Stephen Michael Natale, author of The Shopkeeper

THE SHOPKEEPER
By Stephen Michael Natale
Available @ https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/55288?ref=StephenMichaelNatale

What is your book about?

In a nutshell the premise of the story is how the wronged respond, and in a way, the limits placed on those responses via fear of moral cultural acceptance or the justice in law. Many do not possess the fortitude to act…some men do.

How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?

I’m not so sure there is much of me in any of the characters, perhaps a few of the moral traits and some of the quandaries, but almost all of the characters are composites of people I know that live in my little corner of paradise, the strong, the lovely and the wicked.

Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite? Why?

Geez I’m not sure I can in the space allotted. There are a group of characters that would be considered protagonists, but then again throughout the book readers will be wondering if they are. But that is the point of the book, just who is The Shopkeeper?

Then there is another group of antagonists; hateful, vengeful, deceitful but in way real, as I mentioned above these are composites and at times caricatures of people I know.

I think, though a powerful supporting main character, my favorite Character maybe Sheriff “Bump Soloman. He is one that really gets caught up in the trap of loyalty and the law.

Who is your most unusual/most likeable character?

I think Ivory Fallow probably fits this bill the closest; she is also the character truest to real life. She is a composite of four maybe even five very beautiful women I am fortunate enough know.

How long did it take you to write your book?

This work was actually an evolution, one of a story and two of a writer. I initially wrote the first few pages over ten years ago, and though more off years than on I cobbled it together working on it during work breaks, sometimes at most only a week or two at a time until I had a working manuscript. Then I set is aside for about 4 years. I finally sat down for about a month with the test read comments and concentrated on refining it in 2009 and set it aside again. Then did rewrites and more fleshing out in the summer of 2010 until we went to publishing.

How much of a story do you have in mind before you start writing it?

Hardly any, the story developed as I wrote, and rewrote. The only concept I stayed with throughout was to write a story that keeps the readers guessing as to who the title character is.

Did you do any research for the book? If so, how did you do it? (searching Internet, magazines, other books, etc.)

Actually I did quite a bit into the historical aspects of the novel, primarily the Civil and Seminole Indian wars using mostly the net and local museum resources. Given the setting in South there is a wealth of history to work with that’s lends itself to cultural viability in modern day.

How has your background influenced your writing?

In The Shopkeeper my construction and technical background and the fact that I live and play in the setting of the book make everything in the novel easy to write because it is real. In the situations I create, there are no flaws from a technical aspect because these things can be done by someone with the know-how, (that would be the Author), and the scene descriptions are straight off the bow of my boat.

Do you have any rituals that you follow before sitting down to write?

Not really, I like to crack open a bottle of scotch, which is a bit of a conflict because I also like to write very early in the morning, between about 4 and 7 AM. Then again when I was really moving through the story I might be on the keyboard straight through, up to 36 hours or so.

What are you working on right now?

A sequel to the Shopkeeper called The River Kings and a humorous How-to Book called The Gentleman’s Guide to the Honey-do List.

What is the most difficult part of the whole writing process?

Finding the time, especially uninterrupted time to create the story aspects and then be sure there are no holes.

What is the easiest part of the writing process?

Same as above, I find writing a good story just as entertaining as reading one.

Does writing come easy for you?

Yes, but I hate grammar and editing. Think about writing with a Southern drawl? That should give you some idea why my editor and proofreaders despise me. I think I might have to include a little note about this in the preface of the book so the grammar Nazis don’t go insane.

Have you ever had difficulty “killing off” a character in your story because she or he was so intriguing and full of possibility for you, his or her creator?

Nope I made’em for slaughter.

What writer influenced you the most?

Easy the guys I liked to read, Dean Koontz and Clive Cussler.

What one book, written by someone else, do you wish you’d written yourself?

Rather than a book I think I would have preferred to record “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks. Though if I had I might not be writing… but I would be long retired.

What, in your opinion, are the essential qualities of a good story?

Being entertained. I am not really into message heavy, cerebral works or pieces that are academically appraised as “great writing.” I read for recreation. When I read I want to be drawn into the story, akin to watching a good movie, and I will allow an Author that opportunity, but if I’m not enjoying the experience…..no matter what the genre I loose interest. My book should keep readers entertained because it is written with this concept in mind. That may be one of the reasons many consider it a quick read. Most people I know that have read the book complete it in a weekend or less. Some have told me they got so involved they read it cover to cover overnight.

What words would you like to leave the world when you are gone?

Gotta’ write those yet. I think all the things I wished someone would have told me when I was too young and stupid to listen, you know, when I knew everything. It would have been a lot easier to have been told rather than to learn on my own.

Where can people learn more about your books?

My website http://www.stephennatale.com

Sheila Deeth, Author of “Flower Child”

What is your book about?

Flower Child is about a mother who loses her first pregnancy to miscarriage but can’t quite let go of the child she thought she was bearing.

How long had the idea of your book been developing before you began to write the story?

My first pregnancy ended in miscarriage and I wrote poem after poem aftwerwards. I think I always knew I’d end up writing a story instead, but I had to wait a long time.

What inspired you to write this particular story?

Actually it was a writing competition at our local writing group. The prompt was to write a short piece inspired by music, and I had John Denver’s Rhymes and Reasons spinning around in my head — For the children and the flowers / Are my sisters and my brothers… I found myself putting a childhood misunderstanding together with my adult experience.

How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?

I think people who know me will see quite a bit of me in Megan.

Tell us a little about your main character?

Megan’s the grieving mother and I kind of identify with her, especially since my first child was born soon after the miscarriage — I couldn’t have both, and that gives you a very strange perspective on the one you’ve lost.

Who is your most unusual character?

The other main character, Angela, is definitely unusual in that she exists somewhere between angel and ghost.

How long did it take you to write your book?

From start to finish, about a week (it’s a short book). It took much longer to polish it though.

How much of a story do you have in mind before you start writing it?

I didn’t have any story in mind when I started writing. I was thinking about the John Denver song and the way I’d once imagined babies were born from seeds planted in special fields. The rest of it the story just happened on the page.

How do you develop and differentiate your characters?

I feel like my characters develop themselves while they talk in my head. The hardest thing is avoiding turning everyone into me when I do too much editing.

How (or when) do you decide that you are finished with a story?

When I feel like all the characters are sounding like me.

What is your goal for the book, ie: what do you want people to take with them after they finish reading the story?

I’d like them to wonder and recognize there might be more out there than we can comprehend. Maybe we could all be a bit less judgmental.

What has changed for you personally since you wrote your first book?

This is my third book with Gypsy Shadow, and I have a novel coming out with Stonegarden next year. What’s changed for me is I can finally see my writing moving forward–I’m not standing still dreaming anymore–maybe sleepwalking, but not standing still.

How has your background influenced your writing?

I call myself a mongrel Christian mathematician. I think my mixed-up background helps me (or forces me to) see things from a slightly different perspective. Being an English American does the same thing — it makes me more aware of how many of my assumptions are cultural, so it lets me explore characters who might make different assumptions.

What’s your writing schedule like? Do you strive for a certain amount of words each day?

I write when I have time. I always have done–there are boxes full of paper in the spare bedroom where I scribbled stories and poems before I had a computer.

What are you working on right now?

I’m editing Divide by Zero (my Stonegarden novel), trying to get up courage to send Chasing Shadows out (another novel), writing a sci-fi novel, and researching markets for my (unpublished) children’s series.

What’s been the most surprising part of being a writer?

I’ve surprised myself by finally learning to tell people I’m a writer — maybe that’s what I should have said has changed since my first book was published.

Do you have mental list or a computer file or a spiral notebook with the ideas for or outlines of stories that you have not written but intend to one day?

I have a mental list — a really really long one.

What do you like to read?

Almost anything–my son says I have no taste.

Who gave you the best writing advice you ever received and what was it?

I met Jane Kirkpatrick shortly after we moved to Oregon. She told me to keep writing. In fact, she’s told me several times to keep writing. It’s probably the most valuable piece of advice I’ve had.

What advice you would give to an aspiring author?

Keep writing

How have you marketed and promoted your work?

One way’s by answering this questionnaire. You are really helping me, and others, market and promote. Thank you Pat!

It’s my pleasure, Sheila. There are so many good books out there no one knows about that I’m glad to do what I can to help get them known. What are your current writing goals and how do you juggle the promotional aspects with the actual writing?

I’ve just spent all day trying to set up a blog tour, and my fingers are itching to write… I’m not very good at juggling.
Where can people learn more about your books? http://sheiladeeth.weebly.com

Many many thanks Pat.

Thank you, Sheila! I appreciate your taking the time to answer my questions. Best of luck with Flower Child.

Click here to read an excerpt from: Flower Child

June Bourgo, Author of Winter’s Captive

What is your book about?

The book is about one women’s journey to empowerment. She deals with a cheating husband who leaves her for his pregnant assistant, discovers she’s pregnant too, escapes kidnappers, and gets lost in the winter in a remote mountainous area.

What inspired you to write this particular story?

I wrote the story based on my own personal experience from an abusive relationship. I wanted to share the lessons I learned with other women. I didn’t think my story was unique or interesting enough to do a biography, and there are so many self-help books on the market. So I chose to create a fictitious character who struggles to find herself while facing adversity and adventure. I wanted to convey the lessons I learned in an entertaining way. And, I didn’t want it to just be about a woman who was treated badly, I wanted to look at relationships from both sides and how they are perceived.

How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?

There’s a lot of me in my main character, Georgia Charles. She is the woman I hope to be and I would like to believe her best qualities are mine as well. Certainly, her fears and vulnerability were mine.

How long did it take you to write your book?

The book took nine years to write. Slow writer eh? LOL. Actually the first draft took two years. Then life got in the way. I went back to it every once in a while. A couple of years ago, I sent the manuscript to Second Wind Publishing and although it was rejected, Mike took the time to explain why, which I will always be grateful for. I joined an online writer’s group and that made all the difference to my writing. I sent out three chapters to a publisher the beginning of December last year. They requested the manuscript four days later and after a couple of weeks, two days before Christmas, they sent me a contract. My book, “Winter’s Captive”, (formerly Losing Cinderella) will be released in November, 2011 by Asteroid Publishing Inc.

Did you do any research for the book? If so, how did you do it? (searching Internet, magazines, other books, etc.).

I love the research part of writing. I use the library and the internet mostly. For this book, I read books on survival in the wilderness, childbirth, and how to skin a cariboo. The thing about research is that you can learn about things you may not use in the story you are writing at the moment, but it may be useful in future stories.

Do you have specific techniques you use to develop the plot and stay on track?

I have an idea for a beginning, a middle and an end. The rest comes as I write. And, I don’t have any rhyme or reason to how I write. I go where the muse takes me. If I get an idea for a chapter, I write it. I might have an idea that it should be near the beginning or closer to the end. So I just make up a chapter number and fit it in. My chapter numbers usually change a number of times before it finds its final place in the book. It’s the only way I can write.

What is your goal for the book, ie: what do you want people to take with them after they finish reading the story?

My hope is that people will find a part of themselves in Georgia’s plight and learn something about themselves, but mostly I want to entertain and I want them to finish the book in a feel good space.

What was the most difficult part about writing the book?

The most difficult part to write was the chapter about childbirth. She’s all alone and not only must she survive, but the fate of her baby is in her hands. I knew I needed to be detailed for the whole thing to be realistic, but I didn’t want to gross people out. The first draft was a little too graphic so I toned it down a little. I really didn’t think I could pull it off. In the end, I was happy with that chapter.

Do you think writing this book changed your life? How so?

This book was a labour of love for me. I didn’t realize until it was finished that it was also a healing for me. Although the characters and situations are fictitious, the emotions, the vulnerabilities, and the growing up were all personal and I felt cleansed.

What are you working on right now?

Because the first book was so personal, I had no idea when writing it what I would do next. But once I finished the book, I knew Georgia wasn’t done. She had more to say and more to learn. So I’m writing the sequel to Winter’s Captive, tentatively called Finding Georgia. This story is about family relationships and the half-sisters (Georgia’s daughter from her ex and his mistress’ daughter by her ex).

Are you writing to reach a particular kind of reader?

I love women’s stories about empowerment. I seem to be stuck with this genre at the moment. I am very character driven as opposed to plot driven. I love to get into the human psyche. I guess this makes my writing more literary which has fallen out of favor in some circles. But I will stay true to my style regardless of what’s favorable because, otherwise, I wouldn’t enjoy the process.

Do you have mental list or a computer file or a spiral notebook with the ideas for or outlines of stories that you have not written but intend to one day?

I have no idea what I will write after the sequel is finished, but I do keep a notebook with ideas and observation. I am a people watcher and sometimes I witness a situation that I think would be great in a story, so I write it down. And, if I cut something out of my current books that I think is redundant, I keep it as well with the idea that I could adapt it to another story later on.

How have you marketed and promoted your work?

I am lucky to have a publisher who is handling some of the marketing for me and sends me lists of marketing chores she would like help with. But in today’s publishing climate, most publishers are small indie publishing houses and they want the author to participate with marketing and promotion. I find myself doing some of the same promotional things as my self-published writing friends. I have a webpage, a blog site, Facebook fan page, a twitter account, goodreads account, an online critique group. I worked in telecommunications marketing and graphics, so I have designed my own posters, bookmarks, business cards, etc. It came naturally to me and I know some writer’s have a hard time making the transition from novelist to marketing director, but there are so many wonderful sites online to help with it all.

What words would you like to leave the world when you are gone?

Hmm…my writing career has come late in life for me. I have been a late bloomer with many things in my life. So I guess I would say: You’re never too old to follow your dreams and accomplish your goals. I don’t mind getting older, if I have followed my dreams. But I don’t want to get old and have regrets.

Where can people learn more about your books?

People can read more about my new book on my website and can follow me on my blog site:

http://www.junebourgoauthor.com/

http://losingcinderella.blogspot.com/

Thank you for this opportunity, Pat. It was fun answering your questions.

Thank you, June. I am delighted to hear that your book is going to be published. Congratulations!

P.I. Barrington, Author of Isadora DayStar

What is your book about?

I think the overall theme is about guilt and redemption but in a nutshell, the blurb below gives it all:

When drug-addled assassin Isadora DayStar finally snags a major interplanetary kill job she thinks it will both support her habit and revise her status as the laughingstock of her profession. Instead she embarks on a journey that brings her face to face with her tortured past.

How long had the idea of your book been developing before you began to write the story?

It took about a year and a half of rolling the idea around, coming up with various, sometimes unrelated scenes which is not how I write at all. But I had a trilogy coming out that I was working on, a book every four or five months for my publisher so Isadora was on the back burner so to speak. I’d sneak in little hand written scenes at night before I went to bed after working on the novels during the day. Finally, Isadora really began to demand attention so every time I was stuck on the trilogy books, I’d pull up her document and work on it. I did begin to get a little obsessed with it after all my other deadlines were met.

What inspired you to write this particular story?

This is a true story! First I’d read an interview article with an author who, when asked why she gave a particular main character such huge obstacles to overcome, said she disliked that character so much she wanted to torture her, lol! The interviewer told her that those obstacles were the reason she loved that character! That started me thinking if it was possible to intentionally create a main character that you hate intensely as the author. I began an opening for the story and tried to make Isadora (no name at the time) as repulsive as possible. I got about twenty pages done and realized that I’d started to be interested in, if not liked, Isadora. As I mentioned earlier I wrote her in fits and starts. I also used to watch a program called “CreationScapes” on the DayStar Christian Channel late at night and I was hooked on it. One night the DayStar logo came up and I thought “what a great last name for a sci-fi character, especially a female. About five minutes later, Isadora popped into my head and that was it: Isadora DayStar. By that time she had entire story.

How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?

I really don’t know. I think I see her as someone who I have the potential to be if I’m not careful.

Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite? Why?

Isadora is always my favorite, probably because I like losers, I like people who have false bravado and just keep going, keep trying no matter how insane the obstacles. Isadora has a great ability to deal with negativity and trauma and I think that’s due to the giant amount of guilt she carries around inside. When you have that much inner torture, outside torture can seem minor in comparison. Iphedea I like because she sees something in Isadora that’s good, she recognizes Isadora’s potential and herself in her as well though that isn’t obvious to her. Rafe Tucker is just an all around bastard.

Who is your most unusual/most likeable character?

Wow. Again, it’s got to be Isadora. She’s just so determined to survive and prove to not only everyone else but herself as well that she still has some type of worth and she can be ridiculously soft-hearted in spite of herself. She has this fragile shell around herself that cracks with all the abuse but never quite breaks and she tries to be tougher than she really is; she pretends to herself that she’s tough though deep down somewhere she knows she’s vulnerable. It shows in her relationship with Iphedea and in the guilt she bears.

How long did it take you to write your book?

Total about a year and a half to write it but then writing speeded up once I’d made all my writing commitments. By the time I could sit down and concentrate on Isadora, it was all pretty much written. I just had to type it all out.

How much of a story do you have in mind before you start writing it?

Well, I usually have two arcs like a double rainbow: the top arc is the overall story plot, theme, etc., that is the Beginning A to the End B; the arc below that is the plot action that gets me from point A to point B. So I may not know all of the details until I begin that lower arc of action. I know the first line and I know the last line.

Do you have specific techniques you use to develop the plot and stay on track?

Actually I do. I write sequentially, that is from the first line and go straight through to the end. I have one WIP that has taken me ages and is awful to write because I wrote the scenes out of sequence. I’ll never do that again!

How (or when) do you decide that you are finished writing a story?

As I said, I know the first line and the last line. When I get to that last line I am done. I write “The End” and it’s over but for editing.

What is your goal for the book, i.e.: what do you want people to take with them after they finish reading the story?

I want them to remember it and to feel that they’ve been on the journey with Isadora. I want them to sympathize if not empathize with her—root for her—feel her pain (to quote President Clinton). I want them to relate in terms of guilt and redemption. I want them to like her even if she doesn’t.

Is there a message in your writing you want readers to grasp?

There’s almost always a moral to the stories I can’t help but put it in. People say the messages are subtle but there and I never think they’re that obvious.

What was the most difficult part about writing the book?

Writing the prostitution scenes was definitely the hardest. Isadora had to reduce herself to doing pretty much anything to survive—it was hard to watch her humiliate herself, hard to write it.

Do you think writing this book changed your life? How so?

You know I think every writer has that special book inside them—sometimes they call it “The Great American Novel.” Isadora is that one for me. I had this need to write an underdog story, a real need to do it, and I realized when writing it that I’d had various versions of this story inside my head for years and when it emerged it was all those versions congealed as one—Isadora DayStar.

What has changed for you personally since you wrote your first book?

My level of professionalism has shot itself into the upper stratosphere! When you’re young or not yet published, you don’t realize what kind of attitude you suddenly need once you are published. There’s no more fooling around, no wasting time, you have to devote complete attention to things like edits and revisions your editor(s) need.

How has your background influenced your writing?

I’ve always written from the time I learned the alphabet but I never wanted to give in to it. I was a journalist and then worked in radio and entertainment so all of that definitely influences how I write—concise and tight. I also know pretty much what it takes to entertain people on a professional level and make my work as accessible as I can.

Do you have any rituals that you follow before sitting down to write?

No, and I’m desperately trying to find some, lol! I’m only half facetious about that—I’d love to have some cool preparation before I dig into the keyboard!

Do you prefer to write at a particular time of day?

I’m a night person and don’t really get into functioning gear until late afternoon so mornings are pretty much devoted to email, FB, etc. If I’m working on a book deadline, I start as early as possible, every day and write as much as I possibly can or until I finish one or more chapters and need to stop and regroup to continue the story. Most of the time I begin serious writing about 4 p.m. and go as far as I can into the night or until my dog drags me to bed. The only time I count words is if I need a certain amount for my publisher’s deadline & word count requirements. Or if the story needs more count to be an actual novel—that’s where the concise and tight becomes a problem, lol!

Do you have a favorite snack food or favorite beverage that you enjoy while you write?

Coffee and Diet Coke are my working poisons. If I could get them both via an IV drip I would, lol! I’ve drunk coffee since my grandmother gave it to me as soon as I could hold a cup! Popcorn—I love popcorn—without butter.

What are you working on right now?

Several things: I’m finishing up a paranormal crime thriller, I’ve begun an epic fantasy, and have several short stories to finish slated for anthologies, two sci-fi romances, and a couple of things I’m thinking of serializing.

Are you writing to reach a particular kind of reader?

I think I’m writing for those who read big commercial authors and I hope that doesn’t sound insanely egotistical. But my stuff isn’t strictly held to a genre. I don’t write super technical sci fi but I also don’t go overboard with romance either. My hope is that both men and women will like my books.

What was the first story you remember writing?

There was only one and it won the school district contest. It was a first person account of the life and care of the American Flag! I came in first and should have known back then but I did not want to be a writer at all! That small story triggered a love/hate relationship with writing that has only really ended in the last two years.

What is the most difficult part of the whole writing process?

Coming up with a great premise.

Does writing come easy for you?

Ridiculously so.

Have you ever had difficulty “killing off” a character in your story because she or he was so intriguing and full of possibility for you, his or her creator?

No. I create characters that are marked for death from the beginning.

How many stories do you currently have swirling around in your head?

No less than five. But as I’ve said, if I’m on deadline, I concentrate on the novel at hand.

What do you like to read?

Totally incongruent, but I LOVE ancient historical—both Christian and non-Christian. I’m a closet history buff and wannabee archaeologist!

What writer influenced you the most?

Two: Stephen King and Taylor Caldwell.

What one book, written by someone else, do you wish you’d written yourself?
Again, two: Taylor Caldwell’s Great Lion of God and Dear and Glorious Physician. Oh, how could I forget? Pat Wallace’s House of Scorpio! That’s one romance fantasy that I wish I’d written! By today’s standards it’s perhaps a little mawkish and maudlin but such a clever and unique premise and setting/world building. I love it!

What advice you would give to an aspiring author?

Don’t be self-indulgent. Don’t look at everything you write as perfect. Be your own harshest critic and that way no one else will have to be.

What are your current writing goals and how do you juggle the promotional aspects with the actual writing?

To get all of my stories written and published and perhaps get an agent would be my current goals. Promoting and writing? That’s the REAL trick of publishing today. Writing takes time, but for me at least, promotion is constant and at times overwhelming!

What advice would you give other novelists about book promotion?

Be proactive—don’t expect everyone else to do it for you, especially your publisher.

Have you written any other books?

Yes, my sister and I have several:

Future Imperfect trilogy (Crucifying Angel, Miraculous Deception & Final Deceit) futuristic crime thriller
Inamorata Crossing, Borealis 1 anthology sci fi romance
Button Hollow Chronicles #1: The Leaf Peeper Murders
Lights! Camera! Murder!
Isadora DayStar, a dark sci fi adventure available now via Smashwords:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/76514

Information on all books and the authors can be found at P.I. Barrington/Loni Emmert’s website:
http://thewordmistresses.com

Thanks so much for having me Pat!

Leonard Wayne Compton, Author of Treadwell, A Novel of Alaska Territory

What is your book about?

Treadwell is about the Alaska Territory, in particular from September 1915 to April 1917, and a cross section of the people who lived in the Juneau area. The main focus is on an honest man who is first a Pinkerton detective and later a lieutenant on the Juneau Police Department, who comes to Alaska to locate evidence against a serial murderer.

How long had the idea of your book been developing before you began to write the story?

About a year. I got the urge to write about the area and then decided to do some research and see what sort of a challenge it would be. I was living in Juneau at the time and spent 8 months of my free time in the Alaska State Historical Library where I discovered my characters and actually read original documents created by the people on whom I based them.

What inspired you to write this particular story?

A letter from the wife of the main lift operator at the Treadwell Mine the night it caved in and flooded. Her typewritten letter is only three pages long. But she talks about how it felt to live at Treadwell, what  they did for fun, how proud they felt to be part of it. In short, she made the place breathe for the length of her letter. And she didn’t sign it; we have no idea what her name was. When I read that I thought,  “I want to write a book that brings that time and place to life.”

How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?

There is a lot of me in some diverse characters, especially Jack Malone, the boss of Lower Front Street, and Julia Prescott, the anthropologist who literally falls in love with the culture she is studying.

Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite? Why?

August Lepke is a Pinkerton detective who is good at his job. He is analytical and thorough. He is not afraid of hard work or any size ruffian. He is a naturalized citizen from Germany and spent eight years in the US Army prior to attending college for three years and then joining the Pinkertons. He is honest and stubborn to a fault.

Florence Malone was born in Juneau, she has a younger sister, Fiona, and they live with their father, Jack. They know their father is heavily into Democrat politics but not much else about him. Their mother died of cancer in 1911. Florence attended the University of Washington and lived with an aunt. She discovered photography and the suffragette movement, which changed her life. Rather than spending the money her father provided for her senior year tuition, she bought a complete photographer’s outfit and returned home. Her father was less than pleased. She now works for Winter and Pond, one of the most prestigious photography firms in Alaska.

Amanda Ganbor, who is the first character we meet,  is British born and unhappily married to an Austrian Baron-to-be. Amanda goes through more life changes than any other single character. She is a tough, earthy, mature scrapper who gets what she wants at the beginning and quickly becomes terrified of her choice.

George Mak-we is a Tlingit policeman in the Auk village. He is also a dry alcoholic, educated, very aware, and pragmatic. His wife died from burns sustained when they both were drunk and an oil lamp was knocked over. He carries massive guilt with him and will collect more as the story unfolds.

Then there’s Jack Malone, Begay Santo – a college educated Filipino who works as a grocery clerk, Julia Prescott, Maye Wattnem – who keeps incredible secrets, Fiona Malone – Florence’s sister who goes from naivety to strong businesswoman. You get the idea. This is a very large work and there are 22 characters you come to know intimately. And I didn’t even get to the real villains.

How long did it take you to write your book?

Eleven years.

How much of a story do you have in mind before you start writing it?

Maybe half of it. At the beginning I wanted to illustrate the day-to-day life of people living on Gastineau Channel. The characters provided the story, I just wrote it.

What is your goal for the book, ie: what do you want people to take with them after they finish reading the story?

I want the reader to feel like they have been there. I want them to care about the characters, and be intrigued enough to buy the rest of the Gastineau Channel Quartet when it gets written.

What has changed for you personally since you wrote your first book?

Pretty much everything.  My first marriage ended in divorce (I blame me). I left Alaska and spent a year in Colorado and then ten years in Washington state before moving to Nevada two years ago. I met and married Colette. And somewhere along there I finally matured into an adult, I hope.

How has your background influenced your writing?

By the time I was eight I had read all the titles in the “children’s section” of the Grand Island Library. So I went and picked out five volumes in the adult section. The librarian said I couldn’t do that. When I asked “Why not?” she said there were words in those books I couldn’t understand. I told her to find one. She couldn’t. The only word I remember from that episode was “moccasin.” I have always loved books and images. I didn’t start to write seriously until I had to give up my painting/printmaking studio in Juneau due to the economy. I needed a creative outlet so I started writing short stories and somehow never got back to fine art. However my current day joy is being a visual information specialist for the USAF.

How does your environment/upbringing color your writing?

I grew up on the Oregon Trail in Nebraska and became obsessed with the history of it. The Indian tribes, especially the Pawnee and Sioux, fascinated me. I developed a yen for adventure. So my best friend, Del, and I joined the Navy. That turned out to be a bit more regimented (duh!) than I had anticipated. So when I got out I messed around for a few months and decided to go look at Alaska for the summer. I left 31 summers later, and only then because my mother was dying from cancer and I needed to be closer to her.

What are you working on right now?

I’m in the process of publishing my work under my own imprint, Pullo Pup Publishing. I spent twelve years trying to get agents and publishers to give Treadwell, A Novel of Alaska Territory a chance. Nobody would. Then technology caught up with me and I ran with it. I have another novel being edited – actually my editor has me rewriting the first quarter of the ms. – which I will be releasing soon, titled Whalesong. I went ahead and released a short story and a novella that had not fared well in the “publishing world.” Deliverance is a western short story set in frontier Nebraska, and Diplomatic Exchange is a science fiction novella that deals with three founding fathers getting swapped in time with three men from the year 2014 with conflicts for the characters in both times. I have a friend working on turning that one into a screenplay.

And I’m writing two science fiction novels at once, one is the sequel of the other, and I have the third story in the series in outline. My plate is pretty full at the moment.

What was the first story you remember writing?

A short story about going back to Nebraska for the funeral of my favorite great aunt. I was in college in Missouri at the time and took a creative writing class. I still have the ms but it will never see the light of day again.

Does writing come easy for you?

Yeah, it does. I have always been a story teller, or a BS artist, you choose. I tried journalism in college but I always wanted to embellish the story to make it more interesting. I usually have two or three manuscripts in progress at the same time so if I bog on one I just switch to a different one. That was when I wasn’t outlining. I’ve just started outlining and while I don’t find it quite as thrilling as “seeing what happens next” I must admit it makes getting through a story a lot easier – and I allow myself to embellish and take off on tangents, so it’s all good.

What’s been the most surprising part of being a writer?

How much I love it. And also how much it really surprises me when someone comes up to me and tells me how much they enjoyed my novel.

Have you ever had difficulty “killing off” a character in your story because she or he was so intriguing and full of possibility for you, his or her creator?

Yes. To the point I wept as I wrote the death scene.

Do you have mental list or a computer file or a spiral notebook with the ideas for or outlines of stories that you have not written but intend to one day?

Yes, as well as stories that got started and bogged and I just haven’t gotten back to them yet.

How many stories do you currently have swirling around in your head?

Six.

What do you like to read?

History, historical fiction, science/speculative fiction, literary fiction, biography, action/adventure, Alaskana, anthropology, I’m sure I’m forgetting something.

What writer influenced you the most?

That’s like asking which of your children you like best. For fiction, James Warner Bellah. For non-fiction, Steven Ambrose.

What one book, written by someone else, do you wish you’d written yourself?

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. That is the most elegant piece of fiction I have ever read. She is a genius talent.

Where can people learn more about your books?

On my website: http://www.stoneycompton.com  It needs work but all the information is there. Thank you for this opportunity and I apologize for running on for so long.

See also: Interview with: August William Lepke, hero of Treadwell, A Novel of Alaska Territory by Leonard Wayne Compton

Mitchell Waldman, author of “Petty Offenses And Crimes Of The Heart”

Today I am interviewing Mitchell Waldman, author of PETTY OFFENSES AND CRIMES OF THE HEART (Wind Publications, August 2011)

Mitchell, What is your book about?

PETTY OFFENSES is a short story collection including both stories about actual crimes and criminals and the effects they have on ordinary people, and crimes which run much deeper, are of a much more personal, emotional nature.

How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?

Some of the stories in the collection are based on personal experiences, persons I have known, while others are purely fictional.

Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite?

One of my favorite characters in these stories is Delores Leary, the mother in “Fortunate Son,” who exhibits an incredible amount of strength despite the circumstances she goes through when her son goes MIA in Iraq. Then, there’s the unknown interviewer in “Catching Up with Cartucci,” who has his own very unique manner of questioning his subject.

How long did it take you to write your book?

The book developed after several years, and the stories all just seemed to fit together in a uniform body of stories that seem to work very well together.

What is your goal for the book, ie: what do you want people to take with them after they finish reading the story?

Usually, I am just trying to entertain and give the reader a glimpse into the lives of characters they don’t know, make them relate to, feel what my characters are going through. Transport them to this other person’s life. Make the reader feel. Although, in a couple of instances in Petty Offenses, the stories do have a greater agenda, to get some of my social concerns known, without hitting the reader over the head with a “message.” My greatest goal is to keep my readers interested, turning the pages and live through my characters’ lives and dilemmas.

Is there a message in your writing you want readers to grasp?

I have to admit that in a couple of instances in the stories in Petty Offenses, I have a greater agenda, want get some of my social concerns known and felt, without hitting the reader over the head with a “message.” About war, the environment, various social injustices, prejudice.

How has your background influenced your writing?

I was a psychology major and have a law degree, so, yes, my background has influenced the writing of Petty Offenses in that I love to study people, why they do what they do. And, particularly, in this book, why the commit crimes, sometimes make decisions that others of us would never make.

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on more stories and a novel, with my partner, Diana, that ought to be something spectacular.

Do you have mental list or a computer file or a spiral notebook with the ideas for or outlines of stories that you have not written but intend to one day?

I carry a little notebook around and jot down story ideas. Then there are the piles of fragments of stories that I start sometimes and then come back to to revisit. Once in a while they result in an actual story. I have to admit my best ideas for stories often come to me in the shower.

What writer influenced you the most?

There are so many well-known and not so well-known writers I could recommend, that have influence me, that I can’t count. Yes, a lot of people have read some of my favorites — Joseph Heller (Catch-22), Philip Roth, Bret Ellis, John Irving, Nick Hornby, Ellen Gilchrist, Larry McMurtry, Frederick Barthelme, and Andre Dubus, all of whom have influenced me in one way or another over the years, but there are so many other great writers out there that people need to discover. Such as Perry Glasser (author of Dangerous Places) who is an excellent, engaging writer of short fiction, and Benjamin Percy (The Language of the Elks), Not to mention the great fiction of my former teacher at the University of Illinois, Mark Costello (The Murphy Stories), Paul A. Toth (Treating a Sick Animal: Flash and Micro Fictions) , and the powerful poetry of Diana May-Waldman (A Woman’s Song), who speaks to every woman. These are just a few. There are so many great writers to read and so little time to read them!

What advice you would give to an aspiring author?

Write from your heart. Write what you know/what you want to know, what interests you, what you care about, not what you think other people tell you or think you should read. (Be careful of English teachers’ reading list suggestions!) Don’t try to impress people with your vocabulary. Communicate from the heart, from your soul. Your writing is your mark on the world, so make it your best every time. Move someone with your words.

I like that you expanded the adage of “write what you know” to include “Write what you want to know.” It’s more realistic and a lot more fun. Have you written any other books?

I’ve also written a novel, entitled A FACE IN THE MOON, and co-edited with my partner, Diana, an anthology entitled WOUNDS OF WAR: POETS FOR PEACE.

Where can people learn more about your books?

My books are available on online bookstores, such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble. For more information, check out my website at: http://mitchwaldman.homestead.com, or my publisher’s website at: http://windpub.com/books/PettyOffenses.htm

It’s been great talking to you today, Mitchell!

Thanks, Pat!

Petra, Hero of Ghost Dance by Rod Marsden

What is your story?

I was born in England and died in Germany. I have been around for over a hundred years. I like being in Australia.

Who are you?

I am Petra, a female vampire.

Where do you live?

I don’t live anywhere. I haven’t lived since a certain fateful night in Germany. I am undead. This means I am somewhere between life and death.

Are you the hero of your own story?

Yes, I am the hero of my own story. It has been a long time since I have killed anyone unless provoked into doing so.

What is your problem in the story?

My biggest headache is this warlock who is after my blood. He is also after the blood of this young werewolf. The fellow is a bit of a doofus but likable enough. He needs a firm hand. I don’t want anything bad to happen to him. On the other hand, I don’t want anything bad to happen to me either.

Do you have a problem that wasn’t mentioned in the story?

I think everything about me is covered in the story except maybe the difficulties of leaving England for the first time to go abroard.

Do you embrace conflict?

I avoid conflict but, if someone wants to fight me, well, I will certainly give them their money’s worth.

Do you run from conflict?

I rarely run from conflict. I am no fool, however, when it comes to the odds. If I am outnumbered and sticking around will mean my second death of course I will bolt.

How do you see yourself?

I have a sense of honor. If you don’t attack me then I won’t go for your blood or the blood of the people your have sworn to protect.

How do your friends see you?

My friends see me as someone who sometimes causes trouble but also someone they can depend upon in a fight. I never let friends down. This is why I do have friends.

How do your enemies see you?

With any luck my enemies don’t see me until I have seen them first. I am a thorn in the warlock’s side. I also have the blood that he needs for his experiments. The young werewolf also has the blood this creep needs. It isn’t a good idea to get on my bad side.

How does the author see you?

I remind the author of a couple of no nonsense but decent women he has known for decades and has loved. They are as fiercely loyal to him as I am to my friends.

Do you think the author portrayed you accurately?

Yes. the author did a good job on me. I know I have a temper. I also know my upbringing in England was based on his grandparents and on other information that came to hand. But it was mostly his grandparents.

What do you think of yourself?

I am the best vampire you are ever likely to meet since I don’t just drain anybody I meet of blood. I was an English Vamp in 1920s Germany who became a real vampire. I still like to dress in black. Vampires don’t have to, you know, but I think black suits me. I sometimes have fun with being undead. The biggest problem there, however, is that mirrors don’t work on me. The reflection from a dead person’s eye, which is really small, is often the best I can do.

Do you have a hero?

No, sorry. I don’t have a hero. Well, when I was young my dad was my hero but he died and he’s not likely to ever come back.

Do you have a goal?

My goals are to stay undead and to look after my friends. Also, to do terrible things to anyone daft enough to attack me.

What are your achievements?

Despite vampire hunters, have managed to stay undead for over a hundred years. I understand the 2nd World War better than the present day living because I was actually there.

Do you talk about your achievements?

No, I don’t talk about my achievements. That’s not my style.

Do you have any special strengths?

As a vampire I do have heightened human abilities and I can fly. I am stronger than humans and can hold my own against other vampires. Vampires who owe me their lives I also view as my strengths.

Do you have any special weaknesses?

I have the usual weaknesses for my kind. Sunlight bothers me to ash. A stake through the heart would also finish me. You can consider my temper a special weakness if you like.

Do you have any skills?

I understand how most humans think and also most vampires.

Do you have money troubles?

I don’t have money troubles. If I don’t have enough money I can always rip an ATM apart or take it from one of my victims.

What do you want?

I want to travel and for vampire hunters to leave me alone. Also I want that warlock to go to hell before I do.

What do you need?

I need to sleep during the day and get blood during the night. I need to look after my friends and keep an eye out for my enemies.

What do you want to be?

I want to be human again but that isn’t going to happen.

What do you believe?

I believe I am not the worst vampire who ever lived. I wish I could believe in redemption. I believe that there are times when you have to lighten up or go mad.

What makes you happy?

Being with undead I care about makes me happy. Dancing for no other reason than I feel like dancing makes me joyous. I also like good music. Jazz and Blues I like a lot. I don’t dig disco music at all. Mind you, the blood at discos is good quality even if the people it belongs to aren’t always so good.

What are you afraid of?

I am afraid of the second and final death. I am also afraid of letting my friends down.

What makes you angry?

Injustice makes me angry. Bullies make me livid. I dined on Nazis during the 2nd World War because the stood for injustice and bullying. I get angry when I am attacked just because I am a vampire. It I did something wrong fair enough but I can’t help being undead. It wasn’t a choice I made.

Where can we learn more about you?

Petra can be found in Ghost Dance. Ghost Dance by Rod Marsden can be found on Smashwords and Amazon.com USA. It is part of Night to Dawn publications.

Rod Marsden, Author of “Disco Evil” and “Ghost Dance”

What is your book about?

My latest book, Ghost Dance, is in the realm of Dark Fantasy. It is a quest saga. A young man has lycanthropy and the cure can possibly be found in Germany. His allies are vampires and vampire hunters. A modern day warlock wants his blood for sinister reasons. I have been developing my vampires and vampire hunters for over a decade. They first appeared in a series of short stories. Then came the novel Disco Evil and now Ghost Dance. Soon there will be Torch Song.

How long does it take you to write your books?

Each book takes between six months and a year to complete.

What inspired you to write this particular story?

I was inspired to write Disco Evil because I believe everyone deserves a fair go and that people who go out of their way to be nasty to others really do build up bad karma for themselves. I happen to like quest/adventures stories so that’s how Ghost Dance came about. Two of the women in Ghost Dance are based on certain stand up and be counted sort of ladies I know and love in real life.

How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?

There is quite a lot of myself hidden in everything I write. My writing, however, is more upbeat than downbeat.

Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite?

My favorite main character in Disco Evil is Paul Priestly. He isn’t the brightest of pennies and he has somewhat of a one track mind. My favorite main character in Ghost Dance is Petra, the female vampire. She tries to do the right thing most of the time but she is also hot tempered and she does have her moments of blood lust.

Did you do any research for the book? If so, how did you do it?

With both Disco Evil and Ghost Dance I did some research in the library and on the internet. I also asked novelist and friend Lyn McConchie for help. Trust a first class novelist to tell you when you need to look into matters in more detail or when you need to cut back on description.

Is there a message in your writing you want readers to grasp?

There are messages in my writing for sure but I don’t really want to tell anyone about them. It is best if the readers figure such things out for themselves.

Do you have specific techniques you use to develop the plot and stay on track?

I have a rough plot in mind before I begin writing. My characters tend to keep me going in the right direction.

What are you working on right now?

I have Torch Song in the pipe line. It is set in Australian and in the USA. In it I poke my tongue out at ‘Reality’ television and comment on the subject of loneliness. There are a lot of fun moments. It is definitely not all doom and gloom. Right now I am tentatively looking at political correctness in Australia in the 1990s and how this affected office work for a great many people. No working title so far. Even so, Torch Song comes out next.

What is the easiest part of the writing process?

The first draft is the easiest part of the writing process. You can really let yourself go. Very few writers expect the first draft to be the last. Mitchener went through a number of drafts before he was happy with Hawaii. I go through a number of drafts before I even approach an editor.

Does writing come easy for you?

Some writing does come easy to me. When the idea that kicks it off is red hot then it’s easy.

What is your goal for the book, ie: what do you want people to take with them after they finish reading the story?

When it comes to Disco Evil I want people to walk away thinking that they have had an experience worth savoring. With Ghost Dance it would be great if the reader feels that they have been on a journey that has come to a satisfying conclusion.

Have you ever had difficulty “killing off” a character in your story because she or he was so intriguing and full of possibility for you, his or her creator?

When you deal with the supernatural killing off a characters doesn’t mean they won’t return. I have had characters return a number of times after death to either help or hinder the living.

How has your background influenced your writing?

One thing I loved doing with Ghost Dance was to bring back Ramsgate Baths as a place for the spirits. The Baths had been destroyed to make room for a car park. They do, however, live on in my memory and in the memories of quite a few people who lived south of Sydney when I was young. If people can exist as ghosts why not much cherished places that are no more in the world of flesh and blood? Why shouldn’t some ghost have a play where they can play and generally have fun?

What do you like to read?

I like to read adventure stories and dark fantasy. The Disc World novels of Terry Pratchett really crack me up – in a good way.

Where can people find your books?

My novels Disco Evil and Ghost Dance can be purchased through Smashwords as an e-book and also through Amazon USA.

James Boyle, Author of “Ni’il: Waking Turtle”

What is your book about?

In Ni’il: Waking Turtle, Police Chief Dan Connor returns to continue the fight with the monster ni’ilaquo begun in Ni’il: The Awakening and continued in Ni’il: The War Within. As he and his partner Stephanie are preparing and watching for the monster’s next move, they are given a cryptic warning. As they investigate the mythology of the local Sihketunnai Indians, trying to figure out what the warning was all about, they soon realize Ni’ilaquo may be the least of their problems. For this time the fate of the universe itself rides on them figuring out the puzzle in time.

What inspired you to write this particular story?

I’d had an extensive “what if” conversation with a friend several years ago that brought up many of the issues the characters deal with in the novel. When it came time to try and wrap up this trilogy, everything seemed to mesh.

How much of you is hidden in the characters?

Oh, quite a bit, I’d say. After all, as authors we try to empathize, or at least imagine, what even our most despicable characters are feeling in order to find their motivations and the rationalizations for what they do. We watch and study the people around us, but when it comes down to the basics all we have to draw on is our own experiences. So I’d say there’s a lot of me in every character.

Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite?

The protagonists are Dan Connor, the forty-something Chief of Police of tiny Placerton, Oregon, who loves police work and hates small town politics. Up until recently, he was a single widower who devoted himself to his work. He’s recently found a new love in Stephanie Amis, the Department’s secretary/receptionist/office manager. They just recently learned that they have some interesting psychic powers of their own, which helps in their fight with the supernatural being Ni’ilaquo. My personal favorite is Harry, the ageless Indian shaman who guides and advises Dan and Stephanie. Though he takes the situation seriously, he can still play with his students’ heads. He is particularly fond of just appearing when and where Dan and Stephanie least expect him.

How much of a story do you have in mind before you start writing it?

It varies from work to work but I generally have a pretty good idea of where I’m going when I begin. The story will often have a different idea than my original one, but I start with a general map. I usually tell people it’s 90% thinking about it and 10% writing it down.

Do you have specific technique you use to develop the plot and stay on track?

Not really. I start out with a very rough outline, with plots and subplots sketched out. I can usually tell I’m going down a wrong path when the ideas and inspiration begin to dry up. If I get stuck, it means I took a wrong turn somewhere. It isn’t terribly efficient, but it seems to work.

What was the most difficult part of writing the book?

For this particular novel, I knew about where I was beginning. (Since it’s a sequel, it basically begins shortly after the last one ends). I also knew how I wanted it to end. The hard part was getting from here to there. There were quite a few false starts and discarded subplots by the time I finished.

Has your background influenced your writing?

Absolutely. I was raised in a devout Catholic family; I even attended a seminary for a year before deciding it wasn’t for me. The spirituality is part of my way of looking at the universe though. Add in a little Zen, lots of Native spirituality, pagan-style mysticism and a little idealism and you’ve got the world view of the novel.

Do you prefer to write at a particular time of the day?

I’m a natural night owl. I can stare at a blank page for hours without accomplishing anything. Come 11:00pm though, the juices start to flow and I have to make myself stop at two or three in the morning.

What are you working on right now?

I just finished a short stage play (my first since college). I have a new novel plotted out and have begun visualizing the scenes, but haven’t actually written much yet. It will be something different, more of a detective story.

Are you writing to reach a particular kind of reader?

I write works that I would like to read. Subjects I find interesting, situations I find interesting. My rule of thumb has always been how can I expect a reader to enjoy it if I’m bored when I write it? So yes, I write for myself.

What is the most difficult part of the writing process?

Definitely getting started. I have more trouble finding a place to begin the story than anything else. In second place would have to be naming characters.

What is the easiest part of the writing process?

There comes a point after you’ve struggled for days and weeks, seemingly trying to wring words out of stone, when you finally hit your groove and the story simple flows out of you. It feels less like writing than channeling the story from some outside source. It is an amazing feeling when it happens.

What do you like to read?

Good, atmospheric horror. Detective and thriller fiction, with some fantasy and classic lit thrown in. Right now I’m re-reading Watership Down by Richard Adams. Next I have my eye on Dennis Lehane’s new novel.

Who gave you the best writing advice you ever received and what was it?

Ralph Salisbury, my writing professor at the University of Oregon. “Read. Read a lot. Read everything you can because even if you aren’t currently writing a particular project, you’re internalizing voice, style, pace and structure without even trying. So always be reading something.”

Thank you for answering my questions, James. Where can we learn more about your books?

From Amazon. Here are the links to the novel’s Amazon pages:
http://www.amazon.com/Niil-Waking-Turtle-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B004VGTSL6/ref=kinw_dp_ke?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/146200296X/ref=nosim/theplanningsh-20

Jim Magwood, Author of “The Lesser Evil”

What is your book about?

THE LESSER EVIL is the story of the world staggering under uncontrollable crime and an evil that pervades every part of our society.

In 2008, I published my first novel, SANCTION, about a secretive group of men trying to take over complete control of the world. Another group of civilians and government agents gradually learns of the conspiracy and works to stop it. This novel, THE LESSER EVIL, isn’t a sequel to SANCTION, but it’s the same type of story looking at the question of what is going on in our world today? What is happening, and why?

A group of “vigilantes” campaigns to stop the spread of the evil and the question becomes, “Is the group right in what they are doing or are they just another evil influence themselves?”

Computers and bank accounts are raided and criminals are left destitute. Cayman Island banks are raided by computer and lose billions in secretive client funds. A missile attack wipes out a rogue country’s nuclear facilities and stops a threat to destroy Israel.

Is the fight an essentially good, though illegal one, that will drive the evildoers out and which should be continued, or is it essentially evil itself—and who makes that choice?

What inspired you to write this particular story?

I’m an avid reader of just about everything that comes out, especially dealing with world events today. The more I see of the world, the more I look at the question, Why is this happening? What I want to do is put our daily news reports into a good, suspenseful novel that will get people thinking about that same question. The same world conditions Rand described in her novels are in effect today and are driving us into the chaos we observe daily, and my mind continually comes up with story ideas that incorporate the world events.

How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?

I’ve “been there, done that,” as they say, but the stories aren’t about me. They aren’t history, so to speak, and they aren’t science fiction. They are “today.”

Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite?

My main characters are taken from around the world, people who get together more by chance than plan. Jacob Asch is an ex-Mossad agent from Israel who still has his contacts in the underground network. He meets a Canadian computer expert who works with him to try to follow these vigilantes. They work with some CIA and FBI agents and several government leaders as they all try to unravel what is happening.

As in our world now, there are people from all walks of life who are either on the right or wrong side of things, and I want to highlight them all, not just concentrate on one hero or villain.

How long did it take you to write your book?

I started writing THE LESSER EVIL almost within minutes after SANCTION was published. My mind started whirling again, and another story just started coming out.

How much of a story do you have in mind before you start writing it?

As I said earlier, I watch events around the world constantly and so many of them inspire new ideas for novels. I have another one finished and in my own heavy editing phase and another half a dozen already started in my computer. I don’t have a full story, just a concept. As I work on it, I flesh out the ideas.

Did you do any research for the book? If so, how did you do it? (searching Internet, magazines, other books, etc.)

I’ve been very acquainted with some events in my stories, but I do a lot of research as I begin. So much is available on the Internet today, whether it’s medical techniques or weapons or names of heads of state. I want things in my stories to be real. I want people to say, “I just read about that,” and maybe look things up to see if I know what I’m talking about. I do love the research, whether it’s talking to people or digging into the ‘net.

How (or when) do you decide that you are finished writing a story?

So far, I have had a basic theme I want to deal with, maybe a beginning and several possible scenes, and a rough idea of how I want to end. From there I just start writing and see where it all goes. I’ll write most of the book, then start chopping and re-writing until I finally see the story as I somewhat envisioned it. Once basically finished, I’ll pass it around to a few “reader” friends and get their ideas and criticism. After that, it’s read and re-read with the nasty red pencil. Move chapters, re-write events or characters or scenes, change dialogue and so forth until it comes out the way I want.

I’ve written a 40+ page mini-book entitled “So You’ve Written a Book. Now What?” in which I try to advise writers how to put their book together and then market it. The ideas all come from my own experiences working in this crazy writing world and it touches the ideas I’ve just mentioned. It’s available free to anyone, by the way, from my website, JimMagwood.com (http://www.jimmagwood.com).

What is your goal for the book, ie: what do you want people to take with them after they finish reading the story?

I want my writing to reflect what is actually happening in today’s world. Data theft; political intrigue; espionage and conspiracy; the people acting like sheep. I would hope that some would really see the truth of events taking place through what I’ve written and maybe even decide to do something about it.

What challenges did you face as you wrote this book?

The main one is time. Time to write in and around household chores, community events and so on. I would say generally that if you are going to seriously write you have to make the time. It won’t just give itself to you.

How has your background influenced your writing?

I’ve lived a few of the things I write about, but more than that I’m naturally inquisitive and love researching. I naturally “think” stories and often “talk” scenes to myself. (I do try to be careful about who might be listening as I’m talking, though.)

What’s your writing schedule like? Do you strive for a certain amount of words each day?

No, I don’t try to write a number of words. I write as the scenes play out in front of me. I don’t have a schedule as to when I must finish the novel. When it gets there, it gets there. I do try to write a lot every day, though. Ultimately, the only way to get a story written is to write, so that’s what I do. Early morning, late night. Just keep on writing.

What are you working on right now?

My next novel, finished now and in my own editing phase, is entitled COP. It’s the story of a Washington, D.C. detective who is dedicated to living The Job, as they say, but who is also trying to live a normal life. Any law enforcement agent will tell you that this is likely the hardest part of their job and where they most often lose their way.

The story is about a series of terrorist events taking place all over the city and how he is thrown into them. It also tells how the events and the fear he so carefully tries to hide begin to affect him and how he struggles through life.

Are you writing to reach a particular kind of reader?

Generally, people who want a really good suspense novel but who want it “real.” While my novels are fiction, I want everything possible in them to be real people, places and things that we see in our news every day.

What is the most difficult part of the whole writing process?

So far, I’ve had a theme in my mind for the stories and a possible way I want to end. (I don’t give a traditional ending. As I say in my little book on writing, consider killing off your hero at the very end and leave the readers screaming. Haven’t done exactly that yet, but…) Trying to fill in the scenes to get to the ending, while also trying to keep the book “real,” is usually the hardest thing for me.

What one book, written by someone else, do you wish you’d written yourself?

Without a doubt, Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand.

What, in your opinion, are the essential qualities of a good story?

For me, the story needs to be “real,” and get people to think that way. Even if it’s science fiction, the characters should act and emote like real people would. Events and actions need to have people “living it” rather than just reading it. My first editor gave me some advice that I’ll never forget. He said, “Don’t tell people about the action. Give them the story line and let them live it themselves. Don’t tell about the story; tell the story. Make it real.”

What advice you would give to an aspiring author?

From my little mini-book on writing:

“Inside many of us is a story that is crying to be delivered. There are many people who will give you many reasons why you should NOT consider this venture. However, there ARE many people out there who are waiting for your story—looking forward to it. Whether you make money on it, or thrill your family and friends with your story, or just feel the satisfaction within yourself when you finally say, “I did it,” you need to write that story. There will be naysayers—turn your back on them. There will be scoffers—smile and keep typing. There will be rejection letters—read them, file them, and send out more proposals.

Never give up. Keep on writing.”

How have you marketed and promoted your work?

“Let me count the ways.” You name it and I’ve probably tried it. I don’t have money to throw at this, so almost everything I’ve done has been basically no charge stuff. I have my own website, JimMagwood.com (http://www.jimmagwood.com). I put together a site to showcase authors for almost no charge called The Author’s Inn (http://www.the-authors-inn.com) and, of course, I’m in it. I write articles and blogs that I’ve had published and syndicated. Any place that will have me as a writer or speaker (thank you, Pat), I’ll be there. There is no easy and sure-fire way to market your work, but you have to try everything and anything. And keep on trying.

What words would you like to leave the world when you are gone?

Some goals are so worthy that even to fail is glorious.

Where can people learn more about your books?

My books are both in Amazon and Kindle, but you can best learn about them and me, and even purchase the books direct, at my website, JimMagwood.com (http://www.JimMagwood.com).