By CORINNE MESSER
The Progress
Brooke’s Good Deeds in Logandale hosted two Las Vegas authors last week. Vicki-Ann Bush and Stephen Murray were available for questions with their novels on display and for sale to the public.
Bush writes young adult fiction. As a self-proclaimed storyteller of the strange and unusual, she commented, “For as long as I can remember, the paranormal has been a part of my life. Since a child, I’ve had experiences with sight, sound, and touch, from the other side of the veil. Whether it was a whisper in my ear, or the brush of a hand across my cheek, this has been my world. It’s a part of my soul and the influence for my books.”
Some of Bush’s works include, Ophelia, The Dusk Chronicles and Alex Mckenna, a series of four novels.
Stephen Murray writes adult fiction. Originally from England, it wasn’t until after his many travels that he picked up his pen and began writing about them. Since then, he has written multiple genres that appeal to diverse audiences. Some of his novels are, The Chapel of Eternal Love, Murder Aboard the Queen Elizabeth II, Discreetly Yours, and Discovering the Christmas Spirit.
Murray’s advice to those who want to write is, “Go for it! It’s not easy but you’ll enjoy it.”
He commented he has met amazing people through book signings and writing, which has been very rewarding.
Bush said that she receives inspiration for her stories and characters from everyone and everything. She has learned that each person has a story to tell. When she begins writing a story, and looking for a particular character, someone she knows will pop into her mind that matches.
Murray and Bush mentioned they write to get their thoughts and stories out of their heads. Both authors like to write about the paranormal, but Murray said his are a bit more light-hearted compared to Bush’s style. Bush mentioned one of her books, Saving a Life, is based on a real life event that she couldn’t “shed” until she wrote about it.
Both authors also stressed that a good editor is imperative when writing novels.
“It’s an author’s job to write, but the editor’s job to edit,” said Bush. “The editor will see things that you never even noticed.”
More information about these visiting authors can be found at vickiannbush.com and authorstephenmurray.com.
