Author Interviews

Interested in the person behind the book? Author Interviews brings you their story. Why they write, what they write, what they read.

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Albert WILLard Bellais author of The Marsh Hen and The Day Valentino Danced the Tango

Where did you grow up and did that influence your decision to write?

I am a Navy Brat, as they used to call us. My identical twin brother and I were born in Cristobal, Panama. Both of us are writers.

I earned a degree in journalism at New Mexico State University and went on to MFA degree from The George Washington University. We grew up in California, and did our undergraduate life in New Mexico. I was an editor in Washington, DC and then took on the wonderful task of teaching theatre at Montgomery College in Rockville, MD for 30 years and then ten years teaching theatre at Savannah State University.

What genre do you write and why?

I like the historical novel. Echo Park is set in Hollywood in 1946 and the lead character is working in It’s a Wonderful Life. The Marsh Hen and The Day Valentino Danced the Tango are highly researched stories. As I tell those who ask, “Everything in the book is true, except for the main characters.”

What genres do you read?

Novels about American and English lives. The historical novel when as a kid I read Samuel Shellenbager’s The Captain’s from Castile.”

Who are some of your favorite authors.

I have a great passion for Willa Cather, especially Death Comes for the Archbishop. Doctorow, Ragtime, captured me so much, I’ve read all of his novels. The Marsh Hen The Day Valentino Danced the Tango

Meet Kelly Preston co-author of Real Dogs Don't Whisper; Mr MaGoo has also assisted in writing.

Where did you grow up and did that influence your decision to write?

I grew up in a very small community in York, PA. While my roots did not influence me to write; my childhood experiences were part of the book, my life. The life experience that influenced me to write and inspire others was being the fur-parent to special need dogs. These dogs helped me grow in ways that I would never imagined and possibly would not have without their assistance, guidance and unconditional love.

Would you share antidote about your writing career.

While I did not pursue writing during my college years; what is most interesting as a child I would write weekly to a local newspaper. If my submission was accepted, most times it was; I was award $1.00. Let me tell you, as a 6yr, that was big and you know, to this day it still is as I look back on that experience, I still smile.

What genre do you write and why?

I wrote YA; the reason for this genre was this is the age that most times than not needs a little guidance, motivation, positive direction

Are you writing a book right now?

While I am not currently writing, I am planning my second book. The beginning of 2012, I will be working with my editor to put together my thoughts and begin my second book. Real Dogs Don't Whipser

John Koutze, Empire Breakers

Where did you grow up and did that influence your decision to write?

I grew up in Washington D.C. and Silver Spring, Md. - no real influence. I had very good english teachers, especially my sophomore year at St. John's High School - Mr. Ron Fogan - and also freshman year in college - Dr. Cosmos. My sister seven years older than me started writing at 19, so I did too at 12. Mostly SciFi, then Fantasy. I was always artistic back to my days as a kid, drawing all the time. At age six I wrote and drew pictures about a search for a volcano in a land of dinaosaurs - it was called the Reach of Vaco Mountain.

I attended the Catholic University of America School of Architecture.

What genre do you write and why?

Mostly Science Fiction and Fantasy, also contemporary, mystery, and then stories about the outdoors and camping, or just everyday life. I have always been fascinated by these genres,and good way to vent a vivid imagination and be creative. I also love the outdoors and camping.

What genres do you read?

SF, Fantasy, War, historic novels, adventure, some romance, some erotic.

Some of your favorite authors.

Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlen, Tolkien, Stephen R. Donaldson, Tad Williams, C.S. Friedman, James Michener.

Are you writing a book right now?

I am working at compiling all my artwork into a volume to be published on Lulu.com. Pen and Ink, color drawings - mostly fantasy and scifi.

Do you have a routine you follow with your writing? Not really -I just start. I do use some life experiences at times such as being scared, or surprised, or happy.

Do your characters ever define themselves to you? When I am immersed in writing a novel, I find my own every day experiences influence the flow of the story, and how the characters act or react. It is a fluid exercise. I may have seen an accident that day, or saw a news story about a rescue, or anything really. Sometimes I get ideas from my dreams - there was a time I kept a note pad next to my bed so if I awoke after a dream I could write it down. By morning I would have forgotten it.

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Patricia Crandall - Tales of an Upstate New York Bottle Miner

Where did you grow up and did that influence your decision to write?

I was born in Bennington, Vermont. In my early years, my family moved often as my father was a purchasing agent for General Cable Corp. I was a curious child and each move satisfied my inquisitive mind concerning what people do with their lives, a sense of time and place. I have been writing and making up stories since age four.

What life experiences had an influence on your writing?

My father inspired my love of books and writing by telling me Uncle Wiggly stories with cliff-hanging endings. "and tomorrow night if the Rabbit Gentleman does not fall into the cabbage patch trap, I will tell you how he saves the chipmunk from the army of red ants."

What genre do you write and why?

I like to experiment with all genres. It is not in my nature to stay with any particular one.

What genres do you read?

Although I like various genres, my favorite is mystery. It all began with the Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene when I was a pre-teen in the 1950's. Each holiday, I would request the latest Nancy Drew title and upon receiving it, I would curl-up in an oversized chair and begin reading the fast-paced adventure.

Some of your favorite authors.

As a writer, I find Agatha Christie an excellent study, particularly in developing characters, descriptive scenes and her exceptional talent attributed to writing a variety of books including original mystery plays, romantic novels, a memoir of archaeological expeditions in Syria, poetry and her area of expertise, plotting mysteries. Harper Lee and her outstanding "To Kill A Mockingbird" is high on my list.

Are you writing a book right now?

A Reunion of Death is a mystery involving old friends gathering at Willoughby Chase, an estate located in the Grafton, NY mountains. During week-end festivities, the friends experience tension and excitement as they discover their faults and imperfections. An Autumn ball is the main event, and murder.

Ready for publication is The Pink Victorian Lady and Other Stories. A collection of tales having a certain easy charm - Gert and Nina, friends for many years, now share a common passion - bottle mining. Gert and Nina meet an eclectic variety of characters as they trade-off collectibles and old bottles at flea markets and solve gentle mysteries involving neighbors, past students, farmers, and hicks in and around the upstate New York community of Indian Falls. Gert and Nina are likeable, interesting protagonists, and I have revealed a life unknown to most city dwellers in these stories.

Do your characters ever define themselves to you?

If I take the time to listen, they become very much alive and take over the story, making writing easy. It takes a while to find their voices, however.

Sharon Roberts author of “Olympic Gold for Cat and Toby”

Where did you grow up and did that influence your decision to write?

My Father was a Coast Guard search and rescue pilot. As a military brat I lived in seven states during my school years. I have a speech impediment which made changing schools difficult for me. I took refuge in books. That love for books eventually led to my writing.

What genre do you write and why?

I write for preteen and teens about horses, because books and horses were my two passions at that age.

What genres do you read?

I enjoy most genres. Mystery, scifi, political intrigue and equine, are my favorites.

Some of your favorite authors?

John Grisham, Michael Crichhton, Mary Higgins Clark, Tom Clancy, Issac Asimov, Anne McCaffrey, Anna Sewell and Linda Kohanov are a few of them.

Do your characters ever define themselves to you?

Definitely. My characters came to me and told me their story and kept telling it to me till I wrote it down. Even then they weren’t happy, they would redefine something to me so I could understand what they meant and write it correctly.