Author Interview: Storyheart

Please welcome Storyheart, author of Across the Pond. One lucky commentor will win a copy of the book as well as some wonderful English goodies! You have until March 6th to enter. Good luck!

You write under the name Storyheart-where did you come up with that pen name?
It’s quite a long story. I have been chatting online for around 15 years, going back to the days of the old html chat rooms before you had pretty faces and everything was either in html code or abbreviated letter lol, rofl, *L* etc..



About ten years ago I met my now wife online, she was chatting under the name of “tenderheart” so as I wrote stories I changed my name to “storyheart” to fit with her… think Care Bears *grin*



From then on I used that name to write me romance stories, stories that came from the heart, the name of my first book was actually called “Stories from the heart” The book was actually terrible full of mistakes the company that was meant to do the editing actually used the wrong version of the final draft when they published it. Still it was a learning curve. I have basically re-written all those stories plus created plenty of knew ones since that time, so perhaps one day I’ll re-produce that book. One final snippet… When my wife and I first met we were both still technically married going through divorces, and of course we were also 3000 miles a part from each other. I wanted to purchase her something special for our first Christmas as “an item” so purchased our first domain where the stories and everything else first came into fruition. The domain I gave her for that first Christmas is still one we use. It is “4tenderheart.com” purchased for my wife Tenderheart on our first Christmas.



-You met your wife while you were in England and she was in America. What was the hardest part of traveling "Across the Pond" for you?



Not counting the phones bills and the differences in time zones the hardest part was we were both starting to go through our own divorces at the time. Then it was a case of getting over to the US and getting a Visa. I was lucky and after much heart ache and searching I managed to get a job through my own company. It was not a transfer so I could not bring much over. I started in the US with three cases, and t cardboard boxes if my life and that was it. Everything else, every part of my history, my life, family, friends and everything had ever known was left in England.
I took a lot to leave everything you have even known to move to a new country to be with a woman whom you have hardly met.



Where did you come up with the idea for Across the Pond? Were there any inspirations that helped the story form?



They say write about what you know, and obviously I know all about the issues in moving across the pond to the US. People state, that I have not lost my English accent (As you can hear on my radio interviews http://www.across-t-pond.com/review2.html)I tell them I refuse to, I will always be English. Words sayings still happen at work meetings that I have to explain to people. It adds to the humor of work.One thing people ask and don’t realize, how much it takes now to get a green card, I can’t get one any more just as I am married to an American with two American children.The duel Visa which I could get, is not really what you think, I would still have to give up my allegiance to the Queen, something I would never do, SO green card it is. So writing about what I know is what led me to Across the Pond. I wanted a romance book with humor as well as something that adults would enjoy.
I love doing radio and TV interviews and the accent really helps there.(grin)



What can you tell us about the sequel?



I have started the next book, it is called “Across the Pond and Back Again” and carries on from where Across the Pond finishes. I have taken note of many comments and helpful advice that has been offered re ways I can improve and will try and add a new person or two who have a little more of a jagged edge to their character as well as bringing some of the old characters back into the new book. Some of the readers have also been generous enough to allow me to use them as a sounding board (and of course they will get credits) so I will not lose the rhythm and voice in this new book.



What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Listen and learn. There are so many other writers and groups on the internet that are only too willing to help you as you some to grips with your book. It does not matter if it’s not a literary mast piece, if it’s not a prize winner but if people like it. Enjoy the read and let you know this is the case then you have done ll you can. Above all no matter what be proud of your book. It is something you have created a unique numbered document with your name on it. The just enjoy the ride that your books takes you along.



-If you could live inside any book, which would you choose?



Now that is the first time I have been asked that question…hmmm interesting question. I love sea faring books and the Sharpe series but those times for tuff so I’m no so sure about living in one of those. Of course there are ones like “the hundred most beautiful woman of all time” that might have its advantages *grin*. Seriously though, to live in one book would be something. I think it would have to be fun, have to have romance and have to include adventure. Hay sounds like my Across the Pond “lol” well that or a Brad Pitt novel something where the hero gets the woman, and everybody lives happily ever after.



. -If readers were to travel to England, what's the one thing they must do?



You never know all of England it is seeped in history and so many different things. Within a ten mile radiance of where I used to live for 7 castles. Remains from bonze and Iron Age, through Roman times to the English civil war are around every corner. Each road tells a story, every village has things for you to discover.\


However to most people a visit to England means London.


When there us the underground (Subway) there is a card now called the Oyster that means you can travel anywhere for on payment. Use one of the tourist busses that take you round pointing thing out, you can always visit them later. A lot of people do this but only see part of London. I would also advice going on the river tour. Much the same, but you are seeing things from the river Thames. These two trips will let you see so much of London. If you can also take a trip on the London Eye, it is like a giant Ferris wheel that let’s you see London from the air. England is one of the most beautiful places in the world with so much to see and learn. I’d advise it to anybody (does it sound like I miss it terribly, but I have an family here now so here I will stay).



Thank you so much for allowing me this interview
You can find out more about me and my book at http://across-t-pond.com/. Follow my travels at http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/ or contact me at acrossthepond@mail.com
Barry (Storyheart)