Monday, October 16, 2017

Meet the Gang #OurAuthorGang

 Today the Author Gang members are answering questions about writing


What genre do you enjoy reading and writing?


My favorite genre is fantasy, alternate history, magical realism. I have enough reality in my life, when I write I like to create a fantasy world.


I’m a romance girl all the way.  Although, I’ve been into self-help books lately, as well.


I was going to be flippant and say, “I just wait for the movie to come out.” LOL! But seriously, I don’t read much fantasy anymore, because I write fantasy and prefer to read outside my genre. I like my WWII thrillers, hard-boiled crime, and biographies. Writing fantasy exercises my imagination.


I think Stephen King was right when he said, “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” I certainly read a lot! If I had to read one genre for the rest of my life, I would choose Historical Fiction because I love getting lost in a bygone era! But saying that, Fantasy would come in at a very close second.
I always intended to write historical fiction, but throw in the Arthurian element of my books, and suddenly I found myself writing historical fantasy — which for me is the best of both worlds.

Rich Feitelberg: http://www.feitelberg.net

I started soaking up science-fiction and slowly changed to fantasy, only to find out speculative fiction covers both. For writing, it’s the same with bizarre/horror mixed in to keep things interesting.

Ruth de Jauregui: http://www.ruthdj.weebly.com

I’ve been a huge fan of science fiction and fantasy since grade school. I love urban fantasy and am working on my first novel, a crime meets urban fantasy set in a Sacramento that exists around the corner and one dimension over...


I enjoy reading all kinds of things. While the speculative genres (Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Paranormal) are my favorite, I also appreciate comedic writing, some romance, action, historical, and mystery. I love comic books and graphic novels; visual storytelling will always be high on my list. As far as my writing goes, I mostly stick with the speculative genres. I do have an alter ego, Glorie Townson, who likes to write romantic comedy, but she’s not as active as I am. Because I work as a Special Education T.A., I’ve been inspired to create educational materials for my students that have been turned into picture books. 

From where do you get your inspiration to write a story?

Erika:
I research interesting historical facts for my fiction novels and then I let my imagination fly. For my children's books, I get inspiration anywhere. I saw a grandmother struggling to understand her granddaughter after a stroke. When I was a child a cruel old woman tried to drown kittens, or when I saw the saddest expression on a Hispanic boy's face who didn't understand English and his classmates made fun of him.

Grace:  
I find inspiration in all of life experiences. My Acorn Hills series was born from a bad break-up. Then each character seemed to take on a persona and demand their own book.  My love for music bled over into Moonlight & Music. I wanted to document my journey with MS with the hopes of helping others who suffer from the effects of it, and voila...So You Have MS, Now What? was born. I’ve written poetry since 7th grade and put together a compilation of 40 yrs of prose and poetry in Fragments of Reflection. The Diva to the Guides trilogy was based on the card reading talents of a dear friend. My latest release, Protected by His Grace,  shows my faith foundation and belief that we are all protected by our Creator.

Joe: 
Everywhere. The news, things people say, songs, paintings, poems, old movies. 

Mary Anne:
Research! Research! Research! I spend hours researching the era that I want to bring to life.  I think all writers borrow from their own experiences as well, and I am no exception to that rule.

Rich: 
Life. Just about all my experiences are fodder for new stories.

Ruth: 
I was actually conversing with a fellow author by private message and we were talking about the bitter life that many authors lead and my main character, Bitter, began coalescing in my head. I’m also inspired by other authors’ works, and influenced by greats like Andre Norton, JRR Tolkien, and modern authors Patricia Briggs, Ben Aaronovitch, Patricia McKillip and CJ Cherryh.

Toi:
I find that I’m inspired by everyday life. While my first book was the result of a reoccurring dream, none of my other current works have been. However, I have a WIP (work in progress) that totally came from a dream. Even though most of what I write is full of fantasy elements, I know that deep down, on some level (however small), my works are autobiographical. 

Out of all the books you have written which book is your favorite?

Erika:
My favorite is The Ancestor’s Secrets series because I had so much fun creating a magical, fantasy world using bits of real historical facts and real life events from my years of working as a trauma nurse.

Grace: 
It’s a toss up...I love Blake and Renee from Moonlight & Music, and the storyline. I also love the 5th book of the Acorn Hills series...Richard’s Relics, because of the intense research I did on the Vietnam war and the country then vs. now.

Joe: 
My first, “Mad Shadows: The Weird Tales of Dorgo the Dowser.” There was a magic in that . . . the magic of innocence because I had no idea what I was doing.

Mary Anne:
I usually favour the book I am currently writing!

Rich: 
N/A. While I have plenty to choose now, I really can’t pick a favorite any more than a parent can pick a favorite child. I like them all. 

Ruth: 
Right now my published works are all nonfiction, so I’d have to say that 50 Fabulous Tomatoes for Your Garden, inspired by my mother’s curiosity about those black tomatoes in my garden, is my favorite. (They were Indigo Rose tomatoes.)

Toi:
I’m not a parent to a human child, and while I love my little fur-baby, Margie, I know better than to make direct comparisons to the mother-child relationship. With that said, trying to choose a favorite among my works is kinda like choosing a favorite kid. I just don’t think I can to it. I feel like the answer will be different every time. But, akin to that mother-child relationship, the first one holds a special place in my heart and the last one (or current one) is the one that I’m always most excited about. My first book, Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel changed my life in more ways than I can get into right now.

Which one of your characters is your favorite?

Erika:
My favorite character is Ilona in the Ancestors' secrets. She is honest, loyal, and brave, and throughout the story she grows from a naïve girl into a strong, honorable woman. 

Grace:   
Each character has a small piece of me...choosing is difficult, but I’d have to say Renee Manelli from Moonlight & Music. She retired early from her paralegal job to pursue her dream...performing music.

Joe: 
Dorgo the Dowser, my legacy character. He is me, after all. 

Mary Anne:
My favourite character has to be Merton du Lac. Merton is a very complicated soul, with a lot going on. He really challenges me as a writer and I love him for that!

Rich: 
Again, I really can’t do that mostly because many characters of mine aren’t in stories yet. 

Ruth: 
Bitter. She’s smart, tough and downright ornery. She’s been a homicide detective for a long time and has connections with agencies and individuals all over the city, which comes in handy when strange things happen in her world. 

Toi:
While the last question was too difficult to narrow down, I know this one easy. I have many characters that I either adore or love to hate. But until I finish a few more WIPs and have time to evaluate them overall, I’ll say with certainty that my favorite character is, Mira (like miracle), from my Eternal Curse Series. She’s one, of few, human characters surrounded my being with powers beyond her comprehension, yet she’s one of the most important and influential beings in the Eternal Curse world.

When you write, do plan your stories or do you just start writing and let the story develop?

Erika:
Usually, I only have a vague outline of the story when I start writing and I hate making notes or to follow a formula. I let the story develop as I progress and often end up with a totally different story than what I planned.

Grace: 
I try to be disciplined with a schedule...that I miserably fail more than stick to. Usually write from 9-2 Monday through Friday. Nothing book related on the weekends.  I have an outline notebook for each story...however, I only outline after I write the chapters. The characters get to talking in my head and tell their own stories.

Joe: 
I do some planning, plotting and outlining in advance; if I’m world-building anew, then a lot more prep work. I always wait for the characters to start talking to me and telling me the story. 

Mary Anne:
I know how each book ends — I just have to get my characters to that point! I don’t plan, but it all seems to come together. I don’t know how. It’s a mystery.

Rich: 
Both. I plan for the plot. Then let the character take me where they will. Often I surprise myself. And sometimes I keep it and sometimes I don’t.

Ruth: 
I get an idea and start writing. After a bit, the end of the story comes to me and I write it, then jump back to fill in the rest of the story. I’m forcing myself to write Bitter in order instead of my usual jackrabbit approach of writing chapters as they pop into my head. When I’m working on nonfiction, I outline and research the information, then start to write. 

Toi:
99% of the time I plan out my stories from beginning to end. I outline in great detail, including: storyboards, character profiles, timelines, scene notes and more. I do have one story, at the moment, that started out as a writing challenge. I liked it so much I decided to develop it into a novel, but whenever I try to think about it, nothing happens. When I sit down and start from the last point I stopped, the story flows. Can’t explain it. 

For you, what is the most difficult part of being an author?

Erika:
Definitely promotion. Writing is fun and exciting, getting the story edited and published is tedious work, but bringing the book to the view and attention of readers is very difficult. No matter how good a story is, until readers find it, it will be sitting in the corner of a virtual bookshelf. Promoters charge thousands, which I cannot afford, so my books are discovered one reader at a time.

Grace: 
The most difficult part of being an author for me is two-fold...promoting to get my name/product/name out there and getting reviews.  I’d prefer in person promoting to social media, but we are such an instant society that social media is the only way to promote.

Joe: 
Editing, proof-reading and The Dread Promotion.

Mary Anne: 
Marketing is probably the most challenging aspect of being an Indie author. Like Erika, I concentrate on one reader at a time!

Rich: 
Getting reviews, marketing, and selling my work. Writing is for sharing, as I’m fond of saying. Without the reader, what’s the point of writing in the first place?

Ruth: 
Sitting down to write! It’s all right there in my head, but I have to force myself to stay off social media and get to writing my story. 

Toi:
I’m not sure if this is cliché or jumping on the band wagon, but it’s definitely promotion. Marketing and promotion is hard. I do it, but it’s hard. Not really much else to say about it. 

 Thank you for reading our blog
please visit the author websites and get to know our books

COMMENTS

Stream

Chrys Fey

1 year ago  -  Shared publicly
 
It was nice getting to know the Author Gang members more. Like Toi, I also plot out 99% of my books. :)
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Ruth de Jauregui via Google+

1 year ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Meet our small gang of authors!!
 
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Ruth de Jauregui

1 year ago  -  Shared publicly
 
I'm honored to be part of this talented group of creators! You are the best!!
 
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Grace Au

1 year ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Meet our diverse gang!
 
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Mary Anne Yarde

1 year ago  -  Shared publicly
 
This was so much fun! It is great to read everyone's answers!!
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Alex J. Cavanaugh

1 year ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Toi, I plan as much as you do!
Joe, my first book will always be my favorite. Not my best but my favorite.
And cool to see so many of you enjoy science fiction and fantasy.
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Toi Thomas

1 year ago  -  Shared publicly
 
I am so happy to be part of this group. These authors are so varied and so much fun. There's a lot to gain here: knowledge, skill, entertainment, and more.
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Joe Bonadonna

1 year ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Always great to answer questions about our work and our passions.
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Joe Bonadonna via Google+

1 year ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Today on A Small Gang of Authors, our group answers questions on writing, what we like to write, and what we like to read. Please check out our post and leave us a Comment and a Like. We support all indie authors, and we appreciate your support. Thank you!
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Rich Feitelberg via Google+

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Rich Feitelberg

1 year ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Awesome! I answered these questions so long ago I forgot what I said!
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Erika M Szabo via Google+

1 year ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Meet the gang
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Erika M Szabo via Google+

1 year ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Meet the Gang #OurAuthorGang
 Today the Author Gang members are answering questions about writing What genre do you enjoy reading and writing? Erika M Szabo: http://www.authorerikamszabo.com/ My favorite genre is fantasy, alternate history, magical realism. I have enough reality in my ...
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Sunday, October 15, 2017

A Small Gang of Authors: Strange Symptoms Bizarre Cravings #AurAuthorGang

A Small Gang of Authors: Strange Symptoms Bizarre Cravings #AurAuthorGang: Why do we feel symptoms, and why do we experience cravings? by Erika M Szabo http://www.authorerikamszabo.com https://books...

Strange Symptoms Bizarre Cravings #OurAuthorGang

Why do we feel symptoms,
and why do we experience cravings?
by
Erika M Szabo



Sorry, the book is not available on Amazon

The symptoms, our body’s signals of diseases and conditions, are fascinating. This book contains unusual symptoms, strange food cravings, vitamin deficiency and overdose symptoms. Also a list of foods that keeps your body healthy as well as easy, whole body detoxification methods. The main purpose of this book is to urge you to pay attention to the signals that your body is sending you.

The meaning of the word symptom in medicine is: any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a person and is associated with a particular disease.

Subjective symptoms are what you feel such as headache, nausea, anxiety, abdominal cramps etc.
Objective symptoms are what your doctor can observe such as abnormal heart or lung sounds, thyroid gland enlargement, palpable tumors etc.

Symptoms can be clear and simple, such as half sided blinding headache; sensitivity to light with nausea is most likely migraine headache. Or sudden pain under the right ribs, which refers to the back and accompanied by nausea, is most likely a gallbladder problem.

Other conditions are signaled by more complex symptoms, yet still easy to diagnose, such as increased appetite with weight loss, nervousness, faster than usual heart rate, increased sweating, tremor of the fingers and tongue with heat intolerance. These symptoms are usually the signs of hyperthyroidism, and the cause is easy to diagnose.

Symptoms can be unusual and even bizarre at times. You might ask, “What on earth does my earlobe have to do with the condition of my arteries”, or “If I have frequent hangnails do I really have vitamin C deficiency?”

Sounds bizarre but these are signals of our bodies that something is not right.

Nails:

Small indentations on nails, which resemble gnawing marks, can be the symptom of psoriasis (a common skin disease that affects the life cycle of the skin cells causing buildup rapidly on the surface of the skin).

No half-moons or ridged nails might signal vitamin A deficiency, kidney disorder or protein deficiency. Also, there is a possibility of autoimmune disease such as Lupus (the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s cells and organs) or scleroderma (progressive tightening of the skin and connective tissue) as well as thyroid disease.

Yellow, thick nails and the moons are missing signals lung problems.

Splitting, peeling nails might signal vitamin A and D deficiency, poor circulation, thyroid problems, hydrochloric acid deficiency, iron deficiency, calcium deficiency, or protein deficiency.

More in the book... https://books2read.com/u/mqzQ78

Skin:

Ring-like rash, the middle is healing and the edges are getting wider, is a symptom of ringworm infection.

Honey colored crust over the wound is a symptom of impetigo.

Growth, which resembles cauliflower, is a sign of treponema pertenue bacterial infection, also called yaws.

The fingers turn pasty white at times indicates scleroderma.

Butterfly rash on face is a common sign of Lupus.

The skin around the lips is taut and shiny indicates scleroderma.

Small bumps on the outer side of joints can signal high cholesterol.

A newborn has only one crease on palm instead of two indicates Down's syndrome.

More in the book... https://books2read.com/u/mqzQ78

Bizarre cravings:

You have the urge to put metallic objects into your mouth:
You need: Iron.
Sources: grains, nuts, eggs, beef, liver, kidney, fish, clam, beans, asparagus, cherry, apricot, green leafy vegetables.

You crave chocolate
You need: magnesium
Sources: apple, lemon, fig, nuts and seeds, corn, vegetables, green leafy vegetables.

You crave sweets
You need chromium, carbon, phosphor, sulfur and tryptophan
Sources: 
Chromium: broccoli, grapes, cheese, beans, liver, chicken.
Carbon: fresh fruit
Phosphor: poultry, beef, liver, egg, dairy, nuts, grains, legumes.
Sulfur: cabbage, horseradish, bilberry.
Tryptophan: cheese, liver, raisin, sweet potato, spinach.

You crave bread, toast
You need: nitrogen
Sources: fish, meat, nuts, beans.

You crave greasy food
You need: calcium
Sources: broccoli, leafy greens, legumes, cheese, sesame seed, nuts, vegetables, fish, beans.

More in the book... https://books2read.com/u/mqzQ78

In my opinion, nature has provided us with the right foods for our organs. Moreover, nature even kind of labeled them for us to recognize them easily. They resemble the organs they were meant to protect. Let's see some of them.

Food for the brain:
Walnuts halves look like a brain. Walnut helps to build neuro transmitters and enhances brain function as well as reducing inflammation in the body and lowering cholesterol level. Walnuts are loaded with potassium, calcium, and magnesium as well as a form of vitamin E that is somewhat unusual, and particularly beneficial. Instead of having most of its vitamin E present in the alpha-tocopherol form, walnuts provide high level of vitamin E in the form of gamma-tocopherol, which, according to studies, provides significant protection from heart problems. Walnuts not only taste great, but are a rich source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and an excellent source of those hard to find omega-3 fatty acids.

More in the book... https://books2read.com/u/mqzQ78

About vitamin overdose:

Vitamin A
Bone and joint pain, insomnia, fatigue, loss of hair, dryness and fissuring of the lips, loss of appetite and weight, persistent headaches, peeling of the skin, and liver enlargement. Overdose during childhood may cause premature closure of the epiphyses of the bones, limiting their normal growth.

Vitamin B1
Blocks the absorption of vitamin C neutralizes insulin.

Vitamin B3, niacin
Damage to the liver, depression, decreases the effect of cholesterol medications.

Vitamin B6
Restless sleep and nightmares can occur as well as damage to the liver.

Vitamin C
Abdominal cramps, diarrhea. Large doses can deactivate B12, produce demineralization of bones, and interfere with calcium absorption. Excess vitamin C forms calcium oxalate in the urine causing kidney stones.

More in the book...



Saturday, October 14, 2017

Award Contest Winners #OurAuthorGang

Our Author Gang did very well in the
Golden Book Award Contest in 2016

Three books from our gang's authors were chosen to be winners

 


Our Author Gang did very well in the
Golden Quill Award Contest in 2017

Two books from our gang's authors were chosen to be winners

 

 

Golden Box Books Publishing is offering
 a 10% entry discount to authors
The coupon code: OJC09 is valid until October 21

Enter your book today 


Thursday, October 12, 2017

New Release The Power of the Sapphire Wand #OurAuthorGang

Creepy Hollow Adventures
For kids 8-17


Golden Book Award Winner, spooky and funny heroic fantasy adventure series for middle-grade children and young adults. 
“Szabo and Bonadonna’s story crackles with action and excitement. Their storytelling moves with the speed of lightning, but never lets the reader get lost. The atmosphere is just spooky enough to be fun but never enough to be too scary.” 

EBOOK:
PRINT:









EBOOK:
PRINT:


“I was instantly swept up into an adventure of limitless possibilities. Though written for children, I as an adult felt drawn into a mystical place where anything can happen—where children can be mighty warriors, and battle the forces of evil.” ~Lee Porche

The perfect Trick or Treat gift for kids 8-17


Book 1, Three Ghosts in a Black Pumpkin

Golden Book Award Winner, spooky and funny heroic fantasy adventure for middle-grade children and young adults.
Nikki and her impish cousin, Jack, find a mysterious black pumpkin in the forest on Halloween. A wise talking skeleton, Wishbone, tells them that the ghosts of the Trinity of Wishmothers are trapped inside the pumpkin and can’t be freed without their wands.  The children offer their help, so the skeleton takes them on a journey to the world of Creepy Hollow to retrieve the three wands he hid long ago in Red Crow Forest, the Tower of Shadows, and the Cave of Spooks. Ghoulina, the beautiful vegetarian ghoul, and Catman, who was once a man, join them on their quest. They must face danger and conquer evil every step of the way as they search for the Wands before the wicked Hobgoblin and his henchman, a Tasmanian Devil, can get their hands on them. This is a fun, humorous and touching story for kids, with plenty of character interaction woven into a backdrop of scary danger, heroic action and lessons to be learned.

Book 2, The Power of the Sapphire Wand

Nikki and Jack return to Creepy Hollow in this new, action-packed fantasy adventure for middle-grade children and young adults.
On her 13th birthday, Nikki discovers she has magical powers. During a surprise attack by the giant Mutanto, his henchmen Howler and a gang of Werewolves, Wishbone, Ghoulina and Catman arrive to save the kids and tell them about Evila the Grim Witch’s plans to conquer Creepy Hollow. Nikki also learns the truth about what happened to her parents twelve years ago. She and Jack go back to Creepy Hollow with their friends to help them defeat Evila. Jack discovers he can talk to animals when they meet a herd of Wild Horses and he becomes friends with Champ, the clumsy young colt, and Sparky, the orphaned dragon.
Together, Nikki and Jack conquer their fears and gain courage, and in the final battle against Evila and her minions they grow into the warriors they were destined to become.
The authors
 






Joe Bonadonna 
Erika M Szabo

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

#NEWRELEASE ~ The Du Lac Princess #Arthurian #HistFic #ourAuthorGang


The Du Lac Princess
(Book 3 of The Du Lac Chronicles) 
By Mary Anne Yarde


Briton 500 AD

The ink has dried on Amandine’s death warrant.
Her crime? She is a du Lac.

All that stands in the way of a grisly death on a pyre is the King of Brittany. However, King Philippe is a fickle friend, and if her death is profitable to him, then she has no doubt that he would light the pyre himself.

Alan, the only man Amandine trusts, has a secret and must make an impossible choice, which could have far-reaching consequences — not only for Amandine, but for the whole of Briton.

Links for Purchase
Available on Kindle and in Paperback!

Catch Up with The Du Lac Chronicles series
 for FREE with



About the author

Mary Anne Yarde is the the award winning author of the International Best Selling Series — The Du Lac Chronicles. Set a generation after the fall of of King Arthur, The Du Lac Chronicles takes you on  journey through Dark Age Briton and Brittany, where you will meet new friends and terrifying foes. Based on legend and historical fact, The Du Lac Chronicles is a series not to be missed.

Born in Bath, Mary Anne Yarde grew up in the southwest of England, surrounded and influenced by centuries of history and mythology. Glastonbury — the fabled Isle of Avalon — were a mere fifteen-minute drive from her home, and tales of King Arthur and his knights were a part of her childhood.
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