Heir to a Prophecy By Mercedes Rochelle Narrated by Kevin E. Green

1/11/2020

Multi-genre multi-volume author, Mercedes Rochelle introduces us to her newest historical fiction story, “Heir to a Prophecy”:
Shakespeare's Witches tell Banquo, "Thou Shalt 'Get Kings Though Thou Be None". Though Banquo is murdered, his son Fleance gets away. What happened to Fleance? What Kings?

The road to kingship had a most inauspicious beginning, and we follow Fleance into exile and death, passing the Witches' prophecy to his son Walter. Born on the wrong side of the blanket and raised in disgrace, Walter was caught inside of a destiny he barely understood. In an effort to untangle Banquo's murder and honor his lineage, Walter moved through events that shaped the course of England and Scotland. His relationships with the great men of his time drove his destiny: Harold Godwineson, Alain of Brittany and finally Malcolm III. After a long and treacherous journey through Wales, England, and France, Walter fulfilled the witches’ prophecy as the first Steward of Scotland and ancestor of James I—for whom Shakespeare wrote Macbeth.

This is an amazing story! I enjoyed the world building and the characters really come to life. An audiobook is a great way to enjoy a marvelous tale.
I have read other books by this author and have derived many hours of pleasure from the experience. Listening to the audiobook was so different, I am really glad I used my ears for the story, instead of my eyes. The narrator made a big difference, he performed multiple voices flawlessly.
The author’s research is phenomenal, it brings a wonderful foundation to the story. I felt like I was walking with the main character throughout. The heartbreak, joy and anger were easily felt and helped make the story so good! Everything felt so authentic and organic.
I award “Heir to a Prophecy” five stars! Such a fabulous experience in the audiobook and a wonderful story overall!

99 Comments

Kevin Green link

1/12/2020 09:26:14 am

Here's a question for Mercedes - what qualities do you look for in a narrator for your books?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/12/2020 10:30:30 am

That's such a good question! When accessing all the available narrators on Audible, I was originally quite overwhelmed. The easy part was gender, which naturally would match my protagonist. I wanted a voice with an English accent, since my novel took place in England. Then things got complicated! The most important quality to me was intonation; did the narrator emphasize certain words in a sentence that I wanted to hear emphasized—especially in the dialogue. (Since I chose the script, I could nitpick the important passages.) It only took a few words with the wrong modulation for me to eliminate competitors. Kevin gave me a bonus in that he used voices, like an actor, to give my characters life. I fell in love with his Malcolm, and that pushed me over the edge.

Kevin Green link

1/12/2020 11:36:17 am

I'm surprised that so many narrators were eliminated due to wrong intonation, plus what I consider to be the key to a good narration, giving characters different accents and voices. I can't see the point in narrating in a flat, monotonous voice. Might just as well use a computer to read it!

Mark

1/12/2020 12:34:26 pm

Mercedes, good answer.
Could you tell us more about yourself and your writing, a little bit beyond your bio?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/12/2020 01:31:43 pm

It seems that I have enough current and future projects to firmly "park" myself in Medieval England. I love historical fiction because it gives the reader the opportunity to figure out why things happened, and it gives me, the author, a fantastic plot. As they say, truth is stranger than fiction. Because I love research, my writing gives me the opportunity to indulge myself, and the internet is certainly a vast resource.

Mark

1/12/2020 03:01:25 pm

That must be a good feeling, not having to worry about where the next story is coming from. You have found a very rich vein of high-grade ore. The gold coming out of the smelter is beautiful. I know because I have reviewed two more of your books previously.
New questions.
Are you a full-time or part-time writer?
What kind of work do you do? Feel free to skip that question, if you would rather not answer.
Does your work, or past work if you are retired, have any influence on your writing?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/12/2020 03:22:06 pm

In my writing, as well as my Real Estate career, I view "full time" as the ability to work when the opportunity presents itself (or not, when it doesn't). In essence, I see my writing as seasonal work! I tried neglecting my garden one year in favor of my writing and bitterly regretted it. So now, when the sun shines, I'm out in my garden, and when the weather is bad (like late fall, winter, and early spring) I've got my nose to the proverbial grindstone. It works for me. When I'm doing Real Estate, I'm not writing; neither job creates a steady income, but luckily my spouse is happy to be my patron!

Mark

1/12/2020 03:28:54 pm

Mercedes, that is a very practical point of view. I love it, do the work that is most necessary at the time, the rest will wait. That has to be a big stress reliever. Some stresses are external, others are internal and they can be the worst sometimes. I struggle with that a lot.
New questions.
Who designed the cover of your book? Feel free to drop a link if appropriate.
What do the elements on the cover represent?
Was it hard to come up with the title?
What was the process?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/12/2020 04:38:11 pm

The cover was designed by me, with the help of Henry Fuseli. The witches are a detail from his painting "Macbeth consulting the vision of the armed head" at the Folger's Library in Washington (public domain). Since the novel isn't really about Macbeth, I isolated the witches and placed them in a graveyard, which is where my protagonist first encountered them.

Actually, when I originally tried to self-publish this book in 2010 (I didn't know what I was doing), I called the book "Thou Shalt 'Get Kings", which is what they said to Banquo in the play. Alas, it wasn't a very catchy title and it had to go! A few years later I placed the book with a small press (and they designed a different, but very interesting cover). This year I bought back my rights and redesigned—and revised—it. Interestingly, I had discovered Fuseli's artwork when I created the book trailer a few years ago, so it was already in place when I needed a new cover). This book has gone through a lot of iterations!

Mark

1/12/2020 05:13:10 pm

That is an interesting story. A book can certainly have many lives.
Was it difficult to buy back the rights to your novel? I have heard of many authors losing rights due to a poorly-examined contract, but not often regaining the rights to their intellectual property.
New questions.
Creating an audio book in English is good, because audio books are exploding worldwide. Many countries have English as an official language or a secondary language. How wide of distribution do you get from Audible?
How long is the contract with them? I am assuming it is exclusive because I think Amazon owns Audible. Correct me if I am wrong.
If the book does well, will you put it out in another language?

Mark

1/12/2020 03:31:07 pm

Kevin, have you always wanted to do this type of work? How did you get started being a voice actor? What is the term you use if that is not correct?

Kevin Green link

1/12/2020 05:21:25 pm

Well, I started actually recording audiobooks a few years before I took early retirement from work, but I always loved reading aloud to my two sons when they were young. I read Lord of the Rings in its entirety twice, once for each boy as they were 5 years apart in age, doing all the voices.
I started recording for Librivox, the public domain free site which volunteers record for fun. It's a great site to learn the craft. Then I moved on to Audible/ACX for Amazon and started making a little money, and I am now on Bee Audio and Findaway Voices books as well. And yes, voice actor is the correct term.

Mark

1/12/2020 05:34:30 pm

I have read LOTR, three times, I am a fan, of course. What you did is on an entirely plane. I think that is quite amazing! I bet your boys loved all that dad time.
Librivox sounds very interesting. What steps should a person take who wants to learn the art of voice acting? What advice would you give to someone who has a desire, but no experience?

Kevin Green link

1/12/2020 05:46:03 pm

If someone wants to start in narration, they should have some acting experience to start with. After that, a voice coach would be good, and then plenty of practice on Librivox where you can learn a lot about techniques and the technology required to record a good quality recording. There is a website called Gravy for the Brain which is an excellent resource and has a lot of teaching resources for voice over actors, including mentoring. Becoming a good voice actor/narrator is not quick or easy and has a steep learning curve when it comes to the technology, and making a reasonable living at it is a long way down the line.

Mark

1/12/2020 06:03:07 pm

Acting experience makes a lot of sense. Because instead of your whole body and face to carry a story, all a voice actor has is their voice.
Where did you start gaining acting experience?
What kind of techniques are you referring to?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/12/2020 06:22:52 pm

Every publisher is different, I'm sure, and at the time I signed the contract I wasn't thinking about getting my rights back. But, as so many of us have learned, small publishers have small budgets and our books can quickly get lost in the shuffle. In my case, after three years without decent sales, they let me have my rights back as long as I agreed to buy all their remaining stock. I'm happy to say that since I got my rights back, the book has done much better. I decide when and how to promote it, which they rarely did.

Yes, Amazon does own Audible. They have a couple of different distribution channels. If an author is willing to sell exclusively through Audible (Amazon, Audible and iTunes), their percentage is higher. I believe the contract is seven years. As far as foreign languages are concerned, I haven't the vaguest idea!

Mark

1/12/2020 10:09:22 pm

I think a lot of authors have found themselves in the same spot. Signing with a publisher that does little or nothing to promote and sell the books. I guess the profit margins are so thin, they can't afford to spend the money unless you are a big name writer.
What are you doing with that stock of books?
Seven years seems like a long time for a contract. What do you think?
I have links to several excellent podcasts about audio books on the Highly Regarded Blogs page of my website. Use the search box to filter through the pile.
New questions.
Are there any writing styles or genres that you disliked at first but soon came to like?
Do you think reading, watching movies or listening to music help you be a better writer?
At this time, do you read books for entertainment or just research homework?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/13/2020 11:06:28 am

Ha! I used to think seven years was a long time, but the older I get the faster the years pass! Interesting questions about genres. It's a lot easier for me to say which genres I gave up along the way. I started out liking Science Fiction and Fantasy, but once I digested what I thought were the "epitome" of the genre, I lost patience and moved on. (To me, Tolkein was the beginning and the end of fantasy. Not fair, I know.) I was afraid the same thing would happen with historical fiction, but there are so many interesting stories that I continue to love it, though I do get tired of the popular subjects. How many books about Henry VIII can come up with something new? I have yet to find a new genre that captures me now, though I do like the occasional mystery that takes place in an historical period. I still love my fiction before bedtime, and I read my non-fiction in the morning with my coffee (won't put me to sleep!). I have been reading about Richard II and Henry IV daily for the last three years. It's amazing that so much information has been written about them.

As for movies, I tend to absorb facial expressions and attitudes from actors which I use in my novels. Once in a while, an actor actually fits my main character. For instance, in GODWINE KINGMAKER, my Godwine was modeled after Charlton Heston in Planet of the Apes! I had a bubble-gum card of that movie to remind me. And I modeled Canute after Pierce Brosnan from Noble House. I still don't understand what captured me!

Kevin Green link

1/13/2020 05:02:07 am

I gained my acting experience through over 30 years of performing in a local drama group which had a high professional ethos.
When I referred to techniques, I guess I was referring to how to use the equipment effectively, and how to use the software necessary for a good recording. Librivox is fairly lax in its technical requirements, but ACX/Audible is a lot stricter regarding levels, background noise etc.

Mark

1/13/2020 09:20:47 am

You are on Audible, Bee Audio and Findaway Voices. For an author, what are the primary differences they should be aware of between these platforms? What are the differences for a voice actor?
Do you alert an author if you find errors of grammar or spelling in their book?

Kevin Green link

1/13/2020 11:06:26 am

Yes I am on all three platforms, but ACX is my main source of work. The difference between them is that ACX offers up titles which any narrators can audition for, whereas the other two rely on the author to select a voice from the various narrators' voice samples on their websites. The narrator then gets offered the book if selected without having to audition. Unfortunately 95% of their work is in the US, so we in the UK get very little work from them. After a narrator is reasonably well established, there are also repeat books from the same author if the author likes your work. This can bypass the ACX audition system as well, and just goes straight to production.
And as for errors/spelling in the books, I usually do correct them as I go along, and sometimes will inform the author if it is a serious mistake. We are contracted to read what is printed, so we are not bound to correct mistakes, but I guess most of us do.

Mark

1/13/2020 01:39:25 pm

Open auditions seem like a good idea. Is there a standard length for the audition?
Does the author put up the section they want to have auditions from?
When there is a section you are not pleased with, how do you make corrections?
Do you have to start the whole section over or can you insert short phrases?

Mark

1/13/2020 01:49:56 pm

Mercedes, why do so many write about Henry VIII? I find it curious, he gets so much attention.
A few years ago, my wife and I were in London and doing many of the tourist hot spots, including the tower museum. They had several suits of armor attributed to Ol' Henry. The increasing girth was rather humorous.
New questions.
What other books and genres have you written?
Have you entered any writing contests?
Have you won awards of any kind for your writing?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/13/2020 02:42:49 pm

As far as fiction goes, this is my only genre. About 30 years ago I composed three art indexes by subject, which were very useful before the internet. Now, of course, they are obsolete. The current book, HEIR TO A PROPHECY is one of four books I've written about 11th century England. This one overlaps with the other three, which are a trilogy. Interestingly, in this book I covered the Battle of Hastings from the Norman point of view, and in FATAL RIVALRY I covered the same battle from the Anglo-Saxon point of view (well, it was interesting for me). After that I jumped forward three hundred years to Richard II; I am in the middle of a 4 book series called "The Plantagenet Legacy" starting with Richard and ending, probably, with Henry VI. I don't really want to get into the Wars of the Roses, so I will stop at poor Henry's death. I think. Haven't gotten there yet!

Mark

1/13/2020 03:40:13 pm

Very good, while history can be boring, fictionalizing around major events make it so interesting,
New questions.
I noticed that your book is in Kindle Unlimited. How is that working out for you?
How many books have you put in KU?
Have you ever gone through the query process, seeking an agent or submitting directly to publishers or did you go straight to indie publishing or self-publishing, and why?

Kevin Green link

1/13/2020 02:18:56 pm

Regarding ACX auditions, the recommended length is 2-3 pages or around 3-5 minutes, although some authors put up full chapters! I wouldn't record more than 10 minutes for an audition even if the script was longer. The author can put anything he wants from the book into the audition, and the more savvy authors put up a group of small sections containing all of the main characters so they can hear the various narrators versions of the voices.
Recording an audition is the same as recording the book, if you make mistakes or if you don't like your rendition of a passage you correct them before submitting.

Mark

1/13/2020 03:47:58 pm

That makes a lot of sense for an author. Showcasing the major characters.
New questions.
Is it hard to create different voices?
What kind of clues do you look for to guide the creation of a voice?
How do you keep your voices straight?
Do you make yourself an audio cheat sheet?

Kevin Green link

1/13/2020 04:24:05 pm

Yes it can be tricky to create different voices.
The most problematical is where there are a number of similar characters (gender, age etc) in the same scene, and trying to make each voice distinct from the others - there is only so much one set of vocal chords can do!
I tend to have a stock of around a dozen voices which have evolved over the years and I use those in most books. Other voices I have to make up and try to fit them to the type of person I see in my mind, unless the author has been very generous and described the physicality and geographical origin of the character, and even better how their voice sounds! Females are difficult obviously, but I have a passable low register female voice which I can notch up in tone to give a different character. Books with three sisters are a nightmare!
I keep an audio file of about 10 seconds of each voice which I keep on hand to constantly refer to as characters change in the dialogue. I don't mark up the scripts with different colors as some narrators do, as I don't find it a lot of help, and it's very time consuming. I might just as well use that time to re-record passages if necessary.
Just as an example, Mercedes' recent book that I recorded 'A King under Siege' had 38 main characters, and nearly as many incidental characters who only had a few lines. When you get half a dozen in a council meeting for instance, it takes a long time to keep referring back to the audio file to make sure you're using the correct voice for each character. 'Heir to a Prophecy' wasn't as bad, as there were only about a dozen main characters, and fortunately a lot of them were either Scottish, Welsh or French as well as English which helps a great deal in using distinctive and identifiable voices..

Mark

1/13/2020 04:33:55 pm

All of those voices! That would be quite difficult. You are nearly a miracle worker to keep all the voices separate, especially when multiple parties are in the same scene.
New questions.
How many hours a day and in one stretch can you do voice acting?
You live in England and presumably hear some of the Irish and Scottish accents frequently. Is one easier than the other? Do you ever listen to old TV programs or movies to gain familiarity with an accent?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/13/2020 06:05:00 pm

And there were so many council meetings in that book! It was the best way to do the back story. You did a great job keeping them all straight. It's something I didn't think about while writing the scenes, though now I am more conscious of the audio angle.

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/13/2020 04:42:17 pm

As we talked about before, HEIR TO A PROPHECY was originally published through a small press, along with GODWINE KINGMAKER. GODWINE has performed much better in the marketplace, so they have retained the rights to it. It is my only book you cannot get on Kindle Unlimited, because this program is limited to indies. Alas, the pricing is different too, which is out of my control. I have discovered that without Kindle Unlimited, my sales numbers are considerably smaller, and using another distribution channel (Ingram Spark) did not make up the difference. So there you go!

A couple of years ago I received a personal response from an agent who works with the "big five" publishers. He was very friendly and loves my stuff, but he told me that considers my genre "high hanging fruit" and can't afford to go there any longer. It was quite enlightening, and I really didn't disagree with him. We still stay in touch. Anyway, after my experience with a small press, I can't imagine going that route again. It's the "big five" or bust!

Kevin Green link

1/13/2020 05:17:50 pm

On a good day, I spend about 4-5 hours in my recording booth. Around half of those will be actual recording. I can manage about 1-1/2 hours solid speaking before my voice starts to go off. A couple of hours rest and I can probably do the same again. Fortunately most chapters aren't that long, and I take about an hour of recording for a finished half-hour chapter. The rest of the time is spent on editing, mastering and then proof listening to the final file.
As for accents, yes, some are a lot easier than others. I find Scottish fairly easy, my Welsh isn't bad and I struggle a little with Irish. Local English accents are mostly ok, but there are a few I am reluctant to attempt, Geordie and Liverpudlian mainly. I could probably manage a couple of sentences but I couldn't sustain them.
I do listen to samples of languages online, but that isn't really enough to sustain a good accent. If a book has a lot of difficult accents I would probably decline to record it. It's not worth the hassle!

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/13/2020 06:10:25 pm

I assume, then, that you don't like to stop in the middle of long chapters? Is it hard to pick up where you left off?

Mark

1/13/2020 10:46:17 pm

I have heard of several British accents, but Geordie and Liverpudlian were not among them that I can recall.
New questions.
Have you ever worked with another actor on the same book?
Did you build a studio on your property or do you rent space and time from another?

Kevin Green link

1/14/2020 05:00:06 am

Mercedes - no I don't like stopping in the middle of a chapter and picking it up later. The voice changes too much to make a seamless join.
Mark - No, I've never worked with another narrator on a book. Something I'm always open to.
My recording booth (definitely not a studio!) is my attic in my home. I have a large attic, fully boarded and lit, so no brushing away cobwebs each time I use it! It's made of soundproof boarding and insulation fiber. It's pretty good but still doesn't keep out loud external noises, such as loud car or motorbike exhausts, or low flying aircraft. I just have to wait till they have passed and then recommence recording.

Mark

1/14/2020 09:17:34 am

Kevin, you get up pretty early like I do. Living in an urban area certainly has its problems. It would take a fair amount of work or money to eliminate all of the extraneous noise. You would probably have to build a room within the attic to solve that problem.
New questions.
Did you build your studio or have it built?
What kind of equipment do you use for recording?
What equipment should a beginner buy to get started in the business?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/14/2020 10:43:04 am

As far as awards go, I'm pleased to say I have been awarded the B.R.A.G. medallion for three of my novels; this is a site only for indies, so I couldn't submit a couple of my books. I'm also proud to be awarded on "Discovering Diamonds". Indeed, applying for awards can be a very expensive proposition in the long run, and I'm not sure it's wise to get caught up in the chase.

Mark

1/14/2020 12:15:29 pm

If any of the books I have reviewed have won awards send me the new cover with the award sticker and I will be happy to change it out. I didn't know that contests are expensive to enter. That makes me think of a post on my Highly Regarded Blogs page by Anne Allen, one of my favorite bloggers, she wrote about bogus contests! Do a search and you will find it easily.
New questions.
Do you have a favorite book by another author or just favorite authors?
Did you have a favorite book as a child?
Which of your books is your favorite, and why?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/14/2020 02:53:57 pm

Your question brings me back to the first books that moved me as a kid. I absolutely loved the Black Stallion series and Lad, A Dog. Obviously I was into animal stories. I even had a poster of Man O'War (the horse!) because of the Walter Farley book of that name. Most girls had posters of teenage heart throbs! I should go back and check him out.

To this day, my all-time favorite book is The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. I even learned French to read it in its original language. It was the nineteenth-century novel that introduced me to the concept of historical fiction, and I don't think I've ever seen it done better since.

Mary L Scholl link

1/16/2020 01:23:18 pm

You said you're not sure if it's wise to chase awards...

Rewards are always nice, and can bolster flagging confidence; but I'm curious, have they affected your sales or your read-through statistics? Or is it the cost that's the potential negative?

Kevin link

1/14/2020 11:10:21 am

Yes, I built the recording booth myself. Not too difficult, once I had the materials. Took a couple of days.
As for equipment, I use an Audiotechnica mic, model 4040, and a Presonus audio interface, a Studio 26. They plug into a standard microsoft PC.
A beginner could get going at a basic level with a laptop and a USB mike, using the free software Audacity. That's how I started (not a laptop in my case, the PC). It's pretty much down to budget. A USB mike would cost between £50 and £100 and if you've got a laptop or PC that's all you need. Obviously a quiet space - some people use a cupboard lined with coats or blankets to deaden the sound. As you get better you can upgrade to a more professional setup like mine.

Mark

1/14/2020 12:23:03 pm

It's pretty satisfying to build your own stuff. It's also easier to change or upgrade, if you decide it's necessary. What do you think it would take to make your recording booth immune to the really loud noises?
Is your audio interface capable of more than one channel?

Kevin Green link

1/14/2020 12:27:36 pm

I don't think I'll ever be able to get rid of the loud external noises with my current setup. That requires mass to absorb the sound, and I can't do that in the attic! i.e. brick, concrete block etc.
My Presonus is a 2 input interface, but they also do 4 and 8 inputs if you want to spend the money. Not much point when I'm only using one mike.

Mark

1/14/2020 01:12:39 pm

That would be quite an undertaking, I am sure. Have you considered spray foam insulation on the outside of your booth?
How many years have you been narrating audio books?
Have you done other types of voice acting work?
If so, what other types have you done?

Mark

1/14/2020 03:08:22 pm

Animal stories are very popular with youngsters. I remember being enthralled with London's Call of the Wild and others.
I discovered science fiction in middle school and missed a lot of the classics, including The Three Musketeers. I did read Robinson Crusoe and Swiss Family Robinson among a few. I missed a lot.
New questions.
Does writing have a spiritual or healing component for you, does it energize you or make you feel tired?
Why is it important for writers to tap into the emotions of the characters?
Have you ever done NaNoWriMo?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/14/2020 06:19:48 pm

I like to think I'm in a big club, including George R.R. Martin who says "I don't like to write, but I like having written," or some facsimile thereof. I don't get any spiritual uplift from writing, nor do I particularly enjoy it. Actually, I take a lot of breaks during my writing session and sometimes I need a nap. I can't control my creative juices; they come and go as they please. I do find that I have an easier time during my editing phase than my first draft, though much of my best stuff is during the treacherous first draft.

I took a 20+ year break in my writing career, when I decided I didn't want to be a starving artist. I thought I had quit forever, but I discovered that I felt unfulfilled—like something was missing. When I decided to try again (back in 2010 when I tried to self-publish), I felt much better about myself. So maybe there's something spiritual going on, after all!

No, I never tried NaMoWriMo. I don't work well under pressure.

Kevin Green link

1/14/2020 05:16:15 pm

I started recording for Librivox in 2012, and moved on to Audible in Jan 2017.
No, I've not done any other VO work apart from audiobooks, but I would like to get into narration for gaming, but it's difficult to get into. I'll look into spray insulation, but I don't think it'll help with the low frequency noise.

Mark

1/14/2020 07:14:44 pm

I know a woman who did voice work for commercials on radio and TV. She also did in-store work, pre-recorded announcements when a button was pushed at a need help box. I heard her voice for 10 years when I was shopping. I hope she got a residual for that.
New questions.
I have heard there is more than one way for a voice actor to make a deal to narrate a book. What are they and do you think they will stay the same for a while or change soon?
Would it be hard for you to add musical interludes and sound effects to an audio book?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/14/2020 06:30:51 pm

As for tapping into the character's emotions, I'm not entirely sure that's important in all cases. With first person, it's a no-brainer. You are that person. But if writing in third person—especially third person omniscient—there can be a distance between the character and the author that I think has possibilities. For instance, if writing about Hitler, or Stalin, do we really want to guess what is going on inside their brain? For some reason, I feel like a famous person is unapproachable—like his brain is off-limits.

I am going through that conundrum during my Richard II fictional biography; you already read A KING UNDER SIEGE. Now I am writing about the second phase of his kingship, often called his "Tyranny". Richard did many unpalatable things in his life, and I didn't think it was appropriate to whitewash him. On the other hand, I tried to find ways to justify his actions that he would have used himself—without going into his brain. His own rationalization, if you would have it, based on circumstances. After all, a king is driven by different emotions—different motivations—than the average person. Or at least, I think so. How could I relate? Would it be fair to tell the world what King Richard was thinking? I don't know.

Mark

1/14/2020 07:07:52 pm

Inspiration, the muse, is very fickle and unpredictable much of the time. Some writers have found different ways to engage it, but it the tricks don't work the same for everyone, it seems. I know one author whose muse is on a schedule, it wakes her at 2:30 in the morning quite often and she has learned to write it down. Sometimes she can even read her handwriting when she wakes up for the day.
That is an interesting problem, I agree about the whitewashing. Fear is a primary motivator for anger, greed and so many other emotions. I know you will bring out a great book for this part of his life.
New questions.
Are you an under-writer or an over-writer?
When the first draft is done, do you need to add more to flesh it out or do you have to cut material because there is too much?
Are you talking about sentences, paragraphs or even a chapter that didn't survive the final cut?

Kevin Green link

1/15/2020 10:11:29 am

With ACX there are now three deal options for production of an audiobook. The first is RS, or Royalty Share, in which 50% of the royalties on audiobook sales go to the author and 50% to the narrator. Obviously the narrator wants to sell as many books as possible to make it worthwhile for the time and effort put into to create the audiobook. The second is PFH, or Per Finished Hour, where the rights holder (RH/author) agrees to pay the narrator x$ per finished hour of recording on completion of the recording. This is better for the narrator on the whole, as it assures a good payment for his time and effort, and is independent of sales. The third option, only introduced a few months ago, is Royalty Share Plus, a combination of the two previous methods, in which the RH pays the author a smaller PFH on completion, and also shares the royalties on sales. This is a good way to attract good narrators. Needless to say, PFH deals are scarce and are snapped up relatively quickly. RS+ deals are just getting established and will probably become more popular. As for other platforms, Findaway, Bee, Tantor etc, they pay the author a negotiated PFH on completion . I can't see any of these systems changing in the forseeable future.
As for sound effects, music etc, these are frowned upon in the narration community, and are rarely included.

Mark

1/15/2020 10:58:03 am

I hadn't heard of Royalty Sales +, I am glad I asked. I imagine the author picks which one to offer to voice actors.
I am surprised that music and sound effects are frowned upon. I have listened to one audio book with the these and really enjoyed it. Why are these discouraged by voice actors?
What is the longest book project you have worked on?

Mary L Scholl link

1/16/2020 01:18:26 pm

My narrator did my first per hour and the second by royalty. She had offered the third with the new program. I would like to make the sales a better deal for her as well as for me. Have you any input in the best way to market a new Audible title? I have codes to give away, but have them priced fairly low to increase exposure.

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/15/2020 11:07:00 am

I'm pretty sure writing historical fiction is different from straight fiction. My first draft is my "get the facts down" draft. Especially with a controversial subject, many of the histories that come down to us are incredibly diverse and full of contradictions. I will tend to surround myself with books (and I do use the dreaded yellow highlighter) and jump from one to the other until I piece together a narrative that makes sense to me for each major episode. Sometimes I have to go really deep into my research—academic journals are the best for scrounging details—before I get the "straight poop". Then I jump to the next major event and do the same thing. I use a lot of dialogue to cover the back story. As a result, my first draft is choppy, but it has all of the important stuff in place.

Then I can move on to my second draft. This is what I call the "connect the dots" draft. I have to fill in the lesser important events, add more color, and generally put in all the segue ways so the story flows. My history books stay out but not so many of them. So as a result, I do very little cutting; I have to add about 20% to get to my full length. I think overall, I under-write; as someone once said, I like to leave out the parts people skip over..

Mark

1/15/2020 12:02:52 pm

Your system sure works well. The story moves along at a good pace and never gets bogged down. Your academic background has served you quite well without overcoming your writing.
New questions.
Which is more fun to write, the protagonist or the antagonist, and why?
What is one thing you hate about your protagonist and one thing you love about the antagonist?

Kevin Green link

1/15/2020 12:36:55 pm

Narrators are not employed to add sound effects or music. We just do the talking. Searching for suitable music and sound effects would take a lot of time to get right, and a lot of fiddling to get them embedded in the audio file, and as they say, time is money.
The longest continuous book I've done for Audible was my second commission, Siam Storm, which turned out to be a trilogy all sold under one title. It was just under 26 hours long, and felt like it! It is pretty filthy, about 2 young Brits let loose in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, so I leave it to your imagination. I was a bit wet behind the ears when I agreed to do that one. It was on RS and has sold just a couple of copies. 26 hours for a couple of pounds payment! Nowadays I wouldn't touch this sort of book with a bargepole! The longest book I did for Librivox was a splendid read, 'The Worst Journey in the World', in 2 volumes. All about the ill-fated Scott expedition to the south pole, written by one of the team. That one came in at 21 hours for the two volumes, but I'm very pleased I did that one even though it was on a voluntary basis. It's had a lot of good comments from listeners.

Mark

1/15/2020 03:16:25 pm

A voice actor would have to charge more for the music and sound effects, it sounds like.
That Siam Storm book sounds like I wouldn't want to read it either. Have you turned down any commissions at this time, if so why?
Does your listing in ACX and elswhere state that there are certain kinds of work you don't want to do?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/15/2020 12:48:36 pm

Everybody loves a good villain! I truly believe that there is no totally good person, nor is there a totally bad person. How many times have we read that a killer's mother said he was such a good boy? I like the challenge of balancing out both extremes, which you will discover when you get to THE SONS OF GODWINE and FATAL RIVALRY. In HEIR, we really don't have any juicy villains (unless you cast William the Conqueror in that role), but we do have a lot of characters who are a bit tarnished around the edges. That's the way I like it.

I can't say I hate anything about any of my characters; I even admire Duke William. He pulled off an extraordinary feat, regardless of his motivation. I admire my protagonist, Walter, because he reminds me a bit of myself; he had to overcome his difficult formative years; he had to adapt to circumstances beyond his control; he found fulfillment in the end. But I admit, my favorite character was not my protagonist. I fell in love with King Malcolm, who was formidable and yet approachable. In my mind, he was a great king.

Mark

1/15/2020 03:20:45 pm

You like your characters real, I think most readers do, they are far more relatable. We all are a mixture of good and bad.
Everyone is the hero of their story.
New questions.
What is your writing routine when you sit down to write?
Do you write in a straight line or do you write whatever the muse provides for you at a given moment?

Kevin Green link

1/15/2020 04:04:22 pm

To be fair, Siam Storm was a rollicking good story and has a lot of humor, but the first two volumes do contain a lot of explicit sex. The guy who wrote it moved from the UK to Cambodia some years ago and knows the places very well, so you could say it's a tourist guide to SE Asia!
I've been offered a few books, but they weren't likely to be very profitable (sorry, but we all have to earn our crusts). I go mainly for RS+ and PFH books on Audible. I don't list what I don't want to do, I just select those I do. I don't want to cut down my options.

Mark

1/15/2020 06:38:35 pm

Yes, we do have to earn our crusts. No question about that.
I know I get deeply involved when I am reading and proofreading, so I have limited my options somewhat. Too much graphic sex and violence can really bring me down.
Is there anything special you do to protect your voice?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/15/2020 04:50:42 pm

I hate being locked into a routine! That goes all the way back to my school days; I hated getting up in the morning (I still do). So I get my best writing done in the late afternoon, after I finish my marketing and my "day job" stuff. I stand up to write, BTW, like Ernest Hemingway (except he had a typewriter!). I have two computers side-by-side: a desktop on a desk, and a laptop on a little book shelf. I think better on my feet, and it gets me off my rear end. The more I write, the more I stand. And yes, I do write in a straight line. I don't like to jump around; it interrupts my train of thought (unless I've forgotten something). I never do more than one project at a time. Once I finish a sequence, I heave a big sigh of relief then plunge into the next one. Since history dictates my plot, I'm never at a loss—except, sometimes it's hard to figure out how to stop, since the story really goes on, doesn't it?

Mark

1/15/2020 06:44:39 pm

I am different, I like having a routine. It means less for me to think about, because I know what is coming. OTH, I can be very spontaneous. Earlier today, our son called asking for help to fix a cabinet door hinge. I was happy to help him.
I stand occasionally, I have an adjustable riser, I can put under my laptop. But I don't do it very often. Perhaps because I was on my feet all the time, during my careers.
New questions.
Did your writing process change much from your early books to your current book or did it stay the same?
How do you think your book relates to the world we live in today?
What is the one thing you hope readers will remember from your book?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/15/2020 07:16:39 pm

I think I'm more proficient, now. I've learned how to research better. In the old days, when we had very little access to research materials, I ignored footnotes. But while researching my last book, I suddenly discovered how important they were. It took me a while, didn't it? Those footnotes led me to the most important sources I needed, and of course with the internet I could find almost all of them. (If I was an academic, I could access all of them, too. That's a bit frustrating.) As for my writing itself, it's more a matter of practice makes perfect.

I hope readers go from my novel to the history books to learn more. That's what I do: I often start my reading with fiction, and if I like the subject I'll go to the heavy stuff. I consider good historical fiction to be history with a little sugar added to make it go down easier.

Mark

1/15/2020 07:29:54 pm

Footnotes! Who would have thought? Better late than never, I say.
I thought you were an academic, because the three art index books. You mentioned them, but I didn't really read the titles well enough to make the connection when the hover box opened.
You stand in the Mary Poppins school of sugar and medicine, I love it!
New questions.
Do you have a classical author or poet, you admire?
What popular modern authors have influenced you?

Kevin Green link

1/16/2020 08:00:31 am

The only thing I do to protect my voice is to religiously warm up my voice before each recording session. It takes about 10 minutes and is well worth the effort. If I don't warm up I find my voice 'goes off' much sooner than if I do.

Mark

1/16/2020 10:39:05 am

What kind of voice exercises do you use to warm up your voice?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/16/2020 11:07:54 am

In college I majored in the 19th Century novel, and although my tastes have changed, I appreciate what they taught me. Of all of them, Arthur Conan Doyle has stuck with me the most. Did you know he wrote historical fiction? His books "Sir Nigel" and "The White Company" are, in my opinion, some of the best novels about the hundred years' war I've ever read. He also wrote "The Adventures of Gerard" about a hussar in Napoleon's army; these are amusing and really transport you to the period.

As far as modern authors go, I tip my hat to Sharon Penman. It wasn't until I read her novels about the Wars of the Roses that a light bulb went off in my head and I realized that this was a genre. I can do this. In all my years of college, the label "historical fiction" was never used, and I just thought it was 19th century stuff. After I read Colleen McCullough's novels about ancient Rome, I really got the point.

Mark

1/16/2020 11:16:43 am

I did not know that about AC Doyle. I do love historical fiction, right after sci-fi and fantasy. There are sub-types of historical fiction that I enjoy, Assaph Mehr writes a fun take on Roman history, by transporting a certain period into a land where magic exists as part of everyday life.
New questions.
What software do you use to write and publish your books, and why do you use those?
How do you keep track of all the characters and events in your books?
Have you ever had the experience of the story swerving in a different direction than planned, as if a character was driving it?

Kevin Green link

1/16/2020 01:08:19 pm

Mark, I use a phone app called Swiftscales Pro. It has a whole bunch of various voice exercises for singers including warmup exercises.

Mark

1/16/2020 01:18:55 pm

Thank you, Kevin, for sharing so much about what you do. I thoroughly enjoyed your rendition of Mercedes' book. You are very good at what you do.
I greatly appreciate you joining us for the interview. I have never had the opportunity to speak at length with a voice actor. I learned quite a bit.
I wish you much success in the days ahead.
Thanks again.

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/16/2020 05:32:58 pm

Hi Mary. Thanks for checking in! Although you're right about the boost, I can't say that anyone pays much attention to the awards. I do love the B.R.A.G. Medallion people, because they actively promote their writers. And, to be fair, Helen from Discover Diamonds does not charge a fee; I think she's an exception. It seems like the average cost is about $50 per entry, and many of the sites don't even guarantee a return, though I'm no expert at this. I have not seen any significant sales from awards. Have you noticed that the authors who do accumulate awards tend to fill their graphics with the logos, to the point that it looks like clutter? After a while, it seems like the awards are more for the author than the reader.

Mary L Scholl link

1/16/2020 06:42:53 pm

I suspected that the hype is more than it's worth. I tend to just look past them to the content I would have looked at before, anyway. Thank you for answering me!

Mark

1/16/2020 07:07:23 pm

Thanks for dropping by, Mary. Those were good questions. It was only last week that I had you in the hot seat. That was a good conversation!

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/16/2020 05:48:36 pm

I'm just a regular MS Word user; Kindle imports word files well, and I export to PDF for my paperbacks. I have tried some of the software out there for catching grammatical errors, etc. but I didn't have any luck. As for characters, writing this book was pretty straightforward, but when I got to the 14th century I was stymied by the plethora of names for each character. Every time someone got a "promotion" (raised to earl or duke), they were thenceforth referred to by their new name. I was constantly referring back to indexes to figure out who was who. Only familiarity got me out of that maze, and I still get tripped up. I ended up giving myself a cheat sheet at the beginning of my manuscript which I referred to.

Because history writes my plot, I don't do much swerving. But I do sometimes get caught up in my characters' motivations, that change as I get to know them better. By the second draft, I sometimes realize that this character wouldn't act that way and I have to change his behavior to fit his fuller profile. Sometimes I end up feeling more charitable toward a character that I originally didn't like. John of Gaunt is a perfect example. He was an arrogant, aristocratic man who always insisted on getting his way, but I came to realize that he was impeccably loyal to the crown and trustworthy to a fault.

Mark

1/16/2020 06:13:49 pm

A lot of authors use MS Word, probably for good reason. I have heard good things about Scrivener, but only after climbing the steep learning curve. There are quite a few fans of Scrivener.
I have tried Gammarly and others myself, checking on the competition, as it were. I am not worried, they miss things I catch and every so often they catch something I missed. I use Ginger for one of the passes through a manuscript when I am proofreading.
I had a hunch that there would not be deviations from the plot, but motivations are something else and make a tale so much better.
New questions.
I know there are many ways to build the outline. Do you do it all on the computer or do you get analog at some point with post-its or note cards?
Do you listen to music or have the TV on when writing, or do you need quiet?
Action, dialogue, or narration; which is easiest to write?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/16/2020 06:32:30 pm

Thanks for the pointer, Mark. I never heard of Ginger! Though I doubt you are in any danger of getting upstaged.
For some reason, I never use an outline, though a couple of months ago I had a terrible time keeping my sequence straight (having had to pull it from several sources). I drew a line down a page, making it into two columns, then put each day and associated events side by side. Very primitive! But it worked.
I need total silence while I am writing. This can be a problem, since I work in the balcony of an open floor plan house, but luckily we keep a set of headphones downstairs for the pesky television.
My favorite writing is dialogue, hands down. I love making my characters interrupt each other; what a great way to create tension! And it's a good way to introduce the back story, especially if one of the characters is not "up to speed". I have the most difficult time with action scenes, because they always seem contrived to me—maybe because the are! I'm in awe when someone writes a battle scene that keeps me on the edge of my seat. I don't think I can do that.

Mark

1/16/2020 07:18:48 pm

I am in no danger anytime soon. Even with the advances of AI, it will be quite some time. Most people are focusing on translations of books. The proponents have found that a human is still required to finesse the nuances of any language. The AI gets about 90% right, depending on the language, which is amazing in and of itself.
I will warn you, Ginger is not supposed to work with Word, it does, but it is pretty buggy and requires multiple restarts on some days. Even with that it meets my needs.
A primitive outline for sure. The right tool at the right time is perfect.
Your dialogue is excellent, it feels real and fresh.
New questions.
Of the five senses which is the easiest to write and which is the hardest?
Have you ever participated in theater in some way?
What kind of marketing are you doing or planning on doing for your book?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/16/2020 08:20:50 pm

Thanks for the compliment, Mark! I really appreciate that. As for the senses, hearing is nice because it can set a scene; I find that seaside scenes go great with flapping wind and seagulls. I try to include the sense of smell, because in the Spring I'm always sniffing for flowers. But I always seem to forget touch; that's a good one, and shame on me!
As for theater, I always had the desire but never seemed to have the opportunity. Maybe next time around!
It's interesting that seemingly all the companies out there who offer advertising all come back to Twitter feeds. It's a numbers game. It's still hit-and-miss, and it's easy to be impressed by the tens of thousands of recipients, until I remember that most of them will miss the posts, anyway. But Twitter still seems to be the best game in town. Blog posts are a big favorite of mine, but again they end up on Twitter. I have tried book trailers which do get seen, but I don't think they do more than spark a little interest. Actually, venturing into the Audio world is my most current marketing attempt; it does seem like money well spent in the long run—all in the interest of exposure.

Mark

1/16/2020 09:02:06 pm

You have done better than many incorporating the senses in your books. No shame here, adding that sensory experience will make your writing all the better.
It is all about exposure and interactions, no doubt. Most any marketer will tell you that multiple exposures are needed before most people will actually interact with the item, be it a tweet or an advertisement.
Book trailers do attract the eye and that can be the first step toward a sale. Once on the sale platform, be it Amazon, Kobo, Bookbub or whatever, a series of interactions is necessary to sell. The title, the cover, the blurb or the first few pages; it all adds up to a sale, hopefully.
New questions.
Speaking of marketing, why did you pick me to help promote your book?
Have you ever thought of adding music to your books, like what the characters listen to or they went to a concert as a plot point?
How do you know when a book is finished?

Mary L Scholl

1/29/2020 09:40:46 am

Downloaded e:book!

Kevin Green link

1/17/2020 05:03:19 am

Hi Mary, I missed your earlier post. No I don't really know of any ways to publicize a new audiobook, apart from the free givaway sites on facebook, and maybe Twitter. You say you're keeping the price low for your audible codes - why are you charging for them as they are a free givaway from Audible?

Mary L Scholl link

1/17/2020 08:47:28 am

No, I mean the regular price for the audible book is low. I'm HAPPY to give away the promo codes!

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/17/2020 02:02:18 pm

Well, like most of our click-throughs on the internet, I can't remember how I found your site (probably Twitter). But I do remember being impressed by the number of comments your reviews got! It wasn't until later that I discovered this was because of an interview with the author. No matter! I thought you had a clever approach and I jumped on board.

Most of the music I use is associated with background noise: either minstrels or people banging drums, horns, bagpipes, etc in the street. Not very poetic, here!
Since I like to write in a series, my endings can be kind of fluid. I like to carry my characters over into the next book, so the end has to come after a major event. I don't like cliffhangers, so I won't torture my readers with one (even at the end of chapters). Again, since I'm writing about historical characters, a death creates a natural ending! But even then, I realize there has to be some sort of denouement, or the reader feels cheated. I made that mistake once, and had to fix it after repeated complaints!

Mark

1/17/2020 05:17:20 pm

I totally get that, with over 400,000 tweets under my belt, my clicking finger is frequently tired.
Thanks, I offer the only live interview for authors on the internet for over two years now.
I understand that most people couldn't afford to enjoy music unless in a public venue.
New questions.
How much time passed from when you got the idea to write your book; then actually starting to write the book?
How long did it take you to write the first draft?
How many drafts did you go through to have a ready-to-publish manuscript?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/17/2020 05:37:51 pm

My books tend to simmer for years, believe it or not. I don't take on a project unless it hits me on visceral level, and when that happens I'm usually not ready to move on it. For instance, I recently saw a documentary about Shakespeare and the Gunpowder Plot (and the whole James I scenario) and for some unknown reason it really grabbed me. However, I have three more books to write in my Plantagenet series! I'll do some background reading on the subject now and then, and I know it'll be brewing in my head for a long time—hopefully building some sort of plot. When I finished my Godwine series and decided to move on to Richard II (that was brewing for 30 years), I had to start all over again with my research. It took me a whole year to research Richard before I started to write, and it took me another year to write the book. Now that I'm in the middle of the series, I'm already researching book number three while I write number two (since they overlap, it's not difficult) and I expect it will take another year to write the next book. I will go through four drafts before I'm done; my beta readers help after my second draft.

Mark

1/18/2020 12:52:54 pm

I understand that gut feeling in a small way. Sometimes something just grabs you in a special way.
That is a lot of research. You must enjoy it and you seem to be quite good at it.
New questions.
How did you find your beta-readers?
Do you give them an electronic version or do you print it off?
Do you ask them questions about the manuscript or let them make whatever comments they wish?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/18/2020 01:29:10 pm

Good Beta Readers are worth their weight in gold. So far I found them on social media; they are always writers, so can return the favor. We start up a conversation and usually share the same ideas about writing. I got terribly spoiled by my first beta reader who gave me something closer to a line by line edit, which I try to do in return. I don't start with any questions; I'm hoping my beta reader will tell me when there's something missing, when the story doesn't exactly make sense, or when it starts to drag. It helps to exchange Word documents, because there is a great markup (Comments) feature under the Review tab.

Mark

1/18/2020 05:01:32 pm

That is a wonderful, quid pro quo arrangement. That also eliminates my question about how you reward your beta readers.
The "comment" feature of Word is what I use when proofreading, unless the client requests I use "track changes".
New questions.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you have ever received from another writer?
What are three things, that you wish you knew before you wrote your first book?
Do you have other writers you connect with, as in a critique group or support group?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/18/2020 05:53:42 pm

Personally? Nothing that I can remember. One of the only books I ever read about writing was Stephen King's "On Writing" (and I read it recently). He said some brilliant stuff, but heck if I can remember any of it! It was worth a read, though.
Before I wrote my first book, I wish I knew what I was doing! Oh, I guess that doesn't count. As I said earlier, I didn't understand the value of footnotes; I just assumed they were there to justify a historian's statement, not for something to look up, myself. In retrospect, I don't think I did enough research, though at the time there was no internet, so easier said than done. We had no beta readers, either, and no one read my book before it was published. That was a mistake. Most importantly, as a genre I didn't have my hands around historical fiction yet, and I might have structured the book differently. But no matter; I'm happy with the way it turned out.
I've never joined a critique or support group, partly because geographically I live in a sparsely populated area, and mostly because I'm a lone wolf. I've always been that way.

Mark

1/19/2020 08:49:48 am

Before the internet, every part of the publishing process was harder. Though I am sure that vanity publishers were existing. Regular publishers were more willing to give a new author a chance also.
New questions.
Why did you pick Macbeth's Witches?
Do you think a strong ego is an asset or liability for a writer and why?
Some writers do a market study, to learn what type of person, (age, sex, socioeconomic status, etc.) buys the type of book they write, to target advertising. Can you describe the demographic of your ideal reader?
Do you have anything you consider to be your writing lucky charm?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/19/2020 10:30:28 am

Ironically, many of my books start with Shakespeare. Macbeth was my favorite play, and I had always wondered what happened to Fleance after he got away from his father's murderers. At the time, I knew nothing about Banquo's relationship to the Stewarts, so it was a revelation to discover that he was considered the ancestor of James I. But how did Shakespeare get from point A to point B? I can only assume that the Jacobean audience knew the back story, but even that baffles me a bit. How much did the average playgoer know about their Scottish king?
But I digress. On doing a bit of research about the witches I stumbled across one theory that they represented the Fates, or the Norns, who controlled the destiny of man. The Norns were supposed to have appeared at a child's bedside and proclaimed his future. The witches certainly called all the shots with Macbeth, and I found their role as the Norns to be too good to pass up.

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/19/2020 01:43:57 pm

I suspect that most writers, if not all, have to possess an ego that makes them think they have something special to say. Otherwise, why put ourselves through the aggravation? It's inevitable that we're going to take "hits" along the way; some people aren't going to like our work; others may be jealous; still others find fault with the littlest detail. Without an ego, we just wouldn't continue on.
I wouldn't know how to target an audience for marketing. Readers. That's what I need. My ideal reader loves history. I've tried targeting with Amazon Marketing Services, but it's a hit-and-miss proposition. The keywords I have the most confidence in usually cost me the most, with the poorest results. It's frustrating! And conversely, the ones that seem to perform best puzzle me. They advise using "also read" titles (and authors) as keywords, but that doesn't seem to help, either. With HEIR, I've had the worst luck at all. I tried targeting fantasy, witchcraft, historical fiction keywords. I just can't find the magic keywords. Yet. No lucky charm for me!

Mark

1/19/2020 03:15:07 pm

Seeking the answers to those questions left hanging by Shakespeare must have been interesting and a little frustrating, due to the dead ends.
You are right. A writer needs a strong ego. Because there is so much that will come against someone writing a book, especially if they want to publish said book.
Every book has an audience, the group of people who will love the story. It's also true that there exists a non-audience. The people who start a book and don't like it, for any number of reasons. A few of those even leave a low-scoring review.
Check out the interview I had with Rick Hall for his book "Gnosis", He talked a lot about finding his audience. It was an interesting process, there are a lot of good tips from him.
New questions.
What is your writing Kryptonite and how has it affected you?
Do you struggle with writer's block, if so, how do you overcome it?
Do you see an advantage of writing under a pseudonym, why or why not?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/19/2020 03:58:45 pm

I think that Writer's Block is just an excuse for procrastination. We all do it. I used to beat myself up when I thought I had writer's block, but then I realized that I just preferred to do something else! Like gardening. Like social media (marketing). Like housecleaning (ok, that's a stretch). Sometimes I'd let a week go by without touching my manuscript. I mean, really, who cares if I write or not? If it doesn't get written today, it might get written tomorrow. Once in a while, when I'm really stuck, I'll just make myself a note in the manuscript and skip forward to the next chapter. I'll come back to it in the next draft when I'm better prepared to face whatever's bugging me. And not concerning myself about it is, in a way, the best way to beat it. If it's not a problem, then no need to turn it into one.

As far as a pseudonym goes, I think if I were to write in a different genre, it might be appropriate. I would be approaching a different audience, after all. I noticed that authors with pseudonyms, once they got famous, are published as "so-and-so writing as so-and-so", and by then it's an advantage. But earlier in their career, they kept the other name secret. It's kind of silly, isn't it?

Mark

1/19/2020 09:23:31 pm

You use multiple methods to deal with writer's block, I think that is wise.
I think some writers try too hard to make the first draft perfect, it just needs to exist and giving the muse free rein allows the words to flow. Editing is what makes a crummy first draft into a gem. You can't edit a blank page.
I know of at least one author that uses several pen names and has a website for each, the sites redirect a person to the main website that acts as an umbrella for all the pen names. The visitor can see just what they want to see or everything. I am sure she hopes for crossover and probably gets some.
Last questions.
In historical fiction, how much can you stretch the truth?
Do you have a favorite filler word or two that you have to keep taking out of a story, like just or like like?
Do you have any other passions or creative outlets to pursue if you didn't write?
Is there a cause you are passionate about?

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/20/2020 11:12:56 am

My favorite question! I think it's something we struggle with every day. How many of us would stick up our noses at Errol Flynn's Robin Hood? We know it's total rubbish, but who cares? It's such a great story. Of course, good storytelling is the crux of the matter. I think an author can get away with stretching the truth —to an extent—if the story is entertaining enough. I don't mean putting characters in the wrong period (unless it's a time travel) or falsifying the outcome of a battle. But I don't have a problem incorporating a legend into a story, if it's been believed for hundreds of years (usually the legend is more interesting than the truth). Or putting the character in a country he probably wasn't visiting at that time (you can always explain in the author's note). Since we are writing fiction, the story comes first. To paraphrase Stephen King, your first job is to entertain someone who had a hard day at work and just wants to relax (see, I did remember something). There are always going to be nit-pickers out there who will castigate you for the wrong piece of clothing or an incorrect word. Forget about them! If your story is good enough, the average reader won't care.

I know I overuse "looking at" or "turning to"; I think I get that from the movies. I constantly have to give my characters other things to do! I know I overuse "but". Thank goodness for search and replace!

I would say that gardening is my hobby—maybe it would be better to say working in the yard, because I do a lot in the woods. That's why I keep my nose to the grindstone in the winter, because in good weather I always end up outside.

Mark

1/20/2020 12:20:49 pm

A lot of authors struggle with filler words. Search them out is a simple way to improve a story.
Thank you, Mercedes, I have enjoyed our chat a great deal. The audio book was a fabulous story! You have been a wonderful guest.
I have another promotion to prepare for. Until next time, keep writing.

Mercedes Rochelle link

1/20/2020 12:38:55 pm

Thanks Mark! You have a great "gig" going here, and it's so interesting to learn more about the authors and how they work. Thanks for taking all the trouble to dig below the surface!

Heir to a Prophecy By Mercedes Rochelle Narrated by Kevin E. Green

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