Interview with Tizzy

Hey guys, today I'm interviewing one of the winners of the monthly bloghop called The Knights of MicroFiction.  So everyone welcome Tizzy!!

Good morning, Tizzy!  I hope you've had an amazing week so far!

My first question is:  When did you know you wanted to be a writer?  And what's you're WiP about?

I've wanted to be a writer ever since primary school when an inspirational teacher suggested it to me.  My current WiP is a YA urban fantasy novel.  It's about a tribe of people that bond with spirits of various African animals in order to gain super-human abilities.  There's a lot of action and drama, a steamy romance and a bit of African mythology thrown in.  At the moment it reads like a cross between The Lion King and Heroes, and I'm having a lot of fun writing it.

What books have most influenced you?

I grew up on fantasy novels like The Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter, which has definitely influenced me to write novels with paranormal/fantasy elements and to enjoy world-building.  Lately I've been rather obsessed with dystopian novels like The Hunger Games and Divergent which feature kick-ass heroines, tons of action and a modern voice.

Ooh yes I love The Hunger Games and The Chronicles of Narnia!  The other two I really have to get around to reading... Lol.

Now, what is the most difficult aspect of writing for you?

I find it difficult to commit to a regular writing time, so sticking with a novel right until the end is hard, especially when self-doubt creeps in.  Too many half-finished manuscripts have been abandoned to the cobwebbed recesses of my hard drive because I lost faith in my writing ability.

Ah I know what you mean.  I've got about ten stories I've started but just never got around to finishing.

So what are your goals for the year?

My goals for this year are to finish the first draft of my WiP and start the first round of edits.  I'd also like to get into a more consistent blogging routine and read and review at least 24 books.

Wow, that's awesome!  I don't know about you but I'm a very slow reader.  So 24 books would be a lot for me!  Good luck!

How long have you been blogging and how has it improved your writing?

I've been blogging for about three years and the main thing it has helped me with is my self-esteem.  I used to be so afraid to share my poetry and stories with friends and even family for fear that it was no good, but starting a blog has helped me get over that and put my work out there for strangers to read.  Joining in with all the blogfests lets me practice my writing skills and gain valuable feedback from fellow writers and readers.  The blogging community is so supportive and their encouragement along with the awards and competitions I have won, has really boosted my confidence.

I completely agree!  And it's nice to know you're not the only one out there!

Anyway, what do you do when you're not writing?

Mostly I work in a pharmacy, but when I'm not popping pills (into bottles/dispenser trays, that is), I'm usually glued to the internet.  I enjoy visual sites like Polyvore and Pintrist where I can create mood boards and collages.  When I'm not online I like to read, dance, draw, play computer games and eat my weight in chocolate (but not all at the same time).

Is there anything else we should know about you?

I'm wildlife mad and generally prefer the company of animals to humans, so they usually feature predominantly in my stories.

That's awesome!!  Now unfortunately that's all the time we have today.

Thanks so much for joining us, Tizzy!  Good luck with all your writing and blogging!

Thanks for reading guys!  Go check out Tizzy's blog and congratulate/follow her!

Happy Wednesday :)

--Jess

Interview with Ashna Banga

Hello everyone!

Today, I'm interviewing Ashna Banga from Journal of a Bookworm!  So, let's get this started, shall we?

Good evening, Ashna!  Thanks so much for agreeing to the interview!  My first question is:


What books have influenced you most?


Umm... this should be a straightforward answer, but the fact is, while reading any book, I try to understand people and their behavior in different situations and thus, feel influenced by them.

Books themselves have been such a positive influence in my life, the best being that you know if something is happening the way it is, there's a reason or an influencing factor behind it and you can't judge without knowing everything.  Though, I feel influenced the most by books with kids as protagonists or that deals with a sensitive issue.

So every book influences you!  That makes sense, because everything that happens to you or anything you read will in some way influence you!  And, I like books with kids as protagonists :)


How long have you been blogging and how has it improved your writing?


Technically, I've been blogging for more than two years, but my book blog is 8 months old.  I'm not working on a book as of yet, but I can definitely say blogging has been an amazing platform for considerable improvement!  I mean, I've had the opportunity to read some amazing blogs, interact with people from all over the globe, with different ways of writing.  I sure write much better now than I did when I initially began blogging.

Besides, I've even developed more as a reader!

Yeah, it's pretty cool that we can talk to so many different writers from all over the world!


When did you start reading?


My parents tell me I started reading ever since I learned how to read, so it started pretty early.  I come from a place where many people are not into too much of reading, so it's kind of great, especially that I love it so much.  I am also blessed with wonderful family and relatives from abroad who gifted books.  I cherish them the most, still! :)

If not for them, I wouldn't have read books when I should have.  In fact, one of them gifted me a Harry Potter boxed set with the first four books when I was 12 and that is when the real passion actually began.

I still have to get around to reading the Harry Potter books.  I read the 4th one and loved it, but I just haven't read the rest!


What do you think constitutes a great book?


Whenever I think of a 'great' book, the first thing that comes to mind is a descriptive aspect.  Any book with a good description of people, places and behaviours can can steal my heart!  If I have a movie-kind-of-story in my head and if, the real movie based on the book matches that, it's awesome for me!

lack of appropriate descriptions when readers don't get what they were looking for, isn't very appealing to me.  Also, I like sensible characters, they can be cribbers, but they should have a human touch to them, not totally made-up.  Something realistic please.

And oh!  I adore happy endings and endings that answer all questions!  I hate abrupt endings where the readers are left wondering...

I have to agree... I like fulfilling endings.  But then, it's nice to have some loose end that leaves readers wanting a sequel!


Is there anything else we should know about you?


Sure!  I love photography, observing people, Calvin and Hobbes, I fantasize about mountaineering (which I'll sure do when I finish with college), and all sorts of adventure sports!  I love eating, but not cooking, just like I love great-looking clothes but not 'shop-till-you-drop' shopping!  And yeah, I'm also very clumsy.  Just don't hand me any fragile object ;)

Thank you, Ashna!  Unfortunately, we're out of time, but it's been so nice having you here!  Stop by again soon and good luck with all your reading and writing!


Have a great weekend everyone!

--Jess

KOMF winners!

Hey everyone!  Today, Kathy and I are announcing the Knights of MicroFiction winner of this month!

So, the lucky winners are...

...

Ashna Banga and Denise Covey

So go head over to their blogs and congratulate them!

Ashna, and Denise, Kathy and I will be contacting you shortly on the details of your interviews.

Thanks to everyone who participated, and we hope to see you again next month!

Have an awesome day!

--Jess

Interview with Esther Jones

Happy Monday everyone!!  Today, I'm interviewing Esther Jones because she was one of the two winners of this month's Knights of MicroFiction!

Okay, let the questions begin!!

So Esther, when did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I can't remember how old I was, but I was very young.  I wrote a story about a girl and a horse, and my parents told me it was very good.  I realized I might just have a talent.

What's your current WiP about?  We'd love a short summary!


Peter never considered that the undead he hunted might have a family, or that one of them would hunt him down and exact revenge.  Now a vampire himself, Peter is obsessed with finding the one who turned him--to thank him by taking his head off.

Lance has many regrets in his long life, not the least of which is turning Peter into a vampire.  However, more than anything, he misses his twin brother Raoul who Peter killed.

Christopher wants nothing more than to be just like Lance; first, because he thinks being a vampire is cool, then because he truly admires Lance (to the point of hero worship).  However, Lance is reluctant to turn another human.

Wow, sounds like a very interesting WiP!  I haven't read very many vampire stories, but it sounds like one I might pick up!
Now, what books have most influenced you?


Oh, my goodness.  So many.  I guess I'd have to say Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, anything by Terry Brooks, and the Harry Potter series.

Wow, I love Terry Brooks!  I read Star Wars: The Phantom Menace by him and I loved it.  Always been meaning to read the other two :)
What is the most difficult aspect of writing for you?


Novels.  I can toss off a poem, flash fiction, or short story quite easily, but I've never finished a novel.  I've got several ideas, but fleshing them out into that many words is so difficult for me.  I've always written very concisely, and I hardly ever put enough description into my scenes.

I totally agree.  Poems and flash fictions are the easier of the lot.  Short stories are difficult for me because they always end up wanting to be novels though.
So, what are your goals for this year?


Finish my current WiP (not sure if it's a novel or something shorter).

Awesome!  Good luck!
How long have you been blogging and how has it improved your writing?


I started my writing blog on April 1, 2012.  Before that, I had a photo-a-day-for-a-year blog.  Blogging about my own struggles and triumphs in writing and reading others' blogs has been an invaluable source of encouragement.  I've gone from thinking, "Maybe someday I'll write something and then think about maybe getting published" to actively working on a story with the intent of publishing.

Great job!  That transition from wanting to be published to actually writing is hard, but definitely essential (for obvious reasons, lol :)
What do you do when you're not writing?


I read (of course - lol), I play Lord of the Rings Online, I spend time with my husband, and I watch tv (mostly fantasy & sci-fi shows).

Is there anything else we should know about you?


I am the oldest of 8 children-- I have 1 younger sister, and 6 younger brothers.  I live in the middle of the Canadian prairies, although I grew up in the middle of beautiful British Columbia.  I play piano and guitar, and sometimes I write music.

Wow, that's so cool!  I always wanted to play guitar!


Unfortunately, that's all the time we have left today, so everyone give Esther Jones a round of applause and go congratulate/follow her blog!


Have a great Monday everyone!

--Jess