Interviews

All posts in the Interviews category

5 Questions with Cherie Colyer

Published February 21, 2012 by LS Murphy

Cherie is always dreaming of romance and expressing her dreams in stories. She combined her passion for writing with her fascination of all things mythical to weave together a youth romance story that led to her debut novel, Embrace.

She lives with her family in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois.

Now on to the FIVE QUESTIONS

1.      Where did the spark of inspiration come from for Embrace?

You know, I’m really not sure what it was that sparked Embrace. I just started to see this girl running down the halls at school trying to hide something in her locker before anyone saw her. I started to ask myself who is this girl and what’s she hiding. As I learned the answers to these questions, I asked more until Madison was born. Funny part of that story is the scene with Madison running down the hall never made it into the book.

2.      What authors have influenced you the most?

Barbara Parks (I love her witty humor), James Patterson (his adult series), and J.K. Rowling (the world she created was amazing).

3.      What is your solution to writer’s block?

I do something different: work in the garden (when it’s nice out), go shopping, get out with friends, watch an episode of my favorite TV show. Anything to get my mind off my writing. If inspiration still hasn’t struck, I sit down with a pen and paper and ask myself a lot of what if’s and why’s. This almost always gets my creative juices going.

4.      What are you reading right now?

I’m almost done with Forever by Maggie Stiefvater. Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles is next.

5.      Finally, Beatles or Rolling Stones?

Rolling Stones.

5 Questions with Abbi Glines

Published February 16, 2012 by LS Murphy

Abbi Glines can be found hanging out with rock stars, taking out her yacht on weekends for a party cruise, sky diving, or surfing in Maui. Okay maybe she needs to keep her imagination focused on her writing only. In the real world, Abbi can be found hauling kids (several who seem to show up that don’t belong to her) to all their social events, hiding under the covers with her MacBook in hopes her husband won’t catch her watching Buffy on Netflix again, and sneaking off to Barnes and Noble to spend hours lost in the yummy goodness of books. She has written: Breathe, The Vincent Boys, Existence, and most recently Because of Low. Predestined (Existence #2) releases 4/3/12 and The Vincent Brothers (The Vincent Boys #2) releases 6/5/12.  If you want to find her then check Twitter first because she has a severe addiction to tweeting @abbiglines.  She also blogs regularly but rarely about anything life changing. She also really enjoys talking about herself in third person.

Visit her site: http://www.abbiglines.com/

And now on the the FIVE QUESTIONS

1.      As a member of Team Marcus, I’m glad to see that he’s finding love in Because of Low. Did you originally intend on writing Marcus’ story or was this the result of all the Team Marcus readers?

Because of Low was definitely a result of Team Marcus readers. I’d never intended to give him a story when I released Breathe. The Existence Trilogy had been my next big idea.

2.      What authors have influenced you the most?

Hmmm…. I’d have to say Jamie McGuire, Ann Brashares and Jennifer Echols

3.      What is your solution to writer’s block?

I don’t believe in it. Writer’s block is something writers give a name to when they feel like they don’t have a magic idea or plot. I write daily. EVEN when it stinks, I write it anyway. I can always throw it out tomorrow. Days when I am less creative are just days I have to push myself harder. Giving it a name gives me an excuse to do nothing. Writing is a muscle and must be used daily.

4.      What are you reading right now?

Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia

5.      Finally, Beatles or Rolling Stones?

Rolling Stones.

5 Questions with Cole Gibsen

Published February 14, 2012 by LS Murphy

When Cole Gibsen isn’t writing books for young adults, she can be found rocking out with her band, sewing crazy costumes for the fun of it, picking off her nail polish, or drinking milk straight from the jug – provided no one is looking.

Cole’s debut novel, Katana, will be available March 8th, 2012 from Flux. Her second novel, Breathless, will be released on March 27th, 2012 from Crescent Moon Press. Check out her website: www.colegibsen.com

Now on to the FIVE QUESTIONS

1. What is your biggest time drain?

Etsy. Oh my gosh how I rue the day Etsy was created. I can surf for hours looking up anything from cocktail dresses to felt dragons.

2. What has been the most surprising thing that you’ve learned about publishing?

That the publishing contract doesn’t equal instant happiness. In fact, after you sign on the line, that’s when the real stress begins.

3. What do you do when/if you’re suffering from writer’s block?

I love my Write or Die desktop edition. Nothing can make you plow through writer’s block like the fear of having your entire manuscript deleted. Oh, yes. I use kamikaze mode because I’m hardcore like that. Now where are my bunny slippers…

4.  Where did the spark of inspiration come from for Katana?

I was sparring in my tae kwon do class—getting my ass handed to me as usual—when I glanced at the poster of Bruce Lee on the wall and uttered a little prayer that his spirit would come and help me. It didn’t. An hour later, after icing my new black eye, I pondered under what circumstance a samurai spirit might manifest itself. It was that moment that the idea for KATANA was born.

5. Finally, Beatles of Rolling Stones?

Led Zeppelin all the way.

5 Questions with Dawn Binkley

Published February 2, 2012 by LS Murphy

Executive Editor, Dawn Binkley

Dawn Binkley, a writer since her late teens is driven by the written word. She believes, without writers the world as we know it would cease to exist. Books, scripts, advertisements, history, the daily news reports, none of it would be possible without smart, articulate people to write it.

Mrs. Binkley is also a writer and is better known under her pen name Keira Kroft.

Dawn, co-owner of Hellfire Publishing and Hellfire Comics, also carries a vet assistance degree. Her love for animals is as great as her love of people. She gives a percentage of her personal book sale profits to the animal welfare league.

She was born and raised in Chicago and now resides in a quiet suburbs in the outskirts of the city with her husband and her daughter. Dawn spends her spare time working with her cats Scamper and Sawyer, to achieve total world domination, one shared Twinkie at a time. Her passions include reading, writing, football and shopping.

Dawn will read anything you put in front of her. Whether she will like it, is another story. Her preferences are vampires. If an author were to submit something with what she calls “real” vampires, she will rip the hair out the head of any one that will try to take it from her. Also amongst her preferences are ghost stories, werewolves and other paranormal beings. She looks for creativity and wild imagination.

Direct quote from Dawn “without great imagination, writing would simply be nothing more than meaningless paper.”

She strives to bring the best fiction possible to the plate and has carefully staffed HP with like-minded, smart, driven people in the editor positions. The entire foundation of Hellfire Publishing is built upon community, love and trust.

Now on to the FIVE QUESTIONS:

 

1. What is something you are seeing too much or too little of in your slush pile?

Dawn: Too much of writers not following simple submission instructions, (raises eyebrow) and too little Romance.

2. What are the most common mistakes writers make when submitting to you?

Dawn: I am so glad you asked, :) Rudeness, which we do not tolerate and multiple submissions. The later might be our fault; we need to be clearer in stating that we don’t take multiple submissions. It’s stated in our FAQ’s section. I am sure not everyone reads them unless they’re looking for something particular, although I suggest that they should.

3. What is your solution to writer’s block?

Dawn: Keep writing. Seriously, start something else. I have many novels and stories started. That is good thing, I can follow my muse wherever it leads and eventually it will lead to over fifty finished pieces of work.

4. What are you reading right now?

Dawn: Bloodbreeders 2: The Revenge by the awesome Robin Renee Ray.

5. Finally, Beatles or Rolling Stones?

Dawn: That is so funny, I ask a daily question on my Facebook and that ‘WAS’ going to be one of this week’s questions, lol. I think it’s thee question. Stones, baby! Although I am a huge Beatles fan.

 

5 Questions with Kate Jonez

Published January 24, 2012 by LS Murphy

Kate Jonez is the author of Murdock the Nobody, Flicker, and Comic Book Hero. When’s she’s not writing dark fantasy, she’s busy over at Omnium Gatherum Media as chief editor. Omnium Gatherum list includes: Chuggie and the Desecration of Stagwater by Brent Michael Kelley, Idols & Cons by S. S. Michaels, and Knock Knock by S. P. Miskowski. Visit her website at: http://katejonez.com/

Now on to the FIVE QUESTIONS!

1. What is your favorite monster?

I am an amateur monster historian. If your readers would like to find out more about some of the more obscure monsters, they can visit my blog at http://katejonez.com/blog/  If I have to pick a favorite it would be a monster of the human variety. The Baron Roman Feodoravich von Ungern Sternberg defected from the Red army during the Russian revolution/civil war. He, with an odd band of misfits and psychopaths, took off for Mongolia where he declared himself king. Of his many twisted and horrifying policies, his treatment of thieves was perhaps the most strange. By decree of the king, thieves were treated to turpentine enemas after which mice were sewn into their livers. The cure often led to the death of the patient. In this kingdom, death didn’t disqualify a person from holding government office. Several rotting corpses held high level positions during Sternberg’s rein. My second favorite would be the Liderc. He’s a gold hunting chicken who shape-shifts into a sexy man and drains women of their energy.

 

2. As an editor, what is something you are seeing too much or too little of in your slush pile?

Popular writing advice recommends getting the words on the page as quickly as possible. When I do this as a writer, the first idea that pops into my head usually belongs to someone else. Those first ideas, for me, come from something I’ve read or seen on T.V.  If I had to guess, I think some of the the overly familiar characters, plots, and dialog  I’ve seen come from writers rushing to get words on the page. I prefer to see stories where writers have taken time to think and plan and get to know their story.

 

3. As a writer, do you struggle with your editing side or are you able to set that aside?

Editing has definitely helped me become a better writer. As and editor, I’m always asking questions like: what would make this scene more memorable? Why is this part boring me? What’s so special in this section that I’m walking around thinking about it all day? When I began to turn a critical eye on my own work and asked the questions that an editor would, my writing noticeably improved. I wouldn’t even think of writing a scene just to get characters from one place to another because the story needs it (have been guilty of this). Every word has to count. The whole story needs to be interesting in one way or another.

 

I still find copy editing and proofreading my own stuff to be nearly impossible. I wish someone would come up with a solution for that.

 

4. What is your solution to writer’s block?

When I come down with a case of writer’s block, it’s usually because I have a structural, pacing, or organizational problem. The cure, for me is to revisit the outline and tinker until things fit together in a more satisfying way. If that doesn’t work I add to my spreadsheet list of all the monsters in the world.

5. Finally, Beatles or Rolling Stones?

Wow, this is really the hardest question ever. Rolling Stones. I love the songs from the disco years, especially.

Don’t forget to check out the books over at Omnium Gatherum. They’ve got some great titles.

 

 

5 Questions with Brent Michael Kelley

Published January 5, 2012 by LS Murphy

Brent Michael Kelley

Brent Michael Kelley is the author of Chuggie and the Desecration of Stagwater available now from Omnium Gatherum Media. His story “Ride” will appear in the upcoming anthology Detritus which will be available on January 13th.

Brent Michael Kelley lives and writes in the Wisconsin Northwoods. He shares a home with such things as hairless dogs, a snake named Darth Batman, and the woman he married on Halloween. In addition to writing about his pal Chuggie, he likes writing story-poems, painting monsters, and making wine. Some say late at night, if you’re alone by a campfire, you can summon Brent by closing your eyes and saying his name eleven times. He insists this is not true and there’s no way it will work… yet.

  1. What is your biggest time drain? My biggest time drain is either those video games or the internet in general. Too dern much information out there. But you have to read about scientific breakthroughs, you know? Sooner or later, CERN is going to find the Higgs boson, and I’m not going to be out of the loop! What if they find a cure for aging? What if peace breaks out in the Middle East? What if the zombies finally rise up? These are things you need to know immediately. In the words of Captain Picard, “The truth is out there.”
  2. How many writing projects do you work on at one time?  I always have a handful of stories cooking in various stages. Right now there are a couple short stories that are nearly finished, although I probably shouldn’t call them “finished” until I see them in print. I have a couple of story-poems in progress. With those, I have no idea where the story is going, so I can’t tell if they’re just about done or what. They’re kind of all sitting on the back burner right now, though. The thing I’m most interested in writing is the sequel to Chuggie and the Desecration of Stagwater. I’m doing a strange form of ideation. I wouldn’t call it outlining. Just coming up with creatures and artifacts that I’ve never seen before. Coming up with events that I want to work toward. This is certainly the fun part of the process, but pretty soon I’ll need to start the heavy lifting.
  3. What do you do when/if you’re suffering from writer’s block?  Writer’s block is a big fat jerk. There are different levels of severity, though, and I’ve never been stricken with a level 10. Say you’re sitting at your computer and you can’t think of anything to write. Go mow the lawn and put your mind to it. It’s midnight and you can’t mow lawn? Go sit on your roof with a notebook. I usually have a little pocket notebook with me to jot down any notion that strikes me. They don’t all make the cut, but they all warrant consideration. I keep my eyes peeled. I’ll see the things I want to write about all around me. I recently saw a large bipedal goat in a pile of hair. Now I have an idea for a Goat Lord, as big as King Kong, that I can use in my story. And I’m pretty sure he’s one of many. There are creatures in the clouds, too. But ideas are leaping at you from all directions at all times. The trick is to keep the net ready so you can snatch them from flight before they get away. And if that still doesn’t work, get yourself a copy of Finnegan’s Wake. You get stumped on ANYTHING, turn to a random page and read a sentence. I also like a long country drive with a voice recorder. Just get jacked up on caffeine and drive across the state by yourself. You’ll get some ideas out of that.
  4. Where did the spark of inspiration come from for Chuggie? Chuggie came about when I heard my painting instructor talking about her muse back in college. I decided to call forth a muse of my own. Chuggie showed up, knocked a bunch of my stuff over and tried to sell me a sack of old church keys. He had a voice like Tom Waits and a chain wrapped around his chest. One day I just started writing about him. The first thing he did was fight his way through some trees only to end up in something called a Desecration. Later on I found out he was the walking embodiment of Drought. But the spark… the very SPARK at the core of Chuggie… nothing pushes you to create quite like a job you aren’t happy with. I’m not going to sling any mud right now, just going to say I was the wrong person for the job I had. At lunch time every day, I’d go and sit in the park to write about Chuggie or work on my story-poem about gnomes. I could have done anything with that time, but I spent it creating. Then after work, I’d stay up writing or painting or whatever until I couldn’t keep my eyes open. Lots of people are miserable. They just need to understand they’re alchemists, and they can transmute that misery into something worthwhile.
  5. Finally, Beatles or Rolling Stones? This is a very difficult question. I told someone very close to me about this question, and she immediately blurted “Rolling Stones!” I tried to explain that it isn’t such a simple answer, but she tried to stab me instead. On the one hand, the Beatles were all about experimentation. Sure, they did plenty of LSD, but it was all in the search of something. They went to India and learned to play sitars. They grew beards and handlebar mustaches. Maybe they didn’t grow handlebars, okay? I haven’t verified that. But I grew a handlebar mustache, and my only regret is not doing it sooner. I look so distinguished it’ll make your head explode. Monocle? Yep. Top hat? You know it. But I’m getting off track. So this person says Rolling Stones, and I’m not allowed to argue. But I know that this person really just likes the one Rolling Stones song. And they also prefer the Guns ‘N Roses cover of that song to the Stones version. I’m not naming any names here, but Chuck Palahniuk himself advised me to break up with her back in 2006. Did I listen? No. Maybe Chuck Palahniuk doesn’t know everything! Although he did claim to have urinated on a piece of art that I sent him. I know that doesn’t sound like something you’d like to have happen to your art, but I was (and am) quite flattered by the gesture. Of course, I have no way of verifying whether or not this is true. I just have to trust that if Chuck Palahniuk says he tinkled on my art then that’s what he did. The point I’m trying to get at, and I hope I’m not rambling now, is that… crap, I forgot where I was going with this. I guess I better say I like the Rolling Stones better so SOMEbody – again, not saying who – doesn’t try to smother me in my sleep. Again

Don’t forget to check out Chuggie and the Desecration of Stagwater which Piers Anthony called “a literally gut-wrenching horror story, in the sense of guts being wrenched out of living bodies and eaten by little monsters. I’m really not a fan of horror, as mentioned above, but this one held my morbidly fascinated attention to the end.” Read the full review here.