Author Claire Gem for the interview with welovequalitybooks.biz

Author’s Interview: Claire Gem

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Author Claire Gem released ‘Spirits of the Heart’ aptly on the 14th of February, 2017. In an exclusive interview with www.welovequalitybooks.biz the author — Claire Gem reveals what makes her such a perceptive, honest and successful fiction writer!

 

Learn about the author, her writings and why it will take you a blink to become an ardent fan of Claire Gem and her thoughtfully touching authorship.

 

WeLoveQuality Books: Hi Claire. We loved your latest release “Spirits of the Heart“. How did you come up with such a lovely storyline?

Claire Gem: I grew up in the town where this abandoned asylum is, and it has always haunted me. I actually did date a security guard who worked on the grounds back in the 1970s, but it wasn’t Miller Stanford :–)
There is also an alcohol treatment center on the grounds, even today. Alcoholism isn’t a subject often broached by romance writers but is a very real problem in society. I thought I’d give it a go.

 

WeLoveQuality Books: What made you choose writing as a vocation?

Claire Gem: I have always loved to write, and the practice has served as therapy for me more than once in my life. But about ten years ago, I awoke on a Sunday morning very early with a story idea in my head, and I knew it was time to take writing seriously and put my words to work.

 

WeLoveQuality Books: All the reviews of ‘Spirits of the Heart‘ are a 5 Star. How does it feel when you know your work is being well received?

Claire Gem: Thrilled, of course. I am frustrated because the number of reviews remain small, yet I feel confident that the story will be well received no matter how many reviews are written. It’s very difficult to get people to take the time to write reviews, even if they love a book. I would like readers to know how very important it is for those reviews to go up: honest ones, for better or worse. It’s the only way our work can find a new audience.

 

WeLoveQuality Books: This is your second book in the Haunted series. What made you choose this genre?

Claire Gem: I love ghost stories, and there aren’t many in the romance genre. Most paranormal romances involve vampires, werewolves, or shape shifters, or are set in times past. I love the modern romances by Heather Graham (her Krewe of Hunters series is wonderful), and I’ve read every one of the late, great Barbara Michaels ghostly stories. I thought the reading world could use some more contemporary romances with ghost stories intertwined, so I started writing them.

 

WeLoveQuality Books: How is “Spirits of the Heart” different from your first book, “Hearts Unloched”?

Claire Gem: The two books are completely unrelated, even though they are part of what I call my Haunted Voices series. These books are (and will continue to be) linked purely by genre. Hearts Unloched takes place in a haunted hotel on a lake with a sinister history, and the heroine is psychic. SOTH takes place in a haunted asylum, and I have another book in the works set in yet another haunted asylum. Each book will center around a different location—a different haunted location. I love scouting out places to set my next Haunted Voices novel.

 

WeLoveQuality Books: What is the USP of “Spirits of the Heart” that makes us all love it?

Claire Gem: I believe the tackling of the subject of alcoholism makes SOTH unique. Also, the addressing of the subject of how patients in mental asylums were once treated or maltreated, is one not often woven into a storyline.

 

WeLoveQuality Books: Your novel expresses an affinity with the thought ‘Everything happens for a reason’. Do you believe the same in real life too?

Claire Gem: Absolutely. I live by this mantra. How did you guess? 😉

 

WeLoveQuality Books: The novel talks about medical malpractices in mental asylums. How much research went into it?

Claire Gem: Tons. My day job is in scientific research, so I am, by nature, a stickler for accuracy of facts. I usually spend several months researching before I write the first word. It’s amazing how a simple story idea can blossom and be fed by the facts I come up with in doing my research.

 

WeLoveQuality Books: What is amazing is how a love story develops so convincingly in a haunted scenario. How did you achieve it?

Claire Gem: Hauntings cause fear, and fear drives people closer together. I think fear was the initial draw between Miller and Laura, and by finding comfort in each other’s company, their love developed organically.

 

WeLoveQuality Books: We see the deep toll alcoholism takes in the lives of the characters. How were you able to delicately yet astutely tackle the issue in “Spirits of the Heart“?

Claire Gem: Personal experience. Alcoholism runs in my family, and several family members have been affected. So I knew how sensitive a subject it could be. That gave me the insight to handle the subject tactfully, yet honestly.

 

WeLoveQuality Books: Is there a third installment coming up in the Haunted Series?

Claire Gem: Oh yes. The next novel is underway, entitled “Pigments.” My heroine is a DNA researcher who possesses the unique ability to access the memories of artists whose DNA is embedded in the paint. She, therefore, has a phobia of art museums, since the voices she hears overwhelm her. My hero is a museum curator. How will that ever work? Guess you’ll have to wait until “Pigments” is released to find out, later this summer.

 

WeLoveQuality Books: You begin your novel with a touching dedication to your husband. Do you think as a writer, family support is imperative?

Claire Gem: Absolutely. His patience for the hours I spend over a keyboard is just the beginning. My husband serves as my initial sounding board for my story ideas. He helps me brainstorm. His encouragement and support help keep me going when my confidence—or my muse—falter.

 

WeLoveQuality Books: To take this question further, how do you think writers who have no support can pursue their dreams as a writer?

Claire Gem: I’m not sure—it depends on the individual, certainly. If someone is used to doing things on their own, they would probably do fine as a writer as long as they have the dedication behind them. But my husband and I have been a team for almost 39 years, so I can’t imagine sustaining any endeavor without his support.

 

WeLoveQuality Books: Writing is a complicated business. The challenges for a writer are immense. What was your greatest challenge and how did you overcome it?

Claire Gem: My greatest challenge was overcoming the belief that unless I got picked up by a big, NY publisher, my writing wasn’t any good. But after securing contracts with four small publishers, I realized that the politics involved in the big publishing game was holding me back—not the quality of my work. When my first self-published title, Hearts Unloched, won the NY Book Festival, I was reassured that I could go on to sustain my writing career as an Indie author. Since I’m a control freak, this way suits me better anyway.

 

WeLoveQuality Books: Thank you for the wonderful conversation, Claire. Before we go, please share where we can find all your novels to read and buy. 

Claire Gem: Sure! Visit my Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2nabvbm

You can also find me on my website, blog, and social media. I love hearing from my readers!

Website: http://www.clairegem.com

Blogs: http://www.clairegem.wordpress.com and  http://www.hauntedpathways.wordpress.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/clairegem.author

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/gemwriter

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8284235.Claire_Gem

 

Novels by Claire Gems for the interview with welovequalitybooks.biz
Novels by Claire Gems

 

 

 

Sunshine Blossom

Ron Button Shares his Thoughts

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While most of us ‘Book Beings’ were cashing in on the last few lines of romantic novels, Ron wasn’t! Our Author Ron Button was creating a ripple in the heart of art with his beautiful verses. Ron’s uniqueness as a writer is that he communicates his stories through verse. This gives his poems an unusual, beautiful charm. Something we can happily call a lyrical delight. Here are the experts of our interview on the topic ‘How to become a Poet.” with the Author.

 

WeLoveQuality Books: You have described your Work as ‘Rhapsody’. What do you mean by that in terms of your writing?

 

Ron Button: “Rhapsody: What is life without rhapsody. Real or fantasy, someone’s idea of world history.”

 

WLQ Books: And what do you think, are the qualities that a poet must have among others to touch lives?

 

R B: To be a poet, one must desire a subject,there is no right or wrong. Or possibly there is a scholar who will tell me what is wrong.
Century’s of prose and rhyme sheltered in books, while others lose their breath, and die.
As a child, little rhymes interested me, a few got me in trouble, so I stopped. (Ron says with a chuckle and continues)
In 1996, from love and jealousy, a star is born.

 

WLQ Books: Please read out some extracts of your favorite work.

 

RB:  Why not!

 

Sunshine Blossom.

As the wind would blow,shifting flowers in the breeze.
The pollen of one circle thru the air,like the waves of the seas.
Quickly it floated,exploring each open gate.
Always anticipating, making the choices, till it found the right mate.
As the particle of life embedded itself firmly.
It left a promise,a great commitment,of a being well worthy.
The restless seed shuffling, wanting to be more.
The breeze lifted it,planted it in God’s bed,now a reason to live for.
The roots and reason,although fragile and weak.
Pushing deeper,growing stronger,till the sprout reached the peak.
While resting and gazing,the sprout saw it’s first light.
With wonder,filling with nourishment,till it saw it’s the first night.
With each passing day,sprout turned to stem.
Virgin petals,innocent figure,beauty would soon set in.
Growing ever so rapidly, reaching for the light.
As spring left,summer came,a bud sprung upward in delight.
Stretching little by little, petals of red and yellow.
First outward,then inward, like the motion of bellows.
Quietly it motioned, in splendor it felt.
Places to go,things to see,much to be felt.
For the first time,confused with inspiration.
A bed of roses, a field of carnations, the thought of creation.
The thankful ones,the harmful masks.
In matter,the causes,to deal with the task.
A Confection is the purpose, maturity, the battle.
To live,to grasp,God and Satan rock the cradle.
With love and hate, she learns in awesome.
To appreciate, to comfort, to be…
Sunshine Blossom.

By Ron G. Button ©2000



WLQ Books: What a wonderful poem! Please tell us more about your literary journey.

 

RB: “This poem began the journey that produced over 100 more poems and metaphors to relive what I titled, ” My Simple Thoughts”  ©2000.
Years pass, the pages sit in a folder, until 2011, when a smile of an online profile inspired me. Extravagant would be the word used to define her. Confident.  I sent my poem, and cashmere surrounded me.”

 

WLQ Books: This is romantic and inspiring Ron!

 

RB: “Inspiration is key: A closed mind ignores the obvious reality that times change, and minds change. When I researched to write a book about “Sunshine Blossom”, words of RUMI, guided me to Persia, to then to Pardis (in my imagination).
Ever feel pressured to write something new every day? Once I began thinking  what I was writing about, I didn’t have to think, words flowed through my mind onto paper.”

 

WLQ Books: What makes you stand out as a poet Ron?

 

RB: I’ve never been to college, attended writing workshops, I even failed English in high school, but I’ve seen the world with an open mind. My poetry has introduced me to all walks and cultures on the earth.

For more information and to read more of Ron Button’s work reach https://www.facebook.com/Ronald.G.Button/

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