This week’s guest poster is author Viv Drewa, the Owl Lady.  Check out her answers to these interview questions 🙂

Interview

with Viv Drewa

Q01 – When did you decide you wanted to become a writer?

When I was 9-years-old I read a book that made me want to be a writer. It was “The Whistling Sword” by James Robert Green.

I was so impressed by how he used true people in fiction. I bought the book from a library that closed just to have it.

Q02 – Are there any authors who inspire you?

I’ve read so many authors, and different genre’s that I’d need quite a few pages to list them.

Q03 – What is your dream goal for your writing?

I just want to write.

Q04 – What is the title (or working title) of your current manuscript and can you tell us a little bit about it?

“Call of the Owl” (A Joe Leverette Mystery, Book 2”. It picks up where “Midnight Owl” (A Joe Leverette Mystery, Book 1) leaves off.

It’s about two detectives who work on solving a murder where the people who dream about the murder are also being murdered.

Book 1 is currently with a new publisher and due out this year.

Q05 – How long have you been working on this manuscript?

About one year.

I’ve also started working for “The Owl Branch” where we help promote authors.

Q06 – Do you plan your stories or just leap into the writing?

I like to plan them. The idea comes to me and I write an outline for the chapters and make changes as I go along.

Q07 – Do you have a writing routine?

Not really. I just sit and write when I have the time during the week. I do most of my writing during the weekend.

Q08 – What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?

I don’t get writer’s block, but I get what I call writer’s barrage. I get to a scene then have so many ideas to get to the next one. Lol.

Q09 – What are your thoughts on Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing?

I think it’s great! There are so many fantastic books out there and I’m glad to be part of it. I’ve tried getting an agent and it’s depressing to get the ‘thanks but no thanks’ letters.

Q10 – What is the single best piece of advice you could give to new writers?

READ!!!

Know your genre or genres, and what’s selling.

Q11 – Are there any authors you would love to meet in person?

Anne McCaffery, John Sandford, Stephen King, Anne Rice, Georgette Hayer, and Mya Angelo

Q12 – Tells us why you love writing

I love writing, creating characters and the situations they are involved in. What I really love is the research I have to do for each book.

About Viv

I am a Michigan native who has enjoyed reading and writing since 1963. Though I studied medicinal chemistry at the University of Michigan my passion has always been writing.

I had been awarded third place for her nonfiction short story about my grandfather’s escape from Poland. Later, rewrote this story and was published in the “Polish American Journal” as “”From the Pages of Grandfather’s Life” and has republished it on Amazon.com as a short story. I will be working on making a novella in the near future.

I took creative and journalism courses to help transition to fulfil my dream of becoming a writer. I worked as an intern for Port Huron’s ‘The Times Herald”, and also wrote, edited and did the layout for the Blue Water Multiple Sclerosis newsletters “Thumb Prints.”

My passion is teaching sewing to physically and mentally disabled adults.

I also write two blogs promoting my fellow authors.

The Owl of the Sipan Lord

Martin and Clare Montgomery worked together as an archaeological team until Martin mysteriously died.

Fearing the rumors of a curse Clare vowed to never return that was until a blue-eyed spirit and a small owl began to haunt her dreams.

Was this a sign from her beloved Martin or something more sinister?

Buy the book

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Thanks to Viv who participated in this week’s guest post.  I will be back on my usual slot (Friday 18:30 BST) with a new article.

Happy writing

Ari