Charlotte/ C.K. Volnek - Author - Story Teller
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Adult Books
  • Middle Grade Books
    • Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island >
      • Meet the Characters from Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island
    • A Horse Called Trouble >
      • Meet the Characters from A Horse Called Trouble
    • The Secret of the Stones >
      • Meet the Characters from The Secret of the Stones
  • Contact Me
  • News/Writing Tips
  • C.K.'s Cover Designs
  • Newsletter

David Normoyle, Author of YA Novel 'Crimson Dream'

7/11/2011

13 Comments

 
Picture
Today I want to welcome David Normoyle to The Mind’s Eye. He is quite the interesting character. And we have a special bonus. David has graciously offered a copy of his book Crimson Dream in either e-pub or pdf format. One lucky commenter will be selected on Friday, 7/15 so be sure to leave me your contact information.

David was born in Australia, but moved to Ireland at an early age. The early globe crossing must have gone to his head, as he has since backpacked through and lived in numerous countries. He grew up on a farm as the eldest of nine unruly siblings, but since his escape, he prefers city living. His electronic engineering degree is currently gathering dust while he tries new and strange pursuits such as novel writing. His first novel, a Young Adult Fantasy called Crimson Dream, is now available from MuseItUpPublishing.

Buy at Muse:
https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=44&category_id=6&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

Or on Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Crimson-Dream-ebook/dp/B004M18XDO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1310445077&sr=8-2

David, will you tell your readers something interesting about yourself.

Well, I can tell you an anecdote. I went to Japan and Korea, following the Irish World Cup soccer team. When we got knocked out of the tournament (though it was a moral victory as usual for Ireland), we were all really depressed. We went to this bar in Seoul where we heard the Irish team had been a few days before (might have been why it was only a moral victory). As it happens, all the Irish soccer players turn up at this bar and they start a singsong and soon the whole bar is in great form. (The Irish know how to celebrate: win, lose or draw.) By the time we leave, there's not a drop of alcohol left in whole place. Anyway, Michael Flatley is also there who's a famous Irish dancer, and who started off dancing for Riverdance, a famous Irish dancing act. As the bar is emptying out, the Irish fans want Michael Flatley to "give us a dance", but he's having none of it. So one of the Irish players jumps up on to the top of Flatley's limo and starts doing Riverdance on the roof. It's a fond memory of mine.

Too funny, David. What was your favorite book as a teen? Tell us about it and how it affected you as a person.

It was probably Ender's Game. It's a science fiction book about a super-intelligent boy who is trained at a young age to fight for mankind against their insectoid enemies. The world of the battleschool is immersive and Ender's journey captivated me from start to finish.

I don't think it's affected me as a person. At least I hope not. I read to be whisked away to a new world rather than to learn lessons for this one. Though, if insectoid enemies ever come calling, I'll be ready. (Remember, the enemy gate is down.)

Tell us about the genre you have chosen to write for. Why do write specifically for them?

It's Young Adult Fantasy. Fantasy is my first love as a reader. I love the scope and imagination of fantasy novels where anything is possible. As a writer though, I'm not prolific in terms of wordcount and I don't like writing descriptions so I don't think I'm suited to write trilogies of 700 page books which are the benchmark of the genre. With YA, on the other hand, I can still enjoy writing fantasy, only write shorter action orientated books that suit my style.

Please tell us about your new book. How did it come about and share your favorite excerpt/scene.

The core idea that drives Crimson Dream is: What would a teenager do if they dreamed their sister would be killed?

Then there's complications: What if the dream shows her killed by their people's ancient enemies who haven't been seen for hundreds of years? What if he's a weakling who's asthmatic and can't become a warrior like most of his society.

And so the story begins...

One of my favorite excepts is where Deren's asthma threatens to kill him after he's attacked by bullies.

----

Deren tried to get up to help Oso and Bennie and fell onto his back. He began to gasp, his breath laboring through his lungs, fighting for every mouthful. He took deep sucking drags of air, clutching his neck with his hands. His own lungs were drowning him, refusing to breathe. He looked into the sky, thinking he would die. Although it was only twilight, a ghostly moon peeked over the trees.

Whistling noises crept up and down his throat. He prayed to the Goddess of the Moon. Yenara, help me. Please, don't let me die. Bennie needs me. Please.

A face swam across his vision. "Deren, are you okay?" the face asked. "Deren, try to calm yourself."

The voice was laden with worry. A hand touched the side of his face. Warm drops landed on his forehead. "Don't give up on me," the voice said in a fierce whisper.

----

I’m in the middle of the story, David and enjoying it very much. I can feel Deren’s pain. Tell me, what’s your favorite part of being a writer?

It's the finished product. I love storytelling in all its forms, but just reading or watching isn't enough for me. I want to be a part of it. I want to have created. I want to invent worlds and characters and stories that wouldn't have existed if I'd never been born. The actual writing itself is hard work and not all that fun. It's the moment when I've finished a great scene or character or story or novel. It's that moment of creation that is my favorite part.

What advice can you give regarding the writing process?

Well, I think you should be a prolific reader before you contemplate writing. Next up, you have get the words on a page. Write what you would like to read. When you are finished, rewrite it until it shines. Probably get some help at this stage in the form of critiques. Also, at this stage, read books on the writing process or learn from internet research. Then, when it's perfect, submit it and start working on your next writing project.

Regarding publication, what advice can you offer aspiring writers?

Research online beforehand. (Before that, of course, make sure you've done all your polishing and learning about how to write well.) Find out about all the many pitfalls for aspiring writers and avoid them. When submitting, check the guidelines and follow them. Expect disappointment as the staus quo. Writing success is like pop stardom: desired by many and achieved by few. Like pop stardom, it requires a mix of talent, hardwork, luck and timing. Refine your talent, put in the hard work and hope for the best. 

Thank you for being on my blog today, David. How can your fans find, follow or friend you?

You can find me in all the usual venues. Hope to see you there.

website: http://www.davidjnormoyle.com/
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-J-Normoyle/157832707561908
twitter: http://twitter.com/davidjnormoyle

Thanks for stopping by. Remember to leave a comment and be entered into the free drawing for an e-book copy of Crimson Dream.
C.K. Volnek

13 Comments
    Ghost Dog of  Roanoke Island
    - a tween ghost story with a twist of Native American Folklore and based on the real life mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island.

    Available in Print and E-book
    Picture
    View the Book Trailer for Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbJEF9TjZzo

    A Horse Called Trouble
    A troubled teen must overcome her abused past to save the defiant horse who taught her to love and trust again.
    Available in  Print and e-book
    Picture
    View the book trailer for 
    A Horse Called Trouble

    Welcome to my blog.

    Hi. I'm C.K. Volnek, Author and Story teller. I love books and photography, dogs and horses, hiking and tulips, kids, pasta, sunsets and of course…writing. Please come back often and share your passion in writing.. 

    Blogs to follow:

    Moments of Clarity
    Victorine Writes
    Why is My Book not Selling
    Barbara's Meanderings
    Teen Word Factory
    Muse It Up Publishing
    Dasef's Book Corner
    Sue Perkins
    Pembroke Sinclair
    Stories Ala Mode
    Kim Baccellia
    Candid Canine
    Shellie Neumeier
    Under the Yellow Hat


    CK's bookshelf: read

    The Secret GardenThe ShackDear JohnThe Queen of EverythingTangerine

    More of CK's books »
    CK Volnek's  book recommendations, reviews, favorite quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists
    free counters

    Archives

    March 2015
    May 2013
    April 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010

    Categories

    All
    #100blogfest
    A Horse Called Trouble
    Al Capone
    Aloha For Carol Ann
    Anne Johnson
    Author
    Author Interview
    Author Platform
    Bad Spelling
    Barbara Bockman
    Barbara Ehrentreu
    Beast Of Noor
    Bethlene Williams
    Blood Chronicles
    Book
    Book Birthday
    Book Cover
    Book Marketing
    Born Of Blood
    Brian Kittrell
    Building A Promotional Platform
    Bullying
    Characters
    Chicken Soup
    Children\'s Books
    Chris Henderson
    Christian
    Christine Irene Steeves
    Christine Verstraete
    Christmas
    Ckvolnek
    C.k. Volnek
    C.k. Volnek
    C.K. Volnek
    Colors Like Memories
    Contest
    Cover Art
    Crimson Dream
    Crossed Out
    Cry Of The Fallen
    Cyrus Keith
    Dark Fantasy
    David Normoyle
    Death In Writing
    Descriptions & Emotions
    Down River
    Dragon Flame
    Dragons Of Noor
    Dragonswood
    Driven
    Earrings Of Ixtumea
    Ebenezer
    Ellen Jackson
    Enchantment
    Exiled
    Fantasy
    Free
    Ghost Dog Of Roanoke Island
    Ghost Dog Trailer
    Ghost Story
    Ginger Simpson
    Halloween
    Heather Cashman
    Herman Agency
    Heroes
    Historical Romance
    Horse Story
    If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor
    Impossible To Hold
    Indian Folklore
    Inspirational
    Internet Book Fair
    Jack Dahlgren
    Janet Lee Carey
    Jan Fischer Wade
    Janni Lee Simner
    Jenny Lundquist
    Jill Corcoran
    Joel Andre
    John Hart
    Jo Linsdell
    Joyful
    J. R. Wagner
    Judge A Book
    Kathy Pieper
    Kathy Rygg
    Killer Valentine Ball
    Kim Baccellia
    Lady-In-Waiting
    Lawna Mackie
    Letters From Al
    Liebster Award
    Life After The Undead
    Linda Barnett-Johnson
    Lindsay Below
    L.K. Below
    Long Story Short
    Lost Colony Of Roanoke Island
    Margo Sorenson
    Marketing
    Martin King
    Marva Dasef
    Meradeth Houston
    Mg Books
    MG/YA Blog-A-Thon
    Middle Grade
    Middle Grade Author
    Midnight Find
    Midnight Oil
    Mike Larsen
    Mindy Hardwick
    Mirror Mirror
    Missing Assumed Dead
    Muse Author Blog-a-thon
    MuseItUp MG/YA Blog-a-thon
    Muse It Up Publishing
    Napibowriwee
    New Year
    No Goddesses Allowed
    Not What She Seems
    Odessa
    Omm Writer
    On-line Writing Confrence
    Pb
    Pembroke Sinclair
    Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz
    Perception
    Picture Books
    Prophecy
    Published
    Publishing
    Rebecca Russell
    Rebecca Ryals Russell
    Resolutions
    Reva's Quest
    Sb Knight
    Scary Story
    Scrivener
    Seeing Cinderella
    Self-esteem
    Shellie Neumeier
    Shortcomings
    Social Media
    So You Want To Write A Novel
    Spirit Stealer
    Stained Glass Summer
    Sue Perkins
    Tall Tales With Mr. K
    Teen Talk
    Thanksgiving
    The Ballad Of Booser Bogg
    The Beast Of Noor
    The Black Chronicles
    The Burberry Scare
    The Circle Of Sorcerers
    The King Of Lies
    The Last Child
    The Never Chronicles
    The Overtaking
    The Seraphym Wars
    The Tiger
    The Writing Friend
    Three Things To Remember
    Tweeting
    Tweets
    Tweet Tips
    Twitter
    Twitter Tips
    Veiled Virtues
    Victorine Lieske
    Why Is My Book Not Selling
    Witches Of Galdorheim
    Wounds
    Writechris
    Writer
    Writers' Blog
    Writing
    Writing Skills
    Writing Tips
    Writing Workshop
    Ya Author
    Yellow Hat
    Young Adult
    Zarena

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos used under Creative Commons from Yuliya Libkina, brewbooks, nanaow2006, orangeacid, peasap, Mr. T in DC, h.koppdelaney, The U.S. Army, Giorgio Montersino, LifeSupercharger, gilles chiroleu, DSuàr, jumpyjodes, Sugar Daze (f/k/a LittleMissCupcakeParis), Ethan.K, the bbp, *Vintage Fairytale*, kenny_lex, striatic, MarkBennett86, {Guerrilla Futures | Jason Tester}, Pink Sherbet Photography, Xurble, DanielWiesheu, Smiley Stew, George Vnoucek, laverrue, skuds, AngryJulieMonday