Interview with Christie A.C. Gucker

Today, we meet Christie A.C. Gucker, author of The Cliff.

Can a childhood pact affect the lives of three adults?

Love and betrayal surrounds the lives of lifelong friends Lanie Rhodes, Grant Bennett, and Dane Voight. Years ago, they made a pact to remain together as friends forever. The boys also made another secret pact that same day—to never vie for Lanie’s love.

Grant and Lanie have secretly been pining for one another since they were children.

Now grown up, they finally admit their feelings for each other and what ensues is a twisted tale of deception as Dane does everything he can to stop them.
 
The story weaves around this uneven love triangle. What will happen to the pact? Will friendships be destroyed? Will lovers emerge?

How did you get into writing?

Every night when I would go to sleep this one story kept recurring. Each night it would get a little farther into the story. Eventually I started to write it all down and thus was born The Cliff. Once I wrote The Cliff other stories started to knock so I just started to write them all.

What's the earliest story you can remember writing?

Oh, I’ve been writing little stories since I was a child. I ever wrote a play in fourth grade, a musical! LOL

When did you decide to make the move to "published"?

Well, I had started writing on fanfiction and was getting such a good response. My husband told me I should just give it a try so I did. I was searching for something to leave behind for my daughters and grandchildren – a piece of me. This seemed to fit the bill for everything.

How did you find the experience of seeking a publisher?

I asked other authors and did research on the Internet.

What did it feel like when the acceptance notice came?

I think it was pretty surreal at first. You always have to worry about something you put out in the world for people to recognize. I was worried that a publisher might read my story and think it was terrible. So to get that type of acknowledgement was an amazing feeling. I think I’m still on cloud 9!

What inspired you to write the current release?

Honestly, and don’t laugh, but the love story between Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. There are also a lot of life real life experiences throughout the pages of the book.

What books have most influenced your life most?

The Twilight Saga was a huge one. I couldn’t put them down. I would absorb them in a day. And ANYTHING by Stephen King. He’s just an amazing storyteller. I’m an avid reader so there are just so many out there.

What book are you reading now?

I am working my way through Insurgent right now. Love the series. I am also reading Revealing Hamilton by Sarah Carr and Phantom by Laura Deluca.

What are your current projects?

I will begin the editing process for my next novel The Purple Heart, which comes out February 22, 2013. I am just finishing up on a short story that will be releasing soon Snapshot to Destiny. Both will release thought Pagan Writers Press. I am currently a new novel called Pacifically You and am working with marine biologist, shark expert and TV host Luke Tipple on this one. I am hoping for an August release once I send it out for submission.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

To never be afraid of taking a chance or a risk.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Don’t give up! Keep trying. You’ll get there.

How important is the support and friendship of other writers?

It is SO important. They understand everything that you go through and are amazing for bouncing ideas off of. I have to say I love the other authors I have met through this amazing experience.

How does your family feel about your writing career?

They have stood by me 100% of the time and are very proud of me. Too bad my two daughters can’t read my book – it’s for mature audiences and they are both way too young!

Tell us a little something about yourself that we don't know.

I like to take risks and am going to shark dive for research!

~*~
Christie A.C. Gucker lives in NJ with her husband, two daughters and a menagerie of pets. Being a mother is one of the greatest joys of her life. She has worked in the advertising industry for over 20 years as a degreed artist, but also works in the fine arts, especially sculpting out of stone or snapping photographs. Christie is also a singer and musician, and can be found singing on a few CDs.

After the death of her father, Christie searched for something to fill her desire to make a mark in this world. Her love of the arts and creativity allowed her to search for a new medium, which she found with a pen instead of a brush. Being an avid reader her whole life, and with her family cheering her on, she decided to take her shot, and began writing.

Fascinated by the supernatural and sharks, Christie studies both avidly. You’ll be sure to find something spooky lurking somewhere in her stories. Her greatest joy is sitting on a beach with her family while surf fishing, flying kites or building sandcastles with her girls.

Author Links

Website / Facebook / Twitter 

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Interview with Jennifer Wilck

Today I welcome my Twitter friend, author Jennifer Wilck.

Hi, Jennifer! Let's start with how you got started with writing.

I’ve always been interested in words and writing. In elementary school, I used to LOVE vocabulary tests (yes, as you can guess, that made me REALLY popular with the other kids in my class). Although I’ve never been the most creative person – I have set ideas about what things should and should not be – I’ve always loved reading and writing. And when I saw how authors I read created stories, I wanted to try my hand at it. In the beginning, I used to tell stories to myself in order to fall asleep at night. Some of those stories would stick with me and replay in my head, over and over again. So then I started writing them down. Most of what I wrote didn’t actually lend itself to an entire story; it was more like a scene. But eventually, I was able to flesh out the scenes and make them longer and longer.

When and why did you decide to seek publication?

I’d had an idea playing in my head for a while and no matter how much I tried to move away from it, I couldn’t. So one evening, about seven or eight years ago, when there was no TV on and I was bored, I decided to sit down and write what was stuck in my head. I got so caught up in what I was writing that I just kept at it. I’d add to it every day, whenever I had time, which was usually at night. I have two kids, so writing during the day was not possible. When I finally finished the story, I didn’t want to just put it aside and forget about it, so I decided to submit it.

What was finding a publisher like?

The experience of finding a publisher was discouraging for a very long time. There were lots of rejections, most of which never listed a reason. But during the time that I was querying publishers, I joined RWA and met a lot of great people. I entered contests and attended conferences and spoke to agents and editors, who gave me great advice. I revised and rewrote and resubmitted and eventually found a publisher.

How did you react when the acceptance notice came?

It was pretty funny actually. When my husband proposed to me, for some reason, I had a really hard time looking at the ring. Of course, I said yes, but he thought I was nuts because I couldn’t look at the ring for the longest time (you’d think he would have taken that as a clue that I ACTUALLY am nuts, but he didn’t and now he’s stuck with me). The same thing happened when my publisher, Whiskey Creek Press, said yes. They sent me a lovely email letter and after I read it, I turned off my email and just sat there. I’d turn it on, glance at the letter, and then turn it off again. I did this several times before I could actually let myself believe that they really wanted to publish my book.

What's your advice for other writers?

My advice for other writers is number one, keep writing. The more you write, the better you get. Number two, talk to people. Show them your work. Get their feedback. Don’t necessarily take every piece of advice you get, but the more people you talk to, the better you will be able to determine what needs to be improved and what doesn’t. Number three, remember writing is a business. Be professional. Don’t burn bridges. Act in the way you’d like others to treat you. And number four, enjoy yourself. Have fun. If what you’re working on isn’t coming together, put it down and try something else.

Very sound advice. Thanks, Jennifer!

Jennifer's Bio:

When I was a little girl and couldn’t fall asleep, my mother would tell me to make up a story. Pretty soon, my head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Each character had a specific personality, a list of likes and dislikes, and sometimes, even a specific accent or dialect. Even as an adult, I think about the characters and stories at night before I fall asleep, or in the car on my way to or from one of my daughters’ numerous activities (hey, anything that will drown out their music is a good thing).

One day, I started writing them down (it was either that or checking into the local mental hospital—the computer was way less scary) and five years later, I’ve gotten two book contracts from Whiskey Creek Press. A Heart of Little Faith came out in June; Skin Deep is coming out in November.

In the real world, I’m the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men I know. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, traveling and watching TV. In between chauffeuring my daughters to after-school activities that require an Excel spreadsheet to be kept straight, I serve on our Temple Board, train the dog we adopted from a local shelter, and cook dinners that fit the needs of four very different appetites. I also write freelance articles for magazines, newspapers, and edit newsletters.

When all of that gets overwhelming, I retreat to my computer, where I write stories that let me escape from reality. In my made-up world, the heroines are always smart, sassy and independent. The heroes are handsome and strong with just a touch of vulnerability. If I don’t like a character, I can delete him or her; if something doesn’t work, I can rewrite it. It’s very satisfying to be in control of at least one part of my life. My inspiration comes from watching the people around me and fantasizing about how I’d do things differently.

I can be reached at www.jenniferwilck.com or Facebook, and I tweet at @JWilck. My blog is Fried Oreos, and I contribute to Heroines With Hearts. My books can be purchased through WhiskeyCreek Press, or via Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Interview with Author Gary Vanucci

Today, we welcome my Twitter friend and author of the Realm of Ashenclaw fantasy series, Gary Vanucci.

Hi, Gary!

How did you get into writing? 

I heard voices in my head wanting me to tell the world about them of course? How else does one choose to write!? Just kidding…I think. In all seriousness, I felt like I had a very cool story to tell, one that I would want to read as a fan of fantasy, and so I decided to toss my hat into the ring. So far, so good.

What's the earliest story you can remember writing? 

I told a story in the 5^th or 6^th grade about a rock star who made a deal with the devil to be rich and famous. Needless to say, things did not work out so well. I wish I still had it. It was called ‘The Electrocutioner’. That’s the first real story I wrote.

When did you decide to make the move to "published"? 

Right away. I decided to go the indie route first without even trying to find representation. EBooks have made it very easy to get your work out there. Of course, now everyone is doing it, so it takes time for readers to sift through all of the other stuff to find you. It is what it is. I feel that I am offering fans of fantasy a truly epic storyline with several twists and turns and plenty of high-powered battles, along with some real emotional growth in the characters. It may not seem that way at first, but if you read all three of my books, you will begin to notice it.

How did you find the experience of seeking a publisher? 

I did not…yet. I want to develop my own fan-base, get a following and hone my skill before pursuing an agent. Reason being, who is to say that one person’s work is better than another’s or going to ‘make it’ and whatnot. It is a real stroke of luck to become a J.K. Rowling. Even she was very close to quitting. Can you imagine a life without Harry Potter?

What books have most influenced your life most? 

I enjoy Sci-Fi, Horror, and Superheroes and of course, Fantasy. When I read, I do so to escape reality, even if it is only for a few hours at a time. But really, that is what I use it for. Some people watch TV or whatever, I try to read to escape reality. I have found some extremely cool friends in the Forgotten Realms and Melnibone and several other places.

What book are you reading now? 

I am reading Ross Kitson’s Darkness Rising Book 1, Jeremy Laszlo’s The Choosing and listening to George Martin’s A Storm of Swords on audio book! Yep, three at a time.

What are your current projects? 

I am currently writing book 4 of my Realm of Ashenclaw series, continuing the epic sage of my heroes as they continue to preserve the lives of the innocent folks in Wothlondia. I have a new short story coming out also with the guys from Skulldust Circle. We have collectively written an anthology, (all from our own worlds, not a collective world thing) and mine is the Legend of Ashenclaw (A colossal Red Dragon Queen whom the realm is named after)

How important is the support and friendship of other writers? 

Very important! I have gotten a ton of support from other indie authors out there who have been tremendously supportive! I mean truly helpful. I actually have received more support from people I don’t even know personally on social media than I get from actual friends sometimes…which I suppose may be odd. But, for whatever reason, it seems to work. I would like to take this opportunity as a matter of fact, to thank those supportive people on twitter and Facebook, and everyone who has purchased a book from me and/or written a review! Thanks to you all! I wanted to specifically mention the Independent Author Network and the World Literary Café specifically as amazing support in the Independent author field.

How does your family feel about your writing career?

My family is supportive for the most part. I wish some of them would get a bit more involved in the reading and the beta-reading, but for the most part, they try to help out where they can. They’ve all got their own things going on, too, so I understand that. I don’t expect much from them other than that. As long as they continue to give words of encouragement, that’s all that I can ask, right?

~*~

Gary Vanucci was born in Pennsylvania in 1968. He enjoys writing, reading, music, art, anything at all that promotes creativity and activities that push the mind beyond conventional thinking. He has spent time as an amateur singer/songwriter and has spent multiple decades creating role-playing scenarios and playing games amongst various genres. Years of reading graphic novels, comic books, fantasy/science fiction novels and the like has led him to discover his true passion—writing! His education includes a Bachelor’s of Science in the field of Information Technology and an Associates of Arts in the field of Graphic Design.

Find him at:
Twitter / Facebook / Website / Blog / Amazon

Author Interview with LaVerne Thompson

Today, we meet author LaVerne Thompson, who's currently promoting her book, Sea Bride, from Decadent Publishing! 

For two hundred some years Xavior, a child of the waves, has searched the seven depths for his bride only to find her on land. How could a landwalker be his Queen, the one destined to stop the wars among the sea tribes? But one touch and he knew he’d defy Poseidon himself to make her his. 

Cori Daniels hated the water; she’d been on board the luxury ocean liner for two days and hadn’t left her cabin. But when she finally ventured on deck, she met a man who looked like a sea god and tempted her like no other. 

Could he tempt her to follow him into the depths of the sea?

Hi, LaVerne! How did you get into writing?

I’ve been writing since I was a kid. I’d have these stories in my head about my day, a butterfly lol anything. Later after I learned to read if there was something about the story I didn’t like why then I’d just change the story in my head.

What's the earliest story you can remember writing?

The one I remember in the most detail was one I wrote when I was about 12. It was about this woman whose car got a flat tire and it was of course a dark and stormy night. She got out of the car to try to change the tire. Of course this was the age before cell phones. Anyway she opened up the trunk, found the spare tie and a tire iron and stood there staring at them. She had no clue what to do. Then suddenly a bright light appeared behind her. She turned around but of course at first she couldn’t see anything. Then lightning flashed and she saw a tall man get out of a car walking toward her. She grabbed the tire iron. But when he was standing in front of her she saw he was wearing a uniform of some sort. Turns out the car was a taxi and he was a taxi driver. Lol. In my senior year of highschool I was the only girl who took an auto mechanics class. Lol I learned to change a tire. Just in case.

When did you decide to make the move to "published"?

About ten years ago. I wrote a full-length novel about 100,000 words.

How did you find the experience of seeking a publisher?

Enlightening. I learned that I had no clue what I was doing. So I began to educate myself.

What did it feel like when the acceptance notice came?

Like floating on air.

What inspired you to write Sea Bride?

I’ve had this idea of a non-traditional mermaid/merman story on the back burner for awhile now. Where what we know or think we know about those who live under the sea was not quite accurate.

What books have most influenced your writing?

I need more pages but I’ll name just a few not in any particular order. Dragons of Pern and Sunrunner Series, fed my love of dragons, Wheel of Time series, for the complexity of a story, Honor’s Splendour, for what an alpha warrior should be, Strange Brew, for a love story between two different people, Dune for the intrigue and the beauty in storytelling, Pride and Prejudice, love can be soft, A Place To Call Home, for heart, Lord of the Rings, for adventure.

What are you reading now?

The Duke Is Mine by Eloisa James

What are your current projects?

I’m getting ready to self-publish a fantasy series, Dragon’s Heart- Story of the Brethren should be out Sept. 1, I might have something out in Manga form next year, I’m almost finished one dark urban fantasy, I’m also working on another romantic suspense under my pen name Ursula Sinclair. And I’m a partner in a video production company, Epic 3 Productions, with two very talented friends. I also write a storyline for RP World Group, a free read storytelling site.

Did you learn anything from writing Sea Bride, and what was it?

Just confirmed for me that I love creating new worlds and blending genres.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Keep writing. Then write some more. Join a critique group. Try a few. Expect your first work to be rejected at least once. Then afterward keep writing. Submit it some place else.

How important is the support and friendship of other writers?

It is invaluable. I have a small circle of writer friends that have helped me along the way and new ones that continue to encourage and support me. We encourage and support each other. We all share the good the bad and the ugly in the business and our lives.

How does your family feel about your writing career?

Depends on who needs what at the time.

Tell us something about yourself that we don't know.

I have rose tattoo my husband dared me to get.

Thanks for joining us, LaVerne! I'm always pleased to learn more about fellow-authors, especially fellow Decadent folks!

About the Author:
LaVerne Thompson is an award winning, best-selling, multi-published author, an avid reader and a writer of contemporary, fantasy, and sci/fi sensual romances. She also writes romantic suspense under the pen name Ursula Sinclair. She is currently working on several projects. She has a freshman in college and a senior in high school, so technically she has more time to write. Visit her website at http://lavernethompson.comto read excerpts of her books. She's recently discovered the world of interactive storytelling and can also be found online at http://rpworldgroup.org as herself.

You can find her at:
Website / Facebook / Twitter

Truth

I read an Indie (aka Self-Published) novel recently. I can't say it was good. It kind of wasn't. The writing was on par for some of my mid-range students. The formatting was atrocious, and the errors numerous, and, through the unhappy combination of the two, most of the sentences and paragraphs read like they'd been through a blender. I had to read a lot of the bits multiple times to understand them. So it wasn't great.

But, yet, something about it stuck with me.

I appreciate beautiful writing. Normally, typos and grammatical errors can pull me right out of the book, and this book was no different. But, the overall feel didn't dissipate for some time afterwards. With better execution and editing, it might have been a great book.

But I'm not really writing about the grammar here, but about that Other Thing that caught my attention.

Truth.

Now, having been in the university system as long as I have, I know Truth is an iffy word for me. Capital-T Truth - does it exist? Likely not, on the grander scale. But, I think for authors it does.

There were moments in this book when the author showed genuine, fearless Truth. Glimpses of himself. Real, honest, raw insights into his childhood, which was the kind no one should have to endure.

I don't know, perhaps all of that emotion and honesty got in the way of the technical aspects of his writing. I could understand that. It happens to all of us, even when we aren't writing such harrowing tales (which is why I thank the heavens for objective editors).

What is this thing, authorial Truth?

For me, it's when I feel like I am no longer reading a book by a stranger, but hearing the intimate, confessional whispers of someone close by. Some of the best authors can make you feel this way through the most fantastic fictions; others through unflinching recounting of their real history. But, as a reader, you feel it to the marrow. You are sucked into the most painful empathy. When the author-as-child cries out, you know the author still feels that cry, and you feel it, too. This, to me, is Truth.

There have been brief moments when I have written my own Truth.

Even in some of my published works, I can see the honesty, crouched and veiled to my satisfaction. Sometimes, too much honesty, and I am grateful most of my readers don't know me personally, because I wouldn't be that honest with people I actually know in real life. I don't write about true events in my published works (so far), but I write about things I've actually felt, and I can see it lurking around the edges of my characters' minds.

But, for the most part, I do flinch. I protect, I huddle, and I hoard my Truth. It wouldn't be too far off the mark to call me Standoffish. My personality is generally, "Friend to all, close to none." I wasn't born under a poker table, but I should have been.

This book, for all its glaring errors, made me ask myself why that should be. Is that what's missing from my books? Would they be better if I didn't edit out so much Truth? Will these new projects, some of them extremely close to me, be better if I stop being so guarded?

Can I summon the courage?

It's hard to tell, but I thank that author for his honesty and Truth, and for making me ask these questions. Writers are blessed people. We have so much productivity in our profession from which to draw such questions, thoughts, rambles. I found some in a rather unlikely place, this time, which ennobled the book in my eyes, whatever the style. Beauty can be more than just the lines, I think.

Long live Truth.