Author Interview Series-Erin Royce

Erin Royce

Erin Royce graduated from Carleton University in Ottawa, majoring in Law and English. In order to

both see the world and pay school loans, she worked as a fitness instructor on cruise ships,

managing the fitness programs. Erin walked off her last cruise ship in New York City and literally flew

into the next chapter of her life – to her new home where she continues to reside, among the Rocky

Mountains just outside of Calgary, Alberta.

Though drawing and writing has been apart of her early life, it was her daughter Morgan who helped

her rediscover her passion and love of writing. So, hold onto your bootstraps and stay tuned:

Mommy, Why? is only the beginning.

When read together, Mommy, Why? will give families the opportunity to discuss the issues raised in

the book and encourage children to ask their own questions. It gives families a moment in time to

"connect" with the children in our lives - to laugh - give squeeze hugs - answer questions and "just

be" together - to let them know they matter to us - they matter in this world –

Marina Raydun: You and I have something in common--we both have a degree in law. But you also have a degree in English. In what way did you find this background helpful in writing Mommy, Why?

Erin Royce: If I think about it, my educational background (and work history) as a whole has helped me more so on the practical side of things with writing Mommy, Why? in terms of focus, understanding how thoughts become words and words become cohesive stories, hitting deadlines, being detail oriented, looking at the small and big picture of things to really understand what I need to do and when, prioritizing commitments and investigating all of the multiple avenues and layers needed (which I was unaware of) for a book to come to fruition - all of which is needed, and more, when completing anything you want to do well and to share. Because of this I haven’t felt completely overwhelmed with the whole process of “book management” to the point I whirl completely out of whack “all of the time”…just sometimes!

MR: Is Mommy, Why? your first literary creation? When did you first start writing?

ER: Though Mommy, Why? isn’t my first creation, it is the first I published to show my daughter, through my actions, that you can do what you put your mind to, to always finish what you start even or especially if it takes time and can be incredibly challenging.

I began writing poems and some short stories intermittently from grade 6 to mid high school and a few more when I was working on ships, then other things took over and I completely forgot that part of myself for many years until my daughter started asking so many questions (and still does). I couldn’t find a book that fit what she was asking, so, I thought, why don’t I write this down myself with a second thought on the heels of that one, holy crap I’m throwing myself in the deep end of something again!

From the moment I sat down to write Mommy, Why?, I was more excited with the feeling of “rightness” than I had felt about anything in years and, with tears in my eyes, realized how much I missed putting pen to paper in a creative way - it felt like greeting an old beloved friend I hadn’t seen in years.

MR: What is the most difficult part of your creative process?

ER: Hands down, the multilevel roll out of a book. Writing was the easy part. I was completely ignorant about everything required in creating a book, having it published and trying to get it known to the public - i.e. - obtaining proper editing/design, how and when to do a book launch, finding an illustrator, marketing, advertising, sales in person-online, social media, virtual presence you have to create, etc. Wow, intense!

I do not feel anyone obtains success or reaches goals on their own. I have been more than lucky to have connected with wonderfully talented and gracious individuals thus far, in my attempt to get Mommy, Why? completed. I am also very sure there will be more wonderful advice and assistance as I continue forward in this process and will be ever grateful for all involved in this amazing journey of mine.

MR: What is your favorite genre to read?

ER: What books I read usually depend on my mood. I love a wide range of genres - romance, mystery, thrillers, fantasy, cook books, etc. Except horror, only because I am a big baby. After reading one in my 20’s I had to check every part of my house before I could go to bed and for weeks every sound in the house freaked me out. Which I suppose is a testament to how good the book was - I think it was”The Fog” James Herbert. Great, now I’m not going to be able to sleep again?! Ha!

MR: What was your favorite book growing up?

ER: Hmm I’ve read so many. Depending on my age, some standouts, anything from Judy Bloom or the Ramona Series from Beverly Cleary, Dr. Seuss (which I still love), Anne of Green Gables, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Sweet Valley High series, etc.

MR: I hear you worked as a fitness instructor on cruise ships so naturally I need to know everything! Meeting so many different people and traveling must’ve given you plenty of story ideas. Do you think you’ll ever explore that?

ER: It was definitely an experience of a lifetime that influenced who I am today in a multitude of ways. I met people from all walks of life, from all over the world that have forever touched my heart.

I wrote one short story about my experience in a creative writing class when I returned home and a riff poem on “Twas the Night Before Christmas” with my crew mates as main characters, which I brushed off the dust and put on my facebook this past Christmas.

If I sit and think about it, most definitely I could easily write more about my experiences and may do so in the future.

MR: How do you think publishing Mommy, Why? prepared you for future projects?

ER: Because it was a brand new experience, for my sanity, and due to my lack of patience, I took a deep breath and chose to view the whole process of creating, developing and sharing Mommy, Why? as a jumping off point - a learning experience.

I wanted to complete this project in the right way and, in doing so, build a foundation and network I needed and could continue to refer back to so the process would be easier to navigate for all future projects. I think I’m getting there!

Publishing Mommy,Why? will allow me to focus more on what I love, writing and engaging with people within a more streamlined process with less time just trying to figure things out.

Erin Royce

MR: What are you currently reading?

ER: Kami Garcia’s Series “Beautiful Creatures” and Sherrilyn Kenyon - Chronicles of Nick “Intensity” -

MR: Is there a book you wish you’d written?

ER: I am just starting to write again, so, would have to say no to that question. I intend to write what feels to be the right thing in the moment without wishes or regrets of things perhaps not done or not done yet.

MR: What do you think about when you’re alone in your car?

ER: I don’t think (except paying attention to traffic, of course!). I’m often listening to a book on tape or blasting whatever genre of music I’m in the mood for, because I don’t often get the chance to do so otherwise. It’s my “zen alone” time. I try not to think of the million and one things I have to do once I turn the car off and get out to whatever destination I am going to. I have been known to circle a block one too many times just to have a few more moments alone, wrapped up in another world listening to a book, or until the end of a favorite song.

More information about Mommy, Why? and Erin can be found at erindroyce.com.

Reading in 2020

Every year I vow to make this easier. Every year, I fully intend to write full out reviews for each one of the books I consume in a year. And every year I fail. This year, however, can you even blame me? Looking back on 2020, and all it has given us, I’m pleasantly surprised I was even able to read more than five books! So yeah, cut me some slack.

That said, I somehow managed to read 12 books, and below you’ll find brief reviews and recommendations. I hope you’ll share some of yours with me.

1. The Last Time I Lied (4 stars)

   I love Riley Sager! This is one of his “older” works so, in my opinion, it’s not as masterful as Lock Every Door (or the recent Home Before Dark), but it’s still gripping and suspenseful. It may very well just be the fact that I started with his latest (and best, in my opinion) and it’s hard going backwards. Recommend.

2. The Flight Attendant (4 stars)

   This book made me look for an anise candle so well did the author describe the scent of the opening scenes. An unreliable narrator/protagonist is one of my favorite things ever. Recommend.

3. Red, While & Royal Blue (3.5 stars)

   An entertaining, light read. The whole Royal thing is fun but it makes you want to roll your eyes too often given how many stereotypes are invoked on a page by page basis (same for the White House characters too). The novel also felt exceedingly long. On the other hand, I read this in the early days of the pandemic so I was grateful for any kind of distraction. Kinda recommend (so long as your expectations are calibrated accordingly).

4. The Holdout (5 stars)

   This is one of my TOP 2 PICKS this year. Many painful questions raised, all without compromising the suspense of it all. Highly recommend.

5. You Are Not Alone (5 stars)

   Greek Henricks and Sarah Pekkanen are back! I loved their first joint creation but their sophomore puppy left me a little disappointed. This one, however, brought me all the way back. Recommend.

6. Three Wishes (5 stars)

   Ah, Liane Moriarty, my love! This is an old novel of hers, but I had not read it before this year. Liane never disappoints so, if I’m ever in doubt as to what I should read next, first I make sure there’s nothing new (or old) in Liane’s bibliography. Recommend (always).

7. The Guest List (5 stars)

   What a captivating thriller. I love the setting (an isolated island in Ireland) and the way it serves as an additional character. It is uber multi POV so beware—if this isn’t your thing, you’ve been warned. I think it works beautifully in this genre. Recommend.

8. Home Before Dark (5 stars)

   Riley Sager!!! His “ghost stories” are the best ghost stories. Recommend.

9. Anxious People (5 stars)

   This title tops my TOP 2 PICKS list. This too is a multiple POV work and boy, is it clever and poignant and moving. What beautiful writing! I shall (literally shall—have the duty to!) read more by this genius author. Highly recommend.

10. My Friend Anna (4 stars)

    This is one of the two non-fiction books I read this year. I can’t believe this real-life story missed me in real life. I came across this title in an Amazon store and the title itself sounded intriguing. It is fascinating to read the account of the poor woman swindled out of tens of thousands of dollars. The psychology of it! Recommend as a study in human psyche and the tales we tell ourselves.

11. How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids (5 stars)

    This is that other non-fiction title I read this year. I needed this, specifically this year and how much stress it dumped all over all of us. This isn’t a parenting book (those, I loathe!) but rather a reminder to put your own oxygen mask on first, literally. It’s really been helping me take a step back and take stock of what I am feeling and what is making me feel and act a certain way. And who can’t benefit from that. Highly recommend.

12. The Sundown Motel (3.5 stars)

    I’ve been meaning to read this book since it came out. I’m sorry to say this but it let me down a bit, specifically the supernatural aspect of it. The suspense storyline is strong enough without the gratuitous ghosts. Kinda recommend.

    It’s disappointing that the last book I read this year was not my favorite, but I have high hopes for the novel I am reading now—Leave the World Behind. I’m about half way in and the writing is so sharp, it leaves me breathless at times. I’m not sure I’ll finish it in time for it to count as a 2020 read but at least it’ll mean that 2021 will have a 5-star book kicking off its list.

Any fun reads to report?

Happy New Year! May 2021 be kind to us all.

Author Interview Series-Anna J. Stewart

Anna J. Stewart

USA Today and national bestselling author Anna J. Stewart writes sweet to sexy romance for Harlequin’s Heartwarming and Romantic Suspense lines as well as ARC Manor. Early obsessions with Star Wars, Star Trek, and Wonder Woman set her on the path to creating fun, funny, and family-centric romances with happily ever afters for her independent heroines and the men who love them. A former RWA Golden Heart nominee, Anna’s books have finaled in the Daphne DuMaurier and National Reader’s Choice awards. Her sweet romance RECIPE FOR REDEMPTION was recently turned into a holiday movie for UPtv (A CHRISTMAS RECIPE FOR ROMANCE) which aired during the 2019 holiday season. Since her first novella with Harlequin in 2014, Anna has written and published more than forty romances in multiple sub-genres. Anna lives in Northern California where she deals with a serious Supernatural, a Jason Momoa addiction and two slightly nutty cats named Rosie and Sherlock. When she’s not writing, you can find her cooking and baking, binge-watching classic TV and cooking shows, attending fan conventions, or heading to the movies.

Marina Raydun: I know you’re a Wonder Woman fan. Do you consider her your muse? 

Anna J. Stewart: I don’t know if I actually have a muse. The idea of Wonder Woman (and other female empowerment figures I grew up with) definitely influence the characters I write, so in that way, yes. My heroines in particular are always very independent and forward moving women. I’ve always said they don’t need a man, but when they find the one they want, they’ll fight to keep him.

MR: What is the first experience you had when you learned that language had power?

AJS: I think I’ve always known. I came out of the womb reading, my mother always joked. Libraries, bookstores, books, they’ve always been a part of my life and some of my earliest phots I have of myself, there’s a book in my hand. I can’t remember a time I wasn’t transported into another place or time. If you’re asking for one of the “aha” books I read that changed my life? For commercial fiction it would be Stephen King’s CARRIE and for “assigned” reading, it was TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. The first because there were no boundaries as to what could happen and the second because it opened a positive dialogue within my family that has resonated with me to this day.

MR: How did publishing your first book change your writing process? 

AJS: It intensified it. Until that first book was contracted, writing was almost a game. I could dabble at it when I wanted to, set it aside because I could write at my own pace. Now, with multiple books contracted, it’s my job. That adds a different kind of pressure and obligation that at times, can be stifling. I try to remember what my friend Melinda Curtis says and to write the best book I can at the moment.

MR: What’s the most difficult part about writing characters from the opposite sex?

AJS: Making them realistic. I’m not married, never have been (don’t anticipate ever being), so that day to day interaction just doesn’t happen. Nor can I rely on media (tv, movies, etc) to give me realistic examples. Trying to keep men realistic and believable is always a challenge, but then the same can be said for my heroines as well. I do have to remember that men don’t tend to be talkers and emoters, which can make dialogue in the story challenging at times.

MR: How do you select names of your characters?

AJS: Sometimes they just come to me, or they’re inspired by people I know, have met, or have seen in TV shows or in movies. Most of the time, thought, I use The Character Naming Sourcebook, which is a huge collection of names and their meanings organized by ethnicity and cultures. Best reference book I’ve ever bought (and I have 3 copies of it!).

MR: What’s the best and worst book review you’ve ever received? 

AJS: I try really hard not to read reviews. I write my books and put them out there. People will either love or hate or be meh about them. My job’s done when the story is turned in. That said? I had a few reviewers who compared stories to my writing idol, Nora Roberts. That was off-the-charts fabulous. The worst? I had one who said she couldn’t stand to read about these pathetic rich people and their problems, but the review also mentioned something that happened at the end of the book…which means she read the whole thing, so in the end? I won.

MR: Is there a thing you’ve written that makes you cringe now? 

AJS: So much. So so much. But every word I’ve written has gotten me to where I am now, so I don’t regret them. Well, most of them.

MR: So the word on the street is that you leave Supernatural Easter Eggs scattered throughout your novels. Please tell us more!

AJS: I’ve been a fan of this show since it began. Seriously, I think there’s been maybe four episodes over the fifteen years I’ve not seen when it actually aired (says a lot about my life, I’m sure). Like all my books, this show, at its core, is about family—the one you are born to and the one you create for yourself. Adding names from the show, or references to Baby (the boys’ Impala), naming animals after characters, I’ve even mentioned the show flat out or alluded to “demon hunting brothers”, it’s just my way of paying homage to probably my favorite show ever. The show also taught me a lot about storytelling and mythology and interweaving the two. I’m going to miss it so much, but I won’t stop putting in those little surprises into my books.

MR: What is it I hear about Barbies sitting on your desk as you write? 

AJS: I have a whole line up of them. I still consider myself a collector even though I don’t buy very many anymore. Before I was published, each of my heroines would have their Barbie representation. Some of the early stories’ heroines are still standing behind my laptop (even though those stories have yet to be published. Hopefully one day).

MR: If you could have drinks with any person, living or dead, who would it be? Why?

AJS: Can I have two? One of my earliest idols and influencers was Marilyn Monroe. We share the same birthday so that probably has something to do with it, but she was just so multi-faceted as well as misunderstood. And far smarter than so many of her counterparts, male and female. She’s a woman I don’t think we ever really peeled back all the layers on and the conversations with her would be amazing.
My second choice? Carrie Fisher. Princess Leia, probably as much as Wonder Woman, helped to shape who I am now. Women get it done. They don’t take crap from anyone. The just do the job. That was both Leia and Carrie. It’s strange to believe, but she’s someone I miss every day. I don’t know that she realized the impact she had on women my age, about the mindset they could create because of her work. I would give anything to be able to thank her for that.

To learn more about Anna, please visit her website at http://www.AuthorAnnaStewart.com.

Author Interview Series-Jackiem Joyner

Jackiem Joyner

Few artists have accomplished as much in the past 20 years as Jackiem Joyner.  With a number one jazz album, several Billboard chart topping hits, and a series of critically acclaimed books to his name, he has shown himself to be the rare artist capable of transcending his instrument and reaching a mainstream audience.  Now, as he begins the thirteenth year of his career during a time of unprecedented change in the entertainment industry, he remains as focused on his art as ever. “I don’t care how hard things get, it’ll never stop me from doing what I love,” he explains.  “playing the sax, writing music and stories, and performing live.”

Jackiem was born in Norfolk, VA.  At an early age he began to show signs of the restless creativity that would later define his career.  Despite his humble upbringing, he was able to get his hands on a saxophone as a child.  The instrument quickly became his constant companion.  After years of practice, he emerged in style with 2007’s ‘Babysoul.’  A masterclass in seductive smooth jazz, the album marked the arrival of a brilliant instrumentalist, and set the stage for a prolific recording career that would include Grammy nods, hit singles, and no shortage of critical adoration, right up through 2019’s ‘Touch’. 

While his career as a recording artist and performer would be enough to keep anyone busy, Jackiem has been nearly as prolific as an author.  His novels, which span from gritty urban thrillers to highly imaginative science fiction have garnered praise from a wide audience world wide.  Currently, he is promoting his most recent release ‘Zarya,’ a timely story that examines the disintegration of society on a distant desert planet. And ‘Minor Assassin’, A young boy is forced into a dark world by tragedy.

Trained by the most ruthless fighters of Japan, the teenager aims to disrupt a human trafficking network in Las Vegas. His enemies will be ruthless. And he will do anything to rescue his older sister.

In addition to his own work, Jackiem is dedicated to using his standing to inspire young artists to follow in his footsteps.  With the foundation of JOYNER MEDIA COMPANY L.L.C., he is providing a new generation with the tools they need to fully realize their potential.  He continues to record and release music at an impressive speed, most recently the single ‘Road To Soul,’ which was composed and recorded exclusively during quarantine.  Jackiem’s has led a life unlike anyone else and continues to be a vital voice for creativity and free expression as he enters a bold new stage in his career.

Marina Raydun: Okay, Jackiem, I need to know more—how does a distinguished musician take the leap and dive head first into writing YA fiction? What first inspired you to take pen to paper?

Jackiem Joyner: Great question. It kind of started by accident really. I woke up one morning with this crazy story in my head and said to myself, this has to make the big screen! One day on tour I started to simply write whatever came to my head. The story eventually became “Zarya”. I was intrigued after finishing the first chapter. I could not wait to get back to writing the story. I continued for months until I had my draft. I found myself writing before sound check and at the airport! Interesting experiences!

MR: How does the language of music translate to writing fiction for you?

JJ: As a songwriter I feel I’m working the same muscles. I go through the same process, believe it or not. As someone who improvises / solo on stage, I appreciate being able to come up with things on the spot. When writing stories, I can fully indulge into my imagination. Especially fiction. Just allowing my mind to run wild!

MR: What is the first experience you had when you learned that language had power?

JJ: As a performer, when you see the reaction from people on stage it truly is something amazing. I’ve had couples tell me my song was played when they met their significant other! I believe that is true power! Our imagination can reach people. Be it with stories or music!

MR: How did publishing your first book change your writing process?

JJ: Publishing my own book taught me to put the reader first. I learned the importance of reading similar books, too! I began to write with the end in mind!

MR: You have a new title coming out this fall. It sounds intriguing. Tell our readers a little bit about the protagonist in Minor Assassin.

JJ: Jon, the lead character didn’t want any of this. He truly wanted to be a normal boy. It starts out with him being only 8 years old. A home invasion changes his life…

 Minor Assassin will take you on a dramatic journey in martial arts, spy-tech, espionage, and adventure! A suspenseful crime thriller with real world consequences.

By the age of 13, Jon finds himself in a dark underground world desperate to recuse his older sister. The 5 years he spent living in Japan turns him into a ruthless talent. But what is he fighting for?

To decapitate a massive human trafficking network in Las Vegas and to rescue his older sister from captivity. Tragedy sent him to Japan as a young boy. And there he would learn the skills needed to rescue his sister and have his revenge! Two underground worlds will collide with Jon in the middle. 

MR: If you could cast your characters in a Hollywood adaption of your book, who would play your characters?

JJ: I would cast Caleb McLaughlin as the main character, Jon. Forest Whittaker as the supporting character!

MR: What is the most difficult part about your artistic process—both musically and in terms of crafting a novel?

JJ: Sometimes I get stuck on a verse or on a chorus. Or on a chapter. It can sometimes last for days! But somehow the Universe answers the call and sends me something amazing!!

MR: If you had to do something differently as a child or a teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?

JJ: I definitely would have read more books. I didn’t really start reading a whole lot until I was about 28.

MR: You also run a book club on your website. Tell us a little bit about that.

JJ: I use this site to connect Authors to some of the people who read and follow my own work. It’s kind of a community where we can all give each other feedback. I also highlight my favorite books and promote what’s currently hot!

MR: What is your favorite genre to read, and what are you currently reading?

JJ: I love suspense and futuristic tech type books. Sci-fi, crime, mystery, are my favs. I’m currently reading “All Systems Red” by  Martha Wells. I just finished “The Innocent” by David Baldacci.

To learn more about Jackiem, please visit the following:  

https://www.instagram.com/jackiemjoyner/

https://www.facebook.com/jackiemjoyner

https://twitter.com/JackiemJoyner

Author Interview Series-Jennifer Anne Gordon

Jennifer Anne Gordon

Jennifer Anne Gordon is a gothic horror novelist. Her work includes Beautiful, Frightening and Silent (2020) which is a finalist in the Kindle Book Review Awards, and From Daylight to Madness (The Hotel book 1), and coming out in November 2020, When the Sleeping Dead Still Talk (The Hotel book 2).

She had a collection of her mixed media artwork published during spring of 2020, entitled Victoriana: mixed media art of Jennifer Gordon.

Jennifer is one of the hosts as well as the creator of Vox Vomitus, a video podcast on the Global Authors on the Air Network, as well as the Co-Host of the You Tube Channel “Talk Horror to Me”. She had been a contributor to Ladies of Horror Fiction, as well as Horror Tree.

Jennifer is a pale curly haired ginger, obsessed with horror, ghosts, abandoned buildings, and her dog "Lord Tubby".

She graduated from the New Hampshire Institute of Art, where she studied Acting. She also studied at the University of New Hampshire with a concentration in Art History and English. 

She has made her living as an actress, a magician's assistant, a "gallerina", a comic book dealer, a painter, and burlesque performer and for the past 10 years as an award-winning professional ballroom dancer, performer, instructor, and choreographer.

When not scribbling away (ok, typing frantically) she enjoys traveling with her fiancé and dance partner, teaching her dog ridiculous tricks (like 'give me a kiss' and 'what hand is the treat in?' ok these are not great tricks.) as well as taking photos of abandoned buildings and haunted locations.

She is a leo, so at the end of the day she just thinks about her hair.

Marina Raydun: You studied acting. How does this background help you in developing your characters?

Jennifer Anne Gordon: I love this question!! Honestly, I do the same “character homework” I would do if I were performing. There is a lot of character development that goes on in my head that never makes it to the page, but I think it’s so important that you know as much as possible about the people you are writing. It is the only thing that makes them real, you need to know their thoughts, the ones that are not in the book. I feel like you could ask me anything about any of my characters and I would know the answer.  Also, when developing characters for Acting, you also pay attention to what other characters say to them, about them, their behavior. This usually comes into play when I am on my second and third drafts, this is when character shading comes into play, and they start to have real depth. I tend to write my first draft more on the sparse side, dialogue is more like a play. I’m just telling the story to myself, but the later drafts that is when I know my characters and then it’s them that tell me the story. 

MR: Your bio, your novels, your art—it all has this hypnotizing and haunting quality to it. Where do you think this comes from?

JAG: Thank you! I know it sounds cliché but I have always felt more drawn to the past than I am the present. This is probably why I write Gothic literature; with characters whose past is more alive than they are in their current life.  I have always found memories to be so fascinating. Because a memory is not real, it’s only one part of the story, your part.  So, I have always found myself collecting strange things, like old letters, old postcards, old photos. Old letters especially are fascinating, as it’s truly just one side of a conversation. But it is also something that for some reason someone held onto for years.   

MR: What is the first book that made you cry?

JAG: I had to look this up…I know I cried while reading Where the Red Fern Grows, and Charlottes Web. But there was a book I read when I was 8 called “A Summer to Die” by Lois Lowry, which was about two sisters, and one of them had Leukemia. That is the first time I remember really grieving for characters, feeling their pain like it was mine. 

MR: What’s your favorite childhood book?

JAG: Anne of Green Gables. 

MR: Is there one topic you would never write about as an author? Why? 

JAG: I think I would never want to write erotica, or really any type of graphic love scene. I am definitely NOT opposed to any of that, I’m not offended, but I think for me I would end up being really awkward with it, and in the end it would probably sound embarrassing or medical. I blame being raised in New Hampshire.

MR: What are your literary pet peeves?

JAG: I really don’t like short sentences. I want them to be long a labyrinthine, I want to get lost in them.

MR: Who is your literary hero?

JAG: It’s a tie between Shirley Jackson, she wrote my favorite novel, The Haunting of Hill House. She was also an incredible woman; she struggled so much in her life with mental illness and used that to create work that is terrifying as well as emotionally devastating. My other literary hero is Anne Sexton, and I love her for all the same reasons as Jackson. 

MR: Is there a book that changed your life?

JAG: Pet Sematary. It was the first Stephen King novel I read and the first horror novel. I picked it up because I thought it was about a cat. This was the first experience I had with a book that scared me and made me weep. Grief terror….

MR: Is there a book that people might be surprised to learn you love?

JAG: I absolutely loved the book Valley of the Dolls.

MR: Talk to us a little about your podcast. I, for one, love the title—Vox Vomitus (Word Vomit).

JAG: Thank you!! Yes, it’s a great name. It sprung from one time when I was writing a first draft and I was chatting with one of my now co-hosts for the show and she asked how my writing was going, and I said “I don’t know if I’m a genius or if its word vomit.” And well, the rest is history…we started using the phrase all the time. When I am being more eloquent, I call my first draft “me telling the story to myself” but really, it’s word vomit.  I wanted to create a show where we could chat with best selling authors and ask them not necessarily what went right to get them where they are, but what went really wrong. So we talk about having to throw out whole chapters, early work, all the mistakes. We pitched the show to the Global Authors on the Air Radio network and the rest is history. We’ve been lucky enough to talk to some of the best authors out there right now including James Rollins, Mary Burton, Paul Tremblay, Wendy Webb, Carol Goodman and many others. It’s a dream come true.

For more information and benevolent stalking, please visit Anne’s website at www.JenniferAnneGordon.com

Amazon Author Page - www.amazon.com/author/jenniferannegordon

Facebook Author Page - https://www.facebook.com/JenniferAnneGordonAuthor/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jennifergenevievegordon/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/JenniferAnneGo5

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20063036.Jennifer_Gordon

Author Interview Series--Tricia Silverman

Tricia Silverman, RD, LDN, MBA

Tricia has been a fitness and nutrition enthusiast, since she was a child. She is a registered dietitian, certified wellness coach, and fitness instructor (certified as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor), and International Amazon Bestselling Author. She has her MBA and teaches Nutrition Entrepreneurship and Healthy Aging for Northeastern University. She creates captivating nutrition programs for conferences, employee wellness, senior centers, businesses, and more. Through her coaching practice, she has helped people lose weight, eat better, move more, and get more out of life! Tricia leads nutrition, weight management, and coaching certifications across the US for SCW Fitness Education Company, and teaches the nutrition component of Christine Conti’s Let’s Face it Together Facial Exercise Certification Program.

Marina Raydun: You are a registered and licensed dietitian, certified wellness coach, and fitness instructor. Why did you decide to pick up a pen and write your own nutrition book?

Tricia Silverman: I wanted to create a resource that would capture the most helpful nutrition tips I’ve gathered and used in my over 20 years as a dietitian. I do a lot of presentations for employee wellness and at conferences, and I found that people were interested in learning much more than the time allotted for the programs, so I thought a book would be a helpful way of giving people more depth and breadth than what I can fit in a 60 minute seminar.

MR: What is the most difficult part about your writing process?

TS: The editing process was the hardest for me. I am a perfectionist, and kept wanting to change things until the very last moment. I think the next book will be easier, because I now have a better understanding of the process and the time it takes to do a good job.

MR: How did publishing your first book change your process?

TS: I need to edit more before it goes to the editor. I cite a lot of research, and I will edit the citations, as I go along, rather than waiting to the end. Also, I now understand all the different pieces or “jobs” involved in writing a book, such as outlining and writing the book, cover and backmatter design, interior design, formatting, designing of graphics and cartoons, editing, proofreading, marketing, and publicity. Now that I had the first “book baby,” the second should hopefully be an easier delivery!

MR: Is there a book you wish you’d written?

TS: In my early years as a dietitian, I read the book “Thin for Life,” by a dietitian named Anne Fletcher. It was and still is one of my favorite nutrition books. After reading that book, I was under the impression for years that there was no more room for similar books. I learned over time that there is a book in everyone, and I am always encouraging people to write books. Everyone has their own story, plus all of the information and stories about people they’ve met and worked with, so there is room for all of us to become authors, and share our wisdom, gifts, and creativity. 

MR: How do you select topics for your blog?

TS: I like to share information about products and foods that inspire me. I feel very strongly about limiting processed foods and eating and using foods in recipes that have a very short ingredient list. My blog is evolving, and I am looking forward to spending more time on it. People seem to enjoy my supermarket videos on Facebook where I discuss ingredients, so I plan on spotlighting more tasty healthy foods that have simple ingredient lists in my blog. 

MR: Being an in-demand speaker, you must travel a fair deal. What is your favorite genre to read on the road?

TS: I read nutrition books and business books on the road. I like to read books that directly relate to the presentations I will be giving. For instance, one of my favorite books to review before I give my presentation on “The Fascinating Connections between Nutrition and Sleep,” is The Sleepdoctor’s Diet Plan by Michael Breus. When I do my “Food Deconstructed” presentation which discusses unsavory ingredients in popular foods, I like to review Food Forensics by Mike Adams. When I speak about longevity, I like to review The Blue Zones Solution by Dan Buettner, and Healthy at 100 by John Robbins. One helpful business book I picked up at an airport on one of my trips is Successful Women Speak Differently by Valorie Burton.

MR: What are you currently reading?

TS: I am a serial reader, and often have several books going at one time: These are a sampling of the different books I am currently reading:

Crush it, by Gary Vaynerchuk (I love his no-nonsense way of giving super helpful advice)

Practical Applications in Sports Nutrition (a textbook), by Heather Hedrick Fink Alan E. Mikesky 

Funny You Don’t Look Autistic, A Comedian’s Guide to Life on the Spectrum (I love to read books written by comedians)

Face It, by Debbie Harry (I feel like I am missing something if I don’t have an autobiography on my night table!)

In an Unspoken Voice, How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness by Peter Levine (part of my studies as I work toward my 200 hour Registered Yoga Teacher Certification)

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey (reading this as a family with my kids)

MR: Is there a book that people might be surprised to learn you love?

TS: I like Romance novels and find the Jill Shalvis series a lot of fun to read. 

MR: What’s the best and worst book review you’ve ever received? 

TS: People have been so kind, so it’s so hard to pick a best review. This is one on Amazon that particularly stands out:

“This is a great little treasure of a book for anybody looking to make and keep lasting changes to their lifestyle. With all the information out there (sometimes contradictory), this book puts it all in perspective and synthesizes it for you. It's written in an easy and super-engaging style with a ton of really useful information. For its size its quite comprehensive and fully covers everything YOU need to know about everyday nutrition and fitness to take control of your lifestyle. A great set of tools to make sense of food labels, nutrition, and exercise, and most important of all, how it all fits together. If you read nothing else, please read the sections on how companies take advantage of lax regulations and labeling laws to sneak 'junky' ingredients into our food without us ever suspecting it. The author has done an amazing job of providing actionable information that empowers you to understand what's going on and how you can apply it in your daily food choices. What I love about it too, is the cool little quick math tools and hacks to help you instantly convert food label info into a decision to buy or not buy. There's a ton of very easy to implement strategies to incorporate good nutrition, exercise and stress management into your daily schedule without fancy memberships and equipment. This book is 100% relatable and implementable and filled with real-life examples of everything she's talking about. I would recommend getting two copies, because you are almost guaranteed to want to gift a copy to a loved one!”

So far, I have been lucky, and people have been really nice with their reviews.

MR: Do you think you’d ever attempt to write fiction?

TS: Yes, I think it would be fun to write a romance novel at some point. I feel I have a few more nonfiction “book babies” to deliver first. 

To learn more about Tricia, please follow the links below.

Website: www.triciasilverman.com/book

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tricia.silverman

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triciasilverman/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TriciaSilverman?lang=en

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tricia-silverman-rd-ldn-mba-b8757811

Author Interview Series--Ann Charles

Ann Charles

USA Today Bestselling author, Ann Charles, writes spicy mysteries full of comedy, adventure, suspense, romance, and paranormal mayhem. When she's not dabbling in fiction, she's arm wrestling with her two kids, attempting to seduce her husband, and arguing with her sassy cats.

Marina Raydun: Your bibliography spans a few genres. Do you find it difficult to switch around between paranormal, suspense, romance et cetera?

Ann Charles: No, because my books incorporate elements of multiple genres within each story. For example, the Deadwood Mystery series has more than just mystery. There is a fair amount of paranormal, lots of humor, and a good dose of romance, too. I like my genres how I like my drinks—mixed. Ha!

MR: You have a B.A. in English, with an emphasis on creative writing. How much of an advantage do you think this background affords you out there in the publishing world?

AC: The B.A. in English looks good on paper, and all of those college writing assignments gave me plenty of practice at organizing my thoughts so I could put them on the page in a logical order. In truth, my practical experiences have been far more valuable to my success in this business. Experimentation in marketing, promotion, and story telling over the years has been an education in itself.

MR: If you had to do something differently as a child or a teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?

AC: I would try to visit more museums and explore history to a greater degree. I think there is so much to learn from the past, including practical lessons. We travel a bit with our kids, going to book signings in different locations during school holidays and breaks. We try to visit museums and local historical venues whenever we can and expose them to as much history as possible along the road.

MR: What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

AC: Well, I’ve been in this business for 20+ years now, so I know many authors and have friendships that go back decades. The author world is a small community, like several other trades. Many of my relationships are primarily business-related, but some authors have become good friends in the process of working together at different times to advance our careers. We help each other by sharing information on marketing, promoting, and sales, as well as business news about changing markets and newfound opportunities. We co-promote our books and share career-advancing tips and prospects. On the writing front, we don’t really help each other become better writers—that’s something I work on with every book on my own.

MR: What book do you wish you had written?

AC: I wish I’d written Cheryl Reavis’s Family Blessings series because her characterization is incredible and her knowledge/research/understanding of the Navajo life and culture as evident in the stories is awe-inspiring. Cheryl’s skill at bringing characters to life is something I aspire to achieve with my own stories. 

MR: Is there one topic you would never write about as an author? Why?

AC: There are many topics that are bad juju for my type of fiction writing, especially politics and religion. There are also literary tropes that I avoid—for example, the good ol’ love triangle. I almost always feel badly for the loser in the end, even if I didn’t like him/her as much as the winner. Love triangles cause me too much angst as a reader and I quickly grow frustrated with the inability to pick one love interest. The only love triangle story I’ve ever enjoyed is in the movie Bandits with Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, and Cate Blanchett. That was done well and the ending was happy for all.

MR: What literary character is most like you?

AC: Violet Parker from my Deadwood Mystery series. We have nearly identical senses of humor and tastes in men. Ha! Kidding … sort of. I’d like to think I’m witty and inquisitive like Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, but I’m probably more like Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit, just wanting to stay home, eat good food, and be comfortable in Bag End, his little home in the ground.

MR: What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?

AC: Well, I visit Deadwood, South Dakota yearly if not more often, researching and soaking up the local culture and atmosphere to help bring my Deadwood Mystery series more to life for readers. Before I moved to Arizona, we would come down and visit the area where I set my Jackrabbit Junction Mystery series (southeastern Arizona). I’ve been to Mexico several times and try to soak up the culture to enhance my Dig Site Mystery series.

As for other books that are not mine, I’ve explored El Malpais National Monument area, which is the setting for one of my favorite Louis L’Amour books, Flint. My husband and I have driven along the Santa Fe Trail and the Cimarron Trail, which are mentioned in many westerns. I’ve been to Mark Twain’s hometown on the Mississippi River and explored several southern plantations, which I’ve read about in history books and various stories. Oh, and I’ve hiked a mile in the Arizona mountains up to Fort Bowie National Historic Site, a 19th-century outpost of the US Army, which I knew about from many books I’d read and movies I’d watched over the years. There are more places I’ve gone due to reading about them in books (including foreign locals), but we’d need a lot more time and some good tequila to keep going down this path.

MR: What are your literary pet peeves?

AC: Love triangles, ha ha ha. Let’s see, what else … loose plot threads. In a series, I am okay with plot threads that are not tied off by the end of a book because I figure there will be more to come in the future books. However, in a single title, if the author didn’t tie up all loose threads, then I’m left unsatisfied. I also don’t like rushed endings where it feels like the author was out of time and had run up against his or her publishing deadline, so they rushed the ending. If I’ve invested a lot of time reading a whole story, I want to feel like time was taken to deliver a full ending. 

MR: Who is your literary crush?

AC: Legolas the Sindarin Elf of the Woodland Realm from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. I read this series for a college class and liked Legolas from the get-go. Orlando Bloom playing him in the movies didn’t hurt this literary crush any either, ha ha ha. Oh, and of course Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice, even though he was rotten at communication until the end of the book.

For more on Ann Charles, please visit:

Website: http://anncharles.com/books/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnCharlesAuthorPage

Twitter: https://twitter.com/annwcharles

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ann_charles

Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/annwcharles

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/AnnWCharles

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ann-charles

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4605878.Ann_Charles

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Charles/e/B004JLYPFW

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AnnCharlesAuthor

Inspiration in (un)Likely Places (interview with visual artist, Anna Abramzon)

Anna Abramzon (photo by Michelle Fielecan Photography)

Anna Abramzon is a visual artist based in California. She is known for her figurative expressionist paintings as well as her unique style of Judaica and ketubah art. Her work has been shown in Chicago, New York, Miami, St. Paul, Houston, Connecticut, Oakland, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa.  She has a BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two daughters.

I met Anna by absolute chance. It was one Facebook group or another, I think. I don’t remember what it was we were bonding over, but it took me all but a couple of minutes of exploring her art online to fall in love. It’s rare that I am moved by a painting (I’m more of a performance art girl), but a few pieces in Anna’s most recent collection had me gutted in the most delightful of ways. I knew I needed one particular piece on my wall and even attempted to buy it. Of course, I was both too slow and too poor to get my hands on it, but I was lucky to get a limited edition print, instead. It’s like the image came from inside my mind by way of a different artist. The muse never reveals her trade secrets. Regardless, the feeling is indescribable. After corresponding a bit, Anna and I quickly realized that we share quite a bit in common and it’s the sweetest thing, if only a little eerie. Our experiences as children immigrants were very similar and left us both similarly scarred, though not necessarily negatively. Some scars make you, after all. I decided to ask Anna for an interview because I find both her art and her approach to life quite relatable as well as inspiring. Besides, she has no idea how much of the protagonist that I’ve been slowly developing over the past year I see in my favorite piece by her.

Marina Raydun: Although your medium is different than mine, I see your paintings as stories. And quite moving, profound ones, at that. You were born in the former Soviet Union, but moved to the United States at a very young age. You also lived in Israel. How many languages do you know?  Which language lends itself better to your storytelling? What language does the muse use more often than not?

Anna Abramzon: I speak 3 languages (English, Russian, and Hebrew), and I have comprehensive Spanish, mostly because of my Argentine husband. Although it isn’t technically my native tongue, English is by far my strongest language. 

But the language that lends itself to storytelling best for me is not comprised of words. I experience many parts of life in colors and shapes, and I have synesthesia, so even letters and numbers come attached to colors and sounds for me.  It’s funny, because there are many times when someone will ask me “what were you thinking during….” And I can’t explain it because all I was “thinking” was colors and patterns.

You’re right that my paintings definitely tell stories, but it’s not nearly as concrete as written or spoken language – I don’t think of a specific story for each painting. In that way, I am different than an illustrator.  Instead, my paintings are inspired by feelings, emotions, or  fleeting memories and moments – and the story itself is different for each person viewing it. I am a natural empath, so I sense the emotions and moods of everyone around me – this is both a blessing and a curse in day to day life, but it is a huge asset in making art, particularly portraiture.  This is what I love about visual art, it can tell many different stories and different viewers can appreciate and experience and relate to it in all different ways. 

MR: What is the first experience you had when you learned that language had power?

AA: Language was an important part of my childhood. When I started school in America, not speaking any English, I quickly learned to read facial expressions, body language, and situations as their own language. It was intuitive, but it taught me to be much more observant of my surroundings and of other people – I guess you could say it was my first time “reading” the world, without any words.  I think you can still see the lessons I learned during that time in my art.

MR: What affect do you feel growing up in family of immigrants had (and continues to have) on your creativity? 

AA: I actually think it’s remarkable how much my immigrant childhood has shaped my life and my art.  I am quite sentimental -- sometimes to a frustrating degree – and I get very attached to every place I live, and to people I cross paths with. I am that person who has to try not to cry whenever I’m saying good bye to my kids’ teachers at the end of the year (while my kids may be totally indifferent).  I think this phenomenon is a direct descendant of the immigrant experience – I learned from a young age how fleeting life can be and so I try to hang on to every moment and experience. I think longing for connection and for permanence translates pretty clearly into my art. 

My art also has a lot of Jewish themes and I make many Jewish ritual items. This, too, stems from the immigrant experience.  My Jewish identity has always played a central role in how I understand myself and how I relate to the world around me, especially when I was younger, growing up as forever the “other”. As a child in the Soviet Union, it was always clear to me that my family and I were “different” and not accepted.  My childhood was full of secrecy and mystery and subtle threat that I could not understand, but could sense nonetheless. It would be years before I would learn that my parents had been refuseniks, or what that word even means.  

When we immigrated to America as refugees during Operation Exodus, suddenly I was introduced as “Russian”  wherever I went.  It was confusing and frustrating to me, as I had never been considered Russian  in the Soviet Union (it would have been Ukrainian anyway, but my ethnicity was “Jew”, so I was neither Russian or Ukrainian).  Then, when I moved to Israel as an adult, thinking this would finally reconcile my life-long identity confusion, I was suddenly called “American” by Israelis. This was another new development, as I had never quite felt “American” in America.  As I have gotten older, those kind of identity labels have become less and less important to me, but Jewish tradition will always be something I cherish and celebrate and this is also obvious in my art. 

MR: What is the most difficult part about your artistic process? 

AA: I think the thing I struggle with most is my constant push and self-imposed pressure to grow and evolve– I guess that is something that we humans in general struggle with on all fronts. I am constantly trying to become a better artist. This means being as consistent as possible in my practice, but also pushing myself outside my comfort zone, experimenting and trying new things. This is really hard for me, but I keep doing it anyway because the goal is for every painting and every collection to be more challenging and more moving than the previous one for both my collectors and for me.

MR: What is your favorite genre to read?

AA: I love novels and naturally have a special soft spot for immigrant literature.

MR: Is there an illicit book you had to sneak growing up? 

AA: This is so embarrassing because it’s total junk lit, but I definitely remember getting in big trouble as a kid for reading Flowers in the Attic. 

MR: Are there any books you’ve read over and over again? 

AA: Yes, quite a few! I have read Jonathan Franzen’s three most recent novels at least twice each. I have read The History of Love by Nicole Krauss many, many times. I have also re-read a few of Nathan Englander’s books and I have read Jhumpa Lahiri’s short stories and The Namesake several times. Oh, also Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie a couple times.  Most recently I read Self Portrait with Boy by Rachel Lyons twice in a row. So clearly, I do this a lot.

MR: What are you currently reading?

AA: Right now I’m in the middle of Dave Eggers’ “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius”. 

MR: If you could have drinks with any person, living or dead, who would it be? Why? 

AA: Oh wow, this is really a hard. I have so many artists and writers that inspire me. The first one who came to mind is Lucian Freud. But for living artists,  I would say maybe writer Elizabeth Gilbert? She is such an incredibly wise and kind and talented person, I feel like being in her presence would be simultaneously  illuminating and somehow also not as intimidating as some other people I can think of.

Also, I think you and I should get drinks next time we are on each other’s coast!  

MR: What other artists are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better artist yourself? 

AA: I am fortunate to have made many wonderful artist friends throughout my life, and I have learned so much from all of them. The first who comes to mind is my dear friend painter and yogi Joy Langer. She taught me all about generosity and how giving art can be. I have a small group of visual artist friends that I just recently started building since moving to Los Angeles, and these ladies are fierce and smart and creative and they inspire me to push through blocks and to make time for art no matter what.  We meet once a month (now a days over Zoom, thanks Corona), but these coffee dates are the air I breathe. Also, my friend Inna Faliks is a classical pianist and I am completely awed by her talent, drive, creativity, risk-taking and discipline.

To learn more about Anna, visit:

www.annaabramzon.com

Instagram.com/annaabramzonart

Facebook.com/annaabramzonstudio

Author Interview Series-M.J. Preston

M.J. Preston

M.J. Preston’s debut novel: THE EQUINOX, published in 2012, was a quarterfinalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Awards and rated a solid straight horror novel by a reviewer at Publisher’s Weekly.

His second novel: ACADIA EVENT, published in 2015, was inspired by his time running the world longest ice road, as an ice road trucker, in the Canada’s Northwest Territories. It is set to be re-released with his publisher, WildBlue Press.

His third novel: HIGHWAYMAN, a thriller, was published July 02, 2019 with WildBlue Press. He has also published scores of short stories in anthologies around the world. In addition to writing, MJ is an artist and an amateur photographer.

The sequel to Highwayman, titled: FOUR, is now available with WildBlue Press wherever books are available.

He resides in Alberta, Canada with his wife, Stormy and beagles, Jake and Milo.

He is now hard at work on a new novel.    

Marina Raydun: How do you, personally, define speculative fiction?

M.J. Preston: Personally? Well, let me be the first to admit that I’m the least qualified. Am I the only lout available to define it right now? Here goes. My definition would be that speculative fiction is bending reality as we know it. Throwing our perceptions of existence into the ether only to see what happens. The challenge lies in convincing a reader to join you in that world.

MR: What made you pick up a pen (figuratively speaking) and write in the first place?

MJP: It started in school. I was a constant daydreamer who majored in art, stank at math, got by on social studies but loved the English language and the art of storytelling. In some cases, a story amounts to poetry, happily whisking you along nary a care in the world, and then there are the dark words, pushing you to open that door, look under that bed. To stay rather than flee. This (writing) is what I was intended to do, success or fail. It has been my life plan since birth. Writing chose me. I’m glad it did. I love telling stories and I love hearing them.

MR: If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

MJP: Keep writing, man, your day is coming. People are going to dig what you’re doing and that’s the greatest payment for any art form. So, keep writing and I’ll be here when you get here. It’ll be freaky. Oh, one more thing, the Power Ball numbers are…

MR: What is your favorite underappreciated novel?

MJP: I would have to say, Robert R. McCammon’s THEY THIRST. It was written in the 1970’s when the genre was sort of cool and less romantic. Los Angeles is overrun with vampires amid a supernaturally induced sandstorm. It isn’t a work of fiction that resonates with everyone, but I thought it was a great novel. I liked it more than Salem’s Lot. McCammon is such a fantastic storyteller; his characters are strange and often hard edged, but always intriguing. 

MR: What do you owe real life people upon whom you base your characters?

MJP: Those that know? My debt was paid in full when I developed them honestly and without malice. Those that don’t? I’ll never tell. I am a keeper of souls.

MR: What does literary success look like to you?

MJP: Literary success? I think I’m there. I’m not hailing from separate estates on beachfront property, or hanging out with celebs, but I have a growing readership. If they keep reading, I get to keep writing. How cool is that? 

MR: What’s the best and worst book review you’ve ever received?

MJP: Here is a One Star Review for Highwayman from Amazon that sticks with me:

NOT FOR ME!

While this book caught my attention from the synopsis, I immediately found it to be too gory and dark for my personal taste. Certain parts of the book were too much for me to handle and I could not move past them. The genre is horror and fans of horror will probably enjoy this book as it is well written and fast paced. It is book one in the series and is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seat.

Is this the best or worst review I’ve ever gotten?

The jury is still out. 

MR: What are you currently reading? 

MJP: I just finished, MY BFF SATAN by Kyle Rader, and yes, the book is as funny as the title. I’m now in between books, but there’s a pile waiting, and I’ll get down to it. Likely this afternoon. Check with me later.

MR: If you could have drinks with any person, living or dead, who would it be?

MJP: This might sound like a cliché, but I would love to sit down and drink the night away with Jim Morrison, although I doubt I could keep up. Some might ask why not Edgar Allan Poe, Stephen King, or John Sandford? Here’s my answer. I have always had a fascination with the songwriter and poet because they are master storytellers who grab our hearts in a few short minutes and manage to fulfill us. And even after we know the story, we keep going back for more. “Let it roll baby roll!”  

Yeah, Jim Morrison. 

MR: What book do you wish you had written?

MJP: SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE by Kurt Vonnegut.

It is a brilliantly crafted novel that is farcical, and yet shows humanity for all its faults. Following the life of Billy Pilgrim who finds himself a prisoner of war in Dresden, to time shifts between the war, his life as husband and father in present day, and eventual time travels to and from the planet Tralfamadore and his assassination. Vonnegut was a brilliant writer.

M.J. Preston

To keep in touch with M.J. Preston, please check out the following:

Just out: FOUR, Book two in the Highwayman series: wbp.bz/foura

Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/MJ-Preston/e/B005JTQMZY

MJ Preston on the web: https://mjpreston.net

MJ Preston on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mj.preston.9

MJ Preston on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MJPreston1

Author Interview Series-Checking in with Miranda Oh

Miranda Oh

Marina Raydun: I really enjoyed our interview back in November of 2018. A lot has happened in your life since then, including the release of your latest novel. Congratulations! Does this complete the series or will there be more installments of Hadley’s story?

Miranda Oh: I had a blast with our last interview, glad to be back to share a little about Just Breathe Chin Up Tits Out! This is the final installment of Hadley’s story, but definitely not the finale of Miranda. You will be seeing another trilogy coming soon. 

MR: What compelled you to write book three in this series?

MO: It seems to be in my world all things come in three’s, the good the bad and the in between. It really started with me wanting to right one novel, but I quickly realized it would be way too long to put it properly in one book, two books felt weird to me to make up series, so three books it ended up being.

MR: Was there a scene that was the hardest for you to write?

MO: I hear from some reviews that around 28 pages in the readers were sobbing themselves. It is the moment when our main character, Hadley was encouraged to reassess and reanalyze the toughest moment of her life. Hadley’s partner who is an immigrant, a cancer patient and who suffers from mental illness and addiction, abruptly left unannounced. It was a heart wrenching breathe by breathe few pages that stab at your heart repetitively. It was as tough to write as it is to read. With that said, it sure does set the tone for the remainder of the story, once you assess yourself and analyze your darkest moments, you’re setting yourself up for more success and opportunities.

MR: Did you change anything about your creative process this time around?

MO: I think as I get older, I become more organized and methodological, which turns my book writing into a mapping more at the beginning phases of writing. Each time I come to a new book, I have more of it mapped out, and more organized. 

MR: Do you have an inspiration playlist for Hadley? Would you mind sharing a few of her songs with us?

MO: Oh girl, do I ever! Spotify reads my soul better than I do sometimes! I am preparing for my book launch party, and created a playlist of songs that embodied Hadley or were a source of inspiration, or strength during this time period. I’m so thrilled to share this with you! I have come up with my three fav’s, not in any particular order.  Peachy by Cell 7, It’s a Good Day by Peggy Lee, and Me Too by Meghan Trainor.

MR: Is there a thing you’ve written in one of the first two books that makes you cringe now?

MO: Any errors that were missed by the editors, make me giggle, like how did we miss this? I mean we are ONLY human right! Also, curse words that were used too “willy-nilly”. I’ve learned in time and through experience, that when writing, use curse words only to help create emotional impact and to heighten your readers experience.

MR: Is there a book that people might be surprised to learn you love?

MO: I don’t know if they will be surprised, but my favorite book of all time is The Book of Negroes by award winning Canadian author Lawrence Hill. It is a historical fiction novel with a 500 page count. It was massive and a total page turner, I cried, I laughed and everything else within that story.

MR: What are you currently reading?

MO: Girl, Wash your face by Rachel Hollis.  I picked up this book to ensure all levels of my confidence prior to launching book three were all in line and were in check. Rachel has a wonderful way at being completely relatable to her readers, I strive for that, but through crazy fiction stories.

MR: What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

MO: I have connected with a multitude of authors from across North America, too many to name, but I will give you two other authors that always stick out in my mind, mister Jason LaVelle and Chrisie Stratos. Both of these authors have gone above and beyond for me; with advice, knowledge, and love! Simply because of that, these folks will forever be close to my heart.

MR: What do you think about when you’re alone in your car?

MO: I dance. I dance like there is no one watching. My eyes are on the road, so I can’t tell if others can see, nor do I care! My car time is my alone time, the 10 minutes in the morning and in the afternoon I get to crank my music, and legit sing (terribly) until all the negative goes away. By the time I get to work, or get home, I have completely reset and am ready to go – in whichever direction I must.

Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Just-Breathe-Chin-Tits-Book/dp/1733510389/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=just+breathe+chin+up+tits+out&qid=1582581604&s=digital-text&sr=1-1-catcorr

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