Can you tell us a little about your books and yourself?
The Project Solstice series is a combination of my love for sci-fi and paranormal. Although most of the stuff I read is paranormal, I wanted to find a way to combine the two. Section 51 is the start of the series that's probably more paranormal than sci-fi. This is where my heroine Ava Frost falls into the ultra-secretive world of Project Solstice. Department 51 picks up a few months after Section 51 and Ava is forced back into the fold.

Check out Section 51 Book.

What inspired you to write your books?
All of those other writers out there who were taking a chance with putting their love for writing out there for the world to see. It's a bit scary, but definitely worth it. No matter how these books turn out, at least I'll be able to say I tried.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I learned that I could write actually write a series without becoming bored with it. That was my biggest fear. The last thing I want to do is lose interest and leave the series unfinished.

What are some challenges that you faced while writing?
Keeping everything straight. I really need to work on a series bible because I always have to go back to previous books to check things. Also, keeping things interesting and moving forward. I want to make sure readers keep turning the pages.

Who or what in your life would you say influenced you the most?
My family. Specifically my older brother. We were Star Wars fans to the extreme. Although he never got into Star Trek like my mom and I did, I could always count on him to know as much as I knew about science fiction shows and movies as I did.

 What are your hobbies and interests away from the desk?
Movies. I'm a HUGE fan of science fiction--no surprise there--and horror movies. But I'm also very picky about my horror movies. Slasher movies bore me and the same goes with ghost stories. Unless it's smart along the lines of The Sixth Sense or Silence of the Lambs, I have no interest in seeing it.

 What do you get passionate about?
Politics and the state of the world we live in. So don't go there. :-)

 What does “success” mean to you?
I means I get to quit my job and write full-time while spending more time with my family.

What are your current projects?
I've finished my edits for Unit 51, so it's in the hands of one beta reader. I still need to get a hold of the second one. Also, I'm working on the forth book, Space 51.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Know the business. Just like with any job, you can't walk into it and think you know everything you need to know because you don't and it'll show. The more you know, the less discouraged you'll be. And trust me, there will be those moments. But as long as you're prepared for them, those moments won't last long before you're back into the writing saddle again.

Feel free to connect with me online at...
Website: http://www.vgharrison.com
Blog: http://vgharrison.blogspot.com/

Want to know where to buy my books?
Amazon: Section 51
Barnes & Noble : Section 51
Kobo: Section 51
Smashwords : https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/vgharrison

Can you tell us a little about your books and yourself?

I often ask myself 'who is Jessica Ross?' and the answer which almost always comes back is somebody who is trying to teach people how to break away from pharmaceuticals, and get back to our heritage. We have a long, rich history of natural healing, which somewhere along the way got transformed into dependence on manufactured medication, I see myself as a small link in helping to break that cycle. 

My books are just one of the 'vehicles' I use to achieve this. Writing is a relaxing outlet for me so it's what you will find me doing most of the time I'm not with my family. 

What inspired you to write your books?

I've always had a passion for writing, and after a long break from writing children's stories under a pseudonym, I decided to let my belief in having the freedom to say no to the drug companies take the limelight, and I began writing my natural health series, How to make tinctures' being the first book in this series. 

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I always learn something from each book I write, sometimes something personal about myself, other times something much more profound, however this time I discovered that so many more people desperately want to move into natural healing where safe and possible. I even found people willing to move from pharmaceuticals for what I would consider 'alpha' conditions such as heart problems. This is something I would never recommend of course, not unless it is discussed and monitored by your health professional.

What are some challenges that you faced while writing?

I didn't really face what you could consider a problem as such. The only problem I really faced was that I wanted the book to be an introduction into how to make tinctures for your health, so needed to keep the amount of recipes to a minimum. 

So my issue was which ones to put in the book and which to edit out. However that has allowed me to start work on How to make tinctures volume 2, which is already crammed to the rafters with recipe after recipe, and by the time I finish will be up to around 101 recipes. 

Who or what in your life would you say influenced you the most?

My parents. They were firm believers in idea of being able to do what you feel passionate about, to make even a small difference. Life is for living, so live it well. 

What are your hobbies and interests away from the desk?

Oh dear, my hobbies are terribly 'everyday' I'm afraid. My family always takes precedence over anything, that includes my writing. I cherish every day I have with them. I love my animals too, so nice long walks are a great way to clear your head and bond with my dogs. 

What do you get passionate about?

Well I think my books say it better than I could. I guess if I had to summarise it into one sentence then it would be to loosen the grip that commercial pharmaceuticals have over our lives, and get back some of our freedom. 

What does 'success' mean to you?

Balance. I know that may sound a little strange for an answer, but to me you cannot have success without failure, so the true secret of success is to balance the failures to your successes. 

What are your current projects?

Well I've just finished How to make herbal tea's, which is now available on Amazon. It is in the same vein as how to make tinctures, in that it is an introduction into the art of healing through tea, but this time I added many more recipes to get, and keep you going. 

I'm also in the middle of writing How to make tinctures volume 2 as mentioned earlier. Look out for it when it hits Amazon, shouldn't be too long now. 

I run a free newsletter too, an all natural health related monthly newsletter where I give free recipes, answer readers questions and generally try to make a difference in your life, in a small, easy to read email. 

If you want to sign up you can do so here: http://ross.theherbalworkshop.co.uk

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Oh that's easy, just start to write it. If you never start it, you'll never finish it. If it's not what you expected then you can always edit it as you go and make it perfect. 

Can you tell us a little about your books and yourself? 

I have written several how to books and several children's books.Basically, anytime I feel passionately about something, I research and write about it. My favorite book topics are on how to write, like How to Self Publish Children's Books and Travel Books.

What inspired you to write your books?
I am inspired to write when I learn something new or when I have acquired a new experience. I just feel the need to share this with others.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I always learn something when I write my books. In the Orlando Restaurant Guide, I discovered even more hidden culinary gems in the Orlando area. These are places that locals actually hang out in.

What are some challenges that you faced while writing?
I tried to keep the book strictly about locally owned restaurants and yet found myself having to include a few obscure chain restaurants.Although most of the book stayed true to my intention, there are just some really quirky chains down here that I thought readers would want to know about.

Who or what in your life would you say influenced you the most?
In this area, my father had a big influence. He has opened up nineteen hotels and restaurants and really instilled in my a passion for amazing food.

What are your hobbies and interests away from the desk?
I travel a lot and just returned from a tour of Europe. I just love exploring other places and cultures.

What do you get passionate about?
I love learning new things and teaching them to others. If I can find a better way to do something, I feel compelled to share it.

What does “success” mean to you?
Having the ability and the funds to do exactly what I please whenever I feel like it.

What are your current projects?
I am writing a new book on how to earn a hundred dollars a day online legitimately. There are so many ways to do this and I believe at this time, people truly need this knowledge.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Keep writing. Keep a journal. Write on restaurant napkins. Keep an idea book. Just keep writing. You will find your own clear voice simply by doing this.

Can you tell us a little about your books and yourself?

In the brand-new, marvelous age of digital self-publishing, I can write a story and have it available for sale within days. Only a few years ago, this was an impossible dream. Recently I decided to start writing short stories of between 7,000 to 10,000 words. Most are lengthy, close to 10,000 words. I call them "long stories," since most short stories are under 5,000. I try to include a lot of suspense in my stories.

In early August of 2013, I published my first novel, Ronda and Richard, a full length erotic romance set in the mid-seventies. Here's my author page on amazon.

What inspired you to write your books?

I wrote stories for years and never was able to get them published. Now I publish my own in this wonderful age of self-publishing.


Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? 

Never self-publish your novel or stories until you feel it has been sufficiently edited.  Nothing turns readers off more than a sloppily edited book. Always, without exception, have your cover created by a professional. There are some very good cover designers on Fiverr.com. They show their samples on their Fiverr page. Work from a good outline and you wil rarely experience writer’s block.


What are some challenges that you faced while writing?

Not many because I have always worked from a good outline. I can’t imagine how anyone can just start writing a 70 ro 80,000 word novel without an outline. It would be like driving a car without headlights.


Who or what in your life would you say influenced you the most?

My Dad. He passed away and I miss him every day.

What are your hobbies and interests away from the desk?

Sailing, politics, the Jersey shore beaches.

What do you get passionate about?

My kids and their kids.

What does “success” mean to you?

Doing something really well and feeling afterwards that you have done your best.

What are your current projects?

I want to write a series of novellas about an interesting and appealing female character.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

You must write every day, even if it is only a hundred words. A record of words written forces you to write every day. I keep a word diary like this:

DATE         TODAY            TO DATE       TIME                COMMENTS

May 11    1, 423 words      total– 23,102    3.2 hours        Very few interuptions.

May 12        792 words      total– 23,894    1.6 hours     Little writing time available

May 13     2,356 words      total–  26,250   4.4 hours     Great writing day. Steamed right along.


When you are going good like on the May 13th day above, stop only when you are are fatigued and know what you are going to write next. This will assure that you don’t get writer’s block the next day. Nobel prize winner Ernest Hemingway always used this method.  
 
Make the decision whether you want to be a writer or not. You must love to write right from the beginning. You can learn to become a better writer, but I believe the intense passion to write has to be there from the start. Don’t give up your day job but keep writing, writing, writing. Switch genres if you want, but always keep putting words on paper. To be successful as a writer requires, tenacity, discipline and the ability to take rejection. Being a writer is hard work. If you aren’t prepared to handle the inevitable frustration and disappointment,  then try another line of work. There are far easier ways to make a living.

Constantly envision yourself as an accomplished writer. It may take some time, but if you do this, success will come to you.

Remember that you have to promote your books once they are listed on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. There are now many print and e-books out on the subject of book promotion.

Educate yourself by constantly reading the books of other successful writers in your genre. You will learn an enormous amount from their writing.

If you can, write about what you know, and then let your imagination take over.
Buy and read books on how to improve your writing skills. Many of the Writers Digest books have been very helpful to me. I save money by buying my books used. If a book only gives you one writing tip or method that helps you in your everyday writing, then it is worth the entire cost of the book.

J.Z. PINDER’S NOVEL AND SHORT STORIES


RONDA AND RICHARD : The Novel – A young woman’s pursuit of happiness

My full length, 77,000 word novel about the moving love story between a small-town girl and a wealthy businessman from a big city.

DESCRIPTIONS AND LINKS TO HER SHORT STORY PAGES

DARLINE’S SEXUAL  HARASSMENT: A woman fights a workplace predator

Darline’s sexual harassment

Darline Flowers, a pretty blonde in her late twenties takes a position as Executive Secretary to Earl Brumbach, a top officer of a food products company. Brumbach has a notorious reputation of longstanding sexual harassment involving many female employees. The year is 1964. Darline desperately tries to do a good job while avoiding the obsessive sexual advances of the lecherous Brumbach. You will thoroughly enjoy the final crisis and the unexpected solution to her problems with her horny boss. (10,117 words)


LOVE AND DANGER IN HAVANA

Love and danger in Havana

The scene of this adventurous story is set in the aftermath of the Cuban revolution of 1959. Twenty somethings Darline Flowers and her writer boyfriend Larry Marino, have decided to vacation in Havana, Cuba. Imagine their surprise when they discover that they have arrived in Cuba at the tail end of the revolution in which Fidel Castro and his soldiers have taken over the country. There is still some skirmishes and bombings in the city. At the hotel in Havana they meet Mike and Pam, a young American couple who have fled the U.S. because of federal charges brought by Pams’ father. While visiting a famous tourist bar they invite a handful of Cuban soldiers to a party at the hotel the next evening. The exciting events that occur during the party and in the days after make this thrilling adventure story a must read. (9,464 words)

 DARLINE’S ENCOUNTER WITH A CRAZED KILLER

Darline’s encounter with a crazed killer

Darline Flowers is the pretty young corporate development officer for a large corporation. Darline and her best friend are having lunch at a swank restaurant where they discuss the recent murder of a young woman from their central city neighborhood. One day while shopping in the small supermarket near her apartment, Darline meets a handsome man about her age, who introduces himself only as Buddy. Later, Buddy seems to keep turning up in Darline’s life. You will be thrilled by the sexy and unusual ending to this story. (7,739 words)


THE ICE CREAM ADDICTION: A mysterious herb takes over a country town

The ice cream addiction

This lengthy short story focuses on Lorna Carney, a middle-aged widow, who owns a small family dairy farm called Good Acres. Everyone calls her “Ma.” She decides to open an ice cream shop in Colton Hollow, her home town. A few months before his death, her husband, Caleb, bought an old book in a used bookstore while on a visit to the City. The book’s title was “The Qualities of the Analexium Fisticium Plant.” It seems that the herb has strange and mysterious qualities. This lengthy short story will keep you enthralled until the last page.


THE PASSIONATE ROMANCE OF LANCE AND REGINA

The passionate romance of Lance and Regina

Lance Perillo lives an uneventful life with his wife and young daughter. His world is turned upside down when, in a local bar, he meets Regina Henley, a beautiful widow. He hasn’t been getting along with his wife and he craves feminine companionship and sex, so he begins a relationship with Regina. The one of a kind, shocking finale to this story puts it in a class all by itself. (5,584 words)

 BEVERLY’S LOVE AFFAIR: A frustrated woman’s search for romance

Beverly’s Love Affair

This short story opens with Beverly Rollins having lunch at the Atrium restaurant with her best friend and coworker, Ruth powers. Beverly confides to Ruth that she feels terribly neglected by her husband, Norman. She is actually considering having an affair with Christopher, whom she has been chatting with online for some time. Beverly decides to give it one more try with Norman. She will prepare a delicious dinner and set up a romantic evening with him Hopefully this will revive his sexual feelings toward her. (9,643 words)