Brian M Gelinas Bio:
A published author and news reporter for a local daily newspaper, I currently live in the small Massachusetts mill town known as Athol, where I was born and raised. Instilled early on with a desire to write, I’d spend hours in my room penning imaginary tales. The older I got, the stronger the desire to write became. It’s almost like I have to write to be a complete person, whether published or not, and if I don’t, it feels like something is missing.

For the most part, I’m drawn to writing true-to-life dramatic stories that I hope will move others in some way. My first success came in 1997, with the publication of a creative commentary piece in Worcester Magazine. In 2001, I won the Louis P. Shepherd Award in Creative Writing while a student at Fitchburg State College.

Author Interview Brian M Gelinas:
It’s rare today to find an author who does nothing but write for a living. Do you have a ‘real’ job other than writing, and if so, what is it? What are some other jobs you’ve had in your life?

Brian M Gelinas: Well, I’ve already answered the first question in my introductory paragraph. The interesting thing here is that I now write for the newspaper for which I delivered newspapers when I was a teenager. That was my first paying job. I guess things really do come full circle at times, as they say. Other jobs I have had include grocery store clerk, furniture assembler and office computer support person.

What compelled you to write your first book?

Brian M Gelinas: Seeing kids in trouble in the news almost daily inspired the idea for the basic premise of my first novel, American Odyssey. It got me thinking about how people watching those kids on the news or reading about them in the paper — who didn’t know those kids beforehand — didn’t really know who they were at all or how they ended up at that point in life doing what they did. The five-minute TV clip, or short news article hardly told their story. Not that I’m making excuses for such kids or exonerating them. It’s just that, with not knowing their back story, those who don’t know them probably shouldn’t be judging them at all based on what is presented in the media, like a lot of people often do. I knew there was a story in there somewhere, and I set out to tell it.

I decided to have the narrator, 17-year-old Hunter Leroux, be one of those kids in trouble, and to have him say to readers that while they might have seen him on the news, they don’t know him or what his story is, but he’ll tell them if they want to hear it. In a larger sense, I think Hunter’s story is everyone’s story in a way. After all, most of us are undoubtedly guilty of having judged someone else without really knowing that person, and most of us have probably been judged by others in a similar way.

Tell us a little bit about your book/s. What are their titles; which is your favorite if you have more than one, and briefly let us know what they are about. Pay particular attention to your most recent book and/or your first book:

Brian M Gelinas: As I said above, my first published novel is titled American Odyssey (Outskirts Press, Sept. 2006). It’s a gritty, coming-of-age tale about three less-than-fortunate teenage boys, who runaway from their troubled lives in a depressed New England factory town, stealing whatever they need or want along the way and becoming wanted fugitives. What ensues is a tumultuous cross-country trip to South Dakota that affects each of them in ways they hadn’t expected and forever changes their lives. It’s written to appeal to both adults and mature young adults, with the primary target audience being the latter.

The story unfolds through the voice of its lead character, Hunter, who’s angry and disillusioned with life after the death of his estranged father. His friend, Wade Canter, is a tough but abused 18-year-old city kid with a lengthy arrest record. Billy Prescott, 15, is innocent and unassuming and simply longs to go out West to see the wild buffalo. Their troubles begin in their journey when, armed with a handgun, they assault an old man and steal his car. As one wrong choice follows upon another, Hunter becomes increasingly haunted by his past and slowly begins to question the dangerous course he and his friends have chosen.

Revealing the depth of the characters and their motives through flashbacks and their present day actions, the novel offers a relevant account of innocence lost and the consequences of choices made. Interwoven into the intricate plot are several universal themes that I feel are relevant to all teenagers. Among them: the need to believe in oneself and others, the significance of keeping strong ties to family and friends, and the need for parents to be there for their kids.

Are you currently working on any writing projects our readers should watch for release soon?

Brian M Gelinas: The book I am currently working on takes place partly in Barren Falls (the town from the first book) and in a fictional nearby town called Henderson. The main characters are new, although a few of the minor characters from the first book do have bigger parts in this book. Most of the story takes place prior to the events in the first book.

To summarize, the plot revolves around two best friends, who get caught up in the drug scene, and what happens to them as a result. Those who have read the first book will be rather surprised as to the backgrounds of the main characters in this book – two come from well-off privileged families, while two others are less fortunate. Those who have read the first book will also find it interesting that one scene from the first book is included in this one. It is played out from the point of view of the new main characters. However, this second book is neither a sequel nor a prequel, but should be considered more of a parallel companion novel to the first (if that makes sense).

At this point, I have quite a lot left ahead of me with regard to the writing of the second book, and can not say at what point it will be finished or when it will become available for purchase.

Have you ever won any writing awards? If so, what?

Brian M Gelinas: As noted in the introductory paragraph, in 2001, I won the Louis P. Shepherd Award in Creative Writing while a student at Fitchburg State College.

I did submit American Odyssey to the 2007 Writers’ Digest international self-published book competition. While it did not win one of the awards, it did receive some high praise from the judge who read it. In part, the judge had this to say:

“Gelinas uses the word ‘odyssey’ in his title advisedly, in both the literal and literary senses. He manages to make Hunter and Wade’s odyssey across America feel both epic and intimate, the latter in particular through the first-person narrative, which is quite effective. One of the best things about the book is its dialogue, which manages to sound slangy and believable and authentic and yet doesn’t resort to any of those annoying dialect tricks that so often pull readers out of the story. Gelinas manages to make me care for characters who are very different than me, and this is what good fiction is supposed to do.”

What type of music, if any, do you listen to while you write?

Brian M Gelinas: I usually don’t have music playing or the TV on when I’m writing. I need to completely put myself in the story, and in the mindset of the characters. I do, however, find inspiration in music and television at times. See the answer to the next question for more other things that inspire my writing.

What inspires you and motivates you to write the very most?

Brian M Gelinas: I find inspiration for my stories in a lot of things. Among them are personal experience, people I’ve known, the news, incidents I observe, and life in general.

What one thing are you the most proud of in your life?

Brian M Gelinas: I am proud of the fact I have published my first novel, and of just recently having interested an agent with a major NYC agency in reviewing the manuscript for possible representation and the marketing of it to traditional publishing houses. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

What about your family? Do you have children, married, siblings, parents? Has your family been supportive of your writing?

Brian M Gelinas: I’m a single guy who surrounds himself with family and good friends, who are all as excited as I am that I’ve finally gotten my first book published. And, to tell the truth, some of those family members and friends were actually quite involved in the process of getting American Odyssey to print.

Several read the original typed manuscript (and subsequent rewrites) and helped to proof it and offered criticism and advice. It was great having that interaction with readers and their feedback as I moved along with the writing of the book.

The main characters of your stories – do you find that you put a little of yourself into each of them or do you create them to be completely different from you?

Brian M Gelinas: My characters, as with my stories, are fictional overall. However, like many writers, I do draw on experiences in my past to a certain extent to enrich the story I am telling. I also draw on characteristics of people I’ve known, people I know now and myself when developing characters. However, none of my characters represent any specific person in real life, ever.

As an example of drawing on the past, in American Odyssey a few of the flashback scenes are based on things friends and I did growing up. I took those experiences and expanded on them fictionally and used them to detail the backgrounds of the characters. And several of the characters in the book are based, in part, on kids I knew back then. However, I hesitate to say just what is real and what is fiction when people ask. I feel that to do so would be like a magician giving away his secrets, thereby destroying for the reader the illusion of the whole story being real.

Is there an established writer you admire and emulate in your own writing? Do you have a writing mentor?

Brian M Gelinas: Some of those authors who have influenced me are also some of my favorites. To name a few: Jack Kerouac, Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, J.D. Salinger, Robert Cormier, S.E. Hinton, Stephen King and James Douglas Morrison (poet and lead singer of the 1960’s rock group The Doors).

What about now: who is your favorite author and what is your favorite genre to read?

Brian M Gelinas: A partial list of my favorites has been given already. While true-to-life dramatic stories are on the top of my reading list most often, I am open to all genres and will read just about anything if I find its premise interesting. My bookshelves include a wide range, from drama (adult and YA), fantasy and science fiction, thrillers and mysteries. A couple of books I’ve read in recent months that I found enjoyable are Peace Like A River by Leif Enger and The Chosen by Chaim Potok.

Hey, let’s get morbid. When they write your obituary, what do you hope they will say about your book/s and writing? What do you hope they will say about you?

Brian M Gelinas: I think I will pass on this one for the most part. I’m far too young to contemplate my own obituary. However, I would like to think I become successful enough with my writing that I would be remembered as a favorite to some, and that my books are regarded as ‘must reads’.

Location and life experience can sprinkle their influence in your writing. Tell us about where you grew up and a little about where you live now – city? Suburb? Country? Farm? If you could live anywhere you want to live, where would that be?

Brian M Gelinas: I’ve briefly described my hometown previously, and it certainly has influenced my writing, particularly American Odyssey, as the fictional hometown of Barren Falls is based on my hometown to some degree. In fact, many of the small-town settings described are based, in part, on actual locations in what is known as the North Quabbin region, where I live. The photograph on the front cover is also a hometown shot, with hometown kids depicting the three main characters. If I could choose to live anywhere at the moment, it would be South Dakota in the Black Hills region. I’ve been out that way in the past. There’s nothing like the wild openness and sense of unbounded freedom that it evokes.

Do you have any pets? What are they? Tell us about them.

Brian M Gelinas: I have a gray tiger cat named Jessie, who is more like a dog. She follows me around the apartment nearly every waking moment and most times has to be in the same room I am in, which means doors cannot be closed. She had the habit for a while of curling up on my desk next to the computer while I was writing. She’s gotten away from doing that. She also runs to the window and anticipates my arrival home when I pull into the parking space below my apartment windows.

Bring us into your home and set the scene for us when you are writing. What does it look like?

Brian M Gelinas: I do most of my writing on my desktop computer in my room. However, since inspiration can strike at any time, I often find myself scribbling notes with pen in hand when I’m elsewhere.

Do you watch television? If so, what are your favorite shows? Does television influence of inspire your writing?

Brian M Gelinas: Current TV viewing includes: Sports, classic movies, Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, History Channel, certain news programs (60 Minutes, Sunday Morning), TV Land. There are few new series I follow regularly, but I do watch Cold Case on occasion. Classic shows I’ve enjoyed include: M*A*S*H, All in the Family, Northern Exposure, Picket Fences, Good Times, Seinfeld and Star Trek (original, TNG and Voyager). And I watch One Life to Live on a regular basis.

I would say that some television shows, to me, offer a great example of exceptional dialogue and how to use it to advance a story.

What about movies? Same as above.

Brian M Gelinas: There are many on my list of top movies. Stand By Me, The Outsiders and The Outsiders: The Complete Novel, Bless the Beasts and Children, October Sky, Dances With Wolves, Rebel Without A Cause, and Citizen Kane, to name a few. One of the more recent releases that immediately made that list is Freedom Writers. It’s a powerful, inspiring true story that shows the real power the written word can have.

As with TV shows, movies are great examples for effective use of dialogue. They are also a way to view how scenes are structured for dramatic effect and how various transitions can be employed when telling a story. Movies and TV shows also allow one to see in a visual sense the many different ways to tell a story.

I often find when I’m writing a story that I am picturing in my head how a scene would play out on the big screen.

Focusing on your most recent (or first) book, tell our readers what genre your book is and what popular author you think your writing style in this book is most like.

Brian M Gelinas: As noted previously, American Odyssey is written for mature young adults. I would refer to it as YA road novel.

With regard to writing style, I believe my style, like most writers’, is unique to the writer. However, if I were to compare it other writers’ styles, I would say many readers might find my writing reminding them somewhat of Robert Cormier’s or Stephen King’s, as one reviewer has described it to a degree. A link to that review is provided below.

How long did it take you to write your most recent (or first) book? When you started writing, did you think it would take that long (or short)?

Brian M Gelinas: I started American Odyssey in December 2005 and finished it in March 2006. A lot of people say what you are probably thinking right now: only a few months?! Now, to explain a little more about this fast paced writing whirlwind: about a third of the novel was new material, a third came from previously written short stories that were woven into the story in various places, and the remaining third was material pulled from another novel that I’d started writing sometime ago, but which went nowhere and was never finished. Interestingly, the two main characters from that novel became secondary characters in American Odyssey. And the hometown rival of those two in the unfinished novel became the rival of Hunter and his friends in American Odyssey. One or two other characters from the unfinished novel also found their way into the story, but in different forms.

Is there anyone you’d like to specifically acknowledge who has inspired, motivated, encouraged or supported your writing?

Brian M Gelinas: Three people have helped me greatly in my creative writing pursuits. They are:

1.) Arthur Marley, one of my creative writing professors in college. I learned from him the rules to writing don’t always apply and can be bent and even broken in the name of artistic license. As an example, what might not seem like a sentence in and of itself can become a sentence (a stream-lined sentence, he called it) when incorporated into a paragraph. He also stressed the best works are often those that come from the heart and strike at a universal truth that we all share. I remember him also saying that to really hit a home run you had to write as if you were telling the reader something you could only, or would only, want to tell your closest friends.

2.) John Hodgen, another college creative writing professor. Similar to Mr. Marley, he boosted my confidence with his open, honest critique and advice. He also reinforced in me the conviction I pretty much always had that the most meaningful and honest works often result from a true, raw emotion. Or, in his words, “Writing is hard work…if it’s [going to be] any good, you have to do it and it invariably has to hurt.”

3.) The late, popular novelist Robert Cormier. I met him in 1983 when I was a junior in high school, and we exchanged a few letters after that. He told me that as writers our tools are words and we need to seek the best ones, and we need to read and always write. Through reading you can see the techniques of storytelling in action.

Touching on my job as a reporter, I’d be remiss if I didn’t give some credit to Marcia Gagliardi. She instructed me more than efficiently in the craft of news writing while I was a staff member on the school newspaper at Athol High School. She instilled the basics early on and they’ve stuck with me.

Anything else you want your readers to know?

I’ll use this spot for a few different purposes. The first will be to offer just a little more about American Odyssey.

My intent with the book was to write a straightforward story that would speak honestly to today’s youth with regard to some of what they might be going through. After all, while times change and each generation is affected by the time in which it comes of age, I feel the teenage experience at its core remains the same in a lot of ways, and always will.

To reach the realism needed, I felt I had to write the book in a frank and unapologetic fashion, which includes the use of strong language, incidents of violence and child neglect, teenage drinking and references to sex and drugs. The story couldn’t be sugar coated, otherwise kids wouldn’t buy into it for a minute. This likely means, of course, there will be those persons who find the novel unsettling in some ways. To them I would say the reality depicted is, in many ways, a reality for a lot of kids today, and to that end the story speaks of an undeniable truth. And, as the novel implies, that truth is one that can’t and shouldn’t be ignored.

The reality I’m referring to is one that leaves few cities and towns across America untouched. Athol itself has received national news coverage in the past for very negative acts perpetrated by teens that grew up here and decided to go on the run for whatever reasons. The North Quabbin area has also garnered regional news attention for teens getting into trouble in other ways. I simply tried to bring to light a subject that some adults might have a hard time acknowledging. I feel it is done in such a way that parents of today can, through the book, glimpse a world that most teens “hide” from them.

Given that, I strongly feel that both parents and their teenage children should read the book, as it could jumpstart discussion of how young adults feel about what is going on in their lives. I’m hopeful that progressive parents will be more than open to letting their kids read it, as I expect the overall story and characters will, in the end, strike a positive chord to a certain degree with a good many of those kids.

Next, I’d like to talk a little of my efforts to promote the book. Aside from seeking an agent, I continue to market the book in a number of ways. This includes seeking reviews, listing it on various Web sites (including TeensReadToo.com, YABooksCentral.com and WriteOut.co.uk), conducting promotional on-line giveaways, hosting an author’s profile page on MySpace, doing local and regional speaking engagements and book signings, soliciting traditional bookstores to stock it, doing interviews (both on-line, in print, and on local access TV) and promoting the book as being available for adaptation into a film on the Web site InkTip.com. With regard to the latter, four film industry professionals have downloaded a PDF file of the book to date. Unfortunately, I have had no takers as of yet. Aside from all of that, I am also working to interest area high schools in utilizing the novel as part of the English reading curriculum.

Lastly, I would like to provide some Internet links for those who might want to learn more about my first book, as well as me. Here they are:

Reviews:

http://www.teensreadtoo.com/AmericanOdyssey.html (A review by Mark Frye, media specialist/librarian at a high school in South Carolina.)

http://www.bookpleasures.com/Lore2/idx/0/2826/article/American_Odyssey_.html (A review by Jessica Roberts, who lives in England. Jessica has been a book reviewer for a newspaper and a national women’s magazine and is working on a novel herself.)

More About Me:

On MySpace @ myspace.com/atholwolverine

Here you will find out more about me, as well as more about the book, as well as progress on my future writings and promotional efforts and successes regarding American Odyssey. If you “stop by,” be sure to check out the blog entries.

Book Availability:

The book is available in paperback to readers on-line at, among others Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Borders.com, target.com and the publisher’s Web site at www.outskirtspress.com/AmericanOdyssey. An eBook edition is also available through the Outskirts Web site. The book is also available to distributors and retailers through wholesalers such as Ingram, and Baker & Taylor. Individual customers can also order it through traditional retailers by providing either of the following ISBN numbers: 1598007556 or 9781598007558.

To Michelle, thank you for this interview opportunity. The chance for additional exposure is always welcome.

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Thanks, Brian! We look forward to reading more about your writing and book in the near future!

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Marvin Zimmerman Bio:

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G. Murry Thomas Bio

I am a writer in the broadest sense. I write in whatever genre and form suits me at the moment. My preferred genre is fiction, but I’ve had the most success as a poet. I have published one full length collection of poetry, Cows on the Freeway (iUniverse), and I am regularly invited to read my poetry around Southern California.

At the moment, most of my writing is non-fiction, including musical commentary, literary criticism, and an occasional political editorial.

I have been very active in promoting poetry over the past twenty years. I tried my hand as a publisher, both of poetry books, as Orange Ocean Press, and a monthly magazine, Next… (more info below). I have produced and hosted numerous poetry readings. I currently host a monthly radio show focusing on poetry, on Kbeach.org. I am reviews editor for the poetry site Poetix.net, and also manage their monthly calendar of SoCal poetry events.

I have always been a writer, from early childhood. Sometime in my teens I decided it was the only career I really wanted to pursue. I have a B.A. in Creative Writing from Hampshire College (Amherst MA). I have dedicated my life since then to writing. Although I have yet to earn a living at it, I have no regrets.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: G. Murray Thomas

It’s rare today to find an author who does nothing but write for a living. Do you have a ‘real’ job other than writing, and if so, what is it? What are some other jobs you’ve had in your life?

G. Murray Thomas: I am currently on disability (kidney failure – on dialysis), which does give me time to write. I also work part-time at Barnes and Noble (which gives me access to plenty of reading material, as well as some knowledge of the book business).

For twenty years I worked in restaurants, primarily as a cook, but also as a waiter, busboy, prep cook, even dishwasher. Although it has always been a struggle to find the time to write, I found restaurant work as conducive as any, mostly because I could write during the day, and work at night. Besides, restaurants are actually fun places to work, esp. when you are young.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

G. Murray Thomas: Yes. Before I even knew how to write, I would dictate stories to my mother, who would write them down. I decided to pursue a “writing career” sometime in high school, only partially aware of the implications of that decision. It has been a struggle, and I still don’t have that career, but I don’t regret it for a minute.

Tell us a little bit about your book/s. What are their titles; which is your favorite if you have more than one, and briefly let us know what they are about. Pay particular attention to your most recent book and/or your first book:

G. Murray Thomas: I have two books which are available through Amazon and other sources.

Cows on the Freeway (1999, iUniverse) is a full length collection of my poetry. It contains my best poems, honed over ten years of performing them. My poetry has been described as humorous, although it is far from light verse. Victor Infante, in the O.C. Weekly, said, “Thomas’ great gift as a poet is his unusual ability to see and be bewildered by the thoroughly weird things that most of us take for granted.”

Paper Shredders (2005, iUniverse) is an anthology of poetry and short stories about surfing, which I edited with Gary Wright (owner of Killer Dana Surf Shop in Dana Point, CA). I originally published it on my own publishing company, Orange Ocean Press, in 1993. In 2005 I revised it and republished it with iUniverse. Including writings from everyone from pro surfers to landlubbers, Paper Shredders explores all aspects of surfing. Surfer’s Journal said, “There’s an honesty to the mix… with appeal for just about any surfer you might care to conjure.”
I also have five chapbooks of poetry, and a couple of CDs of me performing my poetry with various musicians, all available from the trunk of my car.

Are you currently working on any writing projects our readers should watch for release soon?

G. Murray Thomas: I am currently writing a monthly music column, called “The Aging Punk,” for Ground Control (www.groundcontrolmag.com), as well as a similar column for Poetic Diversity (www.poeticdiversity.org). Both columns are written to eventually be collected into book form. They attempt to describe the history of rock music from the perspective of the average fan, and combine memoir, music criticism, and cultural history. I also have completed a novel, for which I’m looking for an agent/publisher.

What type of music, if any, do you listen to while you write?

G. Murray Thomas: Mostly rock’n'roll. Some jazz. And I always listen to music while I write. Always have. Rather than a distraction, I find it an inspiration. And I am sure the various rhythms creep into my writing.

What inspires you and motivates you to write the very most?

G. Murray Thomas: I write to understand the world. I find the process of writing is the best way make sense of my life. They say that dreams are your mind’s way of organizing the events of your day. I find writing performs a similar function.

What one thing are you the most proud of in your life?

G. Murray Thomas: Between 1994 and 1998, I published Next… a monthly magazine covering the performance poetry scene in Southern California. It contained a calendar of poetry events, plus news, reviews, interviews and commentary on the scene. We distributed 10,000 copies free every month throughout SoCal. In the end, we provided an in-depth record of a very dynamic period in the growth of poetry, in California and nationwide. I am proud that I kept it alive that long, and never missed a single month. On the other hand, I’m still paying off the debts I built up.

What about your family? Do you have children, married, siblings, parents? Has your family been supportive of your writing?

G. Murray Thomas: I am single, no kids. My family has always been incredibly supportive of my writing. My parents are both artistic, and always understood and appreciated what I was trying to do. When my father retired from Kodak after 30 years, they went into business for themselves making travel movies.

When growing up, did you have a favorite author, book series, or book?

G. Murray Thomas: F. Scott Fitzgerald was the first writer to directly influence and inspire me. I fell in love with The Great Gatsby in high school; it made me want to write novels. I loved Fitzgerald’s writing style, but what I really wanted to emulate was how he captured the culture and feel of an era in his writing.

Although I have since come to recognize many other purposes for fiction, I still enjoy its ability to function as cultural history.

Location and life experience can sprinkle their influence in your writing. Tell us about where you grew up and a little about where you live now – city? Suburb? Country? Farm? If you could live anywhere you want to live, where would that be?

G. Murray Thomas: I grew up in Rochester, NY. Went to college at Hampshire College, in Amherst, MA. After that I lived for six years in Ketchum, ID (near the Sun Valley ski resort). Moved to Southern California in 1987, first in the Dana Point/San Clemente area, for the past 14 years in Long Beach. When I first moved to SoCal, I wrote a lot of poetry about two topics: the ocean and the freeways. I tend to set my stories and poems in places I have lived, because I like to include realistic physical descriptions of the environment. Also, Southern California has been a huge influence on my writing because there is thriving poetry community here. My poetry style is a direct result of hearing other poets perform. Although I’m not writing much poetry now, I still attend poetry readings at least once a week, and still get inspired by what I hear there.

How long did it take you to write your most recent (or first) book? When you started writing, did you think it would take that long (or short)?

G. Murray Thomas: My novel (which, as I said, I am looking for an agent and/or publisher for) took over 20 years from initial conception to final manuscript. It took me about seven years to write the first draft. I was working full time, and had a hard time finding the time to write. Once I had a first draft, I took it to a local workshop, where I realized that, although the basic idea and characters were sound, I had significant structural problems. Which meant I need to go back to page one and start again. I wasn’t ready to do that. Also, by that time I had moved to SoCal, and discovered the poetry scene here. And I discovered that, although I couldn’t seem to finish the novel, I could finish a poem. So I dedicated the next ten years to poetry, first writing my own, and then through publishing Next… (see above). After the magazine folded, and I collected my best poetry in Cows on the Freeway, I finally returned to the novel. This time it only took me about three years to complete a final draft.

Anything else you want your readers to know? How can a reader learn more about you and writing?

I think I’ve covered most everything here. I have a lot writing irons in the fire right now. Here’s a list:

You can order both of my books, Cows on the Freeway (my poetry) and Paper Shredders, (a surf anthology) through Amazon.com, or directly from iUnverse.com.

You can read my music columns at www.groundcontrolmag.com and www.poeticdiversity.org. You can read my poetry criticism at www.poetix.net. I publish occasional political commentary at www.associatedcontent.com.

I host a monthly poetry show on The Prime Spot Radio, which broadcasts on www.Kbeach.org. My show, The Poetry Show, airs the first Friday of every month, at 10 pm PT. I interview SoCal poets, and occasionally play poetry CDs.

I host a monthly open poetry reading at the Long Beach Barnes & Noble (Marina Pacifica Mall, 6326 E. PCH, Long Beach, CA 90803). It’s the second Tuesday of every month, at 7 pm.

You can also find me reading my poetry throughout Southern California. I attend, on average, at least one poetry reading every week. My favorite readings (besides my own reading) are the Ugly Mug, in Orange (every Wednesday), Redondo Poets in Redondo Beach (every Tuesday), Creative Sessions at Viento y Agua, Long Beach (2nd & 4th Tuesday), and Shout at Ambrose Pizzeria in Whittier (2nd & 4th Thursday). But I don’t limit myself to those readings by any means. I also feature regularly through SoCal. For complete information on these and other readings in SoCal, including an extensive poetry calendar and complete venue addresses, check out www.poetix.net. That is definitely the best place to find out where I might be reading, if you are interested in hearing/meeting me in person.

More information, pictures, and samples of my writing can be found at www.myspace.com/gmurraythomas.

Dorien Grey Bio:
If it is possible to be two people without being schizophrenic, then that would pretty much sum me up. Most of my life was…and is…lived as Roger Margason, who is subject to all the rules of time and the physical universe. But when I began writing for publication and chose the pen name Dorien Grey (a deliberate misspelling of Oscar Wilde’s character, and a long story), I was able to free up that part of me which has no absolutely no physical constraints. Dorien is whoever and whatever I want him to be at the moment, and gradually he has emerged as…for want of a better term…his own person.

It has reached the point where the Roger part of me merely sits down at the computer and reads the words Dorien creates. It is truly great fun, and Dorien frequently catches Roger totally by surprise. (I always tell the story of how, in the course of the writing of “The Good Cop“, my protagonist, Dick Hardesty, walks into a bar to pick up a local paper and sees a young man named Jonathan seated at the bar. And that instant, which I had absolutely no idea was coming, changed the course of the Dick Hardesty series forever.) It is moments like that which make writing so (literally) wonderful.

Now…what might I do to persuade you to join my little band of devoted readers?

AUTHOR INTERVIEW – DORIEN GREY

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Dorien Grey: People often ask this question of writers, and for myself, it’s rather like being asked: “Have you always wanted to have brown eyes?” It’s not a matter of “wanting” so much of as simply “being.” I wrote my first story (well, I dictated it to my mom, who wrote it down…I still have it around somewhere) at around age 5. It was a rousing epic of the old west ending with the memorable line: “And the cowboys yelled ‘yippee’ and everything else.” Now, how could I not have become a writer after that?

Tell us a little bit about your book/s. What are their titles; which is your favorite if you have more than one, and briefly let us know what they are about. Pay particular attention to your most recent book and/or your first book:

Dorien Grey: I currently have an 11-book mystery series (the Dick Hardesty Mysteries), the most recent being “The Dream Ender“. Number 12, “The Angel Singers”, is scheduled for release within a few months. Before that will come “His Name is John”, the first book in a new paranormal mystery series to alternate with the Dick Hardesty series. I also have a stand-alone western/romance/adventure novel, “Calico“. To ask which book is my favorite is rather like asking a parent which of his/her children is his/her favorite. Even if there were one, the parent would be hesitant to say so for fear of hurting the others.

I enjoy writing series because they give me (and the reader) the opportunity to follow the growth and development of the protagonist and the many recurring characters from book to book. They have become almost like an extended family for many of my readers, which delights me.

That my protagonists are gay was a deliberate choice. Not only does it give my books a distinct flavor, but I consider it something of a crusade to show mainstream readers who may not have been exposed to a world other than their own that what unites us as human beings is far more important than what separates us. Each book deals with basic human emotions in such a way that the reader can identify with the characters as people, not as stereotypes.

Have you ever won any writing awards? If so, what?

Dorien Grey:Four of my books have been finalists for a Lambda Literary Award, and I’ve been given the WordWeaver Series of Excellence Award, all of which are greatly appreciated.

What type of music, if any, do you listen to while you write?

Dorien Grey: The radio is always on to one of four types of music: Classical, Show Tunes, Big Band, or Standards. I find it hard to write without some sort of comfortable music in the background, even though I’m not always specifically aware of it.

What inspires you and motivates you to write the very most?

Dorien Grey: The answer to what motivates me lies in my mantra: “Write, for the night is coming.” As a gay man with no children, my writing is my posterity. Even with children, memories tend to fade and, as children become grandchildren and then grandchildren and beyond, the individual is most often gone forever. But words can live as long as there are people to read them. I am driven to leave as detailed a record of my life, thoughts, and dreams as possible.

And apart from the egocentricism of my need to write, I firmly believe that, in a world in which far too many people feel they are alone and/or misunderstood, everything I write is also directed to the individual reader; to you. While we may never have met, and probably never will, I hope you can find, in my words, bits and pieces of yourself, and in so doing realize that we share more than you may realize.

What about your family? Do you have children, married, siblings, parents? Has your family been supportive of your writing?

Dorien Grey: This is a most interesting question for a gay man. My parents are long and still lamentably dead, but those of my larger family who are still alive provide me with an invaluable sense of belonging I have never gotten from the world in general. Unlike many gays and lesbians, I have been blessed by the unquestioned support of my family, for which I am eternally grateful. And because the characters in my books are so real to me, they are truly like family. That many of my readers have told me they feel the same about them is indescribably validating.

The main characters of your stories – do you find that you put a little of yourself into each of them or do you create them to be completely different from you?

Dorien Grey: Dick Hardesty IS me. Or rather, he is an alternate-universe me.

Through him, I can do those things I cannot do as myself, and have those things I have always wanted to have. But our outlook on life, our sense of humor, our fundamental beliefs, are identical. Calico Ramsey, the protagonist of my western, is a “wouldn’t it be fun to be a cowboy in the 1880s” version of me, though not nearly so close to being me as Dick is. And Elliott Smith, the protagonist of my new series, is somewhere in the middle. I like and admire Elliott, but he is much more practical and realistic than I.

When growing up, did you have a favorite author, book series, or book?

Dorien Grey: I was a voracious reader as a child and a young adult. I read everything I could get my hands on, fiction or non-fiction. Fairy tales to Greek Mythology (not that big a step) to science fiction to the Oz books to biography and history, and everything in between. One of my greatest regrets is the irony that I am now far too busy writing to be able to read 1/1,000th of what I would like to read.

Hey, let’s get morbid. When they write your obituary, what do you hope they will say about your book/s and writing? What do you hope they will say about you?

Dorien Grey: Hmm…several things leap to mind. Probably: “I wish I’d known him.”

And I dearly love the epitaph I once read: “As you are now, so once were we. As we are now, so shall you be.” And one other epitaph I might like would be: “Think of me, and I live”…as I hope to live through my words.

How long did it take you to write your most recent (or first) book? When you started writing, did you think it would take that long (or short)?

Dorien Grey: After so many (relatively) books, I’ve slipped into a comfortable pattern. Because I can and do write full time, I usually complete a book within 6 to 7 months: they all average around 77,000 words; rather short for a novel. I don’t deliberately set out to aim for that number, but it’s the way it usually works out.

Now, use this space to tell us more about who you.
I am not the least bit shy about letting you know that I would love nothing better than to have you become one of my readers. Again, it’s not altogether selfish: I do hope you would find the experience entertaining and/or informative, and perhaps provide new insights into yourself as an individual.

In addition to my website (http://www.doriengrey.net) I have three main blogs: “A World Ago” (http://www.doriengrey.blogspot.com), which is a compilation of letters I wrote home to my parents while in the Navy some 50-plus years ago. These aren’t your normal “I’m fine. How are you?” letters, but chronicle my days learning to fly as a Naval Aviation Cadet, then subsequently as a regular sailor aboard an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean at the height of the cold war.

I also have a blog of random thoughts
(http://www.doriengreyandme.blogspot.com), and a photoblog of my life from birth to present, with brief thoughts on each. I also have blogs on Authorsden and several other net sites.

A writer is nothing without readers, and I would be most happy to count you among mine.
And a special thanks here to Michelle and Accentuate Services for the opportunity to talk to you here today.

————

Thanks, Dorien, and be sure to thank Roger too! Stay tuned to this blog for a book review for one of Dorien Grey’s novels coming soon.

Tim Fisher’s BIO:

My name is Tim Fisher. I was stupid enough to drop out of high school, but smart enough to continue my education. I served twenty years in the Navy and retired in 1992. I have lived in or visited around 30 foreign countries. My hobbies back then were scuba diving (instructor), karate (instructor), sky diving and flying (private pilot’s license). In 2000 I had my fourth heart attack and a quadruple bypass in which I had a number of strokes. Due to a loss of memory, I had to close my two pain management clinics (I was an N.D.) and find something else to do. That’s when I started writing.

If I ever sell a book that brings in a million dollars, I’m going to move back to Hawaii and live there – I love the place.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW – Tim Fisher

It’s rare today to find an author who does nothing but write for a living. Do you have a ‘real’ job other than writing, and if so, what is it? What are some other jobs you’ve had in your life?

Tim Fisher: Writing is the only thing I do that brings in any money. My health won’t allow me to do the things I like.

What compelled you to write your first book?

Tim Fisher: I’ve always enjoyed apocalyptic stories. I’ve seen a bunch about the population being wiped out due to a virus, nuclear war, an asteroid and other things. I just wondered what would happen if we lost something as simple as electricity. It was simply to answer the question, “What if?”

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Tim Fisher: No. I became interested after retiring from the military.

Tell us a little bit about your book/s. What are their titles; which is your favorite if you have more than one, and briefly let us know what they are about. Pay particular attention to your most recent book and/or your first book:

Tim Fisher: My first one was about the worldwide loss of electricity and is titled Chronicles of Bear I: This Dark Time. Our grandparents or great-grandparents wouldn’t think twice about losing electrical power, but what about people (especially younger people)? Would they know what to do? It’s something we’ve come to rely on for almost everything. Who would rule in the cities? Remember there would be no police cars or radios – the same for the military. Vehicles wouldn’t work, no TV, phones, communications or anything else that relies on electricity. It’s essentially about survival after being thrust back into the seventeen or eighteen hundreds. Because of its length, the second book (Chronicles of Bear II: Rebel’s Revenge) is a continuation of the first. Both can be purchased at Fictionwise.com. I have two others in the early stages and one that should be published within the next month or two. The two incomplete ones are Destiny Island and The Mammatus Effect.

Destiny Island is about four people that become stranded on an island inhabited only by a lighthouse keeper, a malevolent spirit and a elemental. The Mammatus Effect is a military thriller based on the war on terrorism.

Farn continues to follow the characters of the first two. However, the group finds itself in a dangerous paradise populated with strange and deadly creatures. The people there possess various powers and have hidden agendas. This time it’s survival in the primitive paradise of Farn.

Farn has been accepted by Renaissance E Books and all five volumes should be on the editor’s desk this week. It is being done in a serial format reminiscent of the days of Charles Dickens and how Stephen King did with “The Green Mile”. Volume one has already been edited and is ready for publication, the other four will be on their way. They will be for sale at Renaissance E Books and Fictionwise.com.

All of my novels can be found at www.scubadoc51.com.

What type of music, if any, do you listen to while you write?

Tim Fisher: My taste in music varies and I listen to what happens to move me at that particular time. The types usually consist of Country, oldies from the ‘60s, New Age and Classical.

What inspires you and motivates you to write the very most?

Tim Fisher: There are times when there is no way to keep a story inside. It’s not that I’ve come up with an idea of some sort, the idea is simply inside me and has to get out. When it gets to that stage, I lose sleep, don’t eat well and constantly think about the concept even if I don’t want to. People get real tired of listening to one train of thought all the time. One time I had a guy ask me, “How’s the writing going? Ya working on anything?” When I said no, he said, “I’m having a party for my wife. Would you like to come?” I found out later that if I was working on a novel, he wouldn’t have mentioned the party.

The main characters of your stories – do you find that you put a little of yourself into each of them or do you create them to be completely different from you?

Tim Fisher: I’m in some of my characters and so are some of my friends and acquaintances. For me, it’s important to write about what I know. That’s why I have the traits of some of my friends in some of the characters. It’s easier to stay true to the character and story that way.

Is there an established writer you admire and emulate in your own writing? Do you have a writing mentor?

Tim Fisher: I have had two people that have been very influential in my writing. The first is Robert Weinberg. Bob has helped me personally in more ways than I can count. He also did a writing class for the Horror Writer’s Association (HWA). He has been selected as one of two winners for the HWA’s Lifetime Achievement Award and it’s long overdue. His website is http://www.robertweinberg.net/.
The other writer is Gary Braunbeck. Gary took a short story of mine (Shadow Play) and stayed on my back to make me more aware of the rules of writing a short story. He eventually got it publishable. However, due to health issues, I haven’t pushed for publication like I should have. Gary was once the President of the HWA and is still an outstanding writer. His website is http://www.garybraunbeck.com/.

When growing up, did you have a favorite author, book series, or book?

Tim Fisher: Nope. I was too busy trying to kill myself with sports and driving fast.

What about now: who is your favorite author and what is your favorite genre to read?

Tim Fisher: Probably either Koontz or King. I really enjoy the Christopher Snow books by Koontz and wish he would finish the next.

Hey, let’s get morbid. When they write your obituary, what do you hope they will say about your book/s and writing? What do you hope they will say about you?

Tim Fisher: I know I left him around here somewhere.

Location and life experience can sprinkle their influence in your writing. Tell us about where you grew up and a little about where you live now – city? Suburb? Country? Farm? If you could live anywhere you want to live, where would that be?

Tim Fisher: I grew up in a small town in the Texas panhandle named Spearman. (It’s the same small town actor Rex Linn grew up in) It’s in the middle of nowhere and flat as a tabletop. It’s also the kinda place you would want to raise your kids. The crime is almost non-existent and everyone knows everyone else. It’s the perfect place to live and I couldn’t leave there fast enough. I was a kid then.

I now live in the Hill Country of Texas near Austin. The town’s the same, it’s just that the name’s different. A week ago I even found two families from my hometown, Spearman living right here in Lago Vista. It’s a small world.

As for where should I live – I’m there.

Do you have any pets? What are they? Tell us about them.

Tim Fisher: Yup. I have two speed bumps (dogs) named Bo and Dusty. Bo is a white Lab/Sheppard mix and Dusty is a Texas Blue Lacey. I love them both more than I could ever express.

Bring us into your home and set the scene for us when you are writing. What does it look like? On the couch, laptop, desk? Music? Lighting, handwriting?

Tim Fisher: I am extremely lucky in that I have a bay window on the side of my office that I can look out. I live on a cul-de-sac and many times I get to watch deer eating the food I leave them on the yard. I live in a quiet neighborhood of trees filled with birds. The only problem is when the Mockingbirds get possessive and dive-bomb you. Most of my writing is done in my office and the rest is done on the back deck. Like I said, I’m lucky.

How long did it take you to write your most recent (or first) book? When you started writing, did you think it would take that long (or short)?

Tim Fisher: This Dark Time took five years to do from start to finish. I actually wrote over seven hundred pages at first, but when I started making the rounds with it, I was told to shorten it. After a ton of work, I finally dropped about two hundred pages. I think it finished around two hundred ninety.

Is there anyone you’d like to specifically acknowledge who has inspired, motivated, encouraged or supported your writing?

Tim Fisher: A woman named Cathy Wells, who I call my sister, has tirelessly read and reread everything I have written. She has given me comments and suggestions, made fun of some of my mistakes and encouraged me all the way. I can’t say enough about her or her husband Dan for being the friends they are. Without Cathy, things would not be as they are.

Anything else you want your readers to know?

Tim Fisher: My website is www.scubadoc51.com. You can find links to This Dark Time and Rebel’s Revenge there. If you don’t want to go there, you can find This Dark Time at http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/eBook34195.htm?cache. Rebel’s Revenge can be found here http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook34789.htm. I have a MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/scubadoc51 so please come by and add me as a friend.

Cassandra Lokker Bio:

Author of: Beyond the Fury

I am a recent graduate of Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa with a degree in English: Writing. I had always dreamed of becoming an author, but it wasn’t until my senior year in college that my dreams for writing began to take shape. As a final requirement for my major, I was expected to complete a significant writing project. I committed to writing a novella, and after I graduated, I began to pursue publication of my book.

In addition to my writing, I am also active in pursuing my singing and songwriting. For many years, I have sung in various choirs, performed with my family, and pursued solo opportunities. Recently, I finished recording a CD of some of my songs. I mainly find myself writing piano-based ballads and covering some of my favorite songs from artists I greatly admire.

Currently, I live in Wisconsin, and I am blessed to be surrounded by family and friends who live nearby. I am an active member in my church, and I volunteer for various organizations, including the local library and a Christian girls’ club.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW:

What compelled you to write your first book?

Cassandra Lokker: My book, Beyond the Fury, was inspired over two years ago. My grandparents and I were just returning home one day when we witnessed a tornado touching down to the west of our property. We watched for a time, praying that the storm would not turn in our direction. The tornado moved off to the northeast, but even so, I couldn’t seem to erase the storm’s memory from my mind. At the time, I worked as an intern for the local paper, and when I saw the next week’s edition, I was drawn to a feature written about a tornado that touched down over one hundred years ago in a nearby community. The tornado had been rated an F5, and its effects were devastating; in all actuality, the storm’s intensity was far greater than the tornado I had witnessed from my front porch.

A few days later, I had a conversation with my mother, and she asked me if I had been doing any writing recently. She had heard of the tornado and also read the future article, and she suggested that I use the historical event as a basis for a work of historical fiction. At the time, I set the idea aside; it wasn’t until I was assigned to write my senior project that I considered the event. Before long, I began gathering research to study the twister that had practically destroyed portions of New Richmond, Wisconsin on June 12, 1899. As I wrote the book, I learned more and more every day, and the experience of completing the story is one I’ll never forget.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Cassandra Lokker: Yes, I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I can remember filling countless blank notebooks with stories when I was younger. Just recently, I found some of those stories in my storage closet. But even though I always wanted to write, I wasn’t sure that I had the skills. I took a class in fiction writing my senior year in college, and that class really gave me the confidence I needed to pursue my dream of being an author.

Tell us a little bit about your book/s. What are their titles; which is your favorite if you have more than one, and briefly let us know what they are about. Pay particular attention to your most recent book and/or your first book:

Cassandra Lokker: Beyond the Fury is a story of love and endurance, set in western Wisconsin at the end of the nineteenth century. Caitlyn Schmidt, New Richmond’s schoolteacher, finds herself distracted from her duties when she encounters an intriguing gentleman at a school social. A relationship is established, and in no time at all, the two are engaged to be married. Everything seems to be perfect… until tragedy strikes and lives are drastically altered. As Caitlyn struggles to come to terms with the loss and devastation, she must consider her orphaned niece and a proposal that could forever change the face of a relationship.

Are you currently working on any writing projects our readers should watch for release soon?

Cassandra Lokker: I am currently working on a sequel to Beyond the Fury. While the first book is told from Caitlyn’s point of view, the sequel will be Elaina’s story. (Elaina is Caitlyn’s student and almost-sister). You’ll have to read Beyond the Fury to become acquainted with these characters. I am also planning to release a third book to complete a trilogy. This book will not be published for some time, but I am very excited about it!

Have you ever won any writing awards? If so, what?

Cassandra Lokker: I won an award for my poem, “A Reckless Decision,” my senior year in high school. The contest judges asked that students write a poem discouraging drinking and driving. My poem took first place, and my class was awarded funds for our senior class party.

How did you feel the day you held the copy of your first book in your hands?

Cassandra Lokker: It was such a rewarding experience! At that moment, I felt so many different emotions. It was amazing knowing that I was finally an author!

What type of music, if any, do you listen to while you write?

Cassandra Lokker: I listen to a wide variety of music when I write; it really depends on my mood and what I am writing. For the most part, I listen to Christian music. The positive message gives me the motivation to keep writing, even on the days when I can’t find the words to convey what I want to write. Sometimes, I find myself singing along with the radio and I don’t get anything done, but without music, I don’t think my writing would be the same.

What inspires you and motivates you to write the very most?

Cassandra Lokker: I would have to say that my relationship with Christ motivates me the most. Although my first book is not blatantly “Christian,” I have felt God leading me to complete various projects because of a thought or idea He gave to me. There is a book that I plan to write in the distant future that contains a story that has been near to my heart for years now. I am waiting until the time is right before I communicate this story to others. Its storyline is unlike anything I have ever written before, but I think it has a message that needs to be heard.

What about your family? Do you have children, married, siblings, parents? Has your family been supportive of your writing?

Cassandra Lokker: I have incredible parents and three wonderful younger sisters. My family has always been supportive of my writing and my music as well. My grandparents have also been supportive, and without them, I probably wouldn’t have published my book.

The main characters of your stories – do you find that you put a little of yourself into each of them or do you create them to be completely different from you?

Cassandra Lokker: I have been told that the main character of Beyond the Fury is a lot like me. I did not intend to put so much of myself into Caitlyn’s character, but I think it was just something that happened throughout the process of writing. I’m beginning to think that Elaina, the main character in the sequel, Beyond Expectations, is more like me than any of my characters, even more so than Caitlyn. But I’ll leave that for my family and friends to decide.

When growing up, did you have a favorite author, book series, or book?

Cassandra Lokker: When I was in junior high, I read The Journals of Corrie Belle Hollister, a series by Michael Phillips. These books really gave me a love for inspirational historical fiction, and to this day, I greatly admire his work. I have since read that series three times.

Bring us into your home and set the scene for us when you are writing. What does it look like? On the couch, laptop, desk? Music? Lighting, handwriting?

Cassandra Lokker: When I write, I am usually at my computer. I have some kind of music playing in the background, even when I am editing. I would love to be able to take my writing outside of the home, but I don’t own a laptop. At one time, I used to handwrite everything in a notebook; I found my ideas flowed freely when I got them down with pen and paper. But I have become accustomed to the computer now, and I am comfortable writing in this way.

Focusing on your most recent (or first) book, tell our readers what genre your book is and what popular author you think your writing style in this book is most like.

Cassandra Lokker: My book is a work of historical fiction with an inspirational message. I would compare my writing and genre to authors like Wanda E. Brunstetter, Lori Wick, and Janette Oke.

How long did it take you to write your most recent (or first) book? When you started writing, did you think it would take that long (or short)?

Cassandra Lokker: I began researching for the book, and it took about three weeks to complete any necessary reading and Internet research. I wrote the book in six weeks, but it was nearly a year before I finished editing and sent it away for publication. I know I could have spent more time on the book, so I was surprised that I was able to share my work with others so quickly. The sequel is proving to take longer to complete than the first book, and this can be discouraging at times, but I am trying not to make comparisons between the two books.

Is there anyone you’d like to specifically acknowledge who has inspired, motivated, encouraged or supported your writing?

Cassandra Lokker: My grandfather passed away shortly before I published Beyond the Fury, and I have dedicated the book in honor of him. Although he didn’t get to see my book published, I know he would be excited to see it in print and my dreams fulfilled.

Tell us more about who you, anything you want your readers to know.

Beyond the Fury is currently for sale on www.bbotw.com and www.amazon.com, among several other major booksellers’ websites. I would also invite readers to visit my website: www.cassandralokker.com. If you would like updates on my writing and musical ventures, please visit my myspace profile at www.myspace.com/cassandralokker.

Author Interview:
Amy Sue Jackson Black

Book: Mercy Said No
Length: 16
ISBN-10: 0615167438
ISBN-13: 978-0615167435

Amy Black Bio:

I am 25 years old and I am married. I am graduating from college in May of this year. I have struggled with depression and because of this, I hope to help others. I really have a passion for helping children. I feel that I have experienced many of the things children face nowadays, and I hope to use this to help them. I feel that I am a sensitive and compassionate person. I have many desires to help in various ways. I want to work with children, hopefully in protective services. I also enjoy being with and working on the development of infants. I also hope to work with the criminally insane as I feel they don’t get fair and proper treatment. I trust in God to direct me in my career.

It’s rare today to find an author who does nothing but write for a living. Do you have a ‘real’ job other than writing, and if so, what is it? What are some other jobs you’ve had in your life?

Amy Black: I will be graduating in May of this year, as I said before. I plan to work with children or infants. I am currently working on starting an infant daycare. If that works out, I will probably stick with that starting out. I will go where God leads me.

What compelled you to write your first book?

Amy Black: I have only one published book with an ISBN for now. I didn’t write it to make money, I wrote it to help teenagers everywhere. It is a devotional for teens and it tells about a time in high school when I paid the price to be popular.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Amy Black: Yes. I have always written short stories growing up. My elementary school had a small “publishing company”. I probably “published” a story every week.

Are you currently working on any writing projects our readers should watch for release soon?

Amy Black: I am working on my first novel, but it will probably be awhile before it is published. I am thinking about publishing a collection of short stories though.

Have you ever won any writing awards? If so, what?

Amy Black: Yes, actually I have. When I was in the eighth grade, I won an award for a research paper I wrote. I was the only student in my county to win. I even got an autographed award from the state senator.

How did you feel the day you held the copy of your first book in your hands?

Amy Black: I felt proud. I know it is a short book, but I still felt proud that I accomplished it.

What inspires you and motivates you to write the very most?

Amy Black: I always loved writing. I guess I have always been creative. I love to read and a lot of the inspiration I get comes from the books I read.

What one thing are you the most proud of in your life?

Amy Black: Oh gosh, just one? I would have to say getting through five years of college. (My foremost accomplishment is mentioned in my book, but it is too long to explain quickly)

What about your family? Do you have children, married, siblings, parents? Has your family been supportive of your writing?

Amy Black: I am married. I met my husband in 1999 and married him in 2006. My mom and I are very close. I have a stepfather who is proud of me. My grandma passed away ten days after my wedding day in May of 2006. I am an only child, which probably makes me spoiled. My mom and husband always encourages me to keep writing. They are very proud of me.

When growing up, did you have a favorite author, book series, or book?

Amy Black: Growing up, I loved R.L. Stine and all of his book series. I still do, actually.

What about now: who is your favorite author and what is your favorite genre to read?

Amy Black: I have many favorite authors, but probably Dean Koontz, John Saul, and most of the authors who write for the Inspirational Suspense series.

Hey, let’s get morbid. When they write your obituary, what do you hope they will say about your book/s and writing? What do you hope they will say about you?

Amy Black: Oh goodness. I hope to have written many books. I hope they will say I am the best writer of all times…. LOL. Just kidding. I just hope my books and/or writing in general are acknowledged. I’m not seeking a title.

Location and life experience can sprinkle their influence in your writing. Tell us about where you grew up and a little about where you live now – city? Suburb? Country? Farm? If you could live anywhere you want to live, where would that be?

Amy Black: I grew up in Terre Haute, IN, which is where I still live. I have lived in various places. Suburbs, the city, out of the city limits. Right now I live a little out of the city limits in a nice neighborhood.

Do you have any pets? What are they? Tell us about them.

Amy Black: Right now, I don’t. I had a hamster named Chip, but he passed away a couple of weeks ago. My husband got him for me for Valentines Day of 2006. We are thinking about getting another one. We also plan to get a little dog in the future. One that stays little.

Bring us into your home and set the scene for us when you are writing. What does it look like? On the couch, laptop, desk? Music? Lighting, handwriting?

Amy Black: I don’t really have a specific writing environment. Right now, I write at both my PC and laptop. It depends on the mood. I can right if it’s quiet or with music and/or television.

Do you watch television? If so, what are your favorite shows? Does television influence of inspire your writing?

Amy Black: I do. I enjoy watching comedies like Two and half men, Frasier, Reba, and even Golden Girls. I don’t really think television inspires my writing. My reading does that.

What about movies? Same as above.

Amy Black: I enjoy many genres. I like suspense, horror, comedies, and romance. My favorite movies are Transformers, The Passion, and others.

Focusing on your most recent (or first) book, tell our readers what genre your book is and what popular author you think your writing style in this book is most like.

Amy Black: The genre would be self-help and devotional along with nonfiction. I don’t really think Mercy Said No is similar to any certain writer.

How long did it take you to write your most recent (or first) book? When you started writing, did you think it would take that long (or short)?

Amy Black: I wrote it a couple of years ago. It didn’t take me very long to write it. I just didn’t do anything with it until this last year. I don’t really ever think about how long a story will take to write, I just go with the flow.

Is there anyone you’d like to specifically acknowledge who has inspired, motivated, encouraged or supported your writing?

Amy Black: First and Foremost, God. Then, my mom has supported me throughout my life in not just my writing, but everything. My husband has been very supportive also.

Now, tell us more about who you. Anything you want your readers to know.

My book, titled Mercy Said No, is available on online bookstores like Amazon and B&N. It can also be purchased via lulu.com. My blog has the specific links. The blog address is http://authoramy.blogspot.com/

You can find out more about me at my blog and at AC by going to:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/156027/amy_black.html

Thank you, Amy Sue Jackson Black!