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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write On The Wind?

I created the plot for a writing discussion on AI, and then decided I’d better write the novel (without AI). As great as it was when finished, I felt it lacked something – and then I heard about wind phones!

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

My favorite reading genres are thrillers and Sci.Fi/Fantasy but I write across a wide range of genres and even read a bit of horror now and again. It all helps with my use of words and language.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell, The Women by Kristin Hannah, Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, and The Ruin by Dervia McTiernan.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I enjoyed creating the wind phone conversation where one of the book club ladies has a conversation with her late husband, regarding his infidelity and what she is doing with his money. This one-sided conversation gave me great scope for heart-felt dialogue and a chance to give a backstory to one of the characters who pass through the story.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I think a lot about where the story is going and what I want to happen next and once I have a couple of solid ‘goalposts’ I start. Mostly the story flows and the characters start chatting. All I have to do is keep up with their conversations. Luckily, I’m a touch-typist, which really helps. I don’t need music, or peace and quiet – just direction for the next scene and I’m away.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Like the poster for the Church of Contemplation, I try to be kind, tolerant, and grateful for what life brings (or throws at) me. Sometimes I fail, but I keep trying.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Perhaps reading this story will inspire people to establish a wind phone in their area. Such a wonderful concept. Also, they can join my newsletter, and read a piece of short fiction about once a month.

 

Deryn Pittar is the author of the new book On The Wind

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Three Ways to Mend a Broken Heart (Destination Love Book 2)?

I really love the movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall so I wanted to write my own version, adding revenge and a why choose element!

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Three Ways to Mend a Broken Heart (Destination Love Book 2), what would they be?

Millie: "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus. TJ: "Cuffing Season" by Fariziki. Nate: "Nuthin’ but a G Thang" by Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I love Dark Romance and Thrillers. I'm obsessed with the paranormal and any book that has a billionaire hottie!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Swift & Saddled by Lyla Sage. Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez. Leather and Lark by Brynne Weaver.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The surfing scene. It made me laugh until I cried while I wrote it.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I try and get something each of my characters is into to create a vibe...for Millie, I ordered a bunch of crystals.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

"Because I said so". Which just reminds me that what I speak into existence will be.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

How funny it was.

 

Trilina Pucci is the author of the new book Three Ways to Mend a Broken Heart (Destination Love Book 2)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Stupid Machine?

My books are autobiographical and they seem to follow a theme. My last book, Nut Job, centered around mental health while also following the theme of me being naked (modeling nude for art classes, and things of that nature) and The Stupid Machine was no exception. It’s about the complicated human body, doctors’ visits, the quest for fame, and the terrible machinations we have in place for job hunting as well as our terrible workplace environments.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Stupid Machine, what would they be?

I’m the main character of my books, so I would say “Get on the Good Foot” by James Brown. I love James Brown. I’m rarely on the good foot, so perhaps it’s a twisted sense of irony that I’d pick that.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

These days I’m more focused on memoirs, autobiographies, and biographies. “Life is stranger than fiction!” is what they always say – RIGHT?! Many times that’s true. I write memoirs about my life, so I find it cathartic knowing others have made horrible life choices equal to, and even besting my confusing decisions.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I’m currently reading Keith Richards' (the guitarist for The Rolling Stones) memoir LIFE, and it’s wonderful, although it could have been edited a bit. Waiting in the wings are some biographies of old, stodgy presidents and generals (Ulysses S. Grant being both!) that my father gave me and I may hit those next.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I’m not sure why, but I wrote an entire chapter about the cost of baked potatoes, toothbrushes, and printer ink and I laughed out loud the entire time I wrote it. (I really amuse myself!!) So I would say it was my favorite because it came so easily for me.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I write in what I call a ‘vomitous’ style. I walk around for days, sometimes weeks, and in a few cases YEARS, thinking about a subject, mulling it over in my head, then dump it onto the page in one ‘vomitous’ blast, writing in a fury… sweating and hammering the keyboard like a man possessed by the devil until it’s all out.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Whenever I see a meme of a motto that someone has said (whether they said it or not) I always say to myself, that’s my new motto! But in reality, my motto is adapting to other mottos, so a motto that best compares to that motto philosophy, would be Bruce Lee’s “Be Like Water” motto. Man, I said motto a lot in this answer.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

We live in a cruel and confusing world, guided by a body (The Stupid Machine) that’s in a constant state of breaking and sending pain signals to the brain, so if you can laugh about the absurdity of it all and not take life so seriously, you’ll live longer and be happier.

 

A.J. Schmitz is the author of the new book The Stupid Machine

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If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of In the Shadows of the Game, what would they be?

"My Way"

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Mystery Crime.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Crosshairs by James Patterson.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The chase scene near the end.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Smoking a cigar.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

“Always render more and better service than is expected of you, no matter what your task may be.” —Og Mandino.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

That they were entertained.

 

Owen Parr is the author of the new book In the Shadows of the Game

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