IWU Interview with Lorne Oliver

This is my first ever blog interview.  I am so happy to be here.

Can you tell us a little bit about your book?

Red Island takes a look at both sides of the hunt for a serial killer.  The main character is Sgt. Reid who won’t let anyone know his name, is confused about the state of his marriage, and is haunted by something he did in his past.  He wakes from a dream at the same time as being called to the scene of the first homicide in Prince Edward Island in the past twenty years or so.  Reid and other members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police begin an investigation that churns up more victims with no clues. 

On the other side of the coin Ben Cooper has grown up on the island destined to be a killer.  You get to see from when he was 8 years old being picked on and forming his own world in his mind to when he starts peeping, raping, and now killing.

What about this story made you have to write it?

I liked the idea of showing how someone could become a serial killer and what is in his mind without having him be the hero.  Police officers have a hard job, especially since many people can see it from their view with all the red tape they have to go through.  I don’t think the bad guy should be the hero, but a lot of times they are seen that way.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned during the creation of this book?

I had the opportunity to interview members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police so I learned a lot of what real police do compared to the TV and movie cops. 

What was the hardest part to write?

The hardest parts were the fine details.  The locations are real.  There is actually a Blooming Point beach with a wooded area and a rough bush trail cutting through it where the first victim is found. This is an old abandoned house where another victim is found.  Keeping everything as real as possible within the world of fiction took a lot of notes.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Honestly I am constantly writing.  No matter what I am doing my head is always working on what comes next until I am ready to explode and I have to sit and write.  But when my mind actually rests I like watching movies, though my mind is looking for new ideas, cooking, and playing with my two wonderful kids.  They are getting to the age where they don’t need Dad around any more so I take the time I can get.

Can you share a little of what you are working on now?

Right now I am working on the second book in the Sgt. Reid series.  The tentative title for this one is, Forever Screaming.  It is going to be a little darker.  The crime is a little more heinous than the brutal killing of young women like in Red Island.  It is a subject that is actually hard to write personally, but it’ll be well worth it once it is done.

What advice would you give a new writer?

For anyone who is thinking of publishing online for the first time to do their work long before they actually publish.  I couldn’t wait and just wanted to get it out there.  Now, 2 months later, I have realized how much work should have been done before hand:  building a following on Twitter, guest blogs to get the name out, finding reviewers ahead of time so that there are reviews right away.  Do the work, do the research, then publish.

Link to my blog:  http://redislandnovel.blogspot.ca

So...

Over the last few months, I've struggled to post anything at this blog.  I love the idea of having two blogs, of being able to post something more personal here and using the other one for my business.  The drawback is, I don't know what to post over here... So... Yeah, this is where we're at.

This one will be updated, I want to keep at it, but I can't promise how or what or when.


I do however have a question for any readers I do have out there.

How do you Brand Yourself?

I think its an interesting question to consider.  As a writer and small business person, I know that half of what I sell, is myself.  I am my business.  Separation hasn't really happened, so the business and I are pretty much one in the same.

Yes, I could create a new FB just for the business, perhaps even use a Pen Name [which I've concidered for the more adult stories I'd like to epublish], or work to create something for YOU and something for THE BUSINESS.

But I wonder, when the goal of branding is to be Great, to Know Itself, Invent or Reinvent an Entire Category, Taps into Emotions, Tells a Never Ending Story and is Relevant... Is that something you can so easily tear out of yourself and give its own life?  Is it really possible, when the truth of the matter is, you are your brand?  For that matter, is it something we should all strive for?

Ok, I'll admit it... There aren't answers to those questions.  At least, general ones.  Each person will need to choose how to go about branding themselves.  The only question that should be a no brainier, is Are you branding yourself?

Everytime I make a post to FaceBook, G+ and Twitter, I am making a post that people in both my personal and professional world see.  When I walk out the door for a day of shopping, meetings or just to grab a quick bite, I am representing my brand.

I don't want you to think I'm implying that you have to dress to the nines [where does that come from.. Always wondered], lay on the hair and make up styling and wear your formal dress... But, what if you bump into someone while your out there, and your dressed in your pajama's?  This is the first impression you get to make.  Yes, writers have a sort of... Myth about them, stay up late, are slobs, drink tons of coffee, that kind of thing.  But is that a myth about new writers climbing up in the world or established writers?  Which are you?  Do you think they always look and act that way?  And a Jewelry Designer... What are they?  Egotisitcal?  Dressed in the best labels?  Often gay?  Or are they old, often seen grumpy and wearing their jewelers eye and smock.  Once again, perhaps, but at some point they weren't.

And don't think I'm telling you that, you've lost all ability to have a down day or get sick or just, hang out with your friends.  I'm not.  You can't cease to live.  But, you do have to remember when you are the brand, every 'Hello' could be a contact.  Every waitress or waiter is a potential client.  You are always ON.

You have to decide how best to handle everything.  Create a secondary Facebook account, something you use only for business.   Set up a circle or group, and when you need to share something more personal, post only to them.  Use a pen name, create an account under that name and keep yourself private.

However you choose to do it, the important thing is that you remember it early on.  I'm not sure how I managed it, and I'm far from famous by any standard... I'm far from KNOWN to most of the world.  But when I started preparing myself to sell Jewelry last year, I walked out knowing I was going to make sure it was branded.  When I make posts and comments to FB, in the back of my head I keep reminding myself that its now filled with Old Friends, New Friends, Business Partners, Connections and Clients.  When I like something or wish to say something I'm not sure I should, I actually have a place to do all that and keep it out of the 'public' eye.  I work hard to put people on lists, so that if I wanted to, I could actually only speak to some of them.

Take a moment and stop to think about how you've branded yourself, then think of how you might want to be seen by the public at large.  For the most part, it shouldn't be a huge change.  You are you.  And you is who your trying to sell.

IWU Interview with R.G. Porter

Had a chance to sit down and talk with R.G. Porter about a few of her books.

In looking over your books, the latest one seems to be a different take on the Horror and Paranormal, what inspired it?

Destiny’s Light started out as a collaboration between myself and a few other authors. I have always enjoyed the Greek Gods and the muses were no different. This gave me a chance to delve into the darker world of Hades and the underworld. J

You've taken on Vampires, Werewolves and the Greek Gods, what other mythologies do you hope to incorporate into your stories?

Well I have a book coming up that mixes up some more of beliefs that are out there when it comes to death. I’ve also got another novel releasing the end of December that will look at earth differently. Instead of just the realm we know, it also covers a realm that lives parallel to ours. I’m hoping, one day, to incorporate more of the Norse and Celtic mythology down the line.

Did you always dream of being a writer, or was there a point in your life where it went from being something you enjoyed, to something you wanted to do more for a living?

I’ve always loved writing and telling stories. It was only up until a few years ago that I decided to really try and get published. It was quite a bit of hard work, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I think my muses would throttle me if I did.

Your site lists 4 projects and 2 books to be released early next year, are there more stories not listed, that are more idea than anything else?

As it stands I have 2 books that are releasing this month. WHEN DARKNESS FALLS is coming out Dec 15^th and is my first stab (pardon the pun) at horror. I truly enjoyed writing this novel. It is amazing how therapeutic it can be killing off characters. I also have the 1^st novel in my Guardians of Natures series coming out the end of the month. Then once the first of the year rolls around I will be releasing the rest of my Darkness Unleashes series (books 3 and 4) as well as Innok’s Curse and Scottish Whispers. As for new writings, I am hoping to write the followup books to Scottish Whispers and Innok’s Curse and have them out next year as well as another horror novel or two.

If you could pick one author or book that's inspired you more then anything else, what would it be?

Trudi Canavan’s writings have been a fantastic source to me for both world building and character interaction. She is amazing at weaving a tale and making the reader feel involved.

While the genre's your write are fairly specific, is there another you'd love to look into writing, that breaks away from the others?

I think I will always do something within the supernatural/paranormal area, but I have a few ideas I want to try out down the line. I have a group of books I want to write that are more mystery based as well as one that is kind of a spoof/fantasy storyline.

Your first book was released in both a physical form and eBook, but your more recent ones are only eBook. Do you hope release the others in a physical form as well, or want to continue with the eBook format?

Originally I was with small epubs which did both ebook and print. Since embarking on this as an indie author, I felt ebooks were the best way to start. Then, down the line, I can look at trying to put some of them in print, depending on demand.

You can find more of Ms. Porter here:
Blog
Author Page
FB Page
Amazon Page