Talk Archives – Page 2 of 2

Telling the True Stories About Honesty is what Readers expect from the Writers

July 25, 2024June 24, 2022 by Lokesh Umak

True Stories About Honesty: Kevin Miller talked about how and what took him to craft his debut true crime novel, “Heart of Steel” to live. Indeed, it was a success of his hard work and dedication.

Air Force veteran and Award-Winning Best-Selling Author, Kevin D. Miller woke up one day to learn his last name wasn't the name he used his entire life. His name wasn't the All-American Miller, but the very Polish Puchalski. Some old newspaper articles he stumbled across revealed a deep family secret and a tragedy that occurred in a farm in rural Ohio in 1920. This sent him on a search for the truth.

Have you written any fiction yet as your book, “Heart of Steel” based on a true story? If not, do you have any upcoming projects for fiction lovers?

My second novel, White Skies Black Mingo, was released in November 2021 by Headline Books and was inspired by my great, great-grandparents. She was Native American, and he was the son of Irish immigrants and a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War. The book has won nine major book awards that include, Winner of the Regional Fiction Category at the 2021 Next-Generation Indie Book Awards and Gold from the 2021 Mom's Choice Awards. The book is Historical Fiction and follows the life of a young Native American girl who faces extreme hardships but discovers a forbidden love. All of my books can be found on my website at: www.AuthorKevinMiller.com.

My third novel, Eyes of Morpheus, is Visionary Fiction and was just released this month by Headline Books, Inc. It is a FINALIST in the International Book Awards for 2022. It is the story of a neuroscientist who invents a cryogenics process that actually works. She is later diagnosed with a fatal form of cancer and must decide to fight the cancer or enter herself in the very program she created. Eighty-seven years into the future, she will learn the consequences of her decision.

To write “Heart of Steel”, how many days you took to gather ideas and craft it. Most of the writers said, writing non-fiction takes numerous efforts, is it true?

In writing Heart of Steel, I spent a lot of time researching the facts of the case and the history of my grandfather's life. It took me three years to complete my research and publish the book.

Tell us more about the book on whose life it has written?

Heart of Steel is set in 1920 rural, Ohio and is based on the true life story of my grandfather, Stanley William Miller. When he was thirteen years old, he awoke to discover his father murdered in his own bed and his mother bound and gagged. It was said that their farmhouse was robbed by three men, but the story later breaks down and shocking, dark family secrets are revealed. My grandfather was taken to an orphanage along with his four siblings, and he later escaped and hopped a train to Chicago, where he found work in a steel mill and as a bootlegger as a young boy. He saved his money with the idea who would return to Warren, Ohio, and rescue his siblings.

The book was optioned by GKg Productions in Hollywood to become a motion picture. It was also optioned to become a true-crime TV docu-series.

In any non-fiction story, does the writer try to get justice to the victim, being the writer in charge? What is your view on this?

In my opinion, when writing a non-fiction true-crime story, the writer should tell the story honestly and include all the facts of the case. Heart of Steel is written in the style of a novel instead of a documentary to give the reader a cinematic experience as the protagonist. The reader lives the story through the eyes of the thirteen-year-old protagonist.

What was the first crime story you have ever written, and was it fiction or non-fiction?

The first crime story I have written is Heart of Steel: Based on a True Story and available on Amazon. The story is based on real events and the real life of Stanley William Miller.

Please tell us how many crime storybooks you have read and written. Enlist your favourite books and writers.

Heart of Steel is the only crime story I have written so far. I plan on writing more crime stories in the future. I enjoy books by David Baldacci, Dan Brown, Michael Crichton. Absolute Power is an excellent book by David Baldacci. Origin was well done by Dan Brown.

What are the names of your motivational authors and one of the favourite quotes charge you every time to write more.

My favorite authors include Michael Crichton, David Baldacci, and Blake Crouch. My favorite quote is “Story trumps structure.” by Donald Maass. It means that a great story told is more important than the structure and prose. Without a good story, there is no story.

How to get Time for Writing in Busy life? Read expert advice from Author Joel Shulkin

July 25, 2024June 18, 2022 by Lokesh Umak

Getting a time for writing for a working professional is quite difficult. However, in this busy life, one must need someone to care, love and support in writing. Therefore, none another but the life partner is the best. Read what Joel shared on writing, including what support he gets from his love and life.

Behind every successful man, there is a woman
Fact

About Joel Shulkin

Being a full-time physician hasn't stopped Joel from writing. Far from it, the complexity of his patients, prior service with the United States Air Force, a Master's in Public Health. And involvement in organized medicine in the middle of an ever-changing healthcare system all provide raw material for his stories.

Joel's short work has appeared in various print and online journals, and he's won several awards, including Best Medical Fiction from SEAK and an Honorable Mention from Writer's Digest Thriller Suspense Competition. ADVERSE EFFECTS is his debut novel.

Joel lives in Florida with his wife and twin daughters. He is represented by Lynnette Novak of the Seymour Agency.

It is true that experiences teach us, and they are our first teachers in the life. When did you decide that you must write about the “Adverse Effect”? Was there any life-threatening incident in your medical practice?

Fortunately, I've never been in a situation at work where my personal safety was threatened or I was afraid for my life. The idea of adverse effects of an experimental drug, however, originated from an uncomfortable experience (see below) and my training in psychotropic medications. I also was pursuing my Master's in Public Health at the time that I started writing the book, including courses on ethics and global human rights. That's when I learned that human trial conducted overseas often lack the institutional review oversight required here in the U.S., opening the door to maltreatment of subjects and the potential for pushing through unsafe drugs for approval. This book was a way of exploring the hazards of the current practice.

You being a full-time physician (MD), how do you find time for writing? To write a book, one need empty mind and calm environment. Therefore, you must be meeting many people in clinic every day, how do you manage time and place for writing?

It's not easy, especially now that I also have to keep up with marketing things like social media posts, interviews (!), and so planning for book launch. But typically I wake up at 5 am daily and write for an hour in my little home office before everyone else awakens. I aim for at least 500 words per day--sometimes it's a lot more, and sometimes it's only a handful of sentences. Or I might use that time for editing. Even 500 words a day over 6 months comes out to 90,000 words, which is a pretty good amount for a thriller.

Share to us what was the moment made you write this book and why? Please tell us a story behind the inspiration.

I used to ride the bus to work when I lived in Boston, and there was a time when the entire bus was empty, until one man wearing old clothes boarded and decided to sit directly behind me. It was uncomfortable, but I could imagine how frightening it might be for a woman in that situation, especially if the man started talking to her. When I got home and told my wife about it, we came up with the idea of a woman who recovered from amnesia, but starts to question if her memories are real. That experience became an early scene in ADVERSE EFFECTS, when a homeless man sits behind Dr. Cristina Silva and says, “I know who you are. Who you really are.”

How do you schedule your day in the busy lifestyle? Tell us more about your family and friends who have helped you in the writing process.

As mentioned, I typically do my writing in the early morning, as I help get the kids off to school, feed and walk the dog, etc. My wife is very understanding and supportive of my writing career, however, and she was actually my first reader and editor until we had kids, and provided wonderful insight into how women think (helping to make sure Cristina acted like a woman, not a woman written by a man)--and, seeing as she is from central Brazil, ensuring that my references to Brazil and use of Portuguese in the book were accurate. Now that we have kids, she doesn't have the time to read my work, but when I need extra time set aside for editing, proofreading, or meeting a deadline, she keeps the kids busy to give me the time I need. I'm also fortunate to have become friends with several authors who share an agent with me, and we read and critique each other's manuscripts.

Do you have any other writing projects ahead? If yes, are they only limited to medical thriller stories, or non-fiction based on true story?

All of my current projects are thrillers--mostly medical thrillers but one is a sci-fi/superhero thriller, while another is a psychological thriller. I was going to co-write a non-fiction book at one point in the past (before I finished ADVERSE EFFECTS), but the agreement fell through.

Tell us more about the book, adverse effects and the characteristics of the protagonist.

ADVERSE EFFECTS is about psychiatrist Dr. Cristina Silva, who is studying the effects of an experimental memory-restoring drug on her patients. But when two of her patients commit suicide, she fears the drug is at fault--especially since she's taking the same drug. Then she begins experiencing unfamiliar flashbacks. When a stranger tells her she's not who she thinks she is, and she experiences nightmares and waking visions, she begins to wonder if she's losing her mind, or if the life she's recovered is the illusion. Determined to help her patients and friends even as she struggles to keep a grasp on reality, Cristina sets off on a search for answers that spans two continents, even if the answers--or the adverse effects of the drug--may destroy her.

Fight for Freedom is a journey essential for Life and Justice

July 25, 2024June 17, 2022 by Lokesh Umak

It is a great account of a duo, a mother, and a daughter fighting for freedom, life, and justice.

However, writing on this account, Gibbs faced many difficulties emotionally as well as technically. Therefore, she did not give up her writing as well as caring and loving her daughter. The story tells us about her daughter from the beginning to present day about cerebral palsy patient (It is a group of disorder that affect a person's physical ability in terms of movement and balancing).

From all of that, one thing about the book, “My Rachel” to keep you inspiring and resilience not only both, mother and daughter but also readers. In this conversation, she talked everything about life, freedom, expectations, passion, love and coping up while writing the book.

You have written a memoir about a mother’s love. Could you please tell us about the book, “My Rachel”?

Gibbs: This book is based on real life events and is a raw and authentic account of a true fight for life and justice. It is a memoir about the love I have as a mother for my daughter, Rachel, who is diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy, a condition that makes her incapable of voluntary movement or speech.

It tells of her incredible story, one she is unable to tell for herself, from the beginning of her life, to the present day, spanning a period of more than thirty years.

It conveys the special bond between us, in an open and honest manner. The book explores the true meaning and impact on everyday life of caring for a daughter with severe cerebral palsy. It highlights all the different emotions experienced including anger, grief and confusion, but also the hopes and fears, courage, inspiration, and resilience of both mother and daughter. Perhaps most importantly of all, it portrays Rachel’s passion for life and her mischievous sense of fun. Rachel’s story is one that deserves to be told, not least because it examines how the justice system works in cases of medical negligence.

What was your motive behind writing books and why you wanted to become an author?

Gibbs: My passion as a teenager was always reading, and I loved writing short stories for pleasure. I never considered becoming an author and, when I reached adulthood, my career took a completely different route, although reading always remained my passion. As life moved on and Rachel was born, and I watched how this complex life of ours unfolded, I knew in my heart that one day I wanted to tell her story. Eventually, I sat down and began to write about this special and extraordinary life.

Tell us more about your family, education, and turning point where you thought to pursue in writing.

Gibbs: I am married with three daughters, two stepsons, a granddaughter, and a Labrador dog, Haribo. Rachel is my eldest daughter, and lives at home with me and my husband, in a village in the West Midlands of England. All our other children are grown-up and independent and are spread out all over the world in Brussels, London, and Nottingham in England. My youngest lives in Melbourne, Australia.

I left school aged fifteen and opened my first business, a record shop selling second-hand records. The turning point where I decided to pursue my writing came as I was struggling to continue writing “My Rachel.” I had written seven chapters, but I was finding the emotional side of telling Rachel’s story too difficult. Following on from a discussion in my local pub with an author, Michael Andrews, and with his encouragement, I joined a local writer’s group of which he was a member.

Through this small group, I met J.M.McKenzie who had a medical background and, as such, a real understanding of my situation and some of the technical aspects of the story. After some discussion, we decided that the best way forward for me to complete “My Rachel” was for her to be a co-author. Meanwhile, through the writer’s group, I found an absolute love and passion for writing fiction. I completed a comprehensive creative writing course, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and it certainly helped to improve my writing skills.

How many books have you written yet, and which one is closest to you?

Gibbs: I have been involved with the writer’s group since 2015, and each month we set a prompt for writing a short story. From these exercises, my first published piece of writing was born when we published an anthology of these home works. By now, we had set up a small publishing company, JAMS Publishing, initially to enable us to draw on each other’s strengths and skills for the purpose of self-publishing. This first anthology, “Words Don’t Come Easy” now has three other books in the series, “Words Don’t Come Two Easy”, “Words Don’t Come Threely” and “Words Don’t Come Fourth”. Michael Andrews suggested that I should publish a fictional short story in order to learn first-hand how it felt to actually produce my own book and hold a physical copy in my hand.

The experience was wonderful, but I was a little disappointed that it wasn’t a novel length. The short story is “Fighting a Battle with Himself”. Hence, I began to write my debut fiction novel, “The Cutting Edge”, a story about a young girl who strives to overcome adversity. Meanwhile, a friend approached me with an idea for a book he had wanted to write about healing and asked if I would co-author it with him. It is since published as “The Secrets To Healing with Clear Quartz Crystals”.

My second novel is a story of a complex protagonist who has a reaction to a trauma, creating a highly unreliable narrative. It is entitled, “A Parallel Persona”. My third novel, “A Santorini Escape” is a romance set in Santorini and written from a male perspective. It is due to be released shortly. Of all my books, “My Rachel” will always have a special place in my heart due to the nature and emotion of the content. But holding my first fiction novel “The Cutting Edge”, in my hand was a very special moment.

How much time you took writing and editing “My Rachel”. As well as how many edits you have given to this novel and why?

Gibbs: The process of writing “My Rachel” spanned a period of fifteen years. This was mainly due to my emotional involvement, which delayed it for so long. Once J.M.McKenzie took up the mantle, the book was finished within a year. The editing side of the book was the first experience I’d had of this procedure. Both myself and J.M.McKenzie self-edited and then we employed a professional editor to complete the process.

What is the difference between writing fiction, non-fiction and memoir? Please tell us with an example.

Gibbs: For me, there is a huge difference between all three. Fiction enables the author to escape into a world entirely free of restrictions, a narrative which takes the characters wherever they fancy. I find writing fiction to be a place where I can explore many ideas, and truly love the freedom of this style of writing. For example, in “The Cutting Edge” the protagonist, Rochelle, faces one hurdle after another but overcomes them all with strength and determination.

Writing non-fiction, such as “The Secrets to Healing with Clear Quartz Crystals” gives less freedom to the author and I found that more research and fact checking were necessary. Memoirs like “My Rachel” can be very emotive to write, as I discovered. Also, the author is relying on their memory of events, and it can be a difficult process if you want to convey the story in a way that’s truthful and honest.

Where do you want to see yourself as an author in the next 10 years, and what you need to prepare yourself for that?

Gibbs: I hope to continue writing fiction novels, as this is where my true passion lies, and I feel that each novel I write is an improvement on the previous one. I quote, “Practice makes perfect.”

Writing is to enjoy yourself, if you find it a trial, it is not for you

July 25, 2024June 15, 2022 by Lokesh Umak

Gillie talked about her interest, story behind her book and the most important thing is enjoy yourself being a writer. Read why her thought about writing is intriguing.

About Gillie Bowen

Gillie Bowen was born in Nakuru in Kenya and have travelled the world extensively over the years. She is a retired British journalist, now living with her husband in the Loire Valley in France. Gillie loves to write, cook, to entertain and to travel.

In her book, “Beneath African Skies” She has brilliantly explored the young people's challenges lived in 1820. She believed writing saga fiction, inspired by true events, required a family who can provide deep information about the subject. On other hand, an internet help for more information.

How did you find the story about your book, “Beneath African Skies”

Beneath African Skies is a true story about my ancestors who left England in 1820, as part
of a British scheme, to emigrate and become settlers in Southern Africa. I was always
aware of Hougham Hudson’s story, but I became more interested as I investigated more
about the Hudson family. Hougham Hudson was my great-great-grandfather and my
mother Molly was born on his grandson’s farm in 1919.

What are the genres you love to write. However, “Beneath African Skies” what message you wanted to send to your readers writing this fiction?

I love to write historical fiction, based on true stories. Beneath African Skies is fiction based on a true story. As well as my mother’s memories and my own research, my uncle, George Hudson, self-published his life story before he died and that was a very useful source of information, too. I wanted to get across to my readers what brave young people the 1820 settlers were, and the challenges they faced over the years.

Therefore, writing thriller, how much struggle one required? What is your strategy to get onto collect the evidences for pursuing the ideas?

Beneath African Skies is not a thriller, but more of a family saga based on a true story. I
research all my books very thoroughly, using the family information I already have, and
exploring the internet for more.

How many other books you have written, are they based on real life inspired? Tell us more about your favourite writers and their books.

I wrote the sequel to Beneath African Skies several years after it was published. Entitled
Breaking African Ties, it takes the reader from the end of the Second World War to Kenyan
Independence. My family lived through these times and their lives are well documented. I
wrote Breaking African Ties after a number of my readers said: ‘And then what
happened?’
Always interested in genealogy, I turned my attention to the Bowen family and research
showed that my husband’s great-great-aunt, Emily, had emigrated from London to
Australia in 1882, leaving her five-year-old daughter, Lilian, behind. That fascinated me.
Why would any woman travel to the other side of the world, leaving her daughter behind?
The Lost Seed of the Pomegranate is Emily’s story, and I loved researching and writing it.
I was next to discover, through my genealogy research, that I too had a famous aunt on
my side of the family. My seventh great-aunt, born in 1728, was a brave young woman
who saved hundreds of sailors’ lives by going out with the rescue boats from her
hometown in Kent, England. She went on to design the forerunner of today’s lifeboat, and
to this day, the RNLI in England name a lifeboat after her. The Mary White was first
published in October 2020. The sequel White on Wight is the story of her nephew, Thomas
White, who went on to become the biggest shipbuilder on the Isle of Wight. It will be
published this month.

I have also written a modern-day, romantic drama trilogy, The Ville Rose series, which is a
family saga, covering three generations of an English/French family. It is based in
Toulouse and London. Favourite writers? Ian McEwan is a favourite British writer. I have read most of his books and have recently finished ‘The Chldrens Act’, which I found very moving. McEwan writes
about people and their emotions. His genre varies. I love historical novels and I like Marius
Gabriel’s writings. I particularly enjoyed ‘Goodnight Vienna’ which is based on a true story
during the German occupation of Austria at the beginning of World War 2.

What is your daily target of writing? Number of pages, words, or finishing a particular scene and settings?

I don’t have targets. I like to write in the early morning before my family is awake. I write as
much as the mood takes me, but I usually try to finish a scene before I stop for the day. I
usually write or edit every day of my life.

Do you write a plot first or decides your characters before you start putting them on Papers?

On the whole, I write by the seat-of-my-pants, but I always have a basic plot before I start
a book. I draw a graph, to remind myself of where the story is going, and when things
happen. I keep a checklist of all the characters as they come into the story and the page
number on which they first appear. I find this very useful when I need to refer back to a
Character.

Would you like to say something in your voice to your readers about writing and crafting?

Writing is an addiction to most authors and if you have a craving to put your story into
words, then do it! It doesn’t matter how well you write; you will improve as you develop
your craft. The most important thing is to enjoy yourself. If you find it a trial, then writing is
not for you.

More must-read interviews

Insecurity and self-doubts land us in complex relationships

July 25, 2024June 11, 2022 by Lokesh Umak

The thoughts of Melisa on complex relationships are well conceived in her book, “The complexities of love”.

In this interview, she talked about her hard work behind the debut book and characters. Read more about her strategic thoughts of writing and finding inspiration to write the book.

Melisa Quigley was born and raised in Victoria, Australia. She has an Associate Degree in Professional Writing and Editing from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. Her work has been published in anthologies in America, Australia, India, and the Philippines. The Complexities of Love, young adult coming-of-age romance, is her debut novel.

How did you get the word complexities out of love?

Melisa Quigley: Love is complex because when we love someone or are in a relationship, we need to look closer at the person we are with or want to be with and develop an understanding of them and their world. For example, when we are young, we learn about ourselves by looking at our world: mother, father, brother, sister etc and how we relate to each person in our family.

When we go to school, we develop relationships that can be complex because other children may be from different socio-economic backgrounds and have different beliefs and values than what we are used to. Everyone wants to be loved and accepted and will either conform through denial, self-doubt or because they feel insecure. This is where relationships become complex.

Tell me why and how your character holds it so close to the title?

Melisa Quigley: Mark is a closet gay and hopes his family will never find out. Being gay in the 60s, and 70s and decades before that was considered bad. Mark is insecure and walks through life as a teenager with his guard up. He doesn’t show his authentic self because he’s frightened about what everyone will think of him. Being gay and looking for someone else who is gay add to the complexity of dating and love.

His life is complex because when he goes out with Laura, he finds it hard to reciprocate her love because he’s gay. He doesn’t tell her he’s gay. Instead, he acts like a straight male so no one will know he is gay.

There are deep scars and wounding from Mark’s childhood with things that happen within his family nucleus. I won’t spoil it for you here. You’ll have to read the book to find out. Shame and guilt add to the complex nature of being gay and not willing to come out. Mark doesn’t know what he’s looking for because he didn’t see what he was trying to create when he was growing up. He had his parents – a male and a female, to guide him. Females and males pursued him along the way, and it’s how he deals with each situation that shows the complexity of each relationship.

What are your views on love and hate, and, are both needed in a relationship?

Melisa Quigley: Everyone has a right to love and be loved. It doesn’t matter who they are or their background. Love and hate are both emotions that can be experienced when someone is in a relationship. Hate is generally caused through jealousy or betrayal. A person can become angry and/or fearful because they don’t feel loved enough by their partner.

If a person is brought up in a family where the parents are always arguing, a child can grow up finding comfort in a love hate relationship because in their eyes it is a way to express love. Experience has taught them that causing pain will bring their relationship closer. What they don’t realize is there are other ways for a relationship to work effectively. People like this need to learn to let go of what they gain from the conflict, e.g., always being right and work towards communicating openly and effectively. Love is needed in a relationship, not hate. If you’re in a relationship where there is a lot of hatred it conjures up feelings of being unworthy or unlovable and no one wants to feel like that.

Tell us more about the book “The complexities of love” and what research you did before it went live?

Melisa Quigley: The Complexities of Love is not only about Mark being a closet gay male in the 60s and 70s. It’s about family bonds and what happens to Mark and his family. I have three gay male relatives from whom I gleaned information. I also read gay novels and watched gay movies, as well as documentaries about being gay during that time. It was their vulnerability that stayed with me the most.

How did you find the character, “Mark” for your book?

Melisa Quigley: I didn’t find Mark, he found me through inspiration.

Is his character inspired by real life or all fictional?

Melisa Quigley: I’ve been writing in a diary since I was twelve, and I’ve fictionalised most of the events that took place in the book, but some are based on real life. For example, I used to date someone who wanted to be a chef. His name wasn’t Mark, but the person I dated used to tell me what happened in his class, what they made, and sometimes he would bring home things for me to taste test.

What is your strategy of finding a new character.

Melisa Quigley: I don’t have a strategy. The characters find me when I’m asleep or gardening.

Do you start writing fiction plot picking up real life character?

Melisa Quigley: I’m a pantser, not a plotter. My next novel is loosely based on a real-life character/person I used to know. She kept coming to me in a dream and wanted me to tell her story from someone else’s point of view.

Share some moments of writing when you were a child

Melisa Quigley: From the age of five, I used to write letters to family, friends, and relatives. I love looking at people’s handwriting, the colour ink they use and the curve/straightness of each letter. Unfortunately, letter writing is a lost form of art these days. My parents said I should work for Australia Post because I used to go out to the letterbox to see if there was any mail for me. I became a member of The Guild League of Friendship in 1977 and used to write to three girls in different parts of America. I still write to one girl who lives in Minnesota.

I used to love writing and receiving an excellent stamp with a kookaburra on it when I was in primary school. I was one of the first children to go from writing with pencil to pen. It was so exciting.

As well as, day to day life of a writer, what is the best strategy of time management as being a housewife?

Melisa Quigley: I don’t have a strategy; I call it a juggling act. Every day is different. I work part-time on Monday and Friday. In-between washing, ironing, cooking, cleaning, and gardening I read and write. Reading is just as important as writing.

How many books do you have on your shelves, and what are your favourite and the most influential writers in your life?

Melisa Quigley: I have over sixty books in my bookcase. I like to read a book and donate it to charity. It’s my way of paying it forward so someone else who can’t afford to buy it new can get it at a cheaper price.

The most influential writers in my life would be Diana Gabaldon, Anthony Doerr, John Steinbeck, and Paulo Coelho.

Act with writing or without until getting first typewriter

November 12, 2022June 9, 2022 by Lokesh Umak

Act with writing or without it is a big question in front of every writer. However, living with your characters and dream it is every writer's need. Stewart shared his real experience living with writing and how did he gear up slowly in writing.

Bint talked about his inspiration, motivation, and excellent process of writing. Keeping a constant habit of writing is that important and as long as you aspire to write.

Stewart Bint is an international novelist published by Creativia, and Dragon Moon Press. Journalist/magazine columnist. Active awareness campaigner for mental health and sepsis. Named on the 2016 list of “Inspirational Mental Health Advocates that are changing the world.” Previous roles include radio presenter, newsreader, and phone-in host. Married to Sue, with two grown-up children, Chris and Charlotte, and a charismatic budgie called Bertie. Bint lives in Leicestershire, UK. Usually goes barefoot.

What inspired you to write about “To Rise Again” and what was the motive behind it and why?

The inspiration for To Rise Again came from visiting the underground hospital on Jersey, one of the Channel Islands, when I was there on honeymoon 40 years ago. The hospital was built during the German occupation of Jersey in the Second World War.

My motive behind writing it was to show that the spectre of war still hangs over the Western world, despite the years of peace since World War ll ended. And that spectre's been brought even nearer to Europe with Russia's recent attack on Ukraine.

What do you do when you are tired of writing? Please tell us at what age you had started writing, and what was your first novel?

Away from writing I enjoy hiking in the lovely countryside near my home in Leicestershire in the UK, and watching tennis. Also, sitting in my garden in the sunshine.

I started writing when I was seven years old, inspired by watching the original TV series of Doctor Who in 1963. I became enraptured by the storylines which could take place at any time in Earth's history and future, and anywhere in the universe and beyond. I created my own worlds and characters, writing my stories in little blue notebooks until my parents bought me a portable typewriter for my ninth birthday.

Those make-believe worlds became invaluable after my Dad died when I was 11. I retreated more and more into those fictional places where I was in control of my characters' fate, knowing that whatever happened to them during the story, I could make sure they were okay at the end. My worlds were certainly better than the real one at that time.

My first published novel, In Shadows Waiting, came out in 2015. It's set in 1983 when the main character is 18. Now, with three more novels and a collection of short stories in my back catalogue, I'm working on a sequel to In Shadows Waiting set in 2020 and 2021 when that same character is 56 and 57.

How long you write in a day. What is your best writing posture and why that particular posture is best suited for you that runs you longer?

I write for at least three hours every day, and often considerably longer. Fortunately, I have a comfortable office at home where I can shut myself away to write and ensure I meet my daily targets. Having suffered a serious blood clot in my lung in 2018 I'm very aware of the need to take regular breaks, and walk around my house and garden.

What was the year you have decided that you have to live with writing and why you started writing? Therefore, the inspiration source for you as well.

It became obvious from a very young age that I'd starve if I had to try and earn a living from numbers because I'm appalling at any form of maths. As I'd been introduced to writing through my stories in those blue notebooks, I decided my future lay with words and began training as a journalist in 1974, and went on to work as a radio broadcaster, reading the news and presenting current affairs programmes. I switched to Public Relations writing in 1986, and combined that with being a novelist from 2015, before retiring from PR last year to focus on my new book.

Inspiration for my novels comes anywhere and anytime, and has included a walk in Cranford Park in London, reading an article on the Chernobyl disaster, interviewing the British Prime Minister during my radio days, and a couple of real-life brushes with the supernatural. While walking to the hairdressers on the morning I answered this question, an idea suddenly came to me out of nowhere for a way of making the climax of my current book more exciting.

What are the books on your shelves? Please enlist a few names for your readers.

As well as timeless classics such as the full collection of Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde; Bram Stoker's Dracula; The Haunting of Hill House from Shirley Jackson; the wonderful Catch 22 by Joseph Heller; and my all-time favourite A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle, I have a growing collection of signed first editions by more recent authors. These include the dystopian thriller The Phoenix Project by D.M. Cain; The Sharpened Fangs of Lupine Spirit from H.G. Sansostri; The Nature Of The Witch by Helen Norwood; Secrets Of The Forest by Helena Brady; In It For the Long Run from A.V. Turner; Beginnings by Judy Ferrell; and all four novels in Tony R. Cox's Simon Jardine crime thriller series.

What is your favourite quote that awakes the writer in you and makes you feel to write it now?

I'm going with a quote from prolific author Jeffrey Archer, which sums up for me what writing is all about:

Don't call me a writer because I'm not. I'm a storyteller.
Jeffrey Archer

Passion for horror and suspense helps you to write thriller story ideas

November 12, 2022June 3, 2022 by Lokesh Umak

Danielle talked about how her childhood in Tucson shaped her and the evolution of arts in her, including development of book reading habits. Her developing thriller story ideas are unique. She feels that love for horror and suspense ultimately was passion for thrills and chills.

Gathering different ideas for stories and save them for later was her one of the techniques. Therefore, keep continue reading and explore more about writing and other important things.

Danielle McCrory was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. She attended school in Tucson and Flagstaff, and has degrees in Graphic Design and Physical Therapy. She currently lives in Tucson with her husband, Ryan McCrory, and their two cats, Brodi and Jaxson. Danielle loves writing because she believes there are still so many scary stories left untold, and she is thrilled to get the opportunity to tell some of these stories. She is currently working on her next two novels, which she plans to release next year. Danielle’s love for writing continues to grow, and she is always looking for more books to add to her library.

“There’s nothing like curling up with a hot cup of coffee, a cozy blanket, and the most gruesome horror novel you can find.”

Danielle talked about

How did you spend your childhood, and what is your favorite city where you feel the most comfortable?

Danielle: I was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, which is in the southwestern United States. My childhood was a pleasant one, and I enjoyed spending my time playing with friends, watching TV, and reading books. I was particularly fond of arts and crafts back then, and filled most of my summers doing various craft projects, such as drawing, painting, quilting, and pretty much anything else I could find at our local art store. I have lived in Tucson all my life, except when I attended college in northern Arizona, and it is definitely the city I feel most comfortable in. As for my favorite city, I think I would have to say San Diego, which is our go-to vacation destination.

How do you come to know writing thriller story ideas? And, how to pick the right one for your story.

Danielle: I have always loved horror and suspense, so I had no doubts that the books I wanted to write would follow my passion for thrills and chills. I am constantly coming up with ideas for different stories, whether I’m driving in my car, doing chores around the house, or going out for dinner. Every idea I have that feels promising, I make sure to write down. When I am ready to begin my next book, I go over the ideas I have collected and consider which ones have the most potential to develop into a novel. The idea that I feel most inspired by becomes my next story, and I save the others for next time.

Does so many ideas jumble up to you, and what is your take on to stick to one? Therefore, how to survive with the selected ideas without get disturb from the other ones?

Danielle: This can be quite a challenge, and one that I am still working on. Story ideas will come to me at any time, even when I am in the middle of writing another novel. I make sure to write all of my ideas down, whether they are big or small, so I can come back to them once I complete my current book. I have attempted writing two separate books at once, but found this to be too distracting, so I much prefer to focus on just one book at a time.

How do you come to know that only thriller inspire you to write and why not other genres? What are the source of ideas you get from?

Danielle: I have been a fan of scary stories for longer than I can remember. My father taught me how to read with Goosebumps books, and I then went on to read Fear Street novels, before eventually making my way to Stephen King, who is my favorite author. When I decided to start writing stories myself, I immediately gravitated toward horror/suspense and thrillers because they are my favorite type of story. My ideas come from my own experiences, or from things that frighten me. For example, I have gone hiking before and thought about how terrifying it would be to be alone on a trail with a dangerous animal, so I took that simple premise for a story and used it to write my first novel, Wasp Canyon.

Tell us more about your novel, “Wasp Canyon” and when did you complete your first draft and obstacles you faced while writing?

Danielle: Wasp Canyon is a horror/suspense novel that follows Jessica Cleary, a grieving young woman that takes up running the Arizona hiking trails as a way to cope with a recent loss. One day, while out on a run, Jessica stumbles upon a gruesome scene and finds herself injured and running for her life. Before long, people in town start falling victim to a mysterious predator, and Jessica then realizes it's time to stop running and fight.

I completed my first draft of Wasp Canyon in 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic. I had recently suffered a loss of my own, and turned to writing as a way to cope with my own grief. What, I thought, would end up being a short story, if that, developed into a full-length novel that was so much more than I ever expected it to be. There were definitely some challenges along the way, especially when I realized that completing my first draft was only the beginning. I now know that the editing process following that first draft can push anyone close to the brink of insanity, and that there are many, many drafts that must be completed before your story is ready to publish. My advice would be to stick with it, draft by draft, and to not rush the process.

Why do you think Amazon platform for self-publisher is a great and number one place for aspiring writers?

Danielle: Amazon’s self-publishing platform offers aspiring writers the means to get their books out there for people to read, which can be very challenging using the traditional publishing route. Amazon allows writers control of all aspects of their books, from the layout, to the cover, to the price of the novel. So far, I have enjoyed using Amazon, and I am planning to publish my next book with them later this summer. Regardless of how you publish, I have learned that marketing can quite possibly make or break your success, so it is very important to start getting your name out there as soon as possible. The more people that are excited about your book, the better!

Writing takes Time to Nurture Ideas to A Marketable State

July 25, 2024June 3, 2022 by Lokesh Umak

Discussion about patience in writing and many other things. However, It takes time for aspirant authors to nurture ideas to compete to others.

O’Farrell also talked about what it takes to publish an award-winning book, “Simone LaFray” which took only one night to write. Read what inspired him and what is his strategy for developing characters.

S.P. O'Farrell is the award-winning author of Simone LaFray Mysteries. Simone LaFray and the Chocolatiers' Ball began as a short story and quickly turned into an award-winning novel: Moonbeam Awards, New York City Big Book Award, Queer Indie Award, LitPick Award, (sm) art festivals award and a finalist for Book Pipeline and National Indie Excellence Award.

At what age you wrote first short story and share with us that beautiful memorable moment which had made your day.

I was forty-five when I wrote the first Simone LaFray short story. It contained about 3,000 words, and I wrote it in one night. I could not let the initial inspiration go, which was the name and that she was a spy in Paris. For about three weeks, I kept thinking about the character and creating stories in my head that might be plausible. I finally sat down and wrote it. It was great. Although the story was far from being published, the thought of completing a unique story with balance was incredibly gratifying. That feeling still carries on today.

When you published “Simone Lafray” how this idea had evolved?

The initial concept was written in the Early Chapter Book genre. It felt good to craft and complete a story, but I soon realized that there was a lot more to explore. After some professional encouragement, I then plotted out a massive storyline in the Middle-Grade genre, which felt right for the initial themes and characters. Upon review of this, it occurred to me that what I had conceptualized was actually a series of six to seven books. I then spent about eighteen months writing the first book and going through the submission process. While the story and presentation have evolved immensely, the core concept has remained intact.

Was it an accidental encounters with a day, or you saw a real life characters?

The inspiration for the story came out of nowhere, which, I believe, is the best kind. We were on a family vacation and out to dinner. The kids in the house, of which there were many, had been spying on each other and playing a lot of hide-and-seek that Summer. Some even had spy names. My niece, who was into everything Parisian at the time, leaned over and asked me to give her a spy name. About five seconds later, the name Simone LaFray came out – a spy in Paris. Everyone laughed and that was supposed to be the end of it.

How do you take in characters for your novel? Do you pick up them from day to day life in people you meet, or only it is a skill of observation?

I’m now writing the third novel, so I already have several built-in characters, but they all came from somewhere. I started of course with Simone, but the other characters were conceived to play some certain role or serve some purpose. I often do not name them in the summary or outlines, as I want them to take shape through the action. During the late outlining and early drafting, I start to associate the characters with real people that have similar traits or tendencies. I think this is natural, and some characters become an amalgam of several people, but at some point, the character starts breathing on their own. That said, some of my character names are those of real family and friends.

How hard your initial days of before you were published author. And, what learnings you got from book publishing industry?

Being in the query trenches is an arduous and humbling process. I did all of my homework, focused the effort, and selected a total of twelve for the first round of submissions. Within twenty-four hours, three had auto-responses that said they were closed to submissions, and I did not hear a word from the others for about two months. During that time, I sent out another ten or so, but the response was the same. Then I started to receive requests for the entire book or more chapters, which was encouraging, but time marched on, and no commitments. In all, I sent out over seventy packages. I always just thought that somebody would read it and immediately want to option or sign it, but that is not how it works. I was fortunate in that some of the people I sent submissions to were providing feedback or referring the material to others. I did not realize how valuable this was. After about a year of this, I collected everything I had amassed, revised the story one last time, and re-submitted it. I think I had eight offers within a month. I learned that it takes time to nurture an idea to a marketable state, be open to all feedback, and keep moving forward.

To publish a book, what suggestion you would like to give to fellow writers. And, preparation one must do before having any ideas of self-publishing vs traditional one.

The central suggestion is to get started, start today. Start crafting a well-balanced, one-page summary of your book, and then expand it to two pages. Know your genre, read in your genre, and don’t try to please everyone. Be satisfied with the work and find your voice.

Self-publishing was not for me, as I only wanted to be a writer. I wanted to keep my role simple as cover design, formatting, mass marketing, press writing, etc., all take expertise that I do not have. I can see the expediency and freedom of self-publishing, but I felt like I needed structure and a seasoned publisher the champion the cause.

Tell us more about your book “Simone Lafray” and the motivation behind writing it.

The Simone LaFray Mystery Series is planned for six or maybe seven books. The first two books, which are out now, are classic Middle-Grade in terms of composition and structure, although the next two books will serve as transitional books. The final two or three will fall firmly in the Young Adult genre. As for the motivation, I always felt like there was a story somewhere inside me, and it took some time to find it. Now that I have written a few books, the motivation is to always improve my writing, but also to take good care of these characters. Now that the series is gaining traction and the books are being read all over the world, there is a sense of stewardship and delivering on the next book.