Thursday, January 27, 2011

Around the Globe with HEATHER INGEMAR

This week my transporter takes me to author Heather Ingemar's living room. Her house is old; a 1917 Sears and Roebuck. History adorns the walls–from old artwork to antique family branding irons. Multi-colored leaves litter the lawn outside. The wind blows around the eaves, making the old timbers creak. A few of the cattle she helps raise with her husband make lowing noises in the back lot. We kick back on her couch with a couple mugs of hot cocoa to discuss her writing.

1. Who is Heather Ingemar and what makes you fascinating?
Well, contrary to what my mother will tell you, I'm simply pretty average. I work a town job in addition to the ranching my husband and I do, and I have hobbies – I perform folk music, I like shooting sports. All in all, I'm just your average farm girl.

2. What one thing would people be surprised to learn about you?
I think they'd be surprised to learn I'm a Cowboy Action Shooter, because most everyone IS surprised when they find that out. I guess I don't come across as the type of gal who gets all dolled up in Victorian dresses to go shoot targets with reproduction firearms. I'm such a tomboy -- I almost never wear a skirt! (laughs) I suppose the idea of me in a frilly dress is… shocking.

3. What interested you to become a writer rather than something else?
Writing actually took me by surprise. I wanted to write books, I wanted to write stories – I just didn't have the skills. I directed all my energy toward music, because it was something creative that I could do, something I knew how to do. It wasn't until college that I discovered I had the knack for prose, thanks to my creative writing prof. I wouldn’t be here if not for her.

4. Writers are readers. Which author(s) would you enjoy sharing dinner? Why?
While I absolutely looooove Poe's work, I have the sneaking suspicion he'd be a bit of a depressing dinner guest… So, it would have to be Karen Chance or Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. They seem like they'd be pretty neat people to talk to.

5. If I were stranded on a desert island (or suffering a four hour layover at the airport), why would your book(s) be great company?
Well, because I wrote it, of course! (laughs) No, kidding aside, I've been told I have an unusual way of re-interpreting our monsters, a different method of looking at our archetypes and our fairy tales and that sort of thing. If you're looking for something a little strange, strange is what I do.

6. Share the Ingemar process of writing in regards to: idea and character development, story outlines, research (do you Google, visit places/people, or make it up on the spot?), writing schedule, editing, and number of rewrites.
Well, let's tackle the easiest things first: SCHEDULE: it's simply when I have time and the words are there. Being a rancher's wife means life is unpredictable. If I have ten minutes and I have words waiting for me? Awesome. IDEAS, ETC: They tend to let me know when they're ready to be written. I don't touch an idea or a character until they are pounding at my door. OUTLINE: As broad as I can get away with… (laughs) I think that when you get down to listing all the nitty-gritty details, you lose the beautiful spontaneity of the act of writing. RESEARCH: Well, seeing as the day-job is being a librarian, I'm kind of obligated to cross my 't's and dot my 'i's, aren't I? (laughs) Seriously though? I use the Internet and my local resources – library, people I know, books, etc – to find my answers. EDITING/NUMBER OF REWRITES: I rather enjoy the editing process. It's satisfying to polish a piece of fiction. The number of rewrites I do depends on how close to my characters' wishes I get on the first draft. Sometimes, I nail it the first time; other times it could be fifteen plus drafts. It really depends.

7. "I think I have a good idea for a story, but I don't know where or how to begin. Your process may not work for me. Any advice?"
Sit down, do some writing, and find out what works for you. Explore; read about what other writers do. Try different methods. One of them is bound to click.

8. I saw an amusing t-shirt the other day which read 'Every great idea I have gets me in trouble.' What is your philosophy of life?
I find myself adhering more and more to the Taoist principles of wei-wu-wei, or "practicing not-doing." We spend so much time and energy beating around the bush, stressing over details – we forget to DO. We're always trying to make stuff fit OUR schedule, when if we just take some moments to relax and let it happen on its own… Things will work out. Learning to keep that in mind seriously lowers my anxiety level.

9. Please tell me you're not going to stop writing? What's next for you?
I'm planning on writing as long as I have fun doing it! I'm currently in the middle of drafting my next novella, so I'm enjoying that.

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?
They're more than welcome to pop by my website (http://heatherthebard.wordpress.com), follow me on Twitter (http://twitter.com/heatheringemar), or even fan me on Facebook (). I love to hear from readers!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Around the Globe with SARAH STORME

So it's below zero this morning as I jump in my transporter to pick up this week's featured author, Sarah Storme. Once again, I get a pushy author (just kidding) who immediately inputs a destination and we end up in the town where she grew up: New Orleans. (At least she picked someplace a little warmer). She whisks me out to a French Quarter cafe where we enjoy various delicacies (sorry, no chicory coffee for me), while we talk.

1. Who is Sarah Storme and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?
She's a crazy lady who works all day as an engineer and writes romance as Sarah Storme, mystery as S. H. Baker, and erotica as Lydia Parks. She loves to talk to writers' groups and readers, is leading a continuing education class on reading mysteries, and enjoys book signings at every opportunity. She also likes to tell crazy stories, has lots of nutty friends, enjoys working with kids, and loves finding great restaurants. Could anyone be more fascinating??

2. Without revealing a deep dark secret (unless you want to), what one
thing would people be surprised to learn about you?
I don't know that I have any deep, dark secrets or surprises left--I tend to tell everyone everything! I grew up in New Orleans, rode horseback before I learned to walk, dropped out of college the first time around to live in Alaska during the Wild West pipeline days, have a master's degree in engineering, spent two weeks in Siberia once, crave rain and darkness (caves---yes!), and I love to write. That's the nutshell version.

3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else
such as becoming a fighter pilot?
Writing was never anything I actually considered doing; I kind of fell into it. I think it's a little like crack for me--one taste and I was hooked. I started writing short stories on the Net back when it was relatively new. One of the strangers on the receiving end of my stories told me I had potential and that I should "go write a novel." I discovered she was a New York editor and took her advice. I wish I knew who she was so I could thank her, and curse her on those nights when I can't sleep because a story is brewing. From there, I stumbled around in the dark until I discovered writing groups (like RWA) and wonderful editors like those at Echelon who were willing to guide me along the path.

4. Writers are readers. With which author(s) would you enjoy sharing
dinner? Why?
I'd have to share dinner with James Lee Burke first, mainly because he probably thinks I'm stalking him. I'm not--really!--I'm just a huge fan of his writing. He writes Louisiana like no one else, and he's right on. Besides just enjoying reading his books, I use them to inspire me to be a better writer. I'd also love to have dinner with David L. Robbins because his writing absolutely blows me away. And his talks on the Net look like so much fun. (No, I'm not stalking him, either!) I use his books when I teach writing classes to show how characterization should be done. Other than these two amazing authors, I have a couple hundred others I'd like to meet and talk to, so I guess this dinner would be an outrageous party, and would have to last for days. I'll start booking it...

I am fortunate enough to have lunch with writers I truly admire when my romance writers' group meets every month, and I don't take that for granted. There's nothing more fun than sitting around talking about writing with writers!

5. If I were stranded on a deserted island (or suffering a four hour
layover at the airport), why would your book(s) be great company?
My 1920's mysteries and romances, set in southwest Louisiana, will draw you into a time and place most people don't get to visit. Dassas Cormier is one of my favorite people--he's always getting himself into trouble, but he's terribly good-natured about it--and the romances (JUST KISS ME and BAYOU RHAPSODY) are full of interesting characters. My books tend to read fast and have lots of action. And if you have a friend with you on the island, Lydia Parks' books will keep you entertained. 'Nuff said about that.

6. Share the Storme process of writing in regards to: idea and
character development, story outline, research (do you Google, visit places/people or make it up on the spot?), writing schedule, editing, and number of rewrites.
The process completely depends on the book, but mostly starts with a character who stews in my brain for several weeks (or months, or years) until he or she is fully formed and starts talking. Once that happens, I can't do anything but write what the character says. I do have the final say--I am, after all, the editor--but if I try to change the character's story too much, he or she usually stops talking. I do research when I need it, and try to set stories in places I'm at least familiar with. I love Google maps, and can't imagine having to do this BG (before Google). I only outline in a general way after I've written a chapter or two. Too much outlining spoils the story for me. My writing schedule has to revolve around my paying job, so I write in the evenings and on weekends and holidays. I tend to edit when I'm writing; when I sit down to write, I edit the chapter or scene I finished the day before so that by the time I get to the end, I'm nearly done. Of course, 'nearly done' is relative. I'm sure I rewrite a dozen more times after that point before an editor sees it.

7. "I think I have a good idea for a story, bit I don't know where or
how to begin. Your process may not work for me. Any advice?"
Seek out a writers' group and ask questions, but don't assume my writing process (or anyone else's) will work for you. Be warned, however, that writing a book really isn't an easy thing. If you're not ready to learn until your brain is full, sit until the lower half of your body is numb, type until your eyes cross, and have your work shredded now and then by total strangers, you'll have a disappointing road ahead of you. If, however, you find that you love to write, nothing can be more rewarding.

8. I saw an amusing t-shirt the other day which read 'Every great idea
I have gets me in trouble." What is your philosophy of life?
One of my characters told me, "If you ain't havin' fun, you're just wastin' space." I live by that.

9. Please tell me you're not going to stop writing? What's next for
you?
Stop writing? Ha! I'm having fun right now working with Siren Audio Studios, converting some of my mysteries and romances into full-cast audio books (think radio theater). The actors are a blast to work with, and the results are amazing. The first audio book, RETURN TO MARSHALL'S BAYOU, comes out November 1st. I also have a story (from Lydia Parks) in an anthology from Kensington (FEEL THE HEAT) coming out in 2011, and another I'm doing rewrites on for consideration by Harlequin. And I'm working on the 5th book in my Dassas Cormier Mystery Series, so I'm staying fairly busy.

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?
I'm all over the Internet. I have two Facebook sites -- Sarah Hanberry Baker and Lydia Parks, and several websites: www.SarahStorme.com, www.SHBaker.com, and www.LydiaParks.com. I'm also on Twitter now and then, but don't check it as often as I check FB. Stop by and say hello!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Around the Globe with BETH SOLHEIM

Brr! Single digit temps and my most recent interview is in Minnesota. Not just Minnesota, but northern Minnesota. At least Ms. Solheim offered me a large mug of hot chocolate before settling in for the round of questions. But I'm graeful she took time to sit with me for awhile. (And I even shoveled her walk afterwards...just kidding. I actually accepted another hot chocolate, then shoveled her walk.)

1. Who is Beth Solheim and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?
I’m not the most fascinating person; however, I’m the author of the Sadie Witt Mystery Series. I’m published and because I live in a smaller northern Minnesota town, that makes me unique. Not many published authors up here where the seasons rapidly change. I’m also a sassy, spunky, senior citizen with story ideas galore and a great zest for life.

2. Without revealing a deep dark secret (unless you want to), what one thing would people be surprised to learn about you?
That I had the patience to train a wild fox to eat out of my hand. Foxy Lu has frequented my patio for four years and each summer introduces me to her new batch of kits. This year she had four. Grey foxes mate for life, so she also brings Mister with her, too. It took a whole summer the first year to lure her close to me. Now she waits for me to come home from work to throw out bits of food. She often runs up to the patio door and nudges it with her nose to let me know she’s hungry.

3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming an astronaut?
I’m an avid reader, so the transition into writing was easy and natural. Often, after closing the cover on a mystery, I thought I can do this! So I began to experiment with an outline and characters and it slowly developed into a viable story.

If I could go back many years, though, I would choose forensic medicine as a career. What better way to solve a mystery?

4. Writers are readers. With which author(s) would you enjoy sharing dinner? Why?
Harlan Coben. He’s my favorite author. His style is unique. Anyone can pick up a Harlan Coben novel with a blank cover and no author’s name and know instantly it was written by Mr. Coben. He has a flair at drawing readers into an emotional journey with the characters.

5. If I were stranded on a deserted island (or suffering a four hour layover at the airport), why would your book(s) be great company?
Humor and a flamboyant main character, the kind of free spirit we’d all like to be.

Also, the juxtaposition of a mortuary situated next to a resort. This location leads to lots of ghostly shenanigans and sets the stage for Sadie Witt to assist the recently departed with their death decisions before they cross over to the other side.

6. Share the Solheim process of writing in regards to: idea and character development, story outline, research (do you Google, visit places/people or make it up on the spot?), writing schedule, editing and number of rewrites.
When an inkling of an idea comes to me, I let it build momentum before I start formatting the concept. I key in the different scenarios and character possibilities and go from there. Once I have enough for a story, I prepare the outline. This is the hardest part for me, because I want to be thorough and use this as my roadmap for sequence structure. Once that is accomplished, it’s a matter of sitting down and following that map chapter by chapter.

I research both on line and in person. The most interesting research was with a funeral director at a mortuary. What a learning experience. I have a newfound admiration for all they do to help family members through the grieving process.

I write evenings and weekends. I edit and rewrite many, many times until I think it’s ready to go to an agent or publisher. Then, I gladly accept additional rewrite suggestions from the professionals in the industry.

7. “I think I have a good idea for a story, but I don’t know where or how to begin. Your process may not work for me. Any advice?”
I’m an outliner. I wish I could write by the seat of my pants, but I can’t. My process is detailed in questions 6. I also give each character a history before I start writing to make sure each individual player is capable of doing what I will have them do in the story.

Locations and settings also function as an important character, so I map out the locations to make them feasible for the story as well.

8. I saw a great t-shirt the other day which read ‘Every great idea I have gets me in trouble.” What is your philosophy of life?
“Lead me not into temptation…I’ll find it all by myself!”

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?
I signed a two-book contract with Echelon press and the second book in the series, Outwitted, will be released in January 2011. The first in the series, At Witt’s End, was released in January 2010.

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?
On my blogs and website:

http://readingminnesota.blogspot.com
http://mysteriesandchitchat.blogspot.com
www.bsolheim.com

Friday, January 7, 2011

Around the Globe with AUSTIN CAMACHO

As the new year begins, I thought I'd re-start my author interviews with Austin Comacho. he's written several mysteries published with Echelon Press. So, I hopped in my transporter, picked him up outside his house, but before I could enter a destination, he shoved me aside and punched in his own choice. A few seconds later we were deposited on an unknown deserted beach somewhere in the Pacific. By the time I regained my wits, he was already relaxed in a chair staring out at the water.

So…here I am.
Drink in my hand.
Toes in the sand.
Girls with a fan.
Keeping it cool while the weather is hot,
‘Cause I got what it takes, and it takes what I got. (with apologies to Heavy D)

Now, what did you want to ask me?

Who is Austin Camacho and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

Some people think he’s a media relations specialist for the Defense Department, but inside he’s a philosopher and a teller of morality tales thinly disguised as mysteries or adventure stories. He’s also a husband and father, a flirt and a loudmouth, with a big heart and an even bigger ego. And he’s a hard-working marketing fool who wants every adult alive to read his novels.

Without revealing a deep dark secret (unless you want to), what one thing would people be surprised to learn about you?

I think a lot of people would be surprised to learn that I am a TV addict who watches (or tries to) every crime drama on the tube, most of the sci-fi stuff and a lot of the other action stuff. And even though I consider myself a great novelist I can’t even imagine how those guys crank out great stories for Criminal Minds and NCIS every week.

What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming the ruler of a small European country?

Why do I write? Why do flies fly? Why do bees be? Why does smoke stack? I write because if I didn’t I’d die. I’ve been a reader of mystery and adventure since I was tiny, so I write what I love to read. And unlike ruling a small country, as a writer my only responsibility is to be true to myself.

Writers are readers. With which author(s) would you enjoy sharing dinner? Why?

I HAVE dined with most of my favorites: Dennis Lehane, Jeffrey Deaver, David Morrell, Walter Mosley, Lee Child… so the people I’d really enjoy sharing dinner with are the ones the Lord has taken out of reach: Ray Chandler, Dash Hammett, Chester Himes, Ross MacDonald, and John D. McDonald.

If I were stranded on a deserted island (or suffering a four hour layover at the airport), why would your book(s) be great company?

First because I craft stories that have surprises around every corner. But more importantly, because my books are filled with characters you can get to know and really care about. They are so real you might start to talk to them. Which would be better than, say, talking to a volley ball named Wilson.

Share the Camacho process of writing in regards to: idea and character development, story outline, research (do you Google, visit places/people or make it up on the spot?), writing schedule, editing, and number of rewrites.

Ideas mostly come from news reports or stories I hear of someone’s life. Then I play this what-if game: how can I explain this outcome with a series of events totally different from what this reporter or person thinks happened? It always starts with a problem, right? The characters appear as the right people to solve it (or cause) it and then grow and deepen out of those traits.

I outline in detail, so I know the events that happen in each scene before I being to write. Once I’m writing I don’t do research until I need the info (My hero just found the body and it’s been there for a week. What would it smell like and how stiff would it be? Better look it up…) I start with Google but often have to resort to asking someone. Dive charts online don’t really explain how long you’d have to take coming up from 500 feet to not get the bends, but one dive master found it to be an interesting exercise.

I write in odd pieces of time, like during my lunch hour or in the morning before my wife wakes up. I write to the end without looking back, then go back to the beginning and completely rewrite, usually 3 times, editing as I go.

“I think I have a good idea for a story, but I don’t know where or how to begin. Your process may not work for me. Any advice?”

Outline your 3 favorite books, paying attention to the order of events and where the words touched you emotionally. Now change all the characters and write one of them. The characters are different people so they’ll do different things at different times and you’ll end up with a new and unique story. This may not be perfect, but it’s a great way to learn how to write a mystery in terms of where to hide the clues, pacing, etc.

I saw an amusing t-shirt the other day which read ‘Every great idea I have gets me in trouble.” What is your philosophy of life?

Inaction is the enemy. I believe that all problems can be solved by doing something. Even doing the wrong thing will eventually lead you to the right thing. If you wait until you have the training, the skill, the resources, enough money, enough time, or worst of all, wait for inspiration or a sign that the time is right, you will never accomplish anything. So my philosophy is simple. Don’t know where to begin?

Start where you are.

Don’t have the resources?

Use what you’ve got.

Not sure you can do what’s needed?

Do what you can.

That’s it. Those three little sentences can make anyone a winner.

Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?
Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

There is ALWAYS a book in the works. I’m about a third of the way thru the next Hannibal Jones mystery and a new Stark & O’Brien adventure will hit shelves in the fall of 2011. I want to spend some time pumping up my thriller series to see if it can be as strong as the mysteries.

The easiest way to learn more about me and my work is to check my web site - www.ascamacho.com – and please friend me on Facebook. There are lots of other ways – Gather, Crimespace, Myspace, Bebo… my best answer is: Google me.