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!
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!
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.
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?
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?
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.)
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.)
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.
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.
Deborah 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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)
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)
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.)
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
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!
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