Thomas A. Knight

This week's interview is with Thomas A. Knight who is celebrating the release of his debut novel: The Time Weaver.

You can find out more about Thomas and his efforts Here

And you can buy The Time Weaver for Kindle Here

TAS: Let's get the plug out of the way.  Tell us a little bit about the project you are currently promoting - who will be interested and why?

TAK: The Time Weaver is about an unlikely hero, an ordinary guy working an ordinary job in a small town in Iowa. When he gets in a car accident one day on his way home, that's when things get weird. The accident should have killed him, but instead, time stops, and he is left scared and confused, wandering through his frozen town. But he's not the only one who's noticed the anomaly in the flow of time, and two sides of a conflict in a parallel world send somebody to retrieve Seth and take him back to their world, believing that he is the last of a race that can control time. That's where Seth's adventures really begin, when he enters the world of Galadir and discovers that it was he that stopped time and he must learn to control his powers and fight in order to save a kingdom from annihilation. The story is action packed, and should appeal to gamers, role-players and all types of sci-fi and fantasy fans everywhere.

TAS: What aspects of being an author do you most enjoy?

TAK: Being able to enter my world, to live and breath the sights and sounds, to create new and interesting races, people and places. You can sit down and read a book, and get into the story, and even experience it to an extent. But until you've created it for yourself, you can never truly understand what it's like. There's a certain divinity to it, to the creation of all things in my worlds, but at the same time, some of it takes on a life of its own, and its really interesting to see how it grows and flourishes, or withers and dies.

TAS: What aspects of being an author do you least enjoy?

TAK: Losing a much loved character. It takes a lot of time and effort to bring a character to life, and sometimes those characters have accidents, or they do silly things, or sacrifice themselves in truly selfless acts for the greater good. But whatever the reason, it hurts each time I have to say goodbye to one of them. They may only be words on paper, but each one represents an act of imagination, of creation, a personality and almost a living breathing thing. It's tough to let go of them.

TAS: What moment as an author have you experienced that you are likely to remember 20 years from now (good or bad)?

TAK: The moment I wrote the last words in the first draft of my first book. It was a moment of triumph for me, representing hundreds of hours of time and effort, of struggle to get through the hard parts, and breezing through the easy parts. There was a certain finality to it, to suddenly realize that I'd written 108,200 words and completed a book.

TAS: What bad habits do you have when it comes to writing/promoting your books and/or what do you wish you could do better?

TAK: I don't think I've developed what I would call habits yet. I have a tendency when I'm writing to repeat the same words or phrases numerous times. This is something I work on cleaning up during editing, and something that my wonderful test readers are very enthusiastic to point out when I do it.

TAS: Do you have any authors that you try to emulate? Why or why not?

TAK: J. Robert King is one of my favourite authors, with his action driven books. I would very much like to be able to write like him.

TAS: Do you have clear 'heroes' and 'villains' in your stories or are the lines more blurred?  Why do you choose that route?

TAK: In The Time Weaver, the sides were clearly defined, which made it a pretty easy book to write. But this is not a set-in-stone style of mine, just how it came out for that book. In the sequel (which I'm currently working on) the lines get a little more blurred as to who is doing the right and wrong. I don't think it will be who you expect it to be.

TAS: Do you have any pet peeves related to writing? Are there any things that other authors do that drive you crazy?

TAK: I don't think I could define it exactly, but things that jar me out of the story really bug me. Like, I'm reading along, totally engrossed with visuals in my head, and then something happens, or the way the author wrote something totally disrupts the scene. It's the kind of thing that makes me want to put the book down.

TAS: What's the greatest thing you can realistically imagine happening as a result of your writing? How likely do you think that is to actually happen?

TAK: The greatest thing? The sky's the limit? Being able to do my writing as a full-time job. Not that I don't enjoy my day-job, but everyone's gotta dream right? Being able to write full-time and get paid for it, that would be pretty cool.

TAS: Tell us about the most interesting thing you’ve ever eaten.

TAK: Wow, I've eaten some interesting stuff. Snails? Sautéd in a garlic butter sauce, and served on crackers. If you can get past the “biting down on an eyeball” feeling, they are actually quite good. :)

TAS: If you knew you would be trapped in an elevator for a couple hours and you could choose any living person to be trapped in there with you, who would it be and why?

TAK: Stephen King. The man is a genius, and I'm sure the last thing he wants to do is talk writing with a no-namer like me for a couple hours in an elevator, but it would be the chance of a lifetime to just sit and chat with a legend.

TAS: If you could have any super-power, what would you choose and why?

TAK: The ability to control time would be very cool to have. But I'm biased, because I just wrote a book about a guy that can do just that. So often I find myself stressed because I don't have the time to get everything done that I'd like to get done. Having the ability to slow time down and give myself some extra time to do that kind of stuff would be great.

TAS: Would you cut off your right leg for $500,000?

TAK: Well, considering that my day-job is software development, and I write on the side of that, I don't use my right leg that much. $500,000 would pretty much secure my future, so I would have to say yes.

Ceri Clark

This Week's author is Ceri Clark.  Ceri has written 3 books:  Two in her A Simpler Guide instructional series on Gmail and Android Apps and her first fiction book:  Children of the Elementi.  I've read COTE, and I thought it was great!  It's an epic fantasy adventure with interesting characters, fascinating other worlds, mysterious powers, events etc.  It has a little bit of everything and is very well-written.

You can check out Ceri's website and find links to buy and learn more about her books here:  http://cericlark.com/

And you can find out more about her and link up with her on Facebook, Twitter etc. here:  http://about.me/cericlark

TAS: Let's get the plug out of the way. Tell us a little bit about the project you are currently promoting - who will be interested and why?


CC: I’m promoting Children of the Elementi at the moment. It is a fantasy novel with a smidgeon of science-fiction. The prologue starts off with an Empire defeated and five children sent through time and space to grow up in safety but the real story begins on present day Earth.


Jake has just turned 14 and has already discovered that he can do a few party ‘tricks’ but when he finds an ancient crystal heirloom his powers are magnified and he learns he is the next High-King in another dimension. The story then follows Jake as he searches for the other heirs before the people who killed his parents finds them first.


TAS: What aspects of being an author do you most enjoy?


CC: I've always been a daydreamer but being an author means I get to share the weird ideas and worlds I think of with other people.


TAS: What aspects of being an author do you least enjoy?


CC: I really hate promotion. I am a bit shy and if I could spend my days hiding behind a keyboard tapping away I would.


TAS: What moment as an author have you experienced that you are likely to remember 20 years from now (good or bad)?


CC: I sent Elementi to a critique agency after I first finished it. Before this I was going through a bit of a crisis in confidence. I can’t tell you how great I felt when the critiquer said it was a page turner in the best possible sense! I nearly cried. oh, ok I did cry - but just a little.


TAS: What bad habits do you have when it comes to writing/promoting your books and/or what do you wish you could do better?


CC: I do procrastinate a lot. I am a messy soul but when I come to a particularly difficult part of the book, or any promotion my study sparkles, and the bathroom, and the kitchen...


TAS: What is your favorite book and why?


CC: I don’t really have a favourite book. I do love the Darkover series by Marion Zimmer Bradley. I think she was an amazing writer and I could read her books time and time again.


TAS: Do you prefer to write when the room is quiet . . . or do you like to have some background noise?


CC: I couldn’t write without a bit of Bon Jovi or Bryan Adams blaring in the background.


TAS: Do you have any pet peeves related to writing?


CC: Not really. I wish there were more hours in the day but everyone probably thinks that!


TAS: Do you think bestsellers are typically better books than books that don't sell as well? Why or why not?


CC: I think bestsellers are lucky. If you were traditionally published in the past then you have a name (and your lucky to have written books in the past!) but I think otherwise you have to strike a chord with people. it has to be enough that they want to share the book with their friends and they want to share with their friends etc.

TAS: Is there anything that you look forward to that gets you through a tough day?


CC: Chocolate!


TAS: Is the World a better or worse place in 2011 than it was in 1970 and why do you answer the way you do?


CC: The world was a worse place, because I wasn’t in it yet - just kidding. I think it was worse because of the technology we have now. I can’t imaging living in a world where I can’t look at the internet while waiting for a bus, get my frozen shopping delivered to me ice-cold after ordering it online the night before or having less than four channels on the TV!


TAS: If an aging friend with painful, terminal cancer asked you to kill them, and you knew there wouldn't be any legal problems, would you do it?


CC: I don't think I could. Only because I can't bear the idea of hurting anyone. I know the cancer would be hurting them but it wouldn't be me physically doing it. I can't even scratch my husbands back when he asks me to! Maybe I shouldn't have said that...

Rachel Tsoumbakos

This week's interview is with Rachel Tsoumbakos whose first published book is:  Emeline and the Mutants.  I'm currently reading that book enjoying it very much.  It combines elements such as zombies, vampires and even mermaids, but with a very fresh perspective.  Her next project is a vampire series that is currently being edited, and she writes for a True Blood fansite - True Blood Net - http://truebloodnet.com

She lives in Australia and has published articles with Australian magazine Living Now and its sister publication, Dare to Dream.




You can buy Emeline and the Mutants at Amazon or Barnes & Noble

Please also check out Rachel's Blog and stop by and 'like' her Facebook Page

TAS: Let's get the plug out of the way.  Tell us a little bit about the project you are currently promoting - who will be interested and why?

RT: At the moment I am promoting Emeline and the Mutants. It's about what would happen to the world if an AIDS cure went horribly wrong and turned a large majority of the population into different types of creatures. Emeline Hart is the heroine of the story and is one of the lucky few that do not change. It's her job to rid the world of all the trolls, zombies, vampires, mermaids and other mutants that now exist. In the midst of all this chaos her brother, Warwick, goes missing and she befriends a dwarf who was secretly dating him.

TAS: What aspects of being an author do you most enjoy?

RT: Being able to write.

And being able to steal my friends identities and turn them into crazy hermits or brothel owners at my own whim and fancy.

TAS: What aspects of being an author do you least enjoy?

RT: Having a constantly messy house. I personally flunked out of the University of Domestic Duties (except for Floordrobe 101 and Organised Clutter for Beginners), but even I find the dust too much to bear sometimes. I am very lucky to have children who think our house is normal and a husband who prefers being able to brag about having an author as a wife over a sterile environment.

TAS: What moment as an author have you experienced that you are likely to remember 20 years from now (good or bad)?

RT: The first time I completed a manuscript. Up until three years ago, I had written plenty of stories, but never completed one. I forced myself to do NaNoWriMo in a last ditch attempt to be able to put an end to a story. It worked.

TAS: What bad habits do you have when it comes to writing/promoting your books and/or what do you wish you could do better?

RT: When writing, I do not take enough time to step away from the computer. I find by the end of the day I have claws for hands and eyes that feel like they have been laser gunned. With promotion, I just wish I was better at selling my product.

TAS: What’s the worst book you’ve ever read? Why does it get that honor?

RT: I just finished reading 'The Painted Caves' by Jean M Auel. It is the final book in a series that has taken the author over thirty years to write. I loved this series so much that I named my daughter after the main character. After reading the last book in the series, I am now trying to work out how to reclaim three decades worth of anticipation. Basically, the author has rewritten the third book in the series and not answered ANY of the questions raised with the first book.

TAS: What is your least favorite genre?  Do you feel you could write something that was at least average or better in that genre for the right price?

RT: Probably westerns or war stories. It's not that I think they are generally badly written, I just don't find either topics favorites of mine. And no, I would never, ever attempt to write either styles. Personally, I feel that you can only write well in a genre that you also love to read yourself.

TAS: Were you smarter than your writing/literature teachers in high-school and why do you answer the way you do?

RT: Of course I was ;-P

Seriously though, they are the teachers that taught me all that I know about the English language today. Besides them, I list my mother and her push to make reading fun that have lead me down this path.

TAS: If you could ask one question of one author (living or dead) and you would get a detailed, honest answer, who would it be and what would you ask?

RT: Jean M Auel: Why?

TAS: Tell us about the most interesting person you’ve ever met.

RT: I am a writer, every single person that crosses my path are interesting in some shape or form. Every character I have ever created has been based (however large or small) on interesting people around me. In Emeline and the Mutants, one of my characters, Nore Berry is based on a close friend of mine. So far, though, I still haven't found a place in one of my books for the lady who only does her grocery shopping while wearing leopard print. Over the last ten years, I don't think I've seen her wear the same outfit twice - that's a lot of leopard going on! I find it fascinating that she could be so obsessed with such a gaudy print.

TAS: Tell us a little bit about your home town and what makes it special.

RT: I live in a suburb called Greensborough (not Greensboro). I have lived here since I was very young. It's special to me because it is home and there is a wonderful sense of community. I'm sure it has other redeeming and important features, I am just unaware of them. We have a really cool abandoned cemetery, does that count?

TAS: If space aliens landed and said you could come with them to their planet to see wonders beyond wonders . . . but you would never see earth or your friends and family again, would you go?

RT: Hell no! I once went to a psychic who told me that I had learned all there was to learn on this planet, and that with my next life, I would be born on another planet. Needless to say, I did not go back to her again. I am a homebody, I cherish my humble piece of earth. Needless to say, my family and friends are everything to me.

Danielle Raver

I have just finished reading Danielle's debut novel:  Brother, Betrayed, and I thought it was excellent.  It's an epic fantasy-adventure, but with a slightly different flavor.  The linchpin that ties the whole story together is the relationship between three brothers who must defend their kingdom and family from powerful forces that threaten to tear them apart.  And discovering the nature of those forces keeps the reader's brain active until the end.  I can't say much more or I'd be giving too much away, so check it out for yourself.  It's a very well written book and I'd highly recommend it.

In addition to writing, Danielle has a Master's degree in School counseling and has taught elementary school for 5 years.  She is currently working on a follow up to Brother, Betrayed called Flight Moon.

Check out Danielle's Website for links to buy Brother, Betrayed plus other cool info. including more details on Brother, Betrayed and Flight Moon.

TAS: Let's get the plug out of the way.  Tell us a little bit about Brother, Betrayed - who will be interested and why?

DR: Brother, Betrayed is a fantasy-set tragedy. Readers who like a strong emphasis on character development will enjoy it I think. There's also elements of magic, fighting, and classical fantasy (such as dragons, elves, and dwarves.)

TAS: What aspects of being an author do you most enjoy?

DR: I most enjoy being able to create something. Writing is my way to leave my mark, literally. I also enjoy spending time with my characters and falling in love with them. Their accomplishments become my accomplishments, their trials my trials.

TAS: What aspects of being an author do you least enjoy?

DR: Writer's block. I hate having the story in my head and not able to get it down on paper.

TAS: What moment as an author have you experienced that you are likely to remember 20 years from now (good or bad)?

DR: The moment I let go of Brother, Betrayed and said “okay, I'm done” will likely not fade from my memory. I was exhilarated and depressed all at the same moment. On one hand it felt like a child being born, on the other it felt like a good friend was moving far away without saying goodbye.

TAS: What bad habits do you have when it comes to writing/promoting your books and/or what do you wish you could do better?

DR: Hmm... I have a funny confession. Anytime I go out anywhere (since I published my book) I look at all the fellow shoppers or what not and I'm constantly thinking “How could I strike up a conversation with them about my book?” “I wonder if they would like my book?” “How could I get them to buy my book?” I guess that's the marketing side of it coming out.

TAS: If an editor suggested a change that you felt weakened the story but you also felt it would increase sales, would you do it?

DR: It depends on how strongly I felt about it. If it would increase sales, hopefully that means that it would make my book more appealing to a general audience. I've had to learn that while sometimes I stick to my guns about what I feel is right for the story, sometimes I'm just being stubborn.

TAS: If a movie studio intended to make a film of one of your books and you had a choice of $1,000,000, but you'd give up all creative rights, or $100,000 and you'd have a large say, which would you take and why?

DR: Does it sound awful that I would take the million? I guess I wouldn't find it that important to have everything just like my book. I've had my turn at creating my world and it's characters, and if people want to find about that they could read my book. I actually think it would be fun to see where a movie studio would take it.

TAS: Tell us about the most interesting place you've ever been.

DR: There are too many places that hold my heart to choose one. How can I choose between the way the wind sings in the pines of the Black Hills or the way the ocean smells right before dawn? Or how fireflies come out during thunderstorms in southern Alabama? Or how the full moon reflects off the sand in the Arizona desert? Or the silence that a billion people make in Hong Kong? Or the taste of fresh strawberries in a market in Adelaide? My heart is many places.

TAS: Is there anything that you look forward to that gets you through a tough day?

DR: Wow this is going to sound corny but I'd have to answer that with my children. When I get home and give my boys a big hug all the troubles of the day melt away. I realize that no matter what happens, life is good because we have each other.

TAS: Tell us about a guilty pleasure.

DR: Seriously? Okay, fine. Lucky Charms. My husband and I started a no carb, no sugar, no starch diet after our second son was born. But every once and a while I'll have a private “pity party” featuring either Lucky Charms or chocolate truffles.

TAS: What's the most childish thing that you still do?

DR: Uhh seriously? Okay.... whine to my husband after the kids go to bed.

Claire Chilton

Claire Chilton has written numerous works including, short stories, poetry and now her debut novel:  Whatever Became of the Squishies. She holds an English Literature BA Hons degree from the York St John University and won the 1997 Editors Choice Award from The International Library of Poetry.  


Check out her website HERE.
And you can buy her book at Amazon.
You can also follow her on Twitter , check out her Blog , find her on Goodreads  And Facebook  .

TAS: Let's get the plug out of the way. Tell us a little bit about Whatever Became of the Squishies   - who will be interested and why?

CC: This book will appeal mostly to children and young adults. It is a child-friendly fantasy adventure. Although is has been popular with adults too, for its social satire and entertainment value.

Carla Mainston is a rebellious purple teenager, living in the hygiene-obsessed, green-skinned colony of Derobmi. She's encountered racism throughout her young life, and been arrested on many occasions for crimes against cleanliness. Life is lonely and hard for Carla. She craves adventure and a new life - somewhere she belongs.

She lives on the planet of Dumfollab: A world with a misplaced history dating back millions of years to when the Squishies occupied it. History was formed from the rubbish they left behind, and today the planet is a melting pot of cultures and colonies.

In the colony of Derobmi the people are green and clean. They worship the gods of soap powder, and consider it a deadly sin to 'dirty another's carpet'. Colonies developed from empty beer bottles, broken Persil washing balls, and faded crisp packets. Gods, laws, and entire societies have developed from abandoned junk, and after thousands of years, simple phrases like 'how white are your whites' or 'Bud-wi-serrr' have become ancient testaments. Carla's green-hued brother becomes ill with a mysterious disease that runs rampant throughout Derobmi. While looking for a cure Carla is drawn into a dangerous adventure, which spans from the ancient archives, to the dark caverns beneath Foamy Mansion. With new friends, new love, a killer on the loose, early death prophecies, and ominous super powers, Carla must discover more about her own dark history to survive.

TAS: What aspects of being an author do you most enjoy?

CC: The thrill of writing under the influence of pure inspiration has to be my all time favourite moment. There's a wonderful feeling that I can't even begin to describe, when you are suddenly inspired out of nowhere and you sit up and start writing it down. It's a rollercoaster ride and you don't know when it will end, or where. I love those moments, the best story lines happen during this time and you're not just writing an adventure, you're on one!

I read somewhere a long time ago, that writers don't invent stories, they are given them (be it by a muse, the cosmos, or a little story demon sat on their shoulder). I don't know what gives me my stories, but I do love it when he/she/it drops by to take me on another journey.

TAS: What aspects of being an author do you least enjoy?

CC: Editing! The word itself sounds pretty harmless, but editing is like a spreading disease on your lovely pages. You start, thinking it won't take long. Only to find that four months later you're still editing because you keep finding new things you need to do/change/fix. It's an important process though and it does provide your readers with a perfect book, or as close to perfect as you can get. So I do it even though I really don't want to. I suspect if I'm ever driven insane, it will be during the editing of one of my books.

TAS: What moment as an author have you experienced that you are likely to remember 20 years from now (good or bad)?

CC: I've had so many moments where my heart jumps into my mouth in shock and awe, as an author. My first royalty cheque, my first award, my first book sale, when a major UK agent contacted me, when I published my book for the first time, when I got through the first round of ABNA, when I joined Fantasy Island Book Publishing. All of these moments are ones I'll remember for the rest of my life. I don't think I'll ever take life as an author in my stride. At the end of the day I'll always just be Claire writing a story, and then jumping up and down in excited awe that people actually like the stories I wrote. I never really believed my little novel would get off my bedroom shelf and meet the world, but I'm overjoyed that it has.

TAS: What bad habits do you have when it comes to writing/promoting your books and/or what do you wish you could do better?

CC: Oh I'm awful at promoting myself and my book. I babble far too much and always say what I think. I call it 'foot in mouth syndrome'. I'll always be a bit silly, a bit childish and tad inappropriate. I wish I could be one of those people who is always well presented and says the right thing at the right time. But I'm not that stylish, so I'll probably always trip over red carpets, landing with my skirt over my head and mumble 'bollocks' to the cameras. Luckily for me, some people find it endearing or amusing.

TAS: Do you have any specific procedures you follow when you write?

CC: I always start a new project with a short story, to capture the feel of the story as it happens in my head. I find if I take too long to write down the inspiration, it fades away. A short story is a great way to record my ideas in a format that will maintain its original inspiration.

I also still handwrite my novels, it takes longer sure, but I'm a pen and paper addict, I love handwriting my manuscripts. After the first rough version is written, I edit it and type it up on my laptop. I feel a bit like a dinosaur doing that these days, but its how I've always written my stories, and it's how the inspiration flows.TAS: Do you prefer to write when the room is quiet . . . or do you like to have some background noise?

CC: I can write with some music on not too loudly, although every once in a while I'll get distracted by the lyrics of the song. But I find music is a great motivator for writing powerful scenes. Generally I'll listen to a song while thinking about a scene and turn the music off for the actual writing.

Other people making noises while I'm writing can bring out the 'wrath of Claire'.

TAS: Do you think bestsellers are typically better books than books that don't sell as well? Why or why not?

CC: The cynical marketer in me says bestsellers are the ones that got the best marketing and promotion. People read what they've heard of, so by recommendation more than anything else. In my experience people tend to buy books by the same author, one they enjoy. If they need to find a new author, they look to the book stores, magazines, lists and their friends for recommendations. So regardless of how well a book is written, its sales are controlled by popularity, not quality. Awareness of a novel or an author is more likely to land a book on the bestsellers list, than the quality of the book.

That said, a bestselling book has to be enjoyed to be recommended. So quality does come into it. But there are millions of enjoyable books in the world, and the defining factor between those that are bestsellers and those that are not all comes down to marketing and awareness.

If readers haven't heard of a book, they probably won't try it, no matter how good it is. So no I don't think bestsellers are better books, I just think we're made more aware of their existence.

TAS: Have you ever changed the way you worded something you were writing because you weren't sure the grammatically correct way to say it as originally imagined?

CC: Yes, although Google is my best friend if I'm not sure. But I have had some seriously sticky sentences in my time. Sometimes it's best to sacrifice that inspired sentence for something that makes sense (Oh the pains of editing!)

TAS: Tell us about the most interesting person you’ve ever met.

CC: I've met quite a lot of interesting people in my life. I seem to be drawn to them. The most famous one I know is Derek Landy, he's a lovely interesting Irish guy, with a wicked sense of humour.

TAS: Tell us a little bit about your home town and what makes it special.

CC: I live in York in England. It's a beautiful city with some unique qualities. It's ancient, with Roman walls and the odd Viking wandering the streets. I believe historically it's been a city since the Roman era, where it was called Eboracum. The city today has 365 pubs, one for every day of the year. It also has a large amount of churches in it, and they say you can't walk anywhere in York without walking over a grave, because it's so old, people have died in every spot here. Most recently archaeologists found the graves of gladiators in someone's back garden in York. So it's an old and unusual city. Visitors often find it very beautiful and very nice, because it is. The crime rate is low, the place is scenic and it's a nice city to live in. I've lived in York my whole life, so I don't think anywhere else will ever feel as much like home.

TAS: If you had the opportunity to eat human flesh . . . and no-one had to die, it was already, just sort of there and had been prepared by a chef . . . would you try it?

CC: Not if you paid me! I'm a vegetarian so I wouldn't even eat a well prepared cow, let alone a human being. I'm a firm believer in life is precious, unless it's the life of a carrot, which I have no qualms about munching on. I'm also a big believer in the right to live how you choose, so don't expect any vegetarian lectures from me. People choose their own paths in life; I'd never try to enforce my opinion on others.

I follow a very simple moral code: Live and let live - except for carrots of course, pesky orange blighters!

TAS: Have you ever made up a lie to get out of something, and if so, can you tell us more?

CC: I'm sure I have, but I just can't think of any. I prefer to tell the truth in most things and avoid lying. But I'm not perfect; when it comes to delivering bad news I use little white lies sometimes to soften the blow. Honest to a point of stupid, would describe me perfectly.

If I lie about something, the guilt usually gets to me and I confess the truth about twenty minutes later. I'm awful at keeping secrets!

Connie J. Jasperson

This week we are going to be finding out more about Connie J. Jasperson.  I have read Connie's first book:  The Last Good Knight and it's a wonderfully timeless adventure with colorful characters and exotic settings.  Connie is currently hard at work on her next project:  The Rose Tower.  Keep your eyes open for that.

Connie writes an excellent blog in which she discusses some of the unique things authors need to keep in mind when writing fantasy:

Life in the Realm of Fantasy

You can buy The Last Good Knight at Amazon for Kindle and Barnes and Noble for NOOK.

Also, it is now available in Paperback.



 

TAS: Let's get the plug out of the way. Tell us a little bit about your book - who will be interested and why?


CJJ: The Last Good Knight It is an alternate reality renaissance fantasy adventure about the life of a knight, Sir Julian Lackland.  There are some adult themes, but it is basically a series of vignettes detailing watershed events in his life, and the people he loved.  There is humor, adventure and some sorrow; that is the way life is.  I hope both sexes are interested in him – I tried to make it an adventure.


TAS: What aspects of being an author do you most enjoy?

CJJ: The hours are great, and I don’t have to wear a suit and heels to work!

TAS: What aspects of being an author do you least enjoy?

CJJ: I spend 10-16 hours a day working at it, and obsessing over it even when I am not!

TAS: What are your thoughts on the current state of the publishing industry?


CJJ: I think the big publishers are in for a big landslide of a surprise.  There are a lot of great authors out there whose very fine works have gone rejected and unpublished for who knows what reason – they certainly don’t tell you why when they reject your work. We all want to be published by the big guys, but they don’t have time for us, and they certainly don’t feel like they need us.  As a result the Indie writers are beginning to band together and that can only be good for the publishing industry as a whole.  I was fortunate to have fallen in with J Darroll Hall and his indie publishing company Fantasy Island Book Publishing. He is my publisher and agent, and has been the driving force behind my getting The Last Good Knight published as an e-book and in paperback.


TAS: Do you have any specific procedures you follow when you write?


CJJ: I start with an idea, and I write it down. Then I outline the projected story from beginning to end.  I build the parameters for the magic and the society, i.e. what sort of religion, who is in charge etc. Then once I have my framework for the setting, I begin writing the story.  The detail that i put into the framework seldom makes it into the actual tale, but it helps me to remain consistent once I begin the ‘stream of consciousness’ stage of fleshing out the story.


TAS: What is your favorite book and why?


CJJ: The Mists Of Avalon  by the late Marion Zimmer Bradley.  I dropped everything and read that book for three days straight and then re-read it again!  There was not one boring moment and no place in it that did not enthrall and captivate me.  She was a master!


TAS: Have you ever written something that made you cringe to imagine your children/parents/significant other reading it? If so, tell us more.


CJJ: There is one scene in TLGK where an intended rape goes badly for the rapist.  I was glad my Father would not be reading it, and was worried about my sons’ reactions. My Husband cringes.


TAS: Do you have any pet peeves related to writing? Are there any things that other authors do that drive you crazy?


CJJ: Not really – some people have specific hates such as the use of adverbs, or semi-colons.  I try to use moderation in all things and take advice when it is offered AS LONG AS it doesn’t ruin the flow of my story.

TAS: Tell us about the most interesting place you’ve ever been.

CJJ: Snorkeling in Hawaii in Haunauma Bay.  That is something I could do again and again every day!

TAS: Tell us about the most interesting person you’ve ever met.

CJJ: The late Pastor Otto Tollefson – a great man, a missionary and the most witty and wonderful person you could ever wish to talk to.

TAS: Tell us about a guilty pleasure.

CJJ: Fresh, hot cinnamon rolls...mmm… the lovely scent of heaven… (And don’t tell any one… JR Wards ‘Black Dagger Brotherhood’ novels.)

TAS: If you were on a first date with someone you were really interested in and they audibly passed gas, how would you respond?

CJJ: I would marry him.  I wound up married to nearly everyone I ever dated!  (Married 4 times… divorced 3)