It’s Wednesday, welcome to May and say hello to the first guest author of the month, Helen Henderson…
This Writer’s Life-(TWL)-Welcome to the Wednesday blog, happy to have you join us today. Introduce yourself and tell us about yourself, your writing and your books.
Thank you for having me. Although I have been published under Jesse Treon, the name on the majority of my title pages is Helen Henderson. Depending on the publisher it may or may not have my middle initial. I’m a former feature-story writer and correspondent, but my first love is fiction. The descendent of a coal-miner’s daughter and an aviation flight engineer, my heritage reflects the contrasts of my Gemini sign. This dichotomy shows in my writing which crosses genres from historical adventures and westerns to science fiction and fantasy. In the world of fantasy and romance fantasy, I am the author of the Dragshi Chronicles, The Windmaster Novels and the Tear Stone Collectors. My stand-alone works include the dark fantasy, Imprisoned in Stone and the multi-genre, military tribute anthology, Hearth and Sand.
No matter the genre or whether it is a short story, novella, or a series, I always invite my readers to invites you to join me on travels through the stars or among fantasy worlds of the imagination.
TWL-Why and when did you decide to become an author?
I was a writer long before I could call myself an author. I started writing my own tales almost as far back as I can remember. In those days, there were no computers or word processors. Just a number two pencil and lined paper to capture my imaginary adventures dreamed of while sitting in the shade of a huge, weeping willow tree. I hated parsing sentences and the outlining process so that the school assignments dampened the muse until she could no longer fly.
Writing computer code and the accompanying manuals were what could be considered my start as a professional writer. The technical material was followed by feature-story articles on topics of military and local history, travel, and antiques.
When times changed, I returned to my first love — fiction. Short stories were replaced by individual novels, and eventually several series.
TWL-What have you learned most from being a writer?
Typing “The End” is just the beginning. After the editing comes submission and contract, then more editing and more editing. Then the third and possibly the longest part of creating a novel, promotion and marketing.
TWL-What’s been your biggest victory?
Making the switch from non-fiction to fiction can be considered a victory. Common philosophy at the time was if you wrote technical material such as user manuals, you could not write for more general consumption. Three local histories and hundreds of articles proved it could be done. Then the nay-sayers said you couldn’t become a published author if your background was a writer of non-fiction. Eleven fiction titles later, I can call myself a writer and an author.
TWL-What writing tip would you offer to a new author?
While I practice “pass it along” and try to help the next generation of writers as I was helped, it is hard to give “advice” as such. Writing is just too individual an activity and our readers are just as varied. The tip involves something that works as a personal tip or one for the craft is “Create a notebook.”
I have a writer’s notebook where I jot down things such as observations, phrases that I want to remember, character names, and most of all, storyline ideas.
The craft version is a novel notebook (also called a series bible.) It consists of photographs that I use for inspiration, a running spreadsheet of the characters and more detailed information notes on the main character. Invaluable to keep spelling straight and to prevent too much repetition of similar-sounding names and remembering personal characteristics. Information on the world created such as the rules of magic, geography, and a summary of style/format rules fill other page. When the story is complete (yes, I am more plotter than pantser) a copy of the final version of the storyboard goes into the notebook. Some others include a chapter on the planned promotion and launch events.
What are you currently working on?
With two books published in the romance fantasy series, the Tear Stone Collectors, the pen is turning towards the final book which returns to the original characters in the twist on a dragon shifter story.
TWL-What tidbit would you like readers to know?
Although I have mentioned computer experience (the future,) I also have an interest in the past. Having been a director of a local history museum provides me insight into how things were done in a simpler time and a basis for creating worlds of fantasy. The house was built in the 1700s and interpreted to reflect various eras from pre-history and settlement to the contemporary world. In fact, the first article I ever had published, a showcase on New Jersey ceramic tiles, was because of my work at the museum.
One of most unusual memories was when I was embedded in the middle of a World War II reenactment. Besides the military vehicle parade and memorial, there was an even more special event at the airshow. As I stood on the side of the flightline, surrounded by people in military uniform or period civilian clothing, the impression of going back in time was strong. To add to the sense of reality, 1940s music played over the loudspeakers until they cut out. A single voice, raspy from age spoke. Despite there being thousands of people, an eerie silence fell over the crowd. The message? It was a re-broadcast of then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s announcement of the attack on Pearl Harbor which became known as the “Day of Infamy” speech.
What would you like to promote today?
Today, I want to share the new release, Fire and Redemption.
Expelled from the dragon isle, Medraut is forced to shed his wings and take on human form to live amongst the people of the mainland. To have the future she desires, Brial must survive the fever, raiders, and most of all, Medraut’s dragon ability to control minds. Karst, son of the head slayer, disowned and sent on an impossible quest to kill a dragon, made himself a home in the trading wagons of Clan Vreis. His newfound happiness and hope for a future with Brial is threatened when the caravan stops to help an injured man lying in the middle of the trail.
Three men and a dragon desire the same woman. One wants her for power, one for her beauty, and one for love. The dragon just wants her.
Buy links
Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CY7ZDFBJ
Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fire-and-redemption-helen-b-henderson/1145164176
Smashwords – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1537238
More Sales Sites: https://books2read.com/fire-and-redemption
Author links:
Website: https://helenhenderson-author.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HelenHenderson.author
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/777491.Helen_Henderson
Amazon: http://amzn.com/e/B001HPM2XK