This week I set the transporter's controls for the Fijian Islands. Soon, author Jen Hilborne and I are swinging in hammocks, sipping cocktails, enjoying a nice island breeze, and gazing out on a deliciously blue ocean. What could be better than this? Oh yeah, learning more about a cool mystery author.
1. Who is Jen Hilborne and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?
Jen Hilborne is a mystery writer and a native Brit escaping the cold for the warmer climes of currently Southern California. What makes me the most fascinating person in my city...psst, it's actually a small village...is the fact no one knows when they might end up in one of my murder novels.
2. Without revealing a deep dark secret (unless you want to), what one thing would people be surprised to learn about you?
Most people would be surprised to learn I was knocked off my bicycle by a big rig when I was 12 years old, oh...and the fact I have trained in Shotokan Karate and earned 7 belts (in case that miserable trucker ever crosses my path again. He's definitely going to end up in one of my murders).
3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming NASCAR driver?
I never had an idea what I wanted to be or do with my life. I chose writing mysteries because I love making up stories and love anything mysterious. Nothing else holds my interest like writing.
4. Writers are readers. With which author(s) would you enjoy sharing dinner? Why?
I would share dinner with Stephen King. He looks harmless.
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 book is filled with twists and turns and dastardly deeds. Your layover will be over well before you've figured out "whodunnit."
6. Share the Hilborne 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.
I don't have a process. I'm what they call a panster. I write every day, whenever I can, and whatever comes into my head. I start each new book with either a title, or an idea of the murder, and go from there. I do not outline, but once I know who my characters are, I do a bio on each of them and add to it as I go. I re-write until I have nothing better to add - could be ten times, could be four. I do oodles of research on Google, in library books, out in the field, and by connecting with various law enforcement personnel.
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?”
My best advice is to get it on paper, then find the most compelling part of your story and make it the first chapter. Start with action.
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?
My philosophy: "When in doubt, do it! I'd rather regret what I do than what I don't."
9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?
I'll always write. I have mysteries stacking up in my head. No Alibi, my second suspense novel, is due to be released in 2011 by Echelon Press, and I am currently editing my third mystery, titled Hide and Seek.
10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?
My info is in many places: www.jfhilborne.com, http://twitter.com/JFHilborne,
http://jhilborne.wordpress.com, http://www.scribd.com/jhilborne The first chapter of each of my books is posted on Scribd, plus some other writing's. I am also on Goodreads and Facebook.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Around the Globe with JEFFREY MARTIN
This Friday morning I transport to pick up Jefrey Martin, and once again, I end up getting nudged out of the way of the control settings and soon we are whisked away to parts unknown. (What is it with these pushy authors, think they can take over my transporter anytime they feel like? Lol Just kidding.) Anyway, I'm a little wary because we've ended up at a strange house somewhere in possibly forgotten territory and...well, I'll let the Mr. Martin take it from here.
Today, I’m conducting research in an abandoned house of sorts. I guess you could venture on even calling it haunted, especially since, some people would say my evil minions aren’t human… Ah, here comes the arachnid of the hour. The Brown Recluse and its’ special love potion… hehe... Hold on, while I collect my sample for testing… I’m sure my female antagonist of my next work. “Weaving Evil” will be elated; I have gone the extra mile, for her.... not so much for her victims though... Hmm, it seems my Robophone is vibrating. Yes! This is him friends and fans. Mr. Stephen Brayton is on the line... btw I have checked out his website, and I wanted be the first to congratulate him on his publishing contract. You guys need to check it out as well. Here's the addy...www.stephenbrayton.com
Stephen are we ready? Let the interview commence...
1. Who is Jeffrey Martin and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?
I am many things… A Law Enforcement official, a father to three young girls, a former semi-pro athlete, and now… it seems I have taken refuge in creating many tales of murder and mayhem. I think putting these all together have a direct correlation to where I envision myself in a few years. I think most people can be fascinating, and all possess something which propels them to higher echelon for what their niche is. No pun intended… So, in that regard, I’m just a little fascinating.
SHH… One of the spiders is trying to struggle in my grasp. Good thing, I have latex gloves on…
2. Without revealing a deep dark secret (unless you want to), what one thing would people be surprised to learn about you?
I see dead people…no just kidding.
When I was in high school, I competed in Bible Quiz championships throughout the country. Yes, I know it vastly different than what kind of work I pen now…
3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming a nuclear physicist?
One, I would look even more demented in the trademark pointdexter glasses, so a career in physics is definitely out of the question. Two, I left writing for many years before, I finally came back to it, in the early spring of 2007. Creating stories was how I spent a large amount of my childhood years, and sooner or later, I knew it would find its’ way into my life again.
4. Writers are readers. With which author(s) would you enjoy sharing dinner? Why?
Hmm, it’s really dark in here…I think there something else is down here.
I have always been a voracious reader of suspense novels, and I can tell you there are two authors in particular, whom I attribute my interest in pursuing the writing field. The first is, John Saul. I remember reading his books in high school, and the teenage protagonist was perfect for me. Mixing in horror and suspense was something I believe he did with perfection. Plus, being a teenager myself, I could truly identify with his main character. (No, I didn’t kill any adult in a horrific manner… lol.)
The second author is John Sandford. I read his books, while I was in the Marine Corps and the Lucas Davenport series was one of the best I have ever experienced. Using a Midwest Law Enforcement official hit close to home, because I was from there, and it was easy to identify with the places he mentions in his work. To this day, I think Lucas Davenport is out there, catching evil-doers and running his software company… (Maybe he could help me with Madden 2011, there’s gotta be someway to beat the Saints.)
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?
I enjoy creating a work that is a quick read for people who like to read thrillers, about serial killers. I keep word counts to a minimum, by not trying to add words just for the sake of upping the page count. Every word I put on the page is important to me, and I hope my readers can feel that as well. I try to entertain with a plot line, that is something different, and use my Law Enforcement background to create scenes, mood, characters and emotion, that will keep them coming back for more.
Behold, another spider has surfaced in front of me… let’s grab a syringe to extract the good stuff.
6. Share the Martin 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 or rewrites.
Hmm, I see you want to know the method of my madness. The first part of my writing process is, to create a list of characters I want to use in a story. I do put a few “real” places in my work, but most of the time, I just create new cities, and work from there. After I have those picked… sometimes, I even let my fans help me decide, by involving themselves on my website. I list a host of names, and they vote on which sounds best. After I have all the players established, I create an outline of the story. This is usually the first ten chapters or so. From that point, I judge it for flow, and plot line. If I like how it sounds, I move forward and chapter eleven is my focal point. But if the story sounds rushed or just not what I think it should be, I will delete everything except the characters and start over.
So, let’s talk about a writing schedule. That is an interesting topic. I will tell you, while I’m in the creativity mode, I write all the time. I may plan for an hour a day, and within fifteen minutes of starting, I know, I’m going to need, three five hour energy drinks and my spouse is texting me to come to bed. So a schedule doesn’t work so well for me.
The editing phase consists of three separate edits. After I have completed the rough draft, I will go back and scour the work for plot issues. Once I have those ironed out, I will wait about a week and get caught up on my iTunes purchases and Netflix movies before moving forward. After I have my iphone loaded up with new music, I start a second edit, with emphasis on sentence structure, style and fixing small errors. Depending on how long my novel is, this process lasts for 1-3 months. Once, I’m satisfied the second editing phase is complete, I forward the document to my “Guru editorial advisor,” where she will go through my second edit, like a woman possessed. All errors are identified and I have a third edit to complete. This includes the rewrites of chapters as well.
7. “I think I have a god idea for a story, but I don’t know where or how to begin. Your process may not work for me. Any advice?”
My advice is simple. Everyone has their definitive style when it comes to creating a work. I suggest, if someone wants to write and is serious about it, they do a few things. First, look for an online writing community, which will answer questions for you. I know many of the sites out there are helpful, and the knowledge a new writer gains from testing the waters, will be beneficial to their growth. Also, joining a writing group in your area, can be one of the best ways to get feedback from others looking to accomplish the same thing you’re looking for. Listen and learn and it will prove to be rewarding in more ways than just writing. The camaraderie of others may prove to earn you long lasting friendships.
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?
Damn. I think something just bit me…
“Sometimes a man can find his destiny on the road he traveled to avoid it.”
For me, this is the philosophy that has come into play. I once was an avid writer, and all of a sudden, I just stopped. Twenty some years later, I have picked it up again, realizing it was a mistake for me to have abandoned it.
9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?
Have you ever seen a Brown Recluse bite? This doesn’t look good.
My next work is in the research stage. It’s called Weaving Evil, and the premise is something quite scary…
A killer uses the toxins of the Brown Recluse, Black Widow, Banana Spider, and several others to murder her male victims. I don’t want to divulge too much, but will say one thing. Some will be afraid… very afraid. (LOL)
10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?
Personal web site is… http://www.jeffreymartinsnovels.com. You can learn all about me and my demented writings.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=1401920522
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Jeffrey-Martin-Jr/86427366235
I think this is going to leave a mark… hehehehe….
Today, I’m conducting research in an abandoned house of sorts. I guess you could venture on even calling it haunted, especially since, some people would say my evil minions aren’t human… Ah, here comes the arachnid of the hour. The Brown Recluse and its’ special love potion… hehe... Hold on, while I collect my sample for testing… I’m sure my female antagonist of my next work. “Weaving Evil” will be elated; I have gone the extra mile, for her.... not so much for her victims though... Hmm, it seems my Robophone is vibrating. Yes! This is him friends and fans. Mr. Stephen Brayton is on the line... btw I have checked out his website, and I wanted be the first to congratulate him on his publishing contract. You guys need to check it out as well. Here's the addy...www.stephenbrayton.com
Stephen are we ready? Let the interview commence...
1. Who is Jeffrey Martin and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?
I am many things… A Law Enforcement official, a father to three young girls, a former semi-pro athlete, and now… it seems I have taken refuge in creating many tales of murder and mayhem. I think putting these all together have a direct correlation to where I envision myself in a few years. I think most people can be fascinating, and all possess something which propels them to higher echelon for what their niche is. No pun intended… So, in that regard, I’m just a little fascinating.
SHH… One of the spiders is trying to struggle in my grasp. Good thing, I have latex gloves on…
2. Without revealing a deep dark secret (unless you want to), what one thing would people be surprised to learn about you?
I see dead people…no just kidding.
When I was in high school, I competed in Bible Quiz championships throughout the country. Yes, I know it vastly different than what kind of work I pen now…
3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming a nuclear physicist?
One, I would look even more demented in the trademark pointdexter glasses, so a career in physics is definitely out of the question. Two, I left writing for many years before, I finally came back to it, in the early spring of 2007. Creating stories was how I spent a large amount of my childhood years, and sooner or later, I knew it would find its’ way into my life again.
4. Writers are readers. With which author(s) would you enjoy sharing dinner? Why?
Hmm, it’s really dark in here…I think there something else is down here.
I have always been a voracious reader of suspense novels, and I can tell you there are two authors in particular, whom I attribute my interest in pursuing the writing field. The first is, John Saul. I remember reading his books in high school, and the teenage protagonist was perfect for me. Mixing in horror and suspense was something I believe he did with perfection. Plus, being a teenager myself, I could truly identify with his main character. (No, I didn’t kill any adult in a horrific manner… lol.)
The second author is John Sandford. I read his books, while I was in the Marine Corps and the Lucas Davenport series was one of the best I have ever experienced. Using a Midwest Law Enforcement official hit close to home, because I was from there, and it was easy to identify with the places he mentions in his work. To this day, I think Lucas Davenport is out there, catching evil-doers and running his software company… (Maybe he could help me with Madden 2011, there’s gotta be someway to beat the Saints.)
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?
I enjoy creating a work that is a quick read for people who like to read thrillers, about serial killers. I keep word counts to a minimum, by not trying to add words just for the sake of upping the page count. Every word I put on the page is important to me, and I hope my readers can feel that as well. I try to entertain with a plot line, that is something different, and use my Law Enforcement background to create scenes, mood, characters and emotion, that will keep them coming back for more.
Behold, another spider has surfaced in front of me… let’s grab a syringe to extract the good stuff.
6. Share the Martin 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 or rewrites.
Hmm, I see you want to know the method of my madness. The first part of my writing process is, to create a list of characters I want to use in a story. I do put a few “real” places in my work, but most of the time, I just create new cities, and work from there. After I have those picked… sometimes, I even let my fans help me decide, by involving themselves on my website. I list a host of names, and they vote on which sounds best. After I have all the players established, I create an outline of the story. This is usually the first ten chapters or so. From that point, I judge it for flow, and plot line. If I like how it sounds, I move forward and chapter eleven is my focal point. But if the story sounds rushed or just not what I think it should be, I will delete everything except the characters and start over.
So, let’s talk about a writing schedule. That is an interesting topic. I will tell you, while I’m in the creativity mode, I write all the time. I may plan for an hour a day, and within fifteen minutes of starting, I know, I’m going to need, three five hour energy drinks and my spouse is texting me to come to bed. So a schedule doesn’t work so well for me.
The editing phase consists of three separate edits. After I have completed the rough draft, I will go back and scour the work for plot issues. Once I have those ironed out, I will wait about a week and get caught up on my iTunes purchases and Netflix movies before moving forward. After I have my iphone loaded up with new music, I start a second edit, with emphasis on sentence structure, style and fixing small errors. Depending on how long my novel is, this process lasts for 1-3 months. Once, I’m satisfied the second editing phase is complete, I forward the document to my “Guru editorial advisor,” where she will go through my second edit, like a woman possessed. All errors are identified and I have a third edit to complete. This includes the rewrites of chapters as well.
7. “I think I have a god idea for a story, but I don’t know where or how to begin. Your process may not work for me. Any advice?”
My advice is simple. Everyone has their definitive style when it comes to creating a work. I suggest, if someone wants to write and is serious about it, they do a few things. First, look for an online writing community, which will answer questions for you. I know many of the sites out there are helpful, and the knowledge a new writer gains from testing the waters, will be beneficial to their growth. Also, joining a writing group in your area, can be one of the best ways to get feedback from others looking to accomplish the same thing you’re looking for. Listen and learn and it will prove to be rewarding in more ways than just writing. The camaraderie of others may prove to earn you long lasting friendships.
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?
Damn. I think something just bit me…
“Sometimes a man can find his destiny on the road he traveled to avoid it.”
For me, this is the philosophy that has come into play. I once was an avid writer, and all of a sudden, I just stopped. Twenty some years later, I have picked it up again, realizing it was a mistake for me to have abandoned it.
9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?
Have you ever seen a Brown Recluse bite? This doesn’t look good.
My next work is in the research stage. It’s called Weaving Evil, and the premise is something quite scary…
A killer uses the toxins of the Brown Recluse, Black Widow, Banana Spider, and several others to murder her male victims. I don’t want to divulge too much, but will say one thing. Some will be afraid… very afraid. (LOL)
10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?
Personal web site is… http://www.jeffreymartinsnovels.com. You can learn all about me and my demented writings.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=1401920522
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Jeffrey-Martin-Jr/86427366235
I think this is going to leave a mark… hehehehe….
Friday, June 10, 2011
Around the Globe with JOHN DESJARLAIS
So, after a night of heavy storms, the weather is cooler, but not uncomfortable. I hop in my transporter and I'm off to the state next door to talk with this week's author and to do a little bird watching.
1. Who is John Desjarlais and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?
I’m a mild-mannered, absent-minded college professor in his 50s, married 33 years and a recent convert to the Catholic Church who kills people in his spare time. Well – in fiction. The killing part, I mean. I’ve turned to writing mysteries lately, though I’ve also published historical novels, literary short fiction and poetry.
Thanks for visiting with me out here in the Screen House adjoining my home in northern Illinois. I hope you enjoy the view of the restored prairie as much as I do. That’s the Rock River glimmering through the trees. At this time of year, there’s a fine perfume of lilac in the air. We’ll see quite a variety of birds at my feeders, too. The goldfinches are back. And hear that? Believe it or not, it’s a Baltimore oriole. There he is.
2. Without revealing a deep dark secret (unless you want to), what one thing would people be surprised to learn about you?
Besides being a birder? I’ve taken voice lessons (I’m a tenor) and play the mountain dulcimer. I’m teaching myself acoustic guitar. I want to play songs for my granddaughters Lillian and Lyndsey, and perhaps play in church sometime.
Also, my wife and I are involved in retired racing Greyhound rescue. That’s how we got Monte over there, snoring on the pillow. People expect Greys to be ‘hyper’ but they’re such couch potatoes. Can you tell he’s not a birder? But when he sees a squirrel or another ‘fuzzy,’ look out. That explains the low decorative wire fencing around the Screen House – so he won’t leap through the screen after a squirrel or chipmunk – or the neighbor’s cat.
3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming a NASCAR driver?
Not that I’d mind having a growling muscle car, like my character, Selena De La Cruz – but I’ve been writing since I was a kid. I wrote spy novels in junior high (the era of James Bond, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., I Spy, The Avengers, The Prisoner and all that) and published short stories in my high school literary magazine. In college, I turned to radio and TV. It wasn’t until I was in my 30s that a documentary I was scripting about Western Christianity got me interested in the Irish monastic movement, where I discovered Columba of Iona. This deeply conflicted, gifted and pious warrior-monk went to war over a book, and in remorse over the 3,000 men slain, he exiled himself among the Picts of Scotland where he dueled the druids, miracles versus magic. He’s the first man to have encountered the Loch Ness monster. This was great stuff for a novel and it became “The Throne of Tara” in 1990. Having rediscovered fiction, I kept going with short stories and another historical thriller, “Relics,” which came out in 1993.
4. Writers are readers. With which author(s) would you enjoy sharing dinner? Why?
I’d love to sit in on a meeting of The Inklings, that English assembly of CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien, Charles Williams and others who gathered at the Eagle and Child public house in the 1930s into the 1960s. If GK Chesterton could join the group, that’d be great too. These intelligent and imaginative writers brought their faith to bear on their work without ever becoming overbearing, able to entertain and also enlighten.
Ah, there’s Charlie and Charlene Cardinal. They mate for life, you know. Somehow Charlie got trapped in the Screen House once and I had to capture him with a bedsheet and release him gently outside. I have no idea how he got in here.
How’s your iced tea? Need a refill?
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?
Nearly all my reviewers say that my mysteries are un-put-downable page-turners and some have said they were compelled to read them through in a single overnight reading, robbing them of a night’s sleep. So I guess my stories have the ability to transport and transfix readers – exactly what you’d need for that delay at Heathrow. And who wouldn’t want to spend four hours with Selena? She’s smart, sexy and stylish, tough and tender by turn, opinionated and slyly witty, always interesting to listen to.
6. Share the Desjarlais 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.
This changes with each book and differs for each genre. My first historical was, in effect, a highly dramatized biography, and so I had to do tons of research on the main character Columba, his times and culture. I had to entirely re-create the 6th century world in which he lived, down to every detail, even flowers and birds. Ah – hear that rat-tat-tat? I’ll bet it’s a male Downy Woodpecker, Piccoides pubecens. Where is he? There – see the red patch of feathers behind his head?
Anyway, I had a time-line in hand from Columba’s early biographers. Where the facts were missing or too embellished to be believable, I filled in with a well-informed imagination. Most of the characters are historical figures that I brought to life, and of course I added minor players as needed. I did the same thing with “Relics,” though I had fewer real historical figures to work with, such as King Louis IX of France.
For mysteries, in general, I begin with a premise. For BLEEDER, it was ‘a stigmatic bleeds to death on Good Friday: miracle or murder?’. For the sequel VIPER, it was ‘names listed in an All Souls’ Day ‘Book of the Dead’ aren’t dead but are being killed in the order in which they’re listed.’
Every mystery must begin with a consideration of the three main characters: the sleuth, the victim, and the killer. Once you have these three, the rest follow: sidekick, police or other investigators, suspects, family members and friends, co-workers, information providers.
For BLEEDER, I wanted the sleuth to be a classics professor who knew Aristotle well, so that The Philosopher would be his ‘mentor’ and help him apply Aristotelian logic to solve an irrational problem. The victim was clearly a stigmatist – a fellow full of unsolved mysteries. The killer changed a few times. I suppose that if is a surprise to me, it will be a surprise to the reader.
For VIPER, the protagonist surely had to be Selena De La Cruz, the fiery Latina insurance agent who was a minor character in BLEEDER. That’s because the premise about the Book of the Dead on All Souls’ Day coincides with a Mexican holiday called “The Day of the Dead.’ That fact alone made it clear that this was to be her story. I did a great deal of research about Mexican-American families, culture and customs in order to get this character right. I researched the issue of balancing a bi-cultural identity through reading, interviews and browsing Latinas’ blogs. I subscribed to Latina magazine. I asked Latina readers to review the work-in-progress to make sure I was getting it all right, and they assured me that I was.
Mysteries involve as much research as historicals, to my surprise. Police procedure, medical and forensic stuff, firearms. For VIPER in particular, I researched DEA undercover ops, Aztec mythology, Mexican Catholicism, Marian apparitions, snake handling, race car driving – just an awful lot of work in libraries, on the Web, through interviews and sometimes visiting places. But the most challenging, as I mentioned, was portraying a Mexican-American woman credibly.
I outline less and less as I get more experienced. I try several different beginnings before I get it right. I have an ending in mind but it always changes a bit. I try to plan ‘plot points’ along the way, like a screenwriter does, in three ‘Acts’ with scenes and sequences that build to mini-climaxes having a revelation and a reversal- very Aristotelian.
I have an irregular writing schedule, given my teaching schedule. Therefore, in the summer, I push to get a whole draft done, having collected research in bits during the school year. So by the time summer comes around, I’ve already thought through much of the story and I’m ready to commit to paper.
I edit a great deal on my own and I’m blessed to have a good editor working with me in a small house whose suggestions are always dead-on. BLEEDER needed quite a bit of re-working at both the story and scene level. VIPER hardly needed any changing at all – just one added scene, and changing the name of the villain. That’s it.
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?”
Find some excellent books on the craft of writing. I recommend John Braine’s “Writing a Novel,” and if you are mystery-specific, try “Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel” by Hallie Ephron, “How to Write Killer Fiction” by Carolyn Wheat, or “Writing the Modern Mystery” by Barbara Norville. You might also consider attending a writers’ conference where there will be many seminars and workshops on the craft and business of writing.
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?
“This, too, shall pass.”
9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?
I’m working on the third entry in the mystery series, featuring the main characters from the first two: Reed Stubblefield and Selena De La Cruz. It involves life insurance fraud and that’s about all I think I’ll say. It’s easy for writers to ‘talk out’ their stories and then never write them.
Excuse me a moment, the blue jays are trying to get into the sparrow’s birdhouse again.
OK, thanks for waiting. They’re beautiful, but killers nonetheless. Like some villains in mysteries, right? Where were we? Oh yes -- I might try a mystery short story with my novel characters. I’m also considering publishing a short story collection on Kindle. They’re not mysteries, they are stories that have previously appeared in a variety of literary magazines
10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?
Folks can visit my web site, www.johndesjarlais.com, or drop into my blog “Johnny Dangerous” at http://jjdesjarlais.blogspot.com. All my books are available at Amazon.com.
Thank you, Stephen, for visiting with me out here in the Screen House. Now, if you look carefully over there, you might spot a bald eagle. They’re back, big-time, and there are aeries all along the Rock River now. Aren’t they gorgeous? Aren’t they – lethal?
1. Who is John Desjarlais and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?
I’m a mild-mannered, absent-minded college professor in his 50s, married 33 years and a recent convert to the Catholic Church who kills people in his spare time. Well – in fiction. The killing part, I mean. I’ve turned to writing mysteries lately, though I’ve also published historical novels, literary short fiction and poetry.
Thanks for visiting with me out here in the Screen House adjoining my home in northern Illinois. I hope you enjoy the view of the restored prairie as much as I do. That’s the Rock River glimmering through the trees. At this time of year, there’s a fine perfume of lilac in the air. We’ll see quite a variety of birds at my feeders, too. The goldfinches are back. And hear that? Believe it or not, it’s a Baltimore oriole. There he is.
2. Without revealing a deep dark secret (unless you want to), what one thing would people be surprised to learn about you?
Besides being a birder? I’ve taken voice lessons (I’m a tenor) and play the mountain dulcimer. I’m teaching myself acoustic guitar. I want to play songs for my granddaughters Lillian and Lyndsey, and perhaps play in church sometime.
Also, my wife and I are involved in retired racing Greyhound rescue. That’s how we got Monte over there, snoring on the pillow. People expect Greys to be ‘hyper’ but they’re such couch potatoes. Can you tell he’s not a birder? But when he sees a squirrel or another ‘fuzzy,’ look out. That explains the low decorative wire fencing around the Screen House – so he won’t leap through the screen after a squirrel or chipmunk – or the neighbor’s cat.
3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming a NASCAR driver?
Not that I’d mind having a growling muscle car, like my character, Selena De La Cruz – but I’ve been writing since I was a kid. I wrote spy novels in junior high (the era of James Bond, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., I Spy, The Avengers, The Prisoner and all that) and published short stories in my high school literary magazine. In college, I turned to radio and TV. It wasn’t until I was in my 30s that a documentary I was scripting about Western Christianity got me interested in the Irish monastic movement, where I discovered Columba of Iona. This deeply conflicted, gifted and pious warrior-monk went to war over a book, and in remorse over the 3,000 men slain, he exiled himself among the Picts of Scotland where he dueled the druids, miracles versus magic. He’s the first man to have encountered the Loch Ness monster. This was great stuff for a novel and it became “The Throne of Tara” in 1990. Having rediscovered fiction, I kept going with short stories and another historical thriller, “Relics,” which came out in 1993.
4. Writers are readers. With which author(s) would you enjoy sharing dinner? Why?
I’d love to sit in on a meeting of The Inklings, that English assembly of CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien, Charles Williams and others who gathered at the Eagle and Child public house in the 1930s into the 1960s. If GK Chesterton could join the group, that’d be great too. These intelligent and imaginative writers brought their faith to bear on their work without ever becoming overbearing, able to entertain and also enlighten.
Ah, there’s Charlie and Charlene Cardinal. They mate for life, you know. Somehow Charlie got trapped in the Screen House once and I had to capture him with a bedsheet and release him gently outside. I have no idea how he got in here.
How’s your iced tea? Need a refill?
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?
Nearly all my reviewers say that my mysteries are un-put-downable page-turners and some have said they were compelled to read them through in a single overnight reading, robbing them of a night’s sleep. So I guess my stories have the ability to transport and transfix readers – exactly what you’d need for that delay at Heathrow. And who wouldn’t want to spend four hours with Selena? She’s smart, sexy and stylish, tough and tender by turn, opinionated and slyly witty, always interesting to listen to.
6. Share the Desjarlais 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.
This changes with each book and differs for each genre. My first historical was, in effect, a highly dramatized biography, and so I had to do tons of research on the main character Columba, his times and culture. I had to entirely re-create the 6th century world in which he lived, down to every detail, even flowers and birds. Ah – hear that rat-tat-tat? I’ll bet it’s a male Downy Woodpecker, Piccoides pubecens. Where is he? There – see the red patch of feathers behind his head?
Anyway, I had a time-line in hand from Columba’s early biographers. Where the facts were missing or too embellished to be believable, I filled in with a well-informed imagination. Most of the characters are historical figures that I brought to life, and of course I added minor players as needed. I did the same thing with “Relics,” though I had fewer real historical figures to work with, such as King Louis IX of France.
For mysteries, in general, I begin with a premise. For BLEEDER, it was ‘a stigmatic bleeds to death on Good Friday: miracle or murder?’. For the sequel VIPER, it was ‘names listed in an All Souls’ Day ‘Book of the Dead’ aren’t dead but are being killed in the order in which they’re listed.’
Every mystery must begin with a consideration of the three main characters: the sleuth, the victim, and the killer. Once you have these three, the rest follow: sidekick, police or other investigators, suspects, family members and friends, co-workers, information providers.
For BLEEDER, I wanted the sleuth to be a classics professor who knew Aristotle well, so that The Philosopher would be his ‘mentor’ and help him apply Aristotelian logic to solve an irrational problem. The victim was clearly a stigmatist – a fellow full of unsolved mysteries. The killer changed a few times. I suppose that if is a surprise to me, it will be a surprise to the reader.
For VIPER, the protagonist surely had to be Selena De La Cruz, the fiery Latina insurance agent who was a minor character in BLEEDER. That’s because the premise about the Book of the Dead on All Souls’ Day coincides with a Mexican holiday called “The Day of the Dead.’ That fact alone made it clear that this was to be her story. I did a great deal of research about Mexican-American families, culture and customs in order to get this character right. I researched the issue of balancing a bi-cultural identity through reading, interviews and browsing Latinas’ blogs. I subscribed to Latina magazine. I asked Latina readers to review the work-in-progress to make sure I was getting it all right, and they assured me that I was.
Mysteries involve as much research as historicals, to my surprise. Police procedure, medical and forensic stuff, firearms. For VIPER in particular, I researched DEA undercover ops, Aztec mythology, Mexican Catholicism, Marian apparitions, snake handling, race car driving – just an awful lot of work in libraries, on the Web, through interviews and sometimes visiting places. But the most challenging, as I mentioned, was portraying a Mexican-American woman credibly.
I outline less and less as I get more experienced. I try several different beginnings before I get it right. I have an ending in mind but it always changes a bit. I try to plan ‘plot points’ along the way, like a screenwriter does, in three ‘Acts’ with scenes and sequences that build to mini-climaxes having a revelation and a reversal- very Aristotelian.
I have an irregular writing schedule, given my teaching schedule. Therefore, in the summer, I push to get a whole draft done, having collected research in bits during the school year. So by the time summer comes around, I’ve already thought through much of the story and I’m ready to commit to paper.
I edit a great deal on my own and I’m blessed to have a good editor working with me in a small house whose suggestions are always dead-on. BLEEDER needed quite a bit of re-working at both the story and scene level. VIPER hardly needed any changing at all – just one added scene, and changing the name of the villain. That’s it.
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?”
Find some excellent books on the craft of writing. I recommend John Braine’s “Writing a Novel,” and if you are mystery-specific, try “Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel” by Hallie Ephron, “How to Write Killer Fiction” by Carolyn Wheat, or “Writing the Modern Mystery” by Barbara Norville. You might also consider attending a writers’ conference where there will be many seminars and workshops on the craft and business of writing.
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?
“This, too, shall pass.”
9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?
I’m working on the third entry in the mystery series, featuring the main characters from the first two: Reed Stubblefield and Selena De La Cruz. It involves life insurance fraud and that’s about all I think I’ll say. It’s easy for writers to ‘talk out’ their stories and then never write them.
Excuse me a moment, the blue jays are trying to get into the sparrow’s birdhouse again.
OK, thanks for waiting. They’re beautiful, but killers nonetheless. Like some villains in mysteries, right? Where were we? Oh yes -- I might try a mystery short story with my novel characters. I’m also considering publishing a short story collection on Kindle. They’re not mysteries, they are stories that have previously appeared in a variety of literary magazines
10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?
Folks can visit my web site, www.johndesjarlais.com, or drop into my blog “Johnny Dangerous” at http://jjdesjarlais.blogspot.com. All my books are available at Amazon.com.
Thank you, Stephen, for visiting with me out here in the Screen House. Now, if you look carefully over there, you might spot a bald eagle. They’re back, big-time, and there are aeries all along the Rock River now. Aren’t they gorgeous? Aren’t they – lethal?
Friday, June 3, 2011
Around the Globe with DIANA BLACK
I step into my transporter on this hot Friday morning to pick up this week's featured author, Diana Black. I ask her where she wants to be interviewed and I hesitate before I put in the coordinates. Oh wow!
Soon, we are in the desert, strapping ourselves into a very large machine and before I can change my mind...
"Well, Ms. Black, here we are."
"Thanks, Stephen, for agreeing to do the interview on this awesome first commercial flight into outer space! Pictures of the Earth from this altitude just don’t do it justice, do they? And here I thought standing at the Grand Canyon was breathtaking! Oops, isn’t that your laptop floating above your head? … There now, what was your first question?"
1. Who is Diana Black and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?
Why not the world? The universe? I hate to disappoint, but I am not that fascinating. Oh, in my own mind I am. But for the most part I’m like everyone else. Only funnier. And more talented. Intelligent. Way more cuter. And…narcissistic!
2. Without revealing a deep dark secret (unless you want to), what one thing would people be surprised to learn about you?
That my second toe is longer than my supposedly big toe. I think it’s called Morton’s foot. Not to be confused with the salt.
3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming an astronaut?
Well, the fact that my stomach is more than a bit queasy as we soar through space, writing seemed like a less challenging endeavor -- physically. Emotionally, well, that’s a whole other interview.
4. Writers are readers. With which author(s) would you enjoy sharing dinner? Why?
Flaubert. His attention to detail, toiling for days, weeks…to find just the right word. His respect for the craft and his readers may never be matched.
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 coauthored book WOOF: Women Only Over Fifty would make you laugh. If you’re a woman over 50, you’d identify and think, oh, thank goodness, I’m not alone in menopaws! If you’re a man, you’d think, oh, thank goodness, I’m not going through menopaws! Then you’d think, but wait, these women sure are having a lot of fun with this…
6. Share the Black 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.
Since a novel I started 20 years ago is still missing two words (The End), I’m not sure anyone would want to emulate my writing process. That said, in the last few years I have coauthored the humor book previously mentioned as well as written and illustrated two children’s picture books. Words have not always been my friend, and I still lean toward the visual side of things, but writing is something I must do every day. In some form. And when I haven’t seriously written for a while, it makes me crabby. One thought on editing and rewriting. In a letter dated 1888, Twain said, “The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter--it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” Still holds true today.
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?”
Just begin somewhere. Anywhere.
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?
Eat more chocolate. It stimulates that happy place in our brain. And keeps our mouths too occupied to get us in much trouble.
9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?
I’ve made a promise to myself to finish my novel in 2011.
10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?
Well, before that, thanks, Stephen, for this opportunity, and sorry for crushing your knuckles when I squeezed your hand so hard. But when that thruster kicked in…Anyway, you asked for links? Here ya gooooooooooo!!!
http://www.dianablack.net
http://www.woofersclub.com
http://www.wendelwordsworth.com
http://www.littlebittykitty.com
Soon, we are in the desert, strapping ourselves into a very large machine and before I can change my mind...
"Well, Ms. Black, here we are."
"Thanks, Stephen, for agreeing to do the interview on this awesome first commercial flight into outer space! Pictures of the Earth from this altitude just don’t do it justice, do they? And here I thought standing at the Grand Canyon was breathtaking! Oops, isn’t that your laptop floating above your head? … There now, what was your first question?"
1. Who is Diana Black and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?
Why not the world? The universe? I hate to disappoint, but I am not that fascinating. Oh, in my own mind I am. But for the most part I’m like everyone else. Only funnier. And more talented. Intelligent. Way more cuter. And…narcissistic!
2. Without revealing a deep dark secret (unless you want to), what one thing would people be surprised to learn about you?
That my second toe is longer than my supposedly big toe. I think it’s called Morton’s foot. Not to be confused with the salt.
3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming an astronaut?
Well, the fact that my stomach is more than a bit queasy as we soar through space, writing seemed like a less challenging endeavor -- physically. Emotionally, well, that’s a whole other interview.
4. Writers are readers. With which author(s) would you enjoy sharing dinner? Why?
Flaubert. His attention to detail, toiling for days, weeks…to find just the right word. His respect for the craft and his readers may never be matched.
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 coauthored book WOOF: Women Only Over Fifty would make you laugh. If you’re a woman over 50, you’d identify and think, oh, thank goodness, I’m not alone in menopaws! If you’re a man, you’d think, oh, thank goodness, I’m not going through menopaws! Then you’d think, but wait, these women sure are having a lot of fun with this…
6. Share the Black 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.
Since a novel I started 20 years ago is still missing two words (The End), I’m not sure anyone would want to emulate my writing process. That said, in the last few years I have coauthored the humor book previously mentioned as well as written and illustrated two children’s picture books. Words have not always been my friend, and I still lean toward the visual side of things, but writing is something I must do every day. In some form. And when I haven’t seriously written for a while, it makes me crabby. One thought on editing and rewriting. In a letter dated 1888, Twain said, “The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter--it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” Still holds true today.
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?”
Just begin somewhere. Anywhere.
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?
Eat more chocolate. It stimulates that happy place in our brain. And keeps our mouths too occupied to get us in much trouble.
9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?
I’ve made a promise to myself to finish my novel in 2011.
10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?
Well, before that, thanks, Stephen, for this opportunity, and sorry for crushing your knuckles when I squeezed your hand so hard. But when that thruster kicked in…Anyway, you asked for links? Here ya gooooooooooo!!!
http://www.dianablack.net
http://www.woofersclub.com
http://www.wendelwordsworth.com
http://www.littlebittykitty.com
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