Novelista

When people discover that my manuscripts are first handwritten, they cannot believe that I do all that extra work. Most writers type their first drafts. Very few of us bother with pen and paper. The funny thing is that I type my blog posts directly into Word. No pen, no paper and no ink on my hands. Blog posts are relatively short. I type them. Read them over. Read them aloud. Fix typos. Format. Preview. Post. One day, an idea popped into my head. It was the beginning scene for a new story. The kind of story I did not know if I would do. Sure, I wrote a dystopian science fiction, but would I touch a space opera? I did. And I decided to write it solely on the computer. Opening my extremely old version of Word, I typed my typical manuscript title page. When I started page 2, I changed the normal style to my self-made manuscript format style. I typed, “Chapter 1,” then hit enter. My opening scene sprang to life magically from the blinking cursor. Black letters in times ...

Here’s my half hour long interview on Mount Pleasant Up Close in three parts. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 It is strange to watch yourself. I can see how nervous I started. Being on the “pointy” end of the camera is foreign to me. I’ve spoken in front of large groups. I’ve performed on stage. All without fear, I might add. During a college internship with a network affiliate, I’ve even operated the camera and been floor manager. The front of the camera is much more intimate. Only being on camera more often can make it more comfortable. My previous interviews were via email with people across the pond. Being interviewed by people you know, who are also friends, is completely different. Besides being Borough Manager (Jeff) and Borough Mayor and Fire Chief (Jerry), Jeff and Jerry are co-organizers of the Mount Pleasant Glass and Ethnic Festival . Being co-founders, they have been with the festival since its inception. Every year, it gets better. This September will mark th...

Not having access to the channel on which my interview on Mount Pleasant Up Close aired, a DVD of it has been made for me. All I need to do is pick it up. Look for the video to be posted the week after Easter. Happy Passover! Happy Easter! Happy Spring!

When I do research for my books, sure, I turn to internet sources and books for information. I also interview people who have experience with certain things and do or learn things for myself. One of my works in progress is the first book of a mystery series where an injured homicide detective turned PI has to relearn how to shoot. Recently, I went to a local pistol range to take a private lesson on shooting a handgun. It was my first time shooting any kind of gun. The instructor was surprised that I had never even shot a bb gun. I learned on a .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol. The former Vietnam Marine started with basic gun safety. Although I wore a turtleneck, he warned me about wearing open necked shirts for future shooting. The empty shell casings are hot when they fly out of the gun and if you are wearing a shirt with an open neck, there is a possibility that the casing can hit your skin and burn you. (Always good to know.) At the shooting bay, he went over grip, stanc...

Mount Pleasant Up Close is a weekly local TV and radio show.  The hosts are Mayor Gerald (Jerry) Lucia (on the right) and Borough Manager Jeff Landy (in the middle).  This coming week, I will be their guest. We recorded it yesterday amidst the snowstorm.  Sitting at a small table in the Borough Council Chambers, I answered questions about my books and being an author. In the beginning of my first “live” interview, I was nervous.  Jeff and Jerry started the show with a little intro, then they turned to me.  Jeff said something like, “Tell us a little something about yourself and your books.”  And that’s when it happened.  I felt as if I were having a brain freeze moment like a kid in school on test day who just stared at the paper on the desk because the answers eluded her.  I took a small pause, let out a tiny laugh, then my brain began to function properly. Once we got going, everything flowed so well. The half-hour show whiz...

As my hand glides ink across the blank, white page, some of my favorite lines are penned into existence. Every time I read them, they give me the same emotional response as when I first wrote them. Over the next few posts, I will share them with you. From Bow of the Moon , the latest in my epic fantasy series, the World In-between : As they drove into the city, Declan tried to look up with his head plastered onto the door window. The old adage of forgive and forget became a trudge through quicksand on a beach as high tide crashed onto the shore. “That Scholar fed me lies and I devoured them like a starving man.” The people in the pub lived their lives mostly on the insides of a tankard. “With wisdom comes responsibility. Somewhere along the way, I misplaced both.” A large serpentine yellow Dragon curled herself around the rocks the way a small child would cling to a stuffed animal or security blanket for safety. All he could smell was a uniform, musty dampness. He ...

The exciting sequel to the World In-between is now available. Bow of the Moon takes you on a journey through the Empire submerging you into forgotten myths and legends. Trek beyond the ends of the known world. Face creatures men have learned to fear. Protect secrets that could unravel everything. Most legendary weapons have been lost to the ages. Although their true power is long forgotten, their memory makes some risk everything to procure them. One such weapon is hidden in plain sight. When ignorance melts away, the weapon that has saved the Empire on numerous occasions becomes a target. Can the weapon’s steward keep it a secret before it falls into the wrong hands? Bow of the Moon is available in perfect bound paperback only on Amazon . The ebook is available for Kindle , Nook and Kobo , and on Smashwords , Diesel eBooks and Make Your Offer . Happy Holidays and Happy Reading!