SATURDAY EVENING POST/VISITING DIGNITARY BRAD SINOR

ALL RIGHTY GUYS -- The "rain" has let up.  SO I can now post a bonus Visiting Dignitary.  I give to you a wonderful guy and terrific writer.  BRAD SINOR (WILD APPLAUSE AND CHEERING PLEASE).

Hi Brad!  It's been a while, but I hope you and Sue are doing well.  Thanks for stopping by the blog.

I’m glad to be here

So, what have you been up to lately?

Writing like a madman at times. It seems like I finish one story and there are several more that are waiting to be done. I’m currently editing a novella, attempting to get a long delayed collaborative story finished, working on another collaboration (my collaborator just sent me her additions to the manuscript), I have one novel waiting to be edited, another waiting to be finished and I’m researching and outlining another. Spare time? Hmmm…isn’t that between 3:10 and 3:15 a.m.?

Any new projects out? 

I had a new collection of stories come out last year, along with a Where The Shadows Began and Other Stories from Merry Blacksmith Press, along with a bunch of short stories in various anthologies; like the revived Heroes in Hell series

What's your calendar like for the next few months?

I have a story in The Many Faces of Arsene Lupin (Black Coat Press) coming in the next couple of months, I’ll also have a story in the next entry in the Heroes in Hell series, Adventurers in Hell which will be out soon. There are several other things but I don’t have release dates for them yet.

You have a pretty substantial backlist, when did you start writing?

The earliest thing I can remember writing was scripts for comic books when I was in grade school. I started submitting stuff in high school but that all got rejected. Thankfully copies of what I was writing then no longer exist.

Can you give us a link to your full backlist and where we can get copies? I’ll be setting up a new website in the next few months and will have a full bibliography there.

Right now you can find most of my stuff through Amazon. Also if you check the Grantville Gazette website, which is part of the 1632 series created by Eric Flint you will find stories I have done, in collaboration with the highly talented Tracy Morris, in various issues.

If you had to be stuck on a desert island for say, a week, with one of your characters, who would it be and why?

Now that’s a tough one. Probably it would be Lancelot du Lac (yes, the dude from Camelot). I’ve done 5 stories about him and have more planned. Yes, he’s a vampire but I don’t hold that against him. Besides he’s survived for over 1,400 years so he would have to have some serious survival skills, not to mention some really neat stories to tell; he did hang out with King Arthur and Merlin after all!

Who are some of your favorite authors? 

You mean besides myself or Sue? (Grin). Seriously though in SF/Fantasy that would probably be C.J. Cherryh.. In mystery/thriller that would have to Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. In the horror genre Christopher Golden, Brian Keene and Jonathan Maberry.

 What draws you to their work?

They create characters that you care about, that you want to see survive even though the world itself is teetering on the brink, and in some cases has gone over the edge, of totally insanity.

Do you listen to music when you write?  Very rarely.

If so, what?

When I do it’s usually instrumental stuff, Celtic and jazz with a mixture of some movie sound tracks thrown in.

What one bit of advice would you give to aspiring writers? 

Write, write and then go back and write some more. Don’t try to look at a market and see what the hot trend is, write the story that you want to read.

Would it be all right if I post this onto the website I share with Cathy?

Of course.

I have to admit I had huge fun doing The Rosie Hughes Project (for those of you who don't know what it was, I did a "blog ring" with Brad, Sue,  Cathy Clamp, Rachel Caine and Jackie Kessler that was based its very own vampire mythos.  It was a HOOT.  You can follow it by looking in my blog for "The Rosie Hughes Project" and following links). 

I had a blast doing my part of it. Maybe at some point we can come up with a way to do a print version or perhaps an e-book.

What other fun things have you been doing with other authors, if any? 

Actually I am. Sue and I are collaborating on a new story. Tracy Morris and I have started work on the 5^th story in a series we are doing, people keep telling me its funny and I credit that all to her.

Will you be at any of the cons this year for appearances?  (Note to readers -- 'Rosie' was cooked up in the computer room of one of the cons.)

Sue and I will be attending ConDFW in Feb., then there will be several cons in May and June.

Thanks so much for coming by.  Hope to see you and Sue soon!

THANKS and Bronchitis

Thanks so much for making our guest feel welcome!

Now on to the news. You know that stuff they say about "rest in bed." Well, apparently they mean it. I didn't get enough rest what with the conference and stuff, and the crud has now turned into bronchitis. Wound up at the doctor, got a shot, new antibiotics, etc. UGH. Anyway, if I wind up not posting much, you now know why. I'm doing a little better today, so let's hope I'm on the mend.

Cie

Visiting Dignitary/Brenda Novak

Okay guys. You've always been a really quiet bunch. But I'd appreciate it if you could be a little less shy than usual and give a really warm welcome to Brenda Novak.

Is there any one character you’ve written that is your absolute favorite? Why?

Wow—this actually changes from day to day. But, most of the time, I think my favorite character is Clay Montgomery from DEAD GIVEAWAY. I love a wounded hero, and he was so willing to shoulder the responsibility for EVERYTHING that happened in that book. He’d his own worst enemy because of it, but it makes him awfully endearing. J

You have chosen to specialize in, and have made a name for yourself in a particular genre. Any reason why?

I write what I love to read—suspenseful, character-driven stories. But someday, I hope to write a straight historical series (if I ever have the time), in addition to what I’m doing now.

Writing is hard work! Have you ever had the dread WRITER’S BLOCK? If so, what do you do to get past it?

I do get writer’s block occasionally, but only when I’ve made a “wrong turn” so to speak with my story. That’s generally how I can determine that I’ve headed down the wrong path—if I inexplicably come to a grinding halt. Once I unravel to a point where it still feels “right” and head off in a different direction, the story starts to roll for me. So…I think the writer’s block I suffer is merely my subconscious trying to tell me I’m making a mistake before I waste too much time. LOL

Almost every author I’ve met gives back to the community by supporting favorite charities. Do you have one? Could you tell me about it? Is there a particular reason why that charity?

I definitely have a favorite charity! When my youngest son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at five years old, I knew enough about the disease to realize that he’d need constant care and that care wouldn’t be comfortable for him. But I didn’t realize the number of terrible side effects that go hand-in-hand with this dreaded disease. I don’t think a lot of people know that side of the issue. So I decided I was going to do all I could to fight back, to try and improve my son’s life and the lives of all those who are suffering as he is. Five years ago, I started Brenda Novak’s online auction for diabetes research at brendanovak.com. It runs annually May 1 – May 31st. My first year, I raised only $34,000, but my fourth year (last year) I raised $252,300. As you can see, it’s really grown. We’re coming up to action time again, and I’m hoping to break $300,000 in 2009.

So, what does your schedule look like for the next few months? Anything new coming out that we should keep an eye out for? Tell us a little about it.

I have three new books coming out this summer: THE PERFECT COUPLE (7/28), THE PERFECT LIAR (8/25), and THE PERFECT MURDER (9/29). These books follow up the first three books in The Last Stand series, which came out last summer. I will also have a Christmas novella out in November titled ONE SNOWY CHRISTMAS. You can visit brendanovak.com to read excerpts, view video trailers, read reviews, etc.

What type of books do you read for pleasure? Any favorite authors?

My all-time favorite authors are Janet Evanovich and Susan Elizabeth Phillips, but I’m an eclectic reader. I read in my own genre (I have too many friends there to name names—I wouldn’t want to miss any), but I also read the classics and straight historical fiction. Brenda Rickman Vantrease is a new find for me. I really loved her THE ILLUMINATOR. I also love true crime, and Ann Rule is my favorite author for that.

Do you have a day job, or do you write full-time?

I write full-time (at least when I’m not working on my diabetes fundraisings, which can feel like a full-time job).

Do you have any hobbies?

I run and bike, read and shop, and watch my five kids do various sports.

OKAY, I’m going to do one of those short MEME things here.

Favorite song: Too many to name, but IMAGINE by John Lennon is one of them
Favorite movie or TV show: LAST OF THE MOHICANS
Favorite color: periwinkle
Favorite food: Homemade salsa
Favorite drink: Water (okay, that’s boring, but…LOL)
Is the glass half-full or half-empty: Always half-full
What animal do you think is most like your personality? A bull (since I’m a Taurus—LOL)Vampire/Werewolf/Other: I don’t understand this question. I guess I’m not reading enough paranormal?

If you could only give one piece of advice to new or aspiring writers, that would help them in the business, what would it be?

BELIEVE!!
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Thanks again for this. Do you mind if I take the piece of advice and put it in our newsletter and on our website in “The Craft Corner”? (If no, it’s okay, but I really would appreciate it.)

You bet!

Oh, and guys -- We've got a little contest going with Brenda. She's visiting both here and on MySpace, so whoever e-mails me first at catadamsfans@gmail.com from either site and says something about Brenda's visiting blog will get a Brenda Novak tote with autographed books and goodies.

Visiting Dignitary -- JADE LEE

WOOO HOOOO!! Folks, let's give Jade a warm welcome. She's even going to try to pop by and answer comments, so please do. There may even be a prize for the first to write in. ;)

ANYWAY, I’m going to dive right in. Is there any one character you’ve written that is your absolute favorite? Why?

I shouldn’t confess to having favorites. Really, there is something I love about every book I’ve ever written. Absolutely, flat out adore. But, if you’re going to force me to pick…I am thrilled by the love story between Sabina and Cordain in DRAGONBOUND. I know, I know, you think I’m promoting my latest book, and of course I am. But even my editor said this is his favorite book of mine. Plus, I’m having trouble writing my next book because this one worked so very, very well. I don’t know if I can do it again.

Individually, these two people are good, powerful, strong characters. That’s a must for my books. But for some reason these two gelled more than anyone else. I don’t know what it is, but once the two get on the stage together, the power just quadrupled. Sabina and Cordain FIT. They are the only one for each other, and it’s obvious from the get go.

A little background—DRAGONBOUND is a fantasy romance (and is the sequel to DRAGONBORN, but you don’t need to read them in order if you don’t want) Anyway, think medieval world with magic and DRAGONS. The hero Cordain used to be a dragon. (trust me, it gets explained). When he was a dragon, Sabina was his dragonmaid. She brushed his teeth, oiled his scales, cleaned up his poop…etc. They had a bond then like a woman and her pet, but thanks to secret magic, it grows into something more. But by the time he’s become a man, everything is twisted and difficult between them because of the bad guy. (There’s got to be a bad guy!) And then they have to find their way back to each other while preventing a war! It’s a wonderfully complex story of love, and I’m so pleased with it, I could just bust!


Writing is hard work! Have you ever had the dread WRITER’S BLOCK? If so, what do you do to get past it?

Writer’s Block, IMO, is having nothing important to say. No love story to express. No deeper themes to explore. And through I’m rarely without words, I’m often without important words. Okay, yeah, usually, I just babble. But to get past the …I-have-nothing-intelligent-to-say, I usually meditate, pray, and go rollerblading. I also read because that can sometimes really free up my creativity. Let me stress that I do NOT write religious fiction. I just use the quiet time to open myself up to something intelligent to say. And it turns out, that God has more intelligent things on His mind than anything I could possibly come up with! And He fits it into a format I can understand…which usually has a lot of sex, adventure, and LOVE!

Which genres do you like writing in best? Why?

ROMANCE. I write ROMANCE. Love stories. Sex. And HEA. Within romance, I can write anything, but I like historical romance and fantasy romance, with a smattering of contemporary too! My latest regency-era romance is THE DRAGON EARL. It opens with a woman about to marry an Earl. She’s in her white dress, at the altar with her groom, and they’re all in an old Norman church. When up the aisle walks a guy in saffron robes. He says, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I know I’m late, but I’m here now. We can get married.” He’s the long lost earl that everyone thought was dead. He’s been in China in a Buddhist fighting temple learning kung fu. And now he’s back and she’s supposed to marry him. But he’s in a saffron robe and bald!

You’ve already heard about my fantasy romances in Dragonborn and Dragonbound. I also write for Blaze. Newest one comes out in September called In Good Hands.

So, what does your schedule look like for the next few months? Anything new coming out that we should keep an eye out for? Tell us a little about it.

Check out Dragonborn and Dragonbound. If you have any joy in fantasy romance or dragons…they’re fabulous books!

What type of books do you read for pleasure? Any favorite authors?

EVERYTHING! Jim Butcher’s Dresden books are the only books I’ll buy in hardcover. I’m reading Water for Elephants right now and it’s delightful. Also can’t get enough of historical romance.

Do you have a day job, or do you write full-time?

I write full time!

Do you have any hobbies?

RACQUETBALL! I used to be a pro racquetball player then my knees went out. So…now I play as often as I can, but only as long as my knees work!

OKAY, I’m going to do one of those short MEME things here.

Favorite song: At the moment? My daughter was just Maria in West Side Story, and I cracked up when she sang, I Feel Pretty. It is so her! So…That’s my favorite song right now.

Favorite movie or TV show: I’m a Whedon-ite. I love his work. So…Serenity was awesome, Firefly (the tv show), Buffy. I’m enjoying Dollhouse too, but haven’t decided if I LOVE it.

Favorite color: Today? Green grass…fresh in spring.

Favorite food: Chocolate and coffee. No particular order.

Favorite drink: Mocha Latte. Duh. See above!

Is the glass half-full or half-empty: The glass is a whole yin/yang entity. It cannot be taken in parts without being diminished.

What animal do you think is most like your personality? A dog. Which is sad because I’m really a cat person.

If you could only give one piece of advice to new or aspiring writers, that would help them in the business, what would it be?

It’s a marathon not a sprint. Work a little every day and there’s no stopping you. Try to do it all at once and you burn out. Big time.

Thanks again for this. Do you mind if I take the piece of advice and put it in our newsletter and on our website in “The Craft Corner”? (If no, it’s okay, but I really would appreciate it.)

Sure. No problem!