An Interview with author Tasha Alexander
by CK Webb

Thank you Tasha, for taking time out of your schedule to interview with WebbWeaver, we are very honored to have you talk with us.

WW. I know that you did extensive research on the region where Tears Of Pearl takes place and you also posted some beautiful pictures from that trip on your website www.tashaalexander.com. What was your favorite and most memorable part of visiting that area?

 TA. Turkey is an extraordinary place-a gorgeous meeting of East and West. I adored it. The architecture and scenery is stunning, the food delicious, and the people some of the most friendly, helpful, and generous I've ever met. One of my absolute favorite experiences came on my third visit to Topkapı Palace. I was sitting on the floor in the Imperial Hall, scribbling notes after having taken countless pictures. The guards couldn't believe I was taking so much time in each room and asked why I wasn't rushing through like the other tourists. When I explained I was researching a novel, they were delighted, and took me through the harem, telling me stories and pointing out details I would have missed otherwise. It was fantastic.

WW. How important is your research in achieving the total feel of the era for your readers?

 TA. Research is absolutely critical for historical fiction. I'm fanatical about accuracy (although admit freely that no one can get everything right all the time). When I first started working on the ideas for Tears of Pearl, I had expected there would be strict limits to what I could have Emily do in Constantinople. Like most contemporary Americans, I assumed women--particularly Western European women--wouldn't be able to move effortlessly through the city, wouldn't have any access to the sultan or the harem. Amazing how ignorant we can be, isn't it? Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, whose husband was the British ambassador to the Ottomans in the early 18th century, wrote a series of letters that radically opened my mind. She visited with the sultan, bathed with his concubines (and revealed to readers that the Turkish baths were not, in fact, lascivious and degenerate), and became familiar with the city and its culture. Her letters (which she published) were greatly influential to subsequent English women travelers, who followed her example and explored the Ottoman capital with abandon over the next two centuries. I was astonished at the ease with which Lady Mary and the rest moved through the city, even without male companions. In the 19th century, Lady Layard, another British ambassador's wife, became close friends with the sultan, dining with him and his family, watching him play with his children in the harem, and making frequent visits to the palace. As accuracy is of vital importance to me, I was thrilled to see there was historical precedent that made it possible for me to send Emily into these places without having to stretch credulity. I'm constantly amazed by the adventures of Victorian women travelers. Often they were more bold than we are today--and that's something that without research, I wouldn't have known to be the case.

WW. What new, exciting countries will Lady Emily be traveling to in your next novel Dangerous To Know?

 TA. Dangerous to Know is set in France, where Colin has taken Emily to recover from the injuries she suffered at the end of Tears of Pearl. They divide their time between his mother’s house in the Norman countryside and visiting friends in Rouen. I spent a great deal of time last summer in Normandy doing research. It is a spectacular place: rolling fields of barley, cloud-filled skies that look straight out of one of Monet's paintings, the rugged coastline. And the food! I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. Gorgeous cheeses, perfectly flaky croissants, sole cooked in brown butter sauce, beautifully tart cider. The following book, which I've just started work on, will be set in London. I thought it was time to go back to England.

WW. What began your love of the wonderful historical times that you write about?

 TA. I've been fascinated by history since I was a little girl playing Little House on the Prairie under my parents' dining room table. I'm always amazed by the fact that no matter how different culture and society can be through time, the things people care about don't change all that much. Our humanity stays shockingly similar; we're driven by the same things. Love, power, guilt, ambition--the century doesn't matter. It's just that sometimes, people in the past had much, much better clothing.

WW. Have there been any talks of bringing Lady Emily to the big screen?

 TA. We've had lots of interest, but haven't settled on anything yet. Readers, however, have some very strong casting ideas, about Colin in particular. Judging by the email I receive, Colin Firth and Jeremy Northam seem to be the preferred front runners at the moment, along with Jude Law.

WW. Do you see some of yourself in Lady Emily or are there character traits that the two of you share? If so, what are they?

 TA. I think there are bits of the author in every character he or she creates. It's inevitable, if for no reason other than people don't tend to want to spend their time writing about things they don't like. There are lots of characteristics Emily and I don't share--for example, I'm not (unfortunately) the independently wealthy widow of a viscount. I do, however, share her love for classical art and port. Although I must admit that I'd never tried port before beginning work on And Only to Deceive. At that point, I felt it necessary strictly for research purposes, and was delighted to find that a nice glass after a good meal can be a very satisfying thing. Even if it a woman drinking it no longer shocks society.

WW. Elizabeth: The Golden Age was a beautiful movie. How close to your original novelization was the screenplay?

TA. I was asked to write the book based on the final shooting script, and used it as a broad outline for the book, but was given a free hand when it came to expanding the story and incorporating historical detail. Both the novel and the screenplay tell the same story, but they read very differently. Screenwriting is an art unto itself--I have a deep, deep admiration for screenwriters. They have about a hundred pages to work with--novelists get at least three times as much. To me, it's fascinating to view the two side by side. There are ways in which you can't really compare them, but together they give you incredible insight into the period and characters.

WW. How hard was it for you, as the writer, to see some of the changes that were made?

 TA. It's a funny experience watching a movie when you know the story so intimately, but the film is gorgeous, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Movies and books are extremely different mediums, each with different goals--you can't expect them to be carbon copies. The film is a visual feast; the novel has the luxury of filling in some historical details and expanding the story. Both, however, can depict the character of Elizabeth I, one of the most extraordinary women in all of history. I thought the movie did an extraordinary job capturing her (Cate Blanchett is magnificent) and can only hope the book did as well.

WW. We understand that Tears Of Pearl has been named a finalist for ‘Best Historical Mystery of The Year' by Romantic Times Magazine...Congratulations on the nomination Tasha. How important is this nomination for you, coming from book reviewers?

 TA. Thank you! I was surprised and absolutely delighted to be nominated. What an amazing group of writers in which to be included! Writing can be an extremely isolating endeavor--you spend lots of time on your own, writing these stories and crossing your fingers that they'll resonate with readers. To be chosen by the Romantic Times reviewers is such an honor. It gives me chills just thinking about it!

WW. We've learned that you are an avid reader. We wondered if there are any books in particular you've read recently, that you would recommend to us? Also, what is you favorite genre?

 TA. My favorite genre....that's tough. Generally speaking, I will read pretty much anything that strikes my fancy, and I don't tend to be drawn to one genre over another. I just finished reading Kate Morton's The House At Riverton and absolutely loved it. Also enjoyed A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick, and am currently reading Janice Lee's The Piano Teacher. One of the most enjoyable things I've read lately is How I Became A Famous Novelist by Steve Hely. It is, without question, one of the funniest books I've ever read.

WW. Is there a particular author that you are enamored with or consider yourself star struck over?

 TA. Elizabeth Peters and David Mitchell are two of my absolute favorites along with Jane Austen, whose wit is simply brilliant. Sarah Dunant is fantastic, as are Anne Perry, Lauren Willig, and Michele Moran, Jeanette Winterson, David Lodge, Carol Shields, Haruki Murakami....I could go on all day. That said, anyone who wants to torment me need only threaten to do harm to my signed copy of Mitchell's Black Swan Green....

WW. What is the most important piece of advice ever given to you by someone in the literary community?

 TA. I'm a believer in the famous "Butt in chair, fingers on keyboard" rule, which I believe comes originally from Stephen King. Great advice. Because if you don't actually sit down and write, you're never, ever going to finish the book. And nothing else can happen if you don't finish the book.

WW. What is the biggest challenge for you as a writer, when growing and evolving your characters?

 TA. When writing a series, it's easy to fall into the trap of doing the same things over and over. I like to send my characters to places they're not used to--like Constantinople--to see how they manage. Emily is a very English girl--and despite being somewhat ahead of her time, she's still a Victorian. So to drop her into a society wholly unlike her own is quite a lot of fun. It's a challenge, too, because it's incredibly tempting to have her react the way we, as contemporary Americans, would. But that wouldn't be realistic. So I have to make sure she stays true to her 19th century self, even when I wish she could be a little more enlightened.

WW. What is the one thing that you would like your readers to walk away with after reading one of your novels?

 TA. Mainly, I want them to feel entertained. But I also hope that their view of Victorian women is challenged. These ladies weren't the stuffy, prudish lot we're sometimes told they were.

　

Tasha, thank you once again for interviewing with WebbWeaver. We look forward to reading your next novel Dangerous To Know, which is due out in October and we hope you will talk with us again very soon.

 Tasha Alexander's website is at www.tashaalexander.com



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Interveiw with author Jeremy C. Shipp
By DJ Weaver

Jeremy C. Shipp's writing has been praised by authors such as Piers Anthony, Jack Ketchum, Susan Straight and John Skipp. He has produced work for over 50 publications such as Apex Magazine and The Magazine of Bizarro Fiction. Jeremy lives in a sometimes-haunted house in Southern California with his wife, a legion of yard gnomes and a few attic clowns. His books include Vacation, Wolves and Cursed, which we've reviewed at WebbWeaver review blog. Feel free to visit his online home at www.jeremycshipp.com

We asked Jeremy to do this interview and we also have the review for Cursed up. Just go up to the tabs, click on ‘WebbWeaver Blog', and follow the link. We hope you enjoy!

WW. Can you tell us where you came up with the concept for your book Cursed?

JS. My wife's experiences with CFIDS inspired me to write Cursed. When she was disabled, some people didn't believe she was sick. Some people thought she was less than human. And some people thought she was more than human. Society, on the whole, invalidated her experiences. Invalidated her existence as a human being. Being disabled, in and of itself, isn't a curse, of course. But the treatment of disabled people is a curse in our world. A curse caused by social systems and attitudes. And so, that's what I was thinking about when Cursed started to form in my mind.

WW. Are the characters in Cursed, based on people you know or situations in your past?

JS. To some extent, the two main characters in Cursed are made up of the two halves of my personality. Cicely is my imaginative, strong-willed side. And Nick is my insecure, obsessive side. While my characters are primarily figments of my imagination, they do contain bits and pieces of the human beings and other animals in my life, from family to friends to strangers. I have experienced similar situations to those some of those Nick experiences in the novel. For instance, the way Nick and Cicely talk to each other reminds me of the way my wife and I talk to each other.

WW. Is there some lesson or underlying message that you want readers to walk away with after reading Cursed?

JS. There are themes in my novel. Mostly, I want my readers to experience Cursed, and feel a little better about life. I want the outsiders of the world to know that they're not alone.

WW. You have written short stories and novels. Which do you enjoy most or is it just based on word count?

JS. I love writing short stories and novels. But if I had to choose one over the other, I'd choose novels. I love sticking with the same characters and the same worlds for a long period of time. When writing a novel, I become extremely attached to my characters. They become real.

WW. Is your family involved in your writing or stories? Do they like or dislike your stories?

JS. Some of my family members enjoy reading my work. Some don't. And for those who don't, I don't hold that against them, as my tales aren't for everyone. As far as family goes, I'm a tremendous lucky human. Over all, they're very supportive. And my family is the reason why hope and love and friendship exist in my stories. My heart breaks on a daily basis, due to the state of the world. And without the love in my life, I wouldn't be able to piece my heart back together again. Without that love, my stories and I would be hollow.

WW. As my co-writer and I wrote our book, some aspects of our story changed in concept. Did Cursed change much from beginning to end?

JS. With Cursed, I had certain aspects of the plot planned out. But for the most part, let the story write itself. I enjoy writing this way, because I like the adventure. I like putting my characters in impossible situations, and letting them find their own way out.

WW. We know you have done at least one short film called EGG. How do you compare writing a novel and writing for film and which do you enjoy the most?

JS. Writing a screenplay is like using magic to bring a skeleton to life. Then the director and actors and everyone else contribute organs and flesh and clothes in order to complete the monster. Writing a novel is like creating your own monster by yourself. Movie-making is a wonderful, collaborative experience, but novel-writing will always be my true love, in the realm of creativity.

WW. My co-writer is very interested in the fact that you have said your house is haunted. She wondered if you really do have ghosts or do you just use that perceived energy to fuel your writing.

JS. I consider my farmhouse to be semi-haunted, as the ghosts are rather lazy and inactive most of the time. Once, when my dad and I were working in the attic, we came across a mound of ash. And before long, something started rising out of the ash. At first we thought it was an animal, but it turned out to be an old doll. The ghosts thought their little prank was hilarious, but I don't really get ghost humor.

WW. Based on Cursed, we wondered if you believe in curses. If so, do you think we all have one and what is yours?

JS. I believe in curses, and I believe in Fairy Winkles, too. The most powerful curses I've ever come across were created by civilized social systems. I believe that due to these systems, most everyone is cursed in one way or another. My greatest curse is my inability to help everyone that I'd like to help.

WW. Most writers write what they like. Cursed is fairly dark in nature. Can you tell us if that was your mind set at the time you wrote it or are you just generally a dark character yourself?

JS. I write about what I like, and I write about what I don't like. When my reality offends me in some way, my first instinct is to write about the horrors I've witnessed or experienced. And as my characters learn to cope with the darkness, I learn along with them.

WW. So many times, we have seen you tweeting about your yard gnomes and attic clowns. Do you think either of them will show up in a short film? Can you tell us what the attic clowns are? We only ask because clowns freak us out.

JS. I can almost guarantee that my yard gnomes and attic clowns will show up in a film, at some point. My yard gnomes tend to appear in many of my creative projects. The gnomes make an appearance in Cursed, and they're going to be featured in my upcoming short story collection, Fungus of the Heart. As for the attic clowns, they're evil clowns who live in my attic. A couple years ago, the clowns oozed out of an antique mirror that I bought off of an old prospector. Attic clown pastimes include trapping people in cotton candy cocoons and performing unnecessary surgeries on me in my sleep. Every once in a while, the attic clowns and yard gnomes team up to put on plays such as Charles in Charge the Musical.

WW. How much fun is it to be your characters as you write their story?

JS. The experience is sometimes fun, sometimes frustrating, sometimes heartbreaking. My characters are interesting people with interesting lives. They're the perfect imaginary friends and imaginary enemies.

WW. Being as unbiased as possible, would you buy your own book based on cover art and jacket synopsis?

JS. I would, definitely. All my clones would as well.

WW. One answer please Jeremy...In your opinion, who is the greatest author ever?

JS. For me, today, the answer would be Kurt Vonnegut. His work consistently astounds me.

WW. Again, one answer please...In you opinion, what is the greatest book ever written?

JS. I love The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. The use of language is beyond brilliant.

　
WebbWeaver would like to thank Jeremy Shipp for doing this interview with us. You can purchase Jeremy's book at www.jeremycshipp.com

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Interview with author Luke Romyn
By DJ Weaver

Luke Romyn, author of The Dark Path agreed to do an interview with us, but since he lives and works in Australia, we had to do the interview through email. As much as we would have loved to sit-down and talk one-on-one with this accomplished man and Twitter 'funny-guy', the budget just did not allow so we had to come up with a few questions for him and then just let him run with it.
Luke spent 15 years working in the security industry. He has worked in some of the toughest pubs and clubs, but has also protected some fairly big names in the entertainment industry. When Luke decided to write, he initially did some short stories but then came up with the character of Vain and the novel known as the The Dark Path, which is a #1 best-selling horror. Luke's second novel Blacklisted will be coming out soon and we can't wait to read it.
We are so honored to have Luke on WebbWeaver and the following is what he had to say to the questions we asked. We hope you enjoy!

WW. When did you decide that you wanted to write?

LR. Writing is something which has always been a dream of mine - albeit a distant, seemingly out-of-reach dream. For some strange reason, I have always been something of a wordsmith, and the first time I sat down to write something was an experience beyond words - somewhat ironic coming from an author.

WW. Based on your past history, how much of yourself did you channel into the path of your character, Vain?

LR. There is a huge amount of myself within Vain's character, or rather what I wish I was like, locked within his self confidence. I must admit that I share the same volatile temper - something which I have struggled against for many years.
I believe that for a character to be truly believable, they have to come from a place inside the writer. I can research all I want about something, but if I don't believe in what I'm writing, nobody else will.

WW. Were there any significant events in your life that made you decide to sit down and write The Dark Path?

LR. I always had a lot of unresolved issues left over from my father's death during my teens. My early security work reflected this in that I always sought out the most violent clubs. I was often asked if I had some sort of death wish, but in hindsight I think that the only way I was able to express my suppressed emotions was through violence.
I went down a path in my own life, ending up in a very dark place. This was where the title for the book came from. I had reached rock bottom, drinking heavily and surrounding myself with unscrupulous characters. We did some truly stupid and immoral things, and I eventually arrived at a point in my life where I realized things could go two ways - I could clean up my act and become responsible for my actions, or I could end up in jail. When you're faced with a choice like that, you really have to search deep inside and decide what's important to you.
I chose to clean up.
Since that time, not everything has gone smoothly, but I stay focused on what I want to achieve in life. Writing The Dark Path was an integral part of this, and along the way I've found my calling in life, and a way to exorcize my own inner demons through writing.

WW. Based on what you have written about your own history, was it difficult when writing about Vain's character, to relive some of your own past through him?

LR. What was difficult was seeing how dark I could actually go. It's a really terrifying thing when you find it easier to write about a man who lives for torture and death, and then struggle when it comes to describing a character of benevolence like Sebastian.
That said, I loved writing Vain's character. There's something fantastic about using a character who can get away with things normal people can't. If your average Joe tried to act the way Vain does, readers would simply think him an arrogant prick. Vain can say and do almost whatever he wants, and it just adds to his appeal because in the end he's fighting his own nature in order to do what's right.

WW. In your book, The Dark Path, Vain in a sense, saves the world through a selfless act. Do you feel that writing this story was a way for you to not only save yourself, but to save others through your writing?

LR. I would love to think that my writing can have some sort of impact upon a person's life, though I doubt I have that power. However, in saying that, I would love to think that my words could impress an idea upon someone. Even something so simple as smiling instead of frowning, then everything would be worth it.
My readers' feedback has been massively overwhelming, and it means so much to hear how people love my writing. Anyone in the know will tell you that writers feed upon positive feedback, so never feel you're being out of turn in sending praise to an author.

WW. Are we going to see Vain in your next book?

LR. Alas no. I don't want to fall into the trap of playing it safe with characters I feel comfortable with. I need to constantly challenge myself with my writing; to create something new and exciting is the only way to stay fresh.
That said, I'd love to use Vain again in something. He is such an awesome character that once he gets into your system it's almost impossible to forget him. But it would take something massive to outdo The Dark Path and until I find it he'll just have to sit on the sideline for the time being.

WW. Did your family think you were a little unstable when they read The Dark Path?

LR. What are you saying? *laughs* I think they believe that writing, while out of character, is probably one of the most normal things I've ever done in my life.
It was a massive surprise for most of them to hear that I'd had a novel published. I mean, I've always been the black sheep of the family - through my work and lifestyle of basically living in and around nightclubs. I tried the whole settling down thing, even went so far as to building a house and getting a stable job. It didn't take.
I sold the house and my girlfriend and I took off for a year of travel around the world. I never told my family we were going, never let them know we were getting married in New Caledonia....
Nah, they're not worried about my sanity, this is the most normal thing I've ever done.

WW. Do you plan to write in other genres?

LR. Absolutely! Like I said before, I thrive on challenge. Just because I'm popular in one genre doesn't mean I should become complacent or safe. My second book, Blacklisted, is based much more within the realm of rock-solid reality and would definitely be classed within general fiction or as a thriller.
My aim is to write stories with massive amounts of action, utilizing characters which the reader can bond with and thus care for, drawing them into the story in the process.
However, I think it's safe to say you won't find any erotic romance novels with my name attached to them. I'm fairly certain of that. Sorry.

WW. What are the similarities between your previous occupation in comparison with your writing?

LR. Oh wow, this is a very dangerous question. As I've said before, a lot of my previous associates were people from an alternative side of life. It's difficult to explain without sounding too much like a thug, but I'll try.
When a person sets out to become a banker, they'll be associated with other people in that industry, their life will revolve around these circles of friends and they'll think nothing of discussing the pros and cons of high-risk variable asset accounts.
Likewise, I found myself surrounded by people of a similar nature to myself. I was quickly gathering a reputation as a proficient nightclub bouncer and as such my circle of friends was comprised of guys who did the same sort of work - violent work.
Anyway, this has been a long-winded way of saying that I don't believe there is a definitive nature to anyone. I've known borderline psychopaths who will go out of their way to help someone they don't know. I've seen the same bankers I described above trying to chew someone else's face off after taking their ninth ecstasy pill for the night.
Vain is like this. He has possibly the darkest nature you could imagine, but he sets out on a quest to protect a boy he doesn't know and shouldn't care about.
I love imperfect characters, because I am one.

WW. If you had a choice, what book would you pick up and read right now?

LR. Waylander by David Gemmell. My favorite book of all time and part of the reason I began writing.

WW. Have you ever considered putting all your daily, quirky Tweets into one book?

LR. *laughs* They're just fun, and a different outlet for my creative side. If I were to try to stick them all together into a book, it would take some of the fun away. Besides, I think my friend Claude (Claude Bouchard, author of Vigilante) would be upset as he uses them on his website for his daily "Simple Musings". He'd probably want royalties.

WW. Which person in your past was most influential in your decision to become a writer?

LR. I had a very good friend I worked and lived with named Mark Dixon who always talked about us writing autobiographies - including all of the stories of things we had seen and done during the course of nightclub work. It was naive talk from a couple of young men who thought being tough was something to be proud of.
Anyway, it always stayed with me, and when I felt ready I began writing about my life in nightclubs... a story which ultimately sucked. But it gave me the bug, and pushed me towards fiction. Along with the influence of David Gemmell's books, I came up with a title - The Dark Path - and wrote the words, "Please don't kill my wife!"
I didn't stop until the story was finished.

WW. Being as unbiased as possible, based on cover art and jacket synopsis only, would you purchase The Dark Path yourself?

LR. That is an almost impossible thing to do, especially considering I was the one who found the picture for the artwork and I was also the person who wrote the synopsis.
What I will say is that every single person I've shown it to who doesn't know I wrote it has the same reaction - WOW.

WW. One answer please Luke: In your opinion, who is the greatest writer ever?

LR. The greatest writer? Whoa. My instincts say David Gemmell, but he is simply my favorite. Steven Donaldson really dominated my early reading and I absolutely loved the scope of his imagination as well as his writing style. The man is a genius.

WW. Again, one answer only: In your opinion, what is the greatest book ever written?

LR. Ahh. I'll give in on this one and say Hero in the Shadows by David Gemmell, once again using the character Waylander. Love it.

WW. Just for our own knowledge and as a little side note of interest, we would like to know if you shave your head or did Vain scare the hair out of you?

LR. I've had my head shaved for so long now I forget what it's like to have hair. I'm actually scared to let it grow out again, as I'm not sure what it'll look like. God forbid, I might look... normal.　

During the period between sending these questions to Luke and receiving a response back, Luke graciously signed a literary contract with the Tribe Literary Agency to represent his new book Blacklisted. We decided it would be fun to ask Luke just a few more question about that experience and how he feels about his new novel.

　

WW. We hear now that you have signed with a literary agency, TribeLit. for your new book Blacklisted. How did all that come about?

LR. The guys at Tribe Literary Agency are fantastic. We've been in discussions for quite some time regarding my second book and I couldn't be happier. I initially met Cari (Cari Hawkes Foulk) on the social network Twitter. We became fast friends without me ever knowing she was one of the most respected freelance editors in the industry or that she was joining Tribe as an agent. Somehow it came up in our discussions and things just panned out from there. It's really been amazing, and I am so thankful.

WW. Is Blacklisted completed and has anyone agreed to publish it yet?

LR. Blacklisted is indeed finished and it's everything I was hoping it would be and more. This is the novel which TribeLit is representing me for, with several large publishers already showing interest. I've got a really good feeling about it, and think it's going to be even more popular than The Dark Path, which is saying a lot.

WW. Can you give us an idea what the new book is about and how it differs from The Dark Path?

LR. I wanted to create a thriller which was based completely within reality, making it much more accessible to a mainstream audience. The Dark Path was so massive because it spanned dimensions, sliding into the depths of Hell during the course of the storyline. I wanted to write something even bigger, but locked totally within reality, not touching on anything remotely paranormal.

WW. Do you think the new book will do as well or better than The Dark Path as far as audience reception and book sales?

LR. Some fans of The Dark Path may fear they'll be disappointed by this change in style, but they can rest assured this won't be the case. I've upped the action so much on this one that you won't be able to catch breath, whilst still using characters of depth and believability. I really love this one!
Along with such a great storyline, I have the guys from TribeLit backing me, so you can rest assured this is going to be absolutely massive!

WW. Which of your two books do you personally love the best and which one was more fun to write?

LR. That's like asking which of your children you like the most, and it's something I really can't answer. Both novels are incredible and I'm so proud to have written them. I often find myself going back over them and seeing lines that make me sit back and think, "How the hell did I think of that?" I can say that writing Blacklisted went much quicker, probably because I learned so much during the writing and editing of The Dark Path. Each time I sit down to write it's a learning experience, and one which gets more enjoyable every time.

We want to thank Luke Romyn for doing this interview and we hope you have enjoyed reading about this witty, intelligent and charming man as much as we have. We at WebbWeaver consider Luke, a personal friend even though we have only spoken to him through Twitter and personal emails for the past several months.
We did review Luke's book The Dark Path a few months ago and you can read that review by scrolling back on our review page. We will be sure to let you all know as soon as we have word as to when Luke's new book will be out and in the mean time, be sure to catch Luke on Twitter and Facebook and on his webste at  http://www.lukeromyn.host56.com/

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Interview with author Robert E. Crull
By CK Webb & DJ Weaver
w/ WebbWeaver Book Club

On Saturday, November 21, 2009, we along with the ladies of the WebbWeaver Book Club, had the privilege of interviewing the author of the soon-to-be-released new novel Dream State, Mr. Robert E. Crull, and his charming wife Tammy. We have previously reviewed Mr. Crull's book on our blog and when we were offered the opportunity to sit down with Mr. Crull, one-on-one, we, of course, jumped at the opportunity. The following questions were sent to Robert before the actual interview and a video feed of the sit-down interview is at top.

 
1. Is there a particular teacher in your past who sparked your interest in the literary field?

I wish I had an answer for this one. School and I have never really gotten along, and I have to admit that I barely passed the classes that should have formed the basis of my writing. Having been in the business world for far too many decades, I have learned how to craft business documents, and technical specifications, but never how to build a proper sentence.


2. At what moment in your life did you know you wanted to be a writer?

When the story line for Dream State finalized, I had been writing most of the day that day and from nowhere, the ending just popped onto the screen. I went back and read the last two pages I had written and screamed. It was an amazing feeling.That was the event that made me decide to try to publish it. The feeling of that final surprise at the end.


3. Do you prefer classic literature or modern and why?

I've tried reading some of the classics as an adult since I remember nothing from school. Poe, Hemmingway, Shakespeare, Stoker. None of them really made sense to me, so I stick with what is out now. Much less frustration involved. Our friend Claude Bouchard has an excellent page turner that I truly enjoyed. I also have read another of our friends, Winslow Eliot, and very much enjoyed that. For mainstream authors, this is terrible; I enjoy the story telling of JD Robb. On rainy days at home I like to take one of her "In Death" books and devour it in a single read. She also helps pass the time on the beach of damn near any island. Stephen R. Donaldson is a favorite dark author. His ability to suck you into the despair of his characters is a skill I want to one day attain.


4. What books are your reading right now?

Sadly none. The continual edits and corrections on Dream State have consumed my quota for reading. I find it best not to read other authors while I am writing as it tends to derail my thoughts about where I want my characters to be.

5. How long did it take from concept of DREAM STATE to actual print?

Roughly three years. I'm not sure what the normal time to produce is, but I had to balance the family, the day job with its travel schedule, care of a parent, and life in general. My writing was hit and miss for the first couple years. It was really only in the last year that I got serious about wanting to finish/publish the work.


6. What was the hardest part of writing DREAM STATE?

Removing my filters for what is acceptable to put in print. Some of the scenes pushed what I was comfortable with seeing written. Each of the scenes was written only once. I did not write some snippet and then come back and edit, it was a stream of consciousness that just flooded the screen. I polished the scenes and added filler to the other action, but the core of each scene remained as it was originally written.The other two hard parts were the non-action scenes and dialogue. The conversations had to be there but they were the toughest to make sound real.


7. What advice would you give to an aspiring author?

Write. Write and write some more. Do it on a notepad, on your computer, talk to your PC with voice recognition. Write to find your voice. Then learn how to polish. That is one of my biggest challenges to this day.


8. Do your future writing plans include books of the same genre or will you venture outside the suspense/thriller genre?

There are aspects of Romance that interest me, or maybe that's erotica, not sure which. But yes, I do plan on venturing away from the thriller as much as I played it in Dream State. The suspense part to me makes for a fun read and a page-turner, and I think I would keep that regardless of what else I attempt.


9. How crucial a role does your family play in your writing?

They are critical. I need to explain family though as I see it. There is my wife and son who are always involved early on in any project I undertake. Once I get the initial response to the latest crazy idea, I sit down and start hashing through the premise in my head. From there the rest of the family gets involved, my sister, best friend, and the wonderful gaggle of kids that run in and out of our lives.


10. How much fun is it to be your characters as you write their story?

Wow, I never looked at it that way. When I envisioned Drew, I wrote him from the omnipotent view, you know that detached observer of all that occurs. There was no way I could get close enough to a guy like that to write him, so I imagined the best thing that could happen for him, then turned it into the worst thing that could happen for the victim. The most fun though was the last three chapters. The initial ending was a little flat, the second one popped just a little. But the final version is, I must say, perfect. It came about after I had gone through a round of reads which I concluded by interviewing the readers. Their input throughout the book caused those last three chapters to tie in all the snippets in the previous chapters.

Thank you WebbWeaver, for the opportunity to be interviewed, it's an honor. I feel as though if I never sell that first copy of Dream State that I have been one of the most fortunate people alive. The conversation, the acceptance, and the friends the project has created have left me a changed man. Thank you for being here with me.
Robert E. Crull

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Interview with author Claude Bouchard
by CK Webb

    On Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009, I had the sincere pleasure of conducting my very first author interview via phone and e-mail, with Canadian-born author Claude Bouchard. Mr. Bouchard lives and works in Montreal and has four self-published books to his credit. Vigilante, which he wrote in 1995, The Consultant, written in 1996, followed by Mind Games written in 1997 and The Homeless Killer written ten years later. Recently, Mr. Bouchard combined his first two novels, Vigilante and The Consultant into Duo which are available on Amazon.com.
    I originally met Claude on the social networking site, Twitter and we quickly became friends. He asked me if I would like to read his first novel, Vigilante and review it on WebbWeaver blog. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity and enjoyed this book immensely. I recently asked if he would be willing to allow me to interview him for WebbWeaver and answer some questions from the ladies of the WebbWeaver Book Club.
    He agreed and the interview follows: 

CK: Thanks so much for doing this...I'm a little nervous.

CB: Thanks for asking me...I'm a little nervous myself.

CK: What was the pivotal moment in your life when you knew you wanted to be a writer?

CB: I had been reading for years; mostly espionage and crime thrillers but in 1995 I got an idea for a story. I didn't really know how to write but I just sat down and started and in two months I had a rough draft of Vigilante.

CK:  Is there a line drawn between your art work and your writing?

CB:  Not really. I try to concentrate on each equally and focus on them as I work on each particular art form.

CK:  Has your writing inspired your art work or visa versa?

CB: Mind games was the inspiration for a watercolor and that watercolor is also the cover art for that particular novel. The art work also comes out in the writing through references to different aspects of art such as art museums, pieces of art work and the like.

CK: Where does you inspiration for your writing come from?

CB: From a lot of reading and the desire to write something that will pique someone else's interest.

CK: Are any of your characters fashioned after yourself, and if so, which one?

CB: Chris Barry has the same initials as myself. Chris Barry is much grander, much more handsome and more debonair fashioned after myself, who happens to do some things I would never do *chuckles*.

CK: In your opinion, what is the greatest book ever written...one answer?

CB: Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

CK: Who is your most inspiring author or who do you enjoy the most?

CB: Lee Child

WebbWeaver Book Club questions answered via e-mail:

Tammie: Do you still enjoy writing after all these years?

 Absolutely! I moved away from writing for pleasure for a number of years, not because I didn't feel like writing but simply because I was occupying my time with my painting, guitar and the day job! It really wasn't a conscious decision. It's more that it simply happened. While I was reviewing, revising and self-publishing my old manuscripts last spring, I found my old friends once again and an idea starting brewing to get them back into action. The result was The Homeless Killer which I wrote in about six weeks. Since, I've been spending a lot of time self-promoting my books but have managed to squeeze out three short stories and countless idiocies for the Simple Musings page on my site.Tammie: Between your art and your writing, which do you enjoy the most?

 I hope that "both" is an acceptable answer. I love creating things where I can express myself and let out what's inside. Painting is one outlet; writing is another and playing guitar, another still. Taking away any one of those would leave a very sad void.Tammie: Who in the literary world would you say is your greatest inspiration?

 If by "the literary world" you mean great literary fiction, I must confess that I've never been very attracted by the Hemmingways and Dickenses in terms of preferred reading. I tend to read mainly the same or similar genres as what I write and pinning down one author as an inspiration is quite difficult. John Grisham, Steve Martini and Scott Turow are great with legal fiction. James Patterson rules when it comes to fast-paced page turners. Michael Connelly, Robert Crais (especially the Cole/Pike novels), Jeffrey Deaver and Jonathan Kellerman all do consistently well in the crime genre, each with their own style. Lee Child with his Jack Reacher series also gets glowing praise from me. There are many others whom I haven't mentioned.Tammie: How old were you when you started writing?

 The first time I sat down to seriously write something was in 1995 when I wrote Vigilante so, I was 34.Tammie: What is your next project?

 I'm not even at the starting gate with this one yet so it may end up never seeing the light. However, I have been toying with some ideas and taking notes for a fifth in my Barry/McCall series which could tentatively be entitled Agents will Fall. Very briefly, it would involve a growing number of literary agents being murdered *smile* but let's remember that this would be yet another work of fiction!Sonya: Does it get easier to self-edit with each book you write?

 Not whatsoever! Self-editing is extremely difficult because you know what you are reading so your mind tend to skip over mistakes. If I use The Homeless Killer as an example, I'd type somewhere around ten pages then go back and read them and correct all the mistakes. Next was a printed copy which went to my partner, Joanne for her review and edit (yep, more mistakes). I then reviewed the printed pages again, usually making more corrections before going back to fix everything on the computer. Once the book was finished, Joanne and I reread the revised printed copy, both jotting corrections as we went. Then I submitted for publication and ordered a handful of copies. Jo and I read and corrected again. One copy went to my sister, Lucie, and she got back to me with a number of corrections (most of which Joanne and I had missed). Nope, it doesn't get easier! I do try to read aloud when self-editing as it forces me to read each word and notice missing ones.Sonya: What literary work is your favorite?

 As I mentioned earlier, literary fiction has never been my forte. If I was to pick a classic, it would probably be Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. In terms of a more modern day epic of historical times, the winner is Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.Sonya: Is there a particular teacher in your past who sparked your interest in reading and writing?

 Not that I particularly remember. Both my parents are avid readers, even more so my dad and we were encouraged to read early on (along with everything else throughout our educations). That said, if anyone gets kudos for sparking interest in reading and writing (and learning in general) for myself as well as my brother and two sisters, it would be our parents, hands down!

In closing, I would like to thank CK, DJ, Tammie and Sonya for your wonderful questions and interest but especially for inviting me to do this interview!! WebbWeaver Rocks and Alabama's First Official Chapter of Book End Babes Rules!! Merci!