We want to hear about the bad guys, bad gals and villains in your book. Even if you don't have a murderer, thief or other "bad guy" there should be some negative force.
Who causes friction is the story? The friction in my story is several factors. One is a father who left behind an adoring daughter who grew up believing no matter how much you love someone they leave. So she plans to keep never give her heart again. This is the friction between the hero who has set his heart on this woman and the woman fighting her attraction to him. There are also a band of outlaws. Some just followers and others deranged.
Do you prefer bad guys or bad gals? I prefer any element that can make the reader wonder how will these people ever get together with all that is happening.
How do you use your bad guys? I use my bad guys to help the lead roles discover who they really are. And it adds action to the books not mention a little bit of humor now and then when you add bumbling bad guys.
Do you enjoy writing the bad guys or do you find it difficult? The bad guys are actually fun to write. I always give one of them a trait that is a little endearing, yet make one be so loathsome or disgusting the reader can't help but boo or curl their lip when the character comes on the scene.
Whether you enjoy writing them or hate writing them, we'd like to know why you feel that way? The world is full of bad people or bad things that happen to people. You can't write a book without adding that bit of the real world into the equation. If you don't have bad people or an unsettling event in a book it is too Pollyanna and the reader isn't going to believe the other characters of the story you are telling.
Who is your favorite bad guy in any of your books? Which bad guy and which book are they in? I'd have to say my favorite bad buy is Ezra Cutter in "Outlaw in Petticoats". He is slick and tries to be charismatic while holding the heroine hostage.
Who is your favorite fictional bad guy -- that's not in your books? That's a tough one. I don't think I've read a book where the bad guy was so memorable that I could name him or the book. But then I tend to read contemporary single title and historical westerns. I rarely read a suspense. I get scared too easily! LOL
Is there anything else about your bad guys that we need to know? Feel free to share. As in the real world most bad guys aren't too smart. And since I've so far not got into the head to a really deranged bad guy, I've made them all just a little bit bumbling, letting the reader know they will be caught because they aren't quite smart enough to get away with everything they plot.
Please provide your website link. http://www.patyjager.com
What is the link to buy your book? http://www.thewildrosepress.com
Thank you for telling us about your bad guys. We love to meet the "evil ones".
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Sinbad's Last Voyage
Tell us about the villains in your book. We want to hear about the bad guys, bad gals and villains in your book. Even if you don't have a murderer, thief or other "bad guy" there should be some negative force.
Who causes friction is the story?
There are three negative forces in the book: The first are the Albegensians who attack a deep-space freighter and destroy it, starting a war with Terra, thus setting the backdrop for the story. The second is the Federation itself, which has a habit of incarcerating anyone with an opinion contrary to theirs. The third is Andrea's husband Tran, the reason she meets Sinbad. Tran is an Albegensi and has been arrested simply because he's a member of the planet which attacked the Terran vessel, arbitrarily accused of being a spy.
Do you prefer bad guys or bad gals?
I've written about both and I've made them as mean and evil as I can! It's fun to have someone who can say and do the things one might have always wanted to but society says one can't because of retribution.
How do you use your bad guys?
In this case, Tran doesn't appear to be a "bad guy" at first. He's simply an innocent victim who was from the wrong place at the wrong time. It's only when he escapes from Detention and leaves the planet and ignores Sinbad's messages to wait so he can bring Andi to him that things become suspicious. The fact that he's heading toward a planet known to be a hereditary enemy of his own people is strange, also. He brings about Andi's meeting with the man who'll change her life forever, as well as Sin's meeting with the woman who'll make him see that all Terrans aren't to be hated.
Do you enjoy writing the bad guys or do you find it difficult?
It was fun!
Whether you enjoy writing them or hate writing them, we'd like to know why you feel that way?
My villains can say and do what they want, to whoever they want, whenever they want. I'd never do anything like that, but it's fun to pretend for a little while that I'm someone who can. Of course, they always get their "come-uppance" in the end, but it's a great ride while it lasts!
Who is your favorite bad guy in any of your books? Which bad guy and which book are they in?
I guess I'd have to say Mircea Ravagui in my unpublished novel Shadow Lord. Not only does Mircea get away with murdering Marek Strigoi's father, stepmother, little brother and sister, but he manages to get the hero sent to Hell for a hundred and twenty-five years!
Who is your favorite fictional bad guy -- that's not in your books?
I'd have to say Blackie Duquesne from the Skylark of Space by "Doc" Smith.
Please provide your website link.
What is the link to buy your book?
www.lulu.com; www.doubledradonbooks.com
Thank you for telling us about your bad guys. We love to meet the "evil ones".
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Under Lock and Key by Rebecca Benston
Who causes friction in the story? In my Rona Shively Stories mystery series, my main character, Rona Shively causes a lot of her own friction. She just gets into things that spell trouble. Generally, though, I try to make the villain someone the reader would never suspect. As in the first book, many people were surprised to find that the bad guy was...well...I can't really say. That kind of gives it away for those who haven't read it. In Under Lock and Key, I pulled a major switch with one of the main characters as well.
Do you prefer bad guys or bad gals? I don't know why, but my villains tend to run in pairs. Usually, a man and a woman are the perpetrators of evil.
How do you use your bad guys? My bad guys are usually causing trouble for some poor, unsuspecting soul. Rona Shively is that equalizing force brought in to help the underdog out of some terrible circumstance.
Do you enjoy writing the bad guys or do you find it difficult? I like writing them, but I really like writing their demise. It makes me happy to see the bad guy get punched in the nose or something equally painful.
Whether you enjoy writing them or hate writing them, we'd like to know why you feel that way? I don't know, maybe it's because my bad guys tend to have some of the qualities that really cause me stress. Some are a composite of the people in my life who have caused me a significant level of grief. So, I guess it's my way of inflicting a harmless dose of revenge.
Who is your favorite bad guy in any of your books? Which bad guy and which book are they in? I enjoy my first villain the most because he was such a jerk. You really never saw it coming because you already hate him when you figure it out. He starts out as a creep, almost becomes likable and then you realize that your first instinct was the one you should have trusted.
Who is your favorite fictional bad guy -- that's not in your books? One of my favorites has been Kyle Craig in the James Patterson's Cross series. He just doesn't care who he kills. He's so sinister.
Is there anything else about your bad guys that we need to know? Sometimes, people are just bad. It's not likely that any of my bad guys are just having a bad day, they're usually significantly flawed and will deserve whatever Rona might do to them to bring them down. I hope you enjoy watching things unfold.
Please provide your website link. http://www.theronashivelystories.com
Do you prefer bad guys or bad gals? I don't know why, but my villains tend to run in pairs. Usually, a man and a woman are the perpetrators of evil.
How do you use your bad guys? My bad guys are usually causing trouble for some poor, unsuspecting soul. Rona Shively is that equalizing force brought in to help the underdog out of some terrible circumstance.
Do you enjoy writing the bad guys or do you find it difficult? I like writing them, but I really like writing their demise. It makes me happy to see the bad guy get punched in the nose or something equally painful.
Whether you enjoy writing them or hate writing them, we'd like to know why you feel that way? I don't know, maybe it's because my bad guys tend to have some of the qualities that really cause me stress. Some are a composite of the people in my life who have caused me a significant level of grief. So, I guess it's my way of inflicting a harmless dose of revenge.
Who is your favorite bad guy in any of your books? Which bad guy and which book are they in? I enjoy my first villain the most because he was such a jerk. You really never saw it coming because you already hate him when you figure it out. He starts out as a creep, almost becomes likable and then you realize that your first instinct was the one you should have trusted.
Who is your favorite fictional bad guy -- that's not in your books? One of my favorites has been Kyle Craig in the James Patterson's Cross series. He just doesn't care who he kills. He's so sinister.
Is there anything else about your bad guys that we need to know? Sometimes, people are just bad. It's not likely that any of my bad guys are just having a bad day, they're usually significantly flawed and will deserve whatever Rona might do to them to bring them down. I hope you enjoy watching things unfold.
Please provide your website link. http://www.theronashivelystories.com
What is the link to buy your book? http://www.theronashivelystories.com
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Cover of the Year - Asking for Your Vote
I just scanned the covers for Cover of the Year on Erin Aislinn's website and saw a lot of familiar covers - many were on my Judge A Book By its Cover blog last year :)
I invite you to visit http://www.erinaislinn.com/BookCoveroftheYear2007.htm and I hope that you will vote for Lady Lightkeeper which is one of my covers and it is listed as the winning cover for September.
If you prefer the easier route - feel free to email webmail@erinaislinn .com and put "VOTE for Lady Lightkeeper" in the subject line. I appreciate every vote :)
Nikki
Book Promo 101 - NOW AVAILABLE
www.nikkileigh. com/book_ promo_101. htm
"Coastal Suspense with a Touch of Romance"
Would you like information about the newest
blog tour option? Ask me for details and visit
www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion
I invite you to visit http://www.erinaislinn.com/BookCoveroftheYear2007.htm and I hope that you will vote for Lady Lightkeeper which is one of my covers and it is listed as the winning cover for September.
If you prefer the easier route - feel free to email webmail@erinaislinn .com and put "VOTE for Lady Lightkeeper" in the subject line. I appreciate every vote :)
Nikki
Book Promo 101 - NOW AVAILABLE
www.nikkileigh. com/book_ promo_101. htm
"Coastal Suspense with a Touch of Romance"
Would you like information about the newest
blog tour option? Ask me for details and visit
www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion
Friday, December 28, 2007
Silk Palace by Colin Harvey
Who causes friction in the story?
The plotters and the Royal Family that they’re plotting against – pretty much everyone is rubbing up against one another and getting up each other’s noses!
Do you prefer bad guys or bad gals?
Do you prefer bad guys or bad gals?
Oh, bad girls every time! Oh, sorry, are we talking about writing here? Being serious, I don’t see any difference between the two. I’ll use bad guys or girls as the occasion arises.
How do you use your bad guys?
How do you use your bad guys?
Often to provide a mirror to the hero, to highlight a view of him or her that we wouldn’t otherwise get.
Do you enjoy writing the bad guys or do you find it difficult?
Do you enjoy writing the bad guys or do you find it difficult?
I find it quite difficult, but I hope that I’m getting better at it. My first baddie was almost a mustache-twirling villain, but as I’ve gone along I’ve tried more and more to portray them as flawed, or as ordinary people who make bad choices.
Whether you enjoy writing them or hate writing them, we'd like to know why you feel that way?
Whether you enjoy writing them or hate writing them, we'd like to know why you feel that way?
Because one-dimensional villains are basically Hollywood ; they reduce the challenge to the hero, which reduces the effect of his or her victory. Without sacrifice, the victory is meaningless.
Who is your favorite bad guy in any of your books? Which bad guy and which book are they in?
Who is your favorite bad guy in any of your books? Which bad guy and which book are they in?
Arial from The Silk Palace; his only real sin is to be over-ambitious, and to think that he can control an elemental force. But that lack of sin doesn’t mask the terrible consequences of what he does.
Who is your favorite fictional bad guy -- that's not in your books?
Who is your favorite fictional bad guy -- that's not in your books?
Alfred Bester’s Gulliver Foyle, from The Stars My Destination (I grew up knowing it as Tiger! Tiger!) – the ultimate anti-hero.
Please provide your website link.
Please provide your website link.
What is the link to buy your book?
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Blog Tours - What Would You Like to Know
I'm doing a tele-seminar next week about blog tours and I would love input from you all.
There are many things to discuss about blog tours and I worked out some initial questions to get people thinking - they are:
Discover Ways to Promote Your Book on a Virtual Blog Tour to Gain Greater Visibility and Sales
- What are the benefits of doing a blog tour?
- Should you promote your book in a blog tour?
- Should fiction and non fiction books be promoted differently in a blog tour?
- Should you organize your own blog tour?
- Why hire a publicist to organize your tour?
- If you hire a publicist, will you still need to work on the tour?
- Can you use a blog tour to promote anything besides books?
- Is there a new option in book blog tours?
But, now I need to create a couple of handouts and I'd love your input. Is there any specific info about blog tours that any of you think would be most helpful? Some folks here have done tours, some have hosted touring authors and I bet some of you have thought about doing a tour. So, since many of the people here are authors, I figured it would be a great place to pose the question. What information would you suggest I offer in handouts? Thank you all for your thoughts. There will be plenty of blog tour info coming very soon .
Nikki Leigh
PS - The answer to the last question is - most definitely. Stay tuned for much more information about that option - SOON. Or, contact me to be added to the mailing list - nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com with Mailing List in the subject line.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
The Last Free Men - by Jack Everett & David Coles
The Last Free Men - by Jack Everett & David Coles
We want to hear about the bad guys, bad gals and villains in your book. Even if you don't have a murderer, thief or other "bad guy" there should be some negative force.
Who causes friction in the story?
Iavolina. She is the wife of the Commandant of Fort Throp, a real fort close to Hadrian's Wall which, almost two thousand years ago separated Scotland from Britain. Iavolina is a spoiled Roman girl who, we can surmise married her ageing husband Septimus as a way to family money. Unfortunately, she had not reckoned with life on Rome's North West frontier; she took lovers and since her latest seemed too good to miss, she left the provincial little marching fort. After causing a great deal of mayhem - all of which furthered the story - she makes a totally undeserved fete.
Do you prefer bad guys or bad gals?
No preference
How do you use your bad guys?
To add conflict to the story, to add another thread, to give an alternative viewpoint.
Do you enjoy writing the bad guys or do you find it difficult?
Yes, we enjoy it.
Whether you enjoy writing them or hate writing them, we'd like to know why you feel that way?
Creating an evil character or even a merely bad individual is a challenge because the narrative still has to be enjoyable as well as gripping the reader and making her want to continue When it comes out right, the effort is really worthwhile.
Who is your favorite bad guy in any of your books? Which bad guy and which book are they in?
Our favourite bad guy is called Calupsis; he is the leader of what is left of King Arthur's Knights after chivalry has been entirely forgotten. He is pretty horrible. Calupsis appears in the young adult's fantasy novel Merlin's Kin, available as an eBook from Mobipocket.com. (A few paperbacks are still available … email us from our websites.)
Who is your favorite fictional bad guy -- that's not in your books?
Undoubtedly this is the anti-hero Cugel in Jack Vance's “Dying Earth” fantasy books: “the Eyes of the Overworld” and “Cugel's Saga”.
Is there anything else about your bad guys that we need to know? Feel free to share
As good guys are not wholly good, so bad guys are never all bad. However, it's difficult to find anything of a redeeming nature in either of our books that we mention above; both are made bad by their own self-serving nature. It's worth noting that only some of our bad guys end up with their just deserts.
Please provide your website link.
http://www.davidBColes.co.uk
http://www.JackLEverett.me.uk
What is the link to buy your book?
http://www.virtualtales.com/StoryProducts~tn~Last+Free+Men.html
Thank you for telling us about your bad guys. We love to meet the "evil ones".
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