Fiction Forum

FF: How did you come up with the idea for “City at Night?” What motivated you to write the story?

FF: Paul, writing humorously about serious topics is one of the most difficult things a writer can do. Was this your intent with ‘Fizz’? And if yes, are you a person who makes people laugh in your everyday life?

FF: Linda Joy Singleton is a popular author of stories for children. Or is it young adults…? I am confused. Is there adifference, and if so, which one are you?

As a moviemaker, Tim McCann is a wildcat. He writes and directs, shoots and edits, and attends to the stark financial exigencies of the entertainment business—and he’s got opinions. McCann and I talked recently about the hard work and disappointments of finding space for independent art in an industry bloated with formula and obeisant to profit.

Maud Casey and I have exchanged numerous e-mails, though we
haven’t met. In the jacket photos of her, I see a quirky beauty
that is very appealing. Also notable from those jackets is the
fact that a host of established authors praise her work in
superlative terms. If you haven’t read her, you should.

J.A. Clarke’s latest book is “Moonfire,” a futuristic romance.
She has also gained a following from “Summer Heat,” a fun
contemporary love story. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with
her husband and two sons. A world traveler, she grew up in
Africa. Books and libraries have always been her special
passions. “I’ve always loved reading, and books…were a primary
form of entertainment, so trips to the library every week were a
favorite treat,” Clarke says. She has tried to instill a love of
reading in her sons. So far, it’s working. “My sons do read
every day, my oldest because I strongly encourage it, my youngest
because he truly does like to read. We’re currently reading
Tolkien’s ‘The Two Towers’ together. They mostly enjoy adventure
stories of boys their own age getting into all kinds of
mischief,” she says. Clarke’s creativity and enthusiasm are
inescapable. Let’s see what she has to share with other
writers—and readers.

Debut novelist Christian Bauman has a peripatetic history and has earned his keep at a strange assortment of trades, from soldiering in the U.S. army to touring as a folk musician. He puts his experiences to good use in “The Ice Beneath You,” published this fall by Simon & Schuster. I recently picked his brain about how and why he wrote his impressive soldier’s tale, and whether Tom Waits or Jack Kerouac had anything to do with it.

Megan Hart has given us the delights of down to earth femininity swept into a climate of moving romance, so subtle and touching that waves of smiles and deep empathy become an integral part of the ride. A combination of talent across different themes and a welcomed quick wit have no doubt helped her literary success, which has earned her not just popularity but a Golden Wings Award. We asked Megan not only where her life as a writer began, but how she sees it today, and for the enticement of her fans, a little about the book of tomorrow…

By delving into her inspiration, stamina and twists of humor we take a look into the fantasy world from Autumn Dawn, filled with tough willed characters and raunchy romance. The author of “Teasing Danger” and “Ride the Stars” has given us female leads that shake the foundations of traditional romance writing, together with a breed of powerful masculinity that makes the blood boil. All the time powered by believable and enticing story lines. We asked an author inspired by love, strength and cheeky humor what it takes to write with both honesty and self belief, whilst staving off the critics.

Cynthia Ward’s mother inspired her life’s motto: “How can you fail if you never quit?” She knew that writing was in her blood and that, one day, she would get published. That dream came true on May 15, 2002, when Twilight Times Books published Cynthia’s debut e-book novel, “Sometimes There’s A Dove.” It’s the story of four siblings, Shelly, Clair, Zeke and Bay and their parents. An illustrated version featuring Cynthia’s own drawings is in the works.