Friday 29 March 2013

CARLEY BAUER UNFOLDS THE PLEASURES AND PANGS OF WRITING




                                                               

                                       Carley Bauer         Lynette Willows

                                         (Author)                 (Author)
                





Brief Profile of the author: Carley Bauer enjoys life on the eastern seaboard of the U. S. with her husband. After 30 years as a state contractor in a self employed capacity, she decided to try her hand at her first love viz.  writing. She loves being an empty nester, free to travel with her husband. Still involved with her children and grandchildren, Carley loves big family dinners. Some of her other hobbies are fashion, the occasional bite of the Big Apple where the excitement feeds her natural love of city life and home decor, which boasts a collection of Fenton Glassware. Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carley.bauer.3,  Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarleyBauer210, Blog: http://fromcarleyslaptop.blogspot.com/

Note: Carley Bauer and Lynette Willows have launched their first book “ No Gentleman Is He” and they are involved in writing the second book in the Sons of Liberty series, with two more books planned thereafter.

Q  Which is your first book published?

                “No Gentleman Is He” is our launch book, the first in the Sons of Liberty (SoL) series. It is set in 1775 Virginia and Boston during the onset of the American Revolution. The story, the setting and the time period are all top notch attention grabbers.

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 Q  What is your general field of writing and why have you chosen it?

                Historical Romance/Fiction is the general field of writing. I have always held a certain fascination with history, the development of society through time and the rise and fall of empires. Though my interest goes far beyond that of my country, I chose the American Revolution for the series, largely because I see arrogance within the U.S., that we are too big to fail, when in fact we are only 236 years old, a mere baby in the grand scheme of things. I would like to delve into the role, Government plays in this society. Augmenting romance into history gives my characters a more personal touch as the story unfolds.

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 Q  What has been the general average assessment of the reviewers and readers for your launch book?

              Amazingly all reviews so far have been 5 stars, with positive comments. For our first book, right out of the gate, I am somewhat awe-struck. Readers have identified with both main characters and commented on Cassandra’s strong-willed determination to succeed regardless of obstacles. Comments have also been received about development of Colton, who is a dark character, concerned with himself and who learns through a series of events to give back.

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Q In your opinion, besides the quality of the writing, what are the other factors for the success of a book?

                    In my opinion following are the factors: attention to details, factual history or data, efforts of the writer to research real facts and/or history.

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Q  What is your own general assessment of your launch book?

                    My first thought is that there is a charisma in our writing that shines through in the book. Secondly excellent care was given to editing. Both Lynette and my-self are grateful to be with a publishing house of the caliber of Tirgearr Publishing.  But writers are their own worst critics and I hope that where there is room for improvement, the same comes through in the second book of the series.

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Q  Which other author’s books, do you feel, come close to your style of writing?

             This is a tricky question. I try my best to use my own voice, which I personally feel is unique. I also refrain from reading a book, even remotely close to my genre, while I am writing, since I have a terrible fear of inadvertently emulating the author’s style. 

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Q  Who is your role-model?

                 Undoubtedly, my role model is John Jakes. I am a HUGE fan not only of his writing style, but also of the attention he gives  to details, his ability to bring a reader into the story line and equally important, his historical accuracy. There are many others I admire, but still as a role model, I would definitely cite Jakes.

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Q When do you get the ideas and do you immediately note them down in a note book?

                  The ideas pop in my head willy-nilly, perhaps from an interest I have. For instance in “No Gentleman Is He”, Cassandra breeds horses and is a woman ahead of her time. That appeals to me.  I only wish there was a note-pad near me when these ideas pop up, Unfortunately, I rely on my memory.

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Q On an average, how many months do you need to complete one book in all respects?

                    Generally five to seven months, but then editing can often exceed writing time.

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Q Which aspects motivate you to write books viz. money, publicity, help to the readers, self-satisfaction, any other.

                   I would put self-satisfaction as my number one motivator, followed by earning a living at what I love, as a close second.

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Q In this respect has Face Book helped you in any way? If yes, please elucidate.

                      Certainly Face Book has been of help in both, net working with other professionals and developing a fan base. As it happens we met our publisher on Face Book.

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Q  What are your future plans for writing books?

                   At the moment, we are deeply involved in both promoting our book “No Gentleman Is He”, along with writing the second book (as yet un-named), in the Sons of Liberty series. Two more books are outlined in the series. I have outlined and started a Historical romance set during the Whiskey Rebellion, occurring between 1790 and 1800, in Bedford, Pennsylvania. It will take a back seat in the Sons of Liberty series, yet keep me occupied while Lynette has the manuscript for the current Sons of Liberty manuscript.

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NOTE:“No Gentleman Is He” can be purchased from the following:

Tirgearr Publishing: ttp://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Bauer_Carley/no-gentleman-is-he.html

Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/No-Gentleman-Sons-Liberty-ebook/dp/B00BPY7UJO/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1_EJP1

Smashwords:https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=No+Gentleman+Is+He+Carley+Bauer

Eros EBooks: http://www.ebook-eros.com/item/SW00000292998/Bauer-Carley-No-Gentleman-Is-He/1.html?fb_action_ids=10151368097972005&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

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                                                                ………vijaiksharma                                                                                                                                                                                             

 




LYNETTE WILLOWS UNPACKS THE JOYS AND WOES OF WRITING

                                  Carol Bauer               Lynette Willows

                                             (Author)                                 (Author)

Brief Profile of the Author:  Lynette Willows is a mother, wife and the property of two Maltese. Verbally awkward, she has always put her thoughts to paper and eventually realized this was what writers do. Hence the profession chose her instead of the other way around. She served ten years of apprenticeship as a freelance writer in between raising boys and serving hot suppers to a hard working husband. She has a love of odd facts and her favourite hobby is historical research. She is an avid camper, fisherman and chases storms for the adrenaline rush. Lynette is an empty nester living with her husband in rural Alberta, Canada. Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynette.willows, Twitter: https://twitter.com/LynetteWillows, Blog: http://romancethethrillquill.blogspot.com/

Note: Lynette Willows and Carley Bauer have launched their first book “ No Gentleman Is He” and they are involved in writing the second book in the Sons of Liberty series, with two more books planned thereafter.

Q  Which is your first book published?

             “No Gentleman Is He” is the first book in the Sons of Liberty series.

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Q What is your general field of writing and why have you chosen it?

               I started as a freelance writer and journalist as well as a humourist, and still dabble in it if I get an interesting assignment. But my first obligation is to my publisher and Carol Bauer, so I only take assignments which are short lived. It is my first love and I doubt if I will ever really give it up completely.

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Q  What has been the general average assessment of the reviewers & readers for your first book?

              So far, all have been 5-star reviews. Frankly I’m amazed and very gratified.

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Q  In your opinion, besides the quality of writing, what are the other factors for the success of a book?

              In my opinion, the factors are: the interest in the subject matter, the intensive research and a touch of curiosity. There are some glorious readers out there, who, in their eagerness to find new books and new voices, give new authors a chance. I really love those people!

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Q  What is your own general assessment of this book? 

              My lips are sealed. Just kidding…In my opinion, with the care taken by us and our editors and publisher, for a first book, it’s a superior product. I still see room for improvement, but that’s a common ailment for most writers. We are never satisfied with our own work.

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Q  Which other author’s books do you feel, come close to your style of writing?

              Janice McDonald, who writes the Randy Craig mystery series and Amy MacKay, out in Nova Scotia, who has roots in NY, both are wonderful and gifted writers. Sara Gruen is also a favorite of mine and I study all the three, because their style is close to mine, though not exact. We all need our own voice, don’t we?

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Q  Who is your role model?

              Believe it or not, my role-models are the old time writers; Austen, Dickens, Twain for his fun, even Shakespeare. Yes, I’ve read Shakespeare many times over. I was one of those geeky kids that didn’t groan when assigned Shakespeare in the school and later in English Literature class in the University. That was when writing was really writing. I also read good modern writers, to get the conversational and active voice, so popular in modern literature. Most importantly, my role-model is my Mom. She hates sloppy grammar and always insists that we use the proper word in the proper way. I passed that onto my boys, though they are rednecks and therefore have their own lingo around their friends. But they snap to it when they enter my house or send me emails.

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Q  When do you get the idea(s) & do you immediately note them down in a note book?

              I come up with absolutely brilliant ideas, when I am farthest from any computer, pen, pencil or piece of coal. I am either in the tub or in the car. Stupid fairy muse…sometimes I just want to swat the little wench. I wish I could write down. If I do manage to remember, I will immediately get it on a note or insert as a reference document to access later, as soon as I can.

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Q  On an average, how many months do you need to complete one book in all respects?

             My lone projects…a long time. I am a professional procrastinator, so I need a deadline and the adrenaline rush, which is why I still love journalism. I don’t know when to cut off the research aspect when I am left to my own devices. The deeper I get on my own, in a project, the longer it takes, because I get distracted by the facts. When I have a deadline, like I have with this series of books with Carley Bauer and my publisher, I don’t have that problem. It is amazing how I focus when I have others depending on me to get my work done. So, I would say with the research, writing, editing and proofs, six months is comfortable.

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Q  Which aspects motivate you to write books viz. earning money, publicity, help to the readers, self-satisfaction, any other?

             Self-satisfaction, ego and compulsion are the aspects, in my opinion. Any one of those would work. And frankly I hate attention. I am a happy introvert. I would love to mentor young writers, but most don’t want to be mentored. They just want magic answers or fairy dust, and I don’t have either. Read, write and learn, that’s it. There is no magic. If you want to make money and get rich, don’t be a writer. Only a really tiny percentage of writers make enough money to be considered rich. About the same number might make a comfortable, middle class wage from their work. As much as marketing is hammered into your head by all the new internet gurus, luck plays the greatest role in the scheme of things when it comes to being hugely successful, especially for first time authors. Marketing and hard work will get results, for sure, but with almost 6,00,000 other books released each year, it is pure luck for a new author to even be noticed to any great degree. Writing is the playground of the fate, and it is where they have their little joke, until you get well known which takes time, a lot of time. There are terrible books that became instant best sellers and brilliant books that are languishing on Amazon and book shelves, not selling at all. Sometimes I fear for the modern reader and what they consider good literature.

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Q  In this respect, has Face book helped you in any way? If yes, please elucidate.

             Elucidate; what a great word, eh? OK, I will elucidate. ”No.” Granted, I got a couple of fans from Facebook, but it was mostly from when I played Farmville and a couple of players, I think, wandered over to read my blog. “Romancing the Thrill Quill” is my freelance blog, to showcase my writing flexibility and garner interest from mags to get a few assignments. And these wonderful, curious people have donned the pompoms and cheered me on, since they learned I had the audacity to try to write a whole novel. They have even grasped some guts and tried new things themselves and report that they are succeeding. Now that is happiness for me. I love to hear that others decided to muzzle their inner doubters and go with it. But other than that, Face book is a time suck, perfect for us procrastinators.

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Q  What are your future plans for writing books?

              Both Carley Bauer and I have put a lot of blood and sweat in the first book. But there’s more to come *waving at the readers* Both of us are working on Book 2 of the Sons of Liberty series, with outlines for two more. We are contracted with the publisher for two books, with a possibility of two more in the series if these do well. Personally, I have several projects on the go, both in the thriller and in drama literature genres, as well as more romance. I am also working on a compilation of my previously published humour articles, when I had my own column. I would like to find a publisher who would be willing to send the royalties to help fund research for a rare condition called fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, or FOP. My youngest son suffers from this condition, and they are so close to an effective treatment that I want to be sure it continues.

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NOTE:“No Gentleman Is He” can be purchased from the following:

Tirgearr Publishing: ttp://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Bauer_Carley/no-gentleman-is-he.html

Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/No-Gentleman-Sons-Liberty-ebook/dp/B00BPY7UJO/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1_EJP1

Smashwords:https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=No+Gentleman+Is+He+Carley+Bauer

Eros EBooks: http://www.ebook-eros.com/item/SW00000292998/Bauer-Carley-No-Gentleman-Is-He/1.html?fb_action_ids=10151368097972005&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

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                                                                       …………vijaiksharma

 

 

 

Saturday 9 March 2013

A PROFESSOR OF PHARMACOLOGY SPEAKS AS AN AUTHOR



                       





A Professor of Pharmacology speaks as an author

    Brief profile of the author:    Dr. P.C. Dandiya obtained the Ph. D. degree from the University of Toronto after having the B. Pharm. and the M. Pharm degrees from the Banaras Hindu University. He started his teaching career at the S. M. S. Medical College, Jaipur where he became a full Professor (and later) Head of the Department of Pharmacology at the age of 35 and trained scores of M.D.’s and 19 Ph. D.’s in Pharmacology. For his researches in Phycho-neuro-pharmacology he received numerous awards from the Medical Council of India and the Indian Council of Medical Research and was elected the Fellow of the Indian Academy of Medical Sciences, a rare honour for a non-medical person. He has been the President of the Pharmacy Council of India, Indian Pharmacology Society and the Indian Pharmaceutical Congress and the Pro-Vice Chancellor and even Vice-Chancellor for some time of the Banaras Hindu University. Professor Dandiya has worked in many countries and has been a Visiting Professor at the Universities of London, Houston, Hawai and Copenhagen. In the last few years he extensively lectured at a number of Chinese Universities as a Guest Professor of Nanjing University. His students and associates, spread all over the globe whom he has immensely endeared have floated an Endowment Trust which holds an Oration in his honour every year besides promoting research activities in Pharmacy and Pharmacology. He has written many books, his Family Medicine Book has sold 5 lakh copies in 10 editions, and amongst them is a beautifully written, highly interesting autobiography, that can be seen at most book shops in the country. Presently he is an Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology at the SMS Medical College, Jaipur where he completed 64 years of teaching the Medical Students and now he is teaching the grand children of those whom he taught more than 50 years back. He is also a WHO consultant on the Rational use of Drugs.
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Q       Your book “A Professor remembers” giving details about your days at the famous BHU, Varanasi, (INDIA), appears to have been well received. What has been the average response/rating of the readers and reviewers for this book?
          Some of the responses of the readers and reviewers for this book are:
                    “A browser’s choice. He recalls days in Jaipur in his childhood when the Maharaja found a third wife……. He also talks of his experience with LSD.”--  The Hindu (An English Daily with a 12 million circulation)
It is a rare autobiography where the word “I” is missing. He talks of the events and the people who came to his life.  
--Rajasthan Patrika, (an Indian language daily-circulation 7  million)
          “A highly interesting work by an academician that reads like a novel, takes you in the interior of the country and also a tour round the world in a style spiced with wry humour. His characterization of the three women who came to his life is masterly.” --    Indian Journal of Pharmacology
          “Every part is readable and highly interesting.”-- Ranjit Roy Chaudhury (W.H.O. Consultant)
          “I could not put down the book for a week. It is difficult enough to live an interesting life. It is more difficult to write an interesting book about one’s life.”-- P.K. Wanchoo (Professor of Surgery)
          “It is a wonderfully well written autobiography. It reflects the author’s mastery at expressing thoughts and his ability to recall   events.” -- Pushkar Kaul (Professor at Atlanta University)
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Q  What is your own assessment about this book?
          Actually, the book sold out very fast and a new edition of the book has come last week. For me, it was of great satisfaction that I was able to write at length on the BHU, Pt. Malviyaji, Sir S. Radhakrishnan and many other co-students of that time, some of who have occupied very prestigious positions in this country and at other places on the globe. It was very exhilarating and I tell you, at times, I enjoy reading this again even after 13 years.
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Q    What exactly prompted you to pen down your memoirs in the form of this book?
            A lady friend of mine, Girija Vijay, a voracious reader of books, who presently lives in Las Vegas, USA had suggested to me and if you remember I have given tribute to her in the beginning of the book for having made that suggestion that worked out wonderfully well.
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Q     How many months were needed to complete the script of this book?
            About 14 months.
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Q     Who has been your role model for achieving excellence in writing?
          I have been an admirer of Kushwant Singh.
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 Q   In writing career, which aspect(s) do you generally give more weightage, money, award, admiration or popularity?
          None of the above. Only self satisfaction.
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Q   What are your other publications?
           I have written 15 other books and the Family Medicine Book of mine has done ten 10 editions in 36 years and sold more than 5 lakh copies.  It is a great satisfaction.
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Q   What are your future plans for writing books?
           I have just finished and published the new edition of the book in discussion with 18 new chapters.
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Q   Your efforts for writing by using a lap top, must be causing aches in the fingers. How do you manage to keep yourself fit in this respect?
           When I started writing this book in 1998, yes I had problems with the computer but in course of time I was able to write a chapter and email it straight to my publisher in Delhi. 
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Q    Now for some time the average life of the human beings appears to be increasing, meaning that the Longevity is increasing. What are the factors responsible for this increase?. What exactly has been the role of medicines in increasing the Longevity?
           Some time back, I gave a lecture at the Mahatma Gandhi Medical University, Jaipur, on this very topic. For answering to this question I would like to say that in the Bronze Age, the average life span was about 28 years, but with better living conditions it went on improving. During the last 50 years, the life span of the global population has changed considerably. It has increased to 67 years in men and 73 for women. The highest longevity is in Japan, men 79 and women 86. In India also it has increased to 63 for men and 67 for women. Interestingly, the relative figures for China are higher than those of us in India by about 8 years. Even Pakistan and Bangladesh are marginally better than Indians. In the 19th and early 20th century, the increase in life span was primarily due to improvement in hygienic conditions. Even in countries of Europe infectious diseases like tuberculosis, typhoid and others were rampant in the 19th century.
       The availability of reliable and effective medicines has played a major role in increasing the life span    of the humans. The big killers of the humans in India are solid fuels, smoking, low fruit intake, pollution, hypertension, diabetes, infectious diseases and high cholesterol. The first fours are yet to be taken care of but the last four have been considerably controlled by medicines. Some drugs do a lot of work, become very important, and settle as the favourite of doctors and at times, of the patients as well. At times, these may disappear from the scene because more effective & safer drugs are discovered. Digitalis, phenacetin, diazepam and sulphonomides, which were freat medicines at one time, have almost disappeared from the scene in the last 30 years or more.
The medicines that have made very significant influences in our lives are:
(i)  The penicillins have been very effective in the treatment of pneumonia, syphilis, gonorrhoea, wound infections, tetanus, and gas gangrenes. The cephaelosporins are effective even where penicillins fail and have proved wonderful medicaments.
(ii)   Insulin discovered in 1922, has saved millions from diabetes & allowed diabetics to live a new normal life.
(iii)  Aspirin, used for more than 110 years, though basically for pain and fever, is today the most widely used single medicine for preventing heart attacks and brain strokes by lowering blood clotting. It works as a wonder drug in angina, bypass surgery and kidney related problems.
Until the 1950s, most medicines were discovered in the universities but this has changed. Lately the pharmaceutical companies have discovered and marketed many a block-buster drugs which can be prescribed by any physician (even a non-specialist) and bring about great benefits to the patients. These are:
(i)  Statins like atorvastin lower cholesterol, decrease heart attacks & thus prolong life of millions.
(ii)  Beta-blockers have replaced Digitalis, the two century old drug and allowed management of angina an easy and life saving.
(iii)    Steroids are powerful inflammation lowering drugs and save life from allergic shock and bronchial asthma.
(iv)  SSRIs have made treatment of mental depression an easy game. Fuoxetine has allowed millions to live a normal life.
(v)  ACE Inhibitors lower blood pressure and save the patient from deterioration.
(vi)  Omeprazole has helped a long number of patients to live normally without surgery.
(vii)  Anti-malarials like Quinine, chloroquine and the artemisinins have cured millions of malaria but for this, more effective medicines have yet to be discovered.
        A lot more has to be done particularly for cancer, AIDS, HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. The Melinda -Gates Foundation is doing a wonderful work towards finding more effective remedies for these diseases.
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                                                                                                                              Vijaiksharma