Interviews
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Let’s Chat Friday . . .
Hi, Guys. I’m getting interviewed over at Robin’s Nest today.Come check it out and feel free to leave a comment.
I’ll be stopping by there all day long and will answer any other questions you might leave in the comments!
CLICK HERE to get to Robin’s Nest.
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Happy Friday, everyone!
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Advice Time . . .
This past weekend, I completed some questions for an interview that will air soon. Some of the questions were really hard for me to answer.
A good hard, though.They got me thinking.
I thought this one would be fun to ask you guys :
What is the best advice ever given to you?
To find out how I answered, you’ll have to wait for the interview. . . I’ll let you know when it’s getting published.
But in the mean time, I’d love to hear some of the best advice you’ve ever received. Who knows, someone who reads this post today might benefit from the advice you’ve gotten.
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Jill Williamson
I don’t do many interviews here, but I had to have Jill, author of To Darkness Fled, on the Light of Truth blog. I just LOVED her book.
WELCOME JILL WILLIAMSON!
Tell us about your latest book.
To Darkness Fled is the second book in the Blood of Kings trilogy. It’s about Achan, a young man who wanted to become a knight, and Vrell, a girl who is dressed as a boy to hide from the man who wants to marry her. Book two picks up where By Darkness Hid left off.Here is the back cover copy for To Darkness Fled (Blood of Kings, book 2):
They have no choice. Chased by an evil prince, Achan, Vrell, and the Kingsguard knights flee into Darkness. They head north, for Tsaftown and Ice Island, where they must free an army that can help them fight for Er’Rets.
Darkness sickens Vrell. How long can she keep her secret without being caught? Achan already suspects her of lying. If she is not careful, he will suspect her of treason as well. She hopes he will let his suspicions go until they reach her home.
Achan wanted freedom, but this new journey has bound him more than ever. Sir Gavin’s claims are so far fetched. First, that there might only be one God, and second, that this God chose Achan to push back Darkness, the magnificent curse of Er’Rets. Him. Achan. Barely a man himself.
Each setback Darkness brings seems minor compared to the one choice only Achan can make. What will he choose?
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I loved slowly revealing Vrell’s secret here and there. Vrell is a girl, but in the first book, she is in hiding, dressed as a stray boy to avoid having to marry the evil Prince Gidon, who only wants her inheritance. Then she meets up with Achan, who thinks she’s a scrawny boy. It was so much fun to dangle Vrell’s secret out there to be nearly discovered time and again, only to save her at the last minute each time. But the secret does come out in this story, and that was a fun scene to write too.Do you have a favorite scene?
My favorite scene is when Achan finds out that Vrell is a girl. ☺What did you dislike most about writing this book?
It was a challenge to write a book where much of it takes place in pitch black darkness. You can’t describe people or surrounding as easily without light. I had fun at first, but it was hard to keep it up for most the story. I used lanterns and torches and candles sometimes, but often, my characters travel in the pitch black darkness so that no one will be able to track them. That was tough to write.Who is your favorite character and why?
Achan. He tries to be tough. At sixteen, he’s a man by Er’Retian standards, though he feels insecure about stepping into that role and taking charge. He’s stubborn and that trait often causes him a lot of heartache. His sarcasm and heroic nature work well together, I think. Sometimes you want to scowl at him-boys will be boys-but you can’t help but love the guy.Which character is most like you?
Vrell. She is more intense than Achan. She likes to do things properly, if she can. She is kind and loyal and hardworking. She likes learning new things. She likes order and rules and wants everything to be fair and right in the world. She also stresses out too much, too.What kind of planning do you do before writing a novel?
I outline a basic plot. I need to know where the story is headed. I also need to know how each main character’s story will end. I use a spreadsheet, since I am dealing with two point of view characters. I write Achan’s scenes in one column and Vrell’s scenes in the next column, so I can see how their journeys will mesh. Once I feel good about where I’m headed, I start writing.Is there any one thing or reference you keep handy when writing? Anything you kept around for this particular book?
I keep my Er’Rets binder close at hand. This is a three-ring binder filled with all my storyworld notes including my character charts, maps, sketches of castles, sketches of characters, crests for each town, pretend languages, lists of knights that serve which lord, a timeline of Er’Rets, lists of herbs and their medicinal uses, and things like that. I am lost without that binder because it keeps me organized.I also use two online sources all the time. www.dictionary.com is an online dictionary and thesaurus.
And www.etymonline.com is an online etymology dictionary that allows you to type in a word and find its origins. This is really helpful for historical writers. This way you can use words that people would use during a certain time period. I use this to help me find out whether a word goes back far enough to be medieval.
What are you currently writing?
I am working on From Darkness Won (Blood of Kings, book 3).
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
My husband is a youth pastor and he and I do a lot with teenagers in our free time. We have teen events, teens over to hang out, Young Life. I enjoy playing the guitar, playing games with my family, and helping my son learn the piano.How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)
I’m everywhere! My website is www.jillwilliamson.com. I’m also on Facebook, MySpace, Shoutlife, Shelfari, GoodReads, Twitter, Amazon…On top of that, I run two blogs. The first is Novel Teen Book Reviews at www.novelteen.com. It’s a website that reviews clean teen fiction. This is a great resource to see what books are available in the Christian market for teens. The other blog is for teen authors, though adult authors may find some useful tips too. www.teenageauthor.com.
And if you are looking to buy one of my books, online go to Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, or MarcherLordPress.com. You can also buy an autographed copy from me through my website. Many libraries have the first book and if they don’t they would likely order it if you ask. And you can request your local bookstore order my books too.
THANKS, JILL. It was awesome to have you on the Light of Truth blog again. You’re book was fantastic. I wish you the BEST on this second book! Anxious to read book 3!!
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KM Wilsher
Hey, KM, thanks for stoppin’ by the Light of Truth blog.
Thank you, Lynn! How fun to be here with you. I am humbled and honored.
You’re an up and coming writer who loves to read and write fantasy-How’d you get into that genre? Any defining moment(s)?
The defining moments behind my love for fantasy fiction include: A small magical production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 1980. The day I finished reading Jason and the Argonauts for English class–This is homework? The first paragraph of Harry Potter, but it all began with the bible. Yes, sitting in Sunday school hearing the Greatest Story ever told and reading verses like this: Revelation 6:2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. Well, I know it was way back then a desire was born inside me to dream in colors of story, on the landscape of Fantasy.
Your first publication was released April 1st with The Cross and the Cosmos (TC2), tell us how that came to be.
The moment TC2 announced its first publication, I knew it would be a dream come true to be a part of it one day. So I submitted. And for some strange reason Glyn Shull said he liked this story.
Seriously, TC2 is on the cutting edge of Christian Speculative Fiction. It is on a plane where the Glory of Christ Jesus and the twisted genius of speculative fiction meet. It is a free magazine where brilliant writers share their hearts and deepest stories. I am extremely grateful to be featured in their third edition.
How did you come up with your short story Suicidal Instinct (LOVE LOVE LOVE the title, by the way)?
Thanks, Lynn. The title was certainly a favorite of mine. Cliché as it sounds, Suicide came out of a dream. No concrete words or fully formed figures, just deep emotions spilling forth from two people. The story is a conversation with myself, a story mirroring the battle inside us all. The battle to punish ourselves for our wrongs, but Jesus has already taken our punishment. We can be free.
If you could give one piece of advice to a writer, what would it be?
Write everyday and delve head first into a writing community. These two pieces of advice were given to me. Once I followed them, my whole life changed.
Lynn, you have inspired me more than you know. Thank you for interviewing little ole me!
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AHHH, you’re too kind, KM. I was happy to interview you.
Okay, everyone, be sure to head over and read her short story, Suicidal Instinct, at The Cross and The Cosmos.
You can also find her at:
KM Wilsher blog
KM Wilsher on Facebook
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WIN MICHELLE SUTTON’S LATEST BOOK
***Update*** Contest is now closed. Congrats Carman, she had the most referrals. We’ll be in touch!!
***Update*** Contest will run through Sunday, Midnight Pacific Time and I’ll contact the winner Monday
Welcome Michelle Sutton to the Light of Truth blog. Whoo-Hoo. Thanks for stoppin’ by. You’re crazy busy with bunches of books coming out. That’s awesome.
So hey, we picked out a few questions to ask ya, have fun with them.
And for those of you stoppin’ by, be sure to read to the end, because there’s a contest to win an AUTOGRAPHED COPY of one of Michelle’s books.
So, let the fun begin:
1) When you get a story in your head, what’s the first thing you do?
I mull it over in my mind. Kind of like talking to myself in my head. What do they look like? What is the conflict going to be? Stuff like that. I’ve had stories simmering in my head for up to three years before I’ve written them down.
2) If you could have dinner with any author from any era, who would it be and why?
I’d probably pick Francine Rivers because her books have really touched me deep inside. I’d like to talk to her about how she made the decision to leave the sexy fiction behind and follow the Lord’s call on her life. I heard her speak at a conference in 2004, but it wasn’t a two way exchange like you’d have with someone over a meal.
3) Dean Koontz and Steven King walk into the elevator with you, what would you do?
I might recognize Steven King. Maybe. I don’t know what Dean Koontz looks like. I would probably ask him what he is working on next.
4) Okay, you read many genres, and you know my heart lies with paranormal/supernatural…Could you humor me and tell me what is your favorite novel in that genre?
The last book I read and loved that fell under that category would be The Firstborn. Amazing story and well worth my time to read. I was totally sucked in to the story world that Conlan Brown created. For me, that is no easy feat when there is no romantic tension involved. In the story there was very little romance but a whole lot of warfare going on.
Thanks, Michelle, it was fun havin’ you here.
Her books **Yep, two of them. I told ya she was busy** coming out are “It’s Not About Him” and “Danger At The Door.” Check them out:
It’s Not About Him, by Michelle Sutton
September 1st 2009 by Sheaf House
Susie passed out while drinking at Jeff’s party and later discovered she’s pregnant. She has no idea who the father is and considers having an abortion, but instead decides to place her baby for adoption. Following through ends up being more wrenching than she imagined, but she’s determined to do the right thing for her baby.
Jeff feels guilty that Susie was taken advantage of at his party and offers to marry her so she won’t have to give up her baby, like his birth mother did with him. But Susie refuses, insisting he should he marry someone he loves. Can he convince her that his love is genuine before it’s too late? Can she make him understand that it’s not about him-it’s about what’s best for her child?
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Danger at the Door, by Michelle Sutton
August 1, 2009 by Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc.Upon her fiancé’s death, Laney became a recluse who only left her home for emergencies. She managed to survive – barely – on food delivery service and her work-at-home job. When she tries to move on from her grief, the commemorative meal she orders is ruined. However, it leads to an unlikely friendship with an attractive man, Bojan, who speaks little English.
As he befriends Laney he continually says the wrong things, but he doesn’t give up trying to win her trust. Meanwhile, she has this strange feeling of being watched and wonders if she’s losing her mind.
Complicating things further, every time she leaves her house something bad happens, confirming that she is safer at home. Can Bojan convince Laney she’ll be safe with him, or will his presence put her in further danger? Will he be able to protect the woman he loves before it’s too late?
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Okay, so here’s the contest **there’s a twist, so read on**
To win an autographed (Yep–AUTOGRAPHED) copy of It’s Not About Him, leave a comment, **but here’s the twist**, the winner will be whoever can generate THE MOST comments. So, be sure to tell everyone you know to come leave a comment, naming WHO referred them, and the one with the most will win the autographed copy. ☺ {{If there is a tie. The names go into a hat and the winner is picked the good ‘ol fashioned way.}}
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BILLY COFFEY PART 2
Okay, as promised, here is the play-by-play of “The Call.”
If you missed part one of the interview, CLICK HERE , otherwise, read on and see how it worked out for Billy.
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4. Ok, Billy, tell us about “The Call.”
It’s funny, I’d actually been reading Rachelle’s blog for a long time and knew she was the agent I wanted. I had one manuscript complete and sent her a query, but she passed. I finished my second, Snow Day, and sent her another query four months later. She passed again.
I decided to forget about finding an agent and focus on building my platform, which was my blog. At the time, I had so few readers that I was seriously considering shutting the whole thing down. That’s when God started working.
First came Katdish, who began reading my blog and emailed to ask if there was anything she could do to help me get published. My platform was struggling, and I told her what I needed most was more exposure. She’s been a pro at that.
Then I picked up a new reader. Anne Lang Bundy writes at Building His Body, and she enjoyed my posts so much that she emailed to ask me if I was looking for an agent. I said I was, and she said she could possibly get hers to take a look at me, who just so happened to be Rachelle Gardner. I told Anne that Rachelle had already passed on my book, but she said she would try and work something out.
Rachelle agreed to let me resubmit directly to her, and I sent a query and the first ten pages. She got back with me about a week later and requested a phone call. She wasn’t ready to offer representation yet, she said, but she wanted to take a look at the entire manuscript and a proposal.
A week later, Rachelle sent me a message on Twitter asking for another phone conversation. It was the Fourth of July weekend, and she suggested that we schedule a talk for the next Tuesday.
That was a long weekend.
By the time Tuesday rolled around, I had successfully managed to turn my stomach into an amusement park. I didn’t know what to expect, didn’t know whether to get my hopes up or not, and didn’t know if I could make it until 4:30, when she was supposed to call.
Thankfully, she sent another message via Twitter telling me not to worry, because this was The Call.
The amusement park in my gut kicked into high gear when I read that.
I paced around work for the rest of the day and then found a quiet spot on a hill with a good view of the mountains. Rachelle called me right on time, and was kind enough to put my nerves at ease right away by offering representation. She discussed how she worked, what her plans were for my manuscript, and if I had any future books in mind.
I knew from her blog that Rachelle was extremely knowledgeable when it comes to publishing, but she’s proven to be even more so. She’s not only a consummate professional, she’s also a very nice lady.
So no, I didn’t sign with an agent in the most traditional way. In the end, it wasn’t my queries but my blog and the people I met through it that helped me most.
Writing can be a lonely thing, but it’s so hard to find success on your own. I needed help, and that’s what God gave me. So put your work out there for others to read, go and visit other blogs, and yes, Twitter and Facebook, too. Get your name out there. Draw people to you. You never know what can happen…
**Thanks, Billy, for sharing part of your writing journey with us. We’ll be watchin’ for your books on the bookstore shelves some day. With Rachelle as your agent, it’s gonna happen!**
