Interview with John Cleever

Interview with

Author of Killing Sands

Questions: R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself?

My Nom-de-Plume is John Cleever.

I’m a veteran in the vision media industry, mostly working on feature films and television on four continents over forty years. I am married with four permanently young but ageing children.

Do you remember the first story you wrote?

The first story I wrote was a western screenplay in the Agatha Christie style; full of red herrings and misleading dialogue.

Were you inspired by someone or something?

I was inspired by my Father’s love of westerns and, being the head of the house, we tended to follow his lead.

What do you like about writing a story?

I’m keen on the concept of it being as much an adventure writing it as hopefully it will be for the reader. Writers can fiddle with reader’s emotions and my endings are never plotted; they happen as the story dictates.

Can you tell us about your book?

I’d much prefer you read it. It is a busy first novel and gathers pace as the action unfolds. Unlike many novels,  “ KILLING SANDS”  has two main plots that bump into each other at the crescendo.

What genre best fits for the book?

I’d place this book as a classic “goodies v baddies” action, adventure thriller; easy to read yet easy to put down.

Are you working on something new at the moment?

I’m always doing something, Roy. Currently, there are three feature film screenplays I’m helping to develop for next year and I’m dusting off a bunch of short stories I cobbled together a few years ago. All things being equal, they should be E published before Christmas, tentatively entitled “TRAVEL SHORTS”.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

The best tip I could give would be to remind the writer his performance will be judged by “them” so don’t write it for “you”.

Where can people go to read your work?

My work is available on Amazon or via my website which is:-  http://www.davidballmovieman.com/writing.html

Do you have anything to add?

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to say a few words Roy and for allowing me to become a friend. This valuable service contributes to the creation of an awareness of writers you would probably never otherwise hear of, especially the non USA writers. Thanks so much for the use of the “apple box”. Be well, stay well and read well!  JC.

Interview with Cindy Blackburn

Interview of Cindy Blackburn  

Author of Playing with Poison

Questions: R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself? I’m kind of boring. That’s why I write about Jessie. She’s far more fascinating! Me? I was born in Vermont, raised in NJ, and now live in SC. I read, write, walk, drink wine, play with my cat, and do typical middle aged lady stuff.

Do you remember the first story you wrote? I wrote a story about my pet hamster Hazel when I was 6. My mother liked it!

Were you inspired by someone or something? Other writers inspire me, as do my friends in Sisters in Crime, the Romance Writers of America, and my critique group. And, my hubby John has encouraged me from the get-go

What do you like about writing a story? I love writing dialogue. I love it when my characters start speaking for themselves and I’m just there as the secretary recording what they tell me to.

Can you tell us about your book? Murder meets menopause. Take a guess which wins. Pool shark Jessie Hewitt usually knows where the balls will fall and how the game will end. But when a body lands on her couch and the cute cop in her kitchen accuses her of murder, even Jessie isn't sure what will happen next. Playing With Poison is a cozy mystery with a lot of humor, a little romance, and far too much champagne.

What genre best fits for the book? Cozy Mystery

Are you working on something new at the moment? Yes! Thanks for asking! Book four in the Cue Ball Mysteries, FOUR PLAY should be ready sometime in November.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? Write every day, even if only for a few minutes. Join local writers groups. Writers are nice people and very willing to share their knowledge and skills.

Where can people go to read your work? All three Cue Ball Mysteries are available on Amazon! And my website has some more details about me and the books. That’s at www.cueballmysteries.com

Do you have anything to add? Just  I give you a big huge thanks for letting me join you today. Cheers.

Review of A Perfect Setup

Review of Douglas Wickard's
A PERFECT SETUP 

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

The world revolves around Sami Saxton, as it seems in this complex character driven novel. The author delves into the background of the main women characters to the point of telling us their intimate sexual preferences and choices of men. Sami’s ex is the only male character that women migrate towards. That is the reason for their parting ways – other women.

A young woman is murdered and the story begins. Sami’s ex, Jerry, is the prime suspect, but he wasn’t there at the time of the crime. Sami living her somewhat psychogenic existence believes that Jerry could never kill anyone. Or, could he?  

The development of Mr. Wickard’s attractive Sami Saxton character has her in a delightful existence in New York City with her lovable dog. In her journeys around town, the reader gets a taste of the big apple. She drives taxi cab drivers crazy with her back seat driver’s attitude. But in all other parts of her life, she has little clue as to where she is going or what is happening around her.

This mystery is thrilling at points, because of Sami’s mental aliments which are minor and controllable with legal prescriptions. However, mixed with wine she gets the feeling that someone is out to get her. They are, but it’s not who she thinks it is.

Mr. Wickard keeps the reader’s attention using the character’s explanations as to why they are doing what they’re doing. Some of the explanations are intriguing and entertaining.

The novel is a quick read that a reader of suspense novels will find captivating. I can’t wait to see what will happen to Sami in her next adventure. Or, should you?

Purchase: http://
amzn.to/SPl3WK

Interview of David Ronwinski

Interview with David Ronwinski,

Author of The Open Pillow

Questions: R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself? My name is David Rowinski. I grew up in New Jersey-went to school with Dea Lenihan, the illustrator of The Open Pillow. Then I escaped for college at UMass where I studied English, Communications and Arabic.

After school I worked construction, as a security guard, and eventually spent a year in Egypt teaching English before working at a youth hostel in Athens and survived on borrowed money in Budapest the year the Communist regime fell. I also spent time in Zurich working as a PCA. I am married to the Kenyan/Tanzanian musician Sali Oyugi and split time between East Africa and Amherst, Ma where I am painting houses to pay bills.

Do you remember the first story you wrote?  Yes, it was Unfortunately-Planet of the Dog Men, which was my take on Planet of the Apes.

Were you inspired by someone or something?  I am inspired by my wife whose talent and dedication continue to amaze me.

What do you like about writing a story?  I enjoy the feeling when things suddenly fall into place and a story makes sense beyond what I had initially envisioned.

Can you tell us about your book?  The Open Pillow has its roots in my putting a friend’s son to bed. He asked for a story about an open pillow. My first thought was a torn pillow with feathers everywhere but it occurred to me that open could mean growing. Improperly placed in a flower bed, the pillow encounters rejection from various animals but continues to grow as it seeks it place in the world. The book introduces the concept of exponential thought and the notion of growth with aspects of animal behavior.

What genre best fits for the book? Though it is a children’s bedtime story the notion of persistence in pursuit of goals should never be outgrown.

Are you working on something new at the moment? Yes, The Book of Complements which morphed beyond a children’s book into something somewhat unclassifiable that I am tentatively calling graphic poetry or illustrated myth. There is a book trailer on Youtube.com under ‘BOC Trailer 080813’  I have a number of other ideas including a story arch called The Wending Tree and a novel about a shaman that is have been struggling with for years.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? I shall give the most useful advice given from my wife, “Finish something.”

Where can people go to read your work? The Open Pillow can be ordered on Amazon, B&N, Smashword, etc but can also be requested at any brick and mortar store which I prefer in an effort to support local bookstores.

Do you have anything to add? Probably but I was renovating an apartment until 11:30 PM and it is now midnight so nothing is coming to mind apart from thank you.

Review of Pillow: http://bit.ly/1kOzhPp

The Open Pillow

THE OPEN PILLOW

Story by David Rowinski
  and
Illustrations by Dea Lenihan
     
Review by Author Roy Murry


This cute little story is one you want to introduce to your little ones. They will learn as the pillow develops. It grows by the numbers and meets many characters on its journey to fulfillment.

Using an easy to follow rhythm, David tells an unusual tale which can be repeated without boring a child. Dea's illustrations helps bring the story alive giving any child a delightful visual enhancement to David's words. 

Pillow arrives at its destination giving pleasure to its owner who found it in an unlikely situation - one of unused floundering in a flower bed; and we all know flowers don't need a pillows.

Delightful little book that will help your little ones learn about numbers and life.

The Eric Carle Museum of Storybook Art  recently has featured The Open Pillow.

LINK: http://amzn.to/1fpYOA1

David's interview: http://bit.ly/18rk6Yy

Interview of Douglas Wickard

Interview of Douglas Wickard

Author of A Perfect Setup

Questions: R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself? I live in Los Angeles, I work a full time job in the hospitality industry, and I fit in my writing early in the morning, before the world wakes up so I won’t be disturbed. I live a pretty boring existence, actually. I love Mexican food with margaritas, of course, and like Sami, enjoy a nice vodka martini from time to time.

Do you remember the first story you wrote? Yes, I’ve often mentioned it before. I was twelve years old and Reader’s Digest had a writing competition called FIRST PERSON’S AWARD. It was an opportunity for readers to write about a particularly rough time they were going through in their lives.

Of course, with my wild imagination, I decided to write about my fictitious heroin addiction. At twelve! My sister, Karen typed up the manuscript so it appeared professional and we sent it out, fingers crossed. I didn’t win, but it sure showed me what an adrenalin rush fees like, as well as what the power of imagination can unleash with the written word.

Were you inspired by someone or something? I have a blog post entitled A DEDICATION TO TEACHERS. My 10^th grade English teacher, Patsy Grimm was that person for me. On my graduation day from High School, she presented me with a book, THE PROPHET. Inside she wrote a lovely letter, which is now framed and hanging above my writer’s desk, letting me know I would eventually come around to writing. Even though my mind was set on being a doctor at the time, I became a writer. Well, she was right! 

What do you like about writing a story? It’s freedom. The way a story unfolds. The relationship I develop with the characters from that first page until the last. It’s an amazing process.

Can you tell us about your book? A PERFECT SETUP is the sequel to A PERFECT HUSBAND. In my new Sami Saxton novel, I chose to make Sami more real.  My pitch is: Sami’s back, and this time it’s personal.  

After moving to the country house her deceased father built years ago and coming face-to-face with a serial killer, Sami moves back to the City. She is dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Agoraphobia from her experience. Then, the unthinkable occurs, her ex husband, Jerry, is taken into custody for the murder of a young woman found brutally murdered in a Midtown hotel.    

What genre best fits for the book?  Thriller; suspense; mystery.

Are you working on something new at the moment? I’m working on a new book called ENCOUNTER.  It is not a Sami Saxton novel, but a new series introducing FBI Agent Dan Hammer and Inspector Vanessa Sanchez from the SFPD. It is due for release on Halloween this year.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? Just do it! Go to the end. Don’t edit yourself during the creative process.

Where can people go to read your work? A PERFECT HUSBAND anywhere ebooks are sold and A PERFECT SETUP exclusively on Amazon.

Do you have anything to add? Thank you for this opportunity. I appreciate the support. Also, I send a big thank you to my readers.  

Review of Shadow of the Realm

Shadows of the Realm

Book 1 of The Circle of Talia

Written by Dionne Lister

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Ms. Lister has written a jewel of a young adult fantasy story for the reader who enjoys an adventure with imagination. The plot draws the reader in from the get go, by setting the ground work for a series a young reader will want to complete.

Our young protagonists are Bronwyn and Blayke. At the age of eighteen, they’re sent on separate paths towards their destiny by The Circle of Talia. Their antagonists are coming of age, again, from another realm, as our main characters are being mentored into becoming realmist. A spirit the reader will learn about as the story progresses.

The author has ingeniously interwoven morals and philosophy into the teachings of our young realmists. Bronwyn’s mentor Avruellen teaches her, paraphrased, ‘As you’ll come to realize over time…no amount of worrying will help to solve a problem for the better or the worst.’ Tidbits like this will get the reader thinking in the right direction.

After the tedious part of laying out the background of the story and the characters involved, Dionne Lister’s adventures takes off.  The reader, with the basic intro knowledge given, will be reading rapidly to see what next happenstance will develop.

This is Book 1 in the series The Circle of Talia. Ms. Lister will have the reader thinking and saying, “Don’t end now; not at this point, I want to know what will come next.”  And that is Book 2. 

The author has done her job. She has hooked the reader into her fantasy which he or she will want to continue, and they should to settle their restless minds. Otherwise, how will the reader know the end of the adventure? Buy the series to keep the flow going. It’s worth it.

Ms. Dionne Lister’s link:  www.dionnelisterwriter.com. 

Interview of Dionne Lister

Interview of Dionne Lister

Author of Shadows of the Realm

(The Circle of Talia)

Questions: R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself? I was born in Australia to immigrant parents. My mum’s Italian, and my dad’s Greek. I live in Sydney with my husband and two children and enjoy playing competitive team sports.

Do you remember the first story you wrote? The first one I remember writing was a small book when I was about ten — The Silver Waters of Brumby Land. Brumbies are the wild horses in Australia. I still have it, and I illustrated it too. It’s funny to look back on because I always thought I got my horror streak from reading too much Stephen King as a teenager but in my first book, one of the horse characters slipped and fell and smashed his head on a rock. He died. Seems like it’s just my brain and I have no one else to blame lol.

Were you inspired by someone or something? No. I just wanted to be a writer because I loved writing and I enjoy the process so much.

What do you like about writing a story? Many things. I love the process of creating the story — putting the words on the page is incredibly fulfilling, and then I love reading it back and thinking “Where did that come from?” And of course, there is the joy of a stranger (or friend) reading your work and loving it.

Can you tell us about your book? I’ve written three books. The first one is Shadows of the Realm and the sequel A Time of Darkness, both in The Circle of Talia series. They’re young adult high fantasy and center around a group of realists — they draw and use power from the Second Realm. The two main characters, Bronwyn and Blayke, are learning as they go, having been forced to leave home. They’re eighteen and untried. Their daunting task is to learn as much about their Second Realm powers. As they can without getting killed and then band with the dragons, so they have a chance of defeating the gormons who are invading from the Third Realm (akin to hell) where they were banished from Talia (their world) over a thousand years ago. The gormons are angry and want blood; lots of blood.

The other book I have out is Dark Spaces, a book of suspenseful short stories set in the modern-day world.

What genre best fits for the book? Young adult epic or high fantasy is The Circle of Talia series, and Dark Spaces is thriller/suspense.

Are you working on something new at the moment? I’m working on a lot of things. I’m working on the final book in The Circle of Talia series, a standalone epic fantasy which is tentatively called Little Dove, a crime thriller. One which is comedy/women’s fiction which will be released under a pen name as it deals with things I’d rather not have associated with my young adult image.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? Write as much as you can, and if you can study writing, you will learn a few things a lot quicker than if you try to do it yourself (unless you are a freaky genius). Learn to take criticism — it can hurt to start with, but you get used to it, and if you listen to the people who are giving you good feedback, you will improve. No one’s work is perfect so be open to the fact that you need to keep working to get better.

Where can people go to read your work? I have a few short stories and the opening to Shadows of the Realm on my website www.dionnelisterwriter.com. You can also buy my books from all the usual places (where you can also read samples).

Do you have anything to add? If of your Australian readers are interested, I’m talking about self-publishing at The Sutherland Shire Writers Festival and the NSW Writers Centre in November and the Hunter Writers Centre at the end of October. For the US readers, I’m appearing at a book signing morning on 12^th October in Dallas (Texas). Twelve authors are getting together. We write in a wide range of genres, and we’ll be selling and signing paperbacks, so come down and see us at Half Price Books Dallas flagship store. And if you’re into speculative fiction, I co-host Club Fantasci — you can find us on Facebook and Goodreads or our website www.clubfantasci.wordpress.com. You can find me on Twitter @DionneLister if you’d like to say ‘Hi.'

Roy: Thanks so much for the interview! I’ve really enjoyed myself. Cheers, everyone J.

Review of Valentine's Surprise

Review of Valentine’s Surprise,

a short story, by Lawrence Wray

Reviewed by Roy Murry

As some of you may know, I subscribe to http://www.one-story.com/  and receive a short story a month, which I read religiously. I have been doing this for a couple of years. I’m telling you this to give you an idea of where I got my knowledge in reviewing short stories – I have read many, including most of Mark Twain’s and other popular authors.

Now to the present and Mr. Wray’s Valentine’s Surprise. I was thankfully surprised and read it twice. It was well constructed prose that kept me interested and made me laugh even though I had to think twice about some of the English converted into American English, which pleasantly slowed down my reading – rethinking what just happened.

The story line was believable and timely. A man buying his wife a present for Valentine’s Day should be an easy thing to do. But when friends get involved a la Lucy and Desi Arnaz of TV comic fame, the results can be hilarious. The laugh meter needle went past the middle on this one.

Lawrence brings the story’s predicament across smoothly. There were no frills, just right to the point story telling. It’s worth the buck or pound for the laugh.

And, we should all laugh each day.

My Lawrence Wray’s links: 

Amazon Author Page  http://viewauthor.at/lawrencewray

Valentine’s Surprise    http://amzn.to/1m2nbJm

Twitter                           @lawrence_wray

Facebook                     www.facebook.com/lawrence.wray.33

Interview of Lawrence Wray

Interview with Lawrence Wray,
author of Valentine's Surprise

Questions: R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself?

Hi Roy. Thanks for the invitation.

I was born about 12 miles outside Belfast in 1960 and grew up throughout the Northern Ireland ‘troubles’, and yes, I’ve seen a couple of bombs go off, but I was never injured.

My dad owned a garage and a taxi/bus company and from a very early age I worked on the cars in the garage and served petrol at nights. Some of the taxi drivers had their own illegal guns for protection and fights were a regular occurrence with drunken customers who thought that they were entitled to free trips as they were ‘connected’.

Secondary school was at the height of the bombings and the school was constantly out with ‘bomb scares.’ I started reading at a very early age and never stopped. School wasn’t my thing and I left without any qualifications to be a truck mechanic. I was very good at the theory but didn't like the actual work. When a job was finished the journey man had to write-up what was actually done and one day I was given the task of writing the job sheet and he got so much extra time that he called me ‘the author’.

I had an idea one day to publish a bridal magazine, and to this day I've no clue where that came from. I published it for 3 years before selling it and then went on to run a yearly national bridal exhibition, which was eventually sold as well.

I’ve been self-employed since 1980 running a video shop, garages, car sales, various mail order companies and currently a wedding business. Good times and bad times. Been very rich and been bankrupt.

Do you remember the first story you wrote?

No. I’ve no idea. I always knew that I would write something, but never knew what. When I started the bridal magazine I wrote the contents between 11pm and 5am. That just seemed to be what worked for me at the time.

Were you inspired by someone or something?

Reading really bad writing, where the author tries to impress with unusually large words that involve the dictionary a lot, turned me off. What’s the point of trying to read a story that intentionally tries to impress/confuse you? It ruins everything. So, I started writing simple short stories.

What do you like about writing a story?

Finding out just what the characters intend to do. I start with an idea, write ‘once upon a time’, and go from there. Once it’s started, ideas come from all directions and I just try to sort them out. It’s a bit mental.

Can you tell us about your book?

I wrote ‘Valentine’s Surprise’ three days before that big day last year. It was based on a simple joke that I expanded on. One of the characters was based on a real friend, so I had to invent the others. It was great fun to write and I could put them in whatever embarrassing situations I wanted. 

What genre best fits for the book?

Surprisingly, I think that comedy would probably be the best genre. I don’t think that comedy is my strong point, but other readers have found it funny. Although it’s based on a joke, that’s really only one line in the book, but I seem to have added other humorous sections for my own amusement.

Are you working on something new at the moment?

I’m on the final edit of ‘Money Man.’ It was supposed to be printed earlier in the year but because of the content (counterfeiting money,) I couldn’t get it published anywhere. It outlines the fine details of counterfeiting and the publishers were afraid of potential litigation. Finally, after agreeing to take a lot of the detail out and having parts of it authorised by the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland), it’s finally been accepted, so I’m looking at uploading it in October.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

Easy, I read a lot and just write - brilliant prose, appalling crap - just get it down. The idea of getting 1 paragraph or 1 page perfect just stifles the creativity. You have to get it out of your head as quickly as possible. The more you write the more you learn, and then you start again with what you’ve learnt and do a re-write, then another, then another... With every re-write new ideas come into play that enhance the story, but it means that once you’ve finished the first draft, you’re really only starting.

Where can people go to read your work?

Amazon Author Page  http://viewauthor.at/lawrencewray

Valentine’s Surprise    http://viewBook.at/ValentinesSurprise

Twitter                           @lawrence_wray

Facebook                     www.facebook.com/lawrence.wray.33

Do you have anything to add?

Thanks for the opportunity Roy.