An Interview with Ruth Watson-Morris

• Like some bearded, wizardly Captain Ahab at the wave battered prow of my own personal literary Pecod, I have spent the last three months hunting down my personal Moby Dick - the elusive and modest - shy, even  - figure of Ruth Watson-Morris.  
  
  
  Horrorist, fantasy scribbler, trilogist, creator of the  vast and complex world of the Voxians, metalhead, lasagna cook and  softly-softly networker and marketeer, I finally buttonholed Ruth at the launch of the  Indielit Scrapbook.  
  
  
  Ruth lives in the pastoral and inspiring shadow of the  Malvern Hills, one of the quintessential panoramas of the English countryside, and it was a simple matter for Wiz to pick up the Wizphone and chat to Ruth, as she fed the gorgeous German Shepherd you see below. 
  Here's what she had to say.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Tell us a bit about yourself, Ruth?
  
  
        What can I tell you! I am a mother of 3 grown up children, grandmother to 4 beautiful grandchildren, have an amazing talented husband who writes children’s books and a very large very black German Shepherd dog who lives with a very old collie cross (rescue). I have a degree in Psychology, with some History and education studies. ..
  
  
  
  
  So do  I, Ruth!
  
  
  What's that, Wiz?
  
  
  I have a degree  in psychology!
  
  
  Do you?
  
  
  I do, yes. AND I like history.
  
  
  Oh. That's good.  
  
  
  So we've got something in common
  
  
  Yes we have! I studied law as well and am quite disabled, hence my work as a writer.
  
  
  
  
  That is a beautiful Shepherd!
  
  
  Thank you for saying so.
  
  
  Here's one of my favourite dogs. This is Ted. Ted Bear. You can friend him on Facebook. I think your dog and my friend Kelly's dog would get on a treat! 
  
  
  I think they would, Wiz! hahaha.
  
  

  

  Ted Bear attempts to beat the Canine Cross-Channel record set
  by Captain Webb's dog, Walter.

  
  
  If you both lived in the same County, they could both go swimming together! Anyway, enough of matters canine. When did you write your first book?
  
  
  I first wrote Fantacia about 3 years ago, (maybe longer, I have been saying three years ago for quite a long time now!!) I did nothing with it for a long time, I wrote it to get my son reading before he hit University.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  You're one of the most consistent 
  marketeers and networkers on the circuit - 
  what tips have you for new authors?
  
  
  
  
  Just keep going, there are a lot of talented people out there all who deserve to make it, I will keep showing people my support especially great talents that deserve it. 
  
  
  Be passionate about your work and love what you do, because it's a guarantee that if you like it so will others!
  
  
  Excellent advice! So,what's your latest project?
  
  
  
  
  Sky is the book I am writing now, the end of the trilogy and I have some of the prequel set up. I have just had my first go at writing a children's version of the Voxian books, Bellazard The Reptilian series which has just come out and goes 
  
  
  
  
  FREE for 3 days 27th -29th of this month
  
  
  Download this Free Reptilian book here!!!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  A UFO, similar to the one which descended upon Aberdeen this week, hovers above your house and tractor beams you into a gravity cell. Iglu the alien, your gaoler, is a kindly soul and allows you three books, two CDs and a DVD for your Infinite stay in space. What would they be?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This took me ages to work out!!!
  
  
  My three books would be:
  
  
  Lord of the Rings trilogy - Tolkien
  
  

  

  A Ring

  
  
  Industrial magic - Kelley Armstrong
  
  

  

  Kelley Armstrong Fantasy Epic

  
  
  The Deathly Hallows - JK Rowling
  
  
  Wizards and Wands in Deathly Hallows here...
  
  
  CD's 
  War is the Answer - Five finger death punch
  
  
  No one Gets Left Behind FFDP!  
  
  
  and
  Rammstein  
  
  

  

  Liebe ist fur alle da - German Industrial Metal bashers

  Rammstein 

  Weird cannibal/BDSM cover

  (and they banned "Smell The Glove?!")

  
  
  DVD: Day After Tomorrow
  
  

  

  The Statue of Liberty surfing in the Apocalypse

  
  
  
  
  
  

  How do you relax away from the word processor? Do you get much free time?
  
  
  I tend to read other peoples work in my spare time, I love reading and enjoy reviewing books that are great no matter if they are Published by indies or big publishers, they can be good or bad no matter where they come from. Also spend time with my Kids and grandkids which is fabulous
  
  
  I hear on the Indie grapevine that you were once featured in the  Redditch Evening Standard! Congratulations!
  
  
  I was interviewed when the first novel went live. I was quite proud. Here it is!
  
  
  http://www.redditchstandard.co.uk/2011/10/07/story-New-horror-novel-has-a-happy-ending-for-Ruth-19645.html
  
  
  
  
  That's impressive, Ruth! So, which two authors would you most like to cook dinner for? And what is the house special, chez Ruth?
  
  
  
  
  Got to be Terry Pratchett he's fabulous, love DISCWORLD
  and 
  Kelley Armstrong just to beg her to carry on with the women of the other world 
  
  
  books. 
  
  
  She's finished writing them for now which is very sad.
   I have an Italian family (inlaws) who brought me up for a while, so I can make a mean lasagne, I also cook good shortbread

  

  All round Ruth's for a wonderful Redditch Lasagne!

   
  
  
  And what do fans of Ruth Watson Morris have to look forward to in the coming year?
  
  
  
  
  The coming year should bring the Voxian trilogy to a finish with Sky and give the fans Kathos the prequel, they wil discover the origins of Kathos and his people and how he journeyed to Vox, about the multiverse they all slip in and out of including the Hell dimensions, which will take them right to the beginning where Fantacia and Orion are leaving Earth.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Ruth, thanks for talking to us 
  here round the Cauldron. We wish you all the best in the coming year with everything you do?
  
  
  Thanks, Wiz. It's been great fun!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Find out more about Ruth here
  
  
  http://authorvoxiansseriesbooks.wordpress.com/
  
  
  
  
  http://www.facebook.com/TheVoxianSeriesOfHorrorScienceFictionFantasy
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Buy  Ruth's books here!
  
  
  Ruth Author Page and Sales
  
  
  www.lulu.com
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  Badly treated blood drinking labrador-cross seeks non-vampire
  owner to love and to cherish. And a big sofa.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

An Interview with Wayne DePriest

The Virginian

One of my earliest childhood memories (apart from accidentally burning down my stinky Aunty Ethel’s coal shed, blaming my entirely innocent younger brother for the caper, and getting to wear a fireman’s helmet as they hosed down the flames), was watching sixties TV western serial, The Virginian. 

I became a big Western fan and when I heard there was a Western author hanging around the Indielit watercooler, I wasted no time in proposing a pow wow around his Teepee. 

His name is Wayne DePriest, writer of “Angeltown” and he’s originally out of Montana. (I love this job – last week Maine, this week Montana; two of the most beautiful places on God’s Green Earth!)  

Wayne DePriest

As it was, Wayne couldn’t make the meet-and-greet as there is a dirty great pond between us and he was too busy [playing pool, so Wiz got on the Wizphone to discuss matters originating in the Old West. And other matters of course.

Hi Wayne. How are you?

Good thanks, Wiz. How are you?

Great thanks. Looking forward to this...

Me too.

Okay, tell us a bit about yourself? I’m retired from a wide variety of jobs - delivery person (both parcels and people), store clerk, truck driver, roofer, factory supervisor, employment counselor and small business owner. 

Montana in relation to the other States

Vote for me and the Cookies!
President DePriest in 2021?

Born and raised mostly in Montana, I lived in a log cabin as a boy. the cabin was four rooms and came complete with cast iron wood-burning stove (for which I chopped a goodly sum of firewood), a water pump with a handle and a distinct lack of indoor plumbing. 

I really did walk a mile to school. 

I am making a (somewhat less than serious) walk for the Presidency of the United States under the banner of The Cookie Party. 

Fringe candidate for
The Crackers Party

Hahahaha. Well, it worked for Ronald Reagan...

It did yes, but he had nothing to do with Cookies.

And he was totally insane! Anyway, enough politics. So, why did you start writing? I haven’t the foggiest notion why I started writing. Nor did I ever think of myself doing such a thing until I did. One day I wasn’t a writer, the next day I was. 

I recall writing a particularly lurid piece of drivel in Junior High. My friends thought it was delightful and made copies. One of these copies came back to me in the hands of the Principal. 

He was somewhat less than amused. 

Several years later I wrote (actually wrote it in longhand) an atrocious novel based on a telephone number and the effects it had on three different lives. It was trash and I knew it. But it was my trash. Wish I still had it. 

My father threw away my first novel accidentally. And the issue of NME with Slayer on the cover.

Did he?

I don't think he did it on purpose.

I don't think he did either, Wiz.  Anyway, over the years I continued to write a bit here and a bit more there; silliness for the wife and children. In 2006 I began to take it more seriously with when I had a go at National Novel Writing Month. 50K words in 30 days. My mystery book “Selected” is the result. That seemed to open some sort of floodgate which I haven’t managed to close off just yet. 

In 2010 I returned to NaNoWriMo and wrote the western Angeltown. 

Last year I wrote more than 100K during NaNoWriMo, split almost evenly between two books, one a western and one a story of a man getting involved in a friend’s murder. 

You're extremely prolific, then! What's your latest project? 

Which one? hahahahahahah. I have eight distinct projects in various stages of completion. 1) An illustrated book of poetry for children is in its final pre-publication stages. The illustrator is a wonderful lady and artist from Pennsylvania via Russia; 2) a collection of short stories called “Second Chances” which will be released for various e-devices and in paperback in the next week or so; 3) the western from NaNoWriMo last year; 4) the mystery from NaNoWriMo last year; 5) a mystery/thriller called “The Button Man”; 6) Button Man’s sequel called “It Only Takes One”; 7) a collection of short stories prompted by single sentences provided by a friend in Denver, Colorado. The hook is that my friend is the main character in each story and I arrange his timely (or untimely) demise in each story.

Angeltown is my latest book.

Great cover, Wayne.

Thanks, Wiz! 

You're welcome. Give us an insight into a typical writing day in the DePriest household? Are you a binge writer or a methodical, two thousand a day one. Writing usually begins a bit before 10 in the morning. I work on whatever strikes my fancy. That’s the beauty of having more than one thing going at a time. This month I make certain to complete the daily requirement for the short stories featuring my friend. I only get 24 hours to produce a story after I receive the prompt sentence. Each story must be at least 1500 words. 

"I don’t know that I’m a binge writer, though I do write quickly. I have little difficulty cranking out 4000+ a day. I think it’s easier if one has more than one project ongoing. I take frequent short breaks and am usually done by 6PM, when I cook supper and spend the evenings with my lovely bride of 35 years. sometimes I return and write until the wee hours."

What attracted you to the Western ? What do you class as the key moments in that genre? Growing up in Montana with its history certainly didn’t hurt. I read a lot of westerns by James B Hendryx, Zane Gray, William Colt MacDonald, Max Brand and many others. It was, in many ways, a time of simpler morals. Right was right and wrong was wrong. Not a lot of gray areas. One was judged far more on actions than on words. I think an author of Westerns must reflect that idea within the framework of the story. 

The story of the West was far less about gunfights and Indian raids and cattle rustling than most would like to admit. It was a hard life for both man and woman and demanded the best from each of them. And sometimes that best wasn’t quite good enough.

Classic Catch 22 cover

The James Gang are on the run out of Missouri and the Pinkertons are closing fast. They kidnap you from your cattle ranch as a hostage and lock you up in a disused mine on the Oklahoma border. Your jailer, Bart Younger, a little known family member, is a kindly and simple soul and allows you three books, two CD’s and a DVD to pass the time. What would you choose? 

Ah, a little time warp to make the interview interesting. All right. Let’s see: 3 books: 

“Catch-22 by Joseph Heller because every time I read it I get something else from it; “Ishmael” by Daniel Quinn for the same reason; “The 2548 Best Things Anybody Ever Said” by Robert Byrne because it makes me laugh. 

2 CDs: “Texas Flood” by Stevie Ray Vaughn because...well, just because; 

“Sarah Brightman” by Sarah Brightman because of that voice.

Sarah Brightman

Sarah Brightman and Top of the Pop's sirens, Pan's People -
still going strong in their sixties

Hey Wayne, did you know that the childhood ambition of every forty (ish) bloke in the Green and Pleasant was to grow up and marry a dancer, thanks to Top of the Pops, Sarah Brightman and Pan's People!

I didn't know that. I can see why!

Never got to marry a dancer. Married a bus driver instead.

That's a shame, Wiz.

She was nice though. Liked a good natter. Anyway, a DVD. 

I'd take Blazing Saddles by Mel Brooks because ‘Mongo is just a pawn in game of life’.

Mongo out of Blazing Saddles

Which writer or artist would you like to accompany on a Midwestern cattle drive and why? I’m going to take some liberties and offer one of each. Author: Louis L’Amour. He traveled the country of his stories. The trails and waterholes and caves were right where he said they were in his books. Artist:: George Catlin: Have you seen his paintings?

George Carlin

I have now. Absolutely beautiful.

They are, aren't they!

What do fans of Wayne DePriest have to look forward to in 2013! Oh, heavens! Hopefully some good writing. I suspect another round of short stories. And another volume or two of poetry. Certainly the publication of the current projects, if they don’t see the light of day before then.

Wayne, its been great fun talking to you and I wish you every success in the coming year.

Thanks Wiz! And the same to you...

Wayne once more.

Contact the terrific Wayne De Priest (now in Minnesota!) here!

http://www.facebook.com/awriter

Buy Angeltown, and that magnificent cover, from:

http://www.facebook.com/TheIndependentPaperbackGiftShop?ref=hl

Also:

http://www.amazon.com/Wayne-DePriest/e/B004XFVW8M/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1347078815&sr=1-2-ent

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/awriter

Quality interview with Wayne here; talking to the brilliant Mary Ann Bernal

http://maryannbernal.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/an-interview-with-author-wayne-depriest.html

An Interview with Kim Scott

In an Indielit market saturated with YA, vampires, zombies and acronymic erotica, and in a marketing environment where a fight could break out at anytime, it always surprises me to see the work of Kim Scott appear on my timeline. 

 Historical Family Saga Scribe, and proud Mainelander,
Kim Scott

I've never spoken to her before, but she intrigues me because she appears to be resolutely determined to find her niche without any pandering to fashion or the big bucks. Kim Scott does not sell her soul to Mephistopheles for anyone, it seems. 

The Mainelander follows her path staunchly too - her marketing is understated and unobtrusive and she is unfailingly polite whenever one makes contact. 

Marketing IS relationships and so many Indielit scribblers fail to understand that relationships emerge from the peace of stillness rather than from the hubbub of stamping feet. Kim Scott realises this: The Wizphone interrupted Kim this morning, while she inscribed notes on her Maine veranda as the trees of Autumn turned copper before her eyes..

The invigorating Autumn view from
Kim's scribbling
veranda.

Tell us a bit about yourself, Kim. Who is the woman behind this extraordinary family saga, The Ruth Charnock Saga.

Hiya Wiz. Nice to hear from you. Dad was Navy and I was born on Charleston Naval Base in South Carolina. I grew up in Pine Point, Scarborough, Maine a mile up from the Atlantic Ocean. 

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=Pine+Point,+Scarborough+Maine&ie=UTF-8

I come from a big, close family. In 2001 my Dad passed away. My Mom built their dream home on property they had in southwestern Maine. It is a serene place in a rural, wooded area on a great pond. I live there with her now. Many of the roads are still dirt and there are a number of old family cemeteries around here. It’s an incredible environment to write in.

White Mountain National Forest

How did you start out as a writer? Has it always been a passion of yours? Did the Kindle revolution influence your decision to write?

I’ve always enjoyed writing but didn’t seriously believe I could write a book until about a year ago. My family and friends had nudged me for years. Last December I was diagnosed with a lung disease. While the doctors were experimenting with chemo drugs and other options a friend challenged me to write a book. 

A challenge?

Yes, a challenge .I finally gave in just to show her I could do it. I finished it and gave it to 12 readers who returned with great reviews. I was very surprised and reluctantly agreed to try a sequel.

That's fantastic, Ruth. First challenge we've come across.

Thank you. I'm glad I took the bet!

Your readers are too! What's your current venture? 

Kim's fans form an orderly
queue at the Amazon shop

Book 4 in the series, Fallen Acorns will be released in November.

Maine is a beautiful state, perhaps the most beautiful in the US? Does it influence your writing?  

The State of Maine is a beautiful place from the coastline to the forests. The place where I live and write is one of the greatest influences on the stories I tell. My tales are set in Maine in the 18^th and 19^th centuries. 

"From the desk where I write I can see the tall pine trees and dense woods. I can hear the ducks and beavers splashing in the creek beyond the first line of trees. Huge old snapping turtles live in the pond and come up to dig holes and lay their eggs in the spring. Herons, loons and geese also use the pond. Squirrels jump from tree to tree in the top branches. Turkeys, deer, moose and other animals wander through the yard during the day. At night an occasional bear or coyote pass by my dark window. The dirt roads that are cut through the woods are lined with centuries old fieldstone walls. The stones that snake through the denser areas are covered in thick moss..."

A vivid description, Kim. *sigh*

It underplays how beautiful it is. Sometimes words arent enough. I live less than an hour from the ocean here the coastal weather impacts heavily here. It’s an amazing place to live and an incredible place to write historical fiction or historical romance. 

Pine Point: Kim's birthplace

You're interested in history. Tell us more about how you use American history in your marketing

Kim's Absorbing Pinterest site - ideal for historians.

On the Pinterest website I have created several “boards” with hundreds of photos that create a feel for the 18^th and 19^th centuries and the State of Maine. I strongly encourage my readers and anyone interested in those periods to review them. I also post photos of commodities and antiques that are described in my books, which are rare or unusual. I hope my readers will take advantage of this and thoroughly enjoy the boards.

I'm sure they will, Kim - and Wizardwatchers I hope! 

Everyone is welcome, Wiz.

Okay, I'm sure you're looking forward to the 3-2-1 question. Kim. Renegade Mohicans maraud their way across the border and kidnap you while you sew tapestries on the veranda.  While you await your uncertain fate, you are imprisoned in a teepee somewhere in the woods. M'zzuna, your jailer, is a kindly soul and smuggles you in three books, two CD's and a DVD to help you pass the time. What would they be?

Cabinet of Curiosities by Lincoln Childs & Douglas Preston

The Alienist by Caleb Carr

The Witching Hour by Anne Rice

CDs:

1812 Overture Tchaikovsky

Mozart Requiem Mass in D Minor

DVD: The Wizard of Oz because it’s a movie you can watch repeatedly.

Wizard of Oz.

Why family sagas? In a fast moving world, is there a place for a multi-faceted, multi-edition epic like the one you are planning?

I come from a large family and understand the chaos and comfort in it. I believe there will always be a connection with the multi-faceted series for readers. There is something about a familial saga that people connect with. It provides a broader look at the past.

Family sagas back in fashion? Ultimate famopera "Dallas" is back. The lady in red in
the centre, Linda Evans, is 71 years old.  Yes, you heard me correctly. 

Which artist/writer/musician would you allow to take you to dinner on a covered wagon to dinner in Castle Rock? And what would you eat?

Stephen King for fresh Maine seafood and anything he’d like to talk about.

Potential lobster gobbler, spook scribbler
 and Maine populiser, Stephen King.
Author of a lot, "though all his best stuff came in the
first eight books, innit" (Wiz's good friend, John the Carpet Fitter, 2007)

 Fantastic Kim! What do Kim Scott's loyal fans have to look forward to in the coming year?

Book 4 in my series will be released Nov. 7^th.  I believe this will be the last book in the series. I have two new projects planned.

Kim's fans still await breathlessly
the November launch.

Oh no!

Time to move on, Wiz.  Next will be a book that will take place in the 1920s. This book should be available in January or February 2013. The coast of Maine provided a unique opportunity for pirates and bootleggers in throughout history. 

During the prohibition era alcohol was smuggled in along the rocky shores of Maine and transported on dirt roads. I believe this one will be fun to write.

Maine Street

The second project is another series that will be set in the 1800s here in Maine. This one is inspired by a lone gravestone standing alone in the woods not too far from where I live here. The first book in this new series should be released in early spring 2013. There will likely be three books in this series.

Kim, it's been an absolute pleasure talking to you and I hope you have a terrific 2013.

Thanks Wiz and good luck to all the Wizardwatchers!!

The epic Quadrilogy, essential Christmas reading

Wizardwatchers can contact Kim on:

Regarding Ruth http://tinyurl.com/c2pbzyk

In Ruth’s Memory http://tinyurl.com/ctooa6g

On Grace’s Shoulders http://tinyurl.com/csqbfvu

Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/RegardingRuth

Twitter @ttocs3mik

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/kimscottwrites

Pinterest http://pinterest.com/kimscottwrites/