Letting Go - Guest Post by Author KateMarie Collins

Letting Go
I’m in an interesting spot. My oldest daughter is heading off to college next fall. There’s already been discussions between me, my husband, and our youngest about what happens when she’s gone. Especially when it comes to her bedroom.

She has the largest room, and bed. The youngest is beginning to think about how to decorate when she can change rooms. The oldest, upon hearing that her room wasn’t being kept as a shrine while she was gone, is adjusting to the idea.

I see a correlation between parenthood and writing. Our books, our stories, are our children in many ways. We’ve nurtured them, helped them grow. Learned from them to improve our own craft. And, like many parents, we can’t always let go when they’re all grown up.

But we have to. At some point, we need to stop micromanaging our books and let the world experience our creation. Some days that’s harder to do than others. We want to argue with editors, advocate for our characters like we did with our children when we felt a grade was lower than deserved. We want to get that perfect senior portrait or cover art. Is the font right? Or is the tassel on the wrong side of the cap?

When we type ‘the end’, or place that last word on a page, it’s graduation day. It’s freshmen check in at the dorm when we sign a contract and send it to a publisher for editing. We have to trust that we’ve done everything we can to take this book from idea to completion. And that the teachers they’ll have will make them into the success we know they’ll be.

Amazon Author Page

Author Bio
Born in the late 60's, KateMarie has lived most of her life in the Pacific NW. While she's always been creative, she didn't turn towards writing until 2008. She found a love for the craft. With the encouragement of her husband and two daughters, she started submitting her work to publishers. When she's not taking care of her family, KateMarie enjoys attending events for the Society for Creative Anachronism. The SCA has allowed her to combine both a creative nature and love of history. She currently resides with her family and two cats in what she likes to refer to as "Seattle Suburbia".


You can find KateMarie at the following sites:
Twitter:  @DaughterHauk
FaceBook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/KateMarie-Collins/217255151699492
Her blog:  http://www.katemariecollins.wordpress.com

Author Interview with Young

Thanks for stopping in today!  What can you tell us about your current work in progress?
   I’m working on A Harem Boy’s Saga - book IV – Turpitude; a memoir by Young. It’s a lengthy process since there are a lot of my young life experiences to cramp into each volume. Each book is approximately 3 months of my life, spend in service at a total of 7 different Arab Household harems.



For readers who don’t know what A Harem Boy’s Saga is about, here is a synopsis:
A Harem Boy’s Saga – Book I – Initiation; a memoir by Young.

This provocative story is about a young man who was initiated into a clandestine sexual society. He was spirited to the Middle East, from his UK boarding school. He attended the Bahriji School (Oasis,) in The United Arab Emirates in preparation for serving in Harems for the wealthy and elite.
It is also a love story between the young man and his ‘Valet’ who served as his chaperone and mentor during the boy’s Harem service.

Author’s note:
I had a privileged and unique upbringing in Malaysia. Following in my brothers' footsteps, I was sent to an exclusive boarding school in England. It is there that I was inducted into a clandestine organization, E.R.O.S. The Enlightened Royal Oracle Society. For four years, unbeknown to my family, I was willingly and happily part of a Harem.
My story has been kept under wraps for close to 45 years. The correct moment has arrived for me to make known my unique education.
There are 7 books to this series.

What’s your primary method of writing?  Do you brainstorm, work from an outline, or just jot down whatever comes to mind?
   Writing a memoir or an autobiography is vastly different from writing a fictional novel. I’m writing about events, situations and emotional feelings that had happened, of ‘remembrance of things past.’ My outline, inspirations come from an abundance of old photographs, journals/diaries I had kept during the various periods of my life.
Although in the books, I’ve changed the names and places to protect myself and those involved, the experiences and events that happened are true. The creative part of my writing are in the dialogue throughout the books. Although I am able to remember the overall gist of what was said, I had to make up the dialogue since it’s been over 40 odd years since these events/situations occurred.

Who inspired you to get into writing as a profession?
   An inner calling told me to document my unique education. Now, is the correct moment to tell my story. Other factors that influenced me to write are:
• Provide Tolerance to Sissy Boys by understanding parents/peers and the community.
Anderson Cooper 360 documentary on the devastating treatment of effeminate boys influence me to tell my story.
• Bullying can be Avoided through Big Brother/Big Sister volunteer programs in school or outside school system. Older students acting as mentors to younger students.

• Gay Adolescent Tolerance – parents/child/siblings relationship issues.
Support/mentorship program to all parties involved to foster understanding and acceptance of Gay kids.

• Provide an Alternative Educational System;
Understanding Big Brother/adolescent mentorship programs in schools, BB as protector to keep younger kids from being bullied.

• Human Relationship Building Program;

Between parents/teachers and young students on sexual topics/issues, especially when adolescent are just discovering their sexuality. They can be guided on a healthy and honest sexual journey instead of “don’t ask, don’t tell” hide it behind the closet policy.

What has been the biggest challenge for you as a writer?
   Staying focus to write daily especially writing a 7 volume epic saga of my adolescent teenage life. I had considered changing the book main title to The Chronicles of A Harem Boy instead of A Harem Boy’s Saga but my literary agent advised me not to.

Let’s go silly for a moment – if you could be any character from a TV series, who would it be and why?
   I love the BBC TV miniseries, Downton Abbey. I will like to Lady Mary. She is elegant, cool, sophisticated, worldly and stylish. Not to say I’m not all of the above but I miss the wealth I was inducted into during my young years.

Do you have a particular favorite spot to write?  How about a favorite food or drink to stoke the ingenuity?
   I move between my writing desk in my workroom and the lanai (balcony). It is very pleasant to sit outdoors to write, especially when living in Hawaii. The winters here (like now) are very temperate and cool. Perfect place to write and be surrounded by nature.

What sort of advice can you give to those who are just getting into this field?
   Stay focus. My modus operandi: the 3Ps: Perseverance, Persistence & Patience.

Check out the author's Amazon page to see all of his works.

Interview with Jacqueline T. Moore, author of The Checkerboard

Thanks for joining us today. Lets get started by learning a little about you. Where are you from?

      I live in Murrells Inlet, SC. I have family in Ohio and enjoy the winters there.

Tell us your latest news?

      I am thrilled to announce the release of my new novel, THE CHECKERBOARD.

When and why did you begin writing?

      I won an essay contest in grade school, but the teachers said it was too good and my mother must have written it. I became feature editor of the high school paper. (Take that, grade school teachers!) Fast forward through a career, family, and too many pets, the stories started bubbling. I won my first writing award in the mid 1990’s in spite of semi-controlled chaos. Eventually my husband’s struggle against early onset Alzheimer’s disease and my position as his care giver temporarily stopped my creativity.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

      I attended a workshop in 2013. After class, I bought the instructor’s book. She inscribed it with ‘To a fellow writer.’ Tracing the words with my finger, I knew it was real.

What inspired you to write your first book?

      THE CANARY is about a yellow diamond that I inherited along with its whispered origin. THE CHECKERBOARD picks up right where it left off.  

Do you have a specific writing style?

      I seem to automatically pick up the rhythm and nuances of my characters’ speech.

How did you come up with the title?

     The diamond’s color speaks for itself.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

      At what length would you go to reinvent yourself?

How much of the book is realistic?

     THE CANARY and CHECKERBOARD are well-researched historical novel with locations, language, and customs firmly grounded in fact.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

     Family rumors about the source of Myra’s ring are the basis. All the rest of the story is fiction.

What books have most influenced your life?

     Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series hooked me on historical novels. Her precise research methods taught me the importance of accuracy.

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

     I have a very good friend who was my colloquialism coach. He guided me down that fine path of country talk.

Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

     I belong to writers groups in South Carolina and Ohio. I love to travel.

Lastly, do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

      Don’t let anyone or anything stop you from writing.

Get it Now

September 8, 1900
 Five Thousand Lives Blotted Out

The headlines say it all. Death, destruction, and desolation is everywhere on Galveston Island. Nothing is mentioned about the survivors.
THE CHECKERBOARD, sequel to THE CANARY, continues the story of Myra Gallaway, her new husband CB, and Black Jack and his new wife, Marguerite, the ‘red-headed colored gal.’ The men have proven that, against all odds, a mixed ship sails well. The wives band together in the house in LaPorte to prove the same to their new neighborhood. All seems to go as expected until that crazy gypsy, Lulah Marie, shows up and practically sets the house on fire.

Myra’s eldest child, Junior’s rebellious actions have landed him in jail on Galveston Island. His only hope for redemption lies in a very unusual punishment. The boy is forced to sail with the man he hates, his step father, CB Ledbetter. This voyage will either make or break Myra’s family. After all, what do you do with a drunken sailor? Only time will tell.

Science Fiction Novel New Release - The Last Charge of the 1st Legion

The Last Hero Trilogy is Complete!

Click here to download book 1 for FREE!

The Milky Way is plunged into chaos. Billions of innocent civilians are slaughtered while the fate of billions more hang in the balance.

The enemy is unstoppable.

Trent Maxwell and the 1st Legion escape annihilation to embark on a desperate mission to uncover secrets buried for millennia. Evil has its own agenda and moves to endanger their holy quest.

Their resolve is pushed to its limits. Their understanding of the universe will be shaken. No one is safe and no cost is too high to save Earth from extermination.

Does love conquer all? Will the 1st Legion charge into victory or oblivion?

Download it NOW!

Book 3 Cover Reveal

The Last Hero Trilogy is nearly complete!

Here is a peek at the cover for the final installment.

Download Book 1 FREE this weekend, Oct. 3-4 

Interview with Yicheng, author of The Remains of Civilization

Thanks for joining us today. Lets get started.

Where did the idea for your novel come from?

You would be surprised at how weird dreams and insomnia can affect your creativity. I never tried drugs before, but sometimes, dreaming for me is about as inspiring as opium is for Mary Shelley(yes, the Frankenstein writer). I had an illogical leap in the train of thoughts. Scribbled down some weird ideas and revisited them when I am not fighting battles with sleep, stress, and my life.

How did you start writing?

The same way as everyone else does. With a pencil. No one starts writing with a pen or a blackberry. With few exceptions, like fifty shades of grey. Seriously, that book made me serious question life. Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that there is no magic in writing. Sit down and write if you got a good idea. If you are an aspiring writer, then you better make sure you are properly inspired hen. No, I think I made my stance with sex dungeons pretty clear.

What does your writing process look like?

Polite, organized chaos. Since that is the wonder of being a writer. You stare into the abyss and get to laugh at it. Hard. I usually start with an idea. Since that is always a good place to start, then I would ake sure it's original, or at least not twilight or Divergent. Then I would move on to drafting. Take a break and do a bit of world building in a scrapbook, make up maps of the locations in the book, interior layout, etc. Get as much details out as possible, then I would ask myself on the best way to insert them in there with as many immature jokes and one liners as possible. Granted, I'm more of a traditionalist when it comes to writing, so much of my drafting involves pencils, erasers, and paper(*gasp). With a glue-stick nearby just in case I suddenly turned into a kindergartner again. After 'the end'. I would brag a bit. Get laid. Then go ahead and get it reviewed, edited, and sent to a publishing company. Unfortunately, I'm joking about my sex life. I don't have one.

Where is your book set?

So yeah. When someone asks me where is my book 'the remains of civilization' is set. I would just glaze over and tell that it is set in the modern word. No dates, because that's the way I write. It could be set in any time the reader assume it is set in. If the book is read by someone 25 years in the future(provided there is still PHYSICAL copies of the book lying around) and be able to assume it is happening right now.

Are your characters based on real people?

More or less. You see, if you are going to write a fictional story with your friends in it. It is REALLY hard to not lose your self-control and subtly mock the, throughout the entire story. Believe me, it's hard. But I managed to make them into sensible, realistic—oh who am I kidding, the main character has to have their friends/family/SO die before they turn into a cape wearing ass-kicker. Just ask batman, superman, spider-man, and a whole slew of other superheroes and good guys.

Though the main characters isn't like that and the good guy don't die until the very end(did I just spoil my own books ending? Unacceptable!), but I will still try my best to tear down the stereotypes surrounding good and evil. Because seriously? I swear some writer aren't even trying.

Did you always want to write?

Kind of. It depends on what you define as 'writing'. The everyday kind where you get to send spam emails to unsuspecting innocent people(I have no idea what normal people actually do)? Or the kind of writing where I hide in my secret bat-cave and come up with ass-kicking stories of sir ass-kickeroths? It really depends. If it's the first one, then yes, of course I had always wanted to write pen*s enlargement emails templates. Who wouldn't ? The second more or less came as a surprise. But just not the neighbors-just-let-their-dogs-poop-in-my-mailbox kind of surprise.

Which character is your favorite and why?

I try not have a favorite character. Because my judgement for that character might end up biased and might accidentally make him/her into the main character.

What authors do you enjoy reading? Why?

Any writer, really. I give all genres an equal try(look where erotic fan fiction got me), and I generally read every book that got a good enough blurb. Then I would try and finish it, if it's good, then it's Goodreads I go to leave a review.  There had lots of good books recently, it's pretty awesome how authors these days know how to tell a good story.

What are you reading right now?

Well, I read books by the dozens, by the time this got posted, there is a high chance I either moved onto a new book or I went back to reread an old book. I still couldn't get over some tear- jerking series that presented the solution to a dilemma logically, instead of just random plot devices. Or flying winged creatures.

Seriously, every Rick Riordan book HAS to have at least one flying winged creature I wanted to punch in the face. That is why I can't get over Rick Riordan's books, man.

Dog or Cats?

Probably more of a cat person.

What’s next for you?

 Writing more science fiction books. There is already another science fiction book in the works. opefully this one will an improvement from this one. I would like to think that I am improving, not getting more clichéd with writing sci-fi. I can't really say what it will be about yet, as I am still fleshing out some bits. But hopefully, it will look cool.

Click here for Book Trailer and Pre-Orders 

Some doors are best left closed. Or some day, you might find the corpse of your wife behind a door you opened. Or you might find your best friend stabbing someone to death instead. Curiosity killed the cat, but can it kill you too? Left with no choices, two guys scavenge the internet for odd jobs stumbled into a conspiracy. Dragged into a whirlpool of conspiracy, action, and aliens. They now hold the fate of society in their hands, can they save the world?

Interview with Natalie O'Neil, author of Guardian House

Thanks for joining us today. First question

Can you tell us a little about your book? When did it come out and where can we get it?

Guardian House, the 1st in the Curious Adventures series, follows a curious young woman forced to uncover her past in order to pave the way for adventures in her future. This urban fantasy mashup follows Alice as she learns she's involved in much more drama than whether or not her crush likes her back. With the support of her bestie, Dorothy, and her clique of misfit orphans-with-excess-baggage, she ventures beyond her comfort zone to unlock the mysteries surrounding Guardian House, the legend of the Red Queen, and her connection to the world she doesn't remember. Peppered with magic and mystery,Guardian House is full of snark & sass, and will leave readers curious for more!

​It is available on Amazon on August 14 in print and digital copies.​

So, what inspired you to write your book? How did you get into writing urban fantasy?

​              As​ a child, I loved hearing stories about Alice in Wonderland & Dorothy in Oz, but as I got older, wondered what they would be like in modern times, or if they were a little older. I also felt that since they had similar experiences, they could probably connect well. I know how difficult it is for teenage girls to fit in and find a true friend, and decided that Alice and Dorothy would be a perfect platonic match!

What, do you feel, sets this book apart from other books in the genre?

​              Guardian ​House uses 21st Century teenage issues such as fashion, flirting, and frivolity to attract young adult readers. But it is also grounded in the myths and legends that today's adults remember and love. This version of Alice and Dorothy combined with magic, fantasy and mystery entice readers of all ages to follow them on their adventures into adulthood, friendship, first loves, and the fears that have since been dormant in Guardian House. 

I'm sure readers are curious about your next writing project. Can you tell us what you've got cooking up now or is that a secret?

​I'd love finish up the sequel to Guardian House. And after that, who knows where the Curious Adventure series may go!?​

Click here to check out the Guardian House

Curious. That’s the one word Alice uses to describe herself in her Group Therapy sessions. She thinks it has a nicer ring to it than the crazy her parents called her before they abandoned her at Guardian House with other unwanted misfits. Thanks to a childhood incident, Alice can’t remember if she actually visited the fantasy land that appears in pieces of her memory. But she knows her instincts are trying to tell her something is up at Guardian House, and she is too curious to avoid it. 

After years of struggling to find her own kind of normal, Alice has found a sense of sanity with some of the patients, especially her best-friend-she’s-basically-family Dorothy, and her hunky crush Tim. Alice’s goal, aside from finding the courage to let Tim know how she feels, is to be discharged and leave Guardian House. That is, until mad Hattie reminds them of the legend of the evil Red Queen. Aided by quirky Therapy friends, secrets of the mysterious Dr. Wize, and a little magic, Alice must fight to save her friend’s lives – even if it means betraying the only thing she has grown to rely on.

Author Bio: Natalie O’Neil is proud to announce the publication of her first novel, Guardian House, an urban fantasy mash-up of her favorite childhood mischief-makers. Enticed by the bizarre, Natalie’s unconventional predilections have been know to lead her down more than one path not frequently taken, and she’s always up for the adventure.

Natalie is fascinated by the Victorian Era, Steampunk, and alternate realities, allowing her to often romanticize about a time and place that never actually existed, except for in her mind. This magical, whimsical, and sometimes frightening imaginary world inspires both her writing and her real life.

A graduate of Rutgers University, Natalie taught high school English & Creative Writing for many years before becoming an innovator in educational technology. As a Technology Coordinator, Google Certified Teacher and Trainer, Raspberry Pi Certified Teacher, and Adjunct Professor, Natalie is passionate about sharing the benefits of technology and the arts with educators around the world.

When she isn’t traveling, Natalie can be found at home in New Jersey with her husband, often spoiling her American Eskimo pup, refinishing shabby chic home furnishings, or finding creative ways to entertain and educate.