Code Walker by G. L. Drummond
Published by Katarr Kanticles Press

Available at: Amazon US, Amazon UK, Smashwords

FTC Disclosure: This interview, as part of a blog tour, is being conducted with an author I know personally. The work being discussed was provided free. However, the opinions I have of her and her work are genuine and are not contingent upon anything I receive either free or in return for services rendered. (I have proofread and edited some of her work.)

Whew, now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, let the interview begin!

I thought it’d be nice to do this somewhere comfortable and beautiful, during the very brief respite from the cold here in Reno.  It’s warm enough to park the laptop and myself just outside my favorite cyber café near the Truckee River.

I’ve got a few moments before the interview/chat session starts, and I’m so excited. Code Walker is quickly becoming one Gayla’s most successful eBooks to date. We met in an online writers group several years ago, and even though I tend more toward historical fiction or general fiction, she’s nailed Preternatural, Paranormal, and Science Fiction/Fantasy genres.

And this directly leads me to why I’m here today and thinking about Science Fiction and Fantasy writers.

Suspending disbelief is necessary in order for a reader to enjoy fiction; especially with genres such as Fantasy. Imagination is also paramount, but that imagination, once disbelief leaves the playground, must be thrilled and satisfied or else is has nowhere to go and nothing to do.

Those successful in writing these types of stories must be skilled enough to keep imagination a happy camper. It must be one of the hardest genres to write in. But authors like Gayla make it look easy.

That’s why I wanted to pick her brain for this blog tour. She’s written a thriller fused beautifully with Science Fiction, Fantasy, and interesting characterizations.

Of course, she always does well with her characters. She has to since they insist on writing most of the story themselves. She just hangs onto the keyboard for dear life as they drag her, and her fingers, along for the ride.

But enough of my blathering, let’s let Gayla speak for herself:

Even though you’ve dabbled in several genres, you shine when writing Preternatural and Science Fiction-tinged Fantasies. It isn’t always an easy genre to write and can have some of the harshest critics. Do you ever approach a story with this in mind, or are many – if not all, of your stories driven by the “voices”?

The Voices have total control. I went into writing fiction with ‘not everyone will like it’ uppermost in my brain. Honestly, if you try to keep up with what annoys readers, you’ll never write anything at all.

Everything’s been done. All the tropes are tired rags. Too much sex. Not enough sex. Not enough dialogue. Not enough exposition. The list goes on and on, even covering descriptive replacements for body parts, and complaints about characters’ sexual activities.

I followed a couple of threads on Amazon for a few days, in the interest of seeing what readers liked/didn’t like in the fiction they read.

That drove my desire to write clean for several days. Yet in the end, I realized the old tried and true saying that you can’t please everyone is the simple truth.

What people like is all a matter of their own personal preferences, and that’s what will keep a writer going: Some of them are going to like YOUR stories.

I just write what the Voices tell me to, and think those who want to read that type of story will, while other readers will avoid it like the plague.

In short, nope, I don’t worry about critics when I’m writing a story.

My favorite character in this story is T.J. the AI. You have another story with a well-drawn AI, although she has a much darker side than T.J. I love them both. When creating these types of characters, do they get the same attention to their development as your “living and breathing” ones?

Actually, they don’t. Mainly because they haven’t gone through things like learning to walk, puberty, etc. over a period of several years. Living, breathing characters have a lot more personal history going on.

AIs develop into ‘maturity’, or are created ‘mature’ from the start. Doesn’t mean something won’t cause a change in their attitude (like tragedy did to Mary in Hunter’s Edge). They’re easier to write, because they don’t have all that baggage built up.

Several of your stories require more than a basic knowledge of technology. How much effort and importance do you place on doing research? Is this something you do when outlining, or do you research it as you go along – or perhaps both?

I research when it’s necessary, but for the most part, I stick with technology that people are likely to have seen in movies, TV series, or read about.

Like transporters. Your average reader probably knows what a transporter is, even if you give it another name, because they’ve likely heard of Star Trek. It’s not really necessary to explain how one works. It’s a transporter. It scrambles your atoms, phases them through space or walls, whatever the obstacle may be, and reassembles them at a designated point.

And Dr. McCoy hates transporters. Heh.

I don’t enjoy stories that go into great detail about how things work. Personally, I find that boring to read.

Just tell me what it is, and that it works. That’s all I need to know.

I like the multiple facets of a relationship you cover in this book: professional, casual, sexual, artificial, etc. All of these affect our lives in one form or another, but in Code Walker, reality and artificiality interact quite a bit to form a something that we are just now beginning to see a lot of in real life. (MMORPG addiction, Skype for interactions other than business.) Was the impetus to write this story borne out of the increasing use of cyberspace to connect socially and otherwise?

Woman, I have no clue. I don’t sit down and think about specifics that should be included in a story. What ends up in each is what feels right and fits. Which is why it took me so long to finish Code Walker – Seth having a freak out didn’t feel right.

That doesn’t mean all of the above didn’t play a part in the birth of Riley and TJ as Voices. It likely did. It just wasn’t a conscious decision.

In terms of plots, there are only so many a writer can work with. It’s the writers ability to create a unique theme that make each story different and intriguing. This uniqueness is important in keeping a reader’s interest instead of having them feel like they’re reading a re-hashed version of something they’ve read before. How hard do you work to come up with that difference – that twist that makes your writing so fun to read?

I think it’s hard not to come up with differences and twists. I mean, people aren’t clones, so we don’t all comprehend and output our comprehension the exact same way.

You’re unique. Whatever you write, assuming you work on the basis of your creativity, is going to be unique too.

Yeah, it might be the same plot and themes someone else used, but the characters, their actions, and behaviors aren’t going to be exactly the same as theirs, because YOU wrote it.

Then again, I avoid reading anything in the genre of my current WIP, because what you read will bleed into it, and you might not realize it until a fresh pair of eyeballs points it out to you. If I’m working on preternatural fantasy, I read thrillers or mysteries.

If it’s a romance of any flavor, I read horror.

I like it when someone says one of my stories reminds them of this or that one, and I can honestly say, “I haven’t read that one.”

So if one does happen to rehash a certain plot with the same certain themes, it wasn’t planned.

The Voices made me do it. Heh.

Speaking of voices, I think I hear one now letting me know our time is up. It’s the one telling me my battery power is about to go out. Technology. Makes life easier, as long as you have the power for it. Hey, I’ll see you on Twitter later. Congratulations on Code Walker doing so well!

Thanks for letting me drop in, Jo. It was fun as always!

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There has been a lot of discussions recently regarding self-published authors and the quality of their work, and for some, their character. Be assured, Gayla takes pride in her work and cares about the product she offers. And the only time I’ve ever seen her go viral is when she’s run out of Chai.

To find out more about Gayla and her work:

Website: http://midnightintentions.com

Blog: blog – http://feralintensity.com/

Twitter – http://twitter.com/Scath

Facebook: Facebook profile

Also by G. L. Drummond:

• After the Fall: Good Intentions
• After the Fall: By Chance
• Daughters of the Lore: Resurgence
• Moon Children: Dark Cravings
• After the Fall: Tria’s Tale
• After the Fall: The Silent One
• The Contract Bride
• Rift (A Wolven Tale)
• Fated Ends: The Grates
• Deadlands Hunt

There is hardly a show I watch without seeing it mentioned that they have a Facebook page, are on MySpace, and/or on Twitter.

Celebrities, Authors, Poets, Politicians . . . nearly every public figure who wants to remain in the forefront uses these services.

However, before all these mediums took society by storm, there were blogs.

(Author’s note: The first blog started in 1994. Blogger started in 1999. MySpace was founded in 2003 and Facebook launched in February 2004.)

Thus, this community has had enough time to grow and flourish, even suffering from the inherent growing pains that occur when one combines freedom of thought with anonymity.

Overall, I see it as a good thing; especially that part of the blogosphere where bibliophiles come together to discuss, debate, and more importantly support each other.

Inquiring Within has sought out one member of this vast network who working alone and with others, has become well known for her generosity, ingenuity, and wonderful personality.

GalleySmith aka Michelle, was brought to my attention by Pam who mentioned Michelle’s work with the Book Blogger Convention. In case you are not aware, it is a one-day event held so that those attending are able to get support, instruction, and social time with other book bloggers; helping friendships form through the common bond of loving books, reading, and sharing the love for literature in all its forms.

The list of organizers is a virtual who’s who of the community: Amy at My Friend Amy, Michelle at GalleySmith, Natasha at Maw Books, Nicole at Linus’s Blanket, Pam at MotherReader, Rebecca at The Book Lady’s Blog, and Trish at Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin’?

Recently, she and Rebecca of The Book Lady’s Blog announced a new venture that, well, let me use their own words to describe it:

“Inspired by the “teach a man to fish” philosophy, Social MediU provides education, training, and marketing solutions that equip you to promote yourself and your creative product effectively and efficiently.”

What I would give for even half her energy! Between the BEA, Book Blogger Con, Social MediU, this is one busy lady. I appreciate her taking the time to answer a few questions.

Q:  Have you found that as you’ve grown as a blogger, your goals have evolved or changed much from when you first started?

A:  I definitely think I’ve grown as a blogger.  When I started GalleySmith a year ago I envisioned only posting reviews. I hadn’t thought of doing special features, challenges or anything else really.  Now I’ve got my fingers in all these different great tasting pies!  There is such a wealth of experience and innovation in the community it’s virtually impossible not to feed off of it. I’ve be so very fortunate to have developed the relationships I have because they directly influence the work I do on my blog.

Q: Do you feel new bloggers need to understand that blogging inherently requires an ability to adapt as it grows and changes along with society and technology? And how can they do this while trying to remain true to their personal mission whatever that may be?

A:  This is such a tough question!  On one hand I think it’s of great importance to be adaptable and flexible as a blogger.  But, I also think the need to be so directly relates to what you are ultimately trying to do with your blog.  If you are reporting on trends and actively pursuing industry relationships I’d say it’s more important to be (at a minimum) knowledgeable of issues related to blogging, society and technology.  If the goal is to enjoy a hobby and share your reading with the world being in the know isn’t likely as significant.

Q: How would you counsel someone who wants to contribute to the community in ways other than by using their blog?

A: I’d say jump right in!  Get on Twitter and Facebook and start connecting with people.  I’m sure many will tell you that great ideas are born of conversations in these locations.  Participate in blogging events (both online and in person) like The Book Blogger Convention, The Kidlitosphere Conference, Book Expo America, Readathon, BBAW and the multitudes of reading challenges that are going on over the course of the year.  Also, I don’t know of any blogger out there who doesn’t love getting comments!  Even if you don’t want to blog regularly jump in and be a participant by reading blogs and getting into conversations.

Q: Growing pains happen to all communities – even book bloggers. Most recently, there was some hubbub due to observations made of cultural differences and in the past related to first generation bloggers versus later generations. There have also been discussions related to authors and publishers in regards to how they perceive blogging and bloggers. Do you feel events like Book Blogger Con will help to alleviate some of these issues to help improve understandings and community relations?

A:  I think that any event that brings members of a community together to network and learn has the potential to influence growth and understanding.  I don’t, however, believe it’s the only way to do so.  While I’ve seen some of what I’d call “blogging drama” first hand I do think that respectful conversation can and does happen online with equal effectiveness. 

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Again, I’d like to thank Michelle for her time and insightful answers. If you have an idea for Inquiring Within, please share by leaving a comment or using my contact form.

I do. It’s sitting on my bookstand right next to Wuthering Heights.

Little did I know I would be overlapping some readalongs. But following Heathcliff and Cathy through their friendship, wilder than the country it’s set in, and knowing that Atwood’s reputation is well deserved for writing a great story was too good to pass up. Thus, May is looking to be one of the better reading months I’ve had in a long time.

If you haven’t heard of Margaret May, and even if you have, then this is the post for you.

Pam over at Bookalicous is hosting a wonderful event called Margaret May. The goal? To spend the first three weeks in May reading The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Then, for the last week of the month, we will be watching the movie and discussing its similarities (or not) with the author’s work.

Readalongs seem to be growing by the day, and although very similar in their goals, each has a unique aspect. I really like Pam’s way of making this a little more unique than others. The following interview will give you a better idea of what I mean.

Biblio Brat: Welcome to the Biblio Blogazine, thank you so much for letting me pick your brain for a bit about your upcoming readalong.

Pam: First of all let me say that I love the Biblio Blogazine. I come here when I want to be provoked into thought. It is everything I want my blog to be when it grows up

BB: I just love this comment, but don’t take this the wrong way: I hope your blog doesn’t grow up! Or grow up much. I love the layout and what you do too much to see it change.

Now, I really want to know, what prompted you to host your own readalong, and why Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale?

Pam: I read this book on a whim from the library a couple of years ago before the rise in the dystopian theme. I feel I missed the subtlety of some of the themes in the book. I feel Margaret is a true master of this genre and her works need to be praised and worshiped.

BB: You’re including watching the movie adaptation as part of the complete experience. What is your reasoning behind this?

Pam: I like to see how badly Hollywood can kill a dream? Haha. I digress, I really am just such a visual reader. I like to see if Hollywood can make the visual better than I can when I am reading.

BB: Would every book chosen have a companion movie, or is that even a criteria?

Pam: I think it is cool if it has one. It’s fun to compare the differences and see if you think the characters fit the mold.

BB: I see that discussions will be held in an online chat room instead of readers using their blogs to post their thoughts. Do you feel this is a better format – holding an actual discussion instead of using comment sections which are not as dynamic?

Pam: The main reason I wanted to read this with a group is so that we could discuss it. To agree and disagree and have hopefully amazing adult conversations on Atwood’s work. I love discussing books face to face and I feel very unconnected to readalongs that are discussed on Twitter or on the blogs and in comments. I don’t want to wait for a reply or be limited to 140 characters. I want real discussion.

BB: Do you feel Readalongs are made better by providing a platform for live discussions?

Pam: I think it is best in person, but I am not one for a book club. Unless I am the Dictator and get to pick every book we are ever going to read. I don’t want to read a lot of the books others enjoy. I kinda suck like that.

BB: If this is successful, would you consider holding another?

Pam: I would love to. Or maybe we should make this a “group thing” and take turns at picking books (each being able to play the part of Dictator) in order to discuss our favorite titles.

BB: If you did, which book would you choose and why?

Pam: Perfume by Suskind. There is so much to discuss!

Thank you for asking thought provoking questions! It was really easy to
answer.

There you have it, a behind-the-decision look at why a particular hosts chooses a book for a readalong.

Have you hosted one? What was your reasoning behind starting it?

If you have an idea for Inquiring Within, please leave a comment or your question. I am hoping to make this a regular feature on my blog, helping others to understand why and how bloggers  make their blog an interactive source of ideas and information.