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How long have you been writing?
Believe it or not, I wrote my first novel when I was 12 years old! It was a creepy little mystery set in a country village called “The Wild Women of the Woods”. Since then, my attempts at putting pen to paper have been sporadic at best, until a couple of years ago when I finally knuckled down and completed my latest novel, “Lucid”.
How many novels do you have published?
I am very pleased to announce that my first published novel came out earlier this year. Lucid is a mystery which explores the strange and sometimes frightening world of dreams, and raises the question of whether dreams can actually offer insight into real life events. The story’s main character, Sloane Solomon, is a beautiful young college student who is being haunted by intense nightmares about her neighbor. Desperate to put an end to these horrific dreams, Sloane sets out to uncover the truth. Is her imagination just running away with her, or is there really a gruesome secret hidden in the darkest corner of her neighbor’s apartment?
Lucid was published by Hearts on Fire Books and is available now in paperback and e-book editions. So far, I do not have any other published books, but I am working on two novels and a short story, all in the mystery/suspense/thriller genre.
What's the hardest thing about writing a novel?
For me, the biggest challenge is finding enough time to write. I have to admit, I became a little fussy when I was writing Lucid. Every sentence, every word, had to be just so. At times I would sit for hours working on a single paragraph until I got it to sound just right!
What do you love the most about it?
I love trying to create tension and suspense, and the thought of my readers being kept on the edge of their seats. If I can give the reader a few chills as well…even better! When I was writing Lucid, I actually managed to spook myself a couple of times! I would often take a break from writing to walk my dogs late at night. And if I had been working on a particularly eerie scene, I’d find myself looking over my shoulder and quickening my pace every time I passed a dark alley!
When did you first have an interest in writing?
When I was young, my mother would take my four siblings and I to the local library regularly. I found it so exciting, having all those books to choose from! I remember my delight when I got my adult library card, and I was able to graduate from kiddy books to Agatha Christie mysteries. My love of reading made me decide at a very early age that I wanted to write.
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors out there?
Choose a subject that fascinates and excites you. Your passion will come through in your writing and hopefully the words will easily flow!
How long have you been writing? I started about a year ago. I've always liked to let my imagination wander but I've never actually put my ideas on paper before. Mostly because I haven't made the time. I've spent the last twenty years either in college or as an officer in the Navy. Now I'm stationed at the Naval War College and have a job where I travel a lot. It's as much as a week to ten days a month. This results in a great deal of free time in hotels and airports. I never liked to be idle so I decided to put it to good use and start writing. How many novels do you have published? Just one, "Zhena". It is a spy novel set in modern times with aspects of the cold war. I am currently working on the sequel and hope to make it a triology. What's the hardest thing about writing a novel? I have to remember that the reader can't see what's in my mind. While it may be obvious to me what's going on in a scene and in my character's mind, it won't be inherently obvious to the reader. After I write a first draft I usually have to go back and add a lot more detailed descriptions to scenes while making sure I follow the "show don't tell" rule of writing. What do you love the most about it? I love creating characters. I like giving people backgrounds and then using that to determine how they will act in given situatons. I want my readers to truly identify with my characters so they're eager to find out what happens to them. When did you first have an interest in writing? Like I said, I've always enjoyed letting my imagination wander. Sometimes I like to just sit and think, "what if?" Then I let my thoughts go on a logical path and see where it leads. That's how I got the idea for Zhena. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors out there? I know everyone says this but, "Write about what you know." As a new author it truly made things easier. Almost every location in my book is a place I've either lived or been stationed. Also, several of the major plot devices have to do with hobbies or other interests I have.
I've been writing stories since I was a little kid, but I didn't really get serious about writing until I was 18. I worked in a perfume kiosk in a mall for 11 hours a day, and truth be told, we didn't really sell much perfume. So I spent most of my time writing. I wrote tons of short stories, but I also wrote my first novel which eventually become part of a fantasy series called The Tales of Dominhydor. Writing that first novel made me want to write as many novels as I could for as long as I could.
My first novel was released in 2008 by PublishAmerica; it's called Camelot Lost and puts a new spin on Arthurian Legend. My novella, A Touch of Scarlet, was just released in July of this year by Eternal Press, and eTreasures Publishing is releasing my novel, Song of Eidolons, in 2009 as well. I'm definitely looking forward to getting more out there though.
Having to stop. Whether its just stopping for the day or actually finishing a novel, it's always tough for me. Sometimes I just don't want to put my characters away.
There's this magic moment in writing a novel when everything just suddenly clicks. Song of Eidolons had a huge one of those moments for me. I reveled in it for days.
Reading Matilda by Roald Dahl for the first time was probably what really piqued my interest in writing. Roald Dahl is my idol. I was in love with all of his children's books when I was younger, and I loved the twisted humor of his stories for adults. I wanted to write stories that were as engaging as his.
Actually, when my first book was published, I got an Everlasting Gobstopper tattoo in honor of Mr. Dahl.
Friends and family can save your writing. They're invaluable as sounding boards and as the occasional cheerleader when you're feeling daunted. I wouldn't be where I am today without my friends and family.
What is your writing process like?
I work on a lot of things at once. Currently, I'm finishing a novel I originally started when I was about 20 and editing what I've written so far. But I'm also editing a novella I just completed last month and starting to map out my next novel. It sounds crazy, but I don't think I could work any other way. I would never get anything done otherwise.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Jessica McHugh
http://www.jessicamchughbooks.com
How long have you been writing? I started in 2002 and my first novel was published in 2003. Like that cigarette ad used to say, "I've come a long way, baby." I've accomplished so much in small press, but now I have my sights set on mainstream...if only for one book. My final goal.
How many novels do you have published? Seven actual novel length, but also several novellas and a few short stories.
What's the hardest thing about writing a novel? Finding a creative time when me and my characters can get comfortable enough for them to tell me their story. You see, I'm just the fingers that type what I'm told. I'm a pantser rather than a plotter, so writing a novel is like having someone tell me story, and I never know where I'm going until I get there.
What do you love the most about it? Writing is an escape from stress. Being an author allows me the opportunity to vent my frustrations through someone else, and even solve problems that I can't in real life. I can't always throw something when I'm mad, but my heroine sure can.
When did you first have an interest in writing? I've always loved writing, but most of my experience was in memos, letters, and business-related things. Working at an educational institution allowed me to become involved in developing forms, writing manuals/brochures, and being part of team who designed a paperless application on-line. These things only fueled my passion, and when I'd run out of my favorite historical novels, I decided to try my hand at writing my own. Now I'm hooked.
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors out there? Tons. *smile* I think the most important is keeping your own voice. Editors, critique groups, class instructors will all make suggestions to improve the flow of your storyline. Listen, but adopt what you learn to fit your style. We are all unique. Too many rules have made us sound the same. When people offer examples, re-write them in your own words. It's you're story. Hold onto it or it will get lost in a maze of edits. I'm not saying it's not important to grow as an author, but I remind myself I'm not Nora Roberts and I'll never write like she does. She gets to headhop and my editors would never allow it. Why is that I wonder? *big grin.*
Do you have a blog or website? Indeed I do. You can visit my webpage at http://gingersimpson.com, and I'm always happy to have visitors at Dishin' It Out, my blog: http://mizging.blogspot.com I'm also on Facebook and Twitter as 'mizging', but I'm supposed to be working on finishing my latest novel, The Locket, so my new agent, Dee Owens, can find it a home. Wish me luck. Sometimes the promotion is much more time consuming than writing the actual book.
My website is www.Margaret-west.com
Publisher www.eternalpress.ca
I have been writing on and off for twenty years. But have only been publishing novels/short stories, poems for the last five.
I have seven in total. Fiction/non fiction, poetry and short stories. Unfortunately my publishing house closed in 2007 which means that some of my novels are no longer in circulation.
Setting time aside to write if you work full time. You really have to be strict with yourself as you have no 'boss' to keep you on the straight and narrow lol
I love creating a whole new world on paper. Making the characters in my mind become alive and three dimensional. Anything can happen on paper and it frequently does.
I got the writing bug after working for the James Bond Producers. The script writers used to fascinate me with how they would act out the plots, they had scribbled down, around a table. It was as though they could see the characters for real, in their minds. I wrote my first novel sitting at my desk, at Eon productions, on a typewriter that would be considered out of the ark now lol There were no computers then. Just ribbons and corrector fluid lol I actually have it on my computer and am thinking of sending it out to a publisher.
Never give up on your dreams no matter how many rejection letters you get. I have a saying. One publishers rejection is anothers acceptance. That is a fact. My new release was rejected by a publisher ,who despite me making changes from her suggestions, decided it would be better as an historical. Which would mean rewriting it all basically. I decided not to. I really it how it was and the next week it was loved by my new publisher Eternal Press.
Join loads of writers circles. Get advice from everyone. Don't take criticism to heart, learn from it. A writers life is hard and full of tears and happiness, yet isn't life like that too?
I have always enjoyed writing but have never seriously written until last year. In the past I’ve written several short stories that I never really shared with anyone. I will admit that they are all in the horror genre. I can honestly say that I can’t recall ever writing any sweet, sentimental stories. Only now, am I beginning to wonder about that!
Scent of a Vampire is my first published novel and I’m proud to have it published with Hearts on Fire Books. It is the first book in a series that I plan on writing about the Evolved. The Evolved are beings that have as the name suggests, evolved into altered beings, vampires being just one of many species that roam the earth unknown to humans. You never know who is sitting next to you….
The hardest thing for me is the research involved. Looking back I could kick myself for not having paid better attention in Biology class. I now have to learn about Darwin and natural selection all over again. All I can say was you were right Mr. Yost and one day I would need to know this stuff.
I love developing the characters and watching them grow from the beginning of a book to the end. And the excitement of writing a sequel and bringing them out again like an old friend and seeing them change and grow some more.
I can tell you the exact moment I wanted to be a writer. It was the first time I couldn’t sleep after reading a book because it scared me that badly. The book was The Shining which to this day is still my favorite Stephen King book. I too wanted to make people stay awake all night too scared to turn off the lights.
Let your imagination run wild. Jot down ideas as they come to you. I’ve written many short stories from an idea that I wrote on the back of a napkin.