I started their bedtime story “Once upon a time,” and my youngest responded with “THE WORLD BLOWDED UP!”

Marie Kammerer Franke – 13 June 2018

The Back Flap

It really wasn’t that long ago that I was kidnapped from Earth. When you think about it, it was only minutes ago that Catch stole me from our present. And if we’re breaking down time, it was seconds after stepping into this future that I, Aylin Morgan, started a war.

Four years later and Sister Elara is suddenly a General in war spanning galaxies.

I fear for us; I fear for her. But I can’t speak, Eara’s war has cost us all the water on Elpis. Without Catch to save the day I’m afraid my mouth will be too dry to scold our future children into peace.

About the book

What is the book about?

Sister’s Lament is the 2nd book in the ACN Series.  It follows Aylin Morgan; a woman from our present as she is taken 40,000 years into the future to help save mankind.  The human race is more machine than man, and something in that technology is killing them.  In trying to help solve one mystery Aylin starts a war that spans galaxies.

When did you start writing the book?

This series was a bedtime story I used to tell my boys when they were small children.  When they grew into adults so did Aylin and her story, and that’s when I decided to write it all down.

How long did it take you to write it?

The entire 4 books series took just over a year to write.  As for editing and publishing-that is still a work in progress  for each book.

Where did you get the idea from?

From a 3 year old.  I started their bedtime story “Once upon a time,” and my youngest responded with “THE WORLD BLOWDED UP!”

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

I struggle with more intimate scenes.  Throughout the entire series I keep reminding myself that Grandma would be reading this, so the sexual content was less prevalent than was originally was intended.

What came easily?

I’m an avid horror fan, so writing grotesque scenes and violence came the easiest.  I also enjoyed writing it as a conversation, there are parts when Aylin, our heroine, talks to you the reader.  Those were the most fun to write.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

They are completely fictitious, except for Aylin, she tends to be snarky or as sarcastic as I can be at times.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Douglas Adams is definitely a huge influence, I am big Hitchhiker’s fan.  But I am an avid reader of all genres.  I have been told that my favorite authors sometimes come out in my writing: Chuck Palahniuk, Christopher Moore, Jean Auel, Mark Z. Danielewski to name a few.

Do you have a target reader?

Not really, I do enjoy showing scifi fans that it doesn’t always have to be so technical or serious, and I love converting a non sci-fi fan into the genre.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

My process is simple-I sit in a dark room after everyone has gone to bed, put on headphones, turn up music and blind write or write ‘pantless’.  Which means just to fill pages, no outline, just let my mind wander.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

The closest thing to outlining that I do is putting a character’s name on a Post-It (so I don’t forget the spelling).  If you look in my office you’ll find miscellaneous sentences written on all sorts of scrap paper scattered.  Just words I love, sentences that came to me while driving or waiting in line at the store that I would love to incorporate into a book at some point.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

When I finish a piece I walk away for 2 months or so and then go back to it, reread, make edits and when the last page is done I’ll immediately reopen it and start again.  And when I think it’s the best I can get it, I’ll hand it over to my editor and wait with bated breath for her red lines.

Did you hire a professional editor?

In all honesty not hiring a professional editor on my first book was it’s biggest down fall.  It’s because I was too worried about the cost of a professional that my first book will forever have a line that says ‘the closet corner’ instead of ‘the closest corner.’

With everything I’ve done since A Charming Nightmare I send it off to a professional editor.  She is amazing, and it is worth it to invest in yourself by hiring an editor.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Absolutely! I listen to a ton of Muse when I write.  I’ll also purge on: Breaking Benjamin, Imagine Dragons, In This Moment, Lord, Deftones, and Mumford and Sons.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I did, for about 2 years.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I got interest from a couple of agencies.  After listening to their pitch I realized that I like having control over every single aspect of the book process.  I loved working with a cover artist of my choosing, I love the editor I have found, I truly enjoyed the nuts and bolts of taking my ideas and seeing them all the way through to a printed piece.  I wouldn’t say it was a particular event or gradual process, but more of an ah-ha moment.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

My best friend is an incredible artist.  Usually I encourage people to stray away from using the friends and family plan when it comes to your book, however, my cover artist not only skilled in art, but is an amazing business woman.  We had worked together for numerous years in various settings, so going to her for this was just the natural step.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

Social media is a big part of my marketing plan, I also did a talk at a local library to get my book on their shelves, with other library appearances in the works.  I am scheduling as many events as I can for signings, but I believe my biggest marketing “pot of gold” is a podcast for indie writers I host with my husband called Indie Beginning.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Invest in yourself.  Invest in an editor, a cover, a marketing course, or a financial course, above all else invest in a good coffee maker and some very good coffee.  You will fall more than you fly-and learn that other authors are not your enemy, indie authors are your best resource and greatest source of motivation.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I was born in St. Paul, MN.  However, my family moved a lot-Chicago, IL., St. Louis, MO., St.Petersburg, FL., Central, NY.

Where do you live now?

Central, NY

What would you like readers to know about you?

I truly enjoy what I do, both reading and helping fellow authors.  I started a company with my husband called ACNBooks to help authors learn and grow from each other, through contact/feedback, conversations with others in the industry, and getting their pieces heard through our podcast Indie Beginning.

What are you working on now?

Remember the tidbit earlier about what was the hardest for me to write?  I’m in the middle of writing an entire book out of the things I’m uncomfortable describing.  It’s the farthest from the ACN Series I could get in writing style.

End of Interview:

For more from Marie, visit her website, follow her on Twitter, and like her Facebook page.

Get your copy of Sister’s Lament from Amazon US or Amazon UK.