Who’s That Indie Author? Noelle Granger

Noelle Granger

Name: Noelle A. Granger

Book Titles: The Last Pilgrim; Death at the Asylum (fifth in the Rhe Brewster series)

Genre: Historical fiction and cozy mystery

Tell us about yourself: That could take a loooong time since I am in my 70s! Basically I am a retired academic who decided that writing fiction would be more fun that writing scientific papers. I’ve published six books so far with one currently being edited and another being complied of short stories about growing up in Plymouth, MA, during the 1950s. I enjoy cooking and baking (which doesn’t help in maintaining my weight), swimming daily when our pool is open and walking in the winter, traveling both for fun and for research with my husband and children (and their children), reading (of course!), knitting, brunches with friends, and meetings with my critique group. Hopefully this doesn’t sound too boring!

Tell us about your writing career. When did you first start writing? I started writing right after I retired. I had always wanted to write something creative – scientific papers didn’t count. Six books later, with two in the works, I’m still at it! It’s kept my mind active and led to a lot of fun research and some travel.

Do you write full-time? If not, do you have an outside job or other responsibilities? Well, I wouldn’t say full-time ;)!  I am retired but like spending time with my grandchildren, baking, taking part in community events, reading, swimming or walking, and traveling. I’m thinking about trying pickleball.

Have you ever based a character on yourself? My friends say that the character of Rhe Brewster seems to be me, but I based the character on a friend from high school.

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. There are several characters in my mystery books who are based on my high school classmates. They love it and buy the books to see who appears!

How do you get your book ideas? From growing up in Plymouth, MA, and working as a tour guide, I’d had the desire to write a book about a Pilgrim woman for a long time—The Last Pilgrim, The Story of Mary Allerton Cushman, was the result. I am currently working on a novella called Daniel Boone and Me, which evolved from a short story I wrote in response to a prompt online and from the urging of my critique group to run with it. I am also putting together stories about growing up in Plymouth in the 1950s and 60s, mostly vignettes about family life—Growing Up Pilgrim.

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 separate files on my computer for each book idea and I add things I read or learn for the book to the file.

Describe your editing and publishing experience. What has worked for you and what hasn’t? My first four mystery books were self-published via KDP and its predecessor on Amazon. I found the process to be a slog and wanted to have a recognized publisher who could get my books into Barnes and Noble. The Last Pilgrim and Death at the Asylum were published by Realization Press, with the help and input of a great editor.

Do you belong to a writer’s group? I have been with a writer’s group since 2009—really a critique group, called the Early Birds since we meet in the morning twice a month. The members have been a lifeline—they taught me how to write non-scientifically. A huge hill to climb initially. For the last six years, we’ve been comprised of the same five members, all of us published and several of us more than once. Each person adds something unique to the group which is marvelous!

Name three people who have had the greatest influence on you and why. My grandmother—Julia LaCourse, my mother—Audrey LaCourse, and the scientist and mentor with whom I did a post-doctoral fellowship—Larry Gilbert. My grandmother was a Polish Immigrant via Ellis Island who had little schooling but taught herself to read and write. My mother was the first in the family to go to college, had a full-time job with Aetna Insurance during WW II, raised a family, and went back to work. Both gave me my determination and drive.

Larry taught me how to run my own lab, how to work with post-docs, students, and technicians in a kind but instructive way, and how to make them all part of my family. 

What events in your life have influenced you as a writer? Maybe surprisingly, my childhood. Looking back, living in Plymouth with all its history, my parents love of reading, the enduring friendships of my high school classmates have all been woven into my writing, Plus whizz-bang English teachers in high school, who gave me such a grounding!

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. The Chronicles of Narnia, without doubt. I loved the imaginary kingdom but also realized as I read these books I was being taught life lessons.

What’s the most difficult thing about being a writer? After editing, marketing! The writing part is a joy.

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 usually write early in the morning before or after dealing with email, and again in the late afternoon with a cup of coffee (see below).

What beverage gets your creative juices flowing? Coffee, tea, soda, energy drink, water, or something else? Coffee – I would mainline it if possible.

What do you do to relax? Read and swim! Plus listening to old-fashioned rock and roll.

What are you reading right now? The Measure by Nikki Erlick and one of JK Rowlings CB Strike detective stories.

Please share your website and social media links
Websites: saylingaway.com and na-granger.com
Facebook: facebook.com/noelle.a.granger
Twitter: @NAGrangerAuthor

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Today on YouTube: How do you record audiobooks? Author JP McLean taught herself!

I was so impressed by how author Jo-Anne McLean taught herself how to create audiobooks from her print books. Hear what she learned about the process and herself, some of the technology challenges she encountered, and more, including a look at the most ridiculous microphone I bought for my channel!

Watch here!

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On YouTube: I’m talking with AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR J. P. MCLEAN about her books and indie publishing!

Hi Everyone,

I’m over on YouTube today, talking with award-winning author Jo-Anne McLean about her books, indie publishing, and lots more, including her new audiobook project!

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Who’s That Indie Author? John Howell

John Howell

Name: John W. Howell

Book Title: The Last Drive

Genre: Religious fiction

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

Please share your website and social media links:

Blog Fiction Favorites: johnwhowell.com
Facebook: john.howell  
Twitter: @HowellWave
Goodreads: John_W_Howell  
Amazon Author page: johnwhowell  
BookBub: john-w-howell

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I traveled 3,877 miles for my Author Chat with Darlene Foster!

Hi Everyone,

Today on YouTube I’m talking to Darlene Foster, author of the middle-grade Amanda Travels series. We’re talking about writing, travel, growing up on a prairie and lots more! I hope you’ll stop by to learn more about her books!

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Who’s That Indie Author? Jeanne “J.” Elmore

Jeanne “J.” Elmore

Name: Jeanne “J.” Elmore

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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On YouTube: Zooming in from North Carolina with author Noelle Granger!

Hi Everyone,

I’m over on YouTube today, chatting it up with author Noelle Granger! You can join us here:

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Who’s That Indie Author? Richard L Pastore

Richard L. Pastore

Name: Richard L Pastore

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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Are you an indie or self-published author?  Do you want to build your author network? Get your name out on Who’s That Indie Author!

Email bvitelli2009@gmail.com for a bio template and other details.

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Who’s That Indie Author? Jonathan Faia

Jonathan Faia

Name: Jonathan Faia

Book Title: Love Letters From Barstow

Genre: Poetry

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.

Website and social media:
Website: lovelettersfrombarstow.com
Instagram: lovelettersfrombarstowbook
Instagram: jon.faia
X: @jonfaia

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Who’s That Indie Author? Joy Neal Kidney

Joy Neal Kidney

Name: Joy Neal Kidney

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.

1. 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”.
2. John Busbee, founder and host of The Culture Buzz, radio interviewer and an extraordinary encourager.
3. 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

Please share your website and social media links:
Website/blog: joynealkidney.com
Facebook: joy.kidney
X: @JoyNealKidney

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