Interview with Pamela DuMond

Today we're chatting with a wonderful lady and excellent author. Her book CUPCAKES, LIES, AND DEAD GUYS is available now! Let's get to know her.

Welcome, Pamela. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. As a kid I loved going to the pool in the summer, rolling in the leaves in the fall, (yes I was a dork,) and building snow forts in the winter. I did not enjoy eating liver that was cooked hard enough to be used as a weapon, or trying to figure out if the fruit-like thingies embedded in the jello du jour were edible.


One day when I was in college my Dad declared I had to stop dallying around with Spanish, Psychology, cute boys and pick a profession. Dad was old school, first person in his family to put himself through college and start his own business. Therefore, I wasn’t allowed to pick something namby-pamby like Artist, Musician, or Secret Spy as a career. My choices were limited to doctor, lawyer, or Indian Chief. I hated blood and guts, had never been on the debate team and certainly wasn’t cool enough to be an Indian Chief. So that left chiropractic.

How long have you been writing?

As a kid I stuttered badly, so I did a lot more reading and writing than talking. Any kid who is considered a little ‘different’ knows: the bullies zone in on you. By the time I could actually talk without stuttering, I was beyond shy and didn’t. When I turned 22 I started yakking. My brother commented that I haven’t shut up, since. Since it’s relatively boring talking to oneself all day long, I started writing a lot more then, as well.

Tell us about this fabulously-titled book Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys.

Annie is a baker with a pinch of psychic ability. Her married life is perfect until a famous self-help author, Dr. Fuller, ruins everything. When Fuller ends up poisoned with one of Annie's cupcakes, she's a murder suspect. When Fuller doesn't pass to the After-Life, he recruits/haunts Annie to find his killer. Now Annie's stuck with the world's most irritating ghost while investigating the wackos who wanted him dead. Can she solve the crime before she is whacked by the real killer?

Sounds absolutely awesome. How did the idea of the story come to you?

I was working on scripts that were going nowhere. Three authors inspired me to try writing novels: Jacqueline Carey, Lisa Lutz, and Toni McGee Causey. Their characters are rich and their worlds are intriguing.


I’ve had enough experiences that convinced me it is possible to communicate with people who have passed on. I wrote several non-fiction articles about those moments that were published in Soul Moments: Marvelous Stories of Synchronicity – Meaningful Coincidences from a Seemingly Random World, edited by Phil Cousineau. I’ve always loved mysteries, as well as comedies. I started to think about the comedic possibilities of being stuck with the ghost of the person you hated most in the entire world. That situation seemed pretty funny.

Sounds hysterical. I can't wait to read it. What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

When I’m in the middle of writing a story, I’m hoping that there is a pony at the bottom of the heap, and praying that I can dig my way through to her. Then, I hope that my readers will love that pony as much as I do.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

A notepad, a pen, a highlighter, research materials, my super-duper abdominal belt that exercises my abs while I write, (weird, I know,) and sometimes a cat on my chair.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

I already have the super-duper abdominal belt. Okay. My super power would be the ability to get to the pony more quickly.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: jujitsu, summer house, and ambidextrous.

I discovered the only survivors of the summer house were ambidextrous middle aged women with jujitsu skills: just like me.

Love it! Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

Krill Press, Ramona DeFelice Long, my family, my friends, my furballs, writers, readers, bloggers like yourself, Dorothy. The list is endless. I am blessed.

And finally, where can people find you online?

Facebook at Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys.


My website should be up this week: www.Pamela.DuMond.com

Thank you so much for chatting with us, Pamela. I just know your book will be a big hit.

Thank you Dorothy!

Interview with Sharla Scroggs

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. I know, I know. It could have been much longer if you had your way. Well, to ease the sting of the work week, let's chat with another great aspiring writer, Sharla Scroggs.

Welcome, Sharla! Tell us a bit about yourself.

Well, when I was five... LOL... I know, let's not get crazy. I live in Southeast Texas, down by the coast, with my husband and two nearly grown kids, 15 and 20. Well, I guess 20 is grown, but...um...not. I have 2 dogs and 9 cockatiels (We breed them. The birds, not the dogs) and I work full time. Oh yeah, and I write. One day I'd love to put that further up the list, on that day when I can call myself a published author. But until then, I write every day. It may be 2000 words or it may be a sentence as short as "Jesus wept." but I try to do something after work before supper and laundry and drivers ed for my 15 year old. Maybe I should write about that.

Sounds like dedication to me. How long have you been writing?

I've been writing since I was a kid, but I took it seriously eight years ago, when I started writing short stories on an online critique site. I'd never experienced feedback from other writers before. That was awesome and I was hooked. I wrote my first novel then, which took me a couple of years around some difficult times, but I did it. What was funny is I knew no rules back then. I ended up with a rambling, all-over-the-place whopper at 215K words. LOL! Yeah. Imagine my bewilderment when I found out it should be under 90K. I learned all about editing.

What is the name and genre of your current manuscript?

My latest is called Seeing Alex, and it's Women's Fiction with a Paranormal Romance twist. I can never seem to just fall in a category that's easy to query.

Here’s the part where you pitch it. What’s your story about?

Haven't written a pitch or synopsis for this one yet, so bear with me as I wing it.

Seeing Alex is like Ghost Whisperer meets Hope Floats. It's about a woman having to trudge back to her home town after twenty years to start over, and reinvent herself in a town that won't let her. She sees spirits, and that didn't go so well for her growing up as she talked to people no one else could see. Especially Alex. Now she's gone from ad exec to filling shrimp buckets at an old bait shop, is falling for her hot but moody boss, and keeps having hot flashes over Alex. Alex is hot enough to melt her shoes...but he happens to be dead. Add in a mouthy teenage daughter that inherits the ghostly trend, and a well hidden family secret that will shake everyone's shoes...


Sounds a little bit like True Blood with ghosts—how cool! How did the idea of the story come to you?


Honestly, it ended much different from where it started, but don't they all? I was watching Moonlight at the time, and I loved the romance idea with someone you can't have. Granted, that was a vampire, not a ghost, but it got the seed planted, and I already had the "mom and daughter coming home" thing going...it just grew from there. These things always take off on their own for me.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

I don't chapter my writing until I'm completely done, it's just one long document. Then I self edit to within an inch of its life, till I can't find anything else, then I have a handful of trusted crit partners I run it by, and I cringe while waiting to see all the red notes. Eeek. And they are always right.

But helpful, right? I love it when crit partners point out things I completely miss. What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Finding the time. I've tried a set time every day, like punching a clock, but it never lasts. Life gets in the way and tells me otherwise. So I now grab whatever I can get, and force myself away from the internet. Yes, that is my weakness when those characters get ornery and don't want to run lines with me or just go awol... Facebook and Twitter and blogging wave their shiny little flags and beckon. Sometimes I have to unplug.

What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Sweet tea. Or coffee. Other than that, red spiral notebooks and a medium pt blue rollerball pen. I usually write longhand first because I can be messy and scribble and cross out and not edit. When I type, my inner editor comes out and I can't be free. And this I can take anywhere and write in the doctor's office or at a red light. (don't honk if you're behind me) And the pen? Yeah...I'm a little OCD about that. :))

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

I would want to be The Invisible Woman! So I could spy on people and conversations and really get the goods on my kids! LOL

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: chimpanzee, orchestra, and yo-yo.

He looked crazed as he directed that orchestra, jumping up and down on the podium and flapping his arms like a chimpanzee working a yo-yo.

Heehee, that's good! Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

I thank everyone!!! My family for putting up with me. My friends for nodding and smiling as I keep calling myself a writer and keep plodding along. I thank all my amazing online writer friends I've made through blogs and AbsoluteWrite and Facebook and Twitter. And my wonderful crit partners I met online and also at the DFW Writers Conference! I am constantly humbled and awed by the talented people I've met, and who have helped me.

And finally, where can people find you online?

AbsoluteWrite forums
Facebook
Twitter (sharlascroggs)
RWA-Womens Fiction online chapter
My blog http://www.sharlascroggs.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much for chatting with us, Sharla. Let me know when you get published, I'd love to read your book!

Interview with Erica Chapman

Hello, everyone. Have we all been having a productive week so far? Well, let's toss in a little fun and inspiration for everyone hard at work. I happen to have just the thing, because today we're chatting with aspiring writer Erica Chapman.

Welcome, Erica! Tell us a bit about yourself.

Well... I'm a *cough, cough* year-old who works in a mall office by day, writing YA by night! Been married for 8 years, have 2 doggies and 3 kitties. I'm learning to play the guitar, love to golf and love alternative music, especially the Foo Fighters! I love to read and am a huge movie buff. Have you seen Inception yet? OMG. Soooo good.

I haven't yet! But it's definitely on my must-see list. Tell us, how long have you been writing?

I've been writing since I was 16, so about 17 years... dang, now you know how old I am.. LOL. I started with poetry and wrote that for years, began novel writing when I was unemployed in 2007. Started seriously writing November 2008.

(Don't worry, you're still younger than I am, lol.) What is the name and genre of your manuscript?

BELIEVE is the title (right now) it's a YA Paranormal.

I love me some Ya Paranormals. Here’s the part where you pitch it. What’s your story about?

*ahem*


When Snow Stansbury's sister died seven years ago in front of her, Snow's belief shattered. She's tested again when her best friend Liv, step-daughter of a prominent Senator, is murdered. She meets Vaughn, an amnesiac soul fresh out of Purgatory with a final task to solve Liv's murder. With only two weeks and threat of being sent to Hell, Vaughn seeks the help of the closest person to Liv, Snow. She soon finds out that even though Vaughn's past is a mystery, someone or something is determined to make him remember.


Snow's mortality and Vaughn's eternity are at stake and the clock is ticking.
It needs a ton of work. Still working on it ;o)


Sounds intense. I'd love to find out what happens. How did the idea of the story come to you?


It was my NaNoWriMo story. It stemmed from watching Glee (OMG how good is Glee? *squee*) Originally, there was a show choir element (something I knew about since I was in show choir in high school) it's been since taken out in the revisions. From there, it took off. I've always been interested in questioning what happens after we die. I love ghost stories, paranormal stuff too. It's all fascinating to me.

Awesome. And I love Glee! What's your next step?

I'm going to finish up revisions (someday) and send to 'da Betas. Then more revisions... then hopefully I can query this one, or at least get to that point. I'm well aware this may not get queried as it's only my second complete novel. I still need a lot of practice and work! I'm also going to participate in NaNo again this year!

Have confidence, you never know what surprises are in store for you. What else do you have in the works?

I'm working on some ideas for a YA sci-fi, trippy, mind warp type story. My leading idea is about a girl who has the ability to enter minds. She's hired by a psychologist to participate in some hypnotherapy, and while in the head of one patient she witnesses something unusual... I'm still working on the details. I'm not a pantser anymore, so I'll need to outline it!

Sounds cool. Sort of like Sookie meets Inception? Do you have a good group of beta readers, or do you rely more on self-editing?

Oh yes, I have three wonderful C.P./Betas at the moment. I'm sure I'll add more Betas when the time comes. They are fabulous and they each offer something different. They all write different genre's too. I do self-editing some as well ;o)

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

So far, the beginnings. I always thought it would be the middles for me. It's not. The beginnings are hard. Revisions are not the easiest either, but I know they will make the story much better. It's just never ending!! LOL It's all worth it though. I just need to pick up my pace ;o)

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Hmm, I'd like to be able to teleport. Or have the ability to pick up other abilities in less than five minutes. It would be like Chuck, or Heroes. Very cool... I'd need places to use my abilities too. That's where the teleporting comes in ;o)

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: tulips, orthodontist, and carousel.

The orthodontist carefully placed the tulips on top of the rusty, silver-maned carousel horse, the last place he remembered his daughter smiling.
(Jeez that sounds depressing. LOL)

Wow, yeah depressing, but what a vivid picture you just painted! Okay, here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Whom would you like to give a shout out to?

Oh man... anyone I've come in contact with online... the blogging/facebook/twitter community. They are always there and supportive of everything. My uber awesome C.P's Jamie, Regan and Brooklyn, and of course, my husband. He puts up with me staying up very late and he leaves me alone when I need him to. My sister Hannah, who is a YA herself, she helps with all the stuff I don't know! Also, big thanks to you, Dorothy for taking the time to interview me.

Aw, thank you. ^_^ And finally, where can people find you online?

ericachapman.com is a great place to find all my haunts ;o) I'm on twitter every night (@ericawrites,) I'm on facebook and I blog too!

Thank you so much for letting us get to know you, Erica. I wish you lots of success with your books. Be sure to let us know when you've made your next step on the publishing journey.

Thanks Dorothy! Your blog is awesome and I love that you interview aspiring writers! Can't wait to see who's next ;o)

Interview with Elizabeth Holloway

Well, folks, the week is nearly over. Aren't you glad? Me too. To help get us through the last couple days, let's partake in a chat with a wonderful aspiring writer, Elizabeth Holloway.

Welcome, Beth! Tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm a late-night, snack-munching writer, an avid reader and the deliverer of babies, both fictional and literal.

How long have you been writing?

I started writing poetry when I was able to hold a pen in my hand. I wrote my first short story when I was fifteen and my first novel, NIRAMI, at eighteen. NIRAMI is safely under the bed where it can't hurt anyone other than the dust bunnies. I promise.

LOL, I have a few stories that can join it. What is the name and genre of your current manuscript?


I'm currently seeking representation for my YA paranormal, THE COLLECTED, and I'm working on another YA paranormal entitled GRIM.

Here’s the part where you pitch it. What’s your story about?

THE COLLECTED is the story of a murdered girl, Emma, whose soul was collected as a trophy by her killer. Years later, Emma manages to escape the Collector. When she realizes there is hope for life (and love) outside of the glass bottle he kept her in, she risks her freedom, and possibly the soul of her living accomplice, to rescue the rest of the souls still trapped in the killer's morbid collection.

Wow, that's a great premise! How did the idea of the story come to you?

Ha! I love this question. The seeds of this story came from a creepy urban legend. A boy picks up a beautiful, hitchhiking girl and takes her to her house. As he drives away, he realizes she left her sweater in his car. Excited by the prospect of seeing the girl again, he returns to her house only to learn the girl has been dead for years. *cue spooky music*
I loved the idea of the boy falling in love with the ghost girl and thought more about it. I wondered why a ghost would be hitchhiking. Where was she going? Who was she running from, and why? My story snowballed from there.

That's great. Now I really want to read it! Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

I have a group of ridiculously talented beta-readers and I self edit.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Writing is hard. It really is. But the hardest part is taking time away from my family and sleep to sit down and DO it!

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?


I wish I could say something like my signed copy of , but I'm boring. I only need my computer, a dictionary, a thesaurus and a diet Pepsi...Okay, okay...and snacks. Lots and lots of snacks.


Yes, snacks fuel the imagination, I believe, lol. If you could have any super power, what would it be? 

Ah, the ability to telepathically transport my thoughts to my computer and have it come out the masterpiece it is in my brain. That would be pretty cool.

Ooh, yeah, can I have that too? That would come in so handy.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: Academy Award, Wite-Out, and pajamas.

I knew when my stylist held up a pair of black pajamas with the words 'I didn't want it anyway' scrawled across the shoulders in Wite-out that my chances of getting the Academy Award for best screenplay were smaller than I thought.

Hehehe, ingenious. Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Whom would you like to give a shout out to?

I'd like to thank my family and friends for their continued patience with the lump who stares at the computer screen all day (me). I'd also like to say thanks to my fantastic beta-readers, Crystal, Kara, Laura, Heather, Steve, Jenn. And thank you, Dorothy, for the awesome interview!

Aw, you're welcome! And finally, where can people find you online?

I occasionally blog at http://writingbynightlight.blogspot.com, I recently joined twitter and I'm an active member of the AW forums. You might see my work entered in contests here and there, as well.

Thank you so much for letting us get to know you, Beth. I'm crossing my fingers that your book snags an agent soon. Let us know when it's published, because I can't wait to read it!

Interview with Jim Angell

Today we’re chatting with aspiring writer James "Jim" Angell.

Welcome, Jim. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born on the little island of Guernsey in the Channel Islands (British Isles). I moved to Utah in 2005 after meeting my beautiful wife Jen. Since then we have spent the last five years based in the small quiet town of Bountiful. For my "real job" I work at the University of Utah as a Systems Administrator for the College of Engineering. I am also back in school part time at the UofU working on my second degree (going from Electronic Engineering to Journalism).

Bountiful is such an interesting name for a town. There’s a story-starter right there! Speaking of stories, tell us what you’re working on right now.

I have a few projects going on at the moment. My current focus is on my new project (possible series) called "Dead Beat". It's a Sci-Fi cop series set in the year 2052. I am also working on a novel called "Maidens Song" which is my first attempt at a magical realism story.

What is Dead Beat about?

The year is 2052. It has been 10 years since the signing of the All Nations treaty and the world exists in relative peace. That is until the first confirmed Ghost is filmed and broadcast across the globe. At first the world is overjoyed at the chance to see their departed loved ones again. Then the bodies start to turn up. Nothing too out of the ordinary for the area and nothing too suspicious at first. Until the murder of Professor Daryn Freeman, a Quantum Physicist at the Numar Institute. Detective John Ellis is called in to investigate, not knowing that this case will send him headlong into a fight for the survival of the human race. He is not in the slightest bit superstitious, has no time for religion and absolutely does not believe in ghosts. Little does he realize that the case he has just been assigned will take his beliefs to their limits and propel him into a battle for the very survival of the human race.

Sounds really interesting and maybe a little spooky. I like! So how did the idea of the story come to you?

My ideas come to me at the most inopportune times normally. This one came from a rather vivid dream I had....at around 3:30 in the morning. This is why I strongly advocate always having a pen and paper by the bedside.

I usually have brainstorms in the shower—guess I need to invest in some kind of waterproof writing apparatus, lol. You said this was a new project, so I’m guessing your manuscript is still a work in progress.

Yes, the project is still in its infancy. I'm currently working on characters, including the sinister Reverend Jocob Green. Normally I have a bit of an affinity with my villains (I'm British, we're always the baddies) but I'm really starting to hate this guy.

Sci Fi requires world building, which means a high word count. Do you have a word count goal, and how far along are you at this point?


I try to not to give myself overall word counts for the full story. I will, however, give myself targets during a writing session. Normally I shoot for 1000 words per hour, doesn't always happen. I should have a working draft for the first couple of chapters by the end of the week, exams and work permitting of course.

Yes, the time factor. Still, 1000 words an hour is amazing. Do you have a critique group or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

My wife is a fantastic editor, having worked with a lot of copy during her career. I do a lot of editing myself, often as I go, but it's great to have someone around with less attachment.

That’s very convenient. What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

The hardest part I find is having too many ideas. Now I know people are going to comment on that not being a problem, but when you get several ideas at the same time, all seeking to come out on top, this generally ends up in the dreaded writer’s block. It's not that I don't know what to write next, I just don't know which one.

Any tips you’ve learned about writing you’d like to share?

One of the most important things I have learned is to take time away from the desk. There is this idea that, as writers, we need to be chained to the keyboard 24/7 until the story is told. The problem with that idea is that it will stop you experiencing life. And a writer that does not experience life has no stories to tell.

That’s a good point. Who are your inspirations?

My big three would be: James Herbert; Who first inspired me to write myself after reading his book "Moon". Gene Roddenberry; For daring to predict a future where mankind has completely screwed up. And my all time favorite author, H G Wells. His literary skill and incredible foresight have always been able to enchant me, no matter how often I read his stories. If you have only seen the movie adaptions of War of the Worlds then you need to get the book ASAP. There is simply no comparison.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. Can you name three things about yourself people may not know (or maybe they do know but they are special traits/hobbies/quirks)?

Uh oh, let's see.

1. My left foot just slight outwards after a rather nasty injury when I was 18. Sadly it wasn't a sporting injury. The real story is that I was distracted by a girl I had liked all semester....while running down some stairs. You can figure the rest out yourselves.
2. My Meyers Briggs result is INFJ.
3. As a result of the #1...unpleasantness, I can actually turn my left foot 180 degrees.

I have to say, aside from the weird fact that you can turn it that far, your foot story is adorable. All because of a girl! But enough about her, here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you (and not who have caused you physical impairments). Who would you like to give a shout out to?

My wonderful and ever supportive wife who puts up with my sudden bouts of inspiration in the early hours of the morning. My friend and fellow writer Cherie, who got me back into the writing world after persuading me to do NaNoWrimo for the first time. And of course a very special shout out to my no 1 Twitter girl @craftycmc.

And finally, where can people find you online?

You can find me ranting and raving about my tortured life as a writer over on my blog; The Writers Stall: www.writersstall.blogspot.com. Or follow me on twitter @writingstorm

Thank you so much for chatting with us, Jim.

I've really enjoyed it, thank you for letting me do the interview. It's been a pleasure.

Good luck with your books, and keep us informed of your progress!