Author-Book Profile with Interview: Derek the Ghost

[Helping authors promote their books.  Being profiled does not necessarily mean I recommend the book.]

We're in for a treat because Derek the Ghost, aka Derek Taylor Kent, is here for a visit!  His book The Northern Frights (Scary School #3) came out TODAY!  My son if you recall reviewed book #1 here last year and highly recommended it.  He since have read book #2 (loved it as well) and awaiting his pre-ordered copy of this book #3, oddly enough due to arrive next week :(.  He loves the series so he's most excited that Derek the Ghost is here with us today.

Let's take a moment to get to know him a bit.  Oh, don't forget to comment about how sharp he's looking for us this morning too! :)

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When and why did you begin writing?
Ever since I was seven years old I remember being the "writer" of my class. I looked forward to all the creative writing time and always wrote the longest stories because I never wanted to stop. I was also the weird kid who, during 'free reading' time, would actually sit there and read the dictionary. That continued through school. I was always very shy, so writing was my outlet to connect with my classmates. I could always make them laugh with my silly stories.

I began seriously writing children's books and thinking it would probably be my career when I was 15 years old and took a creative writing class in high school. The teacher was a bit flabbergasted when I was the only one writing Dr. Seuss-style books for assignments. The Harry Potter series, which I started reading in college, was what really kicked me in the butt to start writing novels because I so loved the unique world she created and wanted to do that as well.

What is your favorite chapter or part and why?
My favorite chapter of Scary School #1 is the chapter about Petunia. She's a young girl who's completely purple from head to foot, like a petunia. Her hair also makes its own pollen, so she's constantly surrounded by bees and wasps that like to collect it. The way she feels about her herself is similar to how I felt about myself at her age. She feels like an outsider and is very lonely. The bugs that fly around her head are her best friends. Because of her loneliness, she loves to read more than anything else, so she becomes Derek the Ghost's biggest fan, because she loves to read his writing. I get more into this in Scary School Book 2 and she plays a big role in Scary School #3 as well.

How would you describe your current writing environment?
I do write every day, though I wouldn't say I write all day. Aside from the books, I'm also a screenwriter and a songwriter, so I'm usually focusing on one or the other each day. Writing is the thing I enjoy most in the world, so when I'm writing it's like my leisure time. It's hard to think of it as work. I also love to cook, so I'll usually spend some time making myself a really good lunch, and then I'll write in the afternoon if it's open, otherwise, I'll do my writing after dinner. I do still have a day job (though it's a flexible day job), so I have to schedule my writing time around my unpredictable work schedule. Hopefully soon I'll be able to fully dedicate myself to writing and my output will soar! I don't like any distractions when I'm writing, so I usually sit alone in my room with no music or anything else going on so I can be completely focused. Then I can usually get a lot done in a short amount of time.

What are you reading now?
I just finished Dan Brown's The Inferno... I keep starting to read Game of Thrones, but then I stop myself because I don't want to spoil the TV show... I can't decide!

Is there any particular writer that influenced you?
Yes, there are several: Kurt Vonnegut, JK Rowling, Louis Sachar, Art Spiegelman, and Stephen King.

What are some of your hobbies?
I love cooking and eating good food. I love playing basketball, playing guitar, and playing ping pong. I also love hiking with my dog, watching movies, and writing crazy stories. I guess writing crazy stories is more of a profession, but it's so fun it feels like a hobby.

Can you tell us about your next book?
Next year I have a bi-lingual Spanish/English picture book coming out called El Perro in Sombrero. I also have a couple other picture book projects in development and a top secret YA adventure book in the vein of Ready Player One and The Da Vinci Code that I am just starting on.

Which do you prefer, Facebook or Twitter?
I prefer Facebook, but I'm still trying to keep it old school by having a really fun website for kids. I run the website (www.ScarySchool.com) myself and it was designed by Jett MG (jettmg.com), so I'm very much involved in everything. I wanted the website to really give the visitor a feel for what it's like to be a student at Scary School and spend hours having fun. You can meet the students and faculty, tour the school grounds and classrooms, and watch some funny videos. Plus there are so many hidden Easter eggs and secret links I can barely keep count! My favorite part is probably the video game you can play. If you win, you will receive the weirdest trophy ever and get the secret passcode to gain priority admission into Scary School!

Are you a morning person or night owl?
I used to always be a night owl, but ever since I got my new puppy who wants to go for a walk at 6 am every morning, I am reluctantly turning into a morning person.

What is one of your guilty pleasures?
Chocolate bar doughnuts and Million Dollar Listing

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for spending some time with us Mr. Kent!  You're a down-to-earth and fascinating man. I like to hear that you enjoy writing that it feels like a hobby.  I also like that you're stretching yourself by working on a bilingual picture book and a top secret YA adventure.  Much success on those and I'll be sure to keep my eye out for them.

Until the next time, happy writing!  We love your work!

In The Northern Frights, the third book in the spooky Scary School series, Charles “New Kid” Nukid and his friends, including Lattie, a girl ninja, must fight an epic battle with an ice dragon to save their school. But first they must survive going to Scream Academy as exchange students. And that may be hard, because the Academy has an abominable snowman for a principal, a Headless Horseman as one of the teachers, and the students are yetis, trolls, and ogres!

Will Charles survive to make an ancient prophecy come to pass and save everyone? The illustrated Scary School trilogy by Derek the Ghost, with its mix of humor, scares, and adventure, is a perfect pick for middle-grade readers of the Wayside School series and the Zach Files books.

Why did you feel you had to tell this story?
I had to change schools when I was 11 years old after being with the same group of kids my whole life. I had a really hard time adjusting, so both books of Scary School and Rudy and the Beast deal with kids starting a new school and figuring out how make new friends. I enjoy writing about problems like this. Experiences that every kid has to go through at some point in their life, but told against the backdrop of a fantastical or supernatural story that kids love.

Author-Book Profile with Interview: The Clock of Life by Nancy Klann-Moren

Please welcome author, Nancy Klan-Moren, here for a visit.  Let's find out some things about her and her latest book The Clock of Life ...

[Helping authors promote their books.  Being profiled does not necessarily mean I recommend the book.]

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Thank you Jinky for this opportunity. I’d like to begin by saying that readers hold the key to any writer’s heart. Readers are our raison d’être, and I am particularly grateful to everyone who has expressed appreciation for my efforts.

Why did you feel you had to tell this story?
The idea of human inequality and how it comes to be has always baffled me, so the foundation for this book was more emotional than cerebral. The narrative for The Clock Of Life began as a short story of about 4,000 words. After being encouraged keep going, I realized I still had a lot more to explore about the three main themes―bigotry and the heroism it took to bring equal rights for Blacks to the forefront, and the fiasco of the Vietnam War and the human tragedy of how our soldiers were treated when they returned home.

Which writer would you consider a mentor?
My mentor is more a community―two communities. As a fledgling writer I worked up the courage to attend the Santa Barbara Writers Conference. I didn’t know anyone when I arrived, but after spending a full week there, I had found skilled, selfless mentors that taught valuable lessons, and encouraged me along the way. I left with the assurance that I truly am a writer, and have gone back to them many times through the years. My other “mentor” community was my friends and fellow writers in our weekly writers group. They say it takes a village, and in the case of my novel, “they” couldn’t be more right.

What was the hardest part about writing this book?
When I had to kill a character I loved.

What is your favorite chapter or part and why?
To tell about my favorite would be a spoiler, so I’ll talk about my other favorite. 

I struggled with re-write after re-write of chapter 19, when Jason Lee finds his father’s journal during the time he went to Selma to take part in the Right-to-Vote march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965. I had done a good deal of research and the major events were there, but the chapter read more like a history lesson than a personal journal. I realized I didn’t really understand the man, so I worked up a character study. In doing so I hit on his personality. While being kind and compassionate, at the same time he was hot-tempered, impatient, and he was extremely fond of the word douchebag. I uncovered why he felt the way he did about civil rights, and was able to use that later in the book. That freed me up to write the journal entries with his unique voice and persona. I enjoyed it immensely.

Do you have a specific writing style?
In The Clock Of Life, the story flows from the characters, in easy, direct dialog. The rural, southern setting dictates a simple narrative, done with descriptive imagery that allows the reader to color in their own details.

My short stories tend to highlight working class relationships, and quirky characters, in a distinctive voice.

How would you describe your current writing environment?
I write on the computer, in my office. The first and most difficult step is sitting my butt in the chair and giving my writing a higher priority than, oh, everything else. I don’t write in coffee shops, or public places, and I don’t have a musical playlist to write to because I prefer silence. I “see” the scenes in my head, and “hear” the voices during the conversations. For me, outside noise gets in the way of the process.

What are you reading now?
T.C. Boyle’s book, Stories. He has put together a masterful collection of short stories dealing with “love, death, and everything in between.”

Is there any particular writer that influenced you?
Ray Bradbury, Flannary O’Connor, Pat Conroy, Susan Cisneros 

From these skilled pros I learned that writing is so much more than telling the story. It’s about being brave in your choices. It’s about being playful, and rhythmic, and hiding your meaning and symbolism in plain sight. For me, these authors transform writing from the craft of storytelling, to fine art.

Do you experience writer’s block? If so, what do you do?
More than a total writers block, I sometimes suffer with the idea that the writing is uninspired. It feels like the “muse” is bored to death and needs some play time. When it happens I know to stop writing and go to the beach, or a museum – someplace inspiring so I can connect with my creativity. Then I return to the work refreshed and productive again.

How did you come up with the title?
The working title of the book was, Fate Carries Its Own Clock. As much as I liked it, I knew it needed to be revised before publication, to something easier to remember. The Clock Of Life is simpler and still stays true to the theme I was after.

Can you tell us about your next book?
Yes. Without giving away too much, the premise was inspired by the time a friend and I found an old diary, and went on a road trip to find the person who wrote it. This novel takes two women cross country. Their names are not Thelma and Louise, but I’m hoping their story will be just as memorable.

Who do you see playing your main characters in a movie?
I’ve been asked this question before, and I always have to laugh because someone once told me that the act of picking which actors should be in the movie version of your novel, before you have a contract, is called Casterbation.

So, I’ve stayed clear of that, and instead think about who I would want to produce it. George? Yes. (We should sign the contract while meeting in the villa on Lake Como.) Ben? Hell, yes. Will and Jada? Of course. Opie? It’s an endearment, Mr. Howard. Wahlberg? Yes, but which one? Hum, deciding this could take some time.

What is one of your guilty pleasures?
Good Wine

~~~~~~~~~~
You're welcome Ms. Klann-Moren.  It was good to have you here. You've got a lovely heart and funny bone too!  Now, I can't wait to dig into this book ... and looking forward to your upcoming Thelma and Louise-like book.  Thank you for your generous time. 

In the small town of Hadlee, Mississippi, during the 1980's, Jason Lee Rainey struggles to find his way amongst the old, steadfast Southern attitudes about race, while his friendship with a black boy, Samson Johnson, deepens. By way of stories from others, Jason Lee learns about his larger-than-life father, who was killed in Vietnam. He longs to become that sort of man, but doesn't believe he has it in him. In The Clock Of Life he learns lessons from the past, and the realities of inequality. He flourishes with the bond of friendship; endures the pain of senseless death; finds the courage to stand up for what he believes is right; and comes to realize he is his father's son. This story explores how two unsettling chapters in American history, the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War, affect the fate of a family, a town, and two boyhood friends.

Auhor-Book Profile with Interview: He Belongs To Me by Theresa Rizzo

I am delighted to have author, Theresa Rizzo, on my blog today.  I'm looking forward to putting my nose into her latest book (just out 4 days ago!), He Belongs To Me.

[Helping authors promote their books.  Being profiled does not necessarily mean I recommend the book.]
 

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Theresa Rizzo is an award-winning author who writes emotional stories that explore the complexity of relationships and families through real-life trials. 

Born and raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, she currently lives outside of Boulder, Colorado with her husband of thirty years. She’s raised four wonderful children who are now scattered across the country.

What has been the best part about writing this book?
The best part about writing He Belongs to Me is I get to indulge my passion for romance, but also couch it in a realistic setting.

Most people know the excitement and joy of falling in love, but they also experience the heartache that can go along with that. We make ourselves vulnerable, when we give our heart to another. Love is a double-edged sword and most of us –at one time or another—feel both sides of the sword.

Life and love are messy and complicated, filled with highs and lows, laughter and tears. Relationships are messy and work—all of them—but the good ones are worth it. In He Belongs to Me, I get to explore those intricacies and hopefully entertain my readers along the journey.

Can you tell us about your next book?
My next book, due out in the fall, is Just Destiny. Jenny is a beautiful young woman whose seemingly perfect marriage to Gabe is shattered by a tragic accident that leaves her husband brain dead. Devastated at the sudden loss, she decides to preserve the best of their love by harvesting Gabe’s sperm for later insemination.

But her husband’s powerful, grieving uncle, the man who raised him, thinks of Jenny as a gold digger and is willing to risk exposing long-held family secrets in court to stop her.

The prospect of a grueling trial tests Jenny’s resolve, until an unexpected ally comes to her aid giving her the opportunity to win and the possibility of a second chance at happiness.

Favorite ice cream?
It’s a toss up between peppermint and mint chocolate chip—but if I want a sundae, I prefer good old vanilla

Which do you prefer, Facebook or Twitter?
Facebook—hands down. I write long books and I like to talk, obviously, being brief is a challenge for me . Plus I am a very visual person—I like pictures.

What is your pet peeve?
I tend to be OC, so I have many. Don’t judge—I’m working on it. In my next life I might only have a dozen. Pet peeves . . . top of the list, I HATE clutter. When a kid (or husband) comes in the house and kicks off her shoes at the base of the stairs, drops her purse, sunglasses, phone, car keys all over the kitchen counter then gets out her second glass of the day and leaves that on the coffee table, then tears into the mail and leaves ripped envelopes or coupons scattered around the kitchen after she made lunch and left the cheesy Panini press out . . . I want to kill. So I go and write, and undoubtedly it doesn’t go well for my characters.

Oh—did you mean pet peeve with regards to books? 

How did you come up with the names of your characters?
For my heroine, I wanted an aristocratic-sounding name and Catherine seemed to fit the bill. And Thomas is named after a guy I had a crush on as a kid. I doubt he even knew I existed, but he was really sweet to me and a good person. He was someone with integrity and principles—even as a teenager. I admired him a lot.

If there is something you could change about this book, what would it be?
Great question! Given the feedback from the early reviews . . . I’d spend some more time fleshing out the grandparents, Eric and Sarah. I’d make them reach out to Catherine a little more and show more regret for what they were doing.

It seems readers think they’re evil, but I hadn’t intended that. They truly believe they are doing what’s best for their grandson—and even for Catherine. Eric especially. Sarah is a terminally damaged soul riddled with insecurities. She is to be pitied not hated.

Given Eric and Sarah’s life experiences, their personalities, and flaws, I do believe that they did the best they could. Their intentions weren’t malicious, just misguided. I’d work harder to make the reader understand that.

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He Belongs to Me is a love story . . . a tale of betrayal and deception and of a young mother's determination to recover what belongs to her.

Forced to leave her baby and tricked into relinquishing her parental rights, four years later Catherine Boyd is back and she'll do anything to regain custody of her son--even reconcile with the husband falsely accused of killing their son's twin.

All in the name of love for a little boy, generations of pain and tragedy are exposed in a courtroom drama.

Author-Book Profile with Interview

[Helping authors promote their books.  Being profiled does not necessarily mean I recommend the book.]

Welcome Theodore Ficklestein, author of newly published book, This Book Needs A Title.

Find Book:  Amazon | AuthorHouse | Barnes and Noble

What is This Book Needs A Title about? You ask. Poetry. But when was the last time poetry was about anything really?

Find Author: Website

This Book Needs A Title is Theodore's first book. Of all the genres he chose poetry. Which in hindsight may not have been the best decision. But hey hindsight is 20/20. Too bad foresight isn't.

What was the hardest part about writing this book?
Editing. Definitely editing.

What has been the best part about writing this book?
Finishing it.

Do you have a specific writing style?
Ironic humor.

Do you see writing as a career?
I would hope so.

Is there any particular writer that influenced you?
Comedians are a big influence to me. Like George Carlin and Jerry Seinfeld. They looked at the world differently than the norm and I try to do the same in my writing

Do you experience writer’s block? If so, what do you do?
No not really. If I feel frustrated with my writing I get away from it for awhile to clear my head.

How did you come up with the title?
It is a taken from my blog title thisblogneedsatitle.com. I got that title because I had no title for the class assignment when the teacher told us to name our blogs. It was just a joke. Still is.

Can you tell us about your next book?
Hopefully it is This Book Needs A Title Volume #2.

If you were stranded in an island, which book would you want there?
Probably a how to survive on a stranded island book.

Author Interview and Giveaway: Justice at Cardwell Ranch by B.J. Daniels

I am happy and honored to welcome author, B.J. Daniels, to my blog today.  I thank her for taking time out from her busy schedule to answer some questions.  It certainly was a pleasure getting to know more about her through this interview.  Now, enjoy getting to know her and Jusctice at Cardwell Ranch as well!

B.J. Daniels' life dream was to be a policewoman. After a career as an award-winning newspaper journalist, she wrote and sold 37 short stories before she finally wrote her first book. Since then she has won numerous awards including a career achievement award last year for romantic suspense.

She lives in Montana with her husband, Parker, two Springer Spaniels, Jem and Spot, and a temperamental tomcat named Jeff. When she isn't writing, she snowboards, camps, boats and plays tennis. (Goodreads)

Read my review HERE

Six years ago, Dana Cardwell found her mother's will in a cookbook and became sole owner of the Cardwell Ranch in Big Sky, Montana. Now happily married, Dana is surprised when her siblings, Stacy and Jordan, show up on the ranch…and trouble isn't too far behind.As danger draws closer to the ranch, deputy marshal Liza Turner quickly realizes that Jordan Cardwell isn't the man the town made him out to be. (Goodreads)

What was the best and hardest part about writing JUSTICE AT CARDWELL RANCH?

Not letting my readers down. They had loved Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch. Now it is six years later. I wanted my readers to love Justice just as much.

What did you learn from writing JUSTICE AT CARDWELL RANCH?

That people can change – but often don’t. I found it interesting to see if bad-boy Jordan Cardwell and his back-stabbing sister Stacy had changed – and how much. And if so, what had brought about that change. Their brother Clay had always been a fence-rider and never as mean as the other two when it came to the ranch. Jordan had needed the money from the ranch desperately to keep his super-model wife. Stacy needed the money as well but for other reasons.

So what happened when they didn’t get it? I had to find out.

Also I wanted Jordan to come back for his 20-year high school reunion. So it got me wondering about his classmates. We all knew mean girls and the popular snobby kids. So I learned a lot about the Cardwell family by going back to see what had shaped their lives.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

I love mystery and suspense and romance. I was so excited that I could mix all three in a book. That’s how I began writing for Harlequin Intrigue. It was perfect for me.

What do you do for fun?

I spend time out in our boat either fishing, swimming, waterskiing or just plain daydreaming. I also quilt, snowboard, camp and play tennis.

What is your pet peeve?

Gee, I have to think. Not much really upsets me. I guess it would be people who are
inconsiderate to others. Where I live, everyone holds the door for you. Recently I was in a larger town and a man slammed the door in my face. I just figure his mother never taught him manners.

How did you come up with the names of your characters?

Now this is tough. When you’ve written as many books as I have, it is hard to come up with names. When I hear a name I haven’t used that I like, I instantly write it down!

Who do you see playing your main characters in a movie?
Sam Elliot and Ali McGraw when they were younger.

(Author did not provide images.  I'm a visual person so I had to Google. 
Oh Sam, I see why Ms Daniels picked you!  Hot!!)

What advice would you give a new writer?

Read! And write. It surprises me how many aspiring writers don’t write. Write what you would love to read and once you publish, write a lot of books and never stop learning.

What is one of your guilty pleasures?

Coke Zero

If you were stranded in an island, which book would you want there?

Oh man. I would have to pick my first single title that comes out in December: UNFORGIVEN

If there is something you could change about JUSTICE AT CARDWELL RANCH, what would it be?

I can’t think of anything. I even love the title. I have since moved on to my next Cardwell Ranch book, CARDWELL RANCH TRESPASSER (April). I can’t seem to leave the ranch.

GIVEAWAY TIME (US address only, >12yo)
 

I enjoyed Justice at Cardwell Ranch and wanted to give you the opportunity to read it so I'm parting with my paperback ARC copy and offer a chance for one of my readers to win it.  All you have to do is leave a comment about your thoughts regarding the interview/book.  Be sure that you provide an email address if there is no link to your profile.  For extra entry, you are welcome to share this post and if you do so, just leave a separate comment for each share and the link to where you shared it (FB, Twitter, etc).  Contest ends 10/12/12, 9pm PST.  Need not be a follower to enter but certainly appreciated.  ~Good luck!