Straight From the Mouth of 'Search for the Lost Realm' Kraig Dafoe

Kraig Dafoe was born in Potsdam, New York and grew up in Canton. He played high school football and joined the United States Army Reserves at the age of seventeen.

Kraig married at the age of nineteen and moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia where he worked as a Private Security officer for The Christian Broadcasting Network and also attended the Tidewater Community College for business.

After five years as a security officer, he became a Deputy Sheriff for the city of Chesapeake Virginia.
Kraig left the Sheriff’s office after nine years of service and pursued a couple of different business opportunities before he went on to publishing his debut novel.

Kraig is the father of five children and he currently resides in Kansas, raising his youngest son.

His latest book is the fantasy/adventure, Search for the Lost Realm.

Visit his website at www.kraigdafoebooks.com

Thanks for letting us interrogate interview you!  Can you give us a go-for-the-gut answer as to why you wanted to be an author?

I wanted to be an Author in order to give back. I have been entertained for years and felt it was time for me to do some entertaining.

Tell us (we won’t tell promise!) is it all it’s cracked up to be?  I mean what are the perks and what are the demands?

I’m not sure that it’s cracked up to be anything. The work is tedious and the rewards are yet to be seen but that doesn’t mean I’ll stop any time soon. The creation process is fun and it allows me to escape reality and who doesn’t want to do that from time to time.

Which route did you take – traditional or self-published – and can you give us the nitty gritty low down on what’s that like?

I self published after years of trying the traditional route. Publishers don’t want you unless you have already made a name for your-self. I don’t want to talk bad about them because I still have a desire to work with them but, they need to step up and start taking chances on new blood because denying us will put them out of business. Eventually, all book sales will be online and publishing your-self, although time consuming and costly, is not really difficult.

Tell us for real what your family feels about you spending so much time getting your book written, polished, edited, formatted, published, what have you?

My family doesn’t really comprehend the work involved. To most of them, I’m out of work and sit around all day, “Playing” on my computer.

This is for pet lovers.  If you don’t own a pet, skip this question, but do your pets actually get their food on time or do they have to wait until you type just one more word?

I don’t have a pet but I’m a single dad. My eleven year old sometimes has to make his own dinner if I’m on a roll.

This is for plant lovers.  If you don’t own a plant, skip this question, but if you do, are they actually still alive?

I have many plants in the garden, not inside. I do try to see the outside for at least an hour a day.

In writing your book, how did you deal with the phone ringing, your family needing dinner or your boss calling you saying you’re late?

I turn the phone off, my kids at school when I write and my only boss is me.

What was the craziest or insane thing that happened to you in the book publishing process?

Nothing crazy happened as far as I know but I’ve only published one so far. I have a feeling the crazy is yet to come.

How about the social networks?  Which ones do you believe help and which ones do you wish you could avoid?

Obviously I’m on facebook. I don’t spend much time there and if they all went away, my life wouldn’t change a bit.

Book sales.  Don’t you just love them (or lack of?)?  How are you making the sales happen for you?

I’m trying everything I can but it doesn’t matter. People want a good book or they don’t. I just want to take every opportunity to get it out there so people can decide if they want to read it.

What is one thing you’d like to jump on the rooftop and scream about?

The fact that sudo celebrities get book deals worth millions and I can’t. I bet if Honey Boo Boo’s mom wrote a book, publishers would be trying to knock her door down to get it. I have great stories and characters and I end up in the slush pile. It’s ridiculous. 

Okay, too much sugar for you today!  Here’s a nice cup of Chamomile tea and come on over and sit under the cabana and watch the waves roll in.  Now…can you tell us what you love about being a published author and how all those things above doesn’t matter because it’s all part of the whole scheme of things and you wouldn’t have it any other way?

I’ve done something no one else in my family has done and no-body I ever went to school with would have suspected. The amount of sales only matters when it comes to getting by but in my opinion, I’m a success.

Straight From the Mouth of 'Incidental Daughter' by Val Stasik

Val Stasik shares a home in eternally sunny Santa Fe, NM, with her aging mixed terrier, Sugar, who allows her to sleep in his queen-size bed as well as sharpen her culinary skills for his benefit. Stasik spent many years as a writing teacher, helping other writers find their voices and tell their stories, and is a consultant for the Northern Virginia Writing Project.

Stasik studied drama and English at the University of Pittsburgh and then transferred to the University of Maryland, College Park, graduating with high honors and a B.S. in Secondary Education, Communication. The year she attended graduate school was filled with student protests, bomb threats, and military helicopters.

Stasik became an editorial assistant for The Pharmacologist in Bethesda. She then moved to Harpers Ferry where she taught for five years and participated in the Old Opera House Theatre onstage and behind the scenes.

In Harrisburg, PA, she became a groom and mutuels clerk at Penn National Race Track and, later, a commercial lines underwriter for Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Insurance Company. Right before her son was born, Three Mile Island happened. So far, neither glows in the dark.

In Virginia, Stasik enjoyed the enriching experience of teaching writing and literature in the Loudoun County Public School system, instructed other teachers in assessing student writings, and helped develop various English curricula. She also participated in the Fauquier Community Theatre on and off stage. From 2002-2004, she developed a part-time hypnosis practice. She then retired to Santa Fe where she has been writing—a few film scripts that have been produced (Café Destiny, on the Web,  Spring 2013, www.cafe-destiny.com) and a couple of award-winning play scripts.

Stasik is currently a member of the New Mexico Book Association, the New Mexico Book Co-Op; Southwest Writers; the Independent Book Publishers Association; the Small Publishers’ Association of North America; the Small Publishers, Artists, and Writers Network; and Pennwriters.

Incidental Daughter is Stasik’s debut novel. You may visit Stasik at

http://www.valeriestasik.com

https://www.facebook.com/vstasik

https://twitter.com/VStasik

http://www.amazon.com/author/valstasik

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6907934.Val_Stasik

Amazon Link to Book:

http://www.amazon.com/Incidental-Daughter-Val-Stasik/dp/0988584700/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362367686&sr=8-1&keywords=incidental+daughter

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Thanks for letting us interrogate Interview you!  Can you give us a go-for-the-gut answer as to why you wanted to be an author?

I’ve been writing all of my life and figured it was time to go for it. I needed a challenge that engaged my intellect and creativity. I also have to get these darn stories that keep pounding to get out.

Tell us (we won’t tell, promise!) is it all it’s cracked up to be?  I mean what are the perks and what are the demands?

There is a great deal more work than glamour involved. I suspect the only authors who really feel like they’re getting the perks they deserve are the big-name authors, but even they will tell you writing can be a daunting task. The real perk is the actual creation (the characters become real people) and holding that baby in your hands the first time. What makes it even better is hearing that your readers feel that their money was well spent. I also enjoy doing the book design. There are so many demands. Let’s not talk about deadlines and differences with editors. Sometimes life gets in the way (oh, for a housekeeper and a secretary). Then, of course, promoting the book is as consuming as writing it, regardless of whether you self-published or chose the traditional route.

Which route did you take – traditional or self-published – and can you give us the nitty gritty low down on what that’s like?

Self-publishing is an industry revolution that gives an author more creative control and bigger royalties. I found the process quite challenging and would not recommend it to every author. I had the support of an exceptional critique group, beta readers, editing help, and used a print-on-demand company that was best for me (CreateSpace). I was able to create my own cover and design the interior myself. I enjoy the graphic side of the process. The real work, however, is promoting the novel. It’s as much work as writing the book. I find, though, that other authors who have gone the traditional route or hired PR people if they’ve self-published are doing as much as I am and are not as happy with the results. I have enjoyed every stage of writing and publishing—learning all the aspects of publishing, developing new skills, and sharing my knowledge with fellow authors. I will definitely continue self-publishing, but it requires skills many authors don’t have or are unwilling to learn. It’s not for the faint of heart and can be distracting when you’re trying to get going on your next project. Bottom line: you can only blame yourself if it doesn’t fly.

Tell us for real what your family feels about you spending so much time getting your book written, polished, edited, formatted, published, what have you?

My very patient dog Sugar would probably like me to spend more time with him. My family is on the other side of the country and are likely very happy that I have found something to so engross me instead of showing up on their doorstep every other month. (Actually, they are quite proud of me and would like to see me more often.) My friends here have accepted my hermit-like tendencies, but do drag me out of the house for my own good now and again.

This is for pet lovers.  If you don’t own a pet, skip this question, but do your pets actually get their food on time or do they have to wait until you type just one more word?

Okay, you got me. Sugar does have to wait sometimes; however, he’s a casual eater at best and is in no danger of starving.

This is for plant lovers.  If you don’t own a plant, skip this question, but if you do, are they actually still alive?

I own one houseplant foisted on me by a friend. I purposely don’t have plants because I know how I am with them. This one is incredibly hardy and has survived many a drought. I keep apologizing to it and making promises about doing better, but it has learned not to believe me. It keeps going despite me.

In writing your book, how did you deal with the phone ringing, your family needing dinner or your boss calling you saying you’re late?

I only have to feed Sugar and I’m my own boss these days. When the phone rings, I check the caller ID and answer if I think it’s necessary. Otherwise, I let the machine get it. I’m also not as driven as I used to be. I figure, when all is said and done, I’ll still be writing on the other side or in my next life.

What was the craziest or insane thing that happened to you in the book publishing process?

My ebook got hijacked by some company in Poland. There’s nothing you can do when the thief is outside of the U.S. I found that it really didn’t matter since no one goes to their website.

How about the social networks?  Which ones do you believe help and which ones do you wish you could avoid?

I think Facebook and Goodreads do help. I also use Twitter and find LinkedIn writer groups a good resource. I’d like not to have to use any of them, but the reality is that it’s necessary to build an audience for your writing. There are times you have to make choices about the best way to spend your time.

Book sales.  Don’t you just love them (or lack of?)?  How are you making the sales happen for you?

I’ve used email, my website (which is also a good resource for writers), Facebook, Amazon Author Central, a Goodreads giveaway, presenting at a New Mexico Book Association luncheon, showing my book at two upcoming book conferences, and an upcoming two-month book blog tour, signs on my car, cards advertising my book (it’s much easier to leave someone interested with something physical rather than just talking to them about your book), and a very limited mailing of post cards (mail is not cost effective).

What is one thing you’d like to jump on the rooftop and scream about?

My Amazon customer reviews have been spectacular! Go see. Oh, and my mother stayed up all night trying to finish my book (so have other people). She’s pretty critical.

Okay, too much sugar for you today!  Here’s a nice cup of Chamomile tea and come on over and sit under the cabana and watch the waves roll in.  Now…can you tell us what you love about being a published author and how all those things above doesn’t matter because it’s all part of the whole scheme of things and you wouldn’t have it any other way?

I love that I’ve created this microcosm of living, breathing people in a book that people actually enjoy reading. I loved learning new skills although there were times I wanted to pitch the computer into the trash. That’s where the satisfaction is, and it spurs me on to my next project. I’ve written film scripts and award-winning play scripts, but writing this novel confirms for me that I really can write, despite the times I didn’t think it was very good (thank you my critique group for helping me see it really was worth publishing).

Straight From the Mouth of 'The Cat That God Sent' Jim Kraus

Jim Kraus is a longtime writer and editor who has authored or co-authored more than 20 books, both fiction and nonfiction. His best-selling humor book, Bloopers, Blunders, Jokes, Quips, and Quotes, was published by Tyndale House Publishers, sold more than 40,000 copies and inspired several spin-off books. Jim, and his wife, novelist Terri Kraus, and one son, live in the Chicago area.


Also residing with them is a sweet and gentle miniature schnauzer named Rufus. Coincidently, Rufus is also the name of the dog in Jim's recent book, The Dog That Talked to God. "What a coincidence," Jim said. "What are the odds of that happening?" They also share space with an ill-tempered Siberian cat named Petey. Coincidently, Petey is the name of the cat in Jim’s most current book, The Cat That God Sent, by Abingdon Press.


Jim recently was awarded a Master of Writing Arts degree from DePaul University. "Now, I am able to write more better," Jim said. (Yes, that is supposed to be humorous.)
Passionate about writing, Jim loves to create true-to-life characters. "I tend to be the one at the party that is on the edge of things--observing how folks act and react. Plus, I'm not that crazy about people in general--so it works out fine." (Again, it's supposed to be funny.)
Visit his website at www.jimkraus.com.

Q: Thanks for letting us interrogate interview you!  Can you give us a go-for-the-gut answer as to why you wanted to be an author?

I’m not sure, exactly. It looked easier than actually working.

I have always been relatively facile with words. Growing up, I listened to my father tell wonderful stories of growing up in Homestead, Pa, hard by the steel mills, and of his time in the “old country” (Romania). I was captivated by those stories—so I think writing has a genetic component to it.

A big plus is that writers get to be in charge of entire worlds: we hold people’s lives and futures in our hands (or hard drives, I guess).

And there is something uniquely fulfilling about touching another person—a reader—with a deep truth and unfolding a hidden part of the world.

Q: Tell us (we won’t tell promise!) is it all it’s cracked up to be?  I mean what are the perks and what are the demands?

I suspect I could make more money working at the local 7-11—considering the hours that are put into any book. (I’ve considered it at times.)

Seriously though, I am not one of those authors who sweat and bleed over the book. To me, the writing is never agony. It is always exciting to watch the word count increase.

The demands . . . well, there is a good bit of solitude required. Some authors may be able to write in a noisy Starbucks. I envy them. I’ve tried that, but usually wind up playing Mahjong on my laptop. I have an office in the basement with my 40-year-old Sony stereo and listen to music while I type.

Q: Which route did you take – traditional or self-published – and can you give us the nitty gritty low down on what’s that like?

I have always been published by standard publishing houses. I was working at a publisher and had been there for five or six years when I proposed my first book to them. They published it and that started my “real” writing career. I will admit that it did help to work where I did—at a publisher. That made the first book easier. And this was nearly two decades ago; the landscape has changed a lot since I started.

(When I started writing and publishing, I looked at the universe of successful authors of the day and said that they had it easy. There weren’t that many of them at the time. Now, two decades of writing later, I am sure that new authors will look at my career path and think that I had it easy. In twenty years, there will be a new crop of authors and the cycle will repeat again.)

Generally, I have had very positive experiences with publishers. They are in it to succeed as well, so they try their hard do the best for every book.

I know many authors who don’t like to see one word of their book edited, deleted, changed, tossed out . . . but I’m not one of those. Once the book is done, once I finish my final draft, I let the editors have at it. Most of my work has not been radically altered in the editing process, so maybe I’m spoiled.

I figure that there are a lot of words in a book. If one or two get edited out, that’s okay with me.

Q: Tell us for real what your family feels about you spending so much time getting your book written, polished, edited, formatted, published, what have you?

I work early in the morning, sometimes late at night, so we still spend a lot of time together as a family. And I don’t tend to overwrite. I write fairly quickly, make some modifications and edits, but do not do multiple, complete rewrites.

Q: This is for pet lovers.  If you don’t own a pet, skip this question, but do your pets actually get their food on time or do they have to wait until you type just one more word?

Not only do they get their food on time, I do as well. I may lose myself in the book for a time—but not that much time. I sort of interrupt myself every half hour or so and wander around the house.

And I find ways to distract myself, which gives me a chance to let my subconscious work through problems my characters are facing.

Q: This is for plant lovers.  If you don’t own a plant, skip this question, but if you do, are they actually still alive?

I think we have plants . . . we have at least one indoor plant. It’s been alive since we’ve been married—and that’s over 30 years. My advice—keep the plant quantity down to a minimum and you’re safer.

Q: In writing your book, how did you deal with the phone ringing, your family needing dinner or your boss calling you saying you’re late?

Here’s a fact: Phones don’t HAVE to be answered. That’s why we invented answering machines and caller ID. Dinner . . . that’s the most important meal of the day, along with breakfast and lunch. I don’t miss that. And I live five minutes from work. I’m seldom unintentionally late.

Q: What was the craziest or insane thing that happened to you in the book publishing process?

I spent two days now trying to come up with an honest and/or clever reply to this question.

And I got nothin’.

I’m a semi-crotchety, older guy who lives in the suburbs and cuts his grass in the summer. I shake my fist at the hoodlum teenagers who skate board on our cul-de-sac.

What crazy, insane thing could happen here?

Okay . . . here’s personal observation:

Take a flyer.

Write a book about a talking dog.

A dog that claims to talk to God.

Have that book nominated for the Fiction Book of the Year by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.

Follow that book up with a book about a sentient feline.

That’s crazy.

Q: How about the social networks?  Which ones do you believe help and which ones do you wish you could avoid?

I know, I know . . . every author, every product-maker, etc, uses Facetwitter to establish their “brand.” I have a Facebook page that I seldom update. I have never, nor will ever, Tweet. I have a webpage that I add a blog posting once a week or so. I guess a few people read it. If I have a visit counter, I don’t know how to use it.

I’m not a Luddite, but the prospect of Tweeting to increase awareness or sales is just so dispiriting to me. And honestly now, the people who might read a Tweet from me are people who already know me and are probably trying to get me to give them a free copy of the book—so why Tweet?

To do “social media” like the seminars tell authors to do it would require hours and hours a week. When do those people have a chance to write?

I guess I am a Luddite after all.

Sorry, Mark Zuckerberg.

Q: Book sales.  Don’t you just love them (or lack of?)?  How are you making the sales happen for you?

Build it and they will come . . . or something like that.

The good people at Abingdon did a lot of lower-cost/highly effective PR work on my behalf for The Dog That Talked to God. They had bloggers mention it and gave away free books. And Publisher’s Review gave both the dog and the cat books positive reviews.

All of that raised awareness.

Specifically, for the “cat” book, I have a blog tour starting soon . . . don’t I? (Is this part of that?)

I know the new reality is that authors have to be their own promoters. But I’m old . . . well, older, a little cranky, and set in my ways. Write a good book, catch a wave, and things will happen.

Maybe.

I guess.

Why all these questions? I don’t know anything. Really.

Q: What is one thing you’d like to jump on the rooftop and scream about?

I would use every bit of social media to let people know that they are way too connected to social media.

Oh . . . and I really dislike the news on TV.

And reality TV.

And that 60 is the new 40.

Q: Okay, too much sugar for you today!  Here’s a nice cup of Chamomile tea and come on over and sit under the cabana and watch the waves roll in.  Now…can you tell us what you love about being a published author and how all those things above doesn’t matter because it’s all part of the whole scheme of things and you wouldn’t have it any other way?

Here’s the real scoop . . . I have built a small cave in the basement with copies of my books. Whenever I get down, I crawl inside, surrounded by words that I wrote, and small, thumbnail pictures of me on the back cover. I close my eyes, curl up into a ball, and whimper softly to myself until the blackness passes.

Seriously . . . (I use that a lot, don’t I? I should resolve to be less snarky.) Writing is fun. It feeds my soul. I love telling stories that point towards the Divine. I don’t preach, but I want readers to get a sense of the Creator’s handiwork all around them—to become aware of that truth.

If that happens, and it connects to readers, then I am happy. If I can help a reader become more aware of God, and have a good time reading what I wrote, then my job is done.

MY ADVICE: FREE TO THE FIRST 100 PEOPLE WHO CALL:

Tell a good story.

Keep the plot believable.

Make the characters flawed . . . noble, but flawed.

Add a laugh or two, as needed.

Let the reader see, smell, taste.

Trust your inner voice.

Listen to the advice of wise editors.

Have a cool drink.

Put your feet up.

Talk to your dog.

Pet your cat.

Be nice.

Unplug.

And most importantly, buy multiple copies of The Cat That God Sent. It makes a great housewarming gift.

Thanks!

Straight From the Mouth of 'The Spellcaster's Grimoire' Mark All

Mark All is the author of paranormal thrillers The Spellcaster’s Grimoire and Mystic Witch, published by ImaJinn Books in trade paperback and eBook formats.  He has won two international writing awards and contributed to Computer Legends, Lies & Lore.

Mystic Witch received a 5 Star review from the Paranormal Romance Guild, and 3½ stars (out of 4½ possible stars) from RT Book Reviews.

Mark is a full-time author after a career as an instructional systems designer at a Fortune 16 company. Prior to his work in computer-based training, he held jobs ranging from gravedigger to FM radio announcer to professional rock guitarist.

Mark presents writing workshops and taught his “Planning Your Novel” course at the Spruill Center for the Arts.

He earned a Masters degree in computer-based education and a Bachelor of Music cum laude.

You can visit Mark All’s website at www.MarkAllAuthor.com.

Thanks for letting us interrogate you! Can you give us a go-for-the-gut answer as to why you wanted to be an author?

Because I can escape into exotic otherworlds fraught with exciting adventures in an experience even more immersive than books and movies!

Tell us (we won’t tell promise!) is it all it’s cracked up to be? I mean what are the perks and what are the demands?

Being an author is more and less than it’s cracked up to be. We write to experience the flow of creating our own alternate realities, just as we played as children. The trick is to maintain that state of mind and not be paralyzed by the requirements for good characterization, story structure, living up to our expectations, producing a saleable product, and so forth, and still enjoy the process. After a few books, you achieve a level of mastery and command of craft that’s as satisfying as becoming proficient on a musical instrument or performing well in a sport. The demands are meeting your standards and those of editors and readers, and figuring out how to make your book “discoverable” among all the many books in the marketplace.

Which route did you take – traditional or self-published – and can you give us the nitty gritty low down on what’s that like?

I queried a zillion agents for my first several books. And here’s something everyone should be aware of: A few lucky people score big artistically and/or commercially with their first book, but most writers have to produce between three and ten books before their work is publishable. Never give up. You might be one of those who hit it big, or at least get published, with your first or second book. But if not, that’s not unusual. When I finished my first Paranormal, I realized there were many reputable, quality small presses out there and found acceptance much more quickly that way, with ImaJinn Books, who are wonderful to work with.

Tell us for real what your family feels about you spending so much time getting your book written, polished, edited, formatted, published, what have you?

My wife has always been supportive of me fulfilling my potential, as I have been of her. Writing is actually easier for her to deal with, since I played in bands for a long time, including on the road for two years—that was a difficult lifestyle. At least while writing I’m right here in the house! The cats on the other hand, are less understanding and just as demanding as ever.

This is for pet lovers. If you don’t own a pet, skip this question, but do your pets actually get their food on time or do they have to wait until you type just one more word?

A better question is whether I get my food on time! And the answer is no! The cats rule the house, and will not leave us alone when they need something. One is getting up in years, and he needs to eat constantly. So I got used to dropping the narrative thread in mid-sentence to attend His Highness and the Princesses.

This is for plant lovers. If you don’t own a plant, skip this question, but if you do, are they actually still alive?

Fortunately for me, my wife is an organic gardener. Our lot is landscaped naturally with native plants and they all do well—except for the ones the deer and rabbits take out. We no longer even attempt to grow Hostas.

In writing your book, how did you deal with the phone ringing, your family needing dinner or your boss calling you saying you’re late?

I prioritize writing over just about everything else. I don’t usually answer the phone anyway.  J

What was the craziest or insane thing that happened to you in the book publishing process?

The most insane thing that’s happened is seeing my words in an actual, physical book! And people telling me they loved it!

How about the social networks? Which ones do you believe help and which ones do you wish you could avoid?

This reminds me of some famous writer, possibly Somerset Maugham, who said that there are three rules of writing, but unfortunately, no one knows what they are. I’ve read in Publisher’s Weekly that many publishers feel passionately that social networking is crucial for book promotion, but they don’t know which sites, and they don’t have a way to quantify what’s working and what isn’t. I enjoy FaceBook and Twitter, and use them like everyone else—people tend to ignore authors who only show up to yell, “My new book’s out, buy it!” I’m getting into Pinterest. I don’t have a regular blog because my strength is writing fiction, but I’m quite optimistic this virtual book tour will reach a lot of readers.

Book sales. Don’t you just love them (or lack of?)? How are you making the sales happen for you?

I think that visiting blogs and review sites that really connect with readers, like this one, is the most important thing an author can do. I really appreciate any time someone chooses to spend with me out of her busy day. The next best thing is good reviews and word of mouth. I did a giveaway on GoodReads, and I’ll probably be doing that again!

What is one thing you’d like to jump on the rooftop and scream about?

As Bill and Ted said, “Be excellent to each other!”

Okay, too much sugar for you today! Here’s a nice cup of Chamomile tea and come on over and sit under the cabana and watch the waves roll in. Now…can you tell us what you love about being a published author and how all those things above doesn’t matter because it’s all part of the whole scheme of things and you wouldn’t have it any other way?

The most satisfying aspect of being a published author is the ability to manifest the worlds within your imagination in reality. You achieve that by doing it until you get it down, but being published confirms that you’re getting it right. And that gives you the confidence to carry on and to take bold risks. If you can bravely put your heart out there, you might create something truly original that’s never existed in reality before. And that is self-fulfillment, the greatest reason to live, second to Love.

Straight From the Mouth of 'Revived by Grace' Emma Clay

Emma Clay is a writer who shares her own experiences about her encounters with self and her bad decisions. She shares how she transformed a life that seemed hopeless and seeks to give answers to your own questions.  She is dedicated to sharing her true stories with others, in the hopes they will avoid the same pot holes, pitfalls, and detours in their own lives.

She loves people, and her need to share this love will hopefully encourage others to find their own way.

Her latest book is the Christian inspirational memoir, Revived by Grace.

Visit her website at www.EmmaClay.com.

Thanks for letting us interrogate interview you!  Can you give us a go-for-the-gut answer as to why you wanted to be an author?

I really had no intentions of being an author at all. I’ve never did very well in English class. But I’ve had a number of experiences that I think can touch other people, and I was called to tell those stories. I could not hold onto those stories just for myself. I had to tell them, even when writing them hurt.

Tell us (we won’t tell promise!) is it all it’s cracked up to be? I mean what are the perks and what are the demands?

I’ve been blessed in so many ways from the process of writing and sharing my story. Most of these blessings are spiritual—the joy of knowing that I’m doing what God has called me to do. The hard part is knowing that writing is a slow process that takes a lot of work, and the same thing is true of promoting a book.

Which route did you take – traditional or self-published – and can you give us the nitty gritty low down on what’s that like?

I went with a very small publisher. I was blessed to work with my editor, who has helped me through the whole publishing process.

Tell us for real what your family feels about you spending so much time getting your book written, polished, edited, formatted, published, what have you?

I did not tell them until after it was done. They could not figure out what I was doing during all that time, and I think they were all shocked when I told them I had completed a book.

This is for pet lovers.  If you don’t own a pet, skip this question, but do your pets actually get their food on time or do they have to wait until you type just one more word?

Sadly, my dog died during the process of completing my book. She was my companion and friend for 13 years, and I miss her dearly. But I always remembered to feed her!

This is for plant lovers.  If you don’t own a plant, skip this question, but if you do, are they actually still alive?

Yes, I love plants and gardening, and I haven’t killed them yet!

In writing your book, how did you deal with the phone ringing, your family needing dinner or your boss calling you saying you’re late?

My biggest concern was making my husband’s meals and cleaning the house. Neither was done perfectly as I was in the middle of writing the book, but we both managed to survive.

What was the craziest or insane thing that happened to you in the book publishing process?

I was amazed that people were actually buying it and that it has been in the top 100 on Amazon in its categories.

How about the social networks?  Which ones do you believe help and which ones do you wish you could avoid?

I try not to get involved too much in social networks. I rely on my publisher to help promote the book, and I prefer to concentrate on writing.

Book sales.  Don’t you just love them (or lack of?)?  How are you making the sales happen for you?

I am just happy the story is out there. I’ve taken advantage of a few promotion opportunities that have resulted in sales, but mostly I’m trusting God that he will use the book how he wants to and so I’m not stressing about sale.

What is one thing you’d like to jump on the rooftop and scream about?

 I am extremely concerned for the current state of our country, and I’m praying hard that we will return to God and his teachings. God is our only foundation in the midst of chaos.

Okay, too much sugar for you today!  Here’s a nice cup of Chamomile tea and come on over and sit under the cabana and watch the waves roll in.  Now…can you tell us what you love about being a published author and how all those things above doesn’t matter because it’s all part of the whole scheme of things and you wouldn’t have it any other way?

I love hearing that my book has given readers hope to continue on their own journeys and even helped to change lives and perspectives.

Straight From the Mouth of 'Narcotic Nation' Scarlett Savage

Scarlett Savage was born and raised in Maine. She began her writing career at age 5 after reading LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS. When she finished the book, she announced to her family that she would become an author. She began to write stories but soon turned her attention to the theater, which led her to explore playwriting. By the time she was in high school, she was writing for professional stage companies in Maine. She received a full scholarship to the University of Maine at Orono, where she won her first major writing awards. Her play, DEAR DADDY, LOVE CASSIE, won several awards and raised money for both national and regional sexual assault support centers. Scarlett moved to Los Angeles in 2009 and made her L.A. theater debut with her latest play, SHE F*&KING HATES ME: A LOVE STORY. She lives in Santa Monica with the love of her life, Mike Biggie, who designed the cover of NARCOTIC NATION.

Visit her website at www.ScarlettSavage.com.

Thanks for letting us interrogate interview you!  Can you give us a go-for-the-gut answer as to why you wanted to be an author?

When I read my first book without pictures at five years old, “Little House in the Big Woods”, I realized immediately that the words made pictures in your mind, and I thought that was about the coolest thing ever. I picked up a pencil immediately afterward, and never put it down.

Tell us (we won’t tell promise!) is it all it’s cracked up to be?  I mean what are the perks and what are the demands?

The Perks? You get to spend your whole working day in your head, in worlds you create, in world’s you’d like to visit or are curious about, or at least can control, in a way you can’t in real life. You get to indulge yourself—any time you find yourself interested in a topic you can just throw yourself into research and utilize that information in your work. You get to meet fascinating people. But for me, the best thing of all, is that it gives you an excuse to focus completely and totally on human interaction, which is truly what life is all about.

Which route did you take – traditional or self-published – and can you give us the nitty gritty low down on what’s that like?

Traditionally. I know a lot of people have had crazy good luck self-publishing, but there’s so many millions of self-published books out there; getting lucky that way is literally like winning the lottery. I had one project, not a full novel but an award-winning piece, that I put out there, and I pushed it. I mean, I spent twelve hours a day for about five months promoting this thing. The people who DID read it loved it…but there were only a handful of those. Then I was offered a contract by SkyHorse Publishing for the novelization of my play, “She F*&king Hates Me: A Love Story” and almost immediately afterward, a contract from Taylor Street Books for “Narcotic Nation”. Once the door is open, people flock to you. It’s a wonderful feeling.  

So, while I would never discourage anyone from self-publishing, I would also suggest not doing it unless they have a professional publicist, who can help tell the world about you. People talk about “Fifty Shades of Grey”, but the woman worked in professional television and had a lot of contacts to help get the word out.

Tell us for real what your family feels about you spending so much time getting your book written, polished, edited, formatted, published, what have you?

My husband Michael fell in love with my work before he fell in love with me; he read my play, “Dear Daddy, Love, Cassie”. He sent me a four-word email: “Read Cassie. You’re beautiful.”  He encouraged me to move to LA to be with him but most importantly to focus on my writing—being in this city makes a whole world of difference. He works as a set painter in the industry, and he’s a sailor, so I have lots of time to myself to work, but on the rare occasions I work when he’s in the house, he treats it as something sacrosanct: he doesn’t let anything bother me. My youngest daughter is only eight, but when people ask her what I do, she says, “Oh, she’s a writer, of course.” It turns out that she thought that all moms were writers. And my eldest…she’s my rock. She was three when I began to mount my plays professionally; she told her friends I was “famous”. She was 12 when I had my first NYC show; she insisted on being there for opening weekend. When I had the chance to move to LA, I asked her how she felt; Daph has always lived with her grandparents in Turner, Maine, because she loved living in a big farmhouse with family all over the place, but I always lived nearby after her dad and I divorced & I moved to the Boston area. So, leaving for LA, that was huge. If Daph had said, “Don’t go,” I wouldn’t have. But she said, “Mumsley, you know you need to do this. You know it’s time. And whatever happens with your career, I’ll be so incredibly proud that you tried.” I mean, what 12 year old talks like that? But my little girl does.

Plus, and sweet Michael recently we were out for dinner with a bunch of people who were excitedly asking me questions about “Narcotic Nation” and “She F*&king Hates Me: A Love Story”; one of them turned to Michael and said, “So, are you proud of Scarlett?” He looked at them like they were crazy and said, “I’ve ALWAYS been proud of Scarlett.” I’m a lucky girl. 

In writing your book, how did you deal with the phone ringing, your family needing dinner or your boss calling you saying you’re late?

I write religiously between the hours of 10PM-2PM, so those weren’t really issues; but on the few instances that it was, rules were a) my children come before everything, including my writing (the image of them standing there waiting for dinner looking starving that this question puts in my head is horrifying!!) b) again if the phone rings and it has to do with my kids, I’ll pick up immediately and c) I never leave my agent or my manager or publicist hanging. Everyone else and everything else goes away when I’m working. And

my friends totally understand…I wouldn’t go up to them at their jobs and demand their attention, or call them there.

What was the craziest or insane thing that happened to you in the book publishing process?

Positive crazy, was that I contacted two of my heroes, Jodi Piccoult and Lou Meyer (author of the incredible Jacky Faber series) telling them how much their work meant to me…and they both responded immediately and encouraged me. Jodi had even heard of my work (we both lived in NH in the wonderfully artistic hamlet of the Portsmouth, NH area) and Lou was more than happy to share his own tales of how difficult it was for him to get published (it took him something like 30 years!). Plus, many, many doors that were once closed are now open to me; managers and agents and producers that wouldn’t have looked twice at me are now calling.

The negative crazy makes me sad…there were a number of friends I had that are also writers, and they didn’t especially like it that I “made it” before they did. There was one girl in particular…for six months, she’d send me these emails that started off saying things like, “I’m so proud of you!!” and end with, “Well, it’s not such a big deal…so don’t be too proud of yourself.” The last email she sent was, “You referred to so-and-so as a ‘studio exec’…you should stop talking like that, because people will dismiss you more than they already do.” That was it. For one thing—that’s the lingo out here, so for her to say that was just looking for a way to slap. She then forwarded all the emails I’d sent her regarding accomplishments in my career to my boyfriend, saying, “I just thought you should know what lies your girlfriend is telling; she should stop before she gets caught and embarrasses herself.” I was beyond stunned…the only way she could deal with my successes, was to pretend they didn’t exist; that I’d made them up. I met Neil Simon once, and he said, “Enjoy your friends while you have them, because once you make it, they’ll be gone. Sitting around at a table talking about how it was luck, or that you knew someone, or that so-and-so just wanted to sleep with you.” I laughed—I’m a writer, and at the time was a thirty-four year old mother of two, so the “writing desk” theory seemed funny, but not nearly as funny as the idea of my writer friends abandoning me. But he sadly shook his head. “When you make it, people take it as a personal slam, if they haven’t.” And sadly, he turned out to be right. BUT…I have found a whole new crew of writer friends, who are all going through pretty much what I am…the delights, the challenges, the career plans, and sharing tips on managers, and websites, and all kinds of stuff. It’s such a joy to have friends that are going through just exactly what you are.

How about the social networks?  Which ones do you believe help and which ones do you wish you could avoid?

LinkedIn has been invaluable to me; that’s where I found both my publishers AND my manager. FaceBook is great, but Twitter has been absolutely fabulous; in one day I got 150 new friend-followers, all writers, based on my announcement of my publishing contracts. I found a site called Smashwords where people post their work, as well as Book Gorilla. It seems like there’s a new one every day!!

Book sales.  Don’t you just love them (or lack of?)?  How are you making the sales happen for you?

My book hasn’t premiered yet, so I don’t know!! But I plan to be online every day just plowing away!!

What is one thing you’d like to jump on the rooftop and scream about?

“I’M IN LOVE!! MY KIDS ARE HAPPY AND HEALTHY!!” and then… “I’M A PROFESSIONAL WRITER!!!!”

Okay, too much sugar for you today!  Here’s a nice cup of Chamomile tea and come on over and sit under the cabana and watch the waves roll in.  Now…can you tell us what you love about being a published author and how all those things above doesn’t matter because it’s all part of the whole scheme of things and you wouldn’t have it any other way?

Oh, I’d be writing constantly whether I was published or not…but now that I’m about to be, I feel…validated. I know that being a writer is a part of my soul, and it shouldn’t matter if I have an audience, but it does. I think if I hadn’t gotten published, I might feel that perhaps I should have done something else with my life…then again, I got some of the most amazing responses from plays I put on in thirty seat houses in New Hampshire. I did a play called “Dear Daddy, Love, Cassie” about a woman dealing with the fact that she repressed a rape and it’s led to a suicide attempt. I had girls as young as thirteen, and women as old as eighty, approach me after the play (I produced it a dozen times between 2000-2008) and say, “You told my story for me” and “I’m going to go home and tell my family what happened to me.” At a special surprise lunch for me in 2005, Joanne Dodge of the Sexual Assault Support System handed me a huge folder filled with 500 responses they’d gotten, from women who’d seen the play and who had gone to get help. So, maybe I wasn’t wasting my time after all.