Author Interview: Jaye L. Knight

I was recently given the opportunity to interview recently-published author, Jaye L. Knight, as part of her blog tour for her book, Resistance. You can read more about her book on my publishing blog, Rivershore Books.

Thilly is its own word, and it means “sillier than silly.” With that in mind, what thilly thing do you do regularly? Have you done it today? (If not, why not?)

Sadly, I had to sit and think about this for a while and came to the conclusion that I don’t really have a thilly thing I do currently. I think it’s the way my life has been for the past few years. Trials seem to keep coming one right after the other (many health related), and when I’m not thinking about that, my focus is on my writing and work. I guess there’s not much room for thilly things right now. But I wish there was, and I hope and pray things will settle a bit soon. :)

What is your writing fuel?

Definitely tea. I make a cup of English Breakfast Tea with sugar and plenty of French vanilla creamer every morning. (And by cup, I usually mean giant mug.) Before I started drinking tea a few years ago, I couldn’t understand how people were so addicted to coffee. Now I do understand. I NEED my tea, especially when I’m writing. I also keep a jar of Nutella handy.

How much time do you spend writing each day?

If I’m actually able to write (and not bogged down by writer’s block or needing to edit instead), probably 4-6 hours on average depending on the day and what else needs to be done. But if my inspiration is really flowing, I can easily go 8-10 hours or more. Especially when I’m close to finishing a book. If it’s the last chapter, I’ll go as long as I need in order to finish it. I’ve been up pretty late a couple times doing that, but I’m most productive in the morning.

What is your biggest distraction, and how do you move past it?

The internet. Things like Pinterest, while they are helpful writing tools for me, are also very big distractions. I write all my first drafts on paper, so that helps with internet distractions, however, I usually have my iPod Touch nearby and can get sucked into my Pinterest and social apps on there. Still, not actually being on the computer while I’m writing does help. I’ve just got to keep myself focused and disciplined.

And finally, what is the most rewarding part about writing for you?

Seeing all the pieces of a story fit together, especially when it happens in a way I’m not expecting. That’s happened quite a lot while writing Resistance and the other Ilyon Chronicles books. It’s so satisfying and amazing because I know it’s God working in my story.

Thanks, Jaye!

About the Author

JAYE L. KNIGHT is a 25-year-old independent author with a passion for writing Christian fantasy and clean NA (New Adult) fiction. Armed with an active imagination and love for adventure, Jaye weaves stories of truth, faith, and courage with the message that even in the deepest darkness, God's love shines as a light to offer hope.

Jaye is a homeschool graduate and has been penning stories since the age of eight. She was previously published as Molly Evangeline. You can learn about her latest writing projects at www.jayelknight.com.

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How to Get Healthy (In 5 Not-So-Easy Steps)

Speaking of posts with lists...

Every so often I come to a realization that I'm unhealthy. I do something about it (exercise and eat less) for about a month...

...until this thing tells me it's not having enough of an effect and I give in to my craving of the day.

With that in mind, I have come up with a short list to help us get healthy.

1.) Join a gym - with a friend. "Do you want to go to the gym today?" can be a big motivator on the days when you really don't want to.

(If there are no friends in your area, join it anyway. Paying the monthly fee is a pretty good motivator, too.)

2.) Create an account on SparkPeople (or any calorie-counting site). Input every food and drink you have. Repeat daily.

3.) Invest in a SparkPeople tracker (other trackers work, too, but for the features it has this is the best value I know of). This counts your steps and how often you're active (moving for 10+ minutes) throughout the day. It gives you an initial goal of 6,000 steps (~3 miles), but you can tweak that to your own goals. I was surprised at how little I moved throughout the day, and have made a conscious effort to walk more - even on "non-exercise" days.

This helps me get my steps in when I'm working at my desk.

4.) Fill your fridge with fruits, veggies, and lean meats (turkey and chicken are filled with protein and few calories). If most of what you see when you open the door is healthy, you're more likely to reach for it. (That's my theory, anyway.)

But don't completely cut out those unhealthy foods you love! I have something yummy and unhealthy just about every day...sometimes multiple unhealthy foods in a day. As long as it's a small portion, I'm within my calorie range, and I've had enough protein and fruits/veggies, why not? (It also saves me from craving-binges.)

5.) Find something fun that still gets you to move. For me, that's swimming, biking, and (a recent discovery) yoga. I also love to dance.

I started getting serious in March this year, and I have done each of these steps. My results on the scale haven't been great. I keep trying to hide the dumb machine and not think about it, but there isn't a hiding place in my room I don't already know about. (I suppose it would help if I asked someone else to hide the thing.)

But it's not about the scale right now. I can tell I've gotten stronger. My endurance is up. My pants are looser. Everything but the scale says this is working. That thilly scale doesn't know what it's talking about.

Do I want to go to the gym today? Not particularly - but I will. My friend is meeting me there.

Workspaces

Where do you do your writing (or working or creating)?

I have this great desk, so you'd think I would use it. And I do - sometimes.

  

But sometimes I use this: a blanket fort...

...created from chairs, a sheet, and lots of pillows and blankets.

Right now I'm sitting up in bed and writing. Often I'll be in the living room, in my mom's comfortable chair. When the weather is nice, I sit on the deck (or, when I'm feeling extra outdoorsy, on the grass).

What is your workspace like? Do you move as much as I do?

On Schedules and Lists...

You may already know this about me, but I love lists.

Those posts that all seem to start the same and don't actually say much - you know...

9 Ways to...
10 New Tricks for...
Top 5...

They draw me in. Another list to read? Yes, please.

But the main list I use is a "to do" list. I've gone through countless pieces of paper in my endless loop of writing and crossing off.

I admit - I've written things down just to cross them off a second later. There's joy in that.

After nearly filling a notebook with nothing but "to do" lists, I realized I had a problem. Now, some people might have sworn off "to do" lists altogether. Not me.

I got a dry-erase board.

Every week or so I erase it all and start fresh. I divide it into two sections: "things I need to do now" and "things I need to do eventually." The next week, many of the "eventually" category will end up in the "now," but some will already be done...and the rest can wait.

(I also have a "want list"...things I would like but don't need. Those three items have been on it for months. I'm not sure what the point of that is.)

That should be enough to keep things straight (though it probably looks messy), but I'm scatterbrained. I need a calendar, too. On there, I write projects on their due dates. More things to cross off!

Is there anything quite like that feeling of accomplishment when a task is complete? I doubt it.

Do you have a "system" for getting things done on time?

Author Interview: Nikki Min Yeong Abramson

When not writing, I edit, format, create covers, and help other authors see their books in print with my publishing company, Rivershore Books. About a month ago, I had the opportunity to help Nikki Min Yeong Abramson with her first book, I Choose Hope.

Okay—let’s get the factual parts out of the way. What is the name of your book, what is it about, and where can people find it? I Choose Hope is an inspirational memoir and self-improvement book about finding hope through overcoming challenges. People can find it at the Rivershore website, my own websites (www.renewingyourhope.com and www.nikkiabramson.com), Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords. I am hopeful it will be in more places soon. 

As you can see by my header, thilly is its own word, and it means “sillier than silly”. With that in mind, what thilly thing do you do regularly? Have you done it today? (If not, why not?) Not sure what this means.... 

What word or words do you use too much? Not really a word, but I repeat myself often. Mostly it is stylistic, other times i just do it.

What is your writing fuel? Coffee, for sure, and good music or a DVD playing in the background.

If you could have a porcupine or a penguin for a pet, which would you choose? Hmm...not sure; probably a penguin.

Life is full of little celebrations (things to be grateful for). What are you celebrating today? I'm celebrating being alive. It may sound corny or weird, but as you will read in my book, I am grateful for living. Life is challenging. I was told I would die at a young age, and I am 27 now. I am celebrating another day in my life to make a difference in the lives of others. 

How much time do you spend writing each day? I go in spurts. I write everyday for 30 minutes to 4 hours for months to weeks not writing at all. 

Who is your favorite character (in your own writing)? Why? There are really a few characters in my book and I give credit to all those that are a part of my life, so I really don't have a favorite character. Maybe I would say God, as He has orchestrate this all! 

Who is your favorite character (in other books)? I read mostly nonfiction (never really enjoyed fiction), so there is not really a character involved. 

What is your biggest distraction, and how do you move past it? In my writing it was sitting a computer by myself and writing it all versus talking with others. I am a big talker and less a writer. I moved past it with a mission in mind and a focus. 

And finally, what is the most rewarding part about writing for you? The fact that my work can, will, and has inspired people. I have already heard people say that they cried through my book or have been impacted by it, and I am excited to hear other stories. If my story can impact others, my job is done! I am grateful.

Character Interview: Jeff Monroe

Name: Jeff Monroe

Age: 37

What book/s are you in? As Fairydust Settles

Where do you work? The Ellsworth Police Department

Where do you live? Ellsworth, WI

Favorite place to relax: In my basement, with friends.

How do you know David? I didn't know him until we arrested him.

What do you do when you're not at work? Watch TV, bet on sports (nothing serious), and read.

If you could redo one thing in your life, what would it be? I would step in earlier and stop Nathan Trenket. I may have saved Abigail's first baby.

Where would you most like to travel? I don't need travel to be happy.

What is one word that describes you? Relentless.

Jeff Monroe can be found in As Fairydust Settles.

28 Little Celebrations

1. Baby's laughter
2. Warm weather and the believe that it's coming
3. Birds
4. Puzzles
5. Apples and caramel
6. Feel-good movies
7. Antique books
8. History
9. Electricity
10. Head music (songs that get stuck in your head)
11. Instruments
12. Blankets
13. Crazy friends
14. Texts
15. Funny people
16. Finishing a book
17. Catching up on emails
18. Fresh, cold water
19. The smell of clean laundry
20. Knowing that you're doing your best
21. Working on penmanship
22. Finding the perfect present
23. Snow angels
24. Comfy chairs
25. Games
26. Finishing something, no matter how small it is
27. Trying something new
28. Staying content