Interview w/Song of the Muses author, Reece Herring

ERATO'S TEARS

Blurb:


A powerful love is cut tragically short. Beyond Hades domain their destiny burns eternally bright. Two lost souls search through time to discover their hidden passion.

In Delphi, Mathias, an outcast Spartan finds a reason at last to abandon his wanderlust in the vulnerable Ambrosia. With the unseen aid of Erato, he tries desperately to conquer her hatred of warriors and bring peace to his unsettled soul. A tenuous hold on love develops, but will their untried bond endure?

Can the Muse of Love overcome the destructive power of one Gods revenge, and right the wrongs of history?

Only ERATOS TEARS will determine.


I would like to introduce everyone to Reece Herring, author of "Erato's Tears," second story in book two of the Song of the Muses Anthology from the Wild Rose Press.


Welcome Reece! I see the Muse authors are making the interview rounds! I am honored to have you here with me today. Shall we get started?

C of C- How long have you been writing?
RH- For about eight years haphazardly but only seriously for a little over a year.


C of C- Are you a plotter or a pantser?
RH- I actually do a bit of both. I will plot when I get hung up on a scene or if I have to put together a synopsis to pitch as I did with Erato’s Tears but other than that I just write it.


C of C- How would you describe your voice?
RH- I have been told I have a strong “voice” but honestly I haven’t a clue how I would describe my voice.
C of C- Yeah, unless you write comedy knowing exactly what your "voice' is, can be a hard question to answer.


C of C- What is your favorite part of the writing process?
RH- I love it all but editing is my least favorite.


C of C- Where do you find your inspiration?
RH- Everywhere even in my dreams.
C of C- I too have awoken with an idea for a book! Its an amazing feeling.


C of C- How do you come up with your ideas/plots?
RH- They just come to me I can’t really point to anything specific but whenever a seed of an idea forms I write it down to come back to later and hopefully develop it.


C of C- Do you write in short stretches or for long periods of time?
RH- Long stretches unless I am trying to avoid writing, in which case every twenty minutes I will be guaranteed to check my email or get up for a drink.
C of C- lol, Oh I know that well, I avoid it more than I do it- which isn't a good thing. sigh*


C of C- Do you write in silence or listen to music?
RH- Both.


C of C- Do you eat or drink while writing?
RH- Far too often.
C of C- :O)


C of C- Do you research your story before you write it, or as you go?
RH- As I go, I figure since there will always be something to research I might as well do it while I am writing it.


C of C- What have you learned through research that you’ll remember for the rest of your life? RH- I can hardly remember where I last saw my glasses or my 21 month olds sippy cup lol. I am sure there are a few things that have stuck with me but at the moment I can’t think of a single thing.
C of C- I know what you mean! :O)


C of C- How do you decorate your writing space?
RH- I use my laptop in the living room to stay on top of my three kids so it’s always a bit cluttered around me.


C of C- Are you a neat/organized writer or is your office and/or space a complete mess with sticky notes everywhere?
RH- I don’t have sticky notes but I can definitely say my organizational skills could use improving. I give myself props for knowing what stories each of my girlie folders holds.


C of C- Does all your writing take place on a computer or do you ever write on pen and paper? RH- Actually my novel I wrote entirely in notebooks and have only recently transferred to the computer. I now write all my stories on the PC but if I have to plot or figure out character names I still map it out on paper.
C of C- Wow, transferring to the computer must have been a job!


C of C- What is your favorite time period? And why?
RH- I pretty much like all history particularly any time before the American civil war.


C of C- Do you feel a draw to the people and time period you write about?
RH- Most of my stories are based in places and times I create since I love fantasy so much. I love creating worlds of my own, but European history is my favorite to read about before the 1800’s.


C of C- What character did you most enjoy writing?
RH- I can’t choose. They are all my favorite while I am writing them.


C of C- Readers are always curious to know about authors lives. What is the worst job (non-writing related) you’ve ever held?
RH- I worked one night shift at a nursing home when I was 18. I would never do it again. I have worked in a deli and I can say food service is not fun either.


C of C- What is one thing you think your readers would be interested to know about you?
RH- That I can get addicted to video games especially Zelda, the SIMs, and Pacman.
C of C- Oh boy do I know that one! I'm addicted to Rock band!!!


C of C- Are you reclusive or do you like being with other writers?
RH- I love being around other writers but I also need solitude from all people at times.


C of C- Do you find love scenes easy or hard to write?
RH- So far I have found them much easier than I thought they would be but after a few more romances I can imagine it getting more difficult to write creative love scenes.


C of C- Do you ever act out your scenes?
RH- I sometimes talk out the dialogue but I haven’t actually played out a scene other then in my mind.


C of C- How long do you wait once a story is finished to revise it?
RH- A week at least but I try for two weeks.


C of C- Do you ever second guess yourself and your writing?
RH- All the time.


C of C- Do you ever stray from your genre? Your comfort zone?
RH- Not too far…yet.


C of C- Is it necessary to have a Critique/Writing partner?
RH- Imperative.


C of C- Do you allow family and friends to read your stories?
RH- Select family and select friends, but most of my family and friends aren’t readers so I have a limited selection to start with lol.

C of C- Authors make writing look so easy. Is it harder than most people imagine it to be?
RH- I think so but everything worth achieving is hard.
C of C- That is so true...


C of C- How long does it take you to finish a story?
RH- Depends on the story it took me about eight years to finish my novel that I worked sporadically on but it took me less than two months to finish Erato’s Tears.


C of C- When you write a new story are you apprehensive about allowing others to critique it? RH- I am always apprehensive not because I doubt my story ideas but because I never feel I can do the story justice with my writing. I am still working hard to improve and I welcome the critiques but I do get nervous.
C of C- That was a very honest answer. I know exactly how you feel and I wonder when that feeling goes away, if ever?


C of C- Which author/(s) are on your must-read list?
RH- I have a lot of authors on that list but a few of those top of the list are Diana Gabaldon, Tad Williams, Sharon Kay Penman, and Marion Zimmer Bradley. That is but a fraction of my must read list and I add more authors every day.


C of C- What is your favorite writing memory?
RH- Getting my first contract for publication.


C of C- Do you have more than one book out now?

RH- This is my second publication with WRP. Soar Into Ecstasy was my first piece published.





C of C- Has your writing Journey been a smooth or bumpy ride?
RH- Somewhat bumpy, eight years ago I just wanted to try and write a fantasy story but with two young children and an unsupportive husband it made finding the time and strength to write difficult. So I wrote very sporadically. After my divorce all I could concentrate on was survival so writing went right out the window. I have been blessed to find an amazing man to share my life and dreams with. With his support and my own renewed desire to succeed this last year has been a much smoother road.
C of C- That's wonderful that you were able to fulfill your dreams! I'm happy for you!! :O)

C of C- What advice would you give to a new aspiring writer?
RH- Take all the advice you can get from other more experienced writers, something I am still doing and will continue to do.
C of C- Hear, Hear! Excellent advice, Reece!!!

Thank you so much for being here with me today! I wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavours!!

To find out more about Reece Herring- go to: http://www.freewebs.com/reece30/