Interview with Reagan McGuire's. Author of Can You See The Music?

Where were you born and where do you call home?

I was born in Boston but now I call Flagstaff Arizona my home.


What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less words, what would you say? 

Can You See The Music?   This story is about a man who discovers a way to extend the human lifespan. This book is also a journey deep into the heart of living and dying. 

If you gave some of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?

Richard would say "What a fool I have been." Kat would quietly smile at him, her eyes filled with a radiant curiosity of a child. “Your journey has been long and arduous my friend” She would say “You have been both blessed with happiness and heartache along the way. It is now time for you to rest here with me and recover yourself.” 



Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

I am now co-authoring a Shakespearean love story with Ms. Niamh Clune. 


What or who inspired you to write? And how long have you been writing?

I did not know I could write until one day words spilled out of my brain and onto the page.


Would you like to giveaway a copy of your book on this blog?

Sure


How did you come up with the title and cover design?

The title comes from a quote in the book. The cover is my 9 year old adopted Navajo granddaughter who is an important part of the book and my life. She teaches me and Richard to live in the moment, for that all she got or all she cares about.


Have you based any of your characters on someone you know, or real events in your own life?

Yes I molded most of the characters from some very interesting people who I have been blessed to have known.


What books have most influenced your writing most and why?
I am not sure since I am such a veracious reader. I like to think Tolstoy and Balzac along with a hundred others have influenced me as for style I write like Reagan 
 

Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?

Yeah but he is dead. William Blake

A number of scientists whose work I really enjoy. 


Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?

I like the feel of a book in my hands.


Where do you prefer to buy your books?

At the local book trader Bookmans


Are you a self published (Indie) Author?

Yes I am.


Have you ever read a book more than once?

I have read hundreds of books more than once. 


Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version?

No


What book are you currently reading and in what format (ebook/paperback/hardcover)?

I am currently reading James Joyce's 'Portrait of An Artist as a Young Man'


What book do you know that you will never read?

Text based soap operas have little appeal.


Are there any new Authors that have grasped your interest and why?

Niamh Clune I like her because of her tremendous talent and sharp writing skills. 


Is there anything you would change in your last book and why?

No I am very satisfied with what I wrote except for the grammar.


Who designed the cover of your book?

I did. The picture on the cover is my adopted Navajo Granddaughter Khloe. She is an important part of the story and my life. She teaches me unconditional love and how to live in the moment. That is all she has or cares about.


Do you have a book trailer?

Yes I do. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foi6AUVwylw&feature=player_embedded


What are your thoughts on book trailers?

I find it an interesting concept; not quite sure how to push it though.


Do you have any advice for other writers?

Write if you must and forget everyone else.


What is the best advice that you have ever been given when it comes to writing?

Stop looking for people to read your book and give you feedback and finish the damn thing.


Do you write under a pen name?

Nope



White wine or red?

Beer


Coffee or tea?

Tea


Favorite food?

Seafood


Vanilla or chocolate icecream?

Mixed


What do you normally eat for breakfast?

Boiled eggs


What are 4 things you never leave home without?p or desktop for writing?

Laptop


Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

When my muse is calling.


If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?

Jiddu Krishnamurti, Buddha and William Blakely 


One of your favorite quotes -

"In oneself lies the whole world and if you know how to look and learn, the door is there and the key is in your hand. Nobody on earth can give you either the key or the door to open, except yourself." Jiddu Krishnamurti 




List 3 of your all time favorite books?

Moby Dick by Melville, The Death of Ivan Llyich by Tolstoy, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 


List 3 of your all time favorite movies?

Tsotsi, Apocalypto, True Grit by the Cohen Brothers. 


An actor you have a crush on -

I would walk to LA to spend a moment with Rosanna Arquette




Where can your readers stalk you?

My webpage www.cystmusic.com

My facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002500754923


Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0054RBNMS

Is your book in Print, ebook or both?




To win a copy of Reagan's book visit - HERE



Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with me, it has been fun, and allowing us a glimpse into your writing word. I hope you share this interview with your friends so we can all get to know you a little better. Patti

Author Interview - The Amazing Wolf Boy - By Roxanne Smolen

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less words, what would you say?

My book is The Amazing Wolf Boy. It’s a young adult romance about a newbie werewolf who falls in love with a beautiful girl after he’s banished to Loxahatchee, FL.

If you gave your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?

Hi, I’m Cody. I’m a werewolf. I thought it would be easy to keep a secret identity. You know, like a super hero in a comic book. But I’ve only been in town for three months, and already four people know my secret. At this rate, I’ll have to enclose a werewolf newsletter with my Christmas cards.

Have you based any of your characters on someone you know?

I tried to. (laughs) In The Amazing Wolf Boy, the character of Brittany was originally based on my granddaughter, Nik. But Nik loves tattoos, and I didn’t want that for Brittany. That one change snowballed. Now Brittany likes McDonald’s and sausage pizza, even though Nik is vegetarian. Brittany wears dark clothing, while Nik goes for comfort. They both like to dye their hair bright colors, however, and they share the same taste in music. Sweet girls.

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

Yes, I hope to write a dozen books about Cody’s adventures. I purposely exiled him to Loxahatchee, FL, because of its potential for mischief. It’s near the northernmost tip of the Everglades, so it has abundant wildlife. There’s a nudist colony there, and a drive-thru zoo. What’s not to love? I’m happily writing book two.

Have you ever read a book more than once?

 Oh my goodness, yes. I’ve been known to re-read a favorite book fifteen times or more. I run to books the way other people go for comfort food. The characters become my friends. Tops on my current list are the Harry Potter series, and the Sookie Stackhouse series. I’ve re-read the Dresden Files several times. I read the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy so many times I had to keep replacing it. In the past, I remember reading Lord Foul’s Bane over and over again. I wonder what happened to that book…

Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks, or hardcover?

Nowadays, I prefer to read ebooks. I have an old Nook that I love. It’s easy to hold while lying in bed, I can set it down without losing my page if the phone should ring or if the kids start finger-painting with peanut butter on the kitchen table, and I can browse my entire library without leaving my chair. But I understand that not everyone shares my passion, so The Amazing Wolf Boy is published as both a paperback and an ebook.

What are your thoughts on book trailers?

I love book trailers. They’re just darn fun to watch. Of course, I like watching commercials, too. Especially if they have babies in them. But I digress. Simply put, a book trailer is a synopsis of your book printed on a slide show of pertinent photos. Because it’s both visual and print, the author can impart not only what the story is about but the overall tone of the book. It can be very effective. Whether or not it helps with sales is yet to be seen.

Do you have a book trailer?

Yes. You can see all my trailers at my YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/moonroxinc I make them using Windows Movie Maker. The important thing is to keep trailers under a minute and a half—it’s a teaser not a full length movie. I start with the script. Once I know exactly what I want to say, I put images to the words. I use fotolia.com but there are plenty of places to buy stock photos. Then I add music. Incompetech.com is a good place for soundtracks. When everything is in place, I start to edit. I don’t want music just playing in the background; I want it to emphasize my words. Likewise, I want the slide show to fit the beat of the music. Finding the right music is as important as the script itself.

Laptop or desktop for writing?

I have both, and I’m very strict as to how I use them. My desktop is for email and marketing. I include social networks in marketing. Facebook and Twitter eat up so much of my time, I have to ration myself. Because of that, I use parental controls on my laptop. I can get on the Internet but only for research. I’ve blocked my social networks. The laptop is exclusively for writing. And the fun thing is my mind knows that. All I have to do is sit down with my laptop and I go immediately into writing mode. I split the screen—my novel on one side and the outline on the other. I’m a great believer in outlines, but that’s another topic.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

I’m a morning person. My typical day starts at 6:00. I fix myself a pot of tea and sit with my laptop in an old overstuffed rocking chair kept for that purpose. There are no windows nearby, nothing to distract me from the images in my head. On a good day, my tea will grow cold because I’ve forgotten to drink it.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?

I’ve been known to write stark naked if an idea hits while I’m in the shower. My husband just shakes his head. I think he’s getting used to me.

What is the best advice you have ever been given when it comes to writing?

Don’t quit. Once I told a friend that I’d had it, I was never going to write again. Because it’s not just the writing that’s hard, it’s trying to get published afterwards, and then trying to get readers to buy your book. It never ends. But she just shrugged and said, “Oh? What are you going to do instead?” That’s when I realized I couldn’t quit. Writers write. That’s what we do.

Where can readers stalk you?

Please feel free to add me. I follow back, and I love new friends.

My blog: http://moonrox.wordpress.com/

My Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/roxannesmolenauthor

My Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/roxannesmolen

My Twitter page: http://twitter.com/roxannesmolen

My Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Roxanne-Smolen/e/B002MA4XFY/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

My Google+ page: https://plus.google.com/u/0/100259110586396288358#100259110586396288358/posts

Is your book in print, ebook or both?

The Amazing Wolf Boy is currently out in ebook format for the Kindle  http://www.amazon.com/The-Amazing-Wolf-Boy-ebook/dp/B005SX2JLM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318117379&sr=8-1

And it will be in print shortly.