by Kasia | Aug 16, 2015 | Interviews, Writing
Welcome to the series, Sunday Sessions, where you’ll get to meet authors from around the world, writing in different genres, sharing their writing tips, marketing adventures and much more.
Please welcome Pat McDonald, author of the ‘The Blue Woods Trilogy’.
1 – Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Pat McDonald and I am a full time writer of fiction having spent most of my career as a Researcher, Project Manager and Programme Manager within the British National Health Service and in law enforcement and the criminal justice system. My lifelong ambition has always been to become a writer of fiction; after all fiction is a reflection of life of which I am a long time voyeur. I am a people watcher, and nothing pleases me more than sitting in a public place observing the world as it passes by – hence my penchant for writing my novels in my favourite coffee shop, where I have met some extraordinary people.
My crime trilogy (nicknamed ‘The Blue Woods Trilogy’ because of an over active imagination at disposal of bodies!) consists of Getting Even: Revenge is best served cold, Rogue Seed and finally Boxed Off.
‘The Blue Woods Trilogy’
2 – How did the idea for writing a trilogy on the Major Crime Unit come about?
I wanted to write a crime novel and had no idea how to go about it. I was helping someone at a craft fair when I saw a man on another stall who I thought would make a superb character for a detective. I literally went home and sat down and wrote the first chapter as if I were that person. I write about imaginary characters and use my knowledge of a police setting. I spent seventeen years working within the police force and inspecting almost every part of it. My knowledge is real, but my characters and plots are not (although they could be!). As to writing a trilogy – it was meant to be one book, but I have a real problem ending my stories usually because I have more than one ending and as my books grow rather large my imagination spurs me on, and takes me over to the next one. That was how my trilogy came about.
3 – What sort of research did you do before you started writing?
I neither research my books nor do I plan them before I begin writing. I suppose seventeen years working within a police force can be described as ‘research’ though. I describe myself as a ‘free flow’ writer. I literally sit in front of a blank page or screen (I do have a preference for writing in long hand) and I just write. My stories come to me as I write, so do my characters. Planning is what I used to do as a writer when I worked in Heart Attacks, Mental Illness, Learning disability and the police force as a researcher writing reports, papers, articles and books (my work is published as Pat Mounser), now as a novelist I tell stories and I left formal planning behind me. I find this kind of writing totally inspiring although I joke about being possessed of some long dead ‘real’ writer who feeds me the plots! Plots just come into being as I write. However, I do find that the internet has most of the answers I need. For example, I know very little about drugs and the drugs world, and am currently writing a light hearted (dare I say humorous?) look at the criminal side of drugs from the view point of my hapless hero Benjamin Matthews in a book I am writing currently ‘A Penny for Them.’
I do write a lot of my real life journeys into my books. Marcia Page disappears to Dubai and her stay and the subsequent pursuit by Harry Beddoes is my own personal experience of United Arab Emirates and the hotels they stay in – every experience is research! It led me to write about what happened to her as she drops out of the plot in Getting Even: Revenge is best served cold. My soon to be published spin off ‘Breaking Free’ takes Marcia Page (real name Livia Morrison) back to the UK and finds her in North Wales where she tries to hide and blend in. It examines further my interest in stalking and the concept ‘can someone make themselves disappear’? It is a young adult paranormal novel and has a hint of historical W.W 1 drama that is surprisingly haunting! The historical aspect I researched using the internet and a trip I took to North Wales, with a visit to Caernarfon Castle where the Royal Welsh Fusiliers have their exhibition. In fact, it was where the end of the historical part of the book came to me whilst I was there.
4 – What do you love/hate the most about writing or being a writer?
This is an easy question for someone like me who loves more than anything else to write. It is my medium for expressing myself and I prefer it to explaining something verbally. I have always written, in my earlier life poems and short stories (maybe not as short as most!). My working life was a more formal version as I describe, but the freedom to write is so powerful for me I only wish I had written fiction all the way through this time. When I first published Getting Even I found the process of editing and proof reading so onerous that I wondered if I could do it again (it is 622 pages long and I had to read it eleven times). I think I felt like that because I didn’t give myself time and it coincided with other things I had to do. When you are a ‘free flow’ writer you have to continuously be aware of continuity of plot and character and apart from a spider diagram of relationships between characters I retain most of it in my head, therefore, I have to read and re-read what I have written to make sure of continuity and formatting etc. I think not being able to write is the worst thing. My recent brain tumour operation left me initially unable to write and type and I had to work long and hard for it to come back and like riding a bicycle one day you find you can do it without thinking. Not to be able to write is unthinkable.
5 – What is your typical writing day like?
I write every day. I begin my day early because I am an insomniac and need little sleep. I have always risen before 06.00 o’clock in the morning, now even earlier. I do my Twitter and Facebook tasks first, sifting new followers can be quite a task but I choose every one myself. I then move on to typing up what I write at night time, and other tasks. At the moment my days are interspersed with various hospital appointments as I am still recovering from my operation; this means I spend more time at my computer and writing. Reading formed part of my evening ritual but is slower since my recent operation left me with double vision, but I still manage to read (one eyed) and write reviews, but this is slower than before. Sometimes if unable to sleep I read or write during the night, and always have pen and paper at my bedside. I am a vivid dreamer when asleep, I will say no more!
6 – What are you currently reading?
I am sorry to say I have a few books I am reading and depending on my mood and how tired I am dip into them. Susan Wuthrich Portrait of Stella, Melissa Saari The Curse of the Lion People and for fun because I admire their writing and is an absolute pleasure an Ian Hutson or an Aaron David they make me laugh so much! The pile of ‘to read’ books gets longer, but suffice to say I always review the books I read out of respect for the people who write them.
7 – What’s your view of social media marketing for authors?
I think that it is primarily essential for any author, even those with a publisher, as we are competing in the same market. Actually, to be honest as a newbie in this area I find it a great experience and have learnt so much about different genre and ways of writing. I had not heard of micro fiction or flash fiction before social media and found that practicing other ways of writing has helped me with my particular problems – a tendency to write long books and an inability to end a story. This has helped me. I have endeavoured to put together a community of artistic people, not just writers and authors but artists, sculptors, photographers, graphic designers, book cover artists etc. Of course I have met (virtually) so many talented people I am in awe of them and their work and I have gained so many friends and a few very dear people have helped me through my recent, most difficult times and got me back to where I am now. I thank them all from the bottom of my heart!
8 – Do you have any marketing or writing tips for new authors?
I advise all new writers just to write. Sounds simple but most writers have a need to write and become side-tracked by the belief that they have to learn the skill. I know I did. Learning which words you shouldn’t use, how to construct your sentences, what the taboos are only stifles the imagination – the world is waiting for your words. The best piece of advice anyone gave me recently was for me to feel comfortable with my own style. Aspiring to write like someone else is a trip to nowhere. They are who they are and you are a completely different person, writer, and thinker – just be who you are. Once that is accomplished you will find writing a lot easier. Of course the problem with marketing once you have written something is letting someone else read your work. Having a critical friend to proof read gives you a level of confidence you never had before because a) someone read it and b) they can see the things you miss that may be wrong with it. The only book on writing I have ever read was Stephen King: On Writing it says it all and entertains at the same time. I had it on my Stephen King book shelves for 13 years before I read it. I find writing the easy part; marketing is hard and takes a lot of time and effort and never forget, we are all in it together, so help someone along the way!
9 – If your book was turned into a film, who would you like to play your main characters? The villain?
I see my crime books as a drama series, but have given little thought to who might play my characters. There would always be a part for David Tennant, but that’s a fantasy not a reality. It becomes difficult because my American publisher made a You Tube trailer for the first book Getting Even and the characters were Americanised which conflicted a little with it being a British Police force and how I visualised them. Harry Beddoes my villain was harder than they portrayed. I think most readers would see the characters as totally different; after all reading is about losing oneself in the plot, just like a writer really. I can hear my characters rather than see them. Yes, I think David Tennant is more suited to Alan ap Pritchard in book 2 and book 3.
10 – Do you ever get writer’s block? How do you overcome it?
I have only had writer’s block once and that was part way through Getting Even. I took myself away from my desk, sat having coffee in my local Garden Centre coffee shop and thought what a great place for three of my characters to meet away from the MCU and I sat and wrote a chapter on a tiny notebook I found in my handbag. After that I went there two or three times a week to drink copious amounts of coffee have lunch and finish my Blue Woods Trilogy. It taught me how to write anywhere even on an aeroplane going out to Dubai! I now recommend to anyone to overcome writers block by changing writing locations.
12 – Where is your favourite place to write? Why?
I can write anywhere and everywhere I go, but my absolute favourite place is in my local coffee shop. I am a great voyeur of people and love to watch the world go by. Occasionally I have met people who have inspired parts of my books or characters and who have given me ideas for actual scenes to include. But I have written in all places I visit even the Bedouin tent at the Fujairah hotel on the Indian Ocean and would get up at five o’clock in the morning and sit in the heat of early morning on the terrace to write. When I am fully recovered from my operation and I can drive again I will be going back to my coffee shop just to see what inspiration comes.
13 – What’s next for you?
I await the print set for my Welsh book ‘Breaking Free’ and am halfway through a new genre for me with ‘A Penny for them’ which is a humorous view of crime from the other side. My hapless villain is a charming thirty something Benjamin Matthews who has the worst luck in the job market, but the most innocent of faces. It has amused me during the past few months at any rate. I do have an idea for writing about an old Mental Asylum nudging away at my conscious though.
Please share your social media links:
Website: http://t.co/ImQ9ZT2ZbZ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pat-Mcdonald/502374626484358?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @issyblack
Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pat-McDonald/e/B00R372WK4/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1439116435&sr=1-2-ent
The Blue Woods Trilogy
The Blue Woods Trilogy is set in a typical Police Force Major Crime Unit and follows the lives of Luc Wariner and Aidey Carter. It explores the typical crimes that Major Crime has to deal with, whilst not forgetting that police officers have lives outside of their work. I would hope that it shows reality even the darkest parts and that police officers can be tempted just like any other person. I do not have many happy endings; life isn’t like that is it?
by Kasia | Aug 9, 2015 | Interviews, Writing
Welcome to the series, Sunday Sessions, where you’ll get to meet authors from around the world, writing in different genres, sharing their writing tips, marketing adventures and much more.
Please welcome PJ Webb, author of Prince of the Blood series.
1 – Tell us a bit about yourself?
Hi, my name is PJ Webb, and I wasn’t always interested in writing. Well, not stories anyway. I’m from New York City and originally wanted to be a rock and pop singer and a song writer. To support myself I modeled, and I spent many evenings in recording studios with the band I had put together. Then I met my future husband, Scott, and became involved in helping him with his new business. Eventually, I put the music on hold, as the business became paramount and grew into an extremely successful enterprise.
2 – How did the idea for the Prince of the Blood – Transformation come about?
In 2011 when the recession hit, the business my husband and I had worked so hard to build began to crumble. My husband was working long hours and would come home drained and fall asleep while I stayed up most of the night worrying about a situation I really had no control over. Then I decided that if I was going to be up the better part of the night, I might as well do something constructive, and I began to write the first book in my Prince of the Blood Chronicles. By the time I had the first draft finished the business was gone and with it everything we owned except for our boat, Somewhere in Time. My husband and I got on board with our two cats and headed south. We intended to go to Florida but broke down in North Carolina where we lived on board for fifteen months. I have to say now that in retrospect the time I spent writing my first book saved my sanity. My main character, Sebastian, was written with the strength and determination I needed to go on, and he became my inspiration.
3 – What sort of research did you do before you started writing?
I did extensive research because this book is actually an historical work of fiction that along with the rest of the series spans more than two hundred years.
4 – What do you love/hate most about writing or being a writer?
I love the idea of creating something that hopefully readers will escape into for relaxation and enjoyment. I love the creative process of meeting the characters as they come to life and the development of events along the way that bring the story to fruition. I don’t, however, like the tedious but extremely necessary process of editing. And, the butterflies wondering if a new book will be liked once it’s released. I’m still a relatively new author, and perhaps it’s a feeling that eventually stops, but somehow I doubt that.
5 – What is your typical writing day like?
It’s very rare that I actually have an entire writing day all though it is heavenly when it happens. Usually, I have a few hours in the evening to write, and sometimes I still indulge myself late at night. I have found though, that if you discipline yourself to make good use of the time you have, you can actually make a great deal of progress.
6 – What are you currently reading?
I’m actually between books at the moment. I just read A Bedtime Story by L.C. Moon and am looking forward to starting the first book in The Dragon Dreamers Series by Jenny S. Burke.
7 – If you were having a dinner party and could invite five people, living or dead, who would you invite and why?
That’s such an interesting question, Kasia. The author Anne Rice because I’m so in awe of her beautiful and poetic writing style. Her book, The Interview with The Vampire, has always been one of my favorites. The late Kurt Cobain because I’d just like to ask him WHY? Meryl Streep because I think she’s the finest actor that ever lived. I’ve always just adored her in every role she’s ever taken. Oscar Wilde for his ingenious and entertaining wit, and Lady Gaga for drama.
8 – What’s your view on social media marketing for authors?
Well, I think you get back what you put into it. For me it’s been an interesting experience in that I’ve met so many wonderful and talented authors, and I’ve learned a great deal from them. Also, my books are reaching a lot of readers because of it, and I’ve also been blessed with opportunities that would have been missed without it.
9 – Do you have any marketing tips for new authors?
Just get out there and start interacting, but keep the promotion of yourself to a minimum. Be sincere in your interest in what others are doing and eventually they’ll be interested in you. You may even make some very dear friends.
10 – If your book was turned into a film, who would you like to play your main characters? The villain?
Honestly, this is a question I’ve considered so many times and so far I’ve come up with no answers. I’m afraid it’s the same now. All I can say is that I think the part of Sebastian Blood would have to be played by an unknown actor.
11 – Do you ever get writers block? How do you overcome it?
Fortunately, I haven’t had that problem, but I think if I did, rather than wasting time and becoming more and more frustrated, I’d just start another story. Then, I’d eventually go back to my first story refreshed and have another try at it.
12 – Where is your favorite place to write? Why?
I have a desk in our den that looks out over a lake. My computer is there and a comfortable chair, but not too comfortable, and while I really need to be alone when I write, I never feel lonely or out of touch because I can look out from time to time and enjoy the wildlife and the natural beauty of the lake.
13 – What are you currently working on?
I’m taking a little break from the Prince of the Blood Chronicles, but I would like to say that the Second Book, Evolution, was just recently released. Currently, the final editing is being done on the first book in my paranormal Cliff House Series about the mysterious goings-on at an old manor home overlooking the ocean in Nantucket. I plan on releasing this book named Lora Lee by the end of this month. I’m also in the process of writing the second book in this series.
Thank you so much, Kasia, for inviting me to do this interview. I think it’s so important for new writers, and especially new indie writers, to have the opportunity to introduce themselves to readers and other authors, and it’s blogs like yours that make that possible.
My social media links:
TWITTER @PletchaPJWebb
FACEBOOK PAGE https://www.facebook.com/PJ.Webb.author
FACEBOOK AUTHORS PAGE https://www.facebook.com/PJ.Webb.auth.pg?ref=hl
GOOGLE + http://bit.ly/1EAbwm
PJ, thank you so much for speaking to us!
PART ONE – PRINCE OF THE BLOOD – TRANSFORMATION
Imagine fate putting you in all the right places at all the right times. Love, success, even stardom have been given to you and you embrace them with passion, but the path of your destiny has many twists and turns. Sebastian Blood had just such a life until it was stolen by his most jealous and ardent admirer. He then found himself thrust into a dark underworld where he was forced to suffer unspeakable horror. Will the one who cursed him for eternity destroy his immortal life, as well? The Prince of the Blood Vampire Chronicles is a work of historical fiction and a paranormal fantasy crisscrossing centuries.
Available at AMAZON http://amzn.to/1Ksb0Ml and has a 10 FIVE STAR REVIEWS, as well as a FIVE STAR RATING by READER’S FAVORITE https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/prince-of-the-blood …
PART TWO- PRINCE OF THE BLOOD – EVOLUTION
As Sebastian Blood, he lived a life of fame and wealth—an open book to his adoring fans and with the love of his mortal life by his side.
As Sebastian Du Sang, his life is one of infamy and revulsion—a figure cloaked in mystery and with only one constant—the love of his immortal life.
One reality for another as luck would have it. The devastating blow of fate. And, what will he do with this new and horrific beginning? He will rise above it
NEW RELEASE Available at AMAZON http://amzn.to/1COtfsE
by Kasia | Jul 19, 2015 | Interviews, Writing
Welcome to the series, Sunday Sessions, where you’ll get to meet authors from around the world, writing in different genres, sharing their writing tips, marketing adventures and much more.
Please welcome Meghan Breaux, author of ‘Perfect, I Love You’.
1 – Tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Meghan Breaux and I just graduated high school this past June. I’m eighteen and live with my parents just outside Dallas, Texas. I have the most amazing siblings and friends which I spend most of my time with. I played softball since I was eight years old and had an option to play college ball, but decided against it when I started to understand just how much time and dedication writing a book takes. One time, softball was my life, but now my future is nothing but writing.
2 – How did the idea for your novel, ‘Perfect, I Love You’ come about?
November of 2012, my dad had a stroke. I was fifteen and to a fifteen year old girl, having something that traumatic happen, can send your mind to places you never want it to go. I was a completely different person: grades dropped, stopped seeing friends, hated my family, cried every night, etc. So one night, I was sad as can be, listening to music and hating the world when suddenly I heard a song I had heard a million times before. And although I heard it so many times before, I had never fully listened to the words. I stopped crying and listened. That moment was the start to my recovery. I took my pain and started to heal by listening to that one song, and writing a million thank you letters to that artist. I never sent the letters, but just to write them made me feel better. Then one day, I decided those letters weren’t enough. I needed to write a story. A story of how I felt beginning to end. As I was writing, I decided to turn it into a book, adding certain twists here and there for a hook.
3 – What sort of research did you do before you started writing?
I looked up the city of Nashville, Tennessee. I had been there once before when I was ten, but it has grown since then. My sister lives there, so I had her tell me a lot about her daily life there, things she wishes she had done when she first moved there, and just her favorite things to do. Other than that, there wasn’t much research to do because it’s simply a story of a boy and girl going through life, finding themselves in this crazy world.
4 – What do you love/hate most about writing or being a writer?
I love the creative factor. There is no limit to what is acceptable and what is not. If you’re having a bad day, cry, scream, fight, kill a character. Take it out in the book. If a date didn’t go like you wanted it to, later that night, write about it, only when you write about it, change a few things so your date was perfect.
I hate that my hand can’t write at the speed my mind flows. I hate that there are so many ideas floating around in my head, but I can only pick a few to write about otherwise one of the millions of thoughts will never be able to turn into a story.
5 – What is your typical writing day like?
My typical writing day may seem boring, but it’s so relaxing. I usually sit up in my room, no lights on but the Christmas lights strung around the room, music playing in the back ground and a drink next to me. I write for hours at a time because once I start, I can’t stop. Sometimes, if I blank out on a particular scene, I start a new one, or finish writing an old one I had been working on. I jump around with scenes, really depending on my mood that day.
6 – What are you currently reading?
I’ve just started Hopeless by Colleen Hoover, one of my favorite authors. I’ve read three other books by her and hope to read many more here in the near future.
7 – If you were having a dinner party and could invite five people, living or dead, who would you invite and why?
Lorraine Heath- Living- she is the author that started me on books and inspired me to start writing. She and I are now good friends as she has helped me with my book in so many ways.
Katy Goheen– Living- she is my best friend and I don’t do anything without her. Without her by my side, I feel naked.
Hunter Hayes- Living- he is a great artist and an amazing person. He deserves an invite to my fun dinner party.
Jane Austen- Dead- her time period is my favorite. Authors may set their books in the Victorian ages, but she was there. She lived through that time and that’s cool. I’d ask her all kinds of questions about life back then. Besides, who wouldn’t want to talk to the creator of Mr. Darcy?
Jamie McGuire- Living- her book, Beautiful Disaster, so good. I want to re read it every day and I would love to sit down and talk with her for hours. That would be the best.
8 – What’s your view on social media marketing for authors?
I think it’s a great way to get your name out there, although I think most books are recommended through word of mouth.
9 – Do you have any marketing tips for new authors?
As I am a new author myself, I would suggest getting on as many sites as possible and be friendly. Make people want to follow you, and check out your book. Don’t shove it in their face, just suggest kindly.
10 – If your book was turned into a film, who would you like to play your main characters? The villain?
I never really put much thought into it, I just watch movies or TV and say, “Oh my gosh, that is Callie.”
For Callie Cooper, Cassidy Gifford would be a perfect fit. When I saw The Gallows with my friend, I saw Cassidy in the auditorium, talking to the guys and I turned to my friend and said, that’s Callie. I literally want her as my Callie. As the movie went on, it was more than just her looks that reminded me of Callie. Her strong head, and determination showed exactly what I was hoping for my heroine.
For Chase Daniels, heart throb Taylor Lautner would be the perfect fit. In my book, Chase is described as everything a teenager would want in a guy, from looks to personality, and Taylor is all that and more. Also with his build, he would make the perfect body guard to Callie.
For Easton Strander, I couldn’t imagine anyone but Chord Overstreet playing him. He has the smile I picture Easton wearing every time he looks at Callie. Besides being incredibly attractive, his personality seems soft, yet strong, just like Easton’s. He can give off the appearance of a country singer, seeing as Chord was once a major part in TV series Glee.
11 – Do you ever get writer’s block? How do you overcome it?
I do get writer’s block. It sucks. Usually, as a cure, I pick up a book and read. It isn’t until about halfway through that I get motivated again, or have more ideas. Once the ideas come back, they hit full force. Reading is only one way, another way is to either talk out stories with my best friend or listen to music and try to create a story in my head. I create background stories, the future, or just try to imagine why the artist decided to write this song. Anything really to get the creative juices stirring a bit helps.
12 – Where is your favorite place to write? Why?
At my neighbor hood park or near a water source. I write in my room most of the time just because it relaxes me and all my resources are easily accessible there, but on a spontaneous day, or a day I need motivation, I go outside and sit on a bench near the park. Just seeing the kids play, the birds fly, the water flow…gives me a little bit more room to breathe.
13 – What’s next for you?
I am currently writing a new book, the story line of it is based on a multitude of songs brought together. It is a much different read than my first book, but I think it really reflects my favorite book, Night Road, by Kristin Hannah. I hope to one day write more books like this one.
Please share your social media links:
Website: www.meghanbreaux.wix.com/meghan-breaux
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meghanbreauxbooks
Twitter: @Meghan_Breaux
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/op5he75
Email: Meghanbreauxbooks@gmail.com
Thank you so much for this opportunity! It was fun answering all the questions! Meghan.
Meghan, thank you so much for speaking to us!
