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Tag Archives: Bloggers

In The Lime Light – Richard Ankers – The Writings

04 Saturday Aug 2018

Posted by Morgan in Authors Books Reviews & Interviews

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Author Interviews, Authors, Bloggers, BnV, BooknVolume, Books, Indie Authors, Indie Publishing, poetry, Self-Publishing, Writers, Writing, ~Morgan~

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Welcome my Friends 🙂 Happy Saturday and, once again, thank you for stopping by to see just who is In The Lime Light this weekend 🙂 I confess, I am Delighted to share a poet and writer with you who has inspired me since the first time I posted on BnV; a friend who has been around since the beginning and whose writing pushes the boundaries and makes me smile, laugh, gasp, tremble and sigh! You will agree, I am sure, when I tell you that Richard Ankers (whose wonderful blog you can find here: http://richardankers.com ) made a rare appearance in the Interview arena JUST for Booknvolume…well and for all of YOU as well…so my blathering is pointless. Lets Jump Right In shall we? 🙂

IN HIS WORDS: Richard was a Company Director in retail until finally plucking up the courage to show people the writing he had spent years shyly stashing away. Joining HarperCollins’ Authonomy site was the jolt he needed to realise people liked what he wrote. Winning a gold medal there for his book The Snow Lily, was a great boost. Since then, he has spent a long time writing and preparing a trilogy of SciFi/ DarkFantasy books which he hopes to have traditionally published. Richard stopped by for a natter, so lets put the kettle on and get right to it!

Please Introduce us to your Blog. What is it all about? What sorts of posts do you lean towards?
RICHARD: Hello, my name’s Richard. My blog is a place where I post writing and poetry that is on my mind and needs to come out, (there’s far too much in there.) I use my blog as a way of honing my skills for the longer writings that I love. I believe the more you write the better you write and I try to practice what I preach.

What Inspires and stirs your creativity?
RICHARD: Everything inspires me. I can hear a word, or see an image, or even hear something, and it sets off the creative juices. I have written a whole trilogy of books based on one simple image that I saw and was taken by. I never struggle for something to write about because I will never have enough time on this earth to write everything that’s in my mind.

What Message, if any, do you hope to Share through your blog/posts?
RICHARD: I don’t really share any message other than insisting on writing what I want. I would always encourage others to do the same. Don’t pamper to people because the most heartfelt words are those that are most honest, regardless of the length or style they are presented in.
How has your blog helped you as a writer/Indie Author? What things have you learned along the way that you never anticipated?

RICHARD: I wouldn’t say my blog has helped other than not having to worry about wasting what I’ve written. It’s given me a home for all the words.

Tell us about your book(s):
RICHARD: My first book was called The Snow Lily, a story about two abandoned children in Victorian times. I was lucky enough to win a gold medal on the HarperCollins Authonomy site through my efforts. This gave me great confidence (as I have none) and a major boost to my resume. I never had any intention to publish it but one day I might.

I am currently writing a Sci-Fi / Dark Fantasy trilogy. I have made the unusual decision to write all three books in one go and then return to them one by one in order for publishing. I want each book and the trilogy as a whole to be perfect before it goes out there. Believe me when I say, they are unlike any Dark Fantasy book you will have read. The Trilogy was going to be called Decadent Gothic but I have recently altered it to The Eternals Saga, as it’s just a touch more appropriate.
PS. Shhh! They’re almost done.

What Inspired you to write your book?
RICHARD: The whole Eternals Saga was based on a single, spectacular image that I saw. I can’t say what though, as it would give the game away.

From what Point of View do you prefer to write? Is there a reason?
RICHARD: I prefer first person but aren’t particularly bothered. I just find it easier to be in the protagonist’s shoes if I am writing as though it is me. I like to look through my main character’s eyes, so to speak.

How would you describe your “Voice” or Style of writing?
RICHARD: People have said I have a Literary style, but I would leave that to others to decide.
What genre do you prefer to write or are you truly eclectic?

RICHARD: I love every genre. I hate to be pigeonholed. But, dark fantasy and the speculative genres that abut it are my real passion. Basically, things with a fantastical element.

Do you painstakingly plot out your story; are you a discovery writer or a bit of both? Why?
RICHARD: I’m neither. I’m very lucky that the moment I have the idea the whole thing unravels in my head. I have no need to write a word of plot unless I wish to. I know exactly how it will start, finish and everything in-between within moments.

Share an insight or secret about your book(s).
RICHARD: They always have a twist near the end.

What do you feel is your best advice to share with other aspiring authors?
RICHARD: Write what you want how you want. And NEVER, NEVER EVER let anyone tell you that you aren’t good enough. Practise and you will be.

And now, the part most people hate…lets talk About YOU:

richard

If you had to describe yourself to someone who has never met you, what might you say?
RICHARD: I wouldn’t, as I’m too shy in person. I always know what to write but never know what to say. Plus, I’ve never had a very high opinion of myself.

If you could meet one person from the past, who might it be and why?
RICHARD: Nobody in particular.

When you are NOT writing, what is your favourite pastime?
RICHARD: I love to run and do so everyday. I also love nature and all it encompasses.

Describe Your Dream Getaway Destination. Have you ever been there? What makes this place Irresistible to you?
RICHARD: My dream destination is Wengen in Switzerland and I have been there. The place has spectacular scenery, mountains to die for, and once out of the town itself is wonderfully quiet. I also love the British Lake District for similar reasons. I would love to live near mountains and am a very quiet person.

Do you have a Mantra?
RICHARD: Above all else be happy. Life is too short not to be. (Lots of people say that but don’t really mean it. I mean every word of it.)

I am honoured, Richard, that you agreed to share a bit about yourself and your writing with me/us. Thank You Ever So!

You can Follow Richard via Twitter @richardankers

~Morgan~

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In The Lime Light – Roari Benjamin – #AuthorSpotlight

12 Saturday Nov 2016

Posted by Morgan in Authors Books Reviews & Interviews

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Author Interviews, Authors, Bloggers, BnV, BooknVolume, Books, Indie Authors, Indie Publishing, poetry, Self-Publishing, Writers, Writing, ~Morgan~

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Is it Saturday already? OH How time flies, but no matter, because Saturdays mean Lime Lights and that is fine with me 🙂 Time to shine the spotlight on another well-deserving Writer/Creater/Poet/Author who I recently met via Twitter (great place, Really, you ought to visit sometime if you don’t usually). But who you can also visit at her blog: http://roaribenjamin.blogspot.com So, go ahead, grab a steaming cup of something soothing, sit back, relax and allow me to present Roari Benjamin, writer of sci-fi and fantasy laced with romance and adventure. She lives in Southern California’s High Desert with the love of her life, their son and daughter, three cats, two dogs, and a turtle. Roari LOVES being in the water, in spite of the fact that she lives in a desert. Continue reading →

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In The Lime Light – Author Lela Markham

16 Saturday Jan 2016

Posted by Morgan in Authors Books Reviews & Interviews

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Author Interviews, Authors, Bloggers, BnV, BooknVolume, Books, creative writing, Indie Authors, Self-Publishing, Writers, Writing, ~Morgan~

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I hear you saying “It’s been forever!” and “We thought you forgot!”, but I assure you, nothing could be further from the truth. (well, ok, maybe you are slightly on the money, but I refute forgotten and forever). I do, however, agree that it’s been some time since I put some lucky writer In The Lime Light, but as holidays will take over any free moment one might have in ones schedule, I’m sure you understand. Be that as it may and notwithstanding, I should like to introduce you to fellow author and blogger, Lela Markham, who I met through the tweets and twitterings of Twitter. She and I recently spent some time chatting about writing, our books, and the joys (and trials ) of self-publishing. (not to mention the magic and wonder of Alaska) (curious? do read on!)

SO, without further Ado (yes yes, there I go again….)

Hello Lela, Please Tell me/us all About Yourself:
LELA: Hi, thanks for having me. My name is Lela Markham. I’m an Alaskan novelist and general rabble-rouser, which you will find is a character quality of many Alaskans. We sort of like to swing flaming sticks at hornet’s nests to see what comes out. I told stories from the time I could talk. If you write them down, it’s not considered lying. I have a husband and two adult-adjacent children and an ancient husky who keeps a yellow Lab as a pet. I work full-time as an administrator for the State of Alaska and squeeze fiction writing and publishing into my spare time.

Tell us about your Blog.
LELA: Aurorawatcherak is my main blog. I have blogs for each of my book series too, but they’re mostly book-oriented. Aurorawatcherak is sort of all over the map. My original purpose in starting it was to highlight my writing, but research for the Transformation Project took me toward examining political philosophy, which was good because I don’t think I’m enough of an expert on fiction writing that I could post more than four times a year on a writing topic and I think it’s really boring for readers to just keep seeing “Buy my book!”

For variety – and because I have a limited attention span — I bounce from political philosophy to my Christian faith, to insights in economics and history. Occasionally I examine the candidates and then sometimes I talk about my writing. I’m participating in the Open Book Blog Hop these days, which has me writing about totally-not-me topics on Mondays and then focusing on Thankfulness and now Courage on Thursdays. On Wednesdays I post an author interview and maybe portions of my WIP. It’s really got a raven’s nest flavor to it – whatever the shiny object is at the moment. Although I have very strong opinions on political philosophy, I am not into partisan politics. I’m a registered non-partisan and with libertarian (small l deliberate), voluntarists and anarcho-capitalist leanings, so I think I’m a little unique that way.

That’s quite a mouthful and explains a bit about What Inspires and stirs your creativity, but please tell us more?
LELA: Several things. First, God and my relationship with Him. Jesus Christ is my Muse with some augmentation by music, books, newspaper stories, and people on the street that I pretend not to stare at or listen to their conversations. The world is filled with stories and finding those and bringing them together in unique ways is what really sets my creativity on fire.

What Message, if any, do you hope to Share through your blog/posts?
LELA: Well, speaking strictly about my blog – I think that people should set aside political designations (Republican, Democrat, whatever) to decide for themselves what they believe on a particular issue and to know that liberty means you don’ have to mold yourself to your neighbors’ vision of society, but that also means that you cannot force your neighbor to mold himself to your utopia. We can influence one another through debate, but whenever we use the coercive power of government to make laws that we expect other people to comply with against their wills, we are making ourselves into tyrants at the expensive of liberty. Yeah, there have to be some rules, but pretty much boil down to don’t kill, don’t steal, don’t aggress against someone else’s property and fulfill your obligations – which is the basis for natural law. If we all just stopped and asked ourselves if what we are doing contradicts natural law and accept that when we violate those basic few rules our neighbors do have a right to object and even punish us or ban us, this would be a whole lot more free and civil society than it currently is and we wouldn’t need to run an annual deficit of over $1 trillion.

What are your Dreams for the Future in regards to your Blog and your work?
LELA: The blog will probably go on being my Raven’s Nest. I sort of like doing it that way. I think it’s entertaining. I am trying to get to a place this year where I riff on the non-partisan theme. Yeah, there are a couple of the Republican candidates that I might vote for in the primary, but I am currently planning to vote third-party in November because so far neither major party has shown me that it gives a damn about the United States or has any intentions of preventing the hard economic crash that our spendthrift fiscal policies are guaranteeing. When I ask myself “Do I want that candidate (male, female, Democratic or Republican) to be President when the Greatest Depression hits?”, I shudder and want to crawl under my bed to hide. There are a couple of them that I think could soften the blow, but I don’t think there’s a hero on the horizon and there are one or two of them who would be absolute disasters in the coming crisis. The more liberal candidates of both parties lack the understanding of economics and history to weather this coming storm and Donald Trump scares the stockings off of me.

I don’t expect my little following of 600 people to do anything to change the election results, but I’m hoping some people will read what I wrote and, when the fecal matter hits the oscillating rotor, remember that there is a road less traveled that we might find more pleasant if we’d just give it a try … if we even have the liberty left to try it.

Willow Branch Blue White Recreation Cover Front Cover Red Front Cover LAWKI no window

Sadly true, but being bold, you have written and released some books: Tell us All About Your Book(s):
LELA: Right now I have two series in progress. Daermad Cycle is an epic fantasy with medieval Celtic influences set in an alternate universe with elves, dragons, vengeful goddesses, manipulative mages, and a fractured kingdom about to be devoured by a greater enemy. The Willow Branch came out in 2014 and Mirklin Wood is scheduled for publication in March of 2016. I left a bunch of cliff-hangers at the end of The Willow Branch, some of which I will resolve, but then I’ll probably leave some more at the end of Mirklin Wood. It’s a tradition epic fantasy pitting good and evil against one another with I hope some unique perspectives. I get to explore language and mythology, which I am very much enjoying.
Transformation Project is set in the American Midwest. It’s an action adventure apocalyptic headed toward dystopian. In Life As We Knew It, terrorists blew up several American cities in simultaneous attacks. I ended it with everyone hunkering down to wait out the radiation. In Objects in View, we get to see how well the government copes with the disruption in their standard operating procedure as my townsfolks forge their own disaster plan. The series is definitely designed to explore some of those anarchist themes that I flirt with in my real life. LAWKI came out in March 2015. Objects in View should come out in the fall.

I have several others works-in-progress that I hope to someday publish, but these two are taking most of my attention right now.

What genre do you prefer to write or are you truly eclectic?
LELA: I am extremely eclectic. I love fantasy, but find that I need the release of writing other genres. If I tried to hold myself to just one, I think I’d stagnate and my production would go down. There are a couple of genres that I don’t read and therefore don’t write, but I have about five genres I write in often.

Do you painstakingly plot out your story; are you a discovery writer or a bit of both? Why?
LELA: I’m a discovery writer and that is a function of being a character-driven writer. I am really recording the story as my characters reveal it to me. After I have the basic bones of the book of the first half of the book, I do outline for continuity sake and I decide how my characters are going to get to the end … or since I write series, how they are going to get to the next threshold. The outline often reveals the milestones the characters must meet to reach that threshold. Certain characters have to engage in certain conversations and events in order to get to that point, so the outline makes sure that happens. But that typically doesn’t exist until after the rough draft is complete. I have a process of write, rewrite with outline, edit.

I love what you’ve said about your characters revealing the story to you. This is how I write as well. Can you also Share an insight or secret about your book(s)?
LELA: Islamic fundamentalists have almost nothing to do with the terrorism in Transformation Project and my characters are wrong even in their guesses of who might have done this horrible thing.

Who is your favourite/least favourite character & why?
LELA: Now that’s like asking a parent to choose between their children which is their favorite!
In Daermad Cycle it is Lady Lydya of Clarcom. She’s a very strong woman who loves her children fiercely and would walk through fire to accomplish what is right, but she’s also a woman of character. The men in the series talk about honor a lot … she embodies it.
In Transformation Project it has to be Jazz Tully because she is somewhat based on me when I was about her age, so she’s pretty easy to write.
My least favorite character is either Talidd or Gil in Daermad Cycle. They’re both very dark characters and hard to write. Especially with Talidd, I often feel like a need a shower after I’ve written a scene.

I have my favs/least fav in my story as well. It does help to make the characters relatable though, right? What do you feel is your best advice to share with other aspiring authors?
LELA: Read everything you can get your hands on, including crap because that will teach you what not to write. Buy a dictionary and a thesaurus (or get them on line) and read them like they were a novel. Research everything. If your character is opening the back of a delivery truck, research connex boxes so you know what the parts are called and how they work. You don’t want some truck driver who spent good money buying your book to have his willing suspension of disbelief destroyed by your ham-handed writing.

Author pic ditch close-up (1)

And now, the part most people find a bit more Challenging….Lets hear About YOU:
Describe yourself in Five Words.
LELA: Adventuresome. Determined. Opinionated. Committed. Imaginative.

If you could meet one person from the past, who might it be and why?
LELA: Paul the apostle because I would love to sit down and talk theology with him and have him explain some of the passages he wrote that I struggle with.

Agreed, as I often feel my head spinning when I read the new testament. When you are not writing/taking pictures, what is your favourite pastime?
LELA: Well, living in Alaska, we have two seasons – indoor and outdoor. They don’t really have much in common. So favorite outdoor pastime is hiking. My husband’s nickname is Ridgewalker, so we’ve seen a lot of 300-degree vistas. We’re not mountaineers … we leave that craziness to the truly fit … but if you can make it to the top of it in an overnight camping/hiking trip, we’ve been there and not just in Alaska.
Favorite winter time, not writing pastime – I could just say reading, but that would be a cheap selection because it’s really writing-related – so it’s probably quilting. It’s like doing a collage, bringing together different patterns and colors in a mosaic that you really don’t fully see until right at the end and then … wow! And then you have this practical artwork for your beds, couches, chairs … I’ve got one that serves as a rug on my side of the bed. I love that kind of practice creativity.

And following that lead, can you Describe Your Perfect Day . What makes it Perfect and Why?
LELA: A perfect day would be one mostly spent with family and friends doing something moderately athletic – hiking, canoeing, building a cabin or collecting firewood – that ends at a warm springs near Fairbanks (called Chena Hot Springs) followed by a relaxing dinner and feet up at a nearby cabin. I’d gain some ideas for writing, but also interact with people in a companionable and relaxed way.

What makes Life Worth Living?
LELA: Jesus Christ crucified and living in my heart eternally. Everything in my life comes back to my faith and when all is said and done, there is nothing of higher value that I possess or that possesses me. It’s what makes living in a family tolerable and sometimes lovely, it inspires my writing, it keeps me from committing a road-rage atrocity on the drive home … it’s just everything. It’s the sundae, the whip cream, and the cherry on top.

🙂

Where can we find what you’ve written?
Links:
Main website: https://aurorawatcherak.wordpress.com/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Lela-Markham/e/B00OQWYP68/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1452735955&sr=1-1
Daermad Cycle: https://thewillowbranchbookonedaermadcycle.wordpress.com/

Transformation Project: https://transformationseries.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lela.markham.7
Twitter: @lelamarkham
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/9792440.Lela_Markham

Thanks Ever so much for sharing yourself and your dreams with us, Lela 🙂 Best wishes and much success, not to mention many Blissful days in the Alaska haze 🙂

~Morgan~

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In The Lime Light – Richard Ankers – The Writings

28 Saturday Nov 2015

Posted by Morgan in Authors Books Reviews & Interviews

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

Author Interviews, Authors, Bloggers, BnV, BooknVolume, Books, Indie Authors, Indie Publishing, poetry, Self-Publishing, Writers, Writing, ~Morgan~

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Welcome my Friends 🙂 Happy Saturday and, once again, thank you for stopping by to see just who is In The Lime Light this weekend 🙂 I confess, I am Delighted to share a poet and writer with you who has inspired me since the first time I posted on BnV; a friend who has been around since the beginning and whose writing pushes the boundaries and makes me smile, laugh, gasp, tremble and sigh! You will agree, I am sure, when I tell you that Richard Ankers (whose wonderful blog you can find here: http://richardankers.com ) made a rare appearance in the Interview arena JUST for Booknvolume…well and for all of YOU as well…so my blathering is pointless. Lets Jump Right In shall we? 🙂

IN HIS WORDS: Richard was a Company Director in retail until finally plucking up the courage to show people the writing he had spent years shyly stashing away. Joining HarperCollins’ Authonomy site was the jolt he needed to realise people liked what he wrote. Winning a gold medal there for his book The Snow Lily, was a great boost. Since then, he has spent a long time writing and preparing a trilogy of SciFi/ DarkFantasy books which he hopes to have traditionally published. Richard stopped by for a natter, so lets put the kettle on and get right to it!

Please Introduce us to your Blog. What is it all about? What sorts of posts do you lean towards?
RICHARD: Hello, my name’s Richard. My blog is a place where I post writing and poetry that is on my mind and needs to come out, (there’s far too much in there.) I use my blog as a way of honing my skills for the longer writings that I love. I believe the more you write the better you write and I try to practice what I preach.

What Inspires and stirs your creativity?
RICHARD: Everything inspires me. I can hear a word, or see an image, or even hear something, and it sets off the creative juices. I have written a whole trilogy of books based on one simple image that I saw and was taken by. I never struggle for something to write about because I will never have enough time on this earth to write everything that’s in my mind.

What Message, if any, do you hope to Share through your blog/posts?
RICHARD: I don’t really share any message other than insisting on writing what I want. I would always encourage others to do the same. Don’t pamper to people because the most heartfelt words are those that are most honest, regardless of the length or style they are presented in.
How has your blog helped you as a writer/Indie Author? What things have you learned along the way that you never anticipated?

RICHARD: I wouldn’t say my blog has helped other than not having to worry about wasting what I’ve written. It’s given me a home for all the words.

Tell us about your book(s):
RICHARD: My first book was called The Snow Lily, a story about two abandoned children in Victorian times. I was lucky enough to win a gold medal on the HarperCollins Authonomy site through my efforts. This gave me great confidence (as I have none) and a major boost to my resume. I never had any intention to publish it but one day I might.

I am currently writing a Sci-Fi / Dark Fantasy trilogy. I have made the unusual decision to write all three books in one go and then return to them one by one in order for publishing. I want each book and the trilogy as a whole to be perfect before it goes out there. Believe me when I say, they are unlike any Dark Fantasy book you will have read. The Trilogy was going to be called Decadent Gothic but I have recently altered it to The Eternals Saga, as it’s just a touch more appropriate.
PS. Shhh! They’re almost done.

What Inspired you to write your book?
RICHARD: The whole Eternals Saga was based on a single, spectacular image that I saw. I can’t say what though, as it would give the game away.

From what Point of View do you prefer to write? Is there a reason?
RICHARD: I prefer first person but aren’t particularly bothered. I just find it easier to be in the protagonist’s shoes if I am writing as though it is me. I like to look through my main character’s eyes, so to speak.

How would you describe your “Voice” or Style of writing?
RICHARD: People have said I have a Literary style, but I would leave that to others to decide.
What genre do you prefer to write or are you truly eclectic?

RICHARD: I love every genre. I hate to be pigeonholed. But, dark fantasy and the speculative genres that abut it are my real passion. Basically, things with a fantastical element.

Do you painstakingly plot out your story; are you a discovery writer or a bit of both? Why?
RICHARD: I’m neither. I’m very lucky that the moment I have the idea the whole thing unravels in my head. I have no need to write a word of plot unless I wish to. I know exactly how it will start, finish and everything in-between within moments.

Share an insight or secret about your book(s).
RICHARD: They always have a twist near the end.

What do you feel is your best advice to share with other aspiring authors?
RICHARD: Write what you want how you want. And NEVER, NEVER EVER let anyone tell you that you aren’t good enough. Practise and you will be.

And now, the part most people hate…lets talk About YOU:

richard

If you had to describe yourself to someone who has never met you, what might you say?
RICHARD: I wouldn’t, as I’m too shy in person. I always know what to write but never know what to say. Plus, I’ve never had a very high opinion of myself.

If you could meet one person from the past, who might it be and why?
RICHARD: Nobody in particular.

When you are NOT writing, what is your favourite pastime?
RICHARD: I love to run and do so everyday. I also love nature and all it encompasses.

Describe Your Dream Getaway Destination. Have you ever been there? What makes this place Irresistible to you?
RICHARD: My dream destination is Wengen in Switzerland and I have been there. The place has spectacular scenery, mountains to die for, and once out of the town itself is wonderfully quiet. I also love the British Lake District for similar reasons. I would love to live near mountains and am a very quiet person.

Do you have a Mantra?
RICHARD: Above all else be happy. Life is too short not to be. (Lots of people say that but don’t really mean it. I mean every word of it.)

I am honoured, Richard, that you agreed to share a bit about yourself and your writing with me/us. Thank You Ever So!

You can Follow Richard via Twitter @richardankers

~Morgan~

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In The Lime Light – Author O’jay Dimbuh

21 Saturday Nov 2015

Posted by Morgan in Authors Books Reviews & Interviews

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Author Interviews, Authors, Bloggers, BnV, BooknVolume, Books, Indie Authors, Indie Publishing, poetry, Self-Publishing, Writers, Writing, ~Morgan~

BANNER 2

Happy Saturday 🙂 Its time to meet another Author/Poet/Photographer/or Artist who has stopped by to share a bit about himself and enjoy The Lime Light 🙂 I hope you enjoy it as well while meeting O’jay Dimbuh. O’Jay was born and raised in the Nigerian south-eastern city of Enugu. He is a graduate of Visual Arts from the University of Port Harcourt, majoring in sculpture; he is also a painter.

He has great drive and ambition for his writing, and hopes to become one of the great storytellers of our time. He loves music, drama, and the computer. He has written several published articles, poems, drama, and movie scripts. He is an entrepreneur, masseur, sports & fitness enthusiast, a martial artist, a voracious reader, and a thinker. He is inspired in life by the outstanding characters of the Bible, and great thinkers, both ancient and modern. For him, writing is a means of unburdening his spirit, expressing his values, beliefs and concerns for the future – a relief-inducing exercise. LION-HEART ODYSSEY – his first prose – epitomizes all these. It is a story through which he has expressed his affinity with his roots. He lives in Abuja, Nigeria, where he runs his advertising agency.

So lets get right to the Heart –or the LION-HEART of the matter 🙂

BANNER 4

Tell us about your Blog.
O’JAY DIMBUH: I have two blogs; and they’re both new. The first one is at http://ojaydimbuh.blogspot.com and the second one, attached to my author website, is at http://ojaydimbuh.wordpress.com.
For me, my blog serves the same purpose my writing does – a means of expressing myself. It is about expressing my interests, my values, my fears and my concerns, both for the moment and for the future.

What Inspires and stirs your creativity?
O’JAY DIMBUH: Various things inspire my varying means of creative expression, because I’m also a painter, sculptor, poet and playwright. I’ll say, though, that life itself is my main means of inspiration. Things that happen to me, pictures I see, movies I watch, things I read about, the stories I was told about the events of the past, stories shared among friends, and even stories from Bible all have inspired my creativity.
For example, inspiration for my book, ODYSSEY OF THE LION-HEART, came from stories I was told about my maternal great grandfather and grandfather. Then Chinua Achebe’s THINGS FALL APART, plus countless little anecdotes told by my paternal grandmother and her co-wife.

What Message, if any, do you hope to Share through your blog/posts?
O’JAY DIMBUH: I hope to inspire people to choose the right path in life, and to have hope in the future of mankind. My reasons for wanting to share these values are not just because of their benefits today, but also because of the wonderful future God is preparing for mankind. It’s beautiful to see the efforts people make to better their lot and those of others, but in reality, human efforts can only go so far. Only the Creator can solve ALL of mankind’s problems, and it’s truly wonderful that He has promised to do so in due time. So no matter what your situation is in life, it’s better to do the right thing and be hopeful, because the future will bring a perfect life for those who do their best to follow the right path.

What are your Dreams for the Future in regards to your Blog and your work?
O’JAY DIMBUH: MY hope is that more and more people will appreciate and embrace the message I pass through my blog. As for my writing, I hope to become one of the great story-tellers of our time. I’m very ambitious about, and committed to my writing. I have a very virile imagination that has spurn tens of story ideas I’m eager to develop and write. So despite time limitations placed on me by work and business obligations, I’m still working hard to realize my dreams.

E-BOOK COVER DESIGN

About Your Book(s):
O’JAY DIMBUH: I have one published novel, ODYSSEY OF THE LION-HEART. It is a historical epic tale of Action Adventure, Steamy Passion, Romance, Betrayal and Rebellion… an intriguing tale of torrid sex, volatile colonial tensions, supernatural mystique, and fearless courage; it is the compelling and evocative story of a man’s compulsive and dangerous quest to follow his heart….

What genre do you prefer to write or are you truly eclectic?
O’JAY DIMBUH: I don’t know if I might be called eclectic, but I don’t think my writing falls into a particular genre. My first prose is a historical Action Adventure, but its sequel will be a more contemporary story. I’m currently working on a much more contemporary story than ODESSEY OF THE LION-HEART, and its proposed sequel. Various story ideas come to me, but they all have a bit of adventure, action, raunchiness and strong moral lessons.

Do you painstakingly plot out your story; are you a discovery writer or a bit of both? Why?
O’JAY DIMBUH: I’ll say that I painstakingly plot out my stories, though as every writer knows, there are usually on the moment flashes of inspiration that colors your story too. Usually, my stories have a kind of gestation period, during which they seem to marinate in my mind, before I start writing down it’s outline and mapping out its plot.

Share an insight or secret about your book(s).
O’JAY DIMBUH: I don’t think there are any secrets to my writing. I’m not exactly crazy about the word ‘secret’. Lol. I’ll say, though, that my book was written over a period of about ten months, during which I was really driven to get it done, forsaking all but very essential activities in my obsession to tell my story. It was originally hand-written on 882 pages of foolscap paper.

Who is your favourite/least favourite character & why?
O’JAY DIMBUH: My favourite character is obviously the lead, Chidebem, the story’s protagonist. The why will be very easy for any reader of the book to see, because he was truly an exceptional person, through whom I had expressed some of my profound values and philosophies of life. He’s also a very likeable, enigmatic and heroic character. Though I created it, my least favourite character is Ez’ibe, the evil-hearted antagonist.

What do you feel is your best advice to share with other aspiring authors?
O’JAY DIMBUH: Well, writing is an art form, and like all artistic endeavours, is mostly about self expression. So there are really no guarantees about success or failure, especially since there are many determinant factors influencing those. My advice is for authors to write for themselves, be original, and truly express themselves while writing. They should also persevere. Recognition and success might be achieved via a long bumpy road, since there are many authors seeking the same things.

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About YOU:
O’JAY DIMBUH: I’m a Nigerian male. I’m an artist, a masseur, sports and fitness enthusiast, nature and music lover, and an entrepreneur involved in the advertising business.

Describe yourself in Five Words.
O’JAY DIMBUH: Frank, Liberal-minded, determined, compassionate and driven.

If you could meet one person from the past, who might it be and why?
O’JAY DIMBUH: If I could, I would have loved to listen to Jesus Christ speak, and watch him perform his incredible miracles! Reason: he was absolutely, undoubtedly, the greatest man to walk the earth. But since that can’t happen, I’ll settle for asking Moses questions about his leadership of the difficult Israelites. Lol. Moses is one of my favourite Bible characters, and by God’s grace, I might see him one day… But besides the extraordinary characters of the Bible, Bob Marley, the great Jamaican Reggae maestro is someone I would love to have met. I truly admire his concern for mankind, and his extraordinary ability to express himself through musical lyrics and melody…

When you are not writing/taking pictures, what is your favourite pastime?
O’JAY DIMBUH: My favourite pastime is reading. I love music, but books that tell stories really suck me in…

Describe Your Perfect Day . What makes it Perfect and Why?
O’JAY DIMBUH: I don’t think there’s any perfection in our world, but some things and some days are much better than others. Lol. I love to work, so I’m usually happiest on days I accomplish the tasks I set out to do satisfactorily.

What makes Life Worth Living?
O’JAY DIMBUH: Good health, happiness, contentment, and seeing people happy are part of what makes life worthwhile to me. But I know that life can be far better for mankind than it is now. So doing things that pleases God, which ensures our place in the wonderful future He has planned for mankind, also makes our difficult existence worthwhile.

I want to Thank You O’Jay for taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by and have a natter 🙂 I might also say Thank You for your patience, as the Line for the Lime Light got Really Long and I know you were in waiting about in the queue for a while! Well worth the wait though, as I enjoyed chatting and, I hope, my readers have enjoyed learning more about YOUR Lion-Heart 🙂

Connect with and Find O’Jay through his Social Media as listed below:
AUTHOR’S ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ojaydimbuh15 (Search O’jay Dimbuh)
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/DimbuhOjay (Search @DimbuhOjay)
Google+: https://plus.google.com/105892400047279332388
Blogs: https://ojaydimbuh.blogspot.com ; https://ojaydimbuh.wordpress.com
Website: https://ojaydimbuh.wordpress.com
AMAZON Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/ojaydimbuh

~Morgan~

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In The Lime Light – Dorinda Duclos – Night Owl Poetry

14 Saturday Nov 2015

Posted by Morgan in Authors Books Reviews & Interviews

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

Author Interviews, Authors, Bloggers, BnV, BooknVolume, Books, Indie Authors, Indie Publishing, poetry, Self-Publishing, Writers, Writing, ~Morgan~

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Welcome Back Saturday, OH How I missed you! And Welcome Back intrepid reader, visitor or lost soul in search of something interesting to read…You’ve found Booknvolume and my weekly spotlight of an other Author or Poet, Photographer or Artist. You’ve popped by just in time to meet Dorinda Duclos, poet extraordinare and author of Night Owl Poetry (found here: http://www.dorindaduclos.com )

Born in New Jersey and raised in Brooklyn, NY & New Jersey, Dorinda is a Jersey girl at heart. She spent her later years in life seated behind the canvas, painting, creating and in between, writing. Then she discovered that putting feelings and thoughts to paper helped her solve life’s little conundrums and it became the norm. Now she lives in the northern part of New Jersey with her husband and two children, who inspire her to be herself! Her daughter handles all her social media/book signings & her son is the cover artist for all her books. I call that AWESOME 🙂 Dorinda currently has four poetry books available on Amazon, with numbers 5, 6 & 7 in the works, as well as a work of fiction that still has yet to find a name. Amidst all the writing, Dorinda took a few moments to chat with me about all that inspires her creativity, so without further ado (as there is much about it as it is) (yes, there you go, my stock Shakespeare reference out of the way)

Hello Dorinda, Thanks for stopping by.
First let me say, Thank You, Morgan, for honoring me with “In The Lime Light”. I appreciate your kindness and generosity in sharing my blog with your readers. Most of all for your friendship over these past two years as I try to find myself.
Blush 🙂

Please introduce us to your Blog. What is it all about? What sorts of posts do you lean towards?
My blog is Night Owl Poetry, (although the URL for it is my name). My family actually named my blog, Night Owl Poetry. I write in the wee hours of the morning, usually waking up my husband as I crawl out of bed and run to my office before I miss a thought!! (I’ve since rectified that by keeping my phone nearby for emergency writing, lol) He, is an owl lover, and there you have it ~ Night Owl Poetry.
I’m sure you now know by the name that poetry is what it’s all about, although I do throw some other things in between. It started out as a platform for current events, world news, etc. After a while I realized everyone was doing that and four months later I switched to strictly poetry. I write about anything and everything. My poetry is me.

What Inspires and stirs your creativity?
That’s easy. Everything!! A leaf falling, a running stream, a moonlit night or a chipmunk foraging for food. Nature is a beauty we are surrounded by every day. I could not imagine anyone not being inspired by it.

What Message, if any, do you hope to Share through your blog/posts?
Don’t be afraid to write whatever is in you!! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I write about love, I write about darkness. Everything I write about defines me as a person. When I write, I hope that the reader can identify themselves in the words.

How has your blog helped you as a writer/Indie Author? What things have you learned along the way that you never anticipated?
I’ve learned that it’s ok to release feelings long kept inside, to be able to reach so many with a single word. It’s a peaceful feeling.

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Tell us about your book(s):
I have five poetry books currently available on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00LE97O5K) , two of which are part of a trilogy of fantasy poetry (inspired by your Friday Fantasy theme). The other three are collections, inspired by everyday life. I like to mix them up throughout the books so the reader is not stuck on one particular subject for too long.
The books are:
Night Owl Poetry – Musings of the Night Owl Poet
Marrow of the Soul – A Collection of Poetry from the Heart
Pieces of Life – A Poetry Collection
A Flight of Imagination – Realm of Fantasy (Book One )
A Flight O Imagination – Illusion of Fantasy (Book Two)

The third book in the trilogy, Spirit of Fantasy, will be released in winter 2016 (February), followed by a collection of poetry in Spring 2106 (April/May, in time for Mother’s Day!). I’d also like to point out that the cover art designs for my books, are done by my children, Jonathan & Alyssa! I’m extremely proud to have both of them involved in making my visions come to life! Like I said earlier, my poetry is me. You can learn a lot about me when you read one of my poems. The pictures I include are only used to accent the words. The real passion is what I have inside, almost a fire, if you will. Sometimes the fire is a low flame, sometimes it roars, and sometimes it rages, but it never goes out.

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What do you feel is your best advice to share with other aspiring authors?
Never give up on your dreams. It’s so easy to make them come true these days. Do it for yourself. You’re the one who matters the most. Don’t worry about anyone or anything else.

Now the hard part, Let’s talk about YOU

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If you had to describe yourself to someone who has never met you, what might you say?
Hmmmm, I’ve never given this much thought. I guess I would have to say that I am loyal to a fault and very passionate about my family and my writing. I learned the hard way about loyalty and that’s all I’ll say about that. I don’t believe I would be where I am today if it wasn’t for the support I get from my husband, my children and my mom. They make me believe in myself, something I admit was/is very difficult for me to do.

If you could meet one person from the past, who might it be and why?
Robert Frost. His poetry strikes many chords with me. I would love to sit down, with a cup of coffee, and just talk with him. About nothing, about everything. I think it would a fascinating experience.

When you are NOT writing, what is your favourite pastime?
Downtime with my hubby, in the Poconos. Spending time with my Mom. Laughing with my kids. I guess you could say my family is my favorite pastime!!

Describe Your Dream Getaway Destination. Have you ever been there? What makes this place Irresistible to you?
Hawaii, specifically Maui. I’ve been there, but haven’t been back. I could write for a lifetime there. Majestic mountains, and volcanoes, springs and the Pacific ocean, rainbows every morning, tropical beauty and most of all, tranquility.

What “Charity” or “Cause” do you feel passionately about & Why?
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (http://www.nationalmssociety.org/?gclid=CI64q4jc4cgCFU8WHwodUbYNdA) and the Transverse Myelitis Association (https://myelitis.org/living-with-myelitis/disease-information/#tm)
MS because my aunt, who is a huge inspiration to me, suffers from this dreadful disease.
TM because I was stricken with it in 2006. I am one of the very lucky ones but I still battle it on a daily basis.
These two charities are closest to my heart.

Dorinda, I am so Delighted to Share a bit about you here on Booknvolume. You’ve been a help to me in my own writing career, we’ve written together, shared Inspiration more times than I can count and, hopefully, one of these fine days we’ll meet in person. Until then Dance in the Light you Create with the Beauty of your Words!

You can also find Dorinda Here:

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/NightOwlPoetry
Twitter – http://twitter.com/DorindaDuclos and http://twitter.com/NightOwlPoetry
Google+ – http://plus.google.com/+DorindaDuclos
Tumblr – http://dorindaduclos.tumblr.com/

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In The Lime Light – Roari Benjamin – Society in the Shadow of Civilization

06 Friday Nov 2015

Posted by Morgan in Authors Books Reviews & Interviews

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Author Interviews, Authors, Bloggers, BnV, BooknVolume, Books, Indie Authors, Indie Publishing, poetry, Self-Publishing, Writers, Writing, ~Morgan~

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Is it Saturday already? OH How time flies, but no matter, because Saturdays mean Lime Lights and that is fine with me 🙂 Time to shine the spotlight on another well-deserving Writer/Creater/Poet/Author who I recently met via Twitter (great place, Really, you ought to visit sometime if you don’t usually). But who you can also visit at her blog: http://roaribenjamin.blogspot.com So, go ahead, grab a steaming cup of something soothing, sit back, relax and allow me to present Roari Benjamin, writer of sci-fi and fantasy laced with romance and adventure. She lives in Southern California’s High Desert with the love of her life, their son and daughter, three cats, two dogs, and a turtle. Roari LOVES being in the water, in spite of the fact that she lives in a desert.

Creator of the Society of the Shadow Civilization, Roari is the Author of 3 published books, with 3 more on the way; she blogs, she writes poetry, is currently invovled in NaNoWriMo (http://nanowrimo.org) and she found time to “sit down” with me to talk about her writing and what inspires her.

Hi Roari, Thank You for joining me for this week’s Lime Light! Ready to talk about yourself with wild abandon? GREAT! Let’s go:

Thanks for inviting me to your beautiful blog, Morgan. I’m incredibly honored to be here!

Please Introduce us to your Blog. What is it all about? What sorts of posts do you lean towards?
Roari Benjamin’s Blog -formerly Roari’s Ramblings – is really a place I hope to introduce my writing, and myself to readers. As an Indie Author, it serves as my author website.
My posts are relatively random. I’ve shared sample chapters, short stories, some of my experiences in self-publishing, and a poem I wrote for a woman I met in the bookstore. Occasionally, I voice my opinion on TV shows – I want my Revenge back! Then, there’s the one with the video of Flutter, my hummingbird friend, taking a shower by the spigot. Yes, I talk to and name the critters in my yard. I also post some of my “Midnight Ramblings,” which aren’t always right at midnight, but are the result of whatever comes to mind when I decide to write in the late hours.

What Inspires and stirs your creativity?
Nature, music, science, visual art, and, of course, countless works of other writers. Animals fall under nature, but I feel the need to highlight them because they often turn up as characters in my stories. Ideas sneak up on me, usually after midnight. I really don’t plan on it. Except in November – I was bitten by the NaNoWriMo bug in 2009, and have been afflicted the entire month every year since. Which means, by the time your readers see this, my eyes will be bloodshot, and I’ll be having caffeine and Halloween candy jitters….

How has your blog helped you as a writer/Indie Author? What things have you learned along the way that you never anticipated?
I find it to be good practice, in a different form of writing. The more I write, the better I get. At least, that’s how I think the theory is supposed to work? It also gives the search engines something to find 😉 Admittedly, I’m still learning. I never expected Twitter to be so effective at bringing readers in. Visits to my blog skyrocketed over the summer, when I started twittering. Go figure! It was a nice surprise.

Cover - The Shadow Watcher

Tell us about your book(s):
My first novel, The Shadow Watcher, is book one of the Society in the Shadow of Civilization series. It’s a blend of mystery, adventure, science fiction and fantasy. I call it a sci-fi fairytale….
After college, Samantha Marquet distanced herself from the small fortune her father left behind. Determined to make her own way in the world, she works as a content writer and part-time bartender to make ends meet, hoping to publish her first novel soon. She also lives with the strange sensation someone’s watching….
When enemies Sam never knew existed attack, the man behind the mysterious presence she senses must come forward to protect her. She soon remembers seeing him once before, at her father’s funeral. And she realizes he hasn’t aged a day in the seventeen years since.
The Shadow Watcher reveals Sam’s true inheritance is the key to his youth. Something more powerful than money. Something far more valuable. Something many others are desperate to possess. Now that they’ve found her, the best way he can protect Sam is to guide her into the secret world founded by her grandfather, the Society in the Shadow of Civilization.

Cover - A Shadow in Doubt

In book two, A Shadow in Doubt, after learning of the Society, and its secrets, Sam knows her life will never be the same. Though, now aware of the dangers she faces, she feels better prepared to take care of herself. But, while Sam’s learning the ins and outs of the Society, she’s also trying to sort out her feelings for her Shadow Watcher – who sent her a warning, telling Sam she has to push him away.
She also needs to know if her boyfriend pursued their relationship because he was interested in her, or because he’s working with her enemies. She accepts his marriage proposal in hopes of learning the truth. But, just when Sam thinks her life can’t get any more confusing, her ex-fiancé walks back into her life, acting not at all like the man she knew.
To complicate matters further, prisoners from the attack at the Society’s Complex share disturbing information about the U.C.E.’s plans, implying the Marquet family has long been misguided by the one they trusted most.

Cover - Escape 2169

Fore Shadows: Escape 2169 is a companion short story, but can be read alone. Told by Sam’s grandfather, Dr. Samuel Marks, he narrates the hours leading to the formation of the Society. My suggestion is to read it between The Shadow Watcher and A Shadow in Doubt, as it gives some insight about the founding members of the Society, and adds another layer to the story. But, that’s just my suggestion 😉 I’ll be working on more Fore Shadows, and a novella narrated by Jayden, Sam’s best friend, before moving on to book three, Of Shadows and Sovereigns.

Sounds Fantastic!! What Inspired you to write your books?
While poking around Writing.com one night, an idea came to me for what I thought would be a short horror story. It started with a scene where Sam meets her Shadow Watcher (which is in the first chapter). I had no idea who, or what, he was – only that he’d been following her for years, and hadn’t aged. And their connection was intense. I knew he wasn’t a vampire, or ghost, but not much else. So, I had to come up with another reason for his lasting youth.
After pondering and abandoning the Fountain of Youth, I moved on to the Philosopher’s Stone and the Tree of Life. From some combination of those legends, and random internet articles about GMOs and super foods, emerged the Flamella tree.
Then, I realized I needed to look to the future before I could look to the past. I’ve always loved time-travel stories. A Sound of Thunder (Bradbury), Timeline (Crichton), A Wrinkle in Time (L’Engle) are among old favorites. I also have a very worn copy of Lightning (Koontz) in my possession, which definitely had an influence. Once I started down the path of time-travel, it kind of spiraled out of control….

From what Point of View do you prefer to write? Is there a reason?
I really don’t have a preference; I guess it depends on what I’m writing. The Shadow Watcher was my first attempt at a novel in first person. Originally the first few chapters were written in third person. When I went back to it, I decided to switch it up, and liked the result in first person much better. But, it doesn’t work for every story.

How would you describe your “Voice” or Style of writing?
Hmmm…. That’s a tough one. Again, it depends on what I’m writing. I have a twisted sense of humor, sometimes it’s a little bent, and I try to scatter bits of it around. Some of my characters are better at expressing it than others.

What genre do you prefer to write or are you truly eclectic?
I like to stay under the speculative umbrella. As a reader, I’m drawn to fantasy – like Dark Fey: The Reviled-, non-sciencey sci-fi and paranormal, so, it’s what I write, primarily. Right now, I’m working on a YA fantasy novel involving elves who cause nightmares, among other things. There’s also this pirate who’s been bugging me to write her story. So, I’m also researching a historical high-seas murder mystery adventure.

Do you painstakingly plot out your story; are you a discovery writer or a bit of both? Why?
Definitely discovery. Ideas or characters usually come to me, I rarely seek them out. Once they do, I’ll write out five to ten thousand words in a week or so. Then, I’ll think on it, usually a long while, and make a rough outline. Certain events become set in stone, while others, not so much. Sometimes, I can’t see the whole picture until I’m writing out the scene, then, things change. Sometimes, my characters are adamant about what they want to do. When their choices are better than mine, I give in.

Share an insight or secret about your book(s).
Ultimately, the series is a love story. There’s just some really big the-fate-of-the-world-is-resting-on-our-shoulders kind of obstacles standing in my time-crossed lovers’ way. Just remember, what seems impossible today, may already be possible tomorrow….

What do you feel is your best advice to share with other aspiring authors?
I’m going to fall back on what’s helped me. Read what your author heroes have written on writing, not just their books. They leave little gems of wisdom all over the internet.
Something Anne Rice shared on her website stayed with me – “Go where the pleasure is in your writing. Go where the pain is. Write the book you would like to read.” I especially like this part -“And remember, there are no rules for our profession. Ignore rules. Ignore what I say here if it doesn’t help you. Do it your own way.” ( http://annerice.com/Chamber-OnWriting.html )

OH this is Great Roari! Wait right there…I need to get more popcorn….:) While Im gone, say hello to Artemis, who appears as Sam’s cat in her books, and is Roari’s real life writing companion

Artemis
Artemis the Critic
Artemis 2

OK now, let’s find out about the person behind the writer, so to speak. If you had to describe yourself to someone who has never met you, what might you say?
I’m a thirty-something mom of two, who never really grew up. What I lack in height, I make up for with imagination.

If you could meet one person from the past, who might it be and why?
Just one? Since a handful of interesting people have made their way into my books as characters already, I’ll pick one who’s not. Leonardo da Vinci. I think to see a mind like his in action would be something almost magical to behold.

When you are NOT writing, what is your favourite pastime?
I love being outdoors – working in my garden, playing or walking with my kids and dogs, hiking, swimming, camping, talking to lizards and hummingbirds…. It’s also my favorite place to read. Family time is really the big thing right now though, anyway we can get it. The boy is ten, the girl just turned eight, and I’m just trying to take it all in. They’re getting into sports, music and science now, and growing way too fast!

Describe Your Dream Getaway Destination. Have you ever been there? What makes this place Irresistible to you?
My bucket list is long, there are so many amazing sights in this world to behold. Spending a night in one of those glass-topped igloos, under the Northern Lights, is near the top. But, I really don’t do well in the cold. So, I’d have to say my Ideal destination would be somewhere warm and tropical, preferably with beaches and mai tais. I’ve been to Hawaii, once, and for me it’s definitely a little piece of Heaven on Earth. The best mai tais I found while there came with brunch on a little boat, on the way back from snorkeling around Molokini.
Speaking of Hawaii…. While walking through Lahaina one evening, I stopped in Christian Riese Lassen’s gallery. I love, love, love his work. I was the only one in the room, lost in an enchanted undersea world, when the curator came over and asked, “Would you like to see something?” I said, “Sure!” Then, he said, “I don’t show this to everyone,” and turned down the lights in the room. Keep reading, it’s safe. He walked me over to one of the paintings, adjusted the controls for the lighting, and it came alive! The dolphins were swimming, the light in the water danced… it was amazing. Something I will never forget.

Do you have a Mantra?
No, I can’t say that I do. But, there is a Mary Ann Evans (George Eliot) quote that sticks with me – “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” I’ve reinvented myself more than once already, and I suspect I’m not done.

Roari, Thank You So Much for taking the time to share So Much about yourself, your writing and what Inspires you. The World grows a little bit smaller each time a soul opens 🙂

You can find Roari in ALL of the following places:
Links for The Shadow Watcher
Amazon: http://bit.ly/tswamazon
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/tswnook
iTunes: http://bit.ly/tswtunes
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/tswsmashwords
Links for A Shadow in Doubt
Amazon: http://bit.ly/Kindle2ASID
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/NookASID
iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunesASID
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/SmashASID
Links for Fore Shadows: Escape 2169
Amazon: http://bit.ly/10yV0XL
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/Nook2169
iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunes2169
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/Smash2169
The Shadow Watcher and Escape 2169 are both available to read free, and A Shadow in Doubt is on sale for .99¢ through November.
Where else you may find me lurking online:
Writing.com – https://www.writing.com/main/portfolio/view/isiterrasource
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/The-Shadow-Watcher-727074813985971
Twitter – https://twitter.com/roaribenjamin
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5819549.Roari_Benjamin

~Morgan~

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In The Lime Light – Pete Buckley

31 Saturday Oct 2015

Posted by Morgan in Authors Books Reviews & Interviews

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Author Interviews, Authors, Bloggers, BnV, BooknVolume, Books, Indie Authors, Indie Publishing, poetry, Self-Publishing, Writers, Writing, ~Morgan~

hills

Hoooray for Saturday! Not only because the weekends generally mean I can finally enjoy writing as much (or little) as I might choose without the demands of the 9-5er, but because it is once again time to Spotlight one of our fellow writers (which is far more important and interesting!) So as I am finishing up Dark Fey: Standing in Shadows, book two of the Dark Fey Trilogy (Yes, shameless plug, but since it’s my blog….) Please enjoy my latest Lime Light with Pete Buckley of the WordPress blog: Tales from the HIlls found at http://petebuckley.wordpress.com

Pete and I met via the electronic pages of WordPress, because much of his blog showcases my favourite place in the world: England, but we also keep in touch through the chirps and tweets of Twitter. He is a UK based indie author of two travel stories recounting adventures in New Zealand and the Swiss Alps. He has also contributed to several outdoors related blogs and worked on the Yuri Medev Adventures; a series of thrillers featuring Russian Agent Yuri Medev and NYC based Jim Bergman of the FBI. Aside from writing, Pete enjoys travel, hiking, biking and the outdoors not to mention spending time with his kids.

Hi Pete, Thanks for stopping by. Ready to Tell us Everything? Fantastic, Lets go! 🙂

Tell us about your Blog.

Tales from the Hills is my main blog and it was started to relate stories and adventures from time spent in the mountains and the outdoors which is my main leisure interest. Nowadays I post a few writing related posts as well but still preview the travel stories even if the full versions are elsewhere.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I always enjoyed it at school when we were given a creative writing assignment and spent a lot longer than I had to on these though I never took it further at the time. It wasn’t until much later that I thought well why not write about my travels and adventures seeing as I always enjoyed reading about other people’s.

What Inspires and stirs your creativity?

There’s usually a desire to do the right thing; my “good guy” characters – especially Yuri Medev – are on a constant crusade against injustice and exploitation while the villains represent everything I think is wrong with the World. There’s always adventure too and some great locations – James Bond and Jason Bourne were known for these and it’s one of the things I love about that kind of story. For the travel blog if I had a memorable day out I’m inspired to write about it but if I didn’t make the summit/got a puncture/it rained all day; I’m likely to pass on it!

From what Point of View do you prefer to write? Is there a reason?

This varies; for travel posts/stories which make up most of my blog posts I always write in the first person as it’s my own experience. For the novels and fictional stories I use the point of view of the main character in the thread and occasionally that of an outside observer.

How would you describe your “Voice” or Style of writing?

Difficult one that, but I guess – especially for fiction – that I see each part of the story as a scene in a film and write it “as it happens” which I hope gives a fast moving effect.

What Message, if any, do you hope to Share through your blog/posts?

Most of my blog posts are travel related so I try to convey a love for nature and the outdoors – especially mountain and wilderness areas and the joy of hiking or mountain biking through places far from cars and daily noise. As well as writing i post a lot of photos which hopefully do the same thing.

What are your Dreams for the Future in regards to your Blog and your work?

I would like to be self sufficient as a writer ie not have to do other work to support myself. I’ve been part way there before so working on it!

PB1PB2PB3

Wonderful Stuff 🙂 Now, Lets Talk about your book(s)

My first book was called “31 Days in a Campervan” and it told the story of my travels around New Zealand back in ’05 though the idea to write it came after the trip. “A Long Walk in the Alps” was to follow and detailed a hike through the Swiss Alps from the Eiger to the Matterhorn though nether were guidebooks – more travel diaries. My first novel was “The Colonel of Krasnoyarsk” featuring Russian Agent Yuri Medev and the FBI’s Jim Bergman. The Russians and Americans get to work together agaist some really bad guys (a people trafficking gang headed by Russian mobster Nikovich) something they could perhaps be doing right now! I have finished and am editing the next Yuri Medev story entitled “The Kirov Conspiracy”

What genre do you prefer to write or are you truly eclectic?

I’ve done two books on travel and one – shortly to be two – in the adventure thriller genre. I guess these match what I like to read which are thrillers as well as explorers’ tales. In fiction my characters also get to do stuff I probably wouldn’t get to do myself!

Do you painstakingly plot out your story; are you a discovery writer or a bit of both? Why?

I once read that JK Rowling knew the details of the entire Harry Potter series in advance. This is not me! I have an idea of basically what happens but the detail happens as I write it and often the plot changes significantly in the process of writing.
Me too Pete! I love writing off the cuff.

Share an insight or secret about your book(s)

The reason I started writing the first novel was because the realities of having kids meant less time swanning off to the Alps and such places – there will be another travel story at some stage but I kind of like doing the novels and my boys are great.

Who is your favourite/least favourite character & why?

I don’t really have a favourite and least favourite as they all play their part. I suppose Yuri Medev is the most like myself in outlook. Nikovich is the one I’d least like to meet in real life as he’s pretty unpleasant.

What do you feel is your best advice to share with other aspiring authors?

Write what you would like to read yourself – I can’t say whether this is good or bad advice but I think it makes sense!

Makes Cracking good sense, to me at least 😉
Find Pete’s Books here: https://petebuckley.wordpress.com/books-4/ & https://petebuckley.wordpress.com/yuri-medev-stories/

Pete Buckley

Ok , Now for the hard one: Describe yourself in Five Words.

Christian, socialist, Dad, writer, adventurer

If you could meet one person from the past, who might it be and why?

Jesus because He’s a great inspiration and would have all the answers.

When you are not writing/taking pictures, what is your favourite pastime?

Hiking and mountain biking. I do enjoy road cycling too but I don’t like the traffic.

Describe Your Perfect Day . What makes it Perfect and Why?

A difficult one that, as there are many things that could make up a perfect day but I guess being at the start of a holiday somewhere really cool and spending the day out on bikes with my boys riding forest trails and exploring. Done with someone special would be even better if that person exists.

What makes Life Worth Living?

My children

Pete, Im so glad you took some time out of your busy schedule to chat and share some insights with all of us about yourself, your blog and your writing. Personally, I love taking time each week to “Share The Love” by putting someone ELSE In The Lime Light on BnV. Keep enjoying those Beautiful country byways and High-ways, and PLEASE, keep sharing them. The World becomes Closer through the Love of the Photographers Lens and the Harmony of the Poet’s Prose 🙂

~Morgan~

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In The Lime Light – Paul F. Lenzi / Poesy plus Polemics

24 Saturday Oct 2015

Posted by Morgan in Authors Books Reviews & Interviews

≈ 32 Comments

Tags

Author Interviews, Authors, Bloggers, BnV, BooknVolume, Books, Indie Authors, Indie Publishing, poetry, Self-Publishing, Writers, Writing, ~Morgan~

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Yes, it’s the weekend at last and time, once again, for an In The Lime Light spotlight…(YAY!! the crowd goes wild!!) Please allow me to Introduce (If you don’t already know him from his amazing poetry) Paul F. Lenzi of Poesy plus Polemics blog: http://poesypluspolemics.com (stop right here and go visit…we’ll wait. No really, you won’t be disappointed, I swear!)

Welcome Back 😉 And getting back to Paul, via his own words: “I am the father of three adult children, each of whom holds my undying love and irrepressible pride. Grandfather of eleven heartwarming youngsters, whom I can never see often enough. One of the early baby boomer generation. Retired Manhattan insurance company executive. Lifelong resident of New Jersey until retiring to rural New Hampshire in 2005. A first generation American born to Italian immigrant parents. Rutgers University alumnus: philosophy, ethics and political science. A proud member of the Academy of American Poets, the Poetry Society of America, the Poetry Society of New Hampshire, Mensa International, and the NRA. Numerous professional affiliations abrogated by retirement.”

But what does Paul love to write about? What sparks his imagination? How does he go about creating such amazing poetry? Well, sit back, relax and read on, because Paul shared more with me in a recent interview (Just for In the Lime Light!)

Hi Paul! Thanks for taking a moment (or twelve) to share some insights about your writing. Ready? Ok .. Let’s go!

Please Introduce us to your Blog. What is it all about?
Writing daily since my retirement, I created this blog in order to share my work with other poets and authors, in hopes of receiving their feedback, and establishing with them some personal connections to a creative community that I always admired but about which I knew very little.

What Inspires and stirs your creativity?
My mind runs to many interests, and inspiration comes from every corner of life as I’ve experienced it. Philosophy was my field of study, and the subjects of ethics and morality feature prominently in my work. So do physics and mathematics. A lifelong urban dweller, I relocated to rural New Hampshire when I retired, and I’m especially fascinated by nature as I’ve come to discover it. Being physically disabled, I also often draw from my difficult circumstances, knowing they are shared by so many others.

What Message, if any, do you hope to Share through your blog/posts?
No message. At least not consciously. I love language and thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to play with, experiment with it, it as I attempt to express my imagination or convey my perceptions of the world and the people in it.

What are your Dreams for the Future in regards to your Blog and your work?
At my age, I don’t think so much about the future, except for my worries about what it may hold for my eleven grandchildren. Having said that, it occurs to me that the driving motivation for my blog, and the books that have grown from it, is probably my desire to leave a tangible, intellectually insightful, and highly personal legacy for them.

Book1Book 2
Book3Book4
Book5

Tell us about your book(s):
I’m now in the proofing phase of my twelfth volume of poetry, to be titled “Squaring the Circle”. All of my books are full length collections. I never quite grasped the concept of a chapbook. Only a few of my books were created around dominant themes: “Pentimento” is about family, “Music of Scars” about pain, and “Bullets From Bones” about conflict. All the others are highly eclectic collections that cover a broad range of subjects. As a voracious reader, I believe (or at least hope) that approach keeps the reader from becoming bored, never knowing what the next page holds in store.

From what Point of View do you prefer to write? Is there a reason?
In a word, honesty – of belief, of emotion, of experience, of observation. It’s the only way I know how to express myself.

How would you describe your “Voice” or Style of writing?
I write in different voices, as the mood strikes me and the words find themselves to the page. As to style, I write primarily in free verse, with a liberal smattering of haiku and related short forms. Alliteration is also a guilty pleasure.

What genre do you prefer to write or are you truly eclectic?
As I explained above, my poetry is wildly varied. Each new page should reward with a surprise
of subject, setting or sentiment.

Share an insight or secret about your book(s).
All my books are self-published. I realized early on that I’m too old and impatient to engage the trials and tribulations encountered in chasing the affections of conventional publishers.

Who is your favorite/least favorite / subject to write about? Why?
Philosophy is easily my favorite. Even though I’ve been writing for only ten years, I’ve been thinking all my life. Least favorite? Probably the horror genre. I’ve just never been a fan.

What do you feel is your best advice to share with other aspiring authors?
Understand that not everyone will enjoy or even understand your work. But that’s quite okay. Get used to it. To write for anyone other than yourself is a mistake. Unless you write as a commercial enterprise, your art must both arise from and appeal to your soul. Art without personal integrity is mere wallpaper.

Paul I just LOVE your answer! You are so WRITE 🙂

Paul F. Lenzi
Describe yourself in Five Words.
Boy, how I hate these questions. But, in for a penny, in for a pound, as they say. So: sincere, thoughtful, faithful, loving, and opinionated.

If you could meet one person from the past, who might it be and why?
Ben Franklin. Plumbing his polymath mind would be endlessly fascinating.

When you are NOT writing/taking pictures, what is your favorite pastime?
Given that age and infirmity have severely curtailed my activities, first and foremost is reading. Lots of time watching movies. I also build model sailing ships, collect stamps, play chess, and pursue genealogy. In younger and healthier days, I was an avid gardener, stroked a mean game of pool, was a pretty fair musician, swam like a fish, was a certified sharpshooter at the firearms range, and coached youth sports.

Describe Your Dream Getaway Destination. Have you ever been there? What makes this place Irresistible to you?
I’ve been fortunate, having traveled the world on multiple occasions. Tuscany would be my ideal, Florence in particular. Steeped in the history of the Renaissance, it is beyond beautiful, beyond inspirational. It is also the site of my beloved ancestral roots. The Palazzo Lenzi has stood on the Piazza d’Ognissanti since the 1400s. WOW! I’ve never been to Italy, but would have to agree anyway with your description. Very Impressive Family Heritage!

What makes Life Worth Living?
The love and affection of my dear bride of nearly fifty years.

For myself, I am just delighted that Paul stopped by to share a little about himself and his writing. I’ve admired Paul’s poetry since I began blogging and being able to Spotlight him means a great deal. Be sure to visit his blog before you leave today and, certainly, give his poetry books a peruse and Ponder….the holidays are coming after all http://poesypluspolemics.com/books

~Morgan~

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In The Lime Light / Eeva Lancaster- Eeva Lancaster’s Desk

17 Saturday Oct 2015

Posted by Morgan in Authors Books Reviews & Interviews

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Author Interviews, Authors, Bloggers, BnV, BooknVolume, Books, Indie Authors, Indie Publishing, Self-Publishing, Writers, Writing, ~Morgan~

Eeva5

Once again, it is the weekend. Time to kick back, relax, or, if you’re me, time to work on the Dark Fey Triology. As a result, I’ve come up with my In The Lime Light weekend spotlights for Authors, Bloggers, photographers, poets, …whoever really, who wants to share what they do through what I do to those who are doing what they do. (Care to be spotlighted? Just pop me a line!) Meanwhile, and without further ado (as there is already Much Ado About Nothing) (sorry, couldn’t resist the Shakespeare reference…you know it’s been a while since I dropped some Shakespeare on you!)

Do Please Meet Eeva Lancaster: Author, Blogger, Freelance writer, and more! Eeva is deeply involved in the self publishing industry. Editing, Writing, Book Design, Marketing. She started out as a blogger and freelance writer, then ultimately left her day job to freelance full time… and now, she spends her time with authors and their books, offering a wide range of services. But let’s allow Eeva to tell you more about what SHE does via the interview below.

Hi Eeva, Are you Ready? Great! Here we go:

Tell Us About Your Blog:

My blog, Eeva Lancaster’s Desk, talks about the self publishing industry in general. I share my experience as a self published author, book reviews, feature my favorite authors and sometimes I just rant. It’s my virtual home, and those who’d like to know what I’ve been up to can find me there. There’s so much to learn, and whenever I learn something new, I make it a point to write about it on my blog to help out other authors.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I didn’t WANT to be a writer, actually. I just find it easier to express myself in writing. When I entered the freelancing industry, it just made sense for me to market my writing skills. My experience as a freelance writer is what prompted me to publish my own books. 20 years ago though, I was into poetry. I love the written word. Always have. I guess it’s not about wanting to be a writer. I don’t really believe that it’s a skill that can be learned. Honed, yes. Learned? No. You are either a writer, or you’re not.

What Inspires and stirs your creativity?
I write non-fiction and I write from experience. Being a very experienced woman, there’s a lot of things floating in my head that I want to share. Nowadays, people rely on books and the internet for guidance when they encounter a dilemma. I’d like my books to be a light that can guide someone’s path. That inspires me. To know that my experience could be worth something to someone else’s life. Even in the smallest ways.

From what Point of View do you prefer to write? Is there a reason?
First person. I’d like to have a conversation with my readers.

How would you describe your “Voice” or Style of writing?
I’m honest to a fault. I like naming the elephant in the room. I mean, not that I want to be controversial or disrespectful of other’s opinions, but if it’s a spade, I’ll call it a spade. My books were not written to molly-coddle anyone’s illusions. I talk about real-life. If readers want to indulge in fantasy and fiction, they can read Dark Fey: The Reviled. (Nice Plug, Thanks Eeva)

What Message, if any, do you hope to Share through your blog/posts?
I’d like to open the eyes of many of my peers, and tell them that self-publishing does not excuse us from making sure that the readers get high quality books. We have a reputation for low quality, and that’s something we must break out of. Every self-published author who releases a crappy book adds a weight to the chain that drags all of us down. We need to be responsible and accountable.
As the owner of The Alliance of Self Published Authors, I know the challenges of my peers. I know why they hesitate to follow all the steps needed before they release their books. To make it as good as those traditionally published. It’s either they don’t know how, or it costs too much (ok some also think they’re God’s gift to readers and don’t need to do anything else). This prompted me to put up an author services website, The Book Khaleesi. I just want authors to have the option of affordable yet professional services. Hopefully, this would prompt many to make the effort and ensure that their books are reader-worthy.

What are your Dreams for the Future in regards to your Blog and your work?
I’d like my site The Book Khaleesi to become so huge one day that I’d need to hire an assistant to manage my schedule. For me, this would mean that there will be less poorly edited and poorly formatted books out there. My work and my books are all about making it easier for people. I hope they have that effect. If even one person found life easier because of my writing, I’d have fulfilled my purpose.

Eeva4
Eeva3
Eeva2

Tell Us About Your Book(s):
I have 3 books published to date.
In Loving You: A Journey of Love and Self Discovery is a compilation of poems I wrote 20 years ago for a man I couldn’t have. I went through a heart-rending journey which made me realize a lot of things about love, pain, and myself. What’s funny is that, the man I wrote those poems for is now my husband. We’ve been married for 5 years. It’s my very own fairy tale.

The Now What? series discusses different topics. Very eclectic.
The first is called You’re Getting Married Soon… Now What? It encourages couples to ask the hard questions before they go deeper into the relationship. In my experience, relationships fail because we have unrealistic expectations, more like, pipe dreams and wishful thinking. Asking the hard questions is unromantic but it can give the relationship a better chance of working out.

My latest release is entitled, You want to be an Online Freelancer…. Now What? Here I share my own experience as a freelancers, and what I’ve learned along the way. Anyone who wants to earn online should get this book. I discuss the mindset of successful freelancers, based on my interactions with many of my colleagues in the field. When I left my day job to freelance full-time, I wasn’t sure that I’d succeed. But I did. And this book is my way of paying it forward.

What genre do you prefer to write or are you truly eclectic?
Right now, all my books will be non-fiction. There are many books in my head waiting to be released. I have an upcoming memoir, but I’m not sure yet how I’ll write it. I’d like to write fiction one day, but maybe I don’t have the imagination required. I have a more linear way of thinking, good for non-fiction, but not for fiction writing. Imagine how boring that would be. I’d be explaining every scene. Hahaha.

What do you feel is your best advice to share with other aspiring authors?
In self publishing, writing is merely the beginning. Learn what you must to succeed in the industry.
And please, get an editor.

Eeva1

Now…What About YOU:
I’m a freelance writer, editor and a book designer. Happily married to an awesome man, owns a dog who chews on everything and 3 red-eared sliders (turtles)
I love the ocean and snorkeling is my favorite activity. I’m a voracious reader. A devourer of books. My whole life right now is about books. The Book Khaleesi ensures that when I’m not editing, I’m designing covers and communing with authors. In between my busy schedule, I read and write my books.
I used to be a suit before I started freelancing and publishing. I’ll be writing a book about that too.

Describe yourself in Five Words.
Dreamer. Fighter. Soft-hearted. Sarcastic. Curious.

If you could meet one person from the past, who might it be and why?
Hmmm… I’d like to meet Cleopatra. Now, there’s a woman who knew how to survive in her world. She was an awesome politician, but she still knew how to love. I’d like to go back in time and find out what really happened, first-hand.

When you are not writing/taking pictures, what is your favourite pastime?
Reading or going on road trips with my husband. It takes so little to amuse me.

Describe Your Perfect Day . What makes it Perfect and Why?
My perfect day is when I’m with my husband, doing nothing. Just being together, you know? Life has a way of keeping us busy that we forget to just BE with the people we love. We’re always thinking of other things, looking at our mobile phones, planning for the future and we forget that without the NOW, there would be no future. We take so many things for granted. We think we have enough time. Being with him, reminds me of WHY I’m doing what I’m doing. Why we need to strive so hard. It reaffirms my purpose and recharges me. I treasure those moments, more than anything else. Because it doesn’t happen as often as I want it to. Busy. Busy. Busy.

What makes Life Worth Living?
Are you who you want to be? Are you happy with who you’ve become? Is your life worth something to someone? For me, if I answer yes to these questions, then I have a reason to open my eyes each morning and jump out of bed. Life has its own seasons, and there will be times when the answer is no. If this happens, then we must change what we must, even if we have to get out of our comfort zones. To get the YES back.
I’ve done this so many times. I’ve never let life defeat me… yet. We write our own story, and we decide what the ending will be.

Thank You Ever so Much Eeva for taking time out of your busy schedule to share your story and insights with us. I am so glad you allowed me to spotlight you! All the Best Luck and Success, but most of all, Blessings of Joy, my Friend.

Care to read more of Eeva’s work? You can find her through the links below:

Book Links:
In Loving You: http://www.eevalancaster.com/p/in-loving-you-52-poems-and-ballads.html

The Now What? Series – http://www.eevalancaster.com/p/the-now-what-series_26.html

Website: http://www.eevalancaster.com & http://www.thebookkhaleesi.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eevalancaster.author

Twitter: https://twitter.com/eevalancaster

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/eevalancaster

Amazon Profile: http://www.amazon.com/Eeva-Lancaster/e/B00OQM4WJS/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1444111051&sr=1-2-ent

.

~Morgan~

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In The Lime Light – Ste J / Book to the Future

08 Saturday Aug 2015

Posted by Morgan in Authors Books Reviews & Interviews

≈ 18 Comments

Tags

Bloggers, BnV, Book Review Blogs, BooknVolume, Books, Love of Words, poetry, Reviews, words, Writing, ~Morgan~

Featured Image -- 8617

Please Allow me to introduce Ste J of Book to the Future Blog, a blog all about books, oddly enough. Not only books, however, but also a smattering of poetry, musings on the imponderables of life, and a cheeky wit that never fails to bring a smile. What impressed me early on is his achievement of reading 100 books in less than a year! (something I haven’t done yet in, my…well,… more than a few years!) I recently reposted a poem of his, The Love Affair, which expresses in exquisite language (that makes most of us reach for a dictionary!) his love of words. (found here: http://wp.me/p3C4k1-3jA) Read on and discover a bit more about Ste J for yourself…then be sure to pop over to his blog.

About Your Blog:

Tell us about your Blog.
Book to the Future is primarily a book blog with an eclectic smattering of my own poems and thoughts that occur to me whilst out on my travels around the pavements of the world.

Where do you find Inspiration?
When I started blogging three years ago, it used to be all about the books but now I find that it is more to do with my fellow bloggers whose thoughts and input help stoke my passion which in turn leads back to inspiration. It’s less a vicious cycle and more of a cheerful innertube.

What Sparks your Imagination for the posts you write?
Usually a certain word or thought just pops into my head randomly and I go with it. I enjoy writing posts with no clear aim but knowing (hoping) one eventually makes itself known.

What is the Best part about having a blog all about books?
It’s an excuse to buy loads of books even though I have hundreds to get through. I subtly ignore this and embrace my addiction whilst telling myself I am making plans for the (admittedly unlikely ) eventuality that the Government bans books.

What is the Hardest part about doing a review?
The time issue, blogging about books consistently demands time for reading and not getting that or worse reading in bits and pieces can affect how I view a book, perhaps unfairly sometimes. In a very few instances I come across a book with no redeeming features and then the challenge is to find something positive to say, like how well bound the book is or something.

About YOU:

SteJ

Describe yourself in Five Words.
Whimsical, alive, thoughtful, brilliant, humble.

Tell us about You when you were a child.
I was shorter than I am now, a book lover unsurprisingly but also a fan of constantly watching obscure David Jansen film, Hijack as well as various Doctor Who stories and the odd Carry On film. I think I have carried my reticence to truly talk about myself with me from that time.

If you could go anywhere, do anything, regardless of expense, describe your Perfect Day.
I’m a man who likes simple pleasures, a good meal in a restaurant or picnic and time with friends going for a drive with good music on when not talking, watching a film or just chatting. I don’t really mind where just somewhere different to my locale would be great, perhaps a place that’s quiet and off the beaten track, maybe with mountains or the sea.

If you could invite Five People (from the past or present) to a dinner party, who would you invite and why?
Charles Dickens, it would be a joy to watch him marvel at present technology and it would be great if he structured his conversations with the same whimsy as he did with his book sentences.
Dr Alice Roberts, intelligent and attractive and an author, need there be more reasons!
David Lynch, anything could happen when he is about and I would demand answers to all my Twin Peaks revival questions.
Sir Bobby Robson, A football legend and I would love to quiz him about his experiences abroad and all the different cultures, sporting and personal that he experienced. An autograph wouldn’t go amiss either.
Giorgio Tsoukalos, Not only could he attribute everything to aliens for comedy value (much like he does on Ancient Aliens) but I could go mega sceptic and demand actual conclusive proof which would start some fascinating discussions with the other guests as well.

What is your Mantra in Life?
It could be worse, I could have no shoes.

More About Ste J can be found at his
About.me page: https://about.me/StetotheJ
& of course, his blog
https://bookmust.wordpress.com

Thank You Ste J for sharing a bit about yourself with us. I, for one, am very glad to have met you through the electronic pages of wordpress and value our Friendship greatly..or, at least, more than I value my shoes!

~Morgan~

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In the Lime Light

31 Friday Jul 2015

Posted by Morgan in Authors Books Reviews & Interviews

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Authors, Bloggers, BnV, BooknVolume, Lime Light, Showcase, Social Media, Spotlight, Writers, Writing, ~Morgan~

Beautiful-Is-The-Life

Weekends are Wonderful. Plus they are the only time I get to concentrate on writing (Dark Fey) without work interrupting. Over the past few months I have attempted to find a balance between work, social media, writing and Family, and have come to the determination that weekends need to be separated into a category all their own, where I can write without work OR social media. However, I do not wish to neglect BnV or any of you, THUS, I have come up with a nifty, and I hope pleasing (to all of you) alternative.

Ta-Dum-da-dum-dum-Ta-da-dum!

Introducing In The Lime Light!

What, you may ask, is In The Lime Light? Well, simply put, its a weekend-long post that will spotlight One Of YOU, because, after all, YOU are the reason BnV is where it is and part of the reason I do what I do (the other part is sheer insanity, but that is covered in my first post or two). In The Lime Light will endeavor to Share one (lucky?) Individual each weekend with all of you and all of my Twitter and Facebook followers (numbering some odd 9K number) to Show Case Your Blog, Your Writing, Your own social media and so forth.

Therefore, Be Warned or Get Ready ! My first official In The Lime Light post shall appear tomorrow (not quite at the crack of dawn, because, as many of you are already very well aware, I am NOT the morning person). Also, if you are interested in sharing what you do via what I do, drop me a comment and we can draw up our battle plans, er, make arrangements!

And as Ever, Thank YOU for humouring me and your Support of my (insane) little whims 🙂 Blessings My Friends!

~Morgan~

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How to avoid Gas leakage incidents

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Hannah's book blog. This is my place where I share my favourite reads and chat about books.

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