Feather Stone

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I wrote The Guardian’s Wildchild, published by Omnific Publishing. My second novel, Forbidden, is being polished and will be available to my eager fans within the year.

Fifteen years ago an extreme paranormal event triggered my overwhelming need to write. Who can deny a force that transcends logic? But then, I’ve been used to the paranormal since childhood. No witches or werewolves but I seem to have a gift of the bizarre, knowing stuff, time travel and such. Sometimes it’s a nuisance; sometimes it’s fascinating. As long I don’t grow hair on my chest, I’m okay with it. LOL.

These unique talents have led me down a path to study Reiki, meditation, and Shamanism. I’ve enjoyed testing my courage, character, and physical limits through recreation and my career. As a paramedic I’ve seen and experienced things most people would rather not. All of this has opened my eyes to the grand scheme of life and the profound depth of the human spirit. The result has also been a wealth of material for writing fast paced and intense novels.

Looking back I can see what drove me to be successful. It’s passion. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to achieve great things. All you need is unrelenting passion.

I participate in writing groups to gain insight in the writing and marketing challenges; and to assist new authors to reach their goal of being published.

Send me a note, chat with me about writing or the bizarre. You won’t shock me. I believe every soul is unique and beautiful, including you.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Guardian’s Wildchild was inspired by a paranormal event. Initially I began to write about my experience of the ‘time/space travel’ as a way to defuse the energy. After about a hundred pages I realized I was writing a story that needed, or demanded, to be told. I had no choice. A disembodied narrator sat on my shoulder and dictated the dialogue, described the scenes, and pushed and pulled me through amazing plots and plot twists.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The most unusual aspect of my writing is that I will interact with my characters. I know my characters as if they are living, breathing and following me around while I get the groceries or weed the garden. I can see them, feel their presence. I know when they are pleased with the progression of the plot and their role. When they are dissatisfied, they can be quite rude, turning their back to me or giving me a dismissive shrug. In that case, I know I have to go back to where my ego got in the way and let them and the disembodied narrator take over.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read a lot of different genres and I like both fiction and non-fiction. However, I think it was my mother who inspired me to write. As an introverted child I had difficulty expressing myself. She advised me to write what I was thinking and feeling. Those written passages turned into prose and poetry. This led me to discover the quiet voice within, then allowed my imagination to become a wild, exploding passionate adventure in creating something magical.

What are you working on now?
“Forbidden” is my current project. It started with an incredibly wild idea that I resisted. As the Borg say, resistance is futile. Once I realized that I was again a servant to my disembodied narrator, the research began. After two years of writing Forbidden and editing, I am at the polishing stage. Here is Forbidden’s synopsis:

Within hours of arrival in the Middle East city of Samarra, Eliza Leigh MacKay and fifteen Americans are plunged into a desperate struggle for survival. Eliza, alone, survives the massacre. A cover-up ensues.

Police captain Hashim Sharif, a devout Muslim, is forced to become the keeper of the impetuous MacKay woman. When she escapes and is cornered by madmen, Sharif discovers she is no shrinking violet and awakens to his deep affection for her.

Sharif and Eliza are immersed into the shadowy world of espionage, corruption, murder, and kidnapping. From shabby back alleys, a crumbling mosque, mountain caves, to the splendor of the marble columns in the federal building, Captain Sharif hunts for the American’s killers.

As Captain Sharif’s investigation progresses, he and Eliza become the hunted. Compelled to trust each other, they hold back feelings they’ve considered forbidden. When Sharif discovers who was behind the massacre, it hits him with deadly force – as if shot by his own AK47.

Feather Stone takes you on a richly textured epic adventure through stunning landscape and into the minds of desperate men. A strong cast of characters will grab and hurl you into a plot full of treachery, and passion that refuses to be silenced.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My favorite promotional options are reviews and interviews. Reviewers have been very pleased with The Guardian’s Wildchild. Currently, I’m a member of The Romance Reviews , TRR, http://www.theromancereviews.com/ .

At TRR I enjoy the opportunities to advertise my book along with the fun contests and activities for readers. It’s a great site to meet other authors and readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
New authors need to understand that today’s readers have high expectations. You can’t write a novel and throw it onto Amazon and hope to get great reviews without ensuring it has been perfectly edited. Readers are reluctant to spend their money on a new author. Many rely on their friend’s recommendations. If your novel is full of spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, or confusing points of view, you’ll get passed over. Yes, hiring an editor will take a chunk of change from your budget or savings account. However, an experienced editor is worth his/her weight in gold.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give up! I spent ten years writing and rewriting The Guardian’s Wildchild. I paid for university courses on writing. I listened to the criticism of my editors. Once the manuscript was ready for publication, I sent it to publishers but received three rejections.

My husband said, “Don’t give up!”

After some research I discovered I was sending my manuscript to publishers of the wrong genre. I discovered Omnific Publishing and, voila, The Guardian’s Wildchild was published September 2011.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading two books right now. One is Jennifer DeLucey’s exciting series, The Light Series.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3378915.Jennifer_DeLucy

The second is a writing manual by C.S. Lakin (winner of 2014 award for 100 best websites for writers). Website: http://www.livewritethrive.com/
Her book, Writing the Heart of Your Story, is filled with the best advice for making your novel sing.

What’s next for you as a writer?
What’s next? Finalizing Forbidden and getting it into the hands of my fans.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
First book: a humorous book by comedian Red Skelton
Second book: a book about courage by Alfred Lassing: “Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage”
Third Book: 500 blank pages so I could write.

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