Featuring newly published author J.Z.N. McCauley of A Bell Sound Everlasting just released in June 2014! We met on Amazon’s Meet Our Authors Forum.

1) Tell us about your most recent release.
A Bell Sound Everlasting is about a girl named Evelyn. She’s dealing with changes around and in her life, while trying to figure out what is her place in this world. She is a professional pianist, which is where she shows outwardly her intense passion in music. She starts to have puzzling visions along with very painful migraines that drive her to finding out the meaning behind them. Along the way you learn more about Evey, her family and friends. Her feelings about…well everything. Mysterious happenings occur, as well as meetings with a mysterious man and a beautiful horse. Read more to find out the answer to these mysteries and the path Evey’s life takes.

2) What else do you have coming out?
Currently A Bell Sound Everlasting is all that’s out. However, I am working on two novels right now. One being connected to A Bell Sound Everlasting through one of the other characters in the story. I hope to have them released sometime next summer or so.

3) Is there anything you want to make sure potential readers know?
I put my whole heart into every story I write, including this first book. I think everyone will get something good from it and all of my stories, and enjoy!

4) What genre do you write?
I don’t write in just one genre. I write anything that I feel like really. I have to be interested in the genre. I love especially writing fantasy and fiction. Historical fiction, adventure and scifi are great too!

5) How do you react to a bad review of one of your books?
I learn from them, either about my writing, or about the person leaving the bad review. Either way it helps my progress as an author I believe.

6) How do you choose the titles of your novels?
I choose them in different ways. Sometimes they come before I have the story idea, other times the story comes first and the title sort of shows itself to me somewhere in the middle of it or at the very end and ah HA it’s perfect!

7) What are some of your favorite books?
Oh, some classics such as The Hobbit, The Phantom of The Opera, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of The Baskervilles.

8) What is the best thing said about you as a writer?
So far that my writing has fantastic dialogue and I write vividly.

9) Have you ever dispatched a character and then regretted it?
No, never. I always do it for a purpose, so I wouldn’t regret it. Same goes for reading, I enjoy books where if the character dies it’s for a good reason. I always cry though if they are good characters who you grow close to. If they’re evil then I cheer! Ha ha ha.

10) Tell us something surprising about yourself.
I eat my Corn Pops cereal without milk, like popcorn!

11) Who are some of your favorite authors?
Mark Twain, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and many others.

12) Do you listen to music while you write?
Yes, most of the time.

13) If you listen to music while you write, what kind and why?
A variety. I like classical, Celtic/folk, rock, oldies, some pop. I like all music really except I for sure can’t stand most country music (especially current), heavy metal, or rap. That’s my normal music taste any way.
It helps me get emotionally connected with the scene I’m writing, as well as concentrate.

14) What are your favorite movies?
Some are How to Steal A Million, The Patriot, and Disney classic animated movies I can’t help but still enjoy at times. There are so many favorites truly…

15) Have you ever read or seen yourself as a character in a book or a movie?
No not really. I’ve certainly seen similar personality traits, or habits, etc in other characters from books, movies and television shows though.

16) What is the single most powerful challenge when it comes to writing a novel?
For me at the moment it’s making sure it’s perfect in the sense that I’m sure I got everything I wanted put into it, and put into it correctly as I wanted. Basically that I’ve truly finished it.

17) Who do you want to read your books?
Everyone! 🙂 People who will appreciate it really. One of my editors had told me last fall that they thought I should change the plot because they felt the modern day readers wouldn’t be able to understand my book because it’s too elaborate…This disturbs me. So I told her that I didn’t want stupid people reading it then if it’s too difficult for them. I mean…seriously…though I’ve weaved a story, it’s not what I’d call elaborate in that difficult to understand and follow sense. I’m no where near as elaborate as Tolkien, which I hear from some readers they find his work difficult to understand for that reason and others. But I refuse to change my plots for such a reason as to cater to the media. It’s art after all, and what would I be if I sacrificed what’s in my heart for fame and fortune? I’d be ashamed for someone I respect to know I did that. But most important I’d be ashamed and disappointed in myself, and that’s never okay to do.

18) How much impact does your childhood have on your writing?
I suppose a lot in some ways. I get my imagination from my childhood. I was a very emotional and sensitive child. I always saw fascinating things in nature and things I enjoyed in art, music and books. As well as in playing around with friends outside, and I was very verbal about it to my family.

19) Do you laugh at your own jokes?
Yes! Lol

20) What are books for?
To better the world in so many ways, and connect us all through time and distance to each other and more.

21) Are you fun to go on vacation with?
I think so. But it really depends on what you like to do on vacation. Some times I want to see all the places I can on vacation. Other times I just want to do nothing. In the first case I take a TON of pictures. Some people may find that annoying, haha.

22) How do you feel about being interviewed?
I’m honored! Thank you!

23) Why do you think what you do matters?
It matters to be true to yourself and do what you’re driven and meant to do in life. Ultimately it will help others somehow, if not now, then eventually and that matters greatly.

24) Have you ever found true love?
Yes, my husband! And of course the rest of my family too. It’s a blessing!

25) Are you jealous of other writers?
Not at all. I respect them. Some of them I hope to be just as great as someday.

26) Describe your writing process. When and where do you write?
I write when I feel inspired. Sometimes I push myself and inspiration just comes to me though thankfully. I write at my desk or on my bed usually.

27) Who is the most supportive of your writing?
My husband. He’s the best!

28) What are you planning to write in the near future?
Out of the two novels I am working on, one is a fantasy/mild science fiction, and the other is just fantasy. I’m pretty excited about them!

29) What compels you to write?
Something in my soul compels me to write, I’m not sure what exactly, but I know writing is apart of me and I simply must do it to feel fulfilled in life as an artistic and creative person.

30) What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Never give up, and follow what’s in your soul to write. Put everything you’ve got into everything you write and do.

31) What is your favorite genre to read?
Historical Fiction/Adventure mostly.

32) Do you read reviews of your books? How do they affect you, whether positive or negative?
Yes I do. Each one, because you can learn from all feedback. Good or bad. Whether it’s learning about yourself and how you can improve something, or you’re simply learning about the person leaving the feedback.

Bio: Wife & mother, author & artist. Lover of stories, history, singing and dancing. Enjoys travel, art, reading, music, as well as spending time with family and friends.

Links:
Author Website: http://jznmccauley.wordpress.com/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/jznmccauley
Follow on Twitter @JZNMcCauley

A Bell Sound Everlasting is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and many other book retailers in hardcover, paperback and e-book formats! E-book is just 99cents! Enjoy!

Book Links to Amazon and B&N: http://amzn.to/1rfoODo and http://bit.ly/1ncR1rZ