Loading ...Interview and Contest with M. R. Sellars
Exclusive Bitten by Books
Interview with Author M. R. Sellars
A big welcome to our readers today! Be sure to read to the end of the interview to find out how to WIN the fabulous prizes being offered up. Open to readers worldwide!
NOTE: This is not a fixed time event, the post just goes live at 10:00 pm CDT. You can stop by any time during the day or evening and leave your questions and comments through tomorrow afternoon.
Interview:
Hi M. R.!
Welcome to Bitten by Books, we are excited to have you here today!
I would like to thank you taking the time to join us for the question and answer session with our readers. It has been very interesting to get to know more about you and what makes you tick as a writer! Readers, if you haven’t done so already please stop by and get your copy of M.R.’s latest release Blood Moon
BBB: What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of writing?
MRS: Talking the Evil Redhead (wife) into letting me out of my cage so that I can actually use the computer…
But seriously, I think maybe these days the biggest hurdle I face is actually finding the time to sit down and write. As an author you find yourself wearing more than just the one hat. Besides flinging words, you have to be a savvy marketer too. Even though you have a publicist, he or she is usually swamped handling multiple authors, so there is still quite a bit of the job that ends up in your own lap. On any given day I spend several hours working on anything from answering fan mail to adding a blog entry to the queue. I don’t really mind because I enjoy communicating with fans, and I really love telling stories of all types, therefore my blog ends up being a bit of an outlet for me. Of course, there are also tours to plan and all that sort of stuff, not to mention the actual travel itself. Another obstacle is that when I am home I am also the chief cook and bottle washer, househusband, etc., so there is always some laundry or grocery shopping to be done at the very least.
And, when you throw a family into the mix with any profession, it always becomes more complex, especially when you work from home. I really am a bit of a homebody, and I like to spend time with my wife and daughter. Fortunately, I am able to set aside a portion of the day for work while the Evil Redhead is at her job and the offspring is at school.
BBB: What is the most rewarding aspect of writing for you?
MRS: The paycheck… Wait… No, that’s not it. To be honest I think that would have to be a combination of entertainment and education. When I hear from someone who has enjoyed one of the novels, or even the series thus far, it’s a major “warm fuzzy.” Even though I write pretty dark stuff I’m actually fond of warm fuzzies. At any rate, when someone tells me they’ve enjoyed one of my stories, that’s when I know I have done what I set out to do - that being to tell an engaging and entertaining tale that evokes an emotional response. As to the education portion of the answer, what I mean is I am fortunate enough to learn something every time I write, and I love to learn.
BBB: Your books seem extremely well researched. Do you enjoy this part of writing? What resources do you find most helpful?
MRS: Thank you. I truly love to do research. I know some folks find it boring, but to me it’s like a big mystery to solve. I think that probably goes hand in hand with the whole “learning thing.” Given the type of fiction I write, I’m under no illusion that suspension of disbelief is unimportant. Nothing could be further from the truth. I ask my readers to take a proverbial “leap of faith” with regard to Rowan and his clairvoyant abilities, and perhaps even more so than some other authors since I haven’t created a radically different “universe” for the RGI novels. Rowan operates in a world that isn’t an extreme divergence from reality; therefore, everything has to be “real world accurate” in order to be believable. In order to make that happen, solid research is key.
As to resources, I hate to be cliché about it, but going straight to the well is what works best for me. By that I mean, I have friends who are local cops and some who are Federal Agents (FBI, ATF, etc.). I’ve developed working relationships with medical examiners and other types of doctors. I’ve interviewed victims of violent crimes and people with psychological disorders. In cases where Rowan has picked up a pistol, I either own and/or have fired the particular make and model. In most cases - though I will admit not all - if I write about a particular place, then I’ve actually been there and spent some time getting to know the surroundings.
Of course, I do research via books too. I spend plenty of time at the library and have an extensive collection of non-fiction research material in my office as well. Still, I will go straight to the source whenever possible.
BBB: What do you feel are the benefits of the new electronic readers such as Kindle 2
MRS: Well, the obvious benefit is that they save paper and reduce pollution from the manufacture of said paper. However, I’m not sure what their carbon footprint is as far as their own manufacture. There might well be more pollution generated from the creation of 1 Kindle
The other thing is this - since they are relatively inexpensive, when they break after going out of warranty and the repair bill is too much, are they then destined to end up in a landfill? That would be something to think about, because at least paper is biodegradable; electronic components and plastic, not so much.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not opposed to electronic readers at all. But, there are other emerging technologies that reduce paper usage as well, so it’s a hard question to answer when you are looking at it purely from an environmental impact point of view.
BBB: What impact do electronic readers create on the bottom line for authors in the end? Do you feel they have a negative impact or positive, or no impact at all that you can see?
MRS: Bottom line, very little impact for traditional print authors as far as I can see. My publisher is actually working on converting the RGI series to various e-book formats, but based on the market share, I don’t expect a terribly significant bump in my royalties. However, I could be wrong, and if I am I’ll certainly admit it. But, based on everything I have read I don’t perceive it as a major boon. Again, that’s just my perception.
As to a negative impact, I don’t see that either. Books are already pirated constantly, whether print or electronic. In fact, all of mine have shown up on torrent servers left and right, and they aren’t even officially in electronic format yet. Therefore, if someone wants to pirate a book, it’s going to happen, no matter what format it is in.
As far as negatively impacting the bottom line when it comes to royalties, that shouldn’t happen either because if you have a title out in both print and e-book format, you should still get paid royalties on either sale. Even though e-books are often less expensive, the royalty percentages are generally higher, therefore it all comes out in the wash. If you aren’t picking up a decent royalty on an electronic version, well, then you might want to take that into consideration on your next contract before you sign it.
What it really comes down to is offering the reader a choice, and having a choice is most often a good thing.
BBB: What made you decide on a pagan theme with the serial killer twist versus all the paranormal creatures out there?
MRS: I enjoy reading novels about serial killers and I actually have a rather diverse background in paganism. I have been a practicing pagan for more than 30 years and have studied various paths and traditions. While I truly consider myself more of a “secular humanist” than anything else, paganism is still a part of my life. I think what triggered my decision to make Rowan pagan is probably the fact that we once had a police officer here in Saint Louis who was a very fundamentalist Christian. This certainly isn’t a bad thing, but unfortunately this particular individual had an agenda tied in with his beliefs and abused his position of authority. He literally made it a point to harass and crusade against pagans. In fact, he would even publicly brag about how many souls he had saved by confiscating copies of “Uncle Bucky’s big blue book” (Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft
Then one day, many years later, a cop friend of mine came to me and asked my advice about some symbols that had been found at a crime scene - much like happens with Rowan and Ben in Harm None
As to the other paranormal creatures, I’ve just never been all about vampires, lycanthropes and the like. I don’t have anything against them, but I simply have no desire to write about them. And, if I force myself to write about something I don’t want to write about, the result isn’t going to be all that good. Besides, there are plenty of fantastic authors writing about those sorts of paranormal entities. No reason for me to try reinventing the wheel.:)
BBB: There is some controversy in the pagan community about how you portray the pagan faith. How do you deal with those challenges when they arise?
MRS: (ROFLMAO)… Okay, so when ISN’T there controversy in the pagan community, or in any community for that matter? But in my experience pagans do seem to love their drama, don’t they?
(Sigh) You know, this particular question surfaces every now and then, and I used to dance around it so as not to offend anyone. However, I’m getting old now and my sensitivity to offending people who have offended me (i.e. those who create the controversy in the first place) has waned quite a bit. In fact, it’s virtually non-existent at this point; so let me see if I can shoot myself in the foot with a brutally honest answer…
The simple answer is this - I actually find such controversy to be a source of great amusement. I used to find it annoying, but these days I think it’s so sad that it is just plain funny.
I mean it really is very hard for me to take criticism seriously about my portrayal of paganism:
…From a 17 year old emo-goth kid who just read her first Silver Ravenwolf book two months ago and has now declared herself a “naturally born” High Priestess who knows all there is to know about paganism via some great cosmic birthright osmosis, (Yeah, really happened.)…
…Or, from the person who informs me that what I have written is completely and utterly wrong/negative/damaging because it doesn’t strictly adhere to BTW—or Gardenarian Wicca, or Alexandrian Wicca, or “XYZ Foo-Foo Bunny” tradition, ad infinitum, (Yeah, again, really happened.)
…Or, from the person who tells me my books have set the “pagan movement” back 100 years… Never mind that they are works of fiction. (Really happened…) [Personally, I almost have to take this one as a compliment because for me to have single-handedly derailed the “pagan movement” and pushed it back 100 years means I’m a pretty damn powerful dude. LOL]
…Or, from the person wearing a “Charmed” or “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” t-shirt who verbally assaults me for “not portraying a pagan properly.” Hello? (Uh-huh…really happened).
…Or, from the person who tells me, “My High Priestess says blah blah blah, but in your book you said bleh bleh bleh, so you don’t know what you’re talking about…” (uh-huh…really happened… And, it gets better… I was also told that said not-yet-of-legal-drinking-age high priestess had supposedly been initiated and trained by Gerald Gardner himself – something else I found infinitely amusing for obvious reasons.)
I could go on with countless other examples, but I won’t. I think you can see why I have trouble lending any credence to these criticisms.
Let’s just cut to the chase - Neo-paganism encompasses so many trads and paths it isn’t even funny. And, when someone wants to change something to fit their own needs they do so and voila! A new tradition of Wicca or some such springs to life. This is not even mentioning the fact that Wicca, in and of itself is NOT an ancient religion by any stretch of the imagination - and is in fact a kitchen sink hodge podge of belief systems in the first place. But, that’s okay. I am not criticizing Wicca, so don’t take it that way. Everyone should be allowed to march to their own drummer as long as it involves consenting adults and no one getting hurt (unless they want to, that is LOL).
And, in general, the “marching to your own drummer thing” is the pervasive idea throughout the pagan community, especially within Wicca itself. (An’ it harm none, do as thou will, anyone?) Of course, not ALL pagans adhere to the “Wiccan Rede,” but the majority certainly claims to adhere to a “live and let live” philosophy - at least, so long as it concerns letting them live and do as they please. Therefore, it’s beyond my ability to grasp how someone can more or less “preach” the “non-conformist free to be you and me” pagan mantra, then in the same breath turn around and criticize my books because they don’t adhere to a particular tradition or specific teaching. In my way of thinking, people who do that are simply hypocritical fundamentalists (regardless of religion) who are narrow-minded and have a “my way or the highway” philosophy.
And, you know, to be fair, they certainly have every right to their opinion. But, having an opinion doesn’t automatically make it fact, and it especially doesn’t make it correct. It just means they have an opinion.
In that regard, I happen to have an opinion too. Those folks - be they two month newbies or 40 year veterans of neo-paganism (or what have you), need to stop contradicting themselves because they can’t have it both ways. More importantly, however, they desperately need to get over themselves. In fact, their egos need to become intimately acquainted with a valve stem puller, pure and simple.
I could pull an Ayn Rand here and go on forever on this subject, but I think I have probably made my point (LOL), so I will leave it with this final note:
Even with all that being said, here is what amuses me most of all - I simply cannot wrap my head around the fact that these very people, who would have you believe they are all knowing experts on everything, simply don’t seem to comprehend the definition of the word “fiction.”
BBB: Can you tell us what your next release(s) will be? And do you have stand-alone titles forthcoming? And of course we would love to know how many more books are scheduled in your Rowan Gant series!
MRS: The next book scheduled for release is Miranda: A Rowan Gant Investigation. It is the 10th in the series. All I can really say about it is that there are some surprises in store, as the events in this novel will change the game, so to speak, for Rowan and Felicity. While Miranda will play a large role - hence the title - it will be a somewhat different part than she played in the trilogy.
There are a few more RGI novels in the works, but I don’t have a set end to the series in sight. As long as there are story lines to work with, Rowan has fans, and the publisher keeps contracting the books, the series should theoretically continue.
As to standalones - I have some projects in the works; however, publishers seem more geared toward series these days. At least, those I’ve been in touch with do.
BBB: Lets talk about Miranda…Is she gone yet or what?
MRS: (LOL) See previous question, I suppose… Let’s just say, her fate hangs in the balance right now, and I don’t want to reveal too much just yet.
BBB: Your knowledge of serial killers is very evident in your series. Has this been a life-long interest of yours?
MRS: Psychopathology, yes… Serial killers themselves, probably not. I have always been fascinated by what makes people do what they do, whether it is good or bad. And, to a large extent, I have also been able to mentally step outside the bounds of my own moral code and insert myself into that of another, which allows me to see through a different set of eyes. Fortunately, I am able to just look and don’t touch. What I mean by that is, I can see the world through the eyes of a sociopath, but I’m centered enough not to act on it. I’ve actually been told that with the right training I would have made a good case investigator (what the media likes to call a Criminal Profiler), but that wasn’t the career choice I made, so I guess we’ll never know. (LOL)… I will admit, however, that I entertain myself by creating suspect profiles for various stories on the news. Unfortunately, what you get from the media is already tainted, and it doesn’t allow for anything accurate. Still, it’s a fun mental exercise.
But, moving along… I didn’t actually start any serious research into serial offenders until I decided I wanted to write about them. So, I guess the long and short of it is that I don’t have any Ed Gein or Albert Fish memorabilia hanging in my office, but I do have quite a few books on the subject of sociopathic behavior and serial killers. In fact, I even have a somewhat amusing story about that. While researching the Miranda Trilogy I unintentionally freaked out a flight attendant. I was on my way to a gig, in Florida as I recall, and I was reading a copy of Sexual Homicide: Patterns and Motives
BBB: Does Ben Storm or his sister Helen ever get a real HEA?
MRS: By HEA I assume you mean “Happily Ever After” (not an acronym you see very often in my genre *LOL*)… Well, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. (grin) I’ll admit, they could both use one, but then, I think most of my characters could.
BBB: What is your all time favorite paranormal/urban fantasy book?
MRS: To be perfectly honest, when I read fiction it is generally a straight police procedural. I do this for a couple of reasons - 1) I like police procedurals and 2) I don’t want to be accused of stealing someone else’s idea for a paranormal story.
However, I did really enjoy Mercedes Lackey’s Diana Tregarde books and Jim Butcher writes some great stuff.
As to other fiction with a paranormal twist, I am a huge fan of the cult TV series Millennium
BBB: What do you like to do in between all the time you spend writing?
MRS: Cook and hang out with friends. I absolutely love cooking. My grandfather owned a diner and my mother owned a restaurant for a while, so I learned how to cook at an early age. I even took a few classes once upon a time in later years. So, whenever I get an opportunity to do up a big feast and invite our friends to dinner, I am all over it. I even volunteered to run the kitchen at the local Ethical Society for the youth group fundraising dinner recently. I think we fed 120 people that night, and I had a blast. As physically exhausting as it was - 11 hours in the kitchen - it was still an immense amount of fun.
Other than that, I like to read, brag about my daughter to anyone who will listen, hang out with my daughter and play board games, chase my wife around the house - she’s pretty spry though, so I can only catch her if she lets me… And I’ve even been known to taunt the cats every now and then. But, these days most of them just ignore me. The cats that is. Not the wife and daughter. Well, they ignore me too, but usually only when I’m being silly.
BBB: What did you do before you became a writer? Do you write full time?
MRS: Prior to my first full-length novel (Harm None) making it to the bookshelves, I was a Senior Level Electronics Service Engineer – basically that’s fancy talk for a high-end computer/printer technician. During that time I also worked as an Internet Systems Administrator for the ISP owned by the very same tech firm. I actually continued to work in that capacity until The Law of Three
So these days, since my wife is the true breadwinner of the family, when we go to parties and someone asks what I do for a living I just say I’m a deadbeat artist and that the Evil Redhead is my “Sugar Mamma”…
BBB: Do you find it challenging being a pagan author working in the “paranormal” or “urban fantasy” type arena?
MRS: Not really. There are actually quite a few of us out here. Some in the broom closet, some not so much. 
BBB: What is your favorite quote of all time?
MRS: You know there really are a ton of them, and I move from one to the next with quite a bit of frequency. I actually LOVE quotes. And, to be honest many of the quotes I adore come from movies and TV. However, I think my favorite of the moment is probably, “In a skillet, with potatoes and onions.” – Frank Black in response to a police detective’s question about how Leon Cole Pigget, a cannibalistic serial killer, “prepared his victims.” (Pilot Episode – Millennium)
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Readers, learn more about M. R. Sellars here:
Read the Bitten by Books reviews of the author’s work here.
To visit the author’s website go here.
To visit the author’s blog go here.
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Readers, here’s how to enter the contest. You can do ONE or ALL of these things, and each one will give you additional entries at a chance to WIN. SEVENTEEN lucky participants will win. The prizes are:
10 Autographed copies of Blood Moon
6 Autographed copies of Harm None
1 COMPLETE Autographed set of The Rowan Gant Investigator Series
1. The easiest way to enter is by purchasing as many copies of books 2-8 in the Rowan Gant Investigations series as you desire. Yep, it is true, if you purchase a copies of M. R.’s releases using these links here:
Harm None
Never Burn a Witch
Perfect Trust
The Law of Three
Crone’s Moon
Love Is the Bond
All Acts of Pleasure
The End of Desire
You will get FORTY entries to the contest for each copy you purchase, if you buy ALL 8 books you will get a whopping 350 entries!! It is not mandatory to purchase anything, there are plenty of other ways to enter and win. Just email me a copy of your purchase receipt to racoo.smith @ gmail.com (no spaces). Sorry no faxes or snail mail copies.
2. In order to be entered into this contest the ONE thing you ALL have to do is leave a comment or question. Feel free to start a discussion or ask as many questions as you like. No talking = no entries! You can come by everyday through 4/2/09 and comment for more entries. Good for 10 entries per day.
3. Read the Bitten by Books reviews of M. R.’s books here: http://bittenbybooks.com/?page_id=58&book_author_id=M.%20R.%20Sellars
Then leave a meaningful comment IN THE REVIEW post that shows you read the review, not just a post that says “sounds good” or “nice review”, a couple of sentences would be great! Simply share your thoughts, ideas or opinions and show the author some love. Good for 5 entries per review you comment on.
4. Share any of the links to M. R.’s reviews on Bitten by books along with your thoughts on each review on YOUR blog/website. You MUST come back here and post the links to where you posted the review links at. Good for 15 entries per place you post them.
5. SUBSCRIBE to the Bitten by Books newsletter here on the right hand side of the site. This is for new subscribers only. Be sure you VERIFY your subscription, an email is sent with the verification link. Unverified subscribers will not be entered and will be deleted from the mailing list. Good for 10 entries.
6. Spread the word, the more places you post the event, the more entries you get. Post the link to the event / contest today (http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=5360) at another blog, website, Myspace, Ning Group, Facebook, Yahoo Group, Goodreads, Shelfari (any group where it is appropriate). You MUST come back here to this interview and post those links in one response here in this thread. Good for 10 entries per place you post the link to this event.
NOTE: if you post multiple links here, your post will not show up right away. If you don’t see it, don’t keep posting it, we WILL approve your entry later on in the day.
7. Purchase copies of M. R.’s awesome books USING THE LINKS BELOW today THROUGH 4/2/09 from AMAZON. Then send us a copy of the receipt VIA email (sorry no faxes or snail mail) for your purchase to: racoo.smith @ gmail.com (no spaces) for THIRTY additional entries. You get THIRTY entries for each book you purchase. You can buy print, Kindle or audio downloads of her books and they count as well. Not valid on past purchases. Please use these links below to buy his most recent books.
Books in the Rowan Gant Investigator series in the order they should be read:
Harm None
Never Burn a Witch
Perfect Trust
The Law of Three
Crone’s Moon
Love Is the Bond
All Acts of Pleasure
The End of Desire
Blood Moon
Or buy ANYTHING from Amazon today THROUGH 4/2/09 by using the Amazon search box on the top right hand side of our site. We will know if you used the box to search and buy, so please be sure to use it or your entries won’t count. Send me a copy of the receipt VIA email (sorry no faxes or snail mail) for your purchase to: racoo.smith @ gmail.com (no spaces). Good for 20 entries per item purchased.
8. Add us as your friend on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/bittenbybooks
Add us as your friend on Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=614064436
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BittenbyBooks be SURE to tweet us after you follow so we can count your entry! @BittenbyBooks
Be sure to mention that you are friending us for this contest so we know to enter you! Good for 5 entries per place you friend us.
9. Be friends with M. R. by joining him here:
Newsletter: http://www.mrsellars.com/newsletter.html
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/mrsellars
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Murv-Sellars/1370319241
Myspace Fan Page: http://www.myspace.com/mrsellarsfans
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mrsellars
The Blood Bank: http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/MRSellars
Then send us a copy of the email you get once you are get the email confirmations for the newsletter, and friendship on Myspace and Facebook to: racoo.smith @ gmail.com (no spaces). Good for 10 entries each place you add.
10. Twitter and ask your friends to re-tweet the URL for this event be SURE to include us in your tweet @BittenbyBooks http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=5360. Good for 10 entries.
11. Add M. R.’s blog and website to your blog roll or links page: http://www.mrsellars.com/mrblog and http://www.mrsellars.com. Good for 10 entries for each place you post each link.
12. Add Bitten by Books to your blog roll or links page: http://bittenbybooks.com if you leave our link up permanently you will always be entered into our contests automatically. Just be sure to stop by each contest we hold and leave the link to where it is so we can give you your entry! Good for 10 entries.
13. Email ALL of your friends and invite them to come by this week! If your fiends come and post here and say you sent them, they get TWO entries and you get FOUR entries! They have to tell us who you are so we know who to give the entries to. You can invite as many people as you want and get all the extra entries!
14. Join the The Blood Bank the Bitten by Books Community! here: http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/ then come back here and tell us your user name. Be sure to post something about yourself on your blog there. Good for 10 entries
GENERAL CONTEST INFORMATION:
The contest ends on 4/2/09 at 11:59 pm PDT and the winner will be contacted the following week. You will receive your prize directly from the publisher. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME as well as a valid email where we can contact you. REMEMBER the more things you do, the more entries, the greater the chances of winning.
IMPORTANT CONTEST RULES:
1. If you aren’t interested in receiving the prize, offered please do not enter the contest.
2. You have THREE days from the day the I contact you to claim your prize by sending your name/mailing address to me. Failure to contact me will forfeit your prize. BBB can at that time, choose either to re- award the prize to another entrant or not.
3. The prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be no substitutions, trades or changes. No exceptions. Please do not ask. If for some reason you do not wish to claim your prize, please let me know as soon as possible. We have the option to re-award it or not.
4. Contest is open to readers worldwide. The prize is shipped directly from the publisher.
5. Bitten by Books is in NO way responsible for the prizes being offered in any of the contests. If for some reason a contributor does not honor their prize, there is nothing we can or will do about it. We are not worried that this will happen, but we want to be very clear that WE are not offering these prizes, the contributor is and it is their responsibility to fulfill their prize obligations.
6. These rules are subject to change or be modified without prior written notice.
7. Contest is void where prohibited.
8. By entering this contest you are agreeing to our terms of entry
(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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Thanks for the interview. I am new to your books, but looking forward to reading them. I posted the link to the interview on my FB page and as you know I have been “stalking” you all over ctberspace all morning, but to my credit, you did request my friendship first on FB. lol!
[Reply]
Fun to see you here
I am new to your books, I am kind of new to most books. There really should be more hours in the day so I could read them all.
Q: Any chance you are a fan of Dexter, if you do enjoy reading about serialkillers?
I can’t wait for the next season
[Reply]
Thanks for some great insight! I have to say, I’ve always thought the pagan controversy to be ridiculous.
As much I enjoy Rowan’s peril with the paranormal, the peril with the in-laws cracks me up.
Thanks for entertaining me so well!
For the contest:
I’ve Twittered
Posted a bulletin on MySpace
Posted the link on Facebook.
Friended Mr. Sellars on MySpace.
http://myspace.com/ailishsmom
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=621863625&ref=nf
[Reply]
Why yes, yes I did… Thanks for your support, and I hope you enjoy the books!
[Reply]
hi MR!
What an interesting interview. So, if you could be any immortal creature, what would it be? and where would you choose to spend the first part of your immortality?
Thanks so much!
(rach-twittered, FB and mark and dakota’s groups)
[Reply]
well I stalk bitten everywhere I can matter of fact found out bout this interview on my face book. I found your answer to paganism critic you very very very nice, and informative ( in a good way) I really respect a person that can just see the humor in things, and let it roll.
[Reply]
Hi M.R.
That was quite the interview - I gotta say I love your response to critics on your pagan fiction lol. I mean, it’s fiction, anything goes!
So my question for you is this:
You told everyone that you tell people at parties you’re a “deadbeat artist” and your wife is your “Sugar Mamma”, I was wondering, what their responses were lol?
[Reply]
@Linda Ak -
Thanks! I’ve enjoying being here.
As to Dexter, ABSOLUTELY! I don’t actually get Showtime, so one of my publicists tapes it for me (no kidding)…
I have the DVD sets on my wish list.
And, yes, I do enjoy reading about serial killers. Not in any bizarre, prurient fashion mind you. I think I’m just fascinated by what makes them tick.
Thanks again for the welcome! Hope you enjoy the books!
Murv
[Reply]
I’m wondering, what was the most surprising or interesting thing you’ve learned while doing research?
[Reply]
Hi MR,
I haven’t had a chance to read any of your books yet. I’m really glad you came on here because all of your books sound like they’d interest me. I’m sure once I read one of them, you’ll have a fan for life.
Bridget
Posted BBB reviews here: http://www.myspace.com/bridgetlaprairie
Posted link here:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1084897775&ref=profile
http://www.myspace.com/bridgetlaprairie
http://bridget3420.blogspot.com
Joined newsletter
Friended on myspace & facebook
Following on Twiter
Friended fan club page
Twittered link
Added MR’s blog to blogroll http://bridget3420.blogspot.com
BBB already on blogroll
[Reply]
Thanks for stopping by. Your stories are new to me but not for long (Thanks to these interviews my TBR is huge- thanks Bitten by Books!)
I really enjoyed your interview. I especially enjoyed your commentary on the paganism. The essence of true paganism is to find your own way that is the beauty of it.
You do make a very interesting valid point - you write fiction and as long you are consistent you can make it up as you go.
1) If you were to have one of your characters over to dinner with the family -who would it be, why that particular person and what would you cook?
2) We are friends on FB - since you asked so nicely.
3) I posted a link to this interview on myspace and FB - marniecolette
4) I just started a blog so once I read one of your books I will post a review/commentary on it.
Ok rambling stopped!!!
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@Theresa - Yeah, the in-laws are a piece of work, aren’t they. There’s some real life consternation behind that, but nothing anywhere near as intense as portrayed in the books.
@ Virginia - Any immortal creature, eh…. Hmmm… Probably the “Bewitched” version of a Witch (and I’d probably be just like Dr. Bombay *LOL*)… As to where I’d spend the first part, that’s easy. I’d spend every minute I could with my wife and kid. They ARE my life.
@Lyda - Usually they laugh. Sometimes we get horrified stares and unintelligible responses. Those are always fun. Then, when folks find out the “artist” part means I write books, they immediately assume we are wealthy. That’s always a fun bubble to burst too. LOL
I could tell a million stories about EK (My wife - EK is short for Evil Kat. That’s what we all call her. That, and Satan in High Heels, but that’s a different story… LOL)… Actually, I do tell all manner of stories about her in my blog. There’s even a 12 part series about how we met, “lell in fuve”, then got hitched… Our wedding was a comedy of errors, let me tell you.
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Hi M.R.,
Thanks for interviewing here. One quick question…
You said “Then one day, many years later, a cop friend of mine came to me and asked my advice about some symbols that had been found at a crime scene…”
What’s the rest of the story? Did your friend catch the bad guy(s)?
Zita
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@Theresa - Well, at the risk of sounding like a dirty old man, since I had to do a ton of research into BDSM for the Miranda Trilogy of the RGI series (the killer is a Dominatrix) I discovered that any “fetishes” I had that I thought were abnormal pale in comparison to some of the stuff out there. (LOL) …
@Bridget - Thanks! I hope you enjoy the books! And, I appreciate all the friendings, links, etc!
@MarnieColette - On 2-4, Thanks! :)… On #1, that’s a hard choice. I think probably Ben Storm, the homicide detective who is Rowan’s best friend. He and I have the same sort of “gallows humor” I think. Even though the character is based on a real life cop friend of mine, I think I have probably written a lot of myself into him. I’m sure some folks might wonder why I didn’t pick Rowan or his wife Felicity… Well, I think I might identify TOO easily with Rowan, since I write in first person, so I’d likely be confused LOL… And, well, Felicity is somewhat based on my wife, so I’d be confused yet again. ROFL… Although, if Rowan and Felicity were real people, I suspect EK and I would be good friends with them. Oh, and on #4 - If you DON’T like the book, then don’t tell anyone, okay? LOL
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Great interview, both of you! I had to laugh re: all the drama in the pagan community. So true, but that’s life, I think. So much drama everywhere these days. Many moons ago, a friend of mine gave me the first two books in the Rowan series and I loved them. I see I need to do some serious catching up now! EEEK!
Okay, so I RT your tweet this morning (@asphaltcowgrrl), and I already follow you BBB!
I also posted a link on my FB page.
Am off to go add M R Sellars to Twitter and FB.
Good luck everyone and have a good day!
Amy
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I never understood the whole controversy over your books. AS you put it, it is FICTION. Then again, some people are just primed to take offense.
And I adored Millineum. I know a lot of people preferred his X-files, but Millenium was my favorite series. I hope they bring it back.
Oh yeah, I also friended you on twitter under “shartyrant”.
Looking forward to many more books from you!
Shar B
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@Zita - Actually, the “real” story is far less impressive than the fiction I created out of it. Yes, the killer was caught. It was actually a domestic dispute case, and it wasn’t hard to peg a suspect. The symbols, books, etc were there, and the police were investigating whether or not there was some “other influence” or a “deeper motivation” behind the slaying. They just needed someone who could truly identify the stuff without screaming “Satan, Satan, Satan!”… I have to give them credit - they were actually pretty open minded about it all.
I have another friend, Tony Kail, who has written some of the textbooks used by LEO’s to understand alternative religions. Very knowledgeable guy, and some great research.
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Thanks for taking the time to do the interview with us! I found you comments about e-books particularly interesting as I work for a large library district (admin. staff, not librarian) and it’s an ongoing, murky discussion here. (Talk about a horror story..the question becomes will ebooks and eresources be the end of libraries?) I have often wondered about the the author’s view of the question. We’re seeing a increasing demand for audio e-books for ipods and m3p players.
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M.R. (and Rachel), I love this interview! I’m hanging my head in shame that I’m new to your work, M.R., but it’s also exciting to “discover” an author new to me. And I get to read a whole slew of your books at once!
The pagan gripes cracked me up - as did your comment about pagans and drama.
My question is: You obviously adore your wife and daughter, so given that you spend a lot of time at the computer, do you create a set family time? Or is family time flexible depending on deadlines and such?
Light,
Nancy Haddock
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Hello MRS,
I haven’t had a chance to read your books just yet. I am however attending the May 28th-31st Pegan Unity Fest at Montgomery Bell State Park.
Q: How many cats do you have?
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@Amy and @shartyrant - Thanks! I love being followed, tweeted, re-tweeted, and all that jazz… Just don’t tell my wife! (Grin)
Watch out, I’m liable to follow you back!
And, yeah, I never have been able to understand the whole controversy in the pagan community, but hey, whatever flips their flops… I certainly hold no beliefs that my books, their subject matter, or my writing style will appeal to everyone… But, hey, if you don’t like something that’s cool by me. However, I do draw the line at being apologetic for what I write… I mention that because I once received a rather nasty letter from a wingnut who demanded I issue a public apology to the pagan community at large. I think I still have it in my scrapbook LOL!
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I understand the pagan controversy. I’m been a Red Road Hokema (Puyallup Tribe) for about 30 years,and for every Red Road person, there’s 4 others telling ‘em how to do it, and “but this is the way its always been done’. The absolute worse are those that have read a couple of books and now think they know who to do sweatlodges, sun dances, read peoples dreams and talk to spirits..Visa and Mastercard accepted. LOL Questioning is good, really good..but not when the person thinks they have the answer before they even understand the question. I’m assuming (sorry) that same is true in pagan community.
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This is a question that springs from your blog. In regard to OCD vampires, I’ve found that to be very interesting part of the mythos. It doesn’t seem to be widely used in literature lately, although Jeri Smith-Ready springs to mind. Do you think Jim Henson had that in mind when he created The Count for Sesame Street? My friends think I’m putting too much into it, but that’s my theory!
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@Storm - You know, I think there are still too many of us old school types who can’t live without an actual paper book in our hands… Now, I think it would be great if they started using hemp papers so that they were utilizing a more renewable source for the fibers and such, but that’s just my environmental geekiness coming out. I think e-readers have a definite place, but I can’t see them replacing books, at least not in my lifetime… But hey, Nostradamus I’m not, so I could be wrong…
@Nancy - All about the Evil Redhead and the Offspring, that’s for sure. I definitely do set aside time. For instance, I only write on weekdays unless I am completely and totally behind schedule. That way I have weekends free to spend with my girls. I walk the kid to school every day, and we also set aside game nights during the week. I’m also the househusband type when I am at home so I always do the Room Parent thing on field trips and such. As to EK, I steal every moment I can to spend with her. (Not in a smothering sense, mind you…)… But, since she works as a Field Service Tech all day I make sure she gets plenty of backrubs, footrubs, etc. Whenever I am away on tour I call at least twice a day - once so I can talk to EK for a bit, then later so I can chat with the munchkin and tell her goodnight. If my hotel has WiFi then I toss a few emails out there too.
@Beet - Then I’ll see you at PUF!
It’s a great fest, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. I’ve been a speaker there for years, and Tish Owen - the organizer, and also an author - is a hoot. On the how many cats we have thing, we are now down to 3. All geriatric - 1 is going on 21 years old. The most we ever had was 14. Don’t get the wrong idea… We don’t hoard cats or anything LOL… We used to rescue, and when we would end up with a special needs feline we would keep them instead of trying to place them with someone since we couldn’t always be sure if they would get the proper care… We’ve had cats with brain tumors, injuries, diabetes, chronic illnesses, and the whole nine yards. But, we loved them just the same. These days, with our schedules, we can’t really take any more in because we wouldn’t be able to give them proper care ourselves. We do still find homes for them though. 
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@Storm - I agree. I have no qualms with questions. I just can’t abide by the whole “YOU’RE WRONG, AND I’M NOT” attitude.
@Theresa - You know, I never thought of it that way, but I think you might be on to something. “The Count” had all manner of OCD. I’ve always found that particular quirk fascinating as well. The whole stake through the heart, garlic, sunlight thing is a well beaten part of the mythos - whether used or not used by contemporary authors. But, the OCD thing… I mean, that’s just quirky enough to get my undivided attention. (Grin)
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@Tina - Thanks! I used to get myself worked up about things and feel like I was “failing”… Then I was reminded by a dear friend (Dorothy Morrison - don’t miss her here on the 30th) that this whole writing thing is supposed to be fun.
Besides, we had an old saying back home that I remember from when I was a youngster - “If someone is talking nasty about you, that just means they are giving someone else a rest.” (LOL)
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As soon as I quit laughing, I’ll post this around the ‘net, but for now, I applaud your explanation of the Great Pagan Controversy. I’m not a pagan myself, but I do have quite a library of books on Wicca and the like (what can I say, I love researching religions), and I love it when a new person comes to the house and sees them. It either leads to a debate on keeping “devil books” in the house with a toddler or why certain authors are hacks because they don’t practice the “right” Wicca.
Do you think the controversy has led more people to your books?
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I’ve got to admit, I always found the idea of any pagan telling another one that they’re ‘doing it wrong’ to be greatly amusing. (Of course, I follow a Recon path, and not Wicca or an eclectic one…and we tend to stay out of that whole end of the pagan pool as it is.)
My username at the Bitten By Books community is BrigidsBlest.
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@Jackie B - That’s a damn good question… You know, I think it’s possible… I’ve actually heard from folks who told me they bought Harm None, for instance, because they heard I had done a “hatchet job on Wicca” and wanted to be a part of the outrage as well… Some of them became fans, others joined the outrage. What they are actually outraged about, I still don’t know. LOL!
I’m not the most widely read author out there (LOL)… Being with a smaller press is nice for the creative control aspect, but it certainly doesn’t give you the exposure of a Penguin or TOR… So, I suppose any advertising is good advertising LOL
There’s an interesting thing that goes on with a lot of Pagan / New Age stores… Many of them don’t carry my books because, and I quote, “Pagans don’t read fiction.”
Personally I think that is the most ludicrous statement I have ever heard. But, you’d be amazed at how many Pagan shop owners use that as a hard and fast business model.
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Do you have any signings coming up? I have your first four books, all authographed, and would love to buy the rest and get them signed. I love your stories and the fact that they are set in STL!
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I have to say (a lot to say but lol)…The information in The End of Desire about the you know who’s really freaked me out. It was VERY interesting. I am glad I was reading it and not watching the visual descriptions on TnV.
I don’t know if you can/want to talk about it Murv, but it really was fascinating to go back in history like that. Don’t want to leave any spoilers.
Man, they really SHOULD bring back Millenium. I am going to buy the seasons actually. I love James Wood, They dogged in him in Shark too! I loved that show as well. He’s an amazing actor.
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@Jennifer L - I know what you mean. Because of some of the silliness and infighting I have had the unfortunate occasion to see within the Pagan community at large, I have literally become a bit picky about the Pagan events I’m willing to do. I realize that might sound elitist, but it isn’t intended that way at all.
But, this is how I make my living. I don’t want to spend 4 days to a week away from my family if all I am doing is spending my time hiding out and trying not to be dragged into the middle of someone else’s drama - Pagan or otherwise - because it is unproductive for everyone involved, especially me. Unfortunately, that has been the case at way too many Pagan events in recent years.
Still, there are some great events out there that I still do attend, and will happily do so… Such as PUF in Nashville TN, and FOS in Memphis TN…
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@Ricki - My tour schedule is on my website…I’m not trying to duck your question, seriously I’m not, but I honestly don’t know where I am supposed to be or when these days… It’s either me being too busy, or I have early onset Alzheimers
… I think I am in Nebraska sometime next week… after that, I have no clue…
If you are in STL, my publicist will probably be setting up some local stuff for a bit later this year.
@Rachel - You mean the “you know who family” in “you know what city” from “you know when”? LOL!
I can certainly talk about that if folks want me to do so… However, like you said, it might be a bit of a spoiler for folks who haven’t yet read the series, or the Miranda Trilogy…
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@Linda Ak - From the question in the Blood Moon review thread - But cliffhangers are so much fun!!!
@Jennifer L - in same thread - I don’t think I’ll actually run out of ideas… But, if the ideas ever get to be stale, then I’ll have to take a long hard look at pulling a “Castle” (If anyone happens to watch that show… LOL)
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@Jennifer L - from the TEOD review thread - Well, folks know what they can stomach. Whether or not they get to decide the gore factor for everyone else is a point of contention. Truth is, what I personally find distasteful might be something someone else considers the norm. Whereas, what I find to be the norm, someone else might see as “too gory”… It’s personal preferences and all we can do is give opinions… Kind of like I said in the whole pagan controversy thing - Opinions are opinions. Doesn’t make them write or wrong. Just opinions.
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LOL! I’m a fan of Castle, anything with ‘Captain Mal’ really. Firefly, ye left us too soon.
Anyway, you mentioned cooking. Any secret recipes or specialties you’d like to share?
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Well, my (Felicity’s - Rowan’s wife) recipe for Dublin Coddle was just in a Yule newsletter someone put out last year… I do tend to toss a recipe out in my blog every now and then.
I love to cook just about anything. I have a sweet potato - ham savory custard that I make every year at Yule that is a crowd pleaser…
Someone at the door… BRB.
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Okay… Back now.
So, on the note of food, I am enjoying some leftover Tuna Helper for lunch at the moment…
Maybe “enjoying” is too strong a word. But, there you have it.
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Okay… Since y’all are too polite to ask, I’ll just go ahead and answer anyway to save you the trouble.
Tighty Whiteys. I just don’t like boxers all that much.
There… We can all relax now.
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Since we have a bit of a lull here, and my fingers aren’t bleeding too badly at the moment, I wanted to take an opportunity to thank Rachel, Bitten By Books, and everyone here for the warm welcome and fantastic questions.
I’m having a blast.
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I really enjoyed your interview especially your comments on the pagan controversy. This is the first that I have heard of your books but just added them to my list looking forward to checking them out.
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Great interview, Murv! I’m new to your books, but I just picked up Harm None from Amazon.
I love any story with a darker tone, and I’m thinking this series will be one both my husband and I can enjoy!
So do you have any advice for all the newbie writers out there? And do you have a routine for writing or something you absolutely have to do before you can sit down and write?
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Yeah, you can’t apologize for your fiction. Non-fiction, MAYBE, but never your fiction! And hey - if they’re sending hate mail, at least it means they’re reading it to get mad about it! LOL
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LOL! Those were my next 2 questions, srsly.
So here’s another, do you have any plans to introduce other supernatural beings to the series? Are there werewolves, fairies,leprechauns etc in Rowan’s world?
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@Lisa W. -
Thanks. I hope you enjoy them. If you don’t, then don’t tell anyone, okay? Okay, okay, you can tell them, but then you have to make them swear to like them… deal?
Yeah, the Pagan controversy thing is a hoot. But, you know, I suppose it’s to be expected. If you put your name on a book, it’s the same as putting a target on your forehead. Someone out there is going to take offense and something you write, no matter how innocuous. And, often times the negative critics have the loudest voices. They probably have to so they can be heard over the top of all the laughing.
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I haven’t read any of your books because it just isn’t my genre but I realy enjoyed reading your interview and finding out about you. Sounds like you are having a fabulous and fun time with your writing career. Best of luck!
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@Jen Turner - Hope y’all like them… I think the best advice I can give is to persevere. If it’s really what you want to do, never give up. AND, make sure your spouse has a good job with good insurance. LOL… I’m only half joking about that last part. (Grin)… Honestly, you need to write to make yourself happy. If you grumble your way through what you are writing, or how you are writing it, the it is going to suck - for you at the very least. But, if it sucks for you, then that means you aren’t putting your heart into it so it will probably suck for everyone else too. Hope that helps.
As to a routine - It varies. I do all of my marketing stuff, email answering, etc, in the morning, then eat a sandwich over the sink (typical guy) around noon, then sit down to write. As far as a particular ritual - Coffee. Lot’s of it.
@Amy - Exactly. Writing should evoke an emotional response. As long as they don’t wait outside my house with baseball bats, we’re all good.
@Theresa - probably not in the land of Rowan. I defined some fairly strict parameters for his universe, and while I allow magick to work there, it isn’t overly common. I primarily keep it rooted within various belief systems, but also avoid going all Scooby Doo with it. Although, I’ve always been of the opinion that with a bit of makeup and fashion consulting, Velma could have been one hot babe.
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@Kristie - Oh man… you’re breakin’ my heart here…
Just kidding. I can relate to what you are saying. Just like certain genres don’t interest me, I don’t expect everyone to be interested in what I write. And, life is way too short to read books you don’t enjoy.
Thanks for the well wishes. I really am having a blast. Maybe someday I’ll actually get paid for it! (LOL)
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Woohoo! According to an email I just received, I have won the “International Lottery”!
Wealth and Overindulgence are mine to be had!
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Great interview! I loved your take on both the Kindle and Sony e Reader, but love to hear your research methods, too. As a reader, I HATE when people think no one will notice if a particular fact is made up about a city or place or a job description. I agree, suspension of disbelief is enough, sloppy writing is beyond. Thanks!
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Ah MR: I would never accuse someone else of being a cat hoarder; I am one (with 3), at least according to my local city’s ordinance.
I am curious to know Q: What do you do with the hate mail you receive?
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w00t! Hello! So glad you are here! I really have enjoyed the interview so far!
Sorry I am with Jackie on the laughter! I truly enjoyed your explanation of the controversy surrounding the Pagan Community. The prizes are GREAT! Especially the full set autographed!
Rach-
I twittered
read and commented on the reviews(all 9)
I am friends with him already on blood bank!
Already following on twitter!
and friended today on FB
am requesting on Myspace for him and fan page
got newsletter
BBB is on blog roll here and google
http://nicholandria.wordpress.com
added Murv’s Blog to my roll as well here
http://nicholandria.wordpress.com/
Thanks for the contest and wonderful prizes!
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@Isabel - I hear you. But, when you create a world, you can tweak it here and there. For instance, while I stay true to landmarks and such here in STL, I have also created one or two of my own (besides renaming things at times, that is)… One salient creation - the diner called “40″ which is positioned directly across from police headquarters downtown. It doesn’t actually exist. While I point out in the books that it sits between the police headquarters building and city hall, the reality is there’s nothing there besides city hall and it’s parking lot. However, a lot of cops have told me they wish it really existed (LOL)
@Beet - All good. EK actually has a “crazy cat lady” figurine that is wearing a bathrobe and has a bunch of little toy cats all around her. I picked it up at a novelty store. It’s a riot…
As to the handling of hate mail, I just give it to EK. Every now and then I see her heading off to the basement all dressed up in leather and stiletto heels and carrying a wad of letters in one hand and a whip in the other… Then I hear screaming coming up the stairs. It’s a bit disconcerting, really.
Seriously though, I generally just run it through the shredder next to my desk, or hit delete if it’s electronic. I’ll go over it once to make sure there are no tangible threats against me or my family (yes, there have been in the past, though it’s rare). If the threat is credible, I hand it over to my friends at the cop house.
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On the subject of “Hate Mail” I think my favorite of all time was from a person who told me I had done irreparable damage to the reputation of every living pagan because of what I had written. Then, he asked me to fly to his location - at my own expense - so that he could kick my ass.
That one was hilarious.
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Okay, TMI on the undies, but I appreciate the sentiment. Thanks
Retweeted this contest
Signed up for Mr. Sellar’s newsletter
Friended him on Facebook
Following him on Twitter now
Already friends of Bitten
Already getting your newsletter
Already following you on Twitter
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@Bea - One can NEVER have too much info. (ROFL)
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So, let’s switch up the tables here… My turn to ask a question.
How many of you folks are going to STOP following me on Twitter, unfriend me on FB, Myspace, and Blood Bank, and unsubscribe from my e-newsletter as soon as the contest is over?
‘Cause you don’t really want to hurt my feeling now do you? (Yeah, I know, I said feeling instead of feelings. I only have one left. -Grin-)
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I’m not going to follow you on Twitter..haven’t even figured out Twitter yet, was already friend on FB and Blood Bank, gee didn’t know you were on MySpace, and I rarely enter contests ’cause I’m just no good at following rules. However, I did just order 3 of your books from Amazon! That’s the highest acclaim I can give you LOL I
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@Storm - Well that right there is about all I can ask, eh? Well, I could ask you to loan me 4 bucks for a half-caff non-fat mocha latte light foam with just a hint of cinnamon, but you’d probably say no.
(Grin)
All seriousness aside… or is that joking aside?
Thanks. I really do appreciate it, and I hope you enjoy the books.
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If it doesn’t have whipped cream on top of it, it’s just not worth having… And seriously (geez, you just had to do that), I am greatly looking forward to reading them! This conversation really whett (is that a word?) my curiosity and if you can write this well on the fly, then the books are really going to be something!
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@Storm - Thanks! I appreciate that.
On the writing thing - I have a somewhat prosaic style - i.e. I write conversationally. I use adverbs, metaphors, simile, allegory, adjectives, rhesus monkeys, handcuffs, pixie stix (I used to love those things, until we ended up with an entire palette full of them - long story… well, not long, just another)… Anyway, I drew some fire from acolytes of Elmore Leonard for having the unmitigated gall to break his 10 rules of writing.
But, what it comes down to is a matter of style. Writing style is unique, and no one author or editor (or anyone for that matter) no matter how successful, can tell you how to do it. It’s individual.
That said, I am perfectly willing to admit that Harm None, the first book in the series is NOT my best book. I think it is a good book… maybe even excellent… but then, I’m biased (LOL)… but it certainly isn’t my best work.
Still, if I don’t keep getting better at this as I go along, then I’ve stopped learning, and that means it’s time for me to hang up my keyboard.
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I’m gonna correct you both here, NO foam and NO whipped cream. All the way to the rim with the caffeine if you please.
No un-friending for me, I can use all the friends I can get (kinda like caffeine).
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@Theresa - Well, I have to be honest with you - on the coffee front, I prefer just good ol java, hot and black. I will toss some non-dairy creamer in every now and then to take the edge off if my stomach is bothering me… yes, when my stomach is bothering me I should probably just forgo coffee altogether, but I think we all know that ain’t gonna happen. LOL
The one exception is that when I fly, which I have to do way too much IMHO - not because I don’t like flying, but I digress - either way, when I fly, I will grab some manner of flavored whatever from StarMakeABucks at the airport. They always rattle some bizarre word back at me whenever I say large, so I just look at them and say, “No. I said Large. L A R G E. Large.”…
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@Storm - I forgot to answer the whole Myspace thing…
That’s actually where my experience with social networking sites began. My publicist - actually I have two, the AMAZING Wendy and the AMAZING Chunkee (Scott… Chunkee is his nickname) - in this case, Chunkee insisted that I have a Myspace site… This is about 3 years back. He even went so far as to set one up and say, “Here. Now you are on Myspace. Go make friends.”
I went into it kicking and screaming, but now I understand the wisdom of the Chunk Man. I’ve been on SEVERAL other social networking sites, but they seem to come and go rather quickly. These days it’s FB, Myspace, Blood Bank, Paganspace, and Twitter.
Other than that I blog a lot. I love blogging. If blogging had red hair and wore high heels I’d marry it, although my wife probably wouldn’t go for that. (LOL)
Seriously though, blogging is my “other outlet”… I use it as a place to tell amusing stories and such, just for fun.
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I know what you mean about flying and coffee. I tend to drink too much during layovers and then twitch on the flight. I was standing in line at the airport SB’s one day and a rent-a-cop was ordering in front of me. His order: a large black coffee with a shot of espresso added. I looked up and said, “You are my hero.”
On the subject of traveling, where would you choose to live other than where you are now?
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I was a newspaper columnist for a couple of years and my editor referred to me as a ’stream of consciousness’ writer..and told me to stop it (the streaming, not the writing). I can write about almost anything for 500 - 700 words and after that, it’s all drivel, or dribble. I greatly admire the imagination and stamina of those who write books. And for coffee fiends, may I suggest, Dancing Goats from our local roaster. One of the few coffees I can drink whipping-cream-less.
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@Theresa - Oh yeah! We have those drive through coffee hut things all over STL these days, and I usually get a large black with one or two espresso shots, depending on what my day is looking like. Of course, when I’m not out running around I just brew it up right here. Have coffee pot AND espresso machine, so I’m all set.
As to where I would live, that’s actually an easy and a tough choice all at once. I originally hail from Kentucky, and while all but a few of my relatives are now gone - and the family farm is gone as well - I could easily move back there. However, as for sheer scenery, beauty, and just plain “I wanna live there” - Sitka, Alaska. EK and I went on a cruise along int inside pasaage along with a land tour in Alaska about 12 years ago… This was prior to my first full length novel coming out, and I was still a printer tech, so we both were making good livings and were DINKs (Dual Income No Kids)… It was our last “Hurrah” before having a child, which is a long story in and of itself… Suffice it to say, I fell in love with Alaska and would move there in a heartbeat.
However, EK is a 1) A city girl, so no small farm communities for her and 2) Warm blooded and refuses to move to Alaska.
@Storm - I get that with my blogs. One of my readers called it the “Oh look, there’s a chicken!” syndrome… I love that. I will admit, I make sure I stay more structured in the novels (LOL)
Dancing Goats, eh? I’ll have to check that out! Thanks!
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Lol, wouldn’t unfriend or stop following, heck been following you before the contest! Hee hee. Besides I have found a new series!
*mutters to self* now if only I can get the “Grand Prize” I’ll be set mwuhahahahaha
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@Nicole Hicks - Just pop into your ruby red slippers and click your heels together… wait.. no… that just makes you teleport to Kansas.
Maybe just think on it really, really hard and see if you can will it to happen (Grin)
Seriously though, best of luck!
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I’m posting this as a “Marker” so I know where I left off… I’m taking a 30 minute break to run some DVD’s back to blockbuster, then I’ll be back in front of the keyboard folks… Into the evening and at intervals throughout the day Friday, so keep the questions coming.
3PM / 3/26
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OK, here’s the important question (well, other than the underwear one):
Pirates or Ninjas?
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That’s it, I’m making T-shirts that read “Real Wiccans Don’t Read Fiction”. On them will be a tall blonde in a Buffy shirt. : ) Any takers??
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@Theresa - You know, I’ve always wanted to see EK in a sexy pirate wench getup…
@Jackie B - F*ck yes! Ooops… Excuse my language… I just get a bit excitable (as to choice)… Let me know when you come up with them.
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Oh, BTW, I’m back…
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Okay everybody now that Murv is gone… QUICK type as many questions as you can. I want to see his fingers bleed. LOL
I know what you mean about the spoiler thing Murv.
I do have to say that the series is not really like your typical paranormal, it is definitely crime scene/mystery with a paranormal aspect. It really is unlike anything I have read out there. That said, I think men and women alike would enjoy it. There isn’t really a romance aspect (a tiny bit) and the content is really detailed.
Writing in the first person and getting it right is sometimes challenging for authors. You do an excellent job of it Murv. Do you prefer that type of writing or is it just how this series came out?
uh tighty whities? HELLO MURV? Visual! LOL stop right there mister.
In a real effort to make your fingers bleed when you come back, I have more commentary (hard to believe I know…).
I completely agree that the pagan controversy over “stuff” real, imagined or otherwise can be comical. Having owned a pagan store, I can completely relate to some of the haters you come across in that particular community. Though it happens in all communities.
I admit I had read some of the unfavorable mentions about your series. But that just motivated me to find out what it was all about. I really don’t care what others think, I care what I think. (does that make me a free thinker?). So, in my case the bad press worked in your favor.
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@Rachel - First person seems to be how I am wired. I’ve done a few shorts in third, but they never seemed to read the way they sounded in my head. I don’t want this to sound like hubris, but when I read over one of the RGI books during the edit process, I actually find myself getting sucked in. If that happens to me, even though I already know what is going to happen next, then either that Alzheimers thing is kicking in again, or it is reading the way it sounded in my head. Know what I mean? (If that didn’t make sense, just pretend you never read it.
)
Well, I DO have a pair of boxers with penguins on them… They were a gift from the staff at PUF (long story short - they have a “mascot” every year, and a few PUF’s back it was penguins… So the staff gave me a pair of penguin boxers as a gag gift.)
And, you know, I’m not surprised about the unfavorable mentions… There are a handful on Amazon that I find absolutely hilarious… My favorites are “Sellars is a really great guy, but I can’t recommend his books” - That one tickled me something fierce.
The other was one of the reviews that said something along the line of “I was a fan until Sellars put the BDSM in the books”… Apparently it was okay for sociopathic men to heinously kill women, but the moment a woman trussed up a guy and did him in for her own nefarious purposes, I had crossed the line. I think maybe that reviewer might have been a bit of a misogynist.
Speaking of misogynists, I actually had a fruitloop walk up to me at a booksigning and tell me that I had absolutely lost my mind to have a woman killing men, because that just wasn’t the natural order of things.
People like that frighten me just a bit…
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@Rachel - Funny you mention the romance angle… I certainly never considered there to be any romance whatsoever, but the series received a huge mention on a romance review site a few years back, all because of the relationship between Rowan and Felicity.
Those crazy kids… Just lovey dovey all the time. They need to rent a room and get it over with so they can get back to catching the bad guy. (LOL)
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@Rachel - BTW, still no blood LOL…
You’re correct. It happens in ALL communities. I think maybe it might stand out just a bit more in the pagan community because:
1) It’s the community I deal with to a large extent.
2) The pagan “doctrine” is to be accepting of all, and that sometimes doesn’t work. I’m not trying to sound like an ass, but there really are some folks who need to stay on their medication and not expect to heal themselves by sitting cross legged in a field drinking sage tea and singing “we all come from the Goddess…” Nothing wrong with that at all, mind you, but sometimes Prozac or Lithium is an essential part of an everyday diet. Nothing wrong with that either….
It kind of comes down to what any self-respecting practitioner of reiki, massage therapy, or spellcraft will tell you - “this is a supplement, it doesn’t replace your existing medication/therapy.”
The frootloops who decide to go all fundie pedantic, well, they have a whole ‘nother set of issues.
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I hear you man. You get no argument from me. I have had people come up and ask me if I sacrifice babies. Geez, medication is an option, please use it. lol
Backing up a bit, I kind had to laugh when you said ” a few PUF’s back” I was thinking somebody had to be slightly high to make penguin the mascot, more than a few puff’s back I think. JUST KIDDING. It is my warped sense of humor.
What are the dates/urls for these festivals. Nashvegas is close to me.
OH yeah, NO MORE talk of coffee, creamy or otherwise. You know full well the nearest starsquacks is 30 miles from me in Paducah. LOL NO FAIR. And it is in the hospital…Something just isn’t adding up right there with that equation.
Hey, do you have any take or ideas /theories on the 2012 end time?
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Just wondering what you wife thought when you first decided to write. Did you sell first and then quit the day job or did you quit to start writing? I’m not sure I could write without the motivation of having to pay the bills.
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@Rachel - In the lobby of Lourdes, right? I’ve had many a relative take their final breath there. Been a few years since I’ve done much more than drive past it on the highway though…
And, yeah, I probably should have thought that whole sentence out where PUF is concerned (ROFL)…
Anywho PUF (Pagan Unity Festival) is held at Montgomery-Bell State park in Burns TN, which is just a bit outside of Nashville… This year it is May 28-31. I will be there, as will Dorothy Morrison, Kristin Madden, and I’ve heard rumors that Raven and Stephanie Grimassi will be in attendance as well.
FOS (Festival of Souls) is held at Meeman-Shelby State Park in Memphis TN and it is October 18-20th this year I believe. I’m not actually booked to do it this year, but I would definitely go back to that one in a heartbeat. The folks are wonderful…
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@Rachel
On the 2012 thing, I can see it being another Y2K for the sociopathic. I actually have an RGI novel already contracted based on a 2012 storyline.
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Yep that’s the bucks. I have spent more time there than I care to have since we’ve moved her in sept. ugh. Most of the time they won’t let me have a beloved cup of anything.
I am reading Night Keepers by Jessica Andersen which is based on the Mayan prophecy. It is pretty good reading so far.
I can’t wait to read yours though!
Okay another burning question (no pun intended). What else are you working on. Do you have anything in mind outside of RGI? All good series come to an end at some point….well mostly (thinkink LKH here). What else do you want to right series about?
There must be some pre-planning going on in your mind about where you want your writing to take you. Inquiring minds want to know…:)
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@Bea Chan -
That is a story in itself. It all started back when we were doing the Dual Income No Kids thing. We were young, stupid, and immortal, so we would work all week, then party all weekend… Sleep it off on Sunday, then get up and repeat the cycle. Usually, long about Friday night we’d start the partying shortly after work.
EK knew I wrote, because she’d already seen some of the journalism awards I won when in school, plus I would still tend to pen an article or short story here and there. When it dawned on me that I should take an old, unpublished manuscript I had written years before, steal some of the ideas from it and write a new novel, I just up and decided to do it. It was a Friday and I had arrived home from work prior to the Evil Redhead… When she walked in I was already typing furiously… She asked what I was doing and I told her I was writing a book. She stared at me for a minute, then said, “So I guess we aren’t going out tonight?”
6 months later, Harm None was born and then there came the several year process of rejection, acceptance, deal breakers, rejection, and eventually acceptance and publication. By then, our daughter had been born… In fact, she was only crawling when I had my first book signing, so she crawled around the bookstore in a onesy that had “Buy My Daddy’s Book Or I’ll Spit Up On You” emblazoned across the front.
Anywho, long story short, I kept the day job until after the fourth book was published and the fifth was written, contracted, and in editing. Honestly, the only reason I was able to quit the tech job was because EK is frugal and we had managed to pay off our house and cars already. If we’d had a bunch of debt, I’d still be turning a screwdriver too…
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@Rachel -
Hold that thought. I have to walk up the street and retrieve the offspring from her playdate. I’ll be back in two shakes… well, maybe three and a half…
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Thanks for directing me to your website for the appearances info. Looks like I might have to stop by the Pagan Picnic in June.
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Okay… Back.
I have a few things in mind. I actually have a proposal for a crossover book, where it is told from the POV of a cop, and Rowan makes a “cameo” appearance. That’s something that could launch into a series, possibly. No bites on that one yet.
I’ve a notion to step outside my normal bounds and try writing a humor book - sort of a Dave Barry or Erma Bombeck type of thing. Whether or not that would fly, remains to be seen.
I had a proposal for another somewhat more fanciful paranormal whodunnit involving a Witch, but the universe in which it is set is a bit more fluid and involves an Imp that was sent to torment said Witch and, well, I probably shouldn’t say any more about that just yet, because my publisher has actually expressed interest in seeing a manuscript.
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@Ricki - Please do. And, please introduce yourself as well. If it takes me a minute to remember that I was here, and that you said you’d be stopping by, please forgive me… The older I get the less I seem to be able to retain in the old brainpan.
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I think this is my favorite interview yet. Superbly in depth and eye opening. Made my grin, too.
I was lucky (smart?) to latch onto a coupon that Rachel posted here and I added most of the RGI series to Mt Git’r'Read. They were in the ‘damaged’ section of the site…the only ‘damage’ I found was the author’s signature….dagnabbit. = )
http://iyamvixenbooks.blogspot.com/2009/03/bittenbybooks-and-m-r-sellars-interview.html
There was a facebook friend invite from Murz that I accepted happily and forwarded email to Rachel.
I added M R’s blog to my blogroll, Rachel: You are always on my blogroll.
I am member of BloodBank.
I subscribed to the newsletter, already a subscription to your blog, Rachel.
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Re the 2012 thing, a couple years ago I was at an gathering of Indian elders to speak with a Hopi elder, who had been sent out to speak on his people’s prophesies. The thing I first found scary was the December 2012 date and similar dire prediction, and other similar prophesies of indigenous peoples were discussed. I think our ‘oral tradition’ has held us in good stead with retaining some of the knowledge. The interesting thing to me was the dual interpretations that came from that gathering. Does the “end of the time” mean the end of the world..or just an end to a way of living? I’m being a post hog….
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@V - I’d go with Smart. Always take smart when it’s an option. Luck runs out, smart is enduring (Grin)
And, that’s the way the publisher is. If they get overstock returns that have even the slightest scuff, the get sold at a discount as damaged. The copies that are REALLY beat to hell get used as review copies, or as gimmicks - i.e. They used to send them to me to take along to Pagan Pride Day celebrations where I was speaking and I would just toss them into the crowd.
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Okay, the sugar from the donut went right to my brain and there is a sentence in my last post that made no sense. One shouldn’t try and write when one is in donut bliss.
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@Storm - No you aren’t. Post away!
On the prophecies I think it is an end game. A way to exercise control, much like the concept of Hell.
But, that’s just me.
My particular storyline approaches the 2012 thing from the avenue of it being much like the Y2K thing where sociopaths are concerned.
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@Storm - I wanna donut!!!
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Hi Murv, Just stopping by to check out your interview I am still laughing at your comment about the Suggar Momma!!! Your books look very entertaining and I will be checking them out soon. Rachel by the way is out to get you………. check out her facebook comment LOL and I will be adding your info on my twitter but have to admit I have no clue as to how to do it…. and I would add you as a frind on facebook but you already asked me first so you were a step ahead of me ….the link is pasted though. Thanks Shell
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Okay, the Evil Redhead is home so Murv is going to go make dinner so that she doesn’t beat him and lock him in the closet. He’ll be back in about an hour or so.
Keep ‘em coming. This is fun!
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Hey Murv, it’s me, Sam. Just taking a look at your little operation here. Hmmm, to play along I should probably ask a question, huh? Well then, I understand that you travel a lot. I’d be interested to know where your fabulously famous jet-setter lifestyle is taking you next?
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Great interview. I’d never even condidered the carbon footprints of e readers. Something to think about.
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No donut for you..you have to cook dinner and eat vegetables and set a good example for the youngun. I will eat vegetables too when I get home..I don’t want to go home.
Have a wonderful evening and many thanks for being here!
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@Shell - Thanks! Sugar Momma just had a hand made bacon and cheese omelet served up by her doting deadbeat artist. (Grin) (He had one too…)
She’s probably in for a backrub later. She was complaining about some aches.
Oh, the things I must do to keep the sugar flowing…
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@Sam - Hey, how’s life? I will be in Wayne, Nebraska next weekend (April 3-5) as the Guest of Honor at WillyCon, a Sci-Fi Convention on the Wayne State College campus.
@Cheryl - Those may just be tiny Barbie footprints for all I know, but when I was in the tech field I watched quite a bit of plastic and circuitry go into landfills simply because it was too expensive to repair out of warranty.
@Storm - Okay, be that way… I’ll get my donut from the pusher on the corner…(Krispy Kreme) (LOL)… Seriously though, it was my pleasure. I have had an absolute blast visiting with everyone today.
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Now it is dognuts.
Man the dinner sounds heavenly.
So, nobody has asked this popular question.
Favorite music/band?
Do you listen when you write and if so what do you typically listen to. Do you have a play list that inspires you.
If I had to guess it would be something like
Pink Floyd The Wall
Judas Priest
Black Sabbath
Iron Maiden.
Just for Miranda. LOL
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OH and on the 2012 theory. I am leaning towards a new way of being in the world.
This particular series covers both theories. One that it will happen (and could based on paranormal happenings in the plotline) and some disbelievers in the utter end of the world.
Really pretty interesting. I am glad my friend sent these to me.
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@Rachel - Damn… I thought I was the only person who called them “Dognuts”… LOL
Favorite music is all over the spectrum actually. Anything from classical to metal, but I simply cannot do rap or hip-hop. Sorry, just not my thing.
As to a truly favorite band, hard to say… Back in high school (sometime around the turn of the century) I saw Styx every time they came to STL. And, I’ve seen them since as well… Not the same, really, although I though Cyclorama was a killer CD.
I do have a tendency to listen to music when I am writing. Really for the background noise more than anything else, but what I listen to does actually depend on the type of scene I am writing.
For general eerie, I will go with the soundtrack from Millennium and a bunch of stuff like Tubular Bells and Oxygene.
When I was writing Perfect Trust, since it was set during Christmas, I played quite a bit of Mannheim Steamroller - the holiday CD’s obviously… Even though it was the wrong time of the year LOL.
Miranda actually did have her own musical score, and you pretty much pegged it - Ozzie, Black Sabbath, Iron Butterfly, Metallica, and the like. Also some selected cuts from soundtrack of the Michael Mann movie Manhunter (the original version of Red Dragon)
On the 2012 thing, sounds pretty cool. Not sure how mine will measure up, but I guess we’ll see (LOL)
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That’s awesome dude.How good am I ! ? (don’t answer that).
Your book will be awesome in it’s own right (write lol)
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Ya’know, it just dawned on me that we had a century turn real recent like… Damn, I’m still living in the past…
So, make that turn of the century thing, “sometime around the beginning of the industrial revolution”… (Grin)
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Hope you got over “Whiter Shade of Pale”. I can report that “Second Chance” is still with me. Darned inferior aluminum foil in my hat…
I guess I have more of a comment than a question: I would love to see you write a book on the lines of Dave Barry or Erma Bombeck (Or Teresa Bloomingdale; these are my comic faves!)I can imagine, with your sense of humor, you’d be very good at it. Wherever you path takes you, I wish you blessings along the way!
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@Raine -
Dear lady, I fear my Al-you-mini-uhm foil must have come from the same vendor as yours, for it is just as defective. Procol Harem has yet to leave me alone. (LOL)
And, thanks so much for the encouragement on the humor book. I’m definitely giving it consideration.
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@Raine-
Oh, and lest I forget - Blessings upon you as well.
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Is everyone having some nom for dinner right now? It got kinda quiet…
You’re scaring me…
Stop…
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I am in a Joplin trance, posting reviews. It’s about 5 30 over on the west coast. everybody getting off of work. Oh and sitting on I-5. LOL
I have a question. Did you read Harry Potter and what did you think of the series.
Uh and Twilight.
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now that is a scary question Murv.
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@Rachel-
On Harry, I listened to EK read it aloud. We are big readers here, so while we are each generally reading a book or two at a time (not simultaneously, of course), including the munchkin, who reads and this insanely astounding level beyond her grade level… Okay, there I go bragging on her… Anyway, generally there is a “Family Read” going and someone reads aloud every night. The first Harry Potter was one of those, and EK read it. I thought it was good for what it was - a fantastical tale with fright, fun, and a bit of mystery. Perfect for kids, and adults who like reading YA. But, by the same token it wasn’t something I wanted to undertake reading, especially given the projects I have to finish… So, I saw a couple of the movies. Fun stuff.
I wish I had JK’s money…
As to Twilight… Well, in a word, no. Didn’t read ‘em. I’m sure they are good for what they are, but based on the clips and commercials for the movie, I have a sneaking suspicion they aren’t geared toward me, if you know what I mean. I doubt Stephenie Meyer would fault me for thinking that.
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EK and the Offspring are in the next room “over dramatically pretend arguing” over the outcome of a game of dominoes… Those two are a riot.
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Well put EK on and have her reveal some of your deep dark secrets. OR what it’s like being a sugar momma to a beatnik. lol
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Hey and for the record, JK probably set the pagan community back about 10000 million years w/her portrayal magic. If you worked side by side, I bet you could make the world implode!
*snort*
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Going home from work to virtuously eat green leafy stuff, with perhaps a piece of naked chicken cleverly decorated with tire tracks..err, grill marks. And hey, I’m a grandma so I LOVE to hear about amazingly clever, wonderful children, especially since I’m not raising them.
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@Rachel-
ROFL! I’ll ask her but I don’t think she’ll be too keen… you see, she’s already got one!
Already has one?
Oh yes, it’sa very nice…
Okay, that was our Monty Python moment… Actually, I did ask her but she’s a bit wrapped up with the kid at the moment…(Gifted and talented, but also very “spirited”… Not in a bad way, but requires a lot of high level interaction, or she gets bored and builds an unlicensed particle accelerator out of legos and TV remotes in the living room… You think I’m joking, but you should see the singularity we have trapped in the basement. (Grin)….)
Suffice it to say, she doesn’t want for backrubs or footrubs, and she doesn’t have to cook or do laundry - true story. And, she’s stuck with me for 23 years, so I don’t think she has any major complaints…
As to dark secrets about me, she generally doesn’t let those out because she likes to be able to exploit them whenever possible.
And, you know, with the JK thing it’s just like when the movie “The Craft” hit theaters… It actually had some accurate info in it… but, by the same token, it fictionalized some stuff…Big deal. It wasn’t a bad movie. I’d give it a solid 3 1/2 stars… Maybe even a 4 if I was lonely and could rewind and rewatch certain scenes… (Bad Murv)…
But, in the wake of the movie the chat rooms (I was a moderator in a Wicca chat channel back then) were inundated with tweens wanting a “spell to change their eye color and hair color…”
I handed them out all day… I just told them to get Bausch & Lomb contacts and Clairol hair dye. Voila! All set.
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@Storm-
ROFL! Enjoy your rubber chicken!
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ha ha ha…the crapped er craft. I think the only worthy witchy movie is PRACTICAL MAGIC.
ha ha one of my all time favs. Well you can’t beat the wicker man in times of well…times of whatever. You know the mood. LOL
Ahh well this is a perfect time for her to exploit you.
We are ALL about that here when the guys come out to play.
Okay, moving right along.
What other paranormal fiction have you read? Anything Anita Blake? Charlaine Harris? Anything? Sherri Kenyon?
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@Rachel-
No, I’m a bad Murv… I know Laurell… I’ve done several panels with her at SF cons, and signed books right next to her at same. I even wrote an article for her newsletter last year… but I’ve only read some excerpts of her stuff…
I know Sherrilyn… Hung out with her at PUF last year. I believe she’s supposed to be there again this year… And, she is writing me a blurb for the next RGI, but, haven’t read any of her stuff…
Charlaine has actually given me props in the acknowledgements of two of her books… I’ve never met her in person, but we’ve traded several emails. I answered some questions for her on Witchcraft for one of the Sookie books, and then turned her on to a friend of mine who is a Linguist for a Latin translation… Yet, I haven’t read any.
Yeah, like I said. Bad Murv.
I actually use to read a whole load of SF… Asimov, Bradbury, Clarke, and right on through the rest of the alphabet.
And… I will make this admission here… A long time ago, in a galaxy FAR FAR away, pre-EK, I was dating this gal who desperately wanted me to read these mammoth historical romances she was into… So I read Kathleen Woodiwiss’ “Wolf and the Dove” and “Flame and the Flower”… Nothing paranormal there, but plenty of ripped bodices…
But, in my defense, Laurell and Charlaine haven’t read any of MY stuff either… Neither has Sherrilyn, yet.
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But, you know… I forgot something…
As a family read we have been doing the “Children of the Lamp” series… YA sort of, but thick tomes… All about a couple of Tweens who discover they are Djinn… Pretty cool, and well researched in the archaeology department…
But, definitely a lot of paranormal in there…
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you are right! Bad Murv no dognuts. LOL
I will check that series out. I love YA para fic.
seems like it is quieting down for the night. Feel free to send time w/the family and stop by tomorrow if you have time.
I am sure there will be more entertainment than just me. he he
thanks for being here today. Of course stay as late as you like.
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@Rachel-
I just tossed a tweet out there saying I’d be here til 9 Central… EK is reading aloud behind me, so I’m just listening along.
I’ll definitely drop in a few times tomorrow during the day. Friday evening is big family TV night (Yeah, we actually break down and look at TV every now and then)…
Thanks again for having me here. I’ve had a blast, and I’m looking forward to answering more q’s tomorrow.
Murv
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What is your favorite genre to write?
What is your favorite genre to read?
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Love the books, interesting time killer…
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Fantastic interview. I love your response to the question of criticism to the way you portray the pagan faith. Geez people, get a life! I’m a big believer in “do your own thing, and to each his own, as long as it doesn’t hurt me or mine!” If more people adhered to this way of thinking, the world would be a nicer place to live in. Thanks again for the interview, it was very inlightening. And thanks for this giveaway.
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Pardon my late arrival - life has a way of interferring with things you really want to do. Loved the interview as well as the comments back&forth.
On 2012, here’s the “real scoop” from our native Chichen Itza tourguide: “The interpretation that the Mayan calendar predicts the end of the world at 2012 is all wrong. That’s just how their numbering system worked, so all that will happen is the calendar will restart at year 1 again.” Don’t you love getting info from all the experts out there so willing to share their knowledge.
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MR Thank You for answering all of my strange questions, I think I would need a wall of weird for the hate mail. During the PUF; if you are in need of sugary goodness fix, I highly recommend Dickson Donuts; warm Donuts at good prices.
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I posted on my blog for the contest!
http://nicholandria.wordpress.com/
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Good morning all… My daily walk with the munchkin is done, and I even hit the shower before coming by- didn’t want to offend anyone.
While we never officially made my fingers bleed yesterday, we definitely made them sore - as evidenced by all my typos. Apologies for that.
Now, down to biz-
@Lexee - Favorite genre to write, probably what I am currently writing. It allows me to explore some pretty wicked stuff on paper, that way I don’t climb a clocktower with a rifle in real life. (LOL)… As to reading - I love police procedurals. The grittier, the better. Those and observational humor, such as Dave Barry and Garrison Keillor.
@Andrea Henry - Thanks!
But, I don’t remember killing time… Which novel was that? And, moreover, whodunnit? (LOL).
@DeeAnn - Thanks! Glad you liked it. Seems you and I have the same outlook on life. We must be brother and sister from separate parents switched at birth from different hospitals on different birthdays or something…
@Shirley - I know how it is with the life thing. Mine interferes with my fun all the time. (grin)… And, on 2012, that’s interesting… It’s actually the same theory I’ve had for years. And here I thought I was being original. Darn the luck. (LOL)
@Beet - No problem at all! And, I know what you mean… I saved a few here and there for a while. I still have a box in the basement full of my copies of emails and letters from a stalker, just in case I need to hand them over to the FBI at some point. Thanks for the Heads Up on the “dognuts”… When at PUF, they actually assign a chef named Rachel (who also happens to be a good friend of mine) to the VIP’s, so she brings breakfast to our cabin and the whole nine yards. She makes these absolutely incredible caramel-apple-cinnamon cream cheese blintz sort of things, as well as one of my favorite of all time foods - a Sausage-Apple-Cheese pie. Damn… Now I’m getting hungry.
@Nicole Hicks - Thanks! I put your blog in my blog roll this morning. Along with everyone else’s blog who listed me in their blog rolls. Thanks folks!!
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Hello M.R.
You recently friended me in the BBB community.
I’ll be sending you a friend requst in MySpace shortly. I have to say that this is one of the funniest and most delightful interviews I’ve read on the BBB blog. You have a great sense of humor. I like that in a man. Well, that and a huge…juggler vein!
“I’ve interviewed victims of violent crimes and people with psychological disorders.”
I’m so jealous! There was a time when I wanted to be a psychological criminologist. I’m still trying to figure out how to get this love letter to Richard Ramirez! *snort*
With reguard to interviewing people with psychological disorders, have you spoken with anyone famous or infamous which ever you prefer? I have a friend who used to work at Vacaville State Prison. She despensed meddys to Ed Kemper. She wasn’t supposed to tell me stuff but she did. I’ve been studing serial killers on and off in my unlife time.
M.R. you’re a pip! I hope I’m one of your lucky winners.
D :-)=
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Rachel, PRACTICAL MAGIC is one of my favorite movies!! I just read an ARC of BLUE DIABLO by Ann Aguirre and wrote a short review. May I share it?
D :-)=
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sure draculissa, email it to me!
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@Draculissa-
ROFL!
You know, at Florida Pagan Gathering they have a 24 hour security/med team called the “Guardians” who watch over everything the whole weekend. They are made up of cops, EMT’s, Paramedics, military, etc… Well, long story short, one of my fave guardians is this little paramedic gal nicknamed “Trauma”… Whenever she meets someone for the first time she grabs their arm, then looks at their neck and oohs & ahhs over their veins. LOL… She’s a hoot. But, I gotta tell ya’, I’d want her to be the one taking care of me if I was injured. She really knows her stuff…
On the famous/infamous folks, not really. I’d love to do that, but the people I have interviewed were just average everyday folks with common and uncommon diorders. Such as Dissociative Identity Disorder - what many people incorrectly label as Multiple Personality Disorder… Paraphilias and Fetishism… As to victims, I’ve interviewed rape victims, etc…
I go out of my way not to be intrusive, but I try to learn anything I can in order that I be able to portray the conditions/situations correctly when I write.
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There I go with the typos again… Sheesh… I blame Dorothy Morrison. I just spent an hour on the phone with her and I’m certain she stole my ability to type.
BTW - Y’all will want to check out her interview Monday. She’s a hoot. Ask her about the “Dunkin’ Donuts Incident” at FPG.
ROFL!
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I will definitely ask out the “Dunkin’ Donuts Incident” Monday.
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We’ve been requested to torture you…..
Okay here it goes…”Twinkle Twinkle little star how I wonder what you are.” Okay it doesn’t have the same effect as if I was actually singing.
The question is If you were to make you books into a TV series - who would be your ideal cast? Would you want to make a cameo in it? Or do you think think the books couldn’t be give there proper respect in the TV medium?
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I have loved the entire series. From Rowan to Miranda to Ben and Helen and beyond, each of the regular characters has such depth that through the series they begin to feel like “friends.”
My questions for you are these: How much of a say do you have about the end product once your books head to the editing/proofing process? Have they ever made/suggested changes that you blatantly disagreed with? What did or would you do if that happened?
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What’s your favorite:
Candy
Food
Beverage
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this could be a first. But I have run out of questions. LOL
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So, you are all a bunch of Evil minxes just like EK… Love to torture the Murv, eh? (LOL)
Yo’kay, let’s see here…
@Marnie - Make that a Twinkie, and I’ll be all about it
So… A TV series. Well, like most authors, I’ve given this one a bit of thought. I think John Corbett or someone like him would make a good Rowan. Scarlet Pomers or Leah Thompson for Felicity. Although we are definitely talking a major age range there… I actually think Jimmy Smits could pull off a good Ben Storm. Constance Mandalay - Sarah-Jane Redmond, although she might be pushing the envelope agewise since Constance is supposed to be fairly young.
So, there’s your core group… And, as to the other question, I’m sure they wouldn’t be treated the way they should if made into something for TV, but I’m afraid I might have to be a little mercenary there… If they offer me enough money, they can do whatever they like “based on my characters.” Wouldn’t stop me from writing the books the way I want them to be.
@Jules - Actually, quite a bit. That is one of the perks of being with a smaller press. Of course, there are definitely times when I go toe-to-toe with my editor, but I have to admit, she’s correct 99% of the time. I think there have only been two changes (and I can’t even remember what they were) where I dug in my heels and refused. Fortunately, I was able to give a convincing argument on both of them and she agreed with me. But, seriously, she’s a great editor, and when she says something needs changing/rewriting/whatever, she knows from whence she speaks.
I can’t remember if I mentioned something either in the interview or an answer about the whole Penguin-Putnam thing or not… but just in case I didn’t - They were going to contract the series but only if I changed it to “Buffy-Charmed-Harry Potter meets the Cat who books”… Nothing wrong with any of those at all, but it wasn’t what I had written - or even, wanted to write. The acquisitions editor’s objection was that I had not “researched my witchcraft well enough”… When I called them on the carpet over this, I was told that I wasn’t the “right kind” of witch, because everyone knows REAL witches ride brooms, yadda yadda… So, at that point I pretty much took my toys and looked for another sandbox.
@Rachel - Hungry are you? LOL
Candy - Jellybeans, preferably the black ones. Although I will admit to an overwhelming fondness for both Peeps (stale, of course) and a Zero bar straight from the freezer. Back home in Fulton, KY, we used to buy them at just about any local five n dime or gas station with a cooler, and we called them “Polar Bears”…
Food - All of it. I’m a fat guy, so what’s not to like about food? (LOL)… but, seriously, that really is a hard call. I happen to LOVE sushi & sashimi. But, I am also a huge fan of a fried SPAM sandwich.
Beverage - Again, so many… Coffee, Green Tea, RC Cola with a bag o’ peanuts (salted, and poured in the bottle, of course)… And, generally an RC also calls for a Moonpie. And, Water. I drink a lot of water.
ALCOHOLIC beverage - Guinness, Scotch, Bourbon, Irish Whiskey, the occasional Gin and or Vodka and Tonic. I also like a good wine every now and then, but don’t we all (LOL)
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@Rachel - Really? That’s all you’ve got?
Wow… I just might survive this yet. (LOL)
I suppose I could start asking myself some questions, but if I do I am liable to give myself some pretty risque answers…