The one where I interview Claudia Lefeve, Author and Super Woman

Ok, so technically she's probably not the actual "Super Woman" but she advocates for victims rights and is even willing to put money towards the cause, so in my book she's a Super Woman. And you've just read it on the Internet, so it must be true, right? Well, now that we've got that settled, everyone should grab a beverage while we cozy up to Claudia and pick her brain.

First, please note that you can read my review of her novella, The Fury, over at See Spot Read. And now the interview:

1.) How long have you been writing?
Unlike a lot of authors out there, I didn't pen my first novel at five, but I've always loved telling stories. 

2.) What made you choose the horror genre? Have you always been a horror fan?
Horror is one of the few genres that allows the reader to carry over that element of fear, beyond the last turn of the page. Personally, I think a person is more likely to check under the bed or behind the closet door after a good scary story, than to expect true love to come knocking on your door right after reading a romance novel. Call me cheap...I want my money's worth.

3.) What is your writing routine like? Do you have another job?
I don't really have a routine, but I try to write every night after work. With working full-time for the police and my part-time job as a college adjunct, it's simply a matter of time management. When not doing any of the above, I can almost always be found on the couch with my laptop - like right now.

4.) I've recently discovered that garden gnomes creep me out. What scares you? Do you have any silly phobias?
Dolls, puppets, and clowns will kill you in the middle of the night. It's true. When I was in high school, I refused to crash in my friend's room one night because she had a ventriloquist dummy in her closet. It's a good thing I don't have kids or they'd be stuck with only Tonka trucks!

5.) Who would you say your biggest literary influences are?
Ray Bradbury, Kurt Vonnegut, Stephen King, and my beloved William Faulkner. Their writing reflects a desire to entertain and engage readers on their own terms, not to please. There's a difference.

6.) The Fury deals with rape and I see that you are donating profits from the sale for a whole month to Pandora's Project. How did that come about?
While I get to advocate for the rights of victims in my full-time job, I rarely get the opportunity to support causes like Pandora's Project on a more personal level. The Fury is entirely fictional, but it stemmed from a case I worked on when I wanted to set the whole courtroom ablaze after an unfavorable verdict. The story just grew from there.

*From April 15th to May 15th, all proceeds from the sale of Claudia's novella, The Fury, will be donated to Pandora's Project in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Please visit her website to purchase the book*

7.) Do you ever scare yourself when you're writing?
Can't say that I scare myself as I'm writing, but I definitely have my moments while researching.

8.) I've noticed that you've done short stories and a novella. Is there a novel in the works?
When I finally built up enough confidence in my writing, I sent out a few short stories that were sold to a couple of anthologies. Last fall I started working on a novel, Heir. I had it pretty much wrapped-up, until I decided to do a 180 and changed it from fantasy to sci-fi/paranormal. I'm currently in the re-write process and I'm hopeful for a mid-late summer release.

9.) Do you belong to a writing group? Who reads your first drafts?
I'm not part of a writing group, but I'm a current sponsor and participant in A Round of Words in Eighty Days. It's a writing challenge offered quarterly, designed for writers who, well, have a life! Even though ROW80 is an individual challenge, it's amazing how much support you receive from the other writers involved. I even found one of my best beta readers being involved in this challenge.

10.) What advice would you give to newbie writers?
Write everyday! Over the last couple years, I've finally begun to believe in myself and my writing. Most of that is due to making writing a daily habit.


Claudia Lefeve lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two pugs. For more information about the author, please visit her blog http://claudialefeve.blogspot.com or website at www.claudialefeve.com

Thanks for stopping by dear readers!  We're back to my regularly scheduled nonsense tomorrow!

Happy Monday,
♥Spot

The one where I do another author interview...

That's right...I'm like the Barbara Walters of the Indie Author world. Or I will be. Some day. Only without so much nasal voice. So hurry up, grab a seat and a beverage (BYO of course). Today's interview is with Anthony Izzo whom I met through the Indie Horror site. If you are a writer of horror, a reader of horror or offer services to authors you should definitely check this site out. Oh and they're going to put up my review there as well. Which is probably only exciting to me but I thought I'd let you know anyway. So without further ado...

Anthony Izzo writes, draws, and plays guitar with his wife and two sons at his home in the creepy snow covered hills of Western New York. When he is not horrifying his neighbors, he can usually be found in a local library, museum, or billiard room. And I found out his favorite color is blue...you know...because I'm all investigative like that...

You may also find Anthony online at www.anthonyizzo.com, or on facebook at Anthony Izzo.

I took the time to ask Anthony some questions about his writing life....

1.)How long have you been writing novels?
I've been writing novels for about fifteen years.

2.)What do you do for your day job?
For my day job, I work in the wild-and-crazy world of health insurance.

3.)Is this your fist published novel?
No Escape is not my first published novel. My first, Cruel Winter, was published by Kensington/Pinnacle books in 2005.

4.)What made you decide to go the Indie route?
I went Indie because the market for my print books seemed to dry up. I also love the creative freedom of being an independent author.

5.)In No Escape there is a huge military presence and the main character is ex-military. Do you have a military background yourself?
I don't have a military background, but military technology and military history have always been interests of mine.

6.)What scares you personally? Do you have any silly phobias?
I have a horrible fear of heights. Tall ladders are my sworn enemy.

7.)What is your writing routine?
I typically write 3-4 pages a day. Usually in a couple of writing sessions.

8.)Have you always been a fan of horror?
I've loved horror since I watched the first Halloween movie back in the early eighties.

9.)What other authors inspire you?
I'm inspired by Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Cormac McCarthy, and most recently, Joe Konrath.

10.)What advice would you give to newbie writers out there?
Read a lot and write a lot. Above all, don't quit!

Thank you very much Anthony, it was a pleasure both reading your book and doing the interview. Don't miss my review of Anthony's book, No Escape over at See Spot Read! You can find No Escape for sale at Smashwords and other ebook retailers. His other works include: Cruel Winter, Evil Harvest, and The Dark Ones.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by. Those of you who are new...sit a spell, look around check out the archives. To all my regulars...I promise more nonsense from my family next post.

Happy Monday,
♥Spot