Interview with Jeff Gunhus - Author of Jack Templar Monster Hunter



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

I'm Jeff Gunhus. I've authored five novels, three for my middle grade/young adult series called Jack Templar Monster Hunter and two novels for adults, Night Chill and Killer Within. In my spare time, I own and run a national home services company with a few thousand employees and chase around my five kids with my wife Nicole. 
What inspired you to write your books?
The Jack Templar books were inspired by my son who was a reluctant reader. I wrote them as a way to hopefully inspire a love of reading in him. It worked and he is now a voracious reader. The adult books are my homage to Stephen King and Dean Koontz who I enjoyed reading growing up (and still do.) The horror and thriller genres are fun for me to dive into and I've been blessed with great sales and fans. 

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
Every book teaches me something new. The Jack Templar books were the only books I've written in the first person which can bring you inside the character but also has limitations as well. The horror and thriller novels were great reminders that character comes first as the reader has to care about the people they are following in order to feel the emotion of the situations in which they find themselves.

What are some challenges that you faced while writing?
Time is always the scarce commodity. With a business to run and a family to enjoy, the only time to write is from 5am-7am. Luckily, I'm a morning person and feel the most creative before the sun comes up over the horizon.

Who or what in your life would you say influenced you the most?
I grew up overseas in Greece, Cyprus and Saudi Arabia from the ages 5-12 and I didn't have access to TV. As a result, I read pretty much every day and got hooked on books for life. 

What are your hobbies and interests away from the desk?

With five kids, I'm interested in finding things I can do with them We fish, kayak, hike, play tennis and I coach sports teams. There's never a dull moment!

What do you get passionate about?

I'm passionate about getting kids excited about reading. I speak on the subject and wrote a small book called Reaching Your Reluctant Reader. It's not just literacy, put instilling a passion in kids so they want to read in their spare time. 

What does "success" mean to you?

Success is being proud of your relationships, being proud of the way in which you achieved your accomplishments and feeling confident you've honored the path and much as the destination. 

What are your current projects?

I am editing the follow-up to Night Chill and four chapters into Jack Templar #4.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Read On Writing by Stephen King. Read it a second time. Then put your butt in a chair and write. Every day. Period. 

Killer Within (An Allison McNeil Thriller)
http://www.amazon.com/Killer-Within-Allison-McNeil-Thriller-ebook/dp/B00IYX1YKK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400610014&sr=8-1&keywords=gunhus

Night Chill
http://www.amazon.com/Night-Chill-Jeff-Gunhus-ebook/dp/B00CRKPTL6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1400610014&sr=8-2&keywords=gunhus

Jack Templar Monster Hunter
http://www.amazon.com/Jack-Templar-Monster-Hunter-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B009SRYACA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1400611615&sr=8-3&keywords=gunhus

Jack Templar and the Monster Hunter Academy
http://www.amazon.com/Jack-Templar-Monster-Hunter-Academy-ebook/dp/B00C1GLB7C/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=133G08QKXKQ5EQP3GQDD

Jack Templar and the Lord of the Vampires
http://www.amazon.com/Jack-Templar-Lord-Vampires-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00FIOIFO6/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1H07MZWGK9PPTHTYX79R

http://www.JeffGunhus.com












Interview with Cheryl St. James - Author of Lucy Pinkston mysteries

1. Can you tell us a little about your books and yourself?
Hello, my name is Cheryl St. James, and I'm the author of the Lucy Pinkston mysteries. Lucy is a gilded-age detective working in Boston, Massachusetts. Lucy solves cases with the support of her Indian-born adviser, Mr. Farouk, and her brother, Jack Pinkston.



2. What inspired you to write your books?
I was lamenting the lack of a female Sherlock Holmes, and the idea of Lucy came to me. But of course, she didn't turn out as planned. Lucy is a great detective, but she is also a young woman growing up in a very restrictive environment. The way she handles this is similar to the struggles of modern day women. Even though we aren't wearing corsets and taking afternoon tea, we can connect with Lucy's struggles on a very basic level.

3. Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I learned to let your characters be themselves. Like I said, I wanted Lucy to have more of a bite. Shrewd like Sherlock, but with a feminine twist. Once I started writing, she made her quirky personality known. I learned to let your characters be themselves--don't force them to act a certain way. The result might be more entertaining that you initially imagined--Lucy certainly is!

4. What are some challenges that you faced while writing?
My eternal challenge is the seemingly endless rounds of editing. It is so frustrating getting your manuscript back from the editor, riddled with red marks. It's a challenge, but a necessary one. I like to think of it as an evolution.

5. Who or what in your life would you say influenced you the most?
I'm influenced by creative people. I feed off their vibe, and it sustains my passion for writing. I love hearing about other people's creative processes, and I really love studio tours. It's like taking a walk in someone else's daydream.

6. What are your hobbies and interests away from the desk?
I'm an avid walker, and I love music. So I steal parts of my day for strolling and listening to internet radio. Beyond that, I am an unabashed Murder She Wrote super-fan. I recap episodes on my blog, MurderSheBlogged.net and I have a ridiculous amount of fun doing it.
 
7. What do you get passionate about?
I'm super passionate about art. We should find time for the creative process and encourage it within ourselves and other artists. If you have even the tiniest inkling to create, transition time-wasting habits into ones that sustain your creative spirit.

8. What does "success" mean to you?
Success is one person reading the Lucy books and forgetting the stresses of their day. I don't write books for myself, I want people to join Lucy's world and forget their own struggles. If I take your mind off a horrible boss for a few minutes each day, I feel like a million bucks.

9. What are your current projects?
I'm currently writing the third Lucy book, "Lucy Pinkston and the Centennial Case." Lucy has been hired to protect a fossil exhibit at the Centennial celebration in Philadelphia, and she runs into some familiar faces during the case.

10. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Kick the "aspiring" out and just write. Figure out how you work best and stay committed. Don't write the first book if you don't want to write the 15th. Stay the course, it's the only way you'll get better at your craft. Start a writer's group in your area for support. Don't critique, encourage each other and celebrate your group successes. You'll look back in a few years, amazed at what you've accomplished.

Interview with Mohit K Misra - Author of Ponder A While

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

The name of my book is Ponder Awhile a collection of 48 spiritual poems on various aspects of life,death and God.The basic aim to show the oneness of God and Religions.



I was born and bought up in Mumbai-India.Studied in Cathedral and John Connon followed by Jai Hind College (science) before joining the Merchant Navy where I worked as a Navigating Officer. Although I come from a family of priest, fathers side being Brahmins and Mothers- Parsi priests, I was an atheist and didn't believe in the existence of God. During a voyage from South Africa to South America I gained enlightenment in the Atlantic Ocean which altered my view of life and God. I had this experience at the age of 25 and at the age of 33 I became a poet spending the next few years writing. in Pune.I have recently shifted to Dubai.

2. What inspired you to write your books?
Enlightenment, God inspired me to write. I had to share God knowledge to uplift humanity and unite religions which fought over which prophet or God was greater even though there is only one God mentioned by all religions as the Light.



3. What are some challenges that you faced while writing?
It was the most arduous thing I have ever done and will probably ever do.Would meditate 6-8 hrs a day and contemplate the rest of the time for many years. A very lonely journey as very few understood when I was writing and I was lost to this world.

4. Who or what in your life would you say influenced you the most?
The Light or God and the masters.

5. What does "success" mean to you?
Peace of mind, finding out what reason one has come on this planet and then dedicating oneself to accomplishing it.



6. What are your current projects?
I am done writing for now took me 11 years to be content with one book.

7. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Be truthful to yourself, write if your purpose of being here on this planet is to do so otherwise follow your call.