Author Feature - Terra James

I think I completely missed last week. I apologize for that. With everything going on, I'm also looking for a full-time job and planning the our one year blogiversary! =) I have a big interview this morning and if everything goes alright, although I've worked there before, I'll probably take the job, we need this. Anyways, I have a special feature for you today! And you have three chances to win. Today. please tap your keyboards and send a warm welcome to Author Terra James!

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I started writing poetry when I was ten. I can’t remember when I realized I wanted to be a writer. I think I’ve just always writer, because it was a part of me.

How long does it take you to write a book?

It depends on my daily schedule. I have had a lot going on lately with family sickness. I published my first book on June 19, 2015, and was so inspired I published the second book seven days later on June 26, 2015. I published a total of four books in six months. In 2016, I only published a short story in an anthology and one book. So for me, it really varies with everything going on in my personal life.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

When I get inspired, I write for hours without even knowing any time has passed really. I never use an outline. I just write whatever comes to me. It is never planned.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

I got the idea for the Immortal series from my children. They love fantasies but I wanted it to be unique. I didn’t want it to just be about vampires or werewolves, so I put a little bit of every supernatural species in the series. Chaotic Evolution Trilogy is inspired by a nightmare/dream that I had one night. Speaking Emotions is inspired by my daughter’s struggle with autism. My short story Jaden’s Miracle, in Detours in Our Destination, was inspired to be written in remembrance of my angel baby. I get my ideas from just about everywhere. lol

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

I wrote my first book when I was ten. It was a book of poetry. I wrote my first novel in 2015 when I was 34.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I like to do a lot of things. Some people say I am a workaholic. I run two blogs, a book promotion page, and I am an avid reader. I love being creative, and design book covers, teasers, and trailers. When I am not doing something book related, I can be found in lego land, swimming, watching movies, or something with my kids/family.

What does your family think of your writing?

My family is supportive of my writing.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I have written five books so far, and Speaking Emotions is my favorite. It is close to my heart because it’s inspiration came from my daughter.

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I hear from my readers a lot. They have positive things to say about my writing. One of the things they have commented on is my passion.

What do you think makes a good story?

I think anything can be a good story with passion and inspiration behind it.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I wanted to be a child psychologist when I grew up. J

Thank you so much Terra for letting us get into your brain just a little! You seem like a wonderful person and I am happy to call you friend! 

Terra is giving away one copy of each of her Immortal books posted here! Comment for your chance to grab one!

Wendi Starusnak - The Fleischer Series

THEY WROTE WHAT?!

Today I have a special treat, at least for me! Yes, I'm having a fangirl moment. One of the first authors that I was able to explore in the Indie World was Wendi Starusnak. Wendy has an amazing talent and I literally could not put down her first book of The Fleischer Series, Detached. I carried my phone everywhere with me. From changing my newborns diapers - to cooking - and going to sleep, I had that book open until I finally finished it. My heart grew with the characters, I constantly thought about them. about what was going to happen, about what I could do to help them. I don't know about you, but when I'm reading a book, these things are important.

I was blessed with the awesomeness of being able to interview Wendi Starusnak and I'm grateful! Grateful doesn't even begin to describe what is in my mind, actually. So, without further ado, please tap your fingers on your keyboards as I give you the ONE AND ONLY
Wendi Starusnak!

What is the first book that made you cry?  The Diary of Anne Frank

Does writing energize or exhaust you?  It definitely energizes me.

What is your writing Kryptonite?  Lack of time and also self-doubt… sometimes it creeps in there and puts a pause on productivity.

Do you try to be more original or to deliver to readers what they want?  I don’t think about any of that when I’m writing.  I normally just get a book in my head… it plays like a movie and I write it down.

How do other authors help you become a better writer?  Encouraging, competing, advise, trading services, and so much more… the ability to take someone from where they’re at and bring them into a world completely made up by someone else is amazing.

Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book? My first set of books is a series (The Fleischer Series), so I definitely wanted connections between each book there.  The book I’m currently working on is a standalone called The Seed.  I love books that can stand completely on their own but I also love when a story carries on, so either is fine with me.  Either way, if a book is good, it will carry itself, just as one book can ruin an entire series.

What authors did you dislike at first but grew into?  I’m not sure that I’ve ever disliked an author or their writing. There’s something to be learned from everything, even the most boring stuff or stuff that’s poorly written.

What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?  I’ve read many books recently by indie authors that deserve to be seen by the masses. There is a ton of undiscovered talent out there.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?  A fairy… I love fairies.

What does literary success look like to you?  I love hearing so many people say they love my books and couldn’t put them down… that’s a huge success right there. Also, unfortunately, it also is a financial thing. If I could support my family with my books, that would be…. Well, it would be a
dream come true.

What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?  I don’t really have a problem with it. I can write from a child’s point of view, man, or woman’s.  I just have to put myself in that character’s position and think about who they are, what kinds of things they love, hate, and what they would be thinking about, etc.

How many hours a day do you write?  It all depends.  Sometimes I write on and off as I can all through the day and sometimes I only think about writing.  I’m working on becoming more disciplined with that though… from the beginning of actually writing for publication I have always set a daily word count goal and I’ve picked back up with that.

What did you edit out of your most recent book?  Nothing yet.  I’m the opposite of a lot of writer’s I know. I may ramble on for things like interviews and when I’m speaking in person, but in my books I’m pretty tight and concise and have to add when I edit rather
than take out.

How do you select the names of your characters?  It varies.  For the Fleischer Series I researched popular names for the time period, I also asked if anyone wanted me to use their name in the book, etc.  One thing nobody has ever mentioned to me and I’m not sure if anyone ever realized it or not… for their last name Fleischer, I actually looked up what the German word for butcher was and used that.  For The Seed, my youngest daughter suggested names for the mother and daughter and I went with those.

To find Wendi on Facebook, click here. You can also click on any of the book covers to be taken straight to Amazon where you can purchase that particular book. 

They Wrote What Book Blogging by Jessy B gives The Fleischer Series 2 thumbs up!👍👍

A. M. Johnson - Azore's Quest & Witches The Chronicles of #10

They Wrote What?!

Not too shabby! We’re certainly on our way to a better tomorrow! We have another author interview for you today! This has certainly been a busy week in my house, I’m not sure about yours but it has been crazy here! Here we are, but making progress at bringing you even more authors and an even better horizon. =) Onward and upward in all things, right? Well, let’s get you just a little more involved, what is your favorite book? Mine is hard to choose, the Bible, obviously, and then there’s Wurthering Heights and Angels Watching Over Me.

With all of that, I will now introduce you to a wonderful writer, author of Azore’s Quest and Witches The Chronicles of #10 (book 1), A. M. Johnson. A. M. Johnson has taken the time out of her day to provide us with a little insight behind her books and who she is! Now, without further ado, please tap your keyboards and welcome,

A. M. Johnson

When did you

first realize you wanted to be a writer?

“From the time I could read well enough to read Enid Blyton or Stephen King. I have always loved playing with words, all through school I loved writing book reports and reading. I wrote several short stories in the early 80’s and had at least one published. But then life got in the way of my dream, so it got put on the back burner. I started seriously writing around 2010 but it was only in July 2016 that I actually found Amazon self-publish and published my first book and I haven’t looked back.”

How long does it take you to write a book?

“Depends, I wrote my first an 81-page novella in a couple of months, the next book which was 180 pages took 2 months from start to finish. I have been working on my current WIP since Oct 2016. It is longer by far and very full on. So anywhere from 2 months to 6 months.” 

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

“Because of arthritis I can only type for around 20 minutes at a time as it kills my hands, But I found that with a fat fountain pen I can write for hours. So my quirk is that I write every word firstly using a fountain pen and a refillable leather notebook. I then take my time to put it on the PC.” 

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

“From everywhere, the simplest of things will inspire me to write. Witches the Chronicles of #10 was inspired by a customer who made a comment about sounding like witches, the café was, is called Number 10. And well an idea was jotted down by me and a novel which has become a series has happened. The story just seems to happen, once I have an idea and a basic plot I pick up my pen and just write.” 

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

“Short story in the 80’s I would have been 18/19

Full book 2016 at the age of 51”

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

“I love to read, I also enjoy cross stitch and making my own cheese, but the thing for me at the moment is about making plant balls, great fun.”

What does your family think of your writing?

“Lol…My mum was unimpressed with my first Azore’s Quest as it is an erotic adventure series, she approved of my second, Witches as it is nice, although she was not happy about the first one, she is extremely proud of me. My baby brother is waiting for me to get rich so I can give him so cold hard cash. My hubby Ian is proud that I am following my dream and he is waiting for a Bugatti Veyron” 

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

“Two published and out there in the big wide world, with a third to follow. I can’t pick a favourite as they are so very different. I love Azore’s Quest because it was my first and the characters grew so very much from the start to the ‘will be continued’ ending. Witches I adore, as it is inspired by people that I know and love.”
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
“The online community has been so very welcoming; readers have been so taken by my stories. My local community has been amazing with buying paperbacks from me, and I see a lot of these people every day and everyone has been so very positive about both of the books. Some have blushed over Azore’s Quest but in all honesty, feedback from both in person and online has been very positive and supportive!”

What do you think makes a good story?

“A first chapter that grabs you and refuses to let go. Strong characters that make you fall for them, even the bad guy should evoke enough passion to hate him. A good story line.”

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

“I wanted to be a writer. It took a long time between now and then for my words to be published but it happened. So now I am doing exactly as I dreamed of doing as a small child on my grandparents hop farm. I would read Enid Blyton and wish that one day I could put words together that people other than my family would want to read them.”

Thank you so much A. M. Johnson for taking the time out of your day to join us here! You can find her on FACEBOOK! Follow her on TWITTER! Follow her on GOODREADS! View her AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE! Check out her WEBSITE!

A.M. is giving away a straight to kindle copy of Azore's Quest and a straight to kindle copy of Witches The Chronicles of #10. For your chance to win, simply leave a comment! 

To grab your copy of Witches The Chronicles of #10, click here! To grab your copy of Azore's Quest, click here!

Don't forget about your green words!