Category: author

Jerusha Agen – Authorview

On By Betty OwensIn A Dozen Apologies, author, Authorview, Jerusha Agen, Sisters Redeemed Series, This Redeemer, Winter, Write Integrity Press

I first “met” Jerusha Agen while co-writing A Dozen Apologies for Write Integrity Press. Now, I am deep into her Sisters Redeemed Series, so I’m delighted to host her interview on my blog. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Jerusha Agen

Jerusha:

Nickname or “wannabe” name (If you don’t have a nickname, you can choose one you’d like, that tells us a little bit about who you are): I’ve been called “J-Dog.” I do love dogs, but I never quite warmed to the nickname. At least it made me seem cool for a while. ☺

I am: A perfectionist fixer.

My best trait: Fixing everyone and everything.

My bad habit: Fixing everyone and everything.

Qualities I admire: The ability to fix things. No, I really can think of something else. Ah, yes, patience and contentment (then things don’t have to be fixed!).

What I like to read: Exactly what I can’t ever write—Nineteenth-century British fiction.

What I write: Whatever God gives me the idea to write! All mistakes are mine, of course.

What I watch: Way too many TV shows from the 60s and 70s. I think I was born in the wrong era.

My family: Seems like more animals than people these days! We’re at three dogs and two cats right now. They’re a fun, furry circus.

My favorite food, snack, or beverage: It’s always a tie between chocolate and ice cream. My solution? Have both whenever possible.

What I love to do: Eat!

What I admire: The best frosting in the world at our local grocery store bakery (I’d gladly give them as many free copies of my book as they’d like in exchange for the recipe).

What makes me happy: Snow and cold weather! Yes, I’m crazy.

What makes me sad: Summer and hot weather. See above for explanation.

I believe: I’ll have to go eat something now. This interview made me hungry!

AUTHOR BIO
Jerusha Agen is a lifelong lover of story–a passion that has led her to a B.A. in English and a highly varied career. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, she is the author of the Sisters Redeemed Series, which includes the titles This Dance, This Shadow, and This Redeemer. Jerusha co-authored the e-books A Ruby Christmas and A Dozen Apologies from Write Integrity Press.

Jerusha is also a screenwriter, and several of her original scripts have been produced as films. In addition, she is a film critic, with reviews featured at the website, www.RedeemerReviews.com
.
Jerusha relishes snowy Midwest winters spent with her three large, furry dogs and two small, furry cats.

Visit her website at www.SDGwords.com. Follow Jerusha on Twitter @SDGwords and Facebook Jerusha Agen – SDG Words.


Not all prisons have bars.

Charlotte Davis should know—she’s lived in one for years. She can handle getting slapped around by her boyfriend, Tommy, and even being forced to do things she would never choose, but when Tommy turns on her 10-year-old daughter, Charlotte must try to escape. With nowhere else to turn, Charlotte runs to the stranger her dying mother believed would help her.

Looking only for shelter or cash, Charlotte finds a family she longs to call her own and a gentle man she could learn to love. But if Tommy catches up with Charlotte, these strangers could discover the truth about her. Will they send her back to Tommy? Or can a Father’s love set her free?
Jerusha Agen
Author, Screenwriter, Film Critic
Author Of

Victoria Bylin – Authorview

On By Betty OwensIn author, Authorview, historical, Kentucky, Romance, Victoria Bylin, writer

Victoria Bylin

 Welcome, Victoria!

I am:  Victoria Bylin
My best trait:   Loyalty
My bad habit:   Ugh. It’s kind of gross.  Picking at my dry cuticles. 
Qualities I admire:   Courage.  Endurance in the face of trials.  Generosity.  A good sense of humor.  (I think I just described my husband!)
What I like to read:    Inspirational romance, both contemporary and historical.  My favorite devotional is My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers. I’ll occasionally read Dick Francis, Lawrence Block, Michael Connelly and other “crime” writers. It’s a nice change.
What I write:  Currently: contemporary inspirational romance. In the past: western historicals
What I watch:  Very little, though I’ve gotten hooked on Dancing With The Stars. 
My family:  Married to my husband for 34 years. Two sons, both married.  Two adorable granddaughters–twins!  
My favorite food, snack, or beverage:  Pistachios.
What I love to do:  Write. Chat with friends. Take in the Kentucky skies. 
What I admire:   Blessed are the peacemakers.  
What makes me happy:  Sunrises. 
What makes me sad:  Violence. 
I believe:  I’m a Christian. The story is on my website under “Personal Journey.”  

Victoria Bylin is a romance writer known for her realistic and relatable characters. Her books have finaled in multiple contests, including the Carol Awards, the RITAs, and RT Magazine’s Reviewers Choice Award. A native of California, she and her husband now make their home in Lexington, Kentucky, where their family and their crazy Jack Russell terrier keep them on the go.

Learn more at victoriabylin.com or find her at one of the links below:

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

Amazon Buy Link 

Hallee Bridgeman – Authorview

On By Betty OwensIn author, Authorview, Hallee Bridgeman, homemaker, Interview, questions, Temperance's Trial, writer

Welcome to Authorview! For the next few months, I’m going to post an interview with a different author every Tuesday. The questions are always the same, but their answers will sometimes be vastly different, and so much fun!
 

Hallee Bridgeman

Welcome, Hallee!

Nickname or “wannabe” name (If you don’t have a nickname, you can choose one you’d like, that tells us a little bit about who you are): I was Hallee the Homemaker for years. Now I transition between Hallee the Homemaker and Hallee the Storyteller. And Mom.
I am: Blessed in ways I cannot even express.
My best trait: I quickly analyze and come to solutions to problems.
My bad habit: I interrupt people. Because I’ve already quickly analyzed what they’re going to say. (see above)
Qualities I admire: Honesty. Integrity. Cleverness.
What I like to read: Cookbooks. The older the better. I have one written in old English. It’s really hard to understand.
What I write: Christian fiction – romance, suspense, historical (WWII).
What I watch: Campy action.
My family: Pretty much rocks. My kids are clever and fun. My husband is my solid rock.
My favorite food, snack, or beverage: Cake. Which leads to other problems considering my sedentary job.
What I love to do: Go to the movies.
What I admire: Heroes – people who risk all for the life or liberty of others.
What makes me happy: Feeding my family and friends.
What makes me sad: The helplessness in poverty.

I believe: That I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.


Hallee Bridgeman is a best-selling Christian author who writes action-packed romantic suspense focusing on realistic characters who face real world problems. Her work has been described as everything from refreshing to heart-stopping exciting and edgy.

An Army brat turned Floridian, Hallee finally settled in central Kentucky with her family so that she could enjoy the beautiful changing of the seasons. She enjoys the roller-coaster ride thrills that life with a National Guard husband, a teenaged daughter, and two elementary aged sons delivers.
A prolific writer, when she’s not penning novels, she blogs about all things cooking and homemaking at Hallee the Homemaker(tm) (http://www.halleethehomemaker.com). Her passion for cooking spurred her to launch a whole food, real food “Parody” cookbook series. In addition to nutritious, Biblically grounded recipes, readers will find that each cookbook also confronts some controversial aspect of secular pop culture.

Hallee is a member of the Published Author Network (PAN) of the Romance Writers of America (RWA) where she serves as a long time board member in the Faith, Hope, & Love chapter. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the American Christian Writers (ACW) as well as being a member of Novelists, Inc. (NINC).

Hallee loves coffee, campy action movies, and regular date nights with her husband. Above all else, she loves God with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength; has been redeemed by the blood of Christ; and relies on the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide her. She prays her work here on earth is a blessing to you and would love to hear from you. You can reach Hallee at hallee@bridgemanfamily.com

Temperance’s Trial
Release date: September 15, 2014
Now available for preorder
Marie Gilbert flees France after the Gestapo arrest her father. In London, Marie is recruited into an experimental all-female cohort dubbed the Virtues, a collection of seven extraordinary women with highly specialized skills.

Known only by her code name, TEMPERANCE, she is trained to operate a wireless radio and returns to her beloved France. As the H-hour to execute a daring mission draws near, Marie plays a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with the unrelenting and merciless young Nazi forces that surround her.


Nike Chillemi, Author, Publisher

On By Betty OwensIn author, Crime Fictionista, Grace Awards, Harmful Intent, Nike Chillemi, Publisher, Sanctuary Point, suspense, Writing4 Comments

I became acquainted with Nike Chillemi on an ACFW critique loop. So I was privileged to read her suspenseful stories before they went through the publishing process. I was in the background, watching and waiting as she started her publishing company. I waited for the book I’d so enjoyed critiquing, Harmful Intent.

I’m so excited for her to share a little of her story here today. Thanks, Nike for taking the time to answer my questions about your publishing journey.

*She’s giving away the ebook, Harmful Intent, to one of our readers (see details below).

1. Why did you decide to start your own publishing company?

Nike: It started with the moniker Crime Fictionista. Before I started seriously writing for publication, I worked in the bridal industry. I traveled to industry bridal fairs in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, and of course in my home town, New York City. That’s where I heard the term “fashionista.” When I got my first contract, I jokingly called myself a crime fictionista and it stuck. I liked the name and thought it would be just the thing to publish under when I went indie. So, the name of my company is Crime Fictionista Press. BTW, if you notice detailed descriptions of fabrics, necklines, and the like in my stories, that is a throwback to my days in bridal.
http://crimefictionistapress.wordpress.com/


2. How do you stand out from other small publishers?

Nike: Crime Fictionista Press has only one name on its author list, one author…moi. The name is part of my brand and is identified with me. So, that, in and of itself makes it stand out. At present it has only one title as well: HARMFUL INTENT, a Veronica “Ronnie” Ingels/Dawson Hughes Novel. ~ Betrayal runs in private investigator Ronnie Ingels’ family. So, why is she surprised when her husband of one year cheats on her? The real shock is his murder, with the local lawman pegging her as the prime suspect. 
My very talented daughter Delayne drew the Crime Fictionista Press logo.   

3. How did you get started? (Research? Study? Jump in and learn along the way?

Nike: I was quite naïve and simply started writing. I still keep my first manuscript around for a good laugh. I didn’t understand character point-of-view. Didn’t know what head hopping was. But I caught on quickly. I took the free online writing course then offered by Harlequin. I also came across a quote, by Stephen King, I believe, advising writers to read the best authors in their genre. To read the authors who excite them, whose book they can’t put down. He wasn’t advising to copy a bestselling author, but to see how they construct things. One aspect of Michael Connelly’s writing I’ve noticed is he doesn’t waste anything. In one novel, I think it was LOST LIGHT (there are so many Harry Bosch novels) Harry drinks a can of soda. He loses hold of it and it falls over the side of his deck into the weeds below his house, hanging over a canyon. Later when the bad guys come to kill him, he flees with a younger, faster bad guy following him under the house. The bad guy trips on the soda can and Harry lives long enough for the police to arrive. I’ve done things like that a few times in my novels, and it tickles me every time I do.

4. What are some of the obstacles you have encountered?

Nike: When I first started out, things I thought were obstacles were simply part of the process. Everybody has to pay their dues. The publishing business is changing so quickly the biggest obstacle is to keep informed and one step ahead. 


5.  Everyone always likes to share their horror stories, so let’s go another way. What has been your greatest blessing since you started your publishing company?


Nike: My blessings started before my publishing company. My greatest blessing since I started writing seriously has been the friendship of other writers, most of them Christian fiction writers, but not all. You, Betty, are one of them. I can’t tell you what the support, encouragement, and the laughs shared with other authors means to me.

*Crime Fictionista Press would like to give away an ebook for Kindle 

to the most interesting, creative, and engaging comment.

A Bit About Nike –
Like so many writers, Nike Chillemi started writing at a very young age. She still has the Crayola, fully illustrated book she penned (colored might be more accurate) as a little girl about her then off-the-chart love of horses. Today, you might call her a crime fictionista. Her passion is crime fiction. She likes her bad guys really bad and her good guys smarter and better.
Nike is the founding board member of the Grace Awards and is its Chairman, a reader’s choice awards for excellence in Christian fiction. She writes book reviews for The Christian Pulse online magazine. She was an Inspy Awards 2010 judge in the Suspense/Thriller/Mystery category, a judge in the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Carol Awards in the suspense, mystery, and romantic suspense categories, and a judge in the Eric Hoffer Awards in 2012 and 2013. 
Her four novel Sanctuary Point series, set in the mid-1940s has won awards and garnered critical acclaim. Her new contemporary whodunit, HARMFUL INTENT released under the auspices of her own publishing company, Crime Fictionista Press, made an impressive showing in Amazon’s mystery > private investigator category.
She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Christian Indie Novelists (CHIN). http://nikechillemi.wordpress.com/

 

A Writer’s Life – In Pursuit of Dreams – Elizabeth Noyes

On By Betty OwensIn A Dozen Apologies, author, dreamer, dreams, Elizabeth Noyes, fantasy, fiction, Harriet Tubman, Interview, March, mystery, suspense, Write Integrity Press, writer4 Comments

  • Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. ––Harriet Tubman

A writer’s life is built on dreams. We learn to weave fine threads of fact and fantasy into stories to entertain, to educate, and to inspire. During the month of March, I’m stepping aside to allow four fellow writers a chance to tell about their particular journeys through the fanciful world of fiction, romance, mystery, and suspense. 


Elizabeth Noyes debuted in February in the collaborative novella, A Dozen Apologies, from Write Integrity Press. She has kindly consented to an interview. I hope you’ll enjoy her candid answers as much as I did.

Would you consider yourself a dreamer?

Elizabeth: The banner on my website reads – Professional Writer. Aspiring Author. Dedicated Dreamer – so yes, I do consider myself a dreamer.

Daydreams or night dreams? How else do you come up with ideas?

Elizabeth: Daydreams, night dreams, the daily grind, and a troupe of characters who’ve come to life in my head help me write. Seriously, ideas come all the time: two women hug and – poof! Long lost sisters separated at birth are reunited at the reading of a will. An abandoned car on the side of the road becomes a woman fleeing from an abusive marriage. Or a mother feeding her toddler bits of food in a restaurant morphs into a young woman traumatized by an attack that left her unable to have children…except now she’s stolen someone else’s child for her own. Ideas are everywhere. All we have to do is see them and play the what-if game. 

It’s the nighttime, though, when my scenes come together. For more years than I care to count, I’ve composed scenes, complete with dialogue and action, while “sleeping.” Experts today call it Focused Dreaming. I call it designing my own pleasant (or sometimes not so pleasant) stories. At other times, all I have to do is sit down at the keyboard and my characters write their own story. Sometimes I have to throw the outline out and let them have their way. It makes for an interesting ride, sort of like reading a new book because you have no idea where it’s going to take you.

What steps do you take to bring your dreams to life?

Elizabeth: Using a scene conjured up from something in real life, I envision the characters’ physical and temperamental characteristics, add dialogue, spice it up with a bit of action and angst, and let it play like a movie through my head. Somehow it stays cemented in my brain until I can get it down on paper. That usually gives me the germ of an idea.

From there, I need visual confirmation. The next step is a visit to Mr. Google for images – young woman with blue eyes, man in suit, blond-haired toddler, crooked-tooth smile, black truck, red sports car, mountains, dogs, and even particular pieces of clothing. If I can see I can describe it, and the possibilities are endless. Next is the character study where my hero and heroine (and sometimes villain) comes to life. I use a comprehensive list of interview questions to get to know them. After that, I may write their backstory. It takes longer, but it makes my characters real people with a history and memories and hang-ups. I can often use bits and pieces of their background in the story.

Filling in the middle: how do you keep yourself moving forward?

Elizabeth: Wow, let’s talk discipline now. I have my outline, complete with inciting incident, plot, story arc, a few scenes already in mind, and how the story ends. I have my visuals. I have some scenes. To make it all work (for me) requires immersion in the story. I’m not one of those lucky writers who can slap/dash off a chapter in 30 minutes here or an hour there. I need large chunks of time. I become the characters. I’m in the action. Time becomes another dimension for me. I’ve given my husband permission to poke me if I don’t move for six hours, but he’s never to question my tears, hysterical laughter, or odd contortions as I put my boys and girls through their paces. He does give me strange looks now and then. LOL


Do you have any advice for other dreamers?

Elizabeth: I have a quote on my website that speaks to this question. “Dreams are stories set down on paper.” Scads of books and classes are available claiming to know the one sure-fire way to write a successful novel. What I’ve learned is there is no one-size-fits-all. I encourage everyone, not just writers, to believe in their dreams.


Elizabeth Noyes is a professional writer, aspiring author, dedicated dreamer—lives in northeast Atlanta with her husband and best friend, who listens tirelessly while she tells him all the stories clamoring to get out of her head and onto paper. Her days and nights are a balancing act between working full-time, entertaining three grandchildren, participating in church, and a demand (her own) to write, write, write. She is also an avid reader across many genres.

A Dozen Apologies, a novella collaboration created with 11 other authors, is her first published work. It releases on Amazon February 14, 2014. Her first full-length novel, a romantic suspense entitled Imperfect Wings, will be out later this year.

                                                           www.twitter.com/ENoyes5246