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Who Art Thou Thursday: Gerard de Marigny

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Sep 082011

Guess what? okay. Don’t guess. Gerard de Marigny has returned, this time for a little Q&A. Plus!!!! A little birdie told me his latest work, The Watchman of Ephraim, is up for grabs on Goodreads. If you haven’t entered the giveaway, definitely do that. Ends 9/11.

So, tell us about your most recent publication.

I published my debut novel, the political thriller, The Watchman of Ephraim, in January (2011) and I’m very proud of it. It’s a dream come true for me!

TWOE is a story about a guy named Cris De Niro. He’s a Brooklyn, NY-born and raised, self-made billionaire who lost his wife and unborn child in the North Tower of the World Trade Center on 9/11. De Niro turns to his Judeo-Christian faith to deal with his rage. He reads a passage in the Bible about ‘The watchman of Ephraim’ that changes his life.

The United States is modern Ephraim in prophesy and De Niro knows that. So he decides to become the modern-day Watchman of Ephraim by acquiring a counter-terrorism firm – renaming it “The Watchman Agency.”

He puts together a remarkable staff, starting with his deceased wife’s brother, Captain Louis “Mugsy” Ricci, USN SEALS (Ret.) and not a moment too soon because his agency immediately comes across a connection between a Mexican drug cartel and an Iranian businessman with ties to radical Islam.

Lots of stuff starts happening from there – one of The Watchman’s agents goes missing in Monterrey, Mexico and his disappearance may be linked to a mole within the Agency. Strange events start to occur at the U.S./Mexican border. The Watchman’s covert paramilitary arm, ARCHANGEL is sent down there to investigate. They team up with the head of the famed ‘Shadow Wolves’ Native American border patrol unit. The Watchman and ARCHANGEL figure out that something very big and very bad is planned to happen and soon … and it all culminates on the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Meanwhile, De Niro is still coming to terms with the loss of his soulmate and wife, Lisa. His faith and his love for his two sons, Richard and Louis are all that keep him from losing himself to his rage. Things become even more complicated for him when he’s introduced to Dr. Moriah Stevens, a beautiful widow who also lost her husband on 9/11. Stevens falls for De Niro and he has feelings for her but his devotion to his wife is just too strong … even after 10 years.

The 10th anniversary of 9/11 is when it all happens – when our country is targeted for another terrorist attack even more catastrophic than the original 9/11 attack – when our border is breached – and when a man who’s already lost the love of his life to terrorism, has his children and himself targeted.

But this time, Cris De Niro can do something about it – and let me tell you, these terrorists will learn a lesson about tangling with a tough Italian from Brooklyn … especially when you mess with his kids!

How much of you/your life do you put into your stories?

There’s actually a lot of my life in The Watchman of Ephraim, specifically because of the topic it opens with … 9/11.

My wife and I lost a dear friend in the North Tower of the World Trade Center on 9/11, Danny Afflitto. We were also friendly with others who lost their lives in the Twin Towers that horrible day. We attended a lot of funerals … too many funerals.

My anger and frustration caused by 9/11 ultimately lead to my writing TWOE. I did my best to honor the friends and families of 9/11 victims by depicting the actual event, specifically, the crashing of American Airlines Flight 11 into the North Tower, as accurately as I could.

But I wanted to do more than that – I wanted to convey some of the angst, some of the overwhelming grief that loved ones felt. I was with Danny’s wife Stacey when he actually called her just minutes after the plane hit the tower. His last words to her were, “I think a bomb just went off, there’s fire and smoke everywhere … kiss the baby, I love you!” Then the line went dead.

Stacey went into shock … and she didn’t even realize she was pregnant with their 2nd son – a son Danny never even knew about because she only found out 3 days later. I can tell you, including my own Dad’s dying in front of me (peacefully, from illness), that was the most traumatic event I ever experienced. I was overwhelmed with compassion for Stacey but more than that, I was overwhelmed with a feeling of utter helplessness. I couldn’t do a thing for her, to ease her pain or to save Danny. It’s something I still haven’t gotten over.

In a way, TWOE was my way of dealing with that feeling of helplessness. Writing a work of fiction falls far short of truly comforting the people who lost loved ones – it doesn’t bring any of them back and it doesn’t punish the people who were responsible … but it’s all I can do.

Back to your question, in order for me to convey some of the emotion of that day – in order to drop the readers into that overwhelmingly powerful moment, I felt I had to write from the mindset of a husband who lost his own wife and unborn son in the Tower. I had to assume the role of the lead character Cris De Niro and I had to kill his wife … my wife, Lisa.

It was pretty radical, especially since I didn’t tell my wife, who’s one of the editors, or my sons … who became pretty upset when they read that mommy died in the book.

Sounds like you get pretty emotionally involved in your writing. Makes for a powerful piece. Which of your characters do you relate to most?

Cris De Niro and I both have the same mindset and worldview. We’re from the same old neighborhood, like the same food and drink and both moved into the Las Vegas valley.

The difference is, he’s a billionaire who could do something about the things that frustrate me most in the world.

He’s also better looking. (grin)

What’s the hardest part of the writing process?

The hardest part for me is actually opening the Word file and getting to work. Once I do, I’m okay, but for reasons I haven’t fully understood – I seem to procrastinate.

I’ve been mentored by a great writer, Dean Wesley Smith, through his excellent blogs and from personal communications. One of the things he told me I needed to do in order to become successful is to turn out 3-4 novel-length works per year. So, I’m continually working at removing obstacles to writing every day.

I’m totally with you with the procrastination bug. What’s the easiest part of the writing process?

The easiest part for me is coming up with storylines and characters – that’s a blessing from God.

My brother and I had a harsh upbringing. We dealt with it in different ways. He escaped by never being home. I was a homebody, so the only way for me to escape was to invent storylines and disappear into them. There always seemed to be a hero-type character in my storylines that could do the things I couldn’t do – take on the bullies in the world and save those in distress.

I’ve been inventing these stories my whole life – the difference is now, I writing them down and sharing them with others – but I’m never at a loss for storylines or characters … the world is full of characters to me.

With hindsight being 20/20, is there anything you would have changed with your publishing journey?

Yes, definitely – I would have started MUCH younger! I’ve been writing bits and pieces of the stories in my head for most of my life but I never had the confidence to publish them. I made some halfhearted attempts in late 1980′s but that was it.

I spent most of my life working at jobs that I really didn’t enjoy, feeling like I was meant to do something else – something that I’d love to do. I can’t believe I didn’t realize that my calling was to write literary works. Other than my Faith and my family, nothing satisfies me more.

If it weren’t for my wife Lisa, back in June 2009, literally scolding me to “finish a book and PUBLISH IT!” because she could see how depressed I was becoming, I wouldn’t even be here. I published my first work, TWOE this January, at 47 years old. <sigh> So many years wasted … but at least I’m doing what I love now.

What are you working on now?

I’m completing my second novel right now. It’s the sequel to TWOE, the 2nd installment in The Watchman of Ephraim series, called Signs of War.

It’ll be out by September (’11) … I’m very excited about it!

Then I’ll immediately start work on the third in the series. The storyline for that one is already shaping out. I’m intending to get that one out by either December (’11) or January (’12).

Thanks for asking!

How about some quickies!

Pencil or Pen: Pencil

Print or Cursive: Cursive

Pantser or Plotter: Plotter

Favorite Candy: Anything with caramel in/on it

Worst habit: My wife says I’m a control freak – I guess I’ll go with that. (grin)

This was definitely the most heartfelt interview I’ve had the opportunity of conducting. Thanks for sharing with us, Gerard.

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About the Gerard de Marigny

Gerard de Marigny is the author of the geopolitical thriller, The Watchman of Ephraim, Book 1 of THE WATCHMAN OF EPHRAIM series. The sequel, Signs of War is scheduled for release in September 2011.

Gerard de Marigny resides in the beautiful foothills of Las Vegas, NV with his wife Lisa and his four sons. When not bending an arm with friends at the local pub, he’s putting to paper the stories and characters that are alive in his mind.

Connect with Gerard de Marigny online: Website, SelfPubber’s Pub, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, LinkedIn, and MySpace

Find The Watchman of Ephraim by Gerard de Marigny at:

Signed Hardcovers and Paperbacks

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway at Goodreads!

Who Art Thou Thursday: Callie Norse

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Sep 012011

I love new releases, don’t you? Well today, Callie Norse has returned with another novel under her belt. I feel like we should have some kind of wavy time warp thing, cause Callie Norse was one of the first authors to join us on the Who Art Thou Thursdays post. While we reminisce, let’s see what she’s up to these days.

Tell us a little about your latest release.

I’m excited to finally get this book published. My readers of For the Love of Lisa have been anxious for this 2^nd book of the Carrington series since they first read For the Love of Lisa after its release last September. A Love Too Soon takes place 1 ½ yrs. after For the Love of Lisa ends. This book will catch readers up somewhat if they haven’t already read the first of the series. The same characters are in this book that are in the end of the 1^st, plus 2 additional main characters. It is romance/mystery. Mystery begins in the first pages. My beta readers are as excited as I am about this book. They tell me they feel an attachment to the characters and it is just as much of a page turner as the 1^st of the series. It is an easy read with much action, intrigue and twists.

A steamy, story of love…intermingled with supernatural intrigue…a new tender love story with a twist…

Greg and Marta have married and continue to live in the old Victorian with Maggie. The birth of a new baby brings much happiness until…

An occurrence in the hospital brings back memories of Lisa. This is only the beginning of problems. Will the marriage survive?

Lori and Steve adopt a ten-year-old son, Toby. He and Maggie become great friends. She nicknames him Toby Keith.

Marta works from the home, in the newly remodeled Mansard. History repeats itself with a horrible accident. Will trouble end there?

They move from the old Victorian and live happily ever after…but that would be a fairy tell ending, wouldn’t it?

A Love Too Soon?

Where did you get your inspiration for A Love Too Soon?

I knew there was so much more I could say about the Carringtons. For the Love of Lisa seemed like only the beginning. Greg had just begun his new life with Marta. There was a whole new marriage to write about. I’m not a plotter, so I didn’t know myself where this marriage was going, except that Marta was pregnant in the Epilogue of For the Love of Lisa. I started with the birth of the baby, writing a scene at a time, letting my imagination take me to the next scene. Ideas for A Love Too Soon seemed to flow freely as I wrote.

When you wrote For the Love of Lisa, did you know it’d be a series?

I don’t think I thought much about it being a series, until I wrote the Epilogue. Until then my mind was too focused on how For the Love of Lisa was going to end. After the Epilogue, I knew I wanted to continue with my writing, and knew a sequel to this book would be a great way to continue, as there was so much more to be said about the Carringtons.

Your second release. How was the writing process different this time around?

I had learned so much with the guidelines iuniverse gives. This time I wasn’t stumbling over format, or punctuation and grammar. It was more enjoyable. I knew I could do it this time. The doubts were gone. I had a basis for my plot from For the Love of Lisa. This gave me much to work with. I had fallen in love with my characters and I, myself was interested in learning where I could take their lives. It is so different than reading a book. I can take my characters anywhere I want. I truly enjoyed writing this book, and love where it took me. We shall see if the readers agree. I expect some criticism, but the book seemed to go that direction as I wrote. It touched my heart. Let’s see if it does so with the readers.

You went through iUniverse for both books. Why did you decide to go with them?

I had tried the traditional route with For the Love of Lisa. Each publisher wanted something different for querying. It was time consuming and disappointing when I would receive rejections. I was once told by Thomas Eadie who was with a traditional publishing Co., and had started a self-publishing Co., that there is no money in traditional publishing for authors. He felt that was unfair to the creators of the work. I therefore decided to research self-publishing companies. I chose iuniverse because they had services to offer if I felt the need. I did begin with an editor evaluation, which helped me learn where my weaknesses were and how to correct them. I wasn’t ready to be totally on my own with another company. I felt I needed some guidance. I went with them for this book, too, as I didn’t want to take the time to learn the hows of another company. I plan to go with another, such as CreateSpace for the next in the series, An Anniversary…not to be forgotten, which is completed in rough draft form.

How was the publishing process different with your second book from your first book?

I didn’t start with an evaluation. I waited to submit my book block until after it was edited and polished it. I expected it to go quite fast as it did with the 1^st book at that point. It seemed to go much slower. First off, I was asked to revise some scenes, as I wasn’t familiar with their underage sex scene policy. (The word cleavage was not even allowed for the underage.) They have no restrictions for the adults, so there are still steamy scenes. I revised the underage scenes and submitted them. They were approved after a wait while the person overseeing this was on vacation. (Just my luck). After that, it still seemed to go slower than the first book. Perhaps they were busier this time, or maybe I’m not as patient.

Where can readers find your works?

I believe my books can be found at almost any online book store, such as…

Callie Norse at Amazon

Callie Norse at Barnes & Nobles

Callie Norse at the Book Depository

One should be able to order them at most book stores…

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About Callie Norse

I have always loved to read. My eighth grade English teacher required us to write short stories. This is when I first learned I loved to write. When my three children were young, I would write short stories, dreaming of someday having time to write seriously. After my parents passed away 16 days apart, I wrote a book on the loss of elderly parents and how devastating it can be, even when they are elderly. I completed the book, but have never published it. Later, I developed a short story into For the Love of Lisa.

I reside in Northern Illinois with my husband, and continue to write.

Connect with Callie Norse:

Website
Facebook
Article in PageSuite
callienorse [at] yahoo [dot] com

Who Art Thou Thursday: Lenore Wolfe

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Aug 252011

As you might recall, my job is to help secure as many votes as possible for my writing buddy, Lenore Wolfe, author of Doorway to the Triquetra. Next round of voting is Sunday, August 28. When the time comes, put in your vote for Doorway to the Triquetra. Today, she’s here to share a bit about herself.

Give us a brief description of a story you have hidden in your skeleton closet? And will it ever see the light of day?

I’m working on a year long site and novel about taking back my life, so all my skeletons will see the light of day.

Where do you get inspirations for your stories?

From the spirit world. I believe in a full-blown spirit world. And so playing the ‘what if’ game gets pretty interesting.

How much of you/your life do you put into your stories?

Probably quite a bit. Lots of aspects of my writing have hints of truth in them. I remember when my kids were little, my oldest son was trying to convince my younger three that there was a 3 headed snake. I took that long-long tale and wrote it into one of the tall tales the cowboys were telling, sitting around the campfire, in my western romance novel:)

Which of your characters do you relate to most?

Mira. She’s feisty. And all the women in my family are feisty and independent. My great-grandmother was an old pioneer woman, born in 1887, from Montana, who had to raise her children on her own. Strong, independent women run on both sides of my family.

Which author has inspired you the most?

I grew up with the stories of my great-grandmother’s, aunt Harriett Beecher Stowe. I have always been inspired by the realization that a story could move an entire nation.

Why did you decide to publish independently?

I realized when I first saw ereaders that we were about to completely change the way we read. They’re wonderful. You can change the size of the font if you need bigger lettering. You can carry 1000 books, an entire library, with you at once. So I knew they would revolutionize reading, and I waited for the traditional publishing houses to realize it too. Traditional publishing houses had slowly taken all the power from the author and ereaders and ebooks has given it back. Traditional publishing houses are starting to realize just how much power they have lost over the authors. And authors are only beginning to realize how much power they can take back. There are still many who believe there is a something special in having been picked up by a traditional publishing house, but the only real thing they can offer you is mass production, and in exchange for that you will still do all the work to get the world to realize your book is out there. There are benefits to both, don’t get me wrong, but if you want control over what you write, and what cover goes on your book, you’ll have to go independent. And you will have to expect to stumble around, and work very hard, for a long time, until the world knows you exist. But you will have control over your product while you do this. And you will reap all the benefits when you do, finally, succeed, and if you keep working at it, you WILL succeed.

How do you come up with your cover art?

I love art. I always have, so this is playtime for me.

What’s your favorite writing tool and why?

My IPad. It’s very effective. I can carry it anywhere, and it organizes me.

What’s the hardest part of the writing process?

Sticking to one story. I have so many rolling around in my head:)

What’s the easiest part of the writing process?

The story. I’m learning how to dig in and let the reader in on all aspects of the protagonist and other characters of my book. The readers, now, seem to love 140,000 word novels:)

With hindsight being 20/20, is there anything you would have changed with your publishing journey?

I wouldn’t have allowed life to keep me from writing. Writing is something I need to do, not just want to do. I have way too much going through my head, and it doesn’t let go of me until I write about it.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Never quit. Never, ever, quit. The only difference between those who dream, and those who do, is that the doers work very hard at their dreams–until they succeed.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on a novel called The Fallen One. He is one of the Jaguar People, but he was raised in Chicago, and he had to protect himself, and his sisters, from the gangs that would chase them down the back alleys late at night. The Jaguar People are not supposed to receive the powerful ability to shape shift until they’re old enough to handle the smell of blood, the wildness of the great cat, and the power that goes with this cat. Changing early, and using it to kill, even to protect, created a monster within him. Now, to become a better man, he must learn how to live with the monster.

She is one of the Jaguar People, too, but she was raised knowing how to work with the power, and using it to help mankind. Now, she will either be his salvation–or his downfall.

How about some quickies!

Pencil or Pen: Pen

Print or Cursive: Print

Pantser or Plotter: Plotter

Favorite Candy: Dark Chocolate

Worst habit: Being to independent.

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About the Lenore Wolfe

Lenore grew up in Montana, and Alaska, and currently lives in central US. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, holds a BA in Sociology, from the University of Northern Colorado, with a minor in writing and is a student of the Shaman path.

Find Lenore Wolfe online at:

http://sonsofthedarkmother.blogspot.com
http://talkaboutauthors.blogspot.com/
http://magicallandofbooks.blogspot.com/
http://heartsoffireromance.blogspot.com
http://paranormaleromance.blogspot.com
http://doorwayofthetriquetra.blogspot.com
http://warriorsheartnovels.blogspot.com
http://darkwarriortotameawildhawk.blogsp…
http://authorlenorewolfe.blogspot.com/

Doorway to the Triquetra is available at:

Smashwords

Barnes & Nobles

Amazon

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Who Art Thou Thursday: Katie M. John

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Aug 182011

Katie M. John was one of the authors who participated in the Angel Haze blog hop I was a part of not too long ago. She was generous enough to offer a few copies of her works as part of the Saturday giveaways. Now she’s returned to share a little of herself with us. Yay! Tell us about your most recent publication.

#1 of The Knight Trilogy ‘The Forest of Adventures’ was published in December 2010. #2 ‘Immortal Beloved’ is released on August 25th 2011.

The Knight Trilogy is a Paranormal Romance set in the UK: in the beautiful location of Cornwall. It is a contemporary working of the Arthurian Legends and weaves classical British folklore, Egyptian mythology and European fairytales.

Primarily it is the coming of age story of seventeen year old Mina Singer. Her life is mapped out for her. She is doing well at college, is in love with her childhood sweetheart and has a life plan. That is until the arrival of the mysterious and devastatingly beautiful Blake Beldevier.

As she falls in love with him, tragedy strikes and she finds herself moving further and further away from the Real World into The Realm: a place she only believed existed in fairytales. However, fairyland can be a dark place and where there is good, there is also evil.

Across the three books there is a reworking of ancient myths and stories as well as the appearance of some well known characters such as Merlin, Vivien (Lady of the Lake) and of course Morgan Le Fay. The main characters are very much twenty first century teens and it is an interesting interplay between these two worlds.

It is a story about love, friendship and challenge as well as having a wider global message about the importance of change and transformation. It’s a story full of optimism about future generations.

Which of your characters do you relate to most?

In the Knight Trilogy, it has to be Delta. She seems to be a character a lot of my readers really identify with. She’s strong, independent, a little bit damaged but full of warmth and humour if you’re willing to fight your way through the shell.

To some she can seem a little distant but that’s a defence mechanism. She’s the strongest character – so much so that she literally wrote herself.

Where do you get inspirations for your stories?

Everywhere and everyone. Sometimes it’s events I witness, weather, music etc. A lot of it comes from my compulsive desire to people watch.

What’s the hardest part of the writing process?

Finding enough time!! I teach English at a London Comprehensive school ( a job I love!) I’m mummy to a three and a half year old and also a full time domestic engineer LOL.

What’s your favorite part about the publishing process and why?

People reading it. There is something really magical about sharing a story with someone. It’s a surprisingly intimate relationship.

What’s your favorite writing tool and why?

A good bottle of red wine (preferably Malbec) and the ipod.

Who is your favorite author and why?

I love the early dysptopia writers; Huxley, Orwell, Golding. I also love the new YA writers Collins, Fitzpatrick, Kate, Condie.

I’m a true Goth girl as well; I love Stoker and Shelley, Lovecraft and Poe.

Who would you say is your biggest fan in your writing career?

I have the most wonderful fangroup who I speak with regularly. They are so supportive, kind, encouraging and they believe in what I’m doing. These lovely ladies started off being anonymous readers who took a chance on my book and over time have become really special friends. (You’ll find us chatting away on twitter all the time.)

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Keep going – don’t give in. There will be days you think you’re rubbish and everything you write is rubbish – especially when you read an amazing book – but keep true and work hard.

Take criticism (all of it) as the best gift anybody can give you: it makes you a better writer.

Anything special you’d like to say to readers?

Thank you for believing in me.

What are you working on now?

I am currently sketching out a novel called ‘Beautiful Freaks’. If you can imagine Sherlock Holmes blended with Dracula with a little pinch of steampunk and a kiss from Tim Burton, you’re kind of in the right story. It’s set in 1899 London and concerns a series of paranormal murders / killings. It’s YA but it is dark and quite Gothic.

It’s quite a challenge to write / map out because it’s more like a collection of short stories all interwoven. The protagonist is Kaspian Blackthorne and he’s a complex young man to write. (although quite endearing)

How about some quickies!

Pencil or Pen: Pen Print or Cursive: Cursive Pantser or Plotter: Plotter Favorite Candy: Prefer cheese! Worst habit:Impatience

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About the Katie M John

Married to a handsome giant, mummy to a mud-puddle fairy. Writer of Dark Romance Fantasy / Fairytales. Otherwise completely normal.