Choices Meant for Kings

We're lucky enough to have Sandy Lender back with us today for a blog tour for her next book, Choices Meant for Kings.

I always love getting a sneak peek into authors' lives, so Sandy's been kind enough to answer some of my questions. Lucky you, you'll get to eavesdrop on our conversation:

When did you first decide to become a writer?

I started on this dream of being a writer when I was a little kid. I used to write stories for my great grandmother and she’d share them with folks in her apartment building. I like to say I wrote my first speculative fiction story when I was six or seven because one of those stories was about a spider that ended up haunting an old lady.

Ah. My beautiful great grandmother always supported my dreams and goals. She didn’t just share a six-year-old’s stories around a building, you know. I could devote an entire blog to her.

Tell us a bit about your road to publication.

That road is paved with frozen tears. Mwuahahahahaha. Seriously, I finished CHOICES MEANT FOR GODS the summer of 2003 and announced such at the summer Duran Duran party. My friend Steve Thomas said, “Now you need to get an agent.” An agent.

So I did some research online and bought that Herman book about agents. (Note the importance of that in this story…) I found a couple agents in that book who A) claimed they handled fantasy works, B) claimed they accepted new clients, and C) claimed they accepted writers who hadn’t been published before. I researched those further online and figured out which one seemed fabulous for me. I mean, she looked like the IDEAL agent for me to work with. We would totally click. I wrote a fabulous query letter according to all the research I was doing, mailed it to her with the SASE, and got a reply back requesting the first three chapters. I WAS ELATED. So I sent that to her formatted exactly the way her Web site said to.

The night that I got her “I’m just not suitably excited to represent you properly” rejection in the mail, I cried as if someone had killed my best friend. When the guy I was married to at the time got home from work, he found me sitting in the living room floor, leaning against the couch with the mail strewn out around me, a tumbler of amaretto in my hand, a box of tissues with wadded-up-used Kleenexes salting the carpet in a trail everywhere I’d been in the house, and sobbing quietly into the couch cushions. He was stunned, to say the least. I don’t remember if I waved the rejection letter at him or just pointed to it, but I said, “I got a rejection from (fill in name here).” I think he said, “I’m sorry,” before he tucked his tail between his legs and slunk off down the hall to his den and closed the door with a quiet click against the insanity unfolding in the house.

But, you know…the next day…I started researching who to send a new query letter off to. The thing is, I figured out on my own that getting a literary agent wasn’t the way I was going to get my foot in the publishing industry door. I stopped the query-rejection-letter blues a couple months into the exercise. After moving to Florida in 2006, I attended the Naples Press Club’s annual writer’s conference where I had a pitch session with Bob Gelinas of ArcheBooks Publishing. Pow. The dream came true!

That's a wonderfully inspiring story and points out that persistence is the key. All of us have been down the rejection path, but isn't it wonderful when you find an editor or agent and you click? (For all you as-yet-unpublished authors, don't give up hope. Someday that "click" will be yours too.)

Now on to some nuts-and-bolts writing questions. How do you come up with your ideas? And what do you do when you face writer’s block?

My ideas come from anything and everything. People at Wal-mart really have to start being more careful around me…they’re turning into comic relief characters. Even though I can write under any conditions and at the drop of a hat, I know I have certain triggers that will get ideas flowing “on command.” When I was preparing for a recent timed contest, I set up my writing “area” with comfy pillows and certain candles and ornate bookends around my reference books and paintings of the type of dragon I wanted in the story and specific, moody songs on my iTunes.

Luckily, writer’s block is not something I have to deal with. I’ve heard other writers complain about it, but…you know…it’s just not in me. My brain is too full of bizarre crap. And funky dreams. I swear, I have vivid, bizarre, four-color, sometimes violent dreams. That’s why I keep a notebook and several pens next to the bed.

My author friend Jamieson Wolf has a non-fiction book that’s a guidebook for writers. It includes a chapter on preparing what he has coined an “idea jar.” It’s a fantastic idea that he’s come up with if you fear writer’s block may catch up to you some day. I hope he doesn’t mind me sharing this, because I’m giving away a majority of that chapter here, but you essentially write down ideas or characters or concepts that bombard you during your ultra creative times and stuff them in an “idea jar” for use during those dry spells. You can find Jamieson’s writer’s guidebook (as well as a ton of his fiction work) at his site www.jamiesonwolf.com.

What’s your typical writing day like?

I don’t think I get typical writing days. Now, having said that, I do work as the editor for a construction magazine, so I write (and edit) for that on a daily basis. Even that, though, requires writing some days, interviewing people and discussing article ideas some days, editing and assembling things some days, etc. For sure, every day, whether I’m going to write, edit, or do marketing work, the day starts with offering appeasement to the birds. I have companion parrots who are pretty smart, so they need puzzles and games to keep them occupied during the day. So the day starts with treats and foraging puzzles for the birds. The work day ends with me diving into marketing adventures. Then I write before I pass out at night. There are myriad other tasks in between all that stuff. That’s sort of a “general” writing day if not typical…

What hobbies do you have besides writing?

What? Besides writing? I don’t think I understand…He he he. To be serious, I’m passionate about sea turtle conservation (check the links section of my Web site to see the link to the group I volunteer with), Charlotte Bronte and her sisters (because they are amazing and awe-inspiring), Duran Duran (because they have provided the soundtrack for my life), companion parrots (because mine rule my life and provide TONS of entertainment), and probably many other things I’m neglecting to mention. You can become my friend on Facebook and see “some” of the craziness…

What books are you reading now?

Dragon in Chains by Daniel Fox; The Exodus Gate by Stephen Zimmer; Facets of Fantasy by Sarah Scheele; The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein

If you could be anyone throughout history or in the present day, who would you choose, and why?

You know…I’m kinda struggling with this. I don’t think I want to “be” anyone else. I don’t even want to say “Chariss” from my novels because I know what she has yet to go through.

Sounds as if you're content with your life as it is, Sandy. A rare and wonderful gift. :-)

What’s one secret that no one knows about you?

This isn’t really a secret, and my parents know it, but when I was in like second or third grade, I wanted to set up a science section in my room. I wanted to have a microscope and telescope and science books and gems and stuff.

What one question would you like to ask the readers of the blog?

I have a presence on tons of Web sites and book-buying sites. I’d like to do more than ask where readers like to go to look for new authors or new books…I’d like to ask which sites you guys trust to give you good info about the author and the book? Thanks for sharing your opinions!

Thank you for a great interview, Lily. Good questions…my poor brain is really getting a workout on this tour! I hope your visitors are very kind with their follow-up questions, and I hope they weigh in with their opinions on book-buying sites they trust for info. Thanks for the opp to ask!

“Some days, you just want the dragon to win.”

You're welcome. And readers, why not leave some answers for Sandy and give yourself a chance to win a copy of her latest book, Choices Meant for Kings.

To whet your appetite, I've included a blurb and excerpt below:

BLURB:

Chariss is in danger. Her geasa is hampered by the effects of a friend’s marriage. The dashing Nigel Taiman hides something from her, yet demands she stay at his family’s estate where he and her wizard guardian intend to keep her safe. But the sorcerer Lord Drake and Julette The Betrayer know she’s there, and their monstrous army marches that way.

When prophecies stack up to threaten an arrogant deity, Chariss must choose between the dragon that courts her and the ostracized kings of the Southlands for help. Evil stalks her at every turn and madness creeps over the goddess who guides her. Can an orphan-turned-Protector resist the dark side of her heritage? Or will she sacrifice all to keep her god-charge safe?

A Tense Little Excerpt From Choices Meant for Kings

By fantasy author Sandy Lender

http://www.authorsandylender.com

You won’t find this excerpt anywhere except Sandy’s current online book tour…

As the soldier stepped toward him, Nigel reached out his arm and caught him by the neck. He slammed the captain against the far wall. He pinned him there with his body, leaning against the man as if he could crush the wind from him with his presence.

He brought his face close to the soldier’s ear and spoke lowly, fiercely, so that no one could have overheard him. The menace and intent behind the words was as surprising to the captain as the words themselves.

“I asked you to accompany [Chariss] on this journey tomorrow because I have faith in your sword, and until this moment I trusted you to keep your distance from her. Now, I find her down here at your side with a look upon your face that suggests more than you realize. So help me, Naegling, the only thing that stays my hand is how displeased she would be if she learned that I sliced you open.”

“The look you see is merely my concern for her honor. Nothing more.”

“I’m not a fool. And I’ll use every last piece of Arcana’s treasury to pay the prophets to justify my reasons for marrying that woman, so you can unconcern yourself with her honor.”

Hrazon stepped off the staircase then and saw Nigel pressed against his guard.

“I still believe you’re one of the best soldiers Arcana’s ever seen,” Nigel continued, “and I want you at her side for this journey, but, so help me, Naegling, she comes back alive and well and not confused in the least about her affections for me, or I will string you up from a tree in the orchard and attach your intestines to your horse’s saddle before I send it—”

Hrazon cleared his throat. “Excuse me. Is there an issue here I should address?”

World-building for Writers

Today C.L. Talmadge, author of the Green Stone of Healing® series, is joining us today to share about how she does world-building. For anyone who wants to create a fantasy or sci-fi, these techniques are powerful, but even those who are writing contemporary or historical can pick up some tips.

Let's welcome C.L. and find out her insider secrets:

Creating Different Worlds

By C.L. Talmadge

Creating a different world, whether for fantasy, sci-fi, paranormal romance, or any other speculative fiction, is not all that different from creating a contemporary setting for a novel of the here and now.

This “other” world cannot be so different or unusual that readers do not relate to or understand it. In fact, most of the elements of this different world will be very similar if not the same as elements of the world we know.

It’s the exceptions that mark a world out as alternative, or speculative.

One such exception might be the world’s technology. Yet-to-be seen gadgetry is usually the star of hardcore sci-fi, but not always. The Dune series, for example, boasts scads of way-out technology, but it always takes a back seat to the story and the characters. Maybe that’s why it has been such an enduring bestseller. Few readers are satisfied with nothing but pages filled with dissertations on future technology.

In my speculative epic, the Green Stone of Healing® series, much of the technology is similar to what we know now. There are cell phones (links), the Internet (the Grid), mobile computers called Gridbooks, and mechanized transportation (helicopters are called rotors). But there is also what I call spiritual technology based on the ability to perceive and manipulate something called kura (energy defined somewhat differently than sciences does).

In the past, this spiritual technology was the basis of the power of the dominant people in my series, the Toltecs. Most Toltecs are not aware that they live in a society that is not progressing or evolving. Instead, it is regressing, especially in technology. The ability to manipulate kura via thoughts and feelings gave the Toltecs transportation technology that was clean and needed no fuel to operate. These machines are called impellers. But they abused their powers and thus lost the ability to manufacture more of this technology. A lot of the plot later in the series hinges on this regression.

Another way to establish a speculative world is through its economy. What do people do for a living? How is their profit-making organized? This, of course, is closely related to politics. So, think about how this speculative society is organized. Is it tribal and rural? Urban and nation-state? Some blend of the two or something else altogether? Keep in mind our world today displays a wide range of ways to organize people, even if we divide politically into countries. Some nations are more coherent and homogenous than others.

In my series, the predominant setting is an island-nation called Azgard. It is a monarchy but there is a legislative body that the ruler, called the Exalted Lord, must consult. Much conflict and thus plot arises out of the power struggle between the king and this group, known as the Kinshazen.

This legislative body, however, does not represent all the people of Azgard. It consists only of the heads of the families that comprise the oligarchy that controls the nation’s wealth. Poor Toltecs and the Turanians, the conquered and dispossessed people of Azgard, have no political power and no representation. They fare little better than serfs. Later in the series a lot of action and conflict will arise out of this situation as future heroines seek to right this inequity.

Language is still another way to establish otherworldliness. The first-generation protagonist of my series, Helen Andros, is fluent in three languages. They are Atalan, the language of her mother’s people, the Turanians; Terzil, the language of the Toltecs, her father’s people, and Kydosh, the language of a vassal state far to the East of Azgard. Even the simple acts of naming a different language and providing a few words in that strange tongue helps imbue your setting with an otherworldly aura.

Last but not least, the characters help set the stage for a different world. Sometimes they are simply not human beings, like the mystical, alien mist-Weavers in my series. Aliens, elves, dwarves, werewolves, vampires are one dramatic way to establish a speculative world. But then, some of these nonhumans pop up in thoroughly contemporary settings, too.

Even the human characters, however, can contribute to the fantasy atmosphere by their beliefs and expectations about life and their world. They do not necessarily have an old-fashioned sensibility, but they are not totally modern or post-modern, either. In my series, for example, forget about women’s rights. Females are treated like chattel in Azgard, and my strong-willed first-generation heroine pretty much accepts her lot, even if she does not like it. Her warrior daughter, however, will raise an ungodly stink about it. Since my series is set in a theocracy, my characters’ religious beliefs and their national origin mythology are critical and very much interrelated.

Numerous ways exist to set a world apart and imbue it with a sense of otherness. Just don’t go so far afield that an audience cannot find some way to connect the characters and events they read about to their own lives.

C.L. Talmadge is the author of the Green Stone of Healing® speculative epic. The fourth in the series, Outcast, will be published Oct. 1. Vote for the first book, The Vision, through Sept. 25 and get a free e-book on healing, love, and spirituality. Details at her blog: www.healingstonebooks.com/stonescribe

Thanks so much for joining us C.L. You've given us a lot to think about. Readers who comment on the blog tour also have an opportunity to win the series of books. So leave a comment for C.L. or share your own techniques for world-building. If you're a reader rather than a writer, what's your favorite world and why?

Green Stone of Healing

Author C.L. Talmadge will be my guest on September 6 for another in this series of authors discussing their writing. Here's what one reviewer had to say about an earlier book in the series:

"Exceptional job of writing, and keeping this story tightly together in a genre that is certainly difficult to do such, our author is top-notch," Shirley P. Johnson writes about Fallout in Midwest Book Review. "If you love an intense read, packed with sinister power seekers, grueling heartless characters, yet laced with mystical moments, the lure of peace and healing, and the hope that goodness will prevail, this read is for you."

The Green Stone of Healing® fictional epic explores what happens when politics and piety collide in an island nation called Azgard. Theocrats plot to impose total control over Azgard but end up destroying their country and much of the rest of the world. The series portrays four generations of strong-willed heroines who use their mysterious gem to offer a healing, inclusive alternative to the hate-filled bigotry of religious tyrants. Books One through Three are released, with the release of Book Four to be announced.

And if you'd like a chance to win not just one, but three books, Candace will be giving away an autographed set of her books in the series to one randomly drawn commenter from the tour, so come have your say. You might be the lucky winner!

Writing Memorable Characters

Diane Craver, author of Whitney in Charge, who's joining us today, has agreed to share her insights on writing characters. She obviously has had a lot of experience with that because she's a multi-published author. Here's a bit about her latest release:

TV producer Whitney Benson is tired of her older sisters’ attempts to fix her up with every single male they meet. Shannon and Regan cross the line when they arrange for her to go skydiving with the simple excuse that more guys like to float in the air than women.

Whitney meets two eligible bachelors, Jack and Ben, who constantly battle for her affection. Which one will she choose? Both men make Whitney realize, even a heart shattered by her husband’s death, can once again be made whole.

But did she have to fall off a cliff to learn that?

Intriguing, right? So let's take a sneak peek at two of Diane's characters:

When the fireworks went off to celebrate a Reds homerun above the Ohio River, the crowd roared and clapped. Whitney let herself be caught up in the enthusiasm, jumping up from her seat to clap and whoop, cupping her palms around her mouth. She sat down, laughing, enjoying herself more than she had in a long time. When Jack had invited Whitney to go to a baseball game on Wednesday, she’d hesitated even though she loved going to the stadium. They’d just gone out Saturday night. She wanted to take things slow and easy. But, in the end, she’d said yes.

And she was so glad she did.

Who was she kidding? She wanted to wrap her arms around him and kiss him until neither one of them could think or breathe. But she couldn’t smother his lips with hers during a baseball game. She took a quick glance at Jack. Regan was right – he did look a lot like Matthew McConaughey. She wondered if McConaughey also loved baseball.

Jack tugged on her visor. “Hey, you look pretty cute in this cap.”

She took a bite of her nachos and cheese. “I like the eating part a lot at games.”

Jack glanced at the boy sitting a couple rows in front of them munching on a box of popcorn. The delicious aroma of popcorn and butter drifted up to them. “I might have to buy popcorn, too.”

“Please help me eat the nachos first.”

He dipped a chip in the cheese, popping it in his mouth. He smacked his fingertips between his lips, licking off the melted cheese and salt. “I wish you hadn’t paid for the beer.”

“You bought the tickets. I wanted to pay for something.” She licked warm cheese off her finger. “So did you rescue any cliff climbers today?”

“Nope. I only rescue beautiful women on Mondays.”

“I’ll have to remember that. Since the pool’s open now and if it’s not too cold, we can go swimming after the game.” Why did she blurt that invitation out to him? Could she handle him if he got too intimate? She hated taking a step forward, then a step back again, but she was just confused about what she wanted from Jack.

“I’ll have to go home to get my trunks first.”

“I have several suits in different sizes.”

Jack smiled at her. “Do you collect trunks from your guests?”

She laughed. “No. Unless my mom did. People used to drop in a lot, and she’d invite them to go swimming with us. They didn’t have their suits. Mom bought a few girls’ suits and women’s and men’s in different sizes.”

“Bases are loaded. Bring them home.” Jack patted her knee. “Isn’t this fun? I love the Reds.”

“You’re right. This is fun. I’m glad you─”

“Hey, the kissing cam’s on us.” Jack wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close, covering her mouth with his.

She’d forgotten how they had a kissing camera to zero in on couples and when it happened, the pair usually waved or kissed each other.

She enjoyed kissing Jack back and hated it when he stopped. “You didn’t need to stop because the camera’s no longer on us.”

“I don’t want to spoil you.”

It occurred to her why he wanted her to switch T-shirts before the game. “You gave me a Reds’ t-shirt to wear to increase our chances of getting on the kissing cam.”

He shrugged. “Ben already got you on TV when you fell. I had to get you on TV again. I didn’t want you to think I’m a slacker here. And I managed it without you falling out of your seat.”

“We can’t have you being a slacker.” She glanced down at her red shirt. “Do I get to keep this shirt?”

“Only if you get me a baseball cap like yours?”

“This one was my dad’s, but it’s a deal.”

So let's find out some of her secrets about how to write characters:

One of the hardest things to do in writing is to create characters that readers will care about, and will want to read on. You can have a well-written novel but if the editors, agents or readers don’t care that much about your characters, you won’t get very far.

A Memorable Character should have the following attributes:

1. A strong, independent personality.
2. Believable motivation.
3. Consistent behavior.
4. Imagination.
5. Courage to take the initiative.
6. A bigger-than-life image.
7. Human traits - good and bad.

The above traits will develop over the character’s life. In other words, a character usually doesn’t begin her or his novel life having all 7 attributes.

Each writer has their own system in creating their characters. I jot down as much information about each main character as possible - eye color, hair color, and write down a goal for each one. Some authors are more detailed in their approach and use a chart method, filling in vital information. Mine is more a narrative approach. You need to know your characters very well so that you can make them real to the readers.

Character description shouldn’t stop the action. The writer needs to convey description without stopping the flow. I try not to convey description by saying the character stopped and looked in the mirror at his or her appearance. Boring!

A pet peeve of mine is when a writer tries too hard to be different in naming their characters. If the names are hard to remember or I can’t pronounce them, I will become annoyed. But you don’t want to use Mary Doe or John Smith either. Poor usage of character names may signal an amateur writer. Switching between first and last names makes it hard for a reader to learn a new character. For example, referring to a character as “Mary Doe” in the first sentence, then “Mrs. Doe” in the second, then “Mary” in the third will confuse the reader, especially if there are many characters in the scene.

There are drives, strong feelings, and motivations that are common to all of us. We all need to be loved, to get recognition, and to know who we are. When any one of these basic drives is blocked, there is conflict. When you have conflict, whether it is physical, psychological, or spiritual, you have one of the fundamental elements of all fiction. Conflict is what drives fiction. Without conflict, there is no action or reaction.

I love to research occupations for my characters because it’s fun to write about jobs I have never had. Although I was a teacher before starting our family, Mallory is the only teacher I have for a main character. I’ve used teaching careers for secondary characters. I’ve gone to the library to get books on occupations used for characters, but I also have used the internet for a lot of my background information. I did buy a used book from Amazon on broadcasting for my Whitney in Charge book. I enjoyed reading how a TV program is produced.

It’s not good to launch into the story without stopping to establish any of the characters. In many “high concept” novels, a heated scene occurs immediately without the readers knowing anything about the characters. Readers have to know something about the characters to care what happens to them before the exciting scene happens. The characters are the plot - their needs, wishes, developments. Their introduction and establishment should be the most important. Introducing too many characters in the beginning pages will confuse the reader.

I pay close attention to those around me in my daily life. I remember any interesting or unusual traits or habits that I can use for my characters. Observation is important for a writer. Also what might be interesting to me may not be to someone else. I consider what makes a character intriguing to others. I try to avoid cliché traits and to create unique characters.

While reading or writing, what kind of characters do you enjoy the most?

Readers, answer Diane's question or just leave a comment about her book or this blog and you'll be in the running for a free copy of the book. And a bonus: All this week, I'm picking one commenter to win an e-copy of my book, Spark of Magic. Will YOU be one of the lucky winners? Leave a comment and see...

Upcoming Surprises

I've been globetrotting and just returned, but have 3 wonderful surprises coming up soon--visits from 3 different romance writers who will be sharing writing tips.

Here's the fun lineup:

August 14 -- Clare Austin's debut novel Butterfly, the first of in the Fadó trilogy

August 15 -- Lorhainne Eckhardt's debut novel The Captain's Lady

August 20 -- Christine Clemetson, author of A Daughter's Promise

Tomorrow I'll post blurbs and additional information, but for now, I hope this whets your appetite.

Gift from Australia

Wow! I just got the coolest bookmark ever from Giulietta Jones, author of Daredevil and Dormouse, a laugh-out loud romantic comedy from The Wild Rose Press. She sent it from Australia, and it's in the shape of a kangaroo--a 3-D kangaroo. Its little head peeks out over the top of the book. It's absolutely adorable. I now have a new pet that doesn't need to be fed.

And she sent it 'cos I mentioned on a review site how much I loved her book. Somehow it seems the gifts should be flowing the other way around. I mean, she sends me a gift for reading her hilarious Daredevil and Dormouse? That was a gift already!

But thanks ever so much, Giulietta!! You made my day--TWICE!

A Reminder

Spring is in the air. For some seasonal fun, come back the second week of April to learn more about my 3-second cleaning solution & win some prizes. Even better, the third week of April, I'll be interviewing author Cate Masters. Another interview you won't want to miss! And remember April 4 is the Medallion Press author broadcast (see below for more details).

Come join a group of romance authors in celebration of spring. Enter to win a prize a day as well as the grand prize on the last day. All you need do is begin at Silver James' blog on April 1st at http://www.silverjames.com/. Silver will host the day's contest and provide the link to the next day's location. Don't forget to enter to win the grand prize! Here's the dirt...

A TISKET A TISKET, PUT ROMANCE IN YOUR BASKET Grand Prize:
To enter to win prizes from the authors donating treasures to the grand prize (see each day's post for what an author is donating to the grand prize), find the four Easter eggs in the A TISKET A TISKET, PUT ROMANCE IN YOUR BASKET blog event.

You will be searching for an egg like the one above (see April 9 post). Just visit all of the authors' websites, locate the 4 eggs, make a list of their locations by pasting the urls to the website pages in an e-mail, then send the entry to happyendings2007@aol.com by midnight CST on May 1st, 2009. The winner will be randomly drawn and announced May 2nd at http://blog.skhyemoncrief.com. Tip #1, subscribe to http://blog.skhyemoncrief.com to learn if you're the winner! And don't worry. If you start on the blog event late, just head back to Silver James' blog on or after April 1st at http://www.silverjames.com/ to begin your website search for the Easter eggs. Don't miss the fun! See you next to the burgundy tulips.

Coming Soon...Thy Kingdom Come

Wow!! Today I’m interviewing Don Helin, author of Thy Kingdom Come. His book is coming out in March from Medallion Press. You can check it out here: http://www.medallionpress.com/authors/helin.html. (For a sneak preview, check the Medallion Press website after March 1, 2009, to read the first 3 chapters. Once you start, I guarantee you won't want to stop reading.)

Don, Thanks for joining us on the blog today. It’s great to have you here. This is your first book, but I’m sure we can look forward to many Sam Thorpe adventures in the future. I'm curious. Did you always have a taste for adventure? What was your childhood like?

I had a pretty average childhood. Loved sports (football and basketball). My dad wanted to make sure we saw the U.S., so each summer we'd head off someplace else.

I guess all that traveling got into your blood. You and your wife have also taken some adventurous/exciting trips. Can you tell us about a few of the most unusual?

We have enjoyed cross-country skiing in Canada and the northern U.S., biking in various places in the U.S., and hiking. The most unusual trip (and one of the most fun) was a dog sledding trip to northern Minnesota. The dogs love to run and once they start out, you as the driver just have to hang on. The trails are narrow, and some of the hills are steep, so there are lots of challenges.

Where do you plan to go next? And why?

I'd like to go biking in France or Italy. I try and pick spots I'll enjoy as well as great places to research the next Sam Thorpe novel.

Speaking of Sam, I think everyone wonders how much an author has in common with the hero of his book. In what ways are you and Sam Thorpe alike? Different?

Sam and I both grew up in Minneapolis and went to the University of Minnesota. I had a pretty normal childhood, while Sam ran away from home at fourteen. He played football at the university; I never made it that far. We both served in the military.

You seem to have a knack for putting Sam into perilous circumstances. What is the most dangerous situation you ever faced?

During my time in Vietnam, we would experience rocket attacks on our compound. The danger was you never knew where the rockets would land.

So you obviously write some of Sam’s adventures from firsthand experience. I know that some of Thy Kingdom Come is taken from your work in Washington, DC. From your experience with the Anti-Terrorism task force there, what would you say is the greatest danger facing America today?

I hate to say it, but I think we're too quick on the trigger. Military force should be used only as a last resort. Most military guys will tell you it's not an exact science, and people get hurt and killed in wars. It has to be worth it.

Washington wasn’t the only place you’ve lived and worked. You’ve moved pretty often in your military career. Of all the places you were stationed, which was your favorite, and why? Ditto for the least favorite.

Probably my favorite place was Fort Carson, Colorado, located right outside of Colorado Springs; the Rocky Mountains make it one of the most beautiful places in the world. I enjoyed each assignment, so no least favorite. Probably my tour in Vietnam would be closest, although that is a beautiful country.

Can we get a sneak peek into your writing life? With all your traveling, moving, etc., how do you find time to write? What’s your usual writing routine? And how long did it take you to write & sell Thy Kingdom Come?

I'm a morning person so I try and get three or four hours in, then go outside for a run. I try to tie travels into writing. Take my writing stuff with me. I just got back from Puerto Rico and hope to make that country a site for Sam's following adventure. There were a lot of rejections before Medallion Press bought Thy Kingdom Come (about four years worth).

And now you’re hard at work on the next book in what hopefully will become a many-volume series. What can you tell us about the sequel to Thy Kingdom Come?

In Sam's second story, he is faced by Vietnamese men taking retribution for the massacre at My Lai forty years ago. [I’ve been lucky enough to get a sneak peek at this sequel called, Sons of My Lai, and it’s guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat—with murders, political intrigue, kidnappings, and a cast of unique (and sometimes humorous) personalities.]

So, Don, has getting published changed your writing and/or your writing life in any ways?

I'm spending a whole lot more time marketing and promoting my novel. If the books don't sell, the publisher isn't interested in another one. [With a fast-paced adventure such as Thy Kingdom Come, I doubt you’ll have a problem selling books. I wouldn’t be surprised to see your name on the bestseller list shortly.]

As you move into the realm of superstars, do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Join writers groups and go to conferences. Learn the craft as well as the business of writing. Pick the brains of the folks who have done well. Join a critique group. You need a good group to work with you and tell you where you need to improve. I believe my group, of which Lily is a member, has been a driving factor in my publication. The key is to never give up.

You’ve obviously reached one of your big dreams with the debut of Thy Kingdom Come. And I know there are sequels in the works (Sons of My Lai, for instance), but can you share any of your other dreams/hopes with us?

The key is to keep improving. As much as I enjoy Thy Kingdom Come, I suspect I'll look back one day and shudder at some of the mistakes I made.

For those who want to know more:

I hope everyone will go to my website, www.donhelin.com to get more information on Thy Kingdom Come, me, and where I'll be. Thanks for the chance to be here and please drop me an email to let me know how you enjoyed the book and things you wish I'd done differently.

Thanks, Don! Best of luck with those book sales!