Tribute Blog Tour "In His Own Words" Interview - Back to Bataan by Jerome Charyn

Release Notes is happy to feature Jerome Charyn, the author of Back to Bataan, in a "In His Own Words" segment.  I hope you all enjoy this great interview.

1.      What are your thoughts on the explosion of popularity concerning the YA genre?

I think it might very well be that it started with Harry Potter, that young adult writers are trying to tell good stories and adults have moved into that kind of dream.

2.      You are the master of writing across a realm of different genres, what excites you about connecting with different audiences?

I’m not so sure that these are different audiences, I think we all love stories, whether we’re children or great-grand and when you move from genre to genre you are still telling a story like Scheherazade and the king is always waiting for the next tale.

3.    Your writing is so precise, yet evocative - how do you work at crafting your unique style of prose?

Everything begins and ends with the word, with the music of the sentence and as Tolstoy once said, “I’m always composing.”

4.      Being a published author for nearly 50 years, what do you think of eBooks?

I think that this is a kind of logical step as we move from the internet into eBooks. 

Publishing is changing even as we speak. I think there now will be a more complicated dance between the eBook and the printed book, and as we’ve seen recently, successes in eBooks allow the author to move into print.

5.       What would be your advice to young people who aspire to a literary career?

It’s not worth the money – only write if you’re absolutely in love with it.

6.      How much of your life is in Back to Bataan? How did you personally experience New York during World War II?

I think so much of the source of my writing comes from my childhood, I grew up during the War  - so many of the terrors and the magic of certain films have remained with me.  And all of this appears in the character of Jack.

7.      Your older brother was a detective. Did your experiences with him influence the plot?

Not really, I think all writing is crime writing. And Back to Bataan is a crime novel with a very original twist.

8.      Why did you decide to include the fascination with the famous as a theme - Gary Cooper, Eleanor Roosevelt, etc.?

These people were heroes to me as a child, particularly Eleanor Roosevelt, who was one of the most extraordinary women who ever lived, and of course as a child I fell in love with Gary Cooper’s face and with his very slow drawl, that seemed so exotic to me.

9.     Jack finds acclaim through his writing, yet feels guilty for exploiting other people (Mrs. Fink). How does a writer starting out work to bridge this gap?

You’re always cannibalizing other people and writers when you start to write, so it’s natural that Jack should be a young cannibal.

10.   How important is the New York Times in your own life? Why did you decide to make it a form of connection between Jack and the Leader?

As a child, I didn’t even know that the Times existed – I grew up in a neighborhood without newspapers and books, so that when I first fell upon the New York Times, I was very very greedy, and wanted to include it in Jack’s middle-class life.

New Review and Author Interview -The Brotherhood Of Piaxia by Michael Drakich

Release Notes is thrilled to feature The Brotherhood of Piaxia by Micheal Drakich.  In addition to the review, Micheal has been gracious enough to answer a few questions about his book and how it came to be.  I hope you enjoy!

 Book Synopsis

Years have passed since the overthrow of the monarchy by the Brotherhood of Warlocks and they rule Piaxia in peaceful accord. But now forces are at work to disrupt this rule from outside the Brotherhood as well as within! Follow Tarlok, Savan and Tessia as their paths intertwine, with the Brotherhood in pursuit and the powerful merchant's guild manipulating the populace for their own end.

At the author's request, I reviewed this story and I can say that I did really enjoy it.  It is well written with a wonderfully thought out plot and will leave the reader truly engaged.  One issue I had was the number of characters and at first, I was a little confused until I could sort everyone out.  This, however, does not distract from the story and the characters themselves are interesting and delightful.  It's not often that you see male characters shown with such closeness and camaraderie with each other.  That fact helped to make you really become engaged with the characters and want to see them succeed in their quest.  My only change would be maybe fewer characters so there could be more character development along with the plot.

It was so easy to become one with the story.  Everything was so vivid and I couldn't be help but be sucked into this fantasy world.  Even though this was a different universe, it was still realistic and the descriptions allowed you to visualize the different scenes and settings. This story was full of magic and fantasy and all of it was believable, well, as believable as fantasy can be!  There is also political intrigue and just a touch of romance. It was an imaginative story and my time was well spent.  If you are a fan of fantasy, I think you would enjoy this story.

To purchase this book:

 Smashwords

 Amazon.com

  

 Amazon.uk

In Micheal's Words: 

 

When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?

It was about six and a half years ago. I had recently purchased a fantasy novel which was part of a series of some repute. In fact, it even had a television series made after it. After reading it I came to the conclusion it was one of the worst novels I had ever read. I thought I could do better. So on Monday, February 20, 2006, at 5:23:53 PM I sat down and began writing. I haven’t looked back since.

On average, how long does it take you to write a book?

Novels vary in length and vary in the amount of research required. Don’t forget I still have a full time job employed as other than a writer. My average time is eight to nine months.

Where do you find writing inspiration?

It’s hard to pinpoint that one. With each novel I’ve written I’ve sat down and simply started writing. I’d come up with a concept and then run with it. The development of the plot, characters and subplots would manifest as I wrote.

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

I’m fifty-five now, so obviously a late bloomer at this. Simple math puts me at forty-eight when I began.

What do you think makes a good story?

Characters. Readers want to emote with them, feel their struggles, their moments of anguish, and their triumphs.

Does your family (and/or close friends) know that you write and are a published author? If so, are they supportive of your efforts? 

Absolutely. A group of my close friends serve as beta readers of my novels.

Is there another sub-genre aside from your primary sub-genre that you would like to write for and why?

I consider myself a writer of speculative fiction which is much more encompassing than saying fantasy or science fiction, my two favorites. I would hate to get pegged into one specific genre. So far, I have released a science fiction novel and novelette, and now an epic fantasy. Waiting for editing is a thriller and my current WIP is another scifi. I have two more fantasies planned and would like to take a shot at a horror.

Are there any other types of fiction/literature that you enjoy reading? 

I like ancient history and have enjoyed thrillers, but the vast amount of my reading has been science fiction and fantasy.

How important is reader feedback, good or bad, to you?

I list in my author bio a request for anyone who buys one of my novels to visit again and post a review. I’ve taken an approach where there are no bogus reviews on my works. All are submitted by honest bloggers and strangers. I don’t want someone reading the reviews on my work and thinking, “Who wrote that? His mom?”

 

What advice, if any, do you have for aspiring authors?

Openness. My experience with most new writers is a resistance to criticism. Any critique, no matter what is written, is to be taken as one of value. It is unlikely that as a writer you will appease everyone, but you have to try.

In Max's Own Words- Interview with Maxwell Cynn, Author of The Collective

Release Notes is thrilled and honored to have Maxwell Cynn, author of The Collective visiting today. 

Maxwell Cynn is a novelist, freelance writer, amateur coder, webmaster, and Indie publisher who writes deliciously romantic speculative fiction and blogs book reviews on a wide range of genres. His website, with links to all of his social media connections, can be found at MaxwellCynn.com.  I hope you'll enjoy! 

In Max's own words:

I'm a pragmatic dreamer, a poet, a philosopher, and a construction worker. I enjoy fine art, literature, and classical music as well as Monty Python, dime novels, and hard rock. I prefer cheap beer to fine wine and a good play to professional sports. My interests include theoretical physics, classical history, technology, science fiction, psychology, philosophy, mythology, and the paranormal. I tend to be shy, but I love people. So look me up on your favorite social network, leave a comment on my blog, or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.

When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?

I dreamed of being a famous author in high school, and later in my 20's I played at writing a few fan fiction stories, but it was in my mid 40's that I decided writing is what I wanted to do and started seriously pursuing publication.

On average, how long does it take you to write a book?

Writing is easy. I can type out a novel in 4-6 weeks when my muse is cooperating. Then there is editing, revisions, polish... So I'd say 4-6 months before it is ready for beta readers and advance reviews and a couple of months after that before it is ready for readers. It's easy to spend a year from concept to publish.

Where do you find writing inspiration?

In everyday life. I write speculative fiction which is simply saying, What if? What if a sexy desktop assistant program became sentient? CybrGrrl. What if a computer virus was designed to infect the user's mind? The Collective. I have a devious and over-active imagination, so I'm always thinking, what if?

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

My first attempt at a novel was a Star Trek fan fiction, but we'll skip over that. I was 45 when I wrote CybrGrrl and published it at 47. I have three other novels ready to publish: The Collective which releases Oct 22, .45 Caliber Jitterbug releasing in December, and La Belle Mort releasing in 2012.

What do you think makes a good story?

Good characters and character interactions. A great plot falls dead at the feet of poorly developed characters.

Does your family (and/or close friends) know that you write and are a published author? If so, are they supportive of your efforts? 

My family and friends know and are supportive in a limited sense. Some of them are not avid readers and few have made the jump into eBooks. Being 50, a lot of my friends and family are not what you would call tech savvy and still have trouble with the internet - yes those people are still out there. I think they would be more excited and supportive if they had hard copies of my books.

Is there another sub-genre aside from your primary sub-genre that you would like to write for and why?

Speculative fiction is a wide genre and allows me great latitude in what I write. I've stayed mainly in SciFi and Tech, but I've also ventured into Historic Mystery and Paranormal. But everything has a romantic element because I'm a romantic at heart. I also dabble in non-fiction and would love to write for a local paper.

Is there a main genre that you would like to write for? 

As I said above, journalism has a huge draw to me. .45 Caliber Jitterbug is a classic Cozy Mystery set in the late 1920's during Prohibition. The main character is a reporter for the local newspaper. It was my chance to write like an old style journalist (think Hemingway). I loved it. But it is my only novel in that style or genre.

Are there any other types of fiction/literature that you enjoy reading? 

I'm an avid reader and read almost everything. If there isn't romance involved I tend to loose interest unless it's non-fiction, but I love fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary, historical, suspense, you name it.

How important is reader feedback, good or bad, to you?

Bad feedback is more important than good. Someone saying they like my work is encouraging, but not constructive. When someone tells me things that aren't working I can make it better and grow as a writer. But any feedback from readers is highly important. I write for readers, so their opinion is everything.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Read. Seriously. I love reading. There is nothing better than curling up with a cup of coffee and a good book on my Kindle, except writing a good book myself.

What advice, if any, do you have for aspiring authors?

First, read and read some more. But read like a writer. Look at style, plotting, voice, characterization, everything. Then find your voice. Don't try to copy what you've read, but use the tools you learn from reading. Next, edit. I spend more time editing, revising, and polishing than I do writing. Find honest crit partners - not ones that tell you how awesome you are, or ones who tell you how much you suck, but ones who are honest enough to tell you either when appropriate.

One note about crit groups: Some writers (Hemingway, Stephen King) believe crit groups are not only a waste of time, but destructive. Others live by their crit partners. Crit groups are what you make of them and only as good as the members. I've known people who praise everything and others who trash everything (except their own of course).

You must take all of the advice, critique, and edit suggestions as just that - suggestion. You are the writer. It is your manuscript, your story. Ultimately you decide its final state. Listening, and following every suggestion will result in a total mess and your voice will be completely lost in the cacophony of differing opinions. Nothing will ever appeal to every reader, and often opinions will contradict.

Write what you write. Write well structured prose without spelling or grammar mistakes, but write in your style - your voice. Don't let crit partners or popular books pull you away from your voice in an attempt to be "commercial." Readers can tell a false voice or a copycat and they won't read it. If I want to read Nora Roberts, I buy her books, not books by a Nora wanna-be.

 

Bloodstone Heart - Author Interview With T. Lynne Tolles

Release Notes is thrilled to have CBLS featured author T. Lynne Tolles as guest author interview.  I found her words to be interesting and inspiring!  I hope you enjoy!

RN: When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?

TLT: I’m not sure. It certainly wasn’t my goal in life. I was actually trying to make a point with my teenager and it all kind of fell into place.

RN: On average, how long does it take you to write a book?

TLT: I would guesstimate somewhere between three to six months.

RN: Where do you find writing inspiration?

TLT: Everywhere, but if you want to get specific, most of my writing seems to happen in that pre-dream state just before I fall asleep.  I work out most of my plots and problem areas in this state. I guess it is when my mind is the most open to ideas and doesn’t have the stress of life ruling it.

RN: When did you write your first book and how old were you?

TLT: I didn’t enjoy writing in school. I guess I didn’t like being told what I had to write about even if it was very general.  It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I even had an inkling of stepping up to the task.

RN: What do you think makes a good story?

TLT: Real People…I like to think that if you make your characters as real as possible with feasible conversations and plausible reactions, than the characters can carry the story. Using life experiences in your writing helps you to connect to your readers.  A great story helps too, but if you can’t connect with the characters in the book than you’re probably not going to like any story that involves them.

RN: Does your family (and/or close friends) know that you write and are a published author of romance fiction? If so, are they supportive of your efforts? 

TLT: Yes. My mom and step-mom are beta readers and have no problem telling me what I could improve on.  My daughter has read some of the series, so yes all in all everyone has been very supportive

RN: Is there another sub-genre aside from your primary sub-genre that you would like to write for and why?

TLT: No, at least not at the moment, of course, that may change in the future, but for now I’m very happy in the genre I’m in.

RN: Is there a main genre besides romance that you would like to write for? 

TLT: If I were to ever venture out of the Young Adult genre, I suppose it would still be paranormal romance, just a little spicier. (giggles)  As it is I get embarrassed writing the love scenes even with them as tame as they are. That would be a pretty big leap for me.

RN: Aside from romance, are there any other types of fiction/literature that you enjoy reading? 

TLT: Classics I suppose…Dickens, the Bronte sisters, Jane Austin, etc.

RN: How important is reader feedback, good or bad, to you?

TLT: It’s all good. I try to look at everything as a whole and that it is all a learning experience. I’d be insane to think that no one would hate my books, after all the world is filled with different personalities and we all don’t like the same things. Think how boring the world would be if we all like the same things. I love getting letters from people and try to take their questions as a priority. As for reviews…well I think they are important, but I try not to take them too personally.

RN: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

TLT: Love jigsaw puzzles, computer games, knitting, sewing and napping. (Yes napping – it’s my favorite past time)

RN: What advice, if any, do you have for aspiring authors?

TLT: Hold fast to your dream and it will take you where you need to go. It may not take you in the direction you think it will but you’ll never know unless you try.