Interview with fantasy author Jeremy Shory about his book The Journal of Forgotten Secrets...

		Fantasy author Jeremy Shory is with us in the forum today. He’s the author of The Journal of Forgotten Secrets, and his obvious passion for work and life shines through with every word he speaks. I'm looking forward to learning more.
Tim Greaton: It’s great to have you here Jeremy. I’m anxious to talk about your book, but first I was hoping you could tell us a little about your childhood.   Jeremy Shory: I actually had a very gifted upbringing growing up in Orlando. Not gifted in the sense of having gobs of money, but gifted by having the luxury of major theme parks in my backyard. I have always felt that people travel thousands of miles to see Disney World and Universal Studios and Sea World/ Busch Gardens, so why not take advantage of my close proximity. Truth be told, I really love the theme parks. It’s a way to escape from day to day issues and just live in the magical moment. Because of being able to visit these magical places on a regular basis, I feel like I’ve always had a passion for replicating that feeling for those that can’t make it by transporting their mind via a story.   Tim Greaton: A lot of authors I talk with, Jeremy, have unusual pastimes, but you’re more of a guys’ guy. Can you tell our audience about that and how you use your interest to help others?   Jeremy Shory: I’m a big football junkie. I love just about everything involving the sport, from college on up to the pros. I’m a big Florida State Seminoles fan (grew up with them being the premier team in the 90’s and have painstakingly stuck with them ever since). For a while I was serving as chief ACC correspondent for a college football website called FantasyCollegeBlitz, which has since shut down. Now I tend to fill my football desires by co-operating a local flag football league that pairs inner city kids with adults to help guide and mentor through the sport. We play some ball and have some heart-to-heart discussions in the process. It’s as rewarding as it is fun.   Tim Greaton: Even though you’ve spent a lot of time at the Florida theme parks, I understand there is another magical place that has impacted your career.   Jeremy Shory: Ah yes, this is a good one. I’d say the place that will always stand out to me as being vital to my life as a writer is the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. I know, it sounds like a strange place to consider influential, but if it wasn’t for Atlantis I don’t think I would have come up with The Orion Chronicles concept. My wife and I were vacationing at the amazing resort and it literally was paradise. If you haven’t been, you must find a way to go at least once in your life. You won’t regret it. But anyways, so my wife and I were having a great time and I said to her, “You know, I just need to write the next pop-culture phenomenon that way we can just stay here any time we want.” As silly as the comment was, later that night, which was our last night on the vacation mind you, I was lying in bed and I couldn’t get to sleep. Now I don’t know if it was because of anxiousness about leaving the next morning or what, but I like to say it was because my mind was racing with all these fantastic ideas for a new story. I started jotting them down into my phone (see I wasn’t lying about that) and before I knew it, I had enough to get The Journal of Forgotten Secrets started. So Atlantis played a crucial role for me in my writing career and for that, I have to say it was possibly the best vacation I’ve ever taken.   Tim Greaton: Who are the authors who have influenced your work? And I suppose the next natural question would be do you model your work after any particular author?   Jeremy Shory: Consider me your next Stephen King mixed with J.K. Rowling , Dan Brown, Kurt Vonnegut, and Rick Riordan. Okay, not really. I think that would be pretty impossible to be all of those combined. But to answer it honestly, I’d say I don’t think anyone can write a Young Adult Magic Fantasy about a teenager without saying J.K. Rowling had some influence on them in some way. But the person I feel I most compare to from a stylization standpoint would be the great Dan Brown. He has a way of keeping his chapters short, but eventful. In addition, he has a unique way of injecting internal thought monologues for his characters and that’s something I really liked, so I infused it into my stories as well.   Tim Greaton: I love to ask writers about their creative systems. I, for instance, prefer my office to be quiet or to have classical or movie soundtrack music in the background. What kind of writing environment and process have you developed?   Jeremy Shory: My cell phone has about eight different pages full of different notes about The Orion Chronicles – plot notes for the overall series, plots for specific books, character names, monsters – you name it, I have it written down. I feel this works the best for me because I always have my phone on me no matter where I am, and ideas come to me constantly. So my cell phone gets quite a workout as I add and remove notes to it. Then I always make sure to have it next to me as I sit down to write the next chapter so I can look for any standalone pieces of information I might be able to work into the story somehow. I listened to my iPod when I was writing The Journal of Forgotten Secrets, but now I almost prefer silence as I write. I feel too distracted with any blasting music nowadays.   Tim Greaton: I’ve never been a fan of dense writing, which often comes in the form of huge chunks of encyclopedic information being dumped on the reader or even as endless descriptive details delivered every time a character enters a new scene. You definitely don’t have that problem, Jeremy, and in fact readers have told you just the opposite. Could you talk a little about that?   Jeremy Shory: I have been told that I have a unique way of injecting specific details into the story without bogging it down. I personally struggle reading a piece that seems like all I’m getting are the details—how long, how much, what color, what cut someone’s hair is for example. I feel there is always a way to infuse the details into the action. This gets back to the age old rule of “Show, don’t Tell.” If I said someone had voluminous curly, auburn hair that covered her head, you’d get the picture. But what if I said she tucked her auburn hair behind her ear, moving the curly strands out of her face. There’s a difference…there’s action. It’s the same information, but not like you’re reading a laundry list of features. I’ve worked hard at that concept and I appreciate those who notice.   Tim Greaton: Okay, first I have to say I LOVE the cover for The Journal of Forgotten Secrets. Could you tell us about it…the book, I mean?J   Jeremy Shory: The Orion Chronicles: The Journal of Forgotten Secrets is the first installment in my Orion Chronicles series. It’s about a teenager who finds himself inadvertently lured into a sadistic plan, a game of life and death if you will, that was specifically designed for him by a mastermind that was thought to have vanished almost one hundred years ago. The more Orion dives into this evil scheme, the more he uncovers about his family and how everyone he’s ever known has been keeping dark secrets from him. Ultimately he decides he’s had enough and he determines he’s going to take matters into his own hands and start controlling his own fate. At least he thinks he is anyways.   Tim Greaton: Sounds like a great premise, Jeremy. In a lot of ways, I see parallels in how we work. For instance, one of my sisters reads everything I write and has served as a “first reader” for many of my novels. You, too, have some family help. Could you tell us how that works?   Jeremy Shory: Oh gosh, I don’t think there’s any way I could have ever completed The Journal of Forgotten Secrets without the help of my sister, Kristy. I consider her my resident Orion Chronicles expert because she’s read so many drafts of it she could probably recite it in her sleep. This is a great question because it really gives me the opportunity to thank those who really helped in my writing process. As I mentioned my sister read every version, every small edit or plot change, and did it with a smile (I know how mundane it had to have been for her reading the same thing over and over). She was a big factor in shaping the story into what it is today.   Tim Greaton: Are there others involved in your production process?   Jeremy Shory: My brother, Jason, and best friend Shereena, were my early editors of sorts. They read the very first version of the story, looking for plot holes and giving feedback on the overall flow. My editor, Carissa Rossi, was a big influence and really helped guide me with some excellent advice on how to tell a clear and precise story. I’ve become really close with a well-known author named Shaunna Rodriguez, and I’ve recently leaned on her in regards to my writings as well. She’s been super supportive; it’s been wonderful to have an author companion like that, especially someone who knows the industry like she does. And of course my wife…she was there listening to every note I was jotting down or plot point I wanted to throw in the story. I really can’t thank these people enough because they were so influential throughout the entire process.   Tim Greaton: When you say Orion Chronicles, I hear series. What can we expect next?   Jeremy Shory: The Orion Chronicles is scheduled to be five parts. The Journal of Forgotten Secrets is out right now and I’m working on book two, which is titled Curse of the Phantom Brotherhood. The second story really builds on the first by picking up right where it leaves off. It answers some questions raised in book one, but more importantly we start to see some of the seeds planted begin to sprout into more complex, overarching storylines that will be carried throughout the series. Orion and his three friends, Grayson, Cremmel, and Zora will remain the focus in each story, but I promise, there’s room for many more characters and each of them will have their moments in the spotlight as the series continues.   Tim Greaton: After writing The Journal of Forgotten Secrets, did you wish you could have changed something? Do you think you will address that issue in future sequels?   Jeremy Shory: I like to think that I’m a pretty descriptive writer, giving details via action, but I know The Journal of Forgotten Secrets carried a steep learning curve with it in terms of writing style. I feel like I’ve been able to take the lessons in efficiency I learned while writing it and apply them to each piece of writing I’ve done since then, including Curse of the Phantom Brotherhood.  There’s something to be said for the way an author can paint a clear picture using as few words as possible…it’s an art really. As we touched on earlier, I’m not a fan of overly verbose or wordy pieces as I feel it tends to detract from the main concept. So if I had to say there was something I wish I could change about The Journal of Forgotten Secrets, it’s that I wish I would’ve honed that efficiency skill beforehand. It would have saved a lot of time.   Tim Greaton: I can see your eyes glimmer as we talk about having a Hollywood-style, effectively unlimited budget to promote your book. Can you tell us how you’d spend those heaps of advertising dollars?   Jeremy Shory: What a tricky question. An unlimited budget means an infinite amount of ways to get myself into trouble. I think a billboard plastered up in the heart of Times Square in New York City would be the perfect launching point for a major marketing campaign. With the millions of people swarming through there, I’d think it would maybe catch a few eyes. Then I’d follow that up with replacing the Hollywood sign with my series title, The Orion Chronicles…that would get everyone’s attention right? Next, I’d drop a canvas of my book cover that would stretch the whole length of the legendary London clock, Big Ben. If replacing the Hollywood sign didn’t bring some awareness, I think that would. And finally, for the cherry on top, I’d have afternoon and late night commercials run on all the major networks in hopes that I’d be able to get the college kids talking about it. Yeah, I think that pretty much hits all the major demographics. Now I kind of wish I did have an unlimited ad budgetJ.    Tim Greaton: It would be great if you could share your website/blogsite and links to where our audience could directly communicate with you and purchase your stories.   Jeremy Shory: Absolutely, I’d love to share.   The Orion Chronicles: The Journal of Forgotten Secrets is up on Amazon now for the Kindle and can be purchased here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Orion-Chronicles-Forgotten-ebook/dp/B00BKAZKLS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364751260&sr=8-1&keywords=the+orion+chronicles.   I plan to have it up for the Nook, iBooks, and in hardback and paperback versions within the next few weeks.   My main website, which is doubles as my blog, is www.TheOrionChronicles.com. There are all kinds of neat things on that site including character bios and photos, Rules for some of the games I’ve invented for The Orion Chronicle series (including a really fun card game called Rookie Mistake), and Magical Race descriptions as told by one of the main characters. I have a cool blog series going on right now that are blogs about the characters written by the characters, really giving them a voice outside the novels. You could say I finally have a constructive outlet for all the voices in my head.    Fans can contact me through my site, or email directly at Jeremy@TheOrionChronicles.com. Also, I’m very active on Twitter where I love to follow just about everyone, and people can find me under my twitter handle @OrionChronicles. Finally, I have a Facebook Fan Page where I tend to drop little tidbits and snippets of my current work, and the link for that is https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Orion-Chronicles/254014971329207?fref=ts.      Tim Greaton: Thanks for taking the time with me today, Jeremy. It’s been a lot of fun, and I suspect many of our audience members are now searching for copies of your book.   Jeremy Shory: Tim, I appreciate the opportunity to spread the word about my work. I’m very humbled and grateful. You have a fantastic site and do an amazing job promoting authors, so I cannot begin to thank you for the work you do to help us out. And thank you to your readers for checking me out. Word-of-mouth marketing is the #1 most effective tool out there, so anything you or your readers do for me is such an honor. Thank you a million times over.

 

Interview with talented Marla Blowers, author of the Young and Naive series....

 

		Today, in the forum, I’m pleased to have my friend Marla Blowers.  She’s here to talk about her writing journey, the Young and Naïve series, and a little about her upcoming project.
Tim Greaton: It’s great to finally have you here in the forum, Marla. As writers, we’re used to putting characters in difficult circumstances, but you lived through a period that not even our characters have endured. Could you tell us about it? Marla Blowers: I was raised in the Midwest, Nebraska to be exact. I wasn’t an only child but I came along so late that I am actually closer in age to my nieces and nephews. I will share one very memorable time in my childhood, and one that I am sure most children have not experienced. Thank God! At a very young age I ran onto a highway and was hit by a truck. I spent a month in traction and then wore a body cast. I basically had to learn to walk all over again. I can remember the ride to the hospital and throwing up in the emergency room. I celebrated a birthday in the hospital, one young boy messed with the levers on my bed and my legs dropped down. My sister also snuck a puppy into the hospital as a gift, of course it didn’t get to stay there but I had it to look forward to when I got home.   Tim Greaton: Since you can’t write one hundred percent of the time, what hobbies keep you busy in your off hours?  Marla Blowers: I love to sew! Not mending but actually designing a garment or item. I have sewn since I was in Junior High. I still even have some of those patterns I used way back when and they were only .65 now you can pay $18.00 or more for a pattern. You name it I have probably sewn it. I also have an embroidery machine and if I could I would embroider on anything. Unfortunately, or should I say fortunately for some relatives and friends, not everything will fit into the hoop. I have read you can embroider on toilet paper but that just seems like a waste. (She grins) Tim Greaton: I often get emails asking me when the next book in one or another series is coming out. Apparently, I need to take some lessons from you. It seems like you went from one book to three in now time. Do you have other works stashed away in a closet waiting for release? Marla Blowers: Funny you should ask. I just pulled 3 manuscripts out of cobwebs just a little over two years ago. I was saddened every time I came across them and a few times almost tossed them out. But finally I decided I needed to do this for me. So in March of 2011, I began working on them, and in August of 2011 my first book was published. Eight months later the 3rd one was on the market. So to answer your question currently nothing but clothes are in my closet.  Tim Greaton: I love how imaginative writers can be, but you’ve taken it to a whole new level. Could you share how your creativity occasionally spills over into the non-writing world?  Marla Blowers: For a few years, whenever my husband or I were supposed to pick up someone at the airport (including each other) we always dressed up in silly costumes. For example, he picked me up at the airport and he was dressed up like a devil with a pitchfork holding a sign that read ‘Whenever you go, everything goes to hell’. And once I dressed up almost like a hooker to pick him up. It really wasn’t that bad but for me it felt pretty daring. The funniest one however was a time before 9-11 when you could go all the way to the gate to meet the arrivals. My husband and I were there to pick up my sister and her husband and we cross dressed. I was dressed like a real nerd in yellow pants and glasses with tape holding them together. My husband wore a bright orange mumu, bright red lipstick, swinging a purse on one elbow. He also had a 5 o’clock shadow. The best part was watching people’s reaction to us. They truly didn’t know if we were for real or not. They kind of looked at us out of the corner of their eyes. My sister however was appalled and tried to pretend she didn’t know us. She didn’t even want to walk out to the car with us.   Tim Greaton: (Takes a minute to stop laughing.) I’m glad I wasn’t in the middle of a drink, Marla. Is there a book or a story that impacted your life? Marla Blowers: I am not trying to butter you up but, seriously, your novel The Santa Shop really made me look at a few things differently. I especially love the sentence: “You’ve got to finish your Pop-Tarts.” Tim Greaton: You’re very kind, Marla; one of the perks of interviewing friends. For our readers, more than one hundred thousand people have now read that first book in my Samaritans Conspiracy. In a later scene in the book, Skip Ralstat is about to leap to his death from a very high, windy Vermont bridge. His mind is churning up all sorts of excuses about why he should change his mind and get the hell off that frigid railing. One of his less convincing internal arguments is, “You’ve got to finish your Pop Tarts.” Marla Blowers: I just love that, Tim! I have kept The Santa Shop on my Kindle and have read that paragraph to many people. Given that so many of us are just a paycheck away from losing everything, I look at homeless people with different eyes these days. Tim Greaton: I recently read an article about how the Smith-Corona typewriter company misread the technology tea leaves, which is why they are not Apple or Dell today. You’re smirking, so you know what I’m getting at. Marla Blowers: Yes, I do. You know me too well. At first, I started writing in a notebook while I sat in a car waiting for kids to be done with whatever activity they were in. I moved up to something similar to an electric typewriter that had memory. I guess it was some sort of word processor. That seems like a lifetime ago. I would write a little story for each of my kids and then with all of us around the table we would push a button and it typed what I had written onto paper. We just thought this was amazing! I now write on a laptop, but I do stop the car every once in a while to jot down on a receipt or anything handy something that just popped into my head.   Tim Greaton: A lot of writers ask friends and family to serve as beta readers, but that hasn’t really worked out for you. Why is that?  Marla Blowers: My first three books had been stored away for so many years that many of my family and friends had read at least the first one. I never really asked for criticism. It was more like, “Look what I wrote.” It’s okay, though. I usually trust what I write as far as the storyline goes, but I am a terrible editor. If I could have talked a family member or friend into reading it with edits in mind, that would have been wonderful. But I had to hire professional editors for all three books, and even then little issues still cropped up. I think a book could be edited ten times and something would still get missed. I have to admit I am always just a little bit tickled when I read someone else’s book and see an error. It helps me feel they are as human as the rest of us. Tim Greaton: Do you think of yourself as a genre writer? Marla Blowers: I would definitely say I am an author of women’s books. I do have a couple loyal men who have read all my books and will read anything I write but my target is really for women. I want my books to be as believable as possible and have added many of my own life experiences and some of my relatives. Of course most people will never know which events took place in my life, although I’m sure a few will recognize them. Tim Greaton: Could you tell us a little about your latest book?  Marla Blowers: Young And Naïve, Wasted Years is about a young girl who lives in the Midwest before moving across country when a relationship goes bad. Even after putting miles between her and her past, she finds herself in another dead end relationship. She finally meets Mr. Right and believes herself to be the luckiest woman alive…until her two little girls are kidnapped! Tim Greaton: What led you to tell this particular story?  Marla Blowers: I’ve always had an interest in children searching for their biological parents. As I mentioned earlier, I was much younger than my siblings and truly thought I was adopted. In all my writings someone is in search of a family member. It’s also true in my next, fourth book, which is not part of my Young And Naïve series. Tim Greaton: I read and enjoyed the first book in your Young and Naïve series, Learning To Fall. There are three books out now. Do you intend to continue the series?  Marla Blowers: I have decided to stop there. Your readers might also like to know that any of the three books can be read without any knowledge of the others. My next book is a bit different, mainly in genre. It will be about a man who believes he was reincarnated so it will possibly be a paranormal. I love romance so you can be sure it will also be a romance novel as well. Even though as the series progressed I grew a little braver, I always seem to tame down love scenes before they actually get sent off to the editor. I am probably as curious as anyone else to see what gets sent to the editor next time.  Tim Greaton: If your next birthday party were based on your Young and Naïve series theme, what would it be like? Marla Blowers: It would be a slumber party, and we would lay on our sleeping bags talking about old times. My friends would obviously have pictures of me with orange and black hair, and they would tell lies about me. Cause that’s what friends do! My kids, who are now grown with children of their own, would not be allowed to come, for fear they would learn which parts of my stories were true. Actually, as adults, they probably have their own stories to tell.  Tim Greaton: It would be great if you could share your website/blogsite and links to where our audience could directly communicate with you and purchase your novels. Marla Blowers: https://www.facebook.com/YoungAndNaiveBooks https://www.facebook.com/YoungAndNaiveDaddy https://www.facebook.com/YoungAndNaiveWastedYears Hy-Vee Grocery Store 840 E 23rd St. Fremont, NE Tim Greaton: Thanks for taking the time with me today, Marla. It’s been fun hanging out, and I suspect you have a sizable army looking up your books right now. Marla Blowers: Tim, as you know, I’m a fan as well as a friend. I always look forward to reading your forum and am honored to be here with you today. I also want to thank your readers, who I happen to know now number in the thousands. Everyone, please feel free to contact me on Facebook or right here. I always love answering questions and making new friends.

 

Interview with out-of-the-box author Jeremy Emling....

Today, in the forum we have author Jeremy Emling. He has been doing some truly unique, out-of-the-box work with Memories Lost In Heaven’s Tears and his upcoming Diary of Destiny series. Let’s jump in and find out what it’s all about.   Tim Greaton: Did you have a relative who strongly influenced you?   Jeremy Emling: My first introduction into the world of literature was really from my Mother, who was and still is a huge Stephen King fan. As I became a teenager, her actions in my life enveloped into the main theme of my first book, “Memories Lost In Heaven’s Tears.” The negativity and abandonment she so easily gift wrapped and delivered to her youngest son ended up helping her become a character in my upcoming novel series, “The Diary Of Destiny.” I guess you can say it’s my way of thanking her for those devious actions, for if they never happened I truly doubt I’d be the writer that I am today, and for that I’ll always be eternally grateful.   Tim Greaton: Are most of your works available or do you have them hiding away? Do you think any of it will see the light of day?   Jeremy Emling: For the most part, “Memories Lost,” is a collection of my work and I’ve really moved on to living and breathing “The Diary Of Destiny” (TDOD). So as far as everything goes that I’ve done in the past, well, that’s just where it’s going to stay. TDOD is what my life is about now, and I am completely content on where I’m at…in the world of the UnKnowns.   Tim Greaton: Was there a place from your past that you’ll always remember? How do the memories of it influence your life/writing?   Jeremy Emling: The parental guidance that I had during my upbringing caused us to move a lot. Every year I was in a new town, starting a new school. Now as a child this always seemed to be such a traumatic event that I’d never make it through. Which in turn is probably the reason the life of my main character in TDOD, Destiny EverDream, is in such chaos and confusion, much like my own. But as I got older and started looking back on my life, I quickly realized that the robust amount of cultures I’ve met because of those yearly moves, are much more a blessing than something terrible. And once more is most likely the leading factor as to why the world of TDOD is filled with so many different personalities.   Tim Greaton: You often receive what compliment about your writing? Why do you think your writing stands out in that regard?   Jeremy Emling: Up until the release of “Memories Lost,” I never received much praise as I never really shared my work up to that point. But once I started spreading the word about my new TDOD novel, and shared several of the first chapters online through social media. The absolute mind-blowing comments have been almost non-stop. Two really stick out and have meant more to me than any others, but for a very good reason. They’re really the same comment made by two different book reviewers on opposite sides of the country. They both have said, “The Diary Of Destiny novel has the best written first chapter in the last one hundred years!” At first I didn’t take that as much, but the more I sat back and thought of all the incredible works of art written during that time by the likes of, King, Tolkien and Rowling. I’ve become immensely humbled over those sweet words. But at the same time the more I thought I realized that they just may be right. TDOD grabs you, not with the first sentence, or the first paragraph, but with the very first word and it just doesn’t let go. I feel too many works of literature no matter how grand, start off boring. Sometimes to the point you about put it down before it can even get started. TDOD stays away from that type of writing; it sucks you in and makes you hold on for the ride!   Tim Greaton: Are there any authors you model your work after?   Jeremy Emling: Absolutely not. As I was just saying before, TDOD is about as original as you can get nowadays. In order for it to stand out it, it needs to stand alone. I’d prefer it having its own category than to ever be placed in one.   Tim Greaton: Do you involve beta readers before releasing a final product or do you trust your own instincts before you publish your work?   Jeremy Emling: TWITTER! It has been such a useful tool! I’ve met so many wonderful people on there; you included Tim that I’ve become great friends with. So yes I adore beta readers they are an absolute must for me when it comes to TDOD and Twitter is packed full of them.   Tim Greaton: Then maybe you’ll share some of your writing system with us, and explain how it has evolved over the course of your career?   Jeremy Emling: (He laughs) Never think. That’s about all I can tell you, the words are just there, somehow. I just sit down with a pad of paper and a pen and before I even know it everything is coming together. Now if I ever pause to think of a name for a new character I struggle, but if I turn everything off and just write, well, everything works out in the end. One more little pointer, the way I avoid those pause moments in writing is by using question marks. If I get to a spot where a new name or place is being said, and I don’t have that particular name set yet, I’ll simply and swiftly add a question mark so I can come back to it later. So, never think and question marks! (Laughs again)   Tim Greaton: What is your most recent book/story release? And could you tell us about it?   Jeremy Emling: The most important happening in my world of writing is TDOD. “The Diary Of Destiny” revolves around a soon to be fifteen-year-old girl named Destiny EverDream. She goes to sleep on the eve of her birthday and wakes in a dark dead forest filled with magic. A nearby stranger named Zidane claims to be her brother. The following events, that she believes to be a dream, are so powerful and affecting that she wants to remember everything. She immediately heads out and purchases a diary in an attempt to lock those memories away, but before she knows it those same memories become her story, they become “The Diary Of Destiny!”   Tim Greaton: What led you to tell this particular story?   Jeremy Emling: The story itself I’d have to say. There never were any thoughts on what to write or where to go. I started TDOD in fact the same way Tolkien started “The Lord Of The Rings,” I just sat down and started writing. The story seems as if it already exists and somehow I’ve been given the honor to share it with the world.   Tim Greaton: What part of your story was the most difficult to write?   Jeremy Emling: Like I was just saying, the story and series as a whole has been writing itself. It never stops or ever takes a break. I have dreamt chapters, woken up, and wrote them as they were dreamed. So, fortunately for me, up to this point nothing has been difficult…yet! But if I look at that question through an emotional viewpoint, then I’d have to say creating the character of Destiny’s Mother was a challenge, but that’s only because she is so reflective of my own.   Tim Greaton: So there will be sequels and after do you plan on exploring other realms?   Jeremy Emling: TDOD is in fact a series. There will be eight full-length novels, two companion books and eight back stories, but those are and will always be free on, “The Diary Of Destiny” Novel Series Back Story Blog! Entering new realms will never be a possibility, for as the final page gets written within the novels, there will still be years of side stories and updates that I’ll work on until my final breath. Which I’ll make available in several different ways for free, many of those ways have already been planned.   Tim Greaton: If you had an unlimited advertising budget, how would you “get the word out?”   Jeremy Emling: I don’t really think this idea is “advertising” as much as it is just something pretty cool, but what I’ve always wanted for TDOD is to have copies buried in sandboxes. That way parents and kids could dig through it to find their very own copies. It’s how it should be really. The diaries have been hidden away for years just waiting to be deciphered. So to have your own copy that’s dusty, dirty and raggedy would just seem so real.   Tim Greaton: It would be great if you could share your website/blog and links to where our audience could directly communicate with you.   Jeremy Emling: That would be fantastic and I thank you for asking. For any who would like to join me on my journey through “The Diary Of Destiny,” simply follow me on Twitter @JeremyEmling. Become a fan of the TDOD FB page at  http://www.facebook.com/#!/TDOD2012 And most of all The Official TDOD Back Story Blog  http://tdod.wordpress.com/   To any and all that stop by feel free to ask anything you wish! It would be an honor to answer any and all questions, but most of all just to make some new friends and fans!   Tim Greaton: Thanks for taking time with me today, Jeremy. It has been fascinating and fun to spend time together.   Jeremy Emling: I feel the same, Tim. I also want to thank your readers for hanging out with us. I hope to see everyone again on my websites and on Twitter!