The Trail in the Woods By Stanley C. Straub

9/1/2018

Multi-volume, multi-genre author Stanley C. Straub introduces us to his latest book, The Trail in the Woods:
Something or someone has encapsulated an entire valley on Earth. The valley is called "The Valley of the Gods" and is given a perfect environment for people to live in. The valley is like a Garden of Eden and designed as an ideal place for an experiment. People hiking on a trail towards the valley have disappeared over the years and never been heard from again. Even searchers have disappeared that looked for the missing people. Something evil lives on the trail and controls the valley. Two childhood friends set out on a courageous adventure to hike the abandoned overgrown trail to see if they can find out what has happened to the people. The two hikers have to use machetes to get through the thick brush on the trail. While on the trail, they are captured and are taken to the valley to live. In the valley, they meet people with gills and come face to face with the one who runs the valley, The Tribulator, a Charles Manson type who thinks he is God. It's a fight for survival for the two hikers as they fight the evil forces controlling the valley. The fate of humanity hangs in the balance as the hikers battle for their lives.

I have to say I enjoyed this story quite a bit! Stanley takes us on another wild ride, where so many things are not what they seem. I will not provide any spoilers here, you will have to read the story for yourself. I will say that Stanley is good at his scene setting; action and POV are pretty well done also. Even with a large supporting cast the protagonists are nicely defined. There are lots of changes in store for the hikers, and their world view will be shaken, just like yours.
I award The Trail in the Woods a score of 4.3 stars.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/trail-in-the-woods
https://www.goodreads.com/the-trail-in-the-woods
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trail-in-the-Woods-Stanley-C-Straub

You can follow the author:
twitter.com/Renownedwriter
https://stanleystraubauthor.com
https://writerstar.wordpress.com
www.facebook.com/stanley.straub.92
https://www.facebook.com/Stan-Straub-Author
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/76655467

Tags: sci-fi, military, aliens, god, colonization

Copyright © 2018 Mark L Schultz except for the author's introduction

79 Comments

Stanley Straub link

9/1/2018 07:50:52 pm

Thank you for the great review. I really enjoyed writing the book and I'm glad that you liked it. I just hope that readers will like the book as well. I like surprise endings and this one probably nailed it. A friend of mine read the book and said the ending is what made the book to him. Again, a great review and I want to thank you for catching the mistakes that you did. I'm sure the book will read much better now. Thanks, Stan

Mark

9/1/2018 10:17:05 pm

I am glad you enjoyed my review. I hope it encourages others to buy and read your book. I enjoyed reading personally.
The ending really caught me by surprise too! It was completely opposite what I was expecting.
There was another aspect that caught me by surprise also. You turned a demon (from the perspective of Bob and company) into a god (from the perspective of Jonathon and company). The last time I saw something like that in a book was in the Dune series, by Frank Herbert.
What gave you the inspiration for that part of the plot?
How many drafts did you do for this book?
How long did it take to research and write? Was there any part of the research that was particularly difficult?

Stanley Straub link

9/2/2018 01:15:32 am

Thank you Mark for the kind words. I also hope that your review and this interview encourages others to buy and read my book. I really enjoyed writing it and I hope that people will enjoy reading it. I like surprise endings because I think it makes the book more memorable. The demon to god plot was a twist I wanted to show in the book. Too many people believe one thing and won't open their minds to any other view. I believe that writers should have an open mind and be able to visualize all points of view even if it means going against their beliefs. What gave me the inspiration to put that plot in the book? Nothing other than a vivid imagination and being able to visualize it in my mind. I did two drafts and a ton of editing. I did more editing on this book than any I've ever written. (And, even by doing all of that editing, you were still able to catch some mistakes that I missed.) Almost all of the mistakes were not minor, but by correcting them, which I've already done, the book reads better without interruptions. It took me a quite a bit of researching to make sure that what I wrote was correct. It probably took me a year to do the research, write the book, and edit it. Online research is a fantastic tool and it really helped me in writing the book. One of the hardest parts was the religion aspects and the medical terms. I enjoy doing the research and making sure that the book is fundamentally correct. I believe that research is a necessary part of writing, even fiction. If it isn't correct and believable then it makes the story less believable. I spent a tremendous amount of time researching medical terms when I wrote my first book, The Killer Within. I enjoy it but it does take a lot of time.

Mark

9/2/2018 10:02:40 am

I think your research paid off. It raised the believability factor by quite a bit, especially in "The Killer Within". The open point of view concept was pretty well done also.
Mr. T seemed very concerned about the welfare of his "guests" (from his POV), but he didn't take into account the desire for autonomy that is inherent to the human race.
I am aware of the possibility of nuclear grenades, but I was not aware of nuclear tipped ammunition. Is that an invention of yours or did you discover that in your research?
More questions.
Do you have a new project in the works that you can tell us a little bit about?
When you are writing; does it strengthen or weaken you?
Have you ever used other acquaintances as the basis for a character, to the point they have recognized themselves in your book?
Have you ever used yourself as a character for the starting point of a story?

Stanley Straub link

9/2/2018 11:37:15 am

Mark, thank you again for all of the thought provoking questions. I appreciate the time and effort that you're doing and hope that people will enjoy the questions and answers.
Did I invent the nuclear tipped ammunition? Yes, the nuclear tipped ammunition was my creation. I like to create things when possible. Also, the yellowish-green fog being generated by the electromagnetic generator was another thing I created. I thought it created a bit more mystery to the story. I have a very creative mind and I find it relatively easy to create and invent new things. I find it fun to come up with something new that people are not aware of. Sometimes I do research to see if something new is planned for the future.
Do I have a new project? Yes, and I think it will be an exciting book with a few new creations thrown in. My new book is called "The Terminus List". At the year-end extravaganza held in 2098, Tom Florin became a statistic. He was terminated by liberated punctuation, a fancy made-up term for killed to keep the population under control The Terminus List is about a list of chosen people in the year 3000. People are chosen at random where they are planned to be killed at the annual year-end extravaganza. The majority of the people chosen are happy to have been chosen because of brainwashing. However, a few do not accept their fate willingly. The book is about a family trying to save their 16 year-old-daughter and her boyfriend who were two of the lucky chosen ones.
Does my writing strength me or weaken me? Actually, when I'm writing I get very involved in the story and I feel more alive while working on it. It gets my creative juices flowing. So, I would have to say that it strengthens me.
Do I ever use people I know or myself as a character basis? Yes, I did in The Killer Within. I portrayed myself as Bob and used relatives as the representative of the nurse and her husband. However, in subsequent books, I've completely made up my characters from scratch. I enjoy making up characters and giving them characteristics that fit the story that I'm writing. I usually look up a list of boys and girls names and then select the ones that best portray the type of person I want in my story.

Mark

9/2/2018 04:22:27 pm

I figured the fog was your idea, having it electrically charged was interesting. It's fun to make things up, no doubt about that.
"Terminus List" sounds interesting, that is a recurrent popular theme in our culture. I am reminded of "The Hunger Games".
You feel more alive when writing, I think most writers would agree with you, being in the groove and seeing the results of the creative juices flowing has to be a really good feeling!
New questions.
Is it important for writers to tap into the emotions of the characters and why?
What is the most valuable piece of advice you have ever received from another writer?
What are common traps for beginning writers?

Stanley Straub link

9/2/2018 04:45:39 pm

Is it important to tap into the emotions of the characters? Yes, I believe it is. I do it to get a true emotional experience of what my characters may be feeling. I feel that way I can better express their emotions. By tapping into their emotions, I think I get a closer feeling of what they are going through.
What is the most valuable piece of advice from another writer? It was not directly from another writer, but from a Stephen King quote, “If you want to be a writer you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.”
What are common traps for beginning writers? Thinking that they can't write well enough. I think many writers that, when they start out, feel that their writing is not good enough and no one will actually like it. My advice would be to not worry about the quality of what you're writing, but just write. A writer's writing will get better and better the more they write. The important thing is to write and try to write each new piece better than the previous one. As the quantity piles up, so will the quality.

Mark

9/2/2018 05:52:14 pm

That is a great quote from Stephen King, it makes sense to me.
I think you're spot on about the feeling unqualified trap, it seems some writers struggle with that for years. There are no perfect books, there are popular books and books that don't get the coverage they deserve.
I agree with your advice of just write, make the new one better than the last one. The only real competition a writer has is in the mirror. A writer isn't competing with anyone else.
New questions.
Do you think a strong ego is an asset or liability for a writer and why?
What do you consider to be your writing lucky charm?
What is your writing Kryptonite and how has it affected you?

Stanley Straub link

9/2/2018 07:19:25 pm

Do you think a strong ego is an asset or liability for a writer and why? I think that a strong ego actually helps a writer. However, it can get in the way unless you back off and realize that what you write is not about or for you. It's for your readers. Every once in awhile a writer should stop and look at what they are doing and reevaluate their ego and lay it where it belongs, in the hands of their readers.
What do you consider to be your writing lucky charm? My writing lucky charm is my wife. Without her backing me up, my writing would not get anywhere. She's my lucky charm without a doubt. I rely on her for support.
What is your writing Kryptonite and how has it affected you? I don't have a writing Kryptonite. I believe that I can do anything that I put my mind to. When I wrote my first book, The Killer Within, I came up with a far out idea and started writing. Most people would have never attempted writing the story that I did, but I was able to get it all down on paper and published. I actually surprised myself! I have always believed that I could do anything and I still believe that today. I think all writers, in fact everyone, should believe that they can do anything. I never say I can't do something. I believe that by saying that you can't do something, it can stop you before you start.

Mark

9/2/2018 07:38:32 pm

Great answers!
I agree about how important a spouse is. With that kind of wholehearted support, the sky is the limit!
Let's talk a little bit more about a form of kryptonite that many writers complain about. Sometimes it's called a MIA muse, missing mojo, or writer's block. Is that something you ever contend with? How do you beat it in practical terms?
An unrelated question: Do you see an advantage of writing under a pseudonym, why or why not?

Stanley C Straub link

9/3/2018 12:05:08 am

Have I ever had writer's block? The short answer is "no". I've never had an episode of writer's block. I can just sit down at the keyboard and the words flow. I've never had an occasion where I sat down, looked at the keyboard, and couldn't come up with anything to write. Maybe I'm lucky, but I'm glad that I've never experienced it and I hope that I never do. I guess I beat writer's block by just starting to write. Writer's block could happen if a writer sits down and thinks too much instead of just typing or writing away. When you just sit and stare at the keyboard, it's like waking up in the middle of the night and starting to think about writing or something else. It's hard to get back to sleep. Same thing with writing. If you just sit and think, then it's hard to get back to writing.
Do I see an advantage of writing under a pseudonym? One advantage would be if I was going to write in two totally different genres, for instance Science Fiction and Romance, then it makes sense. You might want to keep the two separated. The advantage of using your own name is that you get to be better known and easier to find if all your books are under your name. If I was going to try writing a romance novel, which I've thought about before, I'd probably use a pseudonym for it. At the moment and for the near future I have too many Science Fiction books lined up to try a different genre. However, sometime in the future I might try a different genre. Then, I would have to think hard about whether to write under a pseudonym. If you get an email from me in the future and it's from a Jane Melody instead of Stan Straub, then you can assume I've decided to use a pseudonym. <Smile>

Mark

9/3/2018 12:19:14 am

Very cute, Stan. The name Jane Melody has a certain ring to it.
I think you are one of the lucky few. So many writer's talk about writers block. Of course, if it's not a problem you wouldn't be likely to talk about. So, it's very possible that many writers don't have to deal with this issue.
I think you covered both sides of the pen name debate. Good job! Now, I am wondering if all romance is written by women and men using a woman's name. I cannot recall ever seeing a man's name as the author of a romance novel. What do you think?
New questions.
Trail is your third sci-fi book, and you are working on a fourth. Do you plan to keep writing individual book or do you have plans for a series or perhaps a trilogy?
When you get an idea for a new book, what do you do to keep from losing the idea?
Do you brainstorm with non-writers and if so, is it effective?

Stanley Straub link

9/3/2018 01:00:14 am

I think you have a valid observation regarding romance books being written only by woman. I think the majority, if not all, are written by a woman or a man using a pseudonym. To me, it just seems more appealing to have a woman's name on the cover of a romance book. I believe that most romance readers are women. So, if a man's name was on the cover of a romance book, I don't think it would sell as well.
Do I plan on writing individual books or have plans for a series?
At the moment, I plan on writing individual books. However, I've thought that I might plan a series in the future. Many people told me that they thought I was going to write a sequence to my first book, "The Killer Within" I thought about it, but then came up with "The Segmented Tail" instead.
When I get an idea for a new book, what do I do to keep from losing the idea?
When I get a new idea, I make a note, on my computer, and write down my thoughts about it, the title and basic ideas about the story. That way, I can go back to my notes and it won't be lost. For instance, my new book, "The Terminus List" started with a page of notes. Now, I'm typing away on it and make changes to my note page if I think of something new.
Do I brainstorm with non-writers?
No, I tell my wife about my new book, but I don't brainstorm with her or anyone else. I create the book in my mind and with my own creative thoughts.

Mark

9/3/2018 12:56:01 pm

I think the idea of keeping notes is a good one. Keeping that original note page updated is a very good idea. I bet it helps you to stay on track with the original vision. Is this similar to the idea of plotting out a book in advance?
Do you write a summary page for each chapter?
How about Character sheets or style sheets for the whole book, to preserve a certain amount of uniformity in the story?

Stanley C Straub link

9/4/2018 12:43:48 am

Is having a note page similar to plotting out a book in advance?
Somewhat, however it's not as complete as plotting out a book. When you plot out a book you then try to follow that plot. I like the flexibility of being able to create the story as I go and change it if I feel a need to change it.
Do I write a summary page for each chapter?
No, I have never done that. I write each chapter and then move on to the next. I've never felt a need to write a summary of each chapter.
How about style or character sheets?
No, I don't do that either. I keep track of styles and traits in my head and make notes on my note page. I will go back and check a style or trait if I think I need to.

Mark

9/4/2018 09:46:11 am

So, you sound like you are mostly a pantster when it comes to writing. If I were a writer, I would probably do a lot of plotting.
New questions.
Do you write your books in a linear fashion? That is, do you write the chapters in sequential order?
Would you agree with the statement: suffering is a requirement to be a good writer?
Have you ever read a book that changed the way you look at writing?

Stanley C Straub link

9/4/2018 01:00:27 pm

Do I write my books in a linear fashion?
Yes I start with a sentence, get it the way I want it, and then continue adding sentences and paragraphs until I feel that the first chapter is complete. Then, I add the next chapters, sequentially, until the final chapter.
Do I agree that suffering is a part of being a good writer?
I guess if that's what it takes to be a good writer, then I'll never make it. :) I've never suffered with my writing or without it. Maybe, I'm a rare bird, but I like writing without suffering. There is enough suffering in the world and I'll try to leave it to others. I hope that my writing will bring a little enjoyment to those that do suffer.
Have I ever read a book that changed the way I look at writing?
I can't say that there was one book that changed the way I looked at writing. I love all books, both reading and writing, and I would say that all the books that I;ve read, both technical and fictional have contributed to my writing style. I've spent many hours reading Science Fiction books, reading grammar books, and many, many literary books. My writing style is unique and is a result of all the books I've read.

Mark

9/4/2018 01:45:51 pm

Excellent. You are a lucky man! Keep doing what you are doing, because it works for you!
You and I both love sci-fi books, I especially enjoy time-travel stories. Do you have a favorite sub-genre of sci-fi? How about beyond sci-fi, what are other favorite genres to read?
How about poetry? Do you read any, have you written any poetry? If you have, does it rhyme or not?

Stanley C Straub link

9/4/2018 02:57:48 pm

Do I have a favorite sub-genre of sci-fi?
I like time travel also and realistic stories. I would say I like hard Sci-fi the best.
What other genres do I like to read?
I like action and adventure novels and mysteries and, believe it or not, an occasional romance novel,.
Do I like poetry and have I written any?
Yes, I like poetry and I have written some. I wrote my wife many poems, before she passed away in 2012, a poem every year for her birthday. I also wrote a poem, titled "Our Town" about the town I lived in, Cottage Grove Oregon. It was published in the local newspaper. I've written several poems for
special occasions, like anniversaries and birthdays. All the poems I write, rhyme. I actually enjoy writing poems, but don't do it too often.

Mark

9/4/2018 05:12:17 pm

Very interesting! We have many of the same tastes in literature. I had never read a romance story until a few years ago. There are some good writers in the romance field!
While we are on the topic of romance, have you ever thought of sharing those poems you wrote your late wife? That could be very touching and well received.
More questions.
There are many unethical practices in publishing, which one is the most unbearable? Do you know anyone who has fallen prey to an unscrupulous operator?
What is the most important thing you learned from publishing your latest book?
What are three things, that you wish you knew before you wrote your first book?

Stanley C Straub link

9/5/2018 12:58:55 am

What are the most unethical practies in publishing?
Charging writers to publish their book. The one that is most unbearable to me is charging for reviews. I don't personally know of anyone who has fallen prey to these but I would be willing to bet that there has been many. I'm very cautious when it comes to paying for anything. I was extremely lucky to have found you, Mark. I knew after talking with you that you were an honest person and you really wanted to help writers. I appreciate someone that is honest and has integrity.
What is the most important thing I learned from publishing The Trail in the Woods?
I learned that writing is fun and editing is very important. I did more editing on this latest book than I've ever done. However, as careful as I was and as much editing as I did, you were still able to find errors. For that, I'm very appreciative and would recommend you to any writer.
What are three things I wish I would have know before writing my first book?
1) I wish I would have known how hard it would be to write a book. 2) I wish I would have known how hard it would be to get a traditional publsher to publish my book. I had assumed that once I wrote my "masterpiece" that publishers would line up at the door. I sent query after query and after many rejections, I finally decided to self-publish. 3) I wish I would have known how much editing I would have to do. I rewrote the book about a zillion times and still had trouble deciding when enough editing was enough.

Mark

9/5/2018 09:58:01 am

Those are pretty hard on any author. I must surmise that there are enough authors that fall for the scam or these literary predators would go out of business.
Self-editing is important and very difficult to achieve 100% error eradication. Otherwise, I would find more than one book a year without spelling errors.
Assuming that publishers would knock the door down to get your "masterpiece" seems to be a common dream of all beginning authors. Hundreds of rejections can be very soul-crushing. It does take a strong ego and a lot of grit to get a first book published.
New questions.
Have received a letter from Ama-zon KDP and CreateSpace about the two being merged? What are your thoughts about that?
I read several blogs and am hearing that some writers are done putting all their eggs in the Ama-zon basket. Some are actively working with other vendors such as Kobo, Goodreads (which Ama-zon owns), Barnes and Noble, and others. I have just followed @publishDrive they are working in many different countries, providing emerging markets for authors. They are making inroads into China, several hundred million readers hungry for books written outside of China. What do you think of that?
Do you have any interest in opening your own publishing house? I see more and more authors doing exactly that.

Stanley C Straub link

9/5/2018 12:35:37 pm

What do I think about the merger between CreateSpace and KDP?
I published my first book The Killer Within with CreateSpace and then when I read rumors that Amazon was going to do away with CreateSpace, I started using KDP for my publishing. I didn't like having two publishers from the same company, Amazon. I like dealing with one company and so far I like using KDP. In some ways, they are easier to use. I design my own covers, and I find KDP is easier for setting up my book cover. KDP is very responsive if I want to make any changes to my book.
What do I think about going with other publishers?
I might try them in the future. It will depend on what they offer, I'll have to do more research on them. I think the idea of publishing with a Chinese company sounds intriguiging. I might try them for my next book, but a lot will depend on what they offer and how easy they are to use, I definitely like the idea of having many more readers eager to buy books outside of China.
Do I have any interest in opening my own publishing house?
No, no interest at all at this time. I love writing and have no desire to take on the headaches of publishing.

Mark

9/5/2018 02:01:15 pm

That's interesting to know you have worked both sides of that fence. I can't think of any real reason for an e-publisher to not be responsive, since the author does most of the work.
I don't think I mentioned it, but I liked the cover for Trail. It has a mysterious air about it with the fog enshrouded trees.
I think it might be well worth your time to take a look at @publishDrive, I was very impressed by their setup and plans.
New questions.
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer to enhance your career?
Do you think you were born to write or did you have to learn the craft?
What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
Very good, I will not be adding you to my list of publishers, until further notice.

Stanley C Straub link

9/5/2018 02:33:33 pm

Thank you for the recommendation. I'll definitely check out @PublishDrive. Also, thank you for your comment on my book cover. It was fun designing it and it probably helps that I have an artistic mind. I've done photography in the past and I've done oil painting.
What was the best money I've spent to enhance my writing career?
I'm a very careful and cautious money spender. I probably get that from my dad. So, I try to only spend money on things that will bring positive results. To be honest with you, the money I spent for your services has been the best money I've spent .to enhance my writing career.
Do I think I was born go be a writer or did I have to learn the craft?
I believe that I actually was born to be a writer. However, there's a difference between being a writer and being a good writer. Being a good writer doesn't come with being born. It comes with lots of writing and rewriting. Having a feeling for how words flow and go together is something I feel that I was born with. The grammar is something I learned in school and by reading many grammar books. I have an ability to quickly put words together and make them flow. I don't think that is something that you can learn.
What is the most difficult part of my artistic process?
Making sure that a story flows from opening sentence to the final sentence. The story has to mesh from beginning to end. Otherwise, readers will notice that things are not quite right. To me, it's like writing a poem. The poem should be continuous and should flow from opening stanza to the final stanza.

Mark

9/5/2018 03:22:57 pm

Thank you, Stan, I did not expect such a high compliment. I was thinking you might have gone on a retreat or bought a marketing course. I am honored greatly by your comment.
There certainly a big difference between being a writer and a good writer. There are so many ways to build the magic of good reading, and almost as many ways to break the spell! Poor grammar and invisible spelling errors are two of the easiest means to ruin a great story.
New questions.
Do you have a hidden message in your writings for a particular person or group?
What did you buy with your first royalty check?
How did you celebrate when you published this book?

Stanley C Straub link

9/5/2018 03:37:08 pm

Do I have a hidden message in my writing?
Not really, I try to write the story for everyone and not to try to push something like political, religious, or my own view. I believe in treating everyone on an equal basis and hope that they'll like my writing for what it is, a story. I don't believe in pushing hidden agendas. It's hard enough just to write the story.
What did I buy with my firsgt royalty check?
I bought as much as I could with the check, a cup of coffee. I'm still waiting for the "BIG" royalties to pour in to take a cruise. :)
How did I celebrate when I published this book?
I took my wife out to dinner. I thought she deserved it after all her support and putting up with my seclusive writing. BTW, writing is somewhat seclusive. It's hard to be a social animal when you're writing.

Mark

9/5/2018 04:29:26 pm

I bet that was a nice cup of coffee, in a gold-plated cup! Obviously, quite a bit short of the reality you hoped for when you started writing. How did you deal with that? What did you tell yourself when you realize the size of that first check?
Taking your wife out is a good choice. I am sure she sacrificed a lot to assist you. My wife barely sees me most of the day! I am secluded in my office for hours at a time. Fortunately, a bathroom is right beside me.
New questions.
When you have a concept in mind for a book, do you do a lot of research or wait until you need to answer a question? Do you write your research notes by hand or on the computer?
What software do you use to write and publish your books?
What was the earliest experience that made you realize that you could influence and change lives with the power of writing?

Stanley C Straub link

9/5/2018 04:57:46 pm

When I have a concept for a new book, do I do a lot of research first?
No, when I get a concept, I usually just start writing and do research later as needed.
What do I use for research notes?
I use my computer for research, to write notes, and to write my book.
What do I use for software to write and publish my books?
I use Word. I use Spell Checker, free version, for editing. Free version takes longer, but is free and effective. Not perfect, but effective.
What experience did I have that made me realize I could change and influence lives with my writing?
I've never thought that I could do that. Maybe, I haven't accomplished enough fan base yet to make me think that I could do it. When I wrote my first book, I thought about people enjoying a funny part or thing I wrote into the story. However, I've never really given it much thought. Perhaps if I start getting more readers, I'll think more about it. I think that some of the well-known writers do have influence. I'm not known enough to do much influencing. I have a hard enough time influencing myself.

Mark

9/5/2018 07:16:15 pm

You might be thinking too big about influence, each person who enjoys your writing has been impacted by you. One of the many things I like about your books is the respect you show your characters. You treat them well. Your writing is positive also, it lifts up rather than tearing down. You have good stuff going on without even realizing it, perhaps. Keep it up.
New questions.
Do you subscribe to any magazines, newsletters, blogs or podcasts that enhance your writing career?
Do you believe that a good book will sell itself?
On the other hand, do you think good marketing can overcome the limitations of a mediocre book?

Stanley C Straub link

9/5/2018 09:26:44 pm

Mark, thank you for your kind words. I never really thought about my writing influencing people.
Do I subscribe to any magazines, blogs, or podcasts that enhance my career?
No, I don't subscribe to any to enhance my career.
Do I think a good book will sell itself?
No, I think it takes a lot of work and a lot of luck to sell books. There are millions of writers and books every year and for a writer to sell his book he has to make his standout above the other millions. I've tried almost everything short of paying big bucks to try and sell my books and so far I haven't gotten many results. I've even started my own Website, Stanleystraubauthor.com in hopes of it helping to sell, but so far I haven't seen any results from it. Maybe I'm naive but I keep hoping that all my effort will someday pay off. I'm also hoping that interviews like this will help.
Do I think good marketing can overcome a mediocre book?
To some extent, yes. However, to overcome a mediocre book, I believe a writer would have to spend a lot of money for marketing or be awfully good at marketing. There are thousands of people on the Internet that claim to be fantastic marketer's and just encourage writers to give them money and let them do it all. Some of them are probably good, but too many of them are just scammers after a poor writer's money.

Mark

9/5/2018 11:28:24 pm

It does take a lot of work. A long time ago, it was much easier, because writing was very hard with a just a typewriter; I think a larger percentage of the population read books also.
One of my guest bloggers wrote a great piece about finding the first 1000 readers. I think it's quite good, so I will post the link: https://www.wordrefiner.com/guest-blogs/writing-tips-grab-your-first-1000-readers .
You are wise to be careful, I don't make huge claims, I prefer to under-promise and over-deliver.
New questions.
Which of your books is your favorite, and why?
Do you have any problems when writing about characters of the opposite sex, why or why not?
How do you balance the demands on your time as a writer with personal relationships?

Stanley C Straub link

9/6/2018 12:15:35 am

Which of my books is my favorite and why?
My favorite is The Killer Within. It’s my favorite because it was my first book and I poured my heart and soul into it. I
Do I have any problem writing about the opposite sex. No, I feel comfortable writing about either sex or anything in between. I believe I can put myself in the mind of the character I’m writing about. I can even put myself in the mind of something like the Tribulator that’s in The Trail in the Woods. I would think that most good writers should be able to do That.
How do you balance your writing time with your personal relationships?
If you ask my wife, I don’t. 😀 In all honesty, I try to write in the mornings and leave most of the rest of the day for personal relationships. However, sometimes writing takes top priority. 😀😀😀

Mark

9/6/2018 12:17:27 pm

I enjoyed "The Killer Within" quite a bit. Which of all of your books has sold the best so far, ball park estimate? The Tribulator character reveal was rather shocking in more ways than one.
I am retired now, I spend almost all my time in my upstairs office, reading, proofreading, and working my business. I try to respond to my wife, whenever she needs me for something.
New questions.
Earlier, we talked about if you feel energized or weakened when you are writing. Let's go a little deeper about that. Does writing have a spiritual or healing component for you?
How long have you been a full-time writer, and how much time did it take you to make the transition from part time?
Regarding this book, did you have pieces of the story that were removed from this book? If, so why did you remove them?

Stanley C Straub link

9/6/2018 01:58:07 pm

Does writing have a spiritual or healing effect for me?
It does have a healing effect because I get so immensed in the story that I can forget about any problems. I can't say it's spiritual but it is soothing. So, maybe, down deep, there is a little spiritual help.
How long have I been a full time writer and how long did it take to transition?
I've been a fulltime writer only for the last four years. I wrote off and on for years and then my first wife passed away in 2012. We'd been married almost 52 years and I was devastated and went into seclusion. Then, I met my current wife in 2013 and came out of my doldrums and decided to jump into writing with all four feet. So, once I decided to go fulltime, it was a matter of hitting the deck and taking off running. Transitioning from part time to fulltime was immediate.
Did I remove pieces of The Trail in the Woods?
No, I wrote it sequentially, edited it, and published it. I did remove a lot of pieces from my first book because they didn't contribute to the story and just added a lot of fluff. I think it was just part of the editing process. In fact, sometimes I think I should go back and take out a lot more of it and do a lot more editing, but then I shrug it off and feel I would rather keep writing on new books.

Mark

9/6/2018 03:12:26 pm

I cannot imagine losing the one you love after 52 years. Devastating certainly describes that situation. I think I would be affected the same way. The only thing that might keep me going is our kids and grandkids.
Your new wife must be such a blessing for you!
I am glad you are planning to keep on writing. Your fans await your next book.
New questions.
What scenes do you find hard to write and why?
Did you have a favorite book as a child?
Do you have any other passions to pursue if you didn't write?

Stanley C Straub link

9/6/2018 04:46:47 pm

Thank you Mark! My new wife is a blessing. She lost her husband after over 53 years of marriage. We'll have been married 5 years on 21 December 2018 She's a sweetheart and we are so fortunate to have found each other.
What scenes do I find hard to write and why?
I find intimate scenes to be the hardest. I don't have a problem writing them, but trying to make sure that it's not offensive and conveys what I want it to convey without being too graphic, is hard. Some authors throw out the f-word like it was an everyday word, which actually anymore it is. However, I'm old fashioned and, it bothers me somewhat, to use it without caution.
Did I have a favorite book as a child?
Yes, the one I loved was "Keeper of the Bees" written by Gene Stratton Porter in 1937. I liked it so well that a couple of years ago I found a copy on eBay and bought it.
Do I have any other passions to pursue if I didn't write?
I've done some oil painting and would probably pursue it more. I like doing it.

Mark

9/6/2018 05:43:10 pm

Blessings are certainly multiplied when shared by two people! I am happy for you both!
That book is almost as old as you are. ;-) Very cool that you were able to find a copy of that. I did a little bit of painting in high school, drawing seemed to be more my groove.
New questions.
On average, how long does it take you to write a book?
Have you ever developed a fondness or attachment to one of your characters?
Have you ever killed off a character unwillingly because it fit the plot?

Stanley C Straub link

9/6/2018 05:58:03 pm

"That book is almost as old as you are". (Shhh) Thank you for the kind words about being happy for us both.
On average how long does it take me to write a book?
About six to eight months. I could probably crank them out much faster, but my personal life gets in the way. :)
Have I ever attached a fondness to one of my characters?
Yes, Bob in my first book. He was basically me and I was fond of him. lol
Have I ever killed off a character willingly becaise it fit the plot?
No, I haven't (yet) but I would have no problem doing it if it was part of the story.

Mark

9/6/2018 08:29:20 pm

Writing a book in less than a year is pretty good. It won't take too long to build up quite a library. That will put you ahead of a lot of authors that take years to write one book.
you killed off a number of characters in Trail, but none of the major or middle characters were terminated, that was good planning.
New questions.
Have you read any fictional books that have changed your perception of that style of writing?
When you have a difficult section in a WIP have you ever read that section out loud to sort out a difficulty?
Do the reviews of your books make an impact on how you write subsequent books?

Stanley C Straub link

9/6/2018 09:07:19 pm

Have I read any fictional books that changed my perception of that style of writing?
No one particular book stands out. I think my style is a combination of all of them.
Have I ever read a section outloud if I was having trouble with it?
No, I read it to myself, but have never read it outloud to try to work it out. If I have a section that doesn't seem right, I read it to myself a bunch of times and edit it until it sounds right.
Do the reviews of my books impact how I write subsequent books?
Yes, they do, especially the negative ones. I read the negative ones several times to see if the person writing the review has a valid point. Then, if I conclude that the person wasn't just being offensive, I try to incorporate the necessary changes into subsequent books. I feel that negative reviews can hopefully make me a better writer.

Mark

9/6/2018 09:53:07 pm

You do have a unique style, influences are just that, influences. Your writing is your own, no one can tell the story you can.
That is a good attitude towards negative reviews. Some can be very useful.
New questions.
Is it hard or easy to connect with your muse, why do you think it is that way?
Do your friends and family members buy your books?

Stanley C Straub link

9/6/2018 10:51:44 pm

Is it hard or easy to connect with your muse, why do you think it is that way?
Maybe I'm lucky, but I've found it easy to connect with my muse. I feel it's like getting in a groove and I sit down to write and I connect up almost immediately with my muse. I think it may be that way because I have a natural ability to connect.
Do your friends and family members buy your books?
Very few have actually bought my book. I do give books away to some family members and friends.

Mark

9/7/2018 11:37:36 am

Compared to what I've heard on Twitter, you are a very lucky man, to have such a cooperative muse. So many moan about their muse being MIA.
New questions.
You mentioned that you do your writing in the morning time. Do you ever get ideas during other times of the day? Do ideas ever wake you up in the middle of the night? Chris Knoblaugh mentioned she gets her best ideas at 2 am on a regular basis.
For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or print books?
What books are you reading at present?

Stanley C Straub link

9/7/2018 12:18:28 pm

You mentioned that you do your writing in the morning time. Do you ever get ideas during other times of the day? Do ideas ever wake you up in the middle of the night?
The reason I mainly write in the morning is because I get up before my wife does and I can write while she's sleeping. I also get ideas in the night and at other times. I've woken up many times with an idea at 2 am. I don't write then, but I do as soon as I get up. If it's a new book or something unique to the book I'm working on, I write on it first thing in the morning or add it to my note page.
For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or print books?
I prefer printed books.
What books are you reading at present?
I'm currently reading "On writing" by Stephen King.

Mark

9/7/2018 12:46:34 pm

I bought that book not very long ago, I haven't had the chance to read it yet. Why did you buy it? What were you hoping to get out of it? How much of it have you read?

Stanley C Straub link

9/7/2018 05:40:05 pm

I bought that book (Stephen King "On Writing") not very long ago, I haven't had the chance to read it yet. Why did you buy it? What were you hoping to get out of it? How much of it have you read?
I bought it because I read that writers should read it. I was hoping to gain better writing skills. I'm up to page 26. I think he's definitely a good writer. Hopefully, it'll help me become a better writer. I keep trying to become a better writer and I buy any books that seem to point me that way.

Mark

9/7/2018 07:22:39 pm

Let me know your thoughts when you finish it. I am interested.
I hope your day is going well, I have been proofing quite a bit, I am on the second pass through this book, it is the slowest pass of three. I am going line by line.
New questions.
Do you proofread and edit your own books or use a professional?
Is using Twitter and other social media part of your marketing strategy?
Have you received any feedback on a story that influenced the next book?

Stanley Straub link

9/7/2018 07:45:34 pm

Do you proofread and edit your own books or use a professional?
Like I said, "I'm a cheapskate". I proofread and edit my own books. I could do a better job if I went over the manuscript more carefully before submitting it for publication. Or, I could have my books proofread by you, a professional, which someday I might. I would have no qualms about having you do it because I know it would be done right.
Is using Twitter and other social media part of your marketing strategy?
Yes, but so far I've found that it's not as useful as I had hoped, at least not the paid marketing on Facebook and Twitter. I'm hoping that by doing marketing posts on all available social media, including my own Website at https://stanleystraubauthor.com/, will help. I think as an author we need to take advantage of everything we can unless it appears we're just throwing away our money, which sometimes it does feel that way.
Have you received any feedback on a story that influenced the next book?
Not actual feedback. However, the feedback via book reviews that I've received have influenced my writing. I read the reviews very carefully and use the information as feedback. Although it's not actual feedback, it serves the same purpose and I feel it's helped make me a better writer.

Mark

9/7/2018 08:51:36 pm

I certainly understand about being careful with your money. I am also. I would be honored to work with you on a future book.
You are not the first to express chagrin about buying ads on Facebook and Twitter. I think you are on the right track by using every available platform. I am thinking about expanding onto Google plus with my business, my son has encouraged me many times.
New questions.
Have you tried a promotional price of $0.99 or giving a book away for free?
Have you ever thought about doing an audio book?
What do you think about book trailers?

Stanley Straub link

9/7/2018 09:16:09 pm

Have you tried a promotional price of $0.99 or giving a book away for free?
Yes, I've done the $0.99 cent promotion and the "free" promotion. My free promotion resulted in lots of people getting a free Kindle copy of my book "The Segmented Tail" but neither of the promotions resulted in any reviews or sales. I have another "free" promotion coming up later on. I keep hoping that people will get a free one and that will start sales. However, it may be more hope than reality.
Have you ever thought about doing an audio book?
Yes, I've thought about doing an audio book but I haven't done it (yet). I don't know that much about doing them. I think I saw some ads on the Internet about doing them. I think they could help and may have to give it a try someday.
What do you think about book trailers?
I think book trailers would be a good way to go and I've looked into it some but haven't done it yet. Not sure how to do a book trailer. I think you can buy one on the Fiverr market place for a reasonable cost.

Mark

9/7/2018 11:30:20 pm

Quite a few authors use a free book giveaway on their website, to build a mailing list for a future newsletter.
I have lists of people who provide services to authors in many categories including audio books and book trailers. Not all authors are sold on book trailers. The next time you see one, ask the author about the results, it might be interesting.
I think I could not do an audio book because of an old speech impediment. Unless the book was about stammering or Mel Tillis.
New questions.
Is there a favorite novel that you wish your name was on?
What famous person living or dead would you like to meet? A famous author?
What are your thoughts about mentoring beginning writers?

Stanley C Straub link

9/8/2018 10:53:08 am

Is there a favorite novel that you wish your name was on?
No, believe it or not, I'm perfectly happy with my name on my favorite book, "The Trail in the Woods". There are many great books that are my favorites but I feel that the author's name that is on them belongs there.
What famous person living or dead would you like to meet? A famous author?
I would like to meet Stephen King. He's a famous author and has a special knack for putting words together. I like his style.
What are your thoughts about mentoring beginning writers?
Mentoring beginning writers sounds like fun. However, I think it would be too time-consuming and would take away from my own writing. I'm retired, loving it, and happily married. Both take up most of my time. They are what define me and I don't want to take time away from either of them.

Mark

9/8/2018 12:04:37 pm

Stephen King is a prolific writer. He is credited with writing 50 some books. Have you read very many of his books? Of the books you have read, do you have a favorite?
Mentoring is pretty gratifying. It did not take very much of my time, only a few hours a month. Over the last several years I have been mentoring teens who want to be writers. Most of them have moved on to college now and are out of the area. So my mentoring is on pause at the moment.
New questions.
What is your favorite motivational phrase that keeps you going?
What books do you think every author should read, and why?

Stanley Straub link

9/8/2018 01:16:32 pm

Stephen King is a prolific writer. He is credited with writing 50 some books. Have you read very many of his books? Of the books you have read, do you have a favorite?
I've read several of his books. My favorite Stephen King book is Carrie which was his first book and came out in 1974.
What is your favorite motivational phrase that keeps you going?
I have many motivational phrases, but my favorite one is “Life is short. Enjoy it to the fullest. You only get one chance unless God or Science Fiction intervenes.”
What books do you think every author should read, and why?
I believe that every author should read books in their genre. One book I'm reading now which I recommend for all writers, is "On Writing" by Stephen King. Another book which I recommend is "Guide to Fiction Writing" by Phyllis A.Whitney. A good self-editing book is "Self-Editing for Fiction Writers" by Renni Browne and Dave King. A great book for marketing which I highly recommend is "1001 Ways to Market Your Book" by John Kremer. Other than these recommended books, I believe that writers should read every book they can on writing.

Patricia Earnest link

9/8/2018 12:04:34 pm

If somebody wanted to get an autographed copy, is that possible? How might they go about it?

Stanley Straub link

9/8/2018 12:54:19 pm

Hi Patricia,
That's a great question and I'm happy you asked.
I'll assume that you are a self-published author like me and want to offer your autographed book(s) for sale. It's not easy to get autographed copies of your book to buyers. One way is to sign the books and sell them locally, which I do at my downtown bookstore. Another way is to offer signed books on a Website and then send them to buyers. I've done it and it works, but you need to have buyers pay for the book and shipping charges. If you're on FaceBook, you can have a drawing and give away signed copies. Great for promotion but costs you some money to buy the books and then ship them even if using Media Mail. You can also just offer the signed books for sale on Facebook or other Social Media. I've used all of these methods and they work.

Mark

9/8/2018 01:46:36 pm

Hi Patricia, thanks for dropping in. That is a pretty good answer Stan provided.Is that what you were looking for?
How is the new book coming along?

Mark

9/8/2018 01:33:51 pm

I love that quote "Life is short. Enjoy it to the fullest. You only get one chance unless God or Science Fiction intervenes." I am sure a wise person said that. ;-)
Thank you for that list of books, I have the self-editing book by Browne and King. It has been useful for me.
Another useful book is The Copyeditor's Handbook by Amy Einsohn.
New questions.
Is there something, as a writer, you feel you need the most improvement in?
Is there a genre you have secretly wanted to try your hand at, but haven’t yet? What genre is that, if you don't mind letting the cat out of the bag?

Stanley C Straub link

9/8/2018 01:47:54 pm

Thank you for recommending The Copy Editor's Handbook. I'll have to get that one and use it.
Is there something, as a writer, you feel you need the most improvement in?
Yes, I think I need to improve my sentence structuring and use of grammar. I'm always trying to improve the grammar I use and to write tighter sentences.
Is there a genre you have secretly wanted to try your hand at, but haven’t yet? What genre is that, if you don't mind letting the cat out of the bag?
I've always wanted to write a Romance Novel. I've started a few but haven't finished one (yet).

Mark

9/8/2018 05:40:42 pm

The Copy Editor's Handbook covers a lot of ground, it has a good index and I turn to it first for my questions.
Except for Fantasy and certain types of Literary Fiction, tighter sentences is the mantra of the moment. We don't see very many florid or turgid descriptions any more. What used to be considered flowery prose is now castigated as verbosity and overly abundant loquaciousness, if the stringent boundaries are exceeded. Something like my last few sentences, actually. I am glad that pendulum has not swung to the point of ridiculousness, I still enjoy a well-turned phrase.
New questions.
Have you ever gone on an organized writer's retreat?
How about attending a seminar or lecture to improve certain skills a self-publishing writer needs to know?

Stanley C Straub link

9/8/2018 06:06:12 pm

Have you ever gone on an organized writer's retreat?
No, I've never gone on an organized or an unorganized writer's retreat. I belonged to a writer's group when I lived in Cottage Grove Oregon. However, I've never joined a writer's group since moving here to Lebanon Oregon. My wife and I are really home-bodies and spend as much time together as possible. It may be hard to believe, but we go everywhere together. It was the same way with my first wife. Seems to work well for a long and happy married life. :)
How about attending a seminar or lecture to improve certain skills a self-publishing writer needs to know?
I never have, for the same reason as mentioned in the previous question. However, I have attended on-line courses, Webinars, and read a lot of information about self-publishing online.

Mark

9/8/2018 06:21:55 pm

I think you are onto something there, spending time with your wife pays good dividends; I have discovered the same thing. We are home-bodies most of the time also.
Which of the online courses has been most educational and profitable for you? Is there a course or two you would take again?
Have you heard of Willamette Writers? They are a statewide organization, here is the link: https://willamettewriters.org/ This might be useful for you.
New question.
Outside of writing, is there a cause you are passionate about? Why is it important to you?

Stanley C Straub link

9/8/2018 08:35:48 pm

Thank you for the Willamette Writers suggestion. I have not heard of them and will check them out.
Which of the online courses has been most educational and profitable for you? Is there a course or two you would take again?
I did two Writer's Digest Webinars. They were both useful but I can't say they produced a profit. At least, not immediately. However, I did use the information I gained from them so I guess I could say that in the long run, they helped produce a profit. The first was "How to Write Compelling, Authentic Dialogue – “Voices in Your Head” By: Brian A. Klems in 2013. The second one I did was "Self-Publishing 101: What Writers Need to Know to Succeed at Self-Publishing" By: Sue Johnson in 2015. I thought both of these courses were interesting and had useful information. I'd probably take the Self-Publishing course again.
Outside of writing, is there a cause you are passionate about? Why is it important to you?
I'm passionate about my writing, my wife, my family, and life but I do not have any special causes that I'm passionate about. I know some writers and people do, but I am not one to push an agenda. There's enough people doing it without me trying to do that.

Mark

9/8/2018 09:10:56 pm

Good information and great answers again. We are a lot alike in many ways, it seems.
Are you planning on taking another course anytime soon? What course would that be?
What course would you take if money was not an issue?

Stanley C Straub link

9/8/2018 09:40:13 pm

It does seem like we have a lot in common. I didn't realize until doing this interview that we are a lot alike. Coincidence or ???
Are you planning on taking another course anytime soon? What course would that be?
No, I'm not planning on taking another course for awhile. I have to get back to my writing and get my new book, "The Terminus List" completed. Too many books to write and too many things to do.
What course would you take if money was not an issue?
If money wasn't an issue, I would probably be interested in taking a course like Mastering Amazon for authors by Writer's Digest. That would be amazing to learn how to master the book seller itself. Almost any author would like to know how to do that. :)

Mark

9/9/2018 04:52:40 pm

Writer's Digest sure has a lot of stuff for writers, imagine that! ;-) It looks like some really great content. Do they still have a magazine? I seem to recall seeing it on a news stand a long time ago. I wondered how much the Amazon course was, The course is active right now, but I couldn't find a price. I bet it's not free. It does sound like a good course.
New Questions.
What are the easiest parts of writing for you and the hardest?
What is the message, moral, or takeaway that you hope people will get from reading your book? Is there more than one message or is the message different with each book?

Stanley C Straub link

9/9/2018 08:02:04 pm

What are the easiest parts of writing for you and the hardest?
The hardest part is getting the time to write. Being married and trying to make that part my priority, makes it hard to work in as much writing as I'd like. Once I start writing, the words flow easily. I don't really find any part of writing a book that's harder than another part. It's just finding the time. I could lock myself in my room and write, but I'd probably get in trouble. (LOL)
What is the message, moral, or takeaway that you hope people will get from reading your book? Is there more than one message or is the message different with each book?
I don't try to convey a message in my books. My hope is that they read the book and enjoy it. I write for my readers. The only take away is that when they finish the book I'd like them to say, I liked the book and the ending surprised me." There's not more than one message in the books I write. There's only one message and that's enjoy it.

Stanley C Straub link

9/9/2018 07:51:18 pm

Hi Mark,
How much does the The "Mastering Amazon for Author's course" cost?
$375.
Does Writer's Digest still put out a magazine?
Yes, Writer's Digest still has a monthly magazine. You can get eight issues of Writer's Digest magazine is $19.96

Mark

9/9/2018 08:56:24 pm

I ask that question about a message because I frequently see one in a book, sometimes it is obvious to the point of being painful. I when I don't discern a moral or message I wonder if I missed it.
New questions, since we are on a roll.
What type of environment is best for your writing? Noise, quiet, public, private?
On average, how many words do you write at a time or how long do you spend writing in one stretch?

Stanley C Straub link

9/9/2018 09:19:25 pm

What type of environment is best for me?
I like it quiet when when I’m writing on a book. I need the quiet so that I can concentrate on my story. I like to sit in in my office. It doesn’t bother me if my wife is in the room. She has her computer to look at. I stop writing if she needs something. I can’t concentrate and write well in public. Too much interference.
How much do I write and for how long during each session?
I normally write for one to two hours at a time. Probably the average would be two hours. I can usually write a couple of pages or more. Once I get in a groove, the words can really flow. Then, how much I write depends on whether I feel like I need to rewrite something because it doesn’t read right. I write a section, maybe a paragraph or two, and then read it to make sure it sounds right. If it doesn’t sound correct, revise it until it does sound right.

Mark

9/10/2018 12:50:36 pm

It sounds like you have a system that really works for you. I need quiet also when I am proofreading. When I am reading, quiet is not nearly as important. If I am deep into a book, I don't even hear most noises. I usually have the radio on and It gives me something to concentrate against.
New questions.
You have been working on your website. What is the link? Who did you build it with and why did you choose them?
When you are writing, is it hard to think of names? Is it hard to think of a title for your books?

Stanley C Straub link

9/10/2018 01:17:29 pm

You have been working on your website. What is the link? Who did you build it with and why did you choose them?
The link to my Website is https://stanleystraubauthor.com/
I used Wordpress to build my site, mainly because they are easy to use and relatively cheap (less than a hundred dollars a year), and had themes that I liked. It takes a little work, but I think the results are worth it. My Website gives readers a good way to connect up with me. I keep updating the site to hopefully give readers more value. I've now added a free children's eBook that I wrote.
When you are writing, is it hard to think of names? Is it hard to think of a title for your books?
I seem to be lucky at choosing names for characters and titles. Sometimes, for character names, I go to the Internet and get lists of boys or girls names and then choose the one's that I think are the best suited for my story. I actually like choosing names, places, and titles. Sometimes it is a little challenging, but I feel it's fun.

Mark

9/10/2018 03:41:06 pm

Your website does look nice. I downloaded the children's book and will read it later, it looks cute.
New questions.
Has your writing today changed much from your first book?
Have you ever thought of rewriting an early book, why or why not?

Stanley C Straub link

9/10/2018 04:04:21 pm

Thank you for checking out my Website.
Has your writing today changed much from your first book?
I think it has. I'm a better and faster writer than I was when I wrote my first book. I was just starting and since then I've learned a lot. I'm able to create better characters, make covers, and my grammar has improved considerably. It took me forever to write my first book and now I can crank them out much faster.
Have you ever thought of rewriting an early book, why or why not?
I've thought about rewriting them but for now I'm happy writing new books. I may someday rewrite one. I rewrote "The Killer Within" so many times that I thought I was an editor. With all of that, it still needs improvement. However, that may be for another day. For now, I'm happy the way they are and happy to be writing new stories.

Mark

9/10/2018 05:35:04 pm

I love that you have a clear vision of what you want to do. You have priorities and the will to work on them.
Earlier, you talked about the poems you have written. Would you like to share one or two? We have had many visitors to the interview, only one actually popped in with a question; which is okay. Thanks again, Patricia. I think others would like a sample of your poetry.

Stanley C Straub link

9/10/2018 06:11:50 pm

Mark, I'd like to thank you for the really great interview. I've gotten as much out of it as I've put into it. Great thought-provoking questions. I'd like to also thank Patricia for asking a question. Every question has been appreciated. I hope that everyone gets as much out of the interview as I have.
Would you like to share one or two?
Yes, happy to share them. I have written several poems over the years. Here are three poems for your enjoyment. The first one titled "Our Town" I wrote when I moved to Cottage Grove, Oregon from California. The poem was shown in the local newspaper, "The Sentinel". The second poem titled "Blue Oregon Skies" was written for my first wife, Linda, who passed away in 2012 after nearly 52 years of a beautiful marriage. The third poem titled "Our Love Story" was written for my current wife, Donna, who I've been happily married to now for almost five years. I couldn't have asked for better wives if I'd tried.
____________________________________________
"Our Town"
by S. C. Straub

Cottage Grove, Oregon is a beautiful place;
With historical buildings and a most colorful face.

It has covered bridges and bicycle trails;
And gold miners dreams full of memorable tales.

It has many good things to satisfy our wants;
Like a hospital, a theater, and several restaurants.

It’s a town with treasures too many to tell;
Churches, autumn leaves, and a coming carousel.

It also has golf courses, two to be exact;
Rodeo grounds, schools, rivers, and a racetrack.

Festivities are happening all the year round;
Fairs, Bohemia Mining Days, and parades abound.

The town is one that we can proudly share;
From its parks and two lakes to lots of fresh air.

For all of the people who live in and around;
Such a wonderful place to be, we call it Our Town.
____________________________________________
"Blue Oregon Skies"
by S. C. Straub

Blue skies and white puffy clouds make a beautiful Oregon day;
And only my lovely and beautiful Linda can enhance it in any way.

If heaven can be found on earth, then I have found it with you;
And it is here in the blue skies of Oregon that I'll stay forever true.

Our new home in Cottage Grove has a warm and inviting view;
And its charming embrace is improved only by the presence of you.

The blue skies of Oregon are where I'll spend the rest of my life;
And it will be lived with a beautiful girl and a most wonderful wife.

Today we celebrate together our anniversary number thirty-nine;
And it will once more be one that we'll cherish until the end of time.

I'm looking forward to another year with you in the Oregon sun;
And an anniversary which will be even better than any previous one.
____________________________________________ 21 December 2016

"Our Love Story"
by S. C. Straub

We both had love stories that lasted more than 50 years

But, those stories ended too soon and in tears

Our Love Story is unique and it was meant just for us

It's a story with a beginning and it is boundless

We got a second chance at life and it's been a wonderful ride

I'm so happy that you said yes and became my bride

You are a very special girl and I would be lost without you

With you by my side, our love will be forever true

Our love will continue forever and ever till the end of time

Forever, you'll always be mine
____________________________________________

I think that's enough for now. That's three of the many poems I've written over the years.

Again, in conclusion, I'd like to thank you again Mark. You're very professional and I would highly recommend your services to any writer. Your services are well worth every penny that you charge. In fact, they are a bargain.
Sincerely, Stan Straub

Mark

9/10/2018 08:21:30 pm

Thank you, Stan, for the fine compliments. Thank you also for sharing your poetry. I like what I see. You may have another field to be published in.
This time has been a lot of fun and most enjoyable. I will see you on twitter again, without a doubt.

The Trail in the Woods By Stanley C. Straub

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