Author Interview: Bonnie Gwyn

I am thrilled to have my guest on the blog today. I have made several appearances on her blog so it's only fair she come on mine. I'd like to introduce you to Bonnie Gwyn. She is a debut author of the book Escaping Safely, a distopian book that is sure to make a hit in the YA market. Bonnie is also one of the host on the Authors' Think Tank Podcast. I'll first hare a brief synopsis about the book then it's onto a terrific interview with her.

Book Synopsis: Christina has grown up literally ‘sheltered’ in a sanctuary run by mysterious Officials who offer safety in exchange for captivity. She’s already suspicious of the Officials when she meets Tyler Andrus, commander of the T-Squad: a group of rebels on a quest to destroy the sanctuaries and bring light back into the world. Having yearned for freedom all her life, she joins them in a journey of hope, terror, and self-discovery.

What first inspired you to write Escaping Safety?

Bonnie Gwyn: It started as a really simple idea I got after a nap – regarding bubbles. The more I thought about it, the more those bubbles grew into a world of their own, and they became the sanctuaries. It really just grew a little every day. I had no idea where it was going at first – or if I’d even write more than the first page. But look at it now!

I am always curious to see authors’ creative process. How did you start the book; with an outline, a scene in your mind, or like me with a character’s name?

Bonnie Gwyn: I started with the opening scene in mind and, thanks to NaNoWriMo, jumped right in and (truly by a miracle) wrote the book. :)

What did it take to get this book to where it is now? Do you use beta readers, proof readers, or editors?

Bonnie Gwyn: I honestly wasn’t very traditional with this book. It happened so fast! But I did have a couple beta readers and my editor was absolutely amazing.

If you could pick a favorite character from your book who would it be and why? Is there a favorite line they say you’d like to share?

Bonnie Gwyn: Wolf. I think I’ve been in love with him from the very first. ;) He’s a really goofy fellow, but has serious potential for greatness. One of my favorite lines: “Don’t call me little doggie.” Hehe

What do you hope readers take away after reading Escaping Safety?

Bonnie Gwyn: I want this book to serve as a reminder of the value of freedom, and of agency. Sometimes “safety” sounds really nice, but as those in the sanctuaries have found out, it can have a price. To put it simply: Keep your eyes open, and don’t let visions of perfection blind you towards the beauty of reality. :)

Okay, it’s the question everyone is dying to hear. If you could be any flavor of ice cream what would that flavor be and what’s the name you’d give yourself? Personally I’d be a very sweet vanilla bean with jelly beans, gummy bears, and sugar cubes. I’d be called “Sugar, Sugar, Buzz, Buzz, Buzz”.

Bonnie Gwyn: I’d like to be peppermint with a topping of Dove chocolate. Just because that sounds really good! I’d call myself “The Birdy Surprise” or something cheesy like that. ;)

What should readers expect when they read this book?

Bonnie Gwyn: Escaping Safety is fast paced, and as one of my most recent reviewers mentioned – there are no guarantees. Expect characters that will win your heart and a story that’s truly just beginning. :) There are two more books in the making!

This book is dystopian. What kind of mindset do you have to be in in order to write this genre?

Bonnie Gwyn: You have to think a lot about what can go wrong in society – and what problems we have now that can be adapted to a futuristic, fictional atmosphere. Anything can happen. And you can’t underestimate your characters. Sometimes it’s truly shocking to see how far they’ll go. That’s part of why it’s so awesome.

Is there anything else you’d like to share today about you or your book?

Bonnie Gwyn: Escaping Safety is my debut novel, and I’m very excited to share it with the world. :) I have another series that's been in my mind for years, and I hope to get that written someday soon as well. But for now, this trilogy is my focus, and it’s thrilling!

Where can we find more information about you and your book?

Bonnie Gwyn: My website, Bonniegwyn.com, is currently under construction. But feel free to visit my blog: Bonniegwyn.blogspot.com. Most of my posts there are spiritual and revolve around my LDS (Mormon) faith, though I do intend to start blogging more about my writing as well. :) Also, stop by my Facebook page! (Facebook.com/AuthorBonnieGwyn) – I’ll be keeping my fans updated throughout this blog tour and the writing of Sanctuary 2. :) Thanks so much for having me! :)

Author Bio: Bonnie Gwyn wrote her first book, about a talking grandfather clock, when she was six–and hasn’t stopped writing since. In fact, she can’t “not write,” and she wouldn’t have it any other way. She hasn’t missed a day of writing in her journal for the past four years! As a winner in this year’s National Novel Writing Month challenge, Bonnie produced her latest dystopian novel, Escaping Safety, and is now working on its sequel. She is also close to completing a fantasy romance series, The Legends of Elldamorae, whose characters have captured her heart and can’t wait to have their stories revealed. Bonnie’s mantra is, “I write because I believe every story deserves to be told.” You can learn more about Bonnie, and read her inspirational blog posts, by clicking on the links below:

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bonnie-Gwyn/299732350087400

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bonniegwyn

Blog: http://bonniegwyn.blogspot.com/

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/bonniegwyn/

BUY HER BOOK:http://goo.gl/bQmVf6

Author Interview: Jackson Paul Baer

Today I am happy top welcome Jackson Paul Baer, author of THE EARTH BLEEDS READ, a literary suspense novel. I love to read mysteries that have me turning page after page. So this is great! Jackson has agreed to an interview. I’ve asked him some questions about his new book as well as tips he can give in writing a great mystery. So you’re not kept in suspense, let’s get on with the interview.

Can you share a little about yourself and your book?

Jackson Paul Baer:  I'm married with four kids and "The Earth Bleeds Red" is my first novel. It's a literary suspense that looks at why bad things happen to good people, while a serial killer steals from the perfect family. This book will appeal to people who enjoy reading literary fiction and suspense/mystery novels. Think Joyce Carol Oates meets Junot Diaz, while they are both reading Sherman Alexie. 

What inspired you to write this book?

Jackson Paul Baer:  I decided after taking a short story writing class at Oregon State that I was finally going to write a novel. I've always wanted to, but I had never committed myself. The title came to me first and then the book just poured out. 

When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

Jackson Paul Baer:  Ever since I was a little kid. I used to write poems, then titles for books, and then songs as a young adult. My writing kind of evolved and grew into my true love: novels. 

What types of books did you read when you were a teen?

Jackson Paul Baer:  I read next to nothing as a teen. My favorite book from high school was "Men of Kent." It's an historical fiction set in England. I didn't start reading until around age 20.

Let’s talk about the writing process. Did you have a writing routine? Did you do any research, and if so, what did that involve?

Jackson Paul Baer:  I had to do a lot of research when it came to locations, setting, and distances. I wrote this novel while living in Oregon and tried to be as descriptive as possible. I want the reader to feel like they are in the Pacific Northwest as they read it. 

What do you hope your readers come away with after reading your book?

Jackson Paul Baer:  I hope they will look at what's really important in their life. This book has a way of making you think about your own family and the decisions you make in life. It does for me anyway. 

 Who is your favorite character in your book and why?

Jackson Paul Baer:  The main character, Scott, is my favorite. His sense of humor is similar to mine as well as his questions about faith and life in general. I see my own struggles in him and can only imagine the loss he's dealing with in this suspenseful novel. 

What tips can you give to writers wanting to attempt writing in the suspense genre?

Jackson Paul Baer:  Read across genres, read real crime stories, and write every chance you get. 

What makes a good mystery? Do you have a favorite mystery novel as an example?

Jackson Paul Baer:  "Indian Killer," by Sherman Alexie, is probably my favorite mystery. A good mystery always keeps you on the edge... wanting to know what will happen next. Then, just when you think you have it figured out, the story throws you for a twist.

 Where can we go to buy your book?

Jackson Paul Baer: You can visit my website at www.JacksonPaulBaer.com where I have links to pick up the book.

Any other links or info you'd like to share?

www.facebook.com/JacksonPaulBaer

www.twitter.com/JacksonPaulBaer

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18524194-the-earth-bleeds-red

Excerpt from book:

Ashley made us whole. The three of us were more complete than any other family that ever resided in the Northwest. We had unforgettable times together. I love the way she read and the face she made after I told an embarrassing joke. She liked to tell stories herself, stories that always left me thinking. I often think about our times together and all the moments yet to be had in our two-story house on Hollow Drive. The light brown country style home that sat on a half-acre lot has been our loving home for the past five years. Lined with off-white trim, the double-paned windows sit above the winding stone walkway in the front yard.

I’d been planting a few cherry trees in the back yard. I put the shovel in the garage and took my dark-tan, steel-toed boots off by the door before going into the kitchen. The point of my second-generation shovel was so sharp that I just barely had to place my foot on the edge of the metal for the end to pierce the soaked dirt. The ground was soft from all the rain, as January and February proved to be even more dreary than usual. I’m not sure how much more of the gray skies and wet earth I could take. I like the rain, but it has poured for the last seven days… a soaking and miserable rain. 

Author Interview: R.L. Drembic

Today I am happy to introduce you to R.L. Drembic, author of the epic fantasy THE KNIGHTS OF THE CAERS. I was delighted to interview him because I love epic fantasy. Since my childhood I have always had a fondness for fantasy books. It started with The Lord of the Rings and has continued throughout my adult life. Currently I am reading the book three in the Artesan of Albia series by Cas Peace and  it’s phenomenal…speaking of phenomenal let’s get to the interview with R.L. Drembic.    

Can you share a little about yourself and your book, THE KNIGHTS OF THE CAERS?

R.L. Drembic: I am a recent college graduate and worked on The Knights of the Caers throughout my college career.  I have always enjoyed reading from a young age.  By the time I finished high school, I calculated that I had read over a thousand books.  I’ve always loved reading and I want to give someone else that same joy.  The Knights of the Caers is a coming of age story about a young man who chases his dreams while struggling with a haunting past.  The plot is filled with intriguing characters, unforeseeable plot twists, scheming villains, and intense action scenes.  A more comprehensive synopsis is available on both of the links below.

I have to say over a thousand books before finishing high school is an amazing feat! What types of books did you read when you were a teen? How does effect what you write now?

R.L. Drembic: I read all types of books as a teen.  My favorites were fantasy novels either set in mystical lands with magic and demons or in space with aliens.  I never did really enjoy reading a book set in modern times about somebody’s everyday life.  The way I think about it, we all live in this world, and a book should be a means to escape it for a while, not just to live in a different part of it.

What inspired you to write this book? / When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

R.L. Drembic: I first got the idea to write my own story when playing a story game with a friend, the kind where you text back and forth, each adding the next bit of the story.  I never did write that story down, but when I had an idea for another story a few months later, I took it more serious.  I didn’t start writing though, until several months later when I learned that a friend was writing a novel and trying to get it published.  It was her courage that gave me the inspiration to try it myself.

Let’s talk about your writing process. Did you have a writing routine? Did you do any research, and if so, what did that involve?

R.L. Drembic: The writing process for this was simple; I thought about the book for months, planning out every section and even writing different scenes in my head.  By the time I started writing, I had most of it planned out.  The rest was planned as I wrote; my mind was always racing ahead of my hand.  I don’t have a routine; I just sit and write when creativity strikes.  For this novel, I chose to create my own world to avoid research.  I wanted to focus on creativity, not facts.  I did do some minimal research on different types of old sailing ships, but that just consisted of Googling.  The biggest piece of research I did was on Google translate, figuring out names for different characters and places.  I got the idea from the Harry Potter novels to give some of the names a deeper meaning.  However, I took it to another level.  Some of the names are from Latin, but there are also names from a dozen other languages.  And not all of the meanings are easy to discern; I wanted to make it a puzzle, so the meanings are hidden.  I am curious to see whether or not readers will be able to figure them out (I’m thinking of making a contest of it).

You should make a contest of it. That would be a fun feature! What do you hope your readers come away with after reading your book?

R.L. Drembic:  My main goal is to give the readers a grand adventure.  The book does have some serious themes meant to also inspire the reader: The story focuses on a main character who is struggling with a mysterious past.  Another of the main characters also has a haunting past.  I hope that any readers with skeletons in their closet or ghosts in their past will realize that it doesn’t mean the end of the world.  There is always hope no matter what someone has done.

THE KNIGHTS OF THE CAERS is an epic fantasy, what tips can you give to writers wanting to attempt writing something in this genre?

R.L. Drembic: The biggest tip I can give is this: if you don’t enjoy writing your story, then no one will enjoy reading it.  A great novel is every bit as enthralling to write as it is to read.  I can’t tell you the number of times I was completely enraptured by my own story to the point where I could not put it down to eat, sleep, or go to class.

Where can we go to buy your book?

R.L. Drembic: The best, and cheapest, place to purchase The Knights of the Caers is on the publisher’s website at http://www.friesenpress.com/bookstore/title/119734000002441596/R.L.-Drembic-The-Knights-of-the-Caers

Any other links or info you'd like to share?

R.L. Drembic: This is my facebook page, where I will have updated information on the book and any contests that I hold. https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Knights-of-the-Caers/151638944908817

http://www.friesenpress.com/bookstore/title/119734000002441596/R.L.-Drembic-The-Knights-of-the-Caers

http://drembic.weebly.com/the-knights-of-the-caers.html

Excerpt from book:

Stephen stood on the platform and watched in dismay as their forces dwindled. They’d nearly been cut in half, but they were holding their own.

Edric and Cal were almost single handedly holding the left end of the line. They fought side by side and would not be pushed back.  Quint and Jost Hok were fighting on the right side, though not side by side, and Madiba and her crew held the center of the line. Klis stood on the platform and fired arrows into the guards. The shkafs had charged into the center of the guards and fought with deadly efficiency. While the battle was going reasonably well, their line could fall apart any moment under the sheer weight of the guards’ numbers.

Stephen looked up at what was left of the stars, probably for the last time. If we take enough guards with us, then the slaves will be able to escape on their own. He thought grimly. Stephen raised his sword and started chanting “Freemen!” as he pushed his way to the front.

Edric, Cal, and Quint heard his chant and joined in, making their way to the middle. Madiba ordered her crew to split up to hold the ends of the line, letting the Knights of the Caers take the center. Soon the entire Freeman army was chanting the battle cry. It infused every

one with new strength, courage, hope, and determination.

Edric felt new strength surge through him. This is what his life had been building to: battling injustice no matter what it took, fighting to the very end to make the world a better place. The Knights joined together at the head of the Freemen and fought to hold the line. The guards came at them again and again, but they would not be moved.

“This is for you,” Edric whispered to his dead brother. Even though Erst had never been a slave, he had always dreamed of having an adventure. Erst and Edric had daydreamed of noble quests to rid the world of some terrible evil, like stopping a Fulk invasion or defeating the Pirate Brothers. Edric felt sure that taking down the great slave market counted.

Edric glanced up at the stars once more before charging forward.  Cal was a step behind him, with Stephen and Quint another second behind them. The Knights of the Caers smashed into the guards’ line…

Blog Tour List:

Monday, Oct 21 - http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, Oct 22 - http://writtenbymikey.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, Oct 23 - http://www.carlhackman.com

Thursday, Oct 24 - http://www.writermike.com/

Friday, Oct 25 - http://nosurf.blogspot.com/

Saturday, Oct 26 - http://wendyknightauthor.blogspot.com/

The Launch party will be held on 

Thursday, Oct 24th at this link: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/545144652231471/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming