Author Lynette Sofras: Interview and Giveaway!

Welcome to my blog again, Lynette Sofras! Lyn is a very dear friend and my all-time favorite blogger ! I can highly recommend her witty and entertaining blog, ManicScribbler. You could also visit her author's website here to learn more about herself and her books.

But Lyn is also a very talented writer, whose books often remind me, humour-wise, of Jane Austen's. She has that clever, ironic and sometimes black British humour I adore so much. However, she has agreed to do an interview for my blog, along with a giveaway of her latest novel, "Killing Jenna Crane"! To win one of three e-book copies, please leave a comment who, in your opinion, incorporates the infamous English humour at its best (Monty Python,  maybe?).

Welcome to my blog (again), Lynette! A lot has happened since you've last been here - you went from Indie to published, while you still release self-published books. Knowing both worlds now, which way do you prefer (and why)?

Thank you, Deborah.  It's wonderful to be here again - I've always had a special soft spot for your lovely blog.

     It's true I've now dabbled in both worlds and while it's good to have the affirmation from a publisher that your story is worth reading, I prefer self-publishing hands-down.  I like being in control and able to see trends when trying new avenues for promotion etc.  I also like the fact that I can make changes to my stories to try to improve them whenever I have ideas or receive useful suggestions from readers that I think will work - readers should never underestimate the value of their opinions. 

     On the downside, it is hard work and can be a lonely business, but then I think being a writer is quite a lonely lifestyle anyway.  Sadly a lot of readers are suspicious of self-published authors and many are (understandably) wary of giving us a chance. 

You've recently published a science fiction story, "Surveillance". How on earth did you move from romances to sci-fi?

I used to enjoy reading science fiction and one day my son and I were discussing how certain aspects of the genre always seemed to be portrayed in one particular way.  It's difficult to explain this in detail without giving our story away, but we simply thought it might be interesting to explore a different side of this sci-fi sub-genre - and one I think everyone ought to find fascinating.

Your son, Alexander, co-authored "Surveillance" with you. Isn't it difficult for mother and son to write a story together?

Not at all.  In fact it couldn't have been easier and it was great fun working together and bouncing ideas back and forth.  I'd love to write more short stories with him.

Please tell us a bit about your other new book, "Killing Jenna Crane".

I'm very excited about this because it's another genre-shift for me in that it contains far more than simple romance.  It's quite a dark, speculative fiction about a very successful but not very likeable author who becomes torn between two women and starts to lose his grip on reality.  Here is the blurb:

    This is not a story about a murder, but a dark journey inside a writer's mind.  Commitment-shy Ellis Crawford, creator of the famous and highly successful Jenna Crane mystery series, finds his comfortable life swept away when he meets Emily, his perfect woman. 

     Despite his deepening love for Emily, Ellis finds himself haunted by painful memories of a previous love whose heart he broke, and begins to regret his past behaviour.  On top of that, Emily wants him to kill off his beloved heroine Jenna Crane - against fierce public opinion.

     But life is too short for regrets and when his own rapidly spirals out of control, taking his reputation as an author with it, where will Ellis turn for help?

Any upcoming projects?

I'm almost ready to release a story that's been many years in the making.  It's called 'Unworkers' and is a good old-fashioned ghost story, though very much a story for women of today.

What are you privately reading at the moment? Which TV show(s) do you watch?

I have a huge list of unread books on my Kindle that I'm gradually working through.  These are mainly from indie writers of a variety of genres.  I love discovering talented new authors and doing whatever I can to help promote fellow indies.

TV programmes:  I'm thoroughly enjoying 'Mr Selfridge' - very good TV drama which filled the gaping hole left when 'Downton' Abbey finished.  I'm sure a great part of its success is thanks to the lovely and talented Katherine Kelly.  I actually went into Selfridges this week for the first time in many years and found it changed practically beyond recognition.

Which future release are you looking forward to?

Well this may end up sounding like a nag, but like all your fans and friends, I'm very much looking forward to the second instalment of your Bound trilogy.  It's long overdue…hint, hint.

Traditionally, my "favorite bloggers of the month" share a personal recipe with my readers. How about you?

Of course - though I can claim absolutely no credit for this recipe myself.  I love experimenting with low-carb recipes and am always excited when I find new non-sinful dessert ideas such as this one from my friend Jacqueline Hopper.  It's a Low Carb, Sugar Free Chocolate Pecan Torte and you can find the full recipe here:  
http://jacquelinedhopper.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=chocolate+pecan+torte  
I have made it and it's quick, easy and tastes every bit as good as it looks.  

Tips for Aspiring Writers - Getting started isn't easy

Dear Readers,

Every week I receive wonderful, encouraging e-mails from readers telling me they enjoyed my work, but also from aspiring authors. Recently I read a lovely mail from a young writer, Skye, who asked me how I found the courage to publish my books, and if I could offer her any advice. You could easily tell from her letter how creative she is, overflowing with ideas, highly motivated but also a bit unsure about her own talent. She told me that she had written over fifty unfinished stories, a phenomenon most writers know only too well. This is what I answered:

*****

Giving any advice about writing and publishing isn't easy. There are many great books out there about writing, publishing and self-publishing, and check out author sites, they often have great advice about writing! I am not sure if this will help you, but I'll tell you a few things that, from my own personal experience, are most important:

From all your ideas, pick one genre you feel most passionate about writing. Most probably it's the same genre you love reading the most. Try to focus on one project at a time, and don't write anything else until you finished it. I know this is SO SO hard but you have to force yourself to sit down every day (and if it's only 10 minutes to start with), and simply write what comes to mind. I know that it takes a lot of discipline and courage. I have countless unfinished stories myself, buried somewhere in my desk and waiting to be written one day. 

Read, read, read. Reading not only improves your language and writing style, but also shows you how popular novels are structured. Try to write your book in a way that it will fit into one of the popular genres later - it can and should be original, of course, told in your very own voice. Sadly, most agents and publishers aren't interested in short stories (except erotica), so you should aim for a novel. Which, by the way, absolutely doesn't mean that I don't love a good short story! (Arthur Conan Doyle, Edgar Allan Poe and Stephen King are my personal favorites *bows to the masters*)

Write. Write. Write. You don't need to be perfect or even good right from the start. Writing needs a lot of practice, like learning to play the piano. You can always go back, revise and change things later. A great way to learn and practise your writing is publishing fan fiction or writing for public forums. You'll get a lot of valuable critique from the readers, but also encouragement. 

Writers need to develop a thick skin with time. You'll get rejected more than once - by editors, agents, and publishers, and you'll have to deal with some harsh and painful reviews if you plan to publish in any way. Now all writers I know are a oversensitive lot, especially when it comes down to our own stories, but we can learn to deal with (and learn from) critique if it's constructive, and ignore the haters. Personally, what keeps me going are mails like yours, and hearing from people who love my books. When I published my first book, I would have never, ever dreamed about such a reaction. My readers' feedback is incredibly heartwarming, and motivating. I know some dedicated, faithful readers who have become very dear friends to me, who have been supporting me since I started publishing my first chapters of Bound to the Prince on forums and fanfic sites. They kept pushing me to write more and more, and made me learn what readers want from a story.

Try to find some beta readers and someone who will proofread and edit your work if you have finished one project and want to get it published. A professional cover wouldn't hurt, either, if you want to go the self-pubbing way.

Sorry to say this, but most writers I know can't live just from the income their books provide them with. Many publishers pay a not-too-high sum in advance (and you may have to give some of it back if your book doesn't sell), and you might get your first money months later. The publishing process itself can take up to two years even if you found a publisher who will work with you. So until the day you'll hit the NY Times bestseller list, it's always good to have a day job.

Just do it! Write, and don't be afraid that you might not be as good as other authors. You will be, and even better, you'll soon find your own voice if you are patient and just keep writing. ;-)

xoxoxo

Deborah

*****

There is a new section on my website, www.deborahcourt.com, "For Writers". Check in regularly for some advice on writing and more information that might be helpful for aspiring authors.

Writer's Block and how to overcome it

Today, I'd like to speak about a phenomenon that every writer knows and fears: The all-famous "Writer's Block". All authors know this frightening state of mind. You sit in front of your computer for hours without writing a single word, just staring at the screen. You just can't. Your head is a complete vacuum. Instantly, you find yourself doing all kinds of stuff that keeps you away from that horrible blank screen:

- You read gossip and entertainment blogs.
- You check your Amazon page every hour, checking the ranking of your book and having a bad conscience because you know that you haven't published anything in a while.
- You remember that you need to re-watch all episodes of Lost, Moonlight and True Blood. Oh, and Star Trek - The Next Generation, too. Still in love with Data.
- You scan recipe books you haven't touched in years for new ideas about what to cook (even if you absolutely hate cooking, in my case).
- You start cleaning (now this isn't the worst thing to do while having writer's block - at least you have a clean house afterwards).
- You start plundering your chocolate drawer (not so good).
- You listen to Benedict Cumberbatch reading Keats one more time (get the mp3 here).
- You paint your toenails blue.
- You make yourself a sandwich with every ingredient you can find in the fridge.
- You brush your cat five times a day. (And I really don't mean this in a dirty way. I actually have a cat!)

Having done all that, you still haven't brought a single word to paper. Isn't there any hope for your next book ever to be written? After all, you need to feel what you write.

So is it possible to overcome writer's block? Is there any cure?

Oh yes. For me, music is the key. In the past, I've tried out all kinds of music to see what inspires me most when I'm writing. As a very welcome side effect, this caused triggers. In the meantime, hearing certain songs almost instantly brings me in the right mood to write a scene connected with the feeling that particular music awakes in me.

Surprisingly I don't feel like writing romance when I hear typical "romantic" music. For instance, I've written nearly all the erotic scenes of "Bound to the Prince" while listening to "Mr Brightside" by The Killers. I don't know why myself, it's an uptempo song, not a ballad. Maybe it's simply the line "Now she's touching his chest, now he takes off her dress. I just can't watch, it's killing me," subtle but very effective, and it totally works to get me into "the mood."

For action/fighting scenes, I use Skillet's "Rebirthing", and for dramatic, romantic scenes "Always" by Bon Jovi, or "Dear Jessie" (Skillet). Mythic, mysterious scenes can only be properly written with Loreena McKennit's "Mummer's Dance" (I wrote the whole last chapter of BttP listening to it). Movie soundtracks are an awesome way to create feelings, too - especially when you've seen the film many times and know the music to scenes you felt passionate about.

Whatever triggers your emotions, use it! So kick your own ass, sit down and write. It doesn't have to be Pulitzer Prize material, you know. It's just for you. If you really write from the heart, your readers will be sure to love it because they'll feel that your words are true. You could say it's a telepathic connection, but it's so much more.

It's magic.

Love,
Deborah
xxx

Guest Post by Author Iris Blobel!

Today I have the great pleasure to welcome a friend and fellow writer, Iris Blobel, to my blog! She'll tell you how we originally met on the internet. ;-) It's a honor having you here, Iris, and thanks so much for your great guest post! *hugs*

xoxoxo
Deborah

****

Here’s the thing (LOL, always wanted to start a blog with these words) – I reckon, the very talented Deborah and I grew up within a vicinity of, let me guess, 200km to each other, yet we now live worlds apart. We sometimes communicate in a language which is not our native tongue. We met via a forum dedicated to the equally talented actor Luke Goss, who I like for his music in the late 80s and Deborah likes for his role in Hellboy II.

And there are people who say “Journey to Her Dreams”, where a young girl from Tasmania is travelling to Ireland to figure out her dreams, is farfetched. Go figure!

I lived in London as an “AuPair” during the days when the music by above named actor screamed out of my room or my walkman– having the time of my life. My friend then was Michaela, or Mickey to me and her friends. Not only beautiful on the outside, but beautiful on the inside as well. With her sister Anja we roamed the streets of London, danced the nights away in the “Hippodrome” (does that still exist?) and just enjoyed life. Some days better, some days not so good. I went back to live in Germany and lost track – probably my fault.

Life’s busy, right? Especially when you’re young and those days we didn’t have skype, internet or such. I moved “worlds away” and sadly years later I received the news that she had died. I cried. Silently, but for a few days. Initially sad and then I turned angry for my lack of persistence to stay in touch. But life is that way. Though much easier and better nowadays with what we’ve got, but harder with the amount of people we get to know over the internet – each person so special in their own rights, but so little time. I try my best – saying a quick FB or twitter hello. Do you?

Back to my book! Well “Journey to Her Dreams” is dedicated to Mickey. Well and truly, but I can’t really tell you too much about the “why” because I would just give it away. I wanted to have something in my life that reminded me of her, and reminds me every week of “stay in touch with Anja!”

Check out this little trailer – with Mickey! – to see what the story is all about. I hope one day you will read it and like it as much as I liked writing it!

Excerpt from "Journey to her Dreams"

“Morning, Dad,” Hollie said.

“Morning, love. Another late night?” Murray handed her a coffee.

She walked over to him and gave him a kiss. “Not really, but first I couldn’t unwind, and then, well, the usual, I’d say.”
Murray watched her with some concern. “Another one of those disturbing dreams?” he asked.

Hollie sat on the chair. She nodded. “Yes. And they’re getting to me.”

There was worry in Murray’s voice. “Love, have you tried to talk to someone about it?”

“No, I haven’t. What am I supposed to say? I’m having dreams about someone being abused?”

Hollie’s bad dreams had started late the previous year. She had these odd dreams of this woman sitting in the corner of a room crying. With tears falling down her face, the woman was inconsolable, and all Hollie wanted to do was hug her. She wanted to assure her everything was going to be all right. But she couldn’t reach her. Hollie would toss and turn in bed, waking in a sweat. She knew this was more than just a dream. The aching of her body in the morning mirrored the pain she saw in the woman’s eyes. Most of the nights Hollie’s eyes burned dryly from sleeplessness, and often she kept herself awake, just wishing it would go away. Murray sat next to her and took her into his arms. Though she’d never told him the exact details of the dreams, he knew they were affecting her. Big time! She was tired and worn out by the emotional rollercoaster, but she met all his advice to see someone with a smile and an I’ll be all right attitude.

~ Amazon ~~ BookStrand ~~ All Romance Books ~~ Barnes & Noble ~~ Astraea Press ~


Author's Bio:

Born & raised in Germany I now live in Australia with my husband and my two lovely girls. I found my love for writing only a few years back. The book SDME is my little baby and the feedback from readers have been wonderful. My second book "Journey to her Dreams" was released by Astraea Press in November.