Interview With Patti Ogden Author of Keoni's Big Question

Tell us the book title and your author name.

Keoni’s Big Question

Patti B. Ogden

What inspired the book?

A story told in several sermons of William Branham

What makes this book special to you?

Keoni’s Big Question is very special to me because it tells such a sweet story of a curious little boy that just wanted to know more about God. The little boy reminded me of myself. As a child I was very curious about the deep questions of life and I was just as determined to find the right answers.

What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

Keoni’s Big Question has a beautiful message with a surprising answer that will impact it’s readers for a lifetime.

What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

This 32 page fully-illustrated book is a wonderful book for all children, but I have had its meaning inspire parents as well. It’s an endearing story of faith, Christian values and the how and why of reaching out to God for answers in our life.

What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?

They say good authors are good readers and I agree with that. My mind often starts to form ideas after reading inspirational items and great literature.

What has been the biggest stumbling block in your writing? Can you share some tips to help others get past similar problems?

One of the biggest stumbling blocks is coming to a word road block. You know what you want to say but the correct words or phrases escape you. The on-the-tip-of-my- tongue problem. That is frustrating! I get past this by going for a long walk to clear my head and then flipping through reference tools like my Thesaurus.

What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

This is something I wanted to do since a high school creative writing class. I think the motivation is the basic human desire to express ourselves. Writing is a channel that we can freely do that.


FICTION - If there is a setting, tell us how you decided on that setting and what you did to create a complete and vivid setting for your readers?

Keoni’s Big Question is centered around a fishing trip Keoni takes with an old family friend. The setting was easy as it was a part of the original story told by William Branham. Yet that was only an outline and I had to fill in the gaps with fiction. I decided that the fishing trip had to become dangerous to make a way for Keoni to communicate with God so he would come naturally to the answers to his big question.

FICTION - What inspires you about the hero or heroine in your book? What makes them memorable for the reader? What motivates the hero and/or heroine? You can include information about both if you want.

Keoni inspires me because he never gives up. He knows there are correct answers to his questions and he persevered until he was satisfied in his soul. I admire that. It shows great faith.

FICTION - Is there a villain or something that causes friction in your story? Tell us about what or who it is and how that contributes to the story. Any details about conflict and friction is good information to know.

The friction in this story are the many disappointing answers that Keoni receives when he first begins his search for answers. Sadly, this is too often seen in our modern society- people who are too busy to sit down and have serious conversation with children. Keoni begins to feel rejected and pacified and the reader will soon feel great empathy to what he is going through.

Is there a way to tie your book topic to current events? If so, tell us about how you could do that. I have a blog to feature information and examples about tying books into current events that might be a good place for you to promote your book.

Keoni’s Big Question and it’s message is very important - now more than ever. Headlines and current events are becoming more fearful about the state of the world, the economy and the prophecy of the end of times. Children are especially sensitive to these things, they see their families worried about job loss, higher bills to pay, etc. This book helps them to realize there is a higher power to call upon. One that can instill peace and joy.

If there's anything else you would like to share, this is the time and place.

Watch for the Keoni’s Big Question book trailer in May.

I also have two more books that are coming out this year.

“Shamgar and the Ox Goad” is scheduled next. I am very excited about it! It is a very imaginative tale of the little known story of Shamgar, who was only mentioned twice in the Bible, yet greatly used of God. Taken from one verse in the book of Judges, this is a story of one man and how delivers Israel from the hand of the Philistines. This is the first volume in our Untold Heroes of the Bible series and is a powerful, intriguing story that teaches children the virtues of Godly character and faith.

“Momma, Am I Pretty?” is about a young girl who deals with her first experience of religious persecution and how the wisdom of her mother helps her through her emotional reaction. Illustrator and designer Robert Sauber is busy working on this project and we hope to have this one out by late summer.

Thank you for visiting with me and in closing, give us your website address and a link to order your book.

Thank you! It was my pleasure.

Keoni’s Big Question is available at :

Amazon.com - http://www.amazon.com/Keonis-Big-Question-Patti-Ogden/dp/098167836X

BarnesandNoble.com

Bookch.com.

I would like to invite readers to stop by our website.

Http://www.Capstone-Productions.com

Meet Heather Matthews - Author of Carolina

You have been invited to share your promotional experience with others.

Your Name: Heather Matthews

1. Where you are from and where are you now?

My name is Heather Matthews. I grew up in New Brunswick, Canada. I now live on the West Coast, in Vancouver. It rains now and then, but I love it.

2. How did you get started writing?

I started writing essays in school, and I was encouraged to write more. From the age of 8, I was writing stories on my own, but I tended to keep them private. As an adult, I developed the courage to share my work with the outside world. I began writing for magazines like Canadian Living, and doing freelance work for clients all over the world. Then I knew I was ready to start writing novels.

3. What do you do when you are not writing?

I’m a Mom, and I have a fourteen year old son named Jeremy. I enjoy spending a lot of time with him.

4. What would readers like to know about you?

I am a true romantic. I believe in love, and I feel inspired by the passion two people can share. I try to bring this spirit into my work.

5. What inspired your first book?

I’ve gone through hard times, just like my main character, Carrie Evans. I’ve felt the same heartache and the same doubts. But I have never given up on my dreams, and my heroine is just the same. I chose to write about a woman who rises up to great success, because I believe anything is possible.

6. How many books have you written?

I’ve written two.

7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they?

My first novel, Carolina (drama/romance), is coming out on March 27^th. My second novel, a magical adventure for young readers (Below The Sapphire Sea), will be released next October.

8. How do you decide on that topic or genre? Why are you specially qualified to write about this topic?

Anyone who has experienced love, with all its trials and tribulations, is probably qualified to write romance. However, I’ve spent years perfecting my craft through freelance work and short stories. I’ve devoted myself to creating truly memorable characters.

9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track when you’re writing a book?

I always get caught up in my stories, so it’s easy to stay on track. Sometimes I even dream about my characters.

10. Do you write to make money, for the love of writing or both?

I write because I have to. It’s my form of creative release. I would do it no matter what. I’m learning a lot about the publishing business, and my greatest hope is that I can reach a wide audience. If money comes from that, it will be a nice bonus.

11. What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used? Which were the
most successful?

My website is quite successful. I post all my freelance work on the site, along with some blog posts. I write about all kinds of things: astrology, parenting, phobias, current affairs, Hollywood…I get a fair bit of traffic to the site. People can see my book when they visit, and order it through a link I’ve set up.

12. What are some unique methods of marketing you have used? Which were the most successful?

I have found social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace are a fun way to promote. It’s not work to talk about my book when I’m chatting to good friends. Facebook is a great tool for writers, and a wonderful meeting ground for old and new friends.

13. Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not?

I sell the book through a link on my own website: www.heathermatthews.ca By clicking on my book cover, you can go straight to Amazon and pick up a copy.

14. Where can people order your books?

My book is available on Amazon.com. Target.com, and at www.cacoethespublishing.com. It will be available at Borders and Barnes & Noble websites in the near future.

15. What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc?

My book is available in e-book format, as well as print format.

16. Will you write more books?

I have already finished my second novel, and I’m definitely going to keep writing novels. It’s my favorite way to write.

17. What do you have in the works now?

I’m currently writing a novella. It’s a romance. And I’m sketching out some ideas for my third novel.

18. What does the future hold for you and your books?

Hopefully, my books will touch readers. Once they feel connected to my work, things will fall into place. I’m committed to getting better and better, so I can keep my bond with readers alive.

19. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?

Setting up a website has been very positive for me.

20. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?

It’s too early to tell. My book comes out on March 27^th. I’ve been selling pre-sale copies on Amazon, and I’m happy with the way things are going so far, but I’m bound to make some mistakes.

21. Tell us about your most recent book.

My first novel, Carolina, is a glitzy romance in the vein of Jacqueline Susann (The Valley Of The Dolls) and Judith Krantz (Princess Daisy). I’ve always enjoyed romance with a touch of Hollywood glitter, so I wrote about a poor girl, Carrie Evans, who endures hardship and heartbreak. Eventually, she becomes country music’s hottest new superstar – Carolina. Along the way, she meets Jacob Goldman, a record company executive who sees her true potential – and falls deeply in love. Unfortunately, he’s involved with Stella Davis, a country star of his own creation. And she doesn’t take kindly to competition.

22. What makes this book special to you?

I poured my whole heart and soul into this book. I tried to show a range of emotions, while maintaining a fast-paced story that features glamorous locales like LA, Memphis, and even Jamaica. Carrie’s journey is something any woman can relate to. We all have our dreams and desires, and you may find you care very much about her life after only a few pages.

23. What sort of comments have you gotten about the content of the book?

I’ve been told that the book has everything it needs to keep a reader turning the pages. Readers enjoyed the scope of emotions, the changes in scenery, and the believable characters. My editor expects my book to do well, and I hope it does.

24. What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

The book is very current. It had lots of pop culture references, and they give the novel a gritty, contextual feel. The main characters are well drawn and dimensional. Noone is a cookie-cutter stereotype. My characters make decisions that are good and bad, and they work through problems, just like real people do.

25. What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

This book will take you into another world, and it will allow you to live out the dreams we’ve all carried with us since childhood. For example, many of us have imagined ourselves living the life of a glamorous celebrity. For Carolina, this dream comes true, and we can live through her and feel all of her emotions.

26. What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I lose myself in my own stories, and they seem to take on a life of their own. When I go back and re-read my work, and enjoy my own story, I know I’ve done something right. This keeps my creativity flowing. Films, books, and music are also powerful creative tools for me. I would recommend that any fledgling writer set up a little creative time each day, surrounded by music and other things that inspire beautiful words and imagery.

27. What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

It comes from the heart. I would write, even if I were the richest woman on earth. I think most authors feel the same way.

28. Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

I’ve done all the typical things, such as setting up a personal website: www.heathermatthews.cawww.toptenz.net. By writing interesting material, and putting a big ad for my book on the bottom (through the kindness of my employers), I’ve found a wider audience for my work.

29. If a potential reader thinks that your book wouldn't interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy? I'm thinking something better than "Its the greatest book ever." Give me something more specific :)

My book isn’t a typical romance, and yet it’s very romantic. There is passion and longing, but also a lot of other feelings. Depression, jealousy, and grief also surface in the book. One character struggles with addiction, just as so many people do in the “real world”. Another suffers tragedy that scars her from within. There are many areas to explore in the human heart, and I try to touch on all of that in this book. It’s a little deeper than some romances, and it may touch you for this reason.

30. Why does the topic of your book interest you? Why would it interest potential readers?

Give us a hook to reel in new readers. In the age of American Idol, America loves contests and competitions. My character becomes involved in a huge competition, and it’s exciting to read about it from the “inside”. If you love shows like American Idol, you’ll enjoy Carolina.

Meet David S Brody Author of Cabal of the Westford Knight: Templars at the Newport Tower

Tell us the book title and your author name.

Cabal of the Westford Knight: Templars at the Newport Tower, by David S. Brody

What inspired the book?

As a resident of Westford, Massachusetts, I had long known of the legend of the Westford Knight (Scottish explorers visiting Westford in 1398 and carving an effigy in stone in Westford to commemorate the death of a fallen comrade). As I researched the subject further, I realized there is other evidence in New England that corroborates this legend. Further, the legend is consistent with many European sources. This hidden history is a story that needed to be told.

What makes this book special to you?

The research. It is truly fascinating, almost addictive. The artifacts and sites speak to us from 600 years ago. I feel like I’ve been looking through a window into our hidden history, and now I get to share my findings with the public through my book.

What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

I’m not sure I would use the word, “must.” But I will say that anyone who enjoys historical fiction, anyone who likes books that allow them to learn about history while at the same time being entertained, “should” read this book. Not to belabor the point, but it really does give readers an opportunity to learn about a fascinating, hidden history involving medieval exploration of America.

What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

Anyone who enjoyed The Da Vinci Code really needs to read this, as it turns out the medieval exploration of North America is directly related to the families, themes and sites discussed by Dan Brown in his book. To be specific, I’m talking about the Knights Templar, the Jesus bloodline families, the Freemasons, so-called “paganism” within the Church, Roslyn Chapel—they all play an important part in who came to North America in the late 1300s and why.

What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?

More than anything else, I think passion sparks creativity. Everyone has something they are passionate about, something that will get them up early in the morning or make them take that long walk into the woods. That’s what aspiring authors should write about.

What has been the biggest stumbling block in your writing? Can you share some tips to help others get past similar problems?

I have a rule: I never let a day go by without working on the book I am writing. If I’m not actually writing, I’m researching or editing, even if for only a half hour. In that way my brain never disengages from the story. It has really helped me avoid writer’s block, helped me avoid putting the project down and then not picking it up for weeks or months at a time.

What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

For me, my family is big into reading. We always had books in the house, always viewed reading as the best form of entertainment. I think everyone has a creative streak in them—literature was a natural venue in which to express mine.

Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

My first book, Unlawful Deeds, is a legal thriller that turns on a series of real estate transactions. It has an obvious appeal to real estate attorneys and paralegals. I used to go into the county registries of deeds, where closings were held, and tape promotional flyers on the tables where buyers and sellers transacted the closings. It worked pretty well—the book became a bestseller.

FICTION - If there is a setting, tell us how you decided on that setting and what you did to create a complete and vivid setting for your readers?

The characters in the book travel across New England researching and investigating the medieval sites and artifacts much as I did when researching the book. Of course, they do so while being hunted down by enemies trying to keep this hidden history a secret. Nobody was trying to kill me while I was doing my research!

FICTION - What inspires you about the hero or heroine in your book? What makes them memorable for the reader? What motivates the hero and/or heroine? You can include information about both if you want.

Both Cameron and Amanda, the hero and heroine in the story, are at sort of a crossroads point in their lives. That makes them open to new ideas and new adventures. And also open to a possible romance.

FICTION - Is there a villain or something that causes friction in your story? Tell us about what or who it is and how that contributes to the story. Any details about conflict and friction is good information to know.

There are a couple of different villains in the story, but I’m especially happy the way the Salazar character turned out. He is a hired assassin who between assignments is a doting and loving single father to his young daughter. He has the same dreams and concerns and feelings as any parent—the only difference being he kills people for a living. Despite what he does for work, it’s hard to dislike him.

If there's anything else you would like to share, this is the time and place.

As you can probably tell, I’m very passionate about this story! If readers would like to see the sites and artifacts that I talk about in my book, they can go to my blogspot: http://westfordknight.blogspot.com/ . Many so-called experts believe these are all modern-day hoaxes or forgeries. I strongly disagree, and invite readers to reach their own conclusions.

Thank you for visiting with me and in closing, give us your website address and a link to order your book.

My website is www.davidbrodybooks.com

The link to purchase the book on Amazon is:

www.amazon.com/Cabal-Westford-Knight-Templars-Newport/dp/0977389871/