Heehee! I get to twirl my Hercule mustache and start the interrogation of the wonderful author Marva Dasef. In particular, I'm going to being asking her about her SFR release, ULTIMATE DUTY. So, my friends, let's work our little grey cells. Shall we?
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ULTIMATE DUTY
Marva Dasef
Eternal Press PDF
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Print
Book Trailer
Thank you for joining us today. Why don't you tell everyone a bit about your book?
ULTIMATE DUTY is space opera with a bit of romance. From the cover:
Remy Belieux, a 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 ultimate duty lies, and fight for more than her life against impossible odds.
Where did the concept for the book come about?
I wrote a short story titled "Pressure Drill" years ago. I got a good response from my critique group, but back then, submitting was entirely by snail mail. I didn't pursue publication. When I retired from real work, I hauled out the story, along with a few others and gave them a fresh look and rewrite. That first story, plus one more with the same main character were published. From that I expanded the story and it eventually became a novel.
How long did it take you to finish, from concept to final product?
Only thirty years in the making, but I was busy doing other things most of those years.
Are there any authors that have influenced your own writing?
Mark Twain, Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov. Plain, simple stories well told.
Do you have any favourite place where you feel your Muse is more apt to come and play while you write? Or perhaps you listen to music? If so, what do you listen to?
I always write at home. I have a great setup in the family room, right next to the kitchen for quick snacking. I'm one of the few non-listeners. When I write, I find any music distracting. I've become used to the sound of the dishwasher, hubs running power equipment, and my cat vocally worrying about what's going on outside.
As a writer, what is your greatest fear?
That I actually suck, and I'm wasting my time.
What normally occupies your desk while writing?
A stack of scratch paper, two pens, a ruler, a calendar, a calculator, my cell phone, stack files...Okay, this is boring. Just the usual desk stuff.
Do you have any new projects that you are working on? If so, what are they?
Mostly, I'm wrapping up a lot of projects. I have a mystery/suspense, "Missing, Assumed Dead," coming out in July 2011 from MuseItUp, a tween fantasy titled "Bad Spelling" scheduled for October 2011. I'm also waiting on a response from MuseItUp to the two sequels of "Bad Spelling." I sure hope they take the whole series. Having books 2 and 3 without a publisher is worrisome. I'm in the note-taking stage of a sequel to Ultimate Duty.
What tip would you offer to a new writer who is just beginning their submission journey?
Get your web presence set up RIGHT AWAY. Start with a blog, but I strongly encourage you to snag a website with your name as soon as possible. Get on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, but don't make enemies by expressing strong political or religious views. If you want to do that, use a pseudonym. You want to be prepared to jump out of the gate running when you sell your work.
I spent a twenty-five year dryspell without writing fiction. Since I wrote technical documentation for a living, I could hardly face a computer after work. But I'm sorry that I let it go for so long. Don't wait to write!
Please tell our readers where they can find you.
All over creation and beyond.
My website: http://marvadasef.com/
My blog: http://mgddasef.blogspot.com/
I'm a member of SCBWI and maintain pages on Facebook, Twitter, Jacketflap, MySpace, and a variety pack of writerly websites.
How about an excerpt? Since your blog is for adults, here's the sexy one.
A tender hand with rough calluses stroked Remy’s side from shoulder to hip. Her eyes fluttered open as she rolled to face her lover. She purred deep in her throat when Kiru pulled her close and kissed her neck. She felt her carotid artery pulsing under his touch. He whispered, “The smallest pressure here, if held a few seconds, will render your opponent unconscious.”
“Yes, Sensei, but I hope that’s not your intent,” Remy replied with a wink.
He smoothed her still-damp red hair. “Not at all, chan. It is difficult to leave my teaching self outside the bedroom door.”
Remy inhaled his scent, musky with a hint of cinnamon. “My student self appreciates all the education you are willing to give.” Remy touched her forehead to his. “Whether the art be battle or love.”
Kiru enfolded Remy in his arms, pulled her close, then lifted her in one smooth motion on top of his body. He entered her, and she snapped upright, throwing her head back with a gasp. She reveled in his delicate touch, as he caressed her breasts, belly, thighs. Sighing, she leaned down to kiss him.
An hour later, Kiru kissed her nose and moved to disentangle himself from sheets and girl. “I’ll miss you, but I have taught you everything I can. It is up to you to hone your skills.”
Remy pulled him back. “Perhaps one more lesson?”
Her Sensei settled back on the bed. “I suppose there’s one more move I can teach you before we say good-bye.”
Remy Belieux, a 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 ultimate duty lies, and fight for more than her life against impossible odds.
Where did the concept for the book come about?
I wrote a short story titled "Pressure Drill" years ago. I got a good response from my critique group, but back then, submitting was entirely by snail mail. I didn't pursue publication. When I retired from real work, I hauled out the story, along with a few others and gave them a fresh look and rewrite. That first story, plus one more with the same main character were published. From that I expanded the story and it eventually became a novel.
How long did it take you to finish, from concept to final product?
Only thirty years in the making, but I was busy doing other things most of those years.
Are there any authors that have influenced your own writing?
Mark Twain, Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov. Plain, simple stories well told.
Do you have any favourite place where you feel your Muse is more apt to come and play while you write? Or perhaps you listen to music? If so, what do you listen to?
I always write at home. I have a great setup in the family room, right next to the kitchen for quick snacking. I'm one of the few non-listeners. When I write, I find any music distracting. I've become used to the sound of the dishwasher, hubs running power equipment, and my cat vocally worrying about what's going on outside.
As a writer, what is your greatest fear?
That I actually suck, and I'm wasting my time.
What normally occupies your desk while writing?
A stack of scratch paper, two pens, a ruler, a calendar, a calculator, my cell phone, stack files...Okay, this is boring. Just the usual desk stuff.
Do you have any new projects that you are working on? If so, what are they?
Mostly, I'm wrapping up a lot of projects. I have a mystery/suspense, "Missing, Assumed Dead," coming out in July 2011 from MuseItUp, a tween fantasy titled "Bad Spelling" scheduled for October 2011. I'm also waiting on a response from MuseItUp to the two sequels of "Bad Spelling." I sure hope they take the whole series. Having books 2 and 3 without a publisher is worrisome. I'm in the note-taking stage of a sequel to Ultimate Duty.
What tip would you offer to a new writer who is just beginning their submission journey?
Get your web presence set up RIGHT AWAY. Start with a blog, but I strongly encourage you to snag a website with your name as soon as possible. Get on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, but don't make enemies by expressing strong political or religious views. If you want to do that, use a pseudonym. You want to be prepared to jump out of the gate running when you sell your work.
I spent a twenty-five year dryspell without writing fiction. Since I wrote technical documentation for a living, I could hardly face a computer after work. But I'm sorry that I let it go for so long. Don't wait to write!
Please tell our readers where they can find you.
All over creation and beyond.
My website: http://marvadasef.com/
My blog: http://mgddasef.blogspot.com/
I'm a member of SCBWI and maintain pages on Facebook, Twitter, Jacketflap, MySpace, and a variety pack of writerly websites.
How about an excerpt? Since your blog is for adults, here's the sexy one.
A tender hand with rough calluses stroked Remy’s side from shoulder to hip. Her eyes fluttered open as she rolled to face her lover. She purred deep in her throat when Kiru pulled her close and kissed her neck. She felt her carotid artery pulsing under his touch. He whispered, “The smallest pressure here, if held a few seconds, will render your opponent unconscious.”
“Yes, Sensei, but I hope that’s not your intent,” Remy replied with a wink.
He smoothed her still-damp red hair. “Not at all, chan. It is difficult to leave my teaching self outside the bedroom door.”
Remy inhaled his scent, musky with a hint of cinnamon. “My student self appreciates all the education you are willing to give.” Remy touched her forehead to his. “Whether the art be battle or love.”
Kiru enfolded Remy in his arms, pulled her close, then lifted her in one smooth motion on top of his body. He entered her, and she snapped upright, throwing her head back with a gasp. She reveled in his delicate touch, as he caressed her breasts, belly, thighs. Sighing, she leaned down to kiss him.
An hour later, Kiru kissed her nose and moved to disentangle himself from sheets and girl. “I’ll miss you, but I have taught you everything I can. It is up to you to hone your skills.”
Remy pulled him back. “Perhaps one more lesson?”
Her Sensei settled back on the bed. “I suppose there’s one more move I can teach you before we say good-bye.”
Thanks for the invite, Amber.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pleasure to be here on your blog today!
Nice interview! Good luck, Marva!
ReplyDeleteNo prob, Marva! It was fun and I loved learning about you and your book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Kaye! Glad you liked the interviw.
I and many other readers can allay your fear.
ReplyDeleteYou definitley don't suck and you are not wasting your time.
I have read your books and enjoyed them all. You tell a great story that is a real page turner.
Please give us more.
Thanks, Kaye and Lorrie.
ReplyDeleteI'd also like to report that the second and third books in the Witches of Galdorheim series (first book being Bad Spelling) will, indeed, be published through MuseItUp.
I'm also working on a 4th book in that series.
Marva, you don't suck!!! If you did you wouldn't have contracts. LOL
ReplyDeleteYou are so unique, humorous and a really 'I'm gonna say it as I see it' type of a gal and that's what I love about you.
I agree with Lorrie and your Publisher, Marva. The standard writer's fear of sucking is something you DON'T have to worry about.
ReplyDeleteGood writing and you are like Garlic Fries and SF's ATT Park(just goes together).
Great interview and excellent advice.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck,
Cheryl
Great interview, A. R. and Marva.
ReplyDeleteAnd, Marva, I'm with you. I can't have music on when I'm writing. Now, when I'm brainstorming, that's a different matter.
Love the title of your upcoming release!
Hi Cheryl! I agree, she gave wonderful advice. Definitely one of those articles to file away.
ReplyDeleteLaurie! I'm glad you stopped by! Now, I can't write if it's quiet so when it's my writing night I put music or the tv on. I think I'm just used to the chaos of my kids (haha).