Interview with Brenna Lyons [brennalyons]

What is your profession? What is your title printed on your business card?

Award-winning author.

What did you study and why did you choose to study that field?

My degrees are in accounting and computer programming, which have NOTHING to do with my current field...save checking royalty statements and my marketing efforts. I followed that field, because my biological mother was a BIG fan of having a degree you could make money with, and she didn't believe anyone could make money with a creative field. At the time, I didn't know any better, so I took my majors in jobs I could make (and have made) money at, and I made every elective a writing class.

What links do you have on the Internet: website, blog, social networks?

Website(s): http://www.brennalyons.com Blogs: http://brennalyonsden.blogspot.com/ http://infinite-worlds-of-fantasy.blogspot.com/ PLUS the ones at Amazon connect, Ning, and MySpace...see below for most. http://www.amazon.com/gp/blog/ASGG9KYGIIDGO/ref=cm_blog_dp_artist_blog Yahoo Groups/Newsletters: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BrennaLyons/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ebookChatters/ MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/brennalyons http://www.myspace.com/keen_rebreds http://www.myspace.com/night_warriors http://www.myspace.com/dopt_renegades http://www.myspace.com/ty_gers Online Interview(s): http://biblioparadise.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/featured-author-brenna-lyons/ http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/Brenna+Lyons http://pbdiva.wordpress.com/2008/09/08/meet-author-brenna-lyons/

In which areas have you thought of building upon your education?

More computer classes...perhaps photo editing. I can do video/audio editing and such, but I want to get better at photo editing.

Do you usually attended seminars or coursework to advance your professional work or would you consider yourself a more self-taught person?

I'm more self-taught. In creative endeavors, I don't think people can do more than point you to ideas and let you find your own way. The words come for you how they come for you. There is not a single "right" way to do things, and there isn't a template "how to" that works for every author. Of course, I do attend the odd class or panel at conventions. Unfortunately, I'm disappointed about half the time in what I find there.

Who have been the most influential people in your career?

Role models or personal connections? For role models, I'd have to say: Sherrilyn Kenyon, Stephen King, David and Leigh Eddings, Christine Feehan, Elaine Corvidae, Jeff Strand, John Saul... For personal connections, I'd have to say: Suzanne James, Elizabeth K Burton, Daniel Reitz, Terri Pray, Deidre Knight...

With which types of persons do you feel you work well with as a team?

Ones who are willing to work outside the box and aren't self-centered. If we're working in a team, we're a team. There is no "Well, that doesn't work for me personally, so I won't even consider..." in a team. Either it's good for the team as a whole and what we need to accomplish, even if it isn't ideal for the individual, or you aren't working as a team. I expect people I work with to be conscientious and to think of the other team members.

Which publications associated with your field do you regularly read?

At the moment, only a few online ones...like Maya Reynolds' blog and the Broadsheet. I used to read Writers' Digest, but I don't have time for magazines anymore.

Which languages do you speak, and how have you learned them?

English is my primary language. I was a Spanish translator a few decades ago (four years of study in high school in the AP class), but I'm really rusty from disuse. I know that I pick it up again very quickly, when I try (a semester in college proved that). I'd planned to brush up on it again, when I have a few months. Beyond that, I speak a few words of Latin, Italian, German, French, Gaelic... I've picked them up in the SCA, from family and friends, and from other authors.

Do you have a website or blog? How was the process in making it? Does it accomplish the purpose for which it was created?

I get more response on my MySpace blog than on my Blogger blog. Not sure why that is, but it is. It might be because I don't have a ton of blogs linked back to mine at Blogger. My web site is always evolving. It's up to about 60 pages now, and it keeps growing. I think it does accomplish what I want it to, and so I keep adding onto it.

How do you feel about speaking in front of an audience? What experience have you had in this arena?

It took me YEARS to get comfortable in front of an audience. I took speech-writing/speech-performance and performance arts (theatre and public reading) in high school and college. I learned to have notes, to always have something to do with my hands, and to funnel the nervous energy into the performance. I'm fairly comfortable in front of an audience now. You'd never know I'm a nervous wreck inside these days, but I still am. I teach classes in public schools and at conventions, sit panels, write speeches and deliver them, speak at town meetings, present awards, and even play hostess, when it's called for.

Do you attend cocktail parties, presentations, fairs or conventions related to your profession?

I do attend conventions, signings, and so on. I don't think anyone has ever invited me to a dinner or cocktail party that's related to writing.

Have you explored the social networks for professionals online? Are you member of any of them?

Of course! I'm a member of Broad Universe, EPIC, Red Room, MySpace, Goodreads, Library Thing, Ning, Amazon Connect, ERWA, IWOFA, YouTube, Mike's Writing Workshop, PNWriters, Write Publish Market, Dark Romance, Fiction That Sells, RLF, MFRW...and so on. I belong to upwards of 120 Yahoo groups alone.

How are you different from others in your professional sector?

I'm something of a Maverick. My first editor refers to me as the Bohemian. I may not do things like others do, but I get the job done, and I do it well, so I tend to have a little slack in the how department.

How is the Interent changing the way you work?

It's not, really. Since I came into this business via the internet, it's always been a part of writing/marketing for me. The hows and wheres may change a bit, but it's all the same game in different courts.

Do you feel your hobbies serve to elevate your career?

Sort of... I do a lot of research via the SCA. I use my knowledge of the list field to build fight scenes. I use the naming guides to help choose names for characters. I use a lot of information I have from my hobbies to make fuller characters.

Would you relenquish some of your income in exchange for more free time?

Probably not. Since I love what I do, I'm not looking to escape it.

What are the things you least like about your job?

Being in the public eye means dealing with readers and/or other authors who have a few screws loose. It also means people you don't know or have anything against coming up with insane grudges against you.

Besides your current profession, what other things would you have liked to have been?

I've done most of them already... Teacher Child-care worker I won't say I love accounting, but I love backward engineering accounting systems. I love the creative part of being an accountant...and a programmer. I love finding the back doors.

What is the most important thing you have learned from experience?

Don't try to please everyone. It's impossible, and even if it wasn't, it's better to be decisive than wishy-washy.

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?

DUH! An author. I've wanted to be an author since I was 7. I've had people try to change my mind, though. I've had them try to change me to teaching, biology, pre-med, English Lit...

Save some excpetions, do you believe professional and personal relationships should not be mixed?

I don't agree or disagree with this, actually. I'm not the type to jump into a contract just because I know someone personally, but I have no problems with doing so, if the contract is right, and I have no problems having a personal relationship (NOT sexual...but friends/associates) with a professional contract. In many ways, working together is about personalities. If your personalities clash, it's going to be an uncomfortable working relationship, no matter how professional you both are. If you get along well otherwise, it's not uncommon to share a personal connection with someone you have a professional relationship with.

List any credits, publications, competitions, etc.

This could take a while. I've been published more than 60 times in the last (just shy of) 6 years. That's just in fiction. My non-fiction works would add another 3 dozen or so publications to that list. I write everything from straight genre SF/F/H/Para through cross-genre romance, sensual/erotic romance, erotica...the occasional historical or contemp. Most of my work is milieu-heavy dark fantasy, though I do the occasional romp. I also write articles, poetry, essays, and so on. I'm a 7-time EPPIE finalist (in 6 categories and in 5 years), a 3-time PEARL finalist (and took HM, second to NY Times Bestseller Angela Knight on my second go), a 2-time CAPA finalist, a DREAM REALM finalist...and an anthology I'm in took Spinetinglers' Book of the Year for 2007.

How do you handle customer complaints?

It depends on the complaint and if the person is reasonable... If it's dissatisfaction with how I handled something in the book, I've hit someone's nit, and that's going to happen. Apologizing for their discomfort is about as far as I'll go. If it's some nutcase that is screaming because my characters aren't what the reader wanted...they are my characters, and they are going to do what is "in character" for my world. There's no making that right. I love my readers. I go out of my way to encourage my readers to talk to me and such, but there's a line we don't cross.

What do you do to manage stress?

Primal screaming? I do yell and slam doors a little. It's better than bringing out fists, so I unload steam that way, when I can. Sometimes, I write a blog post that never posts. Sometimes, I write blog posts that DO post.

How and why did you begin to be creative?

I don't know that I can answer "why" I became creative. Does anyone choose to be? I suppose some people do, but I was born creative. I've been writing since the age of 7 (poetry and short stories) and competing (and winning) since the age of 11. I was the youngest Taproot (poetry) winner of my time. I won a place in Explorers for Journalism when I was 13. I won a place in the Young Poets at the University of Pittsburgh at age 15. I won a competitive essay contest with a 4-year scholarship at 17. My first public poetry reading was at 19. Writing has always been a part of my life.

Your mind is your work tool. How do you take care of it?

Keep it busy. Keep it as low-stress as possible. I enjoy candlelight and little or no scent in my environment, though not while I'm actively writing. I prefer writing to watching TV or playing video games, though I do watch a few TV shows online.

How do you avoid repeating yourself, or falling into formula? How do you stay fresh?

Since I've got a character--driven process, each character and world is different. For that reason, I rarely repeat myself. I stay fresh by taking a break from world A to work on world B or character C to work on character D. I write what's screaming loudest, which means that something getting stale on the brain automatically shunts to the back burner.

Who have your teachers been?

My English teachers (and surprisingly, a religion teacher) in high school really pushed me to develop my skills and compete. Most notable there are Ms. H and Mrs. Betty Brunetti from Bishop Boyle High School in Homestead. Boyle doesn't exist anymore, sadly, but it was a great school. Beyond that? My first editor and one of my later editors have probably taught me the most. They would be Suzanne James and Elizabeth K. Burton.

When you accept a job, how much value do you place on each of the following? Money, creative liberty, visibility, and to work with the best.

WOW! What a question. The money is nice. I won't lie. Ideally, you should get money and several of the others, but money isn't the most important factor for me. Since I take on contracts where I'll get less money and more exposure, that alone says that visibility ranks higher for me. I do like a certain amount of creative liberty. So far, I've been fortunate in being allowed to create the characters and worlds I do without much interference. I hope that continues. Would I turn down a contract that didn't include it? Depends on the world. Obviously, if the world is already running somewhere, I'm not going to break my own world rules for a new contract in a larger venue. That's a disservice to my readers who like the world and to myself. I adore working with the best! I'm already sharing publishers with Piers Anthony, Gary K. Wolfe, Charlee Boyett-Compo, Claudia Christian... I'd love to share publishers with people like Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan, Angela Knight, Rowena Cherry, Robin Owens... That's my ultimate goal.

Have you ever had a job that was so stimulating that you could not get your mind off of it?

Any book I've ever written?

"To give birth to ideas." Is this only an expression, or are there really parallels between giving birth and creativity?

It's very similar, in some respects. Creation can be painful. I've literally poured sweat, given up sleep, and so forth when I'm deep in a project. And you have the same sense of pride in accomplishment...and a certain amount of protective instincts, though just like with children, there's a time to let go.

It is possible to fall in love with a bad idea simply because it is yours. How do you avoid this?

I've thought I've done this, but the readers tend to disagree. I suppose it's possible, but I haven't done it, so I'm the last person to answer it.

Must someone be the leader or boss in order for a creative team to function well?

Not necessarily, depending on the situation. I've been in co-equal teams that worked well. But, it helps to have someone who holds the reins on deadlines and such, when you have a non-self-starter in the group...or to avoid confusion when dealing with the editor/publisher. One go-to person can avoid a lot of confusion, in the end.

Declaration: With what person or business would you like to work?

I think I covered this earlier, in the question that asked about working with the best. If I was to work with the best, I'd be looking at places like St Martin's, Leisure, Berkley, TOR, Luna, Lovespell... At the top of my list? St Martin's and Berkley!

What criteria do you use when selecting someone to be a part of your creative team?

As a rule, I don't HAVE a creative team. Yes, I work with my editors, cover artists, and publishers, but creative teams to me are much more writing teams, and I do those infrequently. When I do, it has to be someone I have both a personal and professional banter with. People who cause strife in the team stifle my creativity along the way.

The armchair psychologist: Is creativity an act of rebellion for you?

No. If you want to be an armchair psychologist, I can address creativity in those terms. It's a way of venting steam, of escapism, of catharsis, of pouring off the voices in the head in a functional manner...

What is the best advertisement you've seen recently?

The doghouse commercial for the jewelers.

Do you work well under pressure?

Yes and no. If it's comfortable pressure, yes. I work phenomenally under time crunches and such. If it's an uncomfortable pressure, no. I am stifled, when the pressure is a negative energy or interpersonal stress.

What city in the world currently attracts you due to its creative environment?

New York City, but I don't think I'd want to live there. Grinning...

How is an idea sold?

Excitement. If you aren't excited about what you're doing, no one else will be. Of course, it's also got to be presented in a professional, coherent manner. If they can't understand you and follow your lead, you can't sell it.

What do you feel when, after two or three years, you see an idea of yours again?

LOVE IT! I may cringe at the early edits done on my work, but I'm still excited about the ideas. And books can be re-edited.

Ideas can come simultaneously to different people in different places with no connection to one another. How do you explain this phenomenon?

There are six BILLION people on the Earth, all seeing similar images and feeling similar feelings. Eventually, someone has to come up with the same things.

You are as good as your last idea. Wouldn't you like to have a more secure type of work?

No. And, I don't believe you're only as good as the last. There are too many come-backs in the creative realm for that to ring true.

What did you first read? How did you begin to write? Who were the first to read what you wrote?

Since I've been reading since the age of 5 or so, I have no idea what I read first. The first things I remember reading were paranormal mysteries and mysteries. I started reading romance books at about age 11. The first people to read what I wrote were family members and teachers. Since the teachers were more supportive, I switched to them reading what I wrote very quickly.

What is your favorite genre? Can you provide a link to a site where we can read some of your work or learn something about it?

That I write or that others do? I like a lot of genres, but fantasy romance (of just about any heat level) would be my favorite. My site is at http://www.brennalyons.com

What is your creative process like? What happens before sitting down to write?

I have more of a non-process than a process. I'm a complete pantser/organic writer. I don't outline, unless the work is already done. I don't plan/plot. I don't write linear; I don't know what's coming on the NEXT page, let alone the last page, unless I've already written the last page and I don't decide to add something further to what I THOUGHT was the end later. I have a character-driven process, by which I mean that I usually have a character or two in mind and maybe a situation. I start writing there and see where it goes. I follow the characters, even when I don't agree with their choices, because they have to stay "in character." All I do is set the consequences to those actions and keep moving. Sometimes plot twists and characters just show up on the page. I just keep moving and see where they are headed. If I'm writing poetry or fiction, I write longhand first...two lines to a college-ruled line with gel ink (usually). I do first and second draft that way then start typing into the computer, at which point I tend to add up to 33% to the length just by adding description. If I'm writing non-fiction, I write directly into the computer.

What type of reading inspires you to write?

Any. There is nothing that doesn't spark an idea, reading or not.

What do you think are the basic ingredients of a story?

A consistent, coherent and well-drawn world. Consistent, logical characterization...even if the character isn't logical, the motivations should be. Rising and falling tension. Tension doesn't only rise in books. There should be plateaus, releases...times when it's not just rising and rising.

What voice do you find most to your liking: first person or third person?

I would have said first person in high school. Now, I say third, unless the story falls naturally into first person. Then I follow the character into first person.

What well known writers do you admire most?

Sherrilyn Kenyon, Robin Owens, Rowena Cherry, Elaine Corvidae, Jeff Strand, Tee Morris, Christine Feehan, Angela Knight, Deborah Lynne, Susan Kearney, Margaret Carter, Myra Nour, Janet Miller, Piers Anthony, Stephen King, David and Leigh Eddings, Joan Vinge, Robert Heinlein, John Varley, John Saul, Dean Koontz, Jean Auel, Laura Baumbach, Karen Harbaugh, James Morrow, Gloria Oliver... And many more.

What is required for a character to be believable? How do you create yours?

A character can't be perfect...perfectly good or perfectly evil, UNLESS the character is MEANT to be a parody or meant to be perfectly-flawed, as in obsessive and a flaw in itself. Characters have to be a tapestry of good and evil. It has to be well-rounded. It has to have likes and dislikes, wants, needs, fears, neuroses... It has to act "in character," according to all of these things. It has to even speak and think in character. For instance, a character with no industrial or scientific background won't describe something as smelling like sulfur dioxide; rather he will describe it as having a smell like rotten eggs. Even if the character isn't one you're supposed to LIKE, as a reader, it should be one you understand and can follow a logic stream for.

Are you equally good at telling stories orally?

Only if I know the story well. There's no backspace key on oral storytelling.

Deep down inside, who do you write for?

My own sensibilities and those of my characters, though the readers influence my choices to offer a story for sale. Usually, their sensibilities urge me to release stories I hadn't originally planned on releasing...and they do well.

Is writing a form of personal therapy? Are internal conflicts a creative force?

Short answer? Yes. You can work out a lot of problems by writing. I started doing that with my poetry, but I can honestly say my first two novels were almost completely catharsis.

Does reader feed-back help you?

It keeps turning stand-alone stories into series. Grinning... Basically, feedback tends to push me to writing stories I wasn't certain I was going to write for the public.

Do you participate in competitions? Have you received any awards?

Ouch... I've answered this in other questions, but yes...I do enter competitions, and I have won awards. My first competition (competing and winning) was the Taproot poetry competition at age 11. I was the youngest winner of my time. I won a place in Explorers for Journalism at 13. I won a place in the Young Poets at the University of Pittsburgh at 15. I won a 4-year competitive scholarship with a timed essay at age 17. As an adult, I've won SCA poetry contests, and I placed 3rd and 4th in the Knowne World Poetry Contest at Pennsic two years running. Since I've been a professional novelist, I've finaled in the EPPIE 7 times (in 6 different categories and in 5 years), finaled in the PEARL 3 times (taking Honorable Mention second to Angela Knight the second time out), finaled for 2 CAPAS and a DREAM REALM award...and took Spinetinglers' Book of the Year for 2007 with an anthology I'm in.

Do you share rough drafts of your writings with someone whose opinion you trust?

I used to share them with a local support group, but I don't do that anymore. The answer today is "never." No one sees my work until it's at least ready to submit.

Do you believe you have already found "your voice" or is that something one is always searching for?

I think the voice changes over time. I'm very happy with my voice, but I know it's not a static thing. I'm not "searching" for one, but neither do I expect it to stay precisely as it is now for the rest of my career.

What discipline do you impose on yourself regarding schedules, goals, etc.?

I keep my goals and such very general, UNLESS I'm on deadline. Even then, I give myself a deadline and just work within the construct of an end-point. Being a pantser, anything beyond writing every day and deadlines is counter to my methods.

What do you surround yourself with in your work area in order to help your concentrate?

Books, hand-written notes, reviews, pictures, cover art, awards, fan letters, music, supplies, comfortable chairs...

Do you write on a computer? Do you print frequently? Do you correct on paper? What is your process?

I've answered the process question already, so let's look at edits. I tend to do a couple of edit passes. Before I type the handwritten work into the computer, I do a cleaning pass for major holes. After it's typed in, I do a pass in the computer, looking for my usual tells, switching from Verdana to Courier to shake up the eyes a bit. Then I do an auditory pass in the computer. At that point, it's ready to submit. After each edit pass, I do another auditory edit. IF the galleys come in a print form, I do it there. If they come as a PDF or RTF, I do them in the computer. I LIKE print galleys better, but I can do them either way.

What sites do you frequent on-line to share experiences or information?

Ouch... I belong to upwards of 120 Yahoo groups alone. What are the ones I tend to use most? EPIC, ERWA, IWOFA, Write Publish Market, MFRW, Broad Universe, Mike's Writing Workshop, EPIC eWorkshop...

What has been your experience with publishers?

This is an amorphous question. If you're asking what publishers I've worked with, I've worked with indie publishing so far. I throw my hat into the NY ring once in a while, but they haven't been ready for my style so far. Then again, NY is usually 5-10 years behind indie press, so that's not a surprise. Maybe they'll be ready for me soon. My list of current publishers includes: LooseId, Mundania, Phaze, Under The Moon/Final Sword Productions (and by extension, Mojocastle Press), and Logical Lust. My list of former publishers includes: eXtasy Books, New Concepts, Triskelion, Treble Heart, Llewellyn, and Dark Hart Press. If you're asking what sorts of publishing situations I've dealt with, in a more general manner... I've been with traditional royalty-paying press and I've self published twice. Not subsidy or vanity but true self-publishing. I've dealt with contracts that are net and those that are gross of cover. I've dealt with established houses, start-ups...houses imploding for owner problems, those in bankruptcy, and some that are solid as a rock. I've dealt with publishers that do only e-books, only print books, are primarily e-book publishers but offer some print later, and those that are primarily print publishers but offer the two simultaneously. There isn't much I haven't seen.

What are you working on now?

I'm on a book submission deadline for two Kegin books right now (did I mention I write in 19 series worlds PLUS stand-alones?), but I take breaks from them to work on two others. I'm also preparing for two major contests in January (2009). I have more than 80 WIP and 28 signed contracts to be satisfied by sometime in 2010/2011. To that end, I am in final approval for two book covers, edits for one book, galleys for another...and filling out the questions here is my down time.

What do you recommend I do with all those things I wrote years ago but have never been able to bring myself to show anyone?

There are several possibilities. With some editing and re-writing they may be marketable. If they are, give them a go. If they aren't particularly attractive to publishers, you could still use them as promo. Readers LOVE free reads, but make sure they are a good example of your work, if you use them that way. If they are novella or shorter, you may be able to donate them to a worthy cause (charity sites or anthologies), which will get you exposure but not money. Exposure may pay off in sales later. Again, make sure they are something you can be proud of, if you choose to put them out there with your name on them. If they are completely unworkable, save them. Why? They can remind you how far you've come. AND, they can make great additions to the "evolution of an author" if you ever donate to a writing program. Even unpublished works can be donated for this purpose...and who knows? Posthumously, many things you never thought would sell have.

What was your first computer, and which is your current?

A Tandy that I blew up within an hour, in an attempt to test the randomizer. I own three computers now (Windows machines, though I use Macs at work)...plus a PDA.

Online virality: isn't it the same as traditional word-of-mouth?

Not precisely the same but close. It's more like free samples being given out. The main problem is that not all the free samples being given out virally are given with the permission of the copyright owner.

What were you doing in March 2000, at the height of the "dotcom bubble"?

Working in special needs child care...and tracking a non-custodial mother on the run for the worried father. Grinning... Oh, and working as a journalist for a prominent (at the time) e-zine.

Will bandwidth one day cease to be a limitation?

I certainly hope so. There's little reason for it, in most cases.

What is your stance as a marketing professional? What are you good at? What differentiates you from others?

Having time in the chair is a great boost. When you've had time to piecemeal together your marketing into a sturdy net, you have an advantage. Someone building a web page is at a disadvantage, when compared with someone who has had the web page in place for the last 8 years and just has to add to it and change information. The latter has time to expend on other marketing efforts. Also, some marketers don't realize that no single effort works on your entire audience. You need to make impressions on people with differing tastes and likes. That means you can't funnel all of your efforts into similar marketing outlets, like a web site, MySpace, Facebook, and Amazon Connect. They are all of a "type." Better than that would be having two of the three and adding on chats, Yahoogroups, tag lines, reviews, interviews, spotlights, blurbs and excerpts on lists, articles written for the exposure...then add the other two of that type back in, when you have extra time. That creates a broader base to lead people who notice one item to the rest, make your dozen impressions...and make the sale.

A marketing strategy begins with an idea. How are yours born?

It depends entirely on the book. When PROPHECY was out, writing for Pagan magazines and anthologies were a great tie-in, for instance. When FAIRY DREAMS was new on the scene, addressing fantasy and world-building was a good tie-in.

Did this product exist ten years ago? And the brand?

Depends on which product we're talking about. The idea of horror erotic romance, for example, was UNHEARD of a decade ago. Some people still stop short at the idea and have to ask what in the world that could possibly be. Comedy horror or fantasy romance is well established.

What is the key to gaining consumer fidelity?

Offering consistent quality and not cloning your product over and over. Keep it fresh. Keep it engaging and active. Don't let the quality slip.

What differentiates your product/service from the competition?

Ah...now isn't that the whole idea of marketing? That's one of the failures in the approach a lot of marketing folks are making these days. They are stuck on the tried and true...it worked before...the copycat effect. Unfortunately, the copycat effect leads to the diminishing returns effect. In order to sell, you have to tell the reader what is different about the product/book, not how it's "like" the dozens of others released this month in that subgenre. Your blurb must, at the same time, make it clear what the subgenre is and tell the reader why THIS book is a must-read, among the others.

What is a better way to communicate your product: emotional or rational?

For fiction books, I'd say you have to evoke something of an excitement, an emotional response. Now, you may accomplish that by evoking an intellectual response, as well. But, you want to generate hype...excitement...a sense of (pardon the pun) novel storytelling.

Can you cite brands or well-known products that you admire for marketing brilliance?

Sherrilyn Kenyon and Rowena Cherry are goddesses of the book marketing trade!

Are we heading towards more individualised marketing and advertising?

Online book marketing is much more individualized, because it gives personal interactions with authors. From recent pollings, online marketing for books is much more effective than old marketing plans.

What percentage of your marketing budget is invested in digital advertising and why?

A large portion of it. The return is much higher than with paper promo. I do still do some pens, pins, bookmarks, business cards and paper ads. The rest gets spent in personal appearances and online marketing. Luckily, online marketing (overall) is much less expensive than traditional marketing.

What is the most surprising thing you have learned about digital marketing in the last few years?

That blogs were good for anything BUT self-indulgence. Grinning...

A few years ago, it was said that online sales would end up killing traditional store sales, but that has not been the case: how can you explain this?

People still like browsing...and not everyone trusts buying online.

Are you part of any professional networking sites? Has it served its purpose for you?

Tons of them, and yes... I've gotten contracts via them. I've gotten sales via them.

What is your blog address? What subjects do you deal with?

http://brennalyonsden.blogspot.com/ http://www.amazon.com/gp/blog/ASGG9KYGIIDGO/ref=cm_blog_dp_artist_blog PLUS the ones at Ning, and MySpace... All told, I have twelve blogs or so.

What was it that made you create your blog? On what date did you start it?

Actually, my Blogger blog is the second installment of it. When Blogger and Google combined, it messed up my blog so that I could no longer participate in my group blogs, so I had to start a new one and transfer things in. I believe the original was started in 2005 or so. I actually started the blog, because it seemed a good way to store articles I was writing on Yahoogroups in a central location.

What blogging system have you adopted and why?

I work on a lot of different blogging systems. Blogger is the main one, the easiest to access for people who aren't on particular networking systems. Ning and MySpace blogs are primarily for "friends" on those systems. Amazon Connect is specifically meant to place blog posts directly on book buying pages.

How many visits a day do you get? What type of comments do you receive?

My blog posts usually cross-post to three or more blogs. On one, I average 33 views per post. On another, I average 200 or so views per post. On some, I average much less. It depends on the blog. And, most of the comments are discussion of what I'm talking about or links to articles I might find interesting.

Have you created relationships with other bloggers or readers of your blog?

If you mean cross-linking and such, yes. But, I often know these people from Yahoogroups before I know them from blogging.

How often do you post? Does regular posting of your blog require a lot of effort on your part?

I try to post once or twice a week to the main blogs and every month or two to the lesser blogs. Sometimes, I don't quite make that. Life intrudes. Other times, you'll see four posts from me in a week. Since I use the same...or similar posts on several blogs, it doesn't add much to my workload...and I'm often posting about writing news or something I'm talking about on Yahoogroups, so my posts are half-written.

Does blogging bring in income for you? Can one make a living from posting?

Since my blog includes information about my books, it's tied into my marketing plan. In that way, yes...I can make money from posting.

How do you promote your blog?

I'll often comment on a Yahoogroup that I've got a blog post on X up. Come on by and comment. I do interviews for other authors, which means they promote my blog. I do reviews of other author's books, which means they send people there to read them. And blogs on networking sites automatically bring in your usual parcel of readers.

Are there any blogs you follow daily or regularly?

Several. Alien Romance, Sherrilyn Kenyon's MySpace blog, IWOFA, Maya Reynolds' blog, Sci Fi Guy, Three Wicked Writers, Oh Get A Grip... None that I follow daily, but fairly often.

What advice would you give to someone who wishes to begin a blog?

A couple of things... Remember that the readers want a piece of you, but they aren't your confidants. There are some things better left UNSHARED. Along the same lines, remember that what you say is largely there for life, even if you later delete it. Think twice before you post in anger. People have been fired for the contents of their blogs. It's a very real concern. If you're setting yourself up as a professional, make sure what you say is well researched and sound information. If it's not, you're not a professional; you're just a hack with a blog.

What hobbies have you got?

Swimming, hiking, camping, SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism...though I'm inactive right now), writing, reading, photography, fingerloop braiding, cooking and baking...

Which actor would you like to be?

Oh, I so want to say BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, just to be cute. Seriously, why would I want to be someone else? I like who I am...for the most part. I could use to lose a few pounds (okay, more than a few), but I still like myself. I won't say I hate acting, because I loved it in high school, but I wouldn't want to be someone else. Everyone has problems, you know.

A simple pleasure that for you is quite big or important.

Sleeping in, when my body allows me to sleep that much.

What is the greatest loss you have had in your life?

A "friend" who turned out to be a two-faced sort. I've had enough of that in my family. I don't accept it from people who claim to be a friend.

How do you respond to telemarketing calls?

Not interested. Put me on your no-call list.

Are you an ex-smoker? How did you quit?

Nope. I have asthma, so second hand smoke is the sum total of my torture with it.

It is 5 pm on a typical Sunday: what are you doing?

Spending time with the kids. Maybe working on my laptop in the living room with them. Getting ready to make dinner for the family.

Something in which you are completely incompetent.

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