Kerry Alan Denney is
The Reality Bender
Add text
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • BOOKS
    • STALKING GIDEON CAIN >
      • STALKING GIDEON CAIN - Free Sneak Preview
    • BEYOND THE VALE >
      • BEYOND THE VALE: Author C.E. Clayton review 12/24/2017
      • BEYOND THE VALE: By Rite of Word review 12/6/2017
      • BEYOND THE VALE: Desert Rose Reviews 12/28/2017
      • BEYOND THE VALE: Author Amy Shannon Review 12/23/2017
    • BEYOND THE VALE Sneak Preview
    • A MIGHTY ROLLING THUNDER >
      • A MIGHTY ROLLING THUNDER - Free Sneak Preview!
    • MARIONETTES >
      • Rave 5-star review for MARIONETTES - Sherry Fundin at Fundinmental - June 16, 2016
      • MARIONETTES Facebook Release Party - June 5, 2016
      • The Bookie Monster - Rave "5-Monster" Review for MARIONETTES May 28, 2016
      • The Reader's Hollow reviews MARIONETTES May 3, 2016
      • MARIONETTES Sneak Preview
    • DREAMWEAVERS >
      • DREAMWEAVERS: 1st Ever "Editor's Choice" at The Daily Druid - November 30, 2015
      • DREAMWEAVERS Book Release Party on Facebook - August 9, 2015
      • DREAMWEAVERS Spotlight Feature on The Bookie Monster 8/6/2015
      • DREAMWEAVERS Cover Reveal on The Bookie Monster - June 9, 2015
    • JAGANNATH >
      • JAGANNATH Spotlight Feature on The Bookie Monster 2/19/2015
      • Horror Fiction Fanatic features JAGANNATH 2/4/2015
      • JAGANNATH Cover Reveal on The Bookie Monster
      • JAGANNATH 2015 Book Blog Tour Extravaganza! >
        • 2/4/2015: Author Clarissa Johal features JAGANNATH
        • 2/7/2015: Clarissa Johal Blog features "Kerry Alan Denney Interviews Corporal Kimi Jayden, Heroine of JAGANNATH" 2/7/2015
        • 2/9/2015: Fantastic Indie Authors interviews Kerry Alan Denney aka The Reality Bender
        • 2/9/2015: Book Freebies and Giveaways features JAGANNATH with Giveaway Contest
        • 2/10/2015: Laurie's Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews features JAGANNATH with Giveaway Contest
        • 2/11/2015: Cryptic Reads features Kerry Alan Denney's "Interview with Lily, teenage heroine/ protagonist of JAGANNATH"
        • 2/12/2015: Science Fiction Books & Authors features "Interview with Jason Riley, son of Lieutenant Scott Riley and hero of JAGANNATH"
        • 2/13/2015: Warrior Woman Winmill features JAGANNATH with Giveaway Contest
        • 2/16/2015: Apocalipstick: All Things End of the World features JAGANNATH & Giveaway Contest
        • 2/17/2015: Indy Book Fairy features JAGANNATH
        • 2/18 2015: Charlotte Gerber features JAGANNATH with Giveaway Contest
        • 2/19/2015: Horror and Mystery Books features "Interview with The Reaper, the monster from your darkest nightmares"
        • 2/20/2015: The Best Indie Books to Read: "5 Tips on Reaching & Engaging Your Target Audience"
        • 2/26/2015: The Complete Self-Publishing Indie Authors Resource Site interviews Kerry Alan Denney aka The Reality Bender
        • 3/2/2015: Hardcore Books, Video Games, and Readers features "5 Things You Didn't Know About Kerry Alan Denney aka The Reality Bender"
        • 3/3/2015: Horror and Slasher Film and Books features "Interview with The Reaper from JAGANNATH"
        • 3/5/2015: Bestseller Books features "Where Do I Get My Story Ideas?" article by Kerry Alan Denney aka The Reality Bender
        • 3/6/2015: Satin's Bookish Corner features article "Why Do I Write?" by Kerry Alan Denney aka The Reality Bender
      • JAGANNATH listing on Permuted Press
    • SOULSNATCHER >
      • Spotlight on SOULSNATCHER by The Bookie Monster September 12, 2014
    • Published Short Stories
    • Published Poems
  • MEDIA
    • Interviews >
      • Trick or Treat Thrillers interviews Kerry Alan Denney aka The Reality Bender - August 5, 2015
      • DAB OF DARKNESS interviews Kerry Alan Denney, author of DREAMWEAVERS 8/3/15
      • Poetic Zombie "Tuesday Treat": An interview with Kerry Alan Denney aka The Reality Bender 3/24/2015
      • Kindra Sowder CEO of Burning Willow Press interview with Kerry Alan Denney aka The Reality Bender 2/26/2015
      • The Complete Self-Publishing Indie Authors Resource Site interviews Kerry Alan Denney aka The Reality Bender 2/26/2015
      • Fantastic Indie Authors interviews Kerry Alan Denney 2/9/2015
      • authorsinterviews - Fiona McVie interviews Kerry Alan Denney aka The Reality Bender 2/3/2015
      • The Drunken Druid - The Thursday Interview - November 27, 2014
      • Ginger Nuts of Horror Interviews Kerry Alan Denney aka The Reality Bender - November 26, 2014
      • The Bookie Monster interview - September 23, 2014
      • Dark Moon Digest interview - July 23, 2014
    • Press Releases >
      • JAGANNATH Book Anouncement Press Release
      • SOULSNATCHER Book Announcement Press Release >
        • Spotlight on SOULSNATCHER by The Book Junkie November 15, 2014
    • Appearances - Live in Person >
      • Coming Saturday March 28, 2015: The Dahlonega Literary Festival
      • Wizard World Nashville Comic Con September 27, 2014
      • 2014 Decatur Book Festival Labor Day Weekend August 29 - 31, 2014
      • SOULSNATCHER Book Launch Party Saturday, June 14, 2014
      • Gwinnett County Public Library LOCAL AUTHOR DAY Saturday, May 17, 2014
    • Appearances - Radio and Podcast >
      • The Darkness Dwells Podcast - Guests Kerry Alan Denney, Kindra Sowder, & Edd Sowder - November 6, 2016
      • The Darkness Dwells Podcast - Guest Author Kerry Alan Denney - June 5, 2016
      • The Darkness Dwells Podcast - Guest Author Kerry Alan Denney - August 30, 2015
      • LIVE interview on The Authors-First Show 2/24/2015
      • The Apocalypse Nana Show guest author appearances
      • The Doug Dahlgren Show LIVE podcast interview
    • Features >
      • Coffee With A Canine - December 28, 2015
      • Clarissa Johal Blog features "Kerry Alan Denney Interviews Corporal Kimi Jayden, Heroine of JAGANNATH" 2/7/2015
      • #1 Amazon bestselling author Stevie Kopas features Author Spotlight: Kerry Alan Denney
      • Featured Author of the Week at Facebook's "Post-Apocalyptic Fiction Group" January 30, 2015
      • The Atlanta Writers Collective writer's critique group - Top 10 Finalist in Writer's Digest Competition
    • Guest Blog Posts >
      • "5 Amazing Things To Do With A Superpower" - on Darkness Dwells May 29, 2016
      • DARKNESS DWELLS features "Thoughts on Lucid Dreaming" by Kerry Alan Denney - June 9, 2015
      • Satin's Bookish Corner features article "Why Do I Write?" by Kerry Alan Denney aka The Reality Bender
      • Bestseller Books features article "Where Do I Get My Story Ideas?" by Kerry Alan Denney aka The Reality Bender
      • HORROR ADDICTS.NET features Kerry Alan Denney's "Ghosts, Monsters, Aliens, and Other Dreadful and Dangerous Creatures: Why We Love Scary Stories"
      • "Ghosts, Monsters, Aliens, and Other Dangerous and Dreadful Creatures: Why We Love Scary Stories" article on Permuted Press blog
  • AWARDS
    • 2nd Place Winner: 2014 Book of the Year - The Drunken Druids International Book Award
    • First Place Winner, the Atlanta Writers Club Fall 2013 Short Story Contest
    • Honorable Mention, L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future contest 2nd quarter 2013
    • First Place Winner, the Atlanta Writers Club Fall 2009 Poetry Contest
  • REVIEWS
    • Online Reviews of DREAMWEAVERS >
      • HORROR ADDICTS rave review of DREAMWEAVERS - August 15, 2015
      • THE READER'S HOLLOW reviews DREAMWEAVERS 8/5/2015
    • Online reviews of JAGANNATH >
      • The Drunkend Druid's rave review for JAGANNATH 4/25/2015
      • SF Book Reviews rave review for JAGANNATH 3/13/2015
      • Netanella's rave 5-star review for JAGANNATH 3/4/2015
      • THE READER'S HOLLOW gives rave review for JAGANNATH 2/28/2015
      • THE BOOKIE MONSTER gives rave "5 cookie" review for JAGANNATH 2/22/2015
      • Cryptic Reads features Kerry Alan Denney's "Interview with Lily, teenage heroine/ protagonist of JAGANNATH" Plus rave review! 2/11/2015
      • Carrie January rave 5-star review of JAGANNATH on Amazon 2/10/2015
      • Ryan Hartung's rave 5-star review of JAGANNATH
      • BOOK MINION rave 5-star review of JAGANNATH - 2/3/2015
      • "Mallory Heart Reviews" rave review of JAGANNATH 2/3/2015
      • David Watson at HORROR ADDICTS rave 5-star review of JAGANNATH 2/3/2015
      • Rinny Rainwind's rave 5-star review of JAGANNATH
      • Sandra Shrewsbury's rave 5-star review of JAGANNATH
      • Barbara McKinley's rave 5-star review of JAGANNATH
      • Kaila Karg's rave 5-star review of JAGANNATH
    • Online reviews of SOULSNATCHER >
      • Rave 5-star review for SOULSNATCHER on The Bookie Monster
      • A Drunken Druids View rave review of SOULSNATCHER November 18, 2014
      • Denise's rave 5-star review for SOULSNATCHER
      • Marinda's rave 5-star review for SOULSNATCHER
      • Netanella's rave 5-star review for SOULSNATCHER
      • Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock reviews SOULSNATCHER November 19, 2014
      • Barbara McKinley's rave 5-star review of SOULSNATCHER
    • TESTIMONIALS >
      • Rave Reviews for SOULSNATCHER
      • Quotes from Writers & Colleagues
      • More Rave Reviews for SOULSNATCHER
      • Rave Reviews on OLD COOT
      • Rave Reviews on A CLATTER OF HOOVES
  • BLOG
  • The Reality Bender Author Interview Questionnaire
  • Your Interviews - Archived Links
    • Author Clarissa Johal 2/27/15
    • Author Kindra Sowder 1/15/2015
    • Author Stevie Kopas 12/13/2014
    • Author Jeremiah Israel 11/26/2014
    • Author Deborah D. Moore 11/18/2014
    • Author Gabi Plumm 11/12/2014
    • Author James "Remo" Jackson 11/5/2014
    • Author Dawn Peers 10/30/2014
    • Author Timothy Johnson 10/29/14
  • more...
    • PHOTOS
    • CONTACT
    • Favorite Publishers and Publicity LINKS
    • Favorite Authors & Websites
    • Favorite Reviewers & Bloggers
    • Music
    • Mouth-watering Recipes >
      • Quintrado's Jambalaya
      • Quintrado's Chili
      • Quintrado's Reality-Bending Real Spaghetti

The Reality Bender Interviews Amazing Author Jeremiah Israel

11/26/2014

0 Comments

 
Today I'm proud and honored to be interviewing the amazing, no-holds-barred JEREMIAH ISRAEL, author of MARCH THE DAMNED: THE FLYING ZOMBIES TRILOGY Book 1

Help me give Jeremiah a rockin' welcome by giving him some encouraging words in the Comments section below this post, giving him a click on the Facebook "Like" button below, sharing a Tweet, visiting his Amazon author page to learn more about his work, and sharing his kick-ass novel with your friends and readers of zombie apocalypse stories. And what great timing for the holidays! March The Damned (I LOVE the cover!), available in paperback and e-book editions, makes a great stocking stuffer or intense surprise in e-readers for all who enjoy reading great horror. Turn his novel into a holiday gift for someone you want to scare the hell out of today!

So without further ado, fire up your torches, load all your guns, get your zombie apocalypse survival gear ready to roll, and say hello to Jeremiah Israel!


Picture
Jeremiah Israel was born and raised in Chicago. He now lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana with his wife and twin daughters. He has a BA in Professional Writing from Taylor University, and March the Damned: Book One of The Flying Zombies Trilogy is his first published novel. He is currently working on March The Undead, the third novel in his Flying Zombies Trilogy. The second book, March The Wretch, will be published in 2015.

LET THE INTERROGATION BEGIN!

Jeremiah, why do you write?

Because it feels good. I don’t want to say I have to, but it definitely makes me a happier person.

Tell us about your current or most recent writing project, and what you wish to accomplish with it.

I’m working on the third book in The Flying Zombies Trilogy entitled March The Undead. The second book, March The Wretch, has a 2015 release date.

In your mind, what is your greatest accomplishment?


I devised, illustrated and produced a divination deck called The Inopinum. It is a deck of one hundred plus cards that are based on an alter-dimensional god system that exist within my fiction called The High Six. They tell the past, present and future, but are full of lies and so cannot be trusted.

In your mind, what is your biggest failure?

Taking too long to learn to be honest with myself.

If you could be one fictional character—it can be anyone, modern or classic, movie, book, TV show, legend, myth, or even comics—who would you be, and why?


Dr. Manhattan from Watchmen. That kind of knowledge and power is the ultimate unattainable goal. I’m jealous.

Picture
What is your ideal writing environment, and can/do you attain it, and if so, how?

Midnight at my desk as my wife and kids sleep upstairs while the moon is visible through the window in front of me.

What is your primary writing inspiration? It can be anything: people living or dead no matter their occupation, or places, concepts, groups, inanimate objects, etc.

Pop culture is my biggest inspiration. I believe there is a diabolical intent behind everything that is promoted through popular culture including music, movies, news, advertising, and basically anything else. I’m admittedly unhealthily obsessed with conspiracy theories, aliens, demons and the Illuminati.

You’re stranded on a deserted tropical island full of life-sustaining fish, game, and flora, and don’t know when or even if you’ll ever be rescued. You get to choose three people to be stranded with you, and it can be anyone, whether you know them or not. Who would those three people be, and why?

I’d pick three people who are dying of starvation that don’t speak my language and would be better off in a situation like that. I would miss my family but wouldn’t wish a life of isolation on them even if that meant I’d never get to see them again.

(The Reality Bender absolutely LOVES this selfless and honorable answer!)

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? in 10?


5 years I’ll have more books published. 10 years I’ll be making enough to retire from the slave ship.

You can speak briefly with any one dead person, and ask them one question. Who would that person be, and what would you ask them?

My granddad and I’d ask him, “Were you right?”

Picture
Jeremiah Israel selling and signing MARCH THE DAMNED at Wizard Con Nashville 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee
Share one weird dream you had with us, and what you learned, if anything, from it.

I had a dream where I killed someone and then ran from the police. I came upon a young redheaded boy with a bowl cut and glasses who I confided in. I was suspicious that I might be dreaming but couldn’t find any evidence to confirm. The redheaded boy told me, “Well if you’re dreaming then you should give yourself up to the police because it won’t matter. If you’re not dreaming, you should give yourself up to the police because you just killed someone and you need to face the consequences.” I gave myself up to the police and they put me in a wheelchair.

What advice do you have to share with other aspiring writers?


Nike has the best advice: Just Do It.

In your mind, what is the most rewarding thing about writing?

Finishing a project feels better than anything.

In your mind, what is the most frustrating thing about writing?

Finding the energy to be creative after a full day of work.

How do you respond to negative criticism, including bad book reviews?


To quote Dave Chappelle impersonating R. Kelly, “Haters gonna hate, lovers gonna love, I don’t even want, none of the above, I wanna piss on you.”

Picture
The Reality Bender with Jeremiah Israel prepping for Permutation 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee
Both members of a married couple are close and well-loved friends of yours, and you discover beyond doubt that one is cheating on the other. What, if anything, do you do? Does sex (gender) enter into your decision, and why?

It just depends on which one I care about more. I’d prefer to not get involved, but if the victim was a close friend, regardless of gender, I’d make sure they found out. If they were the perpetrator, I’d let them know what I thought.

Do you listen to music when you write, and if so, what are your favorite flavors to listen to?

I listen to music only if I need to block something out. Usually something I’m already familiar with so I can ignore it. When I’m not writing I study pop music religiously.

What is the biggest distraction or impediment to your writing, and to completing your writing projects?

I love television shows and movies too much.

Does time and the world around you ever “disappear” when your muse is upon you and you’re “in the writing zone”? If so, describe the feeling.

It’s not really a feeling. I just forget what I’m doing and it all seems natural. The self-awareness of writing leaves and when I’m through I take a deep breath and am surprised at the time. That feeling is great: When you come out of it and you realize you’ve made progress on something you love.

How often do you edit, and when, and how many rounds of edits?

I save edits for the end. I go all the way through and then go back and then back again. I then print out a copy and edit that. I make the changes and then give it to my wife and friend who each add their thoughts and then I go through one more time, making edits based on their perspectives.

See "MARCH", Jeremiah Israel's awesome YouTube video HERE!

Picture
Jeremiah Israel (middle, floor with a thumbs up) with his fellow authors at the Permuted Press offices for Permutation 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee
How do you research prospective literary agents or publishers for representation and publication of your works—i.e., what tools and resources?

I don’t.

You’ve been traditionally published. Describe the feeling you had when you received and accepted your first contract/ offer.

It was definitely a great feeling. Kind of like finally hitting a home run for the first time after years of trying to even make contact with the ball.

You have one paranormal or psychic superpower. What is it, and what will you do with it?

Precognition. I want to know the future.

Are you superstitious about your writing habits? If so, what is/are that/those superstition(s)?

I feel like my moods follow the moon. Based on illumination, my productivity varies, though I try not to let that be an excuse not to get work done.

You have to commit a major crime to save the life of someone you love. Will you do it, and if so, how far will you go?

Definitely. All the way.

Picture
Jeremiah Israel and me at Wizard Con Nashville 2014 selling and signing our novels
In your mind, what is the ultimate sin?

Giving your soul to the devil.

In your mind, what is the ultimate blessing?


Happiness.

Who is your favorite literary character that you’ve ever written/ created, and why?

Dennis March, who is the main character of The Flying Zombies Trilogy. He’s selfish and out of control. He does whatever he wants and suffers all the consequences. It’s gotten so bad I don’t even know if it’ll be possible for him to find redemption at this point. He is my favorite because I hate him so much. He is all ego and cares only for himself and his image.

You discover your best friend is lying to you about something important to you, and hurting you, themselves, others, or all of the above with that lie. What do you do about it?

Call them out and if there is no change, cut them off.

You’re faced with a horde of desperate, hungry, potentially violent people in a world where the trucks and trains no longer deliver the goods. What do you do?


Start planting seeds and in the meantime find rats, squirrels, and whatever else to eat. If that’s not an option then I’ll Moses them into the desert so the vultures can eat us.

Why should people read your work?


My goal is that at the end of every book I write, you will not be the same person you were when you started reading it. Books should change people. Every book I have written has changed me and I hope that my books do the same for other people.

Picture
Jeremiah Israel's Links:

The Fiction of Jeremiah Israel

March The Damned: Book One of The Flying Zombies Trilogy

"MARCH" the short film trailer

Jeremiah on Twitter: @JDOTIS


The Reality Bender thanks author Jeremiah Israel for playing in my virtual sandbox and participating in this interview, and wishes Jeremiah success in all his writing endeavors. Give Jeremiah a shout out, take a look at his work, and keep an eye out for his second The Flying Zombies Trilogy novel March The Wretch in 2015!
0 Comments

The Reality Bender Interviews the Fabulous Author Deborah D. Moore

11/17/2014

18 Comments

 
Today is an especially great day to be interviewing the amazing author Deborah D. Moore, because the second novel in her post-apocalyptic natural disaster The Journal series The Journal: Ash Fall is being released tomorrow November 18, 2014!

Help me give Deborah a hearty welcome by giving her some encouraging words in the Comments section below this post, giving her a click on the Facebook "Like" button below, sharing a Tweet, visiting her book pages to learn more about her work, and sharing her excellent stories with your friends and readers of natural disaster suspense thrillers. And what great timing for the holidays! The Journal series, available in paperback and e-book formats, makes a great stocking stuffer, bow-wrapped gift, or pleasant surprise in e-readers for all who enjoy reading great books. Turn her novels into holiday gifts for friends and loved ones today!

So without further ado, roll out the red carpet, get your disaster survival prepper gear ready, snap your photos while you still can before the modern world goes off the grid and reeling into catastrophe mode, and say hello to Deborah D. Moore!


Picture
Deborah D. Moore was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, the kid of a cop, and has been writing short stories, poems, and journals since she was 14 years old. Always with a notebook in hand, Deborah was known by her classmates as a loner and the one who was always busy writing something.

Fast forward many years, she married, had two sons, and divorced. Once the children were leading their own lives, Deborah started on a path of her own discovery. This meant, once again, being a loner. In the north woods of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Deborah wrote articles for magazines on off-grid living and homesteading. She also did a series of wood-stove cookbooks. But her love of fiction never left her heart, and she turned again to the keyboard to bring you a story that combines everything she has learned in her quest.

LET THE INTERROGATION BEGIN!

Deborah, why do you write?

I’ve been writing literally for fifty years, and I write because I have so many stories inside me that I have to get them out to make room for more.             

Tell us about your current or most recent writing project, and what you wish to accomplish with it.

Right now I’m working on The Journal Series. The Journal: Cracked Earth came out in July 2014, The Journal: Ash Fall comes out November 18, 2014, and The Journal: Crimson Skies is due out in July 2015 and will be the finale.

The Journal began as a teaching tool for my Women Survivalist group. I wanted to show the ladies, in a fictional but real scenario, what they should prep for, why, and how to use it. The story took on a life of its own! There are multiple disasters, death, violence, even a love story, but there are no zombies, vampires, or werewolves. I made daily blog entries, and after five months, ended it, but the story wasn’t done, so I immediately started on book #2.

In your mind, what is your greatest accomplishment?


Well, I’m going to take this question in segments, on a personal level, and then professional.

Without any hesitation, my greatest accomplishments are my two sons. I get teary thinking about how wonderful they turned out. I raised them alone, though their father did teach them about hunting and fishing. The oldest recently retired after 22 years in the military, Special Ops. His dedication to his country is inspiring. The youngest can fix, build, make anything and amazes me with his brilliance. They have both turned into great fathers too, but the youngest, again, amazes me with how he is with his Asperger’s son. A saying comes to mind that fits what I feel: “Being a parent is a temporary obligation, with an eternal consequence.” I spent 23 years of my life with raising them right as my focus, and it’s paid off, not just for me, but for everyone who knows them. And believe me, it feels like just last week that I stopped breathing so the doctor could unwrap the umbilical cord from around the first one’s neck so he could breathe.

As for professionally, I think being published and holding that book in my hand is the greatest thrill I’ve ever had.

In your mind, what is your biggest failure?

Failure? What’s that?


Picture
If you could be one fictional character—it can be anyone, modern or classic, movie, book, TV show, legend, myth, or even comics—who would you be, and why?

Lara Croft because she is so cool.

What is your ideal writing environment, and can/do you attain it, and if so, how?

My house is small, but cozy. My computer desk is in my TV room and looks out a four-by-five-foot picture window. The view? My ten acres of land with the creek in plain view. Knowing this is all mine (I don’t have a mortgage) and only mine inspires me. 

Part of that environment is the quiet, the solitude. I can’t have anything going on in the background, no TV, no music. There are times when a deer or a coyote come to the creek, and my attention is drawn away from writing, but that too has a calming effect on me in the midst of the disasters I’m writing about.

What is your primary writing inspiration? It can be anything: people living or dead no matter their occupation, or places, concepts, groups, inanimate objects, etc.

I was one of those original geeks in school back in the 60’s. I was quiet, studied hard, and had too much in the way of brains for the other kids, so I escaped into fantasy. In MY fantasy world, the one I made up, I had friends, maybe a boyfriend, and an exciting life.

My inspiration is a personal need to have that alternate life. I’m still very much a loner, and I live through my characters and their emotions. All that plus the crap our world is in right now gives me lots of fodder.

You’re stranded on a deserted tropical island full of life-sustaining fish, game, and flora, and don’t know when or even if you’ll ever be rescued. You get to choose three people to be stranded with you, and it can be anyone, whether you know them or not. Who would those three people be, and why?

I’m happy to be alone. I don’t know three people (other than my sons) that I like well enough to be stranded with them!

(The Reality Bender was kind of hoping she'd say me.)

Picture
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? in 10?

Right here, doing what I’m doing now.

You can speak briefly with any one dead person, and ask them one question. Who would that person be, and what would you ask them?

I would like to ask Robert Heinlein if he was from the future. He wrote such amazing futuristic fantasy, much of which came true.

Share one weird dream you had with us, and what you learned, if anything, from it.

I believe that dreams help us sort out and make sense of some of the turmoil we’re going through, and much of that is too personal to share. Sorry.

What advice do you have to share with other aspiring writers?

Don’t give up, just keep writing, even if you don’t share it with anyone right now.
PictureDeborah D. Moore - irresistible smile
In your mind, what is the most rewarding thing about writing?

Creating new circumstances for new characters, and having the power to manipulate all of that.

In your mind, what is the most frustrating thing about writing?

Waiting to have something in print, that you know is really good.

How do you respond to negative criticism, including bad book reviews?

I ignore them. The first one I received, I was puzzled over and made a comment, which just launched her into more. After that I stopped responding.

Both members of a married couple are close and well-loved friends of yours, and you discover beyond doubt that one is cheating on the other. What, if anything, do you do? Does sex (gender) enter into your decision, and why?

I’ve been a Massage Therapist for nearly thirty years. I’ve worked on men, women, old, young, big, small, fat and skinny, and the thing I’ve learned from all of them is to be non-judgmental. If one of my friends was having an affair, it is NOT my place to judge their actions. I would say nothing to either of them.


Picture
Available tomorrow November 18, 2014 - Get your copy now!
Do you listen to music when you write, and if so, what are your favorite flavors to listen to?

No music, I need absolute silence.

What is the biggest distraction or impediment to your writing, and to completing your writing projects?

Reading! I love to read, but if I’m reading, I’m not writing.

Does time and the world around you ever “disappear” when your muse is upon you and you’re “in the writing zone”? If so, describe the feeling.

The only world I see when I write is the world I’m creating. I get completely immersed in my characters; I feel their joy, and their sorrow, their pain and their fear. It all becomes MY world – when I’m writing. Then I let it go. Sometimes that’s the hardest part – letting it go, because their world might be better than mine.

I fell really hard for someone once, and I wrote an entire book just so I could have him love me back, when he really didn’t. Pathetic, eh?

(No: admirable, romantic, and courageous in The Reality Bender's mind)

How often do you edit, and when, and how many rounds of edits?

When I start writing for the day, I read what I wrote yesterday and edit if necessary. When I’m finished with a book, I start at the beginning and read & edit again. If something hits me at any point, something I know would make just one line or one comment better, I find that part and fix it immediately.

I edited The Journal: Cracked Earth many, many times, but that was because I had to blend five months of single entries into one book. It was hard, but the final product is good. Book #2 The Journal: Ash Fall was much easier because it started as a book.

Picture
Spectacular cover and wrap! Purchase your copy now!
How do you research prospective literary agents or publishers for representation and publication of your works—i.e., what tools and resources?

I researched my publisher first. By that, I mean I read disaster books to see who published them. I certainly wouldn’t submit a zombie book to Harlequin! That’s the fastest way to get a rejection.

You’ve been traditionally published. Describe the feeling you had when you received and accepted your first contract/ offer.


This was a heart stopping moment. You see, I’ve been writing for fifty years, but never submitted anything, so I’ve never really had a rejection. Permuted Press was one of two publishers I submitted The Journal to. After some emails, I knew the other one wasn’t a good fit for me, and I retracted my manuscript. Then, after months (this was during the company change of hands) Michael Wilson, the president of Permuted Press, sent me a "thanks but no thanks" note, and when I asked why, it took maybe a half hour for him to come back and say the rejection was a mistake. Three days later I had a contract. Permuted Press has been very good to me.

You have one paranormal or psychic superpower. What is it, and what will you do with it?

I would be able to read minds, that way no one can lie to me. 

Are you superstitious about your writing habits? If so, what is/are that/those superstition(s)?

Not at all.

Picture
"Dragon's Breath" - water color art by Deborah D. Moore
You have to commit a major crime to save the life of someone you love. Will you do it, and if so, how far will you go?

This is an unfair question!

In your mind, what is the ultimate sin?

Lying

In your mind, what is the ultimate blessing?

Love

Who is your favorite literary character that you’ve ever written/ created, and why?

Allexa Smeth, because she is everything I want to be.

(Note: Allexa Smeth is the protagonist/ heroine in Deborah's The Journal series)
Picture
25 inches of snow buried Deborah's hot tub & grill
You discover your best friend is lying to you about something important to you, and hurting you, themselves, others, or all of the above with that lie. What do you do about it?

The first reaction would be to want to know WHY? But the why behind it is irrelevant. I would let them know I know and walk away. Life is too wonderful to keep toxic people in your life.

You’re faced with a horde of desperate, hungry, potentially violent people in a world where the trucks and trains no longer deliver the goods. What do you do?


Now you’re getting into MY world! I can’t and won’t do anything. I can’t save everyone. If I have prepared for myself for say six months, and I share with one person, I’m now down to three months; five others, only one month, and that would put myself and my family at risk.

Why should people read your work?


People should read my work, The Journal Series, because it’s a really good story, very real in its approach to very possible disasters, and they might learn something about surviving. (Plus they're guaranteed to enjoy it! The Reality Bender adds.)


Deborah's LINKS:

The Journal: Cracked Earth on Amazon

The Journal: Cracked Earth on Goodreads

The Journal: Ash Fall on Amazon

The Journal: Ash Fall on Goodreads


Congratulations to Deborah on her new release of The Journal: Ash Fall tomorrow Tuesday November 18, 2014, thanks Deborah for participating in this interview and for playing in my virtual sandbox, and best wishes to you for continued success in all your writing endeavors. Check out her works and give her a shout out, folks!
18 Comments

The Reality Bender Interviews Saucy Aussie Author Gabi Plumm

11/12/2014

6 Comments

 
Today I'm delighted, proud, and honored to share with everyone my interview with the fabulous Gabi Plumm, author of The Two Jays of Dribblepit. Help me welcome Gabi by sharing some encouraging words in the Comments section below this post, giving Gabi a click on the Facebook "Like" button below, sharing a Tweet, visiting Gabi's sites to learn more about her and her works, and sharing her stories with your friends and their children. They make great stocking stuffers and ribbon-wrapped gifts for excited little ankle-biters who love to read, and it's just in time for the Holidays!

So without any further ado, have your "g'days" on the tips of your tongues, pop a tinny, toss some prawns on the barbie, get your cameras ready, roll out the red carpet, and take a Captain Cook and get the fair dinkum on the delightful Gabi Plumm...


Picture
Gabi Plumm was born in the UK and immigrated to Australia with two small boys and a husband in 1987. She first wrote her own autobiography in 2007 after discovering, aged 34, that she had been adopted. The cathartic writing of the autobiography "Registered Under Another Name" was sufficient to eliminate the need to publish it. It is however being rewritten now and awaits the editor’s blue pen.

Her children’s book was fun to write and completed originally under a different title. It has now been rewritten and re-edited and is published as The Two Jays of Dribblepit, which have eight separate stories set out like TV episodes and then combined into one. Gabi also writes documentary scripts, screenplays, and novels in a variety of genres. She is presently working on a Trilogy about love and revenge in a retirement home aimed at the Baby Boomers of our world, of which she is one. Her two sons, now grown up and living in California, are professional tennis coaches, unmarried — having too much fun.

Gabi lives in North Queensland, Australia, where the temperatures are such that she writes on her verandah all the year round.


LET THE INTERROGATION BEGIN!

Why do you write, Gabi?

I just love it, and I have a mentor who keeps telling me I’m improving, so I keep doing it, and I love it. I find it a wonderful outlet for the ideas that flow from the fingers as I type. It is not “stream of consciousness” writing because I edit and proofread too much, but there is certainly a lot of inspired scribbling that dribbles out of the fingertips whilst I wonder… where did that come from?

Tell us about your current or most recent writing project, and what you wish to accomplish with it.


My most recent project is being written under the working title of Teapots.  It is a Trilogy about love and revenge, misbehavior and naughtiness in a retirement home. Aimed at the Baby Boomer market, of which I am a part, it talks to the issues that elderly people have in our country and world today.

In your mind, what is your greatest accomplishment?

Oh dear, I’m sorry to be perhaps trite, but my children are my greatest accomplishment. They are well adjusted beautiful kids, now in their mid thirties and working as professional tennis coaches in California. When I consider my challenges as an adoptee I am proud of my children and my relationship with them.

In your mind, what is your biggest failure?


I am simply unable to hold down a job, or a career. I have done almost everything there is to do in this country. I won’t bore you with the list, but I never stick to anything for long. The one thing that I have stuck to is writing, because it is different every day, and challenges my mind 24/7.

If you could be one fictional character—it can be anyone, modern or classic, movie, book, TV show, legend, myth, or even comics—who would you be, and why?

I have a fancy for the great dramatic characters like Anna Karenina, Nellie Melba (I know she was an opera singer), even at times Kim Basinger, but for goodness sake, at 62 years old I can create my own character every day of my life, and I inhabit them all.

What is your ideal writing environment, and can/do you attain it, and if so, how?

My ideal environment is actually where I am. I live in Far North Queensland, Trinity Beach to be precise, 100 yards from the ocean and I write on my laptop set up on my outside dining table. I listen to the birds, I feel the breeze, and I watch the sun in its trajectory around me. And I think to myself I am lucky, how lucky am I and what gratitude I have for my life.

Picture
Trinity Beach - Queensland, Australia
What is your primary writing inspiration? It can be anything: people living or dead no matter their occupation, or places, concepts, groups, inanimate objects, etc.

I was asked that same question recently and I think the thing that set me on a writing path, was discovering that I had been adopted. I found out at 34 and I began a search for my birth mother that uncovered secrets and answers to questions I had asked all my life. My first book was an autobiography, rather badly written.

You’re stranded on a deserted tropical island full of life-sustaining fish, game, and flora, and don’t know when or even if you’ll ever be rescued. You get to choose three people to be stranded with you, and it can be anyone, whether you know them or not. Who would those three people be, and why?

One would be the man I live with at the moment. No man is better equipped to handle life on a tropical island, we actually do it quite frequently anyway as we live on the shores of the Coral Sea. Who else? George Carlin, if he wasn’t dead, but some things can’t be helped. We would have laughed a lot. And I suppose another girl… Jennifer Saunders of French and Saunders fame; we need to have someone else to make us laugh.
George Carlin
Jennifer Saunders
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? in 10?

Right here, writing books. Or maybe on a boat. My partner wants to do the Pacific so that could be on. I could of course be dead, but I don’t think so.

You can speak briefly with any one dead person, and ask them one question. Who would that person be, and what would you ask them?


My adoptive mother. Why didn’t you tell me?

Share one weird dream you had with us, and what you learned, if anything, from it.


Years ago I dreamed a crocodile climbed the grassy bank to my house and bit my little finger off. I woke with my finger in my mouth! I learned to stay well away from crocodiles but I now live with them on my doorstep. Well, not quite, but down the road, in the ocean and the local rivers. I know lots about crocodiles now and if you can love a crocodile, I do, they are extraordinary creatures.

Picture
Puppies saving Gabi from a crocodile attack
What advice do you have to share with other aspiring writers?

If you like jungles, you are in the right profession, but frankly the one outside my door is easier to handle. Be brave and consistent and keep at it. Nothing was built in a day, not even an anthill.

In your mind, what is the most rewarding thing about writing?

Seeing a nice review from someone who has GOT your work.

In your mind, what is the most frustrating thing about writing?

Not seeing a nice review… seeing no reviews… not being able to sell a book.

How do you respond to negative criticism, including bad book reviews?

Haven’t had one yet, but usually my mentor and friend, author Colin Pearce, tells me what’s right and what’s not. I take his suggestion with honey, no salt at all. You can’t please everyone, but I do like to please him. Adapt and survive, like the deserted island!

Both members of a married couple are close and well-loved friends of yours, and you discover beyond doubt that one is cheating on the other. What, if anything, do you do? Does sex (gender) enter into your decision, and why?

Nothing, I do nothing, it’s none of my business. Sex or gender has nothing to do with it, unless he or she is cheating with me!

Do you listen to music when you write, and if so, what are your favorite flavors to listen to?

No, I like silence. If my neighbor starts up with his music, I go inside or put headphones on. The most I will listen to is classical music, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, nothing lyrical otherwise I start singing and then I’ve shot myself in the foot. Can’t think, write and sing at the same time — even though I’m a woman.

Picture
Get it now in time for the holidays on Amazon and Goodreads!

What is the biggest distraction or impediment to your writing, and to completing your writing projects?

See above. AND when my partner comes home from the bush, I tend to do things with and for him. When he’s away three weeks out of four every month, I get lots done.

Does time and the world around you ever “disappear” when your muse is upon you and you’re “in the writing zone”? If so, describe the feeling.

Yes, oh yes, thank God, or someone. Occasionally I write like I’m possessed, and time flies by with my fingers on the keyboard and suddenly my stomach rumbles and I look at my watch and it’s dinner time, or I wonder why I can’t see outside anymore and it’s dark. I come in then and scribble for a bit on my lap, but I never work late into the night unless I am woken at 3 a.m. with an idea that simply won’t wait.

How often do you edit, and when, and how many rounds of edits?

Ah, now there’s a thing. I work differently from my author mentor. I will write a couple of thousand words, maybe more, put it down, go to bed, or the shops or whatever,  but I don’t start again until I have read the last couple of pages. Then I will edit those, proofread them, see where I’m at and then off I go again. Once it’s done, I’ll give it a quick once-through, then put it away for a few weeks. Do something else. Then I’ll come back to it and go through it with a fine-tooth comb. Then I send it to Colin.

How do you research prospective literary agents or publishers for representation and publication of your works—i.e., what tools and resources?


This is something I am about to embark upon. The Internet is obviously the first port of call. Then: organizations/ associations, etc.

If you’ve been traditionally published, describe the feeling you had when you received and accepted your first contract/ offer.

I have not yet been traditionally published, only one of those “we’ll publish your book if you give us lots of money” publishers. Waste of time. Would love to be able to answer this question better, but I have to say even the first one with the vanity publisher felt good… someone liked my work. In fact they just liked my money.

You have one paranormal or psychic superpower. What is it, and what will you do with it?

Heal.

Are you superstitious about your writing habits? If so, what is/are that/those superstition(s)?

No. Haven’t been at it long enough to get superstitious and am probably too old to start.

You have to commit a major crime to save the life of someone you love. Will you do it, and if so, how far will you go?

No idea, I would decide on the spur of the moment. Can’t think about that one right now.

Picture
Available FREE for a limited time on Amazon Kindle!

In your mind, what is the ultimate sin?


Politicians betraying their country for money.

In your mind, what is the ultimate blessing?

Life

Who is your favorite literary character that you’ve ever written/ created, and why?

Dulcie Dooley from Teapots, she’s courageous and funny, cares for her friends and sticks by her ideas, and she farts when she thinks nobody is listening.

You discover your best friend is lying to you about something important to you, and hurting you, themselves, others, or all of the above with that lie. What do you do about it?

Approach it from the point of view of my own confusion without necessarily making her/him wrong.

You’re faced with a horde of desperate, hungry, potentially violent people in a world where the trucks and trains no longer deliver the goods. What do you do?


Ah, a "Wotif" question. Make a bow and arrow, and grab my sheath knife and head to the forest.

Why should people read your work?

Bribery I expect, pure bribery. And because they’re fun!


Picture
Gabi's Author sites:

http://www.plummtreeproductions.com.au

http://www.amazon.com/Gabi-Plumm/e/B00NO7B0CS

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3234162.Gabi_Plumm

Gabi's Book Product Page Links:

The Two Jays of Dribblepit: The Eight Stories
(Goodreads)

The Two Jays of Dribblepit: The Eight Stories (Amazon)


The Two Jays of Dribblepit: Book 4 - A Dog, A Cat, and A Wizard at Stinky Bottom


The Reality Bender thanks author Gabi Plumm for her fun, hilarious, and enlightenting interview. Help spread the word about her by checking out her sites and work, sharing this interview link with friends, giving her a Facebook "Like" with the button at the bottom of the post, Tweeting it, and sharing some encouraging words in the Comments section below. Best wishes to Gabi for success in all her writing endeavors!
6 Comments

The Reality Bender Interviews James R. Jackson, Author of the UP FROM THE DEPTHS Series

11/4/2014

4 Comments

 
Today The Reality Bender is proud and honored to share with you his interview with the intriguing, interesting, intelligent, and simultaneously hilarious and serious James R. Jackson, author of the forthcoming UP FROM THE DEPTHS series coming from Permuted Press in 2015. Damn, I love J.R.'s answers. I'm shutting up now, so everybody lend a hand and a Comment and Facebook "Like" at the end of the post here, with a share on all your social media sites, and another drum roll... please  give a resounding welcome to Mr. James R. Jackson!

Picture
J.R. Jackson is the author of the UP FROM THE DEPTHS series coming from Permuted Press in 2015. He is a former U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer with almost two decades of service within the haze gray and underway, folks. During his tenor in the Navy, he operated with other branches of the U.S. military and interacted with the Armed Forces of other nations. As a contributing author to a few non-fiction works—short manuals and procedural text books—he is currently a military technical adviser to several published authors. He was tagged with the nickname ‘Remo’ from a service buddy... not from the popular Destroyer series of action novels. He lives in a remote and rural location in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and daughter. A wilderness/outdoor survival instructor and disaster mitigation educator, he can usually be found outdoors teaching clueless people the fine art of survival in less than pristine conditions.

GOTTA HEAR WHAT THE MAN HAS TO SAY!

James, why do you write?

I write mostly to keep the voices in my head from yelling at me. At times, those voices have some great ideas and insist that I take notes.

Tell us about your current or most recent writing project, and what you wish to accomplish with it.

My current project is the UP FROM THE DEPTHS 6-book series. It's an apocalyptic/zombie/horror series with a heavy military theme. I’ve been told by a couple of beta readers that it's something Tom Clancy would have written if he worked in this genre.

I hope to accomplish a higher level of detail with this series than I’ve seen in other works within this genre. Not meaning that there isn’t already a level of detail, it's just that the level of detail in this series has had some people make comments that it's not like any other zombie novels they've ever read.

In your mind, what is your greatest accomplishment?

That would have to be finding a publisher who was willing to take a chance on a first time fiction author. That and having a really high score back in high school on Space Invaders.

In your mind, what is your biggest failure?

Not having a camera on me when I saw Jackie O, Bigfoot, and the Loch Ness Monster all together and having dinner at Spago’s.

If you could be one fictional character—it can be anyone, modern or classic, movie, book, TV show, legend, myth, or even comics—who would you be, and why?

Kind of leaning toward Mr. Fantastic, Reed Richards of The Fantastic Four. That dude is really flexible. On a personal note, my wife is really flexible as well and if I had Richards' ability... well, you can draw your own conclusions.

What is your ideal writing environment, and can/do you attain it, and if so, how?

My ideal writing environment is my office. It overlooks the hills behind our house, it’s very quiet and contains all my reference material.

What is your primary writing inspiration? It can be anything: people living or dead no matter their occupation, or places, concepts, groups, inanimate objects, etc.

That would be my 1/6 scale figures that I have in my office. No, these are not dolls. They are action figures garbed in contemporary military hardware. I use them to storyboard my work.

Picture
You’re stranded on a deserted tropical island full of life-sustaining fish, game, and flora, and don’t know when or even if you’ll ever be rescued. You get to choose three people to be stranded with you, and it can be anyone, whether you know them or not. Who would those three people be, and why?

That would be me, myself, and I because I’m a pretty bad dude when it comes to survival in austere conditions.

Seriously, I’d say Cody Lundin and my wife and daughter. Cody because he’s an absolute badass survival instructor and would make sure the rest of us were housed and fed while I worked on my next project, “Tropical Island Terror”. My wife is important to include. She kind of needs to be there so I can keep an eye on her (wink, wink) and it might get cold at night. My daughter so we can impart our skills to her and she can return to Star City and take up the mantle of the Green Arrow when Oliver Queen retires.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? in 10?


In 5 years? Still above ground, alive, non-zombified, but maybe living in a decommissioned missile silo or communications bunker in an even more remote location. That way I can be even more prepared for the coming zombie apocalypse.

In 10? Same location only more amenities added.

You can speak briefly with any one dead person, and ask them one question. Who would that person be, and what would you ask them?


Albert Einstein. I’d want to know what he said to his nurse on his deathbed. He muttered something in German but the nurse didn’t speak or understand that language.

Share one weird dream you had with us, and what you learned, if anything, from it.

That would have to be the time I dreamed that there was someone on the master bathroom and I grabbed my handgun, rolled over my wife, ended up against the wall and pumped all 15 rounds into the bathroom.

Turns out it was only a nightmare.

But, I did end up patching up the wall later that day. Have to say one thing about that event: even half asleep, I still managed a good grouping.

What advice do you have to share with other aspiring writers?

First off, if you’re aspiring, shit or get off the pot. If you’re aspiring to do something, do it. Stop aspiring about it.

Its like you’re aspiring to go to the store. Either you do or you don’t.

In your mind, what is the most rewarding thing about writing?

The most rewarding thing is reading what people have to say about your work. I’ve had a couple of authors who did the forewords for some of my books say some really nice things about how I’m able to string more than three words together in a sentence and it makes sense. There were also some nice comments about the crayon art.

In your mind, what is the most frustrating thing about writing?

The most frustrating thing is writing a really badass, cool character then realizing that no matter how badass they are, you’re going to have to kill them off at some time.

And that most writers are total bat shit crazy.
Picture
J.R. tossed together this concept cover art for his book
How do you respond to negative criticism, including bad book reviews?

I don’t. There is no way any author can write a book that will appease every single reader. There will be bad reviews from those who don’t like the work and it all comes down to that reader not paying attention to the synopsis or back cover which would clearly state what the content is about.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Not all of those opinions hold merit.

Both members of a married couple are close and well-loved friends of yours, and you discover beyond doubt that one is cheating on the other. What, if anything, do you do? Does sex (gender) enter into your decision, and why?

They’re close friends, but, I don’t live in their home so I don’t know what the issues are. If one or the other is going and getting some strange, that’s not my concern. Its all on them and I don’t interfere with someone’s personal life.

Sex (gender) would not enter into the decision because it's their personal choice to get their pipes cleaned or ashes hauled from someone who is not their spouse.

Do you listen to music when you write, and if so, what are your favorite flavors to listen to?

I do and don’t listen to music when I write.

Depends on what type of scene I’m writing. If its action, gore splatter, characters liberally spraying down the environment with raspberry meatloaf while ringing a cowbell, then I go with some 80’s rock and Weird Al Yankovic.

If its just a scene where minor events are being played out, then its classical instrumental.

We all know that a novel without cowbell is not a novel at all.

Picture
What is the biggest distraction or impediment to your writing, and to completing your writing projects?

The primary distraction I have is the outside world. There’s always something that pops up that prevents me from writing. It could be that something needs to be done in the yard or around the house that requires me to attend or participate. Its not like I’m trying to get out of my responsibility around the house, but am I really required to open a peanut butter jar?

Does time and the world around you ever “disappear” when your muse is upon you and you’re “in the writing zone”? If so, describe the feeling.


Not really sure the world disappears per se. I’ve gotten into the "zone" a few times and not come out of the office until dinner. At first I thought it was an acid trip from Woodstock but then I realized I was too young to have been at Woodstock.

Its more of an immersion like that of your hand into a cup of warm water while sleeping only without the involuntary urination.

How often do you edit, and when, and how many rounds of edits?

I edit all the time. I live for editing.

Usually, I edit the previous chapter while I’m working on the next. Then I put the whole thing aside for a couple of days. Relax, try to get out of the writing mode, and then go back and read it slowly from the beginning, sounding out all the big words and syllables,  and start editing all over again. I’d have to say that I do 4-5 rounds of editing per chapter/per book.

Picture
Hill behind J.R.'s house
How do you research prospective literary agents or publishers for representation and publication of your works—i.e., what tools and resources?

At this time I don’t have an agent. I’ve looked into literary agents and have had several recommended to me, but I haven’t taken the plunge and actually contacted any of them. In the meantime, I’m a real stickler for research and I look into each and every name and agency that gets recommended to me.

If you’ve been traditionally published, describe the feeling you had when you received and accepted your first contract/ offer.

It was excitement. I think I might have covered myself in lime Jello and ran around the house screaming Aunty Em. No, now that I think about it, that was another time. Sorry.

When my work was accepted for publication I think we went to celebrate at Taco Bell. Nothing beats a night of the back door trots to lock in a memorable event.

Picture
You have one paranormal or psychic superpower. What is it, and what will you do with it?

I’d be leaning towards the power that the film and book Jumper had. Think of the savings on travel.

Are you superstitious about your writing habits? If so, what is/are that/those superstition(s)?

I have no superstitions about writing. My computer is actually possessed and it forces me to open up the word processing program and type until my fingers bleed.

You have to commit a major crime to save the life of someone you love. Will you do it, and if so, how far will you go?

Yes, and I would go as far as it had to go to make sure that person was safe.

In your mind, what is the ultimate sin?

That would be a ghost white, borderline albino guy wearing Bermuda shorts with loafers, white socks, and flip sunshades attached to his glasses.

(The Reality Bender cannot find an image of this. How about another J.R. cover art concept instead?)
Picture
In your mind, what is the ultimate blessing?

Being invisible.

Who is your favorite literary character that you’ve ever written/ created, and why?

Read Up From the Depths. There’s a character in it who runs a salvage yard and custom truck business. He is about the best literary character I’ve ever created because of his background and depth of character.

You discover your best friend is lying to you about something important to you, and hurting you, themselves, others, or all of the above with that lie. What do you do about it?

That would require a real come to Jesus meeting. I’d invite them over then take them out back behind the barn and have a counseling session. If that didn’t work, then the old Chief of Doom would make an appearance and that salty, Naval persona has been known to make lower ranking enlisted and some junior officers wet themselves.

You’re faced with a horde of desperate, hungry, potentially violent people in a world where the trucks and trains no longer deliver the goods. What do you do?

I’m in a remote location and very well stocked and prepared to defend my perimeter. I have range cards by every door and window. Not a lot of people know where I live and those who do also know they do not want to arrive uninvited. For hordes of desperate, violent people intent on taking what I have, they will have to decide if the cost of the attempt is worth the reward.

Why should people read your work?

Entertainment. I consider my work entertaining. If just one person can laugh, chuckle, or become so immersed within the fictional world that they have a vested interest in the outcome of the story and characters, then my job is done.

Author Website:
Crossroads: The UP FROM THE DEPTHS Saga

Book Product Page Link:
UP FROM THE DEPTHS series (coming soon from Permuted Press)

Author Help:
The Ward Room Military Technical Assistance for Authors - blog


The Reality Bender thanks author James "Remo" Jackson for his fun, hilarious, and illuminating interview. Help spread the word about his forthcoming work by sharing this interview link with friends, giving him a Facebook "Like" with the button at the bottom of the post, Tweeting it, and sharing some encouraging words in the Comments section below. Best wishes to J.R. for success in all his writing endeavors!
4 Comments

The Reality Bender Reviews New York Times Bestselling Author Steve Alten's "SHARKMAN"

11/2/2014

0 Comments

 
Another Thrilling Ride Into the Mind of a Master Storyteller

Picture
As a seasoned fan of New York Times bestselling author Steve Alten, I picked up and read his most recent novel SHARKMAN expecting to be thrilled and entertained—and I was.

I freely admit I’m a sucker for a great genetic manipulation novel — Dean Koontz’s Shadowfires and Watchers are modern favorites of mine, along with H.G. Wells’s timeless classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, among a handful of others — and Steve Alten’s SHARKMAN has just been added to that short list of my favorites. I simply could not put this book down, and read it in two sittings — losing sleep in the process, and not minding a bit. I categorize SHARKMAN as a speculative fiction-slash-science fiction thriller, and it’s perfectly suitable for both a young adult and adult audience. There were hints of similarities to Deep Blue Sea — a fun, kick-ass shark movie which I thoroughly enjoyed — but SHARKMAN was plenty fresh and unique for me. I was captivated from start to finish.

The protagonist and first person narrator 17-year-old Kwan Wilson’s tragic auto accident — which turns him into a wheelchair-bound paraplegic, and kills his mother in the process — gives Kwan a maturity beyond his years, and a unique and bitter perspective on the world’s perception of disabled people that he struggles and learns to overcome... in a distinctly new way that’s quickly revealed through the unfolding events early in his story. A cast of compassionate, sympathetic, and likable characters helps him come to dubious terms with his handicap, instantly propelling me into his story and hooking me through to the climactic conclusion. The antagonists were devious and it was difficult for me to determine their allegiances, which is an aspect I loved. I’m not providing spoilers here: these events are shown from the opening, and I don’t want to ruin the fun surprises Mr. Alten has in store for both his veteran fans and new readers.

Picture
Mr. Alten manages to share this intriguing work of speculative fiction with all “showing” and no “telling.” This made the story and characters so real and immediate to me that I was in Kwan’s head and world from the start, and left that treasured lingering satisfaction in my mind over a great read after I finished that’s difficult for modern authors to achieve. The suspense never lets up, building page by page to a shattering finale in which all the seemingly disparate events fit together like perfectly interlocking puzzle pieces. In SHARKMAN, Mr. Alten has presented a wildly audacious concept that never stretched the limits of my suspension of disbelief, another accomplishment that I consider rare in modern speculative fiction.

Although the story offers a conspiracy theory element that some self-proclaimed “patriots” may find objectionable — I won’t give that away, because it’s an integral part of the story that’s gradually and cleverly revealed the more we learn about Kwan’s family history — I will remind prospective readers that this is a work of fiction, and we fiction writers have carte blanche to take an artist’s liberties with our works. I thoroughly enjoyed SHARKMAN, and highly recommend it to all lovers of fantastic fiction.

I give SHARKMAN a solid 4.5 stars out of 5 — a 9 on a scale of 1 to 10 — and eagerly anticipate Mr. Alten’s next novel. For me, he can’t finish writing and publishing it fast enough.

I hope this review was helpful to you in making your decision to purchase and read SHARKMAN, and happy reading to you all!

0 Comments
    Picture

    Subscribe to Kerry's Mailing List

    * indicates required
    Email Format

    Archives

    January 2021
    January 2019
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    October 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2013
    November 2010
    October 2010
    April 2010
    February 2010

    Categories

    All
    Dogs Our Furry Friends
    Dogs - Our Furry Friends
    Public Speaking

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

      Email Kerry!

    Submit
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.