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Susan A. Royal

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Susan A. Royal

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One Man’s Journey (Part 2)

21 Tuesday Mar 2017

Posted by Susan A. Royal in Interview

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MuseItUp, One Man's Journey of the Spirit, Stan Hampton author

After Lunch, Les Voutes, Vers-Pont-du-Gard, France

As promised we’re continuing Stan Hampton’s journey today. It’s been fascinating so far, and I admire him for it. At this stage of my life I don’t know if I’d ever have the courage. So I’m going to live vicariously through Stan’s adventures. Join me!

 

The morning of 27 February I traveled by train to Marseilles where I changed trains for Aubagne. After that I had to take a bus to the village of Vers-Pont-du-Gard, a mere 4 kilometers from the famous Roman aqueduct, the Pont-du-Gard. Actually, I attempted to call a taxi, but that did not work. It took the help of a good friend in Montpellier who called for a taxi that took me to the “a Gauche du Pont,” a friendly bed and breakfast that was a momentary home. And a very nice home it was—my room was 200 years old and had a stone ceiling.

a gauche du Pont Bed & Breakfast, Vers-Pont-du-Gard, France

After a Continental Breakfast the morning of 28 February, Fabian, one of the owners of the “a Gauche du Pont” showed me the way along 4 kilometers of winding trails through the forest to the Pont-du-Gard. Though I walk over a mile every day at the Université and so am in better shape than in January, carrying a backpack filled with camera equipment was a bit tiring. But soon, I caught my first glimpse of the famous 2,000 year old Roman aqueduct that I had read about for so many years.

Pont-du-Gard, France

The Pont-du-Gard from the banks of the Gardon River. I did it! I was actually looking at, and had touched, the 2,000 year old architectural monument built by a people long gone.

Pont-du-Gard, France

Fabian and Veronique, the owners of “a Gauche du Pont”, and I had dinner in the nearby Medieval village of Castillon-du-Gard, then we went for a brief walk because I wanted to get some photos at night. It was a very brief walk because it was cold and windy.

Castillon-du-Gard, France

After a Continental Breakfast the morning of 1 March I caught the bus from Vers-Pont-du-Gard to Avignon. Faced with a 4-hour layover for the train to Arles, I opted for a bus—within an hour of my arrival I was on my way and arrived in Arles just about an hour later. Within an hour I set out to register for a tour into the famous Camargue the next day, plus spent the afternoon visiting the Roman amphitheatre and arena.

And yes, I did it. I was standing where, perhaps 2,000 years ago, actors, musicians, and singers performed for a packed audience who spoke Latin and ruled an Empire that encircled the Mediterranean Sea.

Roman amphitheatre, Arles, France

Wow. These pictures are fantastic. Readers, can you imagine actually standing there and snapping the photo? Not seeing it on a movie or television screen. Not reading about it. Actually being there. We have more of Stan’s journey to come. Come back next Tuesday for more.

One Man’s Journey of the Spirit

14 Tuesday Mar 2017

Posted by Susan A. Royal in Interview

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MuseItUp, One Man's Journey of the Spirit, Stan Hampton author

After Lunch, Les Voutes, Vers-Pont-du-Gard, FranceFriend and fellow writer Stan Hampton has agreed to share photos of his travels with us. This post is just the first of several. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing more.

Stan is a wonderful photographer as well as writer, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy his journey as much as I did. Welcome, Stan. I’ll turn it over to you.

Imagine for a moment that you have spent years, if not decades, dreaming and wishing to travel and explore. Not as a typical tourist wanting to visit the big foreign cities and famous sites—though there is nothing wrong with either goal. But traveling and exploring for a specific purpose. And imagine that after decades, the dreams and wishes actually come true.

I am retired and am a full-time university student working on my Bachelors degree with the ultimate goal of attaining a doctorate. My long-held dreams and wishes began to happen after I applied to the Universities Study Abroad Consortium (USAC), Reno, Nevada. USAC was founded in the late 1980s and is one of several academic organizations that assist American students in studying overseas. I wanted to study in Ireland, but after talking with a senior director, I decided to apply for France instead.

In January 2017 I set out from Las Vegas, Nevada to Pau, France, where I would spend the Spring Semester studying French at the Université de Pau et des Pays de L’Adour. (Ah, Pau is pronounced “Po.”)

Imagine, a person my age (senior citizen, I think) being a full-time university student studying in a foreign country. And this is where, in a very real sense, my journey of the spirit begins. And the journey is not yet complete—there are a couple more sponsored outings before the semester ends in late April, after which I am signed up for an optional tour of the Normandy region. Then, on my own I go to northern England before boarding the Queen Mary 2 in Southampton to cross the Atlantic back to the States. At least, that’s the plan.

Day One Las Vegas

3 January, the journey begins when I fly out of Las Vegas, bound for Paris via Philadelphia, where I will catch a flight to Pau, a small town in the shadow of the Pyrenees Mountains in southwestern France.

Day Five, Pau, The Castle Wall

During the first week there were a pair of walking tours of Pau for the American students. This is my view of the Chateau de Pau, birthplace of King Henry IV. Did I mention I am a photographer? I always try to look for a different and interesting angle when photographing. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes…

Toulouse Rail Station, France

The Winter Break began on 25 February. That morning I traveled by train from Pau and changed trains at the rail station in Toulouse, and again at Marseilles, bound for Aubagne, France.

Foreign Legion Museum, Aubagne, France

 

The Foreign Legion Museum in Aubagne, 26 February. All of my life I have been fascinated by the French Foreign Legion, particularly their role in the French-Indochina War (1946-1954) and the French Algerian War (1954-1962). Indochina, especially the Battle of Dien Bien Phu (November 1953-May 1954), always reminded me of a Greek tragedy—no matter how much courage the ordinary Legionnaire and French Union soldiers displayed, a tragic end awaited all. And so, units like the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion, 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion, battalions of the 13th Foreign Demi-Brigade, and battalions of the 2nd and 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiments, with other French metropolitan, colonial and African units, fought until destroyed; the survivors were marched away into captivity.

Foreign Legion Museum, Aubagne, France

Stan has sent me so many wonderful photos that I’ve decided to post them once a week for the next few weeks instead of all at once. Come back to see more of One Man’s Journey of the Spirit in a week!

 

Meet Alice from Brownstone Faces

16 Thursday Feb 2017

Posted by Susan A. Royal in Interview

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Alice, Anne Rothman-Hicks and Ken Hicks, Brownstone Faces, MuseItUp

brought to you by Anne Rothman-Hicks and Ken Hicks. They’ve visited my blog before and this time, we’re going to get to meet Alice.

anne-ken

Anne Rothman-Hicks and Kenneth Hicks have been collaborating on books for forty-six years.  Their first joint effort was a student project while Anne was at Bryn Mawr College and Ken attended Haverford. Since then, they have written over twenty books together. They live and work in New York City, where many of their books are set. They are members of International Thriller Writers and of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Ken and Anne’s mainstream novel, Kate and the Kid, was named one of the best Indie books for 2016 by Kirkus Reviews. Kirkus described it as an “engrossing romantic adventure” which “combines mystery and psychological drama in an intricate study of family relationships, economic class, and child abuse.”  Kate and the Kid also won a silver medal from Readers’ Favorite for books involving social issues.

Their Jane Larson series of mystery/thrillers involves a high-powered New York City attorney with a penchant for getting involved in situations that she would be better off leaving alone. These novels have been praised by reviewers for their gritty portrayals of city life, lively characters, fast action, surprise endings and highly polished prose. Jane is cynical and rebellious, but she finds herself drawn to the simple life her deceased mother lived as an attorney who served women unable to afford legal services. The first two books in the series are Weave A Murderous Web and Praise Her, Praise Diana, both published by Melange Books, LLC. A third novel, Mind Me, Milady, will be published in early 2017 by Melange.

Ken and Anne have also created a New York City based series for ‘tween readers, published by MuseItUp Publishing. These books feature the brother and sister combo of Jennifer and James and their friends Sleepy and Kaytlyn.  A talking pigeon lures them into their first adventure in Things Are Not What They Seem. The sequel, Remembering Thomas, will be published in 2017. It sends these young characters back to Revolutionary War battles that occurred in New York City during the fall of 1776.

Finally, Anne and Kenneth have written a series for middle readers in which the first book is Stone Faces, followed by Brownstone Faces and, soon, Splotch, published by MuseItUp. The main character in these three middle reader novels is Alice, and—you guessed it—she is a girl who lives in New York City.

You can read more about Anne and Ken’s books on their website

randh71productions.com and their blog at randh71productions.com/blog. They are now working on their next book, a family saga entitled Minister.

And now, sit back and enjoy Alice’s delightful interview!

brownstone-faces-2

Today we are going to interview Alice, who is the author and also the main character of a series of books she has written. She’s just eleven years old and has written two books already!

Us:  Well, the first thing we want to say is ‘welcome to the blog, Alice.’ We have never interviewed someone quite as young as you before.

Alice:  Don’t be nervous. I’ve never been interviewed by someone as old as you, either.

Us:  Thanks. I think … So, here’s the first question: when did you first think you wanted to become a writer?

Alice:  Actually, I hadn’t ever thought about it because I’m really into sports. All kinds of sports. I take after my daddy in that way. But then my parents decided to get divorced and I had the worst summer ever, and I just had to write about it to let other kids know that I got through it and they can too!

Us: That was very nice of you.

Alice: Thanks. But that doesn’t sound like a question. Am I supposed to respond or …

Us: No, no need to respond. It wasn’t a question. Sorry …

Alice: It’s okay. I know this is your first time interviewing a kid. Just relax.

Us:  Okay, Moving on … What was your first book called and what was it about?

Alice: The first book was called Stone Faces. I wanted to call it “The Worst Summer Ever”, but the grownups said Stone Faces was better. The stone faces belonged to my parents who were getting divorced and looked like their faces would crack when they tried to smile. Of course, I had a stone face too since I did not like them getting divorced. Not only that, the story takes place in Provincetown on Cape Cod, and the stones at the beach there became my friends.

Us:  Wait. Back up. You made friends with beach stones?

Alice: I guess you didn’t read my book, did you?

Excerpt from Brownstone Faces

On Friday, I’m allowed to walk home by myself. But Hannah had become like my shadow, so I walked home with her. She thanked me for what I did in the playground and said she was sorry that I had gotten punished for hitting Johnny. There was that word again.

“Hey, we’re the Sorry Club, remember?” I said. “And Mr. Sentry Man will be very pleased when I tell him what you did.”“Cut it out, Hannah,” I said.

Hannah looked surprised.

“But he will be. He already likes you. Didn’t you see him wink? He only winks at people he likes.”

“That was just a funny sort of shadow as I walked by,” I said. “Stone carvings aren’t alive and they don’t wink.”

Hannah just shrugged, her eyes fixed downward. This time a crack in the sidewalk had her attention.

“Would you like to meet a few more of my friends?” she asked finally.

I didn’t say “yes” because that would mean that I believed her and I was still pretty sure she was kidding. But I didn’t say “no” either and a few blocks further along she stopped in front of an old four-story apartment building. The carved head of a growling lion was set in the lintel over the front door.

“This is Lawrence,” Hannah said by way of introduction.

I decided to play along.

“Oh, I get it. Larry the Lion. Hello, Larry. I’m Alice.”

At that point Hannah flinched. 

Ken and Anne’s blog: http://www.randh71productions.com/blog

Ken and Anne’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Kenneth-Hicks-and-Anne-Rothman-Hicks-622272714477979

Buy links for Brownstone Faces:

Muse: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/now-available-in-ebook/brownstone-faces-detail

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Brownstone-Faces-Alice-Friends-Book-ebook/dp/B01MT6HM7V

Ken and Anne, it was so good to have you visit again. Thanks so much for stopping by, guys. And Alice, I can’t wait to see what adventure you have next!

YA Author Barbara Ehrentreu

30 Friday Jan 2015

Posted by Susan A. Royal in Interview

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Barbara Ehrentreu, If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor, MuseItUp, review, young adult

My guest today is Barbara Ehrentreu, and I am thrilled to have her visit my blog. I read her young adult book, If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor, a while back and loved it. Barbara takes you back to high school with all its roller coaster of emotions and does a great job of reminding us how hard it is to be a teenager. Let’s find out more about Barbara.

 

Barbara at Fairfield Bookstore signing headshot

 

Barbara Ehrentreu grew up in Brooklyn and moved to Queens. She has lived and taught in Long Island, Buffalo, NY and Westchester, NY as well as a year in Los Angeles, CA. She has a Masters Degree in Reading and Writing. Currently she is retired from teaching and living in Stamford, CT with her family. If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor won second prize in Preditors & Editors as Best Young Adult Book for 2011. It was inspired by Paula Danziger for her children’s writing workshop at Manhattanville College. Her second book, After, considers what can happen to a teen when her father becomes ill with a heart attack. It is based on her own experiences when her husband had a heart attack and the aftermath of what she and her family experienced. She is preparing the sequel to If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor. Barbara also writes poetry and several of her poems are published in the anthologies, Prompted: An International Collection of Poetry, Beyond the Dark Room, Storm Cycle and Backlit Barbell. She has a blog, Barbara’s Meanderings, and she hosts a radio show on Blog Talk Radio, Red River Radio Tales from the Pages once a month.

After-final lg

 After

Lauren, fifteen, has her life change after a phone call from her father.
 
“After” is a story about the struggles Lauren Walstein, a fifteen-year-old girl, has to go through when her father suddenly has a heart attack and undergoes bypass surgery. In one phone call her life changes completely. Lauren is a character with whom most teens will relate. Her best friend since kindergarten, Joey, is going out with her enemy and they have grown apart. Before the phone call all she thought about was getting a scholarship for softball, and the Mets. Suddenly she must deal with both her father’s illness and being in school. The demands on her from both ends complicate the story. In the middle of all this, she finds she is developing feelings for her best friend that are more than friendly. Is he feeling the same or is he just comforting her? In addition there is Joey’s mean girl friend Amber, who doesn’t appreciate Lauren being in the picture. Will Lauren’s father recover? How will Lauren cope with her new feelings for Joey?

MuseItUp Publishing: http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/young-adult/after-detail

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/After-Barbara-Ehrentreu-ebook/dp/B00NDYDC3C/ref=la_B00J0URGVM_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418409175&sr=1-2

For Nook on Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/after-barbara-ehrentreu/1120349821?ean=2940046242980

 

ICBLJT Cover

If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor: (print and ebook)

This was the review I posted on Amazon:

A very enjoyable read

By Susan A. Royal on July 29, 2013

Format: Kindle Edition

High School Freshman Carolyn Samuels wants what every girl her age wants…to be accepted. She thinks being friends with the most popular girl in school, becoming a cheerleader and having the Junior hunk she’s been crushing on since middle school notice she’s alive will grant her wish, but she’s mistaken. However, she does learn some very important things.The author truly remembers what it’s like to leave the never-never land of childhood and forge blindly ahead into young adulthood, and she tells the story with such flair, I can visualize and empathize with every angst-filled scene. I especially love the way Carolyn matures during the book. She begins to realize what she can change and what she needs to learn to accept about herself.

MuseItUp Publishing: http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/museityoung/if-i-could-be-like-jennifer-taylor-detail

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/If-Could-Like-Jennifer-Taylor-ebook/dp/B005NWRLL6/ref=la_B00J0URGVM_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418409175&sr=1-1

For Nook on Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/reviews/If-I-Could-Be-Like-Jennifer-Taylor%2FBarbara-Ehrentreu/1105870667?csrfToken=7tl0EbMuS9kryS71CGU8jWQqfAkqgZfa&sort=3#reviews

 

Blog: http://barbaraehrentreu.blogspot.com

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraEhrentreu
Twitter: https://twitter.com/barbehr
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4797564.Barbara_Ehrentreu

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/

What made you finally decide to get serious about writing?

When I was getting my Masters degree there I attended a one week Creative Writer’s workshop at Manhattanville College. My piece was chosen to be read to the entire group of workshop participants and afterward several of the authors who were there came up to me to say how they liked it. Seeing these authors made me realize that I felt very comfortable in their company and that I wanted to be an author too.

Name one of your all-time favorite movies, the one you instantly recognize when it flashes across the screen, the one you stop and watch no matter how many times you’ve seen it, the one where you find yourself mouthing the dialogue along with the characters.

My favorite all time movie is Breakfast At Tiffany’s. I have seen this movie so many times I can recognize it by any scene or even any piece of dialogue. The song that has stayed with me since I saw the movie as a young girl is “Moon River”. Coincidentally a week after I saw this movie I met my husband and we had our first date. Ever since then “Moon River” was my song for us.

Tell us about your current WIP.

I started my current WIP during NaNoWriMo and it is a sequel to my first novel, If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor.  I had thought about writing a sequel, but I thought that I had tied up everything at the end of the novel. However, before NaNo I started thinking about what if Jennifer had problems the following year. How would she handle them? What would they be? Who would be there to help her? Would Carolyn and she remain friends? Would Brad remain her boyfriend?

All of these thoughts started gnawing at me and the characters from the book started speaking to me. I know it sounds a little strange, but many authors have their characters talk to them. So I started writing and they kept talking to me throughout the month making it easy to get it down on the screen. However, even though I got to the 50,000 word mark I didn’t finish it. So I am still not quite done with it and then, of course there is revision and hopefully submitting to my publisher. That is still not certain. I will need some readers when I am done.

What is the best compliment you ever received as an author?

Many of the reviews I have gotten say that I write as if I were a teen myself. But the one reviewer who said this got what I was trying to do as an author: “Ehrentreu’s strength lies in her ability to make you relate to the characters she is writing about.” I don’t think an author can hear anything better than that.

What is something we’ll never catch you doing? 

You will probably never see me eat a pepper of any kind, especially hot peppers. I am extremely sensitive to hot peppers. When I was younger I bit into a pickled hot pepper and started coughing so much that the wait staff came over to make sure I wasn’t choking. I never ate another one again.

If you met a genie, what 3 things would you wish for?

The first thing I would wish for would be to have enough money to not have to think about it for the rest of my life so that I could go wherever I wanted and buy whatever I needed to. The second thing I would wish for is for my children to have long and satisfying lives with people who love them. The third thing is for no one ever to go hungry in this world again creating world peace.

Thanks so much for joining me today, Barbara. I can’t wait to read your new book After. You guys stop by her blog, http://barbaraehrentreu.blogspot.com/2015/01/blog-swap-with-susan-royal.html#comment-form and get the details on my blog radio visit with her on February 27!

The Natasha Saga

19 Friday Dec 2014

Posted by Susan A. Royal in Interview

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Heather Greenis, MuseItUp, The Natasha Sagas

Heather Greenis

After going back and forth for several months due to scheduling conflicts (we writers are such busy people) I am pleased to welcome Heather Greenis as my guest today. Her series is called The Natasha Saga, and once you read the excerpt she’s provided below, I’m sure you’ll be like me–eager to find out what happens next.

Heather has an uncanny ability to frequently “manipulate” her dreams. As a bonus, she remembers them in extensive detail the following morning. A dream inspired the basic storyline. Then her overactive imagination developed the characters and the detail. In her spare time Heather assists the Healing Cycle, Hospice Palliative Care. She is also actively involved with the local curling club, currently volunteering her time teaching children when she isn’t curling herself. Heather has a passion for travel, photography and gardening. She would like to extend a special thank-you to her niece for reading and re-reading and to her husband for his support, and encouragement, suggesting she “write it down”.

Now, here’s the fun part. Let’s find out more about Heather.

How long have you been writing? I began writing over 10 years ago. The story began rather show but kept developing. It turned into a saga. There are four books, but it’s one big story.

What made you finally decide to get serious about writing? I never considered writing when I was younger which is crazy. It never dawned on me or those around me. While in school, I loved doing essays so I guess it was always inside me. You’re absolutely right. I think the urge to write is something we’re born with.

Describe what you consider your ideal writing conditions. I can write anywhere, and I do. At the airport, in a hotel room, relaxing by the pool, in our kitchen, sitting in our living room with an instrumental background.

How often do you write? I write daily, at least most days. If I have the time, I write. I find it relaxing.
Are you a plotter, a pantser or some combination of both? I’m a combination. I have an idea for the beginning and end, but getting there is a blank page. It can and does get changed. I did say it took me 10 years to write the saga. It went through some massive changes along the way.
Name one of your all-time favorite movies, the one you instantly recognize when it flashes across the screen, the one you stop and watch no matter how many times you’ve seen it, the one where you find yourself mouthing the dialogue along with the characters.

I love the Sound of Music. Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.
You know it’s funny. I didn’t watch that movie for a long time, because I don’t like musicals, and when I finally did I loved it too.

What song never fails to make you cry? Amazed by Lonestar.

Describe one of your favorite characters and tell us who you patterned them after and why. Do critters count? I have three dogs in my story. Constable, Goldie and Brodie. I grew up with a dog. I can’t imagine our lives without a four legged kid. If it’s possible there will be a critter in every story I write.
Of course they count! I’ve had so much fun giving animals expressions and personalities that I always have at least one in every book.

Where do you go for inspiration? Life inspires me. The weather, a conversation, an event. I hope that never stops.

You are so right, and I can’t think of a better to put it. Heather, thank you for coming today. I’ve enjoyed it! Guys, go check out Heather’s books today!

http://heathergreenis.weebly.com
hgreenis0@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Heather-Greenis/1417737535165720
https://twitter.com/heathergreenis

Excerpt
Willard assisted Natasha into the box of the wagon. She worked her way to the far end and lay on her stomach, the side of her body against the front of the wagon. Growing up, the twins teased her over her lack of height, but now she was thankful. There was plenty of room without her head or feet touching the sides. She felt the warmth of the blanket as it covered her. Given her pounding heart, it was comforting.
“You have been covered with hay. I fear you’re not comfortable, but pray tell me you’re able to breathe.”
“I’m content,” she assured him.
Willard called the dog, and Natasha felt movement on the wagon as the dog jumped up and joined her. She heard the sniffing.
“Good girl, Goldie. Lie down and guard your friend.”
The heat of the dog’s body warmed hers as Goldie snuggled tight. She would not be cold during the journey.
The wagon creaked as Willard took his seat and motioned the horses forward. His soft words of prayer for a safe, quick journey drifted back to where Natasha lay.
They had not travelled far when the wagon slowed. It was such a still, quiet night, the guard’s voice sounded loud as he instructed Willard to stop.
“Are you travelling alone, sir?”
“Me and my dog.”
“Your destination?”
“Home.”
“At this hour?”
“I’m the foreman, and we’re behind schedule. I had paperwork to complete.”
“I’m on official business from the king. Remove yourself from the wagon.”
Goldie moved away from her side and growled.
“Official business?” Willard questioned. “I have not—”
“Does the animal bite?” the guard interrupted.
“If she feels threatened.”
Goldie growled for a second time.
Natasha felt movement on the wagon. It wasn’t the same movement as when Goldie jumped up. What’s happening? Dear God in Heaven, don’t allow the guard onto this wagon.
Covered only with the blanket and hay, she felt vulnerable. Goldie was gone from her side. Where is the dog? She wished for Stewart. Goldie’s growl became louder.
“Control your beast!”
Nothing. There was silence. An eerie silence. What is happening? She had to assume Willard was settling the dog.
“Remove your animal from the wagon.”
Natasha’s heart stopped. Goldie had to remain on the wagon to protect her. If the guard discovered her, Willard would be hung, the dog killed, and she would be banished to the castle, forced to face the wrath of her father. She would never see Stewart, Hope, or the Donovan family again. Natasha felt a sensation in her nose. She heard something, but wasn’t certain what it was. Was someone joining them? Another guard? Suddenly, her eyes became itchy. Her nose twitched. Dust? She closed eyes and crunched her nose, but it didn’t stop the tingling. This is no time for a sneeze. No. She clamped her lips together as tightly as possible, praying she could smother the sneeze and that it wouldn’t cause the wagon to shake.
“Choo.” It was the quietest sneeze of her entire life, left her a little light-headed from the effort to stifle it. She needed fresh air, but that was also impossible. She listened for some inkling of what was going on in the roadway.
“Move the animal, or I’ll dispose of it myself,” the guard yelled.
“Sadie, come. Get down, Sadie.”
Is he attempting to confuse the dog by using a strange name? Natasha was able to feel Goldie leaning against her side. What in the name of heaven is Willard up to? The guard will kill the dog if he doesn’t obey the order.
“She has been trained to stay in the wagon until we reach home,” he apologized.
“Remove it,” the guard demanded.
“Sadie, come.”
Natasha waited for movement in the wagon, but there was nothing. Then she felt Goldie shift back further into her. Goldie’s hip bone dug into Natasha’s ribs. She struggled to breathe.
“You’re scaring the dog,” Willard protested. “Your harsh voice and mannerism. She isn’t accustomed to that. It’s causing her aggression.”
Goldie moved from her position at Natasha’s rib cage.
“You cannot kill her,” Willard cried in panic. “She is only doing her duty! What shall I tell my children? Never trust the king or his men? They do not show remorse, but simply enjoy killing? I question whether you possess a heart. My children will be heartbroken when they see the bloodstain.”
You cannot appeal to his sense of decency, to his honour. Father is heartless. Dear God in Heaven, help Willard. Please, I beg of you, help us.
“That is not my concern.”
Natasha’s heart pounded. Fear rushed throughout her body followed by an intense flush of heat. She feared she might be ill. We’re going to die. Willard, Goldie, and I.
“I am not armed. My dog is on her property. You are not threatened where you stand.”
“It’s a thick bed.”
“Indeed it is. The dog is my companion while at home and work. I offer comfort for the journey. Sadie is tired and hungry, as am I.”
Natasha began to pray, willing words into the guard’s head.
Think reasonably, rationally. You are not a stupid man. The king’s only daughter. Would a common foreman bury a princess in a pile of hay where she could barely breathe? Search elsewhere, and let us move on. God, I beg of you. Help us.
Goldie growled. It vibrated against her thigh.
Suddenly Natasha heard a gunshot. To her ears, it sounded distant, but hidden under hay and a blanket, she couldn’t be certain. Her nerves could be playing tricks on her. Then another, and another gunshot.
“Jacob?” A man’s voice bellowed. She trembled at the sound, and then silence. Eerie silence.
“Jacob!”
The second bellow broke the silence. Is the guard calling for assistance? What’s happening? Is Willard shot dead? I’ll never forgive myself if Willard is dead.

Twisting Tales One Story At A Time

21 Friday Nov 2014

Posted by Susan A. Royal in Interview

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Different Kind of Knight, knight in shining armor, Mary Waibel, MuseItUp, romance

Today I’m pleased to welcome Mary Waibel, another one of my fellow authors from MuseItUp. I am so lucky to be included in a group of diverse and interesting people.

YA Author Mary Waibel is a romantic at heart. Her love of fairy tales, fantasy, and happy-ever-after fill the pages of her stories.

When not twisting her own tales, she can be found with her nose buried in any book she can get her hands on. Some of her favorite authors are Nora Roberts, Shannon Hale, Lisa Shearin, and Kristin Cashore.

Mary lives in upstate New York with her wonderful husband, hockey player son, and two cats. Many a Friday or Saturday night she spends hours gaming with family and friends. In the fall and winter she can be found at the ice rink, cheering on her son and his team, and in the summer, she enjoys escaping with her family on camping trips all over the states.

Interacting with her readers is one of Mary’s favorite parts of being an author. You can find her at these sites:

Website: http://marywaibel.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormarywaibel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mewtweety14
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6456213.Mary_Waibel
Blog: http://waibelworld.blogspot.com

Mary Waibel

Since her 2013 debut with Quest of the Hart, Mary Waibel has been collecting 4 and 5 star reviews for her work.

Quest of the Hart
“It’s empowerment on paper.” ~Michelle Pickett, bestselling author of POD’s

Charmed Memories
“…while this story is immersed in fantasy land, their was a believability to the characters that enabled me that cherished connect I love to have with the characters.” ~Rachel T., The READING CAFE blog

Different Kind of Knight
“My favorite of the Princess of Valendria series, so far…there is action and adventure and strange and wondrous creatures, but mostly there are two people who you get to watch fall in love.” ~Kai Strand, author of The Super Villain series

The Mystery Prince
“…a sweet romance with a fairy tale feel…” ~Crystal Collier, author of the Maiden of Time series,

More reviews, and excerpts of Mary’s books, can be found on this page of her website: http://marywaibel.blogspot.com/p/books.html

Be sure to stop by Mary’s author site and sign up for her newsletter to keep informed about her latest news, as well as special offers, sneak peeks, and spotlights of other authors. http://marywaibel.blogspot.com

Different Kind of Knight

Through a twist of fate, Princess Gabrielle became First Knight of the King’s Elite Guard, a position always held by the second born male. She’s spent years proving to the Minsters of Faldaera she is capable of leading the king’s Army.

When mythical creatures plague her kingdom, Rielle is sent to capture Captain Brody, the alleged culprit behind the attacks and the man who broke her heart four years ago.

Brody, Crown Prince of Delphine, is living in self-imposed exile, atoning for the sins of his father. But Fate has different plans for him. Tired, beaten down, and ready to give up on life, he is tossed into the path of the one person he would do anything for―Princess Gabrielle.

With a traitor in her ranks, and a mark on her head, Brody joins forces with Rielle, hoping to keep the woman he loves safe. Happily-ever-after is not guaranteed, and mythical creatures aren’t the only danger the couple face. As battles rage, Rielle has the chance to prove herself a capable leader, but will doing so cost her the love of her life?

This is a fun part. Mary and I each decided to do a sketch on one of our characters. Below you find out a little something about Prince Brody and get it straight from the horse’s mouth.

I made arrangements to meet up with Prince Brody in the rose garden for a short interview before he and Princess Gabrielle left. Fortunately, the weather cooperated, and we enjoyed blue skies and birdsong as we talked.

Me: Thank you so much, Your Highness, for agreeing to see me this morning. I know you and the princess are anxious to get underway.

Brody: It’s my pleasure, and please, call me Brody or Captain.

Me: (arches brow) That seems a bit informal, I mean, you are the Crown Prince of Delphine.

Brody: (laughs) True, I am, but deep down, I’m just a simple man. You can leave the lofty titles for Devlin and Trevor.

Me: Well, then, Brody it is. So, things have been pretty rough for you the last year.

Brody: That’s an understatement. Learning my betrothed and cousin were killed was bad, learning my father was the culprit sent me over the edge. For a while, I thought I might never come back. I even considered giving up my kingdom.

Me: What happened to bring you back from the edge?

Brody: A girl from my past. (grins)

Me: Ah. Princess Gabrielle.

Brody: Yes. Rielle saved me from the edge and helped me find my way again.

Me: Interesting. When we spoke, she said you saved her.

Brody: Well, then I guess you could say we saved each other.

Me: How?

Brody: If you really want to know, you should read DIFFERENT KIND OF KNIGHT. It’s the story of how Rielle and I met, for the second time, and fell in love as I worked to keep her safe from the mystical creatures and traitors plaguing her kingdom.

Me: A love story with danger and strange creatures. How exciting. Where can we find your story?

Brody: DIFFERENT KIND OF KNIGHT is available from MuseItUp Publishing, Amazon, and most major retailers.

Me: Thanks, now before you go, would you mind a few rapid fire questions?

Brody: Go ahead.

Me: Coffee or tea?

Brody: Ale. It keeps better aboard ship.

Me: Favorite season?

Brody: Summer. Best time for sailing.

Me: Favorite color?

Brody: Amber, just like Rielle’s eyes.

Me: Beach or mountains?

Brody: Sea. Sorry, I’m being a bit of a rule breaker here.

Me: (chuckles) Nah, you’re just being truthful. Thank you again, and safe travels!

I especially requested to feature Different Kind of Knight, because I love the title. Mary has been kind enough to send me a copy of the book, and I can’t wait to sit down and devour it. It promises to be a great read.

Thanks so much for your time, Mary.

A great big Texas Welcome to Margaret Fieland

07 Friday Nov 2014

Posted by Susan A. Royal in Interview

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

aliens, Broken Bonds, Margaret Fieland, MuseItUp, science-fiction

Margaret Fieland

Sit yourself down and have a glass of iced tea. Join me in welcoming Margaret today. We’re going to get a peek at her writing and learn some interesting things about her. Let’s start with her bio.

Born and raised in New York City, Margaret Fieland has been around art and music all her life. Her poems and stories have appeared in journals such as Turbulence Magazine, Front Range Review, and All Rights Reserved. She is one of the Poetic Muselings. Their poetry anthology, Lifelines, was published by Inkspotter Publishing in November, 2011. She is the author of Relocated, Geek Games, and Broken Bonds, published by MuseItUp Publishing , and of Sand in the Desert, a collection of science fiction persona poems. A chapter book is due out later this year.

brokenbonds

Broken Bonds Blurb and excerpt:

Sex with aliens? How about romance with aliens? A treason accusation? Brad Reynolds has his hands full. When Major Brad Reynolds is assigned to head the Terran Federation base on planet Aleyne, the last thing he expects to find is love, and certainly not with one of the alien Aleyni. How can he keep his lover, in the face of political maneuvering and of Ardaval’s feelings for his former partners — and theirs for him?

Brad clasped Ardaval’s outstretched hand, and the other man’s suppressed arousal flowed over him. Aleyni considered the touch of hands an intimate gesture because the contact conveyed the other person’s thoughts and emotions. Brad may not have the mind speech abilities of the average Aleyni, but by God, he was empath enough to get plenty from Ardaval’s touch.

They started to amble around the building. Bright red and purple flowers swayed in a light breeze, and the sun blazed out of a bright blue sky.

“Tell me something about yourself,” Ardaval said.

Brad grinned. “I’m single, no entanglements.”

Ardaval nodded and stopped walking. They’d come perhaps half way around the building, and the other officers and a couple of Aleyni stared at them through the large windows. “Any family?”

“I have two sisters, both younger, both married and living on New Arizona.”

Brad glanced at the mountains visible across the glittering desert sands. The rocks showed purple instead of the red of his home world, and a wave of homesickness flowed over him. He wanted to visit his family; he last visited New Arizona more than five years ago.

Ardaval glanced at the gawkers before they continued around the building.

“New Arizona is where the first ship to encounter the Aleynis settled and formed
their colony.”

“Yes. My grandfather claims we’re descended from a couple of the first ship’s
officers.”

“Aleynis settled there, along with the original colonists, I believe,” Ardaval
said.

“A number of Aleyni joined the Terran settlers, and now New Arizona has a sizable Aleyni population.” Brad peered into a window as they walked past, and one of the officers stared back. Too bad. He would give a lot to be alone with Ardaval.

“Come visit me.” Ardaval turned Brad’s hand over and kissed the palm.

“A spectacularly bad idea.” Brad smiled, and his eyes crinkled at the corners.

Ardaval nodded. “But you’ll come nonetheless.”

As Ardaval strode away, Brad contemplated the other man’s retreating back. He’d visit. He wouldn’t be able to help himself.

Here are some more fun facts about Margaret:

What made you finally get serious about writing?
I’d written poetry for years, poetry that I scribbled in notebooks. Then one day I wrote a poem I wanted to keep, and be able to find again – the notebooks were kind of hard to search {wry grin}, especially as my handwriting is atrocious. So I found a couple of online communities and stored my poems there. They didn’t stay there; one of my sons turned me on to Yahoo Briefcase. I now use Google Drive and MS Onedrive to store copies of my documents.

But anyway, to return to the question, one Chrismas vacation I was alone in the house and decided to read one of my favorite online poetry ezines (now defunct, alas). They were having a contest, and I had a poem handy which I submitted. The poem was one of four finalists. It didn’t win, but, thus encouraged, I started submitting for publication, taking courses, keeping track of my poems, and the like.

Later that year I came across the Muse Online Writers Conference and ‘met’ Linda Barnett Johnson. I wanted to join her writing forums, but she required everyone to write fiction as well as poetry. I started writing fiction then, and got hooked.

I had a similar experience with an online contest and it gave me the confidence to take things a step further.

Name a book/author you can read again and again and always learn something new.
My favorite book to return to is Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. I am a big fan of his poetry and can still recite the first two stanzas of Jabberwocky from memory. You Are Old, Father William, is another favorite. There are so many wonderful, whimsical moments in the Alice books.

Isn’t it funny how books from our childhood seem to stay with us forever?

Tell us about your current WIP.
I’m working on a prequel to the Novels of Aleyne series. It recounts the first encounter between the Terrans (us) and the Aleynis. It’s going pretty smoothly so far {knock wood}, especially as I have Constance Trusdatter’s poems and journal to work with.

Give us an interesting or fun fact about your book/series (one we couldn’t possibly know).
So who, you may ask, is Constance Trusdatter, and what the blazes do her poems and journal have to do with the prequel?

I started writing Relocated, the first Aleyne novel, for 2010 NaNo. Up until then the longest thing I’d written was about 15,000 words, a preteen novel that I’ve set aside because it needs a complete rewrite. I was worried about making the word count, and moreover, I wanted to participate in Robert Lee Brewer’s November poem-a-day chapbook challenge.

What I did was create an imaginary poet, Raketh Namar, and wrote thirty of his poems. A number of them are included in Relocated, and I published the entire collection, Sand in the Desert.

When I started writing Geek Games for 2011 NaNo I did the same thing: created an imaginary poet. I created Constance Trusdatter and wrote not only thirty of her poems, but also her journal, which recounts a bit about the first encounter of the Terrans and Aleynis. I don’t yet know how much of the journal will end up in the finished novel, but it does give me a rough outline of how I imagined the events.

I’m realizing there’s a ton of research and background necessary when writing. If we included all of it in our book, we’d be guilty of the infamous info-dump. But it’s all important, whether or not it ever makes its way there. We need to know our characters’ background and how they will react to things.

What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?
Walk my dogs. Make a mess in the kitchen. Play music. Read. I’m a total book junkie.

What is the one thing you never seem to have enough time for?
Right now it’s playing music. I almost always get side tracked when I start to play. It doesn’t help that my playing causes my spouse’s ears to ring, or that the upper register on my piccolo gets our dogs to howling.

Margaret, it’s been great getting to know you better. Thanks for coming and good luck with your book sales.

Website: http://www.margaretfieland.com/
Blog: http://www.margaretfieland.com/blog1/
Email: margaret.fieland@gmail.com
Buy links:

Publisher’s website:
http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/new-releases/broken-bonds-detail

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Bonds-Novels-Aleyne-ebook/dp/B00E5SGVSS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1374851946&sr=1-1

Barnes and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/broken-bonds-margaret-fieland/1116214695?ean=2940148784913
Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/broken-bonds

Where to find me on the web:

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/margaretfieland/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/margaret.fielandAuthor
twitter: http://www.twitter.com/madcapmaggie
goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4417476.Margaret_Fieland

A visit from across the pond with Sarah Jayne Townsend

16 Monday Jun 2014

Posted by Susan A. Royal in Interview

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

amateur sleuth, Dead Cool, Death Scene, MuseItUp, Sarah Jayne Townsend, Shara Summers

Sarah Townsend (45) small

Today I’m thrilled to welcome one of MuseItUp’s newest writers, Sarah Jane Townsend. Please give her a big welcome and let’s learn all about this fascinating lady.

Sara-Jayne Townsend is a UK-based writer of crime and horror. She was born in Cheshire in 1969, but spent most of the 1980s living in Canada after her family emigrated there. She now lives in Surrey with two cats and her guitarist husband Chris.

She decided she was going to be a published novelist when she was 10 years old and finished her first novel a year later. It took 30 years of submitting, however, to fulfill that dream.

The two books in her amateur sleuth series, about Canadian actress Shara Summers, will be available from MuseItUp Publishing in 2014. The first book, DEATH SCENE, will be released in early Summer, with the sequel DEAD COOL following in Autumn.

You can learn more about Sara and her writing at her website at http://sarajaynetownsend.weebly.com or her blog at http://sayssara.wordpress.com.

Death Scene 200x300

Here’s an excerpt from her book, DEATH SCENE, and once you read it, you’ll be hooked as well:
Ruth sat in her rocking chair watching the television–which was probably about ten years old, and appeared to be the most modern thing in the room. She was wearing a blue floral dress, with a patchwork blanket over her knees. I had seen that dress before. Her hairstyle hadn’t changed, either–her white hair was thinning, and she wore it short and curly, in the style of old ladies everywhere. When we came in she looked up, a toothless smile breaking out over her face. She had dentures that she never wore–something else she only saved for special occasions. As a child, Ruth had appeared very scary to me on the occasions she wore her dentures because we just weren’t used to seeing her with them.

My mother went up to Ruth and leaned in to give her a kiss on her soft wrinkled cheek. “How are you, Auntie Ruth?” she said loudly. Ruth’s hearing had been going even back then. She must be virtually deaf by now.

The house was freezing. The only source of heat was a three-bar electric fire on the floor by Ruth’s feet.

“I’m doing all right, dear,” Ruth said. Her voice was husky, ravaged by age and lack of use. “Mustn’t complain.”

Summer, still in my mother’s arms, began to cry and squirm, no doubt intimidated by the presence of this ancient lady. “Who’s this?” Ruth said, stroking one of Summer’s chubby legs.

“This is Summer,” Mum said. “This is my granddaughter. You’ve met Summer. Astrid’s daughter.”

Ruth frowned. “Astrid? Your little one?”

“Not a little girl any more, Auntie Ruth. She’s all grown up now.” Mum pointed in my direction. “This is my other daughter, Shara. Do you remember? Shara lives in Canada.”

Ruth was staring at me, frowning. There was no indication that she recognised me. “It’s been a long time,” she said eventually.

“Hello Auntie Ruth,” I said.

“Have you taken your pills, Auntie Ruth?” my mother asked.

Ruth frowned in concentration. “Pills? Think so. Can’t remember, you know. My memory’s not what it was.”

My mother thrust the crying child into my arms. “Watch Summer for a moment, Shara. I’m going to make Auntie Ruth some lunch.” And off she went into the kitchen.

I sat down in the faded armchair and bounced Summer on my knee. She kept crying. Ruth stared fixedly at the television. There seemed to be an Australian soap opera on. I couldn’t tell which one. I wasn’t a fan, and they all looked the same to me. “So what are you watching, Auntie Ruth?”

“Eh?” She swivelled round to stare at me.

I raised my voice. “The television. What are you watching?”

“Oh, I don’t know, dear. I watch everything. Keeps me company, you know.” And she lapsed back into silence, staring at the television. A couple of minutes went by and then she said suddenly, “they’re stealing from me, you know.”

“Who?”

“They’re stealing from me.” Ruth continued to stare at the television. I wasn’t at all sure she was even aware of anyone else in the room. I stood up with Summer in my arms and hurriedly went to find my mother in the kitchen.

Sarah Jayne was also kind enough to answer a few questions about herself.

1. How long have you been writing?

There hasn’t been a time when I haven’t been. I was writing stories when I was about six – when I first learned to write. Even before that I was making up stories. I had an array of dolls and soft toys as a child, and every night when I went to bed I would select one of them, and tell myself a story using that toy as the main character before going to sleep. They all had names, family histories, and life stories.

2. What made you finally decide to get serious about writing?

All I ever wanted to do when I left school was be a writer, but the grownups all told me I had to get a real job. When I was seventeen I started submitting my first novel. The rejection slips piled up. I found that quite depressing, but started to realize that perhaps the grownups were right. Throughout my working life I’ve organized the writing around the day job, finding time to write, edit and submit around the job that does actually pay the mortgage. When I finished school I started writing short stories, thinking there might be more of a market for those as an unknown writer than a novel.

I got my first novel contract, for SUFFER THE CHILDREN, four years ago. That novel took me ten years to write. It was at that point I decided I didn’t have the luxury of spending ten years on every novel, and I decided I had to be more disciplined about making time for writing. From that point, I’ve been getting up at 5:30am twice a week in order to get an hours’ writing in before I go to the day job.

3. Describe what you consider your ideal writing conditions.

A quiet corner with my Netbook, a cup of caffeine and something sugary. My early-morning writing sessions take place in Starbucks where I can enjoy a soya latte and a muffin. In summer months, I take my Netbook down to the summer house at the end of our garden and I write with the sound of birds chirping in the background.

4. Describe your rituals for preparing to write.

If it’s an early morning session, I go to the Starbucks around the corner from work. I get there about 7:30am, and central London is only just starting to wake up. I boot up the Netbook, and I open up four documents – my chapter plan, my word count log, my notes document and the last chapter I wrote. I will eat my muffin and drink my latte as I re-read the chapter plan, the notes and the last chapter I wrote, so I can get my head back into where I left my characters and what has to happen to them next.

By the time I finish my breakfast, the caffeine and sugar are kicking in and I do an hour or so writing before I pack up and head to the office.

5. How often do you write?

I try to do two early-mornings a week, and if we’ve got a quiet weekend I’ll get another session in on Saturday or Sunday. That doesn’t happen very often, though. In a good early morning session I can get between 800 and 1200 words written in that hour. In a good week, I might get 3-5,000 words written.

6. Are you a plotter, a pantser or some combination of both?

I’m a meticulous plotter, and this is borne from years of bitter experience. I have too many half-finished manuscripts languishing in drawers because I got half way through and got stuck. Now before I get down to chapter 1 I will spend time plotting, and then write a 3-page plot summary. I will break that down further into another document, a chapter-by-chapter summary. Only then do I start writing chapter 1. The chapter-by-chapter breakdown I will use as a blueprint. I may find as I write that other stuff happens, or something else has to happen before my character can go from the events in chapter 3 to the events in chapter 4, for instance. But I like this level of planning because it means every time I sit down to write I can refer to my plans and I know what’s going to happen next.

7. Name one of your all-time favorite movies, the one you instantly recognize when it flashes across the screen, the one you stop and watch no matter how many times you’ve seen it, the one where you find yourself mouthing the dialogue along with the characters.

Star Wars. Specifically, episode 4 – A New Hope. There was a point I was such an obsessive Star Wars fan I could recite every word of dialogue all the way through the film, from beginning to end. I’m not quite that obsessive now, but if I’m channel flicking and it happens to be on, I have to watch, and I can still mouth most of the dialogue.

8. Name a book/author you can read again and again and always learn something new.

Stephen King. I am endlessly fascinated by his ability to write characters who seem to be believable, and flawed, human beings. Often his characters aren’t particularly likeable, but you can well believe that they could really exist.

9. What song makes you want to cry?

Abba’s ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’. The year it was released, my parents were going through their divorce. Every time I hear the song it takes me back to being a lost six-year-old.

10. Describe one of your favorite characters and tell us who you patterned them after and why.

My amateur sleuth Shara Summers is inspired by Sara Paretsky’s private eye V I Warshawski. I admire her books so much and wanted to create a similar kick-ass female character. I didn’t feel confident enough to write a police procedural, though, so I created an amateur sleuth instead.

11. Where do you go for inspiration?

Other people’s books. There’s never any such thing as an original idea – there are only seven basic plots out there. But the more books you read, the more you understand how creative it’s possible to be with the material. Somehow, when I read a book and really enjoy it, I get inspired to go back to my own writing, and work at creating a book that perhaps someone else will really enjoy.

12. Name an author or authors who never fail to inspire you.

Stephen King and Sara Paretsky, for reasons already mentioned.

13. Tell us about your current WIP.

I’m collaborating with my husband on a historical thriller, set in the 1960s about a young woman who comes to London with ambitions to be a bass guitar player and ends up biting off a bit more than she can chew when she starts searching for her missing friend. The book is set in 1967 and goes from California to London to Vietnam and has required a great deal of research. I’m coming to the end of the first draft, and then I’m going to pass it over to my husband for him to do some work on it. After that, I’m raring to get going on the next Shara Summers novel.

14. What is the thing you like best about being a published author?

It’s fulfilling a lifelong dream. What more is there to be said?

15. What is the one thing you like the least about being a published author?

It seems the work never stops. The cycle of writing, editing and promoting is never ending, and when you’re fitting it all in around the day job it can be a challenge. Sometimes I wonder what people who aren’t writers do with all that free time.

It’s been great having you visit, Sarah Jayne. Come back anytime! And guys, make sure you check my post on her blog today. http://sayssara.wordpress.com/

Welcome to my new Place!!

15 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by Susan A. Royal in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

In My Own Shadow, MuseItUp, MuseItUp Publishing, new blog site, Susan A. Royal, writers' conference

thCAFC7UY4

 

Come on in…shove something off a chair and make yourself at home. Help yourself to virtual coffee and pastries. And please ignore all the clutter… and the lack of decoration. My new blog is a work in progress and will be for a while, but I’m excited to be here.

To start things off I’d like to talk a little about writers’ conferences.

If you’re an aspiring author, and you’ve never attended a writers’ conference, what are you waiting for?

For the past five years I’ve attended the annual conference held by the Northeast Texas Writers’ Organization. NETWO‘s 27th annual Spring Conference was held on April 26th and 27th. It gives me the opportunity to visit with old friends, meet new friends and network with writers from all over Texas, attend workshops held by authors, agents and editors. I’ve even been able to ‘pitch’ my latest work face to face with editors and agents from places like New York, California, and Texas.  All in all, it’s proven to be an amazing experience that just seems to get better every year.

At my first conference, I signed up for a one-on-one interview with an editor. Did I have any idea what to expect? Absolutely not. You might compare the whole experience to jumping off a cliff with my eyes closed. Literally. I didn’t know the first thing about how to make a pitch and was so nervous I couldn’t breathe. But guess what? I survived.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re just interested in the possibility of writing or have actually begun the process, whether you’re looking for an agent/publisher or have already been published, I guarantee you will come away from a writing conference with something you can put to use. You may get some good advice on how to build your marketing plan or information on preparing your elevator pitch, your query or your synopsis. You might be inspired by a speaker sharing his/her road to publication. You might talk to someone who has gone the small press or self-publish route and get their take on the subject.

I enjoy ‘collecting’ characters. It’s always possible I might see someone whose mannerisms or personality would be perfect for my latest book or there’s always the chance I could overhear some great dialog. I’m always on the lookout for ideas to file away for later use. And I’ve been known to make these observations while attending the conference. You just never know.  My daughter Carrie is fond of telling people, “You’d better be careful what you say around my mother or you could find yourself in one of her novels. And it might not be pretty.”

So, the next time you come across something about an upcoming writing conference and think this looks like it might be interesting, don’t just think about it. Register and attend. You’ll be glad you did.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and come back again soon. Please don’t be a stranger.

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