INTERVIEW OF ROBERT PIELKE AUTHOR OF THE NOVEL THE TRANSLATOR (GIVEAWAY)

 I want to welcome Robert G. Pielke to Books R Us. Robert is the author of the novel A New Birth Of Freedom: The Translatorbook two of the trilogy. Thanks for stopping by.

 Interview

Can you tell me who or what was the inspiration for the book?

** There were many things that led to this trilogy, but it all came together when I discovered the underlying issue of the story – fundamental rights. What criteria should we use when deciding who has such rights? It was over this the fundamental issue that led to the Civil War and the issue that will arise in our eventual contact with extraterrestrial intelligent life. Stephen Hawking recently raised the issue again, when he counseled against having any contact with other ET species. Although my trilogy is an alternate-history and a time-travel tale, the story is driven by this concern.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?

** I don’t think such a thing exists. Either someone has something they want to write or they don’t. If you have nothing to say…then it stands to reason that you won’t be able to write anything.

Can you tell me your experiences in finding a publisher for the book?

** My first publication was a nonfiction book on rock music in American culture – in the 80’s of the pervious century. Nelson-Hall, a traditional publisher picked my proposal up right away and another publisher immediately picked up its sequel. So I thought getting published was going to be a snap! Not so with fiction – especially genre fiction, and even more especially when I combined a few different kinds of genre fiction. For my trilogy, I had to shop the proposal around to TONS of publishers before one was willing to take something a bit odd.

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?  Where do you like to vacation?  Can you tell us briefly about this?

** I usually give a kind of cavalier answer to this….”sex, drugs and rock and roll.” But, to be specific, I cook, ski [blues and greens], watch loads of movies, swim daily, listen to all kinds of rock music, and then do it all over again.

How long did it take you to write the book and how long did it take to get the book released?

** It’s difficult to be precise, because the real beginnings are never written down – there are a bunch of ideas just rolling around in your head and you “play with them” for a long time. Suffice it to say, the “playing” with this book began many years ago. From the typed words to release – probably about 3-4 years.

Who is your favorite character in the book and why?

** I don’t think I have one. I enjoy writing “for” all of them, but that’s not to say I “like” [or “dislike”] any of them. Writing for my female character was, of course, challenging, but since the Point of View is from my protagonist’s perspective [“universal limited,” I believe is the precise term for what I’m doing, I have an “out.” The reader “sees” her through the eyes of my protagonist.

What are your current / future projects? 

** Right now, I’m working on the final book of the trilogy. AND I’m collaborating with a screenwriter for converting the first book into a film. But in the more distant future, I have two books under consideration: One is a fantasy sci-fi about humans discovering that there is a species here on earth that has been trying to contact us for millennium…they finally succeed! The other is a literary novel about the relationship between Viet Nam vets and Viet Nam protesters.

Do you have any tips for a young writer just starting out?

** Just write!! Write anything! Write all of the time! Consider ALL of what you write a writing exercise.

If your book was to be made into a movie, who would you like the main character to be played by and why?

** “When” perhaps!!?? Hahahahah I have no one in mind for the lead – But I wouldn’t ‘t mind Daniel Day Lewis do Lincoln!!

A New Birth of Freedom: The Translator (Book 2) blog tour site:
Books R Us review of The Translator.

Purchase the book:

Amazon.
Whiskey Creek Press.

CONTEST:

Thanks to the author I am able to giveaway a ebook of the Translator to one of my readers. Contests ends on 2/23/13 @ 11:59 PM EST. See Rafflecopter for rules.




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review - A New Birth of Freedom: The Translator

About the Book

 
Noam Chomsky argues that communication with aliens would be impossible. Stephen Hawking argues that it would be extremely unwise even to try. What if it were absolutely necessary to do so? This question arises with extreme urgency at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, in this time-travel, alternate-history trilogy, A New Birth of Freedom.
About the Author
Robert Pielke, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, now lives in Claremont, California. He earned a B.A. in History at the University of Maryland, an M. Div. in Systematic Theology at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, and a Ph.D. in Social Ethics from the Claremont Graduate School.
He taught on ground and online for countless years at George Mason University in Virginia, El Camino College in California and online for the University of Phoenix. Now happily retired from “the job,” he is doing what he always wanted to do since he wrote his first novel at ten in elementary school. It was one paragraph, three pages long and, although he didn’t know it at the time, it was alternate history.
His academic writings have been in the area of ethics, including a boring academic treatise called Critiquing Moral Arguments, logic, and popular culture. Included in the latter is an analysis of rock music entitled You Say You Want a Revolution: Rock Music in American Culture. He has also published short stories, feature articles, film and restaurant reviews. His novels include a savagely satirical novel on America and its foibles, proclivities and propensities, Hitler the Cat Goes West, and an alternate history, science fiction novel, The Mission.
Most recently, he has updated and revised his book on rock music, which is being republished by McFarland and Co.
He swims daily, skis occasionally, cooks as an avocation, watches innumerable movies, collects rock and roll concert films, is an avid devotee of Maryland crabs and maintains a rarely visited blog filled with his social and political ravings. His favorite film is the original Hairspray; his favorite song is “A Day in the Life”; his favorite pizza is from the original Ledo Restaurant in College Park, MD; and he is a firm believer in the efficacy of “sex, drugs and rock and roll.” Somehow his family and friends put up with him.
Robert G. Pielke's Web Site:
http://www.robertgpielke.com/

Robert G. Pielke's Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/robert.pielke

Robert G. Pielke's Twitter:
http://twitter.com/rpielke

Robert G. Pielke's YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/rpielke

Robert G. Pielke's Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/990626.Robert_G_Pielke

A New Birth of Freedom: The Translator Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16137362-a-new-birth-of-freedom

Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186

A New Birth of Freedom: The Translator (Book 2) blog tour site:http://anewbirthoffreedom-thetranslator.blogspot.com/

A New Birth of Freedom: The Visitor (Book 1) blog tour site:
http://anewbirthoffreedom-thevisitor.blogspot.com/

Amazon paperback buy link ($16.95)
Whiskey Creek Press paperback buy link ($16.95):
Kindle buy link ($4.99):
Nook buy link ($4.99):
Whiskey Creek Press ebook buy link ($4.99):


My Thoughts:

I have always been a fan of historical and Sci-Fi novels and the author was able to incorporate time travel in the storyline. I did find the book difficult to read because I did not have the opportunity to read the first book in the series. I was a bit confused on who all of the characters were and how they fit into the storyline. There was no description of the pests until the middle of the book but I guessed that they were insect like creatures from the future. I recommend that you read the first book in the series since the Translator is not a stand alone novel. The novel was well researched and included the major players in the Civil War period with the added twist of time travel. If you are a history/Sci-FI fan then this is the book for you.

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of the book for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review.

BLOG TOUR AND GIVEAWAY OF ROSES IN ECUADOR BY HEATHER HUFFMAN (WORLDWIDE- 18 YO +)

 I would like to welcome Heather Huffman to Books R Us. Heather is the author of Roses in Ecuadora romantic suspense novel. Thanks for stopping by.

Becoming a Writer

I’ve always been a writer; I just didn’t know it. For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved the written word, but I didn’t consider seriously pursuing publication until my early thirties.

I learned a few lessons on my path to becoming a writer. Whenever I’m asked to share advice with a new writer, my response is the same: The most important thing you can do is write. Finish the book. I know too many people who have been working on the same novel for five or six years. Make time to write on a regular basis, even if you don't feel inspired. I've often sat down feeling completely blah and surprised myself with what I was able to turn out.

When you finish your book, find someone you trust to give you honest feedback on it. The first person I shared Tumbleweed with was cruel with her feedback; I almost stopped writing. After I finished licking my wounds, I made some changes and shared it with a coworker I respected and trusted. Her feedback was kind but honest and it helped me make it a better book. There were actually two coworkers, the inspiration behind Kate’s colleagues in Ties That Bind, whose feedback and encouragement made all the difference. I know I wouldn't have become a published author without them. If they had just said "yep, it's great" I wouldn't have gotten any better. But their approach made a huge difference because no matter how many books you write, it's always tough to share them. A piece of you is in it; it hurts when the book is rejected!

To that end, know now that your book will be rejected before it's accepted. When I first started getting rejection letters and they were form letters, I knew the book must not have been ready to send. I worked on the books some more then submitted again. That round I got personalized letters telling me why it was rejected, so I knew I was getting closer. I took their advice, worked on the book some more, then submitted again. That time I got personal conversations. I was told the writing was beautiful, but they didn't know how to market my books. One agent in particular told me that if I'd write to a formula, she could give me an amazing career as a writer. I chose to stick with my books, the ones I wanted to write. I went indie with them and my publisher found me - once I'd proven there was a market for my novels.

I also tell aspiring authors to learn all they can about the market. There are a few different paths to publication now - traditional, small publishers and indie, but that’s an entire conversation by itself. If you’re willing to work hard, it's a great time to be a writer!

 
ABOUT THE BOOK:

Unknown to each other, they escaped to the heart of Ecuador to make the world a better place, having sworn off the possibility of love... until disaster brings them together.

Jane Russell is certain she's had enough heartbreak for one lifetime, and love is the last thing on her mind when she arrives in Ecuador to study the cats on the local jaguar preservation.

Devon McAllister, the wealthy and handsome son of a well-known corporate mogul, has broken his share of hearts, but he found a new purpose in life when he opened a fair trade rose plantation in Ecuador.

When the jaguar preservation comes under attack by what appears to be a group of angry locals, Jane's search for the missing animals leads her to Devon's backyard. As they sort through the destruction, an unexpected visit by a charming yet secretive U.S. senator reveals the identity and motives of the attackers to be much more sinister than she could have ever imagined.

Through it all, Jane finds her desire for Devon growing ever stronger. But will she ever be able to trust him enough to truly love?

CONTEST:

Thanks to the Author, I am able to give away a E copy of the book ( epub, mobi or pdf
18 Years old +, Open World Wide.)