AUTHOR GERI AHEARN'S INTERVIEWS

INTERVIEW with Author RICHARD OLIVER SNELSON

2012-01-30T16:23:00.000-08:00

It is with great pleasure and an honor to interview Author Richard Oliver Snelson. Thank you for today's interview. I wish you much success.

Author of 'The Hawksbill Crag' 5 Star Review

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~~~Author Interview~~~

What inspires you to write?
I believe my passion to write comes from the story I want to tell. When I find that bit of lighting in a bottle, the characters drive the mind, and then the fingers.

How important is a book cover?
Critical to me. For the last novel, I designed the cover, before writing the story. I always keep the tentative cover in plain view while writing.

Did you have favorite books as a child?
Jack London's 'Call Of The Wild' was a favorite.

If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

I just finished a western short story for Dusty Richard's next anthology. The subject has to have a bite that will drive me each day in my daydreams. Daydreams always help to speed a story along.

Do you have current work in progress?
I do. The story is a modern adventure set against one of the environmental disasters man is creating.

INTERVIEW #4 with Author SAM MOFFIE

2012-01-17T15:19:00.000-08:00

It is a Pleasure And with Great Honor to Welcome back Author Sam Moffie. 2010 Author Of The Year. Sam Moffie is the Talented Author of: Swap; The Organ Grinder And The Monkey; No Mad; The Book Of Eli, And his New Release titled 'To kill The Duke.' Thank you Sam for today's Interview. May 2012 bring you much Success in your Writing endeavors.

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Please Contact Sam at: uel0409@aol.com

***Author Interview #4***

In your opinion, what does it take to become successful?
Luck, patience, talent, and some extra cash on editing and marketing.

Describe your perfect reading location.
TIE: Outside on a beautiful day in our stone garden, and by a roaring fire with my wife while reading her Kindle.

Has a movie ever inspired you to write a story?
How ironic! Although the movie 'The Conqueror' didn't inspire me to write TO KILL THE DUKE, it figures big-time in it.

Of all your books published, which one was the most enjoyable to write?

My latest book, 'TO KILL THE DUKE.' The subject matter of the 1950s America vs. the USSR, and all that went with the Cold War has been of great interest to me. The research and the whips of my editor and muse to be better, made a tough subject come to life via imagined people, places and things as well as real life people, who were very prominent during those intense times.

INTERVIEW with Author SAMANTHA RYAN CHANDLER

2012-01-17T12:13:00.000-08:00

It is with Great honor and a pleasure to Interview Author Samantha Ryan Chandler today. Thank you Samantha for your time. I wish you much Success.

http://www.SamanthaRyanChandler
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~~~Author Interview~~~

What inspires you to write?
My book 'A love Story:How God Pursued Me and Found Me' was written to myself, or I thought this when I first began to write. It wasn't until five months after my manuscript was accepted by my publisher that I added the last chapter, which was a true Epiphany. I had so much happen to me that was not understandable. To better understand my circumstances, I began with my early life and searched to see where God was beginning with my abusive childhood, and took my writings into my divorce that can only be cataloged as an annihilation. This process was cathartic and freeing.

Who is your favorite author?
I have a variety of reading interests, depending on where I am in life. I will get into one genre and read reams, until I am fully saturated, and then on to another genre. I must admit that Alexander Dumas holds my fancy, and I can read and re-read his work. 'The Count Of Monte Christo' is chuck full of excitement, adventure, and is a true fairy tale with a solid ending. It is gripping, as you hold on to the edge of your book, hoping with each page that this book just possibly could have a happy ending. 'Les Miserable' is another favorite. Even though I fully know how it ends, I find myself in a nervous state as the main character goes from anguish to mayhem, to redemption to peace.

Describe your perfect reading location.
I own a historical property that has seven massive oaks that are possibly several hundred years old. Between two perfectly placed oaks, is a space that is just right for a hammock. I like to read in my hammock with cushy pillows and a soft blanket, watching the leaves sway in the wind between pages.

Did you enjoy reading as a child?
I always read every night before sleep. In the summer, I would plan my week to the library. I would walk maybe a mile to the library, but this was fantastic as I could fantasize as to what treasure I may find on the shelves. I would check out no less than five books. Growing up in Louisiana, our summers were brutally hot. After a heavy lunch, it would be quite common to read until the afternoon was not so hot, and run out and play. This also established a great reading habit.

Do you have current work in progress?
Yes, I am working on two books. I am co-writing with my partner. It is fiction, and a love story. Our writing style is a bit unique as he writes on his computer, and I write on mine. I send him my writing from the character's female love interest, and my partner then merges the two writings. We brainstorm the direction of where the story is going, and then we each write from our heart. It is moving along quite nicely, and very exciting to see his writings merge with my thoughts. At some point, we will have to write together. My second book is for young children, the type A mother would sit with her child on her lap, and read too. The title is 'Miss Hunny Bunny and Pretty kitty Take a Road Trip Upon Turtle.' It shall be an adventure. I am in hopes that my middle daughter, who is the artist, will illustrate the pages.

INTERVIEW with Author ALEXANDREA WEIS

2012-01-16T16:27:00.000-08:00

It is with Great honor and a Pleasure to Interview Author Alexandrea Weis today. Thank you Alexandrea for your time. I wish you very much Success.

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~~~Author Interview~~~

What inspires you to write?
I wish I could pinpoint it to one thing that inspires me, but anything inspires me. A song, a story from a person I just met about their life, or a story on the news. I find stories all around me. When I don't have a story, I just sit down, and start writing. Probably what inspires me the most to write is a blank piece of paper. I just want to fill it up with something.

Who is your favorite author?
Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, and Ian Fleming. I loved the character study of James Bond in the books.

If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?
Paranormal or fantasy probably. I think those genres really allow your imagination to soar.

In your opinion, how important is a book cover?
Very important. That is your first introduction to the reader, and we as humans are visual creatures. What we see entices us. I always take special care with my covers.

Do you have special work in progress?
My next book is coming in January 2012, titled 'BROKEN WINGS.' It is the story about a wildlife rehabber who uses the healing power of animals to help a Iraq veteran home from the war to overcome his post traumatic stress syndrome. It is a very personal story for me since I am a wildlife rehabber, and a Nurse who has worked with PTSD patients in the past. It is a story of love, and the ability to overcome all obstacles.

INTERVIEW with Author HANNA DE JAGER

2011-12-27T17:26:00.000-08:00

It is with great pleasure and an honor to Interview Author Hanna de Jager today. Thank you Hanna. I wish you much Success.

Author of "LIGHTWORKERS SAGA"

Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller

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~~Hanna is a spiritual speaker and since the first fledgling steps that propelled her on her journey, she has altered her attitude towards life, love, and the pursuit of happiness.

~~~Author Interview~~~

What inspires you to write?

I have always wanted to write a book. I used to think that I would leave it until I was retired, but then one day, two years ago, I decided not to wait any longer and took the bull by the horns. That's when the story for 'LIGHTWORKERS SAGA' came to me in a dream.

Did you enjoy reading as a child?

Oh yes! I read a lot. I was always lost in a book.

If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

I do write in a different genre. My second book 'DRAWING DOWN A DREAM' is currently in production, and it is a self help guide to manifesting and surviving change.

How important is a book cover?

I say very important, but my publisher has complete control of the cover art.

Do you have current work in progress?

Yes, I have one in production, and at the moment, I'm working on a sequel to 'LIGHTWORKERS SAGA.'

INTERVIEW with Author LIZ R. NEWMAN

2011-12-27T15:16:00.000-08:00

"AN AFFINITY for SHADOWS"
Author Liz R. Newman

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It is an honor and with great pleasure to Interview Author Liz R. Newman. Thank you for today's Interview, and I wish you much success.

~~~Author Interview~~~

What inspires you to write?

I've always loved the sound of words, and crafting the melody of the cadence my characters take on, and the words my characters say, inspired by their inner drives. I write because I adore the art of my storytelling, and I have a visceral reaction while crafting a story. My characters are almost as real to me as my own children, and when they triumph, I feel a sense of satisfaction. Most of all, I write because I love to read, and I long to someday strike that universal chord that all great writers have managed to strike in those of us who discover books that help us see ourselves and the world in a different light.

Did you have favorite books as a child?

As an adolescent, I would devour anything I could find by Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume. I used to read the same books over-and-over, since our little public library couldn't keep up with my voracious demands for more books by these authors. I also loved to peek into the horror section, and borrowed books on scary ghost tales and the pagan arts.

When I grew into a teen, my reading was censored drastically. But, I would still manage to sneak in stories by V.C. Andrews, Stephen King, Danielle Steel and Hunter S. Thompson. I would hide them behind volumes of Shakespeare, although I loved his work too. I adore the classics. I loved Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, Gone With The Wind and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald,which provided me with the ultimate escapes from a somewhat bourgeois existence. I would read these books over-and-over, until the pages wore out.

If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

It would be horror. But I'm the type of person who swears that if I hang my foot over the side of the bed in the middle of the night, something will grab it. I wrote a horror story for the 'Story Of The Month' section on my site, and I nearly jumped out of my skin when my husband asked me a question. Really! I'm too much of a scarred cat to write horror. I can't even finish some horror novels as they become too scary for me.

How important is a book cover to a book?

I love the look of a beautiful cover that implies far more than the genre itself. Pictures to me are more than what they are at face value, they are symbolic of what happens in the book itself. If I see a cover with simply a half naked man emblazoned upon it, I immediately bypass the book, because I worry there's not much substance to the work. I could be wrong, and if it sells and that is the objective, then I certainly have respect for that. But for my own books, I love it when my publisher puts together a cover that implies far more than what the title insinuates. That really draws me in.

Do you have current work in progress?

Gypsy Shadow Publishing Company is currently in the production phase for my second novel, THE LAST DAY KING, the first of the Mythic Royals Trilogy. I'm almost finished writing another novel titled THE NEW ORLEANS WAY, which is a historical romance, set in the 1890s. The novel is rich with gunslingers, Southern ladies and gents, Mafia men and gambling houses, and it has been quite a ride to put together. I'm really excited to get this one out to my readers.

INTERVIEW #3 with Author W.G. Griffiths

2011-11-26T12:15:00.000-08:00

It is an Honor and with Great Pleasure to Welcome back Author W.G. Griffiths. Thank you Bill for Today's Interview. I wish you continued success.

W.G. Griffiths is the Award Winning Author of Malchus; Driven; Takedown; Stingers, Methuselah's Pillar; and just released Talons. He lives on Long Island and is currently working on Timeless, the sequel to Methuselah's Pillar, and two other non-fiction books.

http://www.wggriffiths.com

~~~Author Interview #3~~~

Do you plan on writing a book every year?

Yes. Actually, I'm working on three right now, but only one is a novel, the other two are non-fiction.

Describe your perfect reading location.

My perfect reading location would be somewhere in the rain. Rain works magic on my focus, because there's no outdoor activities calling, except if it's accompanied by very high hurricane caliber winds. That would draw me out.

Has a movie ever influenced you to create a new project?

Sure. I love good movies with great plots. They inspire. 'The Highlander' would be a good example. I've written a few books that deal with immortality, and the flashbacks in distant history create excellent story and character development.

In your opinion, what does it take to become successful?

Heart, more than anything else. Attack the work, or it will attack you.

INTERVIEW with Author SHARON HAYS

2011-11-23T15:11:00.000-08:00

It is an Honor and with Great Pleasure to Interview Author Sharon Hays. Thank you Kindly Sharon for Today's Interview. I wish you continued Success.

http://www.SharonHays.com

~~~Author Interview~~~

What Inspires you to write?

My writing is inspired by my love of great mystery books, and life experience. I have so much to write, it seems as though I could go on forever. Even when I was a child, I wrote short-stories, and poetry. One in particular was about an Indian Chief, which received quite good grades from my teachers. I guess I always loved to write, but mostly poetry and some short stories, while in creative writing classes.

Who is your favorite author?

Oddly enough, my very favorite author is William Cullen Bryant. His poem 'Thanatopsis' was such an exquisite form of prose on the subject of death and dying, that I never forgot it. He wrote such an eloquent description of what would normally be a very depressing subject, I thought. I was about fourteen then, I think. Edgar Allen Poe and Kahlil Gibran are also very impressive in my opinion. Current writers such as Stephen King and Dean Koontz are among some of my favorites.

Did you have favorite books as a child?

When I was young, the Nancy Drew Mystery Series was my favorite. I think I read them all once, or twice.

In your opinion, how important is a book cover?

The book cover is half the battle, I believe. It's about drawing in the looker. As in any kind of store, it's the first impression and you want someone to pick it up and thumb through it, and read the prologue. If the art is intriguing, it won't be passed on.

Do you have current work in progress?

My current work is a new children's book, 'Adventures Of Sadie Ladybug.' It is another learning with fun story for an audience of ages four to nine. Great illustrations by the artist, who has done all of my books to date. As soon as the illustrations are complete, the book will be ready to publish.

The other book I have close to print is completely different from the rest of my works. It is an art/poetry compilation made up of art prints from twenty-five artists around the world: USA; India; Turkey; Australia: Italy; Germany; Russia; and Uzbekestan. A diverse works of photography; oil; acrylic; digital art; and sketches, which are accented with much of my poetry which I wrote for the piece, or the artist created from my poetry. There are a few other poets in the book that also reflect some of the artists works. I believe this has been the most exciting, because I was able to communicate, and become friends with artists in other countries. I would have never met, otherwise. It has been an eye-opening experience, and the book is going to be phenomenal. I paint, but only a little as there is not enough time for both art and writing, but I did include one of my acrylics in the works. The book, An Opulent Tableau Of Essence, is in layout stage, and soon will become a reality.

INTERVIEW #2 with Author STEVEN CLARK BRADLEY

2011-11-11T15:09:00.000-08:00

It is an Honor and with Great Pleasure to 'Welcome Back' Author Steven Clark Bradley. Thank you Steven for Today's Interview. I wish you very much Success.

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http://storiesthatreadyou.com/

~About The Author~

I worked a number of years in various countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa. God granted me the privilege of visiting or living in thirty-four countries, where I worked extensively with Kurdish refugees from Turkey, Iraq, and Syria. I established a school by correspondence for African students in the African countries of the Gambia and Senegal West Africa, and founded a Cultural Center for refugees in France, where I lived for six years. Because of my experience, today I can speak French and Turkish.

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW #2~~~

What has inspired you the most to write?

I have always been a storyteller. I was writing my dreams and my ideas, when I was as young as ten. I have a need to express the things I believe, and want to tell in a manner that uses real-life issues to tell a story that can wake people up. I have always had a fear of one day dying, and no-one would know I had been here. I realized that the best way to be remembered is to do something memorable.

Is writing a passion, a stress-reliever, or both?

Writing is definitely a passion for me. It is something I have never been able to suppress. There is nothing greater than writing, and creating something from nothing. It's the closest thing to the divine! I have lived in many cultures, and it has given me a love for the differences amongst us. I am a student of American culture, and write about the changes in our society. So, sometimes my writing is stressful suspense, but I do get a great peace, after having written a great chapter.

How many books have you written?

I have written six books, and number seven is 'The Consortium.' This book is written, and being edited. Here is a description of each book:

'The Most Intelligent Of Idiots-The Memoirs Of Steven Clark Bradley.'
Every living thing that walks and breathes and rationally processes information is a living, breathing, walking story that possesses both positive reasoned and brainless conclusions.

'The Second Republic-Patriot Acts-Part II'
What would America do if we were faced with a horrendous terrorist attack that no amount of security could stop?

'Patriot Acts'
The Republic of Iran has linked-up with radical American Militia groups to carry out a covert nuclear attack on America. Colonel Fisher Harrison, the best trained Special Ops killer that the military has, is the one person who can effectively retaliate against these adversaries.

'Nimrod Rising'
Have you ever felt that the world was guided in ways that are beyond man's control? The constant changes in the world since the time of Nimrod 4000 years ago until today and all the events that have shaken the world have been to bring the universe back into the hands of the Prince Of Darkness, Lucia, a world that he had ruled with his Watchers, before it was all ripped from his grasp when man was created.

'Stillborn'
Unknown to Wallace Findings, a one-night stand results in twins. The mother is murdered soon after their birth, to cover a hideous crime, which sends Findings on an eighteen year hunt for her murderer.

'Probable Cause'
Greg Bradford is an escaped mental patient, a man who wants revenge, a man prepared to do anything to get his life back, and has a plan to do it.

If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

You know, this is actually an amazing question! 'The Most Intelligent Of Idiots' has been my most extensive work in the autobiographical genre. I found it exhilarating and sometimes shockingly redemptive. I think I could be a very extensive and exhaustive biographer of many of the world's most recent and distant people and events, which have rocked and shaped the present day world.I feel that as a writer with an extensive career around the globe, we can almost write a new genre that I entitled 'biographical fiction.' So much of my work is actual events around which I have woven a tense and suspenseful treatise in fiction. I like to think that I am writing what I have realized are rational conclusions, if the world continues on its present collapse.

What are your writing goals for the future?

I am currently working on three projects, some on the back-burner, and others very developed and growing. Here is a description of my various works in progress:

'The Consortium'
This is the third installment to the 'Patriot Acts Series' and I believe the most powerful of the three. 'The Consortium' finishes the Patriot Acts Trilogy.

'Blogger Series'
I have already written twenty-six chapters of my upcoming novel series titled 'Blogger.'

'The Messiah Syndrome Series'
I have three books of this series ready to be edited, and I am determined to publish them one at a time in four volumes.

'Willow Morgan Series'
There is nothing more important than imparting strong values into the lives of our children. This is a story about decisions, wise judgement and strong convictions, about which is right, and which is wrong.

INTERVIEW with Author DIANNE EBBERTT BEEAFF

2011-11-11T12:14:00.000-08:00

It is with Great Pleasure and an Honor to Interview Author Dianne Ebbertt Beeaff.
Author of "SPIRIT STONES"
Unraveling the Megalithic Mysteries of Western Europe's Prehistoric Monuments
Thank you kindly Dianne for Today's Interview. I wish you much Success.

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A native of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. Dianne moved to Phoenix, AZ, with her sister Carol, in the late 1960s. A history major at the University of Arizona, she graduated with high honors, and has skillfully applied her expertise with historical research and analysis to her personal and professional writing.

On her first visit to the British Isles in the late 1980s, Dianne Ebertt Beeaff was captivated by the region's magnificent stones. An avid traveler and historian, she has since been drawn not only to the architecture of Europe's megalithic monuments, stone circles and burial chambers, but also to their spiritual allure and contemporary significance.

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW~~~

Did you have favorite books during childhood?

As a child, I loved 'The Wind In The Willows' and all the books of Thorton Burgess. But, the book that got me hooked on writing at the tender age of eight was a book titled 'Deep River Girl' about the life of Marian Anderson.

What inspires you to write?

I am inspired by many things, past, present, and future. This particular book was inspired by my decades-long love of the prehistoric monuments of Western Europe. I felt this book could be a way I could honor this part of the human past, and at the same time link their form and function to our present day search for spiritual insight, connecting the long ago and far away with the here-and-now.

How important is a book cover?

A book's cover is tremendously important as it's the reader's first glimpse at your work, at least while books are still predominantly non-electronic. Color and form, structure and design and graphics must come together with enough power to grab the reader's attention, and make them want to know more. Specific elements are not as important as the overall look.

If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

I have written in several other genres, poetry, memoir, and historical fiction among them. I have follow-up ideas in all of those genres as well as a book of short stories.

Do you have current work in progress?

I am presently working on the book of short stories mentioned above, as well as a follow-up to 'A Grand Madness' and a sequel to 'Power's Garden.'

**INTERVIEW with Author Rick D. Niece, Ph.D

2011-11-10T14:11:00.000-08:00

It is an Honor and with Great Pleasure to Interview Rick D. Niece, Ph.D
Author of "SIDE-YARD SUPERHERO"
LIFE LESSONS FROM AN UNLIKELY TEACHER
Book I in the fanfare for a Hometown Series
Thank you Kindly for Today's Interview. I wish you continued Success.

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Dr. Niece began his professional career in education as a high school English and Speech teacher, and he subsequently held a variety of administrative positions at the public school level. In 1988, he left the public school sector to enter higher education, where he served in several positions:Professor;academic dean;provost;and executive vice-president. In 1997, he was named President of the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas.

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW~~~

What inspires you the most to write?

In my writing, I try to capture the sense of small town nostalgia that many of my generation continue to reflect fondly upon. I also want to share that sense of community I felt with a younger generation. Most of all, my writing allows me to keep alive my carefully pocketed memories.

Did you enjoy reading as a child?

Yes! I was a voracious reader. I read every book in my mother's book-rich knitting room, as well as the books in our school library, and the local public library.

How important do you think a book cover is?

Because of geniuses like Linda Radke, I am learning more-and-more about the importance of a striking cover. The cover needs to capture a potential buyer's attention in about eight seconds, and it should entice the buyer to pick the book up, and leaf through it.

If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

I would be no good at fiction. If there were only one other genre for me to use to express myself, it would be poetry.

Do you have current work in progress?

Yes. The Band Plays On, Book II in the Fanfare for a Hometown Series is currently in the editing stages. After my retirement in July 2013, I will continue the series with Book III, which also takes place in my small hometown of DeGraff, Ohio.

INTERVIEW #2 with Author W.G. GRIFFITHS

2011-10-18T14:49:00.000-07:00

~Welcome Back Author W.G. Griffiths~

W.G. Griffiths is the Award Winning Author of MALCHUS; DRIVEN; TAKEDOWN; STINGERS; METHUSELAH'S PILLAR; and just released TALONS. He lives on Long Island, New York, and is currently working on TIMELESS, the sequel to METHUSELAH'S PILLAR and two non-fiction books.

It is with Great Pleasure and an Honor to bring back Author W.G. Griffiths. Thank you Kindly for Today's Interview. Many Congrats on your Achievements, and I wish you much Success.

~~~Author Interview~~~

What motivates you to write?

I love good stories. I love to read them, see them, and tell them. Readers also motivate me. There is a sweet sense of accomplishment in seeing the print completed, hearing back from readers about how they were moved, and in some cases, changed. I received a lot of those life changing reports from my first book, MALCHUS, and that has motivated me ever since.

What factors place you in the comfort zone while writing?

Knowing my research is good, and I can relate to things my characters are doing. I skydive now, because I had a character do it. I discovered things about skydiving that I never would have known if I didn't personally jump. The feeling of blood rushing into my legs, for example. It puts the reader in my world, and then they tell me that they felt like they were there. That's a big goal.

What are your goals in the future for your writing journey?

My goals are to keep it all fresh, and to keep the stories coming. I have never had writer's block, and there are many stories in the tank.

In your opinion, how important is a cover to a book?

Damn important! Making the cover is also a lot of fun. I like to come up with the idea, and my son, Luke, makes it appear.

Have you had the pleasure of discussing your book with a fan?

Yes. 'STINGERS' is easy to love. Think Huckleberry Finn meets The Godfather. I never had so much fun writing anything.

INTERVIEW with Author NATALY RUBINSTEIN, MSW, LCSW, C-ASWCM

2011-09-20T13:30:00.000-07:00

It is an Honor and with Great Pleasure to Interview Author NATALY RUBINSTEIN, Five Star Publications Author. Thank you Kindly for Today's Interview. I wish you much Success.

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW~~~

What inspires you to write?

Helping others inspires me to write. I'm a very visual person, and what I see becomes a snap-shot that later I go back and explore. Some people use music, others use paint, some use clay, and others use a pen. For me, writing is my artistic expression. I've always had a knack for explaining things best on paper, because for me, words are so descriptive, and powerful. I must have been one of the few children, who actually looked forward to writing reports, and once I got to college, I was in seventh heaven. The more paper assignments, the better, and I looked forward to the time I could spend on my assignments.

Who is your favorite author?

I don't have a favorite author. During different periods of my life, I have been drawn to a variety of authors. Like a kid who goes through food phases, once I like a book, I will read everything that they wrote. I went through my Agatha Christie stage; Stephen King; Dean Koontz; Charles Dickens; Jane Austin; Harold Robbins; J.R. Tolkien; Kurt Vonnegut; Joyce Carol Oats; Satire; Voltaire; and Kafka.

Did you enjoy reading as a child?

I started reading at an early age, and have been an avid reader ever since. When I read a story, it's as if the words jump off the page, and the story unfolds in my mind. I get so engrossed in the book that I'm reading, that I'm oblivious to what is happening around me. It's not unusual for me to stay up all night, and keep telling myself that I'll just read one more page, and then before I know it, the sun is rising. Here's a true story, I was reading Jane Eyre in front of the fireplace, and was at the part, where the estate was on fire. As Jane is describing the smoke and flames, my dog started tugging on my shirt, and yapping like crazy. It turns out that my house was filled with smoke from the fireplace, and a neighbor had called the fire department, who were banging on the door! Needless to say, it was quite embarrassing. My family found it hysterical, but annoying, because whenever I have a book in my hand, nothing gets done. I have missed whole days, because of good books. I read a book a week.

How important is a book cover?

I personally like plain covers. Growing-up, most of the books in my home did not have jacket covers, so I'm partial to a naked book. Covers can be deceiving. One of my favorite books was 'THE FORSYTH SAGA' which came in a plain blue-and-white cover. The cover is like the pretty face with make-up that draws you in, but there's no substance, no-matter how great the cover, it won't keep you engrossed.

Do you have current work in progress?

I am working on my dissertation for my PH.D, which is on dementia and sexuality. There is definitely a book in the works.

INTERVIEW with Author KIM MALCHUK

2011-09-19T14:37:00.000-07:00

It is an Honor and with Great Pleasure to Interview Author KIM MALCHUK today. Thank you for your time Kim, and I wish you much Success.

Five Star Publications Author of: "TASTING RAIN"

Genre: Non-fiction/Memoir/Inspirational

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW~~~

What inspires you to write?

At a very early age, I developed the skill of observation. Over the years, I have honed and perfected this talent. I'm very grateful for it, because I am completely fascinated with observing people, their actions and most of all, their emotional behavior. Don't get me wrong. I don't actually stalk people. However, I do watch discreetly, and listen carefully to how people conduct themselves in their everyday life. I guess you could say that I have taken 'people watching' to a literary level.

I am inspired to write about life, because it is so beautifully complex, and yet so simple. There is a global shift of more people wanting, searching and discovering the secret to living the life of their dreams. I am passionate to share with readers, who are seeking for that secret, by writing about real-life experiences, and examples to prove there really is no secret after all.

People are intrigued to read about real-life situations from an ordinary person, who is just like them, because they can relate. Life situations may differ from person-to-person, but in the end what connects all of us together, is our emotions. I want my writing to be free-flowing, easy to understand, light-hearted, and thought-provoking. At the conclusion of my writings, my hope is that the reader will walk away, and discover that the secret to living the life of their dreams has always been lying within themselves.

Who is your favorite author?

I love to read authors, genre does not matter, who have the ability to grab my interest within the first few pages, and keep me intrigued right to the end. I know that I have found a new favorite, when either I cannot put the book down, I find myself reading until the wee hours of the morning, or when I reach the final page. I find myself wanting more. The authors that immediately come to mind are: Harper Lee, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRDS;Margaret Mitchell, GONE WITH THE WIND; Khaled Hosseini, THE KITE RUNNER; Khaled Hosseini, A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS; William P. Young, THE SHACK; Neale Donald Walsch, CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD; Gail Tsukiyama, THE STREET OF A THOUSAND BLOSSOMS; John Grogan, MARLEY & ME; Alex Cord, A FEATHER IN THE RAIN; Beth Pattillo, JANE AUSTEN RUINED MY LIFE

Did you enjoy reading as a child?

With all honesty, I was not an avid reader as a child, or teenager. The gift of reading came to me late in life, but when it finally arrived, I became a ferocious reader. I wanted to make up for lost time, so I turned to some of the classics by authors such as: Austen; Twain; Shelley; Alcott; and my all time favorite book 'TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, by Harper Lee. To break away from the classics, I dabbled into many different genres such as: autobiographies; history, suspense; and legal thrillers.

If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

Fiction, hands down! I am completely amazed at the dedication, talent, and creativity that fictional authors are able to bring to the pages for our personal enjoyment. It takes an incredible amount of imagination to come up with everything from a simple idea they had hovering in the back of their minds. Characters, (Main and supporting);settings;time;location;dialogue;plot; and then on top of all that, they need to create a story that will capture the reader's interest from beginning to end. When I think of the brilliance of J.K. Rowling and the phenomenal success of the Harry Potter series,well, let's just say, that she's a genius! I am in complete awe of her wildly, fantastic and unparalleled talent as one of the finest fictional writers this world has ever read, and now, has ever seen in movie theatres all around the globe.

Do you have current work in progress?

I have an outline for my next book, and premature thoughts for another. I have committed to start the writing process within the next month. 'TASTING RAIN' has been re-released, second edition, into the U.S. market as of June, 2011. As you can imagine and know from your own personal experience, releasing a book is a very small part of the entire book process. There is all the marketing; advertising; interviews; distribution; etc. This is all crucial to the success of getting exposure for any book.

Since partnering with Linda Radke, President of Five Star Publications and her incredibly talented team in early 2011, I am looking forward to the opportunities ahead with great anticipation as 'TASTING RAIN' soars to new heights. With an aggressive marketing plan in place, the skies definitely the limit, so why stop there?

INTERVIEW with Author JOE L. BLEVINS

2011-09-18T14:07:00.000-07:00

It is an Honor and with Great Pleasure to Interview Author JOE L. Blevins

Thank you Joe for Today's Interview. I wish you much Success!

Author of: "THE FAMILIAR"

'Lock Your Doors And Say You're prayers, For Evil Abounds Everywhere!'

Horror/historical/Supernatural/fantasy/Ethnic/Saga/Adventure

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW~~~

What inspires you to write?

There is a basic desire to tell an interesting story, and do something new and different. I always use a sense of humor with strong details to make you think, and see the events like someone living at that time and place. The language used speaks of a different era. The reader gets the sense of being at a certain event in the past. I stay away from profanity in my work, because often it is used, and weakens the story. Your main audience suffers in the process. 'THE FAMILIAR' is my seventh book. It came about when I was picking up trash, after a big storm. We live in the country, so there was a great deal of trash blown into one of our fields. I went to pick up the trash, and a bobcat jumped out of a cedar tree. I dropped the trash, and he took the trash, then ran off with it. It scared me so much, that it was exciting. I kept thinking about it, and a story came to mind, over a period of a few months.

Who is your favorite author?

Robin Renee Ray is my favorite author at the present time. Sue Dent is a very close second.

Did you enjoy reading as a child?

Yes. We went to the library to read often. We spent every summer, so that we could read to improve our reading skills, be better informed, and cover material that school often glossed over. I always loved colorful stories, and books on science, and history.

If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

Historical Fiction has been my favorite genre in the past. My other books deal with this premise. It was often too confining, trying to keep to a certain timeline. Even when I write a fictional story, I try to keep with actual factual details, and events to make the story more interesting for the reader. The storyteller is often fictional, but the details are real characters, and historical events. 'THE FAMILIAR' is my first Gothic horror tale. The idea has been in my mind for about ten years.

Do you have current work in progress?

Yes. A new work is being developed as we speak. The drawings come first, then the stories unfold around the artwork. Drawings give a story details about the way I see it in my imagination. I write down notes that explain my notions about the premise, almost like a storyboard for a movie.

INTERVIEW with Author WAYNE ZURL

2011-09-16T13:06:00.000-07:00

It is with Great Pleasure and an Honor to Interview Author WAYNE ZURL. Thank you for Today's Interview. I wish you much Success.

Author of: "A NEW PROSPECT: City Limit"

Genre: Police Mystery

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW~~~

What inspires you to write?

That's a difficult question, because I really don't know what triggers an inspiration. Much of what I write is based on memory, rather than imagination. After twenty busy years with a major Police Department, I've tucked away a few good war stories. Sometimes, it happens when I wake up at 3:30 in the morning, or perhaps when I'm doing seventy on the Interstate. I'll remember something that happened thirty years ago, and how it might make an interesting story by embellishing it, fictionalizing everything, and transplanting it from New York to Tennessee and handing it off to Chief Sam Jenkins of the Prospect Police Department to deal with. Twisting Jack Webb's weekly comment from the ending of DRAGNET, I change the names to protect the guilty, the innocent rarely sue you in civil court for mentioning them.

Did you have favorite books as a child?

My mother began reading to me, long before I could write my name. I picked up the task as soon as I could. I remember reading biographies on David Crockett, Daniel Boone, Robert Rogers, and many other historical characters. Around that time, WW2 had just ended, and Korea was in the initial stages. I bought war comics faithfully. I also used my weekly allowance to purchase Classics Illustrated comics, which led me to read books like LAST OF THE MOHICANS, THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK, ROBIN HOOD and others. One of my favorite memories comes from reading the quarterly Uncle Scrooge McDuck comics. They were a real step above the typical children's pulp. The closest I can come with a description is 'Steam Punk' of the 1950s.

If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

With anything I wrote, I'd want to establish credibility through having done extensive research, or personal experience. So, I'd narrow it down to historical fiction in three areas: The Colonial American Era, specifically, The French and Indian War of 1754 to 1763. I've done the research on that. I wasn't alive then. The American Old West, or 20th century military fiction.

I could pull off any of those, and would enjoy the writing. Recently, I wrote a short story for a contest that I never entered, because I drastically exceeded the word limit. They wanted something on time travel. I'm not a science-fiction guy, but I satisfied my need to write a Western with a story set in 1896 New Mexico, using the same characters from the Sam Jenkins mysteries. I loved the results, and posted it to the diary section of my website. I called it 'ANOTHER PROSPECT.'

Do you have current work in progress?

I have three things going at present. I just signed a contract to publish my second full-length novel, another Sam Jenkins mystery called 'A LEPRECHAUN'S LAMENT.' It's based on the most bizarre case I ever saw, something I supervised in the mid-1980s. It deals with investigating a man with no past. I hope the readers believe it.

Then, I just submitted a novelette to Mind Wings Audio, who has been producing my audio books, and simultaneously publishing them as eBooks. This one is called 'THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN BANK JOB.' Jenkins agrees to reopen a forty-three year old case at the request of a beautiful treasury agent. He's a sucker for the ladies.

And lastly, I'll be making final revisions on a novel called 'HEROES AND LOVERS.' Another story from Prospect Police Department.

In your opinion, how important is a book cover?

I think a book cover is an author's way of cashing in, or losing the benefits of the halo effect. People are at first attracted to something, or someone by a visual stimulation.

I don't care whether it's by a person, an automobile, or an appetizing meal. If it looks good, the average person wants to find out more about it. Get a good-looking book jacket, and chances are a shopper will pick it up and read the summary, or the endorsements on the back. As with most things, simplicity is the key. A book store is not an art gallery, where people take time to savor an image. You're in competition with hundreds of other books to capture the attention of a looker. The cover should be a bold grabber that immediately says something. A top-notch cover artist is priceless to authors, and publishers. They start the ball rolling in the potential sale situation.

INTERVIEW with Author SNJEZANA MARINKOVIC

2011-08-02T13:33:00.000-07:00

It is with Great Pleasure and an Honor to Interview Author Snjezana Marinkovic. Author of:"BORN IN SARAJEVO." Thank you Snjezana for today's Interview. I wish you much Success.

http://www.snjezanamarinkovic.com

http://gypsyshadow.com/SnezanaMarinkovic.html

http://www.amazon.com

http://www.barnesandnoble.com

http://hopepost.blogspot.com

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW~~~

What inspires you to write?

Sometimes, something as simple as an autumn leaf, exposed to the sunlight and taken away by the wind get me inspired to take a surfboard, which is my keyboard and look for the waves of words. But, what mainly inspires me to write is people. Similarities and differences we all share and then that insufficient understanding, which has always been the basis of most unreasonable human actions, even if very often they seem to be more suitable for fiction tales, are reality traits I like to hook words on.

Who is your favorite author?

Norman Vincent Peale once said: "Change your thoughts and you can change the world." Since all of us go through some kind of transformation in our lives, at some point we will start observing same things through different filters. I personally prefer change to the static forms. Therefore, I love to peek in every genre, because all of them, even if it's a work of fiction can give me a different instance of apprehending the real nature of something.There are many authors I like. Robin Cook, Jack Kerouac, Deepak Copra, and Maya Angelo.

Did you have favorite books as a child?

Many of my childhood nights, I spent with my eyes being closed as two sea-shells and my ears being open as the ocean, while I listened to my grandmother's voice as she read fairy tales to me. Of course, to this day my favorite is Snow-White, because I was named after her. More important, I found it fascinating how much her dwarfs loved her. This is a get-away from the real world that only a fairy tale could present you with.

If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

I am absolutely amazed by simplicity of the nature and its freedom and unpredictability that we people, despite our fears and losses, cannot stop or punish, because its laws are always stronger than ours. Therefore, if I were to write in a different genre, I would be imaginatively wandering on some type of Darwin's paths. In other words, I would focus on scientific studies and a hypothesis, rather than on creative non-fiction. However, I enjoy writing memoirs and poetry, because if not I might wish I was born as some kind of Super, Spider woman. A woman who is perfect and fast to make everyone happy, with enough power to stop every war, and save every life.

Do you have current work in progress?

"IF" is my current work in progress. This is another non-fiction book of mine, and I was inspired by many people to write the story. Some of them are survivors of domestic war. Some of them decided to break the laws in order to protect the loved one. Some of them are just happy about overcoming fears, and for being strong and lucky enough to stay alive. I am known to many as the emotional writer, and I'm writing this book, because my own experience is connected to all of those people who inspired me.

INTERVIEW with Author VALERIE CRADER

2011-08-02T13:29:00.000-07:00

Author of "THE LAST CHILD"

http://www.amazon.com

http://www.barnesandnoble.com

http://twitter.com/valisdreaming

http://www.facebook.com/valerie.crader

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW~~~

It is an Honor and with Great Pleasure to Interview Author Valerie Crader. I wish you very much Success in your Writing Journey. Thank you Kindly for Today's Interview.

What inspires you to write?

My first inspiration was to write my mother's compelling true story. The house I currently live in has inspired, and challenged my creativity to write.

Who is your favorite author?

Stephen King.

Did you have favorite books as a child?

Raggedy Ann And Andy, Winnie The Pooh, Mickey Mouse, and The Wizard Of Oz.

Do you have current work in progress?

Yes, I am currently writing my second book.

If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

Children's books.

INTERVIEW with Author SARA DEAN

2011-08-01T12:01:00.000-07:00

Author of "FORGIVING JESSE"

Genre: Young Adult

http://twitter.com/saradean

http://www.facebook.com/saradean

http://www.amazon.com

http://www.barnesandnoble.com

http://www.smashwords.com

http://www.omnilit.com

http://www.gypsyshadow.com

It is with Great Pleasure And an honor to Interview Author Sara Dean. Thank you Sara for today's Interview, and I wish you much Success.

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW~~~

What inspires you to write?

My kids! They are so amazing, and they don't even know it. My first book, THE PUPPY WHO FOUND A BOY, was inspired by my son, and his puppy. He didn't choose the dog, the dog chose him! It made me want to write, 'The Boy And His First Dog' story from the dog's point of view. Most of my stories start from something they have done, or said, and from that one thing, I come up with the whole book.

Who is your favorite author?

I have a couple. Mary Higgins Clark and Nicholas Sparks are my favorite authors for my reading time. When I read with the kids, I love to read anything by Nancy Parent and Mercer Mayer.

Did you have favorite books as a child?

Yes. My favorite were Little Critter books by Mercer Mayer and Sammy The Seal, by Sid Hoff.

If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

I write in a lot of different genres, so that's tough! I would have to say I would try my hand at books for adults. I have a couple of ideas for adult books, but so far, I haven't written anything, just for them.

Do you have current work in progress?

I have about five different works in progress. I'm always in the middle of writing something, but then an idea strikes me for another book, and I start that one too. It took me over two years to write FORGIVING JESSE, partly because I kept getting side-tracked with different projects, and partly because I kept losing the notebooks I was writing in. I just finished writing a short story called 'Jesse's Christmas Surprise.' It's going to be in an anthology of Christmas stories that the authors of Gypsy Shadow Publishing are putting together. All the proceeds will be going to charity, so this should be a lot of fun.

INTERVIEW with Author ANN GIMPEL

2011-08-01T11:55:00.000-07:00

Author of "PSYCHE'S PROPHECY"

http://www.amazon.com

http://www.barnesandnoble.com

http://www.anngimpel.com

http://www.facebook.com/anngimpel.author

http://anngimpel.blogspot.com

http://twitter.com/AnnGimpel

http://www.linkedin.com/in/anngimpel

It is with Great Pleasure and an Honor to Interview Author Ann Gimpel today. Thank you for your time Ann. Wishing you much Success in your writing endeavors.

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW~~~

What inspired you to write?

For years, I wandered the Sierras, pack on my back, in awe of the amazing mountain scenery. As I wandered, stories ran about in my head. For some unknown reason, I sat down at my keyboard, after returning from a trip to climb Beer Creek Spire over Labor Day in 2008. Three months later, I had a five-hundred page novel. It needed a lot of work. In fact, it never got any traction with anybody. But, it was a beginning. I completed the next book in that series later in 2009, and started writing short stories at the behest of a freelance copy editor, who was familiar with my work. Well, I started selling short stories, three months after I began writing them. At the end of 2009, I began 'PSYCHE'S PROPHECY' as part of a Book In A Week contest, sponsored by my online writer's group. After much revision, the second publisher I submitted it to took it around October of 2010. They signed me for a three book deal. 'PSYCHE'S SEARCH' is Book two of the series, and will be released by the end of August of 2011, and I'm working very hard to finish Book three. Also, I'm still writing short stories, sometimes spontaneously and sometimes I'll see a particular call for submissions that tickles my fancy, and I'll write a piece specifically to submit. Please check out my website for the names and locations of my short stories. http://www.anngimpel.com

To answer the question, I believe it was my time traipsing through the back country, living in my head, that inspired me to write. There's nothing like having hours, with nothing to do but look at one incredible sight after the next, to spur one's imagination.

Who is your favorite author?

Oh my, but that's a hard one. I love Diana Gabaldon. But, I also like Jacqueline Carey;J.R.R. Martin; Robin Hobb; Patricia McKillip; and Ursula LeGuinn. Oops, I forgot Patricia Cornwell.

Did you have favorite books as a child?

Yes, of course. In fact, 'PSYCHE'S SEARCH' is dedicated to my mother, since she read to me, long before I could talk. I really enjoyed the Narnia books, C.S. Lewis, and I read LOTR when I was about twelve. Also, I liked The Little House On The Prairie books and the Betsy, Tacy, and Tib series. Then there was Nancy Drew, Cherry Ames, and the Hardy Boys. The Black Stallion series was another childhood favorite.

If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

Actually, I do write in two genres now, science fiction, and fantasy. If I was to add one, it would most likely be thrillers.

What are your future goals for your writing career?

I plan to complete the Transformation series. Yes, it will stop at three books. It seems to me that most authors run out of material, after constructing a trilogy, and the topics in the story become repetitive. I'd like to have another half-dozen short stories published over the next couple of years. Also, I want to work on my re-write, begun a year ago entitled Echo Of Hope, my first novel. I've shifted it to have more of a young adult focus.

Of course, I suppose I'd love to write something that became a best seller, but I'm actually content to simply write. It doesn't seem like much of a choice actually, but something inside that drives me. It's a rather insistent voice that I find it hard to say no to.

On other related fronts, I will be keeping up my blog, and my online writer's group requires that I complete a couple of critiques each month. Writing begets writing. I learn from everything that I do. So, whether I'm reading and thinking about how a piece could be improved, or writing my own material, it all coalesces into helping me write better stories.

INTERVIEW #3 with Award Winning/Best Selling Author CHRISTA JAN RYAN

2011-06-06T16:30:00.000-07:00

It is an Honor and with Great Pleasure to bring back author Christa Jan Ryan.

author of "SILENT SCREAMS FROM THE HAMPTONS" 5 Star Review

"A BEACON OF HOPE!"

Award Winning/Best Selling"SILENT SCREAMS FROM THE HAMPTONS" has been moved into a Play/Musical with first production September 16th, and has now been moved into a Film in 2011.

author of: "FROM THE DEPTHS OF A WOMAN'S SOUL"

Genre: Inspirational

http://www.christajanryan.net

http://www.amazon.com

http://www.barnesandnoble.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZto0jClBwM

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW #3~~~

In your opinion, what genre makes the best movies?

Motivational, or Inspirational, because of where we are today as a society. We are all suffering silently, and painfully with issues that have consumed us. When we see someone become an overcomer, it gives us the courage and inspiration to know and explore the possibilities that we too can do it! We need to break out of our isolation, and reach out and touch someone with our experiences, strengths, and hopes!

Did you ever experience writer's block?

Not yet. In the fifteen years that I have been writing, everything to me has become a script, or open book to fill. Life is so full of rich and exciting experiences on how we become shaped through our experiences. I'm constantly writing articles, or logging in information regarding what is happening in my life!

Did you have favorite books as child?

Absolutely! Nancy Drew held my attention for many years as did all the classics that depicted the 'Life' of classic adventure, or heart rendering experiences. I am, and always have been a huge reader for adventure, and escape.

Is writing a passion, stress-reliever, or both?

Both. I'm passionate about writing what is close to my heart, and sharing with my readers, my transparency, and vulnerability. It's also a big stress-reliever to share my 'Humaness' with the world. As I write, it relieves me of so much that I have bottled up, and hidden. It feels like a huge weight that gets lifted, every time I share my truth.

What Helpful advice can you give to new writers?

You have to PERSEVERE! Nothing is easy. But, if the dream of writing has been placed in your heart, you need to listen to your heart, and pursue that dream. It has not been easy for me. Rejection-after-rejection, came in the mail for four straight years, regarding my Best Seller. But, I knew in my heart that I had a winner, and just needed to keep on exploring, and believing in myself! Put yourself in the company of people who are only going to support you. There's nothing worse than to be around people, who constantly bring negativity to your project.

Thank you Christa for Today's Interview. I wish you very much Success!

INTERVIEW with Author JEFF GONSALVES

2011-05-29T15:38:00.000-07:00

It is an Honor and with Great Pleasure to Interview Author JEFF GONSALVES.

Author of: "FORK IN THE ROAD TO APOCALYPSE

Genre: Science Fiction/dystopian/sociological

http://www.jeffgonsalves.com

http://wwwlossofreality.com.blogspot.com

http://www.youtube.com/user/Subawthor

http://tinyurl.com/4xn239p

http://twitter.com/#!/Subawthor

http://sfbook.com/fork-in-the-road-to-apocalypse.htm

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=1580966762

http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/index.php?mainpage=productinfo&cPath=85&productsid=323&zenid=69f3901e9567a425b5d7a470fa3d568b

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW~~~

Geri: What inspires you to write?

Jeff: When I was younger, I used to read science fiction and fantasy, which helped
develop my imagination. I was so enthralled by the fantastical worlds
created by my favorite authors, I wanted to create a world of my own, when
my writing matured. On the other hand, seeing powerful dramas on TV and
in the movie theater awakened emotions that made me realize that a viewer-
reader must feel. This is an integral part of the reading experience. If someone
doesn't care about the characters or story, the plot will stagnate. Working with
adults and children in the hospital and in a psychiatric center for fifteen years
has helped me assimilate the complex feelings I faced everyday, and put them
on paper. I strongly believe that an author must experience real-life emotions
in order to transfer them to a book.

Geri: Who is your favorite author?

Jeff: Probably James Lee Burke, a famous mystery writer. He creates memorable
characters, and has a strong sense of setting. He also knows how to pace a
a scene for ultimate impact, using foreshadowing, and carefully-sustained
tension. Reading several of Mr. Burke's books has helped me develop my
style, but it has also helped me cast a critical eye on books from different
authors. Take Cormac McCarthy's THE ROAD, for example. Its spare prose
and bare-bones dialogue is fodder for much reader disdain on Amazon.com
forums. Some readers believe that he trashes standard rules of punctuation,
and creates his own grammar. Others argue that he is a revolutionary, using
simplistic dialogue and run-on sentences to mimic reality. Reading the work
of these authors has opened a world of possibilities to me, and I have learned
from both their brilliance, as well as their perceived shortcomings.

Geri: Did you have favorite books as a child?

Jeff: 'LORD OF THE FLIES.' It's symbolism and slow-burning anarchy left a huge
impression on me. 'WYVERN' is incredible imagery, and complex plotting
from an amazing Hawaiian author. 'THE BODY.' Some of the richest
characters, and one of the most emotional endings I have ever read.

Geri: If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

Jeff: Possibly nonfiction. I enjoy reading books about subjects from the 'Lost
Boys Of Sudan' to 'Doctors Without Borders' and tales from the foster care
system. My experiences working with disturbed children and adults in a
psychiatric center have been channeled into a recent project, 'Journal Of A
Disturbed Psych Aide.' I use an e-blogger site to purge myself of
memories that have been haunting me for years. In the psychiatric center,
I encountered abused kids whose hair had been pulled out by angry parents,
psychotic adults who would assault you over a dropped cigarette, and
patients with Alzheimer's disease whose slow deterioration broke my heart.

Geri: What are your goals in your journey of writing?

Jeff: Foremost, to entertain people. I want them to enjoy an epic story, and
experience a multitude of emotions by the last page. I also want to learn
from my mistakes, reader feedback, and become a better writer. But most
importantly, I want to put one-hundred percent of myself into everything
that I write. I want every novel to be as good as I can make it, and never want
to churn out books, simply because of a deadline, or paycheck.

Geri: Thank you kindly for today's interview. I wish you very much success.

Jeff: You're welcome.

INTERVIEW #2 with Award Winning/Best Selling Author CHRISTA JAN RYAN

2011-05-27T16:49:00.000-07:00

It is an honor and with Great Pleasure to bring back Author Christa Jan Ryan.

"SILENT SCREAMS FROM THE HAMPTONS" 5 Star Review

"A BEACON OF HOPE!"

Award Winning/Best Selling "SILENT SCREAMS FROM THE HAMPTONS" has now been moved into a Play/Musical with first production September 16th, and has been moved into a Film with sale of Film in 2011.

http://www.christajanryan.net

http://www.amazon.com

http://www.barnesandnoble.com

http://www.goodreads.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZto0jClBwM

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW #2~~~

Geri: What factors place you in the comfort zone while writing?

Christa: 1. Knowing there is a wide audience of people out there, struggling with
the same issues that I have had, and that I can offer some suggestions
that have given me Victory over all of my addictions and struggles. I
have been in recovery for over thirteen years for my food addiction, and
have maintained the course of keeping the weight off.

2. Accepting my first award for 'SILENT SCREAMS FROM THE HAMPTONS'
two weeks before its release, gave me the sense that I had done the right
thing, and was on the right track.

3. Hitting an NPR station, along with some good TV coverage brought me
even more confidence.

4. Being asked to perform in 2 Vagina Monologue Plays, One in Manhattan
and Houston, built up not only my exposure, but confidence that I was
offering something of value to making the decision to heal from my
abuse of Alcohol and being a victim of abuse as a child and adult.

5. Being asked to write a Play Adaptation of my Book by both Directors
and various other people gave me courage to keep going with what I
was bringing forth in my Book, regarding our choice towards
recovering on all levels.

6. Having my Book hit Best Seller this winter on Amazon was a true
thrill, which gave me the fortitude to want to really keep going.

Geri: What would you consider to be the highlight of your writing career?

Christa: Gaining the Title 'Award Winning/Best Seller' and being able to reach a
select audience of Directors that become interested in my Play, because
of that title.

Geri: Have you had the pleasure of discussing your book with a fan?

Christa: There isn't a day that goes by that I don't run into a fan, who wants to tell
me the impact that my Books have had in their life. It was overwhelming
at first, but as I grew more comfortable with my new role as a writer, it
became a Blessing for me as well as them to be able to discuss heart-to-
heart who we are and what our struggles are in life, and how we are all
here to help each other. With each exchange, I was able to hear what was a
key component that led them to purchasing my Book, and where they are
heading, after they have explored my Book.

Geri: In your opinion, how important is a cover to a book?

Christa: Very Important! It beckons the reader to want to pick up the book, and
skim through the contents, to see if this would interest them.

Geri: What are your goals for your future in your writing journey?

Christa: 1. Book to Film after writing the Play, I'm entertaining the idea of
writing the Screen Play. I had co-written the Play with someone in
the beginning and the vision I had could not be brought forth, except
through my deliverance and I have now learned that if you want
anything done to express your true vision, then you must write yourself.

2. Finishing my third and fourth Books. The third book, THE COMPLIANT
COWGIRL, is a book that needs my final edits. It's about Enabling,
Codependency, and Compliance. The Book is set in The Tetons of
Wyoming.

3. The fourth Book is 'DEADLY MONEY' set in the Berkshires of
Massachusetts, where Christa uncovers the Largest Heroin Ring of
the Northeast from the stabbing and beating of her son. She meets
and falls in love with an older man, during one of her last moves,
while fleeing for safety from the retaliation of 'The Blood.' A real
nail-biter! I love the idea of doing a Play adaptation and Film of both.

Geri: Thank you kindly for today's Interview. I wish you much success.

Christa: You're welcome.

INTERVIEW with Author TERRI D.

2011-05-03T13:04:00.000-07:00

Author of: 'YESTERDAY'S LIES'

Genre: Womens Contemporary Fiction/A Novel

http://www.AuthorTerriD.com

http://twitter.com/AuthorTerriD

http://www.amazon.com

http://www.barnesandnoble.com

http://www.authorgeriahearnsbookreviews.blogspot.com

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=1ed7fe6d02&view=att&th=12d96aa9f1a46d6a&attid=0.1&disp=attd&realattid=19ddb275542f57_o.1&zw
(Radio Soundbyte)

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW~~~

Geri: What inspires you the most to write?

Terri: Writing for me is like therapy. It allows me to be completely open and honest
   about my feelings.

Geri: Who is your favorite author?

Terri: V.C. Andrews

Geri: Did you enjoy reading as a child?

Terri: Yes.

Geri: If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

Terri: Young Adult.

Geri: What are your goals in your journey of writing?

Terri: I am currently working on my second book, which is a sequel to the first.
   I also have ideas for a young adult book and I plan to continue writing novels
   as long as people want to read what I write. I would eventually like writing
   to be my primary source of income. I would love to retire from my day job,
   and be able to write full time.

Geri: Thank you kindly for today's interview. It is an honor and a great pleasure to
   work with you. Wishing you the best of luck in your writing endeavors.

Terri: You're welcome.

INTERVIEW with Author DON VOLK

2011-05-03T12:42:00.000-07:00

Author of: 'TRACTORS, PLANES, GOLF & DAMES'

A Memoir

http://www.DonVolkBook.com

http://www.FiveStarPublications.com

http://www.amazon.com

http://www.barnesandnoble.com

http://www.authorgeriahearnsbookreviews.blogspot.com

~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW~~~

Geri: What inspires you to write?

Don: My life's experiences.

Geri: Who is your favorite author?

Don: Have none.

Geri: Did you enjoy reading as a child?

Don: Yes.

Geri: If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

Don: None.

Geri: What are your goals for your future in your journey of writing?

Don: None. This will be my only book.

Geri: Thank you kindly for today's interview. It is an honor and a great pleasure
to work with you.

Don: You're welcome.

INTERVIEW #5 with Author GARY STARTA

2011-05-02T17:11:00.000-07:00

Author of 7 Published Books

What Are You Made Of?

Blood Web

Murder By Association

Alzabreah's Garden

Extreme Liquidation

Myopic

Gods Of The Machines

http://featuredauthoroftheyear.blogspot.com

http://www.amazon.com

http://www.BarnesandNoble.com

http://www.garystarta.net

http://www.facebook.com/gary.starta

http://www.myspace.com/gstarta

http://twitter.com/scifiauthorGary

http://www.authorofthemonthspotlight.blogspot.com

ALL ROYALTIES ARE DONATED TO THE NAMCHA WAYWARD FOR ANIMALS- A NO-KILL SHELTER.

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW #5~~~

Geri: Have you had the pleasure of discussing any of your books with a fan?

Gary: I am ready and waiting for that. lol. But I haven't been rewarded to see reviewers responses via posts. Speaking of speaking 'verbally', I enjoyed my first verbal interview not too long ago with Blog Radio host Jennifer Chase, who is also an award winning crime author. I was able to discuss writing with her during the interview and was excited to learn she has a degree in criminology because my latest novel, 'GODS OF THE MACHINES' is as every bit a crime novel as it is a science fiction story. But if a reader, wants to contact me by email, I can be reached at venstar@yahoo.com.
The link for my Blog Radio interview is: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase/2010/11/11/sci-fi-author-gary-starta-discusses-his-latest-thr

Geri: What motivates you to write?

Gary: I would have to say it is a love for storytelling. I am always inspired by a great
plot, coupled with great characters, whether it is in a novel, movie or television
series. I am constantly motivated because of that.

Geri: Are you exactly where you want to be in your journey of writing?

Gary: In a way, considering the last six years, I have been fortunate enough to
   come up with seven full-length novels, plus short stories. I can look back
   at them and see a progression, hopefully finding new ways to improve,
   and keep my storytelling evolving. I like to mix genres, and because of that,
   I strive to make each new novel different, and stand alone from the previous
   ones.

Geri: Who has inspired you the most to write?

Gary: If I had to narrow it down to one person for this question, I will pick
author Dean Koontz

   Geri: What would you consider to be the highlight of your writing career?

   Gary: I would say being included in a robot anthology called 'Thank you, Death
   Robot', a collection of short stories. I have a great love for androids and
   having my short story 'Growing Pains' included in this was exciting.

Geri: It has been an honor and a Great Pleasure to work with you over the years. Your
   talent is indeed Amazing. Wishing you much success. Thank you for your time.

Gary: You're Welcome.

INTERVIEW #2 with Author W.G. GRIFFITHS

2011-04-03T15:42:00.000-07:00

It is an Honor and with Great Pleasure to bring back Author W.G. Griffiths

Multi Published Author

Author of: "STINGERS"

http://www.wggriffiths.com

STINGERS Also Available on Kindle

http://twitter.com/#!/WGGriffiths

http://www.youtube.com/user/1easywriter

http://www.facebook.com/pages/W-G-Griffiths/110141859023706

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW #2~~~

Geri: What motivates you to write?

W.G. Griffiths: I love good stories. Love to read them, see them, and tell them. Readers
   also motivate. There is a sweet sense of accomplishment in seeing the print
   completed, and hearing back from readers how they were moved, and in
   some cases changed.

Geri: What factors place you in the comfort zone while writing?

W.G. Griffiths: Knowing my research is good, and I can relate to things that I have
   my characters doing. I skydive now, because I had a character do it.
   I discovered things about skydiving that I never would have known if I
   didn't personally jump. The feeling of blood rushing into my legs, for example.
   It puts the reader in my world, and then they tell me they felt like they were
   there. That's a big goal.

Geri: What are your goals in the future for your writing journey?

W.G. Griffiths: To keep it all fresh, and to keep the stories coming. I have never had
   writer's block, and there are many stories in the tank.

Geri: In your opinion, how important is a cover to a book?

W.G. Griffiths: Damn important. Making the cover is also a lot of fun. I like to come up
   with the idea, and my son Luke, makes it appear.

Geri: Have you had the pleasure of discussing your book with a fan?

W.G. Griffiths: Yes. 'STINGERS' is easy to love. Think Huckleberry Finn meets the
   Godfather. I never had so much fun writing anything.

Geri: Thank you for today's Interview. I wish you very much success.

W.G. Griffiths: You're welcome.

**INTERVIEW with Author JANINA STANKIEWICZ CHUNG

2011-04-03T15:39:00.000-07:00

It is with Great Pleasure and an Honor to Interview Author Janina Stankiewicz Chung.

Author of: "FAR EAST OF THE SUN"

Genre: Contemporary Historical Fiction

http://www.amazon.com

http://www.reededwards.com/item/Far_East_Of_The_Sun/215/c48

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW~~~

Geri: What inspires you the most to write?

Janina: The desire to create a world for a reader to escape into. In FAR EAST OF THE SUN,
   I try to relay to the reader the importance of family, love, and unity.

Geri: Who is your favorite author?

Janina: Jackie Collins

Geri: Did you have favorite books as a child?

Janina: No, I lived in Displaced Persons Camps, and had no access to books.

Geri: If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

Janina: A journey of a young girl in a new world. Her trials and tribulations, her loves,
   and her triumphs.

Geri: What are your goals for the future in your journey of writing?

Janina: I want to see one of my books made into a movie. FAR EAST OF THE SUN
   is very much like Dr. Zhivago. It would make a great movie.

Geri: Thank you kindly for your time. I wish you very much success.

Janina: You're welcome

*INTERVIEW with Author PAULINE HOLYOAK

2011-04-03T15:35:00.000-07:00

It is an Honor and with Great Pleasure to Interview Author Pauline Holyoak

Author of: "MERRYWEATHER LODGE: Ancient Revenge

http://www.amazon.com

http://www.Fictionwise.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7jUYJkDG48

http://www.whiskycreekpress.com

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW~~~

Geri: What inspires you the most to write?

Pauline: Nothing specific. I write to explore my inner world. I write because some mystical magnet
   draws me to my desk. I write to escape the mundane world of people, and things. I write
   because I need to write. To me, it's a sort of innate longing to get my thoughts, wild
   fantasies, opinions and stories on paper. I write in the first person. I like to put myself
   in my protagonist's shoes, to become her, to think and act as she does. Sometimes, I can
   almost feel her hand on mine as the pen glides across the paper, and her story unfolds.
   I find myself asking her, 'What happens next Emily?' Or, 'How do you feel about this?'
   I know it sounds crazy. I used to hear authors say things like this, and roll my eyes. But
   now I know it is true, at least in my perception. I'm a descriptive writer. I like to
   convince my reader that she is there by assaulting each of her senses with color, sound,
   taste, and texture. If my reader can feel the sun on her face and the wind fluttering in
   her shirt sleeves, envision the landscape and feel for my characters, half my job is done.

Geri: Did you have favorite books as a child?

Pauline: Ann of Green Gables.

Geri: Who is your favorite author?

Pauline: John Saul

Geri: If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

Pauline: Children's Books

Geri: What are your goals for the future in your journey of writing?

Pauline: To be a NY Times Bestseller, and have my book made into a movie. One can only
   dream. My realistic goals are to finish my 'Merryweather Lodge' triology, three
   other books, and numerous articles I have in the making. I'd also like to write an
   autobiography, 'Under The Shadow Of The Wheel: Growing up in a coal mining
   village.

Geri: Thank you for your time, and I wish you much success.

Pauline: You're welcome.

INTERVIEW #4 with Children's Author DEANIE HUMPHRY'S DUNNE

2011-03-28T16:36:00.000-07:00

It is an Honor and with Great Pleasure to bring back Author Deanie Humphry's Dunne

Multipublished Children's Author

Author of: "CHARLENE THE STAR"

"CHARLIE THE HORSE"

"TAILS OF SWEETBRIER"

Genre: Children

http://www.amazon.com

http://www.barnesandnoble.com

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW #4~~~

Geri: Have you had the pleasure of discussing your book with a fan?

Deanie: Yes. My fan was delighted, thrilled, and inspired.

Geri: What motivates you to write?

Deanie: I think it's most important for today's youth to have role models, who promote
   positive messages. My books encourage children to do their best, and never
   give up. It would be a huge honor for me to be considered a role model for
   children.

Geri: What factors place you in the comfort zone while writing?

Deanie: I tend to prefer a quiet environment when I'm writing. I favor writing about things
   I've personally experienced, since that makes me considerably more comfortable.

Geri: Having more than one book published, do you find it easier to write?

Deanie: Yes! I feel somewhat more confident in my writing abilities now. But I take extra
   care to be sure not to submit anything for publication, until I feel it reflects my
   best efforts. My readers deserve nothing less.

Geri: Do you have goals for your writing in the future?

Deanie: Yes! I think it's helpful to always have goals, so I stay focused. I would like to be
   able to write a book each year. That is a challenge, since it can be difficult to find
   a subject. I would also like to be able to speak to more children and teachers in
   schools. So far, My sister Holly, who is my illustrator and myself, have done many
   presentations at schools and the audiences have been most enthusiastic.

Geri: Thank you kindly for Today's Interview. I wish you very much success.

Deanie: You're welcome.

INTERVIEW #6 with Author JEFFREY B. ALLEN Author of "GONEAWAY INTO THE LAND"

2011-01-10T12:50:00.000-08:00

It is an Honor and with Great Pleasure to bring back Author Jeffrey B. Allen.

Author of "GONEAWAY INTO THE LAND" 5 Star REVIEW

http://www.jeffreyballen.com

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW #6~~~

Geri: At this point and time in your life, are you exactly where you want to be in
   your writing endeavors?

Jeffrey: I will never be where I want to be in my writing endeavors. Hard work is
   always ahead, no-matter what one seeks to excel at. If we are truly
   committed to being the best we can be, we should die trying. You may see
   an athlete reach the pinnacle of achievement, when the adoration of the
   public, or the amount of a contract exceeds all other athletes. But, I am
   sure we cannot walk where he walks and we are never privy to his
   thoughts, for it is the greatest in their field, who feel they could have been
   greater. I believe the best way to experience where I want to go as a
   writer is to read what other writers have written. The writer who I love the
   most comes to mind. Hemingway, his uphill battle to please himself as a
   writer wore him out, even though he was hailed as the greatest of
   American writers. For me, I will continue to make every novel I write, better
   than the last. I will continue to follow my creative instinct to instill style that
   is not comparable. Tall order, lofty goals, but worthy of getting up every
   morning, and trying.

Geri: What are your goals for the future in your journey of writing?

Jeffrey: I want to write the final book in the trilogy of 'Gone Away.' The first
   book takes the reader on a journey into the infinite second. I love
   magical realism, because it allows me to write reality, but with twists
   that could be real, yet magical to others. Magical realism tackles tough
   subjects with purpose. It is not just serious fantasy as some publishers
   have coined it. It is purposeful in its philosophical basis, by exposing
   conditions that are currently degrading the idealism that is the
   cornerstone of our culture, and civilization. Having said that, I want my
   novels to be entertaining, but not without powerful themes.

Geri: Who has given you the most inspiration in your writing journey?

Jeffrey: My inspiration comes from my upbringing, for some gene or genes that
   went bad, and put the pain in me that cannot settle down, or be
   contented with what is. I am always searching for answers to questions,
   as a means to sustain a state of torment. Torment is what makes me
   write. Torment is what heightens my emotions, feeds my happiness,
   and wallows with my sadness. I am complete when I feel happiness
   that can only be appreciated to its fullest, because beneath it lays my
   pain. This is what you will find in 'Gone Away.' As one Reviewer put it,
   "Gone Away Into The Land is not a joy ride, but rather a journey into
   the philosophical depths of what drives us as human beings!"

Geri: In the early stages of writing, what did you find to be the most challenging?

Jeffrey: To write well. Writing is a craft. It requires concentration, and practice.
   It needs to be revised over-and-over, until the prose reads like poetry.
   Semantics and careful selection of words, dialog that instills pictures,
   better than narrative ever could. This is what challenges me the most.
   Behind that is the challenge to discipline myself, to write everyday,
   no-matter-what.

Geri: What would you consider to be the highlight of your writing career?

Jeffrey: I started a wood-working business over thirty years ago. I remember
   saying to myself, "I know I've made it when someone I do not know
   orders something from me and then after I have completed their
   project, they feel comfortable, if not compelled to give my name out
   to a friend or relative." Such is getting reviews and comments from
   people from all over the country, who have read my book and have
   felt strongly enough about their experience to write a review, or write
   to me through the myriad of channels available today. I thank every one
   of them, from the bottom of my heart.

Geri: Thank you kindly for your time. It is a pleasure to have you back, and I
   wish you much success.

Jeffrey: And, thank you Geri for interviewing me. Enjoy the journey, and fear
   nothing, because there is nothing to fear.

INTERVIEW with Author CHRISTA JAN RYAN Author of "SILENT SCREAMS from the HAMPTONS"

2011-01-01T14:25:00.000-08:00

It is an Honor and with Great Pleasure to Interview Author CHRISTA JAN RYAN.

Author of "SILENT SCREAMS of the HAMPTONS"

http://www.christajanryan.net

http://www.amazon.com

http://www.barnesandnoble.com

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW~~~

Geri: What inspires you to write?

Christa: When I wrote my first book, From The Depts Of A Woman's Soul, it was to help me
   in the grieving process of losing my daughter and what I found helpful to me in my
   healing that I could share with other people suffering from the same loss. 'Silent
   Screams' was a combination of sharing my insane life as a Landscape Consultant
   with the wealthiest people in the world, and to share what my struggles were in my
   everyday life as a working mom, a recovering Alcoholic, a High Profile Domestic
   Violence Victim. I wanted to raise an awareness of we as a society need to look at with
   what we are generationally passing down to our children.

Geri: Did you enjoy reading as a child?

Christa: A real Book Worm, it was my only constructive form of escape from my insane
   family of origin.

Geri: Who is your favorite author?

Christa: I have many: Nora Roberts; Danielle Steel; Beth Moore; Bruce Wilkinson; Rick
   Warren.

Geri: If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

Christa: I'm leaning towards drama, suspense.

Geri: Do you have current work in progress?

Christa: Yes, always! I'm at the end of writing a Play/Musical adapted from 'Silent Screams'
   and I hope to have it on the road by this summer/fall. I have started a suspense/
   thriller called 'Deadly Money' The Berkshires are not what they appear to be. It's
   the unraveling of how I came to uncover the Largest Heroin and Prostitution Ring
   in the Northeast, right in the Quaint Berkshires, after my son gets brutally stabbed
   and beaten by Gang members from the 'Blood' in Great Barrington and the inaction
   of the Great Barrington Police to protect him. It leads to a twenty million dollar
   lawsuit against the police and town, which opens up the door for many people to come
   forth with their suspicions into my store. I supply the reader with the exact same clues
   as to how I figured out the Kingpin and what politicians are involved in, and how their
   moving tens -of-billions of dollars around in the Northeast.

Geri: Thank you kindly for your time, and I wish you much success.

Christa: You're welcome.

INTERVIEW with Author RAI AREN "SECRET of the SANDS"

2010-12-13T11:38:00.000-08:00

It is an honor and with Great Pleasure to Interview Author RAI AREN.

"SECRET of the SANDS" ~~RAI AREN & co-author TAVIUS E.

http://www.secretofthesands.com



~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW~~~

Geri: What inspires you to write?

RAI: I usually have a message of some kind that I want to convey, either subtly
   or more directly, and for me, saying it through a fictional tale is how I am
   naturally drawn to communicate it. Personally, I love getting lost in the
   pages of a book. I love the escape a great story provides, so I want to
   provide that for other readers, give them an engaging place to lose themselves
   for a few hours, and spark their imaginations. I dearly love crafting worlds
   that I think readers will enjoy. Most tellingly though, I write stories that I
   personally want to read. I explore ideas that are fascinating to me, that I feel
   passionately about. Any book I write is one that I would immediately grab
   off of a book, or library shelf. I love to pour my heart and soul into a story,
   whether it's light-hearted action adventure, a thriller, or horror.

Geri: Who is your favorite author?

RAI: J.R.R. Tolkien, he crafted such detailed, vivid worlds, with characters and
   stories that contained so much heart. When I read his works, I feel that I
   get lost inside them, that I walk through the worlds with the characters. I
   feel their pain, struggles, hopes, and joys. That is an amazing gift for a
   reader. I also love Anne Rice;Agatha Christie; Dan Brown; JK Rowling;
   David & Leigh Eddings; and James Rollins.

Geri: What type of books do you enjoy reading?

RAI: My favorite books are thrillers; mysteries, adventure stories; science fiction;
   suspense; alternate historical fiction; fantasy; and some horror novels. I
   especially love anything that revolves around ancient mysteries, that's like
   catnip to me! I very much enjoy being taken away from the everyday ordinary
   on a fantastic adventure that gets me thinking. I am also fascinated by
   quantum physics.

Geri: Should a book be judged by its cover?

RAI: Yes and no, I'm a very visual person, so a great cover that speaks to key
   elements of a story will really grab me. I like covers that have strong visuals.
   After that, the story itself has to appeal to me. I won't buy a book that I just
   like the cover of, if the actual story doesn't interest me. On the flip side, I also
   won't pass up a book where maybe the cover doesn't do anything for me, but
   where the story really piques my interest. It's just that with a nice cover, the
   book has more of a chance to be noticed, and picked up by readers. I would
   say that it is a solid investment to craft a quality cover that, most importantly,
   gives potential readers a sense of what the book offers. It is an amazing sales
   and communication tool.

Geri: Do you have current work in progress?

RAI: I actually have a few. The first priority is to complete putting the
   finishing touches on Destiny of the Sands, the sequel to Secret
   of the Sands, with my co-author, and release it. The sequel carries on
   where Secrets left off, and takes the main characters on an even darker,
   more perilous journey. After that, I have three solo novels in various
   stages of development. One is a science fiction horror novel, one is a
   dark thriller, and another is a thriller. The stories all have very strong
   messages, and deal with darker themes. I am very passionate about them.
   The stories are fully formed in my head and partially written. I just need the
   extra time to complete them! Oh! to only need an hour or two of sleep a
   night!

Geri: Thank you kindly for today's interview. I wish you much success!

Rai: You're welcome.

INTERVIEW with Author MARC DOUGLAS "SLINGSHOT"

2010-12-13T11:36:00.000-08:00

It is an Honor and with Great Pleasure to Interview Author MARC DOUGLAS.

Author of: "SLINGSHOT"

First of a three book series!

The sequel to "SLINGSHOT" is "THE ROAD TO DAMARI" Followed by:

"RIGHT OF WAY."

http://Edgepublishingcompany.com

http://twitter.com/douglasnovels

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW~~~

Geri: What inspires you to write?

Marc: I have written all of my life. September 11th, 2001, coincided with some
   personal events that dramatically changed my life. I began 'SLINGSHOT'
   almost immediately after the WTC attack, and spent the next nine years
   completing it. Up until that point, I believed I was firmly in control of my
   life, nothing could have been further from the truth. This revelation required
   thought. As writing is my medium, the issue of controlling life continually
   appears in 'SLINGSHOT' and all my other works.

   Terrorism; corrupt/inept governments; war; environmental crisis; and dwindling
   resources all beg the questions: How did we get here, and where do we go
   from here? 'SLINGSHOT' is a 'What If' adventure. A story of romance, courage,
   and fortitude of people placed in very difficult circumstances.

   I have always admired the ability to combine words into sentences that can
   allow someone to walk among a writer's thoughts, and bring you into an era
   previously unknown. Authors, long dead, can reach across time as though
   they sat next to you. Simple, common place words, ink on a page can
   transport you into another world, feel emotions of a person you have never
   met and introduce new ideas and thoughts. Habits, emotions of days long
   gone are revealed, the dust is removed, and you live that life so long ago.

Geri: Who is your favorite author?

Marc: Well, that is impossible to answer as there are so many. Charles Dickens has
   always been a favorite. I loved THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP, GREAT
   EXPECTATIONS, and so many others. His ability with words was incredible.
   Dumas created great stories, and I am currently working on a manuscript
   inspired by "THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO." Hugo wrote perhaps my
   favorite story, "LES MISERABLES." James Fenimore Cooper did a
   wonderful job with the "LEATHERSTOCKING TALES." Dean Koontz is
   always enjoyable to read and has inspired a couple of books I have written
   as well as the dogs in SLINGSHOT, ''THE WATCHERS" by Dean Koontz.
   Jane Austen's "PRIDE and PREJUDICE" is a good, fun read. Mark Twain is
   classic. I really liked Bram Stoker's "DRACULA." Tolkien's "LORD OF THE
   RINGS" was a book I read to my kids. CS Forrester's Horatio Hornblower
   series was great fun to read growing up. As a kid, I loved the Hardy Boys, and
   burned through their books.

Geri: Do you have current work in progress?

Marc: I am doing the final polish on BLIND SIGHT, which is my second thriller.
   The art work is finished, and the book should be available in a month
   or so. "THE SULTAN'S ANGEL" is almost done, and ready for editing.
   I would say it has a chance at being released second or third quarter next
   year. The second and the third book of the "SLINGSHOT" series are done,
   but I will be fine tuning them before they are published.

Geri: Should one judge a book by its cover?

Marc: No, but a good cover can catch your eye and your interest. Therefore, it
   is very important.

Geri: If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

Marc: Well, the "SLINGSHOT" series is science fiction, but it is woven with the
   elements that we live with today. I have to say that I am picky about what
   I like in science fiction. Personally, I don't care for long stretches of the
   imagination, magic or fantasy. There are exceptions to the rule. I loved
   "LORD OF THE RINGS" so very much that I read it word-for-word to my
   kids as they grew up as a bed time story. "FOOTBALL" by Larry Nivens is
   nothing short of excellent. After finishing SLINGSHOT and the sequels, I
   took some time off to read another Dean Koontz novel. His imagination is
   fantastic, but I think the fact that the good guys always wins is why I am
   hooked on his books, that and his obvious love of dogs. I decided to try
   my hand at a thriller after finishing "WHISPERS" by Koontz, and published
   "SOON." "SOON" was written for my own enjoyment. My editor really liked it,
   and she was who convinced me to publish it, thank you Amanda. I think two
   genres are enough, and I enjoy both immensely. That is not to say I don't love
   a good mystery, historical fiction, romance, or drama. I just don't see those
   genres for me right now.

Geri: Thank you for your time. I wish you much success.

Marc: You're welcome.

INTERVIEW #2 with Author PAUL A. IBBETSON

2010-12-13T11:34:00.000-08:00

It is an Honor and with Great Pleasure to bring back Author Paul A. Ibbetson.

Author of: "OLIVER'S TALE: A Squirrel's Story Of Love, Courage, and Revolution."

http://www.ibbetsonusa.com

~~~AUTHOR INTERVIEW #2~~~

Geri: What type of books do you enjoy reading?

Paul: I enjoy a wide range of books. I try to mix enjoyment with education, so I
read things such as science fiction, along with American Literature
all through the week.

Geri: Should one judge a book by its cover?

Paul: Probably not, there are many books out there that are well written
   that are yet to be discovered, so I try to give different kinds of books
   a chance. I am often pleasantly surprised.

Geri: Which genre do you think makes the best movies?

Paul: I like science fiction, but I also like comedy, so I often look for that mix.
   Any genre that is well done in movie form can be great to watch, but
   as always, movies never touch the quality of their book versions.

Geri: Do you plan on writing a book every year?

Paul: I write a weekly national newspaper column, along with my radio and
   television work. There is just enough time to do one book a year. It is a
   very workable situation to write one book a year, and it is my plan as of
   now.

Geri: Do you have a special comfort zone while writing?

Paul: I cannot have distractions, and just about anything will divert my
   attention, so I find a quiet place to do all my writing. I am in the quiet
   place about three-to-five hours a day.

Geri: Thank you kindly for your time. I wish you much success in your journey
   of writing.

Paul: You're welcome.

**AUTHOR GERI AHEARN'S INTERVIEWS**

**INTERVIEW with Author RICHARD OLIVER SNELSON**

**INTERVIEW #4 with Author SAM MOFFIE**

**INTERVIEW with Author SAMANTHA RYAN CHANDLER**

**INTERVIEW with Author ALEXANDREA WEIS**

**INTERVIEW with Author HANNA DE JAGER**

**INTERVIEW with Author LIZ R. NEWMAN**

*INTERVIEW #3 with Author W.G. Griffiths*

**INTERVIEW with Author SHARON HAYS**

**INTERVIEW #2 with Author STEVEN CLARK BRADLEY**

**INTERVIEW with Author DIANNE EBBERTT BEEAFF**

**INTERVIEW with Author Rick D. Niece, Ph.D

**INTERVIEW #2 with Author W.G. GRIFFITHS**

***INTERVIEW with Author NATALY RUBINSTEIN, MSW, LCSW, C-ASWCM***

***INTERVIEW with Author KIM MALCHUK***

**INTERVIEW with Author JOE L. BLEVINS**

**INTERVIEW with Author WAYNE ZURL**

*INTERVIEW with Author SNJEZANA MARINKOVIC*

*INTERVIEW with Author VALERIE CRADER*

*INTERVIEW with Author SARA DEAN*

*INTERVIEW with Author ANN GIMPEL*

*INTERVIEW #3 with Award Winning/Best Selling Author* CHRISTA JAN RYAN

*INTERVIEW with Author JEFF GONSALVES*

*INTERVIEW #2 with Award Winning/Best Selling Author* CHRISTA JAN RYAN

**INTERVIEW with Author TERRI D.**

**INTERVIEW with Author DON VOLK**

**INTERVIEW #5 with Author GARY STARTA**

***INTERVIEW #2 with Author W.G. GRIFFITHS***

****INTERVIEW with Author JANINA STANKIEWICZ CHUNG**

***INTERVIEW with Author PAULINE HOLYOAK**

***INTERVIEW #4 with Children's Author DEANIE HUMPHRY'S DUNNE***

**INTERVIEW #6 with Author JEFFREY B. ALLEN** Author of "GONEAWAY INTO THE LAND"

**INTERVIEW with Author CHRISTA JAN RYAN** Author of "SILENT SCREAMS from the HAMPTONS"

**INTERVIEW with Author RAI AREN** "SECRET of the SANDS"

**INTERVIEW with Author MARC DOUGLAS** "SLINGSHOT"

**INTERVIEW #2 with Author PAUL A. IBBETSON**

AUTHOR GERI AHEARN'S INTERVIEWS

INTERVIEW with Author RICHARD OLIVER SNELSON

INTERVIEW #4 with Author SAM MOFFIE

INTERVIEW with Author SAMANTHA RYAN CHANDLER

INTERVIEW with Author ALEXANDREA WEIS

INTERVIEW with Author HANNA DE JAGER

INTERVIEW with Author LIZ R. NEWMAN

INTERVIEW #3 with Author W.G. Griffiths

INTERVIEW with Author SHARON HAYS

INTERVIEW #2 with Author STEVEN CLARK BRADLEY

INTERVIEW with Author DIANNE EBBERTT BEEAFF

INTERVIEW #2 with Author W.G. GRIFFITHS

INTERVIEW with Author NATALY RUBINSTEIN, MSW, LCSW, C-ASWCM

INTERVIEW with Author KIM MALCHUK

INTERVIEW with Author JOE L. BLEVINS

INTERVIEW with Author WAYNE ZURL

INTERVIEW with Author SNJEZANA MARINKOVIC

INTERVIEW with Author VALERIE CRADER

INTERVIEW with Author SARA DEAN

INTERVIEW with Author ANN GIMPEL

INTERVIEW #3 with Award Winning/Best Selling Author CHRISTA JAN RYAN

INTERVIEW with Author JEFF GONSALVES

INTERVIEW #2 with Award Winning/Best Selling Author CHRISTA JAN RYAN

INTERVIEW with Author TERRI D.

INTERVIEW with Author DON VOLK

INTERVIEW #5 with Author GARY STARTA

INTERVIEW #2 with Author W.G. GRIFFITHS

**INTERVIEW with Author JANINA STANKIEWICZ CHUNG

*INTERVIEW with Author PAULINE HOLYOAK

INTERVIEW #4 with Children's Author DEANIE HUMPHRY'S DUNNE

INTERVIEW #6 with Author JEFFREY B. ALLEN Author of "GONEAWAY INTO THE LAND"

INTERVIEW with Author CHRISTA JAN RYAN Author of "SILENT SCREAMS from the HAMPTONS"

INTERVIEW with Author RAI AREN "SECRET of the SANDS"

INTERVIEW with Author MARC DOUGLAS "SLINGSHOT"

INTERVIEW #2 with Author PAUL A. IBBETSON