Lisa Vandiver

Today's interview is with Lisa Vandiver.  Lisa is a novelist who specializes in Romance/Mysteries, but she has also written a church play and published a collection of poems and short stories. 

I actually bought Lisa's novel - Where She Belongs - with the intention of giving it to my wife, but after I started reading it, I couldn't stop until I was finished.  I found that her characters had depths that felt very genuine.  And the drama was very intense because those characters felt so real.

Lisa's main website is HERE. 

But please also check out her BLOG and you can find out a little more about Lisa 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?

LV: I'm promoting the two novels the most. Where She Belongs is a wonderful story about a young woman who is the key to three family's struggles and survival. She is involved with a Mafia bad boy and meets a handsome attorney who challenges her heart and her mind. (For Men and Women who love drama and mystery) A lot of fighting and intense mysteries to unravel.

Josie's Thorn is about a young woman who returns to her family's ranch only to find danger to her as she fights against unknown enemies to save the ranch, and against her old boyfriend from stealing her heart away again.(Women who love a tender, passionate romance story)
 
TAS: What aspects of being an author do you most enjoy?

LV: I enjoy the looks from people that I get when I tell them I'm a writer, and an author of three books. I enjoy making up stories about all kinds of wonderful people and places I've created out of my own mind.

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

LV: Formatting, marketing, I wish I could write and let someone else do the hard stuff. Writing the story is by far the easiest and funnest part of this whole process.
  
TAS: What moment as an author have you experienced that you are likely to remember 20 years from now (good or bad)?

LV: Book signings, I hate them, don't enjoy them, had a painful experience with my first one and it left a sour taste in my mouth.

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?

LV: Having too many coals on my fire at times to the point where I find myself overwhelmed!(laughing)

TAS: Pick a character from one of your books and tell us what actor or actress you would cast and why.

LV: Matthew Kingston from Where She Belongs - Gerard Butler because they're both hot and they know it, but they're completely lovable and kind.

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

LV: In Where She Belongs, Matthew Kingston is clearly a playboy but he is the 'hero', Nick Cabara is clearly the Mafia bad boy and seen as the 'villain', but I think Nick is just misunderstood. :)

TAS: If you had to choose between selling 1 million books but only making $20,000 in royalties or selling 1000 books and (somehow) making $40,000, which would you choose and why?

LV: I'd choose selling 1 million books because I love my stories and I just really want them to be enjoyed by others although I do want to be able to make a living out of my novel writing.

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

LV: No way. I was a backwards, shy, and a plain Jane in school; never had the self esteem to even try to 'be smart'.

TAS: If you had a couple hours to kill in a strange city and you could either spend the time in their zoo, museum or library, which would you choose and why?

LV: Wow, hard decision, perhaps I'd divide my day into two parts; half a day at library, and the other half at the museum. I could learn so much from either one of these places, and be motivated to write, very relaxing.

TAS: If you had Superman's powers, what do you imagine you would actually do with them?

LV: I'd definitely fly all over the world just to look at all of the wonderful skyline lights of all the famous cities of the world, that would be so romantic! Oh and look at Gerard Butler with my super power eyes:)

TAS: If you were going to be locked in a room and watch one of three shows for 24 hours solid, which would you choose:  Gilligan's Island, Starsky and Hutch or the Love Boat?

LV: Definitely Starsky and Hutch because Gilligan is just plain boring. Love Boat if I could choose my love interest(Guess who'd it be; G.B.)lol

Shaun Allan

For today's interview, please welcome Shaun Allan.  Shaun has a very diverse writing background including poems, short stories and an online magazine that he used to run.  As a result of his work on that magazine, he was invited to appear on Sky TV where he debated the virtues of electronic publishing with a prominent agent from Curtis Brown.  While I don't know the exact outcome of that debate, I think I can speak for many independent authors when I say I hope and expect Shaun kicked serious butt. ;)

His writing challenges the imagination with unique and very creative themes.  I have not yet had time to read his novel - Sin, but I have read the opening and it is powerfully written with a unique and skilled voice.

As of this writing, Shaun was anxiously anticipating the arrival of an over-due baby, so let's all wish Shaun and his family the best!

You can view Shaun's main website HERE where you can find links to buy Sin or other books by Shaun.

You can also go directly to Sin's blog HERE (he's the crazy one . . . not Shaun).

Please also stop by Shaun's Facebook Page when you have some time.

And as a special offer to visitors of this Blog, Shaun is offering 50% off Sin.  Just use coupon code LS52L  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?

SA: Although I’m promoting three stories at the moment, Sin, Zits’n’Bits (a collection of offbeat poems for children) and Tooth (the mastodon story – 5 star reviewed!), Sin is my main focus as it’s taken me 10 years from the original story to write.  There were times, due to life getting in the way, where I didn’t write for almost a year.  Then, on holiday in Egypt last year, I managed 15,000 words!  Sin has a lot of me in him – his thoughts can be random, his experiences not always good.  He had a poor childhood and just wanted to be a normal guy.  The fact that people die around him doesn’t make him a bad person, does it?

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

SA: Finding out what is going to happen.  I, normally, have no idea where a story is going to go.  I just start writing.  When I had neared the end of Sin and had an idea of what was going to happen, I was so excited because, up until that point, I didn’t know.  I read about his dead sister taking him to the Seven Hills (an area of urban legend when I was a child) when it happened, for example.  For his blog, I have a one sentence starter, with no inkling of who he will meet or what he will say.  I just let it flow.  The discovery is a great feeling.

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

SA: The year where I didn’t get to write.  The feeling just wasn’t there.  Nowadays, I have the constant urge to write, but can’t because of work etc.

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

SA: Appearing on Sky was a highlight for me, definitely.  Finishing Sin was too.  I’ve got about three other novels partially finished so completing one – especially when it was so much a part of me – was wonderful.

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?

SA: I don’t make notes or plan the story.  Luckily I tend to remember things that happen so I know if I’m contradicting myself, but I really should make notes as I go along.  The closest I come to doing so is typing a few words at the bottom of the document to remind me of things.  As for promoting, I have all the best intentions, but none of the time.  I wish I could invest time to figure out the best ways and follow them up.

TAS: How important do you think a cover is to a book?

SA: Very important.  It’s your first impression.  Many people are limited, unless they pay for bespoke covers, on what they can produce, so I do take that into consideration with indie authors, but in a bookstore, it’s usually the cover (unless it’s an author I follow) that grabs me.

SA: How many hours a week do you spend writing?

TAS: Not enough.  But then would it ever be?

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?

SA: Seeing it on the shelf in a shop.  I think it’s a fairly reasonable intent, although I need to get to the pushing for it stage!

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?

SA: I have indeed.  Saying that, though, in Sin’s case it’s a narrative so it’s written as he would say or think it, grammatically correct or not.  That’s a great feeling of freedom!

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

SA: Hmmm...  I was brought up in a house where, if it went with chips (fries) it was ok so I grew up with very bland tastes.  I’m only now getting into curry, chilli and other things.  I ate my first kiwi fruit only the other day!  Go me!

TAS: If you could go back in time and spend a 24 hour period observing one full day at the time of your choosing, what year or event would you choose and why?

SA: I’d like to watch Neanderthal Man discover the Monolith.  Well, really I’d like to watch the moon landing.  I was only 3 when it happened so can’t remember it, but that would be SUCH an experience.  The whole world was entranced.  Seeing it featured on Doctor Who only the other night only served to remind me of this.

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

SA: Well, Sin can kill people without a thought and teleport (though he can’t control either).  I’m not sure what I’d want for myself.  My favourite X-man was Storm.  That was impressive power – to control the elements.  Cool!

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)

Dean Lappi

I'm pleased to welcome Dean Lappi to this week's blog.  Dean is relatively new to the market, but he is already making a place for himself.  His book - Black Numbers - has a very interesting premise.  I'll allow him to tell you more about it shortly.

He spent some time shopping it before deciding to self-publish and is now working on a second book with a third planned.

One thing that has struck me since I began working with Dean on this interview is that he has a clear and genuine enthusiasm for his writing.  I hope you'll join me in supporting Dean and wishing him the best in his efforts.

 Dean has a blog here:

Dean's Black Numbers Blog

And you can read a little more about Dean HERE

Black Numbers is available at most major outlets including Amazon, Apple, Diesel, Barnes and Noble as well as others.

TAS: Let's get the plug out of the way.  Tell us a little bit about Black Numbers - who will be interested and why?
 
DL: Black Numbers is a dark Fantasy novel where true magic is created through advanced mathematics, and where sexuality is not only the key to the main character's power but also his weakness. I wanted to create a fantasy world that is different, and that pushes the boundaries of the fantasy genre. But despite the darkness of the material, I wanted to make real characters that readers could care about. I hope that readers will enjoy the fantastical and dark themes of a fantasy world populated with character that they can relate to.
 
TAS: What aspects of being an author do you most enjoy?

DL: The fame and money! :-) Okay, in all seriousness, I enjoy creating a world and populating it with characters that become real to me, and I want to see what happens to them as the story unfolds. I also enjoy connecting with other authors and learning what makes them want to write.  
 
TAS: What moment as an author have you experienced that you are likely to remember 20 years from now (good or bad)?

 DL: The first time I saw my novel Black Numbers on Apple iBooks, the first retailer where my book appeared. I couldn't believe I was actually looking at my name and book listed on iBooks. I knew I would never forget that moment for the rest of my life.  

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

 DL: The fame and money! No, wait, I already used that one. Ok, I have to say that until I discovered Smashwords and eBook publishing, I least enjoyed sending out query letters and submission packages to large publishing companies and agents, only to get a generic form letter in return saying my book didn't meet their needs at that time. 
 
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?
 
DL: I don't write every day. In fact, weeks can go by where I don't write a word because I get caught up with the complexities of life in general. But when I do write, I often write 10,000 words a week. I don't let this bother me because I write when I feel the need, and that is when my best work comes out.

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

DL: When I first began writing, I looked at some of my favorite author's books to see how they wrote. But I quickly realized that I didn't want to be like someone else, I needed to create my own style and my own voice, which I think I have done.

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

DL:  When I am home writing, I need to be in my office by myself, listening to music, preferably metal. Otherwise I can get easily distracted by the T.V., telephone, etc. But conversely, I can go to a coffee shop and write 5000 words surrounded by the din of strangers in conversation.

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

DL: I think bestsellers are books that appeal to a large audience, but they aren't necessarily better quality. There are great works of art that are bestsellers, and there are bestsellers that I wouldn't buy for a penny. I also think there are many little-known books that are brilliant but haven't found an audience yet.

TAS: If a movie studio intended to make a film of your book 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?

DL: I know the 'best' answer is to take the $100k and keep your integrity. But to be honest, it would be tough to turn down a cool mil. I would take the million dollars for my first novel/movie deal, and use that as a way to gain power and take more creative control with future book/movie deals.

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

DL: Oh man, that's a tough one. Since I'm a vegetarian, I don't have any good Food Gone Wild stories. I guess the most interesting thing that I have eaten is vegetarian steak.

TAS: If you could go back in time and spend a 24 hour period at the time of your choosing, what year or event would you choose and why?

DL: I would go back to the day before the Library of Alexandria burned, so I could save as many of the documents as possible. I can only imagine the knowledge that disappeared that day.

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?

DL:  Who knows, maybe my family and friends would say "Thank God Dean left, we were sick of him." It would be a bit embarrassing if I turned down the aliens and showed up back at home only to have my friends and family say I was a douchebag for turning the aliens down.

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

DL: This reminds me of Dr. Evil in Austin Powers when he said he was going to hold the world hostage for $1 million dollars, only to find out that $1 million dollars wasn't much money anymore. I think in today's money, all you will get from me for $500,000 would be a pinky toe. A leg would be worth at least $10M.

Alison DeLuca

Hello and welcome to The Author's Studio!  This site will be devoted to Author interviews and ONLY author interviews.  You won't have to read my thoughts on proper use of the semicolon between interviews . . . which will not only be good for you, but it will be good for me as well.  (Just between you and me, I don't really have any thoughts on the proper use of the semicolon)


I'd like to make this a fun place to get to know authors, so some questions will be a little quirky and designed to get the author and readers thinking outside the bounds of typical interview questions.  I won't spend much time on details that will be available in bios and from other sources but rather include links so readers can look into those details on their own ( and I'd encourage them to do so ).


Our first guest is Alison DeLuca - author of  The Night Watchman Express, an excellent book which I have had the privilege of reading.





You can buy The Night Watchman Express at:


Amazon 


and


Barnes & Noble


And check out Alison's Blog: Fresh Pot of Tea


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


AD: The Night Watchman Express is steampunk Fantasy for 12 – 15 year olds, although a lot of adults are reading it and telling me they love the book. Anyone who love loads of adventure and a little bit of romance and magic will enjoy it.

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

AD: I love the actual writing. When I am in the zone, it’s as though I’m watching a movie and merely transcribing it as quickly as possible. I also love the camaraderie with other authors.

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

AD: I really enjoy every part. I suppose, though, that the “shameless promotion” part is a bit foreign to my nature. Authors don’t make very good sales people, but as Indie authors we have to be that way.
  
TAS: What moment as an author have you experienced that you are likely to remember 20 years from now (good or bad)?

AD: Definitely it was the moment J Darroll Hall put my book up on Amazon. I suddenly realized that people all over the world could get and read words I had written. It was a terrifying, exhilarating moment.

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?

AD: I get distracted by social media. I love to see what’s going on in Twitter and Facebook – it’s my biggest downfall.

TAS: What is your favorite book and why?

AD:  Jane Eyre. I have read it at least thirty times – probably more – and I honestly find something new in it every time I read it.

TAS: Do you have any moments or anecdotes that led you to want to be an author?

AD: As a child I spent long summers in Ireland without a TV. My sister and cousins and I got very proficient at amusing ourselves by creating stories and adventures. It became second nature to imagine a new world or an exciting adventure.

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

AD: Ah, no. It’s difficult enough to be a writer – I believe we all have to stick together.

TAS: Would you paint your web-site on your back and streak the Superbowl if you KNEW it would make your book a smash hit?

AD:  Damn straight I would, although the front row might want to be careful. As a fifty year old I need “support” if you know what I mean.

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

AD: The Alhambra in Spain is amazing. It’s like being in a fantasy novel when you’re there. The Moorish kings created the palace and a system of water irrigation and fountains fed by the melting snow from the mountains.

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

AD: Seeing my daughter’s face!

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

AD: The ability to create a fresh cup of tea at will, I think. Plus, if I can cheat and have another, the ability to go without sleep. Then I wouldn’t need the tea, so it all works out!

TAS: Have you ever stolen anything?  Can you elaborate?

AD: My daughter did once nick a packet of seeds from a grocery store. She was three at the time, and having a meltdown. I had just dragged her out of the store, yelling her head off, so I was too cowardly to go back with a screaming child. Result: nice fresh daisies by my house.