Tuesday 31 July 2012

Pompomberry House by Rosen Trevithick

Pompomberry House by Rosen Trevithick is one of my most anticipated book in my Kindle-owning being.  So was it worth the wait and the hype and the teasing? ................ Yes, yes, yes, yes.

I'm sure I recall Rosen actually getting the idea for this particular book from a forum, where she couldn't decide between one story or the other and decided to do both.  It is the tale of Kindle forum life and Indie authors, but on a much exaggerated scale (I hope ;p).

As a whodunnit, you are kept guessing all the way to the end.  The characters are wonderfully larger than life and if you are a forum member, you do wonder where she got her characters from.

A wonderful easy read.  If you like any of Rosen's other works, you'll adore this one.

PS, I am the proud owner of one of the seagulls on the cover :D

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008QBALD6/?tag=kuffbl-21


Monday 30 July 2012

Interrogating George Hamilton


 My next interrogation is George Hamilton - the author, not the baked brown American actor.



First of all, thanks for the opportunity to talk to your audience, Joo, and for the time you put into your blog and reviewing independent authors like myself.


How do you strike the balance between writing something you want to write and writing something that people want to read, in terms of the compromises you make, if any?

Some of my stories have lived in my head for years. So if I am living with these stories and characters for so long, I think it’s very important to firstly write something that satisfies me. But then I need to use techniques to make the work accessible and enjoyable to the reader. I think most stories, if told in a compelling way, can, if promoted well, find an audience.


What excites, attracts or appeals to you about the genre(s) you write in.

Genres are an aspect of writing that I wish I didn’t have to be concerned with. I think it can often be too restricting. I was reading a blog the other day that said if the novel is a suspense, then the bad guy should not be known at the start, but if it is a thriller, the bad guy should be known. I really prefer to write a scene based on what feels right for it at a particular time, rather than these fixed ideas. That’s why I’m happy that people are now talking about multi-genre novels. I’ve published in the historical, drama, suspense categories so far, but I also have unpublished works which range from thrillers to comedies. The novel I’m currently working on will probably be a cross between contemporary, suspense and thriller. I really want to keep the reader guessing and asking what will happen next, and also hopefully gaining some further insight into us as human beings.


Do you have a box, drawer, folder etc where you keep thoughts and ideas for future stories? Such as names you have come across, bits of dialogue, ideas, characters - even if you have no idea when you might use them?

I haven’t got a great memory, so everything has to be stored somewhere. I have folders thick with research material and megabytes of computer files. Scenes and research material are added to my specific story idea files as they come to mind. This may be due to something I’ve seen on TV, overheard or just popped into my head. If I notice a theme from a current event, I’ll note it down and try to find a story to match it to. I even have a couple of classic put down lines from former girlfriends noted to use in future novels. So watch what you say when I’m around, or else you might just end up in print (or is it digital ink these days)!


How do you manage plot bunnies (ideas that invade your mind that aren’t usually helpful to the story you’re writing but breed like...er...bunnies)?

I haven’t really experienced plot bunnies. I either set out to write a scene with a strong or basic idea of what I want to say. In both cases, but especially the latter, something almost magical happens, where an even better idea starts to form as I write. Those are the best times. Then I have to sit back and wonder, where did that come from?


How much of you is in your characters? Which of your characters is the you that you’d most like to be? Or be with?

To date, I have not directly written any book and thought that character is me. But there are characters who have come up where I’ve thought, that’s similar to what I’d do in this situation. I can think of Joshua/Nannup from Secrets From The Dust who was determined to retain a part of himself. Thereza from Carnival of Hope, who is determined to go after her dreams. But possibly the closest to me is Olga, Dr Ludmilla Toropov’s daughter in my yet to be published novel The Disease. The story really developed from the theme of a blog I wrote some time ago about a risk-taker versus a survivor personality. Olga is definitely an uncompromising risk-taker. But somewhat surprisingly, reading her frightens me.


Do you become so wrapped up in your writing that your spouse wonders if they're married to you or one of your characters? 

I am currently single. I don’t think there are many people who would put up with someone prepared to sell their home to go off and write a novel, which is what I did for Secrets From The Dust, when I went to live in Australia for 6 months. Many who know I did this think I’m a few screws short of a brain. But I’m the type who likes to prove them wrong. Just this last Sunday, I met some family friends at the shopping centre, and their tone as we talked was you’re not still trying to become a writer are you? A cousin of mine said, “Wouldn’t it have been easier for you to write a song about it instead (of spending all that time and money)?” But once the writing bug gets you, it’s hard to let go, especially when the ideas keep invading your mind. I now realise that I’m prepared to take big risks to achieve what I want to, which ties into your previous question about how much of me is in my characters.


What type of book do you like reading? Is it the same genre as you write?

I don’t read as much as I’d like to at the moment, as I’m so exhausted by the end of the day. I read a wide range of genres, but I don’t think I’m that big on fantasy, although I did read and enjoy Frank Herbert’s Dune. A short list of the books I’ve read and enjoyed would probably give a better idea:

The Road – Cormac McCarthy
The Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck (and his other books)
Shogun – James Clavell
The Help – Kathryn Stockett
Lord of the Flies – William Golding
Gloria Naylor books
Toni Morrison books
The Poisonwood Bible – Barbara Kingslover
Atonement – Ian McEwan
1984 - Orwell


What lengths do you go to convince us readers that your book has the X factor?

Is this the question where I admit to walking through the shopping centre wearing nothing but a placard advertising my books to hide my embarrassment? Well it wasn’t me! I’m not that desperate, yet.

I think one of the biggest influences on the sale of Indie books are readers and reviewers like yourself, Joo. Reviewers provide an independent voice about the quality of a book to other readers, and the more reviewers a book has, the more opportunity it has to appear on some of the most influential book blogs. So I aim to write the best blurb that I can and contact as many reviewers as time allows to request a review.


How do you feel when a reader points out the spelling mistake(s) you have made?

Sorry that I missed it, but grateful that someone has taken the time to point it out to me so that I can put it right.


What do you like most about visiting KUF/forums?

KUF is a very friendly and helpful community to engage in, and I’m happy to have found it. If I post in the wrong place on KUF, I don’t feel that I’ll be spanked like a naughty schoolboy by someone who disapproves—the advice is more gentle.


What is on your near horizon?

I recently completed the first draft of my latest novel, provisionally titled The Disease. I did the main body of research after completing the first draft, a new approach to make the research quicker and more relevant, which I have recently blogged about here. I have just started the second draft, which will incorporate the research. Here is the draft cover blurb:

Estranged from her student rebel daughter, Dr Ludmilla Toropov is a holder of the gold cross as a daughter of her nation. When a deadly virus sweeps the world, wiping out millions in days, her East European nation, under sanctions from the international community, becomes the first to develop a vaccine. But with their antiquated production facilities, they are only able to satisfy the demand of a small section of their population. Dr Toropov can either watch hundreds of her patients die, or defy the state that nurtured her by attempting to smuggle the drug out to the West. One choice will pit her against her daughter, the other could unearth unpalatable secrets and land her in a gulag jail…


Where can we find you for more information?

Currently I can be found in the following places:

Author Website: http://browsingrhino.com

To Be A Man by Roger Knowles

This is billed as "a love story... but with a difference".   As a love story (difference or otherwise) it was a very compelling read.  I read it non stop this morning.

It's written from three people's point a view, Martin, Lisa and Martin's mum.  You knew where the story was going right from the beginning, but I wanted to be part of the journey.  My heart felt for Martin and Lisa, but understood that times were different 40-odd years ago.  No mobile phones or internet.  Just the postman and home phones.  I so wanted to bang their heads together and tell them "just talk to him/her".  It wasn't mawkish, just a story of what could have been.  

I really enjoyed this and did have to have a good nose blow at the end (tmi :D )

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005FMAYKO/?tag=kuffbl-21


Past Lives by Ken McClure

This is the first Ken McClure book I have read.  I have downloaded lots as they became free and medical thrillers is one of my favourite genres.

This was a great tale, plenty of science and plenty of action.  It was very well written and kept me interested throughout.  He even made you believe in the far fetched bits.  


http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0053WS1QU/?tag=kuffbl-21


Double Bind by Seb Kirby

I didn't really get on with this book.  I wanted to finish it as I'd heard good things about Seb's writing, but really struggled for at least the first half.

I thought it had the promise of a good story, but I sped read through quite a bit of the first half.  In my opinion, it didn't get interesting for a good while and I wanted to give up on it a few times.

It won't stop me trying other books by Seb Kirby as I think it was me that didn't like this book, not that it was a bad book.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008GFWH52/?tag=kuffbl-21


Monday 23 July 2012

Summer Shorts by KUF


This anthology from kuforum authors is a collection of summer stories.

As with any group of authors / short stories, some will be favoured more than others.

Since most of these authors are in my top 10 favourite indie authors I rate this book very highly.

Even the story themes I didn't like so much were very well written.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008NPJNOS?tag=kuffbl-21


Interrogating Michael Cargill


Interrogating Michael Cargill, the author that doesn't have 50 of them.



Hello, The Joo!

Here be thy questions, answereth.


How do you strike the balance between writing something you want to write and writing something that people want to read, in terms of the compromises you make, if any?

*Head explodes*  To honest, writing is still a new thing for me, so I haven't really come up against anything like this.  I think that the only 'constant' that has existed across my work so far, has been the humour element.  I don't really have any plans to change that, so my fans have no real need to fret yet.  Mind you, I am planning on doing another WWII-based story once my current WIP is finally shoved out the door - I'm not sure if humour will be very appropriate to it, but it's far too early to say at the moment.  You know what they say about plans?  No, me neither, because I never stick to them.


What excites, attracts or appeals to you about the genre(s) you write in.

The squishy, fruity bits.  Although most of my work has been thriller/suspense type stuff, it's not really been on purpose.  It's my favourite genre to read, so I think it's a case of just doing what I know.  I also do a lot of reading about WWII, so I think my work will be punctuated with bits of historical fiction as well.  So, um, yeah, it's basically a case of doing what I know.


Do you have a box, drawer, folder etc where you keep thoughts and ideas for future stories? Such as names you have come across, bits of dialogue, ideas, characters - even if you have no idea when you might use them? 

I have nary a scribble, a note, nor a drunken answer phone message with ideas for the future!  Everything is stored up in my head, including the silly articles I write on my blog.

It's the same when I am at work, and go into a meeting.  Notepad, schmotepad.  I'm an artist, a free spirit, and I reject your shackles of organisation.

It's probably why I always forget the milk, when I go shopping.


How do you manage plot bunnies (ideas that invade your mind that aren’t usually helpful to the story you’re writing but breed like...er...bunnies)?

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.  Actually, scratch that idea, it's made me feel ill.

I haven't ever actually thought about this really.  There will always be conflicting ideas bouncing around in my head, and it's just a case of discarding the daft ones.  Sometimes it's a case of taking the path of least resistance, other times it's just a case of knowing what's right.


How much of you is in your characters? Which of your characters is the you that you’d most like to be? Or be with ?

There's a bit of me in all of my characters, really.  Apart from the women, of course.  Everyone has their dark moments, when they want hurl something across the room, so recalling those moments can help with anger.  Likewise with the action scenes, it can be what I would want to do in the same situation.

The character of mine that I would most like to be, is John the Baptist.  Contrary to the biblical name, he is the complete opposite of what it sounds like.  He's smart, tends to work alone, does what he wants, and doesn't care if the bad guys get hurt.  He has his own set of morals that prevent him from crossing the line, though.


Do you become so wrapped up in your writing that your spouse wonders if they're married to you or one of your characters?

Nah.  I don't usually write for long periods at a time, so I don't really get that transfixed by it all.  A few minutes break, and then I can right back to normal.


What type of book do you like reading? Is it the same genre as you write?

Yeah, for the most part.  Stephen King is my favourite author, but I have also enjoyed other thriller-esque stories by Michael Crichton, John Grisham, and James Herbert.


What lengths do you go to to convince us readers that your book has the X factor?

Hmmm.  I write silly things on my blog, and Facebook, hoping to entice people in my hilarity.  I’ve also uploaded all my books to pirate/torrent sites, and provided links to them on my blog.  I even write terrorist plots on bits of paper, leave them lying around, hoping I get arrested and thrown in Gitmo, just for the publicity.


How do you feel when a reader points out the spelling mistake(s) you have made?

I haven’t actually had that specifically happen to me yet, though I have had a few reviews that pointed out errors.  The thing is, it’s almost impossible for me to be completely rational about that sort of thing, it’s why so many actors and writers say that they don’t read their reviews any more.

Although in retrospect I have been grateful for the constructive criticism, my initial reaction is one of a child having a temper tantrum.  What I then do, is go and make a cup of tea, calm down a bit, and then re-read the review with a calmer head.  Ultimately, the criticism has been valid, and I have corrected the mistakes at a later date.

I haven’t ever lashed out, and tried to find fault with what the reviewer has said, and I wouldn’t ever do it either.  So... if any readers find some errors, and told me about them, then they will be gratefully, and thankfully received.  At least, after I’ve had a cup of tea they will.


What do you like most about visiting GR/forums?

For the most part, it’s quite a pleasant place to lurk in.  It’s also been helpful for me to find people to read my work, and it’s opened my eyes to a few things as well.  Being an old fart in his 30s, I remember life before the Internets were invented, when such close reader/author interaction simply wasn’t possible.  I used to consider myself something of a hardcore reader, but I can now see how much of a lightweight I am in that regard.  Seriously, some people are just plain bonkers about books (not that that is a bad thing, of course).


What is on your near horizon?

Trees.

I’m actually working on another book at the moment, but it’s still early days and stuff.


Where can we find you for more information?

Well, there is my blog, which is quite separate from my books.  I post satire type articles and new items on it.  I don’t bore people to death about how many words I’ve written or anything like that - http://michaelcargill.wordpress.com/

I’ve got a Facebook page as well actually.  Again, I don’t really talk about my writing that much, although I will post links to reviews and interviews.  I do a semi-regular ‘Short stories for the impatient’ thing, where I post a silly sort of story that is about 50 words long.  http://www.facebook.com/MichaelCargillAuthor

Lastly, here is a trailer for my latest book!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUBrxs38Dkc

Thursday 19 July 2012

Interrogating Lou Wellman


In what may be his first interview, I ask my questions to Lou Wellman, host of the wonderful KUForum on the (almost) eve of the new kuforum anthology of summer shorts.



How do you strike the balance between writing something you want to write and writing something that people want to read, in terms of the compromises you make, if any?

As someone who is not what you would call an established author with an identifiable fan-base, I tend to write what fits best with my ideas and mood at that particular time. As I have only written short stories to date, the style tends to vary. I don’t know whether this is because I haven’t quite found my niche or if it’s just a by-product of being indecisive. Usually I will start with a notion of the way I want the story to ‘feel’ – whether it’s going to be more down to earth with modern takes on language, or more traditional with the slightly more archaic language you would find with Poe or Lovecraft. I don’t know if I would want to compromise too much to make something appeal to the mainstream, but it’s difficult ­– some of my ideas are fairly left-field and perhaps go further than I would want to push readers this early on.


What excites, attracts or appeals to you about the genre(s) you write in.

My writing so far has been focused mainly on horror, because as a genre it’s something I understand. I’ve always had a passion for written horror and one of the reasons I love it is because it doesn’t have to be confined to what you would normally class as a mainstream horror novel – the best aspects of horror can surface in fantasy, thrillers and contemporary fiction quite easily. People tend to perceive horror as being about monsters or ‘slashers’ and I think this can be credited in part to the filmmakers who seem so intent on sticking to the same old formulaic plots. This and the currently burgeoning market for Vampire romance.

Personally the authors who appeal are Poe, Lovecraft,  Sheridan Le Fanu and the many others who have tempered their horror with beautiful prose. I’m not completely stuck in the past however – there are plenty of modern writers who have successfully integrated aspects of horror into contemporary fiction like Iain Banks and Joe Abercrombie. Stories like The Wasp Factory and Best Served Cold, which really do have a dark undercurrent running through them.


Do you have a box, drawer, folder etc where you keep thoughts and ideas for future stories? Such as names you have come across, bits of dialogue, ideas, characters - even if you have no idea when you might use them?

I do keep some notes around on the iPad, but most of the stories unfold in my head. I will try to work through a scene when I am out walking or in that stage where you’ve closed your eyes but not gone off to sleep. I’ve often found myself re-running the same short segment over and over as I try out different ways for the plot to react with itself.


How do you manage plot bunnies (ideas that invade your mind that aren’t usually helpful to the story you’re writing but breed like...er...bunnies)?

If it’s a really good and it can fit with the story then I may try to work it in, but otherwise I’ll stash it away for a rainy day. Being a novice, I’m finding that I have tons and tons of ideas and this is really useful. I’m sure they aren’t all good, but it’s worth keeping them for times when ideas may be thin on the ground.


How much of you is in your characters? Which of your characters is the you that you’d most like to be? Or be with ?

There is definitely a bit of me in there somewhere and I guess this would be the same for many authors. I suppose it’s what makes your writing your own and not just a facsimile of authors who have influenced you. Oddly enough, someone asked me whether the story Love Transcending which I wrote for Hearts and Arrows was autobiographical, which it definitely wasn’t although I did draw extensively on the feelings I had at that age rather than actual events. Whilst I’m talking about that story, it was probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever written and in retrospect probably difficult for the reader as well. I don’t think my writing skills were quite to the level where I could adequately communicate the emotions the story was supposed to unleash and in the end I think a lot of people just weren’t able to ‘get it’.

The story I am writing at the moment that will (providing I can ever finish) be published in the forthcoming ‘summer’ anthology is led by a very disturbing character and written in a very experimental style. I think (god forbid) there is a part of me in there somewhere but certainly not to the same degree. I can’t really say much more without spoiling the surprise, but I think it’s going to be one of those stories you either love or hate.


Do you become so wrapped up in your writing that your spouse wonders if they're married to you or one of your characters?

As I’m always short of time what with juggling my day job, forum business and personal life, I probably don’t become as engrossed as I should and my writing is sporadic and done in little fits and bursts. My wife is very supportive and helps me greatly by reading and proofing for me and also providing a fair critique.


What type of book do you like reading? Is it the same genre as you write?

I’ve mentioned some of my favourite authors above, but in general terms, what I really like from a book is a story which can make you forget the world around you while you are reading it. I tend to prefer fast moving storylines as a rule, but I also have a love of epic fantasy when it’s well written, for example Gormenghast, A Song of Ice and Fire and The Malazan series by Steven Erikson.

I’ve also had a lot of pleasure reading books written by indies and in particular those who I have grown to know from KUF – I think the Kindle has really opened this up for me as I was never much of a risk-taker with expensive printed books.


How do you feel when a reader points out the spelling mistake(s) you have made?

I don’t think I’d be alone in saying that I feel gutted. I do try to proof read my work as much as possible and also recruit others to do the same, but it’s inevitable that some slip through. I have found that most of the errors occur when I make last minute revisions and this is something I need to be careful of. A lot of it comes down to timing as each time I re-read I tend to want to refine things and then the deadline starts to creep up. This probably isn’t the best way to do things, but I am still learning.

The worst thing for me though is that I have a fear of plot holes, which borders on obsession. I seem to be coping better now, but I still spend an unhealthy amount of time stressing about events and situations and how plausible they might be. This is really daft for someone who has grown up on fantasy and horror. 


What do you like most about KUF ?

I love seeing readers and authors interact. This is one of the most important aspects of the forum and something that you yourself play an enormous role in. It was always my goal with KUF to bring harmony between the two parties because this is something so lacking in other similar communities.


What is on your near horizon?

I have started writing my first full novel, although I’m taking a break at the moment to write a couple of things for the forthcoming KUF anthologies. Whether it sees the light of day any time soon really depends on how hectic my life is and if the story is good enough to outlast my occasional bouts of self-doubt. I do love writing short stories though as they suit my sometimes short attention span. The story I’m working on at the moment is the longest I have written so it could be a good grounding for actually knuckling down and finishing the novel.


Where can we find you for more information?

You can always find me hanging around on http://www.kuforum.co.uk 


To The Grave by Steve Robinson

To The Grave is the second book in Steve Robinson's Jefferson Tayte series.  The themes being Jefferson Tayte, who is a genealogical investigator investigates someone's family tree whilst in tandem, the story follows the person who JT is trying to find out about.  In other words, in each book you get two stories for the price of one.

Steve is very good at telling the stories in tandem.  In some books with concurrent points of view  you get a chapter for each one and the toing and froing can be a bit too rapid.  With these books you get a big chunk of one story, then a big chunk of another.  In one way that's good in that you are not dragged back and fore all the time, in another way it's bad as you get settled into the one story and forget there's another and you get dragged out of the now or then.

Is this better than In The Blood?  A lot of people think so.  I think I preferred In The Blood myself. But I look forward to reading more stories that JT investigates.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0088YS4ZS/?tag=kuffbl-21




Saturday 14 July 2012

Interrogating Tracey Alley

Tracey Alley is a fantasty writer from Australia





How do you strike the balance between writing something you want to write and writing something that people want to read, in terms of the compromises you make, if any?

I’m not sure that I actually do make compromises as such when I’m writing my novels. My main goal when writing though is to write something that I believe readers will enjoy reading so while I do write what I want I also hope that I’m writing something people want to read.


What excites, attracts or appeals to you about the genre(s) you write in.

I adore the fantasy genre, you can explore so much and be far more creative than in contemporary fiction. I love to read it, I love to write it primarily because it represents the closest you can get to true escapism. Also I enjoy the fact that there are very few hard and fast rules about fantasy writing, virtually anything goes. I love being able to let my imagination run wild.


Do you have a box, drawer, folder etc where you keep thoughts and ideas for future stories? Such as names you have come across, bits of dialogue, ideas, characters - even if you have no idea when you might use them?

I have a thick, hard-backed journal that I bought years ago. It’s full of quotes, story ideas, possible titles, even scenes or chapters as well as character descriptions. Obviously I don’t use all of it but I do tend to use a lot and refer to it fairly regularly.


How do you manage plot bunnies (ideas that invade your mind that aren’t usually helpful to the story you’re writing but breed like...er...bunnies)?

I usually run with them. As long as they’re adding to the overall story I leave them in, it often makes the book a richer, more detailed novel than it might otherwise have been. The ones you’re talking about though, which bring nothing to the story I’m writing will usually go into my journal so that they’re on paper and out of my mind. With me it most often tends to be characters I think of who are demanding my attention but not all of them will be right for the project I’m working on at that time but may be perfect later on down the line.


How much of you is in your characters? Which of your characters is the you that you’d most like to be? Or be with ?

There’s probably a lot of me in my characters simply because I’m the one who has created them. There’s no specific character that is ‘really me’ or ‘really someone I’d like to be with’, they’re all reflections of different aspects of me or of the people around me. A lot of characters are composites of many different people, some of them are utterly unique to themselves, it just depends on what fits the story best.


Do you become so wrapped up in your writing that your spouse wonders if they're married to you or one of your characters?

[Laughs] No, Robbie has never thought of me as one of my characters. He’s more likely to think that I’m a little bit of all my characters than one in particular.


What type of book do you like reading? Is it the same genre as you write?

I love to read fantasy but I also love crime, thrillers, satire, historical fiction [when it’s done well – can’t stand it if an author doesn’t do adequate research], some sci-fi, horror occasionally. Really it all depends on my mood at the time, I have a wide and eclectic collection of books, both DTB and ebooks, to read and there’s really no definitive, stand out genre.


What lengths do you go to to convince us readers that your book has the X factor?

Usually I’ll just post a sample and hope the work will sell for itself. Sometimes I do interviews where I might give more information about the creative process or the back story behind the conception of the novels. Generally though I think the only way to make potential customers see a ‘wow’ factor is to read a part of it themselves. I could say it all day long but people aren’t necessarily going to believe me and you also have to take into account different people’s differing tastes, what appeals to one won’t automatically appeal to all.


How do you feel when a reader points out the spelling mistake(s) you have made?

I’m very pleased for readers to point out mistakes I’ve made, spelling or otherwise. Sometimes it’s not justified as I’m simply spelling a word the Australian way rather than say the American way, so those I ignore, but otherwise I like to fix up my mistakes when I’ve made them.


What do you like most about visiting KUF/forums?

I love KUF and other similar forums because you can connect with other writers for help or advice. I also love that you can connect directly with your readers or potential readers through this platform. I’ve made a lot of great online friends, both readers and writers and I tend to use the forums to chat about anything that might cross my mind. I’m more interested in the social interaction side of forums than in them as a way to sell or market my books, although I’m sure I’ve gotten at least a few sales from my participation in forums.


What is on your near horizon?

I have my short story compilation, The Kaynos History Tales : Vol 1 being released this month, July, and I’ve started a new fantasy series called The Raiders Saga and I’m hoping to have the first book, The Isles of Dread, released before Christmas. My new novels will probably take longer to write than they normally would as I’m also busy doing my Masters degree in early Christianity, which will take up a lot of my time.


Where can we find you for more information?
You can chat with me on Facebook @
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tracey-All...9000550782
Follow me on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/#!/traceylalley
Or visit my website for sneak peeks, my blog, my Author of the Week feature, poetry and some other great links @ http://traceyalley.weebly.com/

My books are available for sale at Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Tracey-Alley/e/B00...dp_epwbk_0
Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/15058

Sunday 8 July 2012

Flux by Mark R Faulkner

In summary, I loved this book.  But I suppose I should write a bit more in my review lol.

Since getting my kindle, I've read a few books where the main character has mental health issues.  They have all been superb, but this one had something extra (and I'm not just talking about Bert)

As I was reading this I was thinking of Tollesbury Time Forever by Stuart Ayris.  In TTF, the protagonist lives in "Tollesbury Time" and he likes it there.  In this book Iain's alternative world is scary and horrid and he doesn't want to be there.

Sometimes the book meanders with banality, but that just shocks more when Bert reappears.

I suppose it would be classed as horror, but apart from a few gross bits and some shocking moments, it's not just a horror book.  It's much more than that.  This book is very well written and I needed to keep on reading to find out what happens.


http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006SPDFGC/?tag=kuffbl-21

Thursday 5 July 2012

Interrogating Mel Comley

Here is Mel Comley, creator of Lorne Simpkins.


How do you strike the balance between writing something you want to write and writing something that people want to read, in terms of the compromises you make, if any?

Great question, Joo. First and foremost I do tend to write what I want to write, saying that I have toned down the violence in my books to try and gain a bigger audience. I haven’t had any complaints from my regular fans so far that they miss the violence.


What excites, attracts or appeals to you about the genre(s) you write in.

Writing thrillers gets the adrenaline pumping. Maybe it’s just me, but I find writing action scenes or dramatic scenes far more satisfying than descriptive prose.


Do you have a box, drawer, folder etc where you keep thoughts and ideas for future stories? Such as names you have come across, bits of dialogue, ideas, characters - even if you have no idea when you might use them? 

I do indeed. Recently I’ve started adding relevant future plots, names etc to a box file. I keep a notepad and pen under my pillow at night because invariably I dream something significant and need to get it down on paper as soon as possible before I forget it. Well, I’m not getting any younger. J


How much of you is in your characters? Which of your characters is the you that you’d most like to be? Or be with ? 

Oh dear, I was hoping you wouldn’t ask this. Lorne Simpkins, my feisty female cop, is really based on me. I always wanted to be a copper when I was younger but life took me in another direction. I regret that decision big time and am now living out my dreams through my character, does that sound daft?


Do you become so wrapped up in your writing that your spouse wonders if they're married to you or one of your characters?

I’m single for a reason. 


What type of book do you like reading? Is it the same genre as you write?

I have to say I tend to read 90% thrillers and 10% everything else, although romance is my second choice. I don’t read sci-fi or historical novels at all.


What lengths do you go to to convince us readers that your book has the X factor?

I make it a rule to keep the excitement flowing throughout my novels. Every chapter has to have something significant happen or it gets the chop. It’s as simple as that.


How do you feel when a reader points out the spelling mistake(s) you have made?

Grateful. Have you read any traditionally published novels lately? They’re littered with mistakes.


What do you like most about visiting KUF/forums?

To be honest, I still find the site a minefield to navigate and don’t go there as often as I should. It’s always great to interact with the readers though. 


What is on your near horizon?

I’ve just started another Lorne Simpkins novel. I did say that Foul Justice was going to be the final book in the series but Lorne has other ideas and refuses to get out of my head. I started writing another thriller about a month ago, but couldn’t get excited about it. Now I’ve turned it into another Lorne novel the writing is flowing fast and furious. J


Where can we find you for more information?

Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mel-Comley/264745836884860

My twitter ID is @melcom1

KUF   www.kuforum.co.uk/kindleusersforum/thread-4532-post-74573.html#pid74573

My blogs. http://melcomley.blogspot.fr/

http://melcomleyromances.blogspot.fr/

My Amazon UK page. http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=mel+comley&x=0&y=0