Writers4Higher: February 2014

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Writers4Higher features Randy Mitchell

Welcome to Writers4Higher

The purpose of the Writers4Higher blog: to feature authors in a new light, a fresh look at the way writers use their talents and life energies to uplift humankind. Writers4Higher doesn’t promote religious or political views. Authors are asked to answer three simple questions: simple, yet complex.

This issue, Writers4Higher features

Randy Mitchell

Hi, Randy. Welcome to the Writers4Higher family!

Tell me about yourself. Your book(s), your life, your inspiration.

First, thank you for inviting me to share with your audience!

I wrote my first novel, Sons In The Clouds a few years ago which is a story of two childhood friends who grow up helping each other survive some of their lives toughest challenges. These confrontations and tests cover everything from parental abuse, their romantic interests, time as cadets at Annapolis and Naval Pilot Training, to being POW’s together in Vietnam where their survival depended on the unconditional, continuous bond they started as children. Thanks to the positive feedback I’ve received, I’m considering writing a sequel sometime in the future. Although the book was initially self-published, it was placed in print and traditionally published during August of this year.

I’ve always loved stories and creativity, particularly ones I see visually in movies and on television. And I really enjoy ones whose storylines and characters carry profound, emotional messages to their audience—something they can learn from and apply to their everyday lives. That’s really why I started writing inspirational fiction.

I also enjoy placing my stories in familiar locations and try and produce characters reminding me of people I already know. Using realistic, oftentimes graphic writing about conflicts and romantic relationships carrying deep, emotional ties is what I take pleasure in creating.

On a personal note, I’m a native Texan and currently live in Dallas. I enjoy watching professional sports, practicing martial arts and I’m also a foodie, lover of wine and rock and roll.

Where do you see your writing taking you in the future?

Aside from my first novel being published, I’m currently under contract to pen three more, all within the inspirational fiction genre. I’m looking forward to growing my readership and sincerely wish for anyone reading my books they take with them a message of hope, and belief in divine intervention no matter their circumstances. Like most writers, I would love to see one of my books adapted into film.

Next year, my newest novel will be published and it’s entitled, The Luck Inside Me: a story of one born into poverty and emotional abuse that is suddenly blessed with incredible luck. It’s very different from Sons In The Clouds but also carries that inspirational theme which seems to resonate with readers.

How do you use your talents/time to help others?

Thanks to interacting on social media, I’m always conversing with other writers and those interested in our craft. And ever since I became published many have asked me questions about the writing/publishing process, inquired about writing book reviews, and also sharing their blogs. All of which I’m happy to help with.

On my personal website I also write a blog, usually two to three times monthly covering lifestyle, relationship, and writing topics and I hope my experiences and knowledge there are seen as beneficial to those interested.

Would you like to find Randy?

Check out the links to this talented author:

Randy Mitchell's Website

Randy Mitchell's Blog

Randy Mitchell on Facebook

Randy Mitchell on Twitter

Sons In the Clouds on Amazon.com

Be sure to visit the Writers4Higher Market! We have gear for the writer in you.

The Writers4Higher Market

Rhett DeVane

Fiction with a Southern Twist

Writers4Higher blog

Rhett's Website

Rhett's funny Southern Blog

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Writers4Higher features Robert L. Parke

Welcome to Writers4Higher

This issue, Writers4Higher features

Robert L. Parke

Hi, Robert. Welcome to the Writers4Higher family!

Tell me about yourself. Your book(s), your life, your inspiration.

I had a wonderful career in the fields of law enforcement and civil investigations. As a Certified Legal Investigator and Certified Evidence Photographer member of several professional associations, it seemed appropriate to share what I had learned along the way, and contributed numerous articles on those subjects to their journals. I retired from the law firm at the end of 2008 because I was 69, and it seemed the appropriate thing to do. My wife, Ely, and I fulfilled our "Bucket List" wishes by traveling the United States (I don't "do" foreign countries - a certain amount of latent paranoia left over from my career, I suspect). Spent another couple of years being retired, and discovered it just wasn't enough - I believed I had more left to contribute. By then, I was way too old to become a cop again, too old to go back to flying and didn't want to go back into civil investigations (too intense), couldn't see myself in some of the other honorable but mundane jobs old guys take to keep busy at something, so called a long-time friend (we played in a band for nearly a decade) who owns a security agency. It seemed to be a natural evolution from my prior experiences, and indeed it was.

After bouncing around from assignment to assignment, I landed at the sorority, and knew, within a few days, that I was "home." To many, I became their "Grandpa" away from home. They know that their safety is my paramount concern. As the Acknowledgements indicate, I soon realized that many of them, at one time or another, were putting themselves at risk - in one way or another. I asked for, and received, permission to speak to them about being safer "out there." The results of my one-hour talk to the Chapter members were dramatic and immensely gratifying. At the same time, my college freshman Granddaughter was into the not uncommon denial mode of the "bullet-proof" teenager when I started to talk to her about these things. That did it. The light bulb went on over my head, and the book was conceived. It's creation was sometimes grueling. I did an enormous amount of research to amplify and back up my experience-based knowledge. For a short book, it seemed to take forever to complete and then to tweak to my satisfaction.

My biggest break was to meet and sign on with Terri Gerrell of Southern Yellow Pine Publishing. She has become far more than "the Publisher" - she is my mentor and my friend. Would that all aspiring writers get such a lucky break.

2. Where do you see your writing taking you in the future?

An idea for a novel is rattling around in my brain. As might be expected, if I go there, it will be related to "Staying Safe."

3. How do you use your talents/time to help others?

With luck and continued good health, I will continue private security work at "my" sorority for several more years. That, and the promulgation of my book, will, I hope, be my lasting contributions to easing this "mortal coil."