Interview with Adam Lance Garcia — The Green Lama

Adam Lance Garcia, one of the youngest New Pulp writers, exploded onto the scene in 2009 with his first novella Green Lama: Horror in Clay. Written as a gift for his father, Horror in Clay was nominated for Best Short Story in the 2009 Pulp Factory Awards. Adam’s follow up novel, Green Lama: Unbound, took away two 2010 Pulp Factory Awards: Best Novel of the Year and Best Interior Art (thanks to the artwork of his frequent collaborator, Mike Fyles).

Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Adam was raised on on high quantity of golden age comic books, movie serials, and Star Wars. Adam credits this atypical upbringing to his passion for writing.

He is currently at writing several licensed properties at a number of publishers, including Moonstone Books, Pro Se Productions, and Airship 27 Productions as well as working on his original graphic novel Sons of Fire with artist Heidi Black.

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Interview with Author Adam Lance Garcia 
author of The Green Lama
5/16/2013

I was wondering where you get your story ideas?

I’ll avoid the fairly standard reply of “everywhere,” even though that’s fairly true. Elements for my next few novels were born in dreams; “Richard Knight: Crimes of the Ancients” was inspired by an unrealized relationship with a fantastic young woman; even a broken headphone started my mind working. Sometimes a simple word or sound can push the snowball down the hill. Most recently a story appeared fully formed as I boarded the subway for no reason that I can determine.

Most importantly my stories come from a very true emotional place, just with a lot more guns and punching. I’m a terrible liar, and that can come through the page, so I always ground these stories—and more importantly the characters—in a real place. A conversation between Sotiria and Caraway and Green Lama: Unbound was a real conversation I once had, with all heartbreak and hurt that came with it.

If there isn’t truth in the words then they are meaningless.

What is the usual process for your fiction writing? Are you a plotter or a pantser?

A little bit of both. For short stories I often fly by the seat of pants.

For novels, I always write out a treatment to simply lay out the major plot points, the signposts for where the story will go. But once I start diving into the actual pages, I intentionally ignore the treatment and let the characters take over, which is at once thrilling and aggravating, especially when they decide to turn left when I really, really want them to turn right. I sometimes write bits of scenes, dialogue or notes far ahead of myself that are eventually absorbed into the story—or sometimes are used in later stories. I usually find I end up at the same destination I planned, but never on the planned route.

Once you have an idea that sparks your imagination do you research your idea or do any world-building exercises, or do you just begin to write and see where the Muse takes you?

It depends on the idea. I’ve been researching and world-building a project I’ve had bubbling in the back of my head for several years now. Others I just dive in and write it. Though the Muse and I similar get into arguments.

What is your daily writing like?

Depends on the day. Some days it’s a sprinkling here and there, other days, I’m bound to the computer plowing through page after page. I’m not one of those writers who can pump out a thousand to three thousand words a day – though Lord knows I wish I was. I’m a lot more methodical, working over small sections over and over and over again before I move forward, a process that increases as the story grows. I call it “scrubbing,” which looks ridiculous when I write it down.

Can you tell us about your experience working with your current publisher? (Any other publishers?) (And/Or your self-publishing experiences?)

I personally really enjoy working with publishers and editors. I know a lot of people have found success in self-publishing, but I’ve always enjoyed collaboration, having my work proofed, questioned and edited. I can sit in a darkened room by myself and think everything I write is genius, but if I’m not able to convince my editors, then I need to get back to work. Plus it allows me to focus on my writing and not on all the work surrounding production, sales, etc.

What is your current release and (without spoilers) tell us about the new book or series.

There’s a lot of stuff I can tell you about, and some things I can’t.

I’ll have two short stories coming in Pro Se Press’s Foster Fade: Crime Spectacularist anthology: “Dead Men’s Guns” and “The Black Rock Conspiracy.” I absolutely loved writing these characters and hope to do more with them.

I also did a short story for Barry Reese’s next Tales of the Rook volume entitled “Night Out.” Barry’s created such a fascinating legacy character, and I was particularly excited to tell a tale with the third Rook, Emma Davies.

I think what a lot of my readers will be most excited to hear about is a number of fully licensed projects for a certain hooded hero coming out from a major pulp publisher. I would love to tell you more, but they’ll kill me if I did.

Can you tell us about some of your other writing and any appearances or signings that you have planned?

Right now I’m doing a lot of work on licensed properties, but—with a few exceptions—I’m hoping to shift my focus into more original work and maybe move away from what can be defined as pulp.

One major project I’m working on is an original graphic novel called Sons of Fire with amazing young artist Heidi Black. It’s essentially Smallville meets Breaking Bad. It’s a huge departure from what I’m normally associated with, but features a lot of themes I’ve been playing with for the past few years.

Unfortunately, I won’t be making any appearances anytime soon; I have way too much work to catch up on. But if you’re ever in the New York City area I’m sure you might see me racing to the subway.

As an author what inspiration or advice would you give to a writer who is working to make the transition to Author?

Read. Read like it’s your job. Read every day and outside your comfort zone, outside the genre you’re writing. You’re writing a horror story, read a mystery. You’re writing a sci-fi story, pick up some classic literature. Every new author, new style, new genre you pick up with help inspire you and bring something fresh to what you’re writing. You’ll discover new ways to tell a story, new ways to approach characters, new ways to approach language. It will make your work stronger and help you stand out from the crowd.

Just as importantly, write every day, even if it’s just a word or a minor edit, you need to set aside time to work on your craft, that’s only way you’ll get better. And never be afraid to try something new. If you only ever written adventure stories, try a character piece. Never written a mystery? Now’s the time to start.

And perhaps most importantly, be open to criticism. If you dare put words to page, you must expect to be judged intensely and deeply. Learning what works and what doesn’t will only make you a better and stronger writer.

Who is your favorite author, and can you recommend a book by that author?

I would say anything Neil Gaiman puts to page is worth your time and dedication. He’s incredibly prolific and eclectic, and sprinkles his stories with so many amazing—and profound—themes and ideas, you’d be hard-pressed not to find something you can grab on to. In the mood for a relatively straightforward adventure? Stardust or Neverwhere. Need to sink your teeth into a dense novel exploring myth and faith? American Gods. Want to read a bunch of great short stories that show his full range? Smoke & Mirrors or Fragile Things. Not a reader? Watch The Doctor’s Wife. Like comics? Sandman. Like radio? There’s a new adaptation of Neverwhere. Gaiman will never steer you wrong, and more importantly, he’s the nicest guy in the world.

If you would like more information about Adam Lance Garcia you can find his books on Amazon, and updates about his writing on Twitter, Facebook and on his website.

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Interview with Jen Mulvihill — Southern Haunts

Born in Hollywood and raised in San Diego, CA, J.L. Mulvihill has made Mississippi her home for the past fifteen years.  Her debut novel was the young adult title The Lost Daughter of Easa, an engaging fantasy novel bordering on science-fiction with a dash of steampunk, published through Kerlak Publishing.

She is also the Co-editor of Southern Haunts, the spirits that walk among us, which includes her story, Bath 10, based on Hot Springs, Arkansas and haunted, healing, spring waters. Also she released her short story, The Book, from Dreams of Steam IV-Gizmos, A steampunk thriller revolving around a mysterious antique book.

 

Interview with Author Jen Mulvihill
Co-editor of Southern Haunts
5/13/2013

I was wondering where you get your story ideas?

Lisa, thank you so much for having me here first of all, I love having the opportunity to talk to people about my writing. I get some of my story ideas from my dreams which mean I have some pretty wild dreams.  My first novel, The Lost Daughter of Easa, started out as a nightmare I had of being chased through the woods by a giant spider.  The dream was so scary I could not get it out of my head, and the more I thought about it, the more it started to develop into a story.

Some of my ideas come from my observations of the world around me.  I sort of see things in a different perspective I guess.  For instance if there is a bowl of fruit on the table most people would see the bowl and think about whether or not they are allowed to eat the fruit, what kind of fruit it is and if the fruit is ripe.  Maybe some people don’t even think that far, ha ha I’m not sure.  But for me it’s different; I see a bowl of fruit on the table and I think who did that bowl belong to?  Did an evil witch put that fruit in a bowl to tempt me?  Maybe there is a curse on the fruit and everyone who eats it will turn into a zombie.  Maybe that fruit used to be people and a mad scientist turned them into fruit with some strange chemical and now someone will eat those poor people.  See the difference?  I’m not sure why I think like that, I just do.  Everything has a story behind it.  My family and friends tell me I’m just not right.  I’m not sure what they mean by that but maybe it has something to do with this thought process of mine.

I used to watch the Ray Bradbury Theater television series when I was a kid and in the beginning of the show the camera would zoom into his office where he writes and he would narrate as the camera did this saying, “what shall we write about today,” or something like that.  The camera would span across an eclectic office.  There were all sorts of things in his office and when the camera finally stopped on one item that item would be the focus of the day’s story.  I thought that was the coolest thing ever.  I now have an eclectic office of my own where I surround myself with not only books of all genre but also strange knick knacks and a collection of dragons and art work I have purchased over the years.  I love it.  So sometimes I get my inspirations from just looking at the items in my office, or my little corner of the world as I like to call it.

What is the usual process for your fiction writing? Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I am both. When I am working on a series such as the Authora series or the Steel Roots series, I have to be a plotter because there is so much involved in the stories. There are so many characters and places in Authora I have to have one of those tri panel boards like the ones you use for a science project? I have to use one of those with sticky notes all over it with the names of the characters, where they live, and how they connect to other characters in the story or the history. So when I say I use a story board, I literally use a story board.

 However, when I write a short story, I have to admit I write by the seat of my pants and I just let that story flow on out of head, down my arms, through my fingers into the keys and onto the computer screen. But, I cheat a little because I do plot a little but in my head. I will mull the story over in my head for a few days before I actually write it out. But I don’t write an outline or anything of that sort for my short stories.

I think everyone is different in this though. Every writer does what works best for them and this is just how things work best for me. It does not mean this is the way one should do it by any means. When it comes to writing I don’t think too many rules and regulations should be put upon an author. If the story comes out good, does it really matter how it was done? Writing is a form of art I am certainly not going to go tell Leonardo Da Vinci how to paint any more than I will tell James Hilton how to write.

Once you have an idea that sparks your imagination do you research your idea or do any world-building exercises, or do you just begin to write and see where the Muse takes you?

Oh, yes I’m big on research. I research everything to the smallest detail. Why you ask? Because I believe that everything, even fiction, should be believable so when I research I look for the most plausible angle so I can create the most believable story. To me that is what makes a good story.

What is your daily writing like?

Well I’m a full time mom, wife, and I have a 40 hour a week job, and I have promotions to handle for my books, so my writing is when and however I can squeeze it in.  When I am hot on a novel I usually end up writing at least an hour or three each night and as much time as I can fit on the weekends. Unfortunately with the mom schedule it can be hard to set a precise time for writing. My kids are older but they are very involved and I don’t want them to feel I am neglecting them. But, that means the housework tends to get put off. I am fortunate to have a supportive husband who helps out though.  When I finish a project I tend to take a little time off before I jump back into writing. Some people say you should write every day and maybe that is true to help keep you frosty. I just think you should not go more than a week without writing   something creative. But again that is coming from someone who is very, very busy. Are you a full time writer? If so when did you make the decision and what factors led to the decision? If you are not a full time writer…Is your plan to one day being a full time writer?

I would really like to have the luxury of being a full time writer but at the moment I have to keep my job especially now that I have to put one of my kids through college. Right now I am building a platform for my writing career so that one day I will be able to transition over easily, and then I will be able to write full time. I want to be sure that there will be enough of a demand for my writing before I give up the day job.  That’s the plan anyway.

Can you tell us about your experience working with your current publisher? (Any other publishers?) (And/or your self-publishing experiences?) 

I am very blessed to be with two wonderful publishers right now. Dark Oak Press, also known as Kerlak out of Memphis and Seventh Star Press out of Louisville, KY.  Allan Gilbreath of Dark Oak Press took the chance on my first novel and I am very grateful for that. Since then I have enjoyed working with him and Kimberly Richardson at Dark Oak on other projects. I have some short stories in the Dreams of Steam anthologies Kimberly edits. I also have a few other projects in the works with Dark Oak, projects that are often born out of conversations and mayhem at the conventions I attend. There is never a dull moment when I go to a convention with Dark Oak and Allen and Kimberly are there.

I have known Stephen Zimmer from Seventh Star Press about as long as I have known the Dark Oak/Kerlak press. Stephen and I have often sat and discussed projects and ideas but it was last year he came to me and asked me if I had any young adult projects I was working on besides the Elsie Lind series. I told him I had an idea for a young adult steampunk series so he told me to write up a proposal and submit it.  I was sort of taken aback when they accepted it because it was an idea I had only been mulling around in my head for about a year. Once I got into the story I became very excited as the characters came to life and the plot opened up to me. Now I can hardly wait until the first book comes out. The story is so unique and written from a completely separate perspective than the other series. I enjoy working with Seventh Star Press a great deal; they are so encouraging and supportive, like a family.

Recently I co-edited an anthology with author Alexander S. Brown, Southern Haunts, The Spirits That Walk Among Us.  Seventh Star Press took the book on and since it came out last March it has been a big hit. The book is such a big hit that Seventh Star has already asked Alexander to do another Southern Haunts book. I won’t be editing that book since I have so many other projects on the table right now but I will be submitting a story.

So far my experiences with both publishing houses have been extremely pleasant and educational, and I‘ve got nothing but love all the way around.

What is your current release and (without spoilers) tell us about the new book or series.

My new novel, The Boxcar Baby from the Steel Roots series will be coming out in June from Seventh Star Press. I’m very excited about this book and series.  It’s about a fifteen-year-old girl who was found as a baby in a boxcar. The man who adopted her and raised her as his own is now missing and she has to find him.  Aided only by a motley gang of friends and a map she found hidden in her papa’s spyglass which has clues written on it, AB’Gale Steel train hops her way across the United States in a desperate attempt to find her papa and put her life and family back the way it was. This great American adventure takes place in an alternate steampunk dystopian world.

Can you tell us about some of your other writing and any appearances or signings that you have planned?

Lisa, last March I had a new short story called The Book, in the Dreams of Steam IV – Gizmos released out of out of Dark Oak Press/Kerlak. It’s a steampunk thriller where I send three publishers to steampunk hell. It takes place in Memphis and I will not tell you anymore than this, if you anagram the names you will find out who they are. Of course it is all in good fun.

At the same time Gizmos came out the anthology Southern Haunts, The Spirits That Walk Among Us which I mentioned earlier I co-edited with Alexander S. Brown was released out of Seventh Star Press.  I also have a short story in this book called Bath 10 which is a real chiller and based off the bathhouses of Hot Springs, AR. The anthology has 15 other fantastic authors in it and all the stories are fictional but based on real places thought to be haunted.

The next events I will be attending will be Mobicon May 17-19 in Mobile Alabama where I am one of the guest authors http://www.mobicon.org/

I will also be a guest at the Alabama Phoenix Festival May 24-26 in Huntsville Alabama, http://www.alabamaphoenixfestival.com/

I will at a book signing with several Imagicopter authors at Cups in Brandon, MS on June 1, 2013 from 11am -1pm and then that same day I will be at another book signing at Bay Window Books in Pearl, MS from 2pm to 4pm.

Then my biggest most exciting event is that I will be attending Comic Con July 18-21, 2013 in San Diego, CA as a professional. I can hardly wait I am so excited about this http://www.comic-con.org/cci.

Also in October 18-20 I will be attending as a regional guest at one of my favorite conventions Contra Flow http://www.contraflowscifi.org/

As an author what inspiration or advice would you give to a writer who is working to make the transition to Author?

I would suggest to inspiring authors try to attend some of these speculative/science fiction/fantasy conventions where they offer a writing program and learn as much as you can from other authors. My first convention was MidSouth Con in Memphis, TN. This convention is held every March and has writing panels geared toward the college so it’s highly educational. Don’t just attend any convention though, do some research to see who will be there and what sort of programing they offer. Writing conventions can be very expensive but if you can afford to go to one you probably should try that as well. I also recommend reading a lot. Whatever genre it is you choose to write, read it first so you understand what you are writing. I would also recommend research and get your facts straight even if it’s fantasy, making it believable makes the story all the more readable and interesting.

Who is your favorite author, and can you recommend a book or series by that author?

Oh wow, favorite author? That is really hard because I have so many that I like. Ok well J.R.R. Tolkien I guess is my all-time favorite but that’s a given, I probably don’t even have to tell anyone what to read when it comes to his writing. No one writes like that anymore.

My next favorite would have to be Terry Brooks, I have only read The Shannara series, and I have started to read the Magic Kingdom series. Anne McCaffrey and the Riders of Pern series had a big influence on me, as well as Neil Gaiman. My favorite story is Neverwhere. I have read a lot of his writing and I love Stardust too but Neverwhere, hands down is a fantastic story.

I would also like to recommend some of the classics like Edgar Rice Burroughs; The Princes of Mars series was my favorite.  Anything by Ray Bradbury I don’t think the man could write a bad story, I am very sorry I did not get the chance to meet him he was an incredible writer. Robert Heinlein, I loved Stranger in a Strange Land. Oh and Isaac Asimov, those are some classic science fiction writers. Michael Crichton I think was an absolute genius and it is a great loss to the literary world when he died.

Ok so everyone has heard of these authors but here are a few that maybe you have not heard of but also are fantastic authors and have some great series that I have read and enjoy: D. A. Adams and his Brotherhood of Dwarves series. Usually dwarves are written in as comic relief or sidekicks but this series puts a whole new meaning to dwarves. Also Stephen Zimmer has two really good series he writes but the one I am reading now is the Rising Dawn Saga, totally epic. David Blalock is an amazing author too with my favorite Ascendant which is part of the Thran Chronicles. I read Ascendant and then found out that he had been writing these books for a while so I just got a hold of the other six books and I can’t wait to dive into them.

If you like Vampires Galen and Dark Chances by Allan Gilbreath has a badass vampire who does not sparkle. If you are into horror then Alexander S. Brown’s Traumatized is brilliant with a variety of physiological horror and so does Kimberly Richardson for that matter in Tales of The Goth Librarian. Michael West’s Poseidon’s Children is one of those nail biting but you can’t put it down books and Jimmy Gillentine’s Of Blood and The Moon is a fast pace but fantastic story; he just released the sequel to it, Crossroads.

I’m sorry I better stop now because really I could go on and on about books and authors, like I said before it’s hard to pick a favorite when there are just so many fantastic authors out there.

Thank you Lisa for the interview and I hope I have answered all the inquiring minds satisfactorily.

Thank you Jen! If you would like more information about Jen Mulvihill you can find her books on Amazon, and updates about her writing on Twitter, Facebook and on her website.

http://www.elsielind.com

http://home.comcast.net/~mulvijen/site/

http://www.imagicopter.com/

http://www.seventhstarpress.com/j-l-mulvihill/

https://www.facebook.com/mulvijen

https://twitter.com/JLMulvihill

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5145690.J_L_Mulvihill

http://www.literaryunderworld.com/Lost-Daughter-of-Easa-9781937035051.htm

Interview with Diane Graham — I am Ocilla

Diane Graham lives in the mountains of eastern Oklahoma with her husband, children and lots of dogs. She is an avid reader and lover of all art forms that encapsulate imagination and goodness.

She has been a waitress, a car saleswoman, a real estate wannabe, and had grandeur dreams of growing up to be a mom. Never in a million years did she expect to be a writer, but children do this awesome thing with a person’s imagination.

Interview with Author Diane Graham 
author of I am Ocilla
5/02/2013

Diane, I was intrigued by the idea of your book, I am Ocilla, being written in first person present tense. That is truly unique so it got me wondering where you get your story ideas?

Oh, man. I can get ideas from the silliest things. As a matter-of-fact, it is a must for most of my fiction writing. Examples of that are dotted through I Am Ocilla in spades. Most of the characters and story ideas are based on real life flipped on its ear. I’ll give you one example. In the book, there is a species called Krakens. They are not giant squids, like normal lore. They are dragon-men. That idea originated from my eldest son. When we were building our house, it was very hot on the mountain. We had lost a lot of weight and my son’s britches were hanging; exposing a few inches of proper plumber. My daughter said if he was going to keep it hanging around, it should at least have a name. She dubbed it Mr. Kraken. My son obliged the ridiculousness by placing sunglasses at the top-backside of his pants and doing a voice skit for Mr. Kraken. The name stuck. When it came time to develop his character, Kraken it was. He loves dragons and wanted his character to be a dragon. So my silly made it work.

What is the usual process for your fiction writing? Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I do a lot of pondering, but when it comes time to pour it on the pages, I pants it all the way.

Once you have an idea that sparks your imagination do you research your idea or do any world-building exercises, or do you just begin to write and see where the Muse takes you?

I do research to make sure names are lined up like I want and I research lore for fairy tales. But I like changing the normal interpretations of fantasy lore to suit my way of seeing them.

What is your daily writing like?

I’m going to shake a few people up here. I do not write every day. I write when I want to. I write when my mind feels like it will explode if I don’t empty it. That may translate into months of little sleep and tens of thousands of words or that may translate into nothing for six months. I don’t beat myself up over that…ever. I refuse to make something I love so very much into work.

Are you a full time writer? If so when did you make the decision and what factors led to the decision? If you are not a full time writer…Is your plan to one day being a full time writer?

Thankfully, I am a kept woman. My husband of 22 years provides me the freedom to do what I want and I still have three out of five children at home that I homeschool. Writing is not something I do as a job. It is simply part of who I am.

Can you tell us about your experience working with your current publisher? (Any other publishers?) (And/or your self-publishing experiences?)

I am currently with Splashdown Books. Grace Bridges and team are splendid. Splashdown allows a lot of flexibility to its artists that larger houses don’t.

What is your current release and (without spoilers) tell us about the new book or series.

Grace Bridges and Diane Graham in Star Trek uniforms.

I Am Ocilla is my debut novel through Splashdown Books. It is written in first person /present tense. That’s a tricky POV to write in and takes some getting used to for the reader. You are in the moment and you are in Ocilla’s head. In the beginning, she knows not a thing but her name. You find most everything out as she does.

Open your heart and mind to the simplicity and complexity of a name.

I know only my name. Beyond that is confusion, a void where fantasy and reality swirl together. Fairies, Giants, Elves, Dwarves, ancient Keepers, and…Dragons? A dark soul threatens the Five Kingdoms, but I am powerless to stand against him, overwhelmed by phantom memories, broken and lost.

Somehow, I must live. I must find my purpose. There are friends to love and battles to fight.

I know my name. Perhaps that is enough.

I am Ocilla.

This is my story.

Can you tell us about some of your other writing and any appearances or signings that you have planned?

I could, but then I may have to kill you, and that is just rude. You were kind enough to invite me here. What would my Momma think? As far as appearances? I’ll be at a grocery in eastern Oklahoma every other Tuesday of the year. Of course, I’ll be shopping, but I’ll be there. I’m kind of in the middle of nowhere, so book signings are not in my norm.

As an author what inspiration or advice would you give to a writer who is working to make the transition to Author?

Write with your bones and a passion. Believe in what you are doing and it will show in your work. Always open yourself to learning from other writers. That will hold true no matter how long you write and no matter how many books you get published. Read, listen to music, and watch the wonderful world around you God created.

Who is your favorite author, and can you recommend a book by that author?

That isn’t even a fair question. I am a bit biased, but I am rather found of my Splashdown colleagues. Have you read Robynn Tolbert’s Star of Justice, Kat Heckenbach’s  Finding Angel, Keven Newsome’s Winter? How about Paul Baines’ Alpha Redemption or Caprice Hokstad’s Dukes Handmaid? Then there is always Kerry Nietz from MLP? The list is too long, but that is a good start for anyone that loves speculative fiction.

Thank you Diane!

If you would like more information about Diane Graham you can find her books on Amazon, and updates about her writing on Twitter, Facebook and on her website.

Website: http://dianemgraham.com/

Facebook: Diane Graham Author Page

New Author Fellowship: http://newauthors.wordpress.com/diane-m-graham/

Amazon author page: Diane Graham

Splashdown Books: http://www.splashdownbooks.com

Interview with Fred Warren — The Seer

Fred Warren retired from the Air Force after 24 years of service, and still serves proudly as a defense contractor. His first novel, The Muse, a modern fantasy tale of inspiration both divine and diabolical,  hit the streets in November 2009.  A short-story anthology called Odd Little Miracles followed in July 2011, and his latest book, The Seer, a sequel to The Muse, was published in November 2011.

Interview with Author Fred Warren 
author of The Seer
4/25/2013

Fred, I loved The Muse, so I am so looking forward to reading The Seer. The Muse was unlike other speculative fiction that I had read before, so I was wondering where you get your story ideas?

Anywhere and everywhere. At one time or another, I’ve used memories, pictures, music, poetry, dreams, movies, scripture, or a snippet of conversation as my starting point. I find a lot of inspiration from things I see or random thoughts that run through my head when I’m traveling to and from work. I was driving along a lonely stretch of Kansas highway one day and saw a railroad track that paralleled the road at the base of some rolling hills. I imagined a circus train stalled on that track and wondered what the passengers might find hidden from view on the other side of those hills. That was the beginning of a short story called “Rubes.” What they found was very strange and wonderful, and it wasn’t something I’d expected to find in the middle of nowhere on the Kansas prairie.

What is the usual process for your fiction writing? Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I avoid plots, and I always wear pants.   Seriously, I like to leave the door to creativity as wide-open as I can, but sometimes I’ve needed to lay out some milestones in a story’s plot to keep myself on track. So, I’d say I’m a pantser by instinct and a plotter as necessary.

Once you have an idea that sparks your imagination do you research your idea or do any world-building exercises, or do you just begin to write and see where the Muse takes you?

It depends on the story. If it involves a setting and characters with which I’m familiar, I’ll usually just begin writing and let the story develop organically. That was my approach to The Muse. I enjoy writing that way because it’s full of surprises and the characters often take on a life of their own, which helps steer the story in interesting directions. I write better when I’m having fun. For longer or more complex stories, I’ll sometimes sketch out a rough outline, compile some character summaries, and do some outside reading to get my bearings, but I still prefer to let details emerge rather than determine them beforehand. If I was defining a very alien world completely from scratch, I’d spend more time laying out the geography, flora, fauna, physics, culture, etc., at the beginning because I’ll need to bring my reader into that unfamiliar world very quickly without much help from our common experience of life.

What is your daily writing like?

Irregular. Since I’m working around my work and family schedule, which is turbulent, I usually write when the time and inspiration coincide, though I try to write something every day, whether it’s simply jotting down some story ideas or dashing out a blog post. I travel frequently with my job, and that often provides the opportunity for uninterrupted writing in a quiet setting.

Are you a full time writer? Is your plan to one day become a full time writer?

No, I have three children, two dogs, and a mortgage, so I don’t anticipate giving up my day job any time soon. I might consider it if my books were selling well enough, but I can’t plan on hope. The current scope of my writing fits within my available free time, so that’s good enough for now.

Can you tell us about your experience working with your current publisher?

Grace Bridges of Splashdown Books is a joy to work with. She’s all about taking risks and innovating, and she has a unique creative vision. Grace is an Irish lass who’s worked in Germany and lives in New Zealand–her travels have broadened her perspective on life and literature. Since she runs a small, independent press, there’s opportunity for lots of personal contact and exchange of ideas, which I find very helpful. I didn’t actually find Grace, she found me. She reads broadly, and if she finds a writer she likes, she’ll invite them to submit a manuscript, rather than having writers seek her out with their stories. I’d been circulating my first draft of The Muse among some friends and colleagues for critique, and a copy found its way into her hands. She liked it and asked if she might publish it. The Muse was my first novel. Before that, I’d written a variety of short stories that were published in print and online magazines, and I still consider myself primarily a short story writer.

What is your current release, and (without spoilers) tell us about the new book or series.

The Seer is a sequel to The Muse that takes up the story several years later. Where The Muse was a story about inspiration, imagination, and the love between a husband and wife, The Seer is about dreams, destiny, and the love between a father and daughter. There’s another adventure in the world of imagination, but it’s a little darker and more personal this time.

Can you tell us about some of your other writing and any appearances or signings that you have planned?

Splashdown Books has published a collection of my short stories called Odd Little Miracles, which includes a mix of science fiction, fantasy, and even a little horror. Extreme plastic surgery, alien invasions, magical beekeepers, gravity-defying English teachers, monster hunts, lost colonies, side shows, divine intervention, deals with the devil, genius, and madness…it’s all there.

I’m also writing within an ongoing shared-world microfiction project sponsored by Splashdown Books called Avenir Eclectia. It’s the epic tale of a lost space colony struggling to survive on and around a hostile world.  The colony consists of the Avenir, a generational spaceship turned orbital habitat, circling Eclectia, a barely-habitable planet subject to violent seismic forces. We’re building the world and the culture of this colony as we go, in vignettes of between 500 and 1000 words or so, with a dozen different authors. It’s been fascinating to watch the story develop. You can find it online at http://www.avenireclectia.com .

As an author, what inspiration or advice would you give to a writer who is working to make the transition to Author?

Focus on writing the best stories you can. Don’t be distracted by pressures to write according to the prevailing fashion or in lockstep with a particular message. Engage the reader. Stimulate their emotions, intelligence, and imagination. Give them an opportunity to laugh now and then. Create characters worth knowing, places worth visiting, and adventures worth living. The rest will follow.

Who is your favorite author, and can you recommend a book by that author?

 

It’s hard to pick just one. Mark Twain formed some of my earliest and most treasured memories of great literature with The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and in the realm of speculative fiction, I love the poetry and vivid imagery Ray Bradbury brought to science fiction and fantasy. Something Wicked This Way Comes is probably my favorite of his novels. A couple of writers who have impressed me more recently are George Bryan Polivka, with his piratey Blaggard’s Moon and the Trophy Chase trilogy, and Ken Liu, whose short story, “The Paper Menagerie,” won the Nebula, Hugo, and World Fantasy awards last year, the first work of fiction ever to do so. You can read it at: http://bit.ly/yphhz3

Thank you Fred!

If you would like more information about Fred Warren you can find his books on Amazon, and updates about his writing on Twitter, Facebook and on his website.

Website: http://frederation.wordpress.com

Publications: http://frederation.wordpress.com/publications

Twitter: @frederation

Amazon author page: http://amzn.to/XdiLBR

Splashdown Books: http://www.splashdownbooks.com

Healthy Writer: Thoracic Mobility

Hello Desk Jockeys or Cubicle Warriors, today we are going to be talking about gaining mobility in the mid-back region. As the video one below points out, pain in one area of the body does not necessarily mean that the origin of the pain is in the same place that it manifests. Simply said if your neck hurts it may be due to the loss of mobility in a different region. The body works as a system each part working in conjunction with the ones around it. For example if your forearm tendon is tight and tender you will most like have pain in the elbow and wrist. Why? The systems on either side of a weak one have to work twice as hard to make simple movements.

In my endeavors to gain more mobility or flexibility in my back and shoulders I started using a foam roller. Now if you have never heard of a foam roller it may sound a bit quirky, but now I swear by mine. In video two you will see one of the workouts that I do for my thoracic mobility. You can purchase a roller at most local sports shops or online at Amazon.

http://www.stkildafitnesstrainer.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/whole-back-trigger-points.jpg

Foam rolling is a self-myofascial release (SMR) technique often used by athletes and physical therapists to improve soft tissue flexiblity. The technique can be effective for most muscle regions throughout the spine, chest and gluteus. Rolling the foam roller under or across each muscle group and pausing at tender or tight areas by maintaining pressure for 30 to 60 seconds can release the trigger points, and relax the tender areas. But I must warn you…use of a foam roller the first time can be painful. You will be working on trigger points that may have been tight for years. Those areas will feel more like rocks and you will think that the area may never relax. IT WILL. Trust the process and go slowly.

Here is the regimen that I have discovered works best for me. I have found that if I use the exercise from video one before I do video two and roll out my back I have less pain and the muscles relax twice as fast. I suggest doing the exercise from video one 10 times, then do the full rollout from video two twice. When you are done you back will be tender. Take things slowly and rest for bit before you get back to your daily chores. I would repeat this workout 3-4 times a week, but it can be done daily without harm.

One of the great things about foam rollers is that you can use them after strenuous workouts to stretch and relax overworked muscles from your neck down to your feet. This helps tremendously in reducing Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). But if you don’t get a roller video one is an excellent start for your Thoracic Mobility. Here is a link to several videos on YouTube for uses of the foam roller.

Video One:

Video Two:

Interview with Karina Fabian — Live and Let Fly

Karina Fabian is the winner of the 2010 INDIE for best Fantasy with her book Magic, Mensa and Mayhem. She has imagination that takes quirky twists that keep her–and her fans–amused. Nuns serving in space, a down-and-out Faerie dragon working off a geas from St. George, zombie exterminators—there’s always a surprise in Fabian’s worlds. Karina’s writing took a right turn  in May 2010, with a devotional, Why God Matters, which she co-wrote with her father, Steve Lumbert.

Fabian is a former President of the Catholic Writer’s Guild and is the current Committee Coordinator. She teaches writing and book marketing seminars online, but mostly is concerned with supporting her husband, Rob, as he makes the exciting leap from military officer to civilian executive, getting her kids through high school and college, and surviving daily circuit torture…er, circuit training.  

Interview with Author Karina Fabian 
author of Live and Let Fly
4/18/2013

Lisa M. Collins: Karina I absolutely adore your character Vern the average North African Faerie Wyvern with a not-so average lifestyle.  Vern is unique and in your books he just comes alive so, I was wondering where you get your story ideas?

Karina Fabian: The problem is not getting ideas.  They’re everywhere.  I have too many, and some are sitting, languishing, in a file on my computer.  Oh, the guilt!

Most often, I start with a character idea and the adventure presents itself, but sometimes, I will come across a situation that stirs my imagination.  For example, today in FB, there was a discussion about going and rescuing a Tunisian woman who apparently has been kidnapped by her own family for posting a nude picture of herself. Some of the guys were gung-ho for getting some zodiacs and weapons and saving the damsel in distress.  Part of me got to thinking, “What about all the women here in the US who could use a knight in shining armor, but aren’t as pretty or posing naked on the Internet?”  I already have a couple of characters I want to set up a romance for, one of whom is a secret agent Stan Rakness from Live and Let Fly. As I was shopping today, I imagined him defending this other character from her crazy stalker ex.  I can only hope what I was thinking didn’t show on my face!

Sometimes, if I need a specific idea, I’ll go to another book or movie and pull from it.  For example, my upcoming novelette, Greater Treasures, was inspired by the Maltese Falcon, but with a dragon for Sam Spade, the Lance of Longinus for the falcon, and a very different motive for the villain.

Lisa M. Collins: What is the usual process for your fiction writing? Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Karina Fabian: It depends on the story, but the only time I ever carefully plotted was for my novel, The Old Man and the Void, which I’m shopping around.  Even then, the characters took off and went waaaaay off-script.  I find it’s better to let them do that, however.

Lisa M. Collins: Once you have an idea that sparks your imagination do you research your idea or do any world-building exercises, or do you just begin to write and see where the Muse takes you?

Karina Fabian: I write or imagine and let the characters lead me.  After all, it’s their story.  They seldom steer me wrong.

Lisa M. Collins: What is your daily writing like?

Karina Fabian: There’s no pattern, but I begin with my paying assignments, then try to write fiction every day, market my books, and of course, tend to writers’ groups I’m in and help out other friend writers.  I also spend far too much time on Facebook.  When I write, I usually prefer the computer, but for my latest novel, Mind Over All, I seem to return to the notebook time and again.  I do usually imagine scenes at night or in the shower.

Lisa M. Collins: Are you a full time writer?

Karina Fabian: I’m a full-time writer.  I am not earning the wages of a full-time writer…or a full-time anything.  *shrug*  My wonderful husband keeps us sheltered and fed.

Lisa M. Collins: Can you tell us about your experience working with your current publisher? (Any other publishers?) (And/Or your self-publishing experiences?)

Karina Fabian: I have been blessed with multiple publishers, and each has helped me improve as a writer.  They’ve all been supportive of my books, and some have encouraged me to write a second or more of a character they’ve particularly enjoyed.

I’ve just started in the self-publishing adventure.  I’m going to begin with novellas and such—things that are harder to find a home for.  If I’m enjoying it, I might branch into doing some of my novels.  However, I believe strongly in the power of a good publisher, so I will continue to shop some of my books around and to stick with publishers I have for certain of my books or lines.

Lisa M. Collins: What is your current release and (without spoilers) tell us about the new book or series.

Karina Fabian: The latest book out is Live and Let Fly, which stars Stan Rakness.  Here’s the video with him in it:

This takes place in my DragonEye universe, and Stan joins Vern, a dragon, and Sister Grace, a magic-wielding nun from Faerie, as they take on a demigod intent on destroying our world.  It’s a 007 spoof and a laugh a page.

The novelette, Greater Treasures, comes out around April 19 on Kindle, and is a serious DragonEye story.  One thing I love about these characters and this universe—they have stories that run from slapstick to noir.

In September, my next novel, Mind Over Psyche, comes out from DragonMoon books.  It’s the second in the Mind Over trilogy.

Lisa M. Collins: Can you tell us about some of your other writing and any appearances or signings that you have planned?

Karina Fabian: In May, I’m having a huge, month-long book tour for Greater Treasures.  I’ll be doing interviews and guest posts—as is my main character, Vern—and we’ll be giving away prizes of e-books or grab bags from Vern’s warehouse.  You’ll find the details at here.

This year, I got the fabulous opportunity to participate in a project to make the saints better known to people.  Saint Connection gives readers a series of blogs written as if by the saint himself or herself.  I love this job on many levels.  I learn more about my Catholic heritage; I connect with these wonderfully holy people of the past; and I get to exercise my writing skills in a new way.  The website should be going live soon, if it isn’t by the time of this posting.

Lisa M. Collins: As an author what inspiration or advice would you give to a writer who is working to make the transition to Author?

Karina Fabian: Write.  Edit. Get critiques. Revise. Submit.  Accept rejection—it’s not personal.  Repeat until you sell or decide that being a plumber is more fulfilling.

Lisa M. Collins: Who is your favorite author, and can you recommend a book by that author?

Karina Fabian: Douglas Adams, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.  (If you saw the Disney movie, but not read the book, you are missing out!)

Lisa M. Collins: Thank you Karina!

If you would like more information about Karina Fabian you can find her books on Amazon, and updates about her writing on Twitter, Facebook and on her website.

Personal website

Dragon eye PI

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Gears of War 3…Clay Carmine…Lives or Dies? [spoilers]

I have listened to the “Carmine MUST die” podcast many times, 
just to be sure that I understand the reasoning of sixokay & weezul.

As a writer, I can understand the methodology of the argument for the death of Clay Carmine.

Paraphrased sixokay:

All of the Carmines have died, 
so Clay should as well. 
The Carmines represent the 
fragility of humanity, 
so Clay should die. 
If the Carmines do not die 
then nothing is at stake 
for the main characters of 
the story. Also if Clay Carmine 
dies then perhaps even our 
heroes might die.

sixokay’s Twitter comment to me (coolvstar650) quoted with permission.

“@coolvstar650 lol, alright. I’m gonna make @weezul talk about this with me in an episode of @15MinutesOfGame . . .#CarmineMustDie”

“@coolvstar650 You’re a writer, and you want Carmine to live? Giving up all the symbolic value that the word “Carmine” has in Gears? Booooo.”

I do understand the meaning of the word/name Carmine: a vivid red; resembling the color of blood; created from crushed insects.

From a writer’s perspective I must look at the idea of a trilogy. In most three part acts of fantasy and science fiction you have three ideas that are the overarching theme of each book (or for this discussion, game installment). Generally these themes can be boiled down to these basic ideas:

1. Act one, An intrepid band of heroes meet insurmountable evil and devise a plan to hold that evil at bay, and do so.
2. Act two, Our band of heroes take their plans to the next level—defeat the plague of evil in the land. By the end of the story they may actually believe that they have accomplished their goals, but in the end the campaign is an epic fail, even if evil has been put at bay once more. Our band of heroes must have lost their innocent notions of easy victory and deeply feel loss.
3. Act three, By this time our heroes are worn, possibly desperate, damaged mentally and physically, and most definitely ticked off. This is when they get down to the business at hand and stomp out the evil once and for all.

I believe that Clay Carmine should live.

In act three of the trilogy our band of heroes must rally and although the Carmines in the game have been more like the red-shirts in Star Trek. I think that Clay being the bearer of the memory of Anthony and Benjamin must live in order to preserve that memory. Also as the representative of the “fragility of humanity” Clay must also show the other side of humanity. The side that says, “The line must be drawn here! This far, no further! And I will make them pay for what they’ve done.” [Keeping with Star Trek]

As far as the writing and development issues, those can be overcome and should be. [I am not saying it will be easy.] Going back to the idea of the three act theme. The third act of a trilogy is usually the hardest to write. It is time to bring out your best work, the big guns, if you will and finish the time line  taking your audience on a whirlwind fast paced adventure where ultimately humanity prevails.

Letting Clay Carmine live does not preclude that bad things will not or should not happen to him. They should! Clay, just like humanity must be knocked down, think that all is lost, then pick himself up by the bootstraps and show evil what he and all of the Carmines (humanity) are made of far firmer stuff.

Gears Of War 3: Highlight with your mouse over the black box for the spoiler or go to 5:25 on the video. If you dare!

Clay Carmine Lives!