Tuesday, November 30, 2010

INTERVIEW with CLARE DARGIN

Today I’m interviewing fellow Red Rose Publishing author,
Clare Dargin. Her book, Speculative Sky is a science fiction    
short fiction and was recently released. Welcome!

Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.
Sure no problem. Speculative Sky is about a young woman who is an astrophysicist who journeys to another planet in hopes of furthering her dream of being the first to discover Extra Terrestrial Intelligence. To her surprise, her boss a fellow scientist discourages her efforts but she forges ahead and gets a surprise of her life.
Describe the genre of this particular title, and is the only genre you write in?
I believe this is Science Fiction though I’ve been told that it has elements of Romance between the two main characters.
When did you start writing toward publication?
About fifteen years ago. It was so daunting and then one day, I discovered that e-publishing was available to me and it turned to be the perfect fit! Speculative Sky is not my first but I still love it nonetheless. I have been published before with my scifi military romance novel ‘Cold Warriors.’
Did you have several manuscripts finished before you sold? If so, did you send them out yourself?
Prior to Speculative Sky, yes I had several. But only a couple of them were worthy of being published. One day I hope to have them released again.
Do you have a specific writing style?
Yes I do but I am not sure what to call it. When people read my work, I want them to feel as if they are right there in the midst of it all. I want them to be able to hear, taste, smell and see the action as if it is happening all around them. I also tend to write tight stories with quick pacing. It's what I like to read and consequently how I write.
What inspired you to write this book?
Well, ever since I was a child I always wanted to be a writer. It was a dream of mine to be published and to write stories that everyone could enjoy. Speculative Sky was created because I’ve always had a fascination with stories about Extra-Terrestrial Life and S.E.T.I. and I wanted to integrate such a story with a female character as a strong and intelligent lead.
And how did you come up with the title?
To be honest I’ve always been attracted and fascinated by the abstract and the symbolic. I wanted the title to be symbolic of what April Mullen, the main character, has to deal with as an Astronomer and all that came with her assignment.
What is Speculative Sky about?
It is about a woman who takes a chance and leaves for an assignment on a science colony far away from Earth. As an astronomer, it is her job to monitor the stars at night and to record her findings. Nothing more than that. But, when she arrives, she notices that her new home is a bit odd, and that though there is evidence of life out there… they don’t want her to either acknowledge it or do anything about it. She of course finds this troubling.
Why have you become a published author?
Because I have an obsessive need to entertain people with stories! I can’t help myself!
What are your current projects?
Presently I am finishing up the final editing for “Ice and Peace” the sequel to Cold Warriors. As well as having another expanded universe book in the works. Not to mention, two futuristic romances that are completely different from my military fiction.
Wow! You sound as busy as me! This can be a lonely profession. Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
The Motown Creative Writers Group-- they helped get on the road to being published. And not to mention the many groups in the Romance community. They really pointed me in the right direction. I'm grateful for that.
Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract?
Just because one editor does not like your work or says that it is not a good fit for their press it does not mean that there isn’t an audience and an editor out there that wouldn’t want your book right away! Don’t give up! Keep trying and your audience will eventually find you!

BOOK BLURB
Astrophysicist April Mullen has just been hired to monitor the deepest reaches of outer space. In this small outpost filled with scientists, she notices something amiss. Though the idea of searching for extra-terrestrial contact is permitted, the practice of doing so is not encouraged. Not satisfied with the status quo, April decides to forgo the warnings of her superiors to make contact with the inhabitants of that speculative sky. (Published: 2010)

EXCERPT

     “It’s amazing. You say this happens every day?”
     “Night, mostly, but you get the idea,” Bart said, pouring more of the sweet concoction into her glass.
     “Do they know about this back home?”
     “Sure they do. We send them the data all the time. And they tell us to keep tracking.”
     “Why didn’t anyone say anything?”
     “About what? A few blips on a screen?” Bart scowled, pouring more into his glass. “How’s that interesting?”
     “It’s more than we ever had at home.”
     “Trust me, April, it’s nothing.”
     “Bart, this is... Has anyone made contact?”
     “Don’t talk like that around here. Just leave it alone,” he said, shaking his head. “Calm down, get to know the place. You’ll really like it here. Most people don’t want to go home after being here.”
     “I‟m sure that’s the case, but how can I not be excited over this? It’s the find of a lifetime,” April said, reveling in the thought of making contact with extra-terrestrial life.
     “You don’t have to try to impress us. Just do your work and you’ll be fine.”
     “What does that mean?”
     “It means you don’t worry about it. There is plenty of research to be done. You could spend your entire lifetime studying the Jugis Star Cluster alone.”
     “Haven’t you ever looked up in the sky and wondered if there was anyone else out there?”
     “Of course I have. And if anyone back home asks, tell them it’s just us,” he said, finishing off his drink.
     “That’s not what I‟m talking about.”
     “I know what you’re talking about and don’t worry about it.”
     “What?”
     “What you’re thinking. Just don’t do it. I’m telling you, don’t do it.”

A little bit about the author

Clare Dargin is an author of science fiction and science fiction romance. She is an animal lover, just ask her two dogs that get away with everything… She continues to write in her spare time while she is pursuing her education. Her latest work ‘Speculative Sky’ is available now from Red Rose Publishing.

How can my readers buy your book?

Here is the buy link: http://bit.ly/gAXy8c

You can find more information about Clare Dargin and her book, ‘Speculative Sky* by

Visiting her website at http://www.claredargin.host22.com/

Or her blog at http://www.claredargin.bravejournal.com/

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

THANKSGIVING AND ... FOOD!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day here in the United States, when we take a day to say how thankful we are for...whatever. Some are thankful their loved ones are no longer serving in a combat zone (that's me, talking) and others are thankful for good health, a steady job, or the love of a partner. But, the real thanks happens around a table laden with FOOD!

Which brings me to the thought for the week...what are you having this Thanksgiving? And...can you give me ideas of something easy, hot, and different that I can bring to a holiday party in two weeks?  This query brings to mind the pot luck suppers I attended back in our small town in New Hampshire. Here is an excerpt from DESTINY'S MOUNTAIN and harps on Destiny's choice of ...well, you'll just have to read it:

Destiny couldn’t wait to tell Josie everything. She found the perfect chance when Josie called and invited her to a potluck supper at the firehouse.



“You can’t stay cooped up forever. You’ve been so unhappy.”


“Please. Change the subject.”


“Fine, but please come. We’re hosting the annual pot-luck supper for local deer hunters.”


“And you guys do this, why?”


“To raise money for a new ambulance. Everyone brings something in a casserole or crock-pot, and we bake brownies at the station.”


“Okay, I’ll be there. What can I bring? Too late to cook.”


“A beverage? We always run dry,” Josie said.


After racing home and cleaning up, she threw on some comfortable clothes then stopped at the corner store for a keg of beer. When she showed up at the firehouse with a keg of ice-cold beer, Pete Thayer was the first to reach her and her burden.


“Let me help you with this, sweetheart.” Even with his flirty words, she’d been happy to have anyone carry the keg. Catching her by surprise, Pete had covered her hands with his while giving her a wicked smile.


“Thanks,” Destiny mumbled before she pulled her hands away from his strong grasp and went to find her friend. She offered to help in the kitchen. Carrying a large bowl of potato salad toward the buffet, the fire alarm shrieked. She felt the men’s stares as she bobbled the bowl. She hugged the bowl to her chest, took a breath, and then set it on the table. Hands free, she clutched one over her thudding heart.


“That’s loud enough to wake the dead.”


The men groaned then bolted toward the fire trucks parked outside. Josie raced from the kitchen, threw her apron at Destiny, and jumped inside the ambulance. Destiny waved goodbye as the speaker sputtered news about the call, and retreated into the kitchen.

I will not be drinking beer tomorrow, but hubby will when he enjoys his football games. We are having lobster tails this year, a belated birthday celebration for me, brought to us by CIVITAN, a local professional civic organization in Raleigh, North Carolina who hold an annual lobster fundraiser. So, fill up the stock pot, melt the butter, and pass the cloeslaw while we enjoy our New England fare, in the balmy south.
DESTINY'S MOUNTAIN, my romantic suspense, is available from Red Rose Publishing, and Amazon.com for Kindle 
Buy it now:  http://amzn.to/i81u3d

Thursday, November 11, 2010

New Cover for Unwrapping Chris

Here is the new cover for my military-based contemporary romance, UNWRAPPING CHRIS. Hot cannot describe it. Whisper's Publishing has done another fine job. Check out the last blog article for the book blurb and watch for the release on Dec. 3rd!