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Nancy and I are test-driving a new idea - authors of the month. Instead of having two BOM selections, we'll have one regular BOM and an Author of the Month. Nancy and I will choose one group author each month and feature one of their books as a group read that month and discuss it. Since both books chosen this month were by group authors, we're going to test it out this month.

Our first author is William Cooper. William's first story, Broken Bones, Mended Hearts, was published on May 19, 2010 by Dreamspinner Press. You can read more about him on his website at

This thread is dedicated to Q&A with Mr. Cooper. You can ask him any questions you like - about his book, his writing or what color his bedroom is. Near the end of the month, William will randomly choose a member who asks a question to receive a free ebook copy of Broken Bones, Mended Hearts.

Ask away!

Okay. I'll bite Ralph. Why first person? Nothing against it personally, but there are those around that definately have a negative opinion of books written in the first. Is there a particular reason you chose to write this book that way?

Oh! I thought of another one. I hope there isn't a limit to the number of questions I can post. I tend to be pretty nosey. lol. Anyway, since starting to read authors blogs and talk to authors I was suprised by how many restrictions they seem to be under when they fight to get published. Things like word counts, themes, genre restrictions. The lists seem endless. I've heard some comments about how reviewers often don't appreciate this, for example they often get comments about books not being detailed or deep enough, but the author was really restricted by the word count. I just thought you got an idea, wrote a book then, if you thought it was good enough, tried to find a publisher. What has your experience been? Was/is your main goal to publish or to tell the story? Do you feel pressured by any of these things when you write? Along these same lines, do you write for readers or remain true to your vision of the story you're telling? For example, if you had an idea for a character, but knew it might have a limited market or readers (I'm thinking twinsest or m/preg for example) would you still write it how you envisioned it and try to publish or would you change the story or move on to another project more likely to be marketable?

Bet you're wishing I'd gone with the wanting to know what colour your bedroom was (*wink*). You can tell me that too if you like :)

Thanks for biting, Winterjade!

I chose first person because it's better for exploring a character's emotions/thoughts/feelings. I think romance is much better when it's in first person since you can really get a sense for what's going on in the characters head.

I tend to write the story and worry about publication later. When writing BB,MH my main goal was to publish, but I didn't let that interfere with how I told the story. I'm working on a twincest story now, and even though it has a limited readership, it's still a story I want to write. I'm not concerned about word count or subject matter since I can always find a publisher that will publish it. (It may take a bit of work though.) Most publishers, in my experience, don't have strict word counts unless it's for an anthology. My twincest story is kinda on the back burner since there are other stories I've started that are more marketable and easier to sell, but I'm not going to give up on the story. And since it's a harder subject to sell, I want to make sure it's perfect so that I don't give the publishers any reason to reject it.

I hope this answered all your questions! Feel free to ask as many as you want. =)

All but the one about the colour of your bedroom (*grin*). Thanks for taking the time to answer. I like the fact you're going to remain true to your story. Believe it or not, it really helps to know. I'll definitely read your twinsest when it comes out :)

Not sure I agree with you that romance is BETTER in the first person. Or that it does a better job of exploring a characters emotions/thoughts/feelings. I've read plenty of third person that accomplish this brilliantly. For me, first person is more about challenging a reader to step into someone elses shoes. I think, when it's done right, it can have a wonderful capactity to foster understanding, because it feels so much more personal. Almost like a one on one, heart to heart with a friend. Any thoughts?

(Hope this is the sort of thing you were trying to achieve with this thread, just tell me to pull my head in if it's not!)

Haha my room is this ugly off-white color. Sadly, my landlord won't let me paint it. (My bedroom when I lived in New Jersey was a bright red and I loved it.)

I tend to enjoy romances more from first-person, but that's more of an opinion than a fact. That's not to say I haven't read brilliant third-person romances, I have. I just prefer first-person since I really get to know the main character and it's almost like stepping into their shoes. I love for authors like Marie Sexton use first person and switch POVs every chapter so that you can experience the relationship through both of their eyes.

(This is fine! You can ask pretty much anything just like in the M/M Romance group.)

Thanks William ;). I completely agree with you about switching POV in first person every chapter. I love it when authors do this. Makes such a difference to my enjoyment of a first person read.

So next question. When's the next book? What's it going to be? Any teasers for your fans?

One of the piece I'm currently working on is my twincest piece. It's kinda a side project since I do have other stories that come with deadlines (and are a bit more marketable) but I shall finish it soon!

I'm also working on a flash fiction piece with the On Fiction Writing group for their Thimble Tales anthology. You can read it, and the feedback I'm getting, here: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3...

I'm also working on a 4th of July piece that's due on June 18th. (Eeep!) It will most likely be sent to Dreamspinner once it's finished since it's not long enough for the Silver Publishing anthology I wrote it for.

Sadly, I have nothing that's in the publication stages yet. =[

Best of luck with your deadline! I'll definately check out the flash fiction soon - have a deadline or two of my own, but it's on my to do list. Have a good one!

Thanks! I hope you enjoy the flash fiction piece. =)

I'm off to go find a new beta reader since my current one doesn't have time to beta this piece this month. =[

I just read the flash fiction piece. Not too bad. Looks like you've got lots of people giving you some really good advice in that group as well. Maybe some beta readers lurking right there!

Could you explain the concept of flash fiction for me?