I never tire of hearing the story of another author, so I love doing these interviews. Today, I'm presenting a good friend of mine, Alisha Guenzel. Read on to find out more about her journey in life and writing!
10 Questions with Alisha Guenzel
What do you like most about being a writer? What do you like least?
My favorite thing I like about writing is seeing where the story takes me. In the beginning it’s my thoughts and ideas. But by draft three it’s my character’s story not mine.
My least favorite part is waiting and editing. Don’t get me wrong editing is a must for a great story to sell, but during that two weeks to a month period I’m anxious to see what the editor thinks and it’s the hardest part for me.
As you write Western romance, can you describe what Cowboys mean to you in three words?
Wholesome, loving, loyal
The brothers of the “McGregor Saga” are called Jason, Jesse and Jude. Any special reason for choosing such great names?
To be honest they just came to me. You see The McGregor Saga is based on a short story I wrote as a kid and the main character’s name indeed was Jason. Jesse and Jude came to me after I made it into the saga. But they mean a lot to me because they are biblical. All the McGregor’s names are biblical even their father’s name “Jonas”.
What was the hardest and easiest part of writing your debut novel “Unspoken Dreams”?
Wow, what a question Devika. Hmm I would say the hardest part of writing Unspoken Dreams was letting it go. When the story is finished and all the problems were resolved to say the end. I put a lot of myself as you know I based the story off of my own personal experiences with having a child on the spectrum. So letting it go, meant letting go a part of me.
There really isn’t anything that is easy about writing, I’ve come to learn. But the part I found fun of Unspoken Dreams was seeing the changes in Jaime. Just writing his story to let parents know that having a child with Autism isn’t the end of the world.
Use these 5 words to write a mini-story: luck, destiny, love, family, money.
It was my destiny to be a writer. But luck that I found so many great people to help me along the way. It was the love of my family that has gotten me this far as well as my friends, but I’m not an author for the money I’m in it to give life to my characters.
What is your favourite genre to write and / or read?
I would have to say romance. Although becoming a published author I open my reading material to review others work. I have actually expanded my reading list to paranormal and thrillers. But personally if I’m in Walmart I would pick up a romance to read. As far as writing I would say family drama/romance. You will find a lot of both in my newest project The McGregor Saga.
Is there a question you have always hoped somebody would ask you? (Feel free to answer it, too.)
Would you change anything you have gone through to get to where you are today?
I would reply no. Because of all the things I have done I have learned how to perfect my craft.
Do you have any writing rituals?
Not really rituals per say. But I do have a process. I write an outline of my story and do a lot of prewriting in between drafts. I find it really messy and I’m working on making the way I do things more organized. I actually have this big 2in notebook that holds all my ideas and rough drafts so I can go back and look at them to see what needs to be changed. LOL…Again it’s messy.
Can you offer some words of advice to (aspiring) authors?
Never give up. Your first draft will not be your last. To be patient and heed the advice given to you, because the authors you consult with have been in your shoes and they know what you are going through. Lastly, if someone comes up to you and says you need to rewrite your story, don’t take offense but see why that person said it in the first place and fix it. That’s the only way we learn. I’ve been in this business over a year and I’m still learning from my mentors. :-)
Please tell us more about your latest book(s) and plans for the future.
The McGregor Saga is my first serial. It consist of three brothers, Jason, Jesse, and Jude. Although each brother has his own obstacles to overcome there is one thing that stays the same. Family values. Jonas McGregor is the head of the household and he tries to hold on to each of his sons with an iron fist. Jonas thinks in terms tradition and obligation and when the boys start to stray from that he lets them know it.
Jason’s Duty, book 1, which is coming out this winter you get to meet the eldest Jason Jameson McGregor. He’s his father’s left hand man and a cowboy to the core. It takes the love of a city slicker named Haley Sheridan to show Jason there’s more to life than work.
I bring in a bit of comedy as well into my Saga, which is different from Unspoken Dreams that was very intense on emotions because of the back story. But in The McGregor Saga there is trails and obstacles but there is also laughter and heart felt love.
I’m working on rewrites for Book 2 Jesse’s Choice and hoping to get it to an editor for a summer release in 2015. It’s very different from Book 1 or Book 3 because Jesse although he’s a McGregor is not a cowboy. He’s a business man and although he loves his family he wants nothing of their life. It’s really a coming of age story for Jesse but when meeting two beautiful women he must make a choice of who he really loves. Charlotte, a punk from New Jersey who has many secrets or Mona a beautiful red head from his home town that constantly throwing herself at him.
Although Book 3 Jude’s Dream is resting now before I look at it again. I will tell you it’s the conclusion of what happens to the McGregor’s. I don’t want to put any spoilers out there but I will say. Jude who in book one was just a snotty little teenager turns into the man his father has raised and has dreams of his own. But it’s not until he meet Isabelle Tares an RN who is strong in her faith in God does he start to wonder if his dreams were changing. My goal for book three is to release it Winter of 2015.
My favorite thing I like about writing is seeing where the story takes me. In the beginning it’s my thoughts and ideas. But by draft three it’s my character’s story not mine.
My least favorite part is waiting and editing. Don’t get me wrong editing is a must for a great story to sell, but during that two weeks to a month period I’m anxious to see what the editor thinks and it’s the hardest part for me.
As you write Western romance, can you describe what Cowboys mean to you in three words?
Wholesome, loving, loyal
The brothers of the “McGregor Saga” are called Jason, Jesse and Jude. Any special reason for choosing such great names?
To be honest they just came to me. You see The McGregor Saga is based on a short story I wrote as a kid and the main character’s name indeed was Jason. Jesse and Jude came to me after I made it into the saga. But they mean a lot to me because they are biblical. All the McGregor’s names are biblical even their father’s name “Jonas”.
What was the hardest and easiest part of writing your debut novel “Unspoken Dreams”?
Wow, what a question Devika. Hmm I would say the hardest part of writing Unspoken Dreams was letting it go. When the story is finished and all the problems were resolved to say the end. I put a lot of myself as you know I based the story off of my own personal experiences with having a child on the spectrum. So letting it go, meant letting go a part of me.
There really isn’t anything that is easy about writing, I’ve come to learn. But the part I found fun of Unspoken Dreams was seeing the changes in Jaime. Just writing his story to let parents know that having a child with Autism isn’t the end of the world.
Use these 5 words to write a mini-story: luck, destiny, love, family, money.
It was my destiny to be a writer. But luck that I found so many great people to help me along the way. It was the love of my family that has gotten me this far as well as my friends, but I’m not an author for the money I’m in it to give life to my characters.
What is your favourite genre to write and / or read?
I would have to say romance. Although becoming a published author I open my reading material to review others work. I have actually expanded my reading list to paranormal and thrillers. But personally if I’m in Walmart I would pick up a romance to read. As far as writing I would say family drama/romance. You will find a lot of both in my newest project The McGregor Saga.
Is there a question you have always hoped somebody would ask you? (Feel free to answer it, too.)
Would you change anything you have gone through to get to where you are today?
I would reply no. Because of all the things I have done I have learned how to perfect my craft.
Do you have any writing rituals?
Not really rituals per say. But I do have a process. I write an outline of my story and do a lot of prewriting in between drafts. I find it really messy and I’m working on making the way I do things more organized. I actually have this big 2in notebook that holds all my ideas and rough drafts so I can go back and look at them to see what needs to be changed. LOL…Again it’s messy.
Can you offer some words of advice to (aspiring) authors?
Never give up. Your first draft will not be your last. To be patient and heed the advice given to you, because the authors you consult with have been in your shoes and they know what you are going through. Lastly, if someone comes up to you and says you need to rewrite your story, don’t take offense but see why that person said it in the first place and fix it. That’s the only way we learn. I’ve been in this business over a year and I’m still learning from my mentors. :-)
Please tell us more about your latest book(s) and plans for the future.
The McGregor Saga is my first serial. It consist of three brothers, Jason, Jesse, and Jude. Although each brother has his own obstacles to overcome there is one thing that stays the same. Family values. Jonas McGregor is the head of the household and he tries to hold on to each of his sons with an iron fist. Jonas thinks in terms tradition and obligation and when the boys start to stray from that he lets them know it.
Jason’s Duty, book 1, which is coming out this winter you get to meet the eldest Jason Jameson McGregor. He’s his father’s left hand man and a cowboy to the core. It takes the love of a city slicker named Haley Sheridan to show Jason there’s more to life than work.
I bring in a bit of comedy as well into my Saga, which is different from Unspoken Dreams that was very intense on emotions because of the back story. But in The McGregor Saga there is trails and obstacles but there is also laughter and heart felt love.
I’m working on rewrites for Book 2 Jesse’s Choice and hoping to get it to an editor for a summer release in 2015. It’s very different from Book 1 or Book 3 because Jesse although he’s a McGregor is not a cowboy. He’s a business man and although he loves his family he wants nothing of their life. It’s really a coming of age story for Jesse but when meeting two beautiful women he must make a choice of who he really loves. Charlotte, a punk from New Jersey who has many secrets or Mona a beautiful red head from his home town that constantly throwing herself at him.
Although Book 3 Jude’s Dream is resting now before I look at it again. I will tell you it’s the conclusion of what happens to the McGregor’s. I don’t want to put any spoilers out there but I will say. Jude who in book one was just a snotty little teenager turns into the man his father has raised and has dreams of his own. But it’s not until he meet Isabelle Tares an RN who is strong in her faith in God does he start to wonder if his dreams were changing. My goal for book three is to release it Winter of 2015.
About the Author
Alisha Guenzel
She is a native to New England although she was raised on the plains of West Texas. She has always loved to write stories. But it wasn't until she married her husband did she take a chance on her dream to become a published author. Although writing is her passion, she also loves to spend time with her kids and husband on their five acre mini-horse ranch. Right now Alisha is working on a three book saga that was inspired by her own horses.
Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alguenzel
Website: http://alishaguenzel.wix.com/authorwebpage
Twitter: @alguenzel
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/author-alisha-guenzel/95/7a0/925
She is a native to New England although she was raised on the plains of West Texas. She has always loved to write stories. But it wasn't until she married her husband did she take a chance on her dream to become a published author. Although writing is her passion, she also loves to spend time with her kids and husband on their five acre mini-horse ranch. Right now Alisha is working on a three book saga that was inspired by her own horses.
Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alguenzel
Website: http://alishaguenzel.wix.com/authorwebpage
Twitter: @alguenzel
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/author-alisha-guenzel/95/7a0/925
Find out more about The McGregor Saga!
https://www.facebook.com/TheMcGregorSaga
Click below to watch the trailers for the three books!
https://www.facebook.com/TheMcGregorSaga
Click below to watch the trailers for the three books!
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