A look at C.R. Richards & 'Phantom Harvest' ( @CR_Richards #FF )

Hi all! Grab a cup of tea – or whatever it is you like to drink – and join in the discussion. Today we have C.R. Richards visiting and giving us a look into her writing journey and Phantom Harvest.

* About our guest, C.R. Richards ~
* Cynthia's literary career began as a part-time columnist for a small entertainment newspaper. She wore several hats: food critic, entertainment reviewer and cranky editor. A co-author of horror and urban fantasy novels, her first solo fiction project was published by Whiskey Creek Press in 2013. Cynthia is an active member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and lives in Colorado.
* Welcome C.R.!

* Sometimes you have to go outside your comfort zone in order to take a dream to the next level. In October 2010, I realized my lifelong goal of being published. While I was thrilled to be asked to co-author a novel, I felt I was ready for the next step...seeing my own stories published. I'd spent several months working on an urban fantasy novel (Phantom Harvest). It was time to start finding it a home. That meant I had to pull on my big girl pants and start selling the idea.
* The San Francisco Writer's Conference, sponsored by Writer's Digest, was a good place to start. Several mid-sized to large literary agencies as well as editors attend each year. They come looking for fresh voices and new ideas. The networking opportunities were a nice surprise for me. I met some interesting people and ended up touring the piers with an archeologist and a professional puppeteer.
* I had signed up for the conference with one goal in mind: getting Phantom Harvest in front of agents and editors. So, I stood in line with the other nervous wrecks and waited for my chance. We had one hour to give three minute pitches to as many agents/editors as we could - speed dating for writers! I walked out with three requests from agents to see the first fifty pages of my book. The first two rejection form letters stung a bit, but I was holding out for the last literary agency who had also shown interest. When the agent's personalized rejection letter came, I was devastated. She told me the realities of the publishing industry in the kindest way she could. The agent explained in her letter that new authors are very difficult to sell to the big houses. Unless your characters are unforgettable and the big houses know your voice will be a popular seller, they can't afford to take the investment risk. I have to admit her letter shook my confidence a little.
* It was at the Electronic Publishing Industry Coalition's yearly conference in San Antonio I had an epiphany. I wasn't willing to give up my dreams of being a successful author. The industry may be changing, but was that really a bad thing? Attending the conference with the electronic publishing industry's best e-publishers and authors helped me to change my definition of success. Here was a group of like-minded thinkers who were determined to succeed despite industry challenges. They shared my vision of a future where my books would be available to anyone with internet access.
* I began to search out other authors who went down their own unique road. One of my friends from EPICon told me about KillerCon, a thoroughly enjoyable horror convention in Las Vegas. Not only are these great group of folks used to walking their own road, they've made an industry out of it. I learned some valuable techniques on building suspense. Sometimes attending a conference to network and experience the fun are good enough reasons to go. I had a blast in Vegas with these folks and was able to tour the real Las Vegas with the gracious host of this blog.
* I changed my definition of success and made good friends along the way. There are many talented authors, artists and publishers out there defining their own dreams of success. My experiences meeting them guided me to a wonderful publisher who believes in my work and was willing to give me a chance. Together we'll make Phantom Harvest available everywhere the e-Publishing light touches.

~ Blurb ~ * Gideon, a half-breed mutant with a surly temper and rotten luck, struggles to scrape a living as a tracker in the desolate territory near the gateway to the human world. Business seems to be picking up when Gideon is approached by a powerful dark elf with deep pockets and a serious problem. Human miners at the dark elf's plant are being taken by an elusive predator. Gideon is pressured to find the killer before word of the disappearances reaches the human world, endangering the tense relationship between their two races. But, nothing is simple this close to the conduit between worlds. Archangel, a ruthless mercenary operating in the secret sectors of mutant society, has set his own deadly game in motion.
* Surrounded by savage wilderness and cut off from contact with civilization, Gideon must find a way to protect his friends and survive to collect his bounty.
~ Excerpt ~ * Maialen knelt before the flimsy lock on the front door. Its surface was a tarnished brass. Inside its workings, tiny metal sticks fit loosely into place. Pins, Maialen grinned. They might as well have put tape on the door. Her expert finger implants manipulated the old fashioned lock and in moments the door clicked open.
* Stale booze and thunderous snoring assaulted her senses the moment she set foot inside. Gideon was stretched across the bed, wearing only his boxers and a worn out under-shirt. In his fist was an empty bottle marked “tequila.”
* “Mr. Gideon?” She poked his naked calf with her finger. No response. Maialen moved to the other side of the bed, hoping for a better look at her unusual and reluctant new ally. Black hair fell in unruly strands across his face, hiding his eyes or any reaction to her voice. He was a big man, tall and broad, but his body remained lean despite his recreational drinking. Maialen wouldn’t label him as classically handsome, but his features were appealing.
* She was beginning to fear she’d found his dead body until a loud snore vibrated the bed. Maialen stumbled away from his head and back to her original position at his feet. He didn’t stir. Mustering her courage, Maialen pushed at his calf harder. Her incessant tapping finally paid off. Gideon stirred. His eyes blinked open and he looked over his shoulder, giving her a blurry glare.
* “Norm didn’t come back to the inn last night.” Maialen folded her arms and took a step back.
* “How did you get out of your hotel room? And how the hell did you get in here?” He grumbled.
* “Camille told me where you were staying, so I came to find you. The lock on your cottage door isn’t a very good one.” She lifted her chin and gave him the most intense, disapproving glare she could muster this early in the morning. “Did you understand me? NORM IS MISSING.”

Phantom Harvest will be available February 2013 from Whiskey Creek Press

Please feel free to visit C.R. Richards at the links below:
Website
Twitter

Thank you for joining us here today, C.R.! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.

Welcome special guest: author C.R. Richards/Thia Myles Vincent ( @CR_Richards @TM_Vincent #FF )

Today we have author C.R. Richards/Thia Myles Vincent visiting. She says, "I write under Thia Myles Vincent (Horror and Suspenseful Romance) and C.R. Richards (Urban and Dark Fantasy). My literary career began as a part-time columnist for a small entertainment newspaper. I wore several hats: food critic, entertainment reviewer and cranky editor. A co-author of horror and urban fantasy novels, my first solo fiction project is scheduled for release from Whiskey Creek Press in 2013.

So, C.R., what inspired you to become a writer?
When I was a kid, I’d sit under the big tree in our backyard, staring up at the stars in the summer sky. Sometimes I would day dream about living on one of the distant planets overhead. Other times I’d entertain my little nephews with stories of pixies living in our tree. I’ve always had one foot in my own fantasy world. It surprised me to find that other people enjoyed listening to my stories as much as I enjoyed making them up. I decided to write them down, so I could continue to share them with other whimsy enthusiasts.

When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
I wrote a short story with illustration done in colored pencil for a writing competition in third grade. The main characters were mythical creatures from the Zodiac. My story won first place. Some of my critics were convinced my drawing of Cancer the Crab was actually a rotten orange with hooks. Unfortunately, the story was the victim of flood damage in my parent’s basement.

How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
Prior to my first publication, I wrote an epic dark fantasy series with five plus books. I pitched the first book in the series for three years with only mild interest. After a few publishing successes under my belt, I took a hard look at the dark fantasy series I was writing with an objective eye. Now I can see the weaknesses and the strengths of the series. Currently, I’m revamping the stories.

What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your favorite genre of all to write in?
When my co-author asked me to work on the horror romance novel Devil Music, I was a little hesitant. Not familiar with either genre, I wondered if I could produce the work. I decided to keep an open mind and take a chance. It worked out well and gave me the confidence I needed to explore other genres outside my comfort zone. I decided to push myself and integrate my love of mystery/suspense into an urban fantasy story, Phantom Harvest. The book is scheduled for release from Whiskey Creek Press in February 2013.
   Though I enjoy writing horror, suspense and romance, my favorite genre to write is definitely fantasy. I'm fascinated by speculating on what would happen if a supernatural or magical element was introduced into ordinary everyday situations.

What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
The best writing advice I’ve ever received was from New York Times Bestselling author Joseph Finder at a writer’s conference. He told us in the writing workshop, “Just write the stupid draft. Don’t worry about grammar or form. Just get the draft done. Then go back and edit it.” Someone telling me it was okay to just have fun on that first draft, made all the difference. People ask me how I kick out the first drafts on these 90 to 100k word books so quickly. I can do it, because I make it fun. I don’t make it a chore or worry about my grammar the first time out. Just enjoy the ride.
   The worst writing advice I got was from a freelance editor I hired to edit the first book in the dark fantasy series I talked about earlier. She did a great job copy editing, however, she told me that my book really should be a YA novel and some of the subject matter I had added wasn’t appropriate. Rather than listening to my gut, I followed her advice and went down a rabbit hole for several years trying to make the book something it wasn’t. I’m working on going back to the way I originally had written the novel. It took me a few years, but I’ve learned something important. I don’t write YA novels. I know who I am as a writer and what my stories are about. While it’s important to listen to the advice of experts in the industry, you were given that story to write. Be true to the story and the characters.

How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
I like to celebrate each acceptance letter, contract and book release by doing something special I normally wouldn’t for each book. For Phantom Harvest, I bought tickets to Wicked and had a great night at the theatre.
   Rejection letters I treat like scrubbing toilets. They stink, they’re no fun, but they’re a part of life. I scrub what I need to scrub and then flush the rest. On to the next one.

In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
When I picture Eddie Setzer, I imagine a young Eddie Van Halen. James Franco could play them both without a hitch.
   I think Megan Fox would be a good Page Montrose. She’s stunningly beautiful and has a proven record as an action star.
   Raven Santana (aka Satan in high heels) could only be played by Eva Longoria.

The book you’re promoting, is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
My co-author E.C. Stacy and I kept Devil Music as a standalone novel. We started with the classic theme “Good versus Evil” and then began asking ourselves questions to flesh out the story. How would a man keep his life sane and his friends out of jeopardy, while he’s forced to experience the deaths of innocent souls? We went a step further and put our character in the limelight. Would the seductive nature of fame make it impossible to win his freedom back?

*** Now for some fun info… ***
What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Coldstone Creamery’s Sweet Cream with caramel is my Kryptonite.

Are you a cat, dog or both kind of person?
I have a fifty pound lab mix and a ten pound orange tabby. Kitty has taken over control of the house and we bow to his every whim.

Are you a morning person or night owl?
I’m a morning person. If I sleep past 7:30 am on the weekends, you know I’m sick. And if I’m not asleep in bed by 9pm, I’m a very cranky girl.


*** About the book… ***
Devil Music was my first venture into the Romance genre. The story takes place in a rock musician’s world. Doing research was a blast. I picked up some great ideas for guitars, etc from Wendell Sherman, the drummer for the “Code Whiskey” band. After the book’s release, we were honored when the book and cover art were both nominated in the 2012 EPIC Ebook Awards. Devil Music is available for purchase in ebook and print formats from Amazon or directly from Whiskey Creek Press.
Tagline: Horror, Sex and Rock n’ Roll
Blurb:
Fame has its price.
   Page Montrose’s new relationship with Eddie Setzer is threatened by his horrendous out-of-body experiences. He dies for other people. After each terror, he returns to his normal world of guitar hero and prays that the spells won’t demolish the careers of his fellow band members. Although Page does her best to love his plague away using Tantra, the deaths become more gruesome and frequent. When an old blues player warns them about the true identity of Eddie’s music producer Raven Santana, Page and Eddie uncover a dark force that’s using the virtuosos to damn innocent souls.

***Find C.R/Thia here***
C.R. ~ WEBSITE
C.R. ~ TWITTER
C.R. ~ FACEBOOK
Thia ~ WEBSITE
Thia ~ TWITTER
Thia ~ MYSPACE

Thank you for joining us here today! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.