Blog Tour: Interview With A Country Village Christmas Author Suzanne Snow

Today is my stop on the blog tour for A Country Village Christmas by Suzanne Snow. I have an interview with the author to share with you today. If you like the sound of that, you can click here to buy your copy now. Don't forget to check out the other blogs on the tour for more exclusive content and reviews. 

Here's what it's all about:

Can the magic of Christmas and the community of Thorndale bring two lost souls together in love?

Olivia doesn’t have time for Christmas or for romance – she’s got a demanding career and has been burned before when it comes to love. This year, she’s spending the festive season in her dad’s old house, packing it up now that he’s moved out. Her dad failed to mention she wouldn’t be spending her time there alone…

The last thing Olivia expects is for her surprise guest to be the very man who literally ran from her after an evening of mutual flirtation. But Tom has nowhere else to go and Olivia is determined to forget the disappointment she felt at his abandonment and instead help him find his way again.

As heavy snow keeps them inside the cottage, will their enforced confinement spark romance once again – or will it push them further apart?

Are you ready to read that interview?

First question-bit of a cliche-how did you get into writing?

I loved reading as a child and was always drawn to creating my own stories. Writing seemed like a natural progression and just a few days ago whilst having a clearout I discovered all my old stories and files. Not sure whether to shred or save! I grew up with horses around farms and my first stories were about adventurous girls and their ponies.

 

Do you write full time & if so, have you always done this?

I now write full time and am very grateful to be doing so, it was always my dream job. After several years as a stay-at-home mum, I trained in horticulture and spent five seasons planting redesigned gardens, which was a real passion.

Do you have a particular writing style or genre that you prefer?

I've always been drawn to romance and love to write about rural landscapes and the communities around them. I enjoy reading crime, especially historical, and have no idea how to write it!

How do you develop your characters as you write, are any of them based on real people?

My characters might be inspired by a story about a person or something I've heard or seen, but they're never based on real people. I love creating my characters and learning about their pasts as I plot their futures.

 

What was the inspiration behind A Country Village Christmas?

It was actually a house to begin with, a property in Yorkshire with a view of a small library, an old armchair beside the fire. The character of Hugh popped up as I imagined him sitting there, and Olivia and Tom soon joined him. I'd always wanted to write a Christmas book and I so enjoyed creating a romance set in December, with all the festive happenings you'd expect during the holidays.

What is your writing process-do you plan it out first? Write a bit at a time?

I'm definitely a planner and I always know the ending before I start writing. For me the process of writing the book is drawing characters to that ending but however much planning I do, there's usually a surprise or two along the way.

 

How much of you is reflected in your writing?

I'd say very little, other than each of my heroines have a tiny something of me in them; namely cooking, gardening, horses and home. I've given each woman a very different life experience to mine and they're a lot of fun to create. I think a childhood growing up mostly outdoors has definitely influenced my writing and I love to write across the seasons and celebrate them through the landscape.

 

What kind of research did you have to do before/during writing A Country Village Christmas?

The story is set around an old bookshop and I researched lots of different Christmas books to decide which ones would suit my character's narratives, as each of the real books referenced have a meaning to Olivia, Tom or Hugh. Tom is an actor and his back story included playing a fictional romantic hero which made him famous and that was brilliant to play around with, as Olivia finds out!

 

Are friends and family supportive of your writing? 

My friends and family are very encouraging, especially my husband. I was very close to my late mother-in-law and she was definitely one of my biggest supporters. She usually read everything first and never doubted that I'd be an author, even when I did. My mum is a brilliant publicist, and has been known to stop people in the street to tell them about my books. She even took bookmarks on holiday and persuaded a local bookshop to order my books! It all really helps!

How do you feel leading up to your publication day?

There are always some nerves but it's mostly excitement and being grateful to the team who work so hard to bring my books to readers. I'm very thankful for the opportunities I've had and it's always wonderful when a reader gets in touch to say how much they loved a book and are waiting for the next.

 

Which other authors inspire you or are there any you particularly enjoy reading?

I read everything by Karen Swan and I love CJ Sansom's Shardlake series in particular. I'm inspired by any author who has written and published a book, and I've made some lovely friends since joining the RNA.

Finally...what are you working on right now?

Writing my fifth book, and planning six and seven, which aren't part of the Thorndale series. I'm loving getting to know different characters and exploring a new setting, set in another rural community. 

Thanks so much to Suzanne for stopping by the blog today and answering all of my burning questions!

Blog Tour: Interview with Margaret Skea Author of Katharina: Deliverance (Book 1 Katharina series) @margaretskea1 @lovebooksgroup #lovebookstours

Today is my stop on the blog tour for Katharina: Deliverance (Book 1 Katharina series) by Margaret Skea. I have an interview with the author to share with you today and if you like the sound of that you can click here to order your copy now. Don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour for more exclusive content and reviews.

Here's what it's all about...

At five Katharina is placed in a convent.

At twenty-three she escapes.

At twenty-five she marries the most controversial man in Europe.

This is her story - of courage, resilience in the face of adversity and a determination to choose her own life.

If you like your historical fiction to be absorbing, authentic, beautifully written and full of warmth and heart, this portrayal of Katharina von Bora, the escaped nun who married Martin Luther, is for you.

Are you ready for that interview?

How did you get into writing?

Two important things happened when I was eight.  I won a children’s poetry competition and my dad published a school textbook. Inspired by both I wrote a story about a family of white mice – which I thought the company producing my dad’s book would publish. Sadly, no… but there and then I determined to be an author ‘when I grew up’. Of course life intervened and I did lots of other things first, but I have finally ‘grown up’ now.

Do you write full time and if so have you always done this?

For much of my adult life I concentrated on writing short stories, and quite a number won or were placed in competitions, becoming the perfect avoidance tactic - stopping me from writing my first novel. Thankfully I broke through the barrier and now have five published novels.  But like most writers, I don’t have the luxury of writing full time. However, the other work I now do is all writing related – I am the Creative Writing Fellow for a collective of eight writing groups in the Lothians (around Edinburgh) – running mini-workshops and providing one-to-one feedback on their writing; and I also do a limited amount of individually tailored mentoring for other authors / would-be authors. 

Do you have a particular writing style or genre that you prefer to write? 

All my novels are historical fiction, but rooted in real history. However, most, but not all of my short stories are contemporary. They are as far removed from me in terms of location as my novels are in time and I’ve come to realize that  the challenge I most relish is to take readers somewhere neither I or they have ever been, to  provide them with a ‘you are there’ experience. 

How do you develop your characters as you write – are any of them  based on real people?

Most of the people in my novels (give or take a few servants and one key fictional family in my Scottish trilogy) were real and that poses particular problems. The fictional family develop through the course of the trilogy – and often in surprising ways, but I have to be careful with the real people. 

For them I need to make sure that everything I write, even the fictional elements – for example their motivations and conversations - are in keeping with the known facts, as well as what can be deduced of their character from documented actions. Sometimes it’s possible to ‘eavesdrop’ on conversations – for example in my Katharina books we have Luther’s  ‘Table Talk’ which was written down by some of the participants; and sometimes we can gain an understanding of a character through letters. My ‘rule of thumb’ is that everything I write should at least be plausible, and preferably, likely.

What was the inspiration behind your book?

In 2015 – two years before the 500^th anniversary of Martin Luther’s nailing of his 95 theses to the Wittenberg church door – I discovered he had a wife. I knew nothing about her and that intrigued me – why didn’t I?

 A little bit of research showed me that there wasn’t a lot of documentary evidence to be known. However, and this I found very significant, she is the only reformer’s wife of whom there is an attested contemporary portrait – and there are lots of her – so clearly in her own time she was important. I felt she, and her legacy as a remarkable woman of faith, deserved to be much better known.

What is your writing process – do you plan it out first? Write a bit at a time?

Because of the historical setting I have a start and (sometimes) an end point, with various historical events as ‘signposts’ along the way. But I generally have little idea of how I am going to get from ‘a’ to ‘b’ to ‘z’. I focus on writing a section at a time, but I never finish at the end of one. I always stop part way through a paragraph or sentence. That makes it much easier to pick up where I left off. My other ‘trick’ is to read over a day’s writing before I go to bed and allow my subconscious to continue to work on it while I sleep.

How much of you is reflected in your writing?

I think it is impossible for an author not to reflect themselves in what they write, whether consciously or unconsciously. 

I write for a secular market, even when, as in the Katharina novels, the context is religious. And I don’t, in this or any other context attempt to ‘preach’.  However, the most important aspect of my life is my personal faith in Christ, and that impacts both on what I write and how it is written. As a result, it is my deliberate choice not to include explicit sex or strong language, and where the history demands the inclusion of violence, my intention is that it isn’t gratuitous. The books are therefore suitable for anyone from 12 to 112.

What kind of research did you have to do before / during writing the book?

I spend as much time researching as I do writing (often more!) As I mentioned earlier, there was a dearth of written records about Katharina von Bora, so my research for these books was a little different from usual. 

There is debate about her parentage, her birthplace, and the reason why she was sent to a convent aged five. So I had to weigh up the conflicting evidence for her early life and come to my own conclusion of what I felt most likely.

The time she spent in two separate convents is documented, along with, in the case of  the Marienthron at Nimbschen, the names of the other members of the order, but there are no specific details of her life there. Therefore the research for her convent years was based on what is known of everyday life in Benedictine and Cistercian convents of the time, along with the evidence that she had a close group of friends who escaped the convent with her. 

From the time that she came to Wittenberg we know quite a bit about what she did, but not her personality, so I had to deduce her motivation and character from her actions  and from what is written about her by others. Perhaps most importantly of all I went to Saxony, to walk where she walked, stand where she stood and, where possible, handle things that she handled, and thus attempt to see her environment  through her eyes. 

How much attention do you pay to reviews?

From time to time I read reviews and if they are positive, that’s obviously pleasing. If they are negative I try to assess if they have any validity and f so, take a note of the comment to help inform my future writing. But often it is simply a matter of differing tastes and that doesn’t worry me. What I do find a little annoying is if someone is factually incorrect in their criticism and it is tempting to respond – but as there’s nothing I can do I sit on my hands and resist the impulse. 

Are friends and family supportive of your writing?

My friends have always been supportive, as have my parents, but my wider family initially thought of writing as my ‘hobby’ and therefore not a priority. It wasn’t until I started winning prizes and gaining a wider recognition that recognition came at home also. Now, I’m glad to say,  they are totally supportive. 

How do you feel leading up to publication day?

I have always focused on paperback book launches in bookshops – and so there has always been both a build up of excitement and also a wee bit of trepidation as the day approaches – 

Will the folk who have promised to come actually turn up? / What will the person chairing the event say about the book? / How will my readings go? / Will there be a deathly hush when questions are invited from the audience? / Will people want to buy signed copies? But it’s only once the evening is over, with none of my worst fears coming to pass, that I realize just how much tension there has been. 

Which other authors inspire you?

I’ve always been a fan of classics such as Austen and Hardy, as well as a host of children’s writers that are my ‘comfort’ reads; but three of my favourite authors are Daphne d Maurier, Winston Graham and Dorothy Dunnett. I love books steeped in atmosphere and a sense of place and all of these authors are masters at that. 

Finally, what are you working on right now?

Just before lockdown I finished the paper research for a new novel set outside Britain, and I was getting ready to organize a trip to do the ‘on location’ research required.  That of course couldn’t happen, and I found I couldn’t settle to write anything else. 

Instead I decided to focus on other aspects of my writing career that would be useful over the long term. So I am learning to (almost) touch type – at least I’m using all my fingers now, not just two – even if it isn’t always the right ones). I’m also doing several online courses on marketing books – a very steep learning curve. But the really exciting development has been working with a fabulous narrator to produce Audiobooks of my Scottish trilogy – 2 down, one to go!

Thanks so much to Margaret Skea for stopping by the blog today!

Blog Tour: Interview With Stacy Christopher Zaghloul Author of Lady Colombia @lovebooksgroup #lovebookstours

 

Today is my stop on the blog tour for Lady Colombia by Stacy Christopher Zaghloul. I have an interview with the author to share with you today and if you like the sound of that you can click here to order your copy. Don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour for more exclusive content and reviews.

Here's what it's all about...

Laidy is a young woman living outside Bogotá, Colombia. She applies herself in school, works a part-time job, and helps to look after her aging father. Her exertions begin to take an emotional toll. An estrangement with her sister is particularly painful, leading her to investigate unanswered questions about her past. To resolve these doubts, she must traverse the world of narco-traffickers, a task she is loath to do. Along the way, she travels to parts of Colombia she has never seen and learns that her family history is much more complicated than she ever imagined. A genre-bending novel which incorporates elements of the women's literature, Latina, coming-of-age, mystery, contemporary romance, historical fiction, family life and multicultural genres, Lady Colombia is a moving tale that guides readers through the splendid cultural weave of the land, whilst delivering on the promise of the unputdownable. This stunning debut work will resonate with readers for years to come.

Here's that interview for you...

First question-bit of a cliche-how did you get into writing?

Growing up, I loved books, storytelling, and writing. I was a teacher for several years, then became a lawyer. I had to leave the professional world to look after my two daughters and because of two international moves- one to Beijing, the latest to Bogota. While in Bogota, both my daughters were teens, so I had more time to myself. I became particularly moved and inspired by the culture in Bogota, so I actually sat down and composed Lady Colombia. I asked my daughters to look at it; they loved it. I showed it to my husband then, and my mother- my toughest critic. They told me the story had to be published.

Do you write full time & if so, have you always done this?

I do now, because my oldest daughter is in university in Florida and my younger is finishing secondary school back home in Texas. I did record my memories of my year in Beijing several years ago- but it is nowhere near coherent; that was catch as catch-can; I was doing that between school runs, laundry, and doing side work editing scientific papers for professional industry.

Do you have a particular writing style or genre that you prefer to write?

This is a difficult question to answer; my oldest brother says I write for readers, while too many writers attempt to write for other writers, if that makes sense. It is my voice behind everything I write. Genre is something difficult for me to pin down as well. Lady Colombia is technically literary fiction, but it could fit into many categories. My oldest daughter wanted it shaped into more of a romance, my husband, more of an action-adventure shoot-em-up Western type thing. I declined both suggestions, and I think the story is better for it.

How do you develop your characters as you write, are any of them based on real people?

I cannot say how other writers create characters, but every character I write is based on people I have known for years, or a conglomeration of such. Laidy is a character that I imagined after seeing these same young women in Bogota over and over again- the clerk at the bank, the shopgirls, the neighbors in the next flat, young women walking down the sidewalk alongside me. My oldest daughter, however, will tell you that Laidy is her mother!

What was the inspiration behind your book?

Twenty years ago I was on flight to D.C., where I am a member of the bar association (I believe you call them barristers in U.K.). I always grabbed magazines or paperbacks before boarding-that was before the digital era. I read this stunning account in National Geographic or Foreign Affairs or something about a young woman who was living in Chile or Argentina (can’t remember which) who was living an ordinary life when she was brutally confronted with her past- her biological origins, which were directly tied to the political motivated “disappearances” that dominated the seventies and eighties in several South American countries. I tried desperately to locate that article, that woman’s story, but have been unsuccessful.

Fast forward to my years in Bogota, 2017-2018. While I was living there, I learned that the Colombian government was releasing a devastating report that disclosed the truth of Colombia’s own disappeared- more than Argentina and Chile combined. A mass grave was discovered in Medellin, in September 2019, after I had returned stateside. It is feared that the bodies interred there are many of the “disappeared”.

I had always been a huge fan of Latin American authors, particularly Colombia’s own Garcia-Marquez. But while living there, I found few English language works set in Colombia (political papers and travel books, yes) except for one, a volume which focused entirely on the narco terror that occurred in the years of Escobar. I felt that a book should be written about the beauty of the country, the beauty of the people. Colombia has fought long and hard to rid itself of narco violence and is truly the phoenix from the flame.

What is your writing process-do you plan it out first? Write a bit at a time?

I do this thing where I have a notebook-just blank pages, and I record thoughts in it as they come to me; in the middle of the night, after hearing a song, while gardening, and particularly, while traveling. Then I begin to outline how these concepts weave themselves into a storyline. Some days, I can sit and write pages and pages (of a first draft). Those days are the ones that aren’t occupied with the demands of life. For me, my mind has to be relatively clear to churn out page after page in one afternoon.

How much of you is reflected in your writing?

As I alluded to above, it is impossible for me to separate myself from my writing, unless, of course, I am writing an informational piece for my blog.

What kind of research did you have to do before/during writing behind your book?

I did a tremendous amount of research prior to and while writing the book. This is partly my legal training- for me, authenticity is key. I wanted to highlight the beauty of Colombia, but in the spirit of walking in the truth, I had no choice but to tie the years of la violencia into my storyline. I asked my husband for a general background, he grew up in Venezuela, which borders Colombia. I then read political papers, recorded history, government documents by the score. I also followed the national news there, and still do, to this day.

How much attention do you pay to the reviews that you get?

Reviews are tremendously importantly to me; even if I wholly disagree with the reviewer’s comments- I will address that in a moment- reviews are what makes readers want to read your book. That is the bottom line. So the feedback (if not specifically reviews) that I received from other writers prior to and post publication that I ignored included these notions-

Firstly, don’t include Spanish in an English novel. I wholly reject that concept. I grew up reading Amy Tan, who uses Mandarin and Cantonese phrasing in her books to provide cultural texture, which is vital to the experience she is providing her readers.

Second piece of feedback- don’t italicize Spanish in an English novel. I think this is nonsense. Perhaps because I come from the old school, but again, I refer to Tan- she italicizes Mandarin phrases. Even though I read Spanish well enough, I find it difficult to read a book that doesn’t italicize foreign phrases- I have to go back and re-read the sentence, which I find frustrating.

Third- and this came from two very well-read individuals- elaborate on this particular character’s story. That presents a challenge for several reasons, and I concluded that the best way to handle that would be a sequel, because that character deserves her own novel.

Fourth- Stephen King and a librarian friend of mine both warn that adverbs pave the road to hell. So I literally began, during the editing process, to attempt to eliminate them as much as possible. A frustrating experience if ever one existed. That night I picked up Joyce’s Dubliners- a work peppered with, and beautified, if you will, with adverbs. So they remained.

Are friends and family supportive of your writing?

Absolutely. I would have never kept at this if my husband and mom hadn’t encouraged me, as well as some writer friends. Some of my extended family had no idea I was writing fiction, it took them by surprise, but they were pleased by the outcome. My friends have been very busy during this time period- they have to work from home and look after their children, as the schools remain shuttered. So very few have been able to finish my book, a couple did and were delighted.

How do you feel leading up to your publication day?

So the publication of Lady Colombia was really odd- after I finished it, the pandemic had locked down the states (in April). No agents and no publishers were buying books due to the economic downturn. So my family encouraged me to wait it out and keep writing other pieces. But in late June, my aunt died quite unexpectedly. What really upset me was that she would have loved to see the book published. It was devastating, we couldn’t hold a funeral, I couldn’t even travel home to Texas to be with my family. My husband started playing old Spanish songs to calm me. One of the songs, by Julio Iglesias, was “I forgot to live”. Something moved in me that day. I had forgotten to live. I had been waiting on other people- agents, publishers; wanting to give up on writing altogether. That day, I chose to live. So I self-published on Amazon, for kindle and paperback.

Which other authors inspire you or are there any you particularly enjoy reading?

I read a lot, about five books at a time, from multiple genres. For some reason, for the past two years, I have been stuck on Irish writers. I read all of Colm Toibin’s works and was blown away. Then I picked up a Colum McCann book on a trip in late 2018 and was once more blown away. I am reading one of his other books right now.

When we moved to Oklahoma in 2019 (again, for my husband’s job), I began reading every Pulitzer winning novel in the fiction genre that I hadn’t encountered before. It has been truly rewarding. I loved Geraldine Brooks, Shirley Ann Grau. I love Cormac McCarthy, a fellow Texan, and Larry McMurtry, also a fellow Texan. But again, I love books from so many genres. I could never name them all.

Finally...what are you working on right now?

So I started a novel that is loosely based on the life of my mother-in-law, who is an Arabic Christian, she was living in Palestine during WWII, and was forced from her home. Her family fled to Jordan, where she met my late father-in-law. He took her to Venezuela, where she raised her family, including my husband, her last child. Her story is amazing, and the research is wonderful. I hope to finish it quickly, before her health fails.

About the Author

I am a proud graduate of Texas A&M University (whoop!) and SMU's Dedman School of Law. I am a happily inactive member of the District of Columbia's bar association. A native Houstonian, I have also lived in Dallas, Beijing, and Bogota.

I taught special education students and English language learners in Texas, and spent some years in the administration of special education services. I also had the privilege to advocate for students with disabilities in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. I recently published my first novel, Lady Colombia, for Amazon. I am currently writing my third book, loosely based on the life of my Palestinian Venezuelan mother-in-law.

When I am not writing, I am reading, gardening, listening to music, painting, and attempting to cook. I have been blessed with two lovely daughters, the eldest of whom is attending university in Florida, the younger completing secondary school in Texas. I live in Oklahoma with my husband Jose and my dog Jet.

Blog Tour: Interview With A Rainbow Like You by Andréa Fehsenfeld @acfcreative @lovebooksgroup #lovebookstours

 

Today is my stop on the blog tour for A Rainbow Like You by Andréa Fehsenfeld. I have an interview with the author to share with you today and if you like the sound of that you can click here to order your copy. Don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour for more exclusive content and reviews.

Here's what it's all about...

An iconic rock star with everything to prove.

A determined teen runaway with nothing left to lose.

When their fates intertwine, the most unexpected journey unfolds.

Adrian ‘Jazzer’ Johnson’s gilded rock and roll career is the stuff of legend. From out of the dive bars of Long Beach, this high school dropout rocketed his band to the pinnacle of success. But after a whirlwind decade ended with him broken and questioning, Adrian disappeared.

Now back on tour after a year in exile, Adrian’s still struggling and under pressure to deliver his next hit. The last thing he needs is to find a teen runaway hiding on his tour bus. As it turns out, Hastings Sinclair is a synesthete who can see music in colour. But her offer to help colour-blind Adrian unpack his creative block upends their lives in ways they never imagined.

Because Adrian’s troubles run deep—beyond what any song can fix—and Hastings hasn’t been upfront about hers. When calamity strikes, a perfect storm of fates unleashes and caught in the crossfire are Adrian’s bandmates, a fame-shy beauty he falls hard for, and a scheming journalist with a vendetta. With everything he values suddenly on the line, can Adrian reconcile his own brash history? Or will he be forced to face the music in a way he never has before?

Here's that interview for you...

First question-bit of a cliche-how did you get into writing?

I’ve always loved writing and reading; have been a massive book nerd my whole life. After working in TV for years, creating numerous shows and pitches, I committed to writing fiction. I sat down one September and wrote for an hour or two every afternoon. Six months later, I finished the first draft of a novel. That inaugural book will be released next year as book one in my new romance series…published under a nom de plume!

Do you write full time & if so, have you always done this?

Right now I balance my writing with TV production. They are very different worlds – one frantic and collaborative; the other quiet, with solitude to explore my own creativity. I like the blend of both. It’s a great balance for me.

Do you have a particular writing style or genre that you prefer to write?

I’m firmly in the contemporary fiction niche. I love suspense, although I don’t want to be pigeonholed into writing that all the time.

My TV career has definitely informed my fiction writing. I have a mad love affair with dialogue! It’s my favorite way to explore characters. I’m also big on structure. I’m thinking of each chapter as a scene in a TV show or film and a lot of reviews mention that my stories are very visual. And of course, a good twist is also vital! No one saw the ending coming in my debut novel, Completion and the twists in A Rainbow Like You are also very unexpected.

How do you develop your characters as you write, are any of them based on real people?

I avoid basing my characters on real people. It’s a lazy and dangerous habit. Characters develop as soon as I unleash them on the page. Then, I’m just hanging on for the ride, doing what they tell me.

What was the inspiration behind your book?

Aside from the premise of the story, the macro and micro themes of the book stem from the question: “What does it mean to be a successful musician in the year 2020?” It’s ironic that musicians barely make a living off music sales these days; touring and merchandise revenue are how they survive. But the touring life is a grind. It’s an isolating, nomadic experience, punctuated with extreme highs and lows. Relationships are constantly under strain. And within that pressure cooker environment, band members battle with their internal dynamics. I love settings with lots of natural tension and the drama surrounding a band on tour made it the perfect backdrop for a story!

What is your writing process-do you plan it out first? Write a bit at a time?

My stories always start with character. I tend to write a few chapters with a plot idea in mind, but it’s all about getting under the skin of the major players—when they start to interact on the page, they take flight and I understand them better. After that initial writing blitz, I fine tune the plot based on what they’re telling me.

How much of you is reflected in your writing?

There are always little snippets of me or my personal viewpoints coloring the story somehow. I choose not to reveal them, however. It’s better for everyone if I stay behind the scenes!

What kind of research did you have to do before/during writing behind your book?

I know quite a few people in the music industry, and they were generous in sharing their insight and stories. And I have seen over 400 concerts. The live show environment is something near and dear to my heart.

How much attention do you pay to the reviews that you get?

I love reading reviews. It’s interesting how people interpret my work. Authors get demoralized with reviewers who don’t gel with their books. I believe there is something to be gleaned from every review and don’t take anything personally. I don’t expect everyone to love my stories. My job is to provoke a feeling, a reaction, an emotion. It might be that someone doesn’t like what I’ve provoked in them and that’s okay. Writing isn’t a popularity contest.

Are friends and family supportive of your writing?

Yes, they are. My friends especially. It’s been wonderful how they’ve embraced my creative life. I’ve rotated through different sets of beta readers for my two novels and my friends know me enough to be honest about what’s working or not. My sister especially offers great feedback as I’m hammering out drafts. She’s an English teacher and always finds the grammar errors!

How do you feel leading up to your publication day?

Excited! It’s liberating to finally launch my material into the universe.

Which other authors inspire you or are there any you particularly enjoy reading?

I’m constantly in awe of how prolific the big authors are—King, Grisham, Baldacci etc. I try to read a little of everything, just to keep on top of the market/trends. Although my personal writing bent is far more contemporary and commercial, for some reason I’m drawn to literary works for my own reading pleasure. Go figure!

Finally...what are you working on right now?

I’m heading back into the suspense realm for my third novel. It’s got a killer title and an intriguing premise. I’m working on the twist right now. (love a good twist!)

My new romance series also launches next year! I am publishing sexy romance under a nom de plume. After finishing my first two novels, I realized how much I enjoy writing intimate scenes. Plus, sexuality is very personal and exploring characters through that prism is as fun as dialogue choices.

About The Author

Andréa is an award winning TV producer who has delivered more than 200 commercials, series and movies for Fortune 500 companies.

Her debut novel COMPLETION is being adapted for television.

A RAINBOW LIKE YOU is her second novel and will be released on October 27, 2020!

Blog Tour: Interview with Dominic Hodgson Author of Gift of the Mancynn (The Ragnarök Chronicles: 2016) @DEJHodgsn @lovebooksgroup #lovebookstours

Today is my stop on the blog tour for Gift of the Mancynn (The Ragnarök Chronicles: 2016) by Dominic Hodgson. I have an interview with the author to share with you today. You can click here to order your copy now, don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour using the hashtag for more exclusive content and reviews.

Here's what it's all about...

Beyond the scope of Earthly perception, ancient forces have been waiting, prowling out in the further reaches of the multiverse. Now however the time has come for plans put in place from the dawn of human history to be set in motion. Philip Quint has always been different, able to do and know things beyond immediate explanation, all the while unquestioning of these abilities. For the present, all he has to concern himself with are the upcoming summer holidays, that and the disappearance of his best friend, plus the mysterious individuals approaching him in the hope of gaining his allegiance. On the one hand, there's Lord Gryal Repa, seemingly the embodiment of Death, along with his Council of the Brethren, who originally made this boy so extraordinary, made him a Mancynn. On the other, there's the man dressed all in black, renegade former-devotee of the Brethren Lords who promises to reveal Gryal's true intentions. Then in turn, in this grander conflict spanning dimensions, who can say that there aren't other foes operating even deeper within the shadows? As Philip and his friends are thus swept up in a mission taking them across and beyond this world, uncovering conspiracies and secrets hidden at every turn, with even Time itself differing from belief, the latest in a line of Mancynns must soon decide if he should fight back against what he’s told is his destiny, if he can at all...

Here's that author interview for you...

First question-bit of a cliché-how did you get into writing?

It’s something I’ve always done, since I was in pre-school sending my toys on adventures. I still have some of those earliest stories in the pipeline to do someday, albeit it greatly evolved forms. As it then transpired at around the age of ten I realised one day that most of my stories could actually exist within the same continuity, given a little tweaking, thus I assembled what would go on today to be The Ragnarök Chronicles, a sci-fi franchise detailing the history of a multiverse set to ultimately consist of fifty-five entries (hence my continuing drive to write in the present so that I can hope to get through them all) which is in turn broken down into sub-series capable of being read independently of each other. Elsewise I’ve also been inspired by other franchises in other mediums, namely screen and stage, to want to write for them as well, to add my own stories to their canons, however those pursuits are for now at least less tangible. Beyond that, this ever-present want to tell stories shaped most other choices in my life as well, in terms of what I studied, where I got work experience and that I got involved in things like some amateur acting.

Do you write full time & if so, have you always done this?

I’ve been doing it full time since June of this year, before which I was either in education or for the year after that continuing with my tutoring job I’d started while at uni. I don’t know in turn how long I’m going to keep doing it full time up for, but at the moment I’m dedicating as much as I can to the craft.

Do you have a particular writing style or genre that you prefer to write?

My instinctive writing style is close-third person in the past tense with alternating perspectives, however I have dabbled in others for specific effects. As for genre, pretty much everything I write is science fiction to a given degree, but then within that I always like to mix in other genres as well, especially fantasy and horror, as I feel compelled to have a go at everything.

How do you develop your characters as you write, are any of them based on real people?

I try not to consciously/wholly base any character on any real person just in case that person makes the connection and not appreciate it for some reason (although on the flip side of that same coin observing social groups can be good for reminders of what diverse options there are when fleshing out individuals). It’s then a matter of just considering what their role is, both in the story and in their world, what their opinions are of their surrounding cast, and more than that I’m not entirely sure, they just develop naturally as the story is written rather than it being a product of many purposeful choices.

What was the inspiration behind your book?

With ‘Gift of the Mancynn’…I honestly don’t remember for the most part. I can say that around 2013 I was trying to come up with the sub-series that would be the introduction to the multiverse of The Ragnarök Chronicles, for which I devised a story set before the beginning of time. That tale has since been discarded as it was, with book two ‘The Archk of Angels’ (coming soon, keep an eye out) most closely resembling it amongst the finalised entries in the franchise, but as part of that idea there was implemented into the lore a group of extra-dimensional beings that could be paralleled to the Horsemen of the Apocalypse. They would become the Brethren Lords in ‘Gift of the Mancynn’. Then I can say that the inspiration for the sequence set in Venezuela was that I had shortly beforehand done a presentation on the country in a lesson of Spanish. Beyond that, it’s a mystery to me, as many of my sources of inspiration are, it just being that I’m ever having ideas thrown at me by the back of my brain which may go on to be added to my copious amounts of notes. There are just some occasions though that I can point out were the direct result of me realising I don’t currently have a story with a given kind of location/style/character which makes me want to make one based around that thing, while at the same time also looking to work out how I can experiment with what’s already been done in that regard to take it in a new direction.

What is your writing process-do you plan it out first? Write a bit at a time?

Always planned out first. I’ve tried to go along a bit at a time with my current project but it hasn’t been working out for me nearly as well. There will definitely be details that come about later on in the process as the story transitions to the page, but personally it seems I need an established framework of all the beats, twists etc. before I can make a start.

How much of you is reflected in your writing?

There are certainly sections of certain books where I can point out that that was a direct reflection of my mind-set at the time, but for the most part I don’t think there’s too much, at least not consciously, as I try to make sure that across my works I display as diverse a range of characters, opinions and tones as I can, especially if that means those details are distinctly other to myself.

What kind of research did you have to do before/during writing behind your book?

It depends on the book; if it’s set on Earth then I’ll be looking up as many relevant details as I can to ensure it’s grounded in as much reality as they can be given the nature of the plot, however if it’s in space or the future that’ll be pared back to just any appropriate bits of science that might be fit in to keep things as ‘accurate’ as they can be in a sci-fi story, again given everything else that’s already been set up. Regardless though, given the nature of The Ragnarök Chronicles, there will in turn always be at least an element of researching the mythologies that will be paralleled in that given entry. All of the above then can take the form of cross-referencing any combination of books, documentaries and websites, accompanied in cases where foreign countries are involved messaging people who have lived in those places through mutual contacts.

How much attention do you pay to the reviews that you get?

Reviews from test readers during the draft process are immensely helpful, regardless of whether or not they end up each leading to an edit of some kind. As for once the book’s out there, it’s always great and interesting to see what people think of my work, I’m fortunate enough to have so far not received any that have left me feeling negative because of having read it, however I think they will have less of a chance of effecting how I go about writing whatever’s next.

Are friends and family supportive of your writing?

Thankfully very much so, although there’s always also the sense that I should be doing other stuff as well, which is fair in turn.

How do you feel leading up to your publication day?

If I’m being honest at that time my main concern is worrying whether or not I’m doing enough on the social media side. I’m not savvy when it comes to online discourse, I’ll readily admit that, yet since I at present at least choose to go down the self-publishing route that means that I need to spearhead book’s marketing etc., so it becomes a matter of trying my best to make sure I tick the proverbial boxes especially around that special day.

Which other authors inspire you or are there any you particularly enjoy reading?

Well I’ve already addressed how ‘inspiration’ isn’t something that I find readily identifiable, but in terms of simply enjoying reading you have the likes of Jasper Fforde, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Eoin Colfer, Garth Nix, Agatha Christie, then the books that had the greatest presence in my life as I was growing up where those of the Harry Potter series.

Finally...what are you working on right now?

In terms of The Ragnarök Chronicles, seeing as how I’ve finished the first sub-series (the rest of the instalments just awaiting publication), I’m now in the process of writing a stand-alone entry set very much apart from those in terms of both time and space. Beyond that, I’m also currently involved in a fan-made audio drama series Doctor Who: Reverberations (coming soon), for which I not only have a role in voice acting but also writing in a couple of cases. Then as well at the time of you reading this I might have some other random project also on the go on the side. Focus isn’t my strong suit.

About the Author

 

For as long as I can remember I've been telling stories, odd tales which over time evolved into grander connected narratives. This in turn led me to do work experience at Igloo Publishing House and get a degree in English & Creative Writing, meanwhile also working for just over three years as a tutor of Maths and Science, such pursuits also being of great interest of mine, even if I don't desire a career in their respective fields. I've also enjoyed bringing stories to life by means of amateur performing arts, both scripted and improvised, both the works of others and my own.

Born in 1997, at around the age of ten there was a moment where I, looking over the many scraps of paper upon which were written the chapter titles of my various planned stories, realised that with a little tweaking every idea I currently had could conceivably take place within the same continuity. Soon a timeline was drawn, people and enemies were made recurring, and thus The Ragnarök Chronicles were born, albeit not in the exact form the series is in today.

Since then, as my writing style evolved and the stories became more refined, this project, which is planned to consist of fifty-five books in total, has been my consistent goal. Each sub-series, defined by the year in the titles, can be read in isolation, yet when experienced together will form a greater saga spanning time, space and beyond. When it came to then incorporating a mythic side into the tale, taking inspiration from a plethora of mythologies (but per the series name primarily Norse), everything continued to naturally fall into place. Going forward, my work is going to be doubled-down on the novel front (save maybe for some elusive other opportunities down the line).

YouTube channel The Ragnarök Chronicles (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyZqYeC6IONA1oLQi8-Ilyw) and website www.dominichodgson.com.