Tamala J Coleman, Author of "Unspoken" My Past, My Pain, My Story.

Today we are interviewing Tamala J Coleman about her book, "Unspoken" My Past, My Pain, My Story.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a Woman who loves to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to Encourage and Inspire People that I come in contact with. 

Describe the purpose of your book, "Unspoken" My Past, My Pain, My Story, in a few sentences.
“Unspoken” is my life story. It is my kept silence for nearly 50 years. I share my Transparency in this book and it’s my prayer that it will help others to see their value and worth. 

Who do you think would most benefit from reading your book? 
This book will possibly connect and benefit someone who has felt they are unworthy, it will connect and benefit someone who has been in a domestic violence situation and torn between loving themselves  

What inspired you to write about your life’s journey, including your past and pain? 
I have many platforms in which people share their testimonies with me and share indebt life experiences that really touch me. Yet, I have had it on my heart for many years and took a leap of faith to share it with the world. We all have a story. 

Your spirituality plays a big role in your life. Have you always had a relationship with God? 
I would have to say Yes, I grew up in the church. Although, my true relationship with Christ started in my Young Adult years and became even stronger as I went through different experiences in my life.   

You talk about God being your Alpha and Omega and the role of God embedding your destiny in your alpha. Can you share a bit more about this for the readers? 
First of all, God is everything, He knew us while we were yet in our mothers womb; He's an All-Knowing God. Therefore, He knows all of the plans He has for us. Although, during a time in my life I felt like God wasn’t there, but He was there all the time. Oftentimes He was silent. God never leaves, us we leave Him.

Having overcome many struggles in your life, you have any recommendations for someone who feels hopeless as they go through a tough time? 
I would encourage anyone that may be going through a tough time in their life understand that no one is without problems in this life. We all have to live this life and sometimes unfornately, we have to overcome some of the cards we have been dealt with. I encourage you to don’t give up for Trouble’s don’t last always. There may be some rough patches, some setbacks and even some delays but if you stay faithful and unmoveable things will work out.  

Author Tamala J Coleman.

Did writing the book take you to unexpected places or reveal things you hadn’t thought about before?
Yes, of course it really brought back some painful memories and some in which I did not want to remember. Yet, it was a part of my process and I’m glad I went through some of it because it only made me stronger. 

Can you tell us a bit about your writing process?
Wow, I decided almost 3 years ago to intiated my story. I can remember writing a little and stopping and making sure I did not forget anything. Like in the beginning of the book I start with my birth story and I had to ask my parents about that part being I was born in Germany. Even as I think back after speaking with my parents about my birth it was hard and brought tears to my eyes.  

What was the most challenging aspect of writing the book?
I would say the most challenging aspect of the book was writing some things that even my parents nor my children did not know about and my current husband who has been my rock. I haven’t shared my story with anyone. So this book will really be a shocker to many of my family and friends.  

How did the book evolve from the initial idea to the finished manuscript?
Two years ago I made up my mind to finish my manuscript I would write a few pages almost every other day. I have taught myself that you have to be consistent in bringing a book to the forefront. I disciplined myself and it all became what it is today.     

For the readers who have read your book, do you have any recommendations for other inspirational books about someone’s life journey?
Yes, I would recommend to always be transparent, UnApologetic and be truthful. No one knows your story like you do. Never hold back even though it may hurt and it may even be painful but it’s a part of your process and your healing. 

What do you hope readers will gain from reading your book?
My hope is that my readers will see me in a different light. Some see your Glory but they miss and don’t know your story. My hope is that my readers will also understand their value and we cannot judge someone else's life. We must be compassionate and loving and kind to everyone because we don’t know what others have gone through and are still trying to overcome. 

How have readers responded to your book so far?
I am so amazed that during my promotion period my family and friends truly showed me they were surrounding me and supportive. I finished the night of my promotion on Amazon on the list of Best Sellers. I am still on cloud nine right now.

Can you share how your interest in writing developed? Did you always know you wanted to write or was it something that evolved with time?
Yes, as a little girl I would write in an notebook about my days journey. I did not have a diary during that time. I would write poetry but then later as I grew older I stopped writing until I was well into my 30’s. I must say since then I have written eight books since 2007 working on # 9. 

Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
Yes, I would like to say that Maya Angelo has influenced me. She has a sense of seriousness in her writing. I also love Joyce Myers' writing as well.

In ten years, where would you like your writing career to be? 
Umm, that’s good question. I would love to write for a magazine or even have my own magazine just for Authors. God has given me a vision already for this. Not sure when but I know it will come to past.

How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
Actually, during my promotion I promoted my book as a Kindle Ebook its seems to be the way people read on the go. It’s convenient but I must also say I love a physical book in my hands. 

What do you have in mind for your next writing project?
Well, I have written many devotionals, poetry books and one children’s book. My next writing project will possibly be to bring Authors in to Collaborate in a book for Men and Women Authors.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
My book “Unspoken” speaks to my life in my time of darkness and despair. It was a time in which I felt all was lost or my future would never be bright. Yet, God had another plan and He has turned it all around for my good. My story may not be your story but we all have a story a past but we all also have a future that reveals to us who we really are and who we can become.  

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Joshua C. Carroll, Author of The Adventures of Sarah Ann Lewis and the Memory Thieves

Today we are interviewing Joshua C. Carroll about his upper middle grade / rural sci-fi / thriller novel, titled "The Adventures of Sarah Ann Lewis and the Memory Thieves."

*Starting Thursday, August 8, the book will be 99¢ for several days, and then it will slowly increase until it goes back up to the normal price of $6.99 on Thursday, August 15. Get it on Amazon by clicking here.*

Tell us a bit about yourself.
Sure! I’m 38 years old, and I live in Fort Worth, Texas with my wife, daughters, foster daughters, and a Miniature Schnauzer named Ginger. Besides writing, I also love to make music (I play a handful of instruments), take pictures, and cook.

Describe the plot of your new book, “The Adventures of Sarah Ann Lewis and the Memory Thieves,” in a few sentences.
Sarah Ann is, at its heart, a story about a girl learning to accept and be accepted by the people who love her. But while she’s learning that, she’s being stalked by spies, uncovering family secrets, falling into secret laboratories, and meeting mad scientists, intelligent animals, shapeshifters, and all kinds of other interesting characters. In the end, she learns what she’s really made of and what it means to accept her own identity.

Who do you think would most appreciate your book?
I wrote this book, first and foremost, for my oldest daughter. But I also wrote it for myself. We’re both huge fans of books like A Wrinkle in Time, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Hobbit. She loves the Percy Jackson series, and I love a good sci-fi with alternate dimensions. So I packed little bits of all of that in here. Anybody, young or old, who likes those books will find plenty of fun little Easter eggs in Sarah Ann. But this book has also been a bit of a hit with other foster and adoptive families. There are some strong themes in the book around truly belonging to the family that has chosen you whether you were born there or not. Being a foster dad myself, it does my heart good to see it resonating with other kids and parents in similar situations.

Tell us about your protagonist, Sarah.
Ahh, Sarah. I feel like she’s one of my daughters. Like a lot of kids her age (13), she’s curious about the world around her and hates going to school, but she also really cares about doing what’s right, even when that gets her into trouble. She’s had a hard life, and she lives with her Grandpa on some land in the country outside a small town in Texas. She sees herself as a nobody from nowhere, but—without spoiling anything—she’ll have to get over that if she’s going to save the day.

The book is set in 1988. What made you decide to set it during that period?
I grew up in the 80s, near the area where the book is set. In a lot of ways, the world was just as crazy then as it is now. We were in the tail end of the Cold War, and I remember doing bomb siren drills in school. But on the other hand, it was also simpler and slower. I wanted to share a bit of that world with new readers who can’t imagine what life was like the phone was connected to the wall by a coiled cord and most people didn’t even own a computer.

Author Joshua C. Carroll.

On a similar note, since life (specifically technology) has changed so much since 1988, did you find it difficult to capture the period in your writing?
I definitely had to fact-check a lot of things. There’s a dot matrix printer that plays a fun role early in the story, and it’s been so long since I’ve seen one that I had to look up some of the details. But mostly, it felt simpler writing a story where people aren’t constantly staring at screens and texting each other and posting things to social media.

Your book has elements from multiple genres – written for the upper middle grade audience with elements of rural sci-fi, mystery and thriller genres. Was this something you intended to do from the start? Or was it something that evolved as you wrote?
I just can’t focus on one thing at a time. It’s the story of my life. I’ve always been interested in lots of different things, and so when I set out to write this story, all these disparate elements found their way into it organically.

Without giving too much away, tell us about the Memory Thieves.
Ahh! That’s the question, isn’t it? Let’s just say that the Memory Thieves may or may not be who you think they are at the beginning.

Sarah must team up with strangers she would normally be at odds with. Can you tell us about Sarah’s relationship with these strangers? Does her perspective of them change as she gets to know them more?
Her relationship with these people, whom she learns are called The Sentinels, is complex. There’s a lot of fear and distrust up front and a sense of wonder as she learns more about them. People she thought of as stuck up or scary turn out to be good friends. There’s hurt and betrayal, loyalty and self-sacrifice. In the end, they become family to her.

Do you feel being a father affected how you wrote your book? Did you ever bounce ideas off your children?
Oh, absolutely. I’m working through the sequel right now, and just this week, I described a situation to my oldest and said, “How would you react?” Her response became a chapter.

Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
I hesitate to answer this question, because I know my writing style is very different from my influences—most of whom are long-dead and British. But if I had to pick modern authors whose writing I admire and aspire not so much to emulate but to learn from, the list would include Neil Gaiman, Jim Butcher, Orson Scott Card, Brandon Sanderson, and Robin Hobb. Gaiman’s prose is magical. Butcher’s stories are so much fun, beginning to end. Card is a master of weaving complex, difficult themes into his stories in a way that feels both subtle and inevitable. Sanderson builds the most insane worlds and magic systems that have their own beautiful logical framework. And Robin Hobb (who also wrote some amazing books under the name Megan Lindholm) creates such wonderful, believable characters.

How long have you been writing?
I’ve written blogs and that sort of thing for a long time, but I didn’t start writing fiction until around 2013.

How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?
I’ve learned a ton, mostly by writing short fiction. I tended, at first, to focus on the plot and see my characters as objects that helped the plot advance. Since then, I’ve learned to focus in on and “play” with my characters like my kids do with their dolls until I feel like I know them. What motivates them? What do they care about? What scares them? What are they lying about? What do they need that they aren’t even aware of? And how do those things drive their behavior, their decisions, and ultimately, the plot that they generate?

What do you like about the upper middle grade genre?
Upper middle grade is a horribly underserved segment. There are lots of kids who have a hard time reading or feel that reading is a chore, and for them, there are shelves upon shelves of light-hearted, safe, easy-to-read, short little books full of fart jokes and pictures. There’s nothing wrong with that. But even at 7 years old, my daughter was blowing through those so fast we couldn’t keep up. When she was 8, we read The Lord of the Rings together, and she loved it so much that, as soon as we finished, she read through it again on her own. That—and the incredible success of the Harry Potter series—told me that, whether the industry wants to admit it or not, there are plenty of young readers who are hungry for longer, more complex books. And that’s exciting to me. There’s an opportunity to introduce these young bookworms to ideas and themes and worlds that are new and exciting to them without having to dumb-it-down. There’s a chance to treat these kids like the young adults they’re becoming. So far, they’ve responded really well to Sarah Ann, and I’m excited to keep exploring that space.

Do you have any favorite middle grade books?
My all-time favorite is The Hobbit. I remember reading that (not for the first time) in my 6th grade reading class. Our teacher, Mr. Bo, did the voices for all the characters, and they were just amazing. I’ve yet to read a modern book for that age group that comes close to capturing that level of magic, though there are some young YA books that are pretty great.

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
I want to finish this series and write a bunch more, and I want to figure out how to better connect with middle grade readers and their parents. It’s a tricky market to get into, and a lot of writers give up and move on to other markets. I just see it as a fun challenge.

How have your readers responded to the book so far?
The responses have been overwhelmingly positive. I’ve truly been humbled. I’ve had several parents send me photos of their kids reading the book, and I’m planning to print them all out and put them next to my writing desk.

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
I don’t dislike any part of it, but yeah, some parts are harder than others. For a lot of writers, this great emotional rush happens when they’re getting the words onto the page, but they dread the revising and editing. I’m wired backward from that. Getting the story out in the first place is a ton of hard work, but I love honing it and crafting it into a story that I’m proud of.

Have you ever had writer's block? If yes, how'd you deal with it? If you have not had writer's block, why do you think you haven't?
I think writer’s block is more or less my default mode. But if I can make myself sit down at the keyboard, get into the right head-space by reading a bit of what I’ve already written, stay off of social media, and trust that the words I write will turn into something good later even if they’re awful right now, I can usually make some progress. I’m terribly slow, but I’m steady, and in the end that’s what matters.

What do you have in mind for your next project?
I’m working on the sequel to Sarah Ann right now, and I have two other novels outside this series that are already in the works. One is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi that involves quantum computing, data mining, and an alien substance that can be manipulated so that its molecular structure changes. The other is a story of a time traveler stuck in the body of the son his mother would have had if he had never been born. I’m really excited to get those out into the world.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
Well I don’t, but I’ll pass on a message from a young lady who reviewed it: “If you don’t order, you will live a very sorry, miserable, horrible life, knowing you did not order a book that is AWESOME.” I nearly died laughing when I read that review, and I don’t think I stopped smiling for a week.

“The Adventures of Sarah Ann Lewis and the Memory Thieves” excerpt:

What Sarah doesn’t know… 

...could doom us all. 

It’s 1988 in the middle of nowhere, Texas, and 13-year-old Sarah is about to be swept out of her boring life and into a world of danger. 

Spies are coming for her. The people next door are not what they seem. And Sarah’s family has been hiding something. Something BIG. Something not even Sarah knows. 

The fate of the world hangs in the balance. But for Sarah, all that matters is rescuing her family. What’s left of it, anyway.  

If she fails, the Memory Thieves will learn their secrets, and as a result, millions around the world will die. But to save the people she loves, Sarah will have to team up with strangers she isn’t sure she can trust. Strangers who aren’t even human. 

This story is not what you think. 

A captivating blend of rural sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, and thriller, the first book of this genre smashing series will have you begging for more.

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Bobby Sky, Author of God's Secret: the Cry of the Millennials Fast your Way to Spiritual Truth and Freedom

Today we are interviewing Bobby Sky about the non-fiction / new age / Christian meditation book, titled “God's Secret: the Cry of the Millennials Fast your Way to Spiritual Truth and Freedom.”

Tell us a bit about you.
I'm lovely! Haha! Really I've always been a curious person by nature, especially when it comes to spiritual things. Even as a child my parents would relay stories back to me about how I would surprise them in some way. My dad (God bless him) was a brilliant man and knew how to raise money for business ventures. One day when I was 2 or 3 years old, he introduced me to one of his best friends and business partner named Randy. According to dad, I stared at Randy up and down for 5-10 seconds with an intense look on my face, kicked Randy in the shin, and ran away. One week later, Randy shorted dad about $20,000 in a business deal gone sour. My father and I joked about it years later and he said "Son, it was like you knew something was wrong and you were trying to warn me about something I couldn't see. I should have listened!" I'm 29 years old now and I would say that I haven't changed much since then. The only difference now is I don't go around kicking folks in the shin! Haha!

Tell us about your book in a few sentences.
God's secret is about experiencing the tangible presence of God. It's about the personal journey & different avenues that I went through to find spiritual truth. It's about the pains, struggles, strongholds, lies of the world, and the opiate epidemic in our society. It's about the inner cries of an individual's heart that humanity is too afraid to talk about. It's about millennials who are trapped into a certain way of thinking.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Any person that has struggled with any type of addiction like drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography, food, shopping, video games, etc. Also, anyone who has been an orphan, raped, homeless, suicidal, depressed, broke, abused, or rejected. Lastly this book would benefit any person who practices new age, yoga, witchcraft, wicca, reiki, chakra meditation, astral projection, quija boards, or buddhism. 

What inspired you to write the Book?
God inspired me to write a book for this millennial generation.

Millennials are misunderstood, what inspired you to write a book about millennials?
I know the struggles that millennials face because I am one. I have a heart for them because the world tells them what to believe about God or the universe. I've been through the new age doctrines & I offer a new perspective & challenge for all millennials with this one question: Is it possible you are believing a lie that someone else told you?

What do you think are some challenges millennials face?
Social media is a major obstacle for millennials. It's really sad to see but there are a lot of backbiting frenzies on Facebook or selfie marathons going around. Music is another hindrance. Thoughts and words have power and when you sing and think about a song, it will manifest into your life. I had a girlfriend once that liked this particular song on the radio and the lyrics were about always being broke and getting drunk. Guess what? She was always broke and getting drunk! Thoughts and words have power. Self help gurus like Tony Robbins will teach that and even touch on concepts like faith, grace, and divine appointments. Millennials don't even realize what they're teaching! It's bible baby! Haha. 

How do you think the millennials relationship with spirituality differs from other generations?
The human finger print is unique to every person. No one past, present, or future will ever have the same finger print as another person. You are unique! God made you different! Yet, we have millennials taking the same duck selfie photos, wearing the same clothes, listening to the same music, and watching the same movies. Older generations had more individuality and unique thought. The Millennials struggle because they are just doing what everyone else is to fit in the crowd. I call it collective thinking or having collective thought. You are who you hang out with kind of thing, monkey see monkey do, etc. There's not much originality anymore. Millenials think Johnny Depp is cool. I strongly disagree. Jesus walked on water, if that's not cool I don't know what is. Sorry cap'n jack but your "Rum is gone"

In the U.S., we’re in the midst of an opiate epidemic. Your books touches a bit on this. It’s a complicated topic, but in your opinion, why do you feel there is an epidemic? What are some steps that can be taken to address this epidemic?
According to drugabuse.gov more than 130 people die everyday after overdosing on opioids. The "economic burden" in the United states is 78.5 billion a year for healthcare, addiction treatment, criminal justice, etc. So not only are people losing thier loved ones, but its costing americans billions of tax dollars. The solution? Is God and his presence! I'm living proof of that! I've been sober 2 years now and I take zero credit for it. I'm not talking about religion, I'm talking about personal one on one relationship with Jesus. People who are addicts (like I was) must ask Jesus into their heart and be born again. That is the only way to overcome this epidemic. God met me one night at an abandoned baseball field that completely transformed my life.

Did writing the book take you to unexpected places or reveal things you hadn't thought about before?
Most definitely! Writing the book drew me closer to God as well as his love, peace, and character. I used to think he was this evil dictator with egotistical and sadistic issues. Oh, how wrong I was! God says "if you want me, chase me". He doesn't force himself on you, that's called rape, not relationship.

Can you tell us a bit about your writing process?
I always pray first and ask Jesus for the things to write about. Then, I'm usually at a park, coffee shop, or somewhere quiet where I can focus on writing without distractions. Sometimes I'll listen to music with headphones on for inspiration. 

What was the most challenging aspect of writing the book?
Editing! I'm not a grammar nazi!

What do you hope readers will gain from reading your book?
My biggest hope is that the readers will meet God and experience his presence for themselves.

How have readers responded to your book so far?
It's been amazing! The people who have read the book have complimented on it and share how it has blessed them individually. I'm very grateful and honored for all of my readers.

Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style? 
JK Rowling, Rhonda byrne, Suzanne Collins, C.S Lewis, and the prophets from the bible. 

What do you have in mind for your next writing project?
I'm going to do a series of 3 books altogether. Currently, I am working on the second book !

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
I want readers to know that God is a perfect gentleman, not a rapist. All he will do is knock on your door. The choice is yours if you open the door or not. My question is Will you let him in?

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Watch the book’s video trailer on Youtube. 

Ashley M. Jackson, Author of The Xenon Tech Archives

Today we are interviewing Ashley M. Jackson about her new sci-fi/dystopian fantasy novel, “The Xenon Tech Archives.” 

Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Ashley Jackson. I am a (currently) 26-year-old writer from Columbia, Maryland. I have been writing since I was a child, however, I became serious about my writing around age 18. I always created stories to occupy my overactive imagination and as an outlet for overwhelming emotions. Whilst "The Xenon Tech Archives" is my first official series, it is not my first published piece. In the past, I worked on a few anthologies as well as co-written with one of my close author friends.

Science Fiction and fantasy are my two favorite genres to write because there is so much that you can do with it. The possibilities are endless.

Describe the plot of your new book, “The Xenon Tech Archives,” in a few sentences.
This is one of the hardest things for me to write, but I will try to make it brief:
The story centers around Scarlet; the 16-year-old only child of the infamous rebel leader, Lyrik Hakimi. Ever since Scarlet was born, he only had one purpose - To kill their world's leader and restore balance. As Scarlet begins his journey and starts to look deeper into his mission, instead of just taking it at face value, he begins to notice that he doesn't have the entire story. He, however, might be the one that the world needs protecting from.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
I would definitely say that this would be a perfect fit for anyone in their teens or even 20s. While a few topics are rather heavy in the series, the writing itself is easy to follow and would be an easy read for "not-so-active" readers.

What do you like about the sci-fi genre? What inspired you to write a story about intelligent nanotechnology?
As I mentioned, I've always been a fan of science fiction, and I've always loved entertaining the ideas of "what-if". What if the world suddenly ended and robots were the only things that could save us? There is so much unknown with AIs and technology, and I feel that unlike most other fantasy genre types, this is the one that could potentially come true someday.

Tell us about your protagonist, Scarlet.
Scarlet is your average cheeky, flirty, over-the-top, big brother styled teen. He knows that he's different, and while he would never admit it, he likes to entertain the idea of what it would be like to be a normal boy. He cares about people around him but becomes weary and paranoid when people try to care for him in return. Like most teens, he's just trying to find his way and do what he feels is right.

I created Scarlet with this one thought in mind - How would a child/teenager react to being thrown into this type of world?

There seems to be a lot of concern these days about the danger of nanotechnology and artificial intelligence – even people, such as Elon Musk, have voiced concerns about the potential for AI to get too powerful for humanity. What are your thoughts on this fear? Has your writing been influenced by tech / science news?
Oddly enough, fear like that fuels my book. That is truly a big part of the reason why I love science fiction so much. My book plays off of those fears as a true "worst-case scenario". What if AIs were the only thing keeping mankind from destruction? Would mankind be able to truly survive and thrive without AIs? What would happen if AI's surpassed us and became truly self-aware? Would mankind and cyberkind truly be able to live in harmony?
Without giving away too much, I can tell you that all of these questions are brought up and, in one way or another, answered throughout my series.

Who was your favorite character to write?
Scarlet was, of course, one of my absolute favorites, but he was also the most difficult. From when I started eight years ago, to now, I have redone Scarlet's character at least seven different times. So, when it comes to my favorite (and least stressful) character, I would honestly say Faylin.

The funny thing is that Faylin was never supposed to be a character. I never had him planned or anything. I was just writing a scene and I needed a character for a certain spot, and I just had the idea of a cute, feminine-looking, white-haired android. Next thing I know, Faylin is following Scarlet in the next scene, and bam, now the two of them are inseparable. Faylin was the best mistake that could have happened!

Is there an author that you cite as an influence on your writing style?
I fell in love with the Percy Jackson series written by Rick Riordan. It was one of the first series that I binge read from start to finish. The way that he wrote it made it feel like we were flies on the walls of Percy's life, watching him grow up and change from a confused little boy into a great young man. It was honestly nothing short of magic. I remembered crying at the end of the series. Percy wasn't just a character, Percy was my friend.

Ever since then, I realized that I wanted to be a writer. I wanted to create a character that could make someone else feel that same way!

How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?
I was very shy about letting people know what was going on inside my head. I was constantly watering my words down and censoring myself. But as I began writing more and more, I realized that my writing wasn't "mine" anymore. I wanted people to have the raw version. I wanted them to see the exact type of picture that I was painting. That is why I honestly like the way that book 2 is written more than book 1.

How have your readers responded to the book so far?
So far, I have gotten all good reviews. People enjoy the fact that it is an easy read and that it has engaging characters and an interesting storyline. It's the perfect read for a stormy day or even while sitting on the metro.

Have you ever had writer's block? If yes, how'd you deal with it? If you have not had writer's block, why do you think you haven't?
Yes! All of the time! Sadly, writer's block is just an unfortunate part of life. Typically I wait for it to pass. I give myself a week or so to get my head straight, and then I start slow. I draw pictures of my characters, daydream, listen to music that reminds me of my series, anything to get the juices flowing again.

An excerpt from "The Xenon Tech Archives":

Faylin reached his hand forward and grabbed the tip of
my cigarette. For a moment, nothing happened, but then a quick spark
ran up his hand and between his fingers, lighting the tip with a teal
flame. 

“Oh.” I caught the stick quickly before it fell out of my mouth. I
popped it in and inhaled slowly, tasting something I couldn't quite
name. It was odd and tasted slghtly like rainwater. Like the smell that
gets trapped in your nose on a stormy day. It wasn't great, but it wasn't
terrible. 

Faylin leaned back in his chair and lit his own in the same fashion. The
way he pulled it from his lips and blew out a stream of teal smoke
looked much more elegant than the way I did, like he belonged on a
billboard in the West. 

I laughed, taking in another breath. Mother always ended up on those
billboards. One thing I could truly say about her was she was
something beautiful. 

“Mr. Scarlet.” Faylin faced the window in an odd air of causality as he
spoke. “This journey has taken quite an interesting turn, has it not?”
He glanced in my direction. 

I hummed in response. “It has. I feel like we're just running deeper and
deeper down a hole right now.” I blew out the smoke. “And I'm
not seeing a light at the end yet.” 

“Yes, I agree.” He went silent again. “Do you regret this? Regret
digging and searching to find this to be your truth?” 

“No, not at all.” I chuckled. I knew this was the truth behind Neutopia. I knew the foul secrets that hid behind the veil of a supposed utopian society. I just didn't realize how far it had gone, just how bad it truly was.

I shook my head. “There is still something I'm missing, I know it. Something is holding all of this together.” 

“An unknown element...like a catalyst.” He added fluidly. 

I watched as the burning bits of ash vaporized into a blue mist. 

“It all goes back to Xenon Tech.”

More Information
Buy book 1 on Amazon.
Buy book 2 on Amazon. 
Visit the author's website. 
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Andrew Grey, Author of Andrew's Nursery Rhymes and Rhymes

Today we are interviewing Andrew Grey about his children’s book titled “Andrew's Nursery Rhymes and Rhymes.”

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am very passionate about writing. I love to write, stories, music, poetry. I am a single father; I am originally from Jamaica.

Describe your new book, “Andrew’s Nursery Rhymes and Rhymes,” in a few sentences.
Kids will love this book. It has rhymes and Nursery Rhymes for kids. It’s fun to read. It’s entertaining

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Children and also their parents.

What inspired you to write a book of nursery rhymes?
I love Nursery Rhymes myself. I grew up reading them.

Did you hear a lot of nursery rhymes growing up?
Yes, I did. Like "Jack and Jill" and "Humpty Dumpty."

Why do you think children have so much fun reading nursery rhymes?
It’s entertaining. Imaginative.

Do you have a favorite nursery rhyme in your book?
Yes. The one called "Rick the Stick.”

What was it like working with illustrator Tim Hogan?
I worked with him previously on a few books before. Easy person to work with. Very good artist. It was great working with him.

What is your favorite book and why?
Stephen King’s “Thinner.” I loved the story.

What genre do you read most frequently?
Non-fiction.

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
To entertain people, to be successful.

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
No.

What do you have in mind for your next project?
My next project I am already working on is about a person gets possessed. 

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
My books are entertaining, fun to read I put a lot thinking in writing the stories.

More Information
Visit the author’s website. 
Buy the book on Lulu.
Buy the book on Amazon. 
Buy the book on Barnes and Noble.
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Follow the author on Twitter. 
Check out the author on Instagram. 

Nathalie Fiset, Author of I Will Always Be Here For You

Today we are interviewing Nathalie Fiset, M.D. about her children’s picture book, titled “I Will Always Be Here For You.”

Tell us a bit about yourself. 
Nathalie Fiset, M.D., is a retired family doctor and a mother of four. She still does medical missions in third world countries. She is the author of fiction and non-fiction books like The Reading Glasses Lie available on Amazon.


Describe your new book, “I Will Always Be Here For You,” in a few sentences. 
Mr Fizz is always here to help his little girl and her dog.Sometimes though, life changes and people we love leave us. A children's book about aging, losing people and grief.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Children age 3 and up. Parents who need to address grief and the loss of a family member with their children.

What inspirations contributed to this book?
Mr Fizz, my father!

Tell us about the protagonist, Mr Fizz.
He was as colorful and reliable as the book shows. He loved to invent stuff and joke a lot. It was kind of like having my own Walt Disney! His most important value was family.

The story has a theme about aging, losing people, and grief. What inspired you to write about this theme?
When my father passed away, I felt a huge void in my life. We were very close seeing each other more than 20 times per year. But that is not just me, Mr Fizz was like that with  his five children and 14 grandchildren.

Was it difficult translating grief, a complex topic, in a way that is approachable for children?
Not really. When my father passed away, it touched my child heart. I had lost my Daddy. After all, even though I am 54 years old, he still called me madam Zoozoo or little girl.

What was the illustration process like for you?
I had hired someone from Fiverr but even though I explained exactly what I was seeing, he just sent generic images and did not render the images I was seeing. So, I had to learn drawing! I am very proud of the final images as they reflect the fun and colorful images I needed for telling my story.

Is there an author that had a major influence on your writing style?
Dr Seuss, Robert Munsch (Love you Forever which I read to my children thousands of times) and to a different extend, of course, J.K. Rowling.

Who was your favorite character to write?
Mr Fizz.

How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?
My God! I learned to draw on paint 3D, learned to format children’s books “with bleed” (lost a lot of blood there!), reformat after being rejected by Amazon kindle store so many times. I discovered a passion for children’s books and wrote other books like spot the differences and find the penguin having lots of fun doing so.

Are there any aspects (e.g. character building, world building) of your writing that you've been practicing?
My father thought by example and I like to think that I too give more than what is expected of me, show up when I say I will and can overcome small differences of opinions and dust myself up.

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
I love the saying for children book’s writers: Teach don’t preach. I want to write more stories and game books and have fun doing it. I also want to continue my bigger project called The Pregnancy Chronicles a series of ten pregnancy books that read like novels (based on my experience delivering 3700 babies during my 25 year medical career).

How have your readers responded to the book so far?
I just launched it.

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
Editing since English is not my primary language. But, I found a good editor. That big gap when the book is done but you need to work at it which seams forever.

Author Nathalie Fiset.

Have you ever had writer's block? If yes, how'd you deal with it? If you have not had writer's block, why do you think you haven't?
I did not have writer’s block as I do not force myself to have to write on certain days. Ideas and dialogues are like a hamster running in my head during the day. I just write them down. I also keep a notepad on my nightstand so that I can go back to sleep after writing down the golden nugget my subconscious mind sent me as a gift!

What do you have in mind for your next project?
I have been creating game books for children and I am in the beginning stages of a new story about love.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
The story was very easy to write as it came straight from my heart. Putting the images, text and pages together was a learning curve and not a child’s play.  Now I know why so many people say they want to write a children’s book but do not do it.

Thank you,
Nathalie Fiset

More Information
Buy the book on Amazon. 

Dr. Delene P. Musielak, Author of M.O.M. - Meditate. Overcome. Motivate. - A Mother’s 30-Day Devotional Journal

Today we are interviewing Dr. Delene P. Musielak about her new religious devotional book, titled “M.O.M. - Meditate. Overcome. Motivate. - A Mother’s 30-Day Devotional Journal.”

Tell us a bit about yourself. 
I was born in, Guyana, South America and grew up in a Christian home with parents who are both Pastors.  My parents have played a vital role in my upbringing as a persistent, independent and strong woman.  At the age of six, my family migrated to the United States. 

From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a doctor.  That is the exact road I pursued.  After obtaining my medical degree, I not only went on to train in one specialty, but two.  I am dual-boarded in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.  I provide care for the whole gamut.  Or, as I say, “From the cradle to the grave.” 

I am a mother of triplets and feel so blessed to have them.  They have brought so many new adventures to our family.  Not only am I a full-time physician and super mom of triplets, but a wife of an amazing surgeon, an author, and motivational speaker.  I am also a Life Coach who recently started to offer Healthy Parenting Coaching services in which I help individuals as a whole; mind, body and soul.  I have also started my own YouTube channel, The Dr. Mom Show, which serves as a medical informational resource.  

Describe your new book, “M.O.M. - Meditate. Overcome. Motivate. - A Mother’s 30-Day Devotional Journal,” in a few sentences.
My devotional is a journal that helps encourage women and remind them of what they are capable of.  Each day includes a scripture from the Bible, a short personal experience and then a breakdown of how to utilize these tools to meditate, overcome and motivate.  There is also a daily prayer. 

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Mothers and women would appreciate this book the most. 

What inspired you to write a devotional for mothers?
My daily schedule is very busy, like a lot of mothers.  I realized that I needed some time for myself.  All mothers need time for themselves.  I wanted to write something inspiring that would help mothers reach their maximum potential, but at the same time, take no more than 10 minutes of their hectic day.

Your book incorporates the women of the Bible into daily devotionals. How did your interest in Biblical women develop?
I am not being partial, but from personal experience, being a woman can be difficult at times.  I have experienced this in my professional and personal life.  Some of the women in the Bible serve as examples of how they overcame different obstacles and struggles.  They are role models and a lot can be learned from their stories. 

On a similar note, is there one woman in the Bible that stands out as your personal inspiration?
Esther is definitely an inspiration.  She gained favor in the eyes of the king, became a queen, saved her people and stood up for what she believed without backing down.

Your book brings the reader on a 30-day spiritual journey. What made you decide on the 30-day time period?  
I chose this timeframe because I believe if it was shorter, it wouldn’t be satisfying, and if it was longer, readers could potentially not finish it.  I feel 30 days is a reasonable and doable amount of time to complete a book. 

Author Dr. Delene P. Musielak.

Did writing the book take you to unexpected places or reveal things you hadn’t thought about before?
It sure did!  As I mentioned, I initially was inspired to write my devotional to help empower women.  However, at the time of writing this book, I was going through a huge transition in my own life.  My family and I were in the process of making some huge decisions also.  The timing was not planned at all, but it just fell right into place and, in turn, was very encouraging and uplifting to me during that time of transition in my life. 

You wear a lot of hats -- a writer, physician, mother, and wife. How do you juggle all your responsibilities? 
I do sacrifice some sleep=)  I try to be as efficient as possible by prioritizing my projects.  God and my family definitely come first and then I go from there.  Prayer and my planner also help me a lot. 

What was the most challenging aspect of writing the book?
The most challenging aspect was narrowing down the scriptures I wanted to use to the thirty in my book.

How did the book evolve from the initial idea to finished book?
Initially, I was not going to break down “Meditate, Overcome and Motivate” in the book.  However, as I was writing, God placed it on my heart to utilize my title and expand on those themes throughout the book.  This worked out and flowed beautifully. 

What do you hope readers will gain from reading your book?
I truly hope that my book uplifts readers and reminds them what amazing individuals God made them to be, and the incredible things they are capable of. 

How have readers responded to your book so far?
I have gotten very positive feedback about my book so far, including how it has inspired and impacted women’s lives and self-esteem.  This in itself has meant a lot to me and has been very fulfilling. 

Can you share how your interest in writing developed? Did you always know you wanted to write or was it something that evolved with time?
If you told me 5 years ago that I would be an author, I probably would have laughed and nodded my head.  However, as my professional and personal life have progressed, I realized that I had so much to share with others.  I wanted to use my experiences and knowledge to help others. 

What do you have in mind for your next writing project?
I am very excited about my first children’s book which will be published in the next month.  I am also working on a Mommy & Me devotional that will be published in 2020. 

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
It is a perfect gift for any woman or mother in your life. 

More Information
Visit the author’s website.
Like the author on Facebook.
Follow the author on Instagram.
Check out the author on Twitter.
Watch The Dr. Mom Show on YouTube.