Blog Ring of Power Interview With Beth Barany

Today's Guest is Beth Barany.  Welcome Beth to The Write Time, and we are looking forward to your insights on writing and getting published.

Here is Beth's Schedule for the Blog Ring's interviews:

Part 1 - Monday, March 11th @ Sandra Ulbrich Almazon - http://ulbrichalmazan.blogspot.com/
Part 2 - Tuesday, March 12th @ Dean C. Rich - http://deanswritingtime.blogspot.com/
Part 3 - Wednesday, March 13th @ Terri Bruce – http://www.terribruce.net
Part 4 - Thursday, March 14th @ T.W. Fendley - http://twfendley.com/
Part 5 - Friday, March 15th @ Emily LaBonte - http://emlabonte.blogspot.com/

The Writing Life

1. 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.

I love this question because I’m always curious about other people’s process. My novel writing process has evolved over the years. And how I write and approach fiction is different than how I approach and write nonfiction. With nonfiction, I can more easily jump into a first draft. With fiction, I do a lot of short writings before I get to the actual first draft. My current process of fiction writing is first I get an idea and quickly write it down, usually when I’m on a bus, a train, overseas, at a cafe — you get the picture. I don’t often write these first sparks at home. Then if the idea won’t leave me I continue to write notes as they occur to me. I feel into when it’s time to write an overview of the story, and then move from handwritten notes to the computer. Then I’ll outline more, or write a short synopsis, or sometimes just start writing. By this time I'm committed to the story and make a clear and formal commitment to the story by giving myself a deadline to finish the book, and daily word count goals. Currently, for a paranormal romance novella I’m writing, my goal is 500 words a day 4 days a week. I do 90% of my first drafting into Scivener (a recent addition to my life) at neighborhood cafes. Just to spice it up, and because I’m short on time, I’m also dictating a novel, the third in my YA fantasy The Five Kingdoms series. Lastly, I’ve used NaNoWriMo for the last few years to finish novels, using the frenzied collective focus to get it done.

2. How do you balance writing with other aspects of your life?

With difficulty! LOL Actually, I’ve recently gone through a big Aha around this. I love doing multiple things at once (Gemini! Squirrel!) And, or But! I wasn’t getting the most important aspect of my writing done: the deep editing required to get the book out the door. So, balance for me is really about boundaries. I recently moved things around and most importantly said No! to things so that I could make time to get the editing done. For the first drafts, I make time before my work day (I work for myself!) to get in my 500 words. And, on my 9-minute commute to the cafe I dictate that third book in my YA fantasy series. So, balance is really about scheduling and boundaries!

3. How much time per day do you spend on your writing?

On my writing days, which is 4 to 6 days a week, I spend about 30 minutes to 2 hours. Depends on a lot of things: other comittments, mental focus and stamina, inspiration, the weather.

4. What has been the most surprising reaction to something you’ve written?

Ironically, I’m always surprised at my good reviews, especially the ones that say that the reader stayed up all night to finish my book. I’ve worked so hard to create the story trance, and yet am always surprised that I’ve succeeded! LOL

5. How do you deal with rejection and/or negative reviews?

I’m able to either laugh or be puzzled by negative reviews. This is because by the time I’ve gone through the crucible of editing and intense feedback from my critique partners and beta readers, and released the book (I’m self-published so far) I feel removed from the book and pretty much at peace with it — knowing that it’s the best that I could make it at the time, and the book is what it is — take it or leave it.

Here's how you can get in touch with me and learn more about my books.

Contact Information: Beth Barany, Email: beth@bethbarany.com

Blog: http://author.bethbarany.com/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HenriettaTheDragonSlayer

Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4169630.Beth_Barany

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/beth_barany

Amazon: http://bit.ly/Henrietta-DragonSlayer-Kindle

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/46068

Is your book in print, ebook or both? Both!

Beware of the Dream Slayers

I'm back.  I'm back from my self imposed blogging hiatus.  I've worked on my own priorities and found that blogging really is a higher priority for me than I had realized.  So I've dusted of my laptop and made my way back to The Write Time ready to share thoughts and tips once again.  Thanks for waiting.

Did you know you do not need to keep a lid on a bucket of crabs to keep the critters in place? Not one crab will ever get out of a pail full of crabs.  No, not one.

The reason that no crab ever gets out is because if one gets near the top another crab reaches up and pulls it down so it can climb on top and begin to climb out, only to be pulled down by another crab below.

Life can be like a bucket of crabs.  We all have dreams, plans, goals, expectations, and desires.  It seems when someone begins to get ahead someone else comes along and shoots them down.

Lots of reasons, jealousy, greed, envy, just to list a few that come to mind.  Case in point, Jennifer Lawrence and her post Oscar press conference.  Someone asked her if she was peaking too soon.

Someone didn’t like the fact that she is so successful at such a young age.  Other folks reach up and try and pull you down.  They have not achieved their dreams, for what ever reason, so they take pot shots at other people’s dreams.

I know I’ve put my own dreams on a shelf.  My current job demands a lot of my time.  I’ve dreamed of publishing a book.  I’ve learned that my writing has a long way to go and a lot of work is still needed on my manuscript before I dare try and get it published.  Yet, it is still my dream.  I try and spend a little bit of time on that project everyday.  I share this because a lot of people have told me, “Oh, you’ll never be able to publish a book.”  They mean well. (At least I hope they mean well.)

However, good intentioned or not I call these people Dream Slayers.  As a youth I had all sorts of plans and expectations.  As life goes along and more and more responsibilities pile up, and more things demand my attention, my dreams take a back seat.

Then other folks give advice, and room for my dreams get pushed out.  Then there were life’s inevitable set backs.  Trying to come back from those, then the dreams are put on a shelf.  Dust accumulates on the boxes the dreams are stored in, and then cobwebs form.

After time the dreams fade to memories.  The Dream Slayers win and you are left with disappointments and regrets.

Time to fight back.  Be brave and get dreams back.  Do not let the Dream Slayers steal your hopes, your goals.

I failed more spelling tests than I care to admit.  My English grades were not the best.  But I have a passion to tell stories, to share my thoughts.  Writing is the only way I can do that.  I had many people tell me not to bother, but I’ve worked on spelling and grammar.  The stories are finding there way to paper.  Someday….
My dream is alive and well, and the Dream Slayers can just go attack someone else.

How do you keep your dreams alive?

Blog Ring of Power Interview with Kristi Petersen Schoonover

Well Kristi has been on all the power blogs and ends up here at The Write Time.

Kristi Petersen Schoonover's Pushcart-nominated psychological horror novel Bad Apple has been called “deeply disturbing in the best way possible,” by SciFi Saturday Night. Her short fiction has appeared in Carpe Articulum, The Adirondack Review, Barbaric Yawp, The Illuminata, Morpheus Tales, New Witch Magazine, Toasted Cheese, The Smoking Poet, The Battered Suitcase, and a host of others, including several anthologies. She is the recipient of three Norman Mailer Writers Colony Winter Residencies and is an editor for Read Short Fiction (www.readshortfiction.com). She lives in the Connecticut woods with her housemate, Charles, three cats--Poe, Mikey, and Kali--and her husband, paranormal investigator and occult specialist Nathan Schoonover of The Ghostman & Demon Hunter Show (www.ghostanddemon.com). She has a passion for ghost stories, marine life, and Tarot cards and still sleeps with the lights on.

Part 1 - Wednesday, February 27th @ Terri Bruce – http://www.terribruce.net
Part 2 - Thursday, February 28th @ T.W. Fendley - http://twfendley.com/
Part 3 - Friday, March 1st @ Emily LaBonte - http://emlabonte.blogspot.com/
Part 4 Monday, March 4th @ Sandra Ulbrich Almazon - http://ulbrichalmazan.blogspot.com/


Why did you decide to go with an indie publisher? Did you use/do you have an agent?

Small houses have passion, quality, and the love of fresh stories at the hearts of their business models, and they’re willing to take risks. That’s where I want to be.

What are the most important elements of good writing?

I could go on and on about all the obvious things like solid characterization, grammar and the like—and all of those things are important, but they’re givens. To me, the most important element of good writing is perfected single effect.

What tools are must-haves for writers?

Perseverance, a thirst for improvement, focus, and the willingness to put your writing ahead of everything else in your life.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Yes: thank you for being so loyal!

What are your current / future project(s)?

I don’t talk about anything I’m working on until it’s hammered out in first draft form, because I’ve always believed that as long as it’s unspoken, it maintains its energy so I can finish it. Talking about it seems to almost guarantee I’ll lose interest or I’ll forget what I was trying to do—I compare it to letting the air out of a balloon. I will say, though, that on a personal level, 2013 is the year of less and more—I’m bowing out of many things I was doing, among them Scary Scribes, because I just want to go back to the glory days in which my writing career was only writing and critiquing and not doing all this extraneous stuff for the sake of getting my name out there; all of that is really impeding practicing my craft.

BOOK BLURB FOR BAD APPLE:

After an unfortunate incident on a Maine apple orchard, precocious teen Scree is left with a father she’s not sure is hers, a never-ending list of chores and her flaky brother’s baby. In a noble move to save the child from an existence like her own, Scree flees to a glitzy resort teeming with young men just ripe for the picking. But even as life with baby becomes all she’d dreamed, Dali-esque visions begin to leach through the gold paint…

Fans of The Haunting of Hill House, The Lovely Bones, and Carrie shouldn't miss Bad Apple--a dark, surreal ride that proves not all things in an orchard are safe to pick.

Please let us know where your readers can stalk you:

Website/Blog: www.kristipetersenschoonover.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/kpschoonover

Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/kpschoonover

Twitter: @KPSchoonover

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kristi-Petersen-Schoonover/e/B0046Z8VYW

What format is your book(s) available in (print, e-book, audio book, etc.)?

Bad Apple is available in all formats, both print and e-book, and is available wherever you purchase your books.

 

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