Author Interview: Catharine Glen

Elite soldier Marian serves and protects the royal family—a responsibility she does not take lightly. But when she thwarts an assassination attempt on the king, she unwittingly becomes a prime suspect. Worse, she is left with a terrible, pulsing wound and vile, intrusive thoughts that are not her own. Now, the mysterious cult behind the attack has targeted her, and Marian soon learns of their goal to restore a devastating relic: the legendary Rose Crown.

Former mercenary Henryk has vowed to prevent the restoration of the Rose Crown at any cost. When he encounters Marian, he discovers the terrifying truth of her involvement—and the mortal danger they both face. Drawn together by the very thing that could destroy them, Henryk and Marian must forge a bond of trust—before it’s too late.

Can Marian battle against the ancient darkness consuming her soul, or will it utterly destroy them both?

Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together for the author of The Rose Crown, Catharine Glen!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a Massachusettsian, born and raised. I’m really attached to this part of the country (especially when autumn rolls around), and could not picture myself living anywhere else. I am a psychologist by education, but pursued other interests in the health and medical device field (incidentally, that required a lot of writing).

Many of my hobbies stem from my childhood and continue to be things that I enjoy. I am a long-time gamer (first system was the NES) and fan of Lego (still have my sets from the 80’s). I also have a deep interest in Japan: its culture, language, music, video games, anime, and of course food. I’ve visited there twice and can easily say Tokyo is my favorite city. Reading and writing are a given, and I also play the piano.

2. Using five words or less, describe the protagonist in The Rose Crown.
Loyal, independent, stubborn, proud.

3. What does a typical writing session look like for you?
My writing sessions tend to be either midday or late at night. I can write anywhere, really. I wrote my first novel, THE ROSE CROWN, at the local Starbucks, the library, on my couch, and in my home office. Music is a must. I typically listen to instrumental music to help set the mood and to separate myself from the rest of the world. Genres include video game / anime soundtracks, classical crossover, techno and electronic, new age, and Renaissance.

Each writing session has a goal, set at the end of the previous session so I can dive right in when I start the next. I am a very process-oriented person and setting small goals is important to keeping things moving and staying positive. I track word count but do not set hard and fast goals. It’s more important that I address whatever needs attention (writing or finishing a scene, editing a certain chapter, etc.).

4. What is your favorite book genre?
Fantasy has long been my favorite genre to read, and it is what I primarily write as well.

5. What is currently on your to-be-read shelf?
Hoo boy, my TBR list has grown quite large. I read a lot of self-published work, and have been reading several books of my fellow SPFBO (Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off) participants. However, right now I am reading Red Sister by Mark Lawrence (who also facilitates the SPFBO).

6. Any project in the works?
My next fantasy novel is in development and I will have more details in early 2018. I can say that this upcoming book will not be related to THE ROSE CROWN, but rather something entirely new.

7. In your opinion, what makes a story ‘good’?
An interesting premise, fleshed-out world, or intriguing magic system is all well and good, but without believable characters a story just won’t work for me. A ‘good’ story must have characters with clear motivations and goals who act and react realistically (in line with their personality). I know when an author has achieved this when I actually care about the characters and want to know what happens next. I strive to do this in my own writing.

And now for a game of “Which Do/Would You Prefer?”
1. Summer or winter?
Summer. It always brings out the nostalgia for childhood.

2. Cake or ice-cream?
Ice cream most definitely.

3. Nights out or nights in?
Nights in. I’m a homebody, what can I say?

4. Living in the city or living in the country?
Country – I prefer the quiet.

5. Having telepathy or having telekinesis?
Telekinesis. Much more practical.

6. Being able to speak and understand every language known to humankind or being able to speak and understand every language known to animals?
Every human language.

7. Going without internet access for a week or going without watching any movies/television shows for a week?
Easy – no movies/TV. I rarely watch TV anyway!

8. Losing your ability to speak or losing your ability to hear?
I’d rather keep my hearing and not be able to speak. I could always communicate via writing or sign language.

9. To never read another book or to never watch another film?
I would give up films before books any day.

10. To never again eat a piece of chocolate or to never again drink a cup of coffee?
Tough one. I would have to give up the chocolate!

Thank you for joining us, Catharine!
Readers: want to connect with Catharine? You can find her on Twitter, Goodreads, and Facebook. Also, be sure to check out her author website. The Rose Crown is available on Amazon.

Author Interview: Nick Abdilla

“Why did they kidnap me? I’m not rich. I don’t have a lot of family to extort. I have certainly not been a police officer long enough to make any enemies. But instead of waking to the incessant ringing of my alarm clock back in my small city apartment, I awoke in the dirt. In the jungle. Naked. What is happening? Where are their demands?

Then I found her; beautiful and graceful, without a mark to show for her life trapped here. Wherever here is. How did she survive in this jungle? In fact, how is she keeping me alive? 14 days now, she has hunted, caught, cooked and provided without ever saying a word. She has listened to everything I’ve said, but never responds. Is she in on it? Am I in some weird experiment, or is it all a dream? But it can’t be a dream, because I keep having terrible nightmares. About bright lights, and pain, and figures at my door their voices in my head. Of jumping off cliffs, being eaten by monsters and hanging myself. How can you have such vivid nightmares inside a dream?

Then there is the X, tattooed on my head. Who kidnaps someone and then tattoos an X on their forehead? What’s it all mean? I’ve had enough! Tomorrow I’m taking control and repaying my debt to this girl. Tomorrow I escape.”

Coffee with Architects of Worlds Afar is delighted to announce that joining us in the virtual studio today is the author of Adam Exitus, Nick Abdilla!

1. When did you start writing?
I originally wanted to be a comic book artist AND writer and I can remember creating my own comics as young as four. Although I imagine the writing was probably not very good back then. It’s fair to say I can remember writing always being a big part of my life. The Game Guy comic strip that was featured in Gameinformer each month was my first published work and that’s when I started to consider writing as an actual career.

2. Why did you start writing?
As I mentioned previously I was interested in drawing as well as writing. The drawing side was clearly from my dad who is an amazing artist, but the interest in writing was uniquely mine. For some reason drawing a single picture was never enough for me. My pictures had to tell a story. I think what is boils down to, is I enjoy entertaining people and imagining new worlds.

3. Do you recall the moment you first conceived the idea for your novel?
I can remember the exact day I created Adam. It was June 6th 2006 which is weird that I remember that because I don’t remember the exact date of any of my other creations. It was originally a comic book, which I decided to turn into a novel ten years later as the story still resonated with me so strongly. My editor Chris Stead helped me flesh out a lot of the concepts for the novel but I’m proud to say the book remains very true to the original.

4. Tell us a little bit about your book’s title.
The original name I was running with for the book was Adam Exodus. But when I was close to completing my first draft, I discovered there was already a book out there with a very similar title. So began a mad search for a new name with me eventually settling on the now preferred Adam Exitus. Exitus: which is latin for “a passage from which one may depart” holds far more significance to the overall story, then the aforementioned exodus. So I guess it all worked out for the best in the end.

5. Does your story have a moral?
The book has a lot of themes but if I had to pick one moral to the story it would be “to never give up”. Adam faces many trials throughout his journey and considers giving in many times, but these hardships ultimately make him a better person and I think that is the point I’m trying to get across to the reader. That the hard times make us better people in the long run.

6. Of the characters you’ve created, which one is your favorite?
That’s easy. Anne is my favorite character and judging by most of the feedback I’m receiving a bit of a fan favorite as well. Problem is I can’t really tell you why without spoiling what makes her special. Sorry:)

7. Using five words or less, describe the protagonist in Adam Exitus.
Adam starts of his adventure very unsure, inexperienced and maybe even a little naive. But at his core he is brave, kind and always puts the welfare of others before his own.

8. What does a typical writing session look like for you?
I like quiet when I’m writing so I mostly do it late at night when the wife and kids have all gone to bed. I have a little corner alcove at home where I do all my writing and drawing.

9. How do you feel about outlines? Are you for or against them?
Not a big fan. I like to work at my own pace.

10. What is your favorite book genre?
Another easy one. Science fiction fantasy. Maybe one day I might explore other genres but for now I’m happy writing books under that category.

11. What are you currently reading?
Star Wars Thrawn by one of my long time favorite writers Timothy Zahn.

12. What is your favorite book?
Too hard. There are so many books I love I can’t narrow it down to just one. The Night Angel trilogy by Brent Weeks springs to mind of the top of my head though.

13. Any project in the works?
Been super busy working on Adam Exiled, which is the sequel to Adam Exitus.

14. How long does it usually take you to write a book?
A good year for a first draft, with another year of fine tuning.

15. In your opinion, what makes a story ‘good’?
Being able to see aspects of yourself in the character you are reading.

16. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Never give up. There’s a lot of rejection before you get that big break.

And now for a game of “Which Do/Would You Prefer?”
1. Books or movies?
Books

2. Dogs or cats?
Cats

3. Summer or winter?
Winter

4. Cake or ice-cream?
Cake

5. Car or motorcycle?
Car

6. Ebook or physical book?
Physical book

7. Nights out or nights in?
Night in

8. Living in the city or living in the country?
City

9. Having telepathy or having telekinesis?
Telekinesis

10. Being able to travel to the past or being able to travel to the future?
Past

11. Making a phone call or sending a text?
Text

12. Travelling by car or travelling by airplane?
Car

13. Staying in a hotel or going camping?
Hotel

14. Working in a group or working alone?
Alone

15. Losing all of your money or losing every picture you’ve ever taken and every picture that has ever been taken of you?
Money

16. To find true love or to win the lottery?
Love

17. Being Spider-Man for a day or being Batman for a day?
Spider-Man

18. Reading or writing?
Writing

Thank you for joining us, Nick!
Readers: want to connect with Nick? You can find him on Twitter, Goodreads, and Facebook.

Author Interview: Rae Else

There are lots of stories about the children of gods. But what about those cursed by the gods, and their descendants…

El, a seventeen-year-old has inherited an ancient and deadly power. She loses control of it, causing a horrific accident, and becomes the prey of a secret organisation, known as the Order.

Forced from her family and home, she hides in plain sight amidst the crowds of London, and is thrust into a world she never knew existed; one full of arete: beings with extraordinary powers like hers.

Arete are beings that can trace their lineage and powers from ancient Greece. They do not claim their inheritance comes from the gods, rather legend says they are descended from cursed beings, such as Medusa.

At the heart of their world is the kerykeion, the symbol that protects them from the humans and the humans from them. El is trapped between two factions, one that has built an empire around the kerykeion and another that is determined to bring it down.

As she is drawn deeper into the conflict, the only way to find the truth is to take matters into her own hands, and the line between friend and foe becomes dangerously blurred.

Sounds extremely interesting, doesn’t it? Descendants is set to be released on 12 April 2017. Joining us today is its author, Rae Else. Please help me give her a warm welcome!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

• Where you are from?

I’m originally from a little town called Lanark in South Lanarkshire in Scotland. I went to university in Durham, lived in Newcastle and now live in London. So, I’ve basically been making my way down the UK.

• Do you have any hobbies?

Other than reading, which I do a lot of, I love to scuba-dive. It’s a great way to switch off from the literary stuff – books and devices tend to get a bit wet if you try and take them into a quarry or the sea! I dive in the UK year round (in a drysuit) but love to get off to tropical reefs when I can.

• What do you do for a living?

I was a primary school teacher in my twenties and a couple of years ago set-up a dog-walking business so as to have more time to focus on my writing. I can generally be found frolicking with my hounds, who help me sniff out new plots and characters.

• What did you study in college?

I studied Classics at University, which has given me my love of mythology and ancient worlds which I draw on in lots of my stories.

• Give us a few fun facts about yourself.

I can do a great Donald Duck impression (as can my brother, much to the dismay of other family members who have sat through many ducky conversations). I did my first Ouija/séance when I was about 7 years old as my dad was convinced we were living in a haunted house…and…struggling for another fun fact. Umm, when I was a kid I really, really wanted to be able to turn into a dog. (Perhaps that’s why I love running around with my pack these days!

2. When did you start writing?
I loved writing creatively in primary school and although I loved reading throughout high school – the creative urge to write waned then. I started writing again towards the end of university though and penned a first series called The Elementals in my early twenties. It was quite a complicated story – a story about reincarnation and with the narrative spanning millennia. At the time, although I got it written down, I didn’t feel that I had the skill or craft to do it justice. I look forward to revisiting it when the time is right. Look forward to, and dread! It will need an extensive re-drafting.

3. Why did you start writing?
The Elementals was the reason I started writing – the idea niggled at me throughout university and had to be written down.

4. Do you recall the moment you first conceived the idea for your novel?
After I finished up teaching, I brain-stormed and jotted down some ideas that had been percolating. Descendants, The Arete Series was the one that dominated. I mapped out the first book, then the second and, I’d like to say the third, but that needs a thorough redrafting too! Lol!

5. How different is the final product (the book) from your original vision? That is, did the structure and content of the novel change with the passage of time?
Yes, very much so. I went through so many iterations of the novel in the past two years. So much has changed, and yet, the themes and the heart of the novel has stayed the same.

6. How did you arrive at your book’s title?
Descendants was the title I knew I wanted when I was sketching out from the beginning stage. I just didn’t know which ancient hero I wanted my characters to descend from. Would their ancestor be Theseus who slew the minotaur? Or was it to be Daedelus, who could fly? I much prefer the fully-developed idea now of a line that descends from Perseus, who killed the gorgon, but inherited her accursed power.

7. Were there other titles which you were considering?
I did play around a while ago, but nothing else stuck. I can’t actually remember them –they will be in a notebook though somewhere. (I’m a hoarder of notebooks.)

8. Does your story have a moral?
Ooo, that’s hard. I never like to think that I’m moralising or being preachy – more that the characters do change over the story and learn along the way. You could take some meaning from that, (which is a moral, haha). I guess I’d say at the heart of the book, and the series, is the moral that you can’t take things for granted – people, expectations…life. Things aren’t always what they seem, or rather we each see things differently.

Other morals of the story are universal themes – exploring loss, love, loyalty…going for alliteration apparently today.

9. Let’s discuss what a typical writing session looks like for you.

• Do you listen to music as you write?

Yes – generally a soundtrack that I create as the book/short story goes on.

• What is your preferred writing time? Morning? Afternoon? Late at night?

I write a bit in the morning, afternoon and evening, around the dog pick-ups, walks and drop offs.

• Do you have a specific location that you go to when you want to write?

Desk in the living room. Occassionally, for a change of scene a coffee shop or in the summer the park with the dogs.

• Do you prefer writing outside or indoors?

I prefer indoors because I don’t get so easily distracted.

• Do you like to write in public places, or do you seek out isolation?

A bit of both – the bulk is done inside but it’s so nice to shake things up and have a change of scene. I love going to the Brisitish Museum and the National Portrait Gallery in London for a bit of inspiration. Sometimes the Natural History Museum too.

• Do you set daily goals for yourself (in terms of word count)?

When I’m in the bulk of a novel – planning’s done, I tend to aim for 2000 a day. But it’s different in the redraft and editing time.

10. How do you feel about outlines? Are you for or against them?
A bit of both. I like having a bit of wiggle room, but it’s feel it’s important to have a broad plan sketched out before writing.

11. Which genre do you prefer to read in?
I tend to prefer reading fantasy, some dystopian and lots of classics and some literary fiction.

12. Which genre do you prefer to write in?
So far Urban Fantasy. I did Nanowrimo last year, as well as a writing course and developed the first 2/3^rds of a YA Dystopian, which I aim to finish this November during Nano and get out next year.

13. What are you currently reading?
Currently reading Black Inked Pearl by Ruth Finnigan, Mora Goddess of Death by Emrie Vegas.

14. What is your favorite book?
That’s so hard! I can’t pick a favourite. But one of my all time favourites is Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice. It’s narrated by a vampire, Louis who tells how he became one and details his relationship with his maker and his life story or “death” story, I guess. Why is it so dear to you? There’s so much in it I love – the relationship between the two main characters, the setting of New Orleans and how the story is steeped in history. Mainly though, I love the idea of immortals who are outside of time, outside of humanity but have to live within it.

15. Any project in the works?
Currently working on book 2 of The Arete Series which will be out this Autumn.

16. How long does it usually take you to write a book?
It’s hard to say as the last one has been in the pipeline for two years, but in that time I also drafted the first draft of the second which I’m currently redrafting and then I have 2/3rds of the YA Dystopian. I’d say about 9 months (like a baby) lol, from planning stage to finished product seems to be the timescale at the moment.

17. In your opinion, what makes a story ‘good?’
For me it’s about balance – I want thrills and intrigue – to be caught up and dazzled in the world within. But I also want to connect to the characters and to think of them even after the book’s finished.

18. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Write. Whether it’s at the weekends, in the evenings – writers write and redraft and write and redraft. Other than that – perseverance.

And now for a game of “Which Do/Would You Prefer?”
1. Books or movies?
Books!

2. Dogs or cats?
Dogs! (with almost as much emphasis as above)

3. Summer or winter?
Summer

4. Cake or ice-cream?
Ice-cream

5. Car or motorcycle?
Car

6. Ebook or physical book?
Physical book

7. Nights out or nights in?
Night in

8. Living in the city or living in the country?
Country

9. Having telepathy or having telekinesis?
Telekinesis

10. Being able to travel to the past or being able to travel to the future?
Past

11. Making a phone call or sending a text?
Text

12. Travelling by car or travelling by airplane?
Airplane

13. Staying in a hotel or going camping?
Hotel

14. Working in a group or working alone?
Alone

15. To find true love or to win the lottery?
True love

Thank you for joining us, Rae!
Readers: want to connect with Rae? You can find her on Twitter, Goodreads, Facebook, and Instagram. Also, be sure to check out her author website and blog.

Author Interview: David Allen Edmonds

I enjoy a good mystery read, don’t you? They always manage to keep you glued to the edge of your seat. In the virtual studio today is David Allen Edmonds, author of Personal Pronouns — a mystery novel, as I’m sure you’ve already surmised by reading this post’s intro.

Before we sit down with David to learn more about Personal Pronouns, let’s take a quick look at the aforementioned title’s blurb:

Joe Lehrer is grieving the death of his wife in an automobile accident, and at the same time blaming himself for it. He manages to keep his life together and return to his job as a teacher, but is rocked again by the suspicious death of a student.

With the help of his colleagues and his own dubious faith, Joe puts aside his sorrow and investigates the connections between the two deaths. He finds the truth, but also a secret, a deadly conspiracy leading from suburban Stradford to the Governor’s Mansion. Now he must decide whether compromising his own values by descending to the level of the guilty is worth the pursuit of justice.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My family moved around a lot when I was a kid, from Milwaukee where I was born, to San Francisco, to Flint, MI, (yikes, don’t drink the water!) and finally to Cleveland.  I’ve planted roots in the Cleveland rea, probably because I didn’t want to move any more; three moves in elementary school were enough.  Now I live in Medina, OH, close to Cleveland and Akron.

2. When did you start writing?
I started writing to explain my life as a teacher, or to clarify what was really going on in schools as I saw it.  Twenty years into my 43 year career as a teacher, I decided to write twenty short stories. As I spent a lot of time in the faculty lounge, I call them The Faculty Lounge Stories. I’ve sold a couple, but now six of them are archived on my web page.  They’re talky and opinionated and political and I believe similar to what happens in faculty lounges in other schools.

3. Why did you start writing?
As I said above, my stories were semi-rants: nobody understood me!  As I got better, the stories were less about me and more about real characters and situations. They began as re-tellings of my experiences and became more creative.

4. How different is the final product (the book) from your original vision? That is, did the structure and content of the novel change with the passage of time?
Personal Pronouns began with the many of the characters that inhabit the stories, but has gone off in a different direction.  The school is still the setting, the characters are more fully developed and varied, and the plot is a mystery.

5. How did you arrive at your novel’s title?
The title comes from my years teaching grammar.  The protagonist, Joe Lehrer, does that too, so it works on that level.  Substituting pronouns for nouns, led me to thinking that the same pronoun, “he” or “she” for example, replaces any specific noun. I believe that ties into the prostitution ring that is uncovered in the book: instead of Mary, or Connie, any “she” will do.

6. Does your story have a moral?
Ah, the moral question.  I believe I was inordinately moral- or theme-driven in my earlier works, so I strove to make the plot and setting more interesting in the novel.  Several themes I believe are present:  Good triumphs over evil, only with effort and never permanently.  A conscience is a guide, but the hero must act on his conscience. There are not always thick lines separating  good people and evil people.

7. Of the characters you’ve created, which one is your favorite?
The last question flows into this one about my favorite character.  It’s actually on of the bag guys, Karl.  He has an interesting sense of humor and a sense of duty and a moral code.

8. What does a typical writing session look like for you?
I like to think I write like Hemingway, his process anyway.  Morning, no music.  I re-read yesterday’s work, make changes, then move into today’s.  Unlike Papa, I sit at a word processor. No goals or word count, I know when I’m done.  To me an outline is broad, a target.  When things are rolling, the characters show me how to get there.

9. Any project in the works?
A sequel is in the works.  I left a couple threads dangling and have several pages of notes, but I haven’t started writing: this publishing thing takes a lot of time!

And now for a game of “Which Do/Would You Prefer?”
1. Books or movies?
Books

2. Dogs or cats?
Cats, and while you’re at it, Geometry, not Algebra

3. Summer or winter?
Summer

4. Cake or ice-cream?
Ice cream and cake

5. Ebook or physical book?
Physical book

6. Nights out or nights in?
Days in, nights out

7. Living in the city or living in the country?
Small, walkable city

8. Having telepathy or having telekinesis?
Telekinesis

9. Being able to travel to the past or being able to travel to the future?
Travel to the past

10. Travelling by car or travelling by airplane?
Any form of travel

11. Staying in a hotel or going camping?
Hotel!!

12. Working in a group or working alone?
Working in a group, Writing alone

13. Being Spider-Man for a day or being Batman for a day?
Batman! Even Lego Batman!

14. Losing your ability to speak or losing your ability to hear?
Lose my ability to speak…I can always write!

Thank you for joining us, David!
Readers: want to connect with David? You can find him on Goodreads and Facebook. Also, be sure to check out his website and author page on Amazon.

Author Interview: Rita Emmett

Farkle Shark was feeling blue. His big sister Sparkle criticized the way he talked. But when Big Bully Boy called him stupid because he can’t climb trees, Sparkle jumped to her brother’s defense. Her advice, followed by a wild adventure, changed his attitude … and his life.

This fun and funny book will bring on laughs, cheers and an understanding of important life lessons about bullies and feeling stupid. (Haven’t we all felt that way some time in our lives?) Four to eight-year-olds and beginning readers will love Farkle’s story.

Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together for the author of Farkle Shark, You Are Not Stupid, Rita Emmett!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born, raised and still reside in Chicago area, home of the Cubs. Have you heard about them ever?? I am married to a very cool – but slightly goofy – husband and have 5 kids who had the audacity to grow up.

College studies for me was a bit stretched out … in between having and raising kids PLUS the fact that I was The World’s Greatest Procrastinator, I took night classes… occasionally. From start to finish it took 18 years to get a 4 year Bachelor’s Degree. Then I stopped procrastinating. I converted.  Now I am a “Recovering Procrastinator”.

In the next 2 and ½ years, I earned a Master’s Degree in Adult Learning. I still passionately love paying attention to how people think and how they learn.

Next, I wrote a few books that became best-sellers.
The Procrastinator’s Handbook,
The Clutter-Busting Handbook and
Manage Your Time to Reduce Your Stress.

Now my latest book, Farkle Shark You Are Not Stupid is also my first picture book. It’s not a best-seller …. Yet.

Some of my favorite things to do are traveling, talking and writing. Guess what? I’m a Professional Speaker! People pay me to talk!! And they pay for me to travel to where they are!! And THEN these people buy my books!!! And (this just gets better and better) other people also buy my books. Over 310.000 copies in 32 countries have been bought … and hopefully read. So I am a lucky ducky who loves what I do and am enjoying life.

One more important fact to add to my biography. I rode a mule to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back, then a few years later, I rode a horse to the bottom of the other side. That has nothing to do with my professional life. I just wanted you to know it.

2. Why did you start writing?
When I converted from being The World’s Greatest Procrastinator, the only books on the subject were by psychologists for psychologists. Not helpful to me. Not what I was looking for. Then I kept meeting procrastinators who felt hopeless – that their “putting off habit” was just the way they were born. A personality trait. A character flaw. And could never be changed.

But I had converted, I KNEW they could change and I knew how. So I wrote The Procrastinator’s Handbook — the book I wished was available when first began my journey of change. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who wanted a book written by an “average person”. Others wanted that type of book also. My very first published writing sold 100,000 copies its first year.

3. Do you recall the moment you first conceived the idea for Farkle Shark, You Are Not Stupid?
Yes, for many years, one of my favorite quotes, which is attributed to Einstein, is: Everyone is a genius. But if a fish is judged by how well it climbs a tree, it will live its entire life feeling stupid. The moment I decided to write this picture book (OK, OK – it’s not exactly a novel but it’s my very first fiction) was when I was speaking at a conference for Special Ed teachers and I realized they did not know that quote. I feel it’s important for everyone – including every child, parent, teacher and especially special ed teacher – to hear this quote.

My book, Farkle Shark, You Are Not Stupid is for those kids we’ve all met who think they are stupid because they are not doing well in school, but when they talk about trains or dinosaurs or whatever they are interested in, they are brilliant. Farkle Shark helps them learn to focus on their strengths instead of weaknesses.

4. How different is the final product (the book) from your original vision? That is, did the structure and content of the novel change with the passage of time?
The biggest difference is that since I knew nothing about picture books, I wrote the whole text while still learning. First lesson: “Write to the illustration”. Bummer – that meant my first four illustrations would be the same two fish talking. Boring.

So I went back, re-wrote and had Farkle Shark use odd sayings on each page such as “Holy mackerel mailbox”. This gave the illustrator opportunities for fun creativity as big sister Sparkle Shark mocked his goofy expressions and imagined hilarious images in a cloud above their heads.

In turn, that created a big sister who picked on her little brother but later she helps “set-up” for him to become a hero with the monkeys who have called him stupid because he can’t climb trees. I’ve received many emails about how that has pointed out to kids that siblings can tease and even battle with each other but they are the first ones to defend each other if one is getting bullied or picked on.

5. What does a typical writing session look like for you?
When writing articles, newsletter, things like that, I sit at my computer in my office. Thoughts go from my brain to the keyboard. Not so with writing a book. I never have written any part of a book in the office. The text goes from my brain to paper to the computer. My favorite is to write alone outside but living in the Chicago area, that’s not always possible. So I also write at the airport, on planes, in doctors’ offices, in the living room … anywhere but the office. And no, I can’t explain why because I don’t know why.

My books are all written after 9 at night until the wee hours. Other stuff I can write any time of day.

6. How do you feel about outlines? Are you for or against them?
It seems I don’t think in a linear fashion like they taught us to outline in school. So I’ve used mind-mapping for all my books. Love it.

7. Any project in the works?
Yes, am working on a second Farkle Shark book for kids who feel different or weird. It’s great fun but I have ideas for two other of my “real books” (adult self-help) that will not leave me alone. I’ll start those after this picture book is complete, but yes, I am jotting thoughts and notes about them now.

8. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

• Read the type of book you’re writing.
• Do tons of homework. Learn about writing, specific needs of your genre, self-publishing vs. trade publishing, agents. Learn, learn, learn.
• Have others read your book for comprehension, editing and proof reading and ask for feedback.
• If only one person doesn’t like something, but several others do, pause and evaluate — who do you want listen to?
• If you don’t think you’re a good writer but feel called to write, take a writing class.
• We make time for what’s important to us. Mark “Time to Write” on your calendar and honor it as an IMPORTANT appointment that must not be changed or missed.
• And most of all — write.

And now for a game of “Which Do/Would You Prefer?”
1. Dogs or cats?
Cats

2. Cake or ice-cream?
Cake

3. Ebook or physical book?
Physical book

4. Having telepathy or having telekinesis?
Having telepathy

5. Being able to travel to the past or being able to travel to the future?
Being able to travel to the past

6. Being Spider-Man for a day or being Batman for a day?
Being Spider-Man for a day

7. Reading or writing?
Writing

8. To find the love of your life (only to find out that you’re not the love of their life) or to have someone declare you the love of their life (note, however, that this someone is not a person whom you are romantically interested in)?
To find the love of my life (only to find out that I’m not the love of their life)

9. Being able to speak and understand every language known to humankind or being able to speak and understand every language known to animals?
Being able to speak and understand every language known to animals

10. To never speak again or to never eat solid food again?
Never eat solid food again

11. Staying awake for forty-eight hours (continuous) or walking for twenty-four hours (also continuous)?
Staying awake for forty-eight hours (continuous)

12. Drinking a glass of expired, curdled milk or eating a bowl of cold, slimy worms? (Note: the worms would be dead, though not cooked.)
Drinking a glass of expired, curdled milk

13. Losing your ability to speak or losing your ability to hear?
Losing my ability to hear

14. To never read another book or to never watch another film?
To never watch another film

15. Spending half a day locked in a coffin (there would be a hole for air, of course) or spending two days trapped at the bottom of a well?
Spending half a day locked in a coffin

Thank you for joining us, Rita!
Readers: want to connect with Rita? You can find her on Goodreads and Facebook. Also, be sure to check out her author website.

Author Interview: Becky Benishek

Today, I have the pleasure of welcoming children’s author Becky Benishek. Her debut novel — What’s at the End of Your Nose? — hit virtual shelves earlier this year. Before we sit down with Becky, let’s take a quick look at the aforementioned title’s blurb:

Sidney Snail is so sick of Slipperyville that he wants to go on an adventure—any adventure—anywhere but here! A timely word from mysterious Old Samuel Snail convinces Sidney to give Slipperyville one last chance before he snails out of town. Experience a snail’s-eye view as Sidney awakens the world around him.

Sidney will help show children (and adults!) that they can find magic, mindfulness, and meaningfulness in even the simplest things. All you need is a change of perspective.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Hi! I’m Becky Benishek, born and raised in Wisconsin. Most of my family is still here and I’ve got a great group of friends, so I’m happy to stay.

College was grand; I went to Lawrence University, which draws in people from all different cultures and countries. I learned as much if not more from my friends as I did studying for my English major. I added in Environmental Science because I wanted to use my words to help animals and the environment. My work career took a different, fulfilling path, but I feel that in writing these children’s books, I am starting to achieve that long-held desire. I’ve started with animals and plan to move on to trees.

I’ve worked at the Crisis Prevention Institute for six years now, doing social media strategy and managing online Yammer communities for our customers to share strategies and success stories. We’re all about person-centered care and safe outcomes for everybody, whether you’ve got an agitated patient in your emergency department, a child with special needs in your classroom, or a client in late-stage dementia who just wants to go home. Our customers inspire us, and my coworkers are amazingly supportive (and excited about my books!).

I love singing and listening to music, playing with my guinea pig, Teddy, who is the latest in a long line of rescue guinea pigs, building intricate Lego structures, beading, going to Renaissance Faires, playing video games, doing logic puzzles, and hanging out with friends even if we’re doing a whole lot of nothing. Libraries and bookstores are my haven.

I also stick googly eyes on things because it’s fun. It’s also a marvelous ice-breaker. Try it!

2. Why did you start writing?
I cannot remember a time when I wasn’t writing. Of course there must have been; but it’s seamless in my mind. It just was always a part of me, something I had to be a vessel for, something I had to get out. I can be just as lazy as anyone, though! When I’m not in the grip of inspiration, plugging away at a plotline is definitely work and takes discipline.

3. Do you recall the moment you first conceived the idea for your debut novel?
“What’s at the End of Your Nose?” happened when I saw a series of photographs about snails that uncovered a whole new world, right down at their level. Unusual things I hadn’t expected snails to do.

The idea percolated in me, ticking over in the back of my mind, and I thought, what if this were just one snail, and this was that snail’s day? Early one morning I got up, sat down at the kitchen table, and wrote the entire story. Writers (and other creative people) can be notorious for self-doubt, but I knew I had something when I finished. And then I had breakfast.

I originally had Sidney Snail coming to his final realization in a slightly different way. After I’d let a little time go by—I always do that when I finish a piece, to clear my mind–it just didn’t work for the character, so I changed it to what you see today.

4. How did you arrive at your novel’s title?
Originally, “What’s at the End of Your Nose?” was called “Sidney Snail’s Great Day.” I had it as the latter all the way up until final editing. For one thing, the title was too close to “Gracie Goat’s Big Bike Race” in my mind, and once that got into my head, I couldn’t shake it. Also, it didn’t really convey what I wanted it to. I wanted the title to be truly evocative of what happens in the story.

5. Does What’s at the End of Your Nose? have a moral?
We live in a fast-paced world. We’re surfeited with things to do, yet still find ourselves being bored. I think that’s because we often take a passive role to being entertained. All these options keep coming at us and we just have to sit back to be served. But then we aren’t really choosing what to do, and so don’t really find what we’re looking for because we’re not actively looking. And we remain distracted and bored. Sidney Snail’s whole journey begins the moment he decides to give his immediate world another try.

It’s important for all of us to slow down, take a look around, and give the seemingly simpler things a chance. We so often miss what’s right in front of us–at the end of our nose!

Here’s a secret: I didn’t think of all of this as I was writing. I knew I wanted Sidney to have a journey. I knew he’d learn something important, something that kids could learn, too. But I didn’t realize the depth of it until after I’d had time to reflect and look at what I’d created.

6. What is your favorite book?
Agh, the desert island question! Yet I can’t help but answer it anyway.

“The Once and Future King” by T.H. White. I didn’t even like it the first time I read it. This wasn’t my King Arthur! I thought, having previously read Malory and Pyle. What’s with all these ants and Merlin’s owl and odd nicknames?

The second time, I was hooked forevermore. That book has everything in it. How to survive, how to listen, how to learn, how to remember. How to look at things a different way. How to realize once and for all that might does not equal right.

All that with an enviable style; yes, this is my desert island book.

7. Any project in the works?
Yes! I’ve started getting my third children’s story ready; I’m targeting Fall 2017. I’ve got a fourth story, a true picture book, next in line. I also have a middle-grade story out to agents and publishers.

When I get through all of those, I’ll focus on polishing and writing more adult short stories, which are intended for a collection.

8. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Stop thinking about writing. Stop thinking about stopping thinking about writing. When you’re thinking about it, or saying, “I really should write today,” or “Everybody be quiet, I’m writing!” you’re not writing. It’s a tricky paradox because the whole thing involves forgetting about yourself, about that “I” in the back of your head, yet you still have to be there to do it.

There’s a passage in Madeline L’Engle’s book, “A Ring of Endless Light,” where the lead character, Vicky, describes how when she’s writing a poem, she’s not thinking about herself, but she’s more herself than at any other time. This always rang true to me.

And now for a game of “Which Do/Would You Prefer?”
1. Books or movies?
Books

2. Dogs or cats?
Guinea pigs!

3. Summer or winter?
Summer

4. Ebook or physical book?
Physical book

5. Reading or writing?
Gahh, my brain broke at trying to choose.

6. To speak using ONLY rap lyrics (from songs released in the 21st century) or to speak using ONLY quotes from Austen’s books?
“Certainly, my home at my uncle’s brought me acquainted with a circle of admirals. Of Rears and Vices, I saw enough. Now do not be expecting me of a pun, I entreat.”

7. Being able to speak and understand every language known to humankind or being able to speak and understand every language known to animals?
Animal language!

8. Going without internet access for a week or going without watching any movies/television shows for a week?
Going without watching movies/TV. I can’t help it. Internet!

9. Having your car break down on an extremely busy expressway or along an abandoned road in the middle of nowhere?
Expressway. Unless I can speak animal language by this point and prevail on nearby deer or hawks to get help.

10. To never speak again or to never eat solid food again?
To never speak again.

11. To never read another book or to never watch another film?
Never watch another film.

12. To never again eat a piece of chocolate or to never again drink a cup of coffee?
Ha, I never drink coffee, so all the chocolate for me!

13. Being two inches tall or being two stories tall?
Two inches tall. This world is still not built for the differently-abled, but I’ve read the Borrowers…

Thank you for joining us, Becky!
Readers: want to connect with Becky? You can find her on Twitter and Goodreads. Also, be sure to check out her blog and author page on Amazon.

Author Interview: R.L. Jackson

A year after being left at the altar, headstrong E.R Nurse, Lana McKenzie is finally piecing her life back together. Tired of dealing with seeing her ex and his new girlfriend at every turn, she longs for blissful solitude and can’t wait to enjoy a peaceful vacation alone in the mountains. However, her plans go awry when a rude stranger literally embeds himself into her life and mind.

Handsome, wealthy, and troubled, Kayden Capshaw is struggling with the death of his brother, while also trying to escape the claws of his controlling mother. In his grief, the last thing Kayden wants to deal with is the fallout from his last run in with the law. Yet, he also longs to get to know the woman now snowed in with him at the house on the hill.

The ice between them thaws every minute they spend together, and they find that they have more in common than they realize. Will they find a way to make it through, or will it all, like the snow, melt away?

Coffee with Architects of Worlds Afar is proud to present the author of Crash Into Me, R.L. Jackson!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m from sunny South Florida. I enjoy unwinding by binge-watching TV and movies when I’m not writing. I’m a full-time writer at the moment.

2. Do you recall the moment you first conceived the idea for your novel?
Oh yes, I had read a few other romance novels for the first time in a long time and although I enjoyed them, I noticed a similar pattern and story plot. I wanted to try and do better and give people something a little different.

3. How different is the final product (the book) from your original vision?
It stayed on track for the most part, but there were definite moments when the story took off in different directions than I had anticipated. It makes writing that much more fun and easy, when the story just “vomits” out of you lol.

4. How did you arrive at your book’s title?
The title for “Crashing Into Me was hard fought. It was actually named several other things, but I hated them all. I thought of things that related to the story, I tried to be literal, I tried every mashup known to man that made sense and also wasn’t already taken in Amazon. Crashing Into Me, was the ultimate winner, and it really relates to the characters and story perfectly.

5. Does your story have a moral?
I guess the moral of the story would be that second chances are possible and that forgiveness of oneself is just as important when you’re seeking it from others.

6. What does a typical writing session look like for you?
I usually write out several different idea plots then outline them from beginning to end. If none jumps out, I mix and match to see if that makes sense until I have a product I like. From there as I write I let the characters dictate if the outline makes sense.

• Do you listen to music as you write?
  I do listen to music. Either before or when I take a break and need to work out the mood of a scene with a similar song. It helps greatly.

7. What is your favorite book?
Why “Crashing Into Me” of course lol. Not only is it a tale of opposites attracting, it’s a story of people with real problems. When they’re forced to have to deal with each other, and they have to let their guards down a little but in very different ways. This opens the door for a whole lot of friction, both good and bad (wink). But nothing is ever a bed of roses, and Kayden and Lana will stumble as they learn this the hard way.

8. In your opinion, what makes a story ‘good’?
I think what ultimately makes a story good, is if it’s believable and the reader can put themselves in the characters shoes with ease. Of course being original is a plus as well.

9. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Write. Get up and even if you only have 10 mins, write it down. Write the story you want to read, but do your homework as much as possible on the business side of writing. The hard part my appear to be writing, but I find that the easiest of the task. It’s the marketing, advertising, and networking side that hardest work, in my opinion.

And now for a game of “Which Do/Would You Prefer?”
1. Cake or ice-cream?
Ice cream

2. Car or motorcycle?
Car

3. Ebook or physical book?
Physical

4. Having telepathy or having telekinesis?
Telekinesis

5. Being able to travel to the past or being able to travel to the future?
Past

6. Making a phone call or sending a text?
Call

7. Travelling by car or travelling by airplane?
Airplane

8. Losing all of your money or losing every picture you’ve ever taken and every picture that has ever been taken of you?
Pictures

9. To find true love or to win the lottery?
Wow, good question. I choose love everytime

10. Being Spider-Man for a day or being Batman for a day?
Neither, lol Mystique

11. Reading or writing?
Writing

12. Being able to speak and understand every language known to humankind or being able to speak and understand every language known to animals?
Animals i think

13. Having your car break down on an extremely busy expressway or along an abandoned road in the middle of nowhere?
Busy expressway

14. Have every day be Saturday or have every day be Christmas?
Christmas!!!

Thank you for joining us, R.L.!
Readers: want to connect with R.L.? You can find her on Twitter, Goodreads, and Facebook. Also, be sure to check out her author website.

Author Interview: Peri June

Even the people closest to you can be monsters.

Maggie Martin is plagued by nightmares.
This hasn’t always been the case. She used to be your typical 17-year-old, worrying about boyfriends and college applications.
Until, one night, when she wakes up to the sound of screaming and witnesses the unthinkable. Now she’s scrambling to put the pieces of her life back together, which is not as easy as everyone would like her to believe.
Especially when she’s struggling just to BREATHE.

With the help of new friends, and a new love, will she be able to put her life back to rights? Or will the past come knocking once more?

It is my pleasure to introduce you all to the author of My Life As I Knew It, Peri June!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m Peri June. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. I am a nocturnal creature of the worst kind. Reading (and writing) is just so much better at night. I have a very selfish sweet tooth. If you put something made of chocolate in front of me, I will eat it, even if you tell me not to. Lol.

2. When did you start writing?
I have always scribbled down ideas whenever I had them, but I was never serious about it. I only decided to sit down and write a few years ago. I released my first book in January.

3. Why did you start writing?
It’s an amazing escape from everyday life.

4. Do you recall the moment you first conceived the idea for your novel?
Yes. It was summer a couple of years ago. I had the idea for “My Life As I Knew It” and I didn’t want to forget it, so I started writing and, before I knew it, I had written the whole thing. The concept of the story as a whole didn’t change, only the details did. One character that was supposed to be only mentioned in passing became a solid supporting character and my personal favorite. That was a nice surprise.

5. How did you arrive at your book’s title?
The title of “My Life As I Knew It” came to me when I first thought of the idea for the book. It was the only title I considered.

6. Of the characters you’ve created, which one is your favorite?
Like I mentioned above, the character of “Kevin” wasn’t supposed to be an actual character, but I felt there was more to his story and I decided to explore it and then he became my favorite. The character that was the most fun to write has to be the main guy “Sam”. I simply love his sense of humor.

7. Using five words or less, describe the protagonist in My Life As I Knew It.
Maggie: Smart, loyal, funny, anxious.

8. What does a typical writing session look like for you?
I like to write exclusively at night, in my living room, after the whole world goes to sleep. I don’t really have a specific word count to get through. I write until the words stop coming and then continue another day.

9. How do you feel about outlines? Are you for or against them?
Definitely for them. More often than not, I deviate from my original outline, but it’s still nice to have a clear picture of where you want to take the story.

10. Any projects in the works?
I’m currently working on a story set in college. It’s still in the early stages, but I’ve already deviated from the outline!

And now for a game of “Which Do/Would You Prefer?”
1. Books or movies?
Books.

2. Dogs or cats?
Dogs.

3. Summer or winter?
Summer.

4. Cake or ice-cream?
Ice-cream.

5. Car or motorcycle?
Car.

6. Ebook or physical book?
Physical book.

7. Nights out or nights in?
Nights in.

8. Living in the city or living in the country?
Living in the city.

9. Having telepathy or having telekinesis?
Telekinesis.

10. Being able to travel to the past or being able to travel to the future?
Being able to travel to the past.

11. Making a phone call or sending a text?
Making a phone call.

12. Travelling by car or travelling by airplane?
Travelling by airplane.

13. Staying in a hotel or going camping?
Staying in a hotel.

14. Being Spider-Man for a day or being Batman for a day?
Being Spider-Man for a day.

15. Being able to speak and understand every language known to humankind or being able to speak and understand every language known to animals?
Being able to speak and understand every language known to humankind.

Thank you for joining us, Peri!
Readers: want to connect with Peri? You can find her on Twitter, Goodreads, and Facebook. Also, be sure to check out her blog.

Author Interview: Cinda Crabbe MacKinnon

When her Colombian husband deserts her on his family’s coffee farm in a remote part of the Andes, Alicia struggles to make a life there for herself and her son even as guerrilla uprisings begin to threaten the area, and a nearby volcano rumbles to life. She forms a steadfast friendship with the barefoot housekeeper and a rugged geologist provides a love interest. This passionate story, about a young biologist and a multinational cast of characters, is like a South American “Out of Africa” in the final decades of 1900’s.

Sounds like an interesting read, doesn’t it? With us in the virtual studio is the author of the award-winning novel A Place in the World. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Cinda Crabbe MacKinnon! 😀

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

• Where you are from?

I grew up in Europe and South America. My dad was in the Air Force and then worked for different embassies; when I was 12 he retired in Costa Rica and I lived there the longest, so I used to say I was from Costa Rica. Americans didn’t believe me, maybe because I have light hair and eyes, but interestingly, Spanish speakers did!

• Where do you currently reside?

I have lived in northern California for so long now I tell people I am from California.

• Do you have any hobbies?

I photograph wildflowers and study French.

• What do you do for a living?

I am a retired hydrogeologist. I volunteer now for a local creek group; we are trying to restore our downtown stream, which is partially encased in broken concrete. I majored in Geology and Biology which I sprinkle into my writing (a cloud forest features so prominently in A Place in the World that one reviewer called it a character.)

• Give us a few fun facts about yourself.

I wanted to be a rainforest biologist and that didn’t work out, but the novel gave me a chance to research and write about rain forests.

For years I was a volunteer with Guide Dogs for the Blind, which involved (before they begin their formal training) teaching the puppies how to behave in public and getting them used to every situation they might encounter, including traffic, loud noises, elevators, restaurants etc. A couple of our “puppies” are still “working” for people who love them.

I have a fun Pinterest site, “Readers, Where in the World are You?”  where I ask readers to submit a picture of themselves with my book or any book. I have photos sent by people as far away as Japan and England.  If interested in adding to my photo “collection” please let me know!

2. When did you start writing?
I think I’ve been a story-teller since I was a kid. I used to make up stories for my little brother – he was a wonderful audience and hence the first person to encourage me! I submitted my first short story when I was 12 or 13.  Another short story, published in “Bacopa Literary Review” with a collection of other authors a few years ago, won honorable mention with GlimmerTrain Press.

3. Why did you start writing?
There are a couple of answers here: a.) I just did; without thinking about it, almost as a compulsion. I always had a story in my head that wanted to get out; b.)The other answer is a common one with writers whether we know it when we start or not: it is a way to process information, understand our own lives and share experiences and bits of knowledge we find interesting.

4. How did you arrive at your book’s title, A Place in the World?
I came up with it fairly early as the setting, a coffee finca (farm) surrounded by cloud forest, became a key element.  It is a double entendre because the story is about a young woman finding her “place in the world.”

Briefly, I thought I might call it A Woman without a Country, because the protagonist is seen as a foreigner wherever she lives and feels like a foreigner in her parents’ home country because she has never lived there.  I ended up using that for a chapter heading instead.

5. Of the characters you’ve created, which one is your favorite?
Carmen is the barefoot woman who has worked for this Colombian family since she was a teenager. She is ever cheerful despite a tough life. Carmen befriends Alicia (the protagonist) who is a young mother without any relatives and living in an isolated place.  All of the other characters are fictional, but Carmen is based on our housekeeper who was so kind to me when I was a teenager.  This is my tribute to her.

6. Let’s talk about what a typical writing session looks like for you.

• Do you listen to music as you write?

Sometimes I’ll listen to something like Mozart (studies show his music stirs creativity).

• What is your preferred writing time?

I sit down after breakfast and write most of the morning and sometimes after lunch, but I tend to be brain dead as the afternoon progresses. If the house happens to be quiet I’ll write for an hour before dinner, but most often I start again after 9pm. I get a lot done on planes and on vacation.

7. How do you feel about outlines?
I start out just writing scenes as they come to me and at some point piece them together through an outline to organize the plot.  This is what works for me.  I think an outline helps at some point structure a novel and allows you, for example to go back and foreshadow, but starting out that way would give me writer’s block!

8. What is your favorite book genre?
I love historical and multicultural fiction.

9. What is your favorite book?
I have more than one, but my favorite author is John Steinbeck. I love East of Eden, Mice and Men  and especially… Cannery Row – one of my all-time favorites because the characters and setting (Monterey, California) are magnificent! At the time I discovered it I was living in Latin America never dreaming someday I would live in California.  Many years later I worked in Steinbeck’s Salinas Valley and had the feeling I’d “come home.”

And now for a game of “Which Do/Would You Prefer?”
1. Books or movies?
Both!

2. Dogs or cats?
Both! (Uh-oh I may not be good at this!)

3. Summer or winter?
Spring ( ok if I must pick I guess summer)

4. Ebook or physical book?
Physical book.

5. Nights out or nights in?
Nights in

6. Living in the city or living in the country?
Country

7. Having telepathy or having telekinesis?
Telepathy

8. Making a phone call or sending a text?
Text!

9. Working in a group or working alone?
Usually concentrate better alone

10. To find true love or to win the lottery?
Love.

11. To speak using ONLY rap lyrics (from songs released in the 21st century) or to speak using ONLY quotes from Austen’s books?
Rap sounds more fun!

12. Being able to speak and understand every language known to humankind or being able to speak and understand every language known to animals?
Hard one, but I vote for animals!

13. Having your car break down on an extremely busy expressway or along an abandoned road in the middle of nowhere?
Expressway

14. Staying awake for forty-eight hours (continuous) or walking for twenty-four hours (also continuous)?
The former (you have to stay awake to walk anyway!)

15. Drinking a glass of expired, curdled milk or eating a bowl of cold, slimy worms? (Note: the worms would be dead, though not cooked.)
Curdled milk

Thank you for joining us, Cinda!
Readers: want to connect with Cinda? You can find her on Goodreads and Facebook. Also, be sure to check out her author website/blog. Interested in purchasing a copy of A Place in the World? Click here for a physical copy. Click here for the e-book.

Author Interview: Lorna Walker

Looking for a new series to dive into? Are you a fan of epic fantasy? If you answered ‘yes’ to the preceding two questions, I encourage you to stick around. Even if you answered ‘no,’ don’t go away. It’s always nice to learn about new up-and-coming authors, isn’t it? Glad you think so!

Visiting Coffee with Architects of Worlds Afar today is Lorna Walker, author of the Penwel trilogy. Aldis (book one) was released in 2014, and Kadmos (book two) was published last month. We’ll be discussing the latter title with Lorna Walker, but before we do, let’s take a look at the blurbs of the aforementioned books:

Jocelyne’s happy, but dull, life is completely shattered in one sunny afternoon. Fleeing from unknown pursuers, she finds herself in another world and discovers a family she never knew existed, including a twin brother with whom she shares an unusual connection. Before Jocelyne can settle into her new surroundings, where she is suddenly an important figure and magic is an accepted part of life, an old enemy resurfaces and the teenage girl must rely on a young bodyguard she hardly knows in order to save herself and her new found family.

 

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The Aldis’ might have destroyed Kolbyr in the battle to save their people, and the rest of Penwel, from the Fire Demon, but they have not defeated all their enemies.

Kiarr has survived, and finds someone in the wreckage of that fire that he can use to bring about the rise of Kadmos, and his master.

 

 

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1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m from the UK, currently living in Essex. Besides writing, I enjoy playing computer games, mainly mmos and rpgs. I also love gardening. Before we moved into our current home we had no garden, so I carried out, what I called, vicarious gardening (descending on my parent’s and sister’s garden so I can get my fix). Now we’ve moved I have my own garden, and am thoroughly enjoying turning into my little haven.

2. When did you start writing?
I had always spent a lot of my spare time, as a teenager, day-dreaming. If I was walking to school, to the town centre, etc. then I would be day-dreaming, making up stories. When I listened to music I would day-dream ideas and stories that would fit the music, either the lyrics or the atmosphere the tune created. When I was sixteen, our English teacher spent several lessons getting us to write stories, covering different themes and styles. One weekend, I took an idea that I’d been mulling over and wrote it down. I nervously showed my teacher, who took it home and read it. When she gave it back to me (there were red pen marks on it, of course) she said she really enjoyed it, and that I should keep writing. I was thrilled, but also slightly annoyed because I had concluded that it was rubbish, and that I could do a lot better. I threw it away and re-wrote it. This was the beginning of Aldis, though I didn’t realise it at the time.

3. Do you recall the moment you first conceived the idea for Kadmos, book two in the Penwil trilogy?
There were two major moments. The first was when I started writing Aldis, which was re-written many times because, at the beginning, I had no idea what I was doing, or where the story was going (the joy of being a teenager).

The second came when, years later, I picked up Aldis again, (Other things had taken priority in my life, so the story had fallen by the wayside.) threw a large chunk of it away, and came up with an actual, proper, story. Out of that idea came the major story arc, and the realisation that I was facing a trilogy rather than a single book.

I remember that day well, because it’s not often that you get a grown woman, in her late twenties, bouncing with excitement (I was literally jumping) along the pavement to meet her husband. This was the moment when the concept of Kadmos was born.

4. Does Kadmos have a moral?
There isn’t so much a moral for the story, but there is a major theme which runs throughout the story arc. ‘Control’, whether on a small or large scale, and how individuals and cultures deal with it, and its effects.

5. Of the characters you’ve created, which one is your favorite?
I’ve got to admit to having a soft spot for Anselm. There is so much in him which appeals to me as a human. He’s not perfect, but he does try.

6. Using five words or less, describe the protagonist in Kadmos.
Principled, strong, afraid, lonely, vulnerable.

7. What does a typical writing session look like for you?
I normally write in the evenings. I’ll be sat on the sofa, in the frontroom, with the TV running on in the background, and a cat trying to fight his way onto my lap and the keyboard. (By the way, the cat is trying to do that right now). I try to aim for a chapter a week though, if it’s a large chapter, or if the story is being particularly awkward, I’ll allow for two weeks.

8. How do you feel about outlines? Are you for or against them?
I am very much for outlines, and planning. Kadmos was so much easier to write because I had key targets that I wanted to hit in each chapter. With Aldis I winged it a lot at the beginning (whilst I learnt about writing), which ultimately resulted in me re-writing the book from scratch. I will admit that, even with outlines, there is still a chance that you will find yourself somewhere that you didn’t expect. The trick is to see how you can take advantage of the situation.

9. What is your favorite book?
I don’t think I have a favourite book, though there are some that I return to, time and again. I have sobbed repeatedly over Vanyal in Mercedes Lackey’s ‘Magic’s Pawn’. That one has to be read with a tissue box by my side. But my favourite author is Terry Pratchett. I always enjoy any of his books with Vimes in them…or Moist…or the witches. I just love his writing style. I love how he adapts it, the words he uses, to fit a character.

10. Any project in the works?
I working on the final book to the Trilogy, Meredene.

And now for a game of “Which Do/Would You Prefer?”
1. Books or movies?
Books

2. Summer or winter?
Summer

3. Cake or ice-cream?
Cake

4. Nights out or nights in?
Nights in

5. Having telepathy or having telekinesis?
Telekinesis

6. Being able to travel to the past or being able to travel to the future?
Past

7. Making a phone call or sending a text?
Phone call

8. Staying in a hotel or going camping?
Hotel

9. Working in a group or working alone?
Alone

10. To find true love or to win the lottery?
True love

11. Being able to speak and understand every language known to humankind or being able to speak and understand every language known to animals?
Humankind

12. Going without internet access for a week or going without watching any movies/television shows for a week?
Going without watching movies/television shows for a week.

13. Losing your ability to speak or losing your ability to hear?
Losing ability to speak.

14. Spending half a day locked in a coffin (there would be a hole for air, of course) or spending two days trapped at the bottom of a well?
Half a day in the coffin.

15. To never again eat a piece of chocolate or to never again drink a cup of coffee?
Never eat a piece of chocolate again.

Thank you for joining us, Lorna!
Readers: want to connect with Lorna? You can find her on Goodreads. Also, be sure to check out her author website.