Spotlight Sunday

Meet PJ Schnyder!

Greetings and welcome PJ! Would you tell us about your favorite character from Terra’s Guardians series?

Hi! Thanks for having me.

I like each of my characters for different reasons, so I couldn’t say I have a favorite.

Adam is fantastic for his silly jokes and habit of cracking puns so bad they burn while Mackenzie has such a quiet strength to her.

Jason is grumpy and your classic loner, but he has a strong drive to protect and care for Carri. And Carri is human, but runs with the pack.

I’ve also got plans to introduce even more strong males and their lady loves. Sorry! I can’t play favorites. ;)

Has someone been instrumental in inspiring you as a writer?

I’ve always written as an outlet for my very active imagination. Inspiration is everywhere and plot bunnies abound.

I do think my little sister has been instrumental in helping catch those plot bunnies and turn them into real stories with a beginning, middle and an end.

Do you have critique partners or beta readers?

I have fabulous beta readers! I’m also a part of the Online Writing Group on Kelley Armstrong’s Forums, Group 6 specifically.

Their feedback has been invaluable and I’m truly grateful to all of them for helping give me perspective on my stories – the good, the meh and the suckage.

What do you think makes a great story?

A great story has heart. It’s not just technically superior and grammatically correct. It has characters you love, even the ones you love to hate. As the plot progresses, even if you know they’ll eventually end up together, it’s how they get there that has you turning the pages.

And heck, the love scenes should be so good, you go back to read them again. And again. ;)

What are you passionate about these days?

Sharing my stories.

I’ve got so many ideas, so many works in progress. I want to craft great stories and share them with whoever might enjoy them.

What do you do to unwind and relax?

Well, unwinding and relaxing are two different things for me. LOL!

To unwind and relieve the stresses of the day, I go to mixed martial arts classes. Studying a blend of Muay Thai, Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do and Kali Silat really works off the tension and leaves me feeling good.

To relax, I love simple pleasures. I take long walks with my dogs, do dance stretches at the barre to favorite music, and take hot showers.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers? If so, what are they?

Get to know the expectations of the industry. There are so many agent/editor/publisher blogs and Twitter feeds out there offering information. Lurk and learn.

When your story is crafted, polished, beta read and revised, then polished again…you’ll know what the next steps are to submitting your work. It takes a lot of courage to submit, being armed with knowledge of the expectations and guidelines in advance gives you a huge step up on the slush pile.

What would we find under your bed?

Dust bunnies, fur and plot bunnies. ;)

But! I vacuum often, so all that’s left is the plot bunnies. :P

Any hobbies (besides writing) and what might they be?

I have a lot of hobbies. I’ve already mentioned MMA. I also dance - hip hop and ballet, some lyrical. I love Japanese anime and manga.

I’m a bit of a gamer geek, playing on PC and PS3, and have a crazy love for dice.

I also knit/crochet/spin.

What question do you wish was on this list? Your answer?

“What’s next?”

’lIl be working on Full Disclosure, the next story in the Terra’s Guardians series, during NaNoWriMo. A Sentinel from the wolf pack featured in Red’s Wolf is assigned to protect a human scientist as she races to produce antidotes for the immobilizing drugs used by the mysterious alien hunters.

I’m hoping it will be available for readers soon!