Interview with Zachary Michael

Recently, Pseudo-dragon released on audio book.  The narrator, Zachary Michael did an outstanding job on the piece.  Here is a little bit of behind the scenes with Zachary. You can here an audio sample Here:  Pseudo-Dragon

https://www.facebook.com/ZacharysVoice/

1. What made you decide to become an audiobook narrator? 
Honestly, it was being told enough times that I should "be on the radio" or "do voice acting" while working on the phone at my office job that I finally looked into it and pursued it!

I Don't See it As Amazing?

Mia and I recovering

Repeatedly over the last year I have been told that I am strong and amazing.  Oddly, I don't see myself that way.  I see myself as doing what must be done to live, to write and to have shelter.   As I look back over the year, I see triumph over struggles, but it doesn't seem all that miraculous to me. It was just what I needed to do to live.

I was asked to write out what a typical day for me was like in the last year.  I will write up two because it was either one or the other.   I was either chemo sick or traveling.  I know that my fans have been crazy for the next book and my publicist suggested I share these two schedules to create an understanding.  

Pseudo-Dragon is Released- Reviews Coming in Positive.

I am so excited about the release of Pseudo-Dragon. A couple of days ago it reached number eight in fairy tales on Amazon.  It is meeting expectations and is probably the best work I have done.  Bloodmines remains my favorite as far as storyline. I love the dragons interactions with Alador.  However, I have began tying up strings as I head for the final book of this series.  It does not mean I will never write any of these characters again, but the Blue Dragon's Geas will be completed.   I am a little confused that it is in the top 20 for fairy tales in UK and USA, I see it as more of a sword and sorcery type book.

If there is anything you would like to see me write, feel free to put it in comments.  I have started a list of next series stories, and as such am most willing to add my reader's wish list.  

Here are some of the reviews coming out of kindle readers:

Author Update - January 2016

I haven't written to you all recently so thought I would take a moment from frantic editing to do so.  2015 has been a very hard year.  I had planned to have book 4 - Pseudo-Dragon - out by summer.  My fight against cancer overrode that goal.

In the past year, I have finished first round of chemo, had a kidney removed and a full hysterectomy due to return of tumors.  In the midst of surgeries survived a wildfire that took most of our property. (not the house)  I have restarted chemo due to the metastasized cancer.  I have been in the hospital for a week due to side effect of said chemo.  Needless to say it has been a rough year.

Now for the good news, my last PET scan shows that the chemo has dissolved the tumors that were still left within me.  My doctor is reluctant to use the word remission due to the veracity of return that happened earlier this year.  Despite his reluctance, he did admit it looks like the chemo is working.

I did have some successes last year.  I put out one novel early in the year.  Pseudo-Dragon is the longest of the four and beta readers say it is by far the best of them as well.  I guess I will find out soon.  Pseudo-Dragon is up for pre-sale now and releases on February 1, 2016.  Needless to say, I am busy with last minute edits and polish.

My goals for 2016 are:  Write the final book in the series, put out the live write collection of fantasy short stories, and to get into shows and shops for book signings.  I am excited to be able to finally enjoy writing full time without the constant threat of stage 4 cancer.  I hope you will all continue to reach out and say hi!.  The support from all of you has been amazing and I can't wait to meet and speak with many of you.

Have a great 2016!
May Dragons ever inspire your thoughts, creativity, and balance.
Cheri

An Excerpt From the Soon to be Released Novel - Pseudo-Dragon

This is an excerpt from Pseudo-Dragon.  The book is scheduled for release on February 1st.  It is up for pre-sale now so that those who have read the first three books can have it first.

You can pre-purchase the soon to be released kindle version here: http://amzn.to/1QfFXcW

Cover Art by Heather Scoggins

Excerpt from Chapter 18
For his part, Alador had been surprised at the extent of power which he had felt at his command.  It had felt like he had stood on the very shores of the ocean itself.  In a lesson earlier today, he had learned that many lesser skilled water mages made their living on the sea by protecting shipments from the weather, sea creatures and pirates.  It put them in their element with more power at their command; for the ocean was a force unto itself, and gave off far more power than a mere pool or stream.

Alador had realized at that moment that not only did he have access to the ocean’s unlimited depths, but for a moment the very currents of it had flowed in his veins.  It left him with a longing to slip beneath the waves as Renamaum had done and just move through its murky, cold depths.  He shivered as he set the mug carefully down upon the table.  A frost had built up on the mug, and it stuck to his hand for a second.

Author Update and Big Surprise

Good day!

So here is some good news with a mixture of not so good.  Let's get the the not so good out of thew way.  It turns out that they probably aren't going to be able to save my kidney damaged during the whole cancer surgery/chemo process.  They tried to jump start it with a tube to drain it but now it is just bleeding.  Not sure what the plan will be from here but most likely will pull the kidney.

I only mention this because it has impacted getting book four out.  I am definitely behind schedule now.  I am still trying to get it out this summer.

Now for the good news......

A New Life!

One month chemo free.... I thought now that my life would be back to normal.  But then... what is normal?  Psychologists call normal the absence of pathology and others would say it is a return to normalcy.  I have discovered there is no such thing.  I am going to have to forge a new normal.

While I am no George R.R Martin, my books are doing well enough that I can write full time. Writing before all this was always at lunch breaks, late nights and stolen moments of time at a computer.  Now, writing is my life and passion.  I do not have to go into an office or work on anyone else's schedule.   Every one's dream... right?  To do what you love as both your passion and your work?

I have discovered it is not that easy.   Before, I would be inspired and rush to my computer at the first chance.  I would frantically email an idea home when it came to me.  Now, I have an office.  I have a desk.  I go to work at my office and sit at my desk and think of one hundred things to do other than write?

New Desk!

What is that about?

I did some research and some deep thinking.  Many of us have dreams, they are not really goals as we have no action plan for them.  Somehow, in this sudden flow of creativity and a push from friends, my dream came true.   What do you do when you have achieved your dream?  I spent a week at the ocean with my editor and illustrator.  We all had dinner with my second editor.  The purpose was to figure out how to go forward.

Me, Becky and Katherine

Alex and Becky 

I decided what I need is a new dream.  Not material goals... I have what I need in life.  Everything else would just be window dressing and icing.  So my new dream, is to one day write something that is so powerful that it becomes a movie.  Something where a producer can visualize the power of the images I portray and the characterizations that are more than wooden puppets on a stage.  For those of you following me, that is my new dream, to see my work come to life.

For those of you waiting for Psuedo-dragon, I am going to have to push it back a bit.  Healing from chemotherapy has created a severe neuropathy that makes long hours of typing painful.  It has slowed down my progress.  I still plan to come in close. I am now shooting to be out in mid-June.

I would rather delay it again then to get comments about the missing comma on page one.  I still have not found that missing comma.  *sighs*  I think I may have been trolled.  Does that mean I am officially famous if I have a troll?

Well, I could stay here talking to you all... and not writing.  However, Pseudo-Dragon just got interesting so I had better go.  I can hear the characters calling me back to the table.

Have a great week! 

Cheryl

Transitions of a Writer

When I started writing, I really just wanted to see if I could publish.  I wanted to see my name on a book.  I hadn't written much since I had graduated College some 20 years earlier.  It is horrible how such drilled in skills slowly deplete over time.  I didn't think I needed an editor.  I didn't think I needed a proof reader.  After all, I was an English Major.  The twenty years or the fact that once you have read a work over and over to the point your brain sees what should be there were totally lost on me.

I was happy with the two or three sales a day.  People were reading me.  Then suddenly, my book took off in the UK.  People willing to forgive the lack of a proof reader were giving it high ratings and even those pointing out the need of editing were still liking the story.  Amazon gave a stipend to quickly get it into audio.  Unfortunately, by the time that it sunk in and I had read enough other blogs from writers that I needed an editor, Amazon had whisper-synced the audio.   So over time I am finding errors that won't take it off whispersync like homophone errors.  

A Sneak Peak at Book Four - Pseudo-dragon

http://argent-sky.deviantart.com/art/Lightning-Mage-354607103

“Henrick, I assure you.  I did not send Sordith to kill you,” Luthian’s cold tones held an edge of warning.  

“Liar.  You want me dead.  Do it yourself.” Fire rose up from Henrick’s hands and at the same time, Alador made his decision.  

Before Henrick or Luthian could fire off a spell, Alador hit Henrick square in the chest with a bolt of lightening. Henrick flew backwards hitting the ground hard.  Alador pulled his blade and had it at Henrick’s throat before the mage could recover.  Alador knew that Luthian was watching him closely because neither Blackguard had moved to assist or hinder him.

“Stay down, father.  I don’t want to kill you, but I will before I let you harm the High Minister of this city and your own brother.”  The blade pricked Henrick’s neck drawing a bead of blood.  “The people need his leadership and you sure as the Gods are not capable of leading anything but a whore around.”  

“I should have known you would turn on me.” Henrick snarled up at him.  “Damned half-breed more concerned about currying favor and gaining power than family.”

Alador’s cold smile melted into his eyes: the past giving weight to his words.  “Odd accusation as I have learned everything about currying favor from you.” Their gazes met for one long moment as Henrick lay helpless beneath the tip of his sword.

“Guards!  Take my brother to his manor house and confine him there until I decide what is fair justice for these false accusations and his drawing of power in my presence.”  Luthian’s command was just behind Alador.

“It would seem, my dear Henrick, that your cost to me is greater than your use.” Luthan moved up beside Alador and slowly pushed his blade away from Henrick’s throat.  “I thank you for a true heir that understands that sometimes hard choices must be made even amongst family.  For the sake of your son, I will not order your death.  I would prepare to leave Smallport and your manor home.”  

“You are welcome to one another.” Henrick hissed.  “I would rather be confined to the Daezun routes than ever step in your presence again!”

Luthian indicated for the guards to take him.  They both grabbed an arm and pulled the mage up.  Henrick jerked his arms free. “I’m going!  You don’t need to haul me off.”  He turned and stomped through the door.

Alador sheathed his sword as Luthian turned to look at him.  “You, my dear nephew, never fail to surprise me,” Luthian moved to stand before him.  “I did not expect you to strike your father.”

Alador met his gaze evenly.  “He breaks his word all the time.  You have been true to yours.”  Alador glanced at the open door and back to his uncle.  “You have a promise made that I intend for you to keep.”

Luthian’s cold smile sent goosebumps racing up Alador’s spine.  “You will have all you asked for... “ He grabbed both of Alador’s arms as he embraced him.  “... and more.”

Readers and Fans - Vote for Book Four's Title

Well book three is out and I am already plotting out the chapters in book 4.  Loosely plotting - Alador and Keensight sometimes take off into a right field.  There has been great debate amongst my beta readers and my editors on the title for the next book.  One of my editors suggested I put it to reader vote.  I love this idea.  So, I am calling on all my Blue Dragon's Geas fans to help me vote on the book title for the fourth novel.

What should the title of the next Dragon's Geas book be?

Dragonish Deception

Perfidy - (deliberate breach of faith or trust)

Pseudo-Dragon

Treachery

Deception

poll creator

My only problem with the last two is there are numerous books out there with these two names.   I will give no other input.  Once you have read the first three books, please cast your vote.  I will go with the majority.  Voting closes on February 15th, 2015.
Thank you for all your support!

Cheryl Matthynssens
Author of the Blue Dragon's Geas series