Interview with MICHAELBRENT COLLINGS

Your book, BILLY: MESSENGER OF POWERS, wasn’t published in the traditional way. Tell us why not and how you accomplished getting it into the hands (and ears) of the public.

BILLY: MESSENGER OF POWERS was not published in the "traditional" way mostly because I got tired of killing entire rainforests with query letters. Not only that, but due to the fact that most "traditional" publishing houses require that you send them the book one at a time (no sharesies!), that means that each rejection takes six months to a year... time during which I'm not really allowed to do much with my book other than cause the ink to run with the my unrequited tears. Also I dropped my soda pop on it, which may have had something to do with the ink running. But mostly it was the tears thing.

In addition, I also published it as an e-book because (not to sound like a snot but...) EVERYONE who read it loved the thing. I figured I'd be able to move the product myself, and if that was the case, why share so much of the profits when I'm doing all the work? It seems to be working so far. The book is selling well for Kindle on amazon.com, and it is the Number One Highest Rated book at smashwords.com (which has thousands of books, so it's not like I'm number one of three or something, though that would be cool too).

So... I'm not a bizillionaire yet, but I've definitely got my eye on a small private jet that has my name all over it. Speaking of which, it turns out that spray painting your name on a jet goes under the heading of "graffiti" rather than "marking your territory." Word to the wise.

And, not to make ALL this irrelevant, but in addition to the e-versions that are out there, Billy actually is coming out in print form in a few months. It's all part of a little plan I call "Gradually Taking Over the World."

You wear many hats: writer, screenwriter, attorney, black belt, father and husband. (I’m sure I’m leaving out about a dozen others, as well.) Do you compartmentalize these portions of your life or do you blend them together? Share with us the secret of your serious multi-tasking abilities.

I blend everything together in a very compartmentalized way. Which sounds funny, but it's actually true. When I'm a writer, I'm generally not punching something. When I'm doing martial arts, as a rule I try not to take my laptop to fights. And of course when I'm a father and/or husband I try to avoid punching AND writing since the other people involved feel hurt and/or ignored and/or a need to go to the hospital. But at the same time, you can't keep things completely separate. Billy: Messenger of Powers, for example, is a Young Adult fantasy novel. So there are dragons and mermaids and such. But some of my favorite characters are the Kung Fu Cleaners, a group of obsessive compulsive rock monsters who clean everything they can... and also know karate. Obviously I got that from a combination of having to clean house and do karate on my kids - er, I mean, encourage them with love to learn how to clean their rooms.

So everything stays apart, but everything comes together. It's very deep and I'll give you a minute to think about it and also now's a good point to take a bathroom break if you want.

What is Writer’s Block and how do we avoid it? (Didn’t you write a book about this?)

Why yes, I DID write a book on that (funny you should ask!). The book is called How to be a Writer, and it's available at amazon.com and smashwords.com as well. It's more of an essay than a book, but the point is that I think writer's block is really more ofa dsf a'dsfkja'sdna;gua[rp'tj'a bx ag'agk.

Now, the above may seem like nonsense, but it's really code. Because if I TELL you, WHY WOULD YOU BUY THE BOOK? Also, I'm going to do a guest blog for this wonderful website, and I'll be talking about that very subject in the blog, so if I tell now, why would you read the blog? Sheesh.

In the short duration of our “relationship,” I’ve sensed a thread of humor in everything you say and do. How important do you think having a sense of humor is to a writer—and why?

First of all, I told you not to tell anyone about our relationship! My wife just wouldn't understand! To say nothing of my three mistresses and a couple of very protective sales people who work at Baby Gap (don't ask). But social faux pas aside, I don't know what you're talking about. I think Mr. Spock said it best when he said "Emotion, Captain? I don't believe I understand the question." That was in one of the Lost Episodes (as opposed to an episode of Lost, which is totally different).

But seriously (as if THAT boat hadn't sailed long ago), I think a sense of humor is critical. The line between horror and humor is very thin. So humor is a necessity if you're going to place yourself in a position where anyone can take a shot at you. Sure, most of the time people love me and my work. Sure, I'm attractive and some would even describe me as "billionaire playboy." But once in a while there is someone who doesn't like my work, or me, or my family, or the ground I walk on. And in that case I have to have a sense of humor about it. Which is why I tell knock-knock jokes right before I shoot those haters.

If you could play badminton with one historical figure, who would it be – and why?

Probably Ghandi. 'Cause I'd point out that if he beat me it would be like he was engaging in warfare and so while he was off on a hunger strike I'd WAIL ON HIM! Either that or Gumby. I know, a lot of people don't count him as a historical figure, but that would be the perfect way to prove all those doubters wrong!  [Blog Hostess Comment:  "Since I remember him from my childhood, and I've passed middle age, that makes him a historical figure."]

If you had to write something for your tombstone, what would it be? P.S. it has to be something true.

I'd love it if I could truthfully write 'Michaelbrent Collings - not perfect, but got a little better each day.'

P.S. This is also a good question to ask people on a first date. Nothing like talk of death to reel the right one out. It's how I got my wife. That and the proper administration of some sedatives at just the right moment.

What are the addresses of your websites, blogs, and other online presences?

Well, I'm fairly ubiquitous. So here they are (you asked).

http://www.whoisbillyjones.com/ - it's the "official" site of all things Billy Jones and has had over 1/4 million hits. It links to places you can get the books in e-format as well as linking to a place where you can get a terrific audio version of the book done by a really dynamite guy named Andy Bowyer (he's at abvoices.com - get yours today!)

http://www.amazon.com/s?_encoding=UTF8&search-alias=books&field-author=Michaelbrent%20Collings - this is where you can see the list of all my books available for Kindle on amazon.com. Billy is there, along with a couple of fairy tales, and some nonfiction work

http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=michaelbrent+collings - this is where you can get my books in other e-formats. Like I said before, Billy is currently the number one highest rated book on the entire site, and that and two of my other books hold the top three spots in the highest rated children's books category. Yee-haw!

http://www.whoisbillyjones.com/mylittlethoughts - this is my blog. It's got a lot of rambling and no coherent throughline, but if you want to know what Voltron has to do with parity of the sexes, or why email is the devil, or why I miss Action Men (this makes sense only if you read the blog), then My Little Thoughts is the way to go.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michaelbrent-Collings/283851837365 - my Facebook fan page where (if you click "Like") you can get heads-ups on my writing adventures, first notifications of new blog entries at My Little Thoughts, and a bona fide Thought For The Day ("TFTD") that is guaranteed to amaze and astound or your money back.

There's actually more, but let's face it, I've put you through enough for one day. Plus, you still have my Guest Blog to fear - er, look forward to. [It's scheduled for 7/14, folks!  - LF]  Always leave them wanting more... Or, in my case, always leave them. At least, that's what my mom said right before she booted me out of the house. (Just kidding, she had the cops do it.)

Thanks for letting me bend your ear a bit. Happy reading!

New Release: THE ALPHA by Annie Nicholas

Annie Nicholas is happy to announce the release of THE ALPHA, a work of paranormal erotica, on June 21, 2010.

You can find THE ALPHA at http://www.lyricalpress.com/the_alpha

You can find Annie at:  http://www.annienicholas.com/ or at http://www.annienicholas.blogspot.com/ .

Interview with ANNIE NICHOLAS

Your website tells us you write Paranormal with a twist. Tell us about your “twists.” 

I write Paranormal with a Twist, which means if you like your stories off the beaten path, your characters cut from a broken cookie cutter, and to get your beliefs challenged then welcome to my worlds. My mind is a dark and strange place where odd people live.

You wouldn’t know it by meeting me. I’m a baseball/swim team mom, standing on the sidelines cheering my boys, baker of cookies, healer of scrapes, and keeper of the household peace. Yet, monsters live in my head.

Share with us your personal road to publishing. 

A couple years ago I was housebound for six months due to illness. In an attempt to save my sanity and not die of boredom, I began to write. From there, I met an online critique group and we all grew together as writers. With their encouragement I submitted my first story, THE OMEGAS, and it got offered a contract!

Tell us about your latest book.  My newest release is THE ALPHA, Book 2 of The Vanguards series.

Someone is about to get some Spice in his life.

Spice has nothing but the clothes on her back when she returns to Chicago. She's looking for a better life, and that means reuniting with her estranged twin sister, Sugar. She isn't thrilled to find out Sugar's boyfriend is a vampire. But then she meets Eric, once the bottle-cap-glasses-wearing nerd next door --now grown up into the kind of man she'd love to snuggle with on this cold winter night...and he’s offered her his room in Sugar’s house.

Eric can’t believe Spice has returned. He’d given up hope of ever seeing her again, let alone having her stare at him as if he’s sex on a stick. But now that all of his fantasies for them are coming true, reality rears her ugly head and Eric must tell Spice his intimate secret; he’s actually an Alpha werewolf looking for his mate and he thinks he’s found her.

Link: www.lyricalpress.com/the_alpha

You live in the Green Mountains of Vermont, which are gorgeous—year round. How does your personal geographic setting influence the settings in your books? 

I live vicariously through my characters. They get to go places I’ve dreamed of going like Budapest, Rio, and Chicago. I do have a story I’m drafting that will take place in Vermont and have been collecting data for it. I’m really excited about writing this story!

Do you prefer Alpha or Beta heroes in your romances, and why? 

I prefer Alpha heroes both in writing and reading, the edger the better. They make the story more interesting and you can’t always guess what they will do next. In my book, THE ALPHA, my hero is learning what it is to be alpha so he has some beta in him at first.

What were your early influences in writing? 

I actually wrote an article posted on my website thanking all those specific authors who influenced and how. But the ones that come to mind right away are Larry Niven, CJ Cherryh, and Anne McCaffery.

What are the addresses of your websites and blogs?
Website: http://www.annienicholas.com/
Blogs: http://www.annienicholas.blogspot.com/
http://www.paranormalromantics.blogspot.com/

Interview with D.P. LYLE

You’ve written thrillers and non-fiction “how-to” books for writers, along with other things such as essays, articles, and a regular column in MWA’s The Third Degree. You’re also a practicing physician. Share with us how your “day job” prepared you for the world of writing and publishing, and how the technical writing feeds your fiction.

I’ve practiced cardiology in Orange County, California for over 30 years. Since I write nonfiction books on medicine, forensics, and fiction in the medical thriller genre, my day job has obviously impacted my writing. Most of my nonfiction books deal with forensic science and though I was never trained in that I was able to self educate myself in the field. Understanding forensic science was not difficult simply because the vocabulary and the scientific principles behind it are virtually identical to those found in medical science. It is simply looking at the science from a different angle. All forensics means is “of the law.” Forensic science is the science of law enforcement. Anatomy, chemistry, biology, physics, all come into play in both forensic and medical science.

You consult with writers and other professionals concerning forensics and medical issues. What prompted you to engage in this activity and how does it work? 

I answer questions for writers if they have some aspect of their story that involves medical or forensic issues. I try to give them the science behind their question, explained the science in simple terms, and hopefully, offer them some suggestions for how to use it in their story. I’ve been doing this for a number of years and right now have over 4000 questions from writers on my computer. Two of my books, Murder & Mayhem and Forensics & Fiction, are compilations of some of the best questions I received from writers over the years. There are links on both my website and my blog where writers can submit questions. I do have certain criteria that must be met before I will answer a question but these are spelled out on my website.

I have also worked with the writers of several TV shows over the years, again helping them with the scientific issues in their stories. I’ve worked with writers of shows such as CSI: Miami, Law & Order, Monk, House, Cold Case, and others. Recently I’ve been working with Matt Witten, one of the writers for a new TV series titled The Glades that will come to the TNT Network in August. I’m looking forward to that one.

In addition to your website, you also host The Writer’s Forensics Blog and Facebook and Twitter pages. What are your thoughts about online marketing and promotion? 

Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, marketing is a big part of a writer’s career. It’s not always the fun part but it is a necessary part. You must get your name out there in front of the public and other writers. Of course, writing a good book is essential but you also must be front and center. I find that things like Facebook and Twitter can help with that but more importantly I think a good webpage, and if you have the time, an interesting blog helps even more. We live in a high-speed media age and staying in contact with your readers is very important.

Tell us about the Crime Lab Project. 

The Crime Lab Project is the brainchild of Jan Burke. She created it and is the driving force behind it. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the problems that plague the modern-day crime lab. The major one being funding. Virtually every lab in the country is underfunded, understaffed, and has a backlog of work to do. Jan has been working very hard to rectify this problem for the simple reason that justice delayed is often justice denied. The faster and more efficiently crime labs can do their job the better off everyone is. There is a link to the CLP on my website.

As all writers know, the process of writing and publishing is not easy and it seldom generates overnight success. First, what is your definition of “success” from the perspective of a writer, and what are the two major things a writer must do to achieve it? 

My definition of success happened yesterday around noon. I finished the first draft of my next novel. The first draft is always the hard part. For me, rewriting is the fun stuff. Any time you finish the heavy lifting on a project, you should consider yourself successful because most of the work is now done.

I think a writer can look at success from many angles. One would be the self-satisfaction of completing a project or a novel. All writers know exactly how hard this is and reaching the finish line is success in anybody’s book. Another important measure of success would be getting a book published. This is not an easy task. There are many roadblocks along the way. Obviously, the first step is to write a good book but after that you are at the mercy of the system. You must find an agent and then an editor that likes your work and is willing to spend the money to put it in print. And of course, there’s always luck involved here. Another measure of success would be reaching the New York Times bestseller list. That would be great but is realistically not going to happen for most writers. Again, you have to write a good book, it must catch the public’s attention, and it must sells tens of thousands of copies. The last measure of success would be the ability to make a living from your writing. Few writers achieve this but that is probably every writer’s ultimate goal.

If you could spend 24 hours with any person in the world (past, present, or future), who would it be—and why? 

That’s an easy one. Leonardo da Vinci. Hands-down. Though there had been many incredibly talented people and incredibly interesting people on this planet, he is a cut above everyone else. Simply look at his accomplishments. An artist, inventor, scientist, and the epitome of the Renaissance man. I remember seeing the Windsor Castle collection of his anatomical drawings when they were on tour many years ago. Stunning. To look at those pages and to think that Leonardo himself put the pen to the paper was overwhelming. Though we now know some of his anatomical concepts were erroneous, for me, that did not change the power of the knowledge, investigative research, and artistry that he put into these drawings. His scientific inventions and his understanding of scientific principles were far beyond any of his contemporaries and, indeed, beyond the abilities of those that followed him for several centuries. He was just that far ahead of everyone else. I would absolutely love to sit down and break bread with him. 

Tell us about your latest book. 

My latest thriller is titled Stress Fracture. It is the first in a new series starring forensic and criminal behavior expert Dub Walker. It’s set in the South and takes advantage of that location for much of its storyline. The story deals with PTSD and its complications and treatment and how things can go completely sideways. In this story, a series of brutal murders take place in and around the city of Huntsville, Alabama. The murders are on the one hand carefully planned and executed while on the other hand seem brutal and completely out of control. Dub is brought to the case to determine what type of individual might act in this fashion and to help with tracking down the killer. The second book in the series is titled Hot Lights, Cold Steel and deals with robotic surgery. It will be out in 2011. As I mentioned earlier, I just finished the first draft of the third in the series.

What are the addresses of your websites and blogs?

My website is called The Writers Medical and Forensics Lab and can be found at: http://www.dplylemd.com/

My blog is called The Writers Forensics Blog and it can be found at:
http://writersforensicsblog.wordpress.com/

Interview with DOROTHY HOWELL

Dorothy Howell/Judith Stacy is a multi-published author in more than one genre.  Read on to learn more about this fascinating, and productive, woman.

You’ve published many novels and have amassed a readership in two genres. Tell us about the challenges and rewards of writing in two separate genres.

The two genres I write in are historical romances under the pen name Judith Stacy, and contemporary mysteries under the name Dorothy Howell.

At first glance, they seem very different, yet both have elements I like to write – and read about. I love the emotional involvement with the characters and, of course, a happy ending. I get both of those with my romances and the mystery series.

One of the things I won’t write about – and don’t like to read – is graphic violence. I don’t like those pictures in my head. Even though someone is always murdered in my mystery series, the crime always takes place off stage.

Tell us about your most recent book: its title, release date, where we can buy it, and a short blurb.

SHOULDER BAGS AND SHOOTINGS, is the third book in my Haley Randolph fashion sleuth mystery series. It was released in July in hardcover from Kensington, and is available online, in chain and independent bookstores, and in e-book formats.

This book is the follow up to PURSES AND POISON and HANDBAGS AND HOMICIDE, which launched the series. Both are now available in paperback.

In Haley’s latest adventure she’s in hot pursuit of the season’s latest and greatest handbag when her purse party rival turns up dead in the trunk of her boyfriend’s grandmother’s Mercedes.

What’s your take on the eternal conundrum of plot versus character being the most important element of a novel?

In my writing and in the books I enjoy reading, it all comes down to character. I believe that’s what brings readers back to an author, particularly when it’s a series. We just HAVE to know what the character is up to now, what kind of trouble they’ll get into and how they will get out.

Your bio indicates that publication of your first novel didn’t occur immediately after completing it. Tell us about that process: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

My first book, a historical romance, took years to complete. Not because it was long or complicated, but because I’d find myself overwhelmed with self-doubt. Luckily, I have a wonderful husband who encouraged me to finish the book.

The manuscript was rejected by nine publishers. Each one was heartbreaking. I’ve since learned that a measly nine rejections is nothing! My books have been rejected well over 100 times since then.

Seven long years passed before I sold my second book, thanks to a critique session with an editor at a writer’s conference. I got an agent at the same time and eventually found my way to Harlequin Historicals where I sold 20 more romances.

My attempt at writing mysteries went much smoother, thankfully. I got a new agent right away and he sold the 3-book series in only four short days. Kensington brought it out in hardcover – my first! – and just renewed the series for three more books.

With publishing credits of a couple dozen novels under your belt, have you settled into a writing routing? Do you write every day? Do you produce so many words or pages a day?

Years ago when I quit my “real” job and started writing full time, I wrote like a crazy woman. I was so thrilled to devote myself to it! But I soon learned that what I’d thought was being focused and goal oriented turned out to be compulsive and obsessive. So for my own sanity – and the safety of others – I adopted a set writing schedule.

I write four or five hours a day, five days a week, weekends and holidays off. At this pace, I can write approximately 10 pages per day.

Do you have any special promotions going for the release of you newest book?

With the launch of every new book in the Haley Randolph series, I have a contest where I give away a gorgeous designer handbag. The winner is drawn at random from entries received on my Web site.

What are the names of your websites and blogs?

My romance site is http://www.judithstacyl.com/.
For mysteries go to http://www.dorothyhowellnovels.com/.
I’m also have a Facebook fan page at Dorothy Howell Novels.