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Guest Author Interview - Marva Dasef

11/22/2010

8 Comments

 
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Please welcome to my blog today, Author Marva Dasef. Marva is a writer living in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and a fat white cat.  Retired from thirty-five years in the software industry, she has now turned her energies to writing fiction and finds it a much more satisfying occupation.  Marva has published more than thirty-five stories in a number of on-line and print magazines, with her stories included in several Best of anthologies. She has five published books.  See a complete list of her work at http://marvadasef.com/

We’re glad to have you with us today, Marva. (Marva also has a surprise for the readers who visit. Be one of the first four to respond to my contest and receive a free e-book.)

C.K. Volnek

Hi Marva. Please tell your readers something interesting about yourself AND/OR your favorite character.

My favorite character is Eddie in “Tales of the Texas Boy.” That's says something about myself too, since Eddie is my father. Tales contains stories based on my father's remembrances of growing up in West Texas in the Depression Era. I like Eddie since building his persona allowed me to envision my father as a kid and to bring his stories to life.

The most interesting thing about me cannot be related to the public. Not criminal, but I have been called a legend in my own time. Ponder that and use your imagination.


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

You're asking me to take the way-back machine here. Of course, the use of the term way-back machine dates me.

The most influential book I read as a teen was Robert Heinlein's “Stranger in a Strange Land.” It introduced me to science fiction, and I've been hooked, lined, and sinkered ever since.

I have written a few science fiction pieces and do a credible space opera, but some of the SF writers like Clarke, Asimov, or even Heinlein leave me in the dust.


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

Genre? Singular? Ha! I have written some of everything except erotica. My latest book, “Ultimate Duty,” does have some adult (ahem) scenes, but is mainly science fiction. I have published fantasy, adventure, horror, science fiction, romance, western, memoir. Like I said something for everyone.

 

Tell us about your books.

Because you're an MG/YA author, rather than talking about my new book (Ultimate Duty, an adult science fiction romance), I'd like to list my middle-grade books, which are available in both ebook and print formats.  Everybody's in luck since I've put on a half price sale for the ebooks. Here are some quickie blurbs, the link to the sale book, and the coupon codes to use to get the discount.

Eagle Quest (MG adventure): Take four teens, an old Ranger, and a couple of eagle feather poachers. What have you got? Adventure! Set in the Klamath Wildlife Preserves of southern Oregon. Coupon FQ97G for 99 cents at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/13407

Quest for the Simurgh (MG fantasy): When the village magician goes missing, his students set out on a dangerous trip into the mountains and run into a big trouble from demons and gods set for a war to end the world. Coupon QF84E for $1.50 at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/3255

Tales of a Texas Boy (all ages, humorous memoir): Little Eddie tells some almost true Tall Tales set in West Texas of the 1930s. Guess what's true and what Eddie fudged on. Was it about the bear? Cage McNatt's prize sow? The skunk in the cornpatch? Guaranteed for a chuckle. Coupon BC99R for $1.50 at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/3816

First Duty (YA Science Fiction): Nyra Hutchings, a young woman born into a life of servitude on a repressive factory planet, is desperate for a different life. When she's accepted into the Space Service Academy, run by the organization that enslaves her planet, she discovers the truth behind generations of rebellion. Now, she must decide what to believe, where her first duty lies, and fight for more than her life against impossible odds. Coupon CX34J for $1.50 at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/4628

And one more thing, C.K. Volnek has ebook copies of all four books to give away at her discretion. Available formats are the same as with the links above.


How has writing affected your life? And what’s your favorite part of being a writer?

Since I wrote technical documentation for a good chunk of my life, I'd say it affected my life by earning a nice living. But once I retired from that, I work full-time as a fiction writer. Best part: I set my own hours. Worst part: I don't make much money.


What advice can you give regarding the writing process?

Don't throw out anything. If you're not happy with your WIP or just can't move on with it, do NOT hit Delete. Put everything aside in a virtual junk box, then go back to it later. You might very well find the key to the story when you return weeks or even months later. 


Regarding publication and marketing, what advice can you offer aspiring writers?

Can they give me any advice? I just try to appear as many places as I can on the internet. Thankfully, authors help each other out by providing a little advertising space. So, I owe you a blog post!

As for seeking publication, be sure to do your homework and never ever ever pay a publisher money to get published. No print fees, no “sharing” the costs, nada. Not a penny.

How can your fans find, follow or friend you?

My website: http://marvadasef.com

My blog: http://mgddasef.blogspot.com

My FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/MarvaDasef

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Gurina

Youtube book trailer for Tales of a Texas Boy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUBq1QNtEso

I'm also the member of a dozen or so writers' groups. The above are the main ones you can find out about my writing endeavors.

I'd like to thank C.K. Volnek for being such a gracious hostess today.


Thanks so much for joining us today Marva. Now, for the readers that have made it to the end. Marva mentioned she has free e-books for me to offer here on my blog. So, I will offer these great reads to the first four people who send me an e-mail and tell me who Marva’s favorite character is... please send the e-mail to: ckvolnek@yahoo.com and title the subject: Marva Dasef’s free read.

C.K. Volnek
Picture
-Eagle Quest by Marva Dasef

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First Duty by Marva Dasef

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-Quest For The Simurgh by Marva Dasef

8 Comments
Elizabeth Brenaman link
11/22/2010 12:42:40 am

I just posted this on the wrong entry. I clicked on comments after reading the interview, which was below it. Turns out, the correct comments boxes are above the entries. My apologies.

*sheepish grin*

Hello!

Thank you for sharing, Marva. I've enjoyed every single one of your books, and I enjoyed this interview as well. You're a marvelous writer. Cindy, thank you for hosting!

Liz Brenaman

Reply
Susanne Drazic link
11/22/2010 12:43:16 am

Interesting interview. Interesting book covers and titles. I think my first choice to read would be Tales of a Texas Boy.

Reply
Lorrie Unites-Struiff link
11/22/2010 01:09:52 am

Hi Marva,

A wonderful writer after my own heart. I love reading different genres and I'm so happy you don't stick to one.

I have read some of your YA novels plus your adult novels. I have not been disappointed with either.

Christmas will soon be upon us, and I like to suggest for the book lovers in all families, any of these stories would make a wonderful gift.

Thanks for the post and sharing.
Lorrie

Reply
Karen McGrath link
11/22/2010 01:19:46 am

Great interview, ladies. Emailed for the free book! ;)

Reply
Marva link
11/22/2010 01:50:45 am

Thanks for the comments! Just a note that the free books are e-format and in any type you want: EPUB, MOBIE, LRF, PDF, and PDB. The winners will receive a coupon for a free book at the Smashwords link. Download any or all formats that you want. Of course, if you buy a copy, the coupons in this article give you half price.

Thanks, Charlotte, for having me aboard.

Reply
C.K. Volnek link
11/22/2010 02:32:27 am

Thanks for stopping by! And thanks again to Marva for a great interview. I have enjoyed having you.
C.K. Volnek

Reply
Wendy
11/23/2010 12:47:04 pm

I really enjoyed this interview Marva. Your Dad must be proud of you

Reply
cheap wow power leveling link
1/18/2011 03:17:27 pm

Regarding publication and marketing, what advice can you offer aspiring writers?

Reply



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    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.

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