I have MOVED!!!!

Just so you all know... my faithful followers. I cannot seem to post any pics or links in my blogs here. After contacting support for months, I gave up and moved to wordpress.

thexdevilsxangel.wordpress.com

Please feel free to find me there!

Personal Thoughts

This is typically not where I post anything unrelated to writing, but it is my blog and I will damned well do what I please.

No I didn't know anyone directly affected in any of the attacks of 9/11. But I think as an American, growing up believing that our nation is protected, watching news of wars and believing it would never happen here, to wake up that morning and see what can never merely be put into words, shook me. Whether it was praying for the families affected by this horrible crime against our citizens, or simply watching the news coverage in shock of what was happening on American soil, I don't feel anyone could truly NOT be affected by what happened.

Yes I admit to crying last night when I heard the news. Like closure to an open wound, the enemy we have sought for over 10 years, the man who openly spewed his hatred for our country, was brought to justice. 

There are no words for me to say right now other than thoughts and prayers to the families who continue to mourn the loss of their loved ones so horribly affected by this tragedy. I may not agree with Obama or his politics, but I will say that he hit the nail on the head by saying the worst images from 9/11 were those unseen, the empty spots at the dinner tables, children who were forced to grow up without a parent, or parents that would never feel their child's embrace.

No I Haven't Died... Yet

Just so you all know, I’m still here, just being quiet and watching the world around me unfold.

I’ve not blogged in a while about anything aside from reviews and interviews. All that is well and good and you may have noticed that I’ve stopped that as well. There is a reason for everything and no it isn’t that I’ve abandoned followers or anything like that. Let’s face it, in my little niche of the world, very few people outside of my personal and professional life give a damn what I have to say…

Or so I thought…

I’ve gotten several messages, mainly stemming from people who have linked back to my facebook page from here, asking if I’ve gotten burned out on blogging, writing, etc. The answer is mixed, 50% Yea, 50% No.

Here is why.

Time is the biggest reason. The second biggest is because I did what I came to do here.

When I got off my ass and started writing my book, I did it because I wanted to physically hold a copy of a book I wrote in my hands, see my name on it and know that I did what a lot of people said I wouldn’t.

I’ve done that.

I’ve said all along that I don’t care if I get famous, I don’t care if I make a dime off it. If at least one person outside of my family and close circle of friends has read my work, whether they loved it or hated it, I’d accomplished my goal. Case closed.

But somewhere along the line, when I self-published, I was catapulted into this standard of being an ‘indie-author’. Bullshit. I would be a sellout if I felt that I had written something worth literary recognition. I would be harassing agents left and right.

I have gotten into several long email debates with people I considered to be a wealth of information of things in this world because frankly I don’t buy into titles or putting people into boxes. People that think I need a pep talk to ‘stick with it’ or need to be told that ‘if you persevere and are patient, it gets better’. In the words of Rhett Butler, “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn!”

I have a full time job and family, I am planning a wedding, trying to keep my sanity and still write… the fact that I can put together a cognitive thought by 9pm is a miracle. To be an indie author means doing EVERYTHING on your own. Works great for some people who all they have is time to blog and get followers and market, market, market. I’m not picking on those people, it works for them and I’m extremely proud. But those self-proclaimed indie gurus, in my opinion, are one massive book deal away from signing their lives over to the devil they supposedly despise. Everyone has a price, it’s just finding the right one.

Fact is, I’m here, to help anyone with any insight I have about the process I CHOSE, not because I didn’t feel that I would never get a deal with traditional publishing, not because I thought indie publishing was the best thing ever, but simply because I was impatient and wasn’t looking for fame or fortune.

So to my lovely followers who have emailed and messaged me… Thank you for your concern. I do not have writer’s block, procrastination yes, writer’s block, no. I can write if I sit down to do so, no problem. I do not have the time to sit and interview a new author every week, nor do I have the time to read a book a week and post a review on it. The reviews and interviews will continue, just not every week as I had originally planned. Plans are made so they can be changed, that simple ;)

But I am still alive and well. Never fear.

Aspiring Author Interview with Julieanne Lynch

As you all know I’ve decided instead of interviewing authors among doing reviews for their books that I’m opening my blog up to interview Aspiring Authors as well. Today I bring you Julieanne Lynch.


SDA: So let’s start with the obvious…what made you decide to write?
JL: I remember when I was about seven or eight and being totally in awe of Lewis Caroll’s Alice In Wonderland. It left me daydreaming about the possibilities of putting my own imagination on paper and that is what I did. I wrote poems, songs, and progressed to constructing some of the most bizarre work ever - well, for a child. Just ask my sisters I entertained them with my work and they still love some of my darker stories to this day. Great memories.

SDA: What kind of writing interests you the most?
JL: I have a varied taste in writing, but if I was to pinpoint it, I prefer fiction.

SDA: What are you working on?
JL: At present I am working on book 2 of my Shadow World series, Walking With Shadows. I am also, working on my first adult novel, Ice Goddess.

SDA: Do you have any habits that you keep to be able to write?
JL: Not really. The only thing that I am obsessive about it note taking. I have a journal that I carry with me everywhere. If I hear an interesting comment or see something that blows my mind, I jot it down and in most cases, I use what I see and hear as writing prompts.

SDA: Who has been your biggest influence creatively?
JL: Oh gosh, this is a hard one. There has been so many people who have influenced me along the way and none more so than my children. But, if I were to again pin point it, I would say it has been my love of Literature - why? Because, I opened my mind up to the wonderful world of the classics and used them as the foundation for my own disciplines with regards to writing. I do not try to be a 21st Century Dicken’s or Bronte, nor do I limit my creativity. I like to step through the boundaries and I love the challenges of writing outside of my comfort zone due to this.

SDA: What inspires you when it comes to writing?
JL: My mood seems to be my biggest inspiration. I enjoy where my mind takes me when I am feeling a particular emotion. I find that when I am at my lowest, when the stresses of life get to me, I produce some of my best work, simply because writing to me can sometimes act like therapy. It is almost like my writing takes on a life of it’s own and it’s something I cannot live without. Or maybe I am just kooky!

SDA: What has been the hardest part about writing?
JL: Rejection. Plain and simple. At first I felt every knock back and took it as a personal vendetta against me. It wasn’t until I got talking with other aspiring writers and established authors that we all go through the same motions. It’s a learning curve and one that makes you that bit stronger. The skin thickens and in the end, you learn to accept the rejections and move on to the next one.

SDA: What are your biggest goals?
JL: The obvious. I want world domination. But seriously, I would just be happy seeing my books in shops, libraries and if I was really lucky, being a best seller. I love to dream.

SDA: Who have you found to be your worst critics?
JL: Myself. I am very hard on myself and even when I know there is no more tweaking to be done, I still push myself and question my ability, especially when I am tired or over emotional. But the worst critic was served to me by an agent, who was the first to stick the knife in deep. Her words were, “I like your creativity, and you do have some imagination. But I fear you still need to learn to write. Maybe you ought to study literature and creative writing.”
Needless to say, that hurt me and almost made me quit - but like a glutton for punishment, I ignored her and continued on my venture. I studied the subjects above and I am more than qualified in my field.


SDA: If you had to do anything else but write, what would you do and why?
JL: I would teach. And I would teach English and Literature. Our youths minds need to opened up to the wonderful world of the written word. All too often, children are allowed to play their video games, listening to their ipods, forgetting about what seems to be ‘ancient’ gems like the library or book stores. And it seems to be that the only way the youths of today decide to read a book, is if there has been a movie made based on it. I think it is a shame that not more children pick up the works by the likes of Shakespeare and Poe. It is like they are being robbed of pure bliss, and that’s not forgetting their modern counterparts. The youth of today need to be encouraged to read, read, read, and if I didn’t write, then I’d be the soldier at war with modern technology and its negative influences.

SDA: You mentioned your children, as a mother myself I love watching my children create. Have any of your children started to show a creative gene?
JL: Yes, my eldest son Kristopher is quite a creative soul. He and a school friend have started up their own comic line -KNC Comics. They base it all on Ninja Stickmen. It’s quite ingenious when you sit down and read them. They have a long way to go, but it is already very promising. My only daughter Kelly-Marie writes, although they are more non-fiction memoirs, I encourage her all the same. She is only ten and already has a love for the written word.

SDA: If there was one thing that you think is a common misconception about writers/authors, what would it be?
JL: A common misconception about writers is that non-fiction writing lacks creativity or any real thought process- which couldn’t be further from the truth. Why, because, writing non-fiction requires a degree of imagination where an author must be able to focus on more focal points, bringing the imagery in a way to the reader, that coincides with the actual events they are portraying. Another, is that good writers are an authority on the subject that they are writing about. Not always the case, authors use their mind and push boundaries where certain subjects matter. They spend hours researching, fine tuning their work, making it the best possible volume of their work.


SDA: And on that track, in your opinion, what's the biggest myth you've discovered when it comes to writing?
JL: There are tons, but one that springs to mind is how long it takes to write a book. Some people assume, I lock myself away in a room and write for a week or two and then produce a completed, polished draft ready for publication. This couldn’t be further from the truth. On average, to do a first draft normally takes me between 5-6 weeks [remember I have four children], then editing that draft, which sees me another 2 weeks. Then I produce my 2nd draft, edit, submit- which again sees me another four weeks down the line. So, all in all, it takes a good 12 weeks to produce a finished MS, worthy of the editor. So, it was a big wake up call when I started to do this professionally.


SDA: That’s a great one and very true. I always felt I didn’t have the time, that I didn’t have years to dedicate to writing a book and I wrote and published in 9 months. Also with my writing I’m curious if I’m the only weird one with things I do so when writing characters do you prefer to have a focal point of someone that in your mind looks like them like a model, actor etc., or do you just let your mind create an image?
JL: Absolutely not. I would find it hard to focus on my character if I had swirling images of a hot actor/model roaming around in my head. I tend to create my own visions of how I see my characters. I like to play with them, toy with their image and when final draft is completed, I tend to be very pleased with how they come across to my readers.

SDA: If someone came to you and said wow I really want to write and don't know where to begin, what advice would you give them?
JL: I say to them to carry a journal with you at all times - you never know when inspiration will come. Join some form of writing group, whether it is in your local library, online forums, just something where you can converse with like minded people, swap ideas and predominately encourage you every step of the way. But last but not least. Write, write and write. Just keep doing what you love, it is what drives you as an author.

SDA: Well Julieanne, thank you for spending time with me and my readers today. In closing, something I'm asking all my aspiring authors is that if you could ask other authors one question what would it be?
JL: How do you control the urge to procrastinate? I am the worst and I find it God damned hard avoiding the sofa, green tea and chocolate and not always in the order.




HAHAHA! I will have an answer in my opinion below for you.

If any of you have answers or guidance for Julieanne please comment below.  You can also stay in contact with her or learn more about her and her work through the resources below:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Julieanne-Lynch-Aspiring-Writer/145953762097490

http://ysoriel.livejournal.com/

http://julieannelynch.blogspot.com/

 

www.twitter.com/Funkyjules

Soundtrack for a Killer

Okay so I kind of borrowed this idea from Ian Somerhalder. He recently did an interview about what would be Damon Salvatore’s playlist. Got me thinking about Devrynne Kaine, the lead character in my book The Devil’s Angel, and what songs would I would use to make a soundtrack about her or about the book.

So here goes…

Rev 22:20 by Puscifer – This song is the epitome of Devrynne. For those that don’t know the book or the character, she is death and destruction all wrapped up in seduction. This song personalizes that. Christ is coming , and so am I. You would too if the sexy devil caught your eye.

Like Suicide by Seether – This song has a line in it that made me think of Devrynne every time I heard it. You’ve set me up to F’ing fail this time, She’s coming over wearing genocide, and it’s the same old trip, the same old trip as before… The song is gritty and cruel and I love it.

Pain by Three Days Grace – This song has a lot of meaning behind it not only for Devrynne but for a woman who wrote with me for years and helped to cultivate me into the kind of writer I am now. ‘Cuz I’d rather feel pain than nothing at all.  This speaks volumes as to Devrynne’s personal feelings. Misunderstood, yes. But very simplistic if you think about it.

Dance With The Devil by Breaking Benjamin – Say goodbye as we dance with the devil tonight. Don’t you dare look at him in the eye as we dance with the devil toniiiiiiiiiight. Can you feel it? This song is partially what began Devrynne’s twisted story, one of many I might add. No list would be complete without a little Breaking Benjamin.
*Honorable Mention* Crawl and What Lies Beneath are distant runner ups to this by BB.

Lucifer’s Angel by The Rasmus – I mean honestly, the title kind of says it all doesn’t it? Fly away, fly away, From the torch of blame they hunt you, Lucifer's Angel. Never lived, you never died, your life has been denied. They call you Lucifer's Angel. <-- This could be the theme song for the book I swear!

Broken Dreams by Shaman’s Harvest – My sister is going to kick my butt for this one because I would never know it if it wasn’t for her, but this speaks volumes of Devrynne. Out of time so say goodbye. What is yours now is mine. I dream broken dreams, I’ll make them come true, I’ll make them for you…

Not Meant to Be by Theory of a Deadman – If you’ve read the book then you know about Sebastian and Devrynne’s love for him. If you haven’t I will tell you this… the person that Sebastian is written about was a very big part of my creative life many years ago. The emotion in their jacked up relationship is 100% personal. This song is very much the heart and soul of their relationship. It’s never enough to say I’m sorry, it’s never enough to say I care. Nobody wins when everyone’s losing…

Addicted by Saving Abel/Get Stoned by Hinder – These two songs are a tie and perfectly describe in different ways the love that Devrynne has for Luc. Read the book and you may understand, chances are you may not, but in that case listen to the songs.

So there you have it… the music behind the madness.


What about you? Do you have any tunes that you think describe the characters you write to a T? What are they and why?

The Devil’s Angel is available on Amazon.com and Smashwords.com

http://amzn.to/eCy6bF

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/28820

New Year and New Interviews - Aspiring Author Matt Gannon

I did some thinking recently and determined that I have come in contact with some amazing writers, not all of which are published or are even finished with their novels, and that I really wanted to interview some of them. I’ve decided to start doing interviews with aspiring authors as well as published ones. Here to help me pop the cherry on this little endeavor on my blog, is Matt Gannon an enthusiastic guy I have had the joy of getting to know…


SDA: So let’s get the ball rolling with how did you get into writing?
MG: When I was a kid, I aspired to be a game developer because I wanted to create storylines for them. I was obsessed with reading, and one day I realized that there was no reason I couldn’t write my own stories without having to work for a game developer. I suppose that desire was the inner-writer rising to the surface. I tried to write a novel about demons invading Earth until my hard drive crashed and I lost everything. It’s okay because the novel sucked, and it was a rip-off of something I was reading at the time, anyways. So, I stopped writing for a while.

Then, a good while later when I was in Grade 11 English, I read the poem “Ulysses” by Lord Alfred Tennyson. I connected with its message, and I had an epiphany. I didn’t want my creativity stifled by designing videogames. I wanted to reach people all over the world and change their lives with my work. I realized that writing would be a way for me to do that. I’ve been writing to accomplish that goal ever since.


SDA: I have found in undertaking the task of becoming an author that everyone has an opinion as to the how and what you should do. Who has been your worst critic?
MG: Well, I don’t have too many critics, but last year, a group of rather “energetic” people didn’t like me or my work very much. And of course, there’s myself. I always think my work is never good enough.


SDA: Gotta love the drama llama that follows people around. On the opposite end though, who has been your biggest influence personally?
MG: I would have to say it’d be my old English Literature teacher. It seemed that every time I left his class, he had made me want to go home and become a better writer so that I can someday make him proud. He has always talked so highly of writers, and I would like to be among those that he discusses with his students.

SDA: What about inspirations when it comes to writing?
MG: Nicholas Sparks. I am so inspired by the man and his work, but more specifically, “The Notebook” and “A Bend in the Road”. What Sparks has achieved in his lifetime is something that I shoot for. I suppose you can say he is my idol.

SDA: So I’m a total geek when it comes to learning about what writers do to get ready to write or what little things that they revel in while writing. Are they any guilty pleasures you have to have to be able to get into the creative process?
MG: I don’t feel guilty about it, but I like to drink coffee when I write. It makes me feel like one of those pretentious writers who writes at a coffee shop just so other people can see how creative and intelligent they are. I think I would like to try that, even if it’s only once. ;)

Other than that, I don’t have any guilty pleasures. I’m sorry, I know that’s boring.

SDA: That’s not boring. Every writer has something different. At least it’s not something crazy like standing on your head for an hour before or something. ;) But onto more about writing, what is your favorite genre and why?
MG: Romance; I guess I’m just a sucker for love.

Seriously though, I think it’s because love is something that drives humanity forward. I believe it’s the most powerful force we get to experience while we are alive, and it truly does connect us all together. I’m just really passionate about love, so it’s only natural for me to want to write about it.

SDA: Which is easier for you to write, fiction or non-fiction? Why?
MG: It’s easier for me to write fiction because I am able to make up my own reality where what I say goes, whereas in non-fiction, I’m writing about a pre-existing reality with rules and principles I have to adhere to.

SDA: Speaking about rules and principles, what is the best piece of advice another writer or author has given you?
MG: I was once told by a very wise man that I should never give up, and I promised him I wouldn’t.

SDA: That’s awesome. On the flip side of that though, what has been the worst?
MG: Leave the editing to the editors.


SDA: HAHA! That is bogus. I would hate to do that because then I would feel like I had no final say in stuff. With that being said, what are you working on currently?
MG: I'm working on a novel loosely based off an event in my life. I have a couple novel ideas on the back-burner because I like to tackle one project at a time. Other than the novel, I try to update my blog as often as possible, and I'm trying to whip an article and a short story into shape for publication.

SDA: Very cool. Well I can’t wait to read some more of your stuff. With doing interviews with aspiring authors, I think it would be sweet to let the interviewee ask a question of other authors. If you had any question you would like to know about other authors (or writers), what would it be?
MG: In my experience, ideas tend to gravitate towards me. I always feel so overwhelmed by it. If this happens to you, how do you deal with all the ideas and so little time to follow through with them?


SDA: Wow that’s a good one. I know me personally, I have to at least write a paragraph of the idea down. I have several shelves in my house that are nothing but journals and notebooks. Ideas as simple as a character background or a preview of sorts. I keep them all for later for when I do have the free time to process them all little pieces at a time.



I would like to thank Matt for allowing me to pick his brain and get a glimpse of his world. If you would like to see some of his work or connect with him you can check out his blog:

http://mattgannonaspiringwriter.blogspot.com/

New & Exciting things planned for 2011

Well it is the end of 2010, a year that for me personally has been filled with its share of ups and downs. Which leads us into the unknown of 2011.

I figured I would start the year off with a new series of blogs for "writer" interviews.

Most of the interviews I've done have been with fellow published authors. But I recall thinking how exciting it would be to finally be published and do interviews. Well who says you have to wait to be published to be interviewed? In my opinion you shouldn't have to.

I think as being part of the writing community that we put too much emphasis on the asking if someone is published, as if them being published gives credibility of some sort. Who cares? This is a creative journey we've all embarked on and I think in the midst of trying to be published and market, market, market, we forget that we were all struggling writers at one point. Hell I still feel I am.I would have killed to have been acknowledged for being a WRITER instead of the upturn of noses when someone realizes that you're not published. Instead of it being "Oh you're only a writer," said with the typical judgmental tone and condescending sneer, why not be like "WOW you're a writer!" Praise and nurture the process instead of always looking for the end result.

Okay sorry, that is my rant for right now ;)

Anyway, I will be doing this starting in January, the first interview will be done with Matt Gannon so stay tuned!

Also if anyone else is interested in being interviewed or perhaps would like to do a guest post on my blog, let me know!

Happy Writing (and Holidays)!

1st Draft Sneak Peek - The Devil's Apprentice

Rough copy of an excerpt of the first draft of the sequel to The Devil's Angel... but I love sharing bits and pieces with you guys so here it is...

I knew this man, somehow even though I couldn’t place him at the moment. I watched with keen eyes as the mere presence of him felt familiar to me and he stepped only a foot out of the shadows. He moved lithely, almost like a cat stalking its prey and I was frozen where I stood amid all the chaos that had just happened around me. 

Liam lay on the ground at my feet and my eyes, hardly able to be taken from the being approaching me, glanced at his lifeless form, my necklace still entwined with his pale fingers. 

“He sleeps, that is all,” the figure spoke from his dark cover and I cocked a brow. 

“You did this?” I looked around at the carnage that laid around us. Various members of the Order lay broken and unmoving, blood soaked the hem of my dress and I could feel the stickiness of it as it coated my barren feet. 

“You had doubts?” he questioned back, still not clear enough from the darkness for me to fully make him out, he head bent as he surveyed his damage. 

“I demand to know who you are and what you have done here!” I growled feeling that inane sense of defense creep up inside of me. 

“Timaeus has very different desires for you than I, we had a slight difference of opinion,” he said softly, almost nonchalantly. 

“Timaeus wants nothing more than to see me dead,” I said flatly. 

“Ah yes, but only because you betrayed him.” 

“I didn’t betray him, I simply didn’t bow and kiss his ass as he wished.” My words brought a chuckle from the figure, one that rippled through the air light soft whispers. 

“Well Timaeus has never been one to let a woman get the better of him, let alone one he is so in love with.” I snorted at his words. 

“And your part in all of this is what, to come here and slaughter them all? Sure, that’ll get on his good side,” I said folding my arms over my chest. 

“No, I came to exert authority in a way Timaeus never could.” I saw a flash of red flame, two eyes staring at me and then his face came into view as he stepped into the light to where I could see him. I couldn’t fight the gasp as I looked at the man before me. 

Nearly six and a half feet tall, his skin was dark almost as if silken mousse encompassed him. He wore a crème suit, impeccable, squared jaw and a slight scar over his left eye. But it was his eyes that drew me to him. His eyes, once calmed turned the shade of honey, amber and fire all at once that seemed to draw you in and swallow you whole. The silver symbols became visible across his forehead as if someone were painting him with silver. They flashed and were gone almost as if I’d imagined they were there in the first place. 

“You’re one of the inceptives!” I exclaimed. 

“Ah, good girl. You’ve done your homework,” he grinned, bright white pearls quite the contrast from his chocolate colored skin. His fangs glinted as he smiled and watched me with a growing curiosity. 

“Y-you… it’s j-just… y-you can’t be…” I stammered, the smile not wavering from his face. 

“Oh, I assure you I can.” He moved, so quick even my eyes couldn’t follow him and I froze as he was mere inches from me. His foot moved and Liam’s lifeless body went flying away as he pulled me to him and inhaled against my neck.  

“What do you want?” I whispered, his hands feeling like burning vices around my arms where they held me and he pulled back to look at me. “Are you here to kill me?” 

“So that is what you believe? Just because no one dares to cross your handler doesn’t mean that they don’t want to.” 

“So this is about Luc?” 

“No, this is about you.”

“What about me?” I glared at him and he didn’t move. 

“You’ve done the research, since you know of the Inceptives, you tell me.” His grin widened. 

“All I know about the inceptives are that they are a myth, told by those within the Order that wish to hang onto a semblance of control. Every law enforcement group of any kind needs a higher power to keep the inmates in check. I thought it was Luc’s job and the Inceptives were the vampires version of a bedtime story.” 

“Yes and no. We are very real, I am the first. Conrad Gauthier, the creator,” he leaned in as he spoke and inhaled again against my neck causing me to stiffen.  “Lucifer has failed to keep his subjects fearful of him, mainly because he has fallen to the whim of a woman.” His smirk was knowing, as if he had a secret he wished to tell, but was having too much fun toying with me. 

“So?” 

“So…” his voice drawled out with a sigh. “Lucifer has failed and now it is time for me to keep a better eye on my investments.” He moved, his hand gripping my abdomen and searing pain riddled me causing me to scream in agony. I was dropped to the floor as he moved away from me and I stumbled on all fours trying to catch my breath. 

He stopped long enough to look at me, his mouth opening and the words he spoke were Latin, words I had heard before but didn’t recognize their significance. 

“You have been marked. The eve of the awakening I shall return and claim what is mine.” He vanished as silver fog that materialized and then disappeared like it had never been there. I struggled to my feet and made my way through the hall to the study. My eyes scanned the books upon the shelves and I started towards one case pulling several books down flipping through their aged pages. 

“DEVRYNNE!” Ava shrieked but it didn’t deter me. I could feel her searching for me and heard the door to the study slam open as she entered, her heart racing in the confines of her slender chest. “What happened?” she asked frantically coming to me, and I shrugged out of her hold collapsing to the ground with the book in my lap. 

“And so it is written, the downfall of the King was found to be not the one of his affections, but the birth of his affection’s love for another. Through the Awakening of her soul, so it shall be set in motion. The end begins like a burning fury…” my voice trailed off as I looked up at Ava finally realizing what Conrad has said as he spoke before he left.  “As the blood of an Angel shall be sacrificed by the blood of the damned.” 

“What does that mean? What happened Dev, what’s going on?” Ava asked looking at me with panic in her eyes. 

“It means I think I have bigger problems than Luc.” 

Wanna read more? Check out the first book in the Devrynne Kaine series, The Devil's Angel:

The Devil's Angel

Interview with Grey Dogs Author, Ian Sandusky

While I’m on an interviewing streak of sorts, I figured it was time to do another. This time I had the pleasure of sitting down with Grey Dogs author Ian Sandusky. I was able to pick his brain about his writing, his process and also about his book.

SDA: Tell us about your book, Grey Dogs.
IS: The short synopsis of the book is ‘When a vicious illness rips across Southern Ontario like wildfire, Carey Cardinal must confront his past or fall victim to the rabid infected tearing with their broken teeth at anything in their path.’

SDA: How did it come to you?
IS: On the wings of angels. No, not really. Over the course of slogging through bad memories - some real, some invented - mixed with a healthy dash of inspiration from works I previously loved reading.

SDA: I love how the best stories just kind of happen like that. Tell me why this story was important for you to tell?
IS: Some stories are important to tell, others are created to entertain - and I think this falls somewhere in between. I don't think I can be as pompous as to think the world would be seriously deprived of quality literature without GREY DOGS, but I think the whole story of striving to overcome something much larger than yourself despite your past transgressions may strike a chord in more people than not.

SDA: I know I’m jumping around but going back to the beginning, what led you to be a writer?
IS: In honesty, the lack at the time of the kind of horror fiction I wanted to read. After one night and a few glasses of wine, the decision to write what I wanted to read myself hit me in the head like a ton of bricks, and I haven't been able to stop since.

SDA: It kind of happened the same way for me as well. Once you decided to write, what do you feel was the hardest part of writing a book?
IS: Editing. I don't know how some people can love it. The last thing I want to do is carve apart my glorious mind-child after I just reared it to adulthood, only to stitch it back together into something resembling Frankenstein's monster on crack. Let's just say my red pens often don't get the workout they should.

SDA: What was the longest part of the process, writing the book or publishing?
IS: Publishing, by far. I actually wrote GREY DOGS over the span of approximately ten weeks, but the publishing process from acceptance to release on Oct. 31st took about six months - but even then, that's pretty fast for print publishing. Apparently chasing down good, solid cover-art is a big part of the battle, but the wait was well worth it.

SDA: That being said, what was the deciding factor for publishing how you chose to?
IS: Print publishing was the only way I wanted to go. Call me old school, but I just spent countless hours working on a digital copy of the book - the last thing I wanted was to see another digital copy. ePublishing is a great thing, but my goal was to have my story bound in paper.

SDA: So now that you’ve finally done it, what was the most gratifying moment of writing the book?
IS: Scrawling "END" at the bottom of the first manuscript. No matter how badly in need of editing it was, it was finished. I had set out to write a book, and I finished. I didn't care what anyone thought of it - getting it finished after weeks of work was more rewarding than anything I had done to that point.

SDA: Well the whole thing is a pretty great accomplishment overall. That being said though, if you could change anything about your publishing/writing experience this far, what would it be any why?
IS: If I could change one thing, I would have pushed to get an agent a little more when I was first offered a contract for GREY DOGS, rather than panicking and signing more or less right away. That was a pivotal moment, and I likely could have cashed in on it by gaining representation - but hell, that battle wages on for everyone in my shoes.

SDA: Do you infuse characteristics of people you know or yourself in your characters?
IS: Of course, I think that every writer does it, whether it be conscious or unconscious. People write about what they know, and everyone has at least witnessed some form of the human condition interesting enough to write about. Just make sure you leave the names out - nobody likes a lawsuit!

SDA: Well now let’s talk about other influences. Who has been your biggest creative influence?
IS: Other writers, who's stories I hear via forums, Twitter, blogs, and the like. The schools I've attended and the cities I've grown up in have all had at the very least small groups dedicated to artistic pursuits, but for whatever reason I've never really connected with them. Reading the success stories of other writers making their dreams into reality is what makes me want to sit down and churn up some ideas of my own.

SDA: Who has been your worst critic?
IS:Myself. Without a doubt, but I don't think that's unusual. I think I'm still in shock anyone wanted to invest in what I threw on the page, if you catch my drift.

SDA: Well what is this worst critic’s writing process, meaning do you have a certain setting you have to be in to write?
IS: I brood in the dark confines of my oak-panelled library as a crow perches on a stained bust of a Roman senator while the rain splatters the stained-glass windows. Since I lost that place in a poker game, I usually just have to sit down, push away the distractions, and get down to it. Any setting is a good setting in which to write, provided you can get a steady, uninterrupted flow going for a substantial length of time.

SDA: Speaking also of critics, if someone gave you a less than stellar review of any of your work on a public forum, would you respond, and if so how?
IS: Likely? No. I've seen too many authors ruin their reputations defending their works in flame wars on review sites. At the end of the day, someone isn't going to like your work. Responding to one only shows you're willing to argue with anyone, and that usually doesn't turn out too gracefully. If anything, I would thank them for their honesty, and hope they would reconsider something else of mine in the future.

SDA: I'm testing a few theories about writers and would value your input on it...Do you consider yourself a procrastinator?
IS: A hundred times yes. I would find translating the Bible into Klingon interesting, if I had a paper due the next day.

SDA: Have you ever struggled with writer's block?
IS: Every day, to some degree or another. I've never been so blocked that even a few words erk out though - that would be a sad, frustrating day.

SDA: Also, do you feel that writers are all in some way deep down masochists at heart?
IS: To some degree - who else would willingly put their thoughts on the page? Someone's bound to tear it apart - that's just reality. Beats staying silent, though.

SDA: I will close with this. You did it, wrote a book start to finish, got it published, so have I. That being said what do you think is the biggest thing holding most writers back from becoming authors? IS: Commitment. I know, I know - everyone says it, but 'writer's write.' What they often forget to tack on is 'often.' Anyone can hammer down a few words, but an author is someone who commits themselves to a manuscript and finishes the bloody thing. It isn't pleasant, and it certainly isn't glamorous, but you can't pitch a half-completed work.

Thanks again Ian for the chance to get a glimpse inside your world. It was much appreciated. If you would like to check out more about Ian Sandusky or his novel Grey Dogs, check out his website:

http://www.iandgsandusky.com/

It's Official

I am officially published.

The book is available in print now and even though it's finalized, I am not sure it has really sunk into me yet. I know that this is epic in the grand scale of my life, but I also know it is just the beginning!

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Buy it in Print