Today I’d like to welcome Hope Ryan, author of The Geek and His Artist! I have a great interview with Hope below, plus a giveaway. I hope you enjoy Hope! đ
Blurb:
Simon Williams spends his lunch periods drawing his geek and trying not to think about the terrors waiting for him at home. He needs to get away from his abusive father before he suffers the same grisly fate as his mother. Because he’s learned the hard way running away doesnât work, heâs counting the days until his eighteenth birthday.
Jimmy Bennet should be spending his lunch studying so his senior GPA is good enough to get him into college, but he can’t seem to focus thanks to his distracting artist. When heâs given the opportunity to tutor Simon in Trig and discovers Simonâs home-life nightmare, he wants nothing more than to get Simon out of danger. This need becomes more urgent when Simon comes to school the Monday after their first date with bruises, but it takes a broken leg before Jimmy can convince his boyfriend the Bennets really want him.
But the danger Simon thought was past shows up at the most unexpected time, and he must stand up to the fears heâs held so long to protect not only himself, but the man he wants to spend his life with. Continue reading New Release: The Geek and His Artist→
DEA agent Eve Taylor has had her fill of alpha males. When Resolutionsâ operative and former lover, Dillon âMacâ McKenna, threatened her hard-earned independence, she ran. On a mission to gather evidence against a Colombian drug-lord, Eve discovers the drug-lord is helping terrorists plan an attack on American soil. Before she can escape with the vital information, sheâs captured and comes face to face with her mortalityâŚ
As a teen, Mac watched his family fall apart after his mother died doing dangerous U.N. work. The possibility of losing Eve to a mission ignited an overwhelming need to protect her. When he forced her to choose him or her job, she walked away. Two years later, it seems all his nightmares have come true and heâs tasked with rescuing her from a Colombian prison. Mac has never stopped loving Eve, but does he dare risk his heart when heâs so terrified of losingâŚ
On the run, Mac and Eve must learn to trust each other again in order to stay alive.
Note: Resolutions is a private black ops agency specializing in the near-impossible extractions of kidnap victims, hostages, and all forms of intelligence other agencies have failed to retrieve.
Today I have a wonderful interview for you! It’s from Choices, the new release from Grace R. Duncan! The characters in this book are wonderful (yes, I’ve had the pleasure of reading) and this interview takes place with my favorite character, Bathasar. So, I give you Choices!
Blurb:
Born and raised a gypsy in the late eleventh century, Teman values freedom over everything. He and his best friend, Jasim, are thieves for hireâuntil one night they’re caught and their precious freedom is revoked. Given the choice between the dungeons or palace pleasure slavery, they become slaves, but Teman vows to escape someday.
Bathasar doesnât want the throne. He supports his brother instead, which suits their sadistic father, Mukesh. When Teman, the handsome slave Bathasar has secretly been watching, saves his life, Bathasar requests a slave for the first time. Before long, Bathasar and Teman fall in love. But all is not well. One day Mukesh brutalizes Teman before the court, angering the empress of a neighboring nation. To appease her, he then offers her Jasim as a gift, and Teman decides to stay with Bathasar for nowâdespite the abuse he may suffer.
The peace doesnât last. Mukesh plans to invade Jasim’s new country, and Bathasar must find a way to stop the destruction. But if he succeeds, he’ll ascend to the throne and have the power to grant Teman his liberty. Then Teman will surely leave him. What other choice could a gypsy make?
 Today I have a special interview for you! Joining me is author Candace Knoebel to talk about her first novel, Born in Flames. She’s currently wrapping up book 2, which I’ll have more info in my new release post for that book, so keep an eye out for that! First, the book!
Title: Born in Flames
Author: Candace Knoebel
Genre: YA Fantasy
Blurb:
Red mirrored scales race up my arms as the haze of pain blurs my vision. My bones crack, breaking to realign. I scream. It is then that the realization of my unavoidable fate sinks in; I am of a dying race. I am dragon.
Aurora Megalos, orphaned and teetering on the edge of adulthood, thought finding her past would curb the sting of being an outcast. Having no memories of the time before she awoke on her foster motherâs doorstep, she yearns for the emptiness inside her to be filled. With her fellow orphaned best friend, Fenn, by her side, she has nothing to lose and everything to gain. But something powerful stirred within her that she couldnât explain. Something wanted out.
In the dark of night, a crazed Seer, dubbed Mr.Creepy, erases everything sheâs ever known with an impending prophecy. She now faces two paths. Return to her true home to protect a dying race against a growing evil, or stay hidden in the safety of our realm with a shot at a true love. With a vengeful Arch Enemy stopping at nothing to see her dead, sheâs running out of time; a decision must be made. What would you choose?
Of course I can! Born in Flames is a fast-paced fantasy that will catapult you into a world where you race against time to save the fate of two realms and an impending prophecy promising death. Aurora Megalos is the main character who discovers that she is not only a part of this prophecy, but part dragon as well.
When did you find out that you wanted to be a writer?
About three years ago. Iâve always loved English and reading, but I guess it never occurred to me that I could actually do it. I had this story swimming around in my brain for a few years and one day decided to sit down and write it out (mostly for fun). Everything sort of grew from there.
Where did you find the inspiration for Born in Flames?
Iâve always loved anything mythical and magical. When I first thought up the idea, I wanted to create something original. At the time when I started the novel, Vampires had taken over EVERYTHING. Donât get me wrong, I am a Twilight fanatic (midnight premiers and merchandise bought), but I needed a break from it. Thusly, Born in Flames was…born. J But as far as inspiration goes: music, magic, images, good readingâŚitâs in everything really. Anything that touches my soul.
Did you have to do some research for your book? Like on legends or myths about dragons?
The dragon aspect of the trilogy is entirely my own. I didnât research anything because I wanted it to come from me. As a writer in fantasy, there are few limitations set. As far as the folklore, I did try to find something that would tie in the island with the dragon (something that will be in the third book). I found a geyser known as the Spouting Horn that has a legend behind it. Itâs about a giant lizard family that experiences a tragedy amongst siblings. The geyser is the trapped lizardâs tears. A giant sea lizard-a dragon… it felt like fate to me, thus the beginning of choosing Kauai.
Why did you choose to write Fantasy stories? Why dragons?
I couldnât imagine writing in any other genre right now. I love fantasy. It is my go-to read. And it allows me to write anything. Dragons-I have always loved the idea of dragons. They are magnificent and wondrous! Throughout the trilogy I get to weave in and out of the mind of a dragon. Itâs very exciting.
Where did you find the inspiration for the name of your main characters: Aurora and Fenn?
Aurora has always been a favorite of mine, but I had to make sure that her name meant something to the story. A new dawn is the definition, which is what the entire trilogy is based upon. Fenn was sort of like naming my children. It just felt right. I knew early on in both of my pregnancies what my babies names would be and they fit them perfectly.
Your favorite author?
J.K. Rowling. She is my biggest inspiration. I started reading Harry Potter when I was 11, which is right around the time when her first novel was released, so Iâve pretty much grown up with him. It broke my heart when the last book was out and I devoured it in a matter of days. Iâd be lying if I said she didnât influence me.
If you were a villain from Disney, which one it would be and why?
Lol, I love this question. Hmm…let me think on it because I absolutely love Disney movies and have seen just about everyone ten times each. Umm…Iâm going to have to go with Maleficent…shocker lol. She turns into a dragon! Haha.
The cover is stunning, did you choose the book cover, or did you have some options for the design?
It was done by Ravven: http://ravven78.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d4q84ew. She is exactly how I imagined her! I was lucky enough to be included on the process for the cover with my publisher and Ravven. I gave them a paragraphâs worth of description and Ravven rolled with it. The only thing that is different is her scales. They are described as ruby red and mirrored.
Quickies:
Cat or Dog:Always a dog!
Dark, Brown or White Chocolate:Iâm not a big chocolate fan, but white chocolate.
City or Countryside:City with a side of country.
Pool or Beach: Pool. I live near the beach. Sand in the pants isnât fun.
Smoothies or Milk shakes:Smoothie.
Pajama or Jeans :Pajamas
Vampire or Werewolf :If weâre talking Edward or Jacob…Jacob.Â
Highlands or South America:Highlands.
Bitchy or Nerdy:Nerdy. Always!
Now that you know a little more about Candace, go get her book!
Today I have a special treat! Jim Galford, author of Into the Desert Wilds, with a guest interview/short story from Oria! I had posed some questions to him for her to answer, and instead, I got a short story! Read on to get this special “extra” from Jim!
Authorâs note:
This tidbit was presented in the form of a list of questions for Oria, a main character in Into the Desert Wilds. As character reactions are meaningless without context, Iâve taken the questions and integrated them into a scene that does not occur in the book, but has a place in the timeline. All interviewer questions for the character are merged into this story scene. The actual original questions are listed before the story begins.
Q1) The mists really changed your lives. Can you say what’s the biggest difference now?
Q2) Estin is like a father to you. Is there an advantage to having a ‘prey’ breed as a father figure?
Q3) It seems like you feel the need to prove yourself. Are you trying to do so for your mother or yourself?
Q4) You and your brother have different strengths in combat. Do you attribute this to anything in particular?
Q5) Your younger siblings didn’t get the opportunity to know your homeland, only the desert that you are in now. How do you think this has effected/shaped them?
Q6) What is the greatest strength a leader can have? Weakness?
Q7) What drew you towards Phaesys? What ways is he like/dislike you?
Waiting for the inevitable sunrise and the dangers that would come with it, Oria lay against the side of the crumbling room where they were staying, hoping that sleep would come but knowing better. She closed her eyes in vague hopes of some rest, even if sleep was beyond her reach. Even then, she nervousness about the day to come made her want to fidget or walk around. She found herself mostly changing position as her tail cramped or her ears itched randomly, keeping her on-edge at all times.
âCanât sleep, kid?â asked one of the elves in the room. The others appeared to be sleeping, but Oria doubted that was the case.
The armored woman, Sirella, sat against the wall nearby with a sword resting across her knees, ready to be used at a momentâs notice. Her long black hair had been braided and draped over her shoulder. Despite having her own eyes closed for nearly an hour, the woman must have been feeling much the same as Oria and was unable to sleep either.
âJust worried about tomorrow,â Oria admitted, pulling her knees up to her chin. âCanât get my mind off what willâŚand couldâŚhappen.â
Sirella set her sword aside and leaned forward, watching Oria briefly.
âThen would you like to talk about something other than that?â
âAnything else.â
An evil smile passed over Sirellaâs lips, making Oria wonder if it was wise to say she would talk about anything with the former leader of a thievesâ guild. Still, it was better than letting her mind race with ideas of who might be hurt or killed in just a few short hours.
Estin by artist Darryl Taylor
âI had questions for Estin that he refused to answer,â noted Sirella. âHe never wanted to talk about the past or his family except in terms of wanting to be with them. Would you mind?â
âGo ahead, Sirella. If we even live to see tomorrow, I can decide then whether it was a good idea to tell you any of this.â
âGood girl.â
Scooting a little closer, Sirella glanced over at the other elves in the room, then whispered to Oria, âDonât worry. They wonât tell anyone unless I say itâs alright.â
âYouâre not making me feel like this is a good idea. Maybe my dad had the right ideaâŚâ
âNonsense. Do you really want to be as tight-lippedâŚmuzzledâŚas Estin? Thought not. Besides, itâs just a few questions to pass the time. Whereâs the harm in that?â
Folding her legs under her and pulling her bushy tail into her lap, Oria watched Sirella expectantly, reserving judgment on whether she wanted to talk until after hearing the questions.
âEstin said you were all from somewhere in the mountainsâŚâ
âAltis. Well, the woods near Altis.â
ââŚand that it was completely unlike Corraith. Aside from taller rocks, how different could it be?â
âYouâve never seen mountains, have you, Sirella?â
âNo. Never got farther than the southern oasis.â
âTheyâre not like the desert at all, big rocks or not. The majority of the hills and mountains are covered with thick woodsâpines for the most part. There arenât as many rocks as youâd expect, though the cliffs are pretty bare.â
Sirella nodded, though something in her eyes indicated a degree of confusion.
âPinesâŚbig green trees with needles instead of leaves.â
âSimilar to palm trees?â
âNot at all. They provide a lot more shelter against the rain and snow.â
Blinking, Sirella seemed totally lost at that point.
âRain I understand. But you get snow out there?â she asked Oria, wrinkling her nose a little in confusion. âI heard the southern oasis gets a few flakes a year, but mostly they make due with the three or four rainstorms each wet season. Never seen the snow myself.â
Oria laughed and shook her head.
âNot a few flakes. Mounds of it. My last winter there, I was up to my waist in snow, though I was only about as tall as your chest. My brother and I had to be careful not to fall into valleys filled with snow or mom wouldnât find us until spring. The rains werenât much different. When those came down, whole sections of the woods would flood out and make new streams.â
Despite her usual careful control of expression, Sirellaâs eyes widened and Oria knew she had the woman hooked. Deep down, Oria wished she had an elaborate lie to tell her, but none came to mind easily. A simple one would have to do.
âIf it rained too hard,â she told the elven woman, making sure to keep from smiling, âthe entire plains below the mountains could wash away. Thatâs why we stayed in the mountains, so we were above the water.â
Sirellaâs face revealed little, but her eyes told Oria that she might have gone too far on that one. The woman did not believe a word of it and might have even dismissed the talk of snow entirely.
âWhat about your siblings?â she asked Oria.
âWhat about them?â
âThey never got to see the mountains, the snow, or the pines. They only know the desert. Do you think theyâll be different from you and yourâŚyour parents?â
âProbably.â She picked at bits of dirt in her tail as she thought a moment. âMy fatherâs people werenât from the mountains and he turned out fine. Maybe itâs just enough that we remember and that mom and dad raise them. Iâm sure Corraith will make them a little different, which is fine, as long as they donât turn out like the snobby nobles you had around here. Iâd have to thump them if they did.â
Sirella giggled at that, then brushed a long strand of her hair back behind her pointed ear as she asked, âYou keep saying âfather,â when talking about Estin. Youâre a foxâŚnot a fox like we have around here, but a predator is a predator, no matter whether they have snow or not. Heâs not your real father Iâm guessing, soâŚwas it hard growing up with prey as a dad?â
âWhat was your father like, Sirella?â
âA foul old sot who lost the house in a game of chance when my sister and I were barely old enough to last a night on the streets.â
âDid he care about you, your sister, and your mother?â
âHe died trying to put food in our bellies, for all the good it did.â
âMy birth father,â Oria began, trying not to think too hard on the topic. It was not something she was comfortable talking about with anyone. âHe was scared of my motherâŚof her power. He loved my brother and I dearly, but as soon as he saw that he was not the top predator in the area, he ran. He took Atall and I and fled from mom, throwing away all the promises heâd made her. He was a warrior, a decent male, and would have been a good fatherâŚif he hadnât gotten himself killed running from his mate.
âHe, unlike Estin, was a predator for all the good it did him.â
âThat doesnât really change that your âdadâ probably looks and smells like dinner to your mom. That canât be healthy.â
Feanne by artist Darryl Taylor
Nodding, Oria answered, âIt wasnât. Mostly it was hard on mom, though. The camp did not exactly approve and many really wanted to see her gut him. They could get along with predators and prey living as neighbors, but her taking him as her mate was not a popular choice. Before it was official was the worstâŚat least after she made it public, the pack had to stand by her decision or openly oppose her, which was not a wise thing to do.â
âSo your mother chose himâŚso what? Iâd still think a predator would consider him beneath them.â
That amused Oria and she laughed a little at the thought.
âMy birth father gave up his life for his children, but abandoned his mate. Without hesitation, Estin would give up his life for any of Feanneâs children, whether they are his or not. He doesnât care who our father is. His life belongs as much to us as to our mother. Iâve never seen that kind of dedication in anyone of any breed or race. Heâs my father because of who he is, not anything to do with birth, breed, or anything else. BesidesâŚus not knowing if he might actually be our real father means looking at him as prey would say something bad about my siblings and I.â
Sirella pondered that for a while, then motioned for Oria to stay quiet as she ran off to investigate something. It did not take long and she returned, taking her seat beside Oria again.
âOld rubble falling,â she explained. âThought they might have found us, but weâre still getting lucky.â
They sat in silence for some time, the only sounds being the shallow breathing of the other thieves that had come with them. When Sirella spoke next, it jarred Oria and she realized she had been lost in thought.
âYour family is leaving as soon as things calm down, arenât they?â the woman asked Oria, more of a statement than a question.
âAs soon as this battle is done. We donât belong here. The soldiers are terrified of my mother and would love nothing more than to kill my father. The city itself doesnât need us or people like us. Weâre better off trying to make our way home.â
âYour mother to her role as pack leader and you to wait to inherit it? Sounds thrilling.â
âIt doesnât work that way,â Oria replied, realizing that it was the first time she had really thought about that in many months. âIf and when mom dies, the strongest or most respected member takes charge. I donât get anything without workâŚand a lot of fights.â
Sirella smiled knowingly, asking, âIs that why youâre out here, risking yourself with us lowlifes? Trying to prove yourself for when you go home?â
âThereâs no pack left to impress. They may have all died around the time we left. We wonât know until we go home.â
âThen youâre trying to convince yourself that youâre strong enough.â
âNo, not meâŚâ Oria started to say, then trailed off, wishing she had kept her mouth shut.
âYouâre showing off for your mother. You want her to know youâre good enough, whether thereâs a pack or not. I did the same thing to impress my parents, at least until I stopped caring what they thought.â
Sirella picked up her sword and lifted it so the point was aimed at the ceiling. With a casual wave of her left hand towards the blade, the weapon burst into flames that glowed red, then shifted to blue, then green. She smiled at Oria, then winked and the flames went out.
âTook me forever to learn to do that,â the elven woman admitted, putting the sword aside. âNow, I realize it doesnât mean anything. Whether my parents were impressed or not, Iâm still a street thief in a city that hates me.
Tricks and personal accomplishments donât make us better peopleâŚthey just pass the time.â
Oria nodded quickly, but saw Sirellaâs eyes following her every movement. The woman was trying to read her.
âItâs not about mommy and daddy,â whispered Sirella, her sparkling eyes widening with interest. âYou were proving it to yourself, but not anymore. Youâre showing off for someone else.â
âI donât know what youâŚâ
âOh yes you do, kid. Itâs the fennec, isnât it? I saw the sappy way you looked at him back at base. Youâre doing this to convince yourself that youâre good enough for him.â
âShut up, Sirella.â
âHeâs a noble, stuck up, born to wealth and privilege, and probably heir to a dozen womenâŚwhat do you two possibly have in common? Iâd think to him, you were just another peasant girlâŚâ
Oria snarled and leapt to her feet, grabbing the taller woman by the armor and slamming her into the wall.
Behind her, she could hear the other elves drawing weapons and could feel them just behind her, waiting for a cue to strike. She did not care, focusing only on Sirella, keeping one hand locked into the womanâs armor to prevent her from moving and the other holding her curved knife. Oria did not even remember drawing the weapon, but she held it steady near Sirellaâs throat.
Though she blinked as she hit the wall, Sirella seemed entirely unsurprised and had not a bit of concern on her face.
âI was not criticizing you, kid,â she said, her voice calm despite the weapon near her neck. âThatâs how nobles around here think. Iâve dealt withâŚand stolen fromâŚenough of them that I know itâs true. Getting yourself killed isnât going to prove anything to him. I donât know what you see in him, or what he sees in you, but itâd better be something stronger than recklessness to make it work out.â
Letting her weapon drop to her side, Oria released Sirella and stepped away. By the time she turned around, the other thieves were sitting casually around the room as though nothing had happened.
âI donât know what I see in him,â Oria admitted, shoving her dagger back into its sheath. âHeâs handsome and strong, but that isnât it. I think itâs just that he treats me wellâŚeven when Iâm being stupid.
âDonât get me wrong, heâs just as reckless as I am. He tries to prove himself to his father and his soldiers all the time. What sets us apart though is that he tries to be sensible and do the right thing, even if it gets him hurt. Heâs like my father in thatâŚhe wants to help others, no matter the risk. Thatâs not something Iâm good at and I think I envy that about him just a little. I just want him to know how much IâŚâ
Oria let that trail off and sat down hard. This was not something she had wanted anyone else to hear. It was not even something she really wanted to discuss with herself in the privacy of her own mind.
Kneeling beside her, Sirella lifted Oriaâs chin to look her in the eyes.
âIf thereâs one thing I understand, itâs being stupid about who you love,â the woman said, this time without a hint of deception or sign that she was trying to lead Oria into saying more than she intended. âWhen this is all over, Iâll help you understand what makes the men of these lands pay attention. You two are good together, that much I saw just in the little time you were both at the base. You just have to undo years of his upbringing if you want to keep him. Itâs no different than training any other man, really.â
âAnything,â Oria said softly, pulling her head away. âI feel like Iâm losing him and donât know what Iâll do if that happens.â
A distant horn made everyone in the room look up. Faintly, Oria heard shouts that soon grew into a jumbled rumble of many people yelling at once.
âWorry about your man later. Thatâs our cue, kid,â Sirella announced, nodding at the others. To the two women in the group and Oria, she added, âItâs time for the girls to show that army of men that it only takes a couple of us to do what a hundred of them are trying to do. Gear up, itâs time to go. Letâs get famous and win back this city.â
Today I have author Jim Galford with me to talk about his second book, Into the Desert Wilds, which is due for release on the 10th (tomorrow!). I had the pleasure of reading it early, and let me tell you, if you like epic fantasy, DON’T miss out on this book! As you can probably tell from my review, I LOVED getting back into Estin’s world, seeing what he’s been up to and how he and his family tackle the new problems they are faced with. And if you haven’t read the first book, In Wilder Lands, yet, go check it out!
TK: The first book is told solely from Estin’s PoV. This time, we have two different PoVs – Estin and Oria. Was it hard to make them sound different?
JG: Honestly, no. In my mind, the story happens no different from how one might see a movie. Oria and Estin are most definitely different people, with their unique perspective. Itâs a little harder to separate two male point-of-views, but very easy when youâre dealing with a teenage girl (Oria) and her father-ish person (Estin). Estin has more of a âalways concerned about what might come of his decisionsâ feel, while Oria has a carefree viewpoint, where she mostly just thinks about the moment at hand. Theyâre different enough that the transitions were really easy.
Now, finding Oriaâs mindset as an adult male writer was tricky, but making her different from Estin was easy. I had to double-check a lot with my wife to be sure that Oria didnât come across as a man trying to write a womanâs perspective, which was a fear I had with this particular point-of-view.
Generally, Iâm always looking for a new way to broaden my scope of writing and point-of-view is the most obvious. Next comes emotional viewpoint. Into the Desert Wilds pushed my area of expertise on both a little, but Iâm hoping to push even farther in the next book.
Today I have Jennifer Ford, author of The Waking Dream, here with an interview as part of her blog tour. Here’s her blurb, and then see why she writes what she does.
Blurb:
Two cities. A forgotten past. Destiny comes to call.
Cut off from the outside world by a hostile desert full of savage secrets, the city of Illamar must fend for itself. Late one night, Dante Montero, Commander and Ruler of Illamar, is confronted on his own streets by a mysterious woman bearing an ominous message from a dangerous man known only as Rasheim. Dante and his close friend Kerran, Captain of the Guard, rush to discover the identity of Rasheim and the nature of the threat posed against their city. The closer they get to the truth, the more their worlds begin to fall apart. Both men will have to rely heavily on their friendship as they struggle to comprehend the events happening around them, their past, and even the truth about themselves. They must move quickly and choose wisely, for time is running out as Dante and Kerran discover a secret plot is already underway to destroy their city and kill every last person alive. It seems the answers they so desperately need can only be found in a sequence of dreams, but in a world where nothing is as it seems, even their dreams could turn out to be deadly.
Jennifer Ford was born and raised in a small town in Massachusetts. She currently resides in sunny southern Florida. She lives with her cats, of which she says; âThey are possessed little terrors at times, absolute darlings at others, and an endless source of entertainment. Only another cat person would understand.â Continue reading Interview: Jennifer Ford→
Jack Preston, an ordinary kid on his 8th grade trip to Washington DC, finds himself mysteriously transported back in time to 1720 Massachusetts. Finding a world without cars, phones and other conveniences of modern life takes some getting used to, but he’s even more surprised to meet a young Founding Father, Ben Franklin.
Being a righteous fellow, Ben befriends the confused and tattered Jack and offers him a place to stay. When Jack overhears a seedy plan that will most certainly ruin Ben’s brother’s printing business, Jack vows to help find the culprit before it’s too late.
From the streets of Colonial Boston, to the cargo hold of a huge galleon, Jack realizes he’s on the most bizarre, but important, adventure of his life. As Jack is thrown into a whirlwind of conspiracy, he realizes that much more than a printing company is at stake. An adventure is one thing, but being stuck hundreds of years in the past is quite another. Continue reading Blog Tour: Fables of the Flag→
Today I have with me Adrienne deWolfe, author of “How to Write Wildly Popular Romances” to talk a bit about intuition. There’s some good tips in here, so follow through til the end. She also has a raffle going on in May, so don’t forget to check that out also!
Writing fiction has always felt like magic to me — especially when I’m in the creative flow, and ideas are pouring through my brain faster than I can type. I’ve heard other writers describe this flood of imagination  as the whispering of their âWriting Muse.â
Today I have YA author/poet/songwriter Carroll Bryant here for a little Q&A session. Before you dig into this interview, make sure you check out his new release, “Of The Light.”
TK: Why did you choose to write YA?
CB: I didn’t really choose it as much as it chose me. That and the fact that when I was younger, I had the best time of my life. It wasn’t until I hit 30 when life appeared to start slowing down a little. I realized that life is more exciting when you’re young so I gravitated to YA for that purpose. I think it’s because when you’re young, and on the cusp of adulthood or early stages of it, you’re allowed to do things that you won’t be allowed to do when you’re older. You’re allowed to make your mistakes. That and the fact that basically, the whole world is at your feet. I mean, there’s so many people you can choose to be at that age. Youth is a lot of fun. At least, it was for me. Not that aging is all that bad. But younger, life moves pretty fast. And I miss that. So I guess I relive those days through my characters.