#WriterWednesday Interview with Ann Charles

I’d like to welcome Ann Charles to the blog for #WriterWednesday!

A few of your favorite summer traditions:

Taking family road trips to see new places, traveling back roads in different states, and enjoying the local food.

Something summer-related that you’ll never do again:

Pick strawberries for money. Unfortunately, that means I’ll also never have “strawberry fights” at the end of a strawberry season where all of the pickers have a big party and then get to gear up in strawberry boxes, mash up handfuls of strawberry “bombs,” and throw them at each other.

Favorite summer treat:

Iced flavored coffee.

A summer treat that makes you gag:

Ceviche

Best summer vacation memory:

Adopting kittens we found along the way from different states and watching our kids have fun playing with them in the car during the long driving days. (We currently have a cat we picked up in Idaho and another from Ohio, and have had other cats from different states in the past.)

A summer vacation disaster that you’d rather forget:

Driving across northern Montana with a pop-up camper trailer that kept falling apart and losing pieces along the way. It was hot and dry and every time we had to stop, the flies would try to eat us for lunch.

Most favorite place to write/edit in the summer:

On our back porch in the early, dry part of summer when there are very few bugs around, relaxing in a warm breeze with one of our cats on a nearby chair, listening to mellow music.

The worst place to try to write in the summer because of all the distractions:

Inside in our living room while the kids are home from school for weeks on end and the cats are acting stir crazy, bouncing off of furniture—and me.

Favorite thing to do on a summer evening:

Sit on the back porch and drink iced tequila with lemon.

Least favorite thing about summer:

Heat and humidity mixed together to form what feels like Hell on Earth.

Favorite place to visit in Virginia: At this time, Interstate 81 because we’ve only driven that route on our way from Gettysburg Battlefield in Pennsylvania to Natchitoches, Louisiana for some cracklin’s.

Somewhere you’ve visited way too much. Been there. Done that. Got the T-shirt: West of Amarillo on Interstate 40.

The thing you like most about being a writer:

Giving people a fun escape from reality.

The thing you like least about being a writer:

Staring at a blinking cursor on a blank page.

Things you will run to the store for in the middle of the night:

Cat food because my cats think they have to have a full bowl of food waiting for them when I go to bed or they might starve to death by morning, and if that bowl is empty, they will wake me up and let me hear and earful about it.

Things you never put on your shopping list:

Grass seed and a lawn mower. After spending almost 4 hours a week on a riding lawn mower throughout much of my childhood, melting into a pool of sweat in the heat and humidity of a Midwest summer, I have taken a permanent vacation from all lawn-mowing duties.

The thing that you will most remember about your writing life:

How wonderful it feels when a reader takes the time to write and tell me how much fun they had reading my books, how the stories take them away to a happier place during the tough times in their lives, how they had fun sharing the stories with their parent, sibling, friend, and even a stranger who had also read my books.

Something in your writing life that you wish you could do over:

I wish I could spend more of my early writing years putting more energy into improving my craft and my “voice,” and less time into trying to write stories to please agents or editors.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done:

Filed for divorce.

Something you chickened out from doing:

Umm ... well, I try to live my life without putting myself in a precarious situation that will result in me chickening out. For example, I haven’t gone up in a plane out of which I’d potentially parachute because I know without a doubt that I’m too chicken to jump.

About Ann

USA Today Bestselling author, Ann Charles, writes spicy, character-driven stories full of mystery, comedy, adventure, suspense, romance, and supernatural mayhem. When she's not dabbling in fiction, she's arm wrestling with her two kids, attempting to seduce her husband, and arguing with her sassy cats.

Let’s Be Social

Website: http://www.anncharles.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnCharlesAuthorPage

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anncharlesbooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/annwcharles

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ann_charles

Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/annwcharles

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/AnnWCharles

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ann-charles

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4605878.Ann_Charles

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Charles/e/B004JLYPFW

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AnnCharlesAuthor

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anncharles

Pay it Forward - Tips for Writers (and Everyone)

I am so fortunate to be a part of the writing and mystery communities. They are filled with such wonderful writers who are so generous with their time and advice. My post today is on ways writers can pay it forward (and make a difference).

• Leave a review for a book that you enjoyed. Writers depend on reviews. It doesn’t have to be a book report. It can be as simple as, “I really liked this book.” Leave them on major book sites, Goodreads, Bookbub…

• There are so many organizations who are looking for volunteers. Find some time in your schedule and share your time, passion, and skills. Your writing groups and organizations are always in need of leaders and doers.

• If you like public speaking and have skills (as a writer, you do), many youth and senior programs are looking for volunteer trainers and mentors.

• Donate unused items and books. There are so many organizations that can use or sell what you no longer need.

• Be a book fairy and drop off surprise books to random locations or tiny free libraries.

• Partner with your favorite charity to donate books, gift baskets, or other items to their fundraisers.

• If you can, give blood. There is always a need.

• Just be kind. You never know who needs a smile.

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Cyndi Brec

I’d like to welcome author Cyndi Brec to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday.

A few of your favorite things: Peach Snapple, puppies, and my family—but not necessarily in that order. Lol

Things you need to throw out: Left-sided socks because I always lose the right-sided ones.

Things you need for your writing sessions: My timer and a beverage. Initially, when I began writing I didn’t use a timer, but a dear author friend of mine introduced me to the power of a buzzer. I use the timer for writing sprints, it keeps me in the writing zone (otherwise, I can feel guilty for not getting stuff done around the home). Having that set time aside to write forces my brain to hone in on the specifics of a scene or a thought for an extended period of time.

Things that hamper your writing: Interruptions. People distracting me, conversations, and not having a white noise. Anything that keeps me from staying in the mood.

Things you love about writing: Okay, I’m a myth and legend geek. There are so many secrets hidden in myths and legends and that’s where my storytelling comes into play. I love tweaking and twisting existing tales and seeing a new story idea take shape. This approach puts a new spin on an old legend, brings about a fantastic surprise, and plot twist. I also believe developing depth of the world building, can deepen reader interaction with the characters. History teaches us and stories connect us to the richness this world has to offer us. In my opinion, a great story is one that a reader can engage with, but an excellent story is one that helps us see beyond ourselves and allows us to feel, sense the pain of the character, and grow—deepening our understanding of life.

Things you hate about writing: There’s never enough time to write. Plus, my ice melts before I’ve finished the scene.

Hardest thing about being a writer: The industry is subjective and there is no easy way to make everyone happy.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Diving into unchartered territories and creating whatever I want, even making the unbelievable believable. Writing is fun!

Words that describe you: Loyal, bubbly, friendly, cheerful, and it’s been mentioned a few times that I can be silly—I love to laugh.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Oh, boy! I’m a talker, and at times, I may insert my foot in my mouth. I’m not perfect! Lol

Favorite foods: Any and all Mexican and Italian dishes.

Things that make you want to gag: Liver and onions.

Something you’re really good at: I’m really good at cooking main dishes—not that I follow recipes well.

Something you’re really bad at: Technology. I love the craft of writing but navigating even my computer is troublesome.

Things you always put in your books: Plot twists and unexpected turns for the character.

Things you never put in your books: Never is a strong word to use, but I try to not overly describe the setting and my characters in the story. I want to give the reader the opportunity to create the images in their mind.

Favorite places you’ve been: Austria, Germany, France, and Venice, Italy.

Places you never want to go to again: I truly love to travel, experience new things, and venture beyond my comfort zone, but that’s because I love seeing things through my husband’s eyes or my kids. For me, it’s more about the company you travel with than the location.

Favorite books (or genre): I enjoy fantasy (I’m a huge Victoria Aveyard fan) mystery, and historical romance. Some of my favorite books are Red Queen, A vow so Bold and Deadly, Shadow Fall, and the Twilight series.

Books you wouldn’t buy: I see what’s popular in the industry, read book reviews, and monitor what comments are made about a new book before I buy it. The first thing that will stop me from buying a book is several different people commenting ‘there is no character arc.’ The inner journey of a character over the course of a story should be powerful and unforgettable—the character should never be perfect.

People you’d like to invite to dinner (living): Author Steven King, Victoria Aveyard, and Stephanie Myer. These authors represent different genres, but it’d be intriguing to hear who influenced their writing and what fuels their story building.

People you’d cancel dinner on: Hannibal Lecter

The nicest thing a reader said to you: A reader once said to me, “I can’t believe you can conceptualize that plotline and write it out. It’s awesome work.”

The craziest thing a reader said to you: “I think you should use more semicolons in your manuscript.” Mind you, this is after my agent, Jonas Saul, and writing buddies told me to eliminate them. Lol

About Cyndi

Cyndi Brec is a debut author of Scarred Visions, book one of the Marked for Life series. Also, author of Scarred Secrets and Scarred Lies—short stories.

An Ohio native, Cyndi lives with her best friend, her husband, her two crazy-fun-loving kids, and her embarrassingly energetic dogs, who find unending trouble.

Her experience as a Recreational Therapy Technician for the Geriatric psych and mentally challenged, love for travel, and creative story building has given her many facets to draw from when world-building.

Cyndi never thought of herself as an author, more of a storyteller. Her love of history was part of the driving force in writing the series, but more so, mythological stories that stretched across civilizations and time. The secrets hidden within those mythical tales cultivated an unending list of questions and inspired her to write a YA urban fantasy series.

Let’s Be Social

Website; www.Cyndibrec.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cyndibrec7
Instagram: www.instagram.com/callie_tresham

#WriterWednesday Interview with Skye Alexander

I’d like to welcome author Skye Alexander to the blog for #WriterWednesday.

Things you need for your writing sessions: A least an hour or two of uninterrupted, quiet time. In the morning, a cup of coffee; late in the afternoon, a glass of wine. And the company of my beautiful Manx cat Zoe.

Things that hamper your writing: People wandering around the house, making a racket. Lately I’ve had a lot of construction guys doing repairs and they’re distracting. My ex-husband used to just burst into my office––even if I put a Do Not Disturb sign on the door––never understanding that once the train of thought pulls out of the station, there’s no calling it back.

Things you love about writing: Pretty much everything. I love doing research. I love hanging out with my characters. I really love it when the story flows through me effortlessly and I’m just the designated typist.

Things you hate about writing: When the Muse decides to take the day off without letting me know ahead of time.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Being alone so much, although it’s a necessary part of the job.

Easiest thing about being a writer: I don’t have to commute, wear a business suit and pantyhose, or deal with bitchy coworkers.

Something you’d like to do: Go on a tour of England’s sacred sites.

Something you wish you’d never done: Gone out with some of the guys I dated when I was younger and less discriminating than now.

Things that make you happy: Hanging out with my friends, playing with my cat, sitting by the ocean, watching sunsets, dancing, writing, reading, playing my drum, music, flowers, art.

Things that drive you crazy: Truck drivers who ride my bumper at 75 mph, neighbors who let their dogs bark for hours on end, waking up at night with a great story idea and forgetting it by morning.

Things you always put in your books: Music. Colorful locales. At least one cat per book. At least one character who’s gay. Interesting and/or obscure historical information (my novels take place in the mid-1920s). For example, the first automatic gates were devised by an Egyptian inventor named Heron nearly 2,000 years ago––he also designed a coin-op dispenser for holy water. How could I resist putting that in?

Things you never put in your books: Child or animal abuse.

Things to say to an author: I always try to say something positive and encouraging, especially to new authors. If they ask, I offer constructive suggestions. I also tell them writing isn’t easy and urge them to stick with it through disappointments and frustrations. I’ve heard that Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury got 60 rejections before a wise publisher brought it out. It’s one of the most highly acclaimed novels in American literature.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: Don’t give up your day job. I really hated your book/protagonist/plot. (However, one of my beta readers told me she hated the ending of the third novel in my Lizzie Crane mystery series and her criticism inspired me to write a much better one.) Whether or not the author kills you off fictionally in a book, remember that anything you say to a writer is fair game and may appear in some form in a future novel.

Favorite places you’ve been: Barcelona, Florence, Rome, Stonehenge, Ireland, the Scottish Highlands, the Greek islands. I also love Maine and the North Shore of Massachusetts where the first four novels in my Lizzie Crane series are set.

Places you never want to go to again: Some of the rough neighborhoods in Boston, Houston in the summer, Bosnia, Acapulco, the New York subway, any NASCAR race.

Favorite books (or genre): Historical fiction, historical mysteries

Books you wouldn’t buy: Books about war, books with a lot of violence in them (although I really like Dennis Lehane’s books, so go figure), westerns, contemporary romances.

People you’d like to invite to dinner (living): The Dalai Lama

People you’d cancel dinner on: Kim Kardashian

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Hitchhiked around Europe for six months with my sister when I was twenty-one, with no itinerary, no cellphone, no contacts.

Something you chickened out from doing: Firewalking

The nicest thing a reader said to you: Recently I got a real, paper letter from a high-school girl who said reading one of my books gave her confidence and helped her connect with her personal power. Compliments like that are my favorites because one of my goals is to encourage young people––especially young women––to value themselves, to pursue their dreams, and to think for themselves.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: I don’t know if this person was really a reader, but she posted a negative review on Amazon about me for a book I didn’t write. Sometimes readers suggest changes they think I should make in my books. One told me the house in which the third novel in my Lizzie Crane mystery series is set should have a mile-long winding driveway. I pointed out that the historic mansion, built in the 1700s, is located in the heart of Salem, Massachusetts, where all the grand houses are only steps to the street and each other––I lived a few blocks from the actual house for eight years. Not satisfied, she replied, “Well, it doesn’t sound like a mansion to me.”

About Skye

Skye Alexander is the author of nearly 50 fiction and nonfiction books. Her stories have appeared in anthologies internationally, and her work has been published in more than a dozen languages. In 2003, she cofounded Level Best Books with fellow authors Kate Flora and Susan Oleksiw. The first novel in her Lizzie Crane mystery series, Never Try to Catch a Falling Knife, set in 1925, was published in 2021; the second, What the Walls Know, is scheduled for release in September 2022. Skye lives in Texas with her black Manx cat Zoe.

Let’s Be Social

Website: http://skyealexander.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skye.alexander.92

Secure Your Mobile Devices - Tips for Writers

Mobile devices do get infected with malware and can be hacked. Applications, texts, websites, and email are ways that malware can infect your equipment.

Here are some ways to protect yourself.

1. Always keep your software current. Patches and fixes correct the latest vulnerabilities that can damage your device.

2. When you are away from home, use secure WiFi. Unsecure WiFi (ones that don’t require a password) make it easier for bad actors to infect your device.

3. DON’T CLICK ON QUESTIONABLE OR UNFAMILIAR LINKS. If it looks suspicious, don’t click.

4. Only download apps from reputable services (e.g. your device’s app store).

5. Turn your device off periodically. This clears the temporary memory and forces automatic updates.

6. Avoid accessing your sensitive or private data on public WiFi.

7. Avoid using public phone charging stations. Many of these have malicious malware that can infect your phone.

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Cynthia Carver

I’d like to welcome author Cynthia Carver to the blog today for #ThisorThatThursday!

A few of your favorite things: A few of my favorite things are a hand drum my father made for me, a print photo of a medicine woman from a native medicine society, and my mother’s corning ware coffee pot.

Things you need to throw out: All the surplus plastic bags I keep around for the bathroom waste can.

Things you need for your writing sessions: This may change often according to the scene I am writing, but I need a clutter free desk zone, my phone to keep the Clubhouse sprints open, and ice-cold water while I write.

Things that hamper your writing: A disorganized area around my desk area hampers my writing. I must stop and clear it before writing anything that isn’t disjointed.

Things you love about writing: Expressing the story from within, knowing someone will enjoy the story that has grown from my imagination gives me delight concerning my writing.

Things you hate about writing: Hands down, I hate editing. My English grammar is not the most fluid. It is a good thing I found an editor that is willing to work with me and make me look good.

Hardest thing about being a writer: For me, the hardest thing about being a writer is getting the written word on the page as fast as my brain spews it out.

Easiest thing about being a writer: The easiest thing would be the creating of new characters. In Small Bit of Justice, the first draft had to many characters. I had to combine them to make it easy to follow.

Things you never want to run out of: Incense and coffee, both make my morning brighter.

Things you wish you’d never bought: The chandelier that is now in my RV. I never use it and I’m not sure I actually like it.

Favorite foods: Tacos, pollo loco, and blackberry cobbler ice-cream or strawberry ice-cream on blackberry pie are my guilty pleasures in the food department.

Things that make you want to gag: Quickest way for me to lose my appetite is to be offered beets, okra, or arugula.

Favorite beverage: Black coffee is my favorite morning beverage followed by ice-water during the day, and Lemonade in the evening.

Something that gives you a sour face: Iced-coffee or a Frappuccino is something that I do not enjoy.

Favorite smell: I enjoy the scent of lilacs in the garden, followed by heritage roses, lavender and purple sage.

Something that makes you hold your nose: Beautiful little skunks make me hold my breath. The pungent scent is disgusting to me.

Something you wish you could do: As a child I was very musical, not a band instrument that I could not play. I let that fall to the wayside as I became an adult and wish I could regain that ability.

Something you wish you’d never learned to do: Cussing is a habit I wish I had never picked up and cultivated. Why yes, I was a sailor, my colorful words share that without much explanation.

Something you like to do: I like to traditional dance at Powwows.

Something you wish you’d never done: Left an argument with a misunderstanding that may have left the person with a sense of guilt.

Things you always put in your books: Episodes that hinge on being unbelievable that my sister and I actually did.

Things you never put in your books: My sister’s personal epic tales and she has done many. Those are for her to request I write, or for her to write herself.

Things to say to an author: My favorite thing to hear from someone is, “Let me show you what I did,” reader flips their phone open and presents a picture of their review of my book on Amazon.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: “Whatever possessed you to think you could tell a story with your bad grammar?”

Favorite places you’ve been: My lifestyle is nomadic and I visit all types of amazing places. Hawaii was my favorite place to live while stationed on Kauai while in the military.

Places you never want to go to again: I have no desire to visit Tijuana, México again. Other places in México, especially on the gulf side I’ll continue to visit each year.

Favorite books (or genre): I write paranormal suspense and love reading historic romance, witchy cozies, and paranormal romance.

Books you wouldn’t buy: My guilty pleasure is listening to Stephen King YouTube documentaries, but to buy horror isn’t something I would do. I did buy his book, On Writing.

Most embarrassing moment: At the time, I had recently married my starter husband, oops first husband. Things had waned with his rigid Seal Team schedule. I decided to greet him at the door when he came home with nothing on but a smile. When I opened the door, it was his supervisor. I slammed the door, put clothes on, and answered the door again.

Proudest moment: When I drove away in my Class A motorhome and didn’t wreck it when I took the corner out of the parking lot. It was such a relief; I smiled all the way to the gas station.

About Cynthia

Cynthia Carver, born in Dayton, Ohio to Métis parents and a veteran of the US Navy, puts a paranormal spin on everything she does whether it is ghost hunting or camping. Often the photos she takes and shares on her website have images of other-dimensional beings. Her failure in life is cooking. Her family requests her to bring items such as paper plates, napkins, and utensils to family picnics.

Her dyslexia leaks into all phases of her life including her published work. She released the second story featuring her main character, Tracy Richards first. Meet Tracy Richards in Tracy’s debut novella, ‘The Missing Locket.’

On a timeline, ‘Small Bit of Justice’ happened to Tracy Richards before ‘Missing Locket.’ Each novelette, novella, and novel are stand-alone stories.

Each November, Cynthia accepts the NaNoWriMo.org challenge of writing a 50,000-word novel within thirty days. She is a cheerleader for those in the writer’s facebook group ‘Author Apprentices’ who have joined her in the writing madness.

Let’s Be Social

Website: http://CynthiaCarver.com/events

Book Link: https://linktr.ee/cynthiacarver

#WriterWednesday Interview with Leslie Gadallah

I’d like to welcome author Leslie Gadallah to the blog for an end-of-summer edition of #WriterWednesday!

A few of your favorite summer traditions:

I don't know if you'd consider this a tradition, but I do garden every summer, with the intent of getting a supply of veggies for the winter. It sounds like a chore, but I enjoy it.

Something summer-related that you’ll never do again:

Hang out in a public swimming pool. It's loud, choking in chlorine, and as sanitary as a sewer.

Favorite summer treat:

Wild strawberries right off the plant still warm from the sun.

A summer treat that makes you gag:

Stuff with shellfish in it.

Something crazy you did on vacation:

Swam with the stingrays off the coast of Grand Cayman. The fish were utterly fearless and quite curious. The whole mob came swooping by, turned, and hung around. They were so cool.

Something you’d never do again on vacation

Rent a B&B without checking it out first. You might ask, how bad can it be? Answer: really bad.

Best summer vacation ever:

Hanging out with my daughter in the Cayman Islands. It was awhile ago, when it wasn't so touristified as now.

Somewhere where you don’t ever want to return:

Paris. Ugh.

Favorite thing to do on a summer evening:

Sit on the deck with a glass of wine and a good friend.

Least favorite thing about summer

Mosquitoes

The thing you like most about being a writer:

Those days when the story flows and you look up from writing a desert scene and wonder how the heck it could be snowing outside.

The thing you like least about being a writer:

Those day when I'm totally blocked in the middle of a book, and don't know how to go on.

Things you will run to the store for in the middle of the night:

A kid's medicine.

Things you never put on your shopping list:

Shrimp. Mushrooms.

The thing that you will most remember about your writing life:

The first time an editor phoned and said their house would like to do my book.

Something in your writing life that you wish you could do over:

I had a chance to chat with Judith Merill, and I was so tongue-tied, I blew it.

The nicest thing a reader said to you:

A woman came up to me at a convention and said she had been trying for some time to get up the courage to tell me how much she enjoyed my book. And I thought I was the one with social anxiety.

The craziest thing a reader said to you:

I had a fellow seriously man-splain to me a book I had written. I had a hard time keeping a straight face.

The best summer job you ever had:

A photo finishing shop in the days when actual people handled the pictures. I got my sex education that summer.

The worst summer job you ever had:

Stoop labour at a berry farm.

About Leslie

Leslie Gadallah grew up in Alberta and is currently living in Lethbridge, Canada with her with her geriatric black cat, Spook. Educated as a chemist, she has worked in analytical, agricultural, biological and clinical chemistry. She has written popular science for newspapers and radio, has served as technical editor, and is the author of four SF novels and a number of short stories.

How to Increase Your Facebook Following - Tips for Authors

Here are some ways to increase your Facebook following on your author/fan page.

1. Open your personal page and search for your author page. Open it. Locate the ellipse at the top (….) and select Invite friends. You can choose names from the list or search for a specific person. Facebook does limit the number of people you can invite in one day.

2. Watch who likes and shares your posts on your author page. On your author page, click on the like and other icons. A page will appear with a button to invite those who don’t already like your page.

3. Put the link to your author page in your email signature. You’d be surprised at the number of people you correspond with regularly who don’t’ know you’re a writer.

4. On your author business card, make sure to list the key social media sites where they can find you.

5. Make sure you have links to all your key social media sites on your website.

6. Use your author account to like and comment on others’ posts. You want to be social. I was commenting only from my personal site. Now, I set aside some time each day to make sure I do it from my author page, too.

7. When you create your author page/account. Try to keep your name as easy to find as you can. If you use underscores, numbers, or other punctuation, it makes it harder for people to find you and tag you.

8. Check your newsletter and make sure to include links to all your social sites. I use Mail Chimp, and it lets me create the icons and links at the bottom of each edition.

9. If you’re in writing and promotional groups, many will let you post your links to increase your followers. This is a good (free) way to get the word out about your work.