by A.E. Albert
@aealbert23
Reading inspired me to write. From a very young age, I loved stories. As I graduated high school and went off to college and still had some time on my hands, I decided to turn some scribbles birthed during a study hall into an actual story. Although flat–out terrible, it taught me a tremendous amount while still being fun to create. I needed to try again, so I did.
Is there a message in your book and/or books?
I’m not sure I immediately set about shooting for a message in each book, but there are definite themes. Ashlynn’s Dreams started being a book about a kidnapping and became an exploration into the morality of cutting edge science. Nadia’s Tears focused on human trafficking, and Malia’s Miracles centered on conquering cancer. The human trafficking issue has become important to me. In doing my research on the topic, I found that there aren’t a great deal of kid-friendly books that tackle the subject.
The wonderful thing about stories in general is that three people can look at them and have a slightly different experience. Whether you wish to simply be entertained or want to wrestle with deep moral questions, I want to present you with a work that offers both.
Is there anything in your book and/or books based on real life experiences?
Major event-wise, no, I’m happy to report that I’m not genetically engineered to shape dreams nor was I ever kidnapped. However, some of the dreams described do have a smidge of truth to them. I’m pretty sure I actually dreamed of running across my front lawn picking up sausage links. They were in ¾ and ¼ pieces. I’m not sure why that mattered, but it stuck out clearly in my mind.
I think more of me creeps into some of the characters. Danielle’s sarcasm gene is definitely something that comes naturally.
What books and/or writers have influenced you the most?
Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, and Star Wars Expanded Universe books from the 90’s and early 2000’s have probably influenced me the most. I gravitate to good vs. evil fights where the lines tend to be crystal clear and the motives pretty straightforward. From there it gets a little messier in my works, but the influence of the pure-hearted do-gooder and the epic galactic struggle are both strong forces.
What has been your greatest challenge when writing?
I think finding time to write is the single most challenging part of writing, but since that’s not exactly the question, I’ll rack my brain for another. When actually writing, coming up with interesting plot points is an interesting early challenge. It’s always intriguing to just brainstorm and throw down random ideas then see what makes it through to the final cut. I tend to work in series, so many of my characters are old friends. Coming up with new challenges and choices to face these old friends can be tough.
What are you working on right now?
Currently, I’m reworking a science fiction series. I’d written the “3rd” book in the series when I was a sophomore in college, but then I loved the characters so much I wanted to feature them again. So, I wrote what became the “1st” in the series. Finding the amount of time between 1 and 3 to be inadequate, I wrote a story to fit in between. Now, I’m overhauling the series opener to include more descriptions and guide readers through. It was missing some of those pieces because of the order it was written in. I knew the world so thoroughly by that point that I often took for granted which descriptions needed to be bolder or broader.
What have you learned and do you have any advice for other authors?
If I had to come up with a comfortable cycle for the writing process, I’d say: read, write, review, refine, repeat. Most authors read like crazy. If I’m not reading something I've been asked to review, I’m usually listening to a book on CD. I listen and read in a much broader spectrum than I write, and I think this offers a healthy perspective on stories in general. The second step’s sort of obvious. If you want to be an author you need to find time to write. My advice here would be to finish something, even if it’s terrible. Bury it, and start something new. The lessons you learn from finishing the first will carry forward into each new work. Look over your work and have others look over your work. It’s very difficult to catch all your own grammar mistakes, and I’m told that’s the least of what a good editor can do for you. Books don’t come out perfect. They take time and effort and a lot of revision. Once you start taking your writing seriously, find a good group of people who understand you and keep on challenging yourself to make the next book better than the last.
Is there anything new and exciting going on in your writing world?
The audiobook of The Kiverson Case should be ready to go in a few weeks. Also, this year, I’m super excited to be able to exhibit at BEA. Book Expo America will happen May 27-31, 2015 at the Javits Center in New York City. Everybody who can come is cordially invited to stop by Booth 2342. I’ll be running giveaways for some stellar indie works. (No, not all of them are mine.) Bookmarks, wristbands, and pencils will also flow plentifully. I also plan to give away a Kindle Fire, so you should all come just to enter that contest.
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Contact Links:
Email: devyaschildren@gmail.com
Twitter: @authorgilbert or @jilliananddeli
Facebook: Julie C. Gilbert
Facebook: Ashlynn’s Dreams
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/julie20201/ (for book covers and other stuff)
YA/Science Fiction Titles:
Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts: Helping Mr. Blairington and Other Misadventures.
I'm currently trying to make this title permafree. If you'd like to help with that. Go tell amazon that you found the book at a cheaper price. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/467202
Devya’s Children 1:
Devya’s Children 1:
Ashlynn’s Dreams (AD Youtube Trailer)
Amazon audible (By the way, I think you get an amazing price on the whispersync download if you buy the kindle. The regular audiobook is $19.99 or something crazy like that, but with the kindle, I think it drops to $1.99.)
Devya’s Children 2:
Amazon audible (By the way, I think you get an amazing price on the whispersync download if you buy the kindle. The regular audiobook is $19.99 or something crazy like that, but with the kindle, I think it drops to $1.99.)
Devya’s Children 2:
Saying this is custom, I know, but I do sincerely hope that Julie gets what she desires out of this.
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly. Thanks, Thomas.
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