Tell us about yourself: I have been working in organized commerce for 45 years. I retired in 2012 to begin writing. I am married and live in Texas with my wife and rescue French Bulldog Twiggy.
Tell us about your writing career. When did you first start writing? I tried writing while I was working but it didn’t go well so I waited until I retired to take up writing. That was in 2012.
Do you write full-time? If not, do you have an outside job or other responsibilities? I write full-time but do have to pay attention to my wife and bulldog.
Have you ever based a character on yourself? If so, tell us about it. I think all my characters have a bit of me in them. It may not be a physical or mental attribute. It just might be a secret or not so secret desire, dream, or goal. I tend not to describe my character’s physical attributes since I would rather the reader conger up what the characters look like. So most of the characters that are based on me share some of my philosophies and beliefs rather than foot size.
Have you ever based a character on a family member or close friend? If so, tell us how you navigated what could be a tricky portrayal. I have a book that one of the characters is based on a friend. It so happened that my friend died prior to the book being published so any complex navigation of the portrayal was not necessary. Also, the character was disguised in such a way that the only thing recognizable about him was he was also dead. To the core though the character behaved very much like my friend would have under the circumstances. Of course my subterfuge was completely blown since I dedicated the book to him.
For poetry writers, what moves you to write a poem? I do write what are called Johnkus every week. The reason they are not called Haiku’s is I don’t confine the subject material to natural phenomenon. What moves me is a story about someone doing a good thing for others. Most of my JohnKus are devoted to asking the question, “Why isn’t more being done?”
Describe your editing and publishing experience. What has worked for you and what hasn’t? I do several edits of my books then send the pile to a professional editor. I would advise every author to do the same. Nothing screams unprofessional like a story mistakes and typos. My publishing experience is I was once with a traditional publisher and then went to Indy. I was unhappy with not being in control of when books were published. As an Independent, I publish under my own imprint and do all the formatting and design work myself.
Name three people who have had the greatest influence on you and why. Kurt Vonnegut – I loved his way of writing his stories and he inspired me to try writing. Buddy Holly – He woke up my love for music and became an Icon for living your life on your own terms. Edwin Polk – He was my shop teacher and Boy Scout leader. He taught that you could do or be anything with effort and perseverance.
What event(s) in your life have influenced you as a writer? The first event was my father dying when I was ten years old. I’ve spent the last 73 years living the code that he taught. And the last ten writing it. The second is my good friend Charlie Gruner passing away in 2011. His death caused me to think more about the possibility of an afterlife which is reflected in my books. The third is a near fatal car accident which put me in the hospital for seventy days. The principal of living a day to the maximum became very clear.
Did you have a favorite children’s book when you were growing up? If so, tell us about it and why it’s your favorite. My favorite child’s book was Babar the Elephant. The adventures of Babar caught my imagination and the idea of living the life of luxury that Babar as king of elephants was very appealing to me.
What’s the most difficult thing about being a writer? I believe the most difficult thing about being a writer is struggling to get more people to read the work. Gaining reader attention is a difficult task that if one had tons of money would be made easier. Finding the best way to reach readers is an elusive goal.
Tell us about your writing routine. What time of day works best for you? Do you write at home? Someplace else? On a computer or do you use paper and pen/pencil? What works best for me is to work on my current novel before I tackle any other chore. My day starts with a cup of delicious coffee and conversation with my wife. Next is exercise on my street bike or an elliptical at the gym. Once back at the house, showered, and after breakfast I do 500 words of my manuscript. I used to do a thousand, but age has determined 500 to be more reasonable. Once the word goal is complete, I write a blog post and then do some e-mails. I usually have a chore around the house to do and get that done before returning to e-mails. The day wraps about five o’clock and since I love to cook, I am usually preparing the evening meal.
What beverage gets your creative juices flowing? Coffee, tea, soda, energy drink, water or something else? Coffee is my go-to wake up drink. I can’t drink it all day or I would be spending the night wide awake. I keep hydrated with water throughout the day and then wine with dinner.
What do you do to relax? I read to relax. We have several periodicals that are delivered so I enjoy those as well as novels.
What are you reading right now? I am finishing a collection of short stories by Geoff Le Pard
Book Titles: The Devil Drives a Black Volga, My Very Own Renaissance (in progress)
Genre: Gothic Poetry and Short Fiction
Tell us about yourself: Aside from writing, I love cooking, learning languages, and exploring the city. I speak English, Russian, and Mandarin somewhat fluently, and I am studying Korean and Portuguese. I have a bearded dragon who goes by Stan only because my family can’t pronounce Konstantin Velikiy Lorenushkovich (meaning, “Constantine the Great, Son of Lauren”).
Tell us about your writing career. When did you first start writing? I have been writing my whole life, but my career began when I was a sophomore in high school. It was 2020, and I challenged myself to write a 20-stanza poem while isolated in my bedroom. That is how “The Iconoclasm of the Aeolist” came to be. I enjoyed it, and decided to keep producing tidbits of writing until I had a book.
Do you write full-time? If not, do you have an outside job or other responsibilities? I am a full-time student at Georgia State University studying International Economics and Modern Language with a focus in Chinese. I am also a Resident Assistant.
Have you ever based a character on yourself? If so, tell us about it. Not really. I have based some characters on experiences I’ve had or things I’ve felt, but I have yet to create a character I can fully relate to.
Have you ever based a character on a family member or close friend? If so, tell us how you navigated what could be a tricky portrayal. Yes! My poem, “Ode to the Dragon King” is about Stan! In my upcoming book, I have a poem about my dad and a few poems about my mom. All of the above were quite positive and sentimental portrayals, so I didn’t have much trouble navigating that at all.
How do you keep track of all your ideas? Do you have a little notebook? Do you keep a running document on your computer or phone? I do like to fill little notebooks with ideas and rough drafts. However, I most frequently use my phone’s notes app to type things up as soon as they come to mind.
For poetry writers, what moves you to write a poem? I think there’s one main thing that drives me to write a poem versus a short story on a topic. If I know a lot of things about a topic, I’ll make it a short story. But if I feel a lot of things about a topic, I cannot just assign characters and a plot to it and place myself in the role of narrator. The only way I feel I can do it justice is by turning it into a poem. My poetry is where I feel I am most honest.
Describe your editing and publishing experience. What has worked for you and what hasn’t? I have loved using Kindle Direct Publishing for my books. I have an indie author friend who sat with me while I edited my first book and helped me learn all the formatting hacks. I tried using Atticus at first to get everything how it needs to be, but I quickly learned it’s only helpful for fiction and not poetry. Additionally, it isn’t compatible with Russian or Chinese characters.
Do you belong to a writer’s group? I am in the Atlanta Writers Club, and I love it! We meet monthly and have writing contests at every meeting. Their writing prompts have been the motivator behind a few of the poems in my upcoming book. I really love meeting other writers and sharing ideas, which is extremely helpful when trying to write while being a full-time student.
Name three people who have had the greatest influence on you and why. Like almost any woman who writes, I would say my mother is first. I wrote The Devil Drives a Black Volga while I was navigating my confusion and fear surrounding her cancer diagnosis while I was in high school. My upcoming book follows the stages of healing I’ve gone through since she passed away. Second, I had a teacher in high school who sat with me once a week to read my work. The Devil Drives a Black Volga would likely not exist without her. Lastly, I have my dad to thank as well for introducing me to quality writers like Bob Dylan and Lennon-McCartney, which I think was my first introduction to poetry in any form. I would give the title of “honorable mention” to the two mystery men who haunt my upcoming book, but I’ll talk about all of that when it’s time.
What events in your life have influenced you as a writer? My mother’s passing, first and foremost, which many of my works deal with, but also my religious upbringing (and my continued religious state of being), and my move to Atlanta, which helped me remove myself from my trauma and become involved with the writing community.
Did you have a favorite children’s book when you were growing up? If so, tell us about it and why it’s your favorite. I was a huge Nancy Drew fan, and I still am. I had almost all the books, played the video games, watched the TV show from the 70s, and had a Nancy Drew themed birthday party at one point. I think she became not only my foundation for spooky writing, but also my love for vintage fashion.
What’s the most difficult thing about being a writer? Getting your work “out there.” You can post on social media all you want, but it’s all in the hands of the algorithm. Especially when you’re self-published, it is so hard to find your audience and market yourself.
Tell us about your writing routine. What time of day works best for you? Do you write at home? Someplace else? On a computer or do you use paper and pen/pencil? I often have trouble finding time to write, but I do best when I just drop everything and start writing as soon as inspiration strikes. I love writing on MARTA (Atlanta’s public transportation) and while I’m bored in class. I mainly use my computer and notes app.
What beverage gets your creative juices flowing? Coffee, tea, soda, energy drink, water or something else? I am a root beer addict and connoisseur, and I love an iced coffee, but energy drinks make me most productive. I like Nos, Monster Ultra Rosa, the pink Monster Juice, Red Bull, and the yellow Tropical Red Bull.
What do you do to relax? I watch K-Dramas while crocheting! I am currently watching “May I Help You?”- a drama about a mortician.
What are you reading right now? Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman.
Links: The website is still in the works, but I am @jelmore.books on Instagram and @j.elmore on TikTok.
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Book Titles: The Devil and the Wolf and Perseus Kills His Grandfather
Genre: Comedy/Fantasy
Tell us about yourself: I’ve retired from the corporate world and going through a zero-stress process of adjustment – meaning, I haven’t settled into any particular routine or significant focus.
My career included Cognitive research, UI Designer, HTML Instructor, and Business Analyst. I tended to go with the flow of opportunities as they arose and I was extremely fortunate. Every job I had involved a ghastly commute which took a significant amount of time out of my life, so I’m quite happy to indulge in my hermit side for a few years and have the world come to me.
My hobbies include anything food related (cooking, history, growing), gardening, reading, photography (new), a little on-line gaming, crossword puzzles, and playing around with digital graphics. Writing (a.k.a. storytelling) has always been more than a hobby as it is likely my only fully artistic outlet.
Tell us about your writing career. When did you first start writing? I started writing some 50 years ago during my days in high school. Sometimes I would daydream a scene as if viewing a snippet of a movie, or hear part of a conversation that would trigger a more creative one in my mind, or be struck by an idea I would research and be surprised by what I learned. In each case at that age, I began to be compelled to write it all down and, in some cases, expand them into short stories or essays.
The output I would sometimes share with friends, who always enjoyed them. I would often hear I should become an author, but I also had other interests – mostly in science – that I wanted to pursue as well. Difficult choices but as mentioned, I let opportunity be my guide.
Off and on over the decades, I considered self-publishing but the area was often filled with sketchy organization and you needed to front a significant amount of money up-front. The derogatory term “Vanity Publishing” was used back then and that was the last thing I wanted – to have people assume I wanted notoriety. My goal then, as it is now, was simply to tell stories for people who would enjoy them and hopefully make their day a little bit better. That’s probably why 80% of what I have written over the years was comedic.
In 2016, my comet-like mental orbit reapproached the concept of self-publishing and I was surprised to find how much easier it had become in the digital age. I was currently attempting (for the 3rd time) to break out of the short story / essay mode and craft an entire novel. I came across a company called CreateSpace (since subsumed by Amazon) which would both print on-demand and provide a digital copy for Kindle. So, click of the button and boom, my work was uploaded. I didn’t expect anyone to buy or read it, my plan was to surprise my friends and family, have copies printed, and hand them out to them just for the fun of it. To my shock and surprise, someone I did not know bought a copy and gave it a five-star review.
And now, here we are.
Do you write full-time? If not, do you have an outside job or other responsibilities? I only write when I feel a drive to. I continue to write snippets of work as a personal artistic outlet to my mental musings, but now I also have a few book ideas I’ve been slowly crafting. I don’t think writing can ever become a “job” for me as I never want one of the only two ways I can express myself artistically to be bound by deadlines, subject to marketing pressures, and income stresses. It’s the same with my other love and outlet – cooking. Despite requests from friends and family, I never wanted to open a restaurant or bakery. My emotional outlet would become my career.
Granted, something I love doing (which is true of the areas I chose for my career) but that would eliminate it as an unfettered outlet. I guess it would be different if I could also draw or play a musical instrument, but I need to have something I can do to express myself without constraints and pressure.
Have you ever based a character on yourself? If so, tell us about it. In a way, nearly all of my characters are based on myself. My brain has always been wired for having multiple internal voices, which has helped me view issues from many sides. This also assisted my greatly while I was working in research. So, yes, I would say that all of my major and many of my minor characters are reflecting some part of me, and/or giving voice to my point of view.
Have you ever based a character on a family member or close friend? If so, tell us how you navigated what could be a tricky portrayal.
I did once, the first time I was attempting a novel and – without going into detail – it was a minor disaster. One significant issue was people I knew would start to become suspicious if a character was supposed to be them even if it wasn’t. I didn’t want to have any sense of mistrust from those closest to me. So, on the occasions when I need to create a character wholly separate from anything I have internally, I will amalgamate features and behaviors from people I knew in passing. One upside to working in large to mid-size companies is that you meet a lot of people – a lot. I also believe having a sensitivity to anyone’s personality and physical behaviors is a relatively common talent among writers. I think one “secret” is to hone that sensitivity and then use what you pick up like Lego blocks when building a character.
How do you keep track of all your ideas? Do you have a little notebook? Do you keep a running document on your computer or phone? For the last decade, I’ve been relying on my phone. Whenever something hits me – be it a concept, a scene, a joke, a snippet of dialogue, etc. – I jot it down in notes or, on occasion, voice record it.
Describe your editing and publishing experience. What has worked for you and what hasn’t? I’m afraid it’s very simplistic. Having interacted with a range of writers – some indie and some published – I’m very aware of the enormous amount of effort they put into it. (And I’m respectfully in awe of that).
Not having available funds, I have to rely on my own editing with copyediting being an Achilles heel. I’m quite aware of the mistakes when I find them, but have a difficult time finding them.
Other than that, I rely on beta readers. My experience being a UI designer puts me at an exceptional advantage here. In UI design studies, your goal is to find the issues – negative feedback. You quickly learn to put your ego aside because that’s your only route to success. You also learn the most efficient way to take disparate feedback and sift out the critical issues.
As for the actual publishing process, as I mentioned I use an indie-publishing service. I have had knotty issues with getting the cover artwork correct for submission with the paper editions (working out bleeding edges and such), but I got through them after reading the help information several times until something clicked.
Do you belong to a writer’s group? If so, tell us about it. Yes. Kind of. I was invited by a group of writers who were on Twitter (yes, I call it Twitter) to join them in a monthly video chat. The group is Writers Supporting Writers (@wsw2021), and we post the videos on YouTube. I absolutely love this. It gives me a way to connect, discuss, and learn in an enjoyable way. I also connect with other writers via social media and I find that a good way to sense the common experiences that we share.
Name three people who have had the greatest influence on you and why. I guess the classics – family.
My mother for starters. She helped build my intellectual foundation. She encouraged me to read as early as possible and supported any endeavor I undertook with very visible pride. She also never pushed me or criticized me in any area I pursued.
In terms of writing and education, my dad. He introduced me to all of the old-time comedies (which, given my age, I should re-term “ancient”) along with fascinating backstories. If it weren’t for him, I probably wouldn’t understand comedy as a crafted artform following some specific rules. He never finished high school, but was a voracious reader – mostly history books – allowing him to converse on that topic as well as any professor I had.
I would also consider my three aunts collectively . They were unique, quirky, funny and big-hearted. They gave me living examples of having an “express yourself” and “love life large” attitude.
What event(s) in your life have influenced you as a writer? Without details, I’ve been through some hellish times during my life and that has driven me to attempt to provide a pleasant respite for others. I’ve often said, if someone is reading something I’ve written – be it at home, at the beach, on a train – and they find themselves releasing even a single chuckle, well, my job is done.
For writing itself, as I mentioned, it’s driven by an internal need for artistic expression probably borne out of all of the reading I have done.
Did you have a favorite children’s book when you were growing up? If so, tell us about it and why it’s your favorite. Yes, but I couldn’t point to a favorite. I do have a memory of which was the first. I think I was 3 at the time. It was Dr. Seuss’ One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. In my early teen age years I went heavily into SciFi, Fantasy & Mystery classics (Le Guin, Asimov, Zelazny, Clarke, Christie, etc.) and those have heavily influenced my writing. In later years and my 20’s I was very much into literary classics (Dickens, Melville, Wodehouse, Bronte, etc.) My favorite contemporary authors are Christopher Moore and Richard Russo, but favorite is a difficult term since I read and enjoy quite a large number of contemporary authors. Those two are the ones whose comedic craft in novel form I admire the most.
What’s the most difficult thing about being a writer? Finishing. But that’s kind of true of everything I do. I call it “The DaVinci Mode.” He would often come up with creative ideas but at the point of them becoming real and grounded, he would lose interest and move onto the next. I often have this issue in writing. I may get the first few chapters in a novel or pages in a short story down, but then I feel like I have to push myself up and over a hill to get the momentum going again.
Tell us about your writing routine. What time of day works best for you? Do you write at home? Someplace else? On a computer or do you use paper and pen/pencil? I feel that daytime is meant for the routine aspects – fleshing sections out, editing and the like – while night time is more fertile for the creative aspects. All my writing is done at home on a computer. I was especially diligent about this when I worked in an office. I wanted to keep those areas of my life compartmentalized. Before the advent of computers, I used a typewriter. I can get words out far faster and can easily read them afterwards – my penmanship is deplorable.
What beverage gets your creative juices flowing? Coffee, tea, soda, energy drink, water or something else? Tea, in all of its glorious forms.
What do you do to relax? Write. Seriously, it is very cathartic. Other than that, reading, listening to music, and nothing. I can, and have, watched grass grow (okay it’s my garden plants, not grass). That might be my favorite. It frees up my mind and separates me from my concerns. Doing nothing on a beautiful summer’s day – chef’s kiss.
What are you reading right now? I’m about to start Honeysuckle Cottage by P.G. Wodehouse on advice from my fellow Indie author, Berthold Gambrel.
Please share your website and social media links: Website: https://rlpastore.com (fair warning, I’m not much of a blogger)
I’m on Twitter, BlueSky, Mastodon, Threads, and Instagram (links to all are on this page): https://rlpastore.com/contact
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Tell us about yourself: My name is Jonathan Faia and I’m the author of the books, Wylde Serenity and most recently, Love Letters From Barstow. I was born in Southern California and spent my early years developing my love for reading and writing. Thanks to the open arms of the Fullerton and Buena Park public libraries I was able to experience and develop a lifelong love of all things writing. My writing has heavy influences from my Gen X adolescence, and combines my utter infatuation with all things Beat Poetry. My writing encompasses despair, angst, even flirts with death while reflecting on the indulgences of love and the loneliness that accompanies its failures. I pass the time writing freelance articles and performing interviews for several online publications. In my free time, I can be found walking the aisles of local independent booksellers. I enjoy connecting with readers and working with public libraries to bring support to young authors.
Tell us about your writing career. When did you first start writing? My writing dates back to the mid-1990s where I began compiling what would later become elements of my first book, Wylde Serenity. I was an English major and combined elements of my Gen X adolescence and my love for Beat Poetry. I don’t want to date myself but this was pre-internet so I submitted written submissions to any magazine or outlet I could. It was my dream to be a writer whose work would change lives.
Do you write full-time? If not, do you have an outside job or other responsibilities? I write constantly. While I don’t make a full time living from writing, it is a major part of my life. Aside from my books, I spend time contributing to many web publications performing artist interviews and other freelance work. I’m a grateful and proud husband and father. I also contribute my time to bringing healthcare to the underserved in Southern California.
How do you keep track of all your ideas? Do you have a little notebook? Do you keep a running document on your computer or phone? I love to keep notebooks, they are everywhere in my house. I love the feeling of being able to refer back to an idea on paper. I use everything from the traditional notebook, to scratch pieces of paper, and napkins. I am beginning to use my phone more though to dictate ideas while I’m out and about. It’s a great opportunity to playback ideas to see how they might sound to others.
For poetry writers, what moves you to write a poem? This is a great question because it allows for a lot of self-reflection. So much of my writing is based off autobiographical notes. Poetry allows me a chance to highlight the beauty and desperation in love. I make it a point, though to incorporate themes from everyday life that can relate to others.
Describe your editing and publishing experience. What has worked for you and what hasn’t? When it comes to my writing I have a couple trusted editors I work with to finalize my work. That includes some beta-testing of the initial project to make sure that the voice in my work is resonating with someone else and there’s honesty in my words. My publishers have a voice and they obviously want what is marketable so I try to take their input and incorporate my spin. So far my publishers have allowed for a great partnership and have allowed me to be me, which has really helped my bond with my readers.
Do you belong to a writer’s group? If so, tell us about it. I don’t have an official writer’s group, but I do have a select group of independent writers I consult with on a regular basis who really support each other.
Name three people who have had the greatest influence on you and why. As a writer I feel like I take inspiration from a lot of areas and individuals. I can say that my biggest influence has to be Jack Kerouac. The free-flowing existence of his words and ideas have been a theme in my writing since I can remember. The honest and blunt force of Charles Bukowski’s work runs through my every word. I’ve strived to be a champion of the forgotten in my work and that comes directly from Bukowski’s influence on me. Finally, I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the help from the satirical stylings of Kurt Vonnegut. During the writing of my latest book, Love Letters From Barstow I hit a hard case of writer’s block. It was at that point I reread Vonnegut’s, Breakfast Of Champions and it inspired me to keep going.
What events in your life have influenced you as a writer? From my earliest days I’ve had a love for writing. As a child I enjoyed all things creative which led me to loving writing. I remember when I was around 7 or 8 years I saved my money to buy a composition book to begin writing what I thought would be the story of my life. Little did I know then, I wasn’t old enough to have an autobiography. I was lucky to have teachers early on that fueled my love for reading and writing. With their support I began reading the works that would shape my life. It may have begun with Harper Lee, but it soon progressed to Kerouac and Hermann Hesse. I found an early friend in my local library which was my gateway to everything. I spent so many afternoons and summer days experiencing everything the library had to offer. It was not only a sanctuary for me, but a place that allowed me to experience the world.
Did you have a favorite children’s book when you were growing up? If so, tell us about it and why it’s your favorite. I read, To Kill A Mockingbird back in elementary school and it was life changing for me. The themes in the book showed both the beauty and evilness in man. Growing up in an environment that wasn’t always the most stable of situations, that book brought me peace. Its characters had depth and it sparked my love of reading. For me growing up without a stable father figure at home, Atticus Finch taught me everything in how to be a man of value and how to become the father every child deserves.
What’s the most difficult thing about being a writer? The most obvious thing is rejection. There is something about writing that is so personal that the mere thought that someone wouldn’t like your work is crushing. I guess that goes for anyone attempting to be creative though. Aside from that it has to be marketing your work. There is so much competition for attention now it’s hard to find your way. Anyone working with a small publisher like myself or any indie writers have to be careful because there are so many predatory companies trying to take advantage authors. It’s hard for a writer without the backing of a large publisher to gain attention or market share, so any opportunity to promote is crucial. Partner with your local booksellers, put together interesting social media content and stay true to your work.
Tell us about your writing routine. What time of day works best for you? Do you write at home? Someplace else? On a computer or do you use paper and pen/pencil? My writing routine is a little chaotic to say the least. For years I’ve had this habit of scribbling on everything just to get ideas out. I have shoe boxes filled with ideas, one liners and premises. Many of them have made it into my books, but there are many still waiting for the right moment. While a lot of my ideas are pen to paper, when it comes to organizing I spend a lot of nights glued to my laptop. A good soundtrack helps when organizing ideas from paper to hard drive. Nearly the entirety of my first book, Wylde Serenity was written alongside John Frusciante and Ryan Adams tracks.
What beverage gets your creative juices flowing? Coffee, tea, soda, energy drink, water, or something else? There is nothing I love better than writing with a nice serving of black tea on a grey morning.
What do you do to relax? Other than good writing, there is nothing better than good music. Whenever I’m looking to relax you’ll find me roaming the aisles of local indie booksellers and record shops. My daughters and I have a few local favorites we visit regularly, and then eventually end up at the nearest coffee shop to discuss all the aesthetics from our travels and purchases. Some of our favorite places include, Half Off Books and Records in Fullerton, California and The Bookman in Orange, California and that certainly means a stop at The Night Owl coffee shop.
What are you reading right now? I’m lucky to have daughters who aren’t afraid to recommend books and music. Right now I’m finishing up reading, Beat Punks by Victor Bockris. It’s the tale of the New York underground scene from the Beat Generation to the Punk explosion. It’s a great representation of creativity with inclusions from legends like Allen Ginsberg, Andy Warhol, and Patti Smith to mention a few. It’s full of excellent photos and interviews.
Book Titles: Leora’s Letters: The Story of Love and Loss for an Iowa Family During World War II Leora’s Dexter Stories: The Scarcity Years of the Great Depression Leora’s Early Years: Guthrie County Roots What Leora Never Knew: A Granddaughter’s Quest for Answers
Genre: narrative nonfiction
Tell us about yourself: I’m the oldest granddaughter of Leora Wilson, who lost three sons during WWII and was widowed, all during a three-year period. Through the decades, I helped take Memorial Day bouquets to the graves of those three young uncles, not knowing that only one of them is buried there–until decades later, after the death of my courageous little Grandma Leora. I became a writer to tell my grandmother’s stories.
I’m a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa and I live in central Iowa with my husband, Guy (an Air Force Veteran of the Vietnam War and retired Air Traffic Controller). Our son and his wife live out-of-state with a small daughter named Kate. I’ve lived with fibromyalgia for two dozen years, giving me plenty of home-bound days to write blog posts and books.
Tell us about your writing career. When did you first start writing? I didn’t get serious about writing until after Grandma Leora died in 1987, leaving a story that needed sharing. I began with articles and essays, attending conferences and Summer Writing Festivals at the University of Iowa. When I came down with fibromyalgia, writing was on hold until the brain fog began to lift. My first book was published when I was 75, with three more since. I’m working on the next one.
Do you write full-time? If not, do you have an outside job or other responsibilities? The daily challenges of fibromyalgia keep me mostly housebound, and I can only write in short spurts throughout the day.
How do you get your book ideas? My trajectory was set when I discovered genealogy decades ago. Since then I’ve become the keeper of all the WWI and WWII letters, terrible telegrams, photos, and compelling stories. And I enjoy research.
How do you keep track of all your ideas? Do you have a little notebook? Do you keep a running document on your computer or phone? I have a notebook for each book, completed and planned, where I keep ideas for endorsers, beta readers, chapter ideas, even ISBNs.
For poetry writers, what moves you to write a poem? I haven’t yet published a book of poems, although several have been sparked by the stories I’ve worked with.
Describe your editing and publishing experience. What has worked for you and what hasn’t? I hire an editor, a cover designer, and someone to upload the manuscript to KDP. I’ve enjoyed radio interviews and making memes with Canva for marketing.
Do you belong to a writer’s group? If so, tell us about it. I’ve tried a few but haven’t been able to attend often enough.
Name three people who have had the greatest influence on you and why.
Grandma Leora, who lived so courageously despite all those losses during and just after the war. Because I asked her to, she wrote a memoir. Several of those stories have ended up in the “Leora books”.
John Busbee, founder and host of The Culture Buzz, radio interviewer and an extraordinary encourager.
Marilyn Bode, a faithful beta reader and encourager who hosted different book clubs for my books until we lost her to cancer.
What events in your life have influenced you as a writer? Getting paid for the first time for writing. Feedback from readers–of my blog posts, essays, and books. Invitations for book talks.
Did you have a favorite children’s book when you were growing up? If so, tell us about it and why it’s your favorite. I didn’t read much as a child growing up on a farm, but I did enjoy The Boxcar Children and The Secret of the Old Barn. (I wish I’d discovered a book like Leora’s Dexter Stories when I was junior high age.)
What’s the most difficult thing about being a writer? Fibromyalgia, because I can only write in spurts, and I can no longer participate in book shows and talks.
Tell us about your writing routine. What time of day works best for you? Do you write at home? Someplace else? On a computer or do you use paper and pen/pencil? I begin longhand, then move to the computer, and only when I have enough brain energy.
What beverage gets your creative juices flowing? Coffee, tea, soda, energy drink, water, or something else? Black coffee mornings, tepid water after that. (Iced coffee during the summer.)
What do you do to relax? Reading and x-word puzzles. (I don’t watch TV.)
What are you reading right now? All Manner of Things by Susie Finkbeiner
Tell us about yourself: I am 51 years old living in the Pacific Northwest. I enjoy the outdoors, camping hiking. I enjoy most music (closet Swifty) but I tend toward rock and metal.
Tell us about your writing career. When did you first start writing? I tried a few times over the years, but only have gotten serious in the last few. I wrote a short story “Alone” and submitted it to a contest a podcast I listen was having for Halloween stories. I came in first place. That gave me the confidence to try again. I started Emergence Collective shortly after “Alone” but life happened and I put it down for a few years. In 2020 I picked it up and gave it my all and published it in October of 2021. I recently published Emergence Ascended which is book two of the duology Emergence.
Do you write full-time? If not, do you have an outside job or other responsibilities? No. I work full time in Aerospace and Defense, and typical family duties
For fiction writers, have you ever based a character on yourself? If so, tell us about it Not directly but there is a little bit of “me” in a lot of my characters.
For fiction writers, have you ever based a character on a family member or close friend? If so, tell us how you navigated what could be tricky portrayal. Yes, In Emergence Collective, the character, Fran is a good friend, Uncle Charlie (Yes he knows).
How do you keep track of all your ideas? Do you have a little notebook? Do you keep a running document on your computer or phone? I keep a journal (paper), for most of them. Ideas that I am excited about.
Describe your editing and publishing process. What has worked for you and what hasn’t? I self-published through Kindle publishing from Amazon. Although I am not great at formatting to Amazon standards, I found the software to be rigid, not very user friendly. I recently published through Direct2digital and that process was far easier and would recommend.
Do you belong to a writer’s group? If so, tell us about it: No, but I found a great community on Threads and Instagram.
Name three people who have had the greatest influence on you and why: Robert A Heinlein, H.P. Lovecraft and Ray Bradbury.
Did you have a favorite children’s book when you were growing up? If so, tell us about it and why it’s your favorite: Not technically a children’s book but I picked up The Strange Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H.P. Lovecraft when I was 7 or 8. I was hooked ever since.
What is the most difficult thing about being a writer? For me it’s finding the time to write.
Tell us about your writing routine. What time of day works best for you? Do you write at home? Someplace else? Do you write on a computer or do you use paper and pen/pencil? I do most writing in the mornings on Saturday and Sunday. My house is usually quiet and I can get quality me time to space out and dream.
What beverage gets your creative juices flowing? Coffee, tea, soda, energy drink, water, or something else? Coffee of course.
What do you do to relax? I play video games. I do laser engraving art as a hobby, as well.
What are you reading right now? Starfire by BV Larson
Are you an indie, self-published or hybrid author looking for a way to tell the world about your books? Who’s That Indie Author is a great way to introduce yourself to readers. It’s also an opportunity to connect with bloggers and expand your network through connections on WordPress and social media. I have a new set of Who’s That Indie Author interview questions and I’m looking for you!
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When did you first decide you wanted to be a writer? Growing up, I had a love for numbers and words. I chose numbers as a full-time career because I was unaware of jobs using words and creative thinking (information was not so readily available then!). I felt the need to be creative was enormous as a young adult, so I started writing at 29. I am 38 now.
Do you write full-time? If not, do you have an outside job or other responsibilities? I am a part-time writer (often 4 am before the work day starts!) but plan to be full-time in the future if possible. My full-time job is highly analytical and relies heavily on one side of my brain, whereas writing taps into the other.
If you write nonfiction, tell me about your projects. What subjects motivate you? I am motivated by what is underneath the surface. Examples include values, how people make decisions, and what motivates each of us. I am inspired by wisdom and finding better ways to approach everyday life.
What kind of research and preparation do you do before you write? I feel others influence us so much that I do not perform external research when I write. To be as original as possible, I view myself as the research subject and carefully structure my thoughts and ideas.
What is your editing process? Do you hire an outside editor? When I need an outside editor, I find a professional. However, I often do the bulk of the editing because I know how I want the words to look, feel and sound. Clarity, simplicity, logical flow and the right tone are essential.
How do you decide on your book covers? Do you outsource? Sometimes the book covers are from personal, memorable experiences, for example, a holiday. The cover of 2024… Your Year of More was created from scratch, and the vibrant red and yellow colours were selected to motivate the reader to take action in their life.
How did you come up with the title of your latest book? So often, New Year’s resolutions focus on people wanting more of something. The word “more” got stuck in my head, and I liked the focus to be on now. Now is 2024, when the book is well-known to readers. 2024 also rhymed with more, so it felt good.
What route did you take to get published?Describe your experience. I published 2024… Your Year of Moreindependently because it provided me total creative freedom to do as I wish.
Have you ever tried to get an agent? If so, what steps did you take? I consider myself and my writing niche, so I am not a typical candidate for a literary agent who may prefer a mainstream title or author.
What kinds of things do you do to promote your book? I gave thousands of copies of my first books away for free. It garnered ratings and reviews. It helped build up a loyal readership that continues to grow daily. These days, I am regularly featured in the book blogger community. 2024… Your Year of More has been performing well in book contests. I sought numerous editorial reviews and featured these widely online.
Have you ever had a book-signing event? Tell us about your experience. I have not yet, but I will in the future!
Have you taken writing courses? I have written communications exams and taken communications courses. I enjoy writing straightforward English, so much editing time goes towards simplifying the language used. The focus is on relating with the reader and creating clear and concise messages.
Do you belong to a writer’s group? If so, is it in-person or online? Tell us about your experience. I am a member of Goodreads groups. It is a fun experience when a fellow author reviews my book or asks me to review theirs.
Are you in a book club? If so, tell us about it. Is it in-person or online? Friends or acquaintances? Yes, I am in a book club that contains friends and acquaintances. My favourite thing about the book club is hearing each person’s honest reading experience. When people share, it is an opportunity to relate and connect.
Do you ask friends/family to read your WIP? I don’t, but I keep them informed about progress because they appreciate regular updates.
Name three unread books on your bookshelf. 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, Lonely Planet’s The World, and Jamie Cooks Italy
What is the last book you read? Lately, I have been enjoying puzzle books and travelling books!
How many pages do you think a book of fiction/nonfiction should be? It should not be too short or too long. The sweet spot is different for each book. My book is 114 pages long, and it felt right.
What is the riskiest or wildest thing you’ve ever done? The Otter Trail Hike in South Africa. It felt risky because I was not used to carrying a heavy bag on my back for five days while hiking up and down hills. In the dark, it felt surreal to be next to the wild ocean while it rained and the wind gushed. Being away from everyday creature comforts like my favourite couch, and coffee felt wild!
What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done? The hardest thing for me is to be highly determined and motivated, which feels authentic, even while being acutely aware of loved ones’ health problems and general suffering in our world.
What advice can you give to new writers entering the writing and publishing arena? Writing is an intense experience and often comes from a need to share messages and stories to relate with others. You process your feelings and thoughts by writing about what gives you goosebumps. When you receive positive feedback on your writing, take that as a blessing, but never expect that! Write a lot, and enjoy the process of creating something!
Books: The Save Me Series, Saving Toby (Book 1), Keeping Claudia (Book 2), Finding Edward (Book 3)
Genre: Contemporary romantic fiction and Women’s fiction
Background: When not writing, my day job is as a graphic artist doing page layout for local newspapers. I am a long-time member of the Long Island Romance Writers (LIRW). I have two adult children, and in March, I became a grandmother!
When did you first decide you wanted to be a writer? I’ve always loved reading and writing. As a kid, I used to write funny stories to amuse my family, but it wasn’t until my early 40s that I sat down and completed a novel.
Do you write full-time? I don’t write full time. I work at a newspaper office where I am employed as a page layout artist, and I recently started freelance copyediting novels.
Where do you get your ideas for characters and plots? Real-life events, memoirs, and non-fiction books inspire me.
Have you ever written yourself into a story? All my characters have a bit of me in them, but no, I’ve not written myself into a story… yet! I started writing a book loosely based on my experience with a jealous and manipulative boyfriend.
What kind of research and preparation do you do before you write? I work out the main character’s story arc (the story problem), then write a loose outline of plot points, like the inciting event, the dark moment, and the resolution.
What is your editing process? Do you hire an outside editor? I self-edit early drafts, then get feedback from friends and author friends, and when the bones of the story feel right, I hire a professional editor. My current novel, #GirlFight has had the eye of 3 different editors.
How do you decide on your book covers? Do you outsource? My first two books are heavy with relationship tension, and I wanted the covers to reflect that. Even though I’m a graphic artist, I hire a cover artist for my book covers. It’s their specialty, not mine, but my graphic knowledge helps me articulate what I’m looking for. It’s important to research current covers in the same genre—what’s hot and what’s selling.
How did you come up with the title of your latest book? My latest book, which I hope to publish early in 2024, is titled #Girlfight. The title strongly alludes to the tension between two female characters trained in mixed martial arts, but it also reflects the female main character’s struggle to reconcile old conflicts with her family and her love interest.
What route did you take to get published? Describe your experience. I published my first book, Saving Toby, using a vanity press, Outskirts Press. This is a pay-to-publish service that was helpful in those early days when I didn’t know what to do. It was costly and the company seemed more interested in upselling me than selling my book. I spent the next several years learning all I could about self-publishing. Now, with the help of professional artists and editors, I confidently publish on my own.
Have you ever tried to get an agent? If so, what steps did you take? I am currently trying to obtain a literary agent for my 4th book, #GirlFight. Preparing a manuscript for query requires a proofread and edited novel, a query letter, and a story synopsis with spoilers. Some agents ask for an assortment of other items. Some want to know up front how to sell the novel. I find it a rather impersonal, exhausting process!
What kinds of things do you do to promote your book? I’ve had great success with book bloggers, giveaways, free downloads.
Have you ever had a book-signing event? Tell us about your experience. I’ve done several, from library events to book store readings. It’s always fun to meet and talk to readers.
Have you taken writing courses? Years and years of them, and so many, I couldn’t ever guess the number.
Do you belong to a writer’s group? I belong to Long Island Romance Writers, formerly a chapter of Romance Writers of America. We met in person until Covid. Now we have hybrid meetings. The group is warm and engaging. Our author members run from traditional and multi-published authors to indie authors and writers aspiring to publish.
Do you ask friends/family to read your WIP? Yes! My husband and best friends all read my WIPs. Feedback is essential.
Name three unread books on your bookshelf.Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt; I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb; Three Junes by Julia Glass
What is the last book you read? I just finished Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
How many pages do you think a book of fiction/nonfiction should be? Fiction, generally 250-300. Nonfiction can be much shorter.
What is the riskiest or wildest thing you’ve ever done? Published a book! It’s like putting yourself on display for the world, other than that, zip lining in Costa Rica, and whitewater rafting.
What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done? Being a mom! Toughest job I love.
What advice can you give to new writers entering the writing and publishing arena? Join a writing group. Write without worrying about anything but finishing. Get lots of feedback.
Books: The King’s Pawn (Sarah Black book 1) and The Head of the Snake (Sarah Black book 2)
Genre: Spy thriller
When did you first decide you wanted to be a writer? I’ve loved books for as long as I can remember but didn’t start writing until later in life. There were too many other things to do first!
Do you write full-time? My husband and I set up a school in Lüderitz, Namibia – a small town on the South Atlantic coast where we are growing giant kelp. Kelp and the school keep me busy most of the time with three young children taking up a fair amount of the rest. Writing time is squeezed into whatever is left.
Where do you get your ideas for characters and plots? Many characters in The King’s Pawn are inspired by real people I met while living and working in Georgia and Azerbaijan and the plot is based on a real-life incident. The Head of the Snake is also set around the historical events of the end of the war in Sierra Leone. I find myself drawn to the odd coincidences in life where the official story doesn’t seem to quite add up. Then I add Sarah, my protagonist, into the mix to help history along.
Have you ever written yourself into a story? There is a lot of me in Sarah but to write her well I had to actively make her less like me and more of her own character. Otherwise, I found I was too self-conscious and she came across as quite bland and shallow. Only once I set her free of me, was she able to develop into a fully rounded person.
What kind of research and preparation do you do before you write? The Head of the Snake is set in a real historical period and I wanted to make it as accurate and authentic as possible so I read widely from newspaper reports, memoirs and the reports of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Sierra Leone – difficult reading but essential to get an understanding of the impact of the conflict on ordinary people.
How did you come up with the title of your latest book? Chess is a big theme of the books and The King’s Pawn fits the story about a young, inexperienced spy having to learn the ropes quickly to take on a much stronger player. The next in the series will be called The Fool’s Mate which is the name given to the two-move checkmate – the quickest possible checkmate pattern in the game.
What route did you take to get published? Describe your experience. I found the process of querying agents to be frustrating and slow – it takes a lot to submit your work to an agent and is particularly heartbreaking when they don’t even respond. I ended up signing to an agent that specializes in espionage and spy writing – mostly because he is a very nice guy and answered his emails! The submission to publishers was also a lengthy process with lots of ‘almost but not quite’ moments. Finally, the first two books of the series were picked up by Burning Chair, a small indie publisher.
Have you ever tried to get an agent? If so, what steps did you take? I recently signed to a new agent. It took me a long time to find a good comparison title for the Sarah Black books – there are so few women writing female spies. When I finally found a similar series that I loved, I approached the agent who represents that author. He didn’t think it was right for him but sent it on to his colleague who is a fantastic fit. I’m delighted to be working with someone who has such a hands-on editorial approach and that is helping make book 3 even better. It goes to show the importance of finding the right comparison titles when querying!
What kinds of things do you do to promote your book? I live in a very remote place that does not even have a bookshop so all promotion has to be online. I have a Twitter and Instagram presence and love connecting with readers there. I also have a newsletter that you can sign up to through my website. I dip my toe in TikTok but feel a bit like an uncool Mom at a teenagers party over there! But I do love seeing how many TikTokers are passionate about books and reading.
Have you taken writing courses? I have done a couple of the Curtis Brown Creative online courses which I highly recommend. The course content is excellent, but the best bit is to connect with other writers in a similar position. I am still in touch with many of the people I met on those courses and it’s wonderful to watch their journeys.
Do you ask friends/family to read your WIP? Only my husband who is chief plotter for the books and first reader. All my other beta readers are people I don’t really know in real life so they can be brutally honest in their feedback.
Name three unread books on your bookshelf. The next 3 I would like to get to are The Peacock and the Sparrow by IS Berry, The End of the Game by Holly Watt and Son and Crusader by Freddie P Peters – all exciting female writers working in the spy genre.
What is the last book you read? Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus – also an alumna of the Curtis Brown Creative Courses. It’s a dream of a book and I’d recommend it to anyone.
What is the riskiest or wildest thing you’ve ever done? Driving my Land Rover from Sierra Leone, across the Sahara, and eventually on to Jordan.
What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done? Without doubt, writing and publishing a book is the hardest thing I’ve done!
What advice can you give to new writers entering the writing and publishing arena? Just keep at it. Writing and publishing come with endless ups and downs . You have to enjoy all the good bits enough to be able to ride over the difficult bits.
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