IndieView with Angie Flores, author of Cub’s Wish

Cub’s Wish came easy because of all the conversations we had as a family, and we knew in spite of not having or affording material possessions, ultimately, we were happy.

Angie Flores – 27 July 2017

The Back Flap

Making wishes for a wishing star is not always as easy as it seems, especially knowing the wish may be granted. Cub’s Wish brings out the sweet moments of conversation between parent and child and the understanding that sometimes we all need a little guidance to achieve our dreams.

About the book

What is the book about?

Cub’s Wish is a sweet conversation between Papa and Cub who try and find the perfect wish for the wishing star to grant

When did you start writing the book?

I started writing my books in 2010.

How long did it take you to write it?

Cub’s Wish took a very short time to write because I was influenced by my sons, who I wanted to have something to read to them at night.  I worked full time, and my kids wanted stories to be read to them at bed time.  When I would read from books, my eyes would not stay open, and I would be out before they would.  So to be fair I asked them to give me animals and situations, and come up with stories on the spot, which I had to stay awake to create. Trouble was, like most kids they wanted to hear the same story again.  So I had to start writing them down.

Where did you get the idea from?

My boys had these wonderful imaginations. Whenever a Lottery commercial would come up,  we would always talk about what we would do.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

The only part I struggled with was editing it down from 700 words to the 500 word requirement from most agents and publishers.  I knew that it was still over the count by 50 or so words, and I did not want to lose the essence of the story.  So thinking I may be rejected for that if not the story,  I decided to self publish.

What came easily?

Cub’s Wish came easy because of all the conversations we had as a family, and we knew in spite of not having or affording material possessions, ultimately, we were happy.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

That’s up to the reader.  Cub is every child, and Papa is every adult caregiver.  I used to teach pre-school and along with my own children, these are all questions and concepts that come up.  I always had someone in my life while I was growing up, who was the voice of reason, that guided me to thinking about my decisions.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein was read to me often, I then shared it with my boys. His message was strong and was the first story that really had a message.  On another note, J.K. Rowling started me reading again after a long hiatus from working and having a family.  Her style of writing was so interesting.  I could not put any of the Harry Potter books down and actually read them all a few times.  But one main reason is her journey which I admire and am inspired by.  She was rejected enough times to make any writer want to give up, but she believed and held on.  A true inspiration which keeps me doing what I am doing.

Do you have a target reader?

My target is anyone who has had a wish. Anyone who wants to have a conversation with a child about what would they wish for. Anyone who wants to feel warm and cozy.  I have had adults who have no children, buy my book to keep on their coffee table because of its message.  That really inspires me.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

When an idea comes to my head I run straight to the computer or turn on the recorder on my phone, and purge it before I forget it.  I usually would like to have a tangy sweet scented candle burning and a cup of green tea with the only light in the room coming from the computer and candle.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

No, I just go with the flow.  I feel it is more organic.  I have written 20 stories, a TV pilot and a screenplay, which I am changing into a novel this way.  I am spontaneous by nature. I am most creative just doing what comes naturally.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I get it all out of my head on to paper, then go back.  With picture / children’s books you really need to edit because of word count guidelines.  I wait to see where I can still keep the story intact before deleting.

Did you hire a professional editor?

No, I did not hire.  I have a very talented editor friend, Alana Gurigess who kindly helped me for this project.  I am on the board of the Children’s Book Writer’s of Los Angeles.  We are a community of writers, illustrator, publishers, and former industry professionals who are very supportive of one another.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Enya’s angelic sounds soothe and inspire me. Then I switch to old Morrisey, Depeche Mode, UB40 – alternative 80’s (don’t judge, I have my reasons)

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Yes, but not many.  I wanted a little more control with my first book.  I heard stories about losing all creative rights when you hand your story over.  Whether true or not, I love my Cub, and thought it would be a great learning experience.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I wanted a little freedom with my first book.  I wanted to decide on the illustration, the story, I wanted to see how I could do it on my own. At least for my first book.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

My illustrations were done by a student.  The Art teacher at our local school took my stories as an illustration project and I found my diamond in his class.  I wanted to give a young artist an opportunity to go on this journey with me.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

Just work hard, market, market, market however I can.  Find new and unique ideas on how to spin the message to various groups.  For instance, since Cub’s Wish is about a Papa and Cub, I marketed it as a great Father’s Day gift from a child to a dad. “Give dad a bed time story”.  It has brought in a few sales so far.  Just have to be creative.  Winging it forces leaveing doors open for creativity.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Don’t quit your day job (If you have one).  You’ll need a way to finance your dream, you will appreciate your efforts more.  Success may not be instant, so be patient.  You will be putting in a lot of your time and money to get your book out there.  Don’t stop, because your message may change someone’s life – that “someone” may still be out there waiting.  Believe in what you do.  You should not go in to this half way.  If this is your dream, your passion, then follow it and stick with it.  I treat my stories like my children.  I will not just have them and send them off.  My stories need nurturing and care. Once you do that, you can feel confident when others you have done the best you could before moving on.  Not everyone will like your story – And that is perfectly fine.  Focus on those that do like your story.  Opinions are like bellybuttons – everyone’s got one!

About You

Where did you grow up? 

I grew up in Hollywood, California – Roller Skating on the boulevard and at Venice Beach

Where do you live now?

I am now in the South Bay of Los Angeles with my husband and 3 grown boys, and am still roller skating, but now along the south bay beaches.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I am a big child whose body may be aging, but my brain says I’m still young and invincible!  I’ve worked with children of all ages, including special needs children and adults, before hitting the corporate scene.  My background is in Human Resources, and degree from CSU Dominguez Hills is in Human Services / Psychology.  I love people and hearing their stories of growth. Pop Culture, old MGM Musicals, Tim Burton movies, and cosplay are things that spark my interest.  I’m just like most folks – a bit quirkier.

What are you working on now? 

I have 20 other stories that need illustrators, which financially will have to wait.  I want to take care of Cub for a little while and enjoy the journey before I put my attention into another “Child”.

Upon Cub’s Wish release, it hit #1 new release in 3 categories and reached #2,767 of all 11 million + books on Amazon.  Amazon sold out of the book in the first 12 hours.  Cub’s Wish received a 5 star rating from reader’s Choice and was Honorably Mentioned in the Paris Book Festival and San Francisco Book Festival.  And this is only the beginning!

End of Interview.

For more from Angie, visit her website, like her Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter.

Get your copy of Cub’s Wish from Amazon US or Amazon UK.

from The IndieView http://ift.tt/2v0vPAs

IndieView with Angie Flores, author of Cub’s Wish

Cub's Wish came easy because of all the conversations we had as a family, and we knew in spite of not having or affording material possessions, ultimately, we were happy.

Angie Flores – 27 July 2017

The Back Flap

Making wishes for a wishing star is not always as easy as it seems, especially knowing the wish may be granted. Cub's Wish brings out the sweet moments of conversation between parent and child and the understanding that sometimes we all need a little guidance to achieve our dreams.

About the book

What is the book about?

Cub's Wish is a sweet conversation between Papa and Cub who try and find the perfect wish for the wishing star to grant

When did you start writing the book?

I started writing my books in 2010.

How long did it take you to write it?

Cub's Wish took a very short time to write because I was influenced by my sons, who I wanted to have something to read to them at night.  I worked full time, and my kids wanted stories to be read to them at bed time.  When I would read from books, my eyes would not stay open, and I would be out before they would.  So to be fair I asked them to give me animals and situations, and come up with stories on the spot, which I had to stay awake to create. Trouble was, like most kids they wanted to hear the same story again.  So I had to start writing them down.

Where did you get the idea from?

My boys had these wonderful imaginations. Whenever a Lottery commercial would come up,  we would always talk about what we would do.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

The only part I struggled with was editing it down from 700 words to the 500 word requirement from most agents and publishers.  I knew that it was still over the count by 50 or so words, and I did not want to lose the essence of the story.  So thinking I may be rejected for that if not the story,  I decided to self publish.

What came easily?

Cub's Wish came easy because of all the conversations we had as a family, and we knew in spite of not having or affording material possessions, ultimately, we were happy.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

That's up to the reader.  Cub is every child, and Papa is every adult caregiver.  I used to teach pre-school and along with my own children, these are all questions and concepts that come up.  I always had someone in my life while I was growing up, who was the voice of reason, that guided me to thinking about my decisions.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein was read to me often, I then shared it with my boys. His message was strong and was the first story that really had a message.  On another note, J.K. Rowling started me reading again after a long hiatus from working and having a family.  Her style of writing was so interesting.  I could not put any of the Harry Potter books down and actually read them all a few times.  But one main reason is her journey which I admire and am inspired by.  She was rejected enough times to make any writer want to give up, but she believed and held on.  A true inspiration which keeps me doing what I am doing.

Do you have a target reader?

My target is anyone who has had a wish. Anyone who wants to have a conversation with a child about what would they wish for. Anyone who wants to feel warm and cozy.  I have had adults who have no children, buy my book to keep on their coffee table because of its message.  That really inspires me.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

When an idea comes to my head I run straight to the computer or turn on the recorder on my phone, and purge it before I forget it.  I usually would like to have a tangy sweet scented candle burning and a cup of green tea with the only light in the room coming from the computer and candle.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

No, I just go with the flow.  I feel it is more organic.  I have written 20 stories, a TV pilot and a screenplay, which I am changing into a novel this way.  I am spontaneous by nature. I am most creative just doing what comes naturally.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you've finished?

I get it all out of my head on to paper, then go back.  With picture / children's books you really need to edit because of word count guidelines.  I wait to see where I can still keep the story intact before deleting.

Did you hire a professional editor?

No, I did not hire.  I have a very talented editor friend, Alana Gurigess who kindly helped me for this project.  I am on the board of the Children's Book Writer's of Los Angeles.  We are a community of writers, illustrator, publishers, and former industry professionals who are very supportive of one another.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Enya's angelic sounds soothe and inspire me. Then I switch to old Morrisey, Depeche Mode, UB40 – alternative 80's (don't judge, I have my reasons)

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Yes, but not many.  I wanted a little more control with my first book.  I heard stories about losing all creative rights when you hand your story over.  Whether true or not, I love my Cub, and thought it would be a great learning experience.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I wanted a little freedom with my first book.  I wanted to decide on the illustration, the story, I wanted to see how I could do it on my own. At least for my first book.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

My illustrations were done by a student.  The Art teacher at our local school took my stories as an illustration project and I found my diamond in his class.  I wanted to give a young artist an opportunity to go on this journey with me.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

Just work hard, market, market, market however I can.  Find new and unique ideas on how to spin the message to various groups.  For instance, since Cub's Wish is about a Papa and Cub, I marketed it as a great Father's Day gift from a child to a dad. "Give dad a bed time story".  It has brought in a few sales so far.  Just have to be creative.  Winging it forces leaveing doors open for creativity.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Don't quit your day job (If you have one).  You'll need a way to finance your dream, you will appreciate your efforts more.  Success may not be instant, so be patient.  You will be putting in a lot of your time and money to get your book out there.  Don't stop, because your message may change someone's life – that "someone" may still be out there waiting.  Believe in what you do.  You should not go in to this half way.  If this is your dream, your passion, then follow it and stick with it.  I treat my stories like my children.  I will not just have them and send them off.  My stories need nurturing and care. Once you do that, you can feel confident when others you have done the best you could before moving on.  Not everyone will like your story – And that is perfectly fine.  Focus on those that do like your story.  Opinions are like bellybuttons – everyone's got one!

About You

Where did you grow up? 

I grew up in Hollywood, California – Roller Skating on the boulevard and at Venice Beach

Where do you live now?

I am now in the South Bay of Los Angeles with my husband and 3 grown boys, and am still roller skating, but now along the south bay beaches.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I am a big child whose body may be aging, but my brain says I'm still young and invincible!  I've worked with children of all ages, including special needs children and adults, before hitting the corporate scene.  My background is in Human Resources, and degree from CSU Dominguez Hills is in Human Services / Psychology.  I love people and hearing their stories of growth. Pop Culture, old MGM Musicals, Tim Burton movies, and cosplay are things that spark my interest.  I'm just like most folks – a bit quirkier.

What are you working on now? 

I have 20 other stories that need illustrators, which financially will have to wait.  I want to take care of Cub for a little while and enjoy the journey before I put my attention into another "Child".

Upon Cub's Wish release, it hit #1 new release in 3 categories and reached #2,767 of all 11 million + books on Amazon.  Amazon sold out of the book in the first 12 hours.  Cub's Wish received a 5 star rating from reader's Choice and was Honorably Mentioned in the Paris Book Festival and San Francisco Book Festival.  And this is only the beginning!

End of Interview.

For more from Angie, visit her website, like her Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter.

Get your copy of Cub's Wish from Amazon US or Amazon UK.

from The IndieView http://ift.tt/2v0vPAs

Climbing the Great Gully and Chemin des Dames Trails in King Ravine

Thunderstorm Junction is a major trail junction and landmark in the Northern Presidential Range

"Do you know the way to Mt Jefferson?", asked a confused hiker, as I approached Thunderstorm Junction on the sedge plateau below Mt Adam's summit. It must be summer, I thought, a bit incredulous that hikers were walking around above treeline in the Northern Presidentials without a map or any kind of directional device. I pointed her in the correct direction and plunked down on a rock to rest and eat some gorp.

I'd just finished climbing the Great Gully Trail, one of the trails that climbs the King Ravine headwall on the north side of Mt Adams. It's a steep and rocky trail with water gushing down it, that's a bit hard to follow in places. I'd been nervous about climbing it solo that morning. The trail had rattled a friend of mine and her description of the trail's challenges had been unnerving. It's definitely not for the faint-hearted or anyone afraid of heights, but it didn't turn out to be as sketchy as I'd feared.

King Ravine is a glacial cirque on the north side of Mt Adams in the Northern Presidential Range.

The Great Gully and Chemin des Dames Trails climb the steep walls of King Ravine, on the north side of Mt Adams. The term ravine is used interchangeably with cirque and gulf in the White Mountains. Both of these trails are on The Terrifying 25, a popular list of challenging White Mountain trails that have rocky scrambles, boulder caves, and avalanche slides.

The Great Gully Trail climbs the southwest corner of King Ravine. It's just one mile long, but gains 1700′ of elevation and is best ascended rather than down-climbed. The Chemin des Dames Trail climbs the east wall of King Ravine, linking the ravine floor to the Airline Trail, which runs along the top of a knife-edge ridge. The Chemin is 0.4 miles long and gains a modest 800′, making it much easier to descend with care.

You know you're getting close to the floor of King Ravine when you encounter the above-treeline warning sign.

I started my hike at the popular Appalachia Trailhead off Rt 2 and hiked up the Airline, Short Line, and King Ravine Trails to the floor of the ravine. It's about a two-hour hike to 3824′, a gain of about 2500′. Most of the hike up is pretty mellow until you get to Mossy Brook Fall, which is good place to resupply your water if you're short. After that, the trail turns into a rocky scramble through a maze of large boulders.

The Great Gully Trail branches off the King Ravine Trail above the subway.

The Great Gully Trail splits off from the King Ravine Trail weaves its way though stunted trees and rocks to the base of a gully, a narrow channel of rock that runs from the floor of the ravine to boulder fields at the top of the trail. Because the trail is north-facing, snow lingers in the gully into late June and the trail is best avoided until it melts out. As I was climbing the trail, I did see the some ice between the rocks bordering the trail, but thankfully none on the trail itself.

The Great Gully trails runs up the headwall in a narrow channel of rock. As you climb higher, you encounter a waterfall that flows through the trail. The water is VERY cold, so don't linger.

The gully has a stream flowing through it which the trail crosses over, back and forth. Route finding can be difficult though and the trail gets harder to follow the higher up you go. At one point, I lost it on the ascent and briefly thought about bushwhacking up the gully itself to the top of the headwall. That would have been a mistake because I could feel my feet getting numb with cold while standing in the stream.

Instead, I consulted my map and altimeter and figured out where the trail ought to be, before contouring sideways to acquire it. From there, I climbed a sea of boulders marked with cairns to the top of the headwall, popping out near Thunderstorm Junction, where the Great Gully Trail ends.

After my snack break, I looped around the top of King Ravine on the Gulfside Trail to the Airline Trail and descended that to the Chemin de Dames Trail junction. The Gulfside Trail is the major trunk trail linking the northern presidential peaks: Madison, Adams, and Jefferson. This section of the trail is made with rocks that have been carefully fitted together in a surprisingly smooth surface that's easy to walk on.

Fitted Stones in the Gulfside Trail

There are other trails like this in the Northern Presidentials, built by the great trail builders of the early 1900's who lived in the town of Durant, now called Randolph, located on the valley floor below. Mike Dickerman, co-editor of the AMC's White Mountain Guide, has written a book about these men and women called White Mountains Hiking History: Trailblazers of the Granite State that I recommend if you're interested in learning more about the history of the White Mountain trail system.

I headed down the Airline Trail, taking in the great views from the top of the ridge. I know the volunteer trail maintainer who oversees the Airline Trail.  I saw him close to this same time last year, napping among the rocks overlooking King Ravine, close to the Chemin des Dames trail junction. He wasn't around, but it wouldn't have surprised me if he was, since we both have odd schedules.

The Chemin des Dames Trail connects the Airline Trail with the King Ravine floor.

I had some reservations about down climbing the Chemin des Dames Trail, as well. But I knew that my friends Brian and Mary Bond had climbed down it recently, which emboldened me to give it a go. The trail plunges steeply from the junction, past boulders and through krummholz, but the top is easy to down-climb if you take your time and keep your center of gravity low. There's a tight lemon squeeze about halfway down, but I passed my pack through it first and followed behind. The descent does get more challenging about halfway down when you hit a boulder field, but careful footwork and patience will see you through.

Boulders on lower Chemin des Dames Trail

Once I was back at floor of the ravine, I marveled at the route I'd hiked. I get enormous satisfaction when I push my limits and use my wits to do it. I reversed my route and hiked back down to the valley floor, my hiking addiction satiated once again.

Great Gully and Chemin des Dames Lollipop Hike (click for printable PDF)

Total Distance: 8.5 miles with 4200′ of elevation gain.

Recommended Guidebooks and Maps:

• Appalachian Mountain Club White Mountain Guide
• AMC White Mountain National Forest Map Set
• Exploring New Hampshire Map from the Wilderness Map Company

from Section Hikers Backpacking Blog http://ift.tt/2tFlfdW

The Terrifying 25: A List of Challenging White Mountain Trails

The Terrifying 25

The Terrifying 25 is a popular list of difficult White Mountains Hiking Trails compiled by Trish Herr, the author of Up! A Mother and Daughter's Peakbagging Adventure, for her young daughters Alex and Sage. They enjoy hiking through boulder caves, rocky scrambles, and traversing avalanche slides, which are well represented by this list.

The rules for hiking this list are pretty simple. You need to hike 20 trails on the Required list and 5 more trails from the Electives List. It just so happens that I've hiked all of them, but you don't have to go to such extremes if you don't want to. There is also a patch awarded to people who finish this list, which is much coveted by hard core White Mountain hikers.  Click for the complete set of rules and award information.

Required Trails (Pick 20)

	Date
Baldface Circle Trail	11/15/14
Caps Ridge Trail	9/15/12
Carter Ledge Trail	11/14/15
Castle Trail	6/19/11
Chemin des Dames	7/2/17
Flume Slide Trail	6/28/14
Great Gulf Trail	8/3/15
Great Gully Trail	7/2/17
Huntington Ravine Trail	8/20/16
Ice Gulch Path	9/1/15
King Ravine Trail	6/21/17
Madison Gulf Trail	7/3/17
Mount Morgan Trail (ladder route)	5/11/16
Mount Percival Trail (cave route)	5/11/16
North Slide, North Pyramid	5/15/16
Six Husbands Trail	7/5/17
South Slide, South Pyramid	5/15/16
Sphinx Trail	7/5/17
Subway (King Ravine Trail)	6/25/16
Table Rock Trail, Dixville Notch (from eastern trailhead to ledge)	9/30/16

Elective Trails (Pick 5)

	Date
Airline Trail	7/25/11
Algonquin Trail	11/1/15
Beaver Brook Trail	7/8/11
Brook Trail	7/30/13
Blueberry Ledge Trail	3/31/10
Castle Ravine Trail	6/22/17
Desolation Trail	8/8/14
Devil's Hopyard Trail	9/8/12
Goodrich Rock	9/12/15
High Cannon Trail	9/17/10
Osseo Trail	1/24/2010
Percy Peaks Trail	11/5/16
Wildcat Ridge Trail (rt 16 to E peak)	6/7/09
Willey Range Trail (ladder section to summit)	10/4/09

The Terrifying 25 Patch

Support SectionHiker.com. If you make a purchase after clicking on the links above, a portion of the sale helps support this site at no additional cost to you.

 

 

 

from Section Hikers Backpacking Blog http://ift.tt/2v6M9QA

IndieView with Max Everhart, author of All the Different Ways Love Can Feel

The word “struggled” has a negative connotation. I don’t think of writing as a struggle because, while time-consuming and labor-intensive, it is something I genuinely enjoy. I’m not in the Dorothy Parker camp who said, “I hate writing. I love having written.” 

Max Everhart – 25 July 2017

The Back Flap

From Shamus Award finalist Max Everhart comes All the Different Ways Love Can Feel, a collection of stories exploring the complexities of relationships. Whether its a single father who buys a lake house with a dying man still living in it, or a young Red Sox fan who plots to assassinate George Steinbrenner, or a devoted mother who joins the Army Reserves on her thirty-fifth birthday, just before Saddam Hussein invades Kuwait, these eleven stories charm, provoke, and confound. Not to mention examine up close that most conflicted of emotions: love.

About the book

What is the book about?

All the Different Ways Love Can Feel is a collection of short stories that explore the complexities of relationships—father and son, brother and sister, boyfriend and girlfriend, coach and player.  The common theme in these stories, as the title suggests, is love, and how it rarely—if ever—feels the way we expect or want it to.

When did you start writing the book?

The first story I wrote in 2005 while I was in graduate school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Called “Five O’Clock Lightning,” the story is about a middle-aged high school math teacher, who tries out for a minor league baseball team with the help of his son. Completely broke at the time, I wrote the story as a Father’s Day present for my Dad, who, like me, is a big baseball fan. The last story in the collection, “Just Gus,” also features a father and son. In this story, which I just finished in March of 2017, Gus Lockheart, an eighteen-year old about to leave for college, steals his father’s prized record collection, and the father attempts to better understand why it happened.

How long did it take you to write it?

All the Different Ways Love Can Feel took me twelve years to write, roughly from August 2005 to March 2017.  In my defense, short stories are tough to write. Put it another way: I wrote my fourth novel Alphabet Land in about five weeks, whereas it took me six months to complete “The Man Who Wore No Pants,” a story that won the Best of the Net for 2010 and is included in my new collection.

Where did you get the idea from?

Quick story. When I was twenty, I stole a hardback copy of John Updike’s short story collection called Trust Me from my Dad.  For the last seventeen years, I’ve read those stories over and over again, and stared at the author photo on the inside flap, and thought to myself, “Someday I’ll publish my stories.” A twenty-year old version of myself hoping (yearning, really) to write stories like my literary hero John Updike. . .that’s where the idea for my new book came from.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

The word “struggled” has a negative connotation. I don’t think of writing as a struggle because, while time-consuming and labor-intensive, it is something I genuinely enjoy. I’m not in the Dorothy Parker camp who said, “I hate writing. I love having written.” Me, I really only enjoy the process of writing; once it’s finished, I feel hollow and restless and irritable.

That said, the shortest story in my collection called “77 Lives on the Rock River,” which clocks in at under 2,000 words, took several drafts to get it the way I wanted.

What came easily?

The title story “All the Different Ways Love Can Feel” I wrote in a single afternoon with only minimal revision.  Semi-autobiographical, the story is based on a memory I had of playing in a Little League game. I made a smart play in the field, and my Dad yelled out my name in front of hundreds of people. Twenty-six years later, I still remember how proud/embarrassed I felt.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

For better or worse, I tend to rely on my own personality quirks and experiences to shape characters, whether they are female or male. I do, however, occasionally borrow stories from the real world and shape them into fiction. “The Man Who Wore No Pants,” for example, is a lengthy story about a single father who buys a lake house with a dying man still living in it.  Memory serves, the germ of that story came from an NPR story about a man who had terminal cancer and was selling his house, but with two possible asking prices: a buyer could have the house for a song if the seller was allowed to stay until he died, but if he had to leave, the price was set at market value. It was a fascinating story, and I’m pretty sure I heard it on This American Life.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Although I’ve been told it isn’t exactly wise to do so, I write across genres.  I’ve published four mystery novels, and for those, I was influenced by Raymond Chandler, James Crumley, and Gregory McDonald.  My private detective series featuring Eli Sharpe owes a lot to McDonald’s hilarious character Fletch, Chandler’s Phillip Marlowe, and Crumley’s C.W. Sugrue.

But my short stories, which are more literary in nature, are a by-product of reading John Updike, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and, more recently, Michael Chabon. Of course, I cannot write as well (or remotely like) those authors, but they all had (and have, in Chabon’s case) a gift for character development, and that’s definitely something I focus on. My philosophy is, if the character is interesting, the story will be, too.

Do you have a target reader?

My target reader is someone like me: a person who reads across genres and values a good story above all else.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I’m OCD (no really, I take medication twice a day for it), but before Buspar and the birth of my son Harry Huckleberry, my routine was rigid.  I would come home from work at 2pm, walk approximately thirteen steps to my desk, and empty my pockets beside my computer, from which I’d deliberately removed the Internet and all games in order to focus on the writing.  I had a very specific place where I’d place my car keys, my wallet, and my inhaler, and once those items were in the right spots, I wrote until 4pm or until I had between 500-1,000 words, whichever came first.

But my process has devolved over the years. Or maybe age and pharmaceuticals have mellowed me out. Now, I write whenever and wherever the mood strikes me. The last novel I wrote called Unlove Me, I penned longhand on composition notebooks.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

For the mystery books, I definitely used outlines. I actually wrote scene-by-scene descriptions of the entire book on poster board and hung those above my desk. I also wrote character sketches of every character that would appear in the book. I did a lot of prep work. Now: not so much. Now, I just wing it.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I’ve done both. Editing as I go (within reason) works out best for me. That said, my favorite books and stories just sort of flowed from the beginning. In my experience, the longer it takes to write the first draft, the less I like the final product.

Did you hire a professional editor?

All the Different Ways Love Can Feel I edited myself. I put the manuscript through several rounds of proofreading and editing over a span of many months. It was a lot of work, but worth it because the book came out great, I think. I just hope readers will agree.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Tried that. Didn’t like it. When I write, I want it to be quiet, and I want to be alone. Hell, half the reason I write is to be alone with my thoughts. As much as I love music, it’s hard to think with it playing.  What can I say? I have a one-track mind.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I submitted Go Go Gato, my first mystery novel, to about forty agents. I had a few nibbles (very minor ones, I must say), and then I grew impatient and started submitting the manuscript to small presses. Not too long after, I was offered a three-book contract for the Eli Sharpe series. Later, I secured another contract from a second publisher for Alphabet Land, a noir-type thriller featuring The Rook.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

In a word: control. I wanted more control over all aspects of the process, from editing to publishing to distribution to pricing.  I’m grateful to the small presses who published my other books, but I’m glad to be on my own—at least for the time being.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I did the book cover for All the Different Ways Love Can Feel myself. It was a learning experience, but I’m pleased with the result. Plus, I’m cheap; I didn’t want to pay someone hundreds of dollars for something I could do myself.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I have a general plan for marketing.  Personally, I don’t like it whenever authors just flood social media and anywhere else with their marketing stuff, so I’m taking a more moderate (and selective) approach.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

I used Createspace, and I liked it. Very easy to use, even if you’re not tech-savvy.  On the publishing side, I’d say proofread and edit very carefully (or pay a professional to do it); it seems obvious, but you should only put your best work out there. I’d also advise would-be self-publishers to spend a lot of time on the book cover (yes, it is that important).  Finally, I’d make sure you have reasonable expectations before self-publishing. We all want to be bestsellers and have our books made into Hollywood movies, but that’s not realistic. In fact, it’s counter-productive to think that way.  Just be reasonable. My goal is to earn a bit more from All the Different Ways Love Can Feel than I did from my four previous books combined. Trust me, this is a very, very reasonable number.

About You

Where did you grow up?

In Pfafftown, North Carolina. Right near Muddy Creek, which feeds into the Yadkin River. Stand in the yard of my childhood home and you can smell tobacco from the farms in nearby Tobaccoville. At least you could before the government started paying farmers not to grow tobacco.

Where do you live now?

I live with my wife and son in a great little town in South Carolina called Hartsville.  For a small town, it has a lot of fun things to do, so feel free to visit, but don’t move here, please. It’s already growing too fast for my taste. I get angry whenever I drive downtown and have to search for parking, and wait for a table in my favorite restaurants.

What would you like readers to know about you?

The state motto of North Carolina sums me up pretty well: Esse quam videri (To be rather than to seem).

What are you working on now?

Right now, I’m trying to finish up a YA novel about a twelve-year old boy, who runs for mayor of a small town. I like it. So does my wife, which is always a good sign.

I’m also (sort of) working on a cross-genre novel about a homicide detective named Jack Dent, who decides he doesn’t want to be “a character” anymore and walks out of the book in chapter one. From there, other characters and the author and the author’s agent try to hunt Dent down before he can escape the fictional town where he’s been confined for almost eleven books. Think Truman Show meets Adaptation and you’re in the ballpark. I like this one, too. Just gotta figure out how to finish it.

End of Interview:

For more from Max visit his website, follow him on Twitter or like his Facebook page.

Get your copy of All the Different Ways Love Can Feel from Amazon US or Amazon UK.

from The IndieView http://ift.tt/2gZha2z

IndieView with Max Everhart, author of All the Different Ways Love Can Feel

The word "struggled" has a negative connotation. I don't think of writing as a struggle because, while time-consuming and labor-intensive, it is something I genuinely enjoy. I'm not in the Dorothy Parker camp who said, "I hate writing. I love having written." 

Max Everhart – 25 July 2017

The Back Flap

From Shamus Award finalist Max Everhart comes All the Different Ways Love Can Feel, a collection of stories exploring the complexities of relationships. Whether its a single father who buys a lake house with a dying man still living in it, or a young Red Sox fan who plots to assassinate George Steinbrenner, or a devoted mother who joins the Army Reserves on her thirty-fifth birthday, just before Saddam Hussein invades Kuwait, these eleven stories charm, provoke, and confound. Not to mention examine up close that most conflicted of emotions: love.

About the book

What is the book about?

All the Different Ways Love Can Feel is a collection of short stories that explore the complexities of relationships—father and son, brother and sister, boyfriend and girlfriend, coach and player.  The common theme in these stories, as the title suggests, is love, and how it rarely—if ever—feels the way we expect or want it to.

When did you start writing the book?

The first story I wrote in 2005 while I was in graduate school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Called "Five O'Clock Lightning," the story is about a middle-aged high school math teacher, who tries out for a minor league baseball team with the help of his son. Completely broke at the time, I wrote the story as a Father's Day present for my Dad, who, like me, is a big baseball fan. The last story in the collection, "Just Gus," also features a father and son. In this story, which I just finished in March of 2017, Gus Lockheart, an eighteen-year old about to leave for college, steals his father's prized record collection, and the father attempts to better understand why it happened.

How long did it take you to write it?

All the Different Ways Love Can Feel took me twelve years to write, roughly from August 2005 to March 2017.  In my defense, short stories are tough to write. Put it another way: I wrote my fourth novel Alphabet Land in about five weeks, whereas it took me six months to complete "The Man Who Wore No Pants," a story that won the Best of the Net for 2010 and is included in my new collection.

Where did you get the idea from?

Quick story. When I was twenty, I stole a hardback copy of John Updike's short story collection called Trust Me from my Dad.  For the last seventeen years, I've read those stories over and over again, and stared at the author photo on the inside flap, and thought to myself, "Someday I'll publish my stories." A twenty-year old version of myself hoping (yearning, really) to write stories like my literary hero John Updike. . .that's where the idea for my new book came from.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

The word "struggled" has a negative connotation. I don't think of writing as a struggle because, while time-consuming and labor-intensive, it is something I genuinely enjoy. I'm not in the Dorothy Parker camp who said, "I hate writing. I love having written." Me, I really only enjoy the process of writing; once it's finished, I feel hollow and restless and irritable.

That said, the shortest story in my collection called "77 Lives on the Rock River," which clocks in at under 2,000 words, took several drafts to get it the way I wanted.

What came easily?

The title story "All the Different Ways Love Can Feel" I wrote in a single afternoon with only minimal revision.  Semi-autobiographical, the story is based on a memory I had of playing in a Little League game. I made a smart play in the field, and my Dad yelled out my name in front of hundreds of people. Twenty-six years later, I still remember how proud/embarrassed I felt.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

For better or worse, I tend to rely on my own personality quirks and experiences to shape characters, whether they are female or male. I do, however, occasionally borrow stories from the real world and shape them into fiction. "The Man Who Wore No Pants," for example, is a lengthy story about a single father who buys a lake house with a dying man still living in it.  Memory serves, the germ of that story came from an NPR story about a man who had terminal cancer and was selling his house, but with two possible asking prices: a buyer could have the house for a song if the seller was allowed to stay until he died, but if he had to leave, the price was set at market value. It was a fascinating story, and I'm pretty sure I heard it on This American Life.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Although I've been told it isn't exactly wise to do so, I write across genres.  I've published four mystery novels, and for those, I was influenced by Raymond Chandler, James Crumley, and Gregory McDonald.  My private detective series featuring Eli Sharpe owes a lot to McDonald's hilarious character Fletch, Chandler's Phillip Marlowe, and Crumley's C.W. Sugrue.

But my short stories, which are more literary in nature, are a by-product of reading John Updike, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and, more recently, Michael Chabon. Of course, I cannot write as well (or remotely like) those authors, but they all had (and have, in Chabon's case) a gift for character development, and that's definitely something I focus on. My philosophy is, if the character is interesting, the story will be, too.

Do you have a target reader?

My target reader is someone like me: a person who reads across genres and values a good story above all else.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I'm OCD (no really, I take medication twice a day for it), but before Buspar and the birth of my son Harry Huckleberry, my routine was rigid.  I would come home from work at 2pm, walk approximately thirteen steps to my desk, and empty my pockets beside my computer, from which I'd deliberately removed the Internet and all games in order to focus on the writing.  I had a very specific place where I'd place my car keys, my wallet, and my inhaler, and once those items were in the right spots, I wrote until 4pm or until I had between 500-1,000 words, whichever came first.

But my process has devolved over the years. Or maybe age and pharmaceuticals have mellowed me out. Now, I write whenever and wherever the mood strikes me. The last novel I wrote called Unlove Me, I penned longhand on composition notebooks.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

For the mystery books, I definitely used outlines. I actually wrote scene-by-scene descriptions of the entire book on poster board and hung those above my desk. I also wrote character sketches of every character that would appear in the book. I did a lot of prep work. Now: not so much. Now, I just wing it.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you've finished?

I've done both. Editing as I go (within reason) works out best for me. That said, my favorite books and stories just sort of flowed from the beginning. In my experience, the longer it takes to write the first draft, the less I like the final product.

Did you hire a professional editor?

All the Different Ways Love Can Feel I edited myself. I put the manuscript through several rounds of proofreading and editing over a span of many months. It was a lot of work, but worth it because the book came out great, I think. I just hope readers will agree.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Tried that. Didn't like it. When I write, I want it to be quiet, and I want to be alone. Hell, half the reason I write is to be alone with my thoughts. As much as I love music, it's hard to think with it playing.  What can I say? I have a one-track mind.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I submitted Go Go Gato, my first mystery novel, to about forty agents. I had a few nibbles (very minor ones, I must say), and then I grew impatient and started submitting the manuscript to small presses. Not too long after, I was offered a three-book contract for the Eli Sharpe series. Later, I secured another contract from a second publisher for Alphabet Land, a noir-type thriller featuring The Rook.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

In a word: control. I wanted more control over all aspects of the process, from editing to publishing to distribution to pricing.  I'm grateful to the small presses who published my other books, but I'm glad to be on my own—at least for the time being.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I did the book cover for All the Different Ways Love Can Feel myself. It was a learning experience, but I'm pleased with the result. Plus, I'm cheap; I didn't want to pay someone hundreds of dollars for something I could do myself.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I have a general plan for marketing.  Personally, I don't like it whenever authors just flood social media and anywhere else with their marketing stuff, so I'm taking a more moderate (and selective) approach.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

I used Createspace, and I liked it. Very easy to use, even if you're not tech-savvy.  On the publishing side, I'd say proofread and edit very carefully (or pay a professional to do it); it seems obvious, but you should only put your best work out there. I'd also advise would-be self-publishers to spend a lot of time on the book cover (yes, it is that important).  Finally, I'd make sure you have reasonable expectations before self-publishing. We all want to be bestsellers and have our books made into Hollywood movies, but that's not realistic. In fact, it's counter-productive to think that way.  Just be reasonable. My goal is to earn a bit more from All the Different Ways Love Can Feel than I did from my four previous books combined. Trust me, this is a very, very reasonable number.

About You

Where did you grow up?

In Pfafftown, North Carolina. Right near Muddy Creek, which feeds into the Yadkin River. Stand in the yard of my childhood home and you can smell tobacco from the farms in nearby Tobaccoville. At least you could before the government started paying farmers not to grow tobacco.

Where do you live now?

I live with my wife and son in a great little town in South Carolina called Hartsville.  For a small town, it has a lot of fun things to do, so feel free to visit, but don't move here, please. It's already growing too fast for my taste. I get angry whenever I drive downtown and have to search for parking, and wait for a table in my favorite restaurants.

What would you like readers to know about you?

The state motto of North Carolina sums me up pretty well: Esse quam videri (To be rather than to seem).

What are you working on now?

Right now, I'm trying to finish up a YA novel about a twelve-year old boy, who runs for mayor of a small town. I like it. So does my wife, which is always a good sign.

I'm also (sort of) working on a cross-genre novel about a homicide detective named Jack Dent, who decides he doesn't want to be "a character" anymore and walks out of the book in chapter one. From there, other characters and the author and the author's agent try to hunt Dent down before he can escape the fictional town where he's been confined for almost eleven books. Think Truman Show meets Adaptation and you're in the ballpark. I like this one, too. Just gotta figure out how to finish it.

End of Interview:

For more from Max visit his website, follow him on Twitter or like his Facebook page.

Get your copy of All the Different Ways Love Can Feel from Amazon US or Amazon UK.

from The IndieView http://ift.tt/2gZha2z

Redington Palix River Wading Pants Review

Redington Palix River Wading Pants are made with a 3-layer waterproof/breathable DWR coated fabric, have a removable elastic wading belt, 3mm neoprene stocking feet, and gravel guards. Don't fear the reel.

When I fly fish larger rivers with a rod and reel or a Tenkara rod, I often need to wade from the shore to get closer to the best trout habitat. But I've found that traditional bib waders are overkill for my needs and often too warm to wear. I prefer waist-high, stocking feet wading pants, like the Redington Palix River Wading Pant, because they fit like a regular pair of pants and are much more comfortable. They're also lightweight and packable enough that I'm willing to carry them on bikepacking trips when I can afford to carry some extra gear on my bike.

Specs at a Glance

• Fabric: 3-layer waterproof/breathable DWR coated fabric
• Removable elastic wading belt
• 3 mm Neoprene stocking feet
• Integrated gravel guards
• Sizing: See the sizing chart at Redington.com
• Weight: 30 oz in size large

The Palix River Wading Pants include an elastic wading belt.

I normally wear the Palix River Pants over my regular hiking pants and socks for convenience and the combination provides just enough insulation that I can wade in cool water for hours without getting too hot or too cold. The 3mm neoprene booties keep my socks completely dry because they're sewn to the bottom of the pants and sealed to remain waterproof, while the integrated elastic wading belt is comfortable and easy to open and snap closed.

Redington Palix River Wading Pants have thick neoprene booties and gravel guards.

I wear the Palix Pants with a pair of Crocs Swiftwater Sandals which are very lightweight water shoes with a rigid foot bed and good ankle support instead of wading boots to save weight. Using the Swiftwater Sandals instead of real wading boots can be uncomfortable when gravel gets between the shoe sole and the neoprene sock, but it's easy enough to swish out and worth well worth the weight and cost savings. You do need to size up however when wearing the sandals with the Palix neoprene boots. In my case, that meant sizing up 3 full sizes from a size 10 shoe to a size 13.

Crocs Swiftwater Sandals water shoes are a lightweight alternative to heavy and bulky wading boots.

I normally wear a size 38 pant and the Palix River Wading Pants fit perfectly over my hiking pants without being too baggy in the waist or along the thighs. They really feel like you're wearing a normal pair of pants in the water and quickly fade into the background so you can concentrate on catching trout. I think they're a fantastic value compared to much more expensive wading pants and a best buy. Highly recommended.

Disclosure: The author purchased this product with his own funds.

Support SectionHiker.com. If you make a purchase after clicking on the links above, a portion of the sale helps support this site at no additional cost to you.

from Section Hikers Backpacking Blog http://ift.tt/2uvkjKu