Author Interview: Award winning author Leonie Rogers

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for joining us again this week.   

This week, I am interviewing Leonie Rogers.

Growing up in Western Australia, Leonie was an avid reader from an early age. Her mother vividly recalls her stating “I can read faster with my eyes than you can with your mouth, Mum…” at around the age of six. Her parents and great aunt encouraged her interest in literature, providing her with books of many different genres, and . She began writing during high school, placing in the Western Australian Young Writers Award in 1980, and she fondly remembers several of her English teachers, who encouraged her to write, both fiction and poetry.

Leonie trained at Curtin University as a physiotherapist and moved to the remote north west of Western Australia, as a new graduate, in late 1986. She continued to write poetry for herself and for friends. Living in the remote northwest, she had the opportunity to work with camels, fight fires as a volunteer fire fighter, and develop vertical rescue and cyclone operation skills with the State Emergency Service.

After relocating to NSW with her husband and two children, Leonie continued to work as a physiotherapist, while still dabbling with writing. Finally deciding to stop procrastinating, Leonie decided to write the novel she’d had sitting in the back of her head for the last twenty years. Her husband and two teenage children have been extremely tolerant of the amount of time she has devoted to writing in the last few years.

Can you tell us a bit about you as an author?

I’ve always written, however there was a bit of a hiatus when the kids came along. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I required a knee reconstruction after a skiing accident, and finally had enough time to write the book I’d been thinking about for twenty years. It’s now published, and called Frontier Incursion - Book 1 of the Frontier Trilogy.. It’s officially YA Sci-fi, but seems to read well with most ages and also cat lovers.

What are the hardest parts of being an author?

The hardest part for me, is simply having enough time to write as much as I’d like too!

What do you enjoy most about being an author?

I love it when the ideas flow, and the story unfolds itself. I also love people enjoying my work - I know how much joy other authors have brought into my own life, and to provide such enjoyment for others is a privilege.

What authors/books have had an influence on your writing?

C.S.Lewis said he wrote the books he wanted to read. I think that was excellent advice. I also suspect that pretty well every author I’ve ever read has had some kind of influence on the way I write in some way or other.

Do you ever get Writer’s Block? If so, how do you deal with it? Do you believe there is such a thing?

I’m not sure it’s Writer’s Block as such, but more a moment in the story when I’m not quite certain which direction to take. Usually I either write something different, or just work my way slowly through dialogue and see what the characters think about what’s going on. Subsequent drafts are for fixing what doesn’t work.

Do you have a particular place that you like to write?

I usually write at home, but I really enjoy writing in cafes and on long car trips in the car. (I am not the one driving at the time!) Sometimes I park myself and my laptop in one of the local cafes and just write and drink coffee.

Do you have a favourite time of day to write?

Morning’s are good, and afternoons, and evenings :)

How do you like to reach your readers?

I like to reach my readers on social media, and also face to face where possible. I live in a rural area, so social media works well. I hang around on Facebook and Twitter, and love being on Goodreads. I also blog.

Can you tell us about your latest book?  

My latest book is called Frontier Defiant, and it’s the last instalment of the Frontier Trilogy. It’s officially YA sci-fi, and features, Shanna, her starcats, and invading aliens.

How long did it take you to write the book?

Definately probably took about six months in first draft form, but then there were the other drafts…

Do you have a favourite character/topic in your work?

The Frontier books are full of starcats - glow in the dark one hundred kilogram cats. I actually wish they were real, and apparently so do my readers. I love writing them, because they’re super cat-like, but even more special. They can vanish at will, travel rapidly, and protect their friends from the dangerous wildlife of Frontier. However, they do like to sleep on the bed, just like normal cats, so it might be problematic if they were real.

What was your process? Did you plot out the entire book, or just let the storyline flow? Do you write in chronological order?

I’m a combination panster/planner. I always know the beginning and the end, but what happens in the middle happens as I write it. I generally have a few things I know need to happen along the way, but for me it’s a bit like watching a movie unfold. I see the pictures inside my head and then I write them down. Sometimes I have to go back and delete a few.

Do you have plans for further instalments?

There are a few Frontier plots rumbling around inside my head, and I think I will be revisiting the characters sometime in the future, but for the moment I’m working on a completely different project.

Do you have a plan for your next book?

My next book is already written, and I’m part way through the second one in that series. It’s a fantasy this time, and will also (at this point) be a trilogy. I’m also part way through writing a space based sci-fi.

None of these have a publisher at this time, but I’m hopeful. My test readers have enjoyed them, and have been helpful in refining them.

Ebooks vs Physical books? Do you have a preference when reading?

I love both. I’m mostly reading eBooks at the moment, because they’re so easy to cart around - I can carry hundreds of books in my handbag! Having said that, I love to purchase favourites in physical form so I can enjoy both the lovely cover art and the smell and feel of the paper. On the other hand, when you fall asleep reading a massive book electronically, it doesn’t usually concuss you when you drop it on your head.

Self-publishing vs traditional publishing? What are your thoughts? Do you feel that the industry is changing?

I’m traditionally published by small press (My Frontier Series) and also have a couple of short stories in two self published anthologies. I think the industry is changing quite rapidly, and that we don’t really know where it’s going yet.

I’ve read some absolutely excellent self published authors, and some absolutely excellent traditionally published authors. I’ve also read some not so great books in both formats.

I suspect that there will be room for all formats in the future, and I think that many self published authors are taking a much more professional approach to their work, which is a credit to them.

And finally, what advice would you give to aspiring authors?

I’d suggest that aspiring authors work on the basics - spelling, grammar, showing vs telling. Think about plots, engage with your characters, and have a circle of helpful, honest readers who aren’t afraid to tell you what they really think. And when those same readers tell you what they really think, take it on board, and listen - don’t be offended. As writers, it’s what we all need.

Thank you so much for joining me this week Leonie. 

If you'd like to connect with Leonie, you can find her here:

Website: www.leonierogers.me

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leonierogersauthor/?fref=nf

Twitter: @RaeYesac

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Leonie-Rogers/e/B009JXIRUY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1468911875&sr=8-1

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6542929.Leonie_Rogers?from_search=true

If you'd like to be interviewed for this blog, or have an interesting story to tell, please drop me a line.

Until next week! See ya

Cheers

Amanda 

The Author's Journey: Part 2 Where to Begin

Welcome again to another edition of The Author's Journey.

I am writing this as part of my Master of Arts (Writing) under the subject PWR70002 - Online Writing and I want to share with emerging writers as well as those who are keen to further their own writing.

So here I am, literally. I have an idea - and I often have a thousand ideas, but where do I begin? How do you turn that light bulb above your head into your next dynamo book? Well I thought I'd ask a few experts. I dragged a few friends in this week to help answer this question of 'where do I begin?"

I will share with you some of their processes for that very first step.

Mike Covell, a fellow Ripperologist and historian shares this with us:

Depends where I am. I always have a tablet with me, so sometimes it goes into a memo, If I don't have a tablet, I use my mobile, if I am at the laptop, I use that. We have a cloud, so it all goes into the home pc for further use.  A lot of my newspaper story ideas come at night when I am in bed, so I usually wake up, jot them down, then check the pc in morning.  Before that I used a pen and pad, and I still keep one in my bag or on my desk at all times. I also keep all my old notes in box files.

Musician and author Peter Altieri explains:

I like to let the idea percolate in my head for a while. It is so raw in the early stages, that for me at least, it takes time to form. Once that starts, then I like to do at least a rough outline. Depending on what I'm doing at the time, I would most likely keep it warm until I am ready to start working on it. Like most of you, I usually have several projects going on at the same time.

Philip Bradbury, author of 53 Smiles went into a fair bit of detail that goes beyond that first step of idea from head, but brings with him some valuable advice;, 

I jot down the idea - usually at around 3.00 am they come - and leave it beside my bed for 3 days, the time a Lakota elder told me that spirit needs to grow it. After the 3 days, I take myself off to a cafe or somewhere else quiet and I WRITE ... I just let it all out, whatever comes to mind, vomit on paper. Sometimes it's that exact idea, fleshed out, and sometimes it's a totally different idea. By the end of that I will have around 3,000 words and the inspiration to carry on ...

Amy Wright is a dear friend (that photo at Belanglo is of us) and also the author of the Murder Library and Serial Killer GPS app. She posts biographies and articles on serial killers every single day (and I highly recommend you clicking her name and joining the group). Though she doubted her status as author, I think she is one of the prolific writers in our genre. 

Her advice is:

I always have my iphone and/or my iPad with me. I immediately go to 'Notes' and jot down bits and pieces. If it's a link that's given me the inspiration I'll jot that down too. I put all the pieces together when I have time.

Kam Newton recently released her debut book, His Beautiful Nightmare. I am pleased to have been a part of its launch and happy to have her here sharing her advice as an emerging author, 

I have my notebook j write down new ideas with but if it's a story in in the middle of writing already I have a document just for random paragraphs or ideas I've written. I have a truly TERRIBLE memory, people's names, days of the week etc but my story plots I never forget. Though I have forgotten timelines pretty easy

Gone are the days of little handheld recording devices, or so I thought. Author John Foxjohn, is keen to share that 

"I carry a small digital recorder with me. I record my thoughts."  

I think this is often a better idea that writing things down. Sometimes ideas can be so fleeting and typing/writing can be so laborious that it is good to just talk to the little machine. I have done this on many occasions often when driving. I press record and start talking and recording the ideas that come to me.   

Author of the Dead Girl Series, Kirsty Ferguson explains her process: 

When I have an idea, I start by writing it in my notes on my phone, I'm usually on my walk when I come up with ideas. Then I start to write. I don't plan, I don't use a mind map, I just start typing and let the story take me away. Most of the time, I am surprised by the ending. I wouldn't write any other way. Have tried drafting chapter out by it stifled the storyline and was no good for me.

Best selling true crime author Paul Aitch, gave his advice: 

I like to get as much of the idea down as quickly as possible. I also ask myself questions and add potential solutions to these....  he gave a lot more advice, but I think I will save that for another post.   

Belinda Missen is another emerging author and is finding her process is changing as she writes more and more books.  

Up until recently, I had an idea and started writing. Lately, though, I've started getting a two paragraph synopsis/blurb onto paper and working the story around that.

Megan Badger, worrying that she had done too many steps (but I don't think she has), has a very novel approach before she commences her story writing:

I take notes first (this usually happens when I'm just falling asleep), then mind map followed closely by plot points (with a list of things I need to research), then a call to one of my two brainstorm buddies and coffee date made to trial the idea and refine it through conversation and good company. Then the research begins, the plot refined and fingers to keyboard. 

Chrissy Johnstone shares one of the most important points...

Scribble it down on the nearest scrap of paper!

If you don't write it down, no matter what the paper you need to use, it is much better on a napkin than later forgotten. I could not count the amount of ideas I have forgotten, thinking that they were so fantastic that there is no way that you will forget it. You are lying to yourself if you think you will remember it. One bad storyline written down is worth 100 good storylines forgotten!

A dear friend of mine, Debra Betts is an incredible artist and also an aspiring poet. She explains her process,

Occasionally I write some poetry that never sees the light of day..usually they just appear in my head, and if I don't write it down, it's gone

Lynne Lumsden Green describes, quite well, the anguish of the writer's mind and how we often have a lot of stories floating around our heads. As someone who has 54 current works in progress, I feel her pain and joy of the creative process. 

 I write the idea down and spend a few minutes jotting down related ideas that could be worked into a proper story. Then, a day or so later, I will do a mind map (I call it chunking, because I get 'chunks' of scenes and characters).

At this point, the idea might die. If not, I may set it away to write another day, as I have a lot of projects on the go and who really need another one? But, if the idea is really enticing, I may sit down and write it out. To hell with the other projects, for a couple of days at least.

Friend and travelling companion Charlotte Frisby gave a great insight into her process as an emerging writer, 

I jot it down anywhere, envelopes, notepad, post it note, even the back of my hand. I bought myself a really nice notebook in Rome and it's got loads of ideas for stories, but they have yet to make it into a fully formed, start to finish, story. I'm still a one book wonder.

She raises a great point here. Nice notebooks can, in themselves, be incredible inspiration. Every single book I have written (and I am at 18 published books as at October 2016) has an accompanying notebook. Some look well loved, they are tatty and torn from being carried around, others have pieces of napkins stuck in them from when inspiration struck and it was all I  had to write on. Others have additional storylines that are then torn out and glued into another book so that they can live on in a different story. Notebooks are a must, but you have to feel it too. I have a Sherlock notebook and a matching tiny note pad. They were gifts from a close friend, who calls me Sherlock, and they inspire me. They are both being used frequently. Then on the other side of things I have purchased other notebooks that remain blank. They have not assisted in any inspiring thoughts so for now they remain on the bookshelf in my home library awaiting their turn for greatness. 

Brian Kavanagh, an absolute legend in the Australian (and international) film industry and an incredible author who writes the Belinda Lawrence mystery books, gives a fantastic rundown on that very first part of pen to paper. 

I think it's a form of osmosis. The original idea percolates into the beginning and end (?) of a story; characters developed and re-developed. Then free flow ideas as they come. I end up discovering a desk covered with scraps of notepaper with a thought, an expression, a new character, some relevant dialogue, some bitchy dialogue, some funny dialogue, a new plot angle. Accompanying these is a parallel list lodged in my mind, forever playing as a visual photostream. Eventually, all gets loaded into my mental blender, switch it on, and heigh-ho - a book. One hopes

Author Suzi Jay works the way many of us do. Flying by the seat of our pants. Inspiration is there, so you may as well get stuck straight into it!

I start writing the story straight away. If I'm at my computer I start typing if I'm not, I get out pen and paper and write. If for some reason I can't start there and then, like if I'm in the middle of another story with a deadline, I will think of a title and make a mock up of a cover. This is enough to remind me of what it was and keeps me motivated to get it done.

Tegan Barber, another of my friends who may not be an author in the traditional sense but she publishes work on a daily basis that is of an incredible standard,

Depends, sometimes I just write it down other times I wait to see where I can take that idea and if it will work and won't result in becoming dry and mundane. I also don't let people read ideas in the simple stages, people trying to give input on what is simply an idea can sometimes be off putting for me

Steampunk author Karen Carlisle, who has recently released her latest Violet Stewart Adventures, shares her advice:

I grab a notebook and write down notes. Sometimes a full scene, or part of one, will emerge. I often handwrite at this stage as it seems to unlock the ideas more efficiently than typing. I have a notebook by the bed, in my bag ...

Prize winning author Rosanne Dingli, is a woman after my own heart. So many times I've had this happen to me. She explains,

I open a word doc and write a note to myself, addressing myself as if I were another person. "Write a dark novella with the title This Title and a MC whose hobby is weaving." Many months later I open the doc and have NO IDEA what the idea was!!! So I write one anyway, using the prompts I typed in at the time ... and I'm always pleased with the result.

Belle Brooks shows how technology changes and as one of the younger authors interviewed for this blog, she shows how technology is a good friend to the author:

I type everything in my phone when it comes. At 2 a.m. in the morning I will roll over, grab my phone from the nightstand and message myself. If I don't have time to write it, I voice record and play it back later. Some of my best work comes from doozy voice recordings haha. If a story is screaming at me I will write what needs to make it quiet again so I meet deadlines on projects. It is normally about 10,000 words which means I have always got a good start on my next project.

Penelope Romanov (doesn't she have the best name ever?), is a singer and author. She shares her advice with us:

No matter where I am or what I'm doing, I immediately type the beginning...a paragraph at least... then, I can't stop.

Dene Menzel, singer, performer and author of the Voice Factor - and a fantastic coach too who I am
forever indebted for her tips on overcoming stage fright-  shares her tips:

Voice memo on my phone because I might not have a pen and paper handy

Adult contemporary romance author Emma James shares her advice on what she does when inspiration strikes,

When a nugget appears in my mind , a notebook is always handy and a pen. I scribble away until it's all out. I carry notebook in handbag, beside bed, kitchen. All ready in case something hits my mind. Then I try to decipher that scribble later

David Russell, whom I shall call an emerging writer, purely because he has written some incredible epic stories but refuses to publish them though I have had the luxury of reading a lot of his work (yes David, I am saying put them out there!) shares his advice,

I go straight to the keyboard if possible and start getting it down, no matter how sloppily. a friend told me many years ago that bad writing can be fixed but no writing can't.

This is one of the most important pieces of advice I like to share. Many new authors get bogged down, correcting typos fixing grammar as they write their first draft. Hemingway said it best,

"the first draft of anything is shit"

This should be above every writer's desk. Don't worry about that first draft. It is about getting it down on paper/computer. No-one will ever read your first draft. Really, you should never ever share your first draft. This is you telling yourself the story, then you have to make it better. But first and foremost you have to get it out of your head!

I want to thank all of the authors above who took the time to answer my interview questions. This is really a labour of love and I appreciate them sharing their own advice with the blog. There are many more posts to come and I hope that you find inspiration here, and maybe even that tool that you have been missing from your writer's toolkit. Please show them some love by clicking on their name links and checking out their fantastic books. There is something here for everyone no matter your genre preference.

Until next time,

Cheers


Amanda Howard

If you'd like to be involved in this blog, be interviewed about your latest book or if you have a story to tell. Please contact me via the links below.

Links:
Amanda Howard Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amandahowardauthor/
Amanda Howard Twitter: https://twitter.com/amandahoward73
Amanda Howard's books (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/Amanda-Howard/e/B001JP7X7I/

Author Interview: Crime Fiction author JM Peace

This week, I am interviewing author J.M. Peace.

J.M. Peace is a serving police officer who would rather be an author. She writes her police procedurals with the voice of authority. Her first novel 'A Time To Run' was released in July 2015, with the sequel 'The Twisted Knot' released this year.

Thank you for joining me this week for an interview J.M.

Can you tell us a bit about you as an author?

I’m a police officer who would rather be an author. I’ve been a copper for sixteen years, so crime was the logical choice when I sat down to write a book. Having a book published was the realisation of a lifelong dream, and I’m working towards giving up my ‘day job’. I’ve had two novels released by Pan Macmillan. They are both police procedurals, making the most of my ‘voice of authority’.

What are the hardest part of being an author? 

For me at the moment it is finding the time to write. I have two young children and find that juggling family responsibilities and work with writing is a big challenge. I still treat it as a hobby and it tends to get jammed into the cracks of my life.  And then when I do find time, the second hardest part is not getting distracted…

What do you enjoy most about being an author?

I most love it when the characters take on a life of their own and the story seems to unfold of its own accord. It is this creative process that I most enjoy about being a writer.

Do you ever get Writer’s Block? If so, how do you deal with it? Do you believe there is such a thing?

Although the volume I write fluctuates dramatically depending on what else I have going on, I don’t really get Writer’s Block. I let myself take breaks when my head is not in the right place for constructing the story. My favourite writing saying is “you can’t edit a blank page”. I will often just write anything in order to get words on the page and start the flow. Once I get writing, it normally triggers ideas and I can keep going.

How do you like to reach your readers? (Social media? Book signings? Blogs etc)

I’m a little hamstrung by identity problems. I write pretty much anonymously under a fake name because I am still a police officer and need to keep that job in order to pay the bills. There is a potential conflict of interest with me writing crime. Although my stories are fictitious, I have knowledge of the inner workings of policing. Before I signed the contract with the publisher for the first book, I attempted to clarify my position with my bosses and the union, but no one seemed entirely certain on whether there would be a problem. So I just attempted to bypass it all by pretending not to be me. It’s a bit odd, and keeps me away from public appearances.

Can you tell us about your latest book? (is it part of a series, genre)

My latest book is a police procedural called ‘The Twisted Knot’. It is the second in the series, following loosely on from my debut ‘A Time To Run’. The lead character is Constable Sammi Willis who polices in a small (fictitious) town in Queensland. In ‘The Twisted Knot’, she gets caught up in the suicide of a local man suspected of sexually abusing young girls, and has to sort out the facts from the rumours to unravel what really happened.

How long did it take you to write the book?

I worked on this book under a tough deadline from the publisher whilst editing my first novel. The initial draft I submitted was rushed and confused. I had to rip 30,000 words out of it and re-write them. So the editing process probably took even longer than writing the initial draft.

Do you have a favourite character/topic in your work?

I find it intriguing writing from the offender’s point of view in each story. It’s interesting to try to understand what motivates people to commit a particular crime and how they justify it to themselves.

What was your process? Did you plot out the entire book, or just let the storyline flow?  Do you write in chronological order?

 I have been making a conscious effort to try to plan, but my mind just doesn’t seem to work like that. I start with the crime or conflicts in the story, then build the characters and sub-plots around that. I write segments as they occur to me, which is rarely in chronological order.

Do you have plans for further installments?

I’m currently writing the third book in the series. It begins with a death in custody and the resulting fallout at both the police station and within the small town community.

Ebooks vs Physical books? Do you have a preference when reading?

Physical books always. Although I have an ebook reader, I don’t often use it. I’m not very good with technology and my kids aren’t quite old enough to sort things out for me. Also there is nothing quite like holding a paperback in your hands. Especially with your name embossed on the cover – even if it is a fake name…

Self-publishing vs traditional publishing? What are your thoughts? Do you feel that the industry is changing?

I have only been published by a traditional publisher but I have to say that it is not really what I expected. Sometimes the level of control you would have when self-publishing seems attractive to me. I think self-publishing has become a lot more accessible to writers and acceptable to readers.

And finally, what advice would you give to aspiring authors?

I have had an easy run getting published and I think one of the reasons was my ‘backstory’ as a police officer. My advice is to find the story that you are the best person to tell. 

Thank you so much for visiting today J.M. I don't know about anyone else but I am a little intrigued. I used to work in the Police Service myself and I wonder if I might know you.

Anyway, whilst I go to do some detective work myself, I want to thank J.M. for dropping by. 

If you're interested in checking out her books, you can find her here....  

Website: www.jmpeace.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jmpeaceauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmpeaceauthor

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/J.M.-Peace/e/B010NLO31C/ 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13830099.J_M_Peace

Thank you again everyone for dropping by. If you'd like to be interviewed on this blog, please drop me a line.  Please don't forget to subscribe for further interviews. 

Author Interview: Lo-arna Green

Welcome to Lo-arna Green, this week's feature author.  


Lo-arna is an Australian author who believes in happily ever after (most of the time) and some of the time participates in reality.


Thank s for dropping by today. It is indeed a pleasure to have you here.

Can you tell us a bit about you as an author? 

I’m a mixed bag. Truly. I write mainly romance but I love to go darker with my short stories. This year I gained a highly commended award with Stringybark Publishing and was published in their 2015 Short Story Award anthology that was published in May. That was a huge honour, there was some seriously talented authors in that bunch.

What are the hardest part of being an author?  

When the words play on the edges of your mind, not writers block as such…just they won’t play the game.

What do you enjoy most about being an author? 

Finishing and believing in it. I used to throw my work out when I was done. I purely wrote to empty my head. I didn’t want to share. It took me a while to come to that point.

What authors/books have had an influence on your writing?

I adore Amy Harmon. Her books always sucker punch me.

Do you ever get Writer’s Block? If so, how do you deal with it? Do you believe there is such a thing?

Of course! I spend more time than I would like to admit just staring at a word document, or the wall. Or one word on the word document, convinced it isn’t even a word.

Do you have a particular place that you like to write?

Sometimes my best writing comes when I am out and about with my kids. That’s when I let them go nuts playing and I write on the notes app on my phone. A session doing this sometimes sees me reaching 3000 words.

Do you have a favourite time of day to write? 

Usually just when the kids are at school.

How do you like to reach your readers? 

I’ve found readers on Twitter just by being my (nutty) self on there. Not to mention other writers who have become friends. I learnt pretty quickly it is much better to just interact in a real way rather than to flood people with promo images or posts. Facebook is much harder to reach people successfully day in and out because of audience reach. I do have a blog and I try to post weekly. I tried vlogging once and I just ended up swearing at the camera. I will try again one of these days.

Can you tell us about your latest book? 

All The Games is the third book in my series. They are all NA romance. The first book had a heavy colour theme, I basically used the colours as metaphors for emotions and vibes. All The Games doesn’t play with colours as much, it is more light hearted though.

How long did it take you to write the book? 

6 months. I really struggled with it. The first two only took a few weeks. It took me a while to figure out why I found it so challenging. It didn’t go deep enough. I need a decent amount of heartache with the sunshine for my writing.

Do you have a favourite character/topic in your work? 

A few readers have pointed out all of my characters are strong females. I didn’t even realise until it was pointed out.

What was your process?  Did you plot out the entire book, or just let the storyline flow?  Do you write in chronological order? 

I’m a total pantser and I write in all kinds of areas of the story and then thread together.

Do you have plans for further instalments? 

I have one more planned for the series and a possible “tie-up” novella down the track. There are a few things from the first book that didn’t really have a resolution.

Do you have a plan for your next book? 

My next release is called Paper Dreams and it is a historical romance. I’m really in love with it. There is a really sentimental element in it so I think it will be my favourite forever.

Ebooks vs Physical books? Do you have a preference when reading? 

Ebook for convenience but they don’t smell like physical ones. I prefer library books.

Self-publishing vs traditional publishing? What are your thoughts? Do you feel that the industry is changing? 

Definitely self-publishing. I don’t know if I could hack the restrictions of traditional publishing. There is obviously pros and cons to both.

And finally, what advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Don’t give up. You will never please everyone so write from the heart and stay true to you.

Thank you so much Lo-arna for dropping in today. How can readers find you?

Website: www.lo-arnagreen.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/loarnagreen

Twitter: www.twitter.com/loarnagreen

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B016YKZP0Y

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14249199.Lo_arna_Green

Thanks again to all the readers and writers out there for supporting Killing Time Blog. If you'd like to be interviewed here, please drop us a line. Don't forget also to subscribe to keep in touch with our weekly interview. 

Keep Writing!

Amanda

Author Interview with Karen J Carlisle

Welcome again,

Today’s author is Karen J. Carlisle.

Karen J Carlisle graduated in 1986, from Queensland Institute (now University) of Technology with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Optometry. She lives in Adelaide with her family and the ghost of her ancient Devon Rex cat.

Karen first fell in love with science fiction when she saw Doctor Who as a four-year old (she can't remember if she hid behind the couch). This was reinforced when, at the age of twelve, she saw her first Star Destroyer. She started various other long-term affairs with fantasy fiction, (tabletop) role-playing, gardening, historical re-creation and steampunk - in that order.

Karen writes speculative fiction including steampunk, Victorian mystery/crime, gaslight and fantasy. She published the first of The Adventures of Viola Stewart series, Doctor Jack and Other Tales, in 2015. She has has had articles published in Australian Realms Roleplaying Magazine and Cockatrice (Arts and Sciences magazine). Her short story, An Eye for Detail, was short-listed by the Australian Literature Review in their 2013 Murder/Mystery Short Story Competition.

Karen's short story, Hunted, is featured in the Trail of Tales exhibition in the Adelaide Fringe, 2016. She currently writes full-time and can often be found plotting fantastical, piratical or airship adventures. Karen has always loved chocolate - dark preferred - and rarely refuses a cup of tea. She is not keen on the South Australian summers.

Thank you for joining me today on the blog Karen. 

Can you tell us a bit about you as an author?Why didn’t I do this earlier?! (well I did. Sort of.) I’ve always loved books. When I was in high school I wrote a SF/comedy – typed on my portable typewriter. It’s in the shed. Somewhere. I was gently persuaded to follow a stable (paying) career, did university and spent the next twenty-seven years being an optometrist. During this time, I wrote research articles for historical re-enactment and costume newsletters. I had articles published in the (now defunct) Australian Realms (Roleplaying magazine). I even did some artwork for a local indie comic.

Life happened. I put away my pens and continued in Optometry.

In 2012, life hiccupped in a most spectacular manner, resulting in leaving my current seventeen-year position. Let’s just say I needed a massive sea-change. I was advised to follow my bliss. There was no question what that was – writing and art. So, after a few false starts, I found myself writing again.

In 2013, I entered over twenty short story competitions. I was short listed in Australian Literature Review’s 2013 Murder/Mystery Short Story Competition. This year, I was asked to feature one of my shorts, Hunted, in the Trail of Tales exhibition in the Adelaide Fringe.

I not only write steampunk (Victorian steampunk mysteries, steampunk adventures and gaslamp) and fantasy – all of which have proven cathartic and excellent anxiety-busters – but also do my own photography, artwork and book trailers. Art + writing = my creative heaven!

What are the hardest parts of being an author? 
My chief issue is procrastination, procrastination and health issues, procrastination, health issues and not enough time to write all the stories I get ideas for.

Er…

My chief issues are procrastination, health issues and not enough time to write all the stories I get ideas for. And my proclivity for Monty Python quotes.

Seriously though, fighting procrastination is a constant battle for me. I am often found spiralling down the research rabbit hole, and enjoying the ride (there are so many fascinating things in the world!). Health issues are an ongoing issue; I suffer from anxiety (reason for quitting my previous career), anaemia and recurring migraines. This has led to over two months lost writing-time so far, this year. I’m just about to have major surgery which (hopefully) will help relieve some of the underlying causes.

Some writers fear running out of ideas. I have enough to last the next decade (and possibly beyond, if they all pan out). I have notebooks full of scribbled titles and story seeds and boxes (both digital and physical) to compile notes for various projects. I need to constantly remind myself to finish one project before flitting off to new adventures and characters. This is one problem I hope I will never lose. (see previous comment on writers’ fears of running out of ideas.)

What do you enjoy most about being an author?
I love creating and I love learning. When I don’t create, I get grumpy (just ask my husband). I feel complete, I am less anxious. And I can’t deny the buzz I get when someone likes my characters or stories.

Research rabbit holes are a two-edged sword. I learn something new every day, which comes in handy for quiz nights. I love the serendipity of finding a fact, which sparks an idea, which (in turn) leads me on a trail of discovery. So many of my stories get filled with little tidbits I find on my journey. It’s like weaving a tapestry – and I love it!

What authors/books have had an influence on your writing?
Realistically, every book I have read has influenced me – even the bad ones. I was an avid reader of Doctor Who and Star Wars novels, as a child. I love the epic themes of Lord of the Rings, the adventure in Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files, Gail Carriger’s humour, Simon R Green’s voice… I could go on.

Do you ever get Writer’s Block? If so, how do you deal with it? Do you believe there is such a thing?
Yes. I’ve read so many articles on writers’ block. It’s a curse. It’s not real. Go for a walk. Get over it. Everyone has a theory. Whatever you call it, I get stuck – usually in the ‘soggy middle’ or when I know I have to do something I don’t want to (like kill a character). I usually switch gears and write a short story, do a writing challenge (where I have to work to a brief), read a favourite book, watch a favourite movie or television show. Mainly, I drink copious amounts of tea and scoff down dark chocolate while the original story bubbles away in my subconscious until it is ready to spill.

Do you have a particular place that you like to write? 
I have a standing desk with a view of the front garden. At the moment it is covered in notes. I have a sewing table that gets bathed in light, with a view of the garden too. Right now I am sitting at the kitchen table, watching the birds in the back garden. When the weather is pleasant I write under the verandah, with a view of the back garden. Is there a running theme here?

Do you have a favourite time of day to write?
In the morning and early afternoon, before school pick up or in the evening. I often get inspiration late at night (especially after a long, hot shower). I really should get more sleep.

How do you like to reach your readers?
I love meeting people. That was the great part about my old career. I love to gasbag. I attend local steampunk events, local conventions and do talks. Most of my social media conversations revolve around FB, twitter or various forums.

Can you tell us about your latest book? 
My latest book is the second set of Viola Stewart’s adventures, Eye of the Beholder & Other Tales. It is a Victorian steampunk mystery with elements of gaslamp. It will be released as two eBooks – Three More Shorts and Eye of the Beholder (novella), followed by a paperback compilation, Eye of the Beholder & Other Tales. I wrote out of my comfort zone with Three More Shorts, which has a strong romance theme – a comedy of etiquette. Eye of the Beholder returns to the gaslamp feel with mummies, murder and madness.

Blurb:
The Men in Grey return – with plans for Viola.
Will the lure of technology seduce Viola? Will she lose Henry forever?

With her friend, Doctor Henry Collins, at her side Viola runs foul of mummies, curses and the paranormal. But this time, the threat of Bedlam looms over them…

How long did it take you to write the book?
Technically about a year. Actual writing time was six months. As a self publisher, I also do my own photoshoots, cover art and design, film and edit my book trailers. Then there is setting up marketing (which I am still learning).

Do you have a favourite character/topic in your work?
I am increasingly drawn to psychological ambiguity of stories. How characters manipulate others. Villians are intriguing. They are the heroes of their story. If I can just get the reader to understand the villain – for even just a second – I am ecstatic. It’s the “oh poor, Jack… you evil bastard” moment. I love to show their point of view – show both sides of the story and let the reader make up their mind who they are rooting for.

What was your process? Did you plot out the entire book, or just let the storyline flow? Do you write in chronological order?
Hi, my name is Karen. And I’m a (mostly) pantser. I enjoy the discovery of a story. My process goes like this:
· Get an idea or title

· Scribble down notes and shove them in a folder. I will often have a ‘feel’ for the story, a visual – like the opening scene of a movie, an idea for a gadget, a specific plot point I want to weave in, or a plot twist.

· Do background research – usually on the original history of an event, person or area involved in the story. I like to check scientific facts (I even bought a book on the Chemical Analysis of Firearms, Ammunition, and Gunshot Residue.)

· I write down ideas I get for characters, possible clues or plot points as I go.

· I usually have an idea of characters (sometimes they come to me complete with names and faces), sometimes they are vague ghosts

· Sometimes I just start writing.

· Most stories are in vague chronological order. I will skip some scenes due to procrastination or its vision hasn’t yet solidified in my mind’s eye. When things are progressing well, I can see the story, complete with music track, and occasionally the dum, dum, dum of the cliff hanger.

· I wish I could plot more. It would speed up the process.

Do you have plans for further instalments? 
Journal #3 of The Adventures of Viola Stewart is scheduled for release in 2017. It will complete the Viola-Henry relationship and address the long story arc concerning Viola’s sister, Anne. (Spoilers!). I won’t rule out future adventures or short stories.

Do you have a plan for your next book? 
The next series planned is The Department of Curiosities, set in the same steampunk world.

A steampunk tale of adventure, a heroine, mad scientists, traitors and secrets. All for the good of the Empire.

Ebooks vs Physical books? Do you have a preference when reading?
Physical books: I get eyestrain reading eBooks. I love the smell of books. I do have eBooks – mostly reference or shorts, but I will buy a physical book if I get the option and can afford it.

Self-publishing vs traditional publishing? What are your thoughts? Do you feel that the industry is changing?
I self-publish. I did a lot of research on this very question. The industry is changing. Traditional publishing doesn’t provide the same level of editing and marketing as in the past. Most require the author to do their own publicity. If I’m going to do most of the effort, I would rather self-publish and get a better royalty for my effort, even if that means the hassles of doing my own marketing.

I get the freedom to create my own covers and trailers and control my own deadlines. This allows me to work around my anxiety and health issues. I may be a control freak, but self-publishing creates less stress as I am not being pushed to adhere to others’ timetables.

And finally, what advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Write because you love it. Not because you want to make a fortune. That doesn’t happen often. Only 5% of those who want to write, actually write. Of that, only 5% finish their story. Don’t give up. Write your story. Finish your story. That puts you ahead of the pack.

Write because you love it

Thank you so much for appearing on my blog today Karen. I have found this very interesting and I think readers will too. So how can readers find you?

Website: www.karenjcarlisle.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KarenJCarlisle/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/kjcarlisle
Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/karenjcarlisle
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/KarenJCarlisle

  

Thanks again Karen for joining me today on the blog. Please go to her listed links and check her out. If you'd like to be interviewed on this blog or have a great story to tell please drop me a line.

Until next time.

Cheers!

Amanda Howard

Author Interview: Award winning author Rosanne Dingli

This week, please welcome esteemed international author Rosanne Dingli. 

Rosanne is sought by an international audience for prize-winning short stories and intricate novels, Rosanne Dingli has published fiction successfully for over 25 years. Most of her body of work is available in paperback and ebook.

The author's fiction centres around the classical Arts, such as painting, music, and literature. She also uses locations and their allure to anchor her stories and give them substance. Folklore embellishes some of her works.

In 2015, this author wrote, produced and published three full-length novels; A Funeral in Fiesole, which a family-oriented novel that takes place in Italy. Adult siblings gather for their mother's funeral, where new attitudes and opinions supplant old perceptions. How to Disappear is a novel in two parts that concerns the drudgery of some modern-day relationships and also the migrant experience. And The White Lady of Marsaxlokk is a paranormal historical novel. It once more features an Australian protagonist experiencing an adventure in Europe.

The Hidden Auditorium appeared in July 2013. It is a cultural adventure that takes an antiques dealer on a quest for a secret about a famous composer. He thinks a beautiful pendant contains an important clue. It received a BRAG medallion in 2015.

Camera Obscura is the third on this author's shelf of novels. A romantic adventure using photography, art theft, and fascinating locations, it takes the reader on one of this author's breathless chases, which are now well-known and loved by her readers. It has been short-listed in the 2013 Kindle Book Review Awards.

The novel According to Luke was released in 2010. This exciting and controversial novel has been described by some as a combination of religious thriller and romantic suspense. It received a Noveltunity award in 2015.

Her work in progress is a family-oriented novel that takes place in Italy. Adult siblings gather for their mother's funeral, where new attitudes and opinions supplant old perceptions.

Rosanne Dingli now writes full-time after retiring from teaching in 2009. Her out-of-print short fiction and poetry is once more available in handy easy-to-read volumes that do not cost the earth. She gives occasional workshops on writing and publishing.

Can you tell us a bit about you as an author?

I started in New South Wales in 1985, two years after moving to Australia from Malta, and immediately my short pieces were published in literary journals, anthologies, newspaper inserts, and more. My collected published and awarded poems came out as my first book in 1991, when Literary Mouse Press launched it at the Perth Old Observatory. Everyone came. My first novel saw more than two dozen publishers before Jacobyte Books in South Australia accepted and published it in 2001. They went on to take two of my story collections. When they closed in 2005, they passed me on to the British publishers BeWrite Books. Today, I have seven novels, six story collections, a few novellas, and that first lucky poetry book available under my own imprint, Yellow Teapot books.

What is the hardest part of being an author?

It’s all very hard, but discoverability is probably what approaches being impossible to achieve in these days of widespread independent publishing. The democratization of publishing means almost everyone is capable of putting out a book or six – and they do. As a result of this, getting noticed is rather difficult, and unless readers notice a book, however wonderful it might be, they cannot read it.

What do you enjoy most about being an author?

Autonomy is something I love. I can dabble, or I can be as professional as I like … always or in turn. And the consequences are all mine to own. Hard work, when I can do it, comes easily. Doing nothing, or reading the books of others, is also possible and gives great pleasure. Being my own boss appealed to me when I freelanced as a journalist, literary editor, and columnist back in the 1990s. Autonomous authors can measure their success as an outcome of their own efforts, so it’s very rewarding.

What authors/books have had an influence on your writing?

Rather than on my writing, the authors I read have an influence on the broadness of my outlook, the depth of my cultural understanding, and the eclectic array of subjects into which I like to delve. John Fowles, AS Byatt, and Ian McEwen are all intellectually stimulating authors whose topics are very relevant and interesting to me. The reading I did as a young adult also proved important as I discovered what I wanted to write about. Robert Goddard, John Dickson Carr, Georges Simenon, and Georgette Heyer were only four among dozens of authors whose books filled my bookcases. I am now reading everything by Peter Robinson, seeking the fascinating undercurrents in novels that to others might appear simple or boxed-in by genre.

Do you ever get Writer’s Block? If so, how do you deal with it? Do you believe there is such a thing?

I am not one of those writers who have a daily schedule. I go for months without writing, since I do not compose if there’s nothing to write. My 30 years of writing professionally have taught me to understand the kind of writer I am. I work when there’s a strong premise that won’t leave me alone, and when I find the words with which to present it. I am not a strong believer in “story”, yet I do not write navel-gazing philosophical recitals and chronicles that are just display cases for acquired knowledge.

Do you have a particular place that you like to write?

My office is great. I’ve always had one, and will always have one, wherever I live.

Do you have a favourite time of day to write?

The best is always the time when I am most likely to be interrupted. The middle of the afternoon, when the family return home, when dinner needs cooking, when the phone rings non-stop; that used to be the most fruitful time for me. Now that the nest is empty, the place is quiet, and my partner, who is rather self-sufficient, doesn’t need stuff in the middle of the afternoon, I find it hard to write. I need interruptions, it seems.

How do you like to reach your readers?

I engage on Facebook, which I use for nothing else. It’s not for family or friends, but is the vehicle for making myself and my books known. All I do there is about books, writing, reading, and neutral but fascinating topics that connect to what interests me. So this necessarily excludes anything to do with politics and other controversial topics. I also like to respond to queries on LinkedIn. Since the LinkedIn format changed, so did the nature of the discussions. I must remember to find better conversations to join.

I do quite a number of public appearances every year. About four or five workshops at libraries and writing organizations, and many talks and signings. These are excellent occasions to sell and sign, and readers who meet me eyeball-to-eyeball never fail to follow me on social media, so the enjoyable public events are also very useful. I have been speaking and reading publicly since 1987, and when I lectured in Creative Writing at ECU in the years that followed, I discovered some good techniques to engage an audience of readers.

Your latest book:

Can you tell us about your latest book, A Funeral in Fiesole?

A Funeral in Fiesole was one of three stand-alone novels I wrote, produced, and published in 2015. It’s what I like to call ‘location fiction’, based on a particular place that has fascinated me in the past, when visited personally. I love Italy, and speak the language fluently, so I often include the country in my writing. Fiesole is a village built into the hills above Florence, where beautiful villas catch the eye among the trees. This particular novel was a challenge from the outset, because it is narrated by four separate protagonists, all in the first person. They are four adult siblings who meet for their mother’s funeral and the reading of her will. They bring along emotional and financial burdens, which are disclosed as they find out how unreliable memories of one’s youth and childhood can be.

This novel is aimed at people of a certain generation. I am fascinated by baby-boomers, their concerns and peculiarities as a group. I also love that aspect of the human condition – relationships – which will always fascinate us. How couples bond or separate, how adult siblings relate. These are topics my readers love. When incorporated into a piece of location fiction, they really resound and stay in the memory.

How long did it take you to write the book?

It took about 5 weeks to set down the first draft of A Funeral in Fiesole. I do not plan my novels, but this one was fairly easily kept in my head, and it all came tumbling out of my typing fingers in a very short span.

Do you have a favourite character in your work?

The best character I have ever created – in all my writing life – became a real person in my mind. He lives inside two of my novels, According to Luke and The Hidden Auditorium. His name is Prof Bryn Awbrey, a Welsh eccentric who is very good at solving mysteries, especially if they relate to art, history, music, and related subjects. He is a loveable old man – the kind of uncle everyone needs.

Do you have a favourite topic in your work?

My favourite topics are Bryn Awbrey’s topics! My tertiary education consisted in Fine Arts, and History of Art and Architecture. I also love music and the lives of the composers. I read a lot of biographies. So it’s only natural that I should take these beloved subjects into my fiction without very much effort. Researching within these subjects is also very pleasurable, and sometimes preferable to writing.

What was your process? Did you plot out the entire book, or just let the storyline flow?  Do you write in chronological order?

Although it’s vital in fiction, storyline is not what comes first. I first seek a strong premise, give it a good base in the human condition, lace it with a lot of history, music, art, literature and so on … find the correct words with which to frame the narrative, seek some wonderful characters to bring it all to life, and it takes form, very swiftly, in my head. Then I hold my hands over the keyboard, and they do the rest.

Do you have plans for further instalments?

No. Occasionally I write a book and my readers ask for a sequel, so it does occur to me, but that’s not enough. I must have all the ingredients I mentioned above. When that happens, and another novel can be constructed on the tail of another, it’s a fine thing. It’s only happened once so far. But watch this space.

Do you have a plan for your next book?

I’m the kind of author who doesn’t plan. My life is too full of complications for that. If I applied the same structures and schedules to my writing as I must to what I call my real life, writing would cease to be enjoyable.

Ebooks vs Physical books? Do you have a preference when reading?

I read paper books for one simple reason – most of my day is spent in front of a computer screen for one purpose or another. Relaxing with a book means lying down with a paperback for me.

There will always be a place for both electronic and physical books in the reading world. Many readers love both, and some have a distinct preference for one or the other. Low cost makes ebooks wonderful, and without that stream, my books would not sell so widely or so well. I find, however, that people often buy the whole set of my paperbacks after they have bought an ebook or two … when they have come to love my characters and the way I write. Collectors love books they can place on a shelf.

Self-publishing vs traditional publishing? What are your thoughts? Do you feel that the industry is changing?

The industry – if we can still call it that – started to change sometime in 2008-09. That was the period my publishers started to telegraph a sense of excitement to me. Amazon started to tap into the groundswell of independent writers and small publishers, and suddenly there was a big inundation of new works that travelled well without the need of agents or established publishers. Wow. I took my backlist and published two or three volumes myself, gaining a lot of useful experience as I did it. When my last publishers folded, I was poised to fly. Rights were returned to me and within a fortnight ALL of my books were self-published and selling under my own imprint, Yellow Teapot Books. I have never looked back.

The last seven or eight years have been incredible – not only have mainstream publishing had to take a long hard look at what is happening, but traditional publishers found that participating pays. It’s not easy for them, and it’s not easy for small publishers and those who do it on their own. But the book world is not an easy place to inhabit. It’s always been a hostile place, almost impossible to navigate. Those who survive are the quick learners who are also patient and perseverant. There will always be a place for both trad and SP, but they will both evolve as we go, and the most likely way is in different directions, for different markets. I found it was wonderful to transition between one and the other. I was a hybrid author for a few years. It was what perhaps got me started so well on my own path.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Seriously? I suggest they never touch writing and publishing unless they are immune to frustration, doubt, and extreme difficulty. They must have minimal hope in making it pay financially, and be prepared for endless unpaid hours of not only drafting, editing, correcting and rewriting, but also innumerable hours of promoting, promoting, promoting, and finding new ways to make one’s books discoverable. It’s not for everyone. First, one must be a capable writer, and that takes decades to perfect. Then, one must be open to constant change. One must also be able to understand the book world, understand that ‘marketing’ is not a simple subject one can learn in one weekend; and that just a handful of books will never be enough to cut it in such a ferociously competitive marketplace.

My advice is – if you want regular money, stick to your real job. If you want quick results, reliability and predictability, avoid working in the arts. If you think it’s all about storytelling, delve further into the book world. If you think the life of a writer is uncomplicated and fairly simple, ask someone who does it full time. If you think success as a writer doesn’t involve luck, ask someone whose books are doing well. If you think a good book will automatically find readers, think again.

And finally, how can readers find you?

Website: www.rosannedingli.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/rosannedingli

Twitter: @rosannedingli  (rarely used)

Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/Rosanne-Dingli/e/B002BOJFCM

Goodreads: https: www.goodreads.com/author/show/2743619.Rosanne_Dingli

Blog: www.rosannedingli.blogspot.com

Thank you for this opportunity, Amanda. I like reaching new readers, and your generous offer was very timely.

Rosanne Dingli

Thank you for visiting Rosanne. This was an incredibly stimulating interview.

Amanda