Monthly Archives: January 2016

Jan 30 2016

Author Interview: David Alan Morrison

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Today I had the pleasure of interviewing David Alan Morrison, author of Guild of Immortal Women.

David received his B.A. in Deafness, Theatre, and Cultural Diversity and his M.A. in Theatre Arts. His plays have been produced in Louisville, Seattle, Lexington and Houston. His middle-grade fantasy, RESCUING AWEN has been adapted to a graphic novel, his memoir TRAVELS WITH PENNY; OR, TRUE TRAVEL TALES OF A GAY GUY AND HIS MOM has been nominated for LGBT awards and GUILD OF IMMORTAL WOMEN was an Indebook finalist. All are available from Amazon.

 

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Tell us a little about yourself – your education, family, etc.

I had the kind of upbringing that makes a very boring bio-pic;  middle class family living in the suburbs of Chicago, family dog, neighborhood schools.  My dad was a truck driver and my mother worked for the phone company.  My dad’s family was from the deep south, causing a wonderful juxtaposition with my mom’s New England family.  Luckily, they were all kind of crazy and dysfunctional. It’s the most interesting character study a writer could ask for.

 

 What started you on your journey to become an author?

I can’t remember a time I didn’t write.  As a kid, I would watch unhealthy amounts of TV and, when I didn’t like the show, would re-write the endings.  It evolved into making me the kind of writer who spread scraps of paper around my room (and later my apartments) with fragments of ideas, plot points and quotes.

 

 What is a usual writing day like for you?

I wake up, drink much too much coffee, procrastinate by cleaning my house, washing dishes and talking to myself.  Luckily, this kind of mindless busy work helps my mind free itself to the point that – about 7 pm or so – I have written whole scenes in my head.  I then head to the computer and hash out several pages of material in a frantic flurry before heading to bed.  It’s not the most effective way to write, but it works for me.

 

 Do you have a specific writing style? Are you a plotter or a panster when it comes to writing?

I have spent much of my writing life flying by the seat of my pants.  I’ll envision a scene and write it, then repeat this process until I have lots of ideas to work with.  Only then do I back up and begin pulling the pieces together by writing a plotline.  It has its own set of problems, such as discovering plot holes that you could drive a truck through.  My latest work I’m trying to reverse that process and layout the plot first.  So far, it’s maddeningly slow, but much more useful.

 

How much of your work is based on first-hand knowledge? Is anything you write based on real people/events and if so, how did they inspire you to create your work?

Much of what I write about has some link to real life: a quote I overheard, or a scenario I’ve experienced.  If it’s not a direct link, I do base a lot of my dialogue and action sequences on some real life events. It provides an authenticity to the work.

 

 Do you get writers’ block and if so, how do you overcome it?

I get writer’s block all the time.  If I’m blocked on a current project, I force myself to sit at the computer and write something: emails, letters, thank-you notes…anything that makes me get words on paper.  The more drudgery sort of work the better, as after a short time, my brain can’t handle the monotony and it starts being creative.

 

 Who are your main influences in the writing world? Do you have favorite authors?

I love the early Stephen King work.  I idolize Janet Evanovich – she’s a genius.  I thoroughly enjoy reading new authors – the Stephen King of tomorrow is out there.

 

Are you trade or indie published? How has your experiences differed from your expectations prior to becoming a published author?

I’m indie published.  This had a dramatic effect on my self-esteem, as I thought nobody’s a “real writer” unless they were published by Random House (or some other publisher).  As time went on, I realized this is not true.  The Indie publishing market has opened up a whole new world.  The work is harder when you’re doing your own PR, but the rewards are great. Plus, good writing is good writing. It doesn’t matter how it gets out into the world.

 

 Do you have any regrets as an author?

I wish I had been more fearless at a younger age.  I wish I could have been less self-conscious.

 

What is the hardest part about being a writer?

The loneliness.  I enjoy going out, meeting people and doing social things.  A writer’s life requires solitude. I’m still balancing solitude and loneliness.

 

How long on average does it take for you to complete a book, from the first time you sit down to write until it becomes a published book?

The time frame varies so much this question is impossible to answer.  My advice to new authors is this: finish the book! There is plenty of time to edit and change later.  Just. Finish. The. Story. Figure it will take about the same amount of time to do your edit, then another ¼ of the time to fret about if the work is worth it.  You can cut down this time by ceasing the fretting.  It’s worth it.

 

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Write. Read. Be honest with self-critiques, for it takes a lot of manure to yield a rose.  Don’t pay attention to people who don’t “get you” or “understand you”. Be true to the material.  Kill some of your favorite scenes – they mean a lot to you, but probably bores the reader to tears.

 

 

GOIW10

 

 

Below is an excerpt from David’s current WIP:

 

He glanced to the clock again. 2:36 AM. Maybe he should pop a couple of the Quaaludes Kevin had given him. But as much as he craved sleep, a small part of him feared slumber, for recently, during the few hours his body did shut down, horrible dreams haunted him, dreams in which a red-haired woman stalked him from the shadows.

All his life, he had enjoyed vibrant, joyful, colorful dreams that stayed with him long after he awoke. But nowadays, he awoke from catnaps shaking, covered in sweat, and infused with a deep sense of fear. For all the meditation, journaling and therapy, he could remember only portions of the dream; a violent, angry woman dressed in bright red with a name that sounded noble, like Veronica, Vivica…something with a “V.”  His brain allowed previews of the picture, but never the entire film.

Ever since the accident, his relationship with Jake had deteriorated, his sleep patterns had been destroyed and the only steady commitment he could fulfill was the volunteer position at the animal shelter.  It was as if his whole world had been overturned like a giant Etch-A-Sketch. But through it all, good ol’ what’s-her-name in the red dress had seared a place for herself in his nighttime jaunts. And he knew that in his dreams, she was killing people.

Dane knew he should tell Jake that these vivid dreams had started again, but he didn’t want to concern him. Admit it, he said to himself, you don’t want Jake to think you’ve totally lost it. You’re afraid he’ll think less of you.

But there was also another reason he couldn’t tell Jake about the dreams. He harbored a feeling that was impossible to describe, an inner sense that through the dreams, he was fighting some kind of battle…a battle that was his and his alone. It’s personal.

 

  

Check out David Alan Morrison on the web:

Website:  www.davidalanmorrison.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DAMauthor/?fref=ts

Twitter: @davidalanmorris

 

Jan 29 2016

Interview: Author Kathy Steinemann

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Today I had the pleasure of interviewing Kathy Steinemann, author of Megan and Emmett (WIP).

Kathy has loved writing for as long as she can remember.

As a child, she scribbled poems and stories. During the progression of her love affair with words, she won public-speaking and writing awards. Her career has taken varying directions, including positions as editor of a small-town paper, computer-network administrator, and webmaster.

Her short stories and poetry have appeared in various online and print publications, including Shoreline of Infinity, Boston Literary Magazine, and The Quarterday Review.

She has published multiple novels, anthologies, and self-help books. Kathy tries to write something every day. Her WIP is another anthology in the Megan and Emmett series.

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Tell us a little about yourself – your education, family, etc.

I pursued several avenues of post-secondary education, but always gravitated back to my first love: writing. I’m a homebody who enjoys a good novel or television show that engages my imagination. My family—a long-suffering husband, three grown children, two grandchildren, and a pair of mischievous cats—help keep me young at heart.

What started you on your journey to become an author?

I can’t name a single thing. However, I can remember losing myself in fiction as a child—running through meadows with the Black Stallion or speeding through space to distant planets. Winning a few writing and public-speaking contests helped fuel my enthusiasm.

 

What is a usual writing day like for you?

I don’t have an ironclad routine, but I generally manage social media tasks early in the day. I might do a critique at Scribophile, transcribe information from sticky notes into my computer, record new ideas, and then tackle the serious task of writing, editing, or designing book covers. I get away from the computer every twenty-five minutes or so—with the help of a nagging timer—to stretch my legs, refill my coffee, or see what mischief the cats are up to if they haven’t been trying to take control of my keyboard.

 

Do you have a specific writing style? Are you a plotter or a pantser when it comes to writing?

I attempt to make every word count, omitting most adverbs, employing active verbs, and keeping descriptions—especially of characters—to a minimum. I believe that if you tell readers a woman is a long-distance runner on a trail in the woods, they’ll see what she’s wearing. Why bore them with details they’ll forget in a few paragraphs? Do they need to know she’s wearing turquoise-blue jogging pants and a red sweatband? I keep to the important facts. Does she rub her elbow because she hurt it playing tennis? Will that affect how she reacts in five minutes when she’s attacked by a strange man in a ski mask?

Most of my writing is of the pantser variety. I prefer to let my characters and story lead me in unexpected directions.

 

How much of your work is based on first-hand knowledge? Is anything you write based on real people/events and if so, how did they inspire you to create your work?

Most of what I produce is pure imagination, although real life sneaks in. The Megan and Emmett series, while not based on me and my husband, does have snippets that mirror our conversations and interactions. It’s always fun to hear friends speculate about what’s real and what’s fiction after they’ve read Nag Nag Nag, the initial book.

 

Do you get writer’s block and if so, how do you overcome it?

Yes and no. I find that writer’s block is usually a byproduct of staying away from my computer and finding excuses when I don’t feel up to writing. As soon as I scrap that mindset and open my word processor, the ideas start to flow. If I bog down trying to think of an appropriate word or phrase, I walk a few figure-of-eights around the room. That usually gets the creative juices flowing in the right direction.

 

Who are your main influences in the writing world? Do you have favorite authors?

I can’t say I’m influenced by anyone in particular. I admire Stephen King’s minimal approach, and I enjoy Ray Bradbury, Fredric Brown, and Rod Serling.

 

Are you trade or indie published? How have your experiences differed from your expectations prior to becoming a published author?

Indie all the way. I’ve never sought an agent or traditional publisher. With so many big-name authors switching to the indie model, I’ll probably stay where I am. I didn’t have many expectations when I began this journey, so whatever happens is a new experience.

Do you have any regrets as an author?

Yes. I wish I had started this process decades earlier. I have so many stories in my head and never enough hours to tell them. Oh—marketing. I regret having to strut my own stuff. If I didn’t have to market, I’d be more productive.

What is the hardest part about being a writer?

Forgetting that fantastic idea I had a few hours ago but never wrote down because it was so mind-blowing I’d never forget it. Reminder to self: Jot down that idea you had as you started on this interview. You know the—Crap! Why do I hear Britney Spears in my head singing “Oops! … I did it again”?

How long on average does it take for you to complete a book, from the first time you sit down to write until it becomes a published book?

That’s an impossible question. I have one novel on my hard drive, the third in my Sapphire Brigade Series, that has been gathering digital dust for over a year. It took me several months to research, and I’ll publish it after I run the earlier books through a critique cycle at Scribophile. My most recent creation, CreateSpace Graphics Primer, required almost as long due to the extensive graphics and numerous proofs I had to order before I was satisfied with it. I’m no George R. R. Martin, but I enjoy a relaxed approach. Rushing into publication is a typographical disaster waiting to happen.

 

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Yes. Learn the rules and then learn when to break them, or you’ll end up as a copycat without a distinct voice. Advice can be like pasta—with exquisite texture when cooked properly, or pasty when overdone.

Oh, and avoid comma splices, I hate comma splices, they make prose difficult to understand, did you see how many I used, don’t they make this section complicated to comprehend? ’Nuff said. [Kathy grins.]

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Here’s an excerpt from the next Megan and Emmett WIP, from the chapter, “Let Tiffany Take Care of You”.

“Hello, Mr. Wal—”

“Emmett. Please call me Emmett. ‘Mr. Walpole’ is too formal, considering what you’re about to do to me.”

“All right, Emmett. I’m Tiffany. You just lie back, think happy thoughts, and I’ll take good care of you.”

“Be gentle.” Heh heh. She can take care of me any day. What a beaut.

“You look nervous.”

“Nah, not me. I’ve been here a time or two.”

“Try to relax.”

“Relax? How can I relax with you standin’ over me?” With those gorgeous brown eyes. And whatever that is in your hand.

“There we go. How does that feel?”

“Just a little more to the left.”

“Better?”

“Mmmmmhmmmm.”

“All right.”

“I’d—”

“Shhhhhhhh. No talking.”

“Mmph.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“It’s okay. I like the rough stuff.”

“Well, I don’t. I’ll try to not to do that again. You’re all tense now. My bad.”

“Mmph.” Fishing. Fishing. Think about fish—

 

~*~

 

“Emmett … Emmett … Mr. Walpole?”

“Mmph.” She musta been gentle. I dozed off. Damn cat kept me awake all night.

“You were sleeping? Nobody has ever fallen asleep on me before. For a minute there, I thought maybe you’d passed out.”

“I can take whatever you dish out. Like I said, this isn’t my first time.”

“All done. How do you feel?”

“Pretty good. Much better than when I came in. How much do I owe you?”

“Nothing. Your senior’s medical insurance covers reattachment of dental bridges.”

 

 

Follow Kathy on Social Media:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/kathysteinemann.author

Twitter: @kathysteinemann

Website: KathySteinemann.com

Jan 22 2016

Author Interview: DeWayne Twitchell

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*I apologize for the poor formatting on this. I had to enter quadruple spacing between everything in order to get any spacing to show up in any of it. Otherwise, it was all running together.

 

Today I had the pleasure of interviewing DeWayne Twitchell, author of Asian Haze and Night’s Plutonian Shore and Other Stories.

 

 
About the author:
My name is DeWayne Twitchell. I live in southern Illinois and am the author of two books currently out: a mystery novel called ASIAN HAZE, and a science fiction and fantasy short story collection called NIGHT’S PLUTONIAN SHORE AND OTHER STORIES, both published by Lang Book Publishing, Ltd. I am currently in the early stages of a new novel. This new book will continue the series I began with ASIAN HAZE about the private eye Randall Arthur.

 

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Tell us a little about yourself – your education, family, etc.
I work presently at a group home for mentally-challenged adults, but have been writing for several years now. Single (happily), and live in a very quiet small town in Illinois. Have one older brother and one younger sister, three nieces and three nephews.

 

 

 
What started you on your journey to become an author?
I’ve been a reading junkie since I was a kid, and it eventually got me to dreaming of wanting to write my own stories.

 

 

 

 
What is a usual writing day like for you?
When I’m working on a book, I usually try to write for four or five hours, at least.

 

 

 
Do you have a specific writing style? Are you a plotter or a panster when it comes to writing?
In the type of books I write, which are mysteries, I try to be a plotter, though I think character development is as important, to make the reader care about the story and what happens in it.

 

 

 

 
How much of your work is based on first-hand knowledge? Is anything you write based on real people/events and if so, how did they inspire you to create your work?
A lot of what I write about comes from my imagination, and I have to research the finer points of what I’m writing about to try and get it as accurate as I can. Sometimes I will write about a real place and transpose it to another location. As for the characters, I don’t have a specific character that is like a real person, but maybe bits and pieces of someone’s personality ends up in one of my characters.

 

 

 

 

 
Do you get writers’ block and if so, how do you overcome it?
Sometimes the words don’t come out as easily as I’d like, though I don’t really think of it as writer’s block. I’ve found that even if I persist in writing something, even if it’s not up to the standards I usually demand of myself, eventually that bad writing will lead to something better.

 

 

 
Who are your main influences in the writing world? Do you have favorite authors?
I could talk about my influences all day, there are so many. It started with Ray Bradbury, and then to other science fiction writers. Then I went to reading fantasy, horror, thrillers, mysteries, etc.

 

 

 
Are you trade or indie published? How has your experiences differed from your expectations prior to becoming a published author?
My two current books are published by a small publishing house out of New Zealand called Lang Book Publishing, Ltd. Because it is a small house, I have had to do a lot of self-promotion, and 99% of that has been on the Internet: Facebook, Twitter, etc. Social media has changed the way not only how authors promote their books, but how they write and publish them as well. Indie and trade publishing has exploded in the last few years because of social media, and the new avenues it has created to get new writers exposed to an audience. When I first began having dreams of being an author, the publishing world was a lot different, and I based my fantasies of success on that world. I’ve had to readjust those fantasies to fit the new world. An example would be an interview like this one. I’ve done three or four interviews since being published, and they all have been responding to questions online or via e-mail, instead of sitting down with someone in a room and talking to them.

 

 

 

 

 
Do you have any regrets as an author?
Probably that I didn’t start doing this earlier in my life.

 

 

What is the hardest part about being a writer?
Coming up with something that you feel is good enough for other people to want to read. It is not easy to get the words down exactly as you want them to properly tell the story you want to tell. Most of good writing is rewriting and editing, over and over until you can get it as good as you can.

 

 

How long on average does it take for you to complete a book, from the first time you sit down to write until it becomes a published book?
This first book, ASIAN HAZE, was an on-and-off project that took several years for me to finish, because of other things going on in my life. The new book hopefully will be finished in late 2016, though that is not written in stone. But I’m going to try. When I was writing ASIAN HAZE, I didn’t have an audience, small as it is, waiting on a next book. Now I have a few people who actually want to read a new DeWayne Twitchell novel, and it puts more pressure on you to get it done as quickly as you can, but still have it as good as it can be.

 

 

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Read as much as you can, both the good and the bad stuff. Write as much as you can. And if you truly believe in your talent, be persistent and never give up on your dream.

 

 

This is the opening from the new novel in progress, tentatively titled, FAMILY DYNAMICS:
“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”
Leo Tolstoy
Anna Karenina

CHAPTER 1

The Void was approaching.

 

 

 

 
That was what he called it now within the recesses of his stroke-damaged mind. Not death, not a transition into an afterlife so desired by the human psyche—as long as if it didn’t involve fire, brimstone, or any eternal agony in general. But the Void, with a capital V. Because he was now of the belief, after long and often psychologically painful soul-searching, that there was no heaven, no hell, no place where all the souls of the deceased—good or bad—would reside. No place that both Mother Teresa and Adolf Hitler would call their eternal spirit home. No conscious afterlife of any kind. Just a great nothingness, like the one before his conception.

 
Joseph Bowles was resigned to the impending end of everything he had accomplished, experienced, and felt. But what he was not resigned to, what he could not fathom, was how his eldest son, who stood at his bedside now in tears waiting for his father to die, could have betrayed him in the manner that he had done. After all the love and support he had given him.

 

 

 

 

 
He so wanted to say something to him now, but the stroke had stolen the ability of speech from him. He tried to transfer his hurt and hatred from his heart into his eyes. But he didn’t know if it registered. He was so weak. Let me die, oh please let me fucking die! Let me die so I won’t have to feel this goddamn heartache!

 
Roger Bowles and his wife Nancy were the only ones with him now. The doctor had seen Joseph an hour ago and told Roger and Nancy that there was nothing more that medical science could accomplish and that the end was near. A nurse had been in about ten minutes ago to check on the near-death patient, and had then left Roger and Nancy alone with Joseph. Their two teenage children had been there earlier to say their good-byes to their grandfather. It was too bad about Bryan, but he had made his choice long ago and had held to it.

 

He was a member of this family in name only. Roger had not invited his brother to be here at the hospital to say farewell to his estranged father and he had not expressed any wish to be there. Roger figured that Bryan would refuse the invitation, so why bother?

 

 

 

 
Joseph, in his time of dying, thought of the son he had lost. He was thinking of Bryan when the stroke struck him. Because Bryan was Joseph’s only hope to salvage what damage would be done by his brother. He had set events in motion, before the stroke. The stroke prevented him from finishing what he had to do in totality. But he hoped that what he had been able to do would be enough to get the ball rolling. And he hoped that Bryan still cared enough to do something, that his estrangement from his blood family was not so severe that if he learned the truth of what his brother had done, that he would let it pass. He felt he knew Bryan well enough to believe that he would not. That, despite everything that had happened to rend the family, Bryan’s sense of right was still ingrained within him. It was a shot in the dark, but it was all Joseph could take. And the pity was that he would not live long enough to know if he had hit the target, or even come close.

 

 
He could hear the cold beep of the heart monitor grow fainter, slower. He knew what was coming and was brave enough to accept it and whatever came after, even if it was nothing. And if he did reach a fiery hell, could it be worse than the suffering that Roger, who had seemingly always stood by him, had laid upon his heart that has already experienced enough heartache in his lifetime? And could a heaven truly make that suffering meaningless? For the first time, Joseph was glad that his beloved wife Tara was dead, so she would not have to bear her own heartbreak. But Roger and Nancy’s kids were still around, young and hopefully just in the early stages of long and happy lives. But if they discovered what their father had done, how would they deal with the pain? That thought further broke Joseph’s heart; that two innocent children should have to suffer for the sins of their family. And what of Bryan’s children, who were even younger? Maybe it was for the best if there was simply nothing after death.

 

 
The last thing Joseph Bowles saw was Roger and Nancy standing above him, both with tears in their eyes, arms around each other. The last physical sensation that Joseph felt were the tears leaking from his eyes.

 

 
Goddamn you, Roger.

 

 

 
The Void arrived.

 

 

 
Approximately ten minutes after Joseph Bowles drew his last mortal breath, his son Roger, after the requisite tears and hug with Nancy, got into the elevator and descended to the first floor of the hospital. He was no longer weeping, no longer had a need to weep, at least for the moment. He walked out with a quick step and stopped under the awning of the entrance. He took out his smart phone, scrolled through the phone number directory until he found the one he wanted and speed-dialed it. Roger just had to wait a few seconds before connecting.

 

 

 
“It’s me. The son of a bitch just died. Begin the operation,” Roger said. He disconnected without waiting for an answer from the other end. Sorry you’re going to miss all the fun, old man, he thought.

 

Get connected with DeWayne on social media!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeWayne-Twitchell-Author-813350492076949/
Twitter: @ddt1965
Website: http://ddt19652.wix.com/asian-haze

Jan 21 2016

Pre-Orders Set for the Booking in Biloxi Author Event

Are you attending the Booking in Biloxi Author Event on 3/19/16? Be sure to pre-order your book! Cut off date is 2/6/16. I will have a very limited supply of books to sale at the actual event so if you want to ensure you receive an autographed copy of a book of your choice, pre-order now.

 

 

Jan 20 2016

Author Interview: Tracy Kincaid

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I had the pleasure of interviewing Tracy Kincaid, author of Freeing Lost Souls.

About the Author:

My name is Tracy Kincaid, a native Southern California girl who recently transplanted to South Western Pennsylvania. I’m a wife and mother of three. When I’m not writing you can find me reading or crafting. I enjoy the outdoors, whether it be working in the garden or hanging out with family and friends.

I now have 2 books out: Changing Lives (July 2015) and Freeing Lost Souls (January 2016) both on sale on Amazon, available in e-book or paperback.

 

 Tell us a little about yourself – your education, family, etc.

 I graduated from Azusa High School in Southern California, from there I attended Citrus College. I was majoring in Music with a Minor in Theatre. I found love and left that goal. Somedays I wish I would have stuck it out and other days I am happy with my choice. I have been married for almost 18 years (The husband better be saving up for that cruise. for our 20th!) We have 3 great kids. (24 years, 13 years, 6 years. NOT RECOMMENDED) Most of my side of the family as well as our oldest are still in CA, I visit as often as I can.

 

 What started you on your journey to become an author?

 About 6 years ago or so I had a weird dream about the Titanic. I must of had the same dream every night for a week. It was driving me crazy. (No I wasn’t watching the movie at the time) One day I had a more detailed dream, so I started to write it out. Took me 5 years to get it all out. Then my friend and author, Eryn Black asked to read it. She loved it and pushed me to submit it. It was accepted within 2 days. I was shocked. On release day I hit #16 on the Amazon Best Seller list. I was beside myself. And I haven’t stopped writing since.

 

What is a usual writing day like for you?

 I try to sit and write something everyday. Not that that always works. After I get the kids off to school I sit at my desk and try. Some days I can sit and it just comes flowing out of me. Other days I sit on the computer doing anything but writing. I do have my routines: eat a good breakfast, clean my work space and make sure I have candy in my dish, usually Jordon Almonds!

 

 Do you have a specific writing style? Are you a plotter or a panster when it comes to writing?

 I tend to be a panster. I have an idea in my head where I want the story to go. I just sit and write until I get to that ending I want. Sometimes the ending doesn’t come until the end. I’ve tried to do it like that teach you in school, but that is boring to me. So I don’t do it. I will make notes now and then, but I stray from them sometimes.

 

 How much of your work is based on first-hand knowledge? Is anything you write based on real people/events and if so, how did they inspire you to create your work?

 In Changing Lives, Natalie, in the beginning is me. I figured that I knew who I was so I just wrote myself into the book. Some of the other people in the book are based off of people that I know. I am a people watcher, so watch out or it may be you.  In Freeing Lost Souls, Randy, Sarah’s dad is my dad. If it wasn’t for him being a Civil War buff our trip to Gettysburg would not of happened and the story would not have been written. He even picked the ending. It will shock you! LOL. My parents have supported me in what ever I have wanted to do in life. And for that I am grateful.

               

 Do you get writers’ block and if so, how do you overcome it?

 Oh God, yes I do. I know some say that it is all in your head. But when those voices stop talking to you nothing ends up on the paper. When I was writing Freeing Lost Souls, I had it so bad that I started to do anything but sit at my computer. I am a crafty person, so usually I would craft. But since this book had me so mad, I started to paint our deck (We have a huge deck). I got about half way through it when, Bruce my lead male in the book started to yell at me in my head. He was finally ready to tell me what to do next. I am one of those that hates to leave things undone, so I made him wait until I was done. (Can’t have half a deck painted) When I finally sat down to write, I almost finished it in one sitting. I started to write it soon after our trip to Gettysburg and finished it within the year. It was released on January 18, 2016!

 

 Who are your main influences in the writing world? Do you have favorite authors?

 I have so many that it would take forever to list. I hated reading as a kid. Books were boring to me. I could never find one to hold my interest. It wasn’t until the Harry Potter series came out and there was such a fuss over it. I started reading the 1st book soon after the 1st movie was released. I didn’t stop reading after that. If they had these kinds of books when I was a kid I would have read. When the last book was released I stayed up by myself to stand in line at the Barnes & Noble to get my copy. It was a blast. People of all ages were there for a BOOK! After that I went onto to read the Twilight series. I didn’t get into the adult books until Fifty Shades came out. Now I can’t stop reading them! So I guess these ladies influenced me, but so many more since them.

 

 Are you trade or indie published? How has your experiences differed from your expectations prior to becoming a published author?

 Well, when I put Changing Lives out I went with a publisher. With Freeing Lost Souls they decided to close their doors so I am going at it as a full Indie. I didn’t realize how hard it is to do. But I will learn as I go, and I have a great support team of Indie authors willing to help me every step of the way.

 

 Do you have any regrets as an author?

 I wish I would have paid more attention in school, in English class. LOL. Thank God for editors!

 

What is the hardest part about being a writer?

 Getting people to see you, I think is the hardest. We can write all we want, but if you have no one reading you work, what is the point. You can only sell a book to your friends and family so often, eventually you need someone outside your circle to read it.

 

How long on average does it take for you to complete a book, from the first time you sit down to write until it becomes a published book?

 That is a good question. Once Changing Lives was done and out of my hands, I took a break. Freeing Lost Souls took me 1 year to write. Now Past, Present, and Future is half way done. I hope to have it done within the next few months. I have an idea where it will go, I just need to get there. Since I released a book this week I have been busy promoting it. But I plan on getting back into this new one this weekend.

 

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

 Don’t give up. Try! If you don’t try then you will never know.

 

FreeingLostSouls-front (1)

Blurb for FREEING LOST SOULS

By Tracy Kincaid

Book one in The Family Tree Series

Sarah Finny is an artist who prides herself on being a free spirit.

Her job sends her to Gettysburg, where she discovers a powerful connection to the legendary battlefield. While exploring the historical landmark, Sarah comes upon park guide, Bruce Wilks who has injured his leg.

After offering to help him, Sarah develops an unexpected attraction toward Bruce, which threatens her heart as well as, her cherished nomadic way of life. A powerful and mysterious entity brings them together hoping to enlist Sarah and Bruce in finding his own long-lost love and, thereby, freeing lost souls.

 

Excerpt:

“Hi, I’m Sarah Finny. I believe Bruce Wilks called to set up a costume for me.”

She looks at her computer. As she searches for the order, I look around the shop at tons of Civil War props. God, I wish my dad were here to see all of this. I’ll have to send him a picture of our little group in our costumes. He will freak out when he sees it.

“Aw, here it is. Let me run in the back to get it. Be right back.” She goes into the back room while I browse. I hear the bell over the door ring, and I turn to see Bruce walk in.

“Hey, you,” he announces as he walks over to me and gives me a hug. The hugging is a new thing, but I’m fine with it. I would love to melt into his arms someday.

“Hi, I was just stopping by to get my costume. What are you up to?”

“Same as you. Figured I had a break from giving tours to swing by and pick up mine.”

“I thought you had your own.” I laugh.

“Well, actually I do. I think everyone who has grown up here has had several over the years, but I needed a new one. So I had Mary make me one.” He shrugs.

“Here you go, Sarah,” Mary states as she comes out of the back. “Oh, hey, Bruce, you here to pick yours up as well?”

“If it’s ready, I can take it. I was in the area.”

“Sure, give me a second,” Mary says as she lays my costume on the counter then goes off into the back again.

“So what are you up to now?” Bruce inquires me.

“I thought I would get some lunch. How about you?”

“Would you like to get some lunch together?”

“Sure, that would be great.”

Mary comes back to the front, holding a bag for Bruce. “You two need anything else?” she asks.

“No, I think we have everything we need. Thanks again, Mary. See you soon,” Bruce says.

“Nice to meet you, Sarah. Have fun this weekend.”

“Thanks, Mary.”

After getting our costumes, we put them in our cars then walk to a little sandwich shop on the corner. We get a table outside since it’s such a nice day.

“So, what is it that we do at this reenactment?” I ask.

“You will be at one of the hospitals they have set up in town. You’ll be pretending to be a nurse. I’ll be in the Wheatfield, at least during the battle. We just do what they instruct us to do. It’s really easy, actually.”

“So who decided what we’re doing?” I ask because I find it strange that I’m to be a nurse.

“Actually, the Historical Society works with the genealogy people. If some of the re-enactors had family in the war, then they base their roles on that. For instance, since Edward Wilks was wounded in the Wheatfield, that is where I’ll be. You, on the other hand, are a woman, not that there is anything wrong with that.” He grins. “But since you had a nurse in the war, they thought the best place for you was the hospital.”

“I guess that makes sense.”

“Those who didn’t have anyone in the war fill in where needed. It’s a whole production, really. I just do what they say.”

“It does sound interesting. I haven’t seen you around much. What have you been up to?” I ask.

“Tourist season. Why, you miss me?” he teases.

“Of course. I thought you were my own personal tour guide. I didn’t think I had to share you with anyone,” I tease back.

“How about I take you out before the craziness starts?”

“Sure, when?”

“That depends on what you’d like to do. Are you sick of the Civil War stuff yet? If so, we can go somewhere outside of town and catch a movie or dancing. Or we can stay in town and enjoy the festivities.”

“You dance?” I laugh.

“I’ve been known to cut a rug now and then.” He feigns being hurt.

“Well, I can’t dance worth a damn except what we were doing at the concert, but that really wasn’t dancing, so how about the stuff in town?”

“Sure, it’s actually not so bad. They have a festival that starts tonight. It’s your typical county fair type stuff, too much deep fried food, carnival rides, the whole nine yards.”

“Sounds like fun. So when are we going?” I wonder if that is how he sees it.

“I’m taking a few days off, so if you don’t have anything pressing tomorrow, we could go tonight.”

“It’s a date, then?” I wish, crossing my fingers like I used to do when I was a kid, hoping something would go my way.

“It’s a date if you want it to be. No pressure.” He looks at me and blushes.

“No worries. I was wondering when you were going to ask me out on a real date.”

“Really? I had no idea.” He smiles, showing those adorable dimples.

“I thought I gave you enough hints. Guess I’m out of practice.”

 


Changing lives-front

 

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Jan 19 2016

Release Date for COLLARING ASH is Set – Are You Ready?

The official release date for Collaring Ash, Book 2 in the Sweet Seductions Series, has been set for 2/14/16. Are you ready to meet White Coffin’s bad-ass bassist Ash Pardue?

Ash Pardue is young, immortal, and the bassist for the hottest vampire metal band on the planet. He has his pick of the ladies, and his tastes run wild and deep. When a chance encounter turns his entire world upside down, he soon finds himself in the midst of the strangest, freakiest love triangle of his undead life. Brandi and Angela are everything he has never been attracted to, yet he can’t seem to stay away from them no matter how hard he tries. How is he supposed to choose between love and lust when they are both so very bad for him? Will his hunger for these two lead to ever-lasting love, or to a freaky obsession too wild to be tamed?

 

“I don’t care if she can deep throat a cactus, bro. You really need to stay away from that crazy bitch. She’s a freak, Ash, pure and simple,” Andy said as he tossed his cigarette to the ground.

“Hey, we’re all freaks in way or another,” Ash replied.

Read the first three complete chapters free! Mouse over BOOKS BY NICOLA above and click on the Collaring Ash link. Happy reading all my beautiful book divas!