Authors are listed alphabetically by LAST name beginning with K
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Monica H. Kang
Name: Monica H. Kang
Genre(s) of your work: Non-Fiction, Business
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Rethink Creativity: How to Innovate, Inspire, and Thrive at Work
September 2018
Bio:
Monica H. Kang, Founder & CEO of InnovatorsBox® , helps companies and leaders transform with the power of creativity. When she is not traveling around the world to speak at conferences or work with clients, she teaches entrepreneurship and leadership as an Adjunct Professor at BAU International. Prior to InnovatorsBox®, Monica was a nuclear nonproliferation security expert. She completed her M.A. at Johns Hopkins University, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies. She lives in Washington, DC and spends her days developing new projects on creativity over a chai latte and chocolate croissant.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
I have always been a thinker and writer, but writing this book gave me a whole new appreciation of learning how to put complicated genuine thoughts into words. While writing this book, I experienced both a sense of fear of oversharing half-baked thoughts and the joy of realizing when I perfectly untangled what I was thinking. Now that book one is done, I’ve been thinking more about the writing I do in my daily routine. How can I write to not just communicate in my emails, texts, and articles, but inspire? How can I make the reader feel like I am there and smiling back with joy? I think more about the voice I am using in writing and wonder how it comes to life. I’m excited.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your work?
That you are uniquely creative just the way you already are. The more you practice and live your life with creativity, the more enriched you will feel at work and at home. The thought of people finishing the book with a new realization that they are not limited and can transform their own lives with creativity is thrilling. I just can’t wait to see those faces beaming with new knowledge and hear what happens when more people unlock their creative potential around the world.
How much does personal experience play in your written work?
My book is deeply tied to my personal journey. I did so because I wanted to share the truth with my readers and connect with them. Creativity is not some flashy thing you see on stage, it is something you build over time. I hope that through sharing my creative journey I can inspire readers to embark on their own.
How do you find the motivation to complete a book/story?
Sometimes naivety helps. I was determined to put my thoughts on paper and share them with the world because I wanted to stop people from feeling stuck and uncreative in their jobs. I know what that feels like and it is not fun. It also helped not knowing just how long I would spend writing and rewriting this book. If I had known that it would take me seven months to edit, I may have been more cautious. If I had known that I had to spend so much time doing outreach to market and explain the book, I would have been overwhelmed.
Instead I just focused on how much I needed to share the power of creativity. I knew that if I did not write it, more people would remain stuck at work. Having a clear intention of why you want to write a book for your audience and why you want it out by a certain timeline is essential.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
I love great storytellers who make me feel curious, reflective, and full of wonder . Some of my favorite storytellers are J.K. Rowling and Neil Gaiman. In nonfiction, I love Triumphs of Experience by George E. Vaillant, Wired to Create by Scott Barry Kaufman and Carolyn Gregoire, and Reset by Ellen Pao.
Where can people find you and your work?
I love connecting with people via LinkedIn. Say hello here. You can learn more about my book and book tours at my website. Look forward to meeting you soon!
E.G. Keith is a young author that, until recently, never mustered up the right amount of patience to write a full novel. With a debut novel that several have good opinions on, she hopes to make a splash in the author world with her punny jokes, witty remarks, and evil way of thinking. She is very into Greek mythology and spends a lot of her time looking for books on the old stories, and she is convinced that her story, no matter how unique, has already been told by an old Greek writer. She strives for perfection in everything she does, and the several annotations in the first draft of this novel can prove that.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
People often say that you should “write the books you want to read,” and I believe that’s what I was trying to accomplish when I set out to write my book.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Writing, either essays as assignments or novels that are just for fun, has changed my perspective on things very much. I like to write my books with a dual point of view so that you can see how two people narrate the same story. It has also gotten me a lot of attention, which can be seen as a good and a bad thing.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
Rick Riordan is one of my favorites, since he’s written some of my most favorite books, and Cassandra Clare has to be another one. I believe I like her writing so much because we write the same dramatic stories of love, adventure, high fantasy, and warrior main characters.
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
I think audiobooks will definitely be big in the near future. Most people, especially now, don’t have time to sit and read a book, and audiobooks will satisfy the want to read without having to stop your work. I definitely think it will be very big for a lot of people very soon. But there are still plenty of people in all the bookstores I visit.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
I think they are great places to shop for new, glossy, untouched books, but indie bookstores and places that aren’t too well known should definitely be talked about and visited more, especially if you’re the kind of person who likes things to be more comfortable and well-loved.
What have you found to be a great marketing tool? A bad one?
Social media is definitely a huge help when it comes to marketing. I am fortunate enough to be born with media parents that have connections which have hugely helped market my book, but social media apps, like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are amazing when it comes to marketing. And I don’t really believe there can be a bad marketing tool, unless you just don’t try to market it at all.
Do you believe writing should be censored — that some topics should remain taboo?
I think, while writing is a very healthy way to have ideas and creativity expressed, some topics are just not made for my eyes. People are very cruel, but if you find your target audience, then you should write what you want. So I guess it greatly depends on the person and the audience that the person is trying to reach. I’m going to read what I want and my parents have encouraged me to do that even if what I wanted to read wasn’t “age” appropriate. They trust me to talk to them about things that are disturbing rather than hide those discussions. That helps.
What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings?
I believe trigger warnings are, in some works, definitely needed. It shows the reader that you are thinking of them if you include a trigger warning. Plus, you never really know what triggers someone, and what a reader has gone through. Trigger warnings may not be necessary for one person, but needed for another.
Where can people find you and your work?
As of late March, 2022, my books will be sold virtually on Amazon and (hopefully) in some bookstores!
E.G. Keith on Facebook, egkeith.com is the website, and eventually if you search Havoc by E.G. Keith on Amazon, it will appear.
David M. Kelly
Your Name: David M. Kelly
Genre(s) of your work: Science fiction
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
2015 – Dead Reckoning and Other Stories (Short story collection)
2017 – Mathematics of Eternity: Joe Ballen, Book One
2018 – Perimeter: Joe Ballen, Book Two
2019 – Transformation Protocol: Joe Ballen, Book Three
2020 – Kwelengsen Storm: Logan’s World, Book One
2020 – Hyperia Jones and the Olive Branch Caper: Hyperia Jones, Book One
2021 – Intersection: Joe Ballen, Book Four
2022 – Kwelengsen Dawn: Logan’s World, Book Two (Release June 7th)
Bio:
David M. Kelly writes fast-paced, near-future sci-fi thrillers with engaging characters, cynical humor, and (mostly!) plausible science. He is the author of the Joe Ballen, Logan’s World, and Hyperia Jonesseries, and has been published in Canadian SF magazine Neo-opsis.
David’s interest in science and technology began early. At the age of six his parents allowed him to stay up late into the night to watch the television broadcast of Neil Armstrong stepping on to the surface of the moon. From that day he was hooked on everything related to science and space.
An avid reader, he worked his way through the contents of the mobile library that visited his street, progressing through YA titles (or “juveniles” as they were known back then) on to the classics of Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Harry Harrison.
David worked for many years in project management and software development. Along the way his interests have included IPSC combat (target) pistol shooting, crew chief on a drag racing team, and several years as bass player/vocalist in a heavy rock band. He also managed to fit in some real work in manual jobs from digging ditches and work on production lines to loading trucks in a haulage company.
Originally from the wild and woolly region of Yorkshire, England, David emigrated to Canada in 2005 and settled in Northern Ontario with his patient and supportive wife, Hilary. Foot surgery in 2014 temporarily curtailed many of his favorite activities – hiking, camping, piloting his own personal starfighter (otherwise known as a Corvette ZR-1). But on the plus side, it meant a transition from the world of IT into life as a full-time writer—an opportunity he grasped enthusiastically.
David is passionate about science, especially astronomy and physics, and is a rabid science news follower. Never short of an opinion, David writes about science and technology on his blog davidmkelly.net. He has supported various charity projects such as the Smithsonian’s Reboot The Suit and the Lowell Observatory Pluto Telescope Restoration. He also contributes to citizen science projects such as SETI@home.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
Watching the moon landing fueled a lifelong interest in space, science, and technology, so I naturally gravitated into reading science fiction. When I decided to try my hand at writing, to escape the boredom of a tedious train commute, sci-fi was the obvious choice, though I do have plans for writing in other genres at some point.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
It’s changed it completely! I used to work as an IT project manager, which brought with it high levels of stress and depression. When I was forced to stop working due to foot surgery, I finished my first book and have been writing full time ever since. Writing has reduced my stress levels enormously, and I’m now almost addicted to it. I love how a lot of people are genuinely excited and interested when I tell them what I do for a living. And meeting other sci-fi fans and readers at comicons and book fairs has been a lot of fun. I’ve missed it in the current covid time, and hope to get back to it soon.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Harry Harrison, Douglas Adams, James S. A. Corey, Arthur Conan Doyle, Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammet, Charles Dickens. There are different reasons why they’re my favorites – but generally speaking, I love the characters and worlds they create, how they pull you into the story and keep you engrossed until the very end.
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
I think they’re a bit of a passing fad and that they’re far more profitable for the retailers than the authors. That said, if people prefer to listen to my books instead of reading the print version, I’d love to be able to accommodate that in the future. And I certainly appreciate how important they can be for people with visual impairments.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
Are there any left? All the ones I see seem to be selling almost everything else BUT books. I’m grateful for the indie bookstores and libraries that are doing a great job to spread the word about indie authors.
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
I’ve had some success on a small scale with Amazon advertising, but I believe the best form of marketing is producing good books and generating word-of-mouth. In terms of less effective strategies, I found that listing my books with NetGalley resulted in few reviews, so that’s likely not something I would try again.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
I don’t believe in censorship in any form, though I believe people should be held accountable for what they create. I also think that censorship can sometimes lead to more creativity. I’m thinking, for example, of screenwriting in the 40s and 50s where they had to find very creative ways to convey certain taboo topics or scenes.
Where can people find you and your work?
My website, Amazon, and most other online book retailers
Round In Circles – The Story of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Carousel.” 2022
Bio:
After a career as an accountant and tax advisor, in 2010 I finally set out to do what I really wanted to do with my life and write a book. I knew it would not be easy, and it wasn’t, but after considerable effort, life’s inevitable interventions, and masses of research, Round In Circles is the result.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I have always loved musical theatre, particularly the shows of “The Golden Age”, so when I was considering a topic about which to write my first book, it seemed the natural choice.
My next book, will be something completely different.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
The English language has long been a passion of mine, and I have been an avid reader since childhood. My whole life I have nurtured a desire to try my hand at writing, and finally doing so during these past few years has made my retirement a real joy. I was not at all sure I would find a publisher, but that did not matter. It was the process that gave me so much pleasure. Of course, finding a publisher, and holding a copy of the (beautifully) printed book in my hand was a very welcome bonus, and a source of great pride.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
Jane Austen. Her mastery of the English language is exquisite.
In a lighter vein, I like Robert Harris’s books. He is a master story teller.
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
They certainly have their place. I used to have to travel quite a lot and caught up with a lot of books that were on my to read list whilst in the car. I don’t think they will ever replace printed books.
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
Obviously social media is becoming increasingly important and I suspect is the main tool for most new authors.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
No. The only exception I would consider is in respect of a direct incitement to hatred and violence. Authors must be free to write about life as it is or as it was, and not as self-appointed arbiters would deem to be appropriate today. That is the only way we can learn from history’s mistakes and hopefully not repeat them.
What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings?
Whilst there may be occasions when they are needed, I am not a fan. I bought an egg mayo sandwich from a major supermarket not so long ago, and the wrapper contained a stark warning that “this product may contain eggs.” Enough said.
Do you find that you sell better in person (at events) or through social media (like a personal blog, website, or Amazon)?
I haven’t had much experience yet, of selling in person, though I have been interviewed on a couple of podcasts that have resulted in sales. My blog as yet only attracts a small number of visitors, and I must give more time to it.
Where can people find you and your work?
On Amazon and in most major bookshops all over the world.
Dan Klefstad is a longtime radio host and newscaster at NPR station WNIJ. His latest novel, Fiona’s Guardians, is about humans who work for a beautiful manipulative vampire. It’s getting positive reviews on Goodreads and was also reviewed favorably by the Chicago Writers Association. Dan’s latest short story, “Who Killed Publishing?” has almost nothing to do with vampires. You’ll find it in the Summer 2020 edition of Literary Heist. Another short story, “Cowboy Load,” Came out in the January 2021 issue of Resolute Gentleman. Dan writes in DeKalb, Illinois, and Williams Bay, Wisconsin.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I’ve always been fascinated by monsters, and vampires in particular, ever since I watched Bela Lugosi as Dracula. Even as a kid, I understood vampires worked on different levels. Taken just as mythical creatures, I was always fascinated at how they were portrayed as stronger than we humans, and sexier, plus they keep living for centuries unless something catastrophic happens (like a stake through the heart). As I entered adulthood, I began to appreciate these creatures more as metaphors for enervation. They could symbolize a person draining your life force, or a stand-in for a government or corporate entity you suspect is slowly making you poorer. When readers finish my book, I hope they ask themselves, “Who’s my vampire?”
How has writing changed/altered your life?
It helped me realize that creative expression, while deeply personal, is meant to be shared with the world. If you keep it to yourself, you get no feedback to improve, but you also deprive others of the chance to experience it. I’m reminded of the archaic term “man of letters” which meant a person who not only read a great deal, but also wrote – and their essays, stories, and poems were “letters” to the community that reads. It really drives home the idea that a writer – any creative person – is contributing to a global body of knowledge or aesthetic appreciation. I think it’s worth updating the phrase to “person of letters.”
Who are your favorite authors and why?
I loved John Le Carre (“Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”) for the depth and intricacy of his storytelling, and his emphasis on the moral responsibility we share, especially in groups like spy agencies. Have to admit, I thought he’d live forever. Another author I miss is Robert Hellenga (“The Sixteen Pleasures,” “Snakewoman of Little Egypt”), who gave me the courage to write from the pov (point of view) of first-person female narrators.
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
I believe they’ll always be here because humans are essentially multi-taskers, and audiobooks (like radio or podcasts) allow us to consume a story or other information while cooking or driving. I love reading text, and I think that’ll stay with us too, but actually reading requires a commitment to focus on one thing – the book. But reading with your own eyes, and hearing a character’s voice in your head, is a more direct link to the author. Having a recorded narrator, bringing their own interpretations through inflection and emphasis, is a mediated experience, thereby placing your experience “once removed” from the author.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
They’re great for book buyers, as long as those companies aren’t allowed complete market dominance. A reader can order a dozen books online from Amazon or Barnes & Noble, download them to a proprietary device (Kindle or Nook) and start reading right away. Or you wait one or two days for the paperback to arrive. But large retailers have put pressure on publishers, starting with national chains in the 1980s. As they captured more and more market share, fewer and fewer corporate owners controlled the available shelf space, which meant they could decide what books to stock, how much they’d charge, and when to send unsold books back to the publisher. The once-powerful publishers responded by printing fewer and fewer titles, which helped for a while, but many were forced to merge, which meant fewer acquisition editors. All this partly explains why authors have struggled to publish and sell their books. Thank goodness for indie bookshops, which is why I always recommend my readers shop local first before finding my book on Amazon.
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
Social media is a good marketing tool. It’s also a terrible one. Again, we have too few people (or bots) deciding what posts get seen and what don’t. I’ve found you can gain readers on Facebook and Twitter, but you have to break the rules to get around the algorithms which are designed to crush any free promo. I’ve been hanging around FB groups devoted to vampire fans and goths to find friends who I can later message privately to promote my vampire novel. I don’t have my first sales figures yet, but views of my YouTube readings are way up since I started using this tactic. If you try this, tread carefully or you might get blocked or reported. And Facebook will start limiting your attempts to add friends once they get wind of what you’re doing. When that happened, I just went to Twitter and started DM-ing followers who allow that kind of approach. But many don’t, so be aware of who you’re spamming. And a note about spamming: I call it engagement. I recommend you think of it that too.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
I think we’ll agree that some stuff shouldn’t be published. We know what that stuff is. I don’t believe in censorship but I do believe in gatekeepers.
Where can people find you and your work?
All the US online retailers (Amazon, Walmart, B&N). In the UK, my book is on Amazon and Waterstones. Dymocks in Australia and New Zealand. And at Prairie Fox Books in Ottawa, IL, and Books on First in Dixon, IL.
Paradise Road: A Memoir published March 2021 by Lucid House Publishing
Bio:
After a colorful life spanning four continents and 16 cities, earning her keep as cook, chambermaid, waitress, fisher-woman, missionary, speaker/teacher, tutor, and academic writing editor, Marilyn now lives in Kelowna, BC, Canada, with her charitable husband and three demanding cats. Their two grown children were adopted from Mumbai, India and Athens, Georgia. Besides her favorite activities–writing and sleeping– she enjoys hiking, cycling, blogging, reading, playing word games, watching documentaries, and cleaning other people’s homes. Her poetry and nonfiction have appeared in The Lyric, Storyteller, TheEastern Iowa Review, The English Bay Review, and Brevity Blog. Paradise Road is her first memoir.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I love memoirs! My life has been full of rich and unusual experiences to write about.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
I’ve always known there was a ‘writer inside’, but for many years there was no space in my life for writing. Now I’m finally doing it, I feel as if I’m doing what I’m meant to be doing. And readers are responding extremely well.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
Bill Bryson—because he makes me laugh while learning so much about other places and topics.
Margaret Atwood—I love her creativity and intelligence.
So many others…Lionel Shriver, Barbara Kingsolver, Barbara Gowdy, Rohinton Mistry, T.C. Boyle…writers whose books tend to be offbeat and unusual.
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
To be honest, I haven’t really given this much thought, though I’m aware that audiobooks have gained more fans during the pandemic. Perhaps that trend will continue. For me, one of my all-time favorite activities is long-distance driving with a great audiobook. But that’s generally the only time I listen to them.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
I rarely go to any. My favorite place to buy books is in second-hand bookstores and thrift stores. I wish we had a cozy little indie bookstore nearby, but we don’t.
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
My book was just published, and I’m just figuring out how to market. So far, I’ve reached a lot of friends/acquaintances through Facebook and have sold through that. I have yet to try Instagram, Twitter or other platforms.
Pseudonym: Prometheus Susan. (Mitzy is a nickname that I have always gone by.)
Genre(s) of your work: Paranormal romance
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Betrayed 2019
New Beginnings 2019
Bio:
For years she has had stories floating around in her head, deciding to follow a dream to put those stories to paper. To bring to life the muses that have become a part of who she is. Prometheus is a wife and mother to two boys. Residing in northern Illinois with her family, two cats and Fred, her pet bunny. Besides her love for her family and friends, coffee is her biggest love and addiction. Summertime will find her at the beach or water park, soaking up those beautiful rays of sunshine. She finds cooking to be very relaxing and likes to try out new recipes. Pink and sparkly is her signature.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I love wolves, dragons, dolphins, and vampires. Collect dolphins and wolves for years. In fact, my bedroom is done in wolves, while the bathroom is dolphins. Also, I have tattoos of dolphins, wolves, and one that to me depicts vampires. Working on a dragon design. Having the ability to shift into something other than who you are intrigues me.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Travel more now doing signing events. It has gotten me out of my comfort zone, be more social, talk to people that I do not know. Meeting other authors, learning more about the industry, meeting readers. That is one of the best parts. Watch a lot less TV.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
I have many. Lora Leigh, JR Ward, Gena Showalter, Eve Langis, Laurann Dohner, Stacey Rourke, Rue Volley, Michelle Pillow, Mandy Roth Sherrilyn Kenyon. and many more. And why? So many reasons, but I think the biggest is to escape from everyday life for a time being. Get lost in the story.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
I love them, Can get lost for hours in one. Not only romance books but cookbooks. I love cookbooks. My family has gotten used to experimenting with new recipes. Now romance books I do prefer e-books. For one, the husband does not know exactly how many I have, takes up less room. But do have my signed books that I have picked up at signing events. There is nothing like meeting the author and getting a signed book. I was a reader before I was an author.
How much does personal experience play in your written work?
It plays quite a bit. I have always been a people watcher. You can learn so much and get inspired by just watching others. Sometimes it’s just a word that I overhear and my mind twists it into something completely different. In fact, Betrayed came about by reading something online, cannot remember exactly what now, but ‘hot wife’ was mentioned. Those two words twisted in my mind and became that story. My characters all have a love for coffee, which I am very much addicted to, they also favor pink as their favorite color which is mine.
What motivates you to complete your (writing) work?
The joy of bringing my muses to life, watching their journey as I write them. And having the cover sitting waiting is a great motivator. But, I think the biggest motivator for me is the closer I get to completion, the anticipation of others reading my work, loving the characters as much as I do and hating those that deserve to be hated. And hearing from readers who have read my books is the best motivator.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
No, I do not. Some topics are sensitive but should still see the light of day. No matter the topic, there will always be someone who it offends regardless of how you approach the topic.
For instance, Betrayed is about a woman (wolf shifter) who has shunned her other side and falls for the illusion that the man she meets had led her to believe while in fact, he is a sex trafficker. She ends up imprisoned in that world.
New Beginnings, the main female character was in an abusive marriage. In fact, killed her late husband in self-defense. Some may find those topics taboo but I feel it shows the strength of the woman as she overcomes what she had to live through to survive. We all have an inner strength, it’s finding that and welcoming it. Would I ever write about abortion? Probably not. But that is my personal choice. Each writer and reader needs to make that decision on their own. That is why we have freedom of speech.
Kevin lives in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, with his wife Melinda, three children, and two fierce schnoodles. He is a technology executive who enjoys sipping cheap bourbon, avoiding yard work, and living vicariously through his children’s sports. While Kevin has no musical skill whatsoever, he appreciates a broad spectrum of artists from Pink Floyd to Prince and Radiohead to the Rolling Stones. His golf game is horrific with flashes of mediocrity.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I prefer to write speculative fiction / science fiction because there are no limits. In my first novel my character gets to travel back to ten days in his past. This provides a rich plot line that allows the character to grow in ways that would be difficult with a more traditional book. In my current work-in-progress, I follow a character that appears to be immortal. This creates suspense and allows me to explore the past while maintaining a connection throughout the novel.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
I began my first novel when I hit fifty with an accompanying mild mid-life crisis. The writing was a fantastic outlet and really helped me get my head around what mattered in my past and where I was headed. My writing gave me the clarity and courage to make a career change that has been incredibly rewarding. I shifted from a corporate executive role to a University teacher and it has been both refreshing and fulfilling.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
I love to read and have many, many favorite authors. I enjoy Isaac Asimov and J.R.R. Tolkien for their world building and sweeping timeframes. They both created unique fantastic settings but somehow manage to make their characters feel very much at home inside those worlds. I’m also a huge fan of Stephen King for his ability to make the supernatural feel believable, create intriguing and very human characters, and his fascinating insights on everyday life and everyday people.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
Well, independent bookstores are my favorite. They tend to have more character and passion about books. But I’m also a fan of all bookstores as I think reading is a very healthy, positive activity. So, anything that gets books into the hands of readers is okay by me. I do wish the major chains would support more variety, instead of so much focus on a relatively small number of established authors.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your work?
My goal in my first novel was to make my readers laugh, cry, and learn something new. My hope is that my readers will find some small inspiration in my novel that will stay with them. One Amazon Reviewer said, “Read this. A midlife crisis turned into a self-awareness project and appreciation of the life we are given and living. I actually laughed and cried here. This has not happened in 30 odd years.” As an author, this is the fuel that gets me though what I find to be a very isolated, lonely journey.
How much does personal experience play in your written work?
A great deal. “Write what you know” is great advice. I believe pulling creatively from your own experiences adds realism and depth. Readers will really connect if you’re honest and open about your own insights, fears, and dreams.
How do you find the motivation to complete a book/story?
Great question, I believe it’s very easy to start a novel, but very difficult to finish it. They seem to pick up weight the further you go. It’s both due to the necessity of tracking and resolving plot and character details, but it’s also due to the weight of decisions over time. You become so invested in the characters and the story, it becomes difficult to narrow down the growing set of possibilities. But the motivation comes from releasing the book to others. Getting to hear all the different ways that readers interpret the work is extremely rewarding.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
I just read, “All the Ugly and Wonderful Things” by Bryn Greenwood, which tells the story of a very young girl, in a very difficult environment who falls in love with a much older man. Greenwood takes a very difficult topic and simply tells a fascinating story, passing no judgement. It’s up to the reader to come to their own conclusion on the ethics and morals of this complex story. That what great writing does, it makes us think and question our beliefs.
Any pet peeves in writing? In reading others’ work?
The same challenge that I struggle with in my writing – to show and not tell. When you write, it’s much easier to have the narrator explain a character’s thoughts and feelings, but it completely pulls you out of the book. It reminds your sub-conscious that the story is not real. Great authors show emotion and motivation through the dialog and action of the character. When that is done well, you get this movie in your head that is just a pure joy to experience.
Sue Rovens 