinematic dreams, but I think it's enchanting, nonetheless. Also, there is extensive use of the Italian language in it for an additional level of authenticity.

What’s a negative trait about other people that you most notice, or that bothers you the most?
People who insist that everything in their life is horrible and there's nothing to be done about it. That can drive me absolutely insane.

Do you ever notice it in yourself?
That's the reason it drives me crazy, actually. I was solidly pessimistic when I was younger. It took me years to understand that if I can at least try to be more positive, more positive things will happen – and fairly quickly.

If you were forced to give something you adore up for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If I'd have to be forced to give it up, it would be something related to writing, I think. Or reading. But that's a nightmarish thought, isn't it?

Do you own any kind of art collection?
Do photographs and/or posters count? I collect those. Right now I'm collecting photographs of cyclists. I also collect children's books for the artwork or the presentation of the book itself. I'd love to collect prints of art from children's books, actually.

What is the hardest thing about growing up?
Not being able to sit on the floor. Seriously. I wish I could do that, so I could play with my niece (she's almost four years old) more easily. But when I try, once I'm on the floor, that's it: I'm staying there. (laughs)

Was it worth it?
I had to grow up in order to become who I am today, and to find the man I love who was able to love me in return. So yes, it was.

What is the biggest lie you’ve ever heard?
Just about every answer I could give here would just get me into trouble. (laughs)

What is something you absolutely must have in your kitchen?
A breadmaking machine. I can't do it by hand, so I loooove my bread maker.

What is pain to you?
Those calls that come in the middle of the night, with the news you don't expect. Even when it is expected, it still hurts. Physical pain passes, but for me, memories don't fade so easily.

What is your dream house?
Not too large, but with two bedrooms and a good kitchen. A separate room for my writing office would be ideal. My flat here in Italy is perfect, but I'd love for it to be a house instead.

Where would you want this house located in our wide world?
Somewhere in the mountains – either the Apennines or the Smokies – where I can get to town if I need to, but far enough away that I wouldn't have to hear traffic if I'm outside. Surrounded by nature.

You’ve been forced under various circumstances to choose a personal motto. What is it?
I'd steal the line from The Master and Margarita: "Manuscripts don't burn."

You’re pitching a television pilot to a network. Describe it.
An hour-long weekly drama (for HBO or similar) set in the world of professional road cycling. A behind-the-scenes look at the racing world: Sex, Lies and Physio's Tape!

Yeah, no-one would watch that except me.

Have you ever received a present you really hated? If so, what was it?
I have indeed! (laughs) I was once given Risk (the board game) by my first husband for Christmas. I hate board games with a white-hot passion. Except for Trivial Pursuit, anyway.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten? Would you have it again?
I'm too picky to eat anything "weird", I'm afraid. Does Tofurkey count? No, anyway.

What’s the first thing you would do if you could become invisible?
MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!

*ahem*

I mean, uh… I'm sorry. This would involve the Paris-Roubaix showers, post-race. That's all I can say. It would all be in the name of research, of course. Absolutely.

Do you ever have recurring dreams? What is your most common one about?
It's been a while since I've had recurring dreams, but I do have déjà vu dreams. I've dreamed entire scenarios and then witnessed them later in my life, usually based around new situations. It's eerie.

What is the kindest thing that anyone has ever done for you?
Read my stories. When my mentor in high school read my stories, he encouraged me to follow my dream of writing. When my husband read my stories, we fell in love. When my first publisher read my stories, they wanted to publish me. It always comes back to that for me. If you've read my story, you've given me a chance, and that chance might lead to a connection, or it might not. When it does, it's the best thing in the world.

Kimberly's work is available in both paperback and ebook formats. So you have no excuse for not giving it a look right away. 

Lisa Follett - One True Love

It is our pleasure to welcome Lisa Follett to the site, promoting her book One True Love.

What is your name?  

Lisa Follett, Duchess of Dreams

How old are you?  

It is the height of impropriety to ask a lady her age.

Where do you currently live? 

I live in Austenland (It is shaped like Texas).

Tell us a little bit about your life. 

I have an heir, but not a spare. My son is attending university, and my daughter is studying ballet. I am married to the Duke of Dreams. He dreams every night that I sell a million books so that he may retire from his position as an accountant.

When did you first start writing? 

I was still in the schoolroom when I discovered my passion for romance writing.

What was your very first story about? 

My teacher allowed me to choose a picture as a writing prompt. I chose a picture of a beach. I wrote a story about a boy and a girl strolling along the beach holding hands. I got into a great deal of trouble for writing such a scandalous piece.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read? 

I would tell you, but I am too frightened.

Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself? 

Well, I am not exactly an innocent.

Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations? 

Jane Austen, of course.

What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing? 

I have a master's degree in reading. I read over 500 Regency romances before I attempted to write my first one.

How much research time customarily goes into your projects? 

According to my husband, I am not doing near enough research. I disagree. We argue the point, research it together, then I write. This occurs more often than not.

Tell us about your featured book. 

In One True Love, Lord William Prescott is in want of a wife. Unfortunately, the woman he wants is betrothed.

Why did you write that? 

If every man who possesses a fortune is in want of a wife, then why does every hero avoid the marriage shackles? Of course, I cannot stroke my hero's ego by giving him what he wants (at least not right away).

Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know? 

I do believe I was influenced by Katie Perry's Hot n' Cold song. You must read One True Love to understand the subtle impression made on my story when the song was stuck in my head.

Where is the one place you’ve traveled where you’ve felt most like you fit in? 

I have been to Chautauqua, New York. It is a cultural amusement park for grown-ups. Chautauqua is my modern day, American version of Bath.

What activity or hobby, besides writing, do you find most enjoyable? 

I have a passion for the theatre, ballet, and musicals.

What was your favorite childhood toy? 

My grandmother gave me a Lazy Daisy doll when I was seven. We got along quite well together. I still have her, but she is naked now. I have no idea what happened to her clothes. It is beyond the pale.

What is your most valued personal possession in life? Who gave it to you? My flash drive(s).

If you lost the ability to see every color but one, which one would it be? Pink

How do you treat people you’re not fond of? 

I give them the cut direct.

What is hiding in your closet as we speak? 

An original 1914 London map. Please, do not tell my husband. It was rather expensive.

What do you see as your greatest achievement? 

Reaching "The End".

What, to you, is absolutely wrong? 

I do not advocate the mistreatment of children or animals.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received? 

Perseverance is my best friend.

If you had to explain the concept of “love” to someone who’s never heard of it before, how would you? 

I would simply give them a copy of One True Love.

What about “hate?” 

It is the opposite of love.

You’ve decided to buy an exotic pet, what do you go for? 

I already have two exotic pets. They are cats. One is fat, lazy, and demanding. The other is thin, frisky, and easily frightened.

What do you classify as an “Adventure?” 

I would like to go to London Town and meet the queen.

If you could learn one new thing instantly, what would it be? 

I would like to know how to use the remote control to the TV. My children are tired of turning it on for me.

Finish this sentence. “I sometimes find it hard to…” 

I sometimes find it hard to keep my mind focused on one task.

Who is your most favorite literary character? 

Elizabeth Bennett

Who is your favorite character of your own creation? 

Lord William Prescott

If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be? 

Music of My Own

What if it was a biography of your favorite person?

I do not play favorites.

Name three things about that person that influenced or inspired you.

I have been influenced by many people, books, TV shows, and movies.

To be or not to be?

To be free to write with passion whenever I choose.

Our thanks to Lisa for sitting through that inquisition. Click your way to over her book, which is available in paperback and ebook format, right now. It's so close to your cursor...you know you want to.