Jade McCulloch Interview

In what genre do you write for the most part? 

I like to write science fiction, horror, and urban fantasy

Give us a brief synopsis of your book(s) 

Right now I only have one book out, Zombie Bite. It’s about a young woman, named Zoey, who is trying to save a loved one from infection. I had planned to do a while series of books in that universe, but I’m not sure now. I may just write a sequel or spin off.

When did you start writing? 

As soon as I could hold a pencil. I remember really enjoying the writing assignments that the teachers gave me. I think I always have enjoyed storytelling.

What inspired you to write? 

I used to watch the show Ghost Writer and there was an episode where they enter a story writing contest. I saw how much fun they had writing and it kind of lead to me writing a lot as a child. I also had a lot of fun reading Goosebumps books and watching the tv show, so I think that played a part.

If your books were made into a movie, who would play the roles? 

I didn’t really picture actors when I wrote my novel. I kind of just pictured the characters as their own people, and they came to life. I think if any of my books ever get made into movies I would like unknown actors and actresses playing the characters. I don’t really want the story to be outshined by star power.

What would be your choice for a superpower? 

You mean I can only have one? I think I would choose time travel. If I had a bad day or something I could just press reset.

Who is your favorite author? 

That’s a hard question for me because I like so many! Charlaine Harris would be one of my favorites. I really enjoyed most of the Sookie Stackhouse series and have read her Harper series too. I love Jeff Lindsay’s Dexter books. It seems like he can get me to laugh on one page and then gross me out on the next. Jeaniene Frost is also one of my favorites. She actually gave me advice when I started seriously considering a career as a writer.

What are you reading now? 

I actually haven’t read anything in a while. I have trouble reading while I am writing, but the next book I plan to read will be The Bladesmith by HP Mallory. I am also searching for some good spooky reads.

Who is your favorite character to write? 

I think it would have to be whoever I am currently writing. When I started writing Zombie Bite I really enjoyed writing Zoey. I loved giving her lines like, “You look like Carrie on prom night.” I didn’t like writing her as much towards the middle and end of the novel, but not because I didn’t like her, because she had gone through things that had damaged her and the damaged really started to show. Right now I am writing two new main characters, one name Anyssa and one named Kenzie. I really prefer writing Kenzie because I feel like she’s more relatable. I feel like she pushes a lot of people away and everyone can relate to a time when they have shut people out of their lives.

Do you have a writing process? 

Usually I keep lots of notebooks handy for when I have an idea and end up writing whole scenes in them. I transfer it to a word document later and some stuff gets cut out while other stuff gets added. I also text message myself ideas a lot of the time.

What do you do when you aren’t writing? 

I have a youtube channel where I play video games.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author? 

Don’t rush your novels. Wait until they feel ready.

What sets your books apart from others of the genre? 

It’s a really dark look at people who have lived among zombies.

What method do you use to publish your books for those of us who might not know how? 

Right now I have my novel in kindle and nook, but I plan to have a paperback from createspace after I figure out what I want to do with it.

Where can we find you on social media?
My blog
My amazon author page
Twitter
My youtube

Visit me on my AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE to borrow any of my books for FREE!

Best-selling author of Wake the Dead! On Amazon Kindle here!

All Artwork and covers of my works by William J. Kenney & Carlos Cara

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2014 unless otherwise noted.

Paul Chaplin Interview

To begin, tell me a little more about you....

I’m 49 and still a kid! I was born and raised on the outskirts of London, England. I hated school but loved English and History. My working background is mainly in office and administration, but I now have a part time job filling shelves and stocking the warehouse, which I love! I have a very patient wife and four cats and tortoise!

Tell us about your books/ Which genre do you consider your books to be?
My first book is a Science Fiction set story inspired by a 1970’s tv show called Blakes’7. One particular episode gave me an idea! Sadly it took me twenty odd years to get around to trying to write it. A Clone Legacy is about a lonely middle aged guy who embarks on a journey of discovery. He quickly finds out you are never too old to learn. My second book is a Murder/Mystery and Thriller of a sort. A Dark Persecution was inspired by a nightmare and shows what could happen if you were forced to confront all the people from your past that you have forgotten because you didn’t like them and then of course things turn sinister and fatal. My third A Clone Sacrifice is a return to science fiction and continues the story of book one, where the odds of survival have reduced and some harsh choices have to be made.

When did you start writing?
I didn’t start writing until late 2012. I was in between jobs and just thought I would have a go. I will admit to quite a few false starts but once I got going the story played like a film in my head all I had to do was get it down on to the laptop. I really enjoyed the process and I was hooked.

Why do you write?
I write because I love it. Someone asked me recently what keeps me doing it nearly every day and I just asked “How else do I find out what happens!”

What would be your choice for a superpower?
Definitely to fly, uncomplicated travel although my terrible sense of direction could be an issue.

Who is your favorite author?
Agatha Christie, I wish I could write like her! I have so much respect for the way she constructs her plots.

What are you reading now?
One Evil Act by Elizabeth George

Who is your favourite character to write about?
I created a new species in my Sci-Fi books called the Drakna and they are a lot more intelligent than the humans.

Do you have a writing process?
Yes, I plot plan with a series of events in a timeline (roughly) and then simply write to fill in the gaps and link up the events.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?
Take your time and don’t rush any part of the process. Plus get people lined up to read it before you start writing, the more the better.

What inspired you to pursue writing?
I was given real determination to continue by some family and friends expressing their belief that I couldn’t write.

What are your favorite TV shows/Movies to watch in between writing?

Blacklist & Blindspot & Wallander and 100 Code. Movies would be Star Wars, Star Trek and The Equaliser.

What are your current projects?
Stupidly I’m trying to write two books one after the other! I have plot planned my third Science Fiction book A Clone Evolution and then I will return to the Murder/Mystery and Thriller genre with A Bright Circle of Darkness where a few characters from A Dark Persecution will return in a new and different story.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to readers?
I would love them to try my Science Fiction even if it’s not one of their favoured genres because I think and hope mine is a little different and should have a wider appeal.

Quick Fire:
Cats or dogs? Cats
Coffee or tea? Coffee
Favourite food? Steak
Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream? Vanilla
What are 3 things you never leave home without? Watch, Sun Glasses and Injection (Diabetic)
Laptop or desktop? Laptop
Who are 3 famous people you would want to hang out with? Emma Watson, George Lucas and J J Abrams
TV or Movies? Movies

Visit me on my AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE to borrow any of my books for FREE!

Best-selling author of Wake the Dead! On Amazon Kindle here!

All Artwork and covers of my works by William J. Kenney & Carlos Cara

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2014 unless otherwise noted.

Rae Elliott Interview

Tell us about your books/What genre do you consider them?
I write mostly in the Fantasy, Science Fiction, and YA genres.

When did you start writing? 

As long as I can remember I've been writing, but if I had to narrow it down, I’d say my first memory hits on the age of six.

Why do you write? 

Because it is my undying passion. I cannot imagine not writing, and I wouldn’t be whole if I couldn’t express my thoughts, my views, through stories and characters that speak to other readers. I know it is my strong suit, but I feel it is more than just a hobby.

What would be your choice for a superpower? 

I think I would be a morpher or body changer, so that I could become anything that suits the occasion, or the need.

Who is your favorite author? 

 Man that is a really tough one. I have a huge nostalgia-inducing pull towards J.R.R Tolkien, but I often love how F. Scott Fitzgerald puts a really beautiful and unique perspective on a person or the world in just a few words.

What are you reading now? 

Unfortunately, nothing too fantastical. Really, just indie author homework. How to Market Ebooks, gain loyal readership- those sort of books. And quite a few at a time.

Who is your favorite character to write? 

My favorite character I have written thus far has to be my main female character in my science fiction novel Fractured. Queen Darphina. She is a battered wife and mother, but she shows complete selflessness and unwavering bravery in the face of a man who could kill her and their beloved children with ease. That man being her husband, King Magnus.

Do you have a writing process? 

My writing process usually goes like this: I have a wild idea, begin writing it down right away, maybe even making it five or six chapters in, and then once the writing spree is over, I look it all over again. By that point I re-flesh the whole thing out, organize it, and change up a mess of things, including major edits like character or chapter cuts. Then I typically read it to a willing ear, usually my husband, and he helps me flesh out the ideas a bit better. That process gets repeated.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?

 The writing advice I can give other authors is the same question that guides me with every book I create: "Why does your reader care?" If your reader does not care about your characters and what happens to them, then you have no audience no matter what genre you write in.

What inspired you to pursue writing? 

The fact that I have always loved writing stories and found that it was my strong suit. Over anything else I have ever done, my love and passion always comes back to writing stories. I knew I had to try to make some kind of a career off of it, and even if it doesn’t go anywhere, at least I shared my story with a few people out there.

What are your favorite TV shows/Movies to watch in between writing? 

Oh man. This list is too long for words but I’ll sum it up. Favorite shows: Freaks and Geeks, The Blacklist, Gilmore Girls, Criminal Minds, Downton Abbey, Sherlock, Doctor Who, Parks and Recreation, Broadchurch. And, a few movie faves include: The Lord of the Rings Series, Gladiator, Frequency, Forest Gump, The Planet of The Apes, Brave, Ever After, Wall-E, The Count of Monte Cristo, Man of Steel, and the list could go on.

What are your current projects? 

I am always in the middle of a few different projects, but to narrow it down I'm in the final editing stage of two different books. One is the first in a Fantasy/thriller/YA series called "Treefell: Legend of the Wood", and the next is a how-to-guide for indie authors about marketing their work on Pinterest to their advantage.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to readers? 

I hope you enjoy my books, each story is meant to speak a very real problem one and all have either faced ourselves or have seen the results of. I think a lesson can be learned from each character and what course they choose, in the face of real, relatable problems.



Quick Fire:Cats or dogs? Always Dogs.
Coffee or tea? Tea
Favorite food? Thai food.
Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream? Chocolate
What are 3 things you never leave home without? My wallet, my phone, and my Nintendo 3DS.
Laptop or desktop? Laptop

Visit me on my AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE to borrow any of my books for FREE!

Best-selling author of Wake the Dead! On Amazon Kindle here!

All Artwork and covers of my works by William J. Kenney & Carlos Cara

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2014 unless otherwise noted.

Jeff Roberts Interview

I've recently had the pleasure of meeting Jeffrey Roberts, writer of science fiction, fantasy, horror and comedy. Author of THE HEALER. Jeff, thanks for stopping by and sharing with the readers of the blog over here and best of luck moving forward. So, let's discover some info about Jeff....

First off, tell us a little bit about you

I was born in New York City on 2/24/1949. I attended Northern Arizona University, in Flagstaff, AZ, where I received degrees in writing and American history. I’m an advocate of disclosing the truth about UFO’s; I’m an airplane freak, and I’ve lived in Tucson, AZ for 4 years, having moved from my hometown of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Tell us about your books/What genre do you consider them? 

 I write science fiction, horror, fantasy, and comedy/fantasy.

When did you start writing? 

I started writing in college.

Why do you write? 

To create worlds that never were – but might; characters that never existed – but could; and strange situations in this life- and others that can only be imagined.

What would be your choice for a superpower? 

I think perhaps either invisibility, or the power of teleportation.

Who is your favorite author? 

 I have no 1 favorite author, but several come to mind: Ray Bradbury, James Thurber, Thornton Wilder, Arthur C. Clarke, Ray Bradbury – and I kind of like me, at the risk of sounding conceited!


What are you reading now? 

Nothing right now. Too busy writing and promoting.

Who is your favorite character to write? 

The underdog, the iconoclast that saves the day and gains new found respect.

Do you have a writing process? 

 I write in long hand first, on black & white composition books, where I edit ceaselessly until it looks like I’ve hemorrhaged all over it. Then I transfer the final version to my computer, on WORD 2007.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author? 

Buy all the books you can about the craft of writing, study them—then toss them in the garbage! Because if you follow them to the letter, your book will end up bloodless, like a dry textbook. And it will read like everyone else that did the exact same thing! Do you think Hemingway or Steinbeck followed all the rules? Hardly. They had their “Own voice”. Develop your own voice, your own style! March to the beat of a different drummer, and you’ll be remembered for it!

What inspired you to pursue writing? 

Hard to say. My Dad was a writer for radio after the war. Perhaps creativity is genetic. I reasoned that since I didn’t have the math skills to be an astronautical engineer with NASA, I would use the one mental gift I did have, a creative mind- to write stories that challenge the imagination.

What are your favorite TV shows/Movies to watch in between writing? 

Sleepy Hollow, Grimm, Constantine, Supernatural, Scorpion, and Ghost Adventures, to name a few. Plus the History and Travel channel.

What are your current projects? 

My next book, a fantasy entitled IN THE SHADOW OF THE HOUSE OF GOD, should be out in about a month, and I’m working on a horror novel, THE HORROR ON THE HMS COTTINGLY.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to readers? 

Please buy THE HEALER, by Jeffrey G. Roberts! It is a 5-star science fiction novel whose plot has never been done before!


Quick Fire: Cats or dogs? Cats, but I adore puppies, and all animals.
Coffee or tea? Coffee, but I enjoy tea also.
Favorite food? Anything that doesn’t eat me first! But out of many things, probably steak and pizza.
Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream? Definitely chocolate.
What are 3 things you never leave home without? My clothes, my wallet, and my phone.
Laptop or desktop? Laptop, a HP 2000.
Who are 3 famous people you would to hang out with? Nikola Tesla, Capt. Glenn Edwards, for whom Edwards A.F.B. was named after, and scientist Dr. Thomas Townshend Brown, who experimented with electrostatic propulsion in the 50’s.
TV or Movies? TV.

Visit me on my AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE to borrow any of my books for FREE!

Best-selling author of Wake the Dead! On Amazon Kindle here!

All Artwork and covers of my works by William J. Kenney & Carlos Cara

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2014 unless otherwise noted.

Neil Sehmbhy Interview

First off, tell us a little bit about you, Neil...
Well I'm 34 this year I think. I stopped counting at 30. I live in UK near Birmingham with my wife and two children. I work as a senior manager for a hospitality company and in my spare time when I'm not writing I climb.

Tell us about your books/What genre do you consider your books?
I have three books that are either completed or works in progress. The first is due to be published later this month in April which is a collection of short short stories and flash fiction which will be released by a new label The Penguins Head publishing.
Then I have a young adult Sci Fi / Fantasy fusion novel based on the adventures of a boy who falls into a hadron collider that is currently undergoing the editing process and a trilogy of Fantasy books that I am currently working on based Finnish mythology. This series I'm really excited about as I'm looking to twist a 14th century tale into a modern fantasy trilogy.

When did you start writing? 
I've always written on and off but I seriously started writing 16 months ago. Tired of hearing me moan about wanting to be an author, my wife enrolled me onto an all night writing workshop. I really enjoyed it and wanted to carry on writing.

Why do you write? 
For me its a release, I am forever day dreaming and creating new worlds in my head but when I write them down the stories just seem to flow. Writing has no limitations on what you can create it's freedom personified.

What would be your choice for a superpower?
Tough question. If I had to pick just one I would have to pick supersonic speed.

Who is your favorite author? 
Robert Jordan without a shadow of a doubt. I loved the world he created and I loved how his characters created an instant connection with the reader. Plus taking on an 10 plus book series takes serious guts.

What are you reading now? 
I'm reading Kafka on the Beach by Hiroshima Murikamyi

Who is your favorite character to write? 
My favorite character is my main protagonist in my trilogy Kullervi. He has the right mix of darkness and light in his persona which makes for an interesting character. Kullervo is one of many in my series of what I call grey characters. These types of characters are complex creatures lile all people and arw capable of heroic deeds and acts of pure selfishness. Everyone has an agenda just like the real world.

Do you have a writing process? 
Yes I tend to quite thorough in my preparation creating a world building bible or reference book. In this I will try and write down everything I think will be relevant, factions, politics, trade, conflicts, currencies, character profiles and plot time lines. It's an evolving document but once it's down then I juust write and story unfolds. From experience I have learnt to finish the story and then edit as to reduce any continuity errors

What advice would you give to an aspiring author? 
Always be prepared to learn, write everyday and don't be afraid to ask for critique. If you really want to write and produced decent work then you need to be prepared for people's opinions and understand that you're only as good as your last piece.

What inspired you to pursue writing?
I've always been a voracious reader especially Sci Fi / Fantasy. There's only so much 9-5 work you can do before you want to get lost in another world. If I wrote I have an opportunity to share my world's and my tales.

What are your favorite TV shows/Movies to watch in between writing?
My son and I are huge comic book fans so anything Marvel and DC. We are addicted to Agents of Shield at the moment but equally I love The Walking Dead, abd Falling Skies. Oh and of course Game of Thrones.

What are your current projects?
Currently I am working on a dark and humorous zombie novella, my fantasy series Sunder and a standalone fantasy novel called Hidden Skies.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to readers?
Everyone is busy nowadays so make use of technology to blog, write and post articles on the road or whenever you have a spare half an hour. If you set yourself goals and targets for writing and then allow yourself mini rewards you will find it easier to keep a firm discipline. Work ethic is key. Oh and watch out for my books and short stories being released this year and please Google me to see some of my work already out there.


Quick Fire:Cats or dogs? Dogs
Coffee or tea? Coffee
Favorite food? Pasta Carbonara
Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream? Errrm Chocolate
What are 3 things you never leave home without? My keys, my phone and a pen
Laptop or desktop? Laptop
Who are 3 famous people you would to hang out with? Stephen Hawkings, Robert Downey Jr and Morgan Freeman
TV or Movies? Movies

Visit me on my AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE  & my SMASHWORDS PAGE!

Best-selling author of Wake the Dead!  On Amazon Kindle here!

All Artwork and covers of my works by William J. Kenney & Carlos Cara

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2014 unless otherwise noted.

Laura Oneale Interview

I met Sci-Fi/Fantasy/YA author Laura Oneale recently and she agreed to an interview. The following is a taste of what makes Lara tick...

First off, tell us a little bit about you

 I am Laura Oneale, from Johannesburg, South Africa. I work as a financial manager and write novels as my favorite past time. I have three sons, all uniquely talented and proud of them.

Tell us about your books/What genre do you consider your books? 

Young Adult / Fantasy / Science Fiction. The Anglurian Story, Book 1 – Sipho and the Star Pearl / Book 2 – Sipho and the Golden Nails – It’s the story of three hybrid children who join forces with aliens to eliminate evil on earth. Their travels take them to exciting places around the world, as they battle demons.

When did you start writing? 

As a teenager, we had no computers, TV's or phones; it was the library and books only.

Why do you write? 

I love the ability to be able to express and capture my imagination into words. Getting lost within my mind is wonderful.

What would be your choice for a superpower?

 An Alien or another Margaret Thatcher

Who is your favorite author? 

Stephen King

What are you reading now? 

Steve Jobs autobiography

Who is your favorite character to write?

 Zerydo, the alien/spirit being scientist who has many hidden talents

Do you have a writing process?

 Yes, just start writing and once the first word is written the others seem to flow easy.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?

 Don’t give up on your dreams. Perseverance is the key and believe in yourself.

What inspired you to pursue writing?

 Charles Dickens

What are your favorite TV shows/Movies to watch in between writing?

 World news and Come Dine with Me, British series

What are your current projects?

 Busy with Book three in the series of the Anglurian Story

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to readers?

 Don’t stop reading, it’s the most inspiring, educational activity to do.



Quick Fire:Cats or dogs? Dogs
Coffee or tea? Tea
Favorite food? Pasta
Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream? Chocolate
What are 3 things you never leave home without? Glasses, Lipstick and mints
Laptop or desktop? Laptop
Who are 3 famous people you would to hang out with? Bill Gates, Cher and Prince Charles
TV or Movies? Movies

Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All Artwork and covers of my works by William J. Kenney

Visit my AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Also, please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2013 unless otherwise noted.

Madeline Dyer Interview

I have been remiss in keeping up with my interviews and postings as my wife has had another Seizure (she has been diagnosed with epilepsy since last August) and I have been taking care of her this past week. However, I have received budding interest in authors wanting to be interviewed and the well-versed author, Madeline Dyer, was kind enough to volunteer to be interviewed. The following is the result of the Q&A! Enjoy!


First off, tell us a little bit about youHi! My name's Madeline and I love to write fantasy and science fiction. I live on a farm in Devon, England where I co-run a miniature Shetland Pony stud. Currently, I'm studying for a degree in English Literature so I haven't got as much time to write as I'd like, but I'm still managing to fit some in!

Tell us about your books/What genre do you consider your books?I mainly write fantasy and science fiction novels and short stories for a young adult and adult market, however, I also write nonfiction animal-care books too. All my fictional work is traditionally-published, but I self-publish my nonfiction.

When did you start writing? Now, this is a tricky question because I can't really remember a time when I wasn't writing! When I was in primary school (aged nine or ten) I remember we had to each write a short story, and I loved doing this. We wrote our stories by hand, then had to type them up (which I was very excited about, as we weren't often allowed into the IT suite). When I was typing my story up, I took about three times as long as the other people in my class—my teacher got a little annoyed about this—as I kept finding parts that needed changing, or I wanted to add in new parts. Now, I realise this was the process of me editing it and revising the content, something which our teacher didn't ask us to do.

I suppose it was from this sort of age that I started actually writing (as in writing stories that I tried to finish), though with my dad being a writer, I've been exposed to the world of storytelling and literature ever since I was born.

Why do you write? I write because I love writing. Quite simple really! For me, writing has this amazing power; just by putting a handful of words together you can create incredible characters, powerful emotions and fantastic new worlds where anything can happen. I suppose that writing, for me, is a form of escapism.

What would be your choice for a superpower?I love this question! I think I'd like to be able to write stuff down, just by thinking about it. Just imagine it, I could save so much time! Although, I would also like to be able to teleport to places too... That would be cool.

Who is your favorite author? My favourite (yes, I use the UK spelling!) author at the moment probably has to be Richelle Mead, author of the Vampire Academy series, Dark Swan novels and Bloodlines novels. I love the depth that her books have, how realistic her characters are, and how intricate and beautifully-developed the plots are.

What are you reading now? I've actually just finished reading The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey, (which I absolutely loved and highly recommend), so am in the transitory period from one book to another. Next on my to-read pile of books is L.A Weatherly's Angel Fever.

Who is your favorite character to write? My favourite character to write is Jade from my Spirit Of Fire series. These books are written in the first person narrative from Jade's point of view, so I can really get stuck in her head. She's quite confident, but is flawed and struggles with her identity at times. Having said that she's my favourite character, I also love her twin-brother Jack. He's more aggressive than Jade, and very protective of her and their other sister, but he has some pretty witty dialogue which I love writing!

Do you have a writing process? Yes! I'm a planner. I have to plan what I'm going to write before I write it, yet I can't do too much planning, else I lose inspiration, Typically, I make notes on the plot's arc and the characters (because characters are hugely important for me, as they drive the plot) and then go straight into writing the first draft, attempting to write the scenes in a chronological order. Often, as I'm writing, I discover more about my characters and their lives, which can then be further developed in additional drafts.

My first drafts tend to be pretty messy, so the second and third drafts are for cleaning them up and adding in the 'logical' parts. Then I go onto editing and revising, looking for the continuity errors. At this point, I also start writing a rough synopsis. Then it's the final edits and changes.

Typically, a book of mine has six drafts (this was certainly the case for Spirit Of Fire and Untamed).

What advice would you give to an aspiring author? 
Just to write. And write because you want to write, not because you're told to write. Write because you love writing too, not because you want to make money (though if you sell a book, it is a nice bonus!).

What inspired you to pursue writing?I've just always loved reading and writing. As a child/teenager, I read some incredible books (The Railway Children, Winnie-the-Pooh, Five Children and It, Harry Potter, Vampire Academy, Clan of The Cave Bear, Twilight, The Hunger Games, Divergent, Slated...) and I just wanted to write my own stories!

What are your favorite TV shows/Movies to watch in between writing?I love fantasy and science fiction TV and movies! Recently, I saw The Host (adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's novel of the same name) and loved it, finding it really inspirational. I also regularly watch science fiction and fantasy TV series, such as Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, Doctor Who and Merlin (when it was on!).

What are your current projects?I'm currently working on the second Spirit Of Fire book, Blood Of The Phoenix. At 67,000 words, I'm just over halfway through and am loving it! I've also recently finished the editing process of Untamed, which is now being queried to agents/publishers, and having written the first drafts of the next two books in the Untamed series, I'm also outlining the fourth and final novel. And I have another project that's just beginning to form in my mind too (a YA paranormal thriller) which I'm very excited about.

Nonfiction wise, I'm working on the fifth Mad On Animals book.

And, as always, I've got several short stories on the go.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to readers?I'm not sure how many people are aware of this, but a lot of my short stories are published online as well as in eBook and paperback format in anthologies. On the fiction page of my website, I have a section for short stories at the bottom of the page where I list all my short stories, and provide links to these stories to the publishers' sites, where you can read them for free!

If you've read any of my work, I'd love to hear from you! I can be contacted directly through the contact page on my website (MadelineDyer.co.uk) or through Twitter: @MadelineDyerUK


Quick Fire:
Cats or dogs? Cats!
Coffee or tea? Tea (so long as it's peppermint!)
Favorite food? Pizza!
Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream? Vanilla—no contest!
What are 3 things you never leave home without? My phone, my iPod and a notebook (or sometimes my laptop, if I'm taking a bigger bag).
Laptop or desktop? Laptop.
Who are 3 famous people you would to hang out with? Richelle Mead, Rick Yancey and L.A Weatherly.
TV or Movies? TV.

Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All Artwork and covers of my works by William J. Kenney

Visit my AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Also, please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

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All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2013 unless otherwise noted.

The Nicolas Wilson Interview

I ran into Nicolas Wilson just the other day in my search for new authors. Nic is a speculative fiction/thriller/Sci-Fi writer and was kind enough to give an interview! Here is how that went...

First off, tell us a little bit about you~I've been writing for half my life. In that time I worked as a journalist for a couple of years, which I recently collected into an ebook, free on Smashwords. I started seriously publishing last summer, and my first two novels are out, along with a handful of short story collections. I've got six more novels in various stages of editing.

Tell us about your books/What genre do you consider your books?I tend to dabble, and mix genres. The two most consistent threads are probably science fiction and thrillers. I'll detail the projects that are out, now, and the one that should be out in the next couple of months.

Dag is a thriller mixing in elements of genetic engineering, following a low-level government employee caught up in a series of strange events that start to unravel a military-industrial conspiracy, and filling in her adoptive family of misfits, with mutants.

Whores is a speculative fiction story about women's rights. It's a bit like the Handmaid's Tale meets 1984, but with a proactive cast of heroes that are essentially terrorists, and act accordingly.

Nexus follows the crew of a generational arc ship, the second of its kind, send out amongst the cosmos to secure interplanetary mining rights. It's a bit like if the Enterprise's voyage was sponsored by Halliburton, and focuses on how the crew react to their company's ethical lapses (hint: it involves laser gun battles).

When did you start writing?I started writing back in middle school. I fell in with a literary crowd, and we started writing stories basically in the round. One person would add a sentence to carry the story forward. We had terrible ground rules, so as often as not I'd spend my sentence trying to undo the damage of the last to make the story somewhat coherent, after someone tried to completely nuke it.

  Why do you write? That is an excellent question. I could be flip and say, “Because real work is hard,” but that would be disingenuous, since I've always had to have a day job. I think it's because I'm compelled. Part of it is that I'm a shy person, in person, so I don't express myself often, and even when I do, I do it inarticulately. So I think I'm pent up, with a lot I'd like to say.

What would be your choice for a superpower?Easy, particularly for a comic nerd like myself. Superspeed. It seems like I've never got enough time. As an example, I've got one novel written for every five I've outlined in detail. And I'm still working through editing a backlog of novels. I've cut back my writing schedule until I get the novels I have written published.

Who is your favorite author? That's tough. Amy Hempel has probably the prettiest prose I've ever read. Elmore Leonard writes some of the most complicated plots with some of the wittiest dialog. But I think I have to go with Hunter S. Thompson. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is still my desert island book.

What are you reading now? The Dragonbone Chair. My wife insists that I read it before I start my own fantasy story, which I'm shooting for starting early next year and publishing in regular, possibly quarterly novellas.

Who is your favorite character to write?Pawn, from the Necromancer's Gambit (one of those as-yet unpublished drafts). He's definitely the story's butt-monkey, and he's a racist, sexist, bigoted mess of a human being- so you don't feel too bad when he gets kicked around. But he's a bit like a puppy- repeatedly kicked, and he's got some bite to him, and I think a human, relatable core, despite how frequently horrible he is.

Do you have a writing process?
I tend to outline a lot. And because of my hectic schedule, my outlines battle it out like reality TV show contestants, until the sluttiest story is left standing when the next hole opens up. I still write and publish stories sequentially on my blog, but these days I usually write in binges. As an example, I just wrote my first erotic novella, which I'm still mulling whether or not I'll ever publish. It's 25 pages and I wrote it over the Memorial Day weekend. The rest of the process is about editing, I do a draft, and pass it to my wife, who is also my editor- and the cruelest, most ruthless editor I've ever had, bar none (and I love her for it. Remember that, honey, when you're proofreading this!)- until we start passing back and forth drafts with almost no changes in them. That's when we know we're rearranging the deck furniture. The editing process sounds pretty quaint, there, but it represents 80% of my writing time- so it's easily the most substantial part.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author? Stick with it. Writing is hard. And the editing is even harder. And odds are really terrible that you'll ever be able to make it into a career.

But if you love it? It's worth it. It's worth it if you only ever reach a few hundred readers. Hell. For me it was worth it when I was publishing first drafts of everything on my blog. And now, it's infinitely more gratifying getting positive feedback from the community.

But if you want that feedback- put in the work. The difference between a decent draft and a good one is thorough and ruthless editing- which you can't do alone. If you find a good editor, marry them. It'll save you a fortune later. But know that you should be your own harshest critic. You're the only one who can murder your darlings- and knowing which ones to cull is the toughest part about writing- but it will also make your story better.

What inspired you to pursue writing?I don't know if anything did. Poe inspired me to get a day job, because pursuing writing turned an already miserable life into a tragedy.

But I guess if I had to pick I'd say Hunter S. Thompson. His work really showed me that good writing- and good journalism- could have a point of view, and a soul, without abandoning its principles. It didn't have to be a gutless, view-pointless blob like a lot of modern entertainment and news is. And it's not even like I think Thompson changed anything- but it's pushing for what's right- and that's important to me.

What are your favorite TV shows/Movies to watch in between writing?I watch TV and movies for the writerly aspects. I love a good plot. But because I can write it off on my intellectual taxes as research, I especially gravitate towards strongly written dialog. Deadwood's dialog is wonderful, and vile.

But as for things I watch for myself? We just finished binging on the latest season of Arrested Development. I can't believe the way they end it- and with the movie probably a year or more away, too. Argh.

And I'm so incredibly thrilled Community is back for another season- and with Dan Harmon back in charge of the ship. That's my two favorite showrunners back helming their very singular and personal projects. I'm kind of not used to this much good news, entertainment wise.

I'm a little sad Futurama got canceled a second time- though I'm fairly optimistic at this point that it'll end up someplace else.

What are your current projects?My current projects:

I'm working on Nexus for publication sometime in the next couple of months.

I've got another couple short story collections which will be out in the next month, exclusively on Amazon.

And in the next couple of weeks I'm going to tackle Old Glory, a novella about a grandson tasked with retrieving the family's Confederate battle flag for his dying grandmother.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to readers?Thanks. I'm still new enough to this that I'm humbled that anyone would want to read an interview, or that people would read my work. So thanks. If you want to get a taste of my work, you can try my website: play around in the archives, or grab one of the short story collections. My first one, Ghost Dust, is free everywhere, including Amazon.


Quick Fire:
Cats or dogs?Cats, generally. I have both, and love both. But with dogs I always feel like they want more love and attention than I give them. With cats it's the inverse.

Coffee or tea?Hmm... energy drink or a Coke are my preference. Green tea. Unless we're talking Frappuccino, and then Starbucks wins.

Favorite food?Potatoes. I love pizza, and burgers, which are certainly sexier. But over the last week I've eaten something like ten potatoes- and have another dozen cooked upstairs after the first batch didn't quite sate the craving. And just thinking about them, fried up with Italian or Mexican seasonings- I'm going to have to wrap this up to have breakfast.

Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream?Chocolate ice cream. White cake.

What are 3 things you never leave home without?My memory card, with backups of most of my writing. My laptop- most of the time I think I might have a second to get in the sneaky bit of writing. My PSP, to listen to music on, or have some TV on in the background, or for games, too.

Laptop or desktop?I prefer my laptop for most things. I'm typing this from bed. But anything more intensive- games, graphics, video- it's all about the desktop.

Who are 3 famous people you would to hang out with?Journalism taught me that meeting your heroes can be rough. That having been said, Adam West was damned amazing. So Adam West is a lock- he's just such a genuine and generous human being. I don't know that I could answer the other two. But it would have to be people who have that same quality, who remember their life before they were famous, and are gracious and kind. Bruce Campbell was kind of a pill in the written interview we did, but I met him once at a book signing, and he seemed exactly like that, like he loved and appreciated his fans to an almost masochistic degree. So I guess I'd say Bruce, too- with some minor trepidation. And I guess the only person who could round out those two would be Sam Raimi- who would be fascinating to spend time with- and as a bonus his presence would mean I wouldn't be the nerdiest guy there.

TV or Movies?TV. Movies have to simplify their characters, and rely on cliche and archetypes to outline ideas rather than explore them. TV has time to develop characters and ideas, and is far closer to novels- and far closer to real life.

 

Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!


Visit my AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Also, please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.

Daniel Zazitski Interview

Continuing with my interviews, I have a fellow writer that I have befriended on twitter and Facebook named Daniel Zazitski. He is a writer of an ongoing sci-fi series ~ The Amderesta The 3rd/4th Republic Series. 

Daniel, thanks for stopping by! Please tell us a little bit about you~

My name is Daniel Zazitski and I have lived in the southeastern part of NC my entire life. I’ve written a nine book scifi series within the last 12 years give or take a brief sabbatical from writing. I enjoyed company of a few cats, some of whom like to help with my writing. I also make regular visits to a coffee shop ran by a friend of mine where I’ve written most of my books.

Tell us about your books

Well, the nine books I have written and  published so far are all in the same book series and form an ongoing storyline. The Amderesta The 3rd/4th Republic Series basically depicts an intergalactic conflict centered around the 4th Amderestan Republic. I am currently writing the tenth book to my series and have started to write an online serial as well.

When did you start writing?

Honestly, I’d say around 2001, I proceeded to type up the first chapter of what is now Amderesta The 4th Republic #1. The NDEG Mission and set that aside. I wrote the first five chapters of Amderesta The 4th Republic #4 then proceeded to handwrite the rest of Amderesta The 4th Republic #1, all of Amderesta The 4th Republic #2, and Amderesta The 4th Republic #3, and the rest of 4.

Why do you write?

Basically, I love to write and want people to read what I write, hence the reason I’ve put my books out there.

Who is your favorite author?

Besides yourself, I’d say William J. Kenney, Tom Clancy, Charles Cumming,  and many others as well. Both indie and traditional published authors are in favorite author list.

What are you reading now?

Let’s see, I am reading Secrets of The Ebonite Mines, Shards of S’Darin, The Hobbit, The Spanish Game, and many other books.

Who is your favorite character to write?

That would have to be Jack Airian, he starts as in the first book as high-ranking politican and by book 7, he has become a freedom fighter against his government. He basically does a Bendict Arnold in my second book.

Do you have a writing process?

I normally write as I go along even though my series has an intended goal in mind. Anyone reading this will have to read my books in chronological order story-wise to find out what that is.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?

I’d tell them to keep writing and one day you could see yourself in print something, however you publish if you do is a lot of work. Just don’t give up and keep it at.

What inspired you to pursue writing?

I am not sure actually. I’ve had a love of writing from a very young age.

What are your favorite TV shows/Movies to watch in between writing?

Any Star Trek Series or movie, Star Wars, LOTR, actually this would take a entire blog post.

 Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here

See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.

Meinos Kaen Interview

I happened to speak with another writer on social media the other day. He is a relatively new writer in the Sci-Fi/YA/Superhero genre. Check out more about our friend in the following interview!

When did you start writing?

I have been writing since I was in grade school. I was already an avid reader thanks to my grandpa, and my Italian teacher then went and did something wonderful: she started reading to us The Story of A Seagull and The Cat Who Taught Her To Fly by Luis Sepulveda, in weekly episodes, acting out the voices of the whole cast. I still distinctly remember her rendition of the distraught seagull asking Zorba if they wanted to eat her. Soon after I started writing and then completed a thriller. Yes, a thriller in grade school. I was engrossed with this Disney comic called Mickey Mouse Mystery Magazine at the time. The final result was not bad, considering who wrote it. It had many ‘borrowed’ elements taken from M4 and even the Virtua Fighter anime, but I showed promise. The killer was a dog.

Why do you write?

To do what my grade school teacher did for me when I was a young kid. I want to write something that as many people as possible can enjoy and react to the same way I did to Sepulveda’s writing. I want them to be engrossed, to want to know what happens next as soon as possible, for their emotions to show clearly on their face as they go through the tale. To hate the villain and cheer for the hero, and like the story so much to rant about how it continues on Internet forums. You don’t get angry for something you don’t love, after all.

What would be your choice for a superpower?

Now, this is the question. I’m writing a book about super-humans after all. At the end of the day, though, I’ll always want to have the power of the character Forge, from the X-Men comics. For those not Marvel-educated, the guy can basically create anything he can think of. He thinks of a concept, he knows how to build a device to that effect. Endless possibilities. We’d need just one guy like that and half of what we write about wouldn't be just a dream anymore.

Who is your favorite author?

Really hard to choose. I have a favorite book -The Portrait of Dorian Grey- but it’s not exactly easy to compare the level and effectiveness of a fantasy author to that of a noir writer, for example. With all the genres I read... But, if I really have to choose one above everyone else, I’ll have to go with Neil Gaiman. His Sandman is maybe the best comic series ever created, and I love American Gods to death.

What are you reading now?

I’m reading the spin-off books for the Supernatural TV Series. I’m on the Boney Key by Keith R.A. DeCandido right now, and I’ve really enjoyed Witch Canyon by Jeff Mariotte.

Who is your favorite character to write?

Jason, the lead from my novel S-Class. He’s not only the center of the story, he’s the center of his little dysfunctional family. Writing about his interactions with the other characters and how he approaches new situations, problems and threats is always entertaining, although not always happy for the characters themselves. Also, I like putting in his mouth references that I wonder how many people will get. Like when he describes a certain mistake in a famous cult movie that made it into the final product.

"There! Did you see that?!" Jason hollered while the scene kept on playing on the screen. "In the reflection of the sunglasses, he was still sitting in a chair!"

Do you have a writing process?

Of course. Strictly concerning writing...

Step 1) Look for inspiration, but I don’t believe in ‘researching’ the perfect subject for a book. The basic idea for it has to come to you naturally, and it can arrive from the most unexpected sources. Like a conversation with a fellow writer about cats, of all things.

Step 2) Think and write down the scenes you’d like your story to have. The milestones, so to speak, that came with the basic idea. Example: if your idea is a story about ‘cats almost taking over the world’, the scene when they almost do so.

Step 3) Fill the empty space. Once you know what scenes you’d like to happen, go ahead and write everything that comes in-between them. This allows you to appoint yourself a goal and grants you enough flexibility to make even major changes to your plot.

Step 4) Check everything as many times as you need, especially when you make changes to your plot or your characters that may influence scenes you’ve already written.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?

Research your market. I haven’t at the beginning, and I’m only now catching up. Learn what an Author Platform is and build it. This goes double if you decide to go down the Indie Road.

What inspired you to pursue writing?

I’ve had many trysts with writing something original since that mishy-mashy thriller, but I never exactly brought it anywhere, no thanks to my once mole-habitat level of self-esteem. I stuck to Fanfiction. Then I read Eragon, back when it was a big deal. 2005, I believe? Anyway, I read the age when Paolini started writing the book. I was the same age as I read it. I told myself: ‘If he could do it, I can at least try.’ I was glad I did, even more so after I worked out all my self-esteem problems. If you can’t appreciate yourself, you’ll never appreciate the effort you put into your endeavors.

Tell us about your books

My first published book is called Proud Parents Blog. A Sci-Fi story set in a semi-dystopian future, where the whole of humanity has evolved following a never fully explained catastrophe that also wiped out almost the entirety of the planet’s digital data banks in a world which had almost completely turned to Cloud Computing. It focuses on a small group of people who, by chance, come together attracted by the contents of the titular blog, which forces them to face the various problems and mysteries of this new world and its new humanity, changed forever, and gets one of them caught up in a spiral of political intrigue.

Proud Parents Blog also acts as a prelude to S-Class, which will be my first major work, with a release date for March 2013. Set in the same world as Proud Parents Blog shortly after the events narrated in the first book, it focuses on a small group of young people which also happen to be some of the most dangerous beings in existence as they deal with their powers, the hate and fear they receive on a daily basis and a plot which threatens to unravel a world who has just now found a delicate balance. While a Sci-Fi at heart like its prelude, S-Class features many elements which also mark it as a YA novel.

And last, but not least, I’m working on a small novel called Catmageddon: That time cats almost took over the world, which I hinted at in one of the above questions. Born out of a Twitter chat with author Michael R. Hicks, I think I chose the most explicative title ever. It’s a fantasy story, focusing on fantasy and humor. I’m doing my best to try and release it by the end of January, hope I can make it. I can be a bit of a perfectionist with my stories, you know.

But, hey. The best thing about being an Indie author is that you set your own deadlines. Thank you for your time.

Thanks for stopping by, Meinos~Best of luck moving forward!

 Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here

See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.