Monday 28 October 2013

Say hello to author H.J Daly.

Please welcome author H.J Daly to my blog today. She has taken some time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions for us.

Let's begin.

Tell us a little about yourself.
What could I tell you that you don’t already know? I remember enjoying writing as a teenager and of course I have always been an avid reader, but I started writing more recently for fun. For something to keep me sane when my boys went into full time education before that, a lot of my time was taken up with dancing. Appearing on Come Dancing and travelling Europe enjoying every second, well apart from the bad back, knees and wrists.

Tell us more about your books? 
I think Pulse was one of those stories that had been with me for years, running around my head when I walked the dogs as a kid. Imaging the barren landscape of a dystopian world and finally putting that on paper was a wonderful feeling. I love fantasy, always have, but it is always historical or hidden from humans. What I wanted was to mix the two worlds together, a human world with skyscrapers and cars and living with them goblins, elves and all manner or magical creatures. My story follows a young woman, forced to do whatever she needs to survive and the journey she makes that changes her life forever.

Who are some of your favourite authors? 
Everyone must have a huge list of favourite authors and I don’t think I am an exception. It all depends on what genre I am reading. I love Michael Connelly, the build up of tension the glimpses of the truly damaged mind. In respect of fantasy it has to be Cassandra Claire, the way she uses water based metaphors to draw all the elements together will make me forever jealous and as I love children’s books, another favourite has to be Derek Landy, his narrative drive is amazing and the humour that runs through every page keeps me hooked.

Which writers have inspired you?

The series I read over and over again as a teenager was the Dragonlance Chronicles by Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman. I was totally amerced in this fantasy world of elves and dragons. It was the first time I had really noticed the skill of a writer being able to create such strong relationships between the main characters. No simple black and white decisions, not knowing who was good or evil or who would win. They made me realise that you could complicate the relationships, letting me write a hero that was never going to be perfect.

Do you prefer ebooks or paperbacks? Why?
Although I do have a large collections of e-books, who doesn’t, it is running into thousands I kid you not, they are more for convenience. My kindle goes nearly everywhere with me, but nothing compares to a book you can hold, put up on your shelves, though I am running out of space, face.

Favourite film? Why?
This question is almost as bad as asking me if I have a favourite book, how can I pick one. At the moment I do love the Perks of Being a Wallflower. It’s a lovely understated piece of acting with a very heavy content, though you don’t quite know that until it slowly unfolds before you. A great piece which I felt was better than the book, I know I am as shocked as you.

If you could choose anyone alive/dead to play your characters in a movie, who would it be and why?
A young Audrey Hepburn as my main character, Esa. She didn’t do many gritty films but I would like to think she would have loved the challenge. A more recent actor in Matt Bomer to play Thomas, not seen him in much but he looks like Thomas to me.

What do you like to do for fun?
Go to the pictures, though not always fun if you see some of the films we’ve seen. Sometimes we spend more time chatting than watching, it’s a good job its mainly empty and getting together with friends to talk, strangely enough there is a lot of talk about books and films.

Describe your perfect date.
It would have to be a drink in the St.Perrin’s Inn with my husband, which is on the beach at Holywell Bay just outside Newquay. Sappy as it sounds I love the sound of the waves on the beach so a walk as the sun was setting would finish it off nicely.

Which do you prefer, horror, romance or sci-fi?
It has to be sci-fi.

If you could be any creature in the world, what would it be and why?
A panther, strong, sleek and a little bit sneaky.

You can find out more about this author by clicking the links below.

Redribbonwrites.blogspot.co.uk

Twitter - @redribbon01

https://www.facebook.com/pages/HJ-Daly-Author/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pulse-HJ-Daly-ebook/dp/B00B9J7X0G/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1382134539&sr=1-1&keywords=hj+daly

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Awaken-Sword-Idis-HJ-Daly-ebook/dp/B00ET9W4NE/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kinc_1



Sunday 20 October 2013

Thursday 17 October 2013

Interview with Joann H. Buchanan, author and owner of Empire Voices audio book company.

Please welcome my good friend Joann to my site today. Joann is not only a very talented author, but also the owner of Empire Voices. A great new audio book company who really bring your stories to life and give them that "theatrical" feel. 

Joann has taken some time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions for us, and tell us more about her and her work. 

Let's begin. 


Tell us a little about yourself.  
I’m an author and an audio book business owner called Empire Voices. We put together theatrical radio play books. I’m also a mother of 5 beautiful children and have a wonderful man in my life named John. 

Have you always wanted to write?
I’ve always been a writer. Writing has been my own personal outlet since I was a child. The world around you changes into something new and different. Also, when you want to, you can take out all your frustrations on someone and it doesn’t affect your real life. 

Tell us more about your books? 
I write horror and fantasy. All of them have love because I feel like that is the most powerful driving emotion in the world. 

Where do you get your inspiration? 
The truth is that I don’t know. I don’t think any writer really knows where half the stuff they write comes from. We just do and that’s it. 

Do you have specific things you like to have around you when you’re writing?
I love having my music on when I write. 

Who are some of your favourite authors?
David B. Coe, Frank Herbert, Mary Ting, Lindsay Anne Kendal, R.A. Salvatore. Those are just some. Each of them are able to take me to another time or place. 

Which writers have inspired you?
King is one of my biggest inspirations. He never quit writing, even when he worked as a teacher and was barely able to make it. 

Have you had a good experience with the publishing process? If not, please tell us why? 
I have a good publisher. She really works with all her writers and tries to give each person her best. 

If you could go to dinner with any three authors, alive or dead, who would it be? Why? And, where would you go? 
Frank Herbert, Steven King, Lindsay Anne Kendal. We would go to an old Scottish castle and be treated like kings and queens…lol. I think each of them would be fun to hang with and I also think I could learn a lot. Mainly the fun though…lol. 
Lindsay – I wish I could just hop over the pond and do lunch! We’d have a blast I’m sure. 

Do you prefer ebooks or paperbacks? Why?
Paperback. There is nothing like that new book smell or the feel of the pages between your fingers when you turn them. It’s a little slice of heaven in your hands. 

Is there anything you would like to say to your readers?
Thank you for the support you have given me. It always makes me feel humbled when I receive something from a fan because they love my work. I’m in awe of you all. 

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers looking to get published? 
Keep going. There is a place for everyone. Take your time, edit and enjoy the process. Don’t take any of it personal, because when it comes down to it, it’s all about the journey. 

Chocolate or Ice cream.
Chocolate…yum. 

Favourite film? Why?
The Lord of the Ring films and Hobbit. I can’t choose just one because they are all part of the same story. My reason is because the world I had in my mind when I read it, literally came to life before my eyes. I was taken away and so inspired by them. 

If you could choose anyone alive/dead to play your characters in a movie, who would it be and why?
I would love to see Billy Bob Thornton play Ralph in the I Am Wolf movie. I think he could capture the essence of  Ralph. As for the Youngling Pack, I want new and upcoming actors. I love new talent. I love watching them blossom.  

What do you like to do for fun?
Play with my kids, video games, movies and window shopping. 

Describe your perfect date.
I’ll let you know when that happens. 

Which do you prefer, horror, romance or sci-fi?
I have to have a little of all three in a book. The mixing of genres fascinates me. It makes a story deeper. 

If you could be any creature in the world, what would it be and why?
I think it would be cool to be The Mad Hatter. He always looks like he’s having fun. Also most people don’t realize how intricate a character he is. A girl version of The Mad Hatter. 

Thank you so much for joining us today, and sharing a little part of your life with us. To find out more about Joann, just click the links below. 

http://theeclecticartistcave.blogspot.com 

empirevoices.com

Amazon UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Joann-H.-Buchanan/e/B005PBUGWG/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Amazon US - http://www.amazon.com/Joann-H.-Buchanan/e/B005PBUGWG/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1