The Artist’s Special Touch By River Wild

10/13/2018

Debut author, River Wild, introduces us to his first novel, a sweet romance, The Artist’s Special Touch:
On the last day of school, young Jackson Henderson makes a discovery that will forever change his life. Hannah Davis is trying to start fresh in a new town after suffering a terrible loss.
A chance meeting on a very special night brings these two together into a swirling romance that takes them both by storm. As their love grows, they make a promise to each other to always find a way to be together no matter what happens.
When tragedy strikes, can they keep that promise?

This contemporary romance really strikes a chord with me. I love the setting of Folly Island, South Carolina, on the coast near Charleston. It reminds me of some of the beaches in Oregon.
I so appreciated this tale of young love and transcendent love, they are two different things. There is a great deal I really enjoyed about this story, the pacing, dialogue, and action stand out and are well balanced. The writing appears simple, but is actually quite rich, and I found myself deeply involved in the story, over and over again. The settings were perfectly staged, the descriptions seemed quite alive in my mind. The heart-touching ending brought more than a couple of tears to my eyes.
I give this debut novel a score of 4.8 stars; the score would have been higher except for the handful of spelling and punctuation issues which have been corrected. So, your reading experience will be all the smoother.

This is a photograph of Folly Beach Pier. The author has chosen it to represent himself.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/-the-artists-special-touch
https://www.goodreads.com/-the-artists-special-touch
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Artists-Special-Touch-River-Wild-ebook

You can follow River Wild:
https://twitter.com/riverwildusa
https://riverwildusa.com
https://www.facebook.com/river.wild.1253

Tags: contemporary romance, paranormal romance
Copyright © 2018 Mark L Schultz except for the author's introduction

59 Comments

River Wild link

10/14/2018 09:23:25 pm

Hi Mark,

I greatly appreciate your review. As a new author, I have been challenged getting this book in front of readers who would enjoy it. The reviews seem to finally be moving that way. I am excited for the interview this week.

River

Mark

10/14/2018 09:40:51 pm

You are very welcome, River. I think a lot of people are going to enjoy your book.
Before we get too deep into the interview, can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

River Wild

10/14/2018 09:49:48 pm

Mark,

I grew up in Charleston, South Carolina and I've always loved the beauty of the area, the history and of course the beach. I spent a lot of time in many of the locations mentioned in the book growing up. I joined the military at a young age and moved all up and down the East Coast, but always missed home. I've been married for a long time to my high school sweetheart. Hannah in the book is a lot like her. I have two children and two dogs.

Mark

10/14/2018 10:18:26 pm

Thank you for sharing about yourself.
Lets get to your book and writing now.
What inspired you to write this book?
Why did you choose this genre?
How do you think your book compares to a book published by a major publisher?

River Wild

10/14/2018 10:50:18 pm

Mark,

I seriously thought about writing a book many years ago, but I thought that maybe I wouldn't be good enough or that no one would want to read my book. I guess around nine years ago, I saw an email from Amazon about self-publishing and how anyone could publish a book themselves. I read a few books that were self-published and thought to myself, I can do that. As I was traveling one weekend, a song came on the radio that got me thinking. It was a country song by Tracy Lawrence called "Paint Me a Birmingham." There was a man mentioned in the song who could paint any scene. That is where it began. When I got home, I just started typing.

I choose contemporary romance, because of my relationship with my wife. I love her with everything I've got and I know there are many other couples out there that feel the same way. I love to watch "Chick-Flicks" with my wife. I love Action movies too, but the response after an Action movie is not the same as a love story.

I enjoy Nicholas Sparks' books and movies and the Notebook is definitely my favorite love story movie.

Comparing my book with a book from a major publisher is something that I am not quite certain about yet. I've read several books by authors in the romance genre and I said to myself, I could write like that or maybe even better. I've also read many other books where I thought to myself, wow, I don't know if I could write like that.

There is a lot of advice out there about writing, and a lot of them say write what you know. I've tried to do that with this book. You won't find me writing any dystopian novel or anything along those lines.

I am interested in a lot of social topics and I have several books in mind that cover topics such as prevention of human trafficking, childhood hunger, illiteracy and second chances. These will all be intertwined with a good love story.

River
riverwildusa.com

Mark

10/14/2018 11:10:05 pm

Very nice. You've had it in your mind for sometime to write, but it took a few nudges to get you started. That is the first time I have heard of a song providing the last bit of inspiration to get someone started on the path of writing a book.
I think there are a lot of people just like you and me that love their spouses. We do a lot to please them, just as they do a lot to please us. You described that concept quite well in your book.
You are sure right, the response after a romantic story is quite a bit different than after an action story.
There are some good romantic stories in almost every genre, even in a dystopian setting. I reviewed one awhile back, "Divinity Bureau" by Tessa Clare.
Romance is a very popular topic, I think you are going to have a long career in writing.
New questions.
What is your routine when you sit down to write?
Do you write notes by hand or on the computer?
What are three things, that you wish you knew before you wrote your first book?

River Wild

10/15/2018 08:35:46 am

Mark,

When I sit down to write, I try to just start typing and the words start flowing. I may have an idea that I have thought about, and I try to bring it to life. It may not be the best, but I try to get it down and if necessary, I can come back and edit it. I don’t normally have writer’s block, so I can go for a good while. I also get a lot of ideas late at night, but that isn’t so convenient for getting up and typing on the computer.

If I’m not at my computer and a good idea pops into my head, I type it into my phone or I write it down on anything I can find and then I transpose it as soon as I can.

Three things I wish I knew before writing my first book would be: 1. The best way to capture the attention of a reader in such a way that they couldn’t put my book down. My wife always told me that women enjoy romance books as an escape from the day to day of life and take them on adventures. I’m still working on perfecting this and I’m always reading more experienced writer’s advice for being successful.
2. How hard it would be to self-promote your book. It was hard writing and editing the book, and it is hard promoting it as well.

3. How to deal with a bad review. I got introduced to this right away. On August 27, 2018, I published the book in the morning and I was so excited. That wouldn’t last very long. I checked the reviews around Midnight that night and I had received a 1 Star review, because the person didn’t like what happened in the book. I was very discouraged. I knew this book could have wide appeal to many people and I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t sleep so well that night and the next day I researched as much as I could about a bad review. All the advice was to forget about it and move on and keep writing. I’ve seen a few things on Twitter that have made me laugh with regards to this, one lady said you can’t please everyone, even some people don’t like puppies. I’ve also heard Pastor Rick Warren say even God can’t please everyone. Every Saturday and Sunday, someone is rooting for their team to win and at the end of the game, someone is going to be disappointed. He also added that at any given time, someone is asking for sunshine and someone is asking for rain and someone is going to be disappointed. I am also taking that review as a blessing, because it pushed me to get moving and promote my book. I’m finally getting some very good reviews in and I’ve been very encouraged by that.

River

riverwildusa.com

Mark

10/15/2018 10:01:57 am

I think you have a good method for writing. I have more than one seasoned writer say to start writing and the muse will show up, but not often the other way around.
There are several steps a person goes through before they buy your book. Title, cover, blurb, first sentence, and first page. At that point a sale is very likely, but not guaranteed.
You are so right, one of the ugly little secrets of writing is that the market is extremely crowded! Unlike a few decades ago, publishing a book is not a set it and forget it deal. Marketing requires daily work, of course that means there is less time for writing. The struggle is very real.
I can appreciate how disappointed you felt when that one star review hit. I disagree with everything in that review. If anything, that bad review validates all the good ones.
Anymore, an instant best-seller takes ten to twenty years to create. If there is even such a thing these days.
New questions.
Does writing have a spiritual or healing component for you, does it energize you or make you feel tired?
Have you used yourself as a character for the starting point of a story?
Have you used other acquaintances as the basis for a character, to the point they have recognized themselves in your book? I ask because so many of your characters come across as very real to me.

River Wild

10/15/2018 10:30:06 am

Mark,

Writing is very enjoyable to me. Everyone has a story to tell no matter who you are or where you come from. I always love to watch Steve Hartman of CBS news just randomly pick someone out of the phone book and track them down to ask them about their story. Some people say that you should write a book that you would like to read. I wanted to write an original book that people could relate to. The characters feel alive to me. I have a vested interest in their well being.

A lot of the scenes and places in the book are some of my most favorite memories growing up. I grew up pretty poor, but those landscapes were available to anyone. The giant oak tree mentioned in the book is one of the oldest trees in America. I climbed that tree as a kid. You can’t climb on it anymore, but you can go see it and it’s free. I enjoyed reliving those experiences as I wrote the book and I wanted others to enjoy them as well.

There are always some people in your life that help you and some that may not like you no matter what. Some of the characters are like some of those people in my life.

River
riverwildusa.com

Mark

10/15/2018 11:21:57 am

I agree, every person has a story. But not every person feels a driving urge to write a story down. I am one of those in the latter group. I love to read but I do not feel a story trying to claw it's way out of me.
Using real settings are one of the things I like about your book. Learning about the old oak was interesting.
New questions.
What software did you use to write and publish your books?
How much time passed when you got the idea to write your book to actually starting the book and finishing the first draft?
How many drafts did you go through?

River Wild

10/15/2018 11:52:24 am

Mark,

I used several different software programs during the writing of my book. I used Microsoft Word as the primary program to write the book. I have Scrivener and I’m working on learning how to use it. I used several editing software programs such as Grammarly and Pro Writing Aid, but the best one I found was AutoCrit. It showed me the most mistakes and has the best suggestions to fix an issue or remove unnecessary words.

It took probably seven years when I started writing to finally finish in August. I was learning how to write a novel and how to hook a reader. Someone mentioned the book, The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman and what an important read it was. I purchased it and really was an eye opener. I changed the beginning of the book as a result of reading it. I learned a lot about “show vs tell” and I’m always looking to improve. That seven years was not straight writing though. Sometimes I would go months without writing anything. June-August of this year I worked every night until Midnight writing and editing over and over. AutoCrit has a grading scale that helped me out a lot. I kept removing and changing, because I was looking to get into the 90’s on my grade. After weeks of editing, I was getting tired. AutoCrit also had a comparison score with a published novel and The Hunger Games scored in the low 80’s. When I saw that, I knew I would be ok.

River
riverwildusa@gmail.com

Mark

10/15/2018 01:12:15 pm

AutoCrit sounds like a useful program. I tested Grammarly for a time to see if it could do better than me. It failed, It missed a lot of stuff I catch. It does have some value though, like catching simple mistypes in emails and such.
Seven years is a long time. However, it sounds like you had a lot to learn. Taking your book into consideration, I think you learned a lot of the lessons quite well.
New questions.
Before writing this book, did you do any kind of creative writing in college or in high school?
Do you have alpha-readers and/or beta-readers to help you smooth out a lot of crinkles before publishing?
Do you have other writers you connect with, as in a critique group or support group?

River Wild

10/15/2018 01:48:26 pm

Mark,

It did take a while, but I wrote 3500 words one Saturday when I was in the middle of writing it, so I’m certain I could finish my next book by the end of this year. That is what I’m planning on.

I have not had any formal college creative writing training. I’ve read many books on it and I have a few creative writing textbooks, but that’s it. I had some tough English teacher’s in high school, who challenged me. In my Senior year, I was the only football player in my AP English class and we wrote a paper almost every day.

I don’t have any Beta readers. I’m very new to publishing and I have not been well established with the community yet. I didn’t have any social media accounts until September, so I’m learning that aspect as well.

I have talked to a couple of authors so far and they are giving me some advice. I have joined several writing groups on Facebook and Goodreads and they have been helpful with suggestions. I have asked for reviews at many places, but I’ve only got one review out of that. My promotion is a work in progress.

River
riverwildusa.com

Mark

10/16/2018 12:21:28 am

All that writing in high school served you well, I think.
Getting readers to give a review seems to be one of the most frequent problems for writers.
I have a bunch of lists on my Twitter home page, one of them is for beta-readers. Check their requirements before you say anything.
New questions.
Do you see an advantage of writing under a pseudonym, why or why not?
How early was it that you realized how powerful words can be?
Are there any writing styles that you disliked at first but soon came to like?

River Wild

10/16/2018 09:24:02 am

Mark,

I decided to write under a pen name for many different reasons. I wanted to let my work speak for itself instead of trying to promote my persona. I’m just an ordinary guy who would love to share my stories with the world, but I also like my privacy.

I guess I learned early on how powerful words can be. That old childhood saying of “words can never hurt me,” is really not true. We have the power to hurt or heal in our words. All you need to do is watch or read the news and see how those words can change lives.

As far as writing styles go, I write in third person. I have read some first person novels and it is sometimes hard to read. I have read some first person books that were done very well and you felt you were right in all the action. I plan on staying with third person for a while.

River Wild

Mark

10/16/2018 12:28:13 pm

Every writer using a pen name has a good reason. I certainly appreciate your reasons.
You are absolutely right about the power of words. For good or ill, they can go very deep and have a lasting impact.
First person POV is very intimate, when it's done right. Head hopping is the worst stumbling block in that style, the smooth reading experience is ruined if you can't determine who is saying what.
New questions.
There are many unethical practices in publishing, which one is the most unbearable?
What are common traps for beginning writers?
Do you think a strong ego is an asset or liability for a writer and why?

River Wild

10/16/2018 01:34:39 pm

Mark,

My limited experience in the publishing world is more stories heard from other authors regarding signing with an agent or publisher and then those individuals not following through with helping out that author as they should have, meanwhile that author has signed their rights away to that entity for a significant period of time. I’m trying to avoid all that. I am putting together my query letters to send out to agents and I’m researching what to expect and what to avoid.

Some of the biggest traps authors face is not fully understanding that not everyone will like your book. It can be one of the most popular books of all time, but someone is not going to like it. I had to learn that quickly. I looked at many famous authors reviews and all the ones I looked at have 1 Star reviews. All of them. It is easy to read, but it is another thing to accept it and move on. Also, promotion of your book is very hard. It takes a significant effort.

I think having a big ego in any industry or job is not a good thing. I currently work in a very technical field that requires significant mental capacity for extended hours each day and I always try to tell people to be humble. No matter how smart you think you are, there is always someone smarter. That was one of the lessons in the book when the bus driver was talking to that bully. I just saw a headline that humble people make the best bosses. I think an author would be wise to be humble and always continue to learn.

River Wild

Mark

10/16/2018 04:22:53 pm

We have both heard horror stories about publishers and agents who don't live up to their end of the agreement.
I wish you well with the query letters. I have heard many authors share about the difficulties they have encountered when querying. Sometimes they don't hear back for months.
I think a lot of publishers are really struggling to stay solvent, the industry has changed so much. The don't take nearly as many chances as they used to, and they don't promote nearly as much as they used to also. It's seems like it's up to the author to build and maintain their own brand, which is a daily job now.
A big ego is not necessary, no doubt. But strength to believe in what you are doing can keep you going when it seems like it's not going well is pretty important, it seems to me.
New questions.
Do you have anything you consider to be your writing lucky charm?
What is the biggest obstacle you face in writing?
Do you think reading, watching movies and listening to music help you be a better writer?

River Wild

10/16/2018 10:20:44 pm

Mark,

I don’t think I have any particular good luck charm. Maybe it is writing at night whenever everyone is asleep and the house is quiet. I can normally write a about 1500 words.

The biggest obstacle that I face is myself really. I have so many things competing for my time. I have to be disciplined about writing and rewriting.

For me, I think movies, books and music all help me a great deal. Some songs are even writing prompts. I was contemplating using the paranormal aspect that I did end up using several years ago and when I saw the Nicholas Sparks movie Safe Haven and how he used it, I knew I would be ok using it.

River

Mark

10/16/2018 10:32:04 pm

1500 words every day is pretty good production. I am sure it takes a great deal of discipline to keep that up. Your choice of time is important also, because you are keeping yourself available to your family.
Songs as writing prompts, pretty interesting. A song title as a sub-heading for a chapter might bring an extra dimension to a book.
New questions.
You have this book out, you're working on another. Do you read books for entertainment or for your business, at this point in time?
Have you ever read a book that changed the way you look at writing?
Do you think that a writer needs to read books, why or why not?

River Wild

10/17/2018 08:31:32 am

Mark,

All the advice of every established author I have seen says you have to read, read, read. I read for both pleasure and to learn new techniques and to keep improving. I’ve been reading some Pat Conroy books and he is excellent. I read many blog posts and I subscribe to many author websites and try to learn from them as well and I read a lot of books about writing.

A lot of people talk about the book Stephen King wrote “On Writing.” I have read it and it is very good. He is very descriptive and funny in this book. The book I described earlier, “The First Five Pages,” also has helped me. Several other books describing how important tension and conflict are in a book to keep the reader turning pages have also given me great help.

I believe a writer must continually read to keep improving. I feel it is vital to read many different types of books and articles. I read an article several years ago in a local magazine about a local baseball player and the descriptions and wording the author used was incredible. It wasn’t my magazine, and I wish I had it to read again. A baseball player article sounds simple enough, but the author made it a great piece by the words he chose. I will continue to read to keep improving my craft.

River Wild

Mark

10/17/2018 12:51:22 pm

I think it's important for an author to read also. You make a very credible argument here! There are some writers who would disagree, they want to avoid any unintentional contamination of their writing.
I have King's book and hope to find time to read it one of these days.
How serendipitous, a magazine article about a baseball player! I love it! You prove the need for reading widely so well, you found a gem in a most unlikely place.
New questions.
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer to enhance your career?
What are your favorite magazines, newsletters, websites, blogs, or podcasts that enhance your writing career?
What are your favorite reference books for writing?

River Wild

10/17/2018 02:02:34 pm

Mark,

If you get a chance, I would read the first couple of chapters of his book (On Writing), they talk about his childhood and some parts are really funny.

When you are writing something as long as a book, it’s easy to overlook that you have started a sentence with the same word several times in a paragraph or you are using too many adverbs. As the writer, you can be blind to this. I purchased a lifetime subscription to AutoCrit, because it shows me things like that. The spelling and grammar check may show you are good with spelling, but it won’t show you that your writing could be boring by using the same words over and over. It is by far my favorite program and it is money well spent for any author.

Joanna Penn of The Creative Penn is very helpful to new authors. She has an email list where she sends out great advice, she does YouTube videos and of course, she has many books on self publishing. She now has a six figure income with her books. She has been through a lot and has learned how to be successful and she shares it with everyone. I also love Pinterest. There are many articles and blogs to help aspiring authors succeed.

Some of the best reference books for writing that I’ve used is The Emotion Thesaurus by Becca Puglisi, The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman, Writing Fiction by Gotham writers and many more. I like to check out author websites and see what they recommend.

River

Mark

10/17/2018 02:14:42 pm

I will make time for a couple of chapters. I do love to laugh!
You are correct, spelling is only one part of the equation. That is why I tell writers I provide them the greatest value after all the editing and rewriting is done, I know what I am good at. There are so many ways to bore a reader, you identified some good ones there.
I have been following JP for some time now, I appreciate her blogs and advice quite a bit.
New questions.
What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
How many times did you rewrite the first page, first chapter?
How did you celebrate when you published your book?

River Wild

10/17/2018 08:52:34 pm

Mark,

The most difficult process for me is writing the hook of the book. These days, people may not continue reading if something doesn't hook their attention right away. My book initially started off with young Jackson in school, but I decided after reading several chapters of "The First Five Pages," to change it. I will be working on improving my hooks on the next books.

I rewrote the first page/chapter probably more than 20 times. It is hard trying to find another word for studio or loft or art gallery. I also wanted it to get the reader involved right away and to show them a glimpse of what was to come.

My wife and I had a quiet celebration in our little office and I held her hand as I clicked PUBLISH.

Mark

10/17/2018 11:14:07 pm

The hook is so important! Your hooks are going to be great.
I believe 20 times quite easily.
Your celebration was very meaningful for you both. I love it.
New questions.
What is the message, moral, or takeaway that you hope people will get from reading your book? Is there more than one?
Do you have any Easter eggs hidden in your stories that only close friends or family members would recognize?
Do you have a hidden message in your writings for a particular person or group?

River Wild

10/18/2018 08:34:12 am

Mark,

I had several lessons I wanted to put into the book. Some are very simple, like being on time and doing your best on every job you do, but one of the most important ones I wanted to get across was how important marriage is and that love can conquer all. I’ve been in some very difficult times in my life, and the love of my wife and God helped get me through.

There are a lot of scenes from the book which actually happened to me or that I experienced in some way. Some were good and some not so good. Only the people closest to me would know.

As far as hidden messages go, I’m not sure if I know how to write that yet. I’m going to be studying how to do that. The message that I want to convey is that the love between a man and a woman is so special. God made us in so many different ways and we complement each other. That love gives you strength to handle things that you might otherwise give up on.

River Wild

Mark

10/18/2018 12:19:14 pm

I think you did pretty well conveying those ideas. Everyone wants to be loved and accepted for who they are. God's love is incredibly healing in so many ways. Our complementary natures express God's love in unique ways.
New questions.
Did you have pieces of the story that were removed from this book? If, so why did you remove them?
Do you have any problems when writing about characters of the opposite sex?
Do you base your characters on people you know or have met, or is it easier to just invent them completely?

River Wild

10/18/2018 02:18:34 pm

Mark,

This book was not professionally edited, so I put a lot of things in the book that I thought would be helpful in progressing the story. I’m sure an editor may have wanted to cut some parts out. I didn’t specifically remove any sections of the book.

I know women are the primary readers of romance, and I may not describe how they might feel about a certain subject or situation, but I’m continuing to learn how to do that. That is where reading other writers and especially women writers comes in. I don’t have a particular problem writing about them though.

The characters in the book are loosely based on my experiences and people that I have known. Some characters are completely made up.

River Wild

Mark

10/18/2018 05:56:39 pm

I think you handled all the characters quite well. There was a great deal about your characters that rang very true to me.
New questions.
Do you have any other passions to pursue if you didn't write?
Is there a cause you are passionate about?
Did you have a favorite book as a child?

River Wild

10/18/2018 09:03:40 pm

Mark,

I love photography. I love to get outside and see all the beautiful scenic vistas of our country. I will take a photography class sometime.

I am passionate about many causes. We sponsor a child in Asia under Compassion International and we support St. Jude Children's hospital, Billy Graham Evangelistic association as well as local charities in South Carolina.

Growing up as a kid without the internet, all we had were books and just 3 TV channels. I read a lot of Hardy Boys books and ones about Space Exploration and other topics like that. I did have a favorite children's book that my Aunt gave me that I read every night. It was a book of random tales.

River Wild

Mark

10/18/2018 09:29:19 pm

I love photography also. My bio-dad was a professional photographer and I lived with him for a while during my college years. He taught me so much about cameras and I learned to process film and print pictures in the dark room. He was very patient with me.
There was no internet when I was growing up on a small farm, in a small town. Books and the same three channels on TV. Wait. We had four channels, the last was a public broadcasting channel that was quite boring to me.
As a family, we have supported many different charities also. Our kids continue that tradition also.
New questions.
Have you read any fiction books that have changed your perception of that genre or style of writing?
How do you deal with a difficult section in a WIP?
Is there a particular type of scene that is harder to write than the others?

River Wild

10/18/2018 10:38:37 pm

Mark,

Until about 15 years ago, I hardly ever read a fiction book. I was in the military and I worked all the time, so the types of books I read were normally home improvement/fix-it type of books. It is funny how life changes you and the changes you make with it. I was used to third person books, but I once read a book by a gentleman who was a featured author for Amazon's Create Space. He was a previous CIA agent and he had written a novel about a CIA assassin who was targeting some type of bad guy. He happened to be following him in a crowd and the way he described his every move was very well done. I guess that is when my perception of first person writing changed.

When I'm writing a particularly difficult section, I do my best to stay seated and keep writing. I know where I want to go in my head, but the words are not on the paper yet, so I have to stay disciplined to keep putting them down and be patient with myself.

I guess for me, writing how someone reacts to a loss of a loved one or a terrible accident is very difficult. In situations like that, it is very difficult to put into words, because the feeling is so painful that you really can't put it into words.

River Wild

Mark

10/18/2018 11:03:16 pm

That is interesting how you got into fiction and what you discovered. A spy thriller written in first person, at least in part.
It sounds like you don't set a story aside for a length of time, to allow the missing part to make itself known. Do you have a particular technique you use, such as reading the difficult passage aloud or writing some extra background material?
Pain is pain, emotional or physical.It makes sense to me that would hard to write out.
New questions.
Do you use music or some other stimulus to cultivate a feeling within that will help you write certain types of scenes?
You self-edited your book. Are you planning to stick with that plan for the next book?
Do your friends and family members buy your books?

River Wild

10/19/2018 08:42:41 am

Mark,

I listen to music quite a bit throughout the day, and it does help provide inspiration. I don't have to have any specific music or listen to any particular song to get ready to write.

I self-edited my book out of necessity and out of my lack of experience with the industry. Another thing that makes it difficult is that since I write under a pen name, I don't have any other family members to check out my book before it is published. My wife is the only one who read it before it was published.

Since this is my first book and I am getting established, I haven't told a lot of my family yet. I still want to continue to write under this pen name. I do appreciate my privacy.

River Wild

Mark

10/19/2018 12:13:53 pm

Thanks. I was wondering because some writers use a specific song or playlist to write. Something about what their muse likes.
I never thought about that consequence of writing under a pen name. Some authors are multi-genre and use a different pen name for each style of writing. When they send me a newsletter they aren't the least bit shy about talking about all the books and the pen names they write under. It's an interesting situation no matter where a person lands on the continuum.
New questions.
Continuing with pseudonyms. If you branch out into a different genre, will you use a different pen name?
Do you foresee ever publishing something using your real name?
Have you received any feedback on a story that will influence the next book?

River Wild

10/19/2018 12:51:58 pm

Mark,

One of the first books that I actually started writing, but didn't finish yet was a children's book. We were in North Carolina at a Wildlife Sanctuary and they had one of those informational billboards about the Monarch Butterfly. Their story is quite interesting. They travel so far. I wanted to talk about that story and weave some life lessons for children into that. I most likely will write that book, but I will use another pen name. I'm also pretty good at fixing things and I would like to write a book about all around house repair for new husbands / fathers.

I don't really see me publishing anything under my real name. I am an author and I love to write and I definitely want to sell books and it would be fabulous if I could leave my current job and write all the time, but I don't want to be famous (in the sense of going on book signings, etc.). I've seen and heard about fame damaging relationships and I don't want any chance at that happening. (Even Nicholas Sparks got divorced a couple of years ago)

I'm deciding on which of the next books I will write first. I have at least 5 books in my head right now. The one I'm leaning to is the one about the sacrifice that military members endure to serve in the armed forces. It is called "The Sacrifice of Our Youth." I spent more than 20 years serving our country and I missed so much from my life and my family while I was gone or on duty. I missed birthday's, anniversary's, some formative times in my kid's lives. I missed Superbowl's, College football, World Series and simple things like going to the beach or even fried chicken. Military members give up so much. Almost every deployment I was on, someone got divorced when we came back. It was heart-breaking. I was blessed beyond belief that I never got injured during my service, but some of our service members have lost their lives, their limbs and even who they were before they joined due to PTSD. Such a small portion of our country ever serves in the military and I want to highlight that. I think writing this has pushed me towards that book.

I do want to write a series type book, and I have one in mind that takes you through the various types of social issues I talked about earlier in the interview.

River Wild

Mark

10/19/2018 02:33:58 pm

All of those books sound like good ideas! I hope you write them all.
There is no doubt that people in the military give up a great deal. I know I did. My wife got very sick with a leukemia and I was needed at home very much. I was granted an early release to care for her and our three kids. I do hope you write that book.
New questions.
Some time has passed and you have received some great reviews. What are your thoughts on bad book reviews, in general?
Do you think good marketing can overcome the limitations of a mediocre book?
Do you believe that a good book will sell itself?

River Wild

10/19/2018 10:10:09 pm

Mark,

I have to tell you. I was very discouraged when I got that one bad review. God works in mysterious ways. At the time, August 27, 2018, I wasn't on any social media. I was planning on establishing my social media accounts, but I didn't have them set up yet. That review made me really get busy and ramp up my own promotion of this book. I knew it would resonate with many people if I could just get the book into their hands (or Kindle). When the first 5.0 Star review came in, I said a prayer of thanks. I knew people would enjoy it. I guess later, not quite yet, I will count it as a blessing so I could get to promoting this book.

I am doing every trick I can to promote this book. Being on social media is not exactly in my comfort zone. This week I have been working on establishing some Facebook friends. Twitter has been a great help for me. I have my best reviews from connections I made on Twitter. I will always remember that. I think that marketing can help boost the initial sales of a book, but in the long run, the readers will decide. If it is mediocre, they will let the world know with their reviews.

With the number of books on the market, even a good book will have a hard time reaching a big audience unless there is some promotion and a big momentum from word of mouth and social media. It is a tough world marketing your book.

River Wild

Mark

10/19/2018 11:00:57 pm

I know you were very discouraged after that bad review. You also recognized that the reviewer had a much different view of what constituted a romance than you. Just as there is an audience for every book, there is also an audience that is not for every book. No book makes everybody happy. Now, you have three five-star reviews! You will see a lot more, I have no doubt!
In some ways, marketing is the hardest thing for a lot of writers. Writing is such a solitary work, mostly. Marketing is very much the opposite, associating with others is required on multiple levels.
If you haven't already, I recommend you read one of the guest blogs on my website, it is about getting your first 1000 readers. I found it to be very practical: https://www.wordrefiner.com/guest-blogs/writing-tips-grab-your-first-1000-readers Sorry, it's copy and paste time or scroll through the pages.
New questions. A bit lighter.
How do you relax when you're not writing?
What is your favorite motivational phrase or verse that keeps you going?
What famous person living or dead would you like to meet? A famous author?

River Wild

10/19/2018 11:51:44 pm

Mark,

Relax? I’m not sure if I know what that word means. I’m constantly doing something. My job requires a lot, household maintenance, helping kids through college. Writing is done at the end of the day mostly. The list goes on and on. My wife and I try to do day trips to visit waterfalls and small towns in SC,GA and Nc. In the afternoons, we enjoy sitting on our screened in porch and watching the birds and squirrels.

The phrase that keeps me going is “Never give up. Keep going.” There are many different times in life when people may want to give up on something. Whether it be a job related thing or a relationship, some people give up too easily when things get tough.

I would like to have met Abraham Lincoln. I would have loved to talk to him and thank him for bringing our country back together. I’m sure it was the most difficult time in his life.

George W. Bush would be second after 9/11.

River Wild

Mark

10/20/2018 11:53:05 am

Nice picks, both Lincoln and Bush found themselves in difficult times and brought the nation through. I think both did a very good job.
Is there a famous or favorite author you would like to meet?
I like your motivational phrase, I seem to have adopted a new one this year, "keep moving forward" comes to mind a lot these days.
New questions.
For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or print books?
What books are you reading at present?
Have you ever thought about doing an audio book?

River Wild

10/20/2018 09:30:36 pm

Mark,

I would like to meet Nicholas Sparks and John Grisham. I would also like to meet Debbie Macomber. They all have great books.

For my own reading, I actually like both print and ebooks. I get a lot of ebooks when I’m trying to learn more about writing, because they are so convenient, but I pick up paperbacks at thrift stores quite a bit.

I’ve been reading The Water is Wide by Pat Conroy. He is an excellent author and describes a scene so well. I’m also reading books about ebook formatting and marketing.

I have thought about doing an audio book. So many people have long commutes to work and they would enjoy listening to a great book. Once I get my website and social media accounts in order, I will look into that.

River Wild

Mark

10/20/2018 10:12:17 pm

So, you are reading for pleasure and for business, to improve your skill as a writer and perform other tasks necessary for publishing. I think that's a good mix.
I have listened to a couple of audio books and enjoyed them a great deal. I have a list of people who do audio books on my twitter home page. You might find that useful, unless you already have someone in mind. There are some very talented people out there. It can turn into quite a theater-of-the-mind experience if you go all out and include sound effects and environmental noise.
New questions.
You are on Twitter, Facebook, and you have a website, all listed under the review, above. Where else are you thinking of going with your social media efforts?
Some authors have gorgeous, professional-looking newsletters. Others keep it real simple, while some completely eschew the idea. What are your thought about the whole newsletter thing?
Do you write poetry?

River Wild

10/21/2018 08:59:03 pm

Mark,
My next place to go on Social Media is Pinterest, Linked In and possibly Instagram. A lot of authors have Social Media presence on all the platforms. It is hard to keep them straight. I'm trying to reach readers wherever they are.

As far as a newsletter goes, I like the idea. I will be adding one soon to my website. Maybe a monthly or quarterly newsletter to keep in touch and tell readers what I'm involved in as far as charity work goes and what book is coming out next.

Poetry. That is a tough subject. I don't write poetry, but I do like Carl Sandberg and Robert Frost as well as Emily Dickinson. I remember explicating poems over and over in high school. Some are difficult to write. I may try my hand at poetry sometime down the line.

River Wild

Mark

10/21/2018 09:53:11 pm

There are a number of authors on LinkedIn and the others also. I have a page there and on Facebook, but I don't spend much time there. I have considered Pintrest, it's very pretty. But I have decided that it would spread me too thin, It makes more sense for an author to be on Pintrest rather than a proofreader to me.
I have seen more than one author bring all their pen names together in one website. I actually think it makes sense to me, the names stay separate in the marketplace but there is a chance for cross-pollination on the website. Some readers enjoy multiple genres.
Poetry is similar to novelizing, in my mind, there are many genres and sub-genres.
New questions.
Is there something, as a writer, you feel you need the most improvement in?
Are you a plot-driven writer or a character-driven writer?
Do you have a favorite quote from a book?
Do you have a favorite quote from your book?

River Wild

10/21/2018 10:33:48 pm

Mark,

I think the first time you do anything, you realize there are many ways you can improve. Writing this novel taught me a lot about writing. The thing I want to improve on the most is initially grabbing the readers attention right away and keeping it throughout the book with plot twists and turns.

One of my favorite quote is from "The Notebook," by Nicholas Sparks.

“You are, and always have been, my dream.”
― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

That is how I feel about my wife.

My favorite quote from my book is Jackson's marriage vows.

"I choose you over anyone else in the world. You make my heart happy. I feel the warmth of your heart when we touch. I want to live my life knowing that reality. I love you for what you are and who you are and for who you make me. I want to be everything for you. I want to be your friend, your lover and the person to share your life with. To experience all that there is to experience together. I will forever love you with all that I have. I will be honest and true to you. When you hurt, I will hurt. Whatever may come our way, I will never give up the love I have for you. God has brought you back to me, and I promise to make you happy for the rest of my life. I will never stop saying I love you until I take my last breath. I won't just say it; I'll show it. This vow I take with you today is a covenant between God and us. I will never break it. I will never give up on you and us. This marriage is a gift from God, and I will treat you as my most precious gift. I will honor and cherish you for the rest of my life."

River Wild

Mark

10/21/2018 11:29:03 pm

You did quite well, for your first book. I am looking for great things from you in the future.
That is a beautiful quote from NS, I am sure your wife appreciates it quite a bit.
Jackson's wedding vows were very special. You put a lot into that section.
A little over two months ago, our son married the love of his life in a family-only ceremony on a beach in Oregon. His vows were somewhat reminiscent of Jackson's. We were all very moved.
New questions.
When you are writing, is it hard to think of names?
What are the easiest parts of writing for you?
Do you use character sheets, time lines, maps or anything else to keep the reading smooth and avoid logical errors in your writing?

River Wild

10/22/2018 09:39:49 am

Mark,
When I’m thinking up character names, I don’t use any specific process except to not use any names of anyone I know. I mostly just make them up.

I would have to say the easiest part of writing is after I have established the hook and I can start letting the story unfold. For me, it happens that way. I start writing and the words keep flowing. Everyone gets stuck on some parts, and I’m no different, but most of the time it flows well. I can always go back and edit.

As far as writing outlines, I didn’t do it with the first book. I have seen many authors do, so I am going to research it a little and see if it would be helpful to me.

River Wild

Mark

10/22/2018 12:03:30 pm

There are many different methods to forecast and write a book. Some authors spend a lot of time looking for some magic method, while missing the magic that is inside them. It also seems that some stories may need more plotting than others, especially a series of books.
New questions.
What do you do if you get stuck at a point in the story?
On average, how many words do you write at a time or how long do you spend writing in one stretch?

River Wild

10/22/2018 12:39:01 pm

Mark,

If I happen to get stuck somewhere in the writing process, the first thing I will do is to try to keep writing to see if I can figure out what I’d like to say. If that doesn’t work, I will skip it for now and move on to the next chapter or section. If that doesn’t work, I stop writing that day and try to pick it up the next day.

If I’m writing in the middle of the book, I try to get at least 1000 words each day during the week and about 2000 on the weekend. Sometimes more.

River Wild

Mark

10/22/2018 12:51:34 pm

Very good, you have three steps to deal with writer's block. They work for you. You discovered one of the ways a guest blogger on my website, Rick Hall, suggested in his post on Non-linear writing. Skipping ahead is an effective way to deal with writer's block. It also helps by allowing more foreshadowing as needed.
It sounds like you have a reasonable daily goal also. I think a lot of writers would agree with your methods.
New questions.
Have you attended a seminar or lecture to improve certain skills a self-publishing writer needs to know?
If you could meet one of your characters in real life, which one would it be, what would you do for three or four hours, and why?

River Wild

10/22/2018 01:41:03 pm

Mark,

I haven’t attended any seminars or workshops yet, but I would like to. I will be on the lookout for ones near my area.

I would like to meet Mr. Wille. My parents got divorced when I was very young and I didn’t see my dad that often. I believe everyone could benefit from a mentor, no matter how old you might be. They just have to be one step ahead of you in a particular area. I really enjoyed writing his character and I have even picked out the actor I would like to play Mr. Wille if my book ever got made into a film. Julius Tennon from the movie Lila and Eve. I would like to talk with him about life, and maybe even go fishing.

River Wild

Mark

10/22/2018 03:34:55 pm

Mr. Willie is a great character, he would have been my choice also. My parents divorced when I was 5, I didn't see him very often also. Once every two or three years. Have you read "The Father Wound" by Gordon Dalbey? It's a very good book and provided me a pivot point in my life.
New questions.
What are the main advantages of being self-published as opposed to getting a book deal?
Are there any secrets people are bound to find when they read your books?

River Wild

10/22/2018 04:00:46 pm

Mark,

I will have to get that book.

I think the best advantage a self-publisher has is control and direction for the book. I am very new to this, but I have read numerous authors complain about their publishing house and they are overjoyed once they get their publishing rights back which might be 5 years. Grantte, everyone I think would love to have a lucrative deal with a big publisher. I would. You just have to weigh everything you can at that moment and try to look into the future to make the best decision.

There are quite a few secrets that reader might find in the book. At least 5.

River Wild

Mark

10/22/2018 06:21:34 pm

Unless you are a very well-known writer, I think the huge deals are no longer available. The market has changed so much in the last hundred years. A long time ago, reading was a major form of entertainment, then along came radio and books lost some value compared to the speaking box. And so it went from there. Now a days, it's very common to find people who don't read books. I know because I ask. It's almost 50%.
Five secrets! That is exciting, you could tell me, of course, but then they wouldn't be secrets any longer.
Last questions.
Why do most authors write in 3rd person POV instead of first and second POV?
When do you think your next book will be published?
What will you do differently with this new book, in terms of publishing?

River Wild

10/22/2018 08:05:37 pm

Mark,

I think most writers use 3rd person in their books for a number of reasons. Number one, it is safe point of view to write in. The narrator is well understood. I also think that is what many authors have done in the past, so that is also what we are used to. First person is difficult to make sure you explain who is talking all the time and it can lead to confusion if not well done.

I am looking to publish my next book by the end of the year or at least by the first two weeks of 2019, but I'm shooting for the end of the year.

In terms of publishing for the next book. I will have my website established and hopefully be building up an email list for readers who are anxious to read the next book. That will help a great deal with the launch and get some momentum going.

River Wild

Mark

10/22/2018 08:17:11 pm

That sounds like a good plan for your next book. I have noticed a few authors write side stories to go along with the book to build interest. It seems like a decent idea to me.
You are doing a lot of the right things as you launch your writing career. I am honored to have met you and really enjoyed your book. I am confident of many great stories flowing from your pen.
Thank you, River, for sharing so much yourself and your writing with me today. You have been a great guest. I wish you the best.

River Wild

10/22/2018 08:24:04 pm

Mark,

Thanks so much for all the great questions. They really got me thinking. The marketing of this book has been very difficult. I greatly appreciate your expertise in reviewing my book. I had a great time and it was a wonderful experience. It will always be my first book interview. I look forward to working with you again.

God Bless,

River Wild

The Artist’s Special Touch By River Wild

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