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Author Interview, Meet The Author: ‘Street Lit King’ De’Kari!! #amreading

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De'Kari's photo (2)Alright, alright UK and world wide  people let’s welcome De’Kari! We’re kicking off March’s Meet The Author by heading over to the West coast of the USA. Yasssssss we have another author from this part of the world, who I’m happy to have met, and to have read their work. I’ve personally dubbed him one of the ‘Street Lit Kings‘ as  I  found his work very engaging. I read Gorillaz in the Bay last month, and ya’ll know I don’t really read this genre. But, I really enjoyed it you can read the full review here.

From what I understand Author De’Kari has been causing quite a storm in the land of urban fiction, and scooped up nominations, titles/awards. Let’s get to know his style….

Hello nice to meet you! Tell us a bit about you where are you from and other than writing what else do you enjoy?

Hello, my name is Author De’Kari. I am from Menlo Park, the Bay Area of California. I love spending quality time with family, fishing, sports, rapping and writing music.

Kim- Fishing?? *Pulls a funny face* well, I’m surprised! I never would have imagined you sat with a fishing rod, kicking back and waiting for a good catch.

How did you start writing? What was your inspiration to create?

I discovered my passion during my childhood when doing creative writing in school. My inspiration for creating these stories were my experiences and things I saw growing up.

Who is your favourite author, is there anyone out there that inspires you?

K’WAN, Kwame, Ca$h, Terri Woods & Terry McMillan – I enjoy their style of writing and I don’t get bored. They all inspired me as well as my loved ones.

Kim- Love Terry McMillan yes!

What genre do you enjoy reading?

Romance, Suspense Thriller, love Western’s, Murder Mysteries, Urban Fiction.

Kim- Arrrgh really? Mmmkay… that’s interesting I write fifty percent of that genre list there. *Cheesy grin* 

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?

I now take in consideration what my readers suggest from their reviews and feedback.

So you’ve published a series, what is the series about?

The rise and struggle of a Bay Area drug organization.

What was it like creating back to back stories that link?

After the first story, the ideas for the next one was fresh in my mind. It was easy linking them together.

Kim- Wozers, you know I really take my hat of to you series writers who can link stories. I’ve ever really been good at that. I have created a series…but standalone stories… with the same theme…. sooooo not the same. Well done you!

Where did you draw your inspiration for the plot in Gorillaz In The Bay?

Real life experiences.

Kim- I really think readers should check that out I really enjoyed it, and that’s from a  non-traditional reader of the street lit genre. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the reality, and clever plot. My full four star review is here.

It’s interesting that you used females ‘the she-wolves’ as female assassins and key players in GITB. What made you decide to have a female line up of this nature?

In many urban novels the men dominate, so I wanted to do something different. I grew up around women that were strong, leaders and knew how to handle themselves on the streets the same as any man.

Kim- was great reading, raw! But great.

How do you ensure when it comes to street lit as a genre, your stories are realistic and believable ? I must say, I found GITB to be very believable. There is a great deal of reality in my stories.

Things I saw growing up.

In your view, what would you say are the strengths of this genre? Why should readers consider it to read?

For so long no one ever told our story, stories of the hood. The authors I am familiar with (including myself), we are writing about true events and turning it into fiction. I think they are good-reads because of the creativity that goes into them.

In your view are there any weaknesses, or things to improve on in this genre?

The way a lot of male authors portray women in unrealistic role an demean them.

Kim- *takes a deep breath* Yeah, I kinda gotta agree. As a female this is the biggest turn off for me as a reader of this genre. And that’s probably the biggest reason I’ve kinda not really dived into it as a reader, which is a massive shame as I’m a big reader. But, what I have found is that the older or more mature the author is, the better I can  read and engage with their work. I found this with you, and with another male author. In all honesty, I do think the genre has some work to do to help improve  how women are portrayed. It’s interesting you used the word ‘unrealistic’, I’m glad someone else thinks so. 

Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre? If you could what genre would you like to dabble in?

Romance, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Suspense Thrillers and maybe Black Westerns.

Kim *grins* yeah I’d read all that if you did.

What has been your most proud moment as an author?

The moment I had one of my books in my hand and the first time someone I didn’t know told me they read my book.

Was there ever a time you wanted to pick up your laptop, and then launch it out the window with frustration?

Due to my situation all my writing is done by hand with a pencil. There have been several times out of frustration that I have torn the pages up and started over.

Kim- You’re the second author in about two weeks that has given me that same response! Salut to you!!

Are you a “plotter” or a fly by the seat of your pants “pantster” as a writer?

Fly by the seat.

Am I the only one who gets hung up on commas? Do they make you go blah! when you’re writing?

Not really, I was kind of a nerd in school, so it doesn’t bother me.

Kim- I hate you!

Every writer has a word(s) that they always slip up on when they write, then slap their forehead when they notice their typo. For me it’s further and farther exit or exists-  but hey I’m over it now.  Do you have a word (s) that make you go blah! Go away not another damn typo.

The words than and then, I correct many times.

What three tips would you give any aspiring writer?

Follow your passion, work hard and do lots of promoting. Write what’s in your heart, never give up or let someone change your story but you must be open to critical and constructive criticism.

Kim- Amen to that.

What are you working on now? What will you release next?

I have a 2-book series, the first one to be released in March 2020 called Tears of a `Gangsta. I am currently working on part 2.

Kim- Hmmm, mmmkay…

So…. where can we get your books?

Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Target.com, Walmart.com

Kim- Walmart! And Target amazing! I’m on the other side of the world and even I know how big those stores are in the USA. Well done you!!

What are the most important magazines for writers to subscribe to?

Not sure, I would like some suggestions.

Kim * Whistles*…. let’s get on to the next question, I ain’t gotta clue either that’s why I ask. LOLZ

What does “success” look like to you? When would you say “damn, I’ve made it baby!”

When I am on the “New York Times Best Seller” list.

Kim- Snap!

Does a big ego help or hurt writers?

Hurt, because you need to be humble but always have confidence!

Kim- Good answer.

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

When research is needed “Team De’Kari” does my research since I am not currently unable. They spend limited time on research because I come up with most of the stuff on my own.

What is your writing process like?

I get an idea and then the title comes soon after.

Is there anything you must have while writing? (Music, snacks, etc)

I have my snacks nearby. I usually block out time in the morning and late evening to write. While writing I like things quiet so I can have complete concentration. Leading up to me writing I usually listen to some mellow music, if I have access.

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

Yes, I read all my reviews. I enjoy the feedback. Most of my reviews have been positive. I have received some comments about grammar or something minor but if I do get a negative review, I will learn from it.

What was your hardest scene to write?

Writing scenes with conversations.

Kim- That part comes kinda easy to me… maybe it’s due to the many ‘staff meetings’ I hold with myself during the day. LOLZ

Do you Google yourself?

Yes!

Kim- F*ck I don’t I’m too scared too!

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

Approximately 3 months.

Kim- Just knock them babies out huh? *Totally jealous* writing for me can sometimes be like child birth…. slow and painful in places.

What would you like readers to know?

That I have a passion for helping people especially our Youth. I have spent most of my life helping others. I guess this has a lot to do with the suffering I endured as a child.

What’s your favourite movie?

Braveheart with Mel Gibson.

What’s your favourite book and why?

I have so many but the one that stands out now is the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

What music do you like?

I like all kind of music, but R&B is my favourite.

Where would you like to travel to and why?

Africa, the home of my ancestors.

Kim- Ummm, me too.

Tell us about how you develop your characters?

From people I know / have met along my journey.

Which one of your characters is your favourite and why?

It’s hard to say just one because there are several characters that have a piece of me in them. If I had to pick one it would be Voorheeze because no matter what he went through, he survived.

Kim- Awww so I really need to read the next part in Gorillaz in The Bay now, to see what happened to him. You know I thought you’d say T’Rida for some reason.

Do you need a lot of sexual experience to be a good erotica author?

I think it helps. You can also learn from what you see in movies, etc. Also having a great imagination.

Kim- you know I put this question here for an erotica author I interviewed years ago, most authors skip over it. Glad you stepped up to the plate. I think imagination is everything really with erotic stories or sex scenes, regardless of experience.

If you could do it all again would you change anything?

Yes, I would have searched for a publisher years ago when I wrote my first book.

Pick one a one time “Bestselling author” or an author with longevity what would you rather?

I would say an author with longevity as long as people enjoyed my work / purchased my books.

Thank you so much for spending time with me today De’Kari, it’s great to put a face to the great book. And get to know you a little better. I would encourage those who enjoy raw tales, crime fiction, and urban fiction that’s realistic to give this series a try. With thirty nine positive reviews on Amazon on my last check, why not!? It’s also free to read on Kindle Unlimited at the time of this interview.

About The Series

Gorillaz In The Bay is the newest series to take the urban literary world by storm. Author De’Kari brings the pages of his novels to life with his descriptive depiction of California’s Bay Area Street Life. The vivid tale begins with the birth of Neva Die Dragon Gang. Then he takes the readers along as the gang surges its way to the top of the Underworld. The Neva Die Dragon Gang are hell-bent on a quest to Reign Supreme in the jungle called the Bay Area. The characters T’Rida, Tommy Guns and Jason Voorheeze will soon find out they aren’t the only predators in this jungle. Does this trio of Comrades have what it takes for their organization to be the Bay Areas Apex Predators?
Critics are saying that Gorillaz In The Bay is the modern day New Jack City. Follow the series and decide if you agree with the rest of the critics. Is T’Rida the new Nino Brown?

🔥🔥AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON🔥🔥
Gorillaz In The Bay Book Series
book 1
book 2
book 3
book 4

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Dekari.Beckum

Instagram – urban.novels.by.dekari 

Twitter – https://twitter.com/DeKari67503535 

Amazon Author Page –  https://www.amazon.com/DeKari/e/B07MCMJGXJ?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_fkmr0_1&qid=1556320531&sr=8-1-fkmr0

Goodreads Author Page – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18735895.De_Kari?from_search=true

About The Author

De’Kari, author of the newly released Gorillaz In the Bay, is a promising author whose work is nothing short of amazing. Though it’s his first book, De’Kari’s work provides readers with an authentic glimpse into street life. He currently writes urban fiction but plans to cross over to other genres.
The author was born and raised in Northern California.

The author experienced a challenging childhood. Riddled with abuse, neglect and witnessing violence first-hand, De’Kari’s early years were dark and pained. Due to the dysfunction that surrounded him, he was often uprooted and moved from place to place. After various placements with relatives, he found himself in foster care. He eventually turned to the streets which consequently led to a lot of bad choices. In turn those bad choices led to youth authority, jail & prison.
There is more to this author than the street-life. He always had a love for writing. In school he excelled in creative writing. He would always live-out the story as he was writing. Through his most difficult times, he used writing as a way to escape from his surroundings.

In additional to writing, he creates poetry, writes songs and does artwork. He loves spending time with family, fishing, sports and helping youth.
He is happy that he is finally able to share his writing with others, putting his passion to work! De’Kari, author of the newly released Gorillaz In the Bay, is a promising author whose work is nothing short of amazing. Though it’s his first book, De’Kari’s work provides readers with an authentic glimpse into street life. He currently writes urban fiction but plans to cross over to other genres.

book flyer all 4

My Interview With Coffee Time & Romance!

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Thank you to Cherokee over at one of my favourite hang outs Coffee Time & Romance for the request for an interview!  It’s not often I do interviews, I’m too busy interviewing and promoting other authors. For over a year I’ve been a member as a romance author with you, guys thank you for the wonderful interview.  It can be read if you click here

 

coffeehouseauthor

coffeetimeromance.com

 

 

Meet The Author: Alexis Rose- Non Fiction Author #amreading #health #author

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Untangled: A story of resilience, courage, and triumph by [Rose, Alexis]

Okay we’re on a roll, the final author for this month is Alexis Rose! Alexis touches on very important issues that many people face in life. It’s a pleasure to interview her. Let’s get to know her style… over to you Ms. Rose

Hello nice to meet you! Tell us a bit about you where are you from and other than writing what else do you enjoy?

Hello, Thank You for including me in your author spotlight, Kim. My name is Alexis Rose and I live in Minnesota. Besides writing, I love to be with my family and friends. I unwind by practicing yoga and spending time outside. I work part-time doing the marketing for a couple of wellness centers, and enjoy teaching beginning writing classes.

How did you start writing? What was your inspiration to create?

Writing came into my life purely by accident. I had never written anything more than letters or birthday cards, until seven years ago. A friend of mine wanted to know what it felt like for me living with PTSD. Because it’s such an invisible illness, she was at a loss on how to support me. At the time, I was unable to verbalize what it felt like to anyone, let alone to myself. I went home, thought about what I would like to say, and I wrote my first poem. After showing it to her, she told me I had to start writing. I showed the poem to a few other friends, and was invited to collaborate with a couple of artists, using my poetry paired with their artwork. Three successful inspirational books later, I had developed a fierce love of writing. I took the chance to write on my own, and 18 months ago my memoir was published.

What genre do you enjoy reading?

I read a lot of books on mindfulness. I absolutely love reading historical fiction. I don’t think I have one author who is my favorite, but I love an author who does their research. I have a pretty good BS meter and don’t like a lot of filler in a book. I’m a person who will sit down with a book and escape into the character’s world. I simply love good books. I read both non-fiction and fiction at the same time. It makes both sides of my brain really happy.

Kim: haha BS meter, that’s a good one.

Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre? If you could what genre would you like to dabble in?

I would absolutely love to be able to write fiction. I’m so amazed by the women in my writing group, who create fabulous novels and mysteries. Some of their characters even have their own successful blogs. Amazing!

Kim: there is no try, you do! Give it ago.

What has been your most proud moment as an author?

I love this question! I continue to be humbled and extremely grateful when I hear that my book has resonated with a reader. Either by inspiring them, giving them something to think about or feeling like they are not alone. I can honestly say that every time I receive that feedback, I feel as proud as the first time that someone reached out to me and let me know.

Was there ever a time you wanted to pick up your laptop, and then launch it out the window with frustration?

Yes, during the editing process of all four books I wrote. Even thinking about it now, gives me the shivers!

Kim: hmm umm! I hear that.

Are you a “plotter” or a fly by the seat of your pants “pantster” as a writer?

I’m compelled to write, so I’m probably a little of both. I may have an idea that nags at me until I write it down, or all of a sudden, a poem will just burst out of my fingers.

What three tips would you give any aspiring writer?

Write!

Do not think about the editing process or if your book will be published.

Do not let anyone deter you or tell you that you cannot be a successful author.

Kim: Love the last tip. Straight to the point too.

What are you working on now? What will you release next?

I’m working on two collaborations at the moment. One is a screenplay and the other one is a compilation of inspirational poems paired with beautiful watercolor paintings.

Kim: aww painting, do keep us posted on this.

What would you like readers to know?

I would like my readers to know, how much I appreciate the time they take to buy, read and positively review Untangled. This book is my memoir, and it’s a story of pretty significant challenges. When I wrote the book, I emerged from the shadows after a life of hiding behind threats and the fear that I should never talk about what happened to me. The resilience of surviving my life, and the courage to live everyday with PTSD is what I hope comes through as inspiring and gratifying to my readers.

So… where can we get your books?

You can purchase Untangled, A story of Resilience, Courage, and Triumph on Amazon. My book is available in both print and ebook formats. Here are the links:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Untangled-story-resilience-courage-triumph/dp/1514213222

https://www.amazon.com/Untangled-story-resilience-courage-triumph-ebook/dp/B013XA4856

And that’s a wrap guys, lovely to have a so many  authors on this month, non fiction, crime, children’s books. What a great month! I’ll see you next month with some more great authors. If you’d like a feature contact me here.

To connect with Alexis:

Blog: https://atribeuntangled.com/blog

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Alexis-Rose-700444583389087

Email address: atribeuntangled@gmail.com

 

meet-the-author

Meet The Author: Thank you All! & More Authors Needed… #author #amwriting

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Well guys I have just interviewed three brilliant authors today, and the line up is so diverse!  The feature has become popular ,I’m doing two authors per month as a feature. The next spot open is from August onward, so if you’re  an author and you have a new summer release, or you fancy a spot light (even if you don’t have a new release for the summer) come and strut your stuff….do get in touch.  Everyone is welcome, but male authors  are encouraged  to participate and authors who hail from ALL genres, you wait until July there’s a lot of diversity there.

I’m loving meeting you all, and reading the author review copies  of your books I get. I promise I’ll read them and review them.

You can read some previous author interviews here.

 

meet-the-author

Meet The Author: Didi Oviatt- Suspense & Thriller Author #author #amreading

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It’s the 25th so it’s time for meet the author… do you know Didi Oviatt?  I’m excited to feature another author within my own genre. Didi is a suspense and thriller author from the USA.  Her talent is spinning those twists and turns that keep us turning pages. I was really interested  in  getting to know Didi as her environment is so different from mine, I’m a big city girl from London she’s ” a dirt road country girl” from the USA to use her words. This made me think her inspiration for stories could be quite different to mine. What does she cook up within our suspenseful genre?? My mind boggled. I was keen to learn  so I interviewed her. Let’s get to know her style….

Hello nice to meet you! Tell us a bit about you where are you from and other than writing what else do you enjoy?

Hi Kim, thanks for having me!! I’m a small town, dirt road country girl from the U.S.  Aside from an attempt to make literacy and a great attention span cool again amongst a community of somewhat wrongfully accused rednecks, I like to spend my time outdoors! (doing redneck things like hiking and fishing and riding four wheelers lol)

How did you start writing? What was your inspiration to create?

My husband and I went through a difficult patch in life while we were trying to have children. Writing became my process, my way to escape reality in a sense. It helped me to clear my head and focus on something other than medical issues. I wrote a blog post about it a while back, here is a link:

https://didioviatt.wordpress.com/2017/01/17/transforming–personal–trauma–and–devastation–into–drive–and–a–sheer–will–to–succeed/

Also, I’d always toyed with the idea of writing a book, but it wasn’t until a close friend of mine encouraged me as she was writing one of her own.  I went into the whole writing adventure with the attitude of, “If she can do it I can.”  But then, soon enough, curiosity turned to habit, and habit turned to obsession…  Now, here we are!

Kim: Wow Didi, it is always good when a life changing experience pushes you in a new direction.

Who is your favourite author, is there anyone out there that inspires you?

My favorite Author overall is hands down, bar none Colleen Hoover!!! She is a POWERHOUSE writer!  I absolutely love her work. She’s also a pillar of the community, a giver!  I’m proud to be a Cohort (for those fellow Cohort-ers like myself who are actually reading this, you are f**king awesome!) If you are not familiar with Colleen’s work then check out her amazing website, and don’t skip out on the information about The Bookworm Box!!  This woman truly is phenomenal! http://www.colleenhoover.com/

What genre do you enjoy reading?

I actually prefer to read romance, which is funny because when it comes to writing I crave suspenseful plot points and quick paced scenes. It helps me to stay excited and keep my head in the game.

Kim: me too!

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?

I’ll never forget the first time I picked up my first novel after publication. The only thing I could do is pick it apart!  Since then, I spend triple the amount of time in the editing and revision phases, and I never ever ever go back and read my own work after it’s actually published. As writers we are, always have been, and always will be our own greatest critics! I’ve learned that it’s best to make sure it’s absolutely perfected before sending it off to be published, and then never look back.

Kim: I can relate to that, I never go back now, when I’m done I’m done. Unless someone points out a typo. Then I’m like ” whhhhhhhhat? Who? Where is that bitch what page? I’m going back in”  🙂

So you’ve published a series, what is the series about?

I do have one series in the works. So far I’ve only released the first of three novellas, it’s titled New Age Lamians. It’s a post-apocalypse trilogy with a mythological twist. I plan to release the next two books in this series next year 2018…  In the meantime I’ve been working on another stand alone mystery/thriller that will go out in the fall of this year 2017.

What was it like creating back to back stories that link?

It’s actually been quite a bit harder than I thought, hence the break lol.  I have the second and third outlined and all of my surprises and plot points in place, but I really struggled keeping my head in the game. I decided that by taking a break from it, I might be able to do the story more justice by going back in with a clean slate and a fresh perspective. It’s easy to let yourself get blinded by over attachment.

Kim: I think you’re right. My first ever idea  I wanted to write in full for a novel I have on ice, and it’s been there since 2015. I’m going to go back into writing it  the end of this year, and put it out next year I think.

Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre? If you could what genre would you like to dabble in?

Absolutely! Variety IS the spice of life after all. I feel like challenging yourself is necessary to grow as an author. Otherwise it’s easy to slip into repetition. Suspense is most definitely where my talent shines the brightest, (whether it be YA dystopian or mystery/thrillers) but eventually, when I feel I’m seasoned enough, then I’d love to try my hand at a romantic comedy.

Kim: Excellent! Romance with a smile sounds good. I really respect the erotica genre, I keep telling myself I need to be brave enough to try to write one… one day.

What has been your most proud moment as an author?

It’s hard to pin down just one. But I would have to say the last few months as a whole has absolutely taken the cake. Before the release of my last book Aggravated Momentum (which came out in Sept. 2016) I lacked enough confidence as an author to really put myself out there. In a way I feel like writing an adult psychological thriller kind of forced me out of my shell and comfort zone. Since I made the decision to really own my work and myself as a writer, I’ve actually started turning heads. Strangers in my community have recognized me in stores and read my work (talk about exciting!) I’ve also been growing my author’s blog and social media platform which is such an amazing feeling of accomplishment!

Kim: Love it, and well done. 

Was there ever a time you wanted to pick up your laptop, and then launch it out the window with frustration?

YES!!!  haha at least once a every couple of weeks!  I guess that’s what makes it all worth it in the long run though. The fact that it IS a LONG RUN… If writing was easy then everyone would do it. Also, I guess being a girl with an epic temper doesn’t help.

Are you a “plotter” or a fly by the seat of your pants “pantster” as a writer?

I linger, lost somewhere in between the two. I try to be a planner, but usually come up with something better along the way, so I change my mind constantly.  I’ve never been able to stick to any kind of a plan, like at all.. This applies to every aspect of my life. Writing, date nights, road trips, meals lol… I always start out with every little detail in line, and by the time I dive in all bets are off the table and everything transforms into utter chaos.

Kim: LOL

Am I the only one who gets hung up on commas? Do they make you go blah! when you’re writing?

Kim, you’re not alone!  haha I loath commas! They’re like the evil stepchild of all punctuation.

Kim: Blah!

Every writer has a word(s) that they always slip up on when they write, then slap their forehead when they notice their typo. For me it’s further and farther exit or exists-  but hey I’m over it now.  Do you have a word (s) that make you go blah! Go away not another damn typo.

For me it’s a toss up between definitely vs. defiantly, and then vs. than… So irritating!  It’s like we know what they mean and that we often type them wrong by accident, but we still fail to pay attention when they come up.

What three tips would you give any aspiring writer?

  • If you think your novel has been edited and revised enough, you’re wrong. Do it again.
  • Understand that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time and do it right. Even after it’s all said and done, never stop marketing and putting your name out there.
  • All the time. If you want to master your skills, then you need to be an expert. The only way to be the best writer is by reading constantly.

Kim: I agree with all of that. Wonderful tips, thank you Didi.

What are you working on now? What will you release next?

I’m so dang excited about my latest and greatest! Search For Maylee is a mystery novel that I intend to release in the fall of this year, so hold your breath!!! Here is a short description:

Since Maylee was abducted from her high school the very month of graduation, her Aunt Autumn has never lost hope in finding her.  It’s been three years. Autumn has finally reached inside herself and found the courage to track down an old lead. She moves across the country to find him. Will Autumn be able to pry Maylee’s case back open? More importantly, what will Autumn uncover in the process of searching for Maylee?  It’s a cold dark world we live in, and she is about to find out just how cruel it can be. Strength and determination are on Autumn’s side and she will do whatever it takes to either bring Maylee home, or to deliver the justice she deserves.

Kim: it’s on the read list..*wink

So…. where can we get your books?

You can find every one of my books on my Amazon Author’s Page here: amazon.com/author/didioviatt

Does a big ego help or hurt writers?

My opinion on this matter is very simple. Humble confidence outshines a boisterous ego anyday! A big ego never helped anyone, with anything, ever…  But a quiet healthy confidence on the other hand, is everything.

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

Hardly any… To be completely honest, I hate research and I suck at it.  What little bit that’s required, I kind of leave hanging for my editor to “come across” and have to fix lol… Don’t worry though, she’s a friend so it’s fine 😉

Kim: wow! I actually do it all before I give  the MS to my editor. I really enjoy this part.

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

I read every single one, sometimes multiple times. I have very thick skin, and I understand that not everyone has the same taste in books just like they don’t have the same taste in food or movies. To each their own, I rarely get my feelings hurt from reviews… But, I do LEARN from them! You can’t fix your writing if you don’t know what’s wrong with it. Constructive criticism is imperative for writers and it’s a really big deal to take it with a grain of salt. Some reviews help you learn, and some reviews are fantastic and are a HUGE confidence booster! Who doesn’t love to read about how wonderfully talented they are?

What was your hardest scene to write?

Aggravated Momentum has the very first sex scene I’ve ever written. I’m not a shy person by any means, but I wrote it through the eyes of my killer, so it had to be twisted in a more than dirty way. He reflected back on his victims while making his partner do nasty things. It was a very difficult scene, it took me weeks. I felt like it was imperative to the story line, but then again I didn’t want to overdo it, or underdo it either. I may have obsessed over it way more than necessary, but I guess that happens to even the best lol.

Kim:  Good job. I think it is excellent when writers step into the shoes of their characters, no matter how horrible they are. I did the same thing in A Stranger in France, it took me by surprise too how much of a challenge it can be. But when it is done well, it does wonders for a reader’s experience. Think of Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, one of ( in my opinion) the best thrillers I’ve read, she does it so so well.

Do you Google yourself?

OFTEN! lol

Kim: 🙂

And that’s a wrap! I hope you enjoyed meeting Author Didi Oviatt from the USA. If you are an author and would like to feature on the 25th  contact me here.

Next Month: oh you are in for a treat, May’s author will have your toes curling… literally!

Connect with Didi here:

https://didioviatt.wordpress.com/

amazon.com/author/didioviatt

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meet-the-author

 

 

 

Author Interview: UK- Meet Author Tammy Tate. #author #amreading #romance @tammytateauthor

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Following the official announcement of  my next spring release  with fellow author Tammy Tate.( You can read that post here if you missed it). I had the pleasure of interviewing her from this side of the Atlantic. Here’s what she had to say.. Let’s meet her and get to know her style.

How did you start writing romance? 
One day a good friend of mine gave me a historical romance novel. She said it was good and that I should read it. I took it from her, but living in the country on two and a half acres with six horses, two rottweilers, two cats and three kids I didn’t figure I would have time to sit down and read. One night after I crawled into bed exhausted from the day I thought what the heck.  I took Brazen Ecstasy by Janelle Taylor off my nightstand, opened it up and began to read. Before long, it was 3 a.m.  The bad part was, I still didn’t want to put it down. But I did, knowing I had a long day ahead of me. I had to see my husband off to work, my kids off to school and the horse shoer was coming. Between bowling three nights a week and bouncing between school sports, my husband and I had a full plate. Somewhere in between he made a descent living. 
 
It took me about three days to finish Brazen Ecstasy only to learn it wasn’t the first of the series. But I was hooked. I had to find the others. Some of them were out of print and I searched every used book store for miles around until I had all seven. By the time I finished reading them, I was so pumped up I decided to write one myself. Make up my own rules. Tell a story…my way. 
 
Within no time, I had twenty-seven chapters plunked out on a Brother’s word processor. (I didn’t have a computer back then and was at the mercy of a landline for internet which was slower than molasses.) Back then, to submit a manuscript, you had to print and mail it in. I finally got my first computer and I didn’t want to know what keys to push. I wanted to know why you pushed those keys. One thing led to another and I put my writing on hold. With the help of countless computer books and a computer friend I opened my own computer business. I spent the next seven years writing databases, troubleshooting computers and building them from the ground up.
 
Then a new chapter opened in my life. I got into law enforcement dispatching police, fire and EMS. Seven years went by and my husband took a job in Las Vegas and we sold our house in Texas and moved 1650 miles across the states. He didn’t want me to work in law enforcement in Las Vegas because he was afraid he’d never see me. The hours were long. Holidays and weekends were the busiest. That’s when I decided to write again. But, times had changed. Now, there were ebooks and anyone could put them out there for the world to enjoy. I even put my first story on smashwords.com to see if anyone would enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them. Within the first three months The Spirit Path, a time travel romance I had written, had been downloaded over 7000 times. The ones that weren’t complaining about spelling and grammar were screaming for more. I learnt real quick if I was going to continue living out my dream, I needed an editor. 
 
Now imagine the look on my husbands face when I approached him about hiring an editor for a book I was giving away for free. It was the same look he gave me when I got caught up playing FarmVille on Facebook and bought million dollar cows to sell for 60k for experience points so I could level up. That’s another story, entirely. Bottom line is, I have a husband who is supportive and told me to hire an editor so I could live out my dream. After, thirty-seven years of marriage, he’s still my biggest fan.
 Kim: Wowzers Tammy- sounds a bit like my experience when I read Deadly Embrace by Jackie Collins, I then read EVERY book of hers, and started writing romantic suspense! I was not even in my mid twenties yet. It’s great to be inspired by other great writers.
What’s your fav genre to read and write?

Hands down, it’s got to be heart-pumping ROMANCE with gorgeous men who will do anything for the strong-willed women they love! I can’t write just sweet romance. It’s not in my DNA. I have to sprinkle in jaw-dropping time travel, paranormal, mystery, a haunted house and a ghost or two or have my characters get sucked up in the Bermuda Triangle. 

 

 Kim: Umm hmm sounds like my cup of tea for sure Tammy.
How do you go about story telling do you have a signature style?
I’m what you call a pantster! I write by the seat of my pants. I don’t outline before I start. I choose a ‘What if” scenario and jump right in. I write the first few chapters and name the chapter with keywords depicting what I want to take place in that chapter. That always changes several times before I finish. My characters will generally start off with generic names and as they begin to raise up from the pages, I give them their earned names.
 Kim: Haha! A  panster! Love it, I just can’t write like this, I need an outline for sure and develop it  as I go alone. But massive props to you for having this skill. No wonder your stories are great to read!

You’re a bestselling author how did it feel the moment you earned this amazing title?
The first time I made AMAZON’s bestseller list it was a humbling experience to say the least and I was on cloud nine. I looked at my husband and shouted, “I did it!” He shook his head and teased, “Thank God you don’t want to be president.” Yeah, my baby’s got jokes…
Kim: Well done you! Again, I am so happy for you.
What advice would you give to an aspiring author?
The best advice I could give to an aspiring new author is to never give up. No matter what. If writing is your passion, keep writing. And, read…read…read.

Kim: yeah, for sure, never give up!

What’s the most frustrating thing about being a writer?
I would have to say the most frustrating thing about being a writer is not having enough hours in the day. I’m a full time writer and it’s still not enough. I have so many characters bouncing around in my head with so many stories to tell and not enough time to get them down.


What’s the best thing about being a writer?
The best thing about being a writer is knowing there are fans out there that are as passionate about my stories as I am.

What’s your vision for your romance novel with Kim?
I am honored to have taken on a project with Kim and I can describe my vision for our quest in one word. BESTSELLER! Mama always said, “Shoot for the stars, if you fall short, you’re still a winner
So tell us about your latest release Valentine Vision?
Valentine Vision was a fun story to write. Mark, the son of an oil tycoon lost his eyesight in a plane crash a year ago and is now in need of a personal assistant. Who better then to apply then an ex-model who lost her modeling career after a near fatal car crash. He can’t see the scar down the side of her face. There’s chemistry between them from the git go, but Tori fights it. He’s her boss. That isn’t supposed to happen. Against her better judgement, she gives in and after she has to save him from drowning his ego takes a hit. He let’s her go because he thinks she deserves better. Until his doctor calls informing him of a new surgery that might restore his sight. Will he still think she’s beautiful?
Kim: Sounds great! I can’t wait to read my copy.
And that’s a wrap! Grab your copy of Valentine Vision on Amazon UK and Amazon.com now. Connect with Tammy on Twitter and FB
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Author Interview- Serious Reading.com #romancereaders #newrelease #amreading

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Evening guys,

Last week I did an author interview over at seriousreading.com, as well as a guest blog. I enjoyed the interview you can read it by clicking right here.

Next week I hope to have a guest blog on my site, from the editor of the wonderful magazine I write for Love Life, Live Magazine. I’ll keep you posted.