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Crow Moon by Suzie Aspley#Extract #Giveaway #AMarthaStrangewaysInvestigationBook1

  I am delighted to introduce the first in a new series by debut writer, Suzie Aspley . The atmospheric thriller, Crow Moon was published by Orenda on March 14th. Today I have an extract for you to read and the chance to win a print copy of Crow Moon . Details on how to enter are at the foot of this post. When the crow moon rises, the darkness is unleashed… Martha Strangeways is struggling to find purpose in her life, after giving up her career as an investigative reporter when her young twins died in a house fire. Overwhelmed by guilt and grief, her life changes when she stumbles across the body of a missing teenager – a tragedy that turns even more sinister when a poem about crows is discovered inked onto his back... When another teenager goes missing in the remote landscape, Martha is drawn into the investigation, teaming up with DI Derek Summers, as malevolent rumours begin to spread and paranoia grows. As darkness descends on the village of Strathbran, it soon becomes

Meet the Author: Brysen Mann ** Author Interview**

 
Today on Books, Life and Everything, I am thrilled to have the chance to interview author Brysen Mann whose novel, The Xeno Manifesto was published on December 12th 2017.

 Welcome, Brysen. Would you like to start by telling us a little about yourself and how you started as a writer? When did you first realize you were going to be a writer? 



For me, it was not about being a writer, it was about things coming to a point in my life where I needed to tell my story and I was surprised how much I had to learn to put this down on paper.


 If you didn’t write, what would you do for work?


Like one of the characters in The Xeno Manifesto, I have been offered a number of challenging opportunities in my life and have accepted most. I always have options. 


What are you interests apart from writing?
 

Many of my interests align with the main character(s) in The Xeno Manifesto.


 What is your favorite childhood book?


They would be Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Les Miserables and Rikki Tikki Tavi.


Where were you when you heard your first book was going to be published? How did you celebrate?


My first book is self published and I completed everything from cover design to web design and content with individuals I had hired to assist in the process. I had tried the agent/publisher route but my tale cannot be interpreted in the first ten pages or first four chapters, which is the limit that most want to see, so I elected to do this on my own. 


 Tell us three surprising things about yourself.


If I told you three surprising things about myself, you may be more than surprised. ☺





 Tell us about your latest book without giving the plot away.


The Xeno Manifesto which was released December, 2017, is the first of a trilogy with a lot of twists and turns and many surprises within this tale. I have been fortunate to the fact that many have commented that this is a unique, fast paced story and the reviews to date have been strong.


How do you plan to spend publication day?


I spent that day, as I do spend so many now, primarily marketing and working with as many reviewers as possible on The Xeno Manifesto. It is the reviews, in my opinion, that will determine the success/popularity of my novel.



What are your writing routines and where do you do most of your writing?


I am very goal driven so my days are dedicated to a variety of tasks from marketing to writing. I enjoy writing most where I have a view of the outside world, directly from a deck or a view with lots of outdoor exposure.


How many hours a day do you write?


On my writing days, six to ten hours but it is more about putting down on paper what is already in my head. I let the story flow almost as if it’s a memory. ☺


How do you go about researching detail and ensuring your books are realistic? 


Mmmh, not too much research required…this answer I would prefer to leave to the imagination of the writer.
 

Which aspects of your writing do you find easiest and most difficult?


I find the dialogue the easiest, as if I am simply repeating conversations. The most difficult aspect is making sure the story unfolds so that the reader does understand it because it is a complicated tale. 


In the first book, The Xeno Manifesto, I found it necessary to go into a lot of details to provide the general back story for a lot of the characters. The foundation of the story. I will not have to ge to as much detail as things progress.


How difficult was writing your second book- did having one published change how you went about it?


I am having no difficulty writing the second book. It is simply a continuation of the story that could not be told completely in the first.  Having one published did make me decide to complete the second as soon as it was possible so that it was ready for release in 2018.


Were there any scenes which you had to edit out of your book which you still hanker after?


There were no specific scenes, just details I found necessary to leave out.


How do you select the names of your characters? Are they based on anyone you know?


The names of my characters are, of course fictional and I chose names that I believe reflect the character. Not sure how to expand on that.  Most individuals in my book have traits from my life and those I have met along the way.


How long on average does it take you to write your first draft?


Because of the learning curve initially, The Xeno Manifesto took me about a year, the second installment which I began this month, should be completed by June, 2018.


Are there any secret references hidden in your books? 


Yes.

 
Do you have any guilty pleasures which stop/ help you write? 


For me, going to the gym which I do five to six days a week, allows me to shut off the thinking process and just let things flow which then allows me to continue with the writing process.


Does writing energize or exhaust you?


I find it to be a cleansing process and very personal at times.

Do you or have you ever considered writing under a pseudonym?
 
Anything is possible. 


Do you have any other writers as friends and how do they influence your writing?


No, nothing there. I do not have a social circle, more of a loner. Although I read a lot when I was younger, I have chosen not to read anyone else for a few years. Initially because of time restraints and then because I want my writing to be my style, my story to be told my way.

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
 
There would be or could be no younger writing self. It is the experience of life and the wisdom garnered along the way that have given me the ability to tell my tale.


Do you believe in writer’s block? What do you do to break its spell? 


There is nothing in this that I can relate to.



Can you give any hints about any upcoming books you have planned? 


As I had mentioned, the second of The Xeno Manifesto trilogy is well under way. It will answer a lot of the questions left unanswered in the first book and take the reader on an another interesting ride, in a direction that I believe most will enjoy. I hope this will add to increased interest in the third. It will continue to be fast paced and a story that does not encompass years but only weeks.


I would add that the reader needs to keep an open mind as to what is possible in this world and what is not. What fiction is and give consideration that it can be based in reality.


Do you have any unfinished or unpublished books hidden away?


Only the second installment of The Xeno Manifesto.  

Thanks so much for answering my questions and good luck with your writing! 




Deputy Frank Smirnov wants a peaceful life but fate has chosen a different path. He could never have imagined a course that not only gives him insight to his past but to the true origins of the human race.
 
NSA Agent Zachariah Allmass’ job is to eliminate those who know

too much, and those “Beings” with powers untold that have

elected to remain hidden for all these millenniums, now possess

evidence he needs for his true employer, the Committee.


But Allmass has an agenda of his own. Meanwhile, Roman Petrov

is a violent man who puts his retirement on temporary hiatus after

being left with collateral damage that leaves him no choice but

to eliminate the “thorn in his side”.


When these men’s worlds collide, secrets that were never meant

to be exposed will shake the very foundation of mankind’s

existence.

You can follow Brysen here: Website  |  Twitter   |  Instagram

Book links Amazon US

The Author  

  At what point, in a person’s life, do you say enough is enough? For me, that time has come. 

I am at a juncture in my life where I can’t keep it locked inside anymore.

I mean when will it end?

What price will have to be paid?

There is too much at stake. I, for one, have to speak out but will anyone listen?

Things are not what they appear. The veil that hides these secrets has to be lifted and let those that wish, read what is written and then give consideration to the plausibility of this saga.

This is all I can offer and hope for. The rest is up to you. It is time for you, the reader, to be judge and jury. But you must know, my tale does not end here… there is more to be revealed.



There are 10 excerpts which you can read on Brysen's website. To take a look at them, just follow this link here.




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