Marja McGraw's Bogey Nights

Marja McGraw, author of Bogey Nights, is my guest this morning.
Marja, tell us a little about yourself.                              

I write two series and both are lighter with a little humor. One is about a young female P.I. in Los Angeles, the Sandi Webster Mysteries. The other is about an amateur investigator who bears an uncanny resemblance to Humphrey Bogart, the Bogey Man Mysteries.  I've had one book in each series released this year. This was the fifth book in the Sandi Webster series, and the first in the Bogey Man  series.

Tell us something about yourself that readers might be surprised to learn.

If life had turned out differently for me, I would have studied and become an archaeologist. I guess in a way, my mysteries are somewhat like making a find at a dig because I have to find and figure out what the artifacts, or clues, are.

How many books have you written?

To date I’ve had eight books released. I self-published my first two books, and admittedly they’re not bestseller material. The next five are part of the Sandi Webster (female P.I.) series, and the first book in the Bogey Man Mysteries just came out in March.

What has been your most rewarding experience during the writing process?

Honestly, the people I’ve met and the friends I’ve made. And discovering that I have the talent to put a mystery together that people enjoy reading. Somehow, it all goes hand in hand.

Tell us about your latest releases, Bogey Nights and Old Murders Never Die.

It’s been a good year because two books were released, one in each series.

 Bogey Nights came out in March from Oak Tree Press.  You know your day has taken a turn for the worse when you buy a vintage house to convert into a restaurant, and your two yellow Labrador retrievers find a vintage body buried in the basement.

Chris Cross, who bears a striking resemblance to Humphrey Bogart, and his wife, Pamela, are about to learn that a seven-year-old son, two Labrador retrievers and seniors are all forces to be reckoned with in the course of this case.

Old Murders Never Die was released in July by Wings ePress. P.I. Sandi Webster is in for the adventure of a lifetime when she and her partner, Pete, become stranded in a ghost town inhabited by a mysterious cowboy and haunted by some unsolved Old West murders.

Are they available in print, ebook, and Kindle formats?

Both books are available in print and Kindle, and Old Murders Never Die is also available in most ebook formats.

Were any of your books more challenging to write than the others?

Old Murders Never Die was both the most challenging and the most fun. Although the story takes place today, there are portions that took place around 1880. There was plenty of research to be done, and I tried my best to let the local sheriff speak in his own uneducated 1880s voice. I hope that makes sense, but honestly, an uneducated man in 1880 simply didn’t speak the way we do now.

What are some of the problems you faced while plotting a series with ongoing characters?

I have to let them grow throughout the series. It would be easy to let them stagnate, but that wouldn’t be very realistic. Also, I think each book allows the reader to learn something new about each character because of their growth. I’ve also tried to write each book so they can be read out of order without confusing the reader.

The Sandi Webster series showcases a single female P.I., her partner, and various family members and friends, and a half wolf/half Golden retriever dog named Bubba.

The Bogey Man series revolves around a man and wife, their son, and two yellow Labrador retrievers. Can you tell I like dogs? (By the way, everything about Labs that you might have read about or seen in the movie Marley & Me by John Grogan is absolutely true. We have two yellow Labs.)

I too, have a huge Yellow Lab we calle the gentle giant.

The two series present very different problems and situations. Sometimes I have to take a step back so I don’t mix them up.

How do you develop characters?

By paying attention to people in my real life. I develop a character to suit his or her purpose in the story, and then try to give them characteristics that fit actual people.

How do you choose your setting?

The setting is often almost one of the characters in the stories, so it has to relate to what’s going on. Once I know what kind of story I’m going to work on, I chose a setting to match the story. An example would be Old Murders Never Die, which took place in a ghost town. I had to do a lot of research on ghost towns, and I’m still not sure I got it all right.

We all know how important promoting our work has become. How do you get the word out both off and online?

I have a website at www.marjamcgraw.com online, as well as a blog site at http://blog.marjamcgraw.com/ . Lately I’ve had several authors presenting guest blogs on my site, so I’ve been volunteering to do blogs on other sites, like yours (which I really like, by the way). I also belong to several online groups such as Goodreads, Sisters in Crime and others.

When possible I do presentations at libraries, to social and business groups, and anywhere else that’ll put up with me. I really enjoy meeting new people, and if I can make the group laugh, it makes my day.

Can you tell us about current or future projects?

I have a Bogey Man book waiting in the wings right now about some Church Ladies (who scare Chris Cross, the Bogey Man), and who want him to find a missing friend. In the process a Murder for Hire scheme is uncovered.

And at the moment I’m working on one more Bogey Man book. This one involves a long-deceased bestselling author who wrote gothic novels and who has apparently left a treasure hidden in her old home.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

Just visit my website at www.marjamcgraw.com, and while you’re there you might take a look at the Vintage Movie Page and the Photo Page, as well as Events and Books and other fun stuff.

Susan, thank you so much for allowing me to visit today. I had a good time, and I hope one day I can return the favor.

My pleasure, Marja. Continued success with all endeavors!

TRICK or TREAT!

Would I trick you? Nah! I'm actually going to treat you to a recipe from my cookbook, Killer Recipes. If Halloween is a clear and cold night, you can make this delicious treat for all the big and little goblins in your neighborhood. In fact, keep plenty for yourself. This brittle stores well if you can keep hands out of it!  We eat it throughout the winter too. Enjoy, my loyal blog visitors, and have a Happy Halloween!

BRITTLE BONES

1/4 cup water
1/2 cup light Karo syrup
1 cup granulated sugar
2 cups raw peanuts
1 tsp. baking soda

Note: Make on a cold, clear night. If there's dampness in the air, it will be sticky! Fill your sink with hot soapy water, grease large cookie sheet, and measure the baking soda out on a paper towel near the stove. This recipe moves fast, so don't wander off!

In a cast-iron skillet, boil water, syrup, and sugar.
Add nuts (you may sub peanuts for whatever nuts you prefer) and cook until 6-8 nut make a little "pop", stirring often. I use a heavy slotted spoon.
Immediately remove from heat and stir in soda. Stir mixture (now foaming) onto greased pan. Toss hot skillet into sink for easy cleanup.
Take cookie sheet outside and leave about 15 minutes before checking for brittleness.
Pieces should snap apart.

Enjoy many delicious and fun recipes in this unique cookbook, available in print and ebook formats, with recipes from mystery writers all over the country, who were generous enough to share. It makes a great gift any time of year. This book can be purchased through my website at www.susanwhitfieldonline.com  or through brick and online stores everywhere!

Divisons in the cookbook include:
Breads and Breakfasts To Die For
Criminal Bites, Dips, and Beverages
Devilish Desserts
Insane Soups, Salads, and Sauces
Shameless Sides
Slayer Casseroles
Suck-ulent Main Dishes
Unlawful Vegetables

All proceeds for this book are donated to American Cancer Society in honor of my grandson, Caleb, now a cancer-free 12-year-old.

Happy Horrorween!

Is this an awesome cover or what? And just in time for Halloween! I'm pleased to have Robert Ropars join me on the blog today. He's the author of DARK BITES: Four Tales of Horror. We're sitting here nibbbling on skull cookies and sipping rummed-up apple cider. Robert, welcome!

Thanks, Susan. These skulls are delicious.

Here, have another and tell us how many books you've written.

I have published seven books since 2008.  These include two books of poetry, Carriage Returns in 2008 and Romantic Confessions in 2009, a four-part ebook series in 2010, including Windy City of the Dead, Like Cats and Dogs, The Red Planet, and 848, and these latter four I subsequently published as a collection called Dark Bites:  Four Tales of Horror in December 2010.

Ah, I see.

What books or authors have influenced you, Robert?

A wide variety of authors including (but certainly not limited to) Stephen King, Tim Powers, Bram Stoker, Mary Shelly, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Lloyd Alexander, J.R.R. Tolkein, Neil Gaiman, Len Deighton, Robert Ludlum, etc.

What has been your most rewarding experience during the writing process?

The reaction/comments from so many people all over the world has been gratifying and encouraging.  It further fuels my desire to write and publish many more stories.

Tell us  more about Dark Bites.

After publishing two books of poetry, I sought to return to fiction, which I had previously pursued within the context of short stories.  I had researched ebooks and deciding to get going again, I felt that doing a series of shorter stories/novellas that I could then combine into a collected volume made a lot of sense.  This book contains four stories of horror with strong female protagonists.  Though they can be read on their own, they interlock in a variety of ways creating a larger world.  The women face zombies, werewolves, vampires, ghosts and the scariest monster of all-a sexual predator.  I wanted to explore these classic horror genre themes with a fresh eye creating a new look at old stories.

Is it available in print, ebook, and Kindle formats?

Dark Bites:  Four Tales of Horror is available in print via Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/dp/145361494X  and http://www.createspace.com/3459434 as well as ebook for Kindle  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004G8R0NM, and Nook  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-bites-robert-ropars/1100216190 , Kobo http://kobobooks.com/ebook/Dark-Bites-Four-Tales-Horror/book-hY4_yOhEc0uMUX7htv2vNg/page1.html , and iPad   http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dark-bites-four-tales-horror/id411645082?mt=11  via those individual etailers and Smashwords.com http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/32178.

Boert, ...?

Whoa, Susan! I think you've had too much rummed cider. LOL.

Ahem, perhaps. Let me try that again. Were any of your books more challenging than others?

The Dark Bites series was definitely more of a challenge than the two books of poetry.  The first was a collection of poetry I had already written over a twenty-year period.  The second book of poetry was new poems and haiku written in 2009, but they were a labor of love and not a prolonged endeavor.  With Dark Bites I was creating a four-part series with stories that needed to stand on their own as well as work as a cohesive whole.

What are some of the problems you faced while plotting a series with ongoing characters?

The challenge was to be prudent about how much/often characters and locations appeared in each story (if at all).  In other words, I wanted to ensure that any crossovers mattered and weren’t just included to artificially link unrelated stories.

How do you develop characters?

Once I have my story idea in place, the characters come to me and I mentally draw out their lifestyle, interests, tastes and name.  It’s a bit like inventing someone I’d really like to meet, have tea/coffee with and hopefully end up long-term friends with.

How do you choose your setting?

Living in the Chicago area since 1986, and loving the area as I do, I never felt that my stories would take place anywhere else.  However, I wrote the stories in such a way that if they were to be adapted for film for example, if needed they could be transplanted to London, Paris, San Francisco, etc. with only minor tweaking.

What are your protagonists' strengths? Flaws?

All four women are strong, intelligent, and largely self-sufficient.  I wanted to write the kinds of strong heroines I enjoy reading or seeing in movies.  I have gotten a lot of positive feedback from women who’ve read the stories and appreciated the main characters’ strength and courage. 

Can you tell us about current or future projects?

I’m currently putting the finishing touches on a new horror ebook Dead Woman’s Curve which should be available right about now.  I have at least three or four horror and thriller stories outlined ready to write.  I am planning to constantly push my boundaries and comfort zones and try other genres including western and romance.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

I Tweet a LOT so definitely consider following me on Twitter ( http://twitter.com/robertropars ).  I have a Facebook account ( http://www.facebook.com/robertropars ), but rarely use it (feel more in tune with Twitter I guess).  I blog occasionally, not often enough. ( http://robertropars.wordpress.com/ ).  In addition, I have author pages on both Smashwords.com ( http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/robertropars ) and Amazon ( http://www.amazon.com/Robert-Ropars/e/B004FRP8CY/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0 )

Grab another cookie, Robert, and have great success with your books. Maybe we can connect on Twitter and Facebook.

I'd like that, Susan. Thanks again, and a Happy Horrorween to everyone out there!

Lutz Barz's Virtual Quantum Collapse

Lutz Barz has stopped by this morning to talk about Virtual Quantum Collapse. Welcome, Lutz.

Thank you, Susan.

Tell us something about yourself that readers might be surprised to learn.

ME? Cold War Baby. Born in then West Berlin. One of the two great spy capitals of the world. The other Vienna. John le Care terrain. The Cold War got to my parents who wanted to get as far away as possible. With the least fuss. Australia! Where the pubs then shut at 10pm. Outrage.. School was vague until one discovers…girls! Studying went out the window and my results were terrible. In the end failed four out of six subjects. And still got a degree! In Sociology! And instantly unemployable. So I drove buses in Sydney  prior various other jobs including lab tester, quality control at the steelworks in Port Kembla and a brickworks  [south of Sydney]  My sight on the gutter. Very pedestrian. With a few hobbies like mangling the piano and massacring the canvas.

How many books have you written?

Two so far. ‘Artifice’. It grew out of a series of occult-shaman short stories with the aborigines as the creators of mental malignancies in the practice of their dark art. Then I added the broader world and finally the universe. Plus some enigmatic Buddhists, several agents of influence on both sides of the Cold War Divide.Why stop there?Indeed.

What books or authors have influenced you?

First book I liked at school was John Wyndham. Midwich Cukoos and Crysalids had a profound effect on my pointy little head. It was totally cerebral mayhem. Cuckoos became ‘Village of the Damned’. Then Dr Who came along. Later ‘Red Dwarf’ which to this day is unbeatable. A garbage run in space with two mutants, an angst ridden robot and one very sloppy human. A sci fi band called ‘Hawkwind’. Ursula le Guin ‘The Lathe of Heaven’. A must for psyche students! And lecturers!

What has been your most rewarding experience during the writing process?

The process itself. It’s tough to create more than just an idea. Writing is an exact science. It’s gotta make sense to the reader. That much I can do!

Tell us about your latest release.  

Ah. ‘Virtual Quantum Collapse’. With three alien female agents. Not Charlies Angels. They  got BRAINS. Broadscale Randon Access Intelligence Neural Network Systems. They can warp, blend, shake, recreate reality. Comes in handy. The plot is simple:

Make no mistake: The incoming data from the Great Attractor indicates that something or someone is recalibrating super strings which brings one to the conclusion that this is the beginning of the end of the universe as we know it. [Then again…]

Is it available in print, ebook, and Kindle formats?

 ‘Artifice’ is available at Lulu as POD and PDF and at Amazon as POD plus Kindle. I went to ‘Bookbaby.com’ who also epubed it for Apple’s iPad, B & A’s Nook & Reader Store’s Sony. VQC should be done sooner than later. It is available at Lulu.com in PDF due to its epic lengh of 2047pp.

Were any of your books more challenging to write than the others?

The first. Thirteen plus rewrites. But it got there. A decade or two later.

What are some of the problems you faced while plotting a series with ongoing characters?

Nothing. I delete when the going gets excessive. Plus its fun for the reader, KAPOW and there goes whoever.

How do you develop characters?

It’s been said before. They truly take on a life of their own. It’s good if you’re a headcase suffering [gifted?haha] with a multiple personality disorder. Comes in handy. Really.

How do you choose your setting?

In Artifice I had travelled through southern – western Asia and on to Berlin. Plus been to Afghanistan twice [prior the Soviet invasion]. Was there at the first coup. Lucky me.

What are your protagonist’s strengths? Flaws?

Strengths? Their homicidal delusions. Flaws? None. I love the enemy. Get into their heads and see things from their perspective. Good for the reader as they are not told overtly who the enenmy really is. Your choice.

How does your environment/upbringing color your writing?

I’m glad it doesn’t. Posssession happens when it does. Creativity spawns the arena which then becomes a self fulfilling landscape that may or may not survive the coming-looming-threatening cataclysm. Or not. Maybe. Depends. Truly.

We all know how important promoting our work has become. How do you get the word out both off and online?

In a few weeks spam-oops I mean inform- other readers writers that it’s there across the stellar forum-network-spectrums. I keep on putting it off. Also get some postcards printed, around 1000 and letterbox them in the right areas.

Can you tell us about current or future projects?

Definitely two more. They are ongoing plotline but so dislocated [in my brain!] in time that they can be read independently. And no padding either. Just the edges of a psychopaths demented delerium threatening your sanity and reality. Now that’s multi-tasking..

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

Lulu.com & Amazon.com. BookTown obviously. The place to be. The other way is to Google my name and the sites even I can’t remember where I am will be there. The magic of the internet. It’s fantastic.

Oh yes: for the first twenty respondents who attract my attention at BookTown: ‘Artifice’ as a PDF file in your inbox: free.

Wow! Thanks Lutz!

.

Magdalena Ball's Repulsion Thrust

Magdalena Ball, author of Repulsion Thrust, is here to discuss her writing. Welcome, Magdalena.

Tell us something about yourself that readers might be surprised to learn.

Good morning, Susan!
I'm pretty forthcoming, so don't have a lot of secrets, but readers might be surprised to learn that I swim a kilometre every (warm) day.  I do yoga when it's too cold to swim. Sometimes if I'm feeling blocked or sluggish, I'll go for a swim and everything will almost always become clear.  It's the perfect mental exercise for me.  Yoga comes a very close second.  Luckily I live in a relatively warm climate! 

How many books have you written? 

I've written 1 nonfiction, 1 full length poetry book, 2 novels, and 5 chapbooks (4 of which were collaborations - so I half wrote them).  I've also participated in a number of book length anthologies - poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.  So we could probably say 8.

What books or authors have influenced you? 

I read an awful lot (I'm the Compulsive Reader!) and always have a couple of books on the go, and a large proportion of the books I read are wonderful and influencial in one way or another.  So it's hard to limit myself on this, because the influences are broad and sometimes subtle and hard to isolate.  Sometimes I'm influenced in ways that aren't obvious to myself -- I might, for example, read something that triggers a response or a change in the way I perceive language and what it can do and I won't be completely aware of that trigger.  It will just show up in my work or in my perceptions.  A few biggies who have been overt and enormous in their influences include James Joyce (Dubliners and Ulysses primarily - I dip into the latter frequently), Virginia Woolf (The Waves and Mrs Dalloway have been enormous influences), Umberto Eco (Name of the Rose and Foucault's Pendulum primarily, though I enjoy everything he writes), Dorothy Porter, Peter Carey, Margaret Atwood, Emily Ballou, Tim Winton, Neil Gaiman, Salman Rushdie, Julian Barnes, and China Mieville are a few names that come immediately to mind.  I'm sure there are more - many more.  And more waiting for me in the future that I've yet to discover. 

Tell us about your latest release, Black Cow.

Black Cow, which will be released later this year by Bewrite Books, is the story of a family struggling with “affluenza”, a condition that is outwardly manifest in a variety of crises before they leave the rat race to become self-sufficient in a small village outside Hobart, Tasmania. Black Cow explores serious and topical issues, such as the modern dilemma of ever increasing workloads and the impact of stress on families, and overconsumption on the environment, but it also touches on the psychological development, as the family has to dig deep into both the earth and their selves in order to find out what is ailing them. Author Lisa Heidke calls the “writing excellent, professional and polished…capturing that claustrophobic feeling of being trapped and not knowing where to turn. This is a gripping yarn that will appeal to a wide group of readers.” The book will be available, as all BeWrite (http://www.bewrite.net/) titles are, in paperback and all ebook formats (which can be read on any device) from major and minor online bookstores.

Prior to that, my last book was the poetry book Repulsion Thrust. Repulsion Thrust tackles big subjects not often the fodder of poetry: quantum physics, astronomy, time travel, ecological destruction, and technological singularity, all viewed through the lens of the human condition. A tough, take-no-prisoners collection that is not for the faint hearted.  Of the book, Bob Williams said "In poetry the thin line that divides the hermetic from the obvious is dangerous ground and not all poets can tread there without destruction. Magdalena is comfortable here and not only treads but dances."

Were any of your books more challenging to write than the others?

I always like to work at the edge of my capability, so the current book is always the most challenging.  I like to keep pushing that bar up a little bit each time. Right now I'm working on a book that involves time travel between modern day and 1941-46, through a DNA wormhole between two key characters.  Solving a key problem - the mystery that is unravelling the modern protagonist's life-- is subject to her being able to get some crucial piece of information from a past that is and isn't hers.  It's a big stretch for me as I've never done a book like this before.  If it wasn't the biggest challenge for me ever, I probably wouldn't be keen to work on it. 

We all know how important promoting our work has become. How do you get the word out both off and online?

I've always been a serendipitous promoter - I spend a reasonably large amount of time online and have let my interests lead me into promotional opportunities that I cam across, but with my current book, I've actually written a full scale marketing plan and am planning to take quite a proactive approach to promotion, tackling 2-3 tasks on my list everyday.  I did a marketing degree last year so feel obligated to do this properly!  The marketing plan includes the full suite of things like setting up a press kit, online and in-person touring, video creation, audio, article marketing, award entries, and so on. 

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

More about my books and events can be found at my website http://www.magdalenaball.com including a newsletter, links to my blog, information about all my books, and more.  Thanks for the interview, Susan.

My pleasure, Magdalena.

John Lindermuth's FALLEN FROM GRACE

John Lindermuth, author of Fallen From Grace is my guest today. Welcome, John.

JRL:  Thanks, Susan.

Tell us something about yourself that readers might be surprised to learn.

JRL: I’m as curious as that proverbial cat. Part of that stems from my experience as a journalist, but I think the seed was there long before. I’ve always been intrigued by the word ‘why?’

How many books have you written?

JRL: Nine published, two more under contract and probably an equal number either stuck in a drawer or discarded.

What books or authors have influenced you?

JRL: I’ve always been a voracious reader and I believe every book read influences us to some degree. I’m constantly finding new writers to admire. Perennial favorites among contemporaries would include James Lee Burke for his lyrical prose, Ruth Rendell for her psychological insights and Elmore Leonard for skill in dialogue. I’d like to think I’ve been positively influenced by some of the authors whose work I admire and, yet, have developed my own unique voice.

What has been your most rewarding experience during the writing process?

JRL: To me, the greatest reward is having a reader tell me they’ve enjoyed my books and want more. I’d probably go on writing even without the feedback, but the incentive is like the right spice in a bowl of chili.

Tell us about your latest release, Fallen From Grace, published in March by Wild Oak, a division of Oak Tree Press.

JRL: Sylvester Tilghman is sheriff of a small Pennsylvania town at the end of the 19^th century. It’s a family trade. His father and grandfather have had the job before him. Arahpot is normally a quiet town and Syl’s major concerns of late have been finding a new deputy and convincing Lydia Longlow, his longtime girlfriend, to marry him. But when a stranger is fatally stabbed and another resident dies of arsenic poisoning, Tilghman finds himself in danger. And worse—Lydia is pushing her obnoxious cousin as candidate for deputy.

Is it available in print, ebook, and Kindle formats?

JRL: Available in all those formats.

What are some of the problems you faced while plotting a series with ongoing characters?

JRL: Fallen was not written with the intent of launching a new series, but comment from readers/reviewers indicates an interest in having me do that. We’ll see what prompts I get from Sylvester and company.

I believe it’s as much the influence of those characters clamoring to be heard as the intent of the author which does result in series. I know that was the case with my Sticks Hetrick series (four books out, another under contract and one in progress). The biggest difficulty with a series to my mind is having the character/characters continue to grow and not become stagnant. Readers are certain to let us know if we don’t notice.

How do you develop characters?

JRL: I’m more of a pantster than an outliner. My outlines—if they can be called that—are generally so brief, just a scattering of words to serve as reminders of the direction I’m going, they’d be totally meaningless to anyone else. I usually start with a specific character in a situation and proceed from there.

How do you choose your setting?

JRL: All of my published books have taken place in settings I’m already familiar with—places I’ve lived, visited or thoroughly researched.

We all know how important promoting our work has become. How do you get the word out both off and online?

JRL: I have a webpage and blog and I participate in all the usual social outlets—Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Linked-In, etc. I’m also a member of the Posse formed by Sunny Frazier, a group of writers who keep one another apprised of blogging, learning and other opportunities. I don’t have a formal mailing list, but I do have an increasing list of people who I keep informed of what I’m doing. I also submit release to media in my area and keep in contact with area libraries. Unfortunately, there are currently no bookstores in my immediate area, so I have to rely more on personal contacts, library programs, festivals and the like.

Can you tell us about current or future projects?

JRL: Whiskey Creek Press will publish The Limping Dog, a stand-alone mystery, in March 2012 and Practice To Deceive, fifth in the Sticks Hetrick series, later in the year. I also have a story in Four Of A Kind, an anthology scheduled for release in 2012. Meanwhile, I’m working on several projects, including a sixth Hetrick mystery.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

JRL: My website: http://jrlindermuth.com

Blog: http://jrlindermuth.blogspot.com

http://facebook.com/john.lindermuth

http://twitter.com/jrlindermuth

Publishers:

http://www.oaktreebooks.com/

http://whiskeycreekpress.com/authors/JRLindermuth.shtml

Jessica Acosta's THE FORETELLING

Jessica Acosta, author of The Foretelling: Quest of the Auras, dropped by for a visit.

Jessica, please tell us something about yourself that readers might be surprised to learn.

I think readers would be surprised to learn that, not only am I passionate about writing, but also science. I am currently attending college to study Anthropology, which is the study of everything human: past civilization, present urban settings, evolution, and much more. I am hoping to focus more on the Ethnographical aspect of Anthropology, which means I would study the culture of different existing civilizations, most likely small tribes. One of my greatest aspirations is to study a tribe in the Rain Forest. I am very eager to learn how they live off the land and am hoping to write a book about precisely how important our Rain Forests are, to us and to its inhabitants. Save the Rain Forest, save the world!

What books or authors have influenced you?

A few big names that stick out are the famed J.K. Rowling and C.S. Lewis. They both created an entirely new world that everyone fell in love with, which is greatly inspiring and is exactly what I strive to do with my own writing. I’m also not afraid to say that I am a TwiHard fan (Go Team Edward!). Stephanie Meyer is an amazing writer. But her stand-alone book, The Host, is by far my favorite from her collection; maybe one of my favorite books of all time. Even the third time reading it, I couldn’t put it down. I almost cried when I found out it is going to be made into a movie! I’m also a fan of John Connolly, Douglas Adams, and, being a lover of science, I adore Charles Darwin works.

What has been your most rewarding experience during the writing process?

I would have to say that the most rewarding experience of writing is that feeling of control, the feeling that nothing can hold you back from the ideas floating around in your mind just waiting to be put to paper (or computer). When I write, I am oblivious to everything around me. Anything negative that I may be dealing with at a given time disappears when I’m sitting at my desk generating characters, plots, entire worlds! It’s almost like writing creates a balance to my life. I’ve spent almost my entire life writing; it’s who I am.

Tell us about your latest release, The Foretelling: Quest of the Auras.

The Foretelling is about a very introverted young woman named Jamie who, along with her brother and his best friends, starts a new life in Las Vegas, NV. On a hiking trip, Jamie and Brandon (her brother) fall into a hidden cave where they discover one of the most beautiful rocks they have ever encountered. Soon after, they are both attacked by a mysterious creature in the darkness, almost losing their lives. It isn’t until a few months later that they realize whatever it was that attacked them…changed them, and they soon discover a secret, hidden society of humans who can transform into mythical creatures. Jamie’s life is turned upside down when a prophecy is revealed to her; a prophecy, if not fulfilled, could end the human world in a bloody battle between races; a prophecy in which she is the star of; a prophecy known as The Foretelling.

Is it available in print, ebook, and Kindle formats?

Yes. It is available both in print and ebook format.

It can be found in print at: CreateSpace https://www.createspace.com/3540740

And Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Foretelling-Quest-Auras-1/dp/0615457703/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1312898228&sr=1-1

It is available on Smashwords in numerous formats: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/78839

Also on Amazon Kindle, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005L2HI3Y

What are your protagonist’s strengths? Flaws?

Jamie has a very great weakness that she practically wears across her forehead. Self-doubt. She is also an introvert, which makes her very shy and guarded, but rivaled to her self-doubting demeanor, all of that looks like an ant compared to an elephant. She is told she is in a prophecy by many different entities: friends, strangers, Gods and Goddesses even! And, yet, she still finds room to doubt all of them. But that weakness makes for a very interesting inner battle.

I would have to say her strength is her selflessness. Even though she doubts herself, she pushes through all of it for the sake of everyone else. She isn’t a leader, but she does her best to lead nonetheless. She doesn’t believe she is the one The Foretelling spoke of, but she still tries to succeed in the mission for the safety of the entire world. That is a lot to be put on one person’s shoulders, but she deals with it. It is one of her most endearing qualities to me.

Can you tell us about current or future projects?

I am very excited to be working on the sequel to The Foretelling. I am not an outline type of writer; I tend to just write with an idea of what is going to happen and make changes as necessary, so when things sort of come together on their own, it’s such a great feeling. That’s exactly how the sequel, Yellow Horizon: War of the Auras, has been right from the beginning. It will be a joy when it is finally finished.

My project after that is going to be completely different than the Aura Series. It is going to be starring the Devil, so, naturally, it will be very dark and twisted, indeed. I cannot wait to get started on that one.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

All information about me as an author, about my books, blogs, etc., can be found at my website: http://www.wix.com/jessicaacosta/author-sales