Archive for July, 2008

Commas Can Change Meaning!

Author: Michy

Jul 18

Commas are Powerful Punctuation Marks! Just a quickie tonight, because, well, I’m lazy and being indulgent.

Was talking online to a friend on IM.

She was having a rough day – we’ve all done it, you know, deleted a file we were working on and couldn’t recover it, having to do the work over again.

Frustrating stuff.

So she whined to me on IM a little bit, and when she was finished, she logged off by saying to me:

“Thanks for listening to me bitch.”

I started thinking, you know, a comma placed in that sentence could have changed the entire meaning.

“Thanks for listening to me, bitch.”

When you think about it that way, commas are pretty powerful pieces of punctuation. Eh?

Love and stuff,
Michy

  • 0 Comments
  • Filed under: Writing Information

    • Interview with Karen Quinn, Author of Holly Would Dream and The Ivy Chronicles

    Author: Michy

    Jul 15


    It’s rare today to find an author who does nothing but write for a living. Do you have a ‘real’ job other than writing, and if so, what is it? What are some other jobs you’ve had in your life?
    Karen Quinn: I started out as a lawyer and absolutely hated that. After I dozed off in front of my client during an SEC hearing, I quit that. Luckily, the client died that year so he never sued me for malpractice. Then I moved into marketing and advertising. I worked for American Express for fifteen years until they downsized me. At that point, I came up with the idea of starting a small business helping NYC families get their children into the best private schools. The company was called Smart City Kids – it still exists today. But after two-and-a-half years, I got out. There were too many tears – not from the children, from their parents.


    What compelled you to write your first book?

    Karen Quinn: After leaving Smart City Kids, my husband wanted me to get a job. We really needed the money. But I had always had a dream about being a writer. I’d never done anything about it – it was like one of those fantasies we have about becoming a movie star. Wait, I take that back. I did always write a holiday letter that everyone said made them laugh. Anyway, I realized that after leaving my company, I had lots of funny stories about my experiences helping these neurotic parents and their adorable kids. So I told my husband that instead of getting a job, I wanted to write a bestseller like The Nanny Diaries about getting kids into private school. Mark asked me how long that would take. I had no idea so I told him three months. He let me go ahead as long as I promised to get a job after three months. I wrote like crazy after that and had a first draft of The Ivy Chronicles done before my deadline. The threat of having to get a real job is a powerful motivator when it comes to writing.

    Have you always wanted to be a writer?

    Karen Quinn: No, I have always wanted to be a painter. That’s something I love to do and I’m good at it (in a Grandma Moses kind of way). My home is filled with paintings I’ve done. But I discovered when I wrote The Ivy Chronicles that I genuinely love to write. It’s very exciting to discover something new about yourself when you’re in your mid-forties.

    Tell us a little bit about your book/s.

    Karen Quinn: The Ivy Chronicles is the first book. It is about a woman who reinvents herself after losing everything that is dear to her – her husband, her upper-east-side lifestyle, her job. She starts a business helping families get their children into private school. Through this, she discovers a new life for herself that is better than the old one. I wrote Ivy at a time when I had lost my corporate job and I reinvented myself by becoming an author. So that book is particularly close to my heart.

    Wife in the Fast Lane is about a mid-western girl, a track star turned businesswoman, who marries a powerful mogul and moves to the upper-east-side. It is about how she juggles the demands of work, love, and motherhood in the most exclusive zip code in Manhattan.

    Finally, Holly Would Dream is about a woman named Holly who wishes her life was like an Audrey Hepburn-Cary Grant movie, but of course it isn’t, until it is. This one is really a modern day fairy tale that is about all the things I adore – fashion, travel, and old, romantic movies from the 1950’s. Holly Would Dream is my favorite of the three I’ve written. My books tend to be women’s fiction, page-turners, and funny.

    Are you currently working on any writing projects our readers should watch for release soon?

    Karen Quinn: Just this week it was announced that Sarah Jessica Parker is going to star in The Ivy Chronicles movie. So readers should look out for that. I am also working on a fourth book about three sisters in Manhattan, but I’m not sure when it will be done. I’m also doing a non-fiction book about what parents can do at home to be sure their children are ready for kindergarten.

    Have you ever won any writing awards? If so, what?

    Karen Quinn: No, I haven’t. My books are perfect for the beach, long airplane rides, or to take you to another world after a long hard day. I don’t think they give awards for books like that. But they really should, don’t you think? Call me shallow (and I’m sure someone will), but I’d rather read the latest Bushnell than Dostoevsky any day.

    How did you feel the day you held the copy of your first book in your hands?

    Karen Quinn: It felt like I had accomplished something wonderful. I was so proud of it. No one was home when it arrived so I ran downstairs and showed my doormen. Now they treat me like a movie star and they always buy my books for their mothers and wives.

    What type of music, if any, do you listen to while you write?

    Karen Quinn: I’m very ADD so I don’t listen to music while I write. When I do listen, it tends to be songs written in the eighties or earlier.

    What inspires you and motivates you to write the very most?

    Karen Quinn: When I am really into a good story, I can’t wait to get to the computer. What will my characters do today? I often have plans for them and then they surprise me. When I sit down to write, I can go for a good eight hours.

    What one thing are you the most proud of in your life?

    Karen Quinn: Professionally, I’m most proud of the fact that I became a published writer – I did something that other people can experience and enjoy. So many people write to me and tell me how much they loved reading my books. That never gets old. I always write people back and thank them because their good words mean so much to me.

    What about your family? Do you have children, married, siblings, parents? Has your family been supportive of your writing?

    Karen Quinn: In life, I’m most proud of the fact that I have been married to the same wonderful guy for 27 years. We met in law school, so at least I got something out of becoming a lawyer. We have a girl and a boy, Schuyler, seventeen, and Sam, fifteen. I have two brothers and my mom. Dad died a few years ago. It makes me sad that he never got to see me become a writer because he would have loved that. But my whole family is supportive of my writing. Mark and Schuyler come to all my New York readings. Sam doesn’t because he’s a teenage boy so he is pretty much sequestered in his room most of the time. Whenever a new book comes out, I always go to Denver (where my mother lives) and she drives me to all my appearances, helps me sell books, and brags about me to anyone who will listen. It’s a family affair.

    The main characters of your stories – do you find that you put a little of yourself into each of them or do you create them to be completely different from you?

    Karen Quinn: In each of my books, one of my characters is always based on myself. I am Ivy in The Ivy Chronicles. I am Renata (the ten-year-old little girl) in Wife in the Fast Lane, and I am Holly in Holly Would Dream. The other thing about my books is that they are full of real stories from my life. Anything fun and interesting that happens to me or one of my friends invariably ends up in one of the books.

    Is there an established writer you admire and emulate in your own writing? Do you have a writing mentor?

    Karen Quinn: There are many writers I admire, but I don’t try to emulate anyone. My formula is to write a book that I would want to read. That drives everything in my work.

    When growing up, did you have a favorite author, book series, or book?

    Karen Quinn: I was a huge reader growing up and I think that is why I’m able to write. As a girl, I devoured books. My mother used to take me to the library and I’d come home with an armful that I would read in a day. I especially loved Nancy Drew.

    What about now: who is your favorite author and what is your favorite genre to read?

    Karen Quinn: I read many different kinds of books. Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett, is one of my favorites. I also love Time and Again by Jack Finney. The time travel genre appeals to me very much, as does historical fiction. I read lots of humor writers to see how they do it. My books are always funny so I like to see the tricks other writers have to make people laugh.

    Hey, let’s get morbid. When they write your obituary, what do you hope they will say about your book/s and writing? What do you hope they will say about you?

    Karen Quinn: I hope they say I sold more books than Danielle Steele and Stephen King combined and that I entertained millions of readers worldwide. If they don’t say that, then I hope I at least get my own unpaid obit in the New York Times. You have to really special to get that, and I probably don’t qualify yet. If I got married today, I could probably make the New York Times Wedding page. The obit page is way more selective than the Wedding page.

    Location and life experience can sprinkle their influence in your writing. Tell us about where you grew up and a little about where you live now – city? Suburb? Country? Farm? If you could live anywhere you want to live, where would that be?

    Karen Quinn: I grew up in suburban Texas and Colorado and moved to New York City about twenty years ago. For me, New York City is the best place I could ever live. I love the pace, the people, and the culture here. Also, as an observer from the west, I find the customs here fascinating, which is why I always write about them. New Yorkers are such generous and interesting people (contrary to popular belief). The downside of New York City is that it is so expensive, especially when you’re trying to raise a family. We are moving to Miami in about month, so hopefully I’ll like that just as well. I’ve always wanted to live near the beach and now I’ll get to.

    Do you have any pets? What are they? Tell us about them.

    Karen Quinn: We have two older cats – Smokey (a Russian blue) and Cookie (a Berman). My daughter just got an adorable pound-and-a-half Pomeranian named Olive. The cats are very upset about this. Cookie has gone into hiding and Smokey just walks by the puppy and hisses at her. I’m praying things will improve.

    Bring us into your home and set the scene for us when you are writing. What does it look like? On the couch, laptop, desk? Music? Lighting, handwriting?

    Karen Quinn: I have a big office in my apartment. Two walls are entirely filled with books. In front of the books facing the door (very Feng Shui) is an antique desk that is very messy. Next to it (making an “L” shape) is my computer desk, which faces the window. My cats are sleeping at my feet.

    Do you watch television? If so, what are your favorite shows? Does television influence of inspire your writing?

    Karen Quinn: I am addicted to Law and Order. I love how they get so much story into so little time. If I’m flipping through channels and I see that, I’ll always stop. I also love Sex and the City.

    What about movies? Same as above.

    Karen Quinn: Like my character Holly, I love old romantic comedies from the 1950’s – Sabrina, Roman Holiday, An Affair to Remember, Charade, To Catch a Thief. All these movies were muses for Holly Would Dream.

    Focusing on your most recent (or first) book, tell our readers what genre your book is and what popular author you think your writing style in this book is most like.

    Karen Quinn: My books are women’s fiction in the tradition of Sex and the City, The Nanny Diaries, The Devil Wears Prada, and The Starter Wife. The difference is, my books are funnier. I don’t mean that in a braggy way. I just mean that I inject more humor into my work, either situational or one-liners.

    How long did it take you to write your most recent (or first) book? When you started writing, did you think it would take that long (or short)?

    Karen Quinn: As I mentioned earlier, I wrote the first draft of The Ivy Chronicles in three months. That’s because it was that or face having to get a real job. My next books have taken a year or so to complete.

    Is there anyone you’d like to specifically acknowledge who has inspired, motivated, encouraged or supported your writing?

    Karen Quinn: There are so many people. If you look at my acknowledgements, they are always very long. But there is one person I should mention who really helped me – my friend, Judy Levy. When I was writing The Ivy Chronicles, I would send her my chapters and she would read them, call me back, laughing hysterically, and telling me how much she was loving the book. It was that daily encouragement that kept me going with the first book.

    Is there any one particular book that when you read it, you thought to yourself, “Man, I wish I’d written that one!”?

    Karen Quinn: When I read David Sedaris, Wendy Wasserstein, and Laurie Notaro, I think that I wish I could do humor as well as they do.

    Thinking about your writing career, is there anything you’d go back and do differently now that you have been published?

    Karen Quinn: No, it has been a journey and I have learned so much from everything I did right and from all my mistakes. I never look back with regret because I think every experience has made me who I am today and I love that woman, warts, tummy, wrinkles and all.

    What is your main goal or purpose you would like to see accomplished by your writing?

    Karen Quinn: I would love to be discovered by a very broad audience of women and to bring them joy and make them laugh when they read my work. My books are always about strong women who face adversity, but who persevere and end up in a better place. They are hopeful. I want women to read them and know that no matter what they are facing, they should press on and they will be fine. Every woman is the heroine in her own story.

    How has having a book published changed your life?

    Karen Quinn: I am making a lot less money than I made in the corporate world, but I am living my passion. As Mastercard says, being able to do work you love is priceless. This is ironic since being downsized by American Express is what led me to becoming a published author. By the way (and I know this isn’t what you’re asking), when Amex fired me, I was devastated, but it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me. Now, when “bad” things happen, I realize that I don’t have the perspective of time and I look for the wonderful gift this seeming disaster will this bring me.

    Many authors have said that naming their characters is a difficult process, almost like choosing a name for their own child. How did you select the names of some of your lead characters in your book/s?

    Karen Quinn: I choose names that relate somehow to the story or the character’s personality. Ivy was named Ivy because the book was about getting into the Baby Ivy’s in New York City. Holly was named after Holly Golightly, and like her namesake, she was a single woman trying to make it in the big city.

    Have you ever had a character take over a story and move it in a different direction than you had originally intended? How did you handle it?

    Karen Quinn: This happens all the time. I remember when I wrote The Ivy Chronicles, the story opens when Ivy’s husband is caught in the bathtub with Sassy, the wife of the man who just got Ivy fired. I had intended for Sassy to have a bit part, but she was so interesting that she became a fairly big player in the story. I tend to loosely outline where I think the book should go, but if something better strikes me as I’m writing, I’ll go with it.

    Is there any lesson or moral you hope your story might reveal to those who read it?

    Karen Quinn: Yes, keep going no matter how many obstacles are thrown in your path. You are the heroine of your own journey.

    Do you have any book signings, tours or special events planned to promote your book that readers might be interested in attending? If so, when and where?

    Karen Quinn: I just did a reading for Holly Would Dream in New York City. It was so much fun. Women came in their favorite little black dresses and pearls. When I toured Denver, they did the same thing. I’m going to Wilmington, NC July 10. Check out my website at www.karenquinn.net for the location and time.

    It’s said that the editing process of publishing a novel with a publisher is can be grueling and often more difficult than actually writing the story. Do you think this is true for you? How did you feel about editing your masterpiece?

    Karen Quinn: I have always found that a good editor will help me make my novel much better. When I first get the editorial letter, I read it, then put it away for a day because it feels so daunting. Then I’ll read it again and see what I agree with and what I don’t. But I usually listen to a good editor’s advice and this has always led to a better story.

    Now that you are a published author, does it feel differently than you had imagined?

    Karen Quinn: I suppose I thought I would feel different if I became a well-known author. But I feel like the same woman, and my family treats me like they always did. My children could care less about my professional success. They keep me grounded. This is my fourth career, so I feel like the same working mother, only in a different job.

    Now, use this space to tell us more about who you. Anything you want your readers to know?

    My three books – The Ivy Chronicles, Wife in the Fast Lane, and Holly Would Dream – can be purchased at Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, or at a local bookstore. If they don’t have a copy, they can order if for you. I do have a website and I send out a very funny newsletter whenever something funny happens to me (which seems to be about once a month). If you’ll go to www.karenquinn.net, you can sign up for the newsletter and read more about my books. There is a blog there as well. You can also email me at Hollywoulddream@aol.com. I am the author who always writes back. I might even meet you for coffee.

    Publisher:
    http://www.simonsays.com/content/destination.cfm?tab=3&pid=517067

    .

  • 3 Comments
  • Filed under: Author Interviews

    • Interview with Karen Quinn, Author of Holly Would Dream and The Ivy Chronicles

    Author: Michy

    Jul 14


    It’s rare today to find an author who does nothing but write for a living. Do you have a ‘real’ job other than writing, and if so, what is it? What are some other jobs you’ve had in your life?
    Karen Quinn: I started out as a lawyer and absolutely hated that. After I dozed off in front of my client during an SEC hearing, I quit that. Luckily, the client died that year so he never sued me for malpractice. Then I moved into marketing and advertising. I worked for American Express for fifteen years until they downsized me. At that point, I came up with the idea of starting a small business helping NYC families get their children into the best private schools. The company was called Smart City Kids – it still exists today. But after two-and-a-half years, I got out. There were too many tears – not from the children, from their parents.


    What compelled you to write your first book?

    Karen Quinn: After leaving Smart City Kids, my husband wanted me to get a job. We really needed the money. But I had always had a dream about being a writer. I’d never done anything about it – it was like one of those fantasies we have about becoming a movie star. Wait, I take that back. I did always write a holiday letter that everyone said made them laugh. Anyway, I realized that after leaving my company, I had lots of funny stories about my experiences helping these neurotic parents and their adorable kids. So I told my husband that instead of getting a job, I wanted to write a bestseller like The Nanny Diaries about getting kids into private school. Mark asked me how long that would take. I had no idea so I told him three months. He let me go ahead as long as I promised to get a job after three months. I wrote like crazy after that and had a first draft of The Ivy Chronicles done before my deadline. The threat of having to get a real job is a powerful motivator when it comes to writing.

    Have you always wanted to be a writer?

    Karen Quinn: No, I have always wanted to be a painter. That’s something I love to do and I’m good at it (in a Grandma Moses kind of way). My home is filled with paintings I’ve done. But I discovered when I wrote The Ivy Chronicles that I genuinely love to write. It’s very exciting to discover something new about yourself when you’re in your mid-forties.

    Tell us a little bit about your book/s.

    Karen Quinn: The Ivy Chronicles is the first book. It is about a woman who reinvents herself after losing everything that is dear to her – her husband, her upper-east-side lifestyle, her job. She starts a business helping families get their children into private school. Through this, she discovers a new life for herself that is better than the old one. I wrote Ivy at a time when I had lost my corporate job and I reinvented myself by becoming an author. So that book is particularly close to my heart.

    Wife in the Fast Lane is about a mid-western girl, a track star turned businesswoman, who marries a powerful mogul and moves to the upper-east-side. It is about how she juggles the demands of work, love, and motherhood in the most exclusive zip code in Manhattan.

    Finally, Holly Would Dream is about a woman named Holly who wishes her life was like an Audrey Hepburn-Cary Grant movie, but of course it isn’t, until it is. This one is really a modern day fairy tale that is about all the things I adore – fashion, travel, and old, romantic movies from the 1950’s. Holly Would Dream is my favorite of the three I’ve written. My books tend to be women’s fiction, page-turners, and funny.

    Are you currently working on any writing projects our readers should watch for release soon?

    Karen Quinn: Just this week it was announced that Sarah Jessica Parker is going to star in The Ivy Chronicles movie. So readers should look out for that. I am also working on a fourth book about three sisters in Manhattan, but I’m not sure when it will be done. I’m also doing a non-fiction book about what parents can do at home to be sure their children are ready for kindergarten.

    Have you ever won any writing awards? If so, what?

    Karen Quinn: No, I haven’t. My books are perfect for the beach, long airplane rides, or to take you to another world after a long hard day. I don’t think they give awards for books like that. But they really should, don’t you think? Call me shallow (and I’m sure someone will), but I’d rather read the latest Bushnell than Dostoevsky any day.

    How did you feel the day you held the copy of your first book in your hands?

    Karen Quinn: It felt like I had accomplished something wonderful. I was so proud of it. No one was home when it arrived so I ran downstairs and showed my doormen. Now they treat me like a movie star and they always buy my books for their mothers and wives.

    What type of music, if any, do you listen to while you write?

    Karen Quinn: I’m very ADD so I don’t listen to music while I write. When I do listen, it tends to be songs written in the eighties or earlier.

    What inspires you and motivates you to write the very most?

    Karen Quinn: When I am really into a good story, I can’t wait to get to the computer. What will my characters do today? I often have plans for them and then they surprise me. When I sit down to write, I can go for a good eight hours.

    What one thing are you the most proud of in your life?

    Karen Quinn: Professionally, I

  • 4 Comments
  • Filed under: Writing Information

    • Book Review: Why Your Last Diet Failed You, by Charlie Hills

    Author: Michy

    Jul 9


    When I picked up the book by Charlie Hills, Why Your Last Diet Failed You, I thought, Great, yet another book on dieting. Then I read the subtitle of the book: “And How This Book Won’t Help You on Your Next One”. My thought on that was, Huh, well, at least he’s honest.

    The reason I wanted to read this book wasn’t because it was yet another book on dieting, but rather because of the humor displayed on the cover. In a world where authors try hard to impress their readers with their accolades, Charlie Hills bills himself on the front cover of Why Your Last Diet Failed You as, “Author of Two Other Books You’ve Never Heard Of”, while the back cover touts, “Combined praise from eight of the author’s relatives.”

    Not only did I find the cover of Why Your Last Diet Failed You amusing, but I also found it honest, and that’s what you’re going to find inside the book. That is, essentially, what the very foundation of this book, yet another book on dieting, is all about: honesty, with a dash of humor, and it’s calorie free.

    One thing that stood out when reading the book is that Mr. Hills makes it clear upfront his isn’t a miraculous weight loss story. He’s never weighed 400 pounds, had a near death experience, or any of the other amazing and heartwarming stories we see in late night infomercials from people with whom we cannot relate. Instead, he’s just a normal American human being, who, like the majority of Americans, has been battling the bulge and the “trampoline” weight loss and gain, and he found himself loosing the war.

    Mr. Hills documents his own ups and downs, valleys and peaks, while also tackling many of the common diets on the market today, all of which he highly recommends. The point he makes is that any diet when used properly as a tool in weight loss and maintenance, is going to be as successful as you make it. Mr. Hills reiterates what we all know: the only way to successfully loose weight and keep it off is to eat less and healthier and move more. It’s not really rocket science, and he doesn’t really tell us anything that we don’t on some level already know, but he makes it clear from the beginning he isn’t going to do so.

    Unlike many of the popular diet plan books, you won’t find a lot of science and facts and figures here, although behind Why Your Last Diet Failed You there is plenty of evidence, research and facts. The difference here is the personal anecdotes, the humor and the human struggle that let’s you share the journey with the author. On the downside, sometimes I felt Mr. Hills’ spent too much time sharing is own personal journey, so that it read in places more like a personal journal than I had expected. On the upside, I enjoyed the book as a whole, and there were places in the book where I myself nodded my head in a knowing manner and other places where I literally laughed at loud.

    If you’re looking for a book that is going to provide you some sort of magic weight loss formula, Charlie Hills’ 210-page, glossy cover, perfect bound paperback from Lockshire Press isn’t going to do it. If, however, you’re serious about losing weight, keeping it off, and laughing with Mr. Hills and at yourself a little bit along the way, this book can make the journey funnier, while letting you know you’re not alone in your experiences.

    Pros: Humorous, realistic, practical… this book will make you laugh, might even motivate you to lose weight, and even if it doesn’t, provides enough entertainment value to make it worth the read.

    Con: The book is a bit pricey with a retail listing of US $22.95, and an Amazon.com listing of $14.95.

    Charlie, I assure you, if I ever find the secret crispy pepperoni pizza weight loss diet, you will be the first person I call. I truly enjoyed Why Your Last Diet Failed You, by Charlie Hills, but then my results might not be typical! (You’ll have to read the book to understand that one.)

    To read Michelle Devon’s interview with Charlie Hills, author of Why Your Last Diet Failed You, click here.

  • 0 Comments
  • Filed under: Book Reviews

    • Book Review: Why Your Last Diet Failed You, by Charlie Hills

    Author: Michy

    Jul 9


    When I picked up the book by Charlie Hills, Why Your Last Diet Failed You, I thought, Great, yet another book on dieting. Then I read the subtitle of the book: “And How This Book Won’t Help You on Your Next One”. My thought on that was, Huh, well, at least he’s honest.

    The reason I wanted to read this book wasn’t because it was yet another book on dieting, but rather because of the humor displayed on the cover. In a world where authors try hard to impress their readers with their accolades, Charlie Hills bills himself on the front cover of Why Your Last Diet Failed You as, “Author of Two Other Books You’ve Never Heard Of”, while the back cover touts, “Combined praise from eight of the author’s relatives.”

    Not only did I find the cover of Why Your Last Diet Failed You amusing, but I also found it honest, and that’s what you’re going to find inside the book. That is, essentially, what the very foundation of this book, yet another book on dieting, is all about: honesty, with a dash of humor, and it’s calorie free.

    One thing that stood out when reading the book is that Mr. Hills makes it clear upfront his isn’t a miraculous weight loss story. He’s never weighed 400 pounds, had a near death experience, or any of the other amazing and heartwarming stories we see in late night infomercials from people with whom we cannot relate. Instead, he’s just a normal American human being, who, like the majority of Americans, has been battling the bulge and the “trampoline” weight loss and gain, and he found himself loosing the war.

    Mr. Hills documents his own ups and downs, valleys and peaks, while also tackling many of the common diets on the market today, all of which he highly recommends. The point he makes is that any diet when used properly as a tool in weight loss and maintenance, is going to be as successful as you make it. Mr. Hills reiterates what we all know: the only way to successfully loose weight and keep it off is to eat less and healthier and move more. It’s not really rocket science, and he doesn’t really tell us anything that we don’t on some level already know, but he makes it clear from the beginning he isn’t going to do so.

    Unlike many of the popular diet plan books, you won’t find a lot of science and facts and figures here, although behind Why Your Last Diet Failed You there is plenty of evidence, research and facts. The difference here is the personal anecdotes, the humor and the human struggle that let’s you share the journey with the author. On the downside, sometimes I felt Mr. Hills’ spent too much time sharing is own personal journey, so that it read in places more like a personal journal than I had expected. On the upside, I enjoyed the book as a whole, and there were places in the book where I myself nodded my head in a knowing manner and other places where I literally laughed at loud.

    If you’re looking for a book that is going to provide you some sort of magic weight loss formula, Charlie Hills’ 210-page, glossy cover, perfect bound paperback from Lockshire Press isn’t going to do it. If, however, you’re serious about losing weight, keeping it off, and laughing with Mr. Hills and at yourself a little bit along the way, this book can make the journey funnier, while letting you know you’re not alone in your experiences.

    Pros: Humorous, realistic, practical… this book will make you laugh, might even motivate you to lose weight, and even if it doesn’t, provides enough entertainment value to make it worth the read.

    Con: The book is a bit pricey with a retail listing of US $22.95, and an Amazon.com listing of $14.95.

    Charlie, I assure you, if I ever find the secret crispy pepperoni pizza weight loss diet, you will be the first person I call. I truly enjoyed Why Your Last Diet Failed You, by Charlie Hills, but then my results might not be typical! (You’ll have to read the book to understand that one.)

    To read Michelle Devon’s interview with Charlie Hills, author of Why Your Last Diet Failed You, click here.

  • 0 Comments
  • Filed under: Writing Information

    • How to Write and Punctuate Thoughts in Fiction Writing

    Author: Michy

    Jul 8

    When I was working under a big house editor awhile back, one of the things he told me was that he would toss out any manuscript that said:

    … he thought to himself.

    He said this was a rookie mistake for a writer to make. It marked the writer as someone who had not taken the time to write well.

    Why?

    Because, unless you are writing a science fiction or fantasy novel in which characters can communicate telepathically with their thoughts, there is no other way to think than to think to yourself. Stating so is superfluous, completely unnecessary, and thus, the mark of poor writing, or at least, weak writing.

    There is no need to say someone thought to themselves, but rather that they simply thought.

    WRONG:

    Man, she’s one fine looking woman, he thought to himself.

    RIGHT:

    Man, she’s one fine looking woman, he thought, knowing he’d never stand a chance with her. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

    In general, direct thoughts, those a person thinks inside their head, as though they were spoken but were thought instead, are written as italics without quotes around it, but tagged the same way as if they had quotes.

    Example:
    Mary thought, I think I’ll go to the store.

    Mary said, “I think I’ll go to the store.”

    Note two things about the example. 1) except for the quotes vs. italics, the punctuation is the same and 2) Mary didn’t think to herself; she just thought.

    Also, when writing thoughts in fiction writing, you want to be sure that you are only italicizing those thoughts that are thought in the character’s head as though they were spoken inside their head.


    For example:
    Tom thought it would be a good idea to go to the store.

    Tom thought, I think it would be a good idea to go to the store.

    …….

    Jason wondered whether going to the store was a good thing for Tom to do.

    Jason wondered, Is it a good thing for Tom to go to the store?

    Try to differentiate between telling the reader a thought and showing them one…remember, if you are not in omniscient point of view (POV) or the POV of the character doing the thinking, you can’t tell the reader that person’s thoughts anyway because the reader shouldn’t have access to them!

    Thoughts are a tricky business in fiction writing.

    Lastly, I want you to think about how YOU think in real life. When you think, you probably don’t really think in complete paragraphs like you would talk. You probably don’t really even think in complete sentences. In fact, much of our thoughts are more flashes and images with bits of words thrown in to complement them.

    When you are writing thoughts for a character, you need to keep that in mind. DO NOT try to tell your story through a character’s thoughts. Now, it’s one thing if the character is the story’s narrator. That might come across as the character’s thoughts, but it’s really not. I’m talking about making your character walking around talking to himself inside his head – don’t do it. People don’t think that way. Find another way to write it if you catch yourself doing more than a couple of sentences of thought.

    Remember, in order to write good fiction, you have to suspend disbelief long enough that the reader can be drawn into your world and be a part of it as though it is real. If your character carries on conversations with himself in his head, your reader will get bored quick.

    So, to recap – the main point of this tip is: don’t he “…he thought to himself.”

    This message brought to you in part by the manuscript I am assessing this morning.

    Have a fantastic and editorially correct day.

    Love and stuff,
    Michy

  • 4 Comments
  • Filed under: Writing Information

    • A vs. An

    Author: Michy

    Jul 8

    I would have thought most writers knew this one, but I’ve stumbled upon this error on more than one site recently, and not just in the text of the writing but in the titles sometimes!

    It’s a quick tip today, because it really doesn’t require much in the way of explanation.

    When using ‘a’ or ‘an’, it’s very easy to know which to use when.

    ‘A’ is used in front of a word that begins with a consonant sound.

    ‘An’ is used in front of a word that begins with a vowel sound.

    Just to make sure you know the difference, vowels are A, E, I, O, U (in this instance, Y doesn’t count).

    Consonants are all the other letters that aren’t vowels.

    I say a title today on an article, “A Easter XXXX”

    Nope. It’s “An Easter XXXX”.

    So that’s the quick lesson for the day – ‘A’ before consonant sounds, ‘AN’ before vowel sounds.

    Any questions?

    Love and stuff,
    Michy

  • 2 Comments
  • Filed under: Writing Information

    • Interview with Author Bo Savino (aka: Catherine Chase, Dr. Kim Savino, AJ Rand)

    Author: Michy

    Jul 3

    You never know which personality might arise from this author who writes under several pseudonyms to keep the genres separate in the hearts and minds of her readers. In particular, she chose to separate her genres with pseudonyms to add a level of parental control so that the young readers of her Reggie & Ryssa series won’t go browsing through the more mature content of her other various titles.

    Bo Savino is also the author of the spiritual fiction book, Sacred Steps, published in 2003 by TGS, Ltd, under Dr. Kim Savino. Reggie & Ryssa and the Summer Camp of Faery is her first journey into the realm of books for young adults, under the name Bo Savino.

    Under the pseudonym of A. J. Rand, the first book in her Broken Wings series, Broken Wings: Genesis, was released through Aisling Press in 2007. The second book to the series, Broken Wings: Alpha, is expected to be released later in 2008, along with another contemporary sci-fi, Sky Gold, in early 2008. The upcoming Grigori/Fallen Angel series will intertwine with the characters fans are coming to love in her Broken Wings series.

    Her fantasy series is written under the pseudonym of Catherine Chase. Keeper of the Flame is the first book in the series, while the second book, Initiates of Light is soon to come.

    Savino/Rand/Chase currently resides in Florida with her husband, 2 of her sons, her mother, and a few dear friends—a full support team.

    Interview with Author Bo Savino:

    It’s rare today to find an author who does nothing but write for a living. Do you have a ‘real’ job other than writing, and if so, what is it? What are some other jobs you’ve had in your life?

    Bo Savino: Nope. No “Real” job. Actually, I run a media company that covers all aspect of media including books, graphic arts, website design, audio, etc. The parent company is Oculus Media Group, and we bill ourselves as the “ABC’s of Publishing,” although “publishing” extends to all aspects of the media with which we work.

    What compelled you to write your first book?

    Bo Savino: Dreams. I wrote my first book when I was 18, and it was based off a series of recurring dreams that I had. Ironically, a lot of my books still come from dreams…and when you consider some of the content, I think it gives the readers a clue as to how truly disturbed my mind really is.

    Have you always wanted to be a writer?

    Bo Savino: Yes—pretty much since I was in high school. I always loved the writing aspect of English and Language Arts.

    Tell us a little bit about your book/s.

    Bo Savino: Well, there are a lot to list! My first published book was Sacred Steps. It is a spiritual fiction that can best be explained as the Celestine Prophecy meets Native America. From there I went on to publish Reggie & Ryssa and the Summer Camp of Faery. It is the first in my young adult fantasy series, published under Bo Savino. Next up came Keeper of the Flame, which honestly was a self-published title that I wanted to experiment with for the self-publishing division of our media company. I never expected it to go anywhere, and wanted to provide a title for sample of the quality of our books.

    Once people started reading it, I have been getting multiple requests for me to continue on with the series, which is a paranormal fantasy romance. After that came Broken Wings: Genesis, which is a fun, sassy & totally irreverent contemporary fantasy about the beginnings of the second war of the angels and Armageddon. I love my Reggie & Ryssa series, but I think the Broken Wings series is right up there at the top of my favorites list.

    Are you currently working on any writing projects our readers should watch for release soon?

    Bo Savino: Always! At the end of April, beginning of May, I have a sci-fi title coming out: Sky Gold. Sometime in August, the second book to the Broken Wings series, Broken Wings: Alpha, is scheduled for release. If all goes right, the Second book in the Reggie & Ryssa series, Reggie & Ryssa and the Scavenger Hunt, will also be released by the end of the year. The fun part with that one is that there was a contest held for kids to do the artwork that goes at the top of each chapter. The sales of the book will produce a percentage of royalties for the winners, which will go into a scholarship account for college. The second book in the Keeper of the Flame series, Initiates of Light, is currently in the production stage, as well as a spin-off series from Broken Wings, which will be a paranormal romance series involving the Grigori, a specific faction of Fallen Angels.

    Have you ever won any writing awards? If so, what?

    Bo Savino: Reggie & Ryssa and the Summer Camp of Faery took 1st Runner-Up in the AllBooks Review Editor Choice Awards for 2007.

    How did you feel the day you held the copy of your first book in your hands?

    Bo Savino: That’s a funny story. It was pretty cool with Sacred Steps, but Reggie & Ryssa takes the prize. I heard the UPS guy honking, announcing the delivery of what I knew was the first galley copy of Reggie & Ryssa and the Summer Camp of Faery. I ran out, signed for it, and ran back in the house, tearing open the package on the way. When I finally opened it and looked down, I burst into happy tears. I felt overwhelmed, awed, and stupid at the same time. A few minutes later, while I am still in tears, my mom called me from work. She instantly asked what was wrong, and she laughed when I told her. Her comment to me was :”Of course you’re crying…you’ve been in labor for over a year and just gave birth to twins!” (Referring to the twins in the book, Reggie & Ryssa). I’ve never gotten over that feeling.

    What type of music, if any, do you listen to while you write?

    Bo Savino: Ugh. None. I love music, but it distracts my mind to the point where I can’t write. It’s either throw myself into the words of the book or escape into the words of a song. My brain doesn’t allow me to do both at the same time!

    What inspires you and motivates you to write the very most?

    Bo Savino: Dreams, as I said, or little fragments that come to me here and there in the wired thoughts that constantly run through my mind. I think my biggest motivator is when fans come up to see me and ask: “When is the next book in ‘such and such’ coming out”? The fact that they love my writing enough to ask about the next book in whichever series also seems to kick start me into writing, no matter how much of a block I may have at the time.

    What one thing are you the most proud of in your life?

    Bo Savino: My kids. I have three sons, Joshua, Aaron, and Random. They are part of my heart and soul. I am so proud of the young men they have grown into, and it humbles me to even think that I had any small part in it.

    What about your family? Do you have children, married, siblings, parents? Has your family been supportive of your writing?

    Bo Savino: I have a wonderful husband, Tom, who is very supportive of me in my writing. He is also the first round of my edits. When I am in the middle of a project, I read out loud to him, chapter by chapter, before bed each night. It’s the “reading out loud” part, and his questions about the story that helps me work through the first round of edits and storyline stuff. Like I said, I have three sons, and a stepdaughter, Amanda, who is a good kid. Although I guess I have to laugh at thinking of any of them as kids, since the youngest, Amanda, has just turned 18. Not so much kids anymore as young adults starting to make their own way into the world. I also have two grandchildren by my oldest son, Josh—Chase and Catherine. My Mom is an awesome supporter, and sometimes I think she is my biggest fan. She not only has a copy of all of my books (a given), but she also has a scrapbook of any and all artwork, business tuff, etc. that I have done over the years. Sometimes I think she has a bigger portfolio of my stuff than I do! I have two younger brothers and two younger sisters who are also very supportive of what I do. I guess I am very blessed to have been born into the family that I was!

    The main characters of your stories – do you find that you put a little of yourself into each of them or do you create them to be completely different from you?

    Bo Savino: With Reggie & Ryssa, the main characters are pretty much based on my youngest son, and my stepdaughter. There are a lot of their personality traits found in the first book. For Broken Wings, I never thought of the character being close to me, but those who know me well say that it is like reading a book about me when they here the attitudes of Yeshua Star. I never considered myself to be *that* sassy, but I guess we never view ourselves in the same ways as others do!

    Is there an established writer you admire and emulate in your own writing? Do you have a writing mentor?

    Bo Savino: I don’t have a writing mentor, but I have a great group of readers (prior to publication) who keep me in line. I think a few of my favorite authors are Sherrilyn Kenyon, Laurell K. Hamilton, Kim Harrison, P. C. Cast, Robert Jordan, Geroge R. R. Martin, and of course, J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. I think I was totally tickled by Laurell K.’s sassy writing style, because it reflected the way I liked to write. I developed the Grigori/Fallen Angel series long before I had even touched any of Sherrilyn Kenyon’s books (I discovered her Dark Hunter series just this past year), but fell in love with her similar storyline development. So I guess maybe I don’t emulate them as much as I love them because of some of the similarities I see.

    When growing up, did you have a favorite author, book series, or book?

    Bo Savino: Of curse, I was head over heels in love with the Nancy Drew series while growing up!

    What about now: who is your favorite author and what is your favorite genre to read?

    Bo Savino: Sherrilyn Kenyon. I discovered her only this past year, and quickly collected the 13 novels she had out in her Dark-Hunter and Dream-Hunter series. My favorite genre is contemporary sci-fi/fantasy, especially those that have romantic elements to them!

    Hey, let’s get morbid. When they write your obituary, what do you hope they will say about your book/s and writing? What do you hope they will say about you?

    Bo Savino: Bo Savino/A. J. Rand made a fun contribution to contemporary fantasy literature! I don’t take myself seriously enough to think that I will make a huge impact on the literary world, but I would like to think that those who find my books will at least have fun for a brief moment in time while they escape into them for a while. As far as for me, I hope they’ll say I was fun and down to earth, always easy to talk to—someone who cares about others. Those are the personality traits I think will stay with me for life.

    Location and life experience can sprinkle their influence in your writing. Tell us about where you grew up and a little about where you live now. If you could live anywhere you want to live, where would that be?

    Bo Savino: Yes—I grew up and lived in all of the above at some point in my life. We moved around a lot, but my residences were usually confined to the upper Midwest—Minnesota and Wisconsin. Now I live north of Tampa, in what could currently be considered a “bedroom” community. Small, not quite rural, but not quite city. There are suburbs around me, but I’m not necessarily part of one. Our home is back from the main road, and because of being surrounded by trees, I can’t really see any of my neighbors, so it’s easy to feel a little more isolated, but we’re only a hop, skip, and a jump from anywhere we want to go in the Tampa Bay area. I can’t imagine, at least at this time, living anywhere else, although I wouldn’t mind a getaway retreat in the mountains for when the summers heat up a little down here.

    Do you have any pets? What are they? Tell us about them.

    Bo Savino: We recently had our “tribe” pet, Diamond pass away from cancer. We have a new German Shepherd, Sage, who has come into our lives. He is quickly working his way into our hearts. We also have a porch kitty, Tommy Cat, who was at one time a feral cat that we started taking care of, but now comes around and hangs with the rest of us to get the loving he has figured out he needs.

    Bring us into your home and set the scene for us when you are writing. What does it look like?

    Bo Savino: Well, to do that, we wouldn’t be going *into* my home. I do the majority of my writing out on my porch, in the early morning hours as the sun is coming up, and before I have enough coffee in me to wake up. Everyone else is still usually asleep, or getting ready to go to work, so it is very quiet and private, except for what nocturnal critters might still be hanging around in the wee hours of the morning.

    Do you watch television? If so, what are your favorite shows? Does television influence of inspire your writing?

    Bo Savino: I am almost exclusively a Sci-Fi Channel kind of girl. I catch a few shows off channel, but I think I use shows more to escape the whirlwind of writing stuff in my head.

    What about movies? Same as above.

    Bo Savino: I rarely have enough time in the day to watch movies. I usually catch up on shows taped to DVR, so I can actually keep up with the storylines. I guess my favorite movies are Action/Adventure, better yet if they have a paranormal or Sci-fi twist to them. This past week my husband and I sat down finally to watch Resident Evil 3, which is right up my alley.

    Focusing on your most recent (or first) book, tell our readers what genre your book is and what popular author you think your writing style in this book is most like.

    Bo Savino: Sky Gold is the one that will be coming out next, but I am in the final stages of writing Broken Wings: Alpha. Who do I think the writing style is most like? I guess Laurell K. Well, except for the intense sex stuff…and there’s no vampires or werewolves, or…Maybe they are both only similar in the way that they are first person, sassy, irreverent, tough chick perspective. That would be as close as it gets, really.

    How long did it take you to write your most recent (or first) book? When you started writing, did you think it would take that long (or short)?

    Bo Savino: It all varies, I guess. The first book to Reggie & Ryssa took me 3 months from start to finish. The first one in the Broken Wings Series took me 6 weeks. Some books have been in various stages of writing for years, but I think really, when I sit down to actually pound through it, it can take me 3-6 months, depending on my mood and the space-time continuum.

    Is there anyone you’d like to specifically acknowledge who has inspired, motivated, encouraged or supported your writing?

    Bo Savino: Wow…I have so many people in my life that have been encouraging and supportive. I wouldn’t want to forget anyone. But I guess the biggest would be both my mother and my husband. The coolest part is that most of the stuff I write really isn’t their style, but they are still my biggest supporters and encouragers anyway.

    Is there any one particular book that when you read it, you thought to yourself, “Man, I wish I’d written that one!”?

    Bo Savino: George R. R. Martin’s series, another that I only found in this past year or so. They are incredibly detailed, and very cool.

    Thinking about your writing career, is there anything you’d go back and do differently now that you have been published?

    Bo Savino: Yes. I would have worked a lot harder in my earlier years to refine my craft, instead of thinking…wow…I’m really good, and sending it off to a publisher. When I look back now at some of my earlier writing, before I really “found my voice”, I cringe and say…“I can’t believe I actually thought that was good enough to send out.” Seriously. I have my own publishing company, and *I* wouldn’t take a second glance at some of my earlier stuff.

    What is your main goal or purpose you would like to see accomplished by your writing?

    Bo Savino: For people to be able to have fun, for the most part. But the biggest goal I would like to accomplish has more to do with the Reggie & Ryssa series. Making money as an author is tough, no matter what people think. For me, Reggie & Ryssa especially is not about making money. I am, and always have been, a voracious reader. It is hard for me to fathom people who can’t find fun and escapism within the pages of a book. I think this is even more true nowadays than ever before—especially when it comes to kids. J. K. Rowling accomplished one very amazing thing as far as I was concerned. Kids who would never even think to pick up a book before were reading! If I could accomplish one thing, it would be to keep going what Rowling started—keep kids enthused about reading.

    How has having a book published changed your life?

    Bo Savino: What life was that again? Wow…it has kept me busy. I have had to learn to restructure my time and actually keep a calendar/appointment book with me at all times. I have also learned that, no matter how important and way cool it would be to be invited to sit on a panel at a conference, say with Larry Niven, my family is still a priority. It broke my heart to turn that offer down, but my youngest son was graduating the same weekend, and would be heading off to Marine Boot Camp. So I guess the biggest thing was learning not only how to prioritize, but also the realization of what really was top priority in my life. It sometimes surprises you.

    Many authors have said that naming their characters is a difficult process, almost like choosing a name for their own child. How did you select the names of some of your lead characters in your book/s?

    Bo Savino: Reggie & Ryssa was probably the most difficult. I literally have spreadsheets full of all of the characters from the story, broken into houses, ages, magic, Teams, etc. In some ways it was easy. Since each was affiliated with a house/element, quite a few of the names fell along the same lines: “Pyro Flamebringer”, “Daisy Landstrider”, “Whisper Windcall”. But the other names, even Reggie and Ryssa? They literally named themselves. The same with Broken Wings. A lot of the characters are angelic, or mythological in nature, so it was easy to find a name. But again…the others named themselves. My characters are very much like my own children. No matter how good or bad, whatever quirks or faults, I still love them all. But it always seems to surprise me, once I start remotely thinking about their personality, their names just jump in my head. They seem to tell me who they are.

    Have you ever had a character take over a story and move it in a different direction than you had originally intended? How did you handle it?

    Bo Savino: That happens to me a lot. For the most part, I roll with it. Those scenes and ideas usually turn out to be some of the best ones/ideas as a whole. When the characters in Broken Wings: Alpha started doing that to me, I was actually upset about it and put the manuscript away for over a year. It wasn’t until I recognized how the series needed to tie in with the Grigori series that I discovered, once again, my characters were right and I was wrong. They must get frustrated with me being so slow on the uptake at times.

    Is there any lesson or moral you hope your story might reveal to those who read it?

    Bo Savino: I guess the one sort of common thing that runs through all of my books is that we’re all different, each with our strengths, weaknesses, and differences in opinions and the way we handle things. No one person is better than anyone else, and a lot of times we can accomplish more with the help of others than we can be trying to do everything ourselves.

    Do you have any book signings, tours or special events planned to promote your book that readers might be interested in attending? If so, when and where?

    Bo Savino: You can find most of where I am going to be on my events page at: www.BoSavino.com. I think one of the most fun upcoming events I am looking forward to (other than sci-fi/fantasy conventions, which I love!) is my launch party for Sky Gold on June 21 at the Barnes & Noble in Carrollwood, Tampa. I am doing it as a “featured” author in an event we put together: “Fantasize your way through the summer with local authors in science fiction, fantasy, and horror!” There are seven authors currently signed up to participate, although we have space for up to eleven.

    It’s said that the editing process of publishing a novel with a publisher is can be grueling and often more difficult than actually writing the story. Do you think this is true for you? How did you feel about editing your masterpiece?

    Bo Savino: Honestly? Don’t let me put it out the door without editing. Some of the crap the editors catch makes me scratch my head and say, “What was I thinking?” Is it easy to go through the editing process? No…not at all. It is difficult to cut out some of what you think is great stuff, only to have your editor raise a questioning eyebrow at your sanity. It is also difficult to realize that even though *you* might understand what you have written, people who are reading it may have no clue, because you didn’t explain it well enough. It is a tough process to work through, but that I think the fans are grateful for when they get to see the final product.

    Now that you are a published author, does it feel differently than you had imagined?

    Bo Savino: Absolutely. I think early on, I made the mistaken thought that most writers do, in that the hard part is done when you’ve finished the manuscript and get the book to print. It was a rude awakening to find out that the true work is only beginning! Promoting yourself, and your books, is not easy, and takes a lot of time, dedication, and perseverance. I think that’s where the really benefit comes in having a strong and caring group of people who support your efforts, and help you keep believing in yourself. Without them, I would have probably given up a long time ago.

    Now, use this space to tell us more about who you. Anything you want your readers to know?

    You can catch up with me at any of the various events I’ll be at, which you can usually find listed on my personal web page at: www.BoSavino.com. Reggie & Ryssa is also coming out with a set of character cards, with the wonderful artwork of Chad Jenkins, which you can also find samples of on my site. Check out my publisher’s site at: www.AislingPress.com as book releases get close—it’s the best way to get advance copies at a cheaper price than you’ll find when it actually hits the streets!

    .

  • 0 Comments
  • Filed under: Author Interviews

    • Interview with Author Bo Savino (aka: Catherine Chase, Dr. Kim Savino, AJ Rand)

    Author: Michy

    Jul 2

    You never know which personality might arise from this author who writes under several pseudonyms to keep the genres separate in the hearts and minds of her readers. In particular, she chose to separate her genres with pseudonyms to add a level of parental control so that the young readers of her Reggie & Ryssa series won’t go browsing through the more mature content of her other various titles.

    Bo Savino is also the author of the spiritual fiction book, Sacred Steps, published in 2003 by TGS, Ltd, under Dr. Kim Savino. Reggie & Ryssa and the Summer Camp of Faery is her first journey into the realm of books for young adults, under the name Bo Savino.

    Under the pseudonym of A. J. Rand, the first book in her Broken Wings series, Broken Wings: Genesis, was released through Aisling Press in 2007. The second book to the series, Broken Wings: Alpha, is expected to be released later in 2008, along with another contemporary sci-fi, Sky Gold, in early 2008. The upcoming Grigori/Fallen Angel series will intertwine with the characters fans are coming to love in her Broken Wings series.

    Her fantasy series is written under the pseudonym of Catherine Chase. Keeper of the Flame is the first book in the series, while the second book, Initiates of Light is soon to come.

    Savino/Rand/Chase currently resides in Florida with her husband, 2 of her sons, her mother, and a few dear friends—a full support team.

    Interview with Author Bo Savino:

    It’s rare today to find an author who does nothing but write for a living. Do you have a ‘real’ job other than writing, and if so, what is it? What are some other jobs you’ve had in your life?

    Bo Savino: Nope. No “Real” job. Actually, I run a media company that covers all aspect of media including books, graphic arts, website design, audio, etc. The parent company is Oculus Media Group, and we bill ourselves as the “ABC’s of Publishing,” although “publishing” extends to all aspects of the media with which we work.

    What compelled you to write your first book?

    Bo Savino: Dreams. I wrote my first book when I was 18, and it was based off a series of recurring dreams that I had. Ironically, a lot of my books still come from dreams…and when you consider some of the content, I think it gives the readers a clue as to how truly disturbed my mind really is.

    Have you always wanted to be a writer?

    Bo Savino: Yes—pretty much since I was in high school. I always loved the writing aspect of English and Language Arts.

    Tell us a little bit about your book/s.

    Bo Savino: Well, there are a lot to list! My first published book was Sacred Steps. It is a spiritual fiction that can best be explained as the Celestine Prophecy meets Native America. From there I went on to publish Reggie & Ryssa and the Summer Camp of Faery. It is the first in my young adult fantasy series, published under Bo Savino. Next up came Keeper of the Flame, which honestly was a self-published title that I wanted to experiment with for the self-publishing division of our media company. I never expected it to go anywhere, and wanted to provide a title for sample of the quality of our books.

    Once people started reading it, I have been getting multiple requests for me to continue on with the series, which is a paranormal fantasy romance. After that came Broken Wings: Genesis, which is a fun, sassy & totally irreverent contemporary fantasy about the beginnings of the second war of the angels and Armageddon. I love my Reggie & Ryssa series, but I think the Broken Wings series is right up there at the top of my favorites list.

    Are you currently working on any writing projects our readers should watch for release soon?

    Bo Savino: Always! At the end of April, beginning of May, I have a sci-fi title coming out: Sky Gold. Sometime in August, the second book to the Broken Wings series, Broken Wings: Alpha, is scheduled for release. If all goes right, the Second book in the Reggie & Ryssa series, Reggie & Ryssa and the Scavenger Hunt, will also be released by the end of the year. The fun part with that one is that there was a contest held for kids to do the artwork that goes at the top of each chapter. The sales of the book will produce a percentage of royalties for the winners, which will go into a scholarship account for college. The second book in the Keeper of the Flame series, Initiates of Light, is currently in the production stage, as well as a spin-off series from Broken Wings, which will be a paranormal romance series involving the Grigori, a specific faction of Fallen Angels.

    Have you ever won any writing awards? If so, what?

    Bo Savino: Reggie & Ryssa and the Summer Camp of Faery took 1st Runner-Up in the AllBooks Review Editor Choice Awards for 2007.

    How did you feel the day you held the copy of your first book in your hands?

    Bo Savino: That’s a funny story. It was pretty cool with Sacred Steps, but Reggie &am
    p;
    Ryssa takes the prize. I heard the UPS guy honking, announcing the delivery of what I knew was the first galley copy of Reggie & Ryssa and the Summer Camp of Faery. I ran out, signed for it, and ran back in the house, te    aring open the package on the way. When I finally opened it and looked down, I burst into happy tears. I felt overwhelmed, awed, and stupid at the same time. A few minutes later, while I am still in tears, my mom called me from work. She instantly asked what was wrong, and she laughed when I told her. Her comment to me was :”Of course you’re crying…you’ve been in labor for over a year and just gave birth to twins!” (Referring to the twins in the book, Reggie & Ryssa). I’ve never gotten over that feeling.

    What type of music, if any, do you listen to while you write?

    Bo Savino: Ugh. None. I love music, but it distracts my mind to the point where I can’t write. It’s either throw myself into the words of the book or escape into the words of a song. My brain doesn’t allow me to do both at the same time!

    What inspires you and motivates you to write the very most?

    Bo Savino: Dreams, as I said, or little fragments that come to me here and there in the wired thoughts that constantly run through my mind. I think my biggest motivator is when fans come up to see me and ask: “When is the next book in ‘such and such’ coming out”? The fact that they love my writing enough to ask about the next book in whichever series also seems to kick start me into writing, no matter how much of a block I may have at the time.

    What one thing are you the most proud of in your life?

    Bo Savino: My kids. I have three sons, Joshua, Aaron, and Random. They are part of my heart and soul. I am so proud of the young men they have grown into, and it humbles me to even think that I had any small part in it.

    What about your family? Do you have children, married, siblings, parents? Has your family been supportive of your writing?

    Bo Savino: I have a wonderful husband, Tom, who is very supportive of me in my writing. He is also the first round of my edits. When I am in the middle of a project, I read out loud to him, chapter by chapter, before bed each night. It’s the “reading out loud” part, and his questions about the story that helps me work through the first round of edits and storyline stuff. Like I said, I have three sons, and a stepdaughter, Amanda, who is a good kid. Although I guess I have to laugh at thinking of any of them as kids, since the youngest, Amanda, has just turned 18. Not so much kids anymore as young adults starting to make their own way into the world. I also have two grandchildren by my oldest son, Josh—Chase and Catherine. My Mom is an awesome supporter, and sometimes I think she is my biggest fan. She not only has a copy of all of my books (a given), but she also has a scrapbook of any and all artwork, business tuff, etc. that I have done over the years. Sometimes I think she has a bigger portfolio of my stuff than I do! I have two younger brothers and two younger sisters who are also very supportive of what I do. I guess I am very blessed to have been born into the family that I was!

    The main characters of your stories – do you find that you put a little of yourself into each of them or do you create them to be completely different from you?

    Bo Savino: With Reggie & Ryssa, the main characters are pretty much based on my youngest son, and my stepdaughter. There are a lot of their personality traits found in the first book. For Broken Wings, I never thought of the character being close to me, but those who know me well say that it is like reading a book about me when they here the attitudes of Yeshua Star. I never considered myself to be *that* sassy, but I guess we never view ourselves in the same ways as others do!

    Is there an established writer you admire and emulate in your own writing? Do you have a writing mentor?

    Bo Savino: I don’t have a writing mentor, but I have a great group of readers (prior to publication) who keep me in line. I think a few of my favorite authors are Sherrilyn Kenyon, Laurell K. Hamilton, Kim Harrison, P. C. Cast, Robert Jordan, Geroge R. R. Martin, and of course, J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. I think I was totally tickled by Laurell K.’s sassy writing style, because it reflected the way I liked to write. I developed the Grigori/Fallen Angel series long before I had even touched any of Sherrilyn Kenyon’s books (I discovered her Dark Hunter series just this past year), but fell in love with her similar storyline development. So I guess maybe I don’t emulate them as much as I love them because of some of the similarities I see.

    When growing up, did you have a favorite author, book series, or book?

    Bo Savino: Of curse, I was head over heels in love with the Nancy Drew series while growing up!

    What about now: who is your favorite author and what is your favorite genre to read?

    Bo Savino: Sherrilyn Kenyon. I discovered her only this past year, and quickly collected the 13 novels she had out in her Dark-Hunter and Dream-Hunter series. My favorite genre is contemporary sci-fi/fantasy, especially those that have romantic elements to them!

    Hey, let’s get morbid. When they write your obituary, what do you hope they will say about your book/s and writing? What do you hope they will say about you?

    tyle="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">

    Bo Savino: Bo Savino/A. J. Rand made a fun contribution to contemporary fantasy literature! I don’t take myself seriously enough to think that I will make a huge impact on the literary world, but I would like to think that those who find my books will at least have fun for a brief moment in time while they escape into them for a while. As far as for me, I hope they’ll say I was fun and down to earth, always easy to talk to—someone who cares about others. Those are the personality traits I think will stay with me for life.

    Location and life experience can sprinkle their influence in your writing. Tell us about where you grew up and a little about where you live now. If you could live anywhere you want to live, where would that be?

    Bo Savino: Yes—I grew up and lived in all of the above at some point in my life. We moved around a lot, but my residences were usually confined to the upper Midwest—Minnesota and Wisconsin. Now I live north of Tampa, in what could currently be considered a “bedroom” community. Small, not quite rural, but not quite city. There are suburbs around me, but I’m not necessarily part of one. Our home is back from the main road, and because of being surrounded by trees, I can’t really see any of my neighbors, so it’s easy to feel a little more isolated, but we’re only a hop, skip, and a jump from anywhere we want to go in the Tampa Bay area. I can’t imagine, at least at this time, living anywhere else, although I wouldn’t mind a getaway retreat in the mountains for when the summers heat up a little down here.

    Do you have any pets? What are they? Tell us about them.

    Bo Savino: We recently had our “tribe” pet, Diamond pass away from cancer. We have a new German Shepherd, Sage, who has come into our lives. He is quickly working his way into our hearts. We also have a porch kitty, Tommy Cat, who was at one time a feral cat that we started taking care of, but now comes around and hangs with the rest of us to get the loving he has figured out he needs.

    Bring us into your home and set the scene for us when you are writing. What does it look like?

    Bo Savino: Well, to do that, we wouldn’t be going *into* my home. I do the majority of my writing out on my porch, in the early morning hours as the sun is coming up, and before I have enough coffee in me to wake up. Everyone else is still usually asleep, or getting ready to go to work, so it is very quiet and private, except for what nocturnal critters might still be hanging around in the wee hours of the morning.

    Do you watch television? If so, what are your favorite shows? Does television influence of inspire your writing?

    Bo Savino: I am almost exclusively a Sci-Fi Channel kind of girl. I catch a few shows off channel, but I think I use shows more to escape the whirlwind of writing stuff in my head.

    What about movies? Same as above.

    Bo Savino: I rarely have enough time in the day to watch movies. I usually catch up on shows taped to DVR, so I can actually keep up with the storylines. I guess my favorite movies are Action/Adventure, better yet if they have a paranormal or Sci-fi twist to them. This past week my husband and I sat down finally to watch Resident Evil 3, which is right up my alley.

    Focusing on your most recent (or first) book, tell our readers what genre your book is and what popular author you think your writing style in this book is most like.

    Bo Savino: Sky Gold is the one that will be coming out next, but I am in the final stages of writing Broken Wings: Alpha. Who do I think the writing style is most like? I guess Laurell K. Well, except for the intense sex stuff…and there’s no vampires or werewolves, or…Maybe they are both only similar in the way that they are first person, sassy, irreverent, tough chick perspective. That would be as close as it gets, really.

    How long did it take you to write your most recent (or first) book? When you started writing, did you think it would take that long (or short)?

    Bo Savino: It all varies, I guess. The first book to Reggie & Ryssa took me 3 months from start to finish. The first one in the Broken Wings Series took me 6 weeks. Some books have been in various stages of writing for years, but I think really, when I sit down to actually pound through it, it can take me 3-6 months, depending on my mood and the space-time continuum.

    Is there anyone you’d like to specifically acknowledge who has inspired, motivated, encouraged or supported your writing?

    Bo Savino: Wow…I have so many people in my life that have been encouraging and supportive. I wouldn’t want to forget anyone. But I guess the biggest would be both my mother and my husband. The coolest part is that most of the stuff I write really isn’t their style, but they are still my biggest supporters and encouragers anyway.

    Is there any one particular book that when you read it, you thought to yourself, “Man, I wish I’d written that one!”?

    Bo Savino: George R. R. Martin’s series, another that I only found in this past year or so. They are incredibly detailed, and very cool.

    Thinking about your writing career, is there anything you’d go back and do differently now that you have been published?

    Bo Savino: Yes. I would have worked a lot harder in my earlier years to refine my craft, instead of thinking…wow…I’m really good, and sending it off to a publisher. When I look back now at some of my earlier writing, before I really “found my voice”, I cringe and say…“I can’t believe I actually thought that was good enough to send out.” Seriously. I have my own publishing company, and *I* wouldn’t take a second glance at some of my ea

    rlier stuff.

    What is your main goal or purpose you would like to see accomplished by your writing?

    Bo Savino: For people to be able to have fun, for the most part. But the biggest goal I would like to accomplish has more to do with the Reggie & Ryssa series. Making money as an author is tough, no matter what people think. For me, Reggie & Ryssa especially is not about making money. I am, and always have been, a voracious reader. It is hard for me to fathom people who can’t find fun and escapism within the pages of a book. I think this is even more true nowadays than ever before—especially when it comes to kids. J. K. Rowling accomplished one very amazing thing as far as I was concerned. Kids who would never even think to pick up a book before were reading! If I could accomplish one thing, it would be to keep going what Rowling started—keep kids enthused about reading.

    How has having a book published changed your life?

    Bo Savino: What life was that again? Wow…it has kept me busy. I have had to learn to restructure my time and actually keep a calendar/appointment book with me at all times. I have also learned that, no matter how important and way cool it would be to be invited to sit on a panel at a conference, say with Larry Niven, my family is still a priority. It broke my heart to turn that offer down, but my youngest son was graduating the same weekend, and would be heading off to Marine Boot Camp. So I guess the biggest thing was learning not only how to prioritize, but also the realization of what really was top priority in my life. It sometimes surprises you.

    Many authors have said that naming their characters is a difficult process, almost like choosing a name for their own child. How did you select the names of some of your lead characters in your book/s?

    Bo Savino: Reggie & Ryssa was probably the most difficult. I literally have spreadsheets full of all of the characters from the story, broken into houses, ages, magic, Teams, etc. In some ways it was easy. Since each was affiliated with a house/element, quite a few of the names fell along the same lines: “Pyro Flamebringer”, “Daisy Landstrider”, “Whisper Windcall”. But the other names, even Reggie and Ryssa? They literally named themselves. The same with Broken Wings. A lot of the characters are angelic, or mythological in nature, so it was easy to find a name. But again…the others named themselves. My characters are very much like my own children. No matter how good or bad, whatever quirks or faults, I still love them all. But it always seems to surprise me, once I start remotely thinking about their personality, their names just jump in my head. They seem to tell me who they are.

    Have you ever had a character take over a story and move it in a different direction than you had originally intended? How did you handle it?

    Bo Savino: That happens to me a lot. For the most part, I roll with it. Those scenes and ideas usually turn out to be some of the best ones/ideas as a whole. When the characters in Broken Wings: Alpha started doing that to me, I was actually upset about it and put the manuscript away for over a year. It wasn’t until I recognized how the series needed to tie in with the Grigori series that I discovered, once again, my characters were right and I was wrong. They must get frustrated with me being so slow on the uptake at times.

    Is there any lesson or moral you hope your story might reveal to those who read it?

    Bo Savino: I guess the one sort of common thing that runs through all of my books is that we’re all different, each with our strengths, weaknesses, and differences in opinions and the way we handle things. No one person is better than anyone else, and a lot of times we can accomplish more with the help of others than we can be trying to do everything ourselves.

    Do you have any book signings, tours or special events planned to promote your book that readers might be interested in attending? If so, when and where?

    Bo Savino: You can find most of where I am going to be on my events page at: www.BoSavino.com. I think one of the most fun upcoming events I am looking forward to (other than sci-fi/fantasy conventions, which I love!) is my launch party for Sky Gold on June 21 at the Barnes & Noble in Carrollwood, Tampa. I am doing it as a “featured” author in an event we put together: “Fantasize your way through the summer with local authors in science fiction, fantasy, and horror!” There are seven authors currently signed up to participate, although we have space for up to eleven.

    It’s said that the editing process of publishing a novel with a publisher is can be grueling and often more difficult than actually writing the story. Do you think this is true for you? How did you feel about editing your masterpiece?

    Bo Savino: Honestly? Don’t let me put it out the door without editing. Some of the crap the editors catch makes me scratch my head and say, “What was I thinking?” Is it easy to go through the editing process? No…not at all. It is difficult to cut out some of what you think is great stuff, only to have your editor raise a questioning eyebrow at your sanity. It is also difficult to realize that even though *you* might understand what you have written, people who are reading it may have no clue, because you didn’t explain it well enough. It is a tough process to work through, but that I think the fans are grateful for when they get to see the final product.

    Now that you are a published author, does it feel differently than you had imagined?

    Bo Savino: Absolutely. I think early on, I made the mistaken thought that most writers do, in that the hard part is done when you’ve finished the manuscript and get the book to print. It was a rude awakening to find out that the true work is only beginning! Promoting yourself, and your books, is not easy, and takes a lot of time, dedication, and perseverance. I think that’s where the really benefit comes in having a strong and caring group of people who support your efforts, and help you keep believing in yourself. Without them, I would have probably given up a long time ago.

    Now, use this space to tell us more about who you. Anything you want your readers to know?

    You can catch up with me at any of the various events I’ll be at, which you can usually find listed on my personal web page at: www.BoSavino.com. Reggie & Ryssa is also coming out with a set of character cards, with the wonderful artwork of Chad Jenkins, which you can also find samples of on my site. Check out my publisher’s site at: www.AislingPress.com as book releases get close—it’s the best way to get advance copies at a cheaper price than you’ll find when it actually hits the streets!

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