Aloha,

The amazing Carrie Butler and her lovely co-host, PK Hrezo (sir, I know you have pronunciation problems, but please... step away from the "H") want to compile a free e-book for writers who are just starting on their road to publication, using advice from the most brilliant, up-and-coming voices in the industry.

Now that all those people have sent their entry in, here's mine :)

THE PROMPT:
Please write a letter/note to yourself when you first started writing toward publication and include the answers to the bold elements listed below (I told them to be good… but nooooobody listens to me):

(PS: My letter is meant for the me that sat on the patio of his 27^th floor Chicago apartment… on the evening of Y2K:)

- A lesson you learned the hard way:

Dude, don’t be a chicken. Writing is your passion – you’re just afraid to admit it. Get over yourself.
Grow a pair. You will?
Good.
Now, sit down, be quiet – and write the damn story.

- Something you didn’t expect about the industry.

Writers care about each other’s success. You’ve always wanted to be a part of a group. Well, here you go. Take the plunge. You’ll absolutely tread water for a while, but they won’t let you down - or drown. Trust a little – and learn a lot.

- A writing-related resource you could never do without now

Twitter.
(No, you don’t have to learn the Chicken Dance.)

It’s something on the Internet (yes, I know it sucks paying AOL a monthly fee, but that will change, too.)

Anyway, Twitter is a way to quickly share information in 140 characters or less.
(No... it’s not at all like hanging with the little animatronic people at Disney’s “It’s A Small World.)

- One thing you’d change about your journey

You need to get out of restaurant management ten years earlier, work as a server in a swanky place and then spend the extra hours writing at the library or at Starbucks (yes, the coffee place.)

- One thing you’re glad you did.

In five years, you’ll apply and get that Staff Writer position with that Florida newspaper (even though you had neither the required two-year experience nor the degree in journalism.)
Nice one, and that’s what I’m talkin’ about, dude.

- Your number one tip for pursuing publication.

You haven’t got the looks or the education, but you are such a pain in the arse when you get your teeth in something that’s important, so don’t be a big gurl’s blouse.
Don’t quit on your dream.
Ever.

- Anything else you feel is worth passing on

Dude, raid the accounts and buy about $10,000 in Apple stock – more if you can afford it.
(No, it’s not a fruit producer or a new martini drink.)

Oh, and patent the word “Google.”

(No, not gaggle, Google… seriously, why do I bother. Yes, I know I’m stuck with you. Now, go. Write.)

And, if you’re stuck, go to Harvard. (Yes, the Uni. Yeah, the one in Bahston…)

Try getting some face time with some dude called Zuckerberg.

(He’s a student, and he has a neat idea that people will give thumbs up to... some may even like it…)

###

INFORMATION:

My bonded name is Koopmans… Mark Koopmans...

You can find me on Twitter – simply click here.

If needed, the fabulous Carrie Butler has permission to use my entry in the e-book compilation.

Aloha,

I wanted to jump on the happy paddy wagon to celebrate Carrie Butler's first book, STRENGTH, which dropped this past Thursday.

Carrie was kind enough to agree to one of my abmormal interviews...

You're also a graphic designer and very generous with your time and talents... where doze skillz come from? Is that the day job?

Thank you, Mark! The skillz are mostly self-taught. I've always been "artsy," but I didn't have a chance to explore the digital side of things until I found myself jobless and in serious need of a distraction. (Womp, womp.) I'd really like to get a full-time writing/designing career going, though!

You spoke a lot about NA Monday and it's fair to say your feathers were a wee bit ruffled... so, how did you end at NA and not some other genre that is perhaps not applicable (or n/a :)

Me? Ruffled feathers? Pfft... ;)

With this series, I needed a contained environment to keep the momentum going—circulating rumors, frequent run-ins, growing relationships, etc. But at the same time, I wanted my characters to have the freedom to come and go as they pleased, and the opportunity to make mistakes with real consequences. What better setting than a college campus? Perfect NA material! P.S. I see what you did there. :P

How do you work writing around a family? Is there a Mr. Carrie and mini Carrie-ettes running around? How do you balance your writing time? Do friends look at you strange when you explain you are an author?

Simple answer: I don't. There is no Mr. Carrie, nor are there any mini Carrie-ettes running around. I'll probably end up adopting a clowder of cats, with whom I shall spend my golden years, whilst yelling at neighborhood kids to get away from my yard... That's kind of sad.

Quick, someone buy my book to distract me! *Grins*

Seriously, though. Being single allows me to have a flexible writing schedule. I can stay up until five or six in the morning, if that's when inspiration strikes. And as for friends looking at me strangely... well, they've always looked at me that way. I can't imagine why. ;)

OK, so I've gone through your Personal Blog (but I had a chaperone) and there is a *LOT* of weird stuff that happens in and around Zanesville. Has anyone ever considered changing the name?
You mean the fact that we had fifty-some exotic animals on the loose? Or maybe you're referring to the freak storm that knocked out our power last summer? Yeah, it's an interesting place to live. Maybe we should change the name—go for something a little less zany. I propose The Sovereign Kingdom of Carriopia.

What's next? From your personal blog, it seems like this a series... will Paul (I just named Cover Guy - sue me why don't you:) make it back to the cover of STRENGTH II? Will he still be in his pants?
It is a (proposed) series! In fact, I'm almost done with the first draft of the sequel. :) And I hate to break it to you, Mark, but you actually have more in common with Wallace (the book's hero) than you might think. You're both referred to as the Madman, you're both known for being shirtless, and you both... have eyes. Anyway! If it's up to me, I'd like to feature Rena (the heroine) on the sequel's cover—which means I should probably keep the "pants" theme going.
GOOD LUCK, CARRIE :)
Thank you! :D

About STRENGTH:

When college student Rena Collins finds herself nose-to-chest with the campus outcast, her rumor-laced notions are shattered. Handsome, considerate, and seemingly sane, Wallace Blake doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, screaming and banging on the walls of his dorm room. Hell, he doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, period.

Too curious for her own good, Rena vows to uncover the truth behind Wallace’s madman reputation—and how two seconds of contact had left her with bruises. Of course, there are a few setbacks along the way: guilt, admiration, feelings of the warm and fuzzy variety…

Not to mention the unwanted attention of Wallace's powerful, supernaturally-gifted family.

They’re a bloodline divided by opposing ideals, two soon-to-be warring factions that live in secret among us. When Rena ends up caught in their crossfire, Wallace has no choice but to save her by using his powers. Now they’re really in trouble. With war on the horizon and Rena’s life in the balance, he needs to put some distance between them. But Rena won’t let go. If fighting is what it takes to prove her own strength and keep Wallace in her life, then that’s what she’ll do—even if it means risking a whole lot more than her heart.

Retailers:

Praise:

“Carrie Butler is now on my must read list.” ~Lynn Rush, author of Violet Midnight

"I carried Strength with me everywhere. Grocery shopping, the dinner table, you name it. The storyline was addictive, and the characters were hilarious. I couldn't put it down." ~Jessica Therrien, author of Oppression

"...Carrie Butler’s debut novel is brilliant, riveting, imaginative and seamlessly written." ~Lisa Regan, author of Finding Claire Fletcher

“This is definitely one to buy for the bookshelf.” - All's Fair with Pen and Paper

“I love that Carrie took so much time in building the relationship between them. Yay for no instalove!” - Read It, Reviewed It

“I freaking loved every last word on every page.” - Scelest's Journal

“I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who's interested in reading a bloody good book. :)” - The Life of a Total Book Nerd

“I devoured this book in two days - staying up until the early hours because I didn't want to stop reading!” - Kyra Lennon, author of Game On

“I love when a ‘bad guy’ has me feeling unsure about his ‘bad guy’ status. I won't say more, as to not give anything away, but Butler does a fabulous job walking this line.” - Kelley Lynn, author of Fraction of Stone

Title: STRENGTH
Series: Mark of Nexus - Book 1
Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing
Category: New Adult (NA)
Genre: Paranormal Romance (PNR)
Release Date: March 07, 2013
Formats: E-Book & Paperback
Paperback ISBN:9781938404351
E-book ISBN:9781938404368

How I Found The Write Path - the Butler/Hrezo way :)

Interview with Carrie Butler, author of STRENGTH