Showing posts with label fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fantasy. Show all posts

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Writer's Window Thursday - Jami M. Brumfield

Welcome to Writer's Window Thursday. Today we get to meet Jami M. Brumfield and learn about her book "Lone Wolf Rising". Jami is not only an author of paranormal romantic thrillers, but an avid reader. She lives in Phoenix, Arizonawith her husband and two dogs. By day she hypnotizes people to work through obstacles in their lives and by night she creates obstacles for her characters to work through in her books. Let's take a peek into the world of Jami Brumfield.  

Tiffany:What is the title of your book and what message does it convey to readers?

 
Jami -Lone Wolf Rising is the title.  This is book one in a series of at least four books.  The message is that revenge only brings on more destruction in one’s life.

 

Tiffany: Give a short synopsis of your book. 

 
Jami -Rebecca Winters is an average teenager dealing with a deep level of guilt because she believes she is responsible for the death of her parents.  Her only lifelines are her twin sister, Savannah, her younger brother, Hunter and her best friend, Jackson.  They keep her from falling into a dark abyss of depression.  What Rebecca doesn’t know is that she comes from two powerful witch lines and she has amazing power coursing through her veins.  Power that was locked away when her parents spell bound all three of them for their protection.
The supernatural world is hidden to most humans, they choose to ignore it, but Rebecca’s DNA attracts the dangerous world.  Her best friend is psychic, her neighbor is a guardian (a branch of witches that specialize in the realm of the dead), and her grandmother is in deeper than anyone can imagine.  So when she stumbles upon a friend changing into a werewolf her mission in life is changed.  Suddenly, her only thought is to become a werewolf and avenge her parents’ tragic deaths.
Even the best laid plans have problems and Rebecca’s road to vengeance is littered with terrifying vampires, massacres, political responsibilities and other unimaginable obstacles.  Two guys join her journey, both intrigued and bent on claiming her as their own.  But Rebecca’s desire for vengeance creates turmoil and one of the most important people in her life will pay the ultimate price.

 

Tiffany: Why did you write this particular story?

 
Jami -I have been in love with the paranormal, supernatural, and mythological worlds for most of my life.  I have also been writing since I was a young girl in middle school.  It was only a matter of time that love for the unknown and my skills as a writer would combine to create this book.  It has some of the traditional beliefs in supernatural lore and also my own theories; like a werewolf suffering from multiple personalities; the human host and the wolf.  The idea of these two feuding internally while the world continues moving around them was the first area I wanted to tackle which is why this book came first.  Book two in the series takes a closer look at the myths around vampirism and takes a paranormal romantic science fiction turn with gene manipulation and multi-dimensions.  Book three will delve deeper into the science fiction aspect as well as the world witchcraft. 

 

Tiffany: Are there any characters in your books that are modeled from people in your daily life?

 
Jami -No particular character is modeled from people in my real life; however there are pieces of people I love and admire in the makeup of the characters.  If there are things I like about a person I like to take that admiration and immortalize them in characters I love.  It helps to keep the characters realistic and allows my readers to find a connection to them despite their fictional status.  You will find endearing characteristics in all the characters, even those that are antagonists.  The best baddie’s I have ever read about are those you “love to hate”.

 

Tiffany: How do you come up with your story lines?

 
Jami - I start with an outline on how I want a story to go.  It becomes a structure that I allow to be flexible.  If, as I am writing, I come up with a new plot twist I add it into the mix and go back and foreshadow it if necessary.  I also try and add current issues into my plots.  Survivor’s guilt, homecoming, drugs, depression, popularity, and a character trying to find a way to tell his father he is gay are all subplots in the bigger storyline of book one.  In book two I have already added post traumatic stress disorder and infertility.  My character’s face confidence issues and challenges involved in growing up and becoming an adult.    Mix in a little paranormal, supernatural, science fiction, fantasy and romance and you have a book that can entertain and also help people grow.

 

Tiffany: What was the point you realized that being an author was no longer a dream but a reality?

 
Jami - I think the first time I realized that writing was a reality was my first sale.  Then the second milestone was the first review.  As each milestone continues to build upon the previous milestones I realize that with each new achievement the dream has become the reality.

 

Tiffany: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

 
Jami -The turning point for me was to realize that I couldn’t please everyone.  I wrote book after book; year after year and never finished or published because I worried what others would say once it was done.  What I have realized now that I am published is that not everyone will like your work.  You have a voice and they may not be able to connect to that voice, however, there will be some people who connect to that voice and they will appreciate what you did for them; whether it was helping them learn a lesson or simply allowing them an escape from reality for a short time while they read your book.
To sum it up; “take that chance!  Don’t give up!”  You will never really know until you try.

 

Tiffany: What warning(s) would you give them?

 
Jami -Not everyone is going to like your work.  Keep in mind the audience you are writing for and strive to put out the best product you can.  Accept the constructive criticism as a learning experience and use it to help create an even better product next time if you agree with the feedback.

 

Tiffany: What do you enjoy the most about the writing process?

 
Jami - My favorite part of the writing process is creating something out of nothing.  Taking an idea, building a world around that idea and creating amazingly endearing characters that will help push the story along, there is nothing like it. 

 

Tiffany: How did you go about getting your book published?

 
Jami - When I started writing the book I wrote down my strengths and weaknesses.  Then I sought out help from people that would help bring my weaknesses to the strength pile.  For example, I am not an editor so I hired an amazing editor, Michele Gwynn, who is also a published author.  Once I had my story written and my weaknesses turned into strengths I sent out a few query letters to agents.  I set a date to publish and if I didn’t hear back from an agent by that date I decided I was going to self publish.  I self published and had over 3,000 downloads in the first month!

 

Tiffany: If you were given one day to live, what would you do that day?

 
Jami -Wow tough question.  Most of us don’t have one more day to say goodbye because death comes without warning for many.  So I guess I would be thankful for the tiny warning.  I would use that time to spend with family and friends.  I would also spend time writing letters or recording videos for those important people in my life that I will not see again. 

 

Tiffany: If you could meet one of your favorite authors, who would it be and why?

 
Jami - I have many favorite authors and it is hard to bring it down to one.  But if I had to choose one it would probably be Sherrilyn Kenyon.  She made an amazing impression on me at such an important age.  Her dark hunter series really reinforced my writing urban fantasy and paranormal romance.  The way she created a world that lived under human society and spanned mythology and supernatural was and is still amazing. 

 

Tiffany: Who inspires you?

 

Jami - My husband.  He is my anchor, without him I would be in the sky with no way to touch the earth.  He keeps me grounded. 
 

Tiffany: If you could go back in time, what would you say to your younger self?

 Jami - Good job!  You made the best out of difficult situations.  I’m proud of you.  Being a hypnotherapist I firmly believe that our past helps shape us but doesn’t dictate how we turn out.

 

Tiffany: What’s next for you?

 

Jami - Book two “Vampire Princess in Training” is weeks away from going to the editor and the rough draft of book three “Fire Master” is already being written.  When the Winters series is complete I have two other book series that I have already started on and will be working on as well.  One is called “Letters to my Vampire Prince” another YA paranormal romance and the other is an Adult paranormal romance with the working title “Psychopaths and Telepaths”
 
 
Thank you Jami for stopping by today! If you are interested in learning more about her books and where to find them please drop by the following links:

Facebook:

GoodReads:


 

 

 
 

 


Thursday, February 20, 2014

Writer's Window Thursday - K.N. Lee

Welcome to Writer's Window Thursday! Today we have the pleasure of K.N. Lee's company! Amateur artist, traveling enthusiast, and wannabe rock star, K.N. Lee is an American author who resides in North Carolina. She enjoys writing fantasy, poetry, horror, and twisted short stories. When she is not cooking traditional Asian meals for her friends, she travels the world and practices foreign languages.

Her works include, The Chronicles of Koa: Netherworld, the dark poetry collection, Wicked Webs, Empty Your Heart, and the paranormal collection of short stories, Thicker Than Blood. She lives with her two dog, Raven.


Let's Take a peek into this writer's imagination!
 
 
 
Tiffany: What is the title of your book and what message does it convey to readers?

K.N. Lee: The Chronicles of Koa: Netherworld is a fantasy novel set in modern times yet utilizes high-fantasy weapons, alchemy, science, and magic. The message that I like to convey is that even the smallest, least intimidating, person in the room can indeed be the most dangerous. My heroine is Koa Ryeo-won. She’s small, cute, and silly…but if you cross her or threaten her loved ones, she’ll activate her enchanted sword and make you pay!

 

Tiffany: Give a short synopsis of your book.

K.N. Lee: What would you do if a demon threatened your mother's life? If you're like Koa, you'd sharpen your enchanted sword and go after him...

Our world is threatened by the creatures of an alternate land called the Netherworld. Good thing Koa and the Netherworld division are there to keep the vampire population in check. Koa is a powerful half-blood with a mysterious past. Her best friend is her boss, she has a cursed mother, an enchanted sword, and an attractive human pet.

Koa also has a problem. A Netherworld serial killer, with a taste for little girls, threatens everything Koa has worked hard to protect. Not even Koa's boss, Halston can stop him. But he knows one prisoner that can. Too bad that prison is in the Netherworld.

Is Koa ready to journey to the Netherworld to release the one creature that can break her mother's curse and protect all that she holds dear?

 

Tiffany:Why did you write this particular story?

K.N. Lee: This story actually began as a dream. It then became a weekly experiment on my blog and before I knew it, I had a pretty cool story and a few characters that I’d fallen in love with. I wanted a strong female protagonist with incredible power and the ability to fight evil.

 

Tiffany: Are there any characters in your books that are modeled from people in your daily life?

K.N. Lee: You know what, I never really realized it, but I think Koa may be modeled after my best friend. They’re both small, Asian, and feisty! You wouldn’t want to test either of them!

 

How do you come up with your storylines?

K.N. Lee: The first chapter came completely from a dream that I had. Then, I sat down and let Koa take control. She surprised me at every turn! I had a clear vision of what I wanted the end result to be and who the characters were. I did use an outline towards the end, just to keep the plot from straying.

 

Tiffany:  What was the point you realized that being an author was no longer a dream but a reality?

K.N. Lee: I’ve always know. From the first story I wrote when I was a child, I knew that being an author was what I wanted more than anything. Nothing gives me more joy than retreating to the deepest depths of my imagination and creating magical worlds and heroic characters. I think validation that I’d chosen the correct path came when I finally let someone other than family read my work. Their overwhelmingly positive feedback ignited something within me. I decided to stop hiding pursue publication.

 

Tiffany:    What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

K.N. Lee: Never give up. Rejection is part of being a writer. Write every day. Read. Never let your writing become a chore.

 

Tiffany: What warning(s) would you give them?

K.N. Lee: Don’t let that inevitable self-doubt hinder your progress. Push forward despite that little voice that tells you that your work is not good. Prove to yourself that your words are worthy.

 

Tiffany: What do you enjoy the most about the writing process?

K.N. Lee: I enjoy sitting at my desk and shutting out the world. Talk about therapy for the soul! It’s like dreaming while awake, except you have all of the control. I like the excitement of a new idea. Those first lines are magical, and your heart soars with the joy that comes from starting something new. The possibilities are endless!

 

Tiffany:  How did you go about getting your book published?

K.N. Lee: I actually have a fantasy trilogy called Rise of the Flame that took me years to write, and I always wanted to go the traditional route with that one. But I quickly learned that the road to finding an agent or a publisher is a long one. So, being somewhat impatient, I decided to self-publish The Chronicles of Koa: Netherworld on Amazon. I figured that I’d at least get my writer platform established, gain a fan base, and have something on my resume. It’s been incredibly rewarding!

 

Tiffany:   If you were given one day to live, what would you do that day?

K.N. Lee: I’d spend it with my family in a Swiss Family Robinson style tree house. We’d have yummy food, relax, and enjoy our last time together.

Tiffany:   If you could meet one of your favorite authors, who would it be and why?

K.N. Lee: Stephen King!!!! I’ve been reading his work since I was a child! He’s an incredible, prolific, author that I consider a mentor.

 

Tiffany:    Who inspires you?

K.N. Lee: My mother! She’s an incredible woman. I’d love to write her story someday.

 

Tiffany:   Most embarrassing childhood or adult moment?

K.N. Lee: Getting lost in South Korea was pretty mortifying. I was new to the country and my Korean was not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. I walked around begging for help, stopping strangers, and pointing to the phrase “I am lost” in my Korean-English phrasebook. Oh boy, that was embarrassing, but the Korean people were amongst the friendliest I’ve ever met. A girl actually called her friend that spoke English and got her to translate, and she bought me a cab home! Incredible!

 

Tiffany:    If you could go back in time, what would you say to your younger self?

 

K.N. Lee: Do not dwell on your failures. There is a bright future ahead of you. Do everything within your power to reach your goals.

 

 

Tiffany:   What’s next for you?

K.N. Lee: The sequel to The Chronicles of Koa: Netherworld is called Lyrinian Blade, and will be released early February! I’ll also have a story, Last of the Jinn, in the fantasy anthology A World of Worlds coming soon!
Thank you for stopping by today and letting us learn more about your book and you as an author! If you wish to learn more about K.N. Lee and her books you can find her here:

 


 

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Thursday Writer's Window - Ross Homer


Writer's Window Thursday - Ross Homer



 


I would like to welcome Ross Homer to this week's "Writer's Window". Mr. Homer writes fantasy/sci-fi for a more mature audience. Here is a little background information on this interesting author. Ross has been a story teller since childhood. Since his family moved quite a lot, he collected a myriad of experiences, thoughts, people, places and things to write about. He went to college for awhile and majored in History and Anthropology. These two subjects help immensely in his writing. Ross, now lives in Alaska where the beauty and absolute weirdness of the people provide fodder for his imagination. Let's take a peek into Ross' imagination and learn how he crafts his stories!




Tiffany - Will you please tell us what is the title of your book ?
Ross -The title of my first book is “The Witches of Aba Nam, Book 1: The Orb"



Tiffany -Give a short synopsis of your book.
Ross - Defeated in war by Teus, Lord of Moraduhnim Castle, the beautiful young queen of Aba Nam is captured and tortured for two years. Teus stripped Viktoria Ceridwyn Coer Kilarra of her health, realm and magical abilities in the war that saw black, white and gray magics used by both. Almost dead from her continuing defiance, she manages to escape. Escaping, though, has its own set of problems. Like falling in front of an oncoming automobile. This one is driven by Taagen Davis, novelist and avid bicyclist. He barely stops in time. Recovering from the injuries incurred in the war, the young queen tells Taagen a tale of a legendary object that must be protected at all costs. When she’s strong enough, she shows him a small sample of her once powerful magic. Taagen takes time to think about what she’s told him and decides her story is reasonable. Of course, his falling in love with her didn’t enter the decision at all. He decides to join this beautiful young woman on her quest. Their destination is the secret location of the Orb of the Worlds. Arriving on Aba Nam through a portal called a Gateway, Taagen discovers it to be nothing like Earth. For starters they have to fight a band of Teus’ mercenaries within minutes of arriving. With swords, no less! Driven to conquest by forces unknown to him, Lord Teus has not been resting on his victory. He too is striving to find the Orb. Nothing will stand in his way; neither stronger magic, nor the young queen.
Tiffany - Many authors have a specific reason for writing a story. Why did you write this particular story?
Ross -I grew up on classic science fiction and fantasy. I’ve always wanted to create this kind of story and, after a number of years of kicking it around, I finally completed this one.
Tiffany- Tell me Ross, are there any characters in your books that are modeled from people in your daily life?
Ross -Not really. Some are amalgams of friends and neighbors, most are my creations.
Tiffany - Fantasy writers have always fascinated me. The imagination it takes to write that genre is astounding. How do you come up with your story lines?
Ross -‘What if’ is one way. Another is talking to people. Sometimes something they say will key a scene in my brain. For instance: my wife and I were discussing divergent time lines this morning or making a decision one way or another. What would happen if…?
Tiffany -What was the point you realized that being an author was no longer a dream but a reality?
Ross - When I put the first book in this series on Kindle AND someone actually bought it, not a friend or family member. I may not be able to gas my truck yet, but it is fun.
Tiffany - What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Ross - I’m going to steal a line from “Galaxy Quest.” Never give up, never surrender. I have no less than 62 rejections for The Witches of Aba Nam. I know it’s a very good story, with strong characters. But getting past the slush pile in this day and age is extremely difficult for new writers. I completely believe it’s all luck.
Tiffany - What warning(s) would you give them?
Ross - Be very careful should you become one of the chosen few. The woods are full bandits, wolves and other creatures out to steal you blind. There’s a great website called: http://pred-ed.com/ It helps the writer see who the bad guys are.
Tiffany - What do you enjoy the most about the writing process?
Ross - The actual creation and seeing the scene or conversation in my head. Seeing it on my screen. Telling my wife, “Wow! This character really kicks butt.” Editing, not so much but by doing it, I polish and add sensuality. I like to get the thoughts down first and then add in the five senses.
Tiffany - Now for some "non" writing related questions. If you were given one day to live, what would you do that day?
Ross - Wipe my hard drives. I think I’d sit and write thoughts about what I’m feeling at the time.
Tiffany - There are so many authors I would love to meet ( past and present). If you could meet one of your favorite authors, who would it be and why?
Ross -Nora Roberts/JD Robb. I have read all the JD Robb novels and not a few of her 'romance’ novels. I would like to see what goes on inside her head and how she manages to publish literally hundreds of books. See if I can catch an idea or two from her.
Tiffany - Who inspires you?
Ross - Seeing my words come to life in a form that tells a story. I grew up in the days of Uncle Remus and the incredible story-telling of Joel Chandler Harris, O Henry, Saki and as I mentioned before, classic science fiction writers like Asimov, Fred Clark, Arthur Clarke, Heinlein (a personal favorite and a person I try to emulate to some extent in my writing,) Murray Leinster and Norton.
Tiffany - Everyone has an embarrassing moment in life. I have had many. Please tell us your most embarrassing childhood or adult moment?
Ross -Really? You want to go there? I am a recovering alcoholic and lord knows I have far too many of those tales. Since sobriety (seven years and counting) none that I can think of. Well, there’s one. Two years after I married my first wife, we were at a party when I turned to introduce her to my commanding officer. “Sir, this is my wife…” Her name was gone! Completely, as if it had never been. Suffice it to say, I was embarrassed and she was very angry. We joked about it from time to time until she died a few years ago.
Tiffany - If you could go back in time, what would you say to your younger self?
Ross - Listen to your muse! If she says write, then do it! I screwed around for decades before I finally knuckled down and got after it. I loved writing stuff when I was a kid, still have some of my notebooks, but basically dropped it as an adult. It’s only been in the last five years or so that I’ve really made an effort.
Tiffany - What’s next for you?
Ross - I’m continuing with The Witches of Aba Nam series. Book 2: Arena is done and being edited. Book 3: Working title, The Return is kicking around inside my head and I’ve a lot of ideas for it. This series is basically unending. I’m also working on my Scepter of the Nile series. Book one of that one is done and being edited, I’m working on book 2 and planning a third and final book 3. And I have a private eye series that’s simmering on the back burner, about two thirds written. I don’t know if I’ll actually make a series out of it or not. I have numerous short stories, some of which are on my blog: www.theworldsofross.com
Thank you Ross! It was fun to learn about your creative process and your current work. Best of luck as you pursue your dream!

You can Find Ross' book at the following links:


Thursday, January 23, 2014

Thursday Writer's Window - Kyra Dune


Welcome to Writer's Window!
 
As a writer, I am always fascinated by other writer's work and how they craft a particular story. Today, I will be spotlighting Kyra Dune and her book "Shadow of the Dragon". Kyra Dune was born in Oklahoma, but spent most of her life travelling with her family. She is the author of more than a dozen fantasy novels, including: Shadow of the Dragon, Elfblood, and Firebrand. As a child, her favorite stories were those that told of ordinary children being whisked away to magical lands. She has yet to find her own secret wardrobe or rabbit hole, but she hasn’t given up the search. You never know what might be waiting over the next rainbow. 
Recently Kyra consented to an interview about her book and her life as a writer. Please, join me now as I take a peek into this author's imagination window and get to know her a bit more!
 
Tiffany: Your current work is "Shadow of the Dragon", what message does this particular book convey to your readers?

Kyra: The title of the book is Shadow Of The Dragon and the core message of the story is how unhealthy it is to let one moment in time define who you are and how you relate to other people.
 
Tiffany: Will you give a short synopsis of your book?

Kyra: After a dragon attacks their village, two siblings must strike out across the frozen countryside to find safety. But what they find is much more than they bargained for.


 Tiffany: Why did you write this particular story?
 
Kyra: That's kind of a hard question to answer. I guess I wrote because it was in my head and it kind of demanded to be written. I really like Micayta's character. She's complicated and has a tendency to come off as a lot more cold hearted than she actually is.

 Tiffany: I often model characters or situations after true events. Are there any characters in your books that are modeled from people in your daily life?
 
Kyra: I think all my characters have bits and pieces of people I've known, and bits and pieces of myself as well, but I wouldn't say any of them are really modeled after certain people.

 Tiffany: Tell me Kyra, how do you come up with your story lines?
 
Kyra: I don't know. The stories come to me and I write them. I don't consciously think about it.

 
Tiffany: When was the point you realized that being an author was no longer a dream but a reality?

Kyra: When my first novel, Flight Of Dragons, was accepted for publication. I was so excited, I laughed, I cried, I jumped around. There's no feeling like having your dream come true. It was a powerful moment.

 Tiffany: Writing is such a personal experience and advice is sometimes lacking for a young writer. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
 
Kyra: Don't give up. Even if it seems like it's never going to happen for you. It's better to try and fail then to stop trying and have to spend the rest of your life wondering what if.

Tiffany: What do you enjoy the most about the writing process?




Kyra: I love everything about writing. Well, okay, almost everything. Editing can get a little tedious. But for the most it's an awesome job. What could be more fun than getting to spend all day talking to your imaginary friends and getting paid for it?

 
Tiffany: I have found that the Publishing world is often a scary and confusing place for a new author. What warning(s) would you give young writers/authors?

Kyra: Do your research. If you're going to submit to a traditional publisher, make sure you talk to other writers who've worked with them. Also, always have somebody else read your book whether you're submitting it to a publisher or self-publishing. Every book needs a fresh set of eyes.


 Tiffany: Like I said before, the publishing world can be very confusing, and there are so many new ways to be published now. How did you go about getting your book published?
 
Kyra: I did a little research and found a small press publisher who didn't require an agent for submissions. I sent Shadow Of The Dragon in and they picked it right up. That was pretty cool. I actually work with three separate small press publications and I have great relationships with all of them. But recently I've decided to branch out into self-publishing, so we'll see how that goes.

 Tiffany: Ok, enough with the "work" questions! Let's get creative and personal! If you were given one day to live, what would you do that day?
 
Kyra: I would spend it on the beach in Alabama. It's so pretty there. Especially when it's a cool, gray day and a storm is moving in over the water. I'd have the beach all to myself, no company but the seagulls. I would just stand there and listen to the waves and let the wind blow through my hair. It's the kind of place that makes you really think about how big everything is and how small you are.

Tiffany: If you could meet one of your favorite authors, who would it be and why?
 
Kyra: Stephen King. I love his work. His characters are so real and his writing so honest. He's fearless when it comes to storytelling. Meeting him would be amazing.

 Tiffany: So many authors have muses or people that inspire them. Who inspires you?
 
Kyra: My dad. He always taught me to chase my dreams and never give up. I wouldn't be where I am now if not for his encouragement. He made me feel like I could do anything. Whenever I get discouraged, I think of him and it keeps me going.

 
Tiffany: Kyra, if you could go back in time, what would you say to your younger self?

Kyra: Don't spend so much time stressing out about whether or not you'll ever be a 'real writer'. If you write you're a writer, period. Someday you'll get exactly where you want to go. Try to enjoy the journey a little more instead of obsessing about the destination.

 Tiffany: Writer's always have lots of irons in the fire. Can you tell us, what’s next for you?

 Kyra: Lots of writing. I'm working on five projects right now, so I'm very busy. I have several books coming out this year, some traditionally published and some self published. I've recently gotten a small bookstore to take some of my paperbacks and that's really cool. It's amazing to see your books on the shelf of an actual bookstore. And I'm hoping to get a table at my very first convention this year. I have my fingers crossed on that one. It's going to be a good year.

Best of Luck Kyra!  Thank you for letting your imaginative process be showcased today.


To learn more about Kyra Dune you can -
Connect with her at: Facebook     twitter    Blog Website Goodreads Pinterest

Watch Her Book Trailers:   YouTube

Buy Her Books: Amazon   Barnes and Noble