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Ask An Author #32

Renee Stevens

Entry posted by Renee Stevens in Author Interviews

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I've heard countless times how much everyone loves the Ask An Author feature and want to give a big Thank You to Dark for taking the time to contact all the authors and compile these wonderful Wednesday pieces. Don't forget, if you have a question you'd like to "Ask an Author" all you need to do is send Dark a PM!! Hope you enjoy!!!

 


Ask an Author #32

 


Welcome back to another quirky question and answer session with your favorite authors!

 

In AtA #31, we had questions for authors Andrew Todd, Headstall, and Sasha Distan.

 

In AtA #32, we hear from authors aditus, Cia, and wolfwriter.

 

For their protection, the members who asked these questions shall remain nameless (unless they choose to reveal themselves). :lol: Please note that all author replies are copied as is, spelling errors and grammar eccentricities original to the individual.

 

First up is Promising Author Aditus, whom we last saw in AtA #25. Once a scientist, Aditus continues to let his curiosity guide him and many of his interests pop up in his stories. Speaking of which, Aditus is one of the regular prompt-writers; and congrats on making it to 3000 rep! Recently, he’s been attempting National Poetry Writing Month, where authors are challenged to write a poem a day for an entire month. His current story is The Lonely Heart Club, a romance based on two things, the Friday prompts and Billy Joel’s “The Piano Man.” Love the song like I do? Then see what the plot bunnies are chewing on.

 

To Aditus: What inspired the creation of Jonah from Red Running Shoes. Did the dove as a symbol play a role in his development?
Jonah was inspired by a real person. Someone you’d think has it all: He’s good looking, has a well-paid and interesting job, and a lot of nice friends. His issues, however, are what make him story-worthy.

 

One reader very keenly concluded that Jonah has a typical INFP personality. For those who aren’t familiar with this, here are some facts: true idealist, always looking for the hint of good in even the worst of people, often a writer or poet. Add to this some quirks and baggage from the past that leads to a great fear of being betrayed, and you have an interesting character to write about. Those who read my stories know that my focus is usually on the characters of my stories, on their feelings, their reasoning, their reactions to obstacles life throws at them. You can see why I couldn’t resist Jonah.

 

I like names and their meaning and read a lot about this topic. When Jonah’s character was shaping up, his name was suddenly there. I looked it up and found it strangely fitting. Doves stand for love, sacrifice, peace, and hope. I just had to use it. So, I guess the answer is no. The character was mostly finished before I named him, it’s nevertheless a very suitable symbol for Jonah’s personality.

 

We venture now to redhead, sci-fi-loving Cia. We haven’t seen her in this blog in awhile, but the majority of us here on GA know her quite well as one of the behind-the-scenes workers. As if being a mom and admin aren’t enough, she’s also got a new puppy! And check out her blog Cia's Stories for more info on her published works. Crazily, Cia had a run-in with plagarization, with someone trying to rip off one of her stories. Grrr. Sadly, it’s not the first time something like that’s happened, but thanks to our wonderful readers (both on GA and elsewhere), fixes are much quicker than they used to be. On a happier note, congrats to Cia for making it 18 years with the same person. Happy Anniversary, and here’s to many more!

 

To Cia: I love some of your short stories. Have you thought of serializing them? Where do you draw your inspiration from?

 

That depends on which short stories you're talking about! Honestly, most of my non-contemporary stories are whole new worlds I could explore. Coupled in Synchronicity is going to be a novel. Married to the Enemy began as a 2k short and went to 12k. The Breach is a nice contemporary start, but it doesn't scream out to me, "Write More!". I do have a few flash fiction pieces I want to expand, but most of my Dribbles are just as is. I guess I'm just not motivated to write enough each day, but if I was (or my kids weren't so darn needy, they expect dinner EVERY night, can you believe it?!) then yeah, I'd love to serialize more of my shorts.Inspiration... well that's a tricky thing. Sometimes I don't feel it at all, and writing is a slog each week to get through because I just know it'll get easier if I keep trying. Sometimes my plot ideas are inspired the prompts I receive each week from the Wednesday Briefers, my off-site flash fiction group. I've been inspired for basic concepts in a story by a magazine article on passionettes (Changing Focus), a scientific research topic (gamma radiation from a supernova in Cataclysmic Evolution), a philosophical debate (Jung's theory of synchronicity in Coupled in Synchronicity)... and once even from my cat curled up on my shoulder and letting me rub my cheek against his soft, fluffy fur.

 

Author wolfwriter is our third and final author today. From Dallas, Texas, Wolfie loves stories with werewolves and other were-animals. She’s been with us since 2012 and published her first story with us in 2013. Her latest project is Love Bite, a story about a were-bear and a vampire and the sequel to “A Trip to Love.” Just this summer, Wolfie got “Uncommon Valor” published through Amazon. The cover to that, and others of her stories, are in her gallery. See what else she’s been up to on her website through weebly.

 

To wolfwriter: Your works range from The Marine to Lonesome Theta: what got you to try your hand at 'were-stories'? The mind-link is a nice touch--what inspired you to add that aspect to the tales?

 

I actually started my writing with were-stories. I read Timber Pack by Rob Colton and was hooked on them. One day I had an idea to try my hand at writing my own and came up with Your Alpha, My Mate. I wanted my characters to be able to communicate with the ability to have a conversation without anyone being able to overhear it when the need came. As for my non-were stories I was challenged by my beta of Your Alpha to try to write something more contemporary and I came up with A Chance At Love. While I love those stories I also love my were-stories.

 

That’s it for now! For more info on these authors, go check out their stories, post in their forums, and/or catch them in chat!

 

See you next time, with an extra-special edition of Ask an Author!

 

Want to ask your favorite author a question? Simply PM me (Dark).

 


Until next time!
Dark

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Headstall

Headstall 306,666

Posted

Great job, Dark. And great questions and responses. These insights into the authors, their stories, and some of their motivations are tremendous. It's a great way to get to know them. Thanks for this, and cheers... Gary

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Cia

Cia 59,519

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I had a great question--if only authors could freeze time (and all distractions) for an hour or two a day. I'm sure we could all write more, right? I'm happy to be featured with Aditus and Wolfwriter this Ask an Author post. Big thanks to Dark for organizing these events and posting such great tidbits about everyone!

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Aditus

Aditus 28,928

Posted

I loved my questions too. Jonah still is my favorite character, the comments and discussions he provoked are unforgettable. ;)  Thank you to the unknown questioner and to Dark.

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Daddydavek

Daddydavek 42,604

Posted

Great job and some insights as well.  Cia has it right.  Writing can be a slog at times, while other times, the words just spill out of you and you have a hard time keeping up with the torrent to get the ideas all down.....That's why most writers need a break now and then.  I applaud those who can continuously plow on year after year with interesting and compelling stories.

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AC Benus

AC Benus 36,635

Posted

Another great set of interviews! Thanks to Renee and Dark for bringing these to us.

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