Alexandra Killworth, Author of A Shot in the Dark

Today we are interviewing Alexandra Killworth, author of a coming-of-age / young adult novel, titled “A Shot in the Dark.”

Tell us a bit about yourself.
Alongside writing, I also enjoy freelance photography and I do my own art, both of which is also available on my Instagram. I'm one of the youngest authors in the UK and I write in a variety of genres, so there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Describe the plot of your new book in a few sentences.
Alison, a teenager recovering from depression after the loss of her father, finds her passion for photography with the help from her best friend and a mysterious man online. The two of them become closer, connecting over their passions and losses, but can two damaged souls find love over distance?

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
I think teenagers and young adults, especially those with an interest in photography, would really appreciate this book. It features mature characters and relatable character development that people will really empathise with.

Tell us about the protagonist, Alison.
Alison used to be a very curious girl by nature, and very creative. Now, although she longs for that creative spark, she can be quite down. However, she still cares for her friends and family and is very relatable for teenagers who suffer from depression, since we watch her grow and mature through the story.

Alison suffers a tragic incident. How does this affect her perspective on life?
The tragic incident is what causes her to abandon her love of photography, which defined a lot of her personality as a young girl. It prevents her from exploring her hobbies and creativity, as many other young people will probably relate to.

Alison meets a young man online and emotions run high. What are her first impressions of this young man?
At first, Alison is quite awkward when talking to him. She starts off awkwardly polite and well mannered, finding his friendliness unrealistic or uncharacteristic for someone of her age group, and struggles to match his charismatic attitude.

Alison is a huge fan of photography. What does she like about photography? And why is it so important in her life?
Alison likes all photography, but what she loves the most is astrophotography, which is photography of the night sky, stars, planets, etc. She loves taking photos of the night sky because they are all completely unique and individual, no two skies are the same, and she feels at peace watching the stars at night. It's important to her because her father was also a  photographer, he was the one who introduced her to it.

What inspired you to write a novel in the coming-of-age / young adult genre? What are some of the challenges of writing in this genre?
It's my age (17) and previous relationships that have inspired me to write this particular story and genres. I feel that young adults and teens are looked down on, often being thought of as immature, so I wanted to challenge this with real character development. The challenges were keeping the characters' youthful attitudes while still putting across a story about mental health, trying to find the right balance.

Is there an author that had a major influence on your writing style?
My absolute favourite author, Marcus Sedgwick, has had a huge influence on my writing style. He inspires me to try and keep my writing descriptive but efficient at the same time, without spending pages of exposition or description, to keep it effective.

How long have you been writing?
I started my first book when I was 14, and it took me 2 years to finish, so I finally published it at 16. Even before that, I've been writing little stories here and there for years, since I was 8 at least.

Who was your favorite character to write?
My favourite character to write was the young man Alison meets online, Randall. I love his perky, friendly attitude, but also the reasoning behind his motivations and his personality. He's what I want to be.

How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?
I think I've become a lot more mature in my writing. My first book was quite dark, but since then I've incorporated a lot of real life problems into my writing will still keeping it imaginative, so I think my maturity has evolved a lot.

Are there any aspects (e.g. character building, world building) of your writing that you've been practicing?
World building is something I have been working hard on lately. Not for this book, but for my next two (fantasy and horror genres) because their worlds are so unique and the culture is different, it's something I want to definitely get right.

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
Write at least 8 books (I've written 4 so far) and reach bestseller once. Possibly attend a literature festival as a speaker, too. That would be absolutely amazing.

How have your readers responded to the book so far?
So far, I've had a lot of support from teenage girls in schools where I live. They've said that they love the character development and representation of depression, while also enjoying the realistic relationships portrayed.

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
I don't particularly like the editing part. I've made a lot of obvious mistakes in the past due to avoiding editing so it's something I am working on.

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 got a lot of writer's block during my first book, 'Immunity' and at the beginning of this one. For me, starting a book is always the most difficult stage, because there's just so much to write and so much to do. That's why I try to break it down into stages and small steps, and make goals like 'In the next two pages, this and this should have happened' so it's not so overwhelming.

What do you have in mind for your next project?
My next projects are two books I'm writing at the same time. One is a horror sea story and the other is a low medieval fantasy. I'm really looking forward to finishing these, I think they have a lot of potential.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
This book does feature realistic portrayals of mental illness, such as depression and PTSD. The descriptions aren't graphic, but it can be sensitive to some. It's not over dramatic, it's realistic and provides a lot of depth to my characters.

More Information
Buy the book on Amazon UK.
Buy the book on Amazon US.
Visit the author’s website. 
Follow the author on Twitter.
Like the author on Facebook.
Check out the author on Instagram.

Lance McNeill, MBA, MPAff, Author ofThe Resilient Entrepreneur: The Methods and Mindset to Help You Succeed on Your Entrepreneurial Journey

Today we are interviewing Lance McNeill, MBA, MPAff about his business book “The Resilient Entrepreneur: The Methods and Mindset to Help You Succeed on Your Entrepreneurial Journey.”

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Born and raised a Texan, Lance McNeill wears many hats. An entrepreneur, a teacher, a coach, and a father; he is also a published author. There is no stop with Lance. Whether it was during his time in the Peace Corps in Namibia or teaching at Austin’s Community College he is constantly seeking new challenges, while trying to inspire new entrepreneurs. He holds dual master’s degrees in both business administration and public affairs. 

Lance currently works for the City of Austin’s Small Business Program. When he manages to find the time, he enjoys vacationing with his wife and daughter in the mountains or jamming out on the guitar. Lance’s passion for self-improvement is contagious, often inspiring those around him. 

Lance has written several books and continues to build his reputation with each new release. His latest book, the Resilient Entrepreneur is now available on Amazon and other retail sites. To find out more about Lance and his remarkable career you can follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lancejmcneill/

Describe your book, “The Resilient Entrepreneur: The Methods and Mindset to Help You Succeed on Your Entrepreneurial Journey,” in a few sentences.

What factors help a burgeoning entrepreneur move forward and persevere through the hardships of the startup phase? Why do some entrepreneurs get stuck in the idea stage, while others are able to successfully implement their idea and grow their business? Why do serial entrepreneurs continue to start new businesses even after experiencing one failure after another? What helps existing small business owners weather the storms and bounce back from setbacks? These are some of the questions we explore in the Resilient Entrepreneur.

Resiliency, like entrepreneurship, is a learnable process. It is comprised of three main phases:

1. The adverse experience and absorption of its resulting effects

2. A period of rehabilitation and regeneration

3. Reflection on the meaning of the adversity and lessons learned

Looking at how people navigate these phases, we explore frameworks for better understanding entrepreneurial resilience in terms of emotional, cognitive, and social resources we need to persevere. The practical tools and methods outlined in this book equip new entrepreneurs with the knowledge and confidence they need to take the bold leap of becoming an entrepreneur.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?

This book is written for the early stage entrepreneur and small business owner, regardless of industry. This book is designed to help them on the early and most turbulent stages of the startup journey. 

What inspired you to write a book to help new entrepreneurs move through the hardships of starting a company?

I’ve been teaching entrepreneurship at the local community college for a few years now and I noticed that my students had the same hesitations around making the leap from working 9 to 5 to becoming their own boss. They cited fear and anxiety about moving forward on an unknown path without support. I wanted this book to give them confidence that they can do it – many have before them and there are so many resources that will help them along the way.

What are some common mistakes new entrepreneurs make?

In my book I talk about a concept I call serial ideation. Plenty of aspiring entrepreneurs never get past the idea stage. When the entrepreneurial journey starts to get a little bumpy, they take the first exit ramp they see. Later they’ll come up with another idea that they will fall in and out of love with all over again. I call the aspiring entrepreneurs stuck in this loop, serial ideators. They’re the window shoppers of entrepreneurship. They adopt and abandon one idea after another without ever moving beyond the idea phase.

Entrepreneurship is hard and can be intimidating. The idea of entrepreneurship can be enticing, but starting a business is a huge investment of time, energy and resources, and the investment is a risky one. It’s estimated that at least 50 percent of all new businesses fail within five years of their inception.274 Other studies estimate that six years after discovering an entrepreneurial idea, approximately 66 percent of aspiring entrepreneurs either give up on entrepreneurship altogether or are still stuck spinning their wheels in the idea or startup stage.ⁱ; Kellogg School of Management Professor, Steven Rogers, says that the average entrepreneur fails about four times before succeeding.ⁱⁱ; If we measured entrepreneurial success using the traditional return on investment (ROI) calculation used by large corporations, 95 percent of all startups would fail to produce an acceptable financial return in a reasonable timeframe.ⁱⁱⁱ 

What does that mean though – that their business failed?

A failure in business often means that you gave up and quit or you were unable or unwilling to learn and pivot in a new direction. In fact, not pivoting quickly enough away from a suboptimal decision (misaligned product-market fit, poor hiring, etc.) was cited as one of the top reasons why startups dissolve.^iv 

Yet, despite the high failure rate, the path of entrepreneurship can be exciting and liberating, and for many, a journey worth pursuing. Entrepreneurs get the unique opportunity to blaze their own path – to write their story of self with a sense of control and ownership that few other professional endeavors allow. Despite the high failure rates, there are still millions of entrepreneurs who have found a path to success.

Resiliency is the main theme of your book. How difficult is resiliency to learn? What are some of the steps that new entrepreneurs must take to become more resilient?

Resilience is something we can learn and measure. We can become “conditioned to cope”. For example, let’s look at how helpful support networks and resources make us more resilient. Of all the research on resilience, the most consistent finding is the relationship between the number of high-quality relationships in our lives and our ability to overcome adversity.  

Immigrant communities are a great example, as they regularly access diaspora and familial networks to support one another’s entrepreneurial endeavors.12 Research conducted by Dr. Rocio Rosales, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of California Irvine, highlights one such community in Los Angeles. Dr. Rosales estimates that there are more than 1,000 fruit vendors or fruteros operating in Los Angeles County - many of them self-employed immigrants. 

These fruteros often operate their businesses illegally because local permitting regulations and ordinances restrict their commerce due to concerns about health, public safety, and the right of way. Setting aside the various policy debates about immigration and local permitting regulations, what intrigued me most about these entrepreneurs is how they came together to overcome their shared challenges. Dr. Rosales refers to their coping mechanisms as survival strategies.

Ricardo is one of the fruteros she discusses in her study. When Ricardo’s fruit cart was seized by the local health department regulators, he borrowed $1,000 from his cousin to purchase a new one. This new cart was again seized about two weeks later, and again his cousin lent him the money to purchase a new one. When this cart too was eventually seized, the same cousin who lent Ricardo money twice, hired him as an employee in his own business. While working to pay off his debt, Ricardo moved in with his cousins to save on rent and other living expenses. The responsive support offered to Ricardo is typical of many immigrant communities. We can learn from Ricardo’s resilience by identifying our own support networks that we can call on during times of need.

What advice do you have for new entrepreneurs?

Your entrepreneurial journey will often begin with the recognition of a challenge or opportunity followed by an idea about how to solve it. The idea emerges in your mind and you begin to pursue an implementation plan. You initially set off on this quest alone – one person with a grand vision. 

The challenge is this journey is new to you and the outcome is unpredictable. That novelty and unpredictability, according to Dr. Sonia Lupien, Director of the Center for Studies on Human Stress, are two prominent drivers that can lead to toxic stress.  Higher levels of resiliency are required to cope with the stress of starting a new venture.

Entrepreneurs are more likely to be successful when they’ve built up resiliency to face the obstacles and adversity that comes with starting a business. It’s those entrepreneurs that are more quickly and frequently able to access supportive resources and implement the techniques laid out in this book that will be more resilient.

One of the strengths of your book is you break down entrepreneurial resilience in an easy-to-understand framework. Was it challenging to write about such a complex topic in an approachable, concise manner?

This is a really interesting question. When the idea for this book first started emerging, I saw some meaningful connections between resilience and entrepreneurship. It wasn’t until I dove deep into the research that I learned just how critical the concept of resilience is in business startups. The more I read and researched the topic of resilience, the easier it became to see those connections clearly and the roadmap for the book sort of emerged from there.

Are there any entrepreneurs who stand out as a good example of entrepreneurial resilience?

When we think about untiring, persistent entrepreneurs, who comes to mind? We might typically think of the all-stars of entrepreneurship: Elon Musk, Sara Blakely, Steve Jobs, Lori Greiner, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Michael Dell, Sir Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos, etc. Yet, there are so many more and in my book I share anecdotes from these superstar entrepreneurs as well as inspiring stories from entrepreneurs who you’ve probably never heard of.

More Information

Buy book on Amazon. 

References

i. Reynolds, PD. Entrepreneurship in the United States: The Future is Now. New York. Springer. 2007.

ii. Maxwell, John. C; Wooden, John. Sometimes You Win - - Sometimes you Learn: Life’s Greatest Lessons Are Gained from Our Losses. Center Street. 1 Sep. 2015.

iii. Gage, Deborah. "The venture capital secret: 3 out of 4 start-ups fail." Wall Street Journal 20 (2012).

iv. CBInsights. Top 20 Reasons Why Startups Fail. https://www.cbinsights.com/reports/The-20-Reasons-Startups-Fail.pdf?utm_campaign=Report%20-%20Content%20Emails&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_UAWhs4peZ1801pJOxPYX6MnCm0A7FO-jTZtpoVeMAY1za7xPTN1NzFFOIaJZ89K9ZNJWHj9xLZr-a__j3r8yNhYZgD9pOjOFplpFa6MgcZYDXCKc&_hsmi=24695183&utm_content=24695183&utm_source=hs_automation&hsCtaTracking=61ab122e-019b-4f59-8699-c9c960ead242%7Cfed300a8-9488-4239-92b3-bb641191e0d0

Dennis Torii Jr., Author of The Green Horse

Today we are interviewing Dennis Torii Jr. about his children’s fantasy / magic book titled “The Green Horse.”

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born in Chicago in 1966 from a family that was half blue blooded and half immigrant with my father being half Japanese. I tested at the college level at age six and attended some of the finest preparatory schools in the world (By age 10) while having the chance to live in places like France, Austria, Switzerland and Germany. By eighteen I was on a Special Weapons team (nuclear) in the field artillery in the U.S. Army on the border of East Germany at the height of the Cold War.  After the Army I attended college towards the end of going into the intelligence community where I ultimately began the process of attaining the patents for all configurations of monitored firearm storage (U.S. Patent nos. 5,416,472 and 5,598,151) ranging from monitored child-proof gun safes, weapon racks and holsters with GPS and data transmission which became the original Smart Holster project for the DOJ.

I worked at many professions while trying to market my patents and get monitored gun safes in the schools before Columbine happened and in the cockpits of jets before 9/11 only to be stymied due to politics and governmental ineptness in assisting a then young inventor trying to do what is right. I have worked in the restaurant business where I was once a Maître D’ of Tavern on The Green in NYC, high end sales, Wall Street broker, Banker and now a federal officer with the TSA in the Department of Homeland Security in Orlando Florida.

Describe the plot of your new book, “The Green Horse,” in a few sentences.
The Green Horse is the story of a magical land where there exists magical horses of different colors with different powers that a young man named Nicholas uses to save a princesses life after solving the puzzle of what the power of the Green Horse was. The quest to save and hopefully marry Princess Gabriella leads Nicholas on an adventure that requires him to use his curiosity, ingenuity, bravery and speed to save the princess and the kingdom she would one day reign.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
I think ages 6 through 12 will most like the book but it will appeal to all ages as a family story that I am confident will become a classic family story with endless possibilities for marketing from toys to theme park additions.

Tell us about the main characters, Princess Gabriella and Nicholas.
Princess Gabriella is the sole child of the king and Queen in the kingdom and her parents wish to find a proper suitor to marry her.  Nicholas is a good, God fearing boy who worked on his family’s farm who studied hard. He lived according to the Golden Rule of treating people the way they wanted to be treated. He heard the royal family was seeking a young man to marry their daughter which would also make him king one day. He knew in his heart this was to be him.

The Green Horse has a mysterious power. Without giving too much away, what can you tell us about this horse?
The power of the Green Horse is a power which is restorative to that which it feels needs to be restored.

Tell us about the antagonist, the evil sorceress.
The evil sorceress Kashaptu seeks to overthrow the kingdom and harm the princess with a cursed spider. Her powers are great and mysterious.

The story is very imaginative and fantastical. Was it difficult capturing the whimsical nature of this story?
I think the whimsical nature of this story comes from the positive view in which I view the magic of life itself that I have tried to capture in this book with truly magical horses.

Author Dennis Torii Jr.

Where do you draw your writing inspiration from?
My inspiration comes from having a level of awareness that makes me see the world in all of its full beauty and the not so beautiful side as well. I simply love God and see that children are His greatest gift. The magic we can keep in this world for them is so important lest the Light of love for them and all that is good disappear.

Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
The author that inspired me most for this book which is now a trilogy would have to be C.S. Lewis who authored the Narnia Chronicles.

How long have you been writing?
I have been writing for about 4 years, but have written many essays, thesis, and much of my own patents.

Who was your favorite character to write?
My favorite character to write was Nicholas because he embodied what I believe I and my actual son Nicholas would be like in his circumstances.

How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?
As a writer, I am evolving rapidly having just completed The Green Horse Trilogy and am now writing a screenplay about a new order based upon the original U.S. Constitution that will be wrapped in a fact based sci-fi thriller. I want my works to have the purpose of ultimately saving the world when I am done.

Are there any aspects (e.g. character building, world building) of your writing that you've been practicing?
I have been working on character development and scenario creation for my next work The Omega Plan which is the screenplay I am currently working on. It is important the reader or audience get to know and in most cases care about the main characters. Also the world you are creating must be substantial to the degree that it transports the reader or viewer.

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
My goals as a writer over the next ten years are to write screenplays and create films that change the world and or create pure magic for children.

How have your readers responded to the book so far?
I have not gotten many reviews yet as marketing is relatively new but those that have responded have said they enjoyed the book. This is going to be a classic without a doubt.

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
I am not the best at typing sadly but I am getting better, AGAIN. While typing is a hindrance (45wpm) I appreciate being able to slow the thought process down for review purposes.

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?
Writer’s block happens when the story just is not there yet. It can be like going on a boat voyage without a destination. You have to have a general feel for the complete story and then it is fill in the blank and polish it up.

What do you have in mind for your next project?
My next project is the screenplay The Omega Plan which will serve as the template for the world as the true plans needed for a Global Republic of ten nations based upon the original Pre-Progressive Era (pre-1913) U.S. Constitution. It will be a New Order which will preserve life, love and freedom. Ten nations that stay out of our lives.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
The Green Horse is now followed by two sequels, the second book being The Fire Horse and the third book is The Four Horses of Ishtar.  The Green Horse Trilogy takes the reader on an adventure that spans from the magical land of Ishtar to present day in our world. Nicholas and the magic horses do what they must to save not only their world, but ours too.

More Information
Buy the book on Amazon. 

Kelli L Decker, Author of San Francisco Golden Crime

Today we are interviewing Kelli L Decker about her mystery/suspense novel, titled “San Francisco Golden Crime.”

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and have explored many of the surrounding areas. I have a passion for Mother Nature, Mystery/Suspense stories and a love for animals.

Describe the plot of your new book, “San Francisco Golden Crime,” in a few sentences.
The book is based in, and around the San Francisco Bay Area. It tells the story of Mike & his black Labrador Farley who are new to the city. They’re taken on a suspenseful journey after Farley makes an unexpected finding that leads to so much more than anyone could guess. You will remember their story long after you have finished the book   
 
Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Anyone who loves San Francisco, loves a good mystery/suspense story, a Novella short story approx. 100 pages, Dog lovers, tourist, someone who travels and wants to read on planes, cruises, hikes near the San Francisco Bay Area.

Tell us about the protagonist, Mike.
Mike is an Architect with a kind heart. He has recently relocated to San Francisco from Sedona, Arizona to accept a big assignment on the Franklin Project. 

Mike’s loyal black Labrador, Farley, is an important part of the story. What can you share with us about the relationship between Mike and Farley?
Farley is a black Labrador that is one of those loyal dogs who is able to sense the feelings of his owner Mike. He’s like a child always exploring, and seeing the good in everyone. Farley is dedicated in a way that only a true connection of love can create.           

Was it challenging to capture the unique relationship between Mike and Farley? Were you inspired by any of your own pets?
The relationship between Mike and Farley is one that needs no words, or commands. You will catch Farley sitting on Mikes lap while watching t.v., or sleeping all night alongside him in bed. The two hike together, eat together, and are true friends. I do have loyal pet’s and a love for all animals but, this story was inspired by my mother who was an avid mystery book reader who wanted to write her own story. She did not get the change and was taken from this world too soon.       

The story is set in San Francisco, which plays a major role in the story. What inspired you to set the story in SF?
I have always loved the side of San Francisco that is inhabited by Mother Nature (such as Hawk Hill). There are so many wonderful places in and around the city i.e. The Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, The Sunset District, Lombard Street, the fine restaurant’s, and the ocean.   

Author Kelli L Decker.

   
The geography of San Francisco is highlighted throughout your book. Did you have to do much research to ensure you did justice to the locations?
Yes, I wanted to go to the locations, or have been to the locations in order to get in the right frame of mind to convey a feeling in the book. I would write in certain spots like on a hill above the Golden Gate Bridge (called Hawk Hill) in order to get into the feel of what I wanted the reader to feel. 

What are some of the San Francisco sites readers can expect to encounter in your story?
Hawk Hill, where you have hawks circling around you at the top of a mountain that overlooks San Francisco, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Pacifica, along the California Coast where you see magnificent cliffs and crashing waves. The Marina district with its majestic architect. The Sunset District with its laid-back vibe, and smaller homes all in a row leading down to the ocean.       

What drew you to the mystery/suspense genre?
My mother was fascinated with reading suspense murder mysteries every single night before bed. I too gained the love of a good murder mystery and really wrote this book in her honor. 

In addition to having lots of suspense, your book also has heartfelt, touching moments. How did you balance moving the plot forward with suspense/mystery while also adding emotion to your writing?
I drew from real life experiences. We all have emotions good and bad, we all have a story and with it carries happiness, sadness, scary times, connections and empathy for others, and at times the loss of life.

Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
Lee Childs, Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain, Dan Brown, Mary Higgins Clark, and many more. 

On a similar note, what are some of your favorite mystery/suspense novels?
The Da Vinci Code, The Girl on The Train, Memory Man, anything Alfred Hitchcock 

How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing off and on 10 years, it wasn’t until San Francisco Golden Crime that I had a story that I really wanted to share. I sincerely hope the readers are taken on a journey and don’t want to look up from the pages until they are finished with the book.   

Who was your favorite character to write?
It has to be Mike, because he’s the kind of guy who could be your brother, son, or friend, he’s very likable and relateable. 

How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?
I think I’ve evolved in a way where I have no judgement, or prejudice against any character because we never know who else we may have become due to circumstances, finances, health, or situations. I try to write with an open mind.

Are there any aspects (e.g. character building, world building) of your writing that you've been practicing?
I look at a Thesaurus often, and always try to have fun with words that rhyme, just not all at the same time 🙂.

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
Well, for the next year I’m working on a sequel to San Francisco Golden Crime. I try not to get too far ahead while one story is brewing at a time.

How have your readers responded to the book so far?
Really well, they like how the settings around San Francisco are described and they all fall in love with Mike & Farley. They like how they could not have predicted the outcome. I’ve had a lot of positive feedback from friends, and family too. They actually read the book!   

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
Not really, sometimes it’s hard to have total silence and that is very important.

On the flipside, what is your favorite part about writing?
I absolutely love developing a character. I love how the imagination can take you places where you can’t guess until you start developing an actual person on paper. I like the freedom to be creative, and at times even surprised that I laugh or cry in reading my own words.   

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 have and what I do is step away from writing the rest of the day. I’ll take a long walk around Mother Nature on trails and then the stories start showing themselves. I’ll capture thoughts into a voice recording on my phone. At times parts of a story will come to me upon going to sleep, or right before waking up. I always have a notebook next to the bed.   

What do you have in mind for your next project?
The sequel to San Francisco Golden Crime.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
Just enjoy it, and take time to step away from the daily grind in a good book.

More Information
Buy “San Francisco Golden Crime” on Amazon.
Follow author Kelli L Decker Facebook. 
Watch the book trailer on YouTube. 

Book trailer for "San Francisco Golden Crime."

LaToya Lawson, Author of Ma'Sitter

Today we are interviewing LaToya Lawson about her crime / mystery thriller / suspense novel, titled “MA’SITTER.”

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born in Chicago, IL but I was raised in Mississippi. I have always loved to write since Middle School in Canton. Once, I moved to Jackson I started writing short stories. I have always been adventurous and not afraid to do whatever I want. I consider myself to be a self-teacher. Because I look in too everything and then teach myself. When I am not teaching myself lol. I love riding my motorcycle, cooking and baking.

Describe the plot of your new book, “MA’SITTER,” in a few sentences.
MA’SITTER is a cross between The Help and True Detective. Many will assume they already know what the book consists of from its title. You will have to read the book in its entirety to grab the concept of the story.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Anyone enjoys a funny realistic read.

Tell us about the protagonist, Victoria.
Victoria is a strong yet naïve young woman.  That has taken on more than she would have ever imagined. She will learn a lot from her new career as a private caregiver.

What is the relationship like between Mr. and Mrs. Lane?
Let’s just say some people marry for love and others marry for convenience.

How do the Lanes view Victoria?
Mrs. Lane’s seems her as a person that is much needed in her life. And I guess we might as say Mr. Lane does as well.

At first, Victoria is impressed with the Lanes’ lifestyle. How does this change as she learns more about them? 
Victoria quickly learns nothing is truly what we see.

Victoria, an honest, hard-working person, finds herself in a world of deceit and conspiracy. How does she handle entering this world?
Victoria becomes sucked in like a Hurricane and tossed around in a Tornado of deceit.
She is doing her best to hold on.

What attracted you to the psychological thriller genre?
To be able to write this kind of book is a dream come true to me. Many people might see this kind of behavior in real life or even think about it. But to have the freedom to write about it is another avenue.

Is there an author that had a major influence on your writing style?
 I love the writing style of J.K. Rowling and Steven King.

How long have you been writing?
Since the 8th grade.

Who was your favorite character to write?
The Benton’s!!

How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?
Oh, I can cuss now lol.

Are there any aspects (e.g. character building, world building) of your writing that you've been practicing?
Yes, I am taking notes from my first book reviews to ensure the second book gives my reader’s everything that this book might have missed. 

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
To publish more books and become a best-selling author.

How have your readers responded to the book so far?
So far nothing but positive feedback!

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
Typing!! I would love to lay out on a sofa, close my eyes and tell someone exactly what to type for me. Ohhhh wishful thinking. LOL

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 haven’t had writers block so far (knock on wood) because my mind stays active and switching gears. I am a dreamer and have always been one.

What do you have in mind for your next project?
That’s a secret but its juicy!

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
It’s the beginning of a series and you don’t want to get lost by missing the first one. So, PURCHASE IT NOW ON AMAZON!

More Information
Buy the book on Amazon. 
Like the author on Facebook. 
Check out the book’s website. 
Follow the author on Instagram.

Lisa Slaton, Author of Redemption Through Forgiveness: How God Used My Mental Illness To Save Me

Today we are interviewing Lisa Slaton about her nonfiction/Christian/psychology/memoir titled "Redemption Through Forgiveness: How God Used My Mental Illness To Save Me.” 

Describe your book, “"Redemption Through Forgiveness: How God Used My Mental Illness To Save Me,” in a few sentences.
This is a story of how God used the mental illness I developed due to my troubled relationship with my mother to eventually save me from self-destruction. My heart was so infected with resentment and hatred toward my mother that I was unable to understand God’s forgiveness and love toward me. It wasn’t until God challenged me to forgive my mother that I was finally able to realize and accept His love and mercy. 

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Any person who has struggled with feeling unloved and unworthy, or who has had any kind of abuse or trauma in their lives, or who are struggling with hatred or unforgiveness toward another person who has hurt them, will hopefully be inspired to turn to God for mercy and healing.

What inspired you to write about your experience?
In my search for a way to use my experiences with abuse and mental illnesses to share my faith, God inspired me to use my writing talent to try to reach out to and inspire other people.

For people unfamiliar with Multiple Personality Disorder / Dissociative Identity Disorder, can you tell us a bit about it?
This is an incredibly complex disorder during which a person, usually as a child, creates other personalities within themselves to try to cope with abuse or trauma. During the initial stages of this disorder, the person allows the various alters to manifest themselves to function within daily life. The alters can have their own “names” and “mannerisms” so that it appears that there are different “people” existing in one physical body.

Your understanding of your condition changed once you viewed it from the perspective of the personalities are Christian alters. Did you always have a relationship with God growing up? Or was it something that developed with time?
I never had any type of relationship with God growing up. My family never acknowledged God in any way. I did not learn about God until I was nearly twenty years old. At that point, a co-worker told me about God.

Author Lisa Slaton.

Forgiving your mother was a major transition point in your life. Can you walk us through your experience with this?
I would not be able to do justice trying to explain it here. It is best described in my book. It was a long and difficult journey that ended in an unexpected way for me.

How long did you struggle with multiple personality disorder / DID before you found your solution? Did you have any success with treatments?
I realized I had something going on when I was a child but did not learn that I had this disorder until I was an adult. I was in mental health treatment for many years and developed a deep level of understanding and appreciation for this disorder through therapy. I had a great amount of success learning to live with this disorder. Having this disorder has enriched my life a great deal. Not only did it help me survive a dysfunctional childhood, God used my disorder to bring me into a relationship with Him.

Did writing the book take you to unexpected places or reveal things you hadn’t thought about before?
Writing this book brought back many forgotten memories and brought me even closer to God than I was before I started the book. 

Do you have any tips for people struggling with mental illness?
There is no shame in using therapy and medication to help cope with mental illness. I have used both in the past, and I still use medication to help with my symptoms. However, God is waiting for those who are struggling to reach out to Him for help. He can heal and mend a broken heart and a broken mind. His love and mercy are endless, and He understands a person’s struggles better than anybody else ever can.

Can you tell us a bit about your writing process?
I never use an outline; I rarely know what I am going to write until I sit down and actually write. I do not have routines or regular writing time; I just write what I want to write and when I want to write it. I used to have to write long hand using pen and paper, and then transcribe it into my computer, which was a lengthy and tedious process. Recently I mastered the art of writing directly into the computer and eliminating the pen and paper, so now it all goes more quickly for me.

What was the most challenging aspect of writing the book?
I deal with chronic fatigue and low stamina almost every day, so that hampered my writing at times.
How did the book evolve from the initial idea to the finished manuscript?
It is easy to have an idea for a book, but it took determination and motivation to actually get it done. I prayed before every writing session, and wrote every time I felt inspired to do so.

What do you hope readers will gain from reading your book?
This is my favorite question. I hope readers will gain an understanding about how much love, mercy and forgiveness that God has for them, and that my book will give them a desire to build their own relationship with Him.

How have readers responded to your book so far?
I have been blessed with an outpouring of love, support and encouragement.

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?
I have been writing since I was able to pick up a pen. I believe I wrote my first story at age four. It was a brief story that I wrote for my Grandfather and it was called “The Pumpkin That Saved Halloween.”

Are they any authors who have influenced your writing style?
I read a wide variety of both Christian and secular authors, and they have all influenced my writing style in some way.

In ten years, where would you like your writing career to be?
I promised God that if He would bless me with publication, I would continue to write books that would honor Him until I get to such an age where I physically cannot write any longer.

How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
E books are fine for some people, but I prefer reading a regular printed book. 

What do you have in mind for your next writing project?
My next writing project is already finished! It is the sequel to “Redemption Through Forgiveness” and I believe my publisher plans to release it in early 2020.

More Information
Buy the book on the publisher's website.
Check out the author's website.

Poet Jennifer Juan | Ol’ Brown Eyes Is Back

Today we are interviewing Jennifer Juan about her poetry collection, “Ol’ Brown Eyes Is Back.”

 

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm a writer and musician living in the UK. I've been creating stuff since I was a kid.

Describe your poetry collection, “Ol' Brown Eyes Is Back,” in a few sentences.

It's a collection of poems about finding who you are, and trying to get to a place where you can accept yourself and live freely.

What inspired you to start writing poetry?

I always enjoyed creating things, and as I read more poetry, I wanted to do it for myself.

Do you have any tips for young poets who are trying to perfect their craft?

I think the best thing you can do is be true to yourself and find your own voice as a creator. When you're just starting out, it can be difficult to find who you are, because you look at others around you and think that there is only one way to do things, but the great part about doing something creative is that you can do things in your own way, so take advantage of that.

You’re also active in the podcast world. Tell us a bit about that.

I started Sincerely, Jennifer x in 2017 because I wanted to get used to reading poetry aloud again, for some performances I had coming up, and I thought it would be an interesting way to be able to do that and interact with my audience at the same time. I had no idea at the time that it would end up where we are now, on the third seasons, and reaching countries half way across the world. I'm very grateful to my podcast audience, because they are very sweet to me, and they're a great source of feedback. I tested a lot of the material for my last book with my listeners, by premiering it on the podcast, and I was able to interact with listeners in emails and on social media to see what they thought.

Does writing your poems take you to unexpected places or reveal things you hadn’t thought about before?

I like to write about different subjects to learn a little more about them. I'll sit for hours researching things and watching videos about stuff, and then exploring it further by writing something about it. Writing also helps me to put things I've experienced myself into a new perspective sometimes. It's like I can write my own closure.

Can you tell us a bit about your writing process?

I don't really write by hand anymore, so I tend to use my phone a lot. I have access to all the projects that I'm working on, with my phone, so I can pick things up wherever I am and write something new, or edit something.

 

Jennifer Juan.

What was the most challenging aspect of writing poetry for you?

I think it can be difficult to let go of something and let an audience have it. A lot of the things I write are taken from who I am, and it can be hard to disconnect and realise that they could mean something different to someone else, who needs that.

What do you hope readers will gain from reading your poetry?

I hope that they'll find something that they enjoy. I think that's the most important part of reading sometimes.

How have readers responded to your collection so far?

I've had a lot of emails about book clubs. I talked about this briefly on my podcast, but a few people have emailed saying about how they read Ol' Brown Eyes Is Back in their book club, and enjoyed it, which I thought was super cool. I love that book clubs are still a thing.

Are they any poets who have influenced your writing style?

I love reading Carol Ann Duffy, she's one of my favourite people of all time in general, really. I would say she's probably influenced me a little, but I tried to find a voice that reflected myself and said things in a way that others weren't doing too much, so that I wouldn't be too much like somebody else.

You’ve also released an EP, titled “Wildflowers.” What inspired you to release an EP? Have you always been musically inclined?

I did a lot of music when I was younger, but I stopped when I was in University, because I didn't have time, but I started creating music again in 2017, as I needed some music for a project I was working on, and I just kept creating from there. Wildflowers was the first of a series of Eps that I've worked on and released, with each taking a different idea or theme and exploring it through music. It's a really fun way to try new things and create something new each time. I'm releasing the next in that series, called Sleepwalking on the 30.

In ten years, where would you like your writing career to be?

I'd like to be creating things that make me happy, and that I can be proud of. I'm not sure about the specifics of that, but that's sort of what I'm looking for.

What do you have in mind for your next writing project?

At the moment, I'm working on a project for Halloween. It's called '93 The Garden Of The Free Children '94, and it's going to be an interactive horror project with stories, poems and music. It's going to be really fun to share that with people. 

More Information

Visit the author’s website.

Buy the book on Amazon. 

Buy the book on Smashwords. 

Follow the author on Twitter. 

Follow the author on Instagram. 

Like the author on Facebook.