1 April 2013 - MICHAEL PRYOR - Guest Author

MICHAEL PRYOR

- Guest Author -

G'day guys,

Welcome to the life of Michael Pryor, Australian author.

  

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR WRITING JOURNEY.

I’ve been writing seriously since the early 90s. I concentrated on short stories for some time before trying novel length writing. My first novel came out in 1996, and I’ve published thirty more since then, all Young Adult Fantasy/Science Fiction. In total, I have published around 1.5 million words. Twenty of my novels were written while I had a full time day job. I’ve been writing full time for the last four years.

WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME A WRITER?

My early writing came about via the usual method – I’d always been a voracious reader and eventually had the thought – ‘I reckon I could do this’. Easier said than done, of course.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A WRITER?

I love it that my life is bound up with books, reading and writing and working with people who love books, reading and writing.

WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A WRITER?

Apart from the obvious – finances? For me, the hardest thing can be deciding which idea to work on. I have so many potential writing projects lining up for me, and only so many hours in the day …

WHAT WERE YOU IN A PAST LIFE, BEFORE YOU BECAME A WRITER?

I was a teacher. Teaching English, telling kids all day about how to write and eventually starting to wonder if I could do what I was telling them to do.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WRITING ACHIEVEMENT?

Ooh, tough one. It’s either the six book ‘Laws of Magic’ series, a steampunk/historical/fantasy/political/thriller/comedy/romance, or the 28 book shared world Quentaris series that Paul Collins and I originated, oversaw and managed.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

I’m putting the final touches on ‘The Subterranean Stratagem’, Book 2 of the Steampunk ‘Extraordinaires’ series.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

Reading inspires me, and the great tradition of storytelling.

WHAT GENRE DO YOU WRITE?

I write Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction.

DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS?

Persevere and finish something!

DO YOU SUFFER FROM WRITER’S BLOCK?

No. Too many ideas are waiting to be written to have writer’s block.

DO YOU HAVE A PREFERRED WRITING SCHEDULE?

I write for a few hours each morning and a few in the afternoon. When I’m in the middle of a writing project I aim to write 5000 words a day, which is solid but achievable.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE WRITING PLACE?

I always write in my study where all my resources are within reach.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY IN WRITING?

Getting feedback from happy readers.

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR AND WHY?

Tolkien, because I first read LOTR when I was 11 and it opened the door to reading and writing Fantasy, the literature of the imagination.

WHAT’S THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A READER?

A twitter: ‘I love Michael Pryor’s books, but I wish he’d write faster.’

WHAT WAS THE WORST COMMENT FROM A READER?

‘I threw this book across the room.’

WRITERS ARE SOMETIMES INFLUENCED BY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. ARE YOU?

Always, both consciously and unconsciously. I’m always drawing on people that I know or I’ve met to create characters. I’m always delving into my own reactions and experiences to make characters as realistic as possible.

OTHER THAN WRITING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?

I love reading. I love travel. I love good wine and food. I love cooking. I love gardening. And I love my family, naturally.

DID YOU HAVE YOUR BOOK / BOOKS PROFESSIONALLY EDITED BEFORE PUBLICATION?

My books are always professionally edited before publishing by the wonderful people at my publisher, Random House Australia.

DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.

Travelling somewhere interesting, meeting interesting people, having some excellent food and wine, and reading an interesting book in between all this.

IF YOU WERE STUCK ON A DESERT ISLAND WITH ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD IT BE? WHY?

My wife, because she’s my favourite person – and very practical.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO SPEAK TO WORLD LEADERS?

Can’t we all behave like adults and just get along?

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?

More writing, more travel, becoming a worldwide publishing phenomenon.

WHAT FIVE BOOKS WOULD YOU TAKE TO HEAVEN?

LOTR. The Baroque Cycle. Guns, Germs and Steel. The House at Pooh Corner. Wind in the Willows.

DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN ANY OF YOUR CHARACTERS?

Not really.

DOES THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY FRUSTRATE YOU?

At times, yes, but I’m lucky enough to be with an outstanding team at Random House Australia.

DID YOU EVER THINK OF QUITTING?

Sometimes, when I looked at my bank balance.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE MANUSCRIPT TO WRITE? WHY?

I particularly enjoyed writing ‘Word of Honour’, the third book of the Laws of Magic series, as my agent had negotiated a contract for it and two more books. The certainty and this vote of confidence was a terrific boost.

 HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE ‘SUCCESS’ AS A WRITER.

A good and loyal readership. An ongoing relationship with a major publisher.

WHAT SHOULD READERS WALK AWAY FROM YOUR BOOKS KNOWING? HOW SHOULD THEY FEEL?

They should feel as if they’ve read a well-constructed, engaging story. I want them to feel connected to the characters, to live with them through the ups and downs, through the triumphs and dangers, the mistakes and the misunderstandings.

HOW MUCH THOUGHT GOES INTO DESIGNING A BOOK COVER?

A huge amount. I’m consulted, and I have input, but I’m constantly dazzled by the inventiveness and insight of designers. My editor, the designer and I go through a number of rounds of drafts and versions, tweaking all along in order to get the best cover possible.

WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE DREAM?

Major international publication resulting in a movie deal with a large – but artistically credible – studio.

WRITING IS ONE THING. WHAT ABOUT MARKETING YOU, YOUR BOOKS AND YOUR BRAND? ANY THOUGHTS?

I constantly remind myself that I know how to write books, and my publisher knows about marketing and publicity. They’re trained in this field and have extensive experience – and a budget. I do what I can, through keeping up a web presence and maintaining a social media profile, and I do many public presentations and workshops, but the work the professionals do is pure gold.

Michael Pryor videos: 

http://www.youtube.com/user/MichaelJPryor?feature=mhee 

I'm ...

 

31 March 2013 - JANINE GREENING - Activist

JANINE

GREENING

- Activist -

G'day guys,

Today I welcome an Australian fighter for victims of crime - Janine Greening. Janine is a force to be reckoned with. She has dealt with lawyers, politicians, law courts, the justice system and our Attorneys General. She still is. Welcome, Janine. Tell us more ...

 WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT JOB?

Volunteer.

Director of the FORGETMENOT FOUNDATION INC -  A REGISTERED CHARITY.

And President of Victoria Homicide Victims Support Group.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE HUMAN RIGHTS?

 By being a volunteer at 9 years of age for Red Cross, and because my mother was involved in human right issues, she inspired me to take an interest in what is happening around me, and if I want to make a change, not to sit on the fence

HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN HUMAN RIGHTS? WAS IT ONE PARTICULAR INCIDENT?

As a child I was passionate about  Human rights,  but it was  my brother  who at the age of 11years old ,ended up in the clutches of the mental Health system, he actually has Autistic spectrum, but no one back in 1966, knew what that was, so shock treatment and insulin treatment were used on him.

ANY PERSONAL INVOLVEMENTS?

I am my brother's Guardian since our mother's murder. I advocate for him

WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF HUMAN RIGHTS?

Living in an egalitarian society, a Utopia, but I am a dreamer

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES IN THE WORLD AS YOU SEE THEM?

Poverty, Homelessness, Mental Health, War Crimes, Lack of Education, slave labour and Victims of Crime.

HOW CAN ORDINARY PEOPLE HELP, OR BECOME INVOLVED?

By writing  letters to their local MP’S, and Government officials,  joining together with others who are passionate about the causes that you are. People power is the strongest tool, plus petitions and submissions to Parliament.

HOW CAN WRITERS AND AUTHORS HELP?

By taking up Causes, Human Rights stories and telling the truth. 

DO YOU BECOME FRUSTRATED BY THE LACK OF POLITICAL WILL REGARDING HUMAN RIGHTS?

Yes, I do. I don’t believe we have Human Rights as such.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST VICTORY?

That I have not given up in fighting to change laws - have been doing it for 13 years 

WHAT HAS BEEN THE SADDEST MOMENT IN YOUR WORK?

When I met a young mother whose son was murdered by his father, the little boy was a couple of months old, his mother would carry his ashes everywhere with her, and I will never forget the pain and sadness in her face.

WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST FRUSTRATIONS?

Trying to get laws changed regarding Sex Offenders and getting suppression orders taken off young persons and adults who commit Vicious Assaults, Rapes, and murders.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?

Our next forum for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

WHAT ORGANISATIONS ARE YOU A PART OF? WHY?

Forwards (Forgotten Australian Justice Committee) for family members who were placed in care.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT SOME GOOD THINGS ARE BEING ACHIEVED IN HUMAN RIGHTS?

I‘ll wait and see what happens with the Royal, Commission into the Sexual abuse in the catholic church and other organisations in Australia.

WHO OR WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES?

Bureaucracy, Governments, Attitudes, Ignorance and Power.

ARE WESTERN GOVERNMENTS PROACTIVE OR REACTIVE?

Wish I Could answer this.

ANY ADVICE FOR A LAWYER CONSIDERING HUMAN RIGHTS LAW?

To be open minded. Human Rights, especially if you are working with Victims of Crime, should not be one sided. In Australia Human rights for victims of crime is non-existent. The scales of justice are not balanced.

IF YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS ALL WORLD LEADERS, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

You have the power to make a difference, in regards to the world Climate, Environment and the animals that are disappearing at such a rate. We live in a fragile world and the greatest disease of all is Poverty. 

WHO HAVE YOU WORKED FOR IN THE PAST?

Department of Human Services (Disabilities)

Volunteer, St Vincent de PAUL

Volunteer Ardoch Youth Foundation

Volunteer Office of Public Advocate

WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST DREAM?

To see respect for the environment and the animals that live on this planet, then maybe humans will respect each other.

DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY?

I love Simplicity, just to sit back and take in the beauty of each day, and those I love - my grandchildren and my furry friends

WHAT ARE YOUR FIVE MOST FAVOURITE BOOKS?

The Call of the Wild by Jack Loddon

The Moon is a balloon by David Niven

Thoughts of Nanushka by Nan Whitcomb

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Bloom

The summer that Bled by Anthony Masters (Biography of Helen Senesh)

HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE?

With hope in my heart, knowing that there are many people who are activists for many causes to make a change to bring about education  and awareness of what is going on around us in the injustices of mankind, and those who will tell the stories with courage and conviction.

ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?

 Whatever your dream hold on to it, never let go of hope, because it is the last thing to die. Can’t you tell HOPE is my favourite word; I live in hope every day?

http://www.teenkillers.org/index.php/international/australia/

 Clancy's comment: Go, Janine! Love ya passion. Keep up the good work.

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30 March 2013 - MARK BISKEBORN - Guest Author

MARK

BISKEBORN

- Guest Author -

G'day guys,

Today I welcome another author with many talents - Mark Biskeborn. Mark has serious marketing skills that most of us writers need. Not only, he is multi-lingual, fluent in English, French, German, and some Spanish. Welcome, Mark.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR WRITING JOURNEY. 

I grew up in Stockton, California, and graduated in French and Germany literature from the nearby college of UC Santa Cruz. I’ve had the extraordinary experience to live in Germany and France for a large part of my life. 

WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME A WRITER?

Since early teens I began to read a huge amount of important novels and other books. As a teenager, they inspired me to write a variety of things like a couple of plays, short stories and a pile of poetry. Only later did I really start to feel like taking it seriously. I dabbled for decades and eventually I developed some confidence.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A WRITER?

Creativity and imagination constitute a big part of my personality and way of thinking.

WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A WRITER?

Surviving while developing writing as a career that pays the bills. 

WHAT WERE YOU IN A PAST LIFE, BEFORE YOU BECAME A WRITER?

After college I taught English literature and language in France for a couple of years. Then I went back to get an MA in Comparative Literature and an MBA in Marketing. I worked some 15 years in the software industry while toying with writing all those years.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WRITING ACHIEVEMENT?

My poetry, short stories, and my novels: Mojave Winds, A Sufi’s Ghost, and Mexican Trade. I put a lot of research, craft, and revising into my books. I’m always eager to obtain feedback and constructive suggestions. I’m always learning about the craft, it’s an endless body of knowledge mixed with creativity and imagination.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

I just now have completed a manuscript for Mexican Trade and I’m revising it for release in a couple of months. Mexican Trade is a sequel to Mojave Winds.

A short story, Stay Frosty, in my collection of short stories, Californians and Other Cowboys, serves as a bridge between Mojave Winds and Mexican Trade. I’m thinking of a third novel to create a trilogy after Mexican Trade. This trilogy that I’m pulling together is an adventure-romance story.

           WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

All those novels and other books that I’ve read or currently read, they all inspire me. And there’s a long list of great novels, histories, theatre plays that I’ve read. Also, just current events inspire me. Literature is a reflecting narrative for society and culture.

WHAT GENRE DO YOU WRITE?

My stories are adventure-romance. I think my poetry is very modern.

DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS?

Creative writing is something that grows on you. If it’s right for you, you’ll do it one way or another. I don’t think there are any rules about it. Sometimes it’s common sense, other times is just wild and everything in between.

DO YOU SUFFER FROM WRITER’S BLOCK?

No. Some people do woodwork or gardening or science and enjoy it immensely without stopping. People take an interest in some activity. I take interest in literature.

DO YOU HAVE A PREFERRED WRITING SCHEDULE?

I like to start early in the morning. A great day contains no outside obligations or distractions. I can keep going at it. But life and good physical maintenance is also required.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE WRITING PLACE?

I prefer to write early in the morning, as early as 5 a.m. at a cafe or a grocery store that has booths or tables. A little bit of music and people around works for me for some strange reason.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY IN WRITING?

Getting everything just right...the dialog, the landscape, the place, the characters wrapped tightly to the overall plot.

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR AND WHY?

I have a lot of favourites. Shakespeare and the Bible are great for language and the content. Otherwise my favourites would fill a long list.

WHAT’S THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A READER?

The positive reviews from people—people I don’t know personally—who enjoy and gain something from my stories.

WHAT WAS THE WORST COMMENT FROM A READER?

I don’t really think I’ve received bad comments. But I’ve also developed a thick skin from the days when I was just learning the craft. 

WRITERS ARE SOMETIMES INFLUENCED BY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. ARE YOU?

Sure. I use as much as possible from my life experiences. For example, Uncle Fred and Kris Klug in Mojave Winds—these two characters have aspects of my father. 

OTHER THAN WRITING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?

I really enjoy haute cuisine—fine food, great wines. I enjoy physical exercise and sometimes take it to the extremes of sweat and exhaustion. Cycling, swimming, and walking are fun. I like to go to the movies.

DID YOU HAVE YOUR BOOK / BOOKS PROFESSIONALLY EDITED BEFORE PUBLICATION?

I work with good people before I go public with a book. It’s a great way to learn the craft. In Los Angeles there are some good writers’ meet-up clubs to exchange ideas and write each others’ manuscripts. But it doesn’t matter where you live. You can join writer groups online.

DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.

Get up a 5 a.m. go to my favourite cafe and work until lunch. Relax a little and then go back to reading and writing. Walk to the beach or cycle.

IF YOU WERE STUCK ON A DESERT ISLAND WITH ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD IT BE? WHY?

I’d want my favourite lady because she’s fun.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO SPEAK TO WORLD LEADERS?

Maintain a equitable economy. This means that the rich—the 2 percenters—have a limit to how much wealth they earn or own.  This also includes that the remaining 98 percenters have opportunities to earn a quality lifestyle with healthcare, education, and decent retirement.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?

Establish a good career as a writer that earns a quality lifestyle with healthcare, education, and retirement.

WHAT FIVE BOOKS WOULD YOU TAKE TO HEAVEN?

I envision heaven as a place where souls own no objects, no books, nothing.

DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN ANY OF YOUR CHARACTERS?

Yes. I can identify with my characters and I hope my readers do too. There are aspects of me in probably all the characters good and bad. 

DOES THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY FRUSTRATE YOU?

Not really. It’s business and as in any type of business you have to develop customers and provide quality products that they need or enjoy. From my experience the traditional business model is becoming obsolete where signing up with an agent who finds a publisher to manage your book. Now writers are freer to manage their own business. And it appears that even if you do sign up with the traditional business model, the writer is still left with managing their own business. So what’s the point of an agent and a publisher? Having an agent and a publisher carries some social prestige. But even that is blowing in the winds.

DID YOU EVER THINK OF QUITTING?

No. Writing is something I do like some people do crossword puzzles or knitting or woodworking in the garage. It’s an enjoyable, satisfying occupation...come rain or shine.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE MANUSCRIPT TO WRITE? WHY?

I like each and every one of my novels. I enjoy rewriting them, too. I’ve rewritten Mojave Winds and A Sufi’s Ghost, each novel for a Second Edition. That is somewhat unusual I suppose. But unlike a lot of other products, writing, like software, can always be revised and improved somehow. When you produce a move or a play (like Shakespeare) or singing or poetry, you always have an opportunity to change the text to improve it or simply to update it.

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE ‘SUCCESS’ AS A WRITER.

That happens when people enjoy reading the story because it somehow elevates or enriches or broadens a person’s view and helps to discover a new way of thinking and experiencing the world. That is success. 

WHAT SHOULD READERS WALK AWAY FROM YOUR BOOKS KNOWING? HOW SHOULD THEY FEEL?

I would hope that my stories somehow elevate people, help them to know more about other people, be more sensitive to their motivations, desires, and goals. I’d like people to feel refreshed by the sense that each person can help improve the world and despite that the world seems to be falling into pieces. 

HOW MUCH THOUGHT GOES INTO DESIGNING A BOOK COVER?

No much really. But I do enjoy drawing little sketches that I place in the books. I like to think that my amateurish drawings add a little bit of simplicity to the book. 

WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE DREAM?

That people enjoy my stories and gain many useful messages. 

WRITING IS ONE THING. WHAT ABOUT MARKETING YOU, YOUR BOOKS AND YOUR BRAND? ANY THOUGHTS?

Like I mentioned above, no matter how an author publishes, you still have to manage your own marketing. The irony in this publishing business is that once your books sell in the hundreds of thousands, then your publisher will be happy to invest in your marketing, but by then you, the author, won’t need their marketing.

 

www.linkedin.com/in/biskeborn

www.facebook.com/mark.biskeborn

Clancy's comment: Thanks, Mark. Now, grab your things and head down to that local cafe'.

Guys, this blog has been nominated in the Best Australian Blogs 2013 competition. Now it is the 'People's Choice' vote. Not sure how it will rate, but you can vote if you wish. It's up to you. Just click on the 'Vote for Me Now' logo in the top right hand corner ... and thanks for doing so.

 

I'm ...

Clancy Tucker