ELEVATOR Q & A's

An elevator Q&A is a fun, 30-second interview with those who play an important role in the creative process, from authors to publishers and artists to actors – and everyone else in between. This journey is meant to be shared with a friend.....

Author, Allan Hudson

A friend to many in the writing community, author Allan Hudson was born in Saint John, New Brunswick and grew up in South Branch, New Brunswick, where he was encouraged to read from an early age by his mother who was a schoolteacher. He and his wife, Gloria, currently live in Dieppe. He has enjoyed a lifetime of adventure and travel, and uses his many experiences as ideas for his writing. He is an author of action/adventure novels, historical fiction as well as a short story collection, and is a contributor to Autumn Paths, An Anthology. His short stories – The Ship Breakers: In the Abyss – received honourable mention in The Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick competition. He has had stories published on commuterlit.com and The Golden Ratio, and has his own blog – South Branch Scribbler.

What book have you read that’s had the greatest influence on you, and why?

It would have to be Shibumi by Trevanian. It has everything I love in a novel; strong characters, unique adventures, interesting facts and clever storytelling. I’ve read it many times. After that, it would be Matthew Flinders’ Cat by Bryce Courtenay. 

How would you describe yourself?

I’m an easygoing individual. I’ve always craved adventure when I was younger. Being retired, my life is more sedate now and I like it like this. I care about people’s feelings and I try to be kind.

If you could trade places with any other author for a day, who would it be and why?

It would have to be Roger Moore of Fredericton, NB. He is an author I admire, and he has received many awards for his writing. I’d like to be able to pens words like he does and be able to create stories like his.

What dream have you not yet realized as an author?

I have to think about this question for a moment. I remember when writing my first novel, questioning whether anyone would buy my book or enjoy the story. I am happy to say I have a following now and with many of my writing dreams come true, the one thing I have not realized is being able to make a living at writing. But I’m still having fun.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

I would pass on the same advice I received, which seems to work for me. Try and write every day, at least for 15 minutes and when you do sit to write, give yourself a word count goal. I set mine at 1,000 words a sitting.

Where is your favourite place to write and why?

I have a desk, computer, notebook and reference books set up in one of the bedrooms. It provides a nicely lit area and most importantly, lots of quiet.

How would you describe your journey so far as an author?

I can’t imagine it being better. Totally gratifying. I love writing and sharing stories. I love having readers who look forward to my writing. It’s all good.

What has been your greatest writing challenge so far?

The writing comes easy. The editing and revision is always a challenge for me. It’s not something I enjoy, but know it needs to be done. Marketing is a toughy as well, but I’m learning every day.

What’s ahead for you? Writing and more writing. I have a Second world War manuscript complete with two revisions. It is a murder mystery, which takes place at the Air Force base in Scoudouc, NB. I am also writing Volume 2 of my Alexander Series. 1921 – 1930. I'm presently at 1927, and I expect to have it completed for next spring.

Books by Allan Hudson:

Dark Side Of A Promise, A Drake Alexander Adventure

Wall of War, A Drake Alexander Adventure

Vigilantes, A Drake Alexander Adventure

Shattered Figurine, A Detective Jo Naylor Adventure

Shattered Lives, A Jo Naylor adventure

A Box of Memories

The Alexanders, 1911-1920, Vol. 1

Father

Autumn Paths, An Anthology

AUTHOR, LESLEY CREWE

Montreal-born, Lesley Crewe is a best-selling author, newspaper columnist, screenwriter, key-note speaker and humorist living in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. She has published eleven books in the past fourteen years, including Amazing Grace, Shoot Me, Hit & Mrs, Kin, Her Mother’s Daughter, Chloe Sparrow and Ava Comes Home. Her first novel, Relative Happiness was short-listed for the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award in 2006. The novel was adapted into a movie of the same name, which debuted in 2015, winning Best Picture at the Nova Scotia Screen Awards.

Her novel, Mary, Mary was long-listed for the Stephen Leacock Award for Humour in 2017, and her book Are You Kidding Me?! was long-listed for the same award in 2020. Her novel, Beholden was short-listed for the Jim Connors Dartmouth Book Award in 2019. Her twelfth novel, The Spoon Stealer will debut in the fall of 2020.

She adores her family, animals, insects, trees, children’s books and tea biscuits. Because of the tea biscuit thing, she’s been on a diet for over sixty years with no success. She hates housework and people who litter. You can visit her at www.lesleycrewe.com

This is 30 seconds with Lesley:

What is the best book you’ve ever read?

Lesley: The Tall Book of Mother Goose, illustrated by Feodor Rojankovsky. I’ve always loved children’s books and this is the one that made me fall in love with books at a very young age. The pictures are just as important as the words. It started everything.

If you went to Mars, would that be the book you’d take with you?

Lesley: No. I’d take Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery, to remind me of home.

If you could trade places with any author for a day, who would it be and why?

Lesley: AA Milne. Here was a grown man who wasn’t afraid to write about little animals. (I love animals too!)

How would you describe yourself as an author?

Lesley: Homey. Funny. Loving and truthful.

What would people be most surprised to learn about you?

Lesley: People think I am very gregarious, in that I can speak in front of huge rooms full of people, but I’m actually a loner. I love to curl up at home and be by myself.

What in your opinion is the best thing you’ve ever written and why?

Lesley: My 12th book coming out in September, The Spoon Stealer, is the best thing I’ve ever done because it’s so personal to me. But I always think my latest work is the best, which makes perfect sense. I’ve had more practice.

Where is your favourite place to write?

Lesley: I walk down our country lane every morning and make up dialogue in my head. I always write the book in my head first. Then I go into my study and look out the window at the hummingbirds and start typing for two months and don’t look up until I’m finished.

What has been your greatest success as an author?

Lesley: Actually, having my first novel published at all! I never meant for it to be published.

What has been your greatest challenge as an author?

Lesley: Always thinking I’ll never write again, after I finish a book. Every single time. It’s maddening. Maybe I just say that to protect myself.

What is your most important personal goal that you have yet to realize?

Lesley: Every writing goal has been realized. It’s all gravy. I have no ambitions to conquer in the writing world. I’m too old for that nonsense. I do have one personal goal, which will remain undeclared.

AUTHOR, JENNY MILCHMAN

Jenny Milchman

Jenny Milchman is a suspense writer from New York State, who lived for eleven months on the road with her family on what Shelf Awareness called “the world’s longest book tour.”

Jenny speaks nationwide about the publishing industry and the importance of sticking to a dream. She is Vice-President of Author Programming for International Thriller Writers, and the founder of Take Your Child to a Bookstore Today. Jenny is a member of the Sisters in Crime speakers bureau.

This is 30 seconds with Jenny:

Where do you live now?

Jenny: In a hamlet, an actual hamlet, in the Catskill mountains, which is similar to the fictional Adirondack town where my books are set.

How long have you been writing?

Jenny: According to my mother, since I was two years old (if dictating stories counts, not being able to actually pen any words at that age). But I’ve been writing seriously, with an aim toward publication, since 1998.

What motivated you to start writing?

Jenny:  It’s just something I’ve always done. Books always felt as real to me as real life, especially the ones I wrote. What motivated me to start writing crime fiction has a different answer though. That was triggered by a case. I was working as a psychotherapist, and treated this tiny, cherubic five year-old who had just killed the family pet. It was almost as if life were a suspense novel. So I sat down and wrote one.

What is the single best thing about writing for you?

Jenny: That feeling of being swept away into the world of the story while the physical world recedes. It reminds me of a suspense novel by Lois Duncan, called Down a Dark Hall. The girls in that book are possessed by the souls of creative geniuses, now long dead. When I write, I feel very much possessed. But in a good way.

If you could have a conversation with one of history's great authors, what would you ask them about writing?

Jenny: I would ask Edgar Allan Poe about the role of guilt in his writing.

What is your greatest challenge as an author?

Jenny: REVISING. I always have the fantasy of writing the world’s first perfect first draft. That fantasy has been blown away about fifteen times by now, but I keep counting on it, then having the rug pulled out from under me.

What advice would you give a budding author?

Jenny: This is going to be harder than you think it will be—and more worth it than you can imagine.

What book that you've read has changed you the most?

Jenny: Oh gosh, I can’t imagine pinning down one book. But anything written by Stephen King early-to mid-career would go on my list.

What is your favorite genre to read?

Jenny: Psychological and domestic suspense.

What inspires you as an author?

Jenny: Love, justice, my family, nature, and weather. Not necessarily in that order.

What is your ultimate goal as an author?

Jenny: To share stories with the world that take readers on a wild ride and leave them in a happier place. One of my favorite comments comes from a reader who said, “I feel stronger as a person when I’m reading one of your books.”

What would your fans be most surprised to learn about you?

Jenny: I’m incredibly compulsive about my writing space—it has to be clutter-free and only I can inhabit it.

AUTHOR, LINA GARDINER

Lina Gardiner

Lina Gardiner, award-winning author of the Jess Vandermire Vampire Hunter Series, has writing in her blood.  

Nominee for the Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewers’ Choice Awards.

Her books have been well received by such reviewers as Kirkus Reviews and USA Today's HEA blog, including a 4.5-star rating from RT Book Reviews and nomination for Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice 2013, and 2017 Epic eBooks Awards finalist. www.linagardiner.com

Books by Lina Gardiner:

What She Doesn’t Know:

Gift of Prophecy: Epic Fantasy

Black Moon Awakening

(Sons of Horus, Book 1)

Unknown Assailant: Romantic Suspense

Dangerous Exposure

Grave Illusions:

Jess Vandermire, Vampire Hunter, Book 1

Graves of Wrath:

Jess Vandermire, Vampire Hunter (City of Bones Series, Book 1)

Beyond the Grave:

Jess Vandermire, Vampire Hunter, Book 2

Grave New Day:

Jess Vandermire, Vampire Hunter, Book 3

Grave Expectations:

Jess Vandermire, Vampire Hunter, Book 4

Dangerous Exposure

This is 30 seconds with Lina:

Where are you from originally? 

Lina: I’m from St. Stephen, N.B.  where I lived in the family homestead built by my paternal grandfather. The house was haunted by my father’s aunt Fanny. She made her presence known to many and the story ended up in one of Dorothy Dearborn’s books on hauntings in New Brunswick.

Where do you live now?

Lina: I live near Oromocto in a rural community

What type of books do you write?

Lina: I write romantic suspense, urban fantasy and I’ve written one post apocalyptic. My stories all have a mystery at the heart of them.

What do you enjoy most about being an author?

I enjoy the writing process. Especially when I’m in the zone, letting my characters play out the movie playing in my head, I find this relaxing. While writing is a solitary endeavor, I also very much enjoy the fellowship with other authors. I have a fantastic critique group, and even though we don’t actually do much critiquing any more since we’re all published, we still get together and support each other.

What is your favourite emotion to express in words?

Lina: I don’t think I have a favorite. Some emotions might make me sweat when trying to create the proper angst in a story.  ; )

What do you struggle with most as an author?

Lina: Like many authors I’m not exceptionally comfortable speaking to groups. I write because I can express myself more comfortably that way. 

What do you think is the biggest misconception about authors? 

Lina: I’m sure all of your authors answer this question the same way.  : )  The biggest misconception is that authors with several books published must be making considerable money, and that their publisher provides them with lots of free books.

What drives you as an author? 

Lina: In the beginning it was an unexplained need to write down the stories playing out in my imagination. Then it was validation—winning contests, publication, etc., along with the desire to improve my craft, to learn the techniques and nuances that make my work an enjoyable read. I’ve heard that some authors don’t strive for success, that they simply want to say they have written a book. That’s not me. I have goals that have yet to be realized.

What would you like to write that you have never written? 

Lina: I probably have a scifi or two in my future. But I will continue to write fantasy and romantic suspense.

What is your favourite book of all time?

Lina: My post apocalyptic book titled “Gift of Prophesy”. That book called to me and I had to write it. It remains a five star book on Amazon.com.

What other creative interests do you enjoy in addition to writing? 

Lina: I’ve tried several artistic endeavors; drawing, knitting, crocheting, sculpting with clay and wood, painting with oils then watercolor, quilting, and my newest enjoyment is creating cakes with fondant for my family.

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would that word be? 

Lina: Motivated.

AUTHOR, HARRY CURRIE

Harry Currie

Harry Currie is a person whose expertise spans a significant number of different subject areas, and for that reason he has been called a Renaissance Man by many reviewers. A college athlete, while music has been the thread which has run through his whole life, he has spun off from it into education, flying, journalism, heraldry, tartan design, philately, religious studies, novel writing, numismatics, model building, and whatever captured his interest. With degrees from four Canadian and British colleges and universities, he has served in both Canadian and British armies, starred in a major musical show in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and many people have said that he seems to know a lot about the spy world….

Debut for a Spy (bestseller)

Encore for a Spy

Passage to the Past

This is 30 seconds with Harry:

Where are you from originally?

Harry: Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada

Where do you live now?

Harry: In Thailand. I was invited out here by the King in 2005 to create a wind ensemble, similar to my Canadian group called Windjammers, to do a concert for Princess Sirindhorn’s 50th birthday. Then I was invited to be the Supervisor of Western Music at 2 Thai universities. No winter, and a lovely new wife, so I stayed!

How did you decide to become a novelist?

Harry: I’d written some short stories and a couple of one-act plays, never thought I could write a novel, though I wanted to. Started another short story, involved it with reality, and it became a novel. Then I knew how to do it.

What has been your best experience so far as an author?

Harry: My first novel, Debut for a Spy, after it went into Amazon, became a bestseller with some 90 reviews.

Who is your favourite author?

Harry: Michael Connelly – met him and interviewed him.

What is the best book you’ve ever read?

Harry: Difficult to choose, but probably The Ghost by Robert Harris.

In your opinion, what is the greatest lesson that authors have to learn about writing books?

Harry: To stop putting piles of background about early lives connected to all the characters, which is only to expand the number of pages for the novel. The plot is important, not the childhood of them all. Consequential early things can be stated briefly.

What is the hardest part about being an author?

Harry: Creating logical and fascinating things that excite the plot which would fascinate the readers.

What inspires you as an author today?

Harry: Building fiction connected to reality.

What person, alive or dead, has had the greatest effect on your life?

Harry: Frank Sinatra.

If you could switch places with anyone in the world today, who would it be and why?

Harry: No one at all, for my life has been wonderful and still is.

What one word best describes you?

Harry: Fortuitous.

EDITOR, ERIN MILLER

Erin Miller

Erin Miller is a professional freelance editor from Moncton with training and experience in copy editing, stylistic and line editing, proofreading, and business and professional writing – a member of Editors Canada and the Writer’s Federation of New Brunswick. Besides training as an editor and writer, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology with a minor in English and a diploma in Digital Media Design. Her focus is on fiction and nonfiction writing, web content and marketing copy, and children’s/middle grades/YA fiction. She is especially interested in the topics of parenting and child development, education, psychology and mental health, food and nutrition, outdoor recreation, and arts and culture.

This is 30 seconds with Erin:

What is your favourite book?

Erin: There are so many. I think the MaddAddam Trilogy by Margaret Atwood – maybe The Year of the Flood from that trilogy.

Favourite genre to read?

Erin: I like urban fantasy and dystopian fiction.

Do you write?

Erin: I don’t write fiction or anything like that, but I do copy writing and business writing.

What made you want to become an editor?

Erin: I love language. I love words and I find words and language fascinating.

What is the biggest challenge about editing?

Erin: I think for me as a freelance editor it’s really more about everything but the editing. The freelance side, the business side.

What is the biggest misunderstanding about editing do you think?

Erin: That editors are really picky about grammar and sticklers for following the rules. Really, a lot of it is grey area and about choice.

What training did you take to become an editor?

Erin: I took courses through Simon Fraser University’s editing certificate program. That’s one thing about being an editor, you continue learning all the time. So I take courses through Editors Canada, Editorial Freelancers Association – wherever I can find continued training online.

What do you like best about being an editor?

Erin: I love the variety. I love the opportunity to work in so many different areas.

Do you meet a lot of local writers?

Erin: I do and I’m kind of working on building that now. I have been more working online.

How long doing this (working as an editor) now?

Erin: Almost two years.

What great book in history would you love to have edited?

Erin: I like Charles Dickens so I don’t know if I’d pick from there – but probably the classics.

What one word would you use to describe yourself?

Erin: (Laughing) I think I might have to go with introvert.

AUTHOR, DAVID GOSS

David Goss

David Goss of Saint John has helped put his home town on the map, championing the old port city – and indeed the province of New Brunswick itself, with his very busy pen. His voice, both on paper and in person with his hugely popular Walks N’ Talks program, continues to entertain his countless fans. These are David’s writings, so far:

The Continuing History of Canada 's Oldest Mental Health Facility

June 1999 Saint John West: Book Two

Also edited and completed for the 175th anniversary

A History of the Parish of Carleton ( St George's Church Saint John West)

Brochure: A Walking and Driving guide to Saint John West -May 2000

St George and its Neighbours with Elizabeth Toy in 2002.

Brightening the Corner where you are-the history of Saint John Energy-2002

Tall Tales and Curious Happenings for Nimbus in 2002

History of Saint David’s Church, Rothesay 2006

West Side Stories, published by Nimbus in 2005

It Happened in New Brunswick , October 2007 by Nimbus

Saint John Curiosities, October 2008 by Nimbus

Saint John 1877-1980, published by Arcadia in December 2009

East Saint John with Harold E. Wright published by Arcadia in February 2011

Only in New Brunswick , published by Nimbus in May 2011

Historic Streets of Saint John with Harold E. Wright published in 2013

Saint John Ghosts by Blue Rock Books 2014

Saint John Snippets 2016

Stories included in following compilations

“How to Have a Great Life,” in 2006

“Christmas in the Maritimes,” 2006.

A Maritime Christmas in 2008

An Atlantic Canadian Christmas in 2010

The Winter House 2011

The Finest Tree and other Christmas Stories of Atlantic Canada, Nimbus 2014

This is 30 seconds with David:

What is your favourite book?

David: Oh my, the Bible without a doubt.

Who is your favourite author?

David: My favourite author would have been Robert Parker. I enjoyed all of his detective novels, the Spenser novels. Oh I just loved them.

What is your favourite genre to read?

David: History. I have to read a lot in order to do what I do.

How would you describe your books?

David: I hope people find them informative and they have some aha! moments that they say, gee, I didn’t know that – that’s interesting.

What would you say your greatest writing experience has been so far?

David: I think putting together the Christmas material, because I love the Christmas season and I just love sharing little tidbits that I find about Christmas – and hopefully that people will use them in some way.

What would you say has been your worst writing experience?

David: I got involved one time with a committee writing a book about a social organization in Saint John. I never would do that again.

What would you say is the biggest misconception about authors?

David: The biggest misconception is that they make a lot of money.

If you could take just one book with you on a trip, what book would it be?

David: The Bible.

What would your fans be most surprised to discover about you?

David: Probably that I don’t have a university education.

Describe yourself in one word.

David: Buoyant, loving life.

Describe your writing career (so far) in one word.

David: Exciting.

AUTHOR, KADE COOK

Kade Cook

Kade Cook of Shediac River made an impressive debut as an author. Her first book, GREY, The Covenant of Shadows series, was shortlisted for the 2017 Kobo Emerging Writers Prize – the only indie author to make the list that year! The second in the series, CALICO, was recently released and promises to do just as well.

Kade:  Sarah Jane Moss

What is your favourite genre to read?

Kade: Urban fantasy supernatural stuff

Is that the genre you prefer to write in?

Kade: Yes

Have you ever written anything else?

Kade: Actually I wrote a short story in horror which I’m going to fine-tune and maybe give it to some magazines to see if anything happens there. If not I’ll just publish it.

How long have you been writing?

Kade: About three years now.

What has been your best experience so far as an author?

Kade: My spirit is alive. That is my favourite part.

What has been your worst experience so far as an author?

Kade: Having to fight with people you love in order to follow your dream.

What do you think is the biggest hurtle authors face today?

Kade: To draw attention to yourself. Because there’s so many people writing now, it’s hard to stand out in the crowd.

What is the most important advice you could give to a budding author?

Kade: Do it and once you do start, don’t quit no matter how hard or how horrible you think it is. You have to finish it, because you can fix what’s broken. You can’t fix what’s not there.

If you told one secret about yourself, what would it be?

Kade: I’m afraid of the dark.

AUTHOR, ELIZABET STEVENS

Elizabet Stevens

Elizabet Stevens is the author of the children's book, Pamela Pollock's Perilous Adventure and How She Found the Bluenose available: Online at Chapters/Indigo and several local shops in the Maritimes. She is a graduate of the Creative Writing Program at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton. A former journalist, she worked for the CBC in Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, and for several newspapers including the Globe and Mail. One of her poems "Homestead" was shortlisted for the Montreal International Poetry Prize, and is published in the 2017 Anthology.   www.elizabetstevens.com

How long have you been writing?

Elizabet: Since I was eleven.

Who is your favourite author?

Elizabet: With the classics, it’s Charles Dickens. More currently, I have a hundred.

What is your favourite genre?

Elizabet: Creative nonfiction

What is the hardest part about being an author?

Elizabet: Poverty

What do you enjoy most about being an author?

Elizabet: Sitting in my office in the quiet, writing a story.

If you were unexpectedly stranded on a deserted island for a week, what is the one book you would wish you had brought with you?

Elizabet: A dictionary

What have you learned so far as an author?

Elizabet: Everything, because I’m lucky to have an imagination. I have tried to explore my imagination to find some really interesting information about myself, and about the world.

What one word would you use to describe yourself as an author?

Elizabet: Eclectic

AUTHOR, PIERRE C. ARSENEAULT

Perre C. Arseneault

Pierre C. Arseneault of Moncton has three books to his credit so far: Dark Tales for Dark Nights (co-authored with Angella Jacob); Sleepless Nights, and Oakwood Island (also co-authored with Angella Cormier (previously writing as Angella Jacob). Awards for Oakwood Island to date include 2016 Best Book Awards: Award-winning finalist in the fiction-horror category; 2016 Paranormal Book Awards semi-finalist; 2016 Foreword INDIES finalist (Horror: Adult Fiction); 2017 New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards finalist. Pierre is also a popular cartoonist. www.mysteriousink.ca

This is 30 seconds with Pierre:

How old were you when you started writing?

Pierre: I wanted to write when I was younger, but I never actually sat down and tried it until I got older. I was probably about 40 when I started writing down ideas for stories and different things. I finally started taking it seriously and wanting to do it.

What is your favourite book?

Pierre: I have two – both by Stephen King. I have Under the Dome because it’s the most amazing read I’ve ever had, and The Green Mile which is my favourite story.

Favourite author?

Pierre: I would have to say Stephen King. I read a lot of his stuff. A lot of people think of him as a horror author, but he has written so much different stuff that isn’t horror – The Green Mile for example and Under the Dome are not horror books at all. He’s a great storyteller.

What would you say makes for a good author?

Pierre: I will have to quote Stephen King who says that authors have a multitude of skill sets. You can be great at spelling, you can be great at grammar, but you can be horrible at telling a story and vice versa. You have to have all the skill sets, a little bit of, but finding someone who is perfect at all of it is practically impossible. Everyone is going to have strengths and weaknesses.

How would you describe yourself as an author?

Pierre: I am more of a storyteller … my word crafting is actually my weak point. I can tell pretty good stories but when it comes to actually writing them down I won’t be the one that you read the writing and go wow, this is amazingly written.

What is the best thing you’ve ever written, published or unpublished?

Pierre: I have a short story that I’ve been wanting to put out there. I’m really fond of it, but I don’t know how well it will be received. It’s a little gory, it’s a little twisted but it’s an interesting story.

If you could express in one word what writing means to you, what would that one word be?

Pierre: It would have to be creating.

What would your horror fans be surprised to learn about you?

Pierre: That in my DVD collection I have more chick flicks than most chicks would have. I’m a big fan of stories, it doesn’t matter the genre.

AUTHOR, JOAN HALL HOVEY

Joan Hall Hovey

Saint John’s Joan Hall Hovey is Canada’s Mistress of Suspense, an award-winning author (and actress) who is the past regional vice-president of Crime Writers of Canada; Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. www.joanhallhovey.com  

Nowhere To Hide

Listen to the Shadows

I Hitched A Ride Into Hell (A young adult novelette)

This is 30 seconds with Joan:

Can you remember the first thing you ever wrote?

Joan: I don’t know if there was any text with it but I was in Grade one and it was more what I drew. It was a snake crawling out of a bathtub, and a man had a gun and he was about to shoot it. I gave it to my Grade one teacher (Miss Van Wart) and she said: ‘I don’t know what’s going to become of you.’ That was my first creative work. You could see what I was going to write, it would be dark.

Who is favourite author?

Joan: Charlotte Bronte, (author of Jane Eyre)

What is the greatest lesson you have learned as a writer?

Joan: Always tell your truth.

What would be the most important piece of advice you could give to budding authors?

Joan:  Don’t think, imagine.

What would your fans be most surprised to learn about you?

Joan: I’m trying to teach myself to paint, and that I play the piano, badly, but I play it.

What would you say is the greatest book ever written?

Joan: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

If you had to do it all over again, what would you change?

Joan: Not a thing, because everything that happened has made me who I am.

AUTHOR, STELLA MACLEAN

Stella MacLean

Stella MacLean of Riverview is a prolific author to say the least, considering that it’s only been a few years since she first picked up her pen. www.stellamaclean.com

These are her books to date:

Non fiction: Living Successfully with Chronic Pain

(Romance) Fiction:            

                Heart of My Heart

               Baby in Her Arms

               A Child Changes Everything

               The Christmas Inn

               The Doctor Returns

               To Protect Her Son

               Sweet On Peggy

               Unexpected Attraction

               Bringing Emma Home (release date May 2018)

               Desperate Memories

               Desperate Acts

               Unimaginable 

               Finding Mr. Wrong

               Finding Mr. Gorgeous (release date April 2018)

This was our elevator Q&A – 30 seconds with Stella:

Favourite book of all time?

Stella: Gone with the Wind

Favourite author?

Stella: Kristin Hannah

Favourite genre?

Stella: Romantic suspense

What do you like best about writing?

Stella: The freedom of creating - the freedom of putting down what’s in my head.

What is the most important thing to remember about writing?

Stella: That it’s hard work. Nothing changes overnight. Success doesn’t get measured in one book or two books, it gets measured in your whole collection.

What is the most important thing to remember about readers?

Stella: That they want to believe your story, and that you have to write a story that they can believe in.

Can you describe yourself in one sentence?

Stella: Caring, hard-working.

AUTHOR, R. A. GIGGIE

R. A. Giggie

R. A. (Renee-Ann) Giggie is a popular Christian fiction author. Originally from Thetford Mines, Quebec, she now lives in Moncton. A versatile writer, her work includes two books of Christian fiction: Stella’s Plea and Emma’s Prayer, and her third book, Charlie’s Plight, is expected to be released in late 2018.

This is our elevator Q&A – 30 seconds with Renee-Ann:

When did you start writing?

Renee-Ann: As a kid. We had a composition competition in Grade two, and after that I was hooked. I wrote poems and other little things.

Favorite book of all time?

Renee-Ann: Roots

Favourite author?

Renee-Ann: T. Davis Bunn

Favourite genre?

Renee-Ann: Mystery

What is the most rewarding aspect of writing for you?

Renee-Ann: When my characters make me cry. When I feel what they feel.

What is your biggest pet peeve about how writers are perceived by others?

Renee-Ann: That they think we’re rich! They think we can make a living out of it. (laughing)

Can you describe yourself in one sentence?

Renee-Ann: A happy daughter of the King (God). I’m a happy go-lucky person.

AUTHOR, ANGELLA CORMIER

Angella Cormier

Angella Cormier (previously writing under the name Angella Jacob) of Moncton has to date produced three books: Dark Tales for Dark Nights (co-authored with Pierre C. Arsenault); A Maiden’s Perception: A collection of thoughts, reflections and poetry, and Oakwood Island (also co-authored with Pierre C. Arsenault). Awards for Oakwood Island to date include 2016 Best Book Awards: Award-winning finalist in the fiction-horror category; 2016 Paranormal Book Awards semi-finalist; 2016 Foreword INDIES finalist (Horror: Adult Fiction); 2017 New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards finalist. www.mysteriousink.ca

This is 30 seconds with Angella:

Can you remember the first thing you ever wrote?

Angella: It was a poem, actually. I still have it…. I was 12 and I was in love. (Laughing)  It was definitely about the heart….

What do you like best about writing?

Angella: There are so many things. I guess I like that it takes me places that I wouldn’t otherwise go - to just get lost in my imagination.

Favourite genre?

Angella: Horror/suspense

Favourite author?

Angella: My first favourite author was Dean Koontz and that’s what kind of gave me the love of horror and that genre of supernatural stuff, but then I really fell in love with Stephen King.

What is the most important thing that people should understand about authors?

Angella: That we’re regular people.  That we do work hard, it’s not just one day to the next – oh I wrote a book today! It’s a long process. It’s not all glamorous….

What is the most important thing that you have discovered about yourself as an author?

Angella: That I can do it, especially with NaNoWriMo that I just did. That I have the capacity – not just to have the dream of being a writer, but that I am a writer. That I have what it takes to do it.

What is the best book you’ve read so far?

Angella: The first one that came to mind is The Pillars of the Earth. To me it was a very good book by Ken Follett. It was the first non-horror book that I was engrossed in as much as if it would have been horror and I was amazed by not only the writing, but the details.... The studying, the research he did.