Project: Hero is the Book of the Day

The first book in the Project: Hero series is the book of the day on eBookStage at http://www.ebookstage.com/mainPage.xhtml

Author Interview: A Gift for Santa by Karen Dove

Today I am talking with Karen Dove, author of the children's Christmas book A Gift for Santa.

1. Tell me about your book. How did you come up with the story?

The story of A Gift for Santa was developed in response to a simple snow globe.  When my children were 5 and 10 years old, I attained a snow globe with a kneeling Santa inside.  I searched and searched, but I could not find a story about Santa coming to the manger.  I determined one day to write one myself.  Time passed, and finally, in 1996, in the back seat of the car, on my way home from a visit to New Orleans for Thanksgiving, A Gift for Santa was born.  The narrative poem was written in a steno book by hand.  I held on to the poem for many years, reading it annually in coffee houses and in churches, but did not publish it until 20012. 

2. How did you get interested in writing this particular genre?

My interest in children's stories began out of a need to find a story for my children, but also is related to my background as a school teacher for 8 years and an employee of /consultant to Boy s& Girls Clubs for 15 years.  I love children!  This story to tie the Santa they see everywhere to the Savior they need to know had to be told.

3. What kind of research did you do for this book?

This book did not require research, though I have written others.  I usually do my research online, seeking out reputable resources and double checking facts, which is so important in this time when everything is on the internet, but a lot of it is not true!

4. What's a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?

I am a part time writer of books and a full time writer of marketing materials and nonprofit grants, so writing is my life.  A typical day starts around 8 a.m. with coffee and a check of my Facebook page (AGFS has a Facebook page), my website (AGFS has a website), and if possible my blog.  If I have the time in my schedule, I will write a blog entry.  From there it is pretty much a blur of meetings, writing and networking.  At this juncture, because AGFS is my primary focus (especially during the holidays), I'm monitoring web-based bookstores that are handling it for sales and information I can pass along to my Facebook fans, my blog followers and my website.  I try to get at least 2 hours/day (4 days/week) in on writing/promoting my book, in addition to the other writing I do for clients.

5. What is the hardest part of writing for you?

FOCUS!  Because I am very "right brained", I find it hard to stay focused on the task at hand, and get sidetracked fairly easily.  I often begin the day intending to blog, and find myself hours later not having achieved the goal!  I love to write, but not if I cannot set aside at least 2 hours out of my schedule to finish what I start.  It's just not the same to go back and try to start again, because the inspiration of the moment is lost.

6. What’s the best thing about being an author?

There is nothing more exciting than seeing your work in print, except, maybe, getting word that your work has won an award!  Six month after AGFS was published it won 1st place for Children's Books in the Christian Choice Book Awards, and I was floating! :)

7. What are you working on now?

There are 2 more books in the series.  The next book, A Treat for the Tricksters, is awaiting final edits and illustrations.  The third, The Tale of Easter Bunnie is in the works.  Friends encouraged me to get A Treat for the Tricksters out right away, but I wanted to focus on AGFS, so I haven't published it.

8. What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Write for the love of the art.  With 1 million self-published books coming out annually, there are few writers who make a best seller list.  Going to my first International Christian Retail Show was a real eye-opener for me, seeing how many books were being promoted to bookstores, and how few made the shelves.  I believe many people think they will become an author and immediately see great financial success.  That is typically not the case.  If you want to write for an income, there are lots of jobs that allow that, like those I have chosen (grant writer, copy writer, newspaper columnist).  A book is a masterpiece.  Chances are that you may not see financial gain on your work in your lifetime, but if you are thrilled by the legacy you leave for your family (and perhaps...the world)  in your tales, then you are truly an author.

9. Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?

I love the classics.  I love Dickens, Hawthorne, Poe.  I think it is frightening how the language is evolving and eventually our youth will struggle understand the language of these fine authors, because it will be like Shakespearean English to them.  (Though I do love Shakespeare...I'm sure you get the idea.)

10. What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?

How much of reading is inspiration and how much is perspiration?   My answer would be....

I believe being a writer resides in the heart, and most importantly, is a gift from God.  I have been blessed for most of my adult life to be a writer, with little training.  It always astounds me when I finish whatever I'm writing and go back to read it over.  I can't remember "crafting", "sculpting" or "creating" the art, but there it stands!  I believe through hard work you can learn the mechanics of writing.  Through classes and workshops, you can become a competent and even a good writer, but the heart of a writer lives within.  There were many good painters during the renaissance, but there was only one Michael Angelo.  He had a special gift from God.  It is my prayer that God has given me that gift, and that I can use it to His glory, to share the Gospel of Salvation.  A Gift For Santa is a witness book for children.  It is more than the writing I do for my living.  It is my ministry.

11. If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?

I have begun it...the title is Miracles Come in Teaspoons.

My website is www.agiftforsanta.com.

Thank you for your time Karen. The book looks wonderful. 

If you wish to get Karen's book you can at her website or at Amazon if you click here.

Author Interview: The Jew Who Missed the Bus by Evangelist Thomas M. Duncan Jr.

1 Tell me about your book. How did you come up with the story? My main reason for writing this book was to start one of the BIGGEST witnessing’s of the gospel to every believe in Judaism ever. I wrote this book & titled it “The Jew Who Missed The Bus” because I received a revelation from GOD to do so. ... This book will have every believer in Judaism talking & many seeing Jesus as the Messiah for the 1st time ever. It's a very interesting story, how I received the revelation from GOD, and the challenge I pose to every believer in Judaism to READ the book & take a fresh, new, unbiased look and to discern its truth about the topic; Is Jesus the Messiah, (A.K.A. Yeshua), & then try and prove it wrong. I also pose a challenge to every Christian to BUY it, READ it & PASS it on. You can read my testimonial, about how that revelation happened on the right in Chapter one “The story behind “The BOOK.”

2. How did you get interested in writing this particular genre? Like I say I got a revelation from GOD It came to me right after the miracle… (on April 27, 2014, I was given a second chance in life. Two huge blood clots traveled up from my leg to my lungs, causing a massive pulmonary embolism. I was rushed to the E.R. by ambulance, losing consciousness three times from my house to the E.R. When the Pulmonary Specialist finally diagnosed me with the embolism, he said it was a true miracle that I lived through it. He said I should've died right in my house. Then he went on to say, "You don't realize how lucky you were Mr. Duncan. Someone up there must really like you." During the 5 days I spent in I.C.U. and 4 more in I.C.M.U., all I could think of were these three things; 1^st How much I missed being so close with Jesus; 2^nd My family and how bad I wanted to spend time with them, and all the things I wanted to still do with them; and 3^rd How I really needed to start taking better care of myself.  I must have prayed almost nonstop day and night during those 9 days in the hospital. I’ll tell you, there is nothing like almost dying to bring you crying and praying back to GOD. I once had a friend ask me “Isn’t it funny how we always go running to GOD in prayer when we’re in trouble or when we need something, but how often do we pray to GOD when things are going GREAT in our lives just to say, 'HEY, Lord, I know You’re the one to thank for this, so I just wanted to come to You in prayer and say I love You and thanks'?" But it wasn’t until I got home and started praying my thanks to GOD that I started to feel the Lord putting the need back into my heart again to reach out to the Jewish people. So I prayed, "Lord God, how would I do that?" And the Lord told me to write a book, "A book," I said, "You want me to write a book?” And just so you know, I almost laughed as I prayed that. So I kept on asking in prayer, "Lord, surly Lord, that's not what You really want me to do, A BOOK?" And I started to pray again some more, asking the Lord what he really wanted me to do. "Write a book,” He answered. This time it was so clear all I could do is say, "OKAY, Father, but I mean, well, are You really sure, Lord, because this is me you're talking to, You really want me to write a book?  I've never ever even attempted to do anything close to that. You know I was horrible in English, one of my worst subjects ever, plus I’ve never even read a book from cover to cover before in my life, except the Bible." Again the Lord told me, "Write a BOOK and title it The Jew Who Missed The BUS”. It was so clear that I couldn’t even laugh at the title or question it.) After that all I could do was to just turn my heart over to the Lord.  I said, "Okay Father, if You’re with me, Lord, who can be against me? I’ll do it because it will edify me and give You all the praise and glory". So I started writing my BOOK, or as I like to say, GOD’s book, and I called it The Jew Who Missed The Bus. And here I am just one of His servants just trying to fulfill His calling on me.

3. What kind of research did you do for this book? Bible school, Payer & I let the Holly Spirit guide. 

4. What's a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal? I write @ home, I set no goals some days I write more than others but I always pray before I write and also while I’m writing. 

 

5. What is the hardest part of writing for you? Knowing when to stop, I believe too much information and kill a thought (I like to go by this say “Keep it Simple Stupid” LOL…   

 

6. What’s the best thing about being an author? Know that I’m doing the LORD’s will & work…

7. What are you working on now? Putting dates together to visit Churches to talk about the BOOK… I want to start off in New Jersey and work my way around the country…

8. What advice would you give aspiring writers? Don’t do it… LOL Ok really If you’re going to untake a task like this do a lot of praying about it first and don’t stop until the book is complete …

9. Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books? The Bible… 

10. What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question? How do you feel now that the book is published? I come close to tears every day in prayer just thanking the Lord for giving me this ministry and allowing me to play a part in reaching out to lost souls who believe in Judaism…

11. If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be? The man who ran from the Lord only to find out he was running in a circle…

FYI- The book is available on Amazon.com, LULU.com & as it’s only website www.TheJewWhoMissedTheBus.com

Thank you for your time Thomas. If you would like to get a copy of his book you can if you go to his website above or at Amazon if you just click here.

Dinky the Elf is on Smashwords!

Dinky the Elf is now on Smashwords. I did this to get him on more ebook sites. So if you don't have Kindle or Nook he will soon be on a site that you can purchase him. If you have Smashwords you can get him now at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/500972

Author Interview A Very, Very Pasta Family New Year by Michael Ciccolini

Today's author interview is with Michael Ciccolini about his new children's book A Very, Very Pasta Family New Year.
1. Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that (story, angle, idea)? I’VE BEEN DOING A SERIES OF “HOLIDAY SPECIALS” FOR THE PASTA FAMILY BOOKS (www.thepastafamily.com) AND A NEW YEAR STORY WAS ON MY LIST. WHILE I WORKED ON THE PREVIOUS BOOK, I TOOK NOTES ABOUT A POSSIBLE NEW YEAR STORY – WHAT DOES A NEW YEAR MEAN TO A KID? DO WE REALLY WANT THE YEARS TO PASS AND ACCUMULATE? PERSONALLY SPEAKING, I WOULD LOVE IT IF CERTAIN MOMENTS IN TIME WERE FROZEN IN PLACE FOREVER, AND IT’S SAD THAT THAT’S JUST NOT THE CASE. THAT WAS THE EMOTION I BASED THE STORY ON. THAT OPENED UP AN ACTUAL THREE-ACT STORY FOR ME.
2. How did you get interested in writing this particular genre (historical novels, mysteries, sci-fi, children's books, etc.)? I GREW UP ON COMICS AND MOVIES, MOVIES AND COMICS. THEN MORE COMICS AND MORE MOVIES. THE PASTA FAMILY “GRAPHIC NOVELS” ARE JUST BIG, FUN SUMMER MOVIES DISGUISED AS COMIC BOOKS.
3. What kind of research did you do for this book? NO FACTUAL RESEARCH, AS THE BOOK IS PRETTY OUT-THERE, FANTASY AND COMEDY-WISE – BUT EMOTIONALLY, A LOT OF RESEARCH. I’M WRITING ABOUT A LITTLE KID, SO I HAVE TO EXPLORE AND ACCESS THE VERY STRONG FEELINGS (GOOD AND BAD) WE ALL EXPERIENCE IN CHILDHOOD. NOTHING JUST ROLLS OFF YOUR BACK WHEN YOU’RE A KID – EVERY EMOTION IS HUGE, AND EVERY NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE IS THE END OF ALL CREATION, UNTIL IT ISN’T. SO I GO BACK TO THAT PLACE FOR THE DURATION OF A BOOK/STORY.
 4. What's a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal? SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, FROM 6:00 AM TO 1:00PM. I DO THE BOOKS SCENE BY SCENE, SO THAT TIME IS SPENT DRAWING IN PENCIL, THEN INKING, THEN COLORING, THEN PAGE PLACEMENT, AND LAST, DIALOGUE OR NARRATION. DIALOGUE IS ALWAYS LAST, BECAUSE A LOT OF JOKES OR OBSERVATIONS COME AT THE LAST POSSIBLE SECOND. IT’S JUST THE WAY IT SEEMS TO WORK OUT. I DO THIS AT A BIG MESSY TABLE AT MY HOUSE. SKETCH PADS EVERYWHERE, MY MAC, MY IPAD, PHOTOSHOP, ETC. I DON’T SET A DAILY WRITING GOAL, BUT I DO SET A PAGE GOAL: TWO FINISHED PAGES (DRAWN, COLORED, PROCESSED, DIALOGUE, CORRECTED) PER DAY. THREE ON A GREAT DAY. SO THAT’S FOURTEEN PAGES PER WEEK. IT’S A GOOD RHYTHYM THAT WORKS FOR ME, AFTER MUCH TRIAL AND ERROR.
5. What is the hardest part of writing for you? BEING HONEST. NOT BEING AFRAID TO GO TO PAINFUL PLACES TO ACCESS WHAT THE STORY NEEDS.
 6. What’s the best thing about being an author? TELLING STORIES!
7. What are you working on now? I JUST FINISHED “A VERY VERY PASTA FAMILY PRESIDENTS DAY!” WHICH WILL BE RELEASED IN JANUARY, AND I’VE BEGUN THE NEXT BOOK, A NEW “GRAVY GIRL” ADVENTURE (ANNALEENIE, THE HEROINE OF MY BOOKS, IS A PART-TIME SUPERHEROINE, “GRAVY GIRL”. THIS WILL BE HER THIRD SUPERHEROIC BOOK).
8. What advice would you give aspiring writers? SHOW UP! MAKE DEFINITE HOURS TO WRITE, THEN SHOW UP DURING THOSE HOURS AND WRITE! DON’T DELIBERATE, DON’T HESITATE, JUST START. THE HARDEST THING TO DO IS START. BUT ONCE YOU START, YOU’LL BE AMAZED AT WHAT COMES OUT. ALSO, BE PATIENT. BABY STEPS. YOU’RE BUILDING A HOUSE, BRICK BY BRICK. IT’S NOT ALWAYS FUN AND SOMETIMES YOU WANT TO TEAR OUT YOUR EYEBROWS. BUT SHOW UP AND DO IT ANYWAY.
9. Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books? “REMAINS OF THE DAY” (THE BOOK, NOT THE MOVIE) IS THE BEST PIECE OF WRITING I HAVE EVER COME ACROSS. IF YOU HAVEN’T READ IT, BE PREPARED BEFORE YOU DO. IT WILL DESTROY YOU. IN A GOOD WAY.
10. What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question? WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ARTIST? MY ANSWER WOULD BE SAL BUSCEMA – HE’S A COMIC BOOK ILLUSTRATOR WHO BASICALLY DREW EVERYTHING AT MARVEL IN THE 1970S AND 80S. HIS WORK IMPRESSED ME AND IMPRINTED INTO MY DNA AT A VERY YOUNG AGE. HIS WORK IS EXCITING, POWERFUL, FUN, AND HIS STORYTELLING IS CRYSTAL-CLEAR. IF YOU JUST THUMBED THROUGH THE PAGES OF ANYTHING HE DREW WITHOUT READING ANY OF THE TEXT, YOU WOULD STILL KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE STORY WAS, BECAUSE OF THE CLARITY OF HIS STORYTELLING. HIS WORK – ITS QUALITY AND ITS SHEER VOLUME – ARE EVEN MORE INSPIRING AND IMPRESSIVE TO ME AS I GET OLDER.
11. If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be? “BREAKIN’ 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO.”
Thanks for you time Michael I've enjoyed your Pasta Family series for years now. I hope this gets the word out to more people.
If you want to get the latest in the Pasta Family series, just click here.

Interview with Author Carolyn Steamer

Sometimes I plan to do interviews with independent authors. Our first one is with poet/author Carolyn Steamer about her latest book EyceCreme...In Many Flavors.

 1. Tell me about your book. How did you come up with it? EyceCreme...In Many Flavors! is the result of many poetry pieces that I have written over the years as I struggled with being a single mother who was looking for "love" but didn't really understand what true love was. I eventually learned that a relationship with God is what I truly needed and then all of my other relationships started to blossom into something beautiful.
 2. How did you get interested in writing poetry? I got an interest in writing poetry when my daughter and I started to journal back and forth to each other. She lived with me but we would write in a journal to each other from week to week and I often wrote her a poem. One day she told me that I should write a book because my poetry "could heal the broken hearts of a lot of people". She is now deceased but I'm happy to say that she was able to see the release of this book before her passing.
3. What kind of research did you do for this book? There was really no research but I have a prayer life because many people will ask me to write about their family or friends who I have never met. I have to seek the knowledge and wisdom and God to feel something about these people. I can honestly say that of all the memorials that I have written, no one has been disappointed although I had never met their family or friend.
 4. What's a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal? I don't write every single day but there are days when I just can't stop writing. I have a full-time job but even at work, I can find myself deep in thought and a beautiful poetry piece meeting the face of the paper. It's amazing to me and every time I am awed at the fact that God gave THIS GIFT to me.
5. What is the hardest part of writing for you? The hardest part of writing for me would have to be when I am really hurting emotionally. I am extremely sensitive. Once I get started writing, I can go go go! But it's just that first character that I have to really struggle to get out. When my daughter passed away, I had so much inside of me to write but it still took me almost 7 months to write again. When I did, I birthed my second book.
 6. What’s the best thing about being an author? To me, the best thing about being an author/poet is the opportunity to go go where no man has gone before into the minds of emotion. I have been told that certain pieces in this book reminded people of themselves although I was writing about myself. I love what it feels like to find the words to say when someone else can't because I would never want a day to go by that I wasn't able to express myself to someone. I enjoy being able to do that for others just as well for birthdays, retirements, anniversaries, or memorials or other special occasions.
7. What are you working on now? I have taken a sabbatical from writing poetry for publication but I intend to resume in the latter part of 2015. I am currently pursuing my Master's Degree in Biblical Studies and that entails a lot of writing all its own.
8. What advice would you give aspiring writers? For aspiring writers, I would say, "Once you start, don't stop. Don't measure your success by the success of someone else because none of our talents are exactly the same because that would be boring. We were made to compliment each other and together our talents make something beautiful. Don't be afraid to be and stay unique....to have your own "flavor".
9. If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be? If I were writing a book about my life, I believe it would entitled "Through the Storms, Through the Rain...Still Standing!"

Thank you for sharing with us Carolyn. I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of your daughter, but I am sure she is proud of you and your accomplishments. If you would like to get Carolyn's latest book, EyceCreme…in Many Flavors, you can purchase it on line at Amazon.com by clicking here.

Arrow Season 1 on DVD $10

The title says it all. If you like Arrow you can get Season 1 on DVD today at Amazon.com.