Keely Interviewed on The Huffington Post

I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Kate Fisher for Huff Post Books. Read the article here.

Author Interview Series: Writers’ Quirks Featuring Sophie Ann Russell

Today on Writers' Quirks I'm interviewing author Sophie Ann Russell. 

Thanks for joining me, Sophie. What's your latest project?
The Story of Jason Griffin – Book I: Tales of the Two Servants 

I have a few quirky questions for you, so let's jump right in.

Have you ever fallen in love with one of your characters?
I have, and they are someone very bad. Very bad indeed. But because of the amount of depth they have to them as a character, I couldn’t help but fall totally head over heels in love with them. I probably shouldn’t be admitting to this.

Author Interview Series: Writers’ Quirks Featuring Heidi McCahan

Today I'm interviewing author Heidi McCahan. Heidi and I were once signed to the same publisher and she's always a joy to interact with.

Welcome, Heidi! What have you been working on lately?

My second novel, Covering Home, just officially released February 10^th. I’m on the home stretch of a third manuscript, also a stand alone, but I’m going to put that on the back burner so I can finish writing a sequel to my first novel. I’d love to get that sequel out later this year.

Sounds great! Now for some quirky questions...
Have you ever fallen in love with one of your characters? 
Yes! I’m still quite smitten with Blake Tully, the hero of my first novel, Unraveled. So much so that he’s already turned up in that sequel I mentioned.

What is the best place for dreaming up your storylines? 
I find inspiration when I people watch in public places. The pumpkin patch, airports and the food court at the mall are all places

Author Interview Series: Writers’ Quirks Featuring Marianne Sciucco

On Writers' Quirks today I am interviewing author Marianne Sciucco. 

Welcome Marianne! Tell us about your latest project.
In my Young Adult novel Swim Season, varsity swimmer Aerin Keane is determined to leave her troubles behind as she starts her senior year in her third high school. Senior year is supposed to be fun, right? Friends. Parties. Boys. She wants to be like every other girl at Two Rivers High School. Except Aerin has two secrets: her mom is not a nurse serving in Afghanistan, and she is not an average varsity swimmer. Ready to give up her dreams of a college swimming scholarship and a shot at the Olympics, Aerin decides she doesn't want to win anymore, she wants to swim for fun, it's her

Author Interview Series Writers’ Quirks Featuring Wendy May Andrews

Today on Writers' Quirks, I'm chatting with author Wendy May Andrews. Thanks for joining us, Wendy! 

Tell us about your latest project.

My latest book released March 17, 2015. It’s a Sweet Regency Romance, The Duke Conspiracy. It’s about childhood best friends whose relationship has been torn apart by a family feud. He goes on to become a duke while she does some spying for her diplomat father before making her debut in London society. While at a party she overhears two men plotting against the duke. She struggles between loyalty to their old friendship and her aversion to him because of the feud. Finally she tells him and together they must foil the plot.

That sounds fabulous! Excuse me while I go download my copy... okay, I'm back.

Now for some quirky questions…
Have you ever fallen in love with one of your characters? 
Of course! I love all my characters, but I’m half in love with my

First Chapter Free ~ Uncharted Inheritance by Keely Brooke Keith

Chapter One

Bethany Colburn panted as she ran down the forest path away from the shore. Her heels sank into the loose sand between the fallen gray leaf twigs, and her legs burned from the weight of her boots. Ahead, a wisp of smoke rose from the chimney of her family’s home. She was almost there. The cramp in her side demanded she stop running, but shock compelled her forward.

As she rounded the medical cottage and rushed toward the Colburn house, Connor stepped out the back door. She nearly ran into him and sucked in a breath. “You won’t believe what I saw at the shore! Come quickly!”

Connor held up a hand, exuding the calm of a man used to her demonstrative announcements. “Slow down. Take a deep breath. Okay?”

Bethany hummed an exhalation and hoped that proved the composure he requested. “Okay,” she replied, using his vernacular.

Connor nodded. “What did you see?”

“Some big metal thing from the outside world. I think it’s a machine. It’s not like anything we have in the Land.”

“A big metal thing? Does it look like the space debris we found last year?”

“No.” She caught her breath, but her pulse was still pounding in her ears. “It’s old and rusted.”

“Out here?” Connor pointed east.
“No. Farther south—below the bluffs.”
“On the shore?”
“Yes, well, in the shallow caves below the bluffs. I went down there at low tide

because I need potash to make the black glaze for all the orders I have at the pottery yard, and I went farther back into the clefs of the rock than I normally go and that’s where I saw it. It’s buried in the rock.” She bent to rub her aching calf muscle. “It’s in the sediment beneath the bluffs.”

“An old, rusted machine?”

“Yes, and it has a window and I think I saw bones inside it. Most of it is buried in the rock, but it’s huge whatever it is.”

“Keep your voice down.” Connor patted the air as if that would allay her. “Show me where it is, but be cool about it.”

“Cool?”

He nodded then glanced at the road when a wagon passed by. After waving at the driver, Connor put his hand on Bethany’s back and shepherded her toward the path to the beach. “Stay calm so you don’t raise suspicion. If it’s been there awhile, we aren’t in any danger. Right?”

“I guess not.”

“Right, so be cool.” He looked behind them as they stepped onto the path toward the shore. “How far is it?”

“About a mile.”
“A mile? What did you say you were doing down there?”
“I went at low tide to the caves where Mrs. Vestal and I get the minerals we use in pottery recipes, but the waves must have eroded more of the bluff since last time I was there. I couldn’t find potash in our normal spot, so I went back into the caves a bit and that’s when I saw it—”

“The machine with a window and bones inside it?”

“Right.” Bethany stayed on the hard packed sand as she and Connor walked along the shore below the bluffs. The roar of the waves echoed off the rock, making it sound as though the ocean were on both sides of her. With the tide still out, the shallow caves and murky pools below the rocky cliff face made her feel small. If they were trapped there when the tide came back in, they would be caught in the current and swept out to sea— just like Luke and Walter had been. The three-year-old memory made the skin along her spine crawl as she looked out at the waves. “It won’t be long until the tide turns.”

Connor glanced at her. “We’ll be fine. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Bethany mustered a grin, grateful for his reassurance. As she walked close to the rocks, an eerie feeling made her belly sink. She wanted to turn back and run home. Instead, she folded her arms over her chest and kept walking.

Connor’s brow furrowed. “Are you all right?”

Bethany couldn’t answer. She bent to pick up the pail and trowel she had dropped in her panicked flight when she first saw the machine. Then she pointed at the dark clef behind a section of coppery brown rock. “It’s in there.”

She stayed back while Connor walked between the walls of jagged rock. He wiped away sand, exposing more of the window and rusted metal. “Whoa!” He smiled as he glanced back at her. “Yep, you found a skeleton.” He reached out for her trowel. Gripping the tool with both hands, he scraped along the metal of the machine. “This plane is called a Hellcat—”

“A what?”

“No, wait,” he retracted his assessment as he chipped away more flaky sediment. “It’s a Wildcat. See the wing would have been up here—higher than the Hellcat—but the wing is missing.”

“The wing?” Bethany stepped closer. “That machine is an airplane?” “Yeah, it’s an old fighter plane from the Second World War.”
“How many have there been?”
“World Wars?”

“Yes.”

“Including the current war—three. I taught about that in history last year, remember?” He kicked sand away from the bottom of the airplane and pointed to a faded insignia on the metal. “Looks like it was Royal Navy. What was a Martlet doing way out here?” He curved his hand and peered through the window. “The pilot is still wearing his helmet. Wow, look at those old gauges and the radio. He’s got a portable transmitter in there. Man, I would love to know his story. What a relic!” Connor’s voice was muffled against the glass. He pulled away. “Do you want to take a look?”

“You are enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Author Interview Series: Writers’ Quirks Featuring Paul D. Smith

Today I welcome Paul D. Smith to Writers' Quirks. Paul is the author of Jason and the Draconauts. 

Thanks for joining us, Paul. Let's get to some quirky questions.

Have you ever fallen in love with one of your characters?

I can’t say I’ve ever fallen in love with one of my characters, but there are several I would definitely enjoy hanging out with.

What is the best place for dreaming up your storylines?

I have a lot of down time on my commute to work, so ideas

Cue the music...

Author Interview Series: Writers’ Quirks Featuring C.M. Keller

Today I welcome author C. M. Keller to Writers' Quirks. 

Thanks for joining us, C.M. What's is your latest project?

Just released Screwing Up Alexandria, book three in the Screwing Up Time series.

Have you ever fallen in love with one of your characters?

My main character is a kind of mish-mash of my three sons, so I love him like a son. However, I do have a soft spot in my heart for his crazy-like-a-fox grandfather.

The Uncharted Books at The London Book Fair

Thanks to Claribel Ortega and The Combined Book Exhibit the Uncharted books are at their first book fair. And their first book fair happens to be The London Book Fair 2015! 

Oh and the trailer for The Land Uncharted is playing across from the Author HQ area. How fun is this:

 

Interview with Uncharted Redemption Producer Misty of Echoing Praise

Today I’m talking with audiobook producer Misty of Echoing Praise. Misty is the narrator of the audiobook version of Uncharted Redemption. When I heard Misty’s audition, I knew she was perfect for this project. She was a delight to work with and I loved how she brought Levi and Mandy’s story to life.

Thanks for joining us, Misty!

You produce a lot of audiobooks. Tell us about your selection process and what drew you to Uncharted Redemption. 
I’m careful to select projects that are clean and uplifting. My desire is to glorify God, and I was excited to partner with you, Keely, since your mission is the same! I also look for stories and characters I feel passionate about because it enables me to give my best “performance.”

What was your favorite part or character to voice in Uncharted Redemption? 
My favorite character to voice was Mandy. She provided a unique challenge because of her evolving character.

What did you like best about the book Uncharted Redemption?

I think the book did a wonderful job of depicting “real life” events in a unique and unheard of land. The mystery surrounding the uncharted territory kept us guessing, while we could easily relate to the flawed humanity of the characters. Most importantly, we could also grow with them as they left the past behind and reached for their purpose and destiny.

What are your favorite line(s) of the story?

“The notes flowed freely from the darkness of the instrument’s hollow body; as she thought of the empty space inside the violin, she felt the music resonate in the cavern of her heart.” Oh, what a beautiful parallel and what hope that line inspires in those whose hearts feel empty! Truly, the Master Craftsmen, our God, can transform the empty space in our hearts and use it to create a life full of resonance and beautiful timbre.

What sort of challenges do audiobook producers encounter?

Technical problems, deadlines, and even sicknesses pose problems for audiobook producers. A simple cold means work must stop because… no one wants to listen to a stuffy narrator! Thankfully, this project went smoothly. The author and I worked very well together, and we were even able to finish the project nearly a month early!

If someone is interested in learning how to produce audiobooks or do voice work in general, where should they start?

One of the most basic requirements is that you are very comfortable reading out loud with few mistakes and plenty of feeling and emotion. You also need professional recording equipment, editing software… and a great ear! Then, a good place to start is acx.com. They connect authors with producers in an intuitive way.

Thanks for stopping by the blog today, Misty, and more importantly, for the excellent job you did with Uncharted Redemption!

Here’s a sample of Misty reading Uncharted Redemption:

Audiobook available now on:

Audible | iTunes | Amazon

Author Interview Series: Writers’ Quirks Featuring Melanie D. Snitker

Join me in welcoming author Melanie D. Snitker to Writers' Quirks. Melanie's latest project is Finding Peace (Love’s Compass Book One). 

Thanks for joining us, Melanie. So tell me...

Have you ever fallen in love with one of your characters? 
I have gotten very attached to a couple of my characters. I have to say that, if there was one character I would want to meet in person, it would be Grams from Finding Peace. She plays a small role (and will in the next two books of the series) but just thinking about her makes me smile!

Uncharted Inheritance Audiobook Sample

OOOooo I'm so excited about this! 

The incredible Dara Kramer has brought Uncharted Inheritance to life in a beautiful way! 

Here's an audiobook sample of the soon-to-be-released Uncharted Inheritance: 

Author Interview Series: Writers’ Quirks Featuring DJ Edwardson

Today on Writers' Quirks I'm interviewing author DJ Edwardson.

Thanks for joining us, DJ. Tell us about your latest project.
I’m currently working on finishing off my science fiction trilogy, The Chronotrace Sequence. Book 3 is entitled The Ascent of the Nebula. The story’s main character had his memory erased by a group of scientists in book 1, so there is a lot to reveal on this final book. It’s fun to finally get to pull back the curtain on all of these secrets I’ve been having to keep quiet about in the first two books.

Very interesting. Now for some quirky questions…

Have you ever fallen in love with one of your characters? 
Wow, I’ve never had that one before. You weren’t kidding when you said quirky questions. This reminds me of a quote I read

Author Interview Series: Writers’ Quirks Featuring Steven F. Freeman

Today on Writers' Quirks, I'm interviewing author Steven F. Freeman.

Thanks for joining us, Steven. What is your latest project?

The Devil’s Due, a romantic thriller, published in January 2015. 

Awesome. So now for the quirky questions... Have you ever fallen in love with one of your characters? 

I’m pretty keen on Mallory Wilson, the female protagonist in my series. I think “in love” might be a bit too strong, but she certainly embodies many of the attributes a man would want in his partner: accomplished, intelligent, pretty, encouraging, and

Author Interview Series: Writers’ Quirks Featuring Ines Bautista-Yao

I'm interviewing Ines Bautista-Yao today on Writers’ Quirks. Ines is the author of Only A Kiss. Welcome, Ines! Let's jump right in to the quirky questions...

Have you ever fallen in love with one of your characters?
Maybe a little bit.

What is the best place for dreaming up your storylines? 
In the shower! It’s the one place I can be alone without the kids demanding my attention.

What is your favorite snack while writing? 
I don’t snack while writing. Ugh. What a boring answer! I don’t like getting crumbs on my computer. But if I were to snack on