Fight of the Gnomes (ArcOn Book 2) LitRPG By Erinn Price

8/25/2018

Multi-volume author, Erinn Price, introduces us to the second volume in her series, Fight of the Gnomes:
The gnomes aren't out of the woods yet.

Just when they think things are going well, the game AIs go and change everything. In a race against time, Yllo and her friends need to find all the races’ artifacts to safeguard their Kingdom. The stakes are higher in her real life and her virtual one.

They make new friends and enemies, as they narrow in on the person behind the gnomes’ problems.

I am a newbie or noob, this is the first book I have read in the RPG literature genre. I didn’t even know there was a type of book like this. I confess to never having played a role-playing game also. I remember when Dungeons and Dragons came out, it sounded interesting and complicated.
I enjoyed reading this book, it gave me some insight into the world of role-playing games. The adventure was exciting, the plot kept me guessing. The settings, characterizations, and dialog all contributed to an excellent story. The mixture of sci-fi and fantasy was very appealing to me. The touch of steampunk was like icing on the cake. All in all, it was fun to read.
I award 3.8 stars to Fight of the Gnomes.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/fight-of-the-gnomes
https://www.goodreads.com/fight-of-the-gnomes-arcon-book-2-litrpg

You can follow Erinn Price:
https://twitter.com/ErinnPr33359311
https://www.facebook.com/ErinnPriceAuthor
https://www.amazon.com/Erinn-Price
https://erinnprice.com
[email protected]

Tags: YA, mature MG, AI
Copyright © 2018 Mark L Schultz except for the author's introduction

40 Comments

Erinn Price link

8/26/2018 05:09:31 am

Thank you Mark for the review and for the basic proofread, it just showed me that I have to go for the full proofread when I can. Your eye for detail and your willingness to help is greatly appreciated. I am glad you enjoyed the book. As a relatively new genre not many people take a chance to see what it is all about.

Mark

8/26/2018 09:38:49 am

You are very welcome, Erinn, I enjoyed the book. How long have you been playing role-playing games? Do you remember the first game you played? Who talked you into it? What is your favorite game to play now?
This is the second of two books. I am going to guess the books are not based on any specific game. Have you written a game of your own? Was it ever published beyond your circle of friends? In the book the Artificial Intelligent programs take the place of the dungeon master, is that correct? Has actual game play progressed to that point or is it basically lines of code and random number generators?

Erinn Price link

8/26/2018 10:21:55 am

I have been playing rpg games for a very long time, first Dungeon and Dragons, Arcanum and Elder Scrolls. They were older games, but introduced me to rpg. Later of course we got WOW and the more multiplayer rpg games instead of single player. There are so many I will take up the whole page just on the different single player rpgs and the multiplayer rpgs. I came across the games accidentally when I was sick, from mumps I think it was ... was bored and tried it, and here we are. Currently I do not have a firm favorite, but various ones I play on and off.

The books are not based on any game and no I have not developed a game of my own. I never been published or even told my friends I am writing. Circumstance led me to having available time and I used the time to start writing. This series is one I have had in my mind for a while. There is another rune magic series, but will finish this one before I begin that one.

Yes, the NPC (non-playing characters) are just basic code, but the Dungeon Masters/Dungeon Boss Monster as well as Mob Bosses in the open world are controlled by AIs. In my story the world had been trying to develop true AIs for a long time, instead of controlled AIs (AIs that still depend on programming even if it is hidden). ArcCorp was trying to use their online game to encourage the emergence of true independent AI.

Mark

8/26/2018 11:07:57 am

I can easily imagine that list would be very long. Thanks for sharing your background. My son tried to teach me how to play video game, I think it was Lego Star Wars. The actions proved to be very difficult for me. hitting two buttons just right was a problem. I realized I could master it if I invested a lot of time. I did not make that investment.
New questions.
How much research did you do for the ArcOn books?
This is your second book. What do you wish you knew before publishing your first book?
What are common traps for beginning writers?

Erinn Price link

8/26/2018 11:57:10 am

To start with I did no research, I just started writing and researched as things came up. From the first book I learnt to make glass. I learnt of the different stones, gems, rocks to get ones that fit my story. Second book less research but I just checked facts to ensure things I wrote were plausible, well as much as possible in a science fiction fantasy story. Third book has much more research into it because of the genre change. For it I needed to research myths, places and technology.

I wish I spent more time on the first two books, but I think I was afraid if I did not go full steam ahead that I would chicken out and not publish at all. I started writing in mid April, book I published end May, book 2 end June. Then with book three I wanted to see how pre-orders worked so set it to 90 days so release end September. I came to the realization 1 month is too short and 3 months is too long for me. I need pressure to get my mind focused, else I tend to dilly dally and procrastinate.

I wish I had set a marketing plan before, at least the basic foundation. Learning to market, write create web page and all the other things all at once can be overwhelming. Also that I gave more chance from proofreading. You have shown me how crucial it is to have your books proofread.

Write in your own style, your own time, your own imagination. All of us are different and what may work for one writer my not work for another. Do not get discouraged by thinking you can not do it the 'normal' or 'advised' way. Listen to advise but do not let it dictate your story. Just write, do not get bogged down by advise, use it as more of a guideline to find your own writing style and strength.

Biggest downfall of new authors is giving up. Just write your book, the rest will fall in after. I have also found that cover is crucial, it is the first impression of your book. No matter how good your story, if you do not have an attractive or intriguing cover people will skip your book over for the next on page. Try to look at covers of successful books, not just well known author ones, but books on the top lists by unknown authors. See what kind of covers people like in your genre and try get your cover in the same style. These are just suggestions, things I found worked or did not work for me. I am still learning what it entails to be a writer and see myself as a beginner, not completely and author yet.

Mark

8/26/2018 12:52:35 pm

That is some great advice. It sounds like it was a pretty steep learning curve for you. Thanks for being willing to share from your experience.
New questions.
What inspired you to write this series?
Did you read very much when you were a child?
Do you have a favorite book?

Erinn Price link

8/26/2018 01:27:15 pm

I have always loved reading and the fantasy world created by writers allowed me to escape and experience new worlds. My work is very rigid and no room for imagination, accounting. Reading was a great stress relief.

I actually always wanted to write. I have amazing dreams and at times live entire stories through my dreams. I sometimes have continuous story dreams, by this I mean I will continue to have the dream over a few weeks or months. I continue the previous dream from where I left of the next night. So I am not sure if I just dream the stories I have created and then write, or write the stories I have dreamed. Yeah, I know, I am weird.

I have the full concept of the current series from beginning to end already. No having to make things fit in my later books. All I write now, is for the following books. I am not sure if I am explaining this well. Basically, the full series already exist for me, I just have to write it down. I won't be pulling rabbits out of hats in my later books to make them fit in with previous books. The whole story line flows and elements introduced in earlier books have a purpose and fit in with my later books, even though they will be different genres.

I do not have a favorite book as such, I enjoy a wide range of books. My favorite genres are fantasy, science fiction, paranormal and romance. I am afraid I don't like drama's very much, I read to escape not to be reminded of the real world. I also don't like horrors much except for zombie books and vampire. If there is any kind of realism in the horror I won't read it. Same goes for films, guess makes me silly, but I find they affect me too much and I end up having nightmares. I would rather dream of flying unicorns than dismemberment.

Mark

8/26/2018 04:30:42 pm

I don't think you are weird or silly at all. I have had a few sequential dreams in my life, but not for many years. I am not a fan of horror also, the more graphic the less I like it. I think you have an interesting gift having the whole series laid out like that, I look forward to the rest of the books.
I am very intrigued by the concept of following these characters through different stories and genres. I have never heard of something like that before. Can you tell me a little bit about each of the next books without giving too much away?

Erinn Price link

8/26/2018 06:44:26 pm

The story is in four parts;
1. ArcOn is the beginning and introduces the readers to Alexis and Scarlet. There are other characters introduced in this story that have a role to play later but for this story those are the main two characters. The ArcOn books take place mainly in a virtual world and falls in the genre LitRPG. They include AI development through the game.

2. ArcMed is the story of Morgan, Alexis sister. She is a genius and is behind the development of Bio-nanotechnology, the use of nano technology specifically in the medical field. But she has developed some interesting other technology which she uses throughout this book. The ArcMed books involve nanotechnology, genetic engineering, relic hunting and have a paranormal element.

3. ArcRad is the research and development department of ArcCorp, the corporation behind the ArcOn game in the first two books and the corporation that Morgan works for. The genre for this book is superhuman's and paranormal. The elements of the first books all fall into place here, though it will be written as standalone. You can read the ArcOn series without needing to read more, you can read the ArcMed series without having to have read the ArcOn series. You can read the ArcRad series without having read ArcOn or ArcMed. The earlier series just explain how we get to where we are in the later books, how the elements came together.

4.ArcSpace is the final series and brings back Alexis and Scarlet from ArcOn as well as the main characters from the other books, but Alexis and Scarlet are the main characters. This is a Space Adventure.
I hope I have not given anything away, but makes explaining difficult not to give some details.

Mark

8/26/2018 11:06:02 pm

I think you did an admirable job. No spoilers there at all! It sounds very interesting to me. Thanks for giving me a peek into the future.
New questions.
Have you ever used a character based on yourself as a starting point for a story?
Have you ever used other acquaintances as the basis for a character, to the point they have recognized themselves in your book?
Is it important for writers to tap into the emotions of the characters?

Erinn Price link

8/27/2018 05:35:07 am

No, none of my characters are based on me, or acquaintances. Rather a mix match of personalities and types. I think you have to know your characters and understand them to be able to write. Sometimes they do things that you did not think off, but as your story progresses it fits them.

In the beginning you can have a broad outline of your characters' personalities and background. As you write, you can define it more and more. That way you have not set a rigid character profile that readers later may feel, 'act our of character' in a situation. That is unless you have based your character completely on someone and know exactly how they will act in any situation you put them in.

This is my writing technique, my characters develop as I write, giving me more flexibility. Others may find they prefer having strict character personalities and profiles set before they write. Like all writing, I think it is personal choice and depends on what works for you. We all tell a story in a different way. Trying to tell your story through someone else's 'voice' or style will be very difficult, rather tell it in your own voice and style.

Mark

8/27/2018 10:57:33 am

Very good. So, none of your characters are based solely on any one person. That is probably a good idea. Do you create some kind of character sheets or timelines? Do you consider yourself a plotter, pantster, or a hybrid of the two?
You are right about voice. There are only so many stories or plots, each author's voice is unique and each story becomes unique also.
More questions.
Do you think a strong ego is an asset or liability for a writer?
What do you consider to be your writing lucky charm?
What is your writing Kryptonite and how has it affected you?

Erinn Price link

8/27/2018 01:01:07 pm

I don't know, I think it depends on the person. Any character flaw and strength of an individual can be both a detriment and a saving grace. Some people have needed to develop a strong ego to survive, others develop the ability to go with the flow not let things bog them down too much. We all deal with life in a different manner and all of it; good,bad, strengths and weaknesses can help a person write. I do not thing it is necessary but depending on the person, their history, a strong ego can help them tell their story.

People who believe in me no matter what, is my lucky charm. I do not need anything else but that knowledge that fail or succeed I have people who will stand by me and bury any bodies if ever necessary.

I actually just discovered my writing kryptonite, my first book got a 1 star review from someone. He has valid points. I know I have problem with spelling,grammar and missing words. You yourself noticed this. Unfortunately as a new author hiring a proofreader can be expensive and I did not do this for my first two books. Thankfully it is something that I can fix and overtime I will have the previous books proofread. I am just grateful that I have managed to get you to agree to proofread my third book. It is a weight off my shoulders and one less thing I have to worry about where my books are concerned.

This is my first interview as a writer, and I am a bit nervous. I am still getting use to saying I am an author, somehow to me I do not feel I qualify.

With my nerves, I forgot that I can ask you questions as well. First question, does it sometimes become tedious for you to read,review and sometimes proof read books? I mean most people read to escape their jobs, relax, let their imaginations go, for you it is work. Do you still enjoy reading or do you sometimes want to just slap the author behind the head for all their mistakes? (and yes I am teasing you a bit because of my book and all the mistakes you found in it.) But I honestly want to know how you manage the work aspect of reading for enjoyment.

Mark

8/27/2018 01:44:03 pm

A wise answer about the ego. We are each unique in our own way, just like everyone else. Quite a paradox, wouldn't you say?
I love that line, " … bury any bodies if ever necessary." Very funny! You were making a joke, weren't you? ;-)
I think you will find, in the near future, how much you appreciate an honest one-star review like that. In one way you are very fortunate, many authors get a one-star review that makes no sense whatsoever. I remind authors that a bad review really confirms all the good reviews. It helps define the audience for that book. The book has not been written that will be loved by everyone.
Repeat, after me, "I am an author. As long as the urge to write burns bright in my soul, I am an author." Repeat as necessary.
I would not have guessed this is your first interview. You have done really well. I feel like it's just you and me having a chat, drinking our own coffee or tea.
Wait! What? Who is interviewing who? Actually those are good questions, not only do you answer well, you ask well. So let me answer them.
I love to read, I have all my life. I learned to read before I started the first grade and have never stopped. Sometimes, the reading and proofreading does become tedious when there are a lot of mistakes. Mistakes really jar me out of a good read. But I am easily able to reenter that space and resume the story I am deeply involved with.
Yes, I did find a lot of mistakes in reading this book. You were gracious and able to get them fixed, making a better read for others still to come.
The biggest surprise for me has been that I enjoy almost every genre, if the writing is done well. That is what it is about for me, reading pleasure. When proofreading, I wear a different hat, of course, I am looking for everything that will jar me and another person out of wonderful and smooth read. I go slower than when reading, and I make three passes through a book. Even when proofreading, I nearly always derive a certain amount of pleasure from the read, more or less.
New questions.
When you are writing; does it strengthen or weaken you?
Is there a book that makes you cry no matter how many times you read it?
What is the most valuable piece of advice you have ever received from another writer?

Erinn Price link

8/28/2018 03:47:11 am

I feel invigorated when I manage to write, so I would say strengthens me. Some days I don't write at all, my characters are too busy doing their own things and they don't want to do what I need them to do. So when I do finally manage to wrangle them into order and get some writing done it is great.

I am afraid I get drawn into stories very easily and get emotional (thus no horrors for me.) I do not remember books of the top of my head, if you name them or I see titles I would be able to say if I read it and it made me cry or not. Likely if their are likable characters in the story and something bad happens or emotional, I would have cried. I read for enjoyment, entertainment and stress relief. Crying is a great stress relief, so I do not feel weak saying books and movies can make me cry. If I read the book again the same would happen.

The writing community is awesome (by writing community I actual mean the writers and readers).There are so many wonderful and helpful people in it. I have had writers and readers give me advise and try help me. Best advise from a writer was "Do not be afraid to ask for help, when you get it take it into consideration, but make up your own mind." (well along those lines)
From readers was "Write a book that you would enjoy reading or find interesting to read. Do not write for others write for yourself."

Slightly off topic, but since he is your assistant it counts. How long have you had Grizz? Did you have pets growing up? Do you also think pets are family? I have a German Shepherd, her name is Amy she is a 33kg lapdog or rather lapcat,she has some very strong cat like tendencies.

Mark

8/28/2018 10:06:01 am

Many authors report feeling invigorated by writing also.
I definitely agree about the helpfulness of writers, so many of them are very willing to help others along the way.
Grizz has been a part of our family for 15 years. He was raised by a cat and has similar cat-like characteristics. When we got him as a puppy, our older house cat seemed to enjoy playing with him a great deal.
I grew up with dogs and cats as a little boy. Later, when we moved to a farm, we had chickens, ducks, peacocks, and a sheep as well. Except for the sheep, we kept the coyotes fed for quite some time.
New questions.
Is there really a such thing as writer's block and how do you overcome it?
I know you have been thinking about writing some books under a pen name. What are your thoughts about that now?
Are there any authors' writing style that you disliked at first but soon came to like?

Erinn Price link

8/28/2018 12:22:04 pm

I do get writer's block, but I also have a talent for procrastination. The later is more to blame for the stalling in my writing than writer's block. For writer's block I have found that writing something completely different, even starting a new story helps tremendously. For the procrastination I fear I still need to work on that.

Yes, through talking to others I have decided to use pen names for other stories especially for when I publish romance books. I just think it would be better to keep them separate as the series I am writing now is suitable for young adults. I do not want to have people accidentally buying books not suitable for their age because they think the book is the same as previous books.

None that I can think of. I think another unfortunate trait of mine is that I can be very stubborn. It would take a lot for me to suddenly like a writing style that I did not like before. Which is a pity as I am sure I miss out on a lot of very enjoyable stories because I am too stubborn to try again.

Mark

8/28/2018 12:33:55 pm

That's good, you have found a way around writer's block. Some authors purposely have multiple projects to switch to, when a block appears on a primary project. Content writing, short stories, and contests are some of the ways authors use to keep the creative energy flowing.
That sounds like a good reason to use a pen name.
My stubborn spirit has caused me to miss some good situations in the past also.
New questions.
Do you think reading, watching movies and listening to music help you be a better writer?
How early was it that you realized how powerful words can be?
What do you think about the statement: suffering is a requirement to be a good writer?

Erinn Price link

8/29/2018 04:40:12 am

I think any experience whether it comes from first hand experience or through movies, books and music can help a writer. Books, movies and music can give you help with emotions, character personalities and just broaden what you can draw on for inspiration.

I started reading at a young age and through reading realized the world of possibilities a book could provide. Books allow your imagination to take front seat and imagination is a powerful gift. Imagination helps create the innovations of the future. Things that seemed impossible in the past are now in our everyday lives. As long as we keep using our imaginations and dream of the impossible we will keep growing and making new discoveries and inventions. Books, movies and music are a crucial component of helping any person expand and grow their own imaginations.

I do not agree with that, sure it can help but I do not think it is required at all. There is too much suffering in the world already, why do we need to have it as a bases for writing? I think imagination, wanting to share a story with others is the requirement. From there anything is possible. To me empathy would be a more useful tool for writing than having suffered yourself. If you can empathize with people then you can understand what they are feeling and put yourself in their shoes. Then you have the world's suffering, joy, love, hate, basically any emotion to draw on and use to write.

Mark

8/29/2018 11:40:52 am

Great answers, Erinn. You are in agreement with most authors! Imagination and empathy are necessary for effective communication of any kind. I think both are equally important and inextricably linked together.
New questions.
Were you born to write or did you have to learn the craft?
Have you ever read a book that changed the way you look at writing?
Do you brainstorm with non-writers and if so, is it effective?

Erinn Price link

8/29/2018 01:37:43 pm

That is a difficult question, I would say a combination of both. You have to want to write and have an imagination or reason to write, have a story to tell. You also need to have a basic background in how to write. I do not say you have to learn to write, but you do need the basics of sentence structure,grammar and spelling (Obviously I need to remember what I learnt in school, my grammar and sentence structuring goes on vacation sometimes). The rest you teach yourself, it is your story, your writing style. I think if you try to copy someone else's style that is when your writing may become stilted and you may suffer writer's block a lot. If it is not your own style then it will not be natural. As you write more and see what works for you, you are teaching yourself to become a better writer. Then you will always be growing and improving. If you base your writing on styles and techniques someone else has taught you, I think eventually you will reach a point where your writing stalls and you stop improving and learning.

No, I can not say I have, but then I have a confession to make. I have not ready many self-help, self-improvement or training books (non-fiction books). For me those are maybe the only ones which may change the way I look at writing.

I talk about my story to friends and family about what is happening in my story and ask what they think. Sometimes they will see an aspect or possibility I did not see before and I can work it into my story. Other times, just talking about it out loud gets my brain to work through an area or problem I might have. Even if a person is a non-writer, it does not mean they can not help. I have found that every time I have brainstormed with someone, something good has come from it. One of my favorite scenes in book 2 came from a brainstorming talk with my mother.

Mark

8/29/2018 02:23:50 pm

Great answer! You covered so much ground with your answer. I agree, if you have a burning desire to get a story out of your head, you will need some understanding of grammar, syntax and spelling. You don't have to be perfect, that is what editing is for.
There a large number of non-fiction books out there, of course. Even more than videos on YouTube I think. There are a lot of books about how to write books, naturally.
More questions.
What are three things, that you wish you knew before you wrote your first book?
What is the most important thing you learned from publishing your first book, this book?
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer to enhance your career?

Erinn Price link

8/30/2018 03:40:05 am

I wish I had known more about marketing correctly. Writing a book does not end when the book is written, you still then need to ensure the book is marketed and promoted sufficiently or else no matter how good the book is, it will not sell. Knowing more about the best publishing platforms would have been better, but in a way now that I have had my books on several of them. I can see which ones work for me currently and which don't. This will likely change in the future when I write more books and gain more experience. I think knowing beforehand which publishing platforms to go for and concentrate on, can save a writer a lot of time and effort. Certain books sell better on certain platforms while some books sell reasonably on all platforms.
Finally I wish I had setup my website beforehand, it is half there but not complete and with book three scheduled for release in September I have not had time to finish it.

With the first book I learnt waiting for reviews is scary and pressing the refresh button on the sales page every 10 seconds does not help ... every 30 seconds would be better for the button and your finger. With the second book I learnt waiting for reviews is really scary and pressing the refresh button every minute is sufficient.

I haven't spent that much money yet, I have to get my website but it was not expensive and doing it myself makes it even more affordable. I spent some on advertising on amazon and facebook. I think realizing how badly I needed a proofreader and putting money aside to get one that is trustworthy, dedicated and thorough will be the best money I can spend to enhance my career. Having the peace of mind knowing that my books will eventually all be of a much higher quality without my spelling and grammar errors is priceless. Starting with the third book, then afterwards I can look towards getting you to proof read book 1 and book 2 for me as well.

I have been forgetting to ask you questions and reading back I see I misread some questions and answered them a bit of tangent, my bad. Anyway a question for you.
You have been proofreading for over 40 years. Did you get into proofreading by accident or did you always know it was what you wanted to do and enjoy doing?

Mark

8/30/2018 10:41:04 am

Some of those lessons sound like they were quite valuable. But I wouldn't be surprised if some of those aspects change, so it seems wise to place a book on multiple platforms.
That waiting for the first review has got to be tough. I am not sure I could handle that. I think I would have to launch into another project immediately.
I am looking forward to working with you on future books.
I was around 20 years of age and was looking for work, a friend who worked at a temp agency said there was a job she thought I would be perfect for. A firm of engineers was looking for proofreaders. This was in the mid 70s, before computers, everything was written on a typewriter. The six of us were reading contracts and specifications. After some time, I was better at it than everyone else. That was what showed me I could make money with that skill.

Mark

8/30/2018 10:46:11 am

New questions.
What did you buy with your first royalty check?
Why do most authors write in 3rd person POV instead of first and second POV?
What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

Erinn Price link

8/30/2018 12:17:36 pm

I did nothing too exciting with my first royalty payment, just took family out for a nice lunch and bought my dog a new toy. If not for support from my family or comic relief supplied by my dog, I am not sure the first book would have happened. The rest I am keeping to add to the next checks to buy plane tickets for my folks to go visit my brother and his family, if health permits it.

I suppose writers write in the POV they are most comfortable in. For myself I struggled to write the first three books in 3rd person so they are in 1st person POV. The ArcRad series will be in third person POV just because it will fit the story and genre. ArcSpace will go back to 1st person POV with Alexis.

Most difficult for me is to get my characters to do what I want them to do, quite often they go off and do their own thing and then I have to try wrangle them back in line. The worst is when my characters decide to go on holiday and I can not do anything with them (this is my explanation for writers block).

Mark

8/30/2018 01:25:47 pm

Personally, I enjoy first person POV a great deal! Unless there is head hopping, then it's so easy to get lost and the magic disappears. You did a good job of maintaining the focus of the POV in FOTG.
New questions.
What do you think of the consolidation of KDP and CreateSpace by Amazon?
What software do you use to write and publish your books?
What was the earliest experience that made you realize that you could influence and change lives with the power of writing?

Erinn Price link

8/30/2018 02:23:53 pm

I think it has its positives and negatives. I am always one to believe it is never good to have all ones eggs in one basket. But then having fewer publishing platforms makes it easier to keep track of sales and makes marketing easier. Unfortunately it also means that Amazon will have more power, especially where self-publishing authors are concerned. The fewer publishing platforms, mean if you don't like something or don't agree with something, it is not so easy to just leave and go somewhere else. In a way you are then forced to stay and accept whatever the few remaining platforms say. It means Amazon will have more power and control over the self publishing market. If their policies are fair and effective no problem, but if there are issues with the policies and their programs don't work it becomes an issue. I know they have been working on their accepting of amazon reviews, but am not sure if there have been any improvements to their KDP actual program where page counting and scamming is concerned. With the Createspace being consolidated into the KDP system I can just hope for the best as there is nothing I can do about it.

I write using word, then use the conversion of amazon to convert the format into EPUB. I also use Draft2Digital, which I have found very user friendly and handy. I create the cover pages and back pages (of paperbacks) using Adobe. A template giving me the dimensions i need for spine etc, helps ensure the paperback cover is correct.

I once won an award for a short story I wrote at school. One of my classmates came up to me and told me she really enjoyed it and was glad I had won, because she could see herself in the story and it helped her realize some things. I did not ask her what, because that was her business. But it now makes me realize that stories can not only give people entertainment and relieve from stress, sometimes a story can help people see something relevant to their own lives and even help them sort through some issues. Stories have the capability to fire peoples' imaginations and make them dream, but they also have the power to help in daily life.

Mark

8/30/2018 05:52:03 pm

I certainly agree with you. If the number of opportunities is reduced, there is a greater chance of abuse and price gouging. I wonder if it would make much of a difference if 1/3 of all indie authors pulled their books from Amazon. There are other pretty big platforms out there, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo comes to mind. Also, I believe I just heard that Walmart is getting into the book business. They are one of the only real competitors Amazon has, I think, because Walmart has the infrastructure already in place and they don't charge an annual fee for free shipping.
Thank you, for sharing about one your early reviews! That was very cool for you and her. You must have felt really good to receive that compliment!
New questions.
Do you subscribe to any magazines, newsletters, blogs or podcasts that enhance your writing career?
Do you have any problems when writing about characters of the opposite sex?
Does writing have a spiritual or healing component for you?

Erinn Price link

8/31/2018 03:23:41 am

No, I do not have any subscriptions. If I see a magazine with articles in it that interest me I will buy it, same if a see a blog or podcast that interests me I will just read it or listen in.

I will soon find out book 5 will be about ArcRad and one of the main characters there will be Richard. I do not think I will have any trouble, everyone says woman are more complex and difficult than men to understand, so....

Not that I have noticed. Unfortunately I think I am not accepting enough of things I do not understand, so an angel, a ghost or whatever could be walking right next to me and whispering encouragement in my ear and I won't be aware or know it.

Mark

8/31/2018 11:00:24 am

Good answers! Thank you. I can recommend the guest blogs on my website. I have been inviting these people because they are writing some dynamite stuff about books and writing. I am a pretty linear person, so the blog about non-linear writing was an eye-opener for me.
New questions.
How do you balance the demands as a writer and personal relationships?
Do you have pieces of story that were removed from this book? If, so why did you remove it?
Do you have a hidden message in your writings for a particular person or group?

Erinn Price link

9/1/2018 03:04:37 am

You have to treat writing like a job and set times for it. Yes there will be times when you are on a role and write outside of those times, but for the most it can be managed like and job. You make the time and balance family and writing.

No, there where no parts removed, some just slightly changed to fit the flow of the story better.

No, but as my story develops further in later books I do hope it makes people curious about some things I mention and that form part of my story.

Mark

9/1/2018 09:28:22 am

That makes sense to me. I do the same thing with my business, and I can take time off whenever I want. Yesterday, Mrs. Word Refiner and I took the two ten-year-old granddaughters to the local game arcade. After, we went out for frozen yogurt. It was a good day.
New questions.
What scenes do you find hard to write and why?
Did you have a favorite book as a child?
Do you have any other passions to pursue if you didn't write?

Erinn Price link

9/2/2018 06:00:54 am

Well, you know I am writing a romance novel in between these books, my 'writer's block' cure. I am struggling with the main characters just really not liking each other, now it will seem a bit weird if they suddenly do. I tried to get them to be nicer, but they just did not want to play along. I know what I like, but it is difficult to write for someone completely different, different character, life upbringing what they will like. I somehow doubt want I find attractive they would to. I take my hat of to romance writers, it takes true talent to make an emotion like love real for the readers through the characters. I mean a fight scene or action book is easier, a head goes rolling here, a few blood splatters here and there and you set. (yes, yes a bit tongue in cheek and very simplistic but I am sure you get what I mean.) Action books are still difficult to write, any book is, but a book that depends on emotional connection for its readers to the emotion between characters is very difficult. Especially trying to make it seem natural and not something you just forced the characters to do for the book. If you have disparaged Romance writers in the past, I ask you just to read one book and try see what I am talking about. Having a true strong emotion like love be believable takes talent. Having finally realized this, I am thinking my book won't be a romance but a paranormal apocalypse book, well unless I find my main character has a twin brother who suits my female lead better. (maybe I should write soapies instead?)

Yes, I did. The Adventure series by Enid Blyton. I absolutely adored the parrot Kiki. If you have kids and they haven't heard or read this series, just try it.

Well, the writing kind of happened by accident, when I found myself with a bit of time on my hands and not much to do, it seemed the perfect time to try writing and see how it goes. I always wanted to write, but having gone a very non-creative direction in my studies it seemed I likely would not be very good, thinking of myself as not having much creativity. I have considered developing computer games as I have background in programming, but they also have an artistic aspect, with the graphics that I am really not very good at. Where art is concerned and designing art I am afraid I have absolutely zero talent. It might be something I look at in the future. Unreal Engine is a really user friendly application and there are so many tutorials and help videos for it that if you looking to develop your own game seems silly not to make use of it. It is a free download for the program and often they have free things to give away, like characters, objects , items and even full sets. For a beginner or even aspiring developer I would suggest they consider looking at Unreal Engine, there is Unity as well, but I have not really looked at it. I just looked and Unreal and played around with that a bit.

Mark

9/2/2018 09:45:34 am

Being a hardcore fan of action-based stories, sci-fi, fantasy, whodunits, and others were always my goto for a good read. I had not read a romance until I received a contract to review and promote that type of book. I was very surprised and pleasantly so at the quality of the writing. Since then, I have read historical romance, contemporary romance, regency romance, and not very long ago a collection of contemporary short stories that made my eyes sweat! There is some really good writing out there, and my respect for romance writers in general has increased a great deal. I don't look down on any genre any more at all. I have my favorites, but good writing is good writing and I have found it everywhere.
For your situation, maybe some in depth character analysis or fleshing out the back story of each character will help you find the connection you are seeking.
In high school, I took all the hard science and math I could, I had a disdain for art. A broken arm forced me from a typing class, early in the school year; art was the only thing available. I found I enjoyed drawing with pencil, charcoal, and Conte`. I didn't have a lot of talent, but I enjoyed it and won a second place award in a small contest.
New questions.
When you have a difficult section in a WIP have you ever read that section out loud to sort out a difficulty?
Have you ever killed off a character unwillingly because it fit the plot?
Have you ever developed a fondness or attachment to one of your characters?

Erinn Price link

9/2/2018 10:36:25 am

I haven't tried reading it out loud yet, will try it next time. Currently when I am at a difficult section in a WIP, I just leave it, stop writing and go do something completely different and unrelated. I found baking cookies is a good break in cases like this. Worst comes to worst, I have some delicious cookies to console myself with. But I find by leaving it and concentrating on something else, my sub-conscious sorts the problem out. I say my sub-conscious because it would sound strange if I say my characters go along and manage to sort themselves out. Sometimes going in a completely different direction to what I was trying to make them go.

In this series I have not killed anyone off ... yet, but in the separate story I am writing concurrently I did kill someone of, but it was willingly, I really wanted that character dead. I would rewrite before I unwillingly killed a character. Or I would bring in an evil twin which gets killed by accident (seriously, I think I need to write soapies!)

Scarlet. I absolutely adore her. She is a fun character to write and honestly I never know what she is going to do. She always manages to surprise me with some of the things she gets up to and some of the things she says.

Mark

9/2/2018 04:33:52 pm

Baking cookies is genius! Switching from a cerebral activity to a physical activity is an excellent idea. I have read each activity engages a different part of the mind. You don't want your characters thinking they run the place, that's for sure. ;-)
Evil twins are such a common plot twist in soapies, I love it!
I love Scarlet also, she turned into such a clever "person" in the game, and being a color-changing spider made her all the more interesting. I am very glad we have not seen the last of her.
New questions.
Have you received any feedback on a story that influenced the next book?
When you have stepped away from a story, how long before you revisit it?

Erinn Price link

9/3/2018 02:47:24 am

No. No feedback that influenced the next story. Just that 1 star review which I agreed with and showed me how important getting a professional proofreader is.

The longest I have stayed away from a story is one week. I hate leaving things unfinished. I might just add a few words at a time, but I can not stay away for too long. I think my characters can be impatient and do not like be ignored for too long. I am worried if I leave them for to long, that they will run away and then my story will never get finished because I can not find them, or even remember where I was trying to take them.

Mark

9/3/2018 12:36:27 pm

Very good, Erinn. You made me laugh out loud with your last comment. I shouldn't be too surprised, just as the characters come alive for me, a reader, they must be even more alive for you, the writer.
Thank you, Erinn, for your patience with all my questions. I have really enjoyed our conversation. I hope a lot of people buy your books, they won't be sorry because you have crafted a fine tale with some intriguing characters.

Erinn Price link

9/3/2018 01:05:11 pm

Thanks Mark. I was nervous at the beginning but your interaction and questions helped relax me and to actually end up enjoying answering your questions. For a first interviewer I could not have chosen a better person to have it with. Your promotion of my books is also greatly appreciated and I look forward to continuing to work with you.

Fight of the Gnomes (ArcOn Book 2) LitRPG By Erinn Price

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