Interview with P.T. Dilloway

Another Author Interview with the Blog Ring of Power.  This weeks guest:  P. T. Dilloway.

I am still having computer problems.  I have four computers in the house, and each of them has its own unique set of problems.  So here is yesterday's interview now that I figured out how to get back into my different systems...

Again I can not upload pictures for some reason or another.  Sorry folks.


The Writing Life
What is your writing process? Do you follow a regular routine? Do you use pen and paper or
computer? Work at home or at the library/Starbucks, etc.
Ever since junior high I’ve worked on computers. It was a lot harder back then since we only had black-
and-green screens with floppy disk drives. I had to do most of my work after school because there
wasn’t really a home computer to use. Then my senior year of high school I bought a word processor for
my room, which was a godsend.

Of course these days I have a netbook that I use for most of the writing. I could write at home but
usually I go out on weekends to Starbucks or Panera Bread or Arby’s to write. I’ve found the latter is
a good place to work because after the lunch rush hardly anyone shows up, plus you get free refills on
drinks.

How do you balance writing with other aspects of your life?
There really are no other aspects of my life. It’s very sad. I’m amazed by the people who can juggle
writing with a family. I don’t think I could ever do that.

When do you write?
By necessity most of my writing takes place on evenings and weekends. Saturdays I usually write
most of the day from 10 in the morning until 10 at night, with stops for lunch/dinner and maybe some
exercise in-between.

How much time per day do you spend on your writing?
Weekdays if I feel like doing any writing after I get home it’s about 2-3 hours. Sometimes it’s longer if
I really feel in the mood. There have been a couple of times where I stayed up until past 1am and then
had to get up at 7am the next morning for work. Burning the candle at both ends as they say.

Other than your family, what has been your greatest source of support?
Pretty much all of the support I get comes from other bloggers. I’ve gotten to know a select few pretty
well over the last couple of years. Even though we live in different states and never speak in person, we
comment on each other’s blogs and read each other’s books and so forth. That’s very helpful.


Blog: http://www.ptdilloway.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Patrick-Dilloway/
Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2938567.Patrick_Dilloway
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PTDilloway
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Patrick-Dilloway/e/B006TLOCJE/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ptdillowaysr
Other:
Is your book in print, ebook or both? My books Where You Belong and The Carnival Papers are available
in print. The rest are ebooks only for now.

The Writing Life with Juli Revezzo

This week the blog Ring of Power is talking with Juli Revezzo.

Part 1 @ Sandra - Monday, February 11th
Part 2 @ Dean - Tuesday, February 12th
Part 3 @ Terri - Wednesday, February 13th
Part 4 @ Teresa - Thursday, February 14th
Part 5 @ Emily - Friday, February 15th


The Writing Life

1.    When do you write?
Juli: I write here and there all day but my best time is usually after dinner.

2.    How much time per day do you spend on your writing?
Juli: Four hours or so. Sometimes more, sometimes less. It depends on the day. I try to not to do more than 1000 words a day, otherwise my carpal tunnel flares up. And that can knock me down for a few days.

3.    What has been the most surprising reaction to something you’ve written?
Juli: I got more chatter—negative chatter— about the cover than anything else about the book. “Judging a book by its cover” is such a cliché, I was shocked people actually do. Because only in instances of Poser art, I do not judge a book by its cover. And the reaction I got to the ghost in the story was surprising because it wasn’t written to be ghost story necessarily; I expected my witches and my gods to be the focus of the story so that to see everyone so drawn to the ghost bowled me over. He seems to be like my Boba Fett because as you know, George Lucas thought of Boba Fett as just a bit character but the fans went nuts over him. So I guess if Kenner made action figures to accompany my story, his would sell best. ;)

4.    Other than your family, what has been your greatest source of support?

My friends and fellow writers Jolene Dawe, Patty G. Henderson, and S.G. Rogers and Kathy Carmichael. Without them, I probably would’ve given up long ago.

5.    How do you deal with rejection and/or negative reviews?
For the rejections I go on to the next guy on my list, for negative reviews, thankfully I haven’t received many yet, but it’s best to ignore them.

My webpage is at:  http://julidrevezzo.com
My author pages are: Amazon: http://amzn.to/UPHqbB
and Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jdrevezzo

I’m also on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Juli-D-Revezzo/233193150037011
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5782712.Juli_D_Revezzo
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/111476709039805267272/posts
LibraryThing: http://www.librarything.com/profile/julidrevezzo
Manic Readers: http://www.manicreaders.com/JuliDRevezzo/
Shelfari: http://www.shelfari.com/authors/a1002694572/Juli-D-Revezzo/
Twitter: @julidrevezzo


Other:

Is your book in print, ebook or both?

The Artist’s Inheritance, (Antique Magic, Book One) is available in both ebook and Print, from Amazon and Createspace as well as Smashwords and Barnes and Noble. The connecting story Caitlin’s Book of Shadows is currently available in eformat at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Blog Ring of Power Interview with Catherine Mclean: Part V

Today’s guest on the Blog Ring of Power Interview tour is Catherine Mclean.  

My computer and internet are still giving me fits.  I couldn't get any of the pictures to upload.  I'll try again, but here is her interview without the pictures :-(

You can catch her other sections of the interview at on my fellow bloggers’ blogs:

Part 1 - Wednesday January 30th @ Terri’s site (www.terribruce.net)
Part 2 - Thursday, January 31st @ T.W. Fendley's site (www.twfendley.com)
Part 3 - Friday, February 1st @ Emily LaBonte's site (http://emlabonte.blogspot.com/)
Part 4 - Monday, February 4th @ Sandra Ulbrich Almazan's site (http://ulbrichalmazan.blogspot.com/)
Part 5 - Tuesday, Feburary 5th @ Dean C. Rich's site (http://deanswritingtime.blogspot.com/)

Words of Wisdom

What are the most important elements of good writing?

     Clarity, brevity, and believability. Clarity trumps all rules

because if the message or imagery isn't clear, the reader is befuddled.

Brevity is the economy of words and using only "the right words" to

enhance imagery and meaning. As to believability? If a reader is going

to suspend disbelief and enjoy a story, motivations and logical

sequences or premises must bolster the fantastical and unbelievable so

that those things are credible.

What tools are must-haves for writers?

     First to understand what story is—it has a fundamental structure

and character arc. Secondly, to grasp and use POV-Viewpoint to advantage

because 90% of all the problems with a story stem from POV-Viewpoint.

Third, to become a wordsmith, and that's because readers are not

mind-readers, they only have words on a page to go by, so shouldn't

every word be the right word, the most vivid, accurate, and

image-provoking word possible?

Do you have any advice for other writers?

     Talent will take a writer only so far. Craft enhances talent. So,

to those who intend to produce marketable stories, I urge them to stop

writing unmarketable copy and invest some time to learn the devices,

techniques, and various aspects of good fiction and writing. Writers

tend to be self-taught and there are plenty of how-to books available

from libraries as well as workshops, conferences, and teachers who can

help a writer learn craft elements. The more a writer knows, the better

they can make decisions about a story so it is appealing to readers.

What do you feel is the key to your success?

     Perseverance. Dogged perseverance.

What are your current/future project(s)?

     Too many. LOL But seriously, I have a sequel underway to Karma and

Mayhem that features Rowen, Tienan's little brother. Rowen had a rough

time of it in Karma and Mayhem, so I thought he deserved a lady of his

own, one who could understand the trauma he's been through at the hands

of evil witches.

     As to my other book, Jewels of the Sky, I'm immensely enjoying the

book's heroine, a Wysotti Indian, and having her blog in the persona of

a doll. With Darq, I even get to indulge in my favorite

pastimes—writing, sewing, crafting, and photography.

     In 2013, I'll be unveiling Adrada (pronounced ah-drah-dah), the

Archangel of Departing Souls (who appears in Karma and Mayhem and Jewels

of the Sky). Adrada is also featured in most of the short stories I've

sold. Many of those short stories will be put into a collection for

publication later this year.

     Other projects include: editing a futuristic romance that's

completely drafted, giving an online workshop for writers in March, two

short story projects, and a fall workshop.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

     Yes. One of the highlights of Karma and Mayhem. In that story was

Choke-berry Shalamiz, the "blood of ages," which was a factitious drink,

totally made up for the scene where Tienan "blesses" Janay. With the

help of a chef, that drink became a reality, and I used the recipe as a

special giveaway for the book's launch and for the Christmas holidays.

     For Jewels of the Sky, finding the doll who is now Darq, the

story's heroine, and who banters with me at the story's blog site (at

jewelsofthesky.wordpress.com).

     And, lastly, thank you for having me as a guest.

Contact information for Catherine E. McLean:

WEBSITE FOR READERS: www.CatheirneEmclean.com

WEBSITE FOR WRITERS: www.WritersCheatSheets.com

KARMA AND MAYHEM: https://www.soulmatepublishing.com/karma-and-mayhem/

(And available at other eBook outlets)

KARMA AND MAYHEM BLOG: http://www.karmaandmayhem.blogspot.com

JEWELS OF THE SKY: www.Amazon.com (Available as eBook and paperback)

JEWELS OF THE SKY BLOG: http://jewelsofthesky.wordpress.com/

Goodread author page:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6575148.Catherine_E_McLean

Formats available:

KARMA AND MAYHEM: Only as an eBook

JEWELS OF THE SKY: As an eBook and a paperback

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/#!/CatherineMcLea7

Linked-In: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/catherine-e-mclean/7/70b/372

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/catherinemclean