Brayton's Briefs

Lighten Up!

2012-02-23T16:51:00.000-06:00

An early post this week as tomorrow I'll be otherwise engaged. So enjoy, smile, and have fun!

Unless you’re the prude of your generation, everybody likes a humorous story. Some light-hearted anecdote to bring a smile or a gentle chuckle.

Many authors will insert humor into their stories, even if the subject matter is serious or the tone is dramatic. Humor gives the reader a rest, a small break before diving back into the deep end. My favorite example comes from the Hitchcock movie “Topaz”. The entire movie concerns spies. However, the one small moment comes near the middle when Hitchcock makes his appearance, as he did in all his movies. It’s an airport scene and Al is being pushed in a wheelchair through the terminal. Suddenly, he stops, stands and walks off camera. It’s one of those scenes where you stop for just a second and think, “What just happened?” The scene has nothing to do with the rest of the movie, but it’s mildly funny because of its ironic inclusion.

Of course, many books are purposely humor based. I cite Evanovitch’s Plum novels and Barry’s “Big Trouble”. They’re written to be cynical or slapstick and designed to show the corny side of life.

Many private detectives (and those non-detectives who end up being one anyway) have a lighter side. Many are cynical, ironic, or sarcastic. How many detective novels have you read where the hero mouths off to the bad guy even in a life threatening situation?

When I set out to write stories featuring my private investigator / martial artist, Mallory Petersen, I wanted to add a humorous side to her. I didn’t want her to be a hard-boiled, world weary, life’s-a-drag kind of person.

Mallory is tall and blonde and beautiful. She’s an exceptional martial artist who cares about her students and her clients. She puts her all into making sure her taekwondo school has the best training and while investigating her cases.

I didn’t want Mallory to handle only the serious cases. She has to have fun. So, I made the majority of her clients and crooks come from the nuttier side of life. In “Beta” she sets up surveillance equipment to find out who is stealing snacks from a local bakery and finds the thief doing some outrageous things. Her tailing of a high school girl’s boyfriend has her discovering his less than stellar intelligence. When she spies upon a philandering husband and his mistress, she snaps pictures of an interesting dichotomy between the parties in question.

Many of the bad guys and minor characters Mallory encounters throughout the book are not the typical thug with a weapon and a bad attitude. The gang banger has an unusual handle. The armed robber dresses in drag. The hygienically challenged informant she cons using her feminine wiles. The flustered receptionist. Even in her taekwondo she finds a stray bit of humor. Her instructors are trying to discover which child is urinating in the locker room’s waste can.

I purposely set out to include humor in “Beta” to temper the subject matter of the serious case. I’m not giving away spoilers by mentioning the kidnapped girl in the story is subjected to the hell of child pornography. This is a heinous crime and I hope I’ve given enough details without causing too much revulsion. I want the reader to become emotional about this child and about Mallory’s feelings and frustrations during her search for her. But I give the reader a rest by putting Mallory in a few humorous scenes.

Humor can be difficult. There is a temptation to steal from comedians. I couldn’t resist using an old joke regarding the philandering husband. However, the urinating taekwondo student and the ditzy receptionist are based on actual incidents.

When you’re writing humor, look around you. You don’t necessarily have to make up a joke or grab lines from professional funny people. Life brings us humor nearly every day. From the politicians to klutz in the part to Aunt Mary getting beaned by a water balloon.

By utilizing humor, you may find your story stepping up to the next level, and hopefully your readers’ enjoyment will too.

Fear, Part 2

2012-02-17T10:09:00.001-06:00

A soft thud in the night. A creak in the hallway outside your bedroom. A lonely road cutting through a dark forest. All of these can cause fear. However, fear need not be felt in these creepy, eerie locations. One can experience fear when going in for a job interview, on the first day of college, or even writing your first novel. We fear the unknown. What made the thud upstairs? The creak in the hall–just the house settling or something else? What if the car stalled on the road? You wonder if you can present yourself professionally to the prospective employer or if you'll make friends on the new campus. Writing is no different. It's a scary process. I'm not even referring to writer's block, but it, too, can be an unsettling experience.

I remember somebody turning the word fear into an acronym. False Evidence Against Reality. Basically, what that means, is what happens is usually totally different than what was originally imagined. I've experienced this countless times in my life, usually when asking a woman to dinner. Okay, my fear about their rejection usually held true, but never in the way I imagined it.

There are many aspects of fear in writing. I wonder if what I write will sound stupid or even comprehendible. Will I be able to finish the manuscript? I have a story I'm working on at present that I just can't get through. I want so much for it to be a decent story, but I'm afraid I can't make it so. Then, after I've polished it up and edited the stuffing out of it, I fear I won't find a publisher or an agent. I've pitched my stories to several at different writers' conferences and afterward I feared their rejection. In 2009, my fears dissolved when two of my stories were accepted. However, a bigger fear loomed. No, I'm not talking about the dreaded red ink from the editor (although that turned out to be a bear to deal with). I'm speaking of marketing. See, I've never been good at sales. I worked radio advertising for a couple of years and hated every minute of it. I feared rejection. I dreaded walking into businesses and the owners sending me right back out again a couple of minutes later. Sales are tough. So are marketing and promotion which are a pre-sale type of operation.

Fortunately, I've made contacts with various people at these writers' conferences who have been invaluable to me and have shown me my fears (like usual) were unfounded. Actually, I've come to enjoy the promotion. Building a website, joining groups of writers on various other sites, blogging, conducting interviews with authors and media. Distributing business cards, bookmarks, and promotion postcards. Sure, I've been frustrated when I run into apathetic people (and yes, I'm still rejected), but for the most part promoting my eBook, Night Shadows, has been an eye opening experience, but a enjoyable one.

You'll find loads of fear in Night Shadows. Lots of spooky fun, too. I've found the writing, editing, and the promotion of the book full of anxiety, a little fear, but, for the most part, great fun. If you're planning on writing your own story one day, do a little planning and strategizing before you start the process. That way, you won't be so afraid.

Fear, Part 1

2012-02-10T00:56:00.002-06:00

As the first anniversary of the publication of Night Shadows approaches (February 16), I want to present two blogs regarding fear.

I once read an article stating how fear is an acronym for False Evidence Against Reality. The article went on to discuss how most fears aren’t as devastating when the reality of the situation is revealed.

For instance, I fear change. Change in my residence or employment usually produces a queasy feeling in my stomach. However, in the face of reality, the new apartment or job isn’t as bad as expected.

Many of us experience fear in one form or another and at different intensities. Anything from a mild anxiety about an upcoming dinner date to a long suffered phobia of spiders or heights. Tony Shalhoub portrayed a man with the ultimate in fears in the television series Monk.

Fear, however, is a bit different from being scared. Fears can be faced and, in many cases, overcome. The phobias some people have can be dealt with through counseling or outright confrontation with the fearful situation. Scared is heightened and lingering fear. Scared is knowing potential danger is imminent. The teenage camper, having seen her mutilated friends strewn about the woods is truly scared of what’s behind the door of the lonely old cabin she’s discovered. She knows the killer stalks her and is watching, waiting.

For me, scared was driving seven miles on a curvy, hilly, ice covered road with steep ditches on either side and no way to turn around. As a child, scared was being stranded on the other side of a large lake with no way to return except for trekking another hour back, knowing the trouble I’d be facing.

Horror movies rarely scare me. Sure there are moments that give my heart and stomach a short-lived jolt, but they’re rare. The twist at the end of The Sixth Sense didn’t really scare me, per se, but left me feeling very weird since, for me, Bruce Willis being dead was completely unexpected. Most horror films, though, are various versions of the same theme: the serial killer or mutated monster slaughtering the wayward young or ghosts, vampires, or other supernatural entities doing the same.

Radio and literature hold more potential to scare because they force you to use your imagination. One of the most famous radio incidents creating a mass scare was Orson Welles narrating the alien invasion of War of the Worlds in 1938.

I’ve collected hundreds of horror novels throughout the years and have been scared by only a few. Not very many have left a lingering sense of dread or maintained the imagination after the last chapter. There have been rarities leaving me wondering, “What if…” or “What would the next scene be?” because there was no real resolution in the story.

H.P. Lovecraft was a master at creating those lasting feelings for me. He wrote some truly scary material and years passed with several re-readings of a few of his stories for me to understand the attraction to his stories. Rarely did he show you the monster. One of his best stories, in my opinion, At the Mountains of Madness, draws you in so well with so much detail and description, you feel that you are right there with the travelers discovering an ancient vanished civilization in the Antarctic depths. When they flee the scene, you are desperately wanting to know what the main character saw when he looked back over his shoulder, what awful, nameless thing destroyed the mind of his partner…but Lovecraft doesn’t tell you. You are left wondering…wondering what could it be? For me, I loved that scared feeling imagining there really were super tall mountains at the South Pole hiding all sorts of unknown creatures.

I hope I’ve created some scary moments in my book, Night Shadows. I waited until later in the book before the monsters were ‘seen’ and known. Several readers have shared the fact they really didn’t want to turn out the lights the night after reading the story. I hope I have also left people with a lingering imagination, a sense of ‘what if?’

What scares me scares many people. The unknown, the possibilities in the unknown. Also the experience you have when–

Oh, crap! Don’t you dare sneak up on me and tap my shoulder. You nearly scared me to death.

Distractions

2012-02-03T08:22:00.002-06:00

I’ve been a member of several writers’ critique groups over the years and I’ve come to realize a major factor in each group’s downfall has been the lack of writers. This may seem quite logical, but it’s true for any group. Knitters, martial artists, foreign language studies, puzzlers…if you are a part of a group and aren’t involved in the activity, the group suffers. A few more lackadaisical people and the group collapses, becomes less fun, or has less worth for those who are serious.

When I first started attending a critique group, there were about 15-20 or more who showed every week. I had heard many more used to attend. Why the dropout rate? Probably it started with something like this. “Sally, do you have anything to read tonight?” “No, I’ve been too busy this last week to write.” “Okay, but we really want you to read.” “I’ll try to have something next week.”

Well, as Yoda once said, “Do or do not do. There is no try.” You’re either writing or you’re not. So, the attendance dropped. By the time I stopped attending my first critique group, we were down to a core of about four or five with maybe two of us reading per week. It was a waste of my time to read for others who weren’t writing. I worked hard to have something every week, either a short story or another chapter from the ongoing book. I ceased going to the meetings not because I stopped writing, but because others did. I wasn’t going to stay with a group in which two or three people read and the rest of the time we just chatted. Plus, I didn’t feel those who weren’t writing, who weren’t keeping up with improving their craft, had justification to critique my material.

So, is it lack of interest or distractions that keep people from writing? Television, radio, Internet, phone, mail, email, kids, pets, spouse, something interesting out the window…all are part of a large group of distractions. I’m not perfect and my attention wanders at times. Much of my writing is done at a facility where people could come in at any moment. They’re distracting. I understand distractions and I’m willing to let a few excuses go by. When they become consistent, however, then I know the person really isn’t serious about writing.

In a recent interview I mentioned my ideal place to write. I said I wanted to be on a deserted island with no phone, no TV, no radio, no Internet, no people, with enough food and water to sustain me until I felt like rejoining society. Serious writers will make time to write, or will set aside a portion of the day or week and tell the rest of the world to leave them alone until a certain period has ended. Behind a closed door, with the TV, Internet, and cell phone turned off. If the radio is on when I’m writing, it’s tuned to a classical music station.

Don’t let your writing be a distraction to your writing. What I mean is, don’t stop after every sentence or chapter to go back and edit or change things. So many times in those critique groups I heard a repeat chapter one from a few people week after week. They took home our comments, did a rewrite, then came back, took home more comments and did another rewrite. The cycle continued. We never heard chapter two. Soon, they either gave up or decided the particular story wasn’t working out, so they switched to a new story and brought in a new chapter one.

Another example of a writing distraction is too much preparation. I realize every person has his or her individual writing style. Outlines that may take eight months to picking up a pen and starting in on something without a precise destination in mind. Whatever works for you, do it. However, if you are a type who sets up character profiles and setting profiles, don’t get bogged down in the minutiae. There must be a time when you start writing the first sentence.

One more example. Finish a story. Recently I have found myself falling into the trap of starting one story, getting partially completed, then jumping to another story, then a third, and I discovered I wasn’t completing a project. When I realized my problem, I stopped jumping around and set myself a goal to finish a particular story by the end of the year with at least one or two rewrites.

I’m not sure how long I took to complete “Beta.” I do know I did a few rewrites, character tinkering, scene additions, etc. Meanwhile, I was writing other stories. However, I never forgot I still had a completed story to ‘finish’ in the sense of polishing it up even more with each submission rejection. I’ve worked long hard on this book and even when correcting edits, still found it emotionally stimulating. I’m glad I persevered, and didn’t allow distractions to keep me from my goal.

Let your writing be your distraction from everything else, not the other way around.

Creating Character Quirks

2012-01-28T07:34:00.000-06:00

When you hear the name Sherlock Holmes, what are some of the things you imagine? The distinctive deerstalker hat? The curved pipe, maybe a magnifying glass? It’s a classic image, somewhat created by those who portrayed Holmes on stage. Maybe some remember Holmes playing the violin during periods when a case particularly perplexed him. Or maybe his storing his tobacco in a stocking. Possibly the true fans will remember his use of cocaine.

Nero Wolfe brings to mind a large man with an aversion to women’s tears, his collection of beer bottle caps, enjoyment of fine food, a slight tilting of his head in acknowledgment or emphasis, often saying “Pfui!” when refuting some absurd point, his fondness for yellow pajamas, and of course, orchids.

An affinity for tweed, knitting, and gardening–besides solving crimes–are aspects associated with Jane Marple.

Above is just a sampling of memorable characters. They’re remembered throughout the years because each has one or a series of aspects that distinguish him/her, their own personal ‘quirks.’

In some ways, the creation of characters is easy. You have a private detective who solves crimes. This person has brown hair and brown eyes, and usually wears jeans and a T-shirt. See? Easy. However, this person is pretty bland and not at all memorable. It’s up to the author to add ‘spice’ and ‘life’ to the character. For instance, the detective stands only four feet tall, drives a motor scooter, owns a St. Bernard, likes Chopin, and has an addiction to Snickers. Or maybe the woman has only one hand, is constantly haunted by nightmares of an abusive mother, owns a crossbow, and paints her apartment green.

As long as the author is able to bring the character to life and stay ‘true’ to his/her creation, then maybe people would be interested in reading about this character. It’s up to the author to give a character something to make him/her different from everybody else.

Think about the character envisioned by Andy Breckman and David Hoberman and given life by Tony Shaloub. They created a detective with over-the-top obsessive disorders. Adrian Monk feared milk, wind, sausages, tossed salads, and went so far as to dispose of a single tissue by sealing it in a plastic baggie, then sealing that baggie in another baggie. Somehow, the idiosyncrasies worked and the television character became one of the most loved.

Sometimes, characters are defined by other characters. This is especially true with Stephanie Plum. Yes, she has some quirky aspects to her, but a lot of the humor and ‘character’ comes from Lulu, Maretti, Grandma Mazur, and Ranger.

Authors need to dig deep to find the unique pieces and parts for a characters, whether they want the person to be funny or strictly serious. When writing a story, the characters will often times ‘speak’ and let the author know how to form their personality. Other authors may want to do an intense character outline to define a particular figure in the story. There are many books about developing character, and some may find them useful. What each author must remember, though, is not to be bound and limited by those books. Each must find his or her own path and find whatever works for developing characters.

Who knows, maybe today somebody is creating another memorable character to stand beside Sam Spade, Elvis Cole, Ellery Queen, Perry Mason, and Pronzini’s ‘no name’ detective.

A Study in Character

2012-01-20T07:42:00.002-06:00

Many things I've learned over the years are self taught. When I worked as a graphic designer at a local newspaper, I was unfamiliar about the software being used to create advertising. Slowly, through the months, I discovered new things to be done with the program others hadn't.

So it was with writing. I didn't know anything about outlining, or formatting, or even too much editing, but throughout the years, I developed a system that worked for me. When I started writing my first action mystery, I knew what type of character I wanted as my protagonist. Since, she has developed into a deeper character with more flaws and more personality. At the time, though, I sat with pen in hand and wrote a very basic character outline. Along with her general description, I listed her favorite color, flower, food/drink, car, clothing, music, books. Nobody told me to do this and I didn't read any guidelines out of a how-to book. This just made sense to me to do this to better understand about whom I was writing.

Years later, I read about a more in-depth character outline. This included background information, childhood memories, past employment, etc. Also included was a guideline to understand the character in that particular story. I liken it to actors preparing for a scene. What's their motivation? What's their goal? What are their obstacles? How are the obstacles overcome? These series of questions can be used for every character in every scene and for the story as a whole. However, the trap into which some writer may fall is taking this too far. I know a writer whose character description included almost soap opera like dimensions. While this may be fine to jot down, do those miscellaneous factoids have any bearing on the present story? If not, I think time has been wasted when actual writing could have been done.

One of the difficulties I encountered was in the physical description of the characters. Brown eyes, dark brown hair, and medium build are so common, and I get bored reading about the same person in many books. For me, I had to develop a mental image of each character and I based the looks on various people I knew whether they be friends, classmates, or people in the public eye such as movie or television actresses.

Mallory Petersen, in Beta, was an easy character to develop. Basically, she is me as a female, with a little more flair, better looks, and better martial arts skills. I just took many of my traits, likes and dislikes, and used them to create Mallory. The drug lord in the story has the suave looks of Powers Booth while one of the cops takes his attractiveness from Nicholas Cage. One of the bad guys has an avian visage. Many characters were drawn from actual people I encountered while doing research. The stern secretary. The flustered receptionist.

For my first book, Night Shadows, background plays a large role for each of the two protagonists. Harry Reznik is married to an attractive woman and feels lucky to have her for a wife. He attended almost three years at the university unable to decide upon a career choice…until he met his future wife. She helped to develop his character throughout their marriage. For Lori Campisi, her background is mystery, and her struggle against amnesia and the revelations are part of the story. I knew the personality I wanted to portray and had a mental image of her features. The medical examiner has, "Tom Brokaw handsomeness." The Lieutenant is drawn from a model in a magazine. Reznik compares FBI Agent Campisi to Spock because of her control over exhibiting emotions.

Good authors will bring their characters off the pages and put them into the reader's mind's eye. Of course, every person's conception of a particular character may be different than another's, but differing views are the beauty of imagination and what make the books enjoyable.

A Few Views on Editing

2012-01-12T16:51:00.001-06:00

An early post this week as I'll be gone tomorrow.

I just wanted to share how others feel about editing. These comments were gathered after seveal people read another blog pot about editing. I saved my comments for the end.

I've been told that spelling capability, or lack of it, has been proven, in brain studies, to come from a certain small part of the brain. For that reason, I have no judgment about poor spellers, only judgments on the writing itself. I, for one, wish to hell I'd been pushy enough to lean on literate friends (once again) to proof my book. I was too cheap to offer to pay them (I'd already paid two of them to read earlier drafts for structure, style, and logic. They gave me excellent advice). I proofed myself. Proofing is something a writer can't do alone, not with 80,000 words to go over--nor can spell check do it. If I get another crime novel done, it's going to get proofed by at least one expert and I'm going to have to pay them. Meanwhile, I get to read my book and wince when I see my typos.
- Clark

I believe in submitting the best of your best and it's not up to an editor to re-write your book. Yes, there will be errors, but poor spelling and mistakes in verb tenses are unacceptable. I look back over ten years ago at some of the work I submitted and understand why they were rejected.

Scene structure, POV and storyline have to be close to right on in the submission.

Having said all of the above, I'm not an editor but know I have to get their attention if I want my book published. Catching them in the beginning is a must. Writing so they want to read more should be a goal. And finishing strong is a signed publishing contract. That's my 2 cents.
- Bob

Spell check and computers have opened the typo floodgates. Companies are no longer using skilled typists who are trained to catch and correct errors. Now everybody has a computer on her desk and poorly trained managers compose pages that a secretary once handled.

Spell check won't catch the wrong word spelled correctly. In proofing the galleys of my mss., I found some places where I had the wrong word (complimentary vs. complementary). Very different meaning!

And computers are not easy to read. My home computer's default is to make the type tiny and the page small. I can't see the typos. I have to manually increase the font size and the page space so I can read (that's why I missed errors the first time around). I don't know why computers are set up only for people with crystal sharp vision.
- Sally

I don't buy that it's acceptable to be a writer who's insightful but a bad grammariané/speller. If this is your craft, you have to master both imagination and good grammar/spelling. Suppose you were a brilliant doctor who understood the concept of heart surgery, but flubbed the technicalities of the actual operation? Same principle.
- Sunny

There are a lot of reasons for bad spelling, and "seeing through to the writer's mind" is pretty lame. What is that, the Freudian School of Editing?

A writer has an obligation to make sure his spelling is correct. Period. Whether he likes wordplay or not.

There are on-line dictionaries up the yin yang, so there is no excuse that the Webster's may be out of print, or that the dog ate it.

Even worse than bad spelling is poor formatting. If the publisher can't read it, neither can anyone else.

If you are serious about writing, then right it before you submit.
I'm an excellent speller.
- Melanie

Hardest thing for a writer is self-editing because she knows what she meant to say and sees the words as if they do indeed state that. Unfortunately, not always the case. As for those little underline things in spell check, (which the program says is two words although one often sees it as one) they have a tendency to become invisible.
- Carol

I recently read one book where either the author didn’t edit or the publisher’s editor wasn’t vey good. The book contained scores of problems with spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic sentence structure. I emailed back to the magazine (I was supposed to review this book for them) and asked if this was an ARC. The woman said no, it had actually hit the shelves. I ended up requesting not to review it because, frankly, I couldn’t find one thing I liked about it and on which I could positively comment. I couldn’t find one slight reason to recommend it. (I did review it for my blog just as an example of variety in my ranking system.)

I spoke to several people about why we sometimes find mistakes (obvious ones) in books by successful authors. Because they have proven successful the publishing house editor doesn’t work hard enough to catch the mistakes or lets them slide because they know people will buy the book nevertheless.

I’m not sure how it used to be twenty, thirty, forty years ago but nowadays you hear from everybody that the author needs to be able to do at least minimal editing before submitting. Why this needs to be said, I don’t know, because to me, the idea is fairly obvious. Maybe not to some writers.

We’re human and on occasion, things will slip by both the author and the editor and the publisher. They just don’t get caught for some reason. I’ve seen them, you’ve seen them, not a big deal most of the time. However, writers should know basic spelling. Again, this seems an obvious concept. I get to typing too fast and misspell scores of words by accident.

Usually, the spell correct catches them, sometimes not. Sometimes I use a word like ‘taekwondo’ and the spell check binks it and wants to change it to ‘teakwood.’ I’ve finally convinced my dictionary, taekwondo is a real word.

So where do you put the blame? Are you going to leave it up to the author to catch EVERYTHING before you consider accepting? The author isn’t perfect. Doesn’t the publisher and its editor bear some responsibility? I don’t know, I’m just asking? On my last two books, when I received my ARCs I found errors both the senior editor and the publisher missed. Obvious blatant errors. So am I to blame for not catching them earlier, too? Sure.

I did a blog on ‘it’ a couple years ago so when you brought up the word, I had to smile because I started wondering the usage of the word years ago. “It started to snow.” “It’s four o’clock.” Well, what is ‘it?’

I now go back to read individual chapters and, eventually, the entire book, aloud, so I catch every word. I still miss stuff, sure, but after going through three people editing it, I figured I’d better make an effort to minimize the number of mistakes earlier.
- Stephen

A Note on Editing

2012-01-06T14:17:00.002-06:00

Have you ever seen the drawing of a pyramid of triangles in which you're supposed to count the number of triangles there are in the picture? Some people count the obvious smaller individual triangles, but miss the fact that the way the picture is drawn, there are bigger triangles throughout.

I think editing is similar. There are so many areas of editing, you may not be aware of where they show up and what you are doing when you do it. Let's look at a few instances.

You've made the decision to write a story. Boom! You've just done your first edit. You've made a choice in your life. You've edited your life and you will keep doing so every minute you take to develop that story. You edit when you create characters, giving them personalities. You edit when you create an outline (for those who do and those who don't still make decisions to move the story in a certain direction), deciding a timeline and the sequence of events.

Editing is not just done after you've completed the story, or when some publisher's editors splash it with colors highlighting the mistakes and suggested changes. Writers are editors and they have to be.

I love writers' critique groups and have been involved in three throughout the years. Each has had good and bad points in structure and operation but one of the problems I've seen in all of them is in regards to the writers themselves. A person brings Chapter One of a brand new story to the group for reading. The others listen then give their opinion on the strengths and weaknesses in the story. The person takes the story home and does a rewrite, brings it back to the group, hears more critique, then takes it home and does a rewrite…and the cycle continues. After a few rounds, someone will almost certainly suggest the person moves onto Chapter Two. Unfortunately, he/she cannot get past trying to perfect One. The story never gets written and either the person gives up or tries another story, falling into the same pattern.

Writers have to learn to work through each chapter until the story is completed. Sure, listen to the critiques, save the notes, keep in mind the suggestions, but keep writing something new until you've reached the end of the story. Then go back and rewrite.

Writers also have to know the rules. Grammar, punctuation, and of course spelling. Do not rely on spell check. You may not catch all of the mistakes (and believe me, you won't), but you want to present to the publisher/agent the best product you can create.

One of the fun ways to frustrate yourself is something my publisher and editors have agreed upon doing with each story we receive. When you think you've gone as far as you can with your self editing, go through and highlight every 'was', 'were', and 'that'. Then, go back through and eliminate all but the most necessary usages.

I've met authors who re-read scores of times and others who can whip out a decent product after only a few rewrites. There is no rule. You find what works for you. I wrote longhand and my first edit came when I transferred the pages to the computer. Then I'd print out the entire manuscript, grab a pen and a notebook and read through it marking corrections and scribbling changes for specific areas. I think it's where I learned a lot of my editing skills.

In early 2010, while waiting around for my story Night Shadows to run through the editing process, I exchanged emails with the senior editor and, to make a long story short, within about six weeks or so, I was hired as an editor. Now this surprised me, because I've had no official training, didn't take any college courses. I must have done very well on the 'test' story to satisfy the powers that be. Anyway, since that time, I have learned so much and I can pass on my knowledge to other authors.
I loathe working through the edits on my books. I've gone through several rounds of corrections and changes with Night Shadows, each one more excruciating than the last. Long hours until my brain goes fuzzy, but I'm learning. Editing others' material can be a horrendous job especially if the manuscript hasn't been polished by the author. However, it is a learning experience, because once you've read others' mistakes, you catch yourself making similar ones in your own projects.

And that's part of what makes writing so gosh darn fun.

10 Class Management Skills

2011-12-30T07:51:00.000-06:00

One of the first teaching aides I learned as a trainee instructor was the list of class management skills. I had to memorize all ten and demonstrate them in a classroom situation. During each of my recertification seminars, these skills were reinforced and practiced. These skills show how well the instructor is conducting the class and how much he/she cares about the students. The next time you’re in class, check off how many the instructor is following:

1. Set mood and tone of class. Is the instructor happy to be there or showing what a bad day he’s having?

2. Set a direct goal. Does the instructor have a game plan for the evening and does he announce it?

3. Create positive environment. Does the instructor smile and share his enthusiasm?

4. Personal approach/individual contact. Two examples of this are the instructor acknowledging the individual student by giving him a high five or touching them to make corrections in technique.

5. Give positive feedback to questions. Does the instructor give intelligent answers to questions or ignore them? Even if the question is asked by a child and does not relate to taekwondo, how does the instructor respond?

6. Reinforce positive behavior. Acknowledge the attributes for a successful class. Is a student standing at attention, paying attention? Does a particular student assist another having problems?

7. Realistic praise. “That is the most awesome front kick I have ever seen in my life.” The student isn’t going to buy this and it’s wrong. Praise the student for improvements made from the last attempt or praise some quality in the technique.

8. Positive correction instead of criticism. “That’s a bad stance, you should try harder.” How will the student feel after hearing this? A good formula is praise-correct-praise. Praise the student for the attempt and find a good quality about the technique. Then show the necessary correction to make it better. Then praise the student for the correction made.

9. Refer to students by name. Everyone wants to hear his or her name and to be remembered, especially in a large class.

10. Promote personal victory. As an example, don’t tell the student he needs to kick head high. Rather, give them a realistic goal, and count that as a victory. Even if the improvement is kicking two inches higher than yesterday, it’s an improvement and victory for the individual.

Many of these skills are designed to promote the individual, which is one of the best attributes of martial arts. Yes, there is a team atmosphere, but the individual is the key. I can’t play football, so I wouldn’t make the team. I can’t dribble very well, so I’d sit on the bench a lot. However, I can practice hard and after a few months be worthy of testing for a higher rank. Others may have moved up faster, but that’s okay. I’m concerned with me.

These skills show how the instructor cares about the students. In my book, Beta, my heroine, Mallory Petersen, is a private investigator and head instructor in her taekwondo school. She cares about every one of her students, from the black belt who’s won multiple trophies at tournaments to the squirrelly lower rank who has problems with a basic front kick even after eight weeks’ worth of classes. She has meetings with her staff about instruction techniques and concerns about the students. She knows every one of her students by name and how each is progressing through the curriculum.

Class management skills are vital for a successful club or school. If the instructor isn’t using these on a regular basis, then these are something to pass along.

Random Christmas Thoughts

2011-12-23T08:25:00.001-06:00

Well, another year has rolled around and the holiday season is upon us. Last year I discussed the groups out there who protest Christmas depictions and exhibits in any given community as well as the PC crowd wanting everyone to not say Christmas. I’m pleased to note that this year I didn’t hear any incident on the news of the AFL-CIO or other such group suing a community over a Nativity scene on the town square. I’m sure such a suit came to pass somewhere, but I wasn’t privy to any.

This year, as so many others November and December seemed, in one sense, to drag by. However, as I post this blog today, there is only another week and some change before 2012. Once it’s here I’ll have wondered why the holiday season passed by so quickly. I feel the same way about warm sunny spring and summer days. I want to enjoy them, cherish them, have them last for more than they do. I get excited when April and May arrive e and suddenly – boom! – August is ending and Mother Nature throws us September and warnings about what’s coming.

I wrote a recent Facebook post about enjoying a green Christmas. As children, my sister and I differed on Christmas weather. She always wanted snow and I always wanted green grass (or at least the semblance of green grass). And not a flake in sight. Usually, she won. I have experienced some green Christmases in the past number of years and I enjoy not having to worry about slipping and sliding on ice and snow while traveling.

This year, I requested not to work the holiday. I was granted the time. Usually, my family tries to schedule things around my free time which, sometimes, isn’t the best for everyone else. However, since Christmas falls on a weekend, I pounced at the chance to get it. I’ll just have to wait to see if the same holds true for New Year’s Eve.

So, what did this past year bring me? Two published books and a possibility of a third for next year are the big highlights. Also, I started a new venture in reviewing books for an online magazine and two other websites. Which of course means MY unread books stay on the shelves for a bit longer.

I made some new friends and contacts and continued writing stories. I’ve almost reached my goal of finishing the first draft of a new private investigator story by the end of the year. Next year I would like to wrestle with and pin (or is that pen?) the sequel to Night Shadows as well as a few other projects.

What didn’t this year bring me? Uh, no new girlfriend, new job, or new apartment. Same ol’, same ol’. But, my buddy Thomas the cat is still with me. He turns eleven on Christmas. (I don’t know if he actually was born on Christmas but what the hec, it’s easier to remember.)

So, next week and into next year, look for more writing blogs. Some of them will be fresh and some of them will have been seen on other sights this past year. Any author/writer wishing to be a guest on my blog is more than welcome to submit. Plus, anyone wishing to be interviewed for the Around the Globe with… series may also contact me.

Otherwise, Merry Christmas, happy New Year, and may all your dreams come true.

(Yeah, I know corny standard ending, but hey, sometimes the old lines are the still the best.)

Can You Hear Me Now?

2011-12-16T08:31:00.000-06:00

Maybe a more appropriate title would be “How do you hear me?” Or maybe, “Sounds like…” with the proper charades gesture.

What I’d like to discuss is how to add voice or sound to your stories. How do characters speak? What do specific noises sound like? Taking the second question first, it’s not enough sometimes just to write something making noise. To add elements such as mood or emotion, you must show the reader how things sound. You do this by relating the particular noise to something recognizable. For instance, “The rain fell hard against the roof.” This can be spiced up depending on what you’re trying to convey. “The rain falling against the metal slats sounded like a hail of machine gun bullets.” “She sat alone in the cabin. The light rain against the screens was as many whispers silently calling to her.”

Wind and rain are fairly easy to bring to life. The wind can moan like a dying asthmatic, cry like ghosts from the past mourning their own passing, sing like a teakettle on full alert, or whine like an injured animal. Other sounds may challenge the writer. I’ve heard the familiar blatting exhaust of a passing bus described as ‘snoring’ and ‘farting.’ Did you know cats doing the courting dance sound exactly like a crying baby? The similarity is downright eerie.

Voices are another area where you can bring the reader closer to your story. In nearly every story I read, I assign a specific voice to each character, sometimes by the author telling me how someone speaks, sometimes with only the character’s description.

I have a friend who suffers from MS and as a result she can’t read a book very long before her mind gets tired. So she listens to audio books. When we dated, I’d spend hours reading aloud to her. She ended up with someone else, but since then, when I discover a book I think she might like, I’ll record it for her. I’ve heard hundreds of audio books and I enjoy them so much more when the narrator uses a different voice for each character. One who reads in a monotone or with no emotion even in the action packed scenes tends to make a good story boring.

I’ve developed a standard set of voices for various types of characters when I read aloud. Unless I’m specifically told the person has a particular voice, I usually rely on past experience and descriptions. With exceptions, of course, see if you hear the same voices.

Attorneys, especially the adversarial ones usually have an aristocratic tone.

Techno geeks and some doctors are nasally.

Military colonels and general will speak in a bass or gravelly voice.

The beat cops or veteran detectives talk out of the side of his mouth while their captains are gruff speakers.

Preachers are charismatic with maybe a touch of a southern accent. On the other hand, priests are quiet and subdued.

Unless specifically mentioned, I usually put a little high pitched waver to elderly voices.

Women are of course done in a higher voice except when you have a Lauren Bacall type character. Breathy, perky, whiny, nasally, domineering, seductive, grating…the voice depends on the character.

Accents are fun, too. Does the Irishman have a Dublin or north country accent? Is the British speaking in a London or rural twang? Cockney or House of Lords? Is the Mexican high pitched or raspy? Is the black person speaking in a deep, formal, commanding voice (think James Earl Jones), sassy street slang (think Martin Lawrence or Eddie Murphy), or very distinctive (everybody recognizes Morgan Freeman)? Is the businessman from Mississippi, Alabama, or is he a boisterous Texan with a hat too big to fit inside his pickup truck? Is the Russian a weary ex-KGB officer or his sexy partner (a’la James Bond movies)?

The point is to make the reader mentally hear the sounds and the voices by giving them life and distinction. How many books have you read where everybody sounds the same, where you don’t here any “grinding metal gates, nerve shattering creaking doors, Armageddon like eruptions, droning insects like miniature model airplanes?” They’re not very exciting, are they?

Give your readers some sound. Their ears will thank you.

Around the Globe with MELODIE CAMPBELL

2011-12-09T08:03:00.000-06:00

Well, my part of Iowa received about two inches of snow last night, reafffirming my loathing of winter. The temp is sitting at a crisp (ugh!) 12 degrees. So, I hop in my transporter, pick up this week's featured author and it's off to England...where I think she forgot it's still winter.

Anyway, we land in Shropshire at an old Norma castle with the traditional turrets and crenalations and merlons (whatever the hec they are) and I'm still cold the castle is cold, but, the Ms. Campbell thought enough to bring wineskins. But this is a fascinating place because it's used in one of Melodie's books. Let's interview!

1. Who is Melodie Campbell and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

Nix the fascinating, but I am probably one of the silliest. I’ve written comedy for years and opened the 1999 Canadian Humor Conference. Way back in the early 90s, a producer from fledgling HBO saw my play ‘Burglar for Coffee,’ labeled it “completely nuts” and offered me a spot writing pilots, which I stupidly turned down. This goes on record as one of the worst decisions ever made by a person not officially insane.

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

I love sportscars. My first car was a Triumph Spitfire. Dang, I loved that car. Second was a Lotus Europa. I now own an older Porsche Boxter. One person I really envy is Jay Leno. I want his garage…and the contents.

3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming an astronaut?

Well, I’ve already been a bank manager, marketing director, college instructor, association executive, and possibly the worst runway model ever. (Never could get the hang of high heels.) You could say I’m running out of professions.

Okay, to be honest, I was the class clown in high school, always getting in trouble for being a smart-ass. So the progression to writing humor was natural.

I’ve been writing professionally since 1991, when I won my first short story contest, and then snagged a humor column contract.

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

Janet Evanovich. Charlaine Harris. Lisa Lutz. All the first ladies of comedy. How I would love to be counted in their number. Andrea Camilleri and Donna Leon from Italy. Also Douglas Adams (but he’s dead, so it might be more difficult).

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 write escape novels! Escape with me into a grand adventure for a few hours, Stephen! Pretend to be someone else for a while, in a different world, with different challenges and delights. Let me take you out of your real world, be it the airport or that blasted island. When you need a laugh the most, pick up Rowena Through the Wall. It’s funny, sexy, and totally free of any messages.

6. Share the Campbell 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 am the General Manager of Crime Writers of Canada, so my days are rather full. I write at night, for breaks and on weekends. I watch very little TV, because you have to give up something to get time for writing. Oh, and I gave up exercise.

Now the process: I was trained as a mystery writer, and cut my fiction teeth on short stories. In writing mystery, you always start with plot. You don’t start writing until you know the ending. So…when writing mystery or crime, I always know the ending before I start writing.

When I write fantasy, it is a teeny bit different. But I still start with plot, and then figure out what sort of characters I need to make the plot work. In Rowena Through the Wall, I needed a character who had the guts to walk through the wall into an unknown world. The plot needed a character who was spunky, who was smart, and who would be the cause of a lot of hot passion among the guys on the other side of the wall. Rowena was born.

Research? I write what I know. I know what Norman castles look like; I have relatives in England and have been there many times. I know something about the medical field (I was a hospital director). I know about the life of college instructors and students, and I ride horses. For ‘Rowena Through the Wall’, I had to research medieval weaponry and satanic weddings. For the most part, I lean on my personal experience, and do research for secondary aspects of my fiction.

Number of edits or rewrites? I’ve written professionally for 20 years, so my work is very clean from the start. But even then, I’ll go through 4 complete edits on my own, before it hits the publisher’s desk.

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 start writing! By this I mean, start writing anywhere in your story, to see if you actually like writing. I find a lot of my writing students want to be authors, but discover the process of writing is too much like work. It is work. No excuses – get in there and get your hands dirty! You’ll find out soon enough if you are one of us.

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 most commonly quoted quote is: “Recent studies show that approximately 40% of writers are manic depressive. The rest of us just drink.”

Philosophy? Guh - I was a business major, Stephen! “When in doubt, Integrate” was as close as I came to philosophy.

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?

‘The Goddaughter’ has been bought by Orca Books and will be out in mid 2012. It is a comic mob caper.

“Stolen jewels, smoggy Steeltown and a reluctant mob Goddaughter make for a whole lot of laughs!”

(Again, write what you know. My mother’s family is Sicilian, and I live on the outskirts of industrial Hamilton…)

Also, the second in my comic time travel series, “Rowena and the Dark Lord” is well underway.

Stop writing? Ask me to stop breathing. Or eating. Pass the wineskin.

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

I have a comic blog, where I am currently featuring previously published humor columns. http://www.funnygirlmelodie.blogspot.com
‘
More information is available on my website, where you can view trailers and read opening scenes: http://www.melodiecampbell.com/

You can reach me by email at mcampbell50@cogeco.ca

ROWENA THROUGH THE WALL

Do you like comic time travel?
Meet Rowena Revel!

“Is that a broadsword on your belt, or are you just glad to see me?”

When Rowena falls through her classroom wall into a medieval world, she doesn’t count on being kidnapped – not once, but twice, dammit. Unwanted husbands keep piling up; not only that, she has eighteen-year-old Kendra to look out for, and a war to prevent. Good thing she can go back through the wall when she needs to…or can she?

“Hot and Hilarious!” Midwest Book Review
“Jack Sparrow meets Stephanie Plum” Former editor, Distant Suns Fantasy Magazine
Rowena Through the Wall (Imajin Books) is available at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.uk, Amazon.de, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble.
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Rowena-Through-the-Wall-ebook/dp/B00557Z2QU
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/65519

Short bio:
Melodie Campbell has been a bank manager, marketing director, comedy writer, college instructor and possibly the worst runway model ever. Melodie got her start writing comedy, so it’s no surprise that editors have called her fiction “wacky” and “laugh out loud funny”. She has over 200 publications and has won five awards for fiction. She is the General Manager of Crime Writers of Canada, and has taught fiction writing for ten years.

Paraprosdokians

2011-12-02T08:22:00.000-06:00

Some time ago, a friend dropped me an email I thought was just delightful. I had never heard the term, don't know if it's even a real word or something someone made up to fit. But, these are wonderful and shows creativity. Plus, they make great story inserts.

A paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reframe or reinterpret the first part. It is frequently used for humorous or dramatic effect, sometimes producing an anticlimax.

1. Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

2. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

3. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list.
4. If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong.

5. We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

6. War does not determine who is right - only who is left.

7. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

8. Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening', and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.

9. A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.

10. How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?

11. Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.

12. I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted pay checks.

13. Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says "In an emergency, notify:" I put "Doctor".

14. I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

15. Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.

16. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.

17. The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!

18. Hospitality: Making your guests feel like they're at home, even if you wish they were.

19. I discovered I scream the same way whether I'm about to be devoured by a great white shark or if a piece of seaweed touches my foot.

20. There's a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so they can't get away.

21. I always take life with a grain of salt, plus a slice of lemon, and a shot of tequila.

22. When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that theFire Department usually uses water.

23. You're never too old to learn something stupid.

24. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.

25. I prayed to God for a new bike, but I know God doesn't work that way. So I stole a bike and prayed for forgiveness.

Thank You

2011-11-25T07:44:00.002-06:00

I'll admit it. I'm not comfortable saying thanks. I receive a compliment or a present and I have a difficult time just saying thanks. I don't know why.
It's just me. I mean it but sometimes it's difficult for me to express it.

We've all seen the email about giving thanks even though we complain about our own personal situations. You know the one I mean. I get it forwarded to me every year by at least one of my family members or friends. I'm bored with my job but am thankful for it because there are so many unemployed. My house is a mess and the landlord is a jerk but I'm thankful because many people don't have a home. My car is eleven years old but many people don't have cars. I have bills stacked up and drowning in debt but am thankful for the money I receive from working to chip away at the stack because there are people worse off. I don't have much to eat and not sure what I'll scrounge up for dinner but thankful for the little bit of food I have because there are those who really don't know from where their next meal is coming.

Or how about the email about parents. Surely, you've seen this one. The one about how my parents are rotten people because they gave me a curfew and didn't let me party all night when I was in school. They were rotten because they didn't let me stay home all day but made me go to school to get an education. They were rotten because they disciplined me when I committed acts of disrespect or was a complete brat.

I sort of like those emails. I read them and I appreciate them. Also, I get the emails about friendship and where I'm supposed to send the email back to the sender to express my friendship. I never do. Not because these people aren't cherished, but because I'm just not that good at doing those things.

This Thanksgiving what did I do? Did I spend the day enjoying family and a fine meal? No. I worked. I worked Wednesday night and Thursday I spent a couple of hours with a few friends and a fine meal. Then I slept for eight hours before I went back to work. Tomorrow, I spend the day with family and another fine meal. That's it. No shopping, no being one of the mob waiting in line for Black Friday. Just a quiet day with a few friends and my cat who couldn't care less about the holiday.

I'm sitting here at work bored out of my mind. I haven't seen a single person since the second shift person left. I've watched mindless television and read chapters out of the latest in the never ending stack of books I own. I've printed out the required reports that I really didn't need to print. But that's another story and I don't wish to throw around trash talk about work. Because I'm thankful to be indoors all night long as a few feet away there is cold and wind and if I weren't here, others would have to sacrifice their time or I would be home wondering where to go for my next paycheck.

No, I don't have much. My apartment is small and the apartment house is an eyesore. But it's home and a place where my cat is comfortable and happy. I don't have much money, but somehow I get by even if it is one paycheck to the next and somehow I'm able to buy food for my next meal. I don't have much of a social life and I don't remember the last time I went out on a date. But I have friends I talk to every week either on the phone or through email. And I'm thankful they consider me a friend. I'm not a world leader or a person with a lot of influence on the masses, but I have my small circle of loyal students who look to me for guidance and discipline and training. And I have made a happy life for a furry companion who wants only a little food and water, a regular treat and an occasional belly rub.

And I'm thankful for every person who allows me into his or her life through my books. All of those who granted me interviews, allowed me to sit on a panel at a conference or event, or to give a talk or be part of a discussion. And I don't care how popular or famous I become, I will always thank every person who takes the time to purchase my books.

I don't say thanks all that often and it's difficult, but I mean it just the same. I hope you understand.

Around the Globe with ANGELA ROE

2011-11-18T08:09:00.002-06:00

Oh my goodness, where do I start with my introduction of this week's featured author? I met Angi back in the first critique group I joined eleven, twelve years ago. For a few years, I lost track of her as, well, you know, stuff happens. Then, in January I'm preparig for the release of my first book, Night Shadows (available at fine Internet book stores near you) when Echelon Press comes back with news about the acceptance of four of my short stories. A couple of days pass and one morning I realize I could be in trouble, because one story, Bar Scene, I collaborated with Angi to write. Finally, and fortunately, I managed to reestablish contact, and once again, we're involved in a weekly (well, we try for weekly, but you know, stuff happens) writers' group.

She's a romance novelist, a freelance writer, a freelance photographer and a freelance editor. She also write non-fiction and have many online articles published on topics as diverse as home improvement, ballroom dancing, fitness, marketing and research, computer programs and business associations. She provides SEO copy to industry-leading Web content providers.

So today, I hop in my transporter and pick up Angi, thinking we're going someplace warm on this cold November morning. But I forget that Angi is a take charge type of gal and, like so many in the past, she pushes me aside and assumes control and in a few seconds we're in Chicago, walking alongside Lake Michigan watching rush hour traffic while sipping Starbucks coffee. Well, she is. I opt for hot chocolate, because, hey, it's Chicago in November. Thanks, Ang.

1. Who is Angela Roe and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

My neighbors are intrigued by my being an author. They say it with such reverence that it makes me smile. They obviously have no idea what it means, the hours sitting in front of a computer, lost in a world of your own, oblivious to the real world taking place around you, much to the annoyance of your family and friends. If it didn’t result in a book, I’d be medicated for hearing voices in my head, but I call them characters so it’s okay!

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

I think people would be surprised to find out I'm dyslexic. While it certainly has a huge impact on certain parts of my life, it doesn't impact my ability to read or write, thankfully. Mostly for me, it manifests itself with numbers, and reversing the order of things. So if you tell me to go to a specific street and turn left, I'll go to that street and turn right...nearly every time...it's annoying but you learn to live with it.

3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming a NASCAR driver?

I don’t think I ever made the decision, I’ve been making up and telling stories my entire life, long before I could write them down, according to my parents. I made up stories to entertain myself during car trips and my mom referred to them as the movies in my head. Being a writer isn’t a career decision, at least not for me, it’s just who I am.

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

Oh wow, all of them! Nora Roberts comes to mind, I’d love to know how she got around the antiquated idea that you can only show one person’s thoughts or feelings in a scene…two people are there, I want to know what both are thinking and feeling…Andrew Greeley was probably one of the first authors I started to follow and I love how diverse his writing is. I think he is also responsible for my addiction…I mean my love of Chicago!

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?

You’d be in terrific company with my characters. They’re fun, funny and find themselves in situations that most of us can relate to in one way or another. Their situations are exaggerated, but the feelings evoked are universal. Plus they’ve got a unique way of looking at things that will make you smile and make time fly.

6. Share the Roe 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 Roe process…I like that…the truth is, there isn’t one!!! I typically find myself struck by a phrase or a line and the book develops from there. Once I hear it, the characters are pretty much full-blown in my head and clamoring at me to tell their story. I sit down to write with no more idea of what is going to happen than you have when you pick up the book to read it.

I make up my worlds, I set it in a general location but the specific city is fiction. It’s easier that way, otherwise I’m sure to mess up the streets and have them going the wrong direction and tick people off.

I write all day. I try to promote my books in the morning until around 9 or 10am and then I write afterward. I write until I have to stop to do something like laundry, or mow the lawn or make dinner. After dinner, I spend time on various social networks and then I read for about an hour before bed.

Editing stinks and I hate it so I tend to do it based on the reviews I get during critique group on Sunday night, and other than that, I leave it until the book is completely finished. Then I usually give it to someone I trust to read and give me feedback. If I agree with the feedback, I make the changes. Then I do two final edits, one strictly for content and one strictly for grammar and spelling. Once that’s done, I give it to my husband and he reads it and points out all the mistakes I missed.

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?”

Write it down. Forget about editing and spelling and all that stuff, just write it down. If you find yourself at a point where you need more information…say your character picks up a gun and you need to know more about guns, make a note (research guns) and go on with the story. The most important thing a writer can do is write so my advice remains to write it down.

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?

That’s fun, isn’t it? I can totally relate to the ones that say things like…”My doctor says I have ADHD but I think he just doesn’t get me…oh look, a squirrel!” I think my philosophy is to have fun. Yes, there are things we have to do that aren’t fun, but we can add fun to them. I listen to audio books while I clean my house, for example. I hate the housework but I love the books and it keeps me occupied while I mindlessly scrub the bathtub. So add fun to your life. You’ll enjoy it more and so will the people around you!

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?

Good gravy, no. I can’t, really, the voices won’t leave me alone. I am currently working on book number two to the Walkers Ridge Romance series and the basics for books three and four are in place. I also have multiple works in process that I’m working on and I have an on-going series called “Carried Away” that I add a small volume to each month. So not writing isn’t something I’ll ever entertain!

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

Visit my website, www.angelakroe.com and you’ll see everything from my books that are available to my blog site. There are links there that’ll take visitors to sites where they can download samples and purchase my books and they’ll be able to contact me through that site as well.

Thanks for taking the time to interview me, I appreciate it. I’m a huge fan of your work, as you know, and I consider it an honor to be here.
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Following are a list of Angela's books and stories. She's a prolific writer with more material to come. Keep visiting her website and she always appreciates feedback on her books. However...if you want to stay off her S-list, do NOT say her stories are cute.

This Montana Man
Caroline Edwards takes a year's lease on a run-down farmhouse in the middle of Montana. She needs the solitude to complete her newest novel. Jamie Overton isn't pleased that his mother rented out the old house and thinks it should be torn down. When he meets Caroline, he's convinced this city girl is out of her element. Will those sparks grow stronger when Caroline's ex puts in an appearance?

The Journey
A touching tale of the transition from one life to another.

The Creeps
Each of these stories will give you the creeps, sending shivers up your spine for entirely different reasons. Keep your kids close and leave the lights on tonight.

It Was Snowing
Walk along side this couple as they find themselves the unwilling subjects of a snapshot depicting a painful and life-changing moment

Carried Away
Come ride the rails with me as we get to learn a little about the lives of our fellow train passengers. You may notice a few things about this train. It’s bigger and comprised of private compartments of various sizes, most which come with their own bathrooms. Consider this twist literary license. Some of my characters are quite insistent upon their right to privacy.

Adult Truths

2011-11-10T08:04:00.000-06:00

So, this week's is an early post as I'm not going to be around the computer tomorrow. I've had this in my bin waiting to be used but I can't take credit for creating it. I received this as an email from a friend and thought I keep it and share it.

What does this have to do with writing? I'm not sure, but give me a moment and I'll think of something. Just a little fun to get you through your day. Put a little humor in your writing. Cold one of your characters have similar thoughts? Could you take one of these 'truths' as a writing cue, maybe to help with writer's block? Or could you just enjoy them for what they are?

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

17. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

22. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

23. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.

24. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 ; the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.

Ladies.....Quit Laughing.

Heal the past, live the present, dream the future.

Enjoy life!!!

Around the Globe with DAVE ANDERSON

2011-11-04T01:33:00.000-05:00

This morning, I set the controls in my transporter for Portland to visit this week's featured author. Now, I have an interesting situation because he really wanted to have the interview about half an hour before the beginning of the Daytona 500. He wanted to be sipping $8.00 beers and eating cheese-steak sandwiches in an air-conditioned box with an expansive view of the track. Also, he wanted to take time to boo the Busch brothers during their introduction. I thought it would be a great idea.

However...

The Daytona 500 isn't until February and this is the beginning of November. Sooo, I've settled on a compromise. We're still in Daytona, and I've persuaded the track administration to let us visit for a short while at in the best box, AC on. I've brought in a couple of six packs for him, and since I'm not a beer fan, a few sodas for me. I've even managed to get some sandwiches delivered. In the box is a large screen TV with a video of the 2011 race in it's entirety so he can boo and cheer to his heart's content.

Sheesh, the things I go throuh for these authors...

1. Who is D.M. Anderson and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

I live in Portland, Oregon, which was recently voted the “most miserable city” in America, mainly because of the weather, unemployment, divorce rate and number of suicides. Since I'm happily married & employed, and do not plan on killing myself anytime soon, that leaves the weather, which is mostly rain. Living in Portland is like being on the set of Blade Runner 24 hours a day. It never bothers me like it bothers my wife.

In the real world, when I'm not fighting crime, I teach middle school English and mostly write stories for that same age group. I'm still trying to get used to kids asking me to sign their copies of Killer Cows while doing hall duty. I'm not complaining, though. I don't know any other teachers who are sometimes asked for an autograph during the school day.

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

As an author, I don't know what would surprise anyone, other than the fact I'm probably more inspired by movies than other writers. Not that there aren't writers who have inspired me, but my approach to writing novels is that they are “movies for your head,” with better special effects and no bloody 3-D.

As a teacher, a lot of people seem shocked that I have long hair and listen to death metal, especially at my age. But what can I say? I like being different.

3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming an nuclear scientist?

Well, duh...nuclear scientists don't get paid for making stuff up. Nobody's lining up for a nuclear scientist's autograph. Besides, writing is a lot of fun, because you get to make up anything you want.

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

I think, since I love movies so much, I'd love to share dinner with Roger Ebert. I do not always agree with his assessments of films, but he's easily the best writer on the subject. I think it would be fun to debate things with him. After that, probably Stephen King. He's my all-time favorite author. I would try not to ask the usual dumb questions like, “Where do you get your ideas?”

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?

Well, if you were stranded with teenagers in-tow, I think my books could keep them amused so you wouldn't half to listen to them complain. Although all of my books are intended for young adults, the one thing they all have in common is that they are about extraordinary things happening to everyday ordinary kids. In the case of Killer Cows, kids might imagine what they would do if they had a flying saucer. But in the case of Shaken, my second novel about the worst natural disaster in American history, they might read the ordeal these characters go through just to survive, and then thank God it isn't them.

6. Share the Anderson 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 do not start with an outline, mainly because I think writing is more interesting if I don't always know what will happen next. So I pretty much map-out the main characters then go to work cranking out the rough draft. Sometimes my ideas evolve into an story, sometimes they go nowhere. As far as research goes, I think it is important for some stories. For Shaken, I needed to do some online research about how earthquakes trigger tsunamis, as well as how fast tsunamis travel. I'm not saying Shaken is a 100% accurate depiction of such a disaster, but it is important that the reader feels like what they are reading at least sounds plausible.

My writing schedule varies, depending on my day job and other obligations. I do try to write for a couple of hours each day (with weekends off during NASCAR season). I think it's very important that any would-be author writes on a regular basis, even on those days when they may not feel quite so inspired. That whole notion of waiting until your inspired is ridiculous. If you really want to be a writer, part of you has to look at it like a job.

Editing and rewrites suck. I hate 'em. And I've never met any writer who thinks otherwise. But hey, that's what separates the wannabes from the committed. I revised Killer Cows several times before submitting to anyone, and at least four more times after signing a publishing contract.

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?”

Start with the fun stuff! Beginning a story is the hardest part, especially if a writer has so many great later scenes mapped-out before-hand. So why not start with those great scenes and worry about exposition later? I've discovered that getting to the 'good' scenes first actually increases the chances I'll finish the actually story.

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 guess, since I just recently recovered from a serious illness and almost lost my life, I'd have to say my current philosophy is “Every day above ground is a good day.” It's a line from the movie, Scarface, which I hated. But whenever things aren't going exactly as I'd like them to, either in writing or my work, remembering that line always puts things in perspective.

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing. What’s next for you?

Right now, I'm working on a few projects. I'm trying to finish up my third young adult novel, which is a horror story. I'm in the revision process and it's giving me fits, mainly because I totally scrapped the last 40-or-so pages and started over. This could either be my greatest book or the one that kills me.

I'm also putting together a collection of dark tales, most of which were published before in various small press magazines before I turned to young adult fiction. These stories are definitely not for kids.

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

There's lots of info on my blog, D.M. Anderson's Free Kittens (http://dmanderson.blogspot.com), which is also an outlet for frequent lists, cartoons, narrative essays and updates on my writing career. It also features the occasional author interview. People can also go to the Echelon Press website (http://echelonpress.com ) or its young adult imprint, Quake
(http://quakeme.wordpress.com/). There are a lot of great authors and books featured on both sites.

Probably the easiest place to find my published books and stories is at Amazon. Killer Cows is available there as both a paperback and Kindle edition. I'm pretty sure that's the first place Shaken will be available when it is released.

Fighting Back

2011-10-28T08:12:00.000-05:00

Just when I think I have regained control over my blog (that pesky Darren hacking in the last couple of weeks was okay. I just wish he would have let me know), I receive this email saying if I don’t put a guest post, something bad might happen to my front lawn. I wrote back saying nothing worse could happen since my landlord doesn’t take care of it in the first place.

Anyway, after reading the following piece, I thought it worked quite well for a good follow up to the last few weeks of the theme of martial arts mysteries. So, I welcome guest blogger and author Robert Bennett, who in exchange for my allowing his post has agreed to shovel my walk when it snows more than two inches the previous night. (Wait, that’s what I want my landlord to do.) Uh, take it away, Robert.

Fighting Back

It's Saturday night and you're at the cash machine taking care of that last, crucial detail before picking up your girlfriend for a night out-dinner, theater, the works. Suddenly, from out of the darkness, the mugger zones in and you're pulled from your wheelchair. In a few minutes he’s gone, but so is your wallet. Instead of going on a date you end up spending the evening in the emergency room.

This scenario is speculation, but the statistics are scary. Three out of four blind people are assaulted sometime during their lifetime. Women with disabilities are twice as likely to be victims of sexual assault as so-called able-bodied women. And, people with developmental disabilities are at a four to ten times higher risk than able-bodied persons.

It used to be said that people with disabilities could not take care of themselves. Of course that is an old, foolish and paternalistic idea. More recently the idea has been changed to something like ‘people with disabilities can not protect themselves.” This too is wrong thinking. Everyone deserves the right to protect themselves, and to learn how to do so. But, you might ask, as many people do, why would someone who is already at a physical disadvantage take a risk of further injury by learning some sort of fighting skill? The answer is simple…why not. Most people with disabilities are no more likely to sustain injury than their able-bodied counterparts. Martial arts experts teach the skills to fight off an attacker, but perhaps more importantly, they also teach self-confidence, focus and the awareness not only of the environment, but of one's abilities.

For me, as a wheelchair-using paraplegic, the study of martial arts has allowed me to keep in good physical condition and given me the confidence to move around my environment without worrying about limitations or the possibility of assault.

Several years ago, when I decided to put together a book about martial arts for people with disabilities, I contacted teachers and students from all over the world. People with a wide range of disabilities who have learned a wide range of martial arts disciplines. Each of the people contacted had a different disability and a different reason for studying the martial arts. Finally the stories about some amazing martial artists came together in a book entitled Enabling the Dragon (available as an ebook on my website, EnablingWords.com)

More recently, in my Blind Traveler mystery novels, the second of which is now available in Ebook format from Echelon Press, my protagonist is a blind man who has learned to use the ancient art of Judo to fend off would-be assailants. Through years of study he has not only improved his fighting technique, he has also regained the self-confidence he lost after the accident that blinded him, and found a community of like-minded individuals with whom he can have a relationship.

BLIND TRAVELER’S BLUES

The year is 2021. Natural forces have changed our world. As the Earth's magnetic poles have shifted, pressure on the planet’s mantle layer is building. The bottom line . . . earthquakes now wreak havoc in areas they have never occurred before.

In Mexico, members of an archaeological team investigate the remains of an ancient village uncovered by a quake; racing to prove their theories about the civilization that once lived there. But, disaster strikes when the accidental destruction of an artifact unleashes a worldwide agricultural plague.

Halfway across the continent, Douglas Abledan, a blind computer technologist, embarks on a long anticipated vacation. On the plane to Chicago, he meets world-renowned agricultural pathologist Cara Cordelia. Little do either of them know she has been targeted for murder.

In this stand-alone sequel to his critically acclaimed "Blind Traveler Down a Dark River," author Robert P. Bennett continues to bring us suspense and intrigue while exploring a world of the not too distant future. While society struggles with the impact of natural changes, the advancement of new technology enables a blind man to investigate a murder.

Answers from Mallory

2011-10-21T11:52:00.001-05:00

Hey, folks. Darren here again. I’m back this week as promised to give you the answers to questions asked of my boss, Mallory Petersen. As you know, Miss Petersen is a fourth degree black and private investigator. I provided the facts of one of her cases to author Stephen Brayton and he published the adventure in a book called Beta. The book can be purchased at various online outlets including Ominilit.com, Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble.

Anyway, onto the questions. As I mentioned last week, I knew a few jokers out there would send in some pretty lame and sometimes crude questions. I won’t bother posting those. However, because I wanted to see how Miss Petersen would react, and because I like to tease her every now and then, I give her every question submitted. Her response to most: a roll of the eyes and an exasperated gulp of Dr Pepper. She then gave me a look that said if I ever did anything like this again, she’d toss me out the window. (Wait until she sees what I have planned for the next book.)

Before I get to the serious questions, I will mention Miss Petersen received at least ten requests for a date…including, um, one from a Brenda in Idaho. She also received a marriage proposal from Bob in Pittsburgh. I did not get a verbal response to these invitations, but my boss’ narrowed eyes told me her answer. Buck from Sedalia, Missouri, asked if Miss Petersen would be interested in selling her car. She drives a 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger bought from her father. Sorry, Buck, I know she loves her car. Mary from Ankeny, Iowa, just north of Des Moines wanted to know if Miss Petersen owned any pets. She then mentioned she raises iguanas and could make Mallory a good deal on one. Unfortunately, Miss Petersen’s schedule does not permit her the time to properly care for an animal. Plus, I don’t know how she’d react to a large lizard skulking around her house.

To all the local people interested in taekwondo classes, she asks you call her school’s number directly.

Okay, let’s get to the serious stuff.

Melissa from Chicago: Miss Petersen, how long have you been in martial arts?
Mallory: I started when I was eleven. My first instructor lived in Burlington. I earned my black belt in less than two years and my fourth degree a few years ago.

John from St. Paul: I think a woman PI is cool. Why did you want to be one?
Mallory: Thanks, John. I fell in love with mysteries as a child. I even helped solve an embezzlement case in high school. I didn’t want to be a policeman because I wanted the freedom to set my own schedule and conditions. I thought it would be a fun and fulfilling job.

Sarah from Council Bluffs: You sure get a lot of weird people coming to your office.
Mallory: You’ve noticed, huh? I’m not sure what attraction I have for the odd cases, but I do seem to get more than my fair share of them.

Tammy from Terra Haute: Can you introduce me to Lawrence Cameron? He sounds like a real hunk.
Mallory: No.

Patricia from Cincinnati: With all that you do professionally, how do you find time for yourself and what do you do to relax?
Mallory: Sometimes it’s tough. Many of my cases dictate my schedule and most weekday evenings I’m teaching my students. I love attending taekwondo tournaments. Weekends I usually spend with friends or my parents. I also work out on a regular basis. Lately, I’ve been trying to spend time with Lawrence. It’s a challenge because we live three hours away from each other.

Victor from Rapid City: I have a nine year old daughter and it was heart-wrenching to read about Cindy McGee. How did handle the aftermath and how were you able to move on, emotionally and spiritually?
Mallory: I couldn’t for a long time and my heart still aches when I think of Cindy. Knowing what happened to her, discovering who was behind the kidnapping, and everything that happened after I found her…wow, it was draining. I experienced many sleepless nights and I cried a lot. But I came away cherishing my students, my instructors, my friends and family so much more. All of them were very supportive and helped me recover faster.

Well, Miss Petersen received a few more questions, but I think I’ll save them for later. If you wish to submit a question, please do so either here or at Mr. Brayton’s email. I want to thank all the contributors (yes, even you, Norman, who wanted to know the weirdest place she’d ever had sex), and I also want to congratulate Patricia from Cincinnati as the winner of a free copy of the next book when it is published. If you could send Mr.
Brayton your information, he’ll keep it on file.

Well, thanks for dropping by this week. Feel free to leave comments as I’m sure Mr. Brayton will appreciate them. Tell your friends about Beta and watch for future posts regarding my wonderful boss, Mallory Petersen.

Ask Mallory Petersen

2011-10-14T07:37:00.002-05:00

Darren here. You know, I’m Mallory Petersen’s secretary and office manager. I’ve hacked into Mr. Brayton’s blog this week because I want to promote my boss’ latest adventure, Beta.

Often times she’s told me I am much more than a secretary and I do accomplish a lot for both her investigator practice and her taekwondo school. I make sure the bills are paid on time and I book her motel accommodations whenever she travels to tournaments or business seminars.
However, she’s the heroine in my life. I’m amazed how she can be a success at so much. It’s not easy running a full time private investigator’s business and instructing four nights per week at her martial arts studio. I know she has a loyal and well-trained staff of instructors under her in case her investigations preclude her from attending her classes.

Take the case in Beta. She was constantly on the go searching for Cindy McGee. When she discovered the connections with a child pornography ring, Miss Petersen put everything she had into the case. Sure, she may have crossed the line a few times to obtain information, and she risked damaging her reputation as an honorable taekwondo instructor, but I don’t blame her for her actions. She did her job to the best of her ability.

Anyway, I learn so much from Miss Petersen (yes, she keeps telling me to call her Mallory) and I thought this would be a good opportunity for you to learn more about her, too. If you have any questions you’d like to ask my boss, please leave them in the comments section or email them to slb@mahaska.org. (This email is the author’s, but don’t worry. I’ve also hacked into his email account and any questions for Miss Petersen will be transferred instantly to my account so Mr. Brayton won’t even see them and be confused.)

My problem will be to convince Miss Petersen to answer them. See, at first, she wasn’t totally accepting that I gave the facts of the McGee case to Mr. Brayton to put into book form. She’s come around and has done a few interviews on one of our Des Moines radio stations. I don’t know how she’ll react when I present her with a bunch of questions because she doesn’t know I’m soliciting them.

You may ask just about any question. From her favorite color (if that is what you really would like to know) to how her relationship with Lawrence Cameron is going. Mr. Cameron, as you may know, is a member of the Special Case Squad in the Quad Cities whom Miss Petersen paired with for a day searching for Cindy.

I know I’m probably going to get a few smart-alecks asking crude and disrespectful questions, but rest assured, I will weed out those. However, from reading Beta, you will know Miss Petersen does seem to attract the oddities in her cases, so don’t be afraid to be a little outlandish with your questions.

So, again, write your questions in the comment box or send them to Mr.
Brayton’s email. I’ll be hacking into this blog again to post the questions and answers in next week’s blog. Depending on the number of questions received I may extend it for a second week. Of course, you’ll be wanting to read Beta, so be sure to click on one of the two book cover images in this blog to be taken to a purchase site. Kindle and Nook owners can check Amazon and Barnes and Noble as well.

Oh, and I’ll give you an incentive. Everyone who participates is entered into the drawing to win a free copy of the next book, Alpha, tentatively scheduled for a 2012 release. I’ll be picking the winner based on either the quality of the question or picking a winner at random.

Thanks for your participation and let’s have some fun.

Mallory Petersen and Company

2011-09-30T06:36:00.000-05:00

Beta book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn_mDGLOPe8

Back in 1988, when I worked for radio station WKEI/WJRE in the self proclaimed “Hog Capital of the World” town of Kewanee, Illinois, one of my fellow broadcasters was named Gary Petersen. He was the first person I knew who spelled the surname with EN rather than ON. When I created my private investigator/martial artist, I gave a slight nod of admiration to Gary by naming her Mallory Petersen.

Last week, we explored the early life and the current situation of Mallory. This week I want to show a little more of her personality and tell you a little about the people in her life. I spent many months developing Mallory starting with a character profile. I started by writing attributes I thought were interesting. I included basic things like height, weight, hair and eye color, and then moved onto little tidbits of information. Her favorite color is lavender. She likes chocolate and lilacs. She dislikes coffee but drinks Dr Pepper.

I wanted her to be fun loving with a sense of humor, wit, sarcasm, a touch of cynicism. Part of the humor is shown through her involvement in odd cases and the people she meets during those cases. Even on her serious case, she can’t avoid the oddballs. In Beta, Mallory receives a visit from a Focal Point Seer, otherwise known as a remote viewer, who gives her a list with ‘clues’ pertaining to the kidnapping. Of course, Mallory thinks the woman is a bit strange considering when she sometimes receives her ‘visions’.

Part of her personality I mentioned last time with her love of the Bogart portrayal of Sam Spade. Although Mallory wouldn’t dream of smoking a cigarette, she loves the trench coat and hat.

I borrowed several attributes from my life for Mallory. One is the first car I remember my parents owning when I was a child. A 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger, blue with a white hardtop. Mallory’s parents also owned one and she bought it for a buck when she went off to college.

Mallory possesses a lot of love and adoration for her students and the people around her. She cares for everyone who trains at her taekwondo school. She also throws herself wholeheartedly into each of her cases, even the weird ones. So when she starts after the kidnapped girl in Beta, you know she is going to get emotional. She has to utilize a lot of self control when squaring off against the people involved in the crime. She pushes the envelope and steps over the line at times because she cares so much. She knows the potential of the young students in her classes and can’t imagine the horrible acts perpetrated on this one little girl.

Mallory has a wonderful supporting cast, each of whom will assist her with finding more leads on the case, help her to control her emotions, or show the humorous side of her life.

Darren: her enigmatic secretary with a last name she can’t pronounce. He is Mallory’s rock when things get rough. A few years her junior, Darren is a loyal and trusted friend and confidante.

Willy Washington: Mallory’s ‘confidential informant’. She caught him trying to steal her car and did her own version of ‘scared straight’ on him. Now, he occasionally provides information about various criminal elements around town.

A few years ago, some author friends persuaded me to change the name of Mallory’s secretary. Originally, I named him Jamie. I also had given the handsome detective Mallory meets in the Quad Cities the moniker of Laurel, but they pooh-poohed that name, too. So, I chose the more masculine names of Darren and Lawrence.

Lawrence Cameron: First name taken from, ahem, yours truly (what do you think the L stands for?), and the surname from, um, well, a certain someone I give a passing mention to in the book and about whom I’ll tell you if you ask me, but not here in this forum. Anyway, he’s the very good looking member of the Special Case Squad, based out of the East Moline police department. He partners with Mallory when her search for the girl takes her to the Quad Cities. He also will stick around for awhile as Mallory’s romantic interest.

So, tomorrow is the day. The first day the new month with a new heroine ready to take the stage. I hope you will come to love Mallory Petersen as much as I have. Do me a huge favor and spread the word about her. If you like martial arts, a detective with a few quirks but real emotion, and an action packed story, give Beta a read.

Thank you.

Beta is published by Echelon Press. The book can be purchased October 1, 2011, at Omnilit.com, Amazon.com, and BarnesandNoble.com. For more information on Beta, my other book, Night Shadows, my upcoming book, Alpha, and four short stories also to be published, please visit www.stephenbrayton.com.

Introducing: Mallory Petersen

2011-09-23T05:36:00.001-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn_mDGLOPe8

In the following weeks, as you follow me along my blog tour (and I hope you do. Take a look at the Where I’ll Be section to the right to find the locations of my guest posts and upcoming interviews), you will learn of a marvelous new woman in my life. Actually, she’s been with me for years, but now I get a chance to show her to the world.

Mallory Petersen.

Who is she? What is she? Part of the answers to those questions is easy, another part isn’t. I suppose we can start with the basics and work deeper.

She’s twenty-eight at the beginning of her first adventure, Beta. Her birthday was celebrated a month earlier on October 26. She stands six feet with long blonde hair and a fabulous figure.

Mallory fell in love with mysteries and private investigation early in life. She especially loved the image of Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade so much, she even bought a similar trench coat and hat as her trademark apparel. She envisioned herself solving crimes and bringing the bad guys to justice.

To be able to handle potential foes, she needed to be able to defend herself. She started taekwondo classes as a teenager and quickly advanced in rank. Her instructor was highly impressed with her aptitude and her discipline. She continued her training in college even while holding down various jobs and studying for a liberal arts degree. She had a goal to own both a martial arts school and her own private detective investigations office.

Mallory attended a small high school with only thirty students in her graduating class. She was a popular student but not in the traditional ways. While she had many friends, some girls didn’t quite know what to think of her, since she didn’t join the popular ‘cliques’. Most of the boys were attracted to her and although she dated a few, she never developed anything serious.

After college, she moved to Des Moines, Iowa, and with some financial help from her father, opened up a taekwondo studio on the south side of town. She lost a lot of sleep those first few years recruiting and instructing students, attending numerous camps, tournaments, and business seminars. Her hard work paid off. Currently, she’s a Fourth Degree Black Belt with several adult and junior instructors under her. They’ve been trained to take over and manage classes if, for some reason, Mallory can’t attend.

Because we can’t forget about her other profession, the private investigator. Almost simultaneous with the opening of her martial arts school, she found a downtown office on the second floor of what once used to be an art gallery. Years ago, the elderly German art dealer cut back on his inventory and moved everything to the first floor, which left a huge amount of space upstairs. Mallory pays a fair rent for a lot of space. A front office for a desk, computer, filing cabinet, potted plant, and a couple visitor’s chairs. Her personal office once held the majority of the art gallery’s exhibits, but now is like a hangar without the airplanes.

This quirkiness seen in her office design is reflected in the types of cases she ends up accepting. Yes, she does the normal employee background checks and takes witness statements for court cases. She also trails spouses accused of infidelity and track missing persons. However, the majority of her cases are a bit odd. She can’t recall one of her infidelity cases not having a bit of weirdness involved either with the people themselves or the specific circumstances of the affair.

She does take on serious cases. Her landlord’s daughter suffers from mental problems due to an abusive ex husband and tends to wander off on occasion. Subsequently, Mallory is called upon to find her.

In Beta, Mallory accepts an assignment to find a kidnapped eight year old girl. Cindy McGee is the latest victim in a string of kidnappings in Iowa in the past eighteen months. Mallory soon discovers individuals associated with a child pornography ring. It’s a dangerous underworld of heinous crimes in which Mallory finds herself. Her skills as both an investigator and a martial artist come into play. Along the way she not only meets evil up close but also the oddballs, the type with which she is familiar which give her a temporary break from the seriousness of her case.

So, who is Mallory Petersen? This is a good introduction, but next time, let’s explore deeper and I’ll introduce you to a few more people in Mallory’s life.

Beta is published by Echelon Press. The book can be purchased October 1, 2011, at Omnilit.com, Amazon.com, and BarnesandNoble.com. For more information on Beta, my other book, Night Shadows, my upcoming book, Alpha, and four short stories also to be published, please visit www.stephenbrayton.com.

The P.I. Life, Part 2

2011-09-16T08:14:00.000-05:00

As promised, here's the second part of my interview with Amy Drescher, private investigator.

8. How much do you utilize computers in your business?

The internet is a tool of the trade. I’m online daily to run background checks, search profiles on Facebook, access property records and on and on. A serious P.I. subscribes to at least three different proprietary databases. It’s like “one-stop shopping”—with essentially one-click, we can access comprehensive data on an individual.

Also, I never leave the office without my iPad so that I have a constant link to the internet, especially during a surveillance. Live GPS mapping and access to databases, including motor vehicle records (license plate numbers) are invaluable.

9. Could you list some differences between what a private investigator can do as opposed to police officers?

The most obvious difference is that a PI has no power to enforce the law or arrest someone. Also, I can’t be accused/tried for violating someone’s civil rights. While I don’t need a search warrant to snoop around in someone’s home, I do, however, need permission.

The best way to generally answer that question is this: A private investigator follows the exact same rule book as any civilian. If it’s against the law for YOU to do it, then it’s against the law for me, too. An experienced PI fully understands local, state and federal laws in all areas related to the job, from privacy rights to public record access.

10. In my book, “Beta”, my investigator, Mallory Petersen, utilizes at least one individual who could be termed an informant. How often do you utilize civilian (non-PIs) consultants or informants?

The short answer is rarely.

11. At one point in the story, Mallory Petersen receives a visit from a remote viewer. In your profession, have you ever encountered a person with psychic abilities?

Interestingly, I had a case that involved an entire family of unscrupulous psychics! It’s a long story so I’ll just say that my investigator endured two psychic readings as a “ruse” to get inside the physic’s home, the same place where business was conducted. Interestingly, the psychic failed to predict the investigator’s true identity and the real reason the PI was there.

12. Mallory Petersen tends to have clients and cases coming from the nuttier side of life. Could you briefly relate one of your ‘goofier’ cases?

One particularly odd case involved me and my team conducting surveillance, over several months, to document a cheating spouse. The cheating spouse was very wealthy and had hired a security team to protect his “interest”. That is, the security team’s job was to insure that no one was observing or following the cheater and/or the paramour (the legal term to describe an illicit lover, male or female).

So, we were constantly faced with conducting surveillance on the “counter-surveillance” team in order to perform the original task of catching the cheater. It was a very tricky covert game of PI’s spying on PI’s and took an extraordinary and creative effort. I’m pleased to report that the other team never knew of our presence and we fully documented not only the infidelity but the fact that the cheating spouse spent and wasted nearly 100,000 dollars (of marital funds) on the security team.

13. What errors do you see writers make in regards to writing about private investigators?

The fictional PI tends to be a super hero when conducting a moving or rolling surveillance i.e., surveillance while driving. A single PI following a Subject should be a very brief scene because of the strong likelihood that the PI is going to lose the Subject or the PI is going to get busted.

As a matter of fact, I will flatly refuse a client who wants to save money and asks for only one PI to do a moving surveillance. Writers and the general public seem to underestimate the constant challenges of a moving surveillance, regardless of whether we’re in heavy interstate traffic or on a rural road. A successful outcome is greatly improved with two or three PI vehicles. It’s one thing to follow a vehicle around town but it’s an entirely different ballgame to follow someone and NOT be detected!!

The other myth about private investigators is that we arm ourselves with a concealed weapon, namely a handgun. The handful of PIs that I know who carry do so because they would even if they weren’t a PI. The PI is armed with pepper spray, a stun gun or a taser is more plausible.

14. Do you have any advice for mystery writers for adding realism to their books?

• Learn about our “tricks of the trade”. Ideally, you would pick the brain of an experienced PI who will share what’s in his/her bag of tricks.
• Here are a few keywords to Google (possibly include the term “private investigator”): pretexting, spoof call, gps tracking devices, computer forensics, key logger software, shooting video in darkness, legally steal garbage, simple disguises.
• One element of realism that tends to be ignored (and maybe for good reason)is something we face on every surveillance. Hunger and having to pee. Regarding the latter, occasionally we have an opportunity to race to a public restroom. The more common scenario takes more skill and I apologize in advance for a crude description. As a matter of routine, my female colleagues and I pee in plastic cups. The “pee-in-the-cup” method which, if done correctly is fast, convenient and sanitary enough.
• Read The Complete Idiot's Guide to Private Investigating, 2nd Edition by Steven Kerry Brown

My thanks to Amy Drescher for her time to attend Killer Nashville and taking the time to give us some insight into a very interesting profession. For more information, plese review the following:

ROSETTA STONE INVESTIGATIONS
615.305.0060  Franklin, TN 37069
RosettaStoneInvestigations@comcast.net
TN Private Investigation & Polygraph Commission #5936/#1452
News Link
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcuT_i5jR3s&feature=related
or Google search: “Amy Drescher, private investigator, youtube”

References
Ms. Pam Taylor, Attorney at Law
401 Commerce Street, Suite 800
Nashville, TN 37219 (615) 244-5200
Mr. Larry Hayes, Jr., Attorney at Law
214 Second Avenue North, Suite 103
Nashville, TN 37201 (615) 244-2202

Honorable Kevin Sharp, Federal Judge (U.S. Middle Dist. of TN) for the Middle District of Tennessee
801 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203, (615) 736-5498
Ms. Renee Nantz, Licensed Private Investigator
Nashville, TN 37201 (615) 573-5095

The P.I. Life, Part 1

2011-09-15T08:08:00.000-05:00

As the countdown continues toward the October 1 release of Beta and the first adventure of private investigator/martial artist Mallory Petersen, I thought I’d take an opportunity to show you a small part of the world of an actual private investigator.

I met Amy Drescher at the Killer Nashville writers’ conference in 2010. She sat on a panel discussing surveillance techniques and equipment. Afterward, I had an opportunity to speak with her one on one and she agreed to do an interview to help promote my upcoming book.

Amy Drescher is a licensed private investigator and owns Rosetta Stone Investigations, a licensed PI company based in Williamson County, Tennessee. Ms. Drescher specializes in domestic and civil matters and has handled hundreds of cases since she was licensed in 2002 by the Tennessee Private Investigation and Polygraph Commission. She is a member of the Tennessee Association of Professional Investigators and holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Media & Broadcasting.

Her career as a female private investigator was the subject of a Nashville television news feature report (WKRN/ABC News, “Nashville P.I. on a Mission to Catch Cheatin’ Hearts”) and most recently she was a speaker for the Nashville Bar Association Family Law Institute/CLE (“Using a Private Investigator to Prepare Your Case”, October 2010).

Prior to becoming a licensed PI, Ms. Drescher spent more than a decade as an investigative television news reporter and TV anchor in Illinois where she earned numerous state and national awards for investigative reporting.
She and her husband, Nashville lawyer, Jay Drescher have three children and reside in Franklin, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville. Drescher is 46 years old and enjoys photography, working out at the local gym, and she is an enthusiast of Conan Doyle’s famous detective, Sherlock Holmes as evidenced by her collection of books and memorabilia.

1. What was the lure of the profession for you? How did you make the decision to become a private investigator? How long have you been in this profession?

My intrigue began when I was in elementary school. My dad had a police scanner and I specifically recall memorizing the “10-CODE” (that’s 10-1 through 10-99!) so that I could decipher the “coded language” between the 911 Dispatcher and emergency personnel (police, fire, coroner, etc). Since my youth, electronics and gadgets have interested me. So much so, that in the sixth grade, I pleaded for a CB radio home unit, “a base station”. It was a treasured Christmas gift and my outlet to talk “in code”. Today, 35 years later, it resides in my office.

I gave some consideration to attend a police academy, but ultimately, I earned a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and Broadcasting. During college I was a DJ at a local Top Hits radio station until my first real job as television news reporter and anchor in Illinois. Ironically, the 10-CODE served me well in the newsroom. Many times, I scooped the competition or at least, I was the first reporter at the scene because I was able to easily decipher the police scanner. Coded language between the 911 dispatcher and emergency personnel was, after all, old hat to me. A decade or so later, I moved to Nashville, Tennessee and set out to become a private investigator. I became licensed in 2003 and formed a licensed PI agency. I specialize in Civil and Domestic matters. The majority of my clients are referrals and/or family law attorneys.

2. What training did you undergo to become a PI? College courses? Weapons? Self defense?

My best training was my previous experience as a news reporter. There are very strong parallels between a news reporter and private investigator. Skills such as writing a detailed and objective report, operating and troubleshooting video equipment, interviewing, understanding privacy laws and, of course, digging up dirt like there’s no tomorrow!

Each state has its own rules, guidelines, and licensing requirements. A handful of states have no requirements. No state mandates weapons training. Check the rules in the state where your fictional PI lives and works. For example, in Tennessee, a licensed private investigator MUST work for licensed PI company.

As I instruct each “PI Wanna-Be” who calls me wanting a job—Your first case assignment is to figure out how to become a PI! Hint: Ignore all online classes/seminars. Go straight to your State Government website.

I am licensed by the State of Tennessee Private Investigation and Polygraph Commission. http://tn.gov/commerce/boards/pi/index.shtml
I have an individual PI license and a company PI license. Here is general summary of what it takes to be a PI in Tennessee. Minimum 21 years old, clear an FBI background check, and a written exam. Licensing for a PI company (which you must work for) is more difficult.

License renewal and continued education (12 hours) is also required every two years. All of the above comes with a price tag for application fees, fingerprinting fees, testing fees, license fees, and renewal fees. Double the costs for owning an agency.

3. What types of cases do you prefer to investigate and how did you decide? For instance missing persons or background checks versus finding evidence of cheating spouses?

I specialize in civil (i.e. non-criminal) and domestic cases (family law) cases such as divorce, child custody issues and infidelity (and, lots of it, sorry to report). My niche seemed to unfold naturally and rapidly, in part, due to my husband being a divorce lawyer. Once my foot was in the door, my passion for the job and constant professionalism has kept the door wide open.

I can’t say that I prefer a certain type of case over another. I find missing people and those who don’t want to be found. I run background checks as frequently as I run the dishwasher. I spend most weekends with liars and cheaters. At the end of the day, it’s always about finding the truth.

4. Do you have any other people on your staff? Do they all wear different hats?

The investigators who work for me have varied backgrounds, personalities and lifestyles.

Jason, 34, single, father, former United States Marine, avid hunter/fisherman, known to conduct surveillance from tree-tops.

Lisa, 48, married, petite brunette, a Southern lady, church youth group leader, and will drop everything when called upon for an urgent surveillance.

Vince, 35, single, former police officer, works in Fraud Protection, and thinks like a cop-which is a good thing!

Renee, 49, single, tall blonde, sincere and sweet yet brazen and very competent, my first choice because of her skill-level.

5. Do you have a certain region in which you work? For instance if someone from Iowa, for some reason requested your services, would you be willing to travel?

The majority of my work is in Nashville and the surrounding counties. A few times a year, a job that originates locally will take us to another state. Such was the case recently when we flew to San Diego to watch a suspected cheating spouse while she attended a week- long conference at an upscale hotel. More frequently, a client from out-of-state will hire me to do a job here.

6. Describe some of the surveillance equipment you use?

The one piece of equipment that I could not live without is a top-of-the-line digital Sony video camera with Sony night-shot and manual adjustments to shoot in the dark. I have a stockpile of tech gadgets such as body-worn cameras, a key-fob camera, a covert camera hidden in a rock and of course, a pair of high-end binoculars.

7. What types of weapons do you carry, if any?

I do not carry a weapon. As PI Jim Rockford once reasoned, “I don’t carry a gun because I don’t want to shoot anybody”.

Stealth and discretion is the backbone of remaining anonymous and avoiding confrontation. My identity might be revealed during court proceedings, for example, but it is not something that concerns me enough to carry a weapon.

By the way, that is the number one question that men ask me.

Stop by tomorrow for Part 2.

Around the Globe with J.R. LINDERMUTH

2011-09-09T07:53:00.000-05:00

Another Friday is upon us. I just wanted to mention that I've been doing author interviews for quite some time. This week's interview will be the last one for awhile since I would like to concentrate on promoting my upcoming book, Beta. I hope you will join me on my blog tour and continue to visit me here as I'll be telling you all about the book, my thoughts about it, and giving you tidbits of relative information including an interview with a private investigator.

However, first this week's featured author. When I asked where he'd like to go for the interview he said this: If I had access to a time machine you might find me in darkest Africa with Sir Richard Burton (the explorer, not the actor), in the Yucatan with Cortez, or dropping in on the Koryo dynasty in Korea, where I spent some time in the 20th century. Equipped with a good supply of antibiotics and assurance of returning to the present, those are all places and times I would have liked to look in on. Since we don’t have the time machine, you’ll just have to join me on the porch of my home in this village in Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal region. We can have coffee, tea or a beer. Your choice, my friend.

I'll take tea. Thanks.

1. Who is J. R. Lindermuth and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

I’m a father, grandfather, retired newspaper editor/reporter, pen & ink artist, genealogist and author of nine published novels and numerous articles and short stories.

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

If I tell you my secret I’ll have to…well, you know how that goes. Truthfully, did he have the courage, this mild-mannered older gentleman would have loved to have been an explorer/archaeologist. Despite my skin and bone build, my adventuring is primarily restricted to food. I won’t say I’m in a league with Andrew Zimmern, but my palate has experienced some odd victuals.

3.What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming a NASCAR driver?

How else can you have so much fun without heavy lifting? Imagination can take you any place in the world (or other worlds) and any time period with no danger (except, possibly, to your sanity). A limited number of us even become rich and famous.

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

Many writers who are a pleasure to read might not prove as congenial in person. If it were possible to meet one from the past my choice would probably be Miguel de Cervantes, whose writing I treasure for both his sense of humor and his wisdom. In these current times I wouldn’t mind sitting down to a meal and/or a Dr. Pepper with James Lee Burke.

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?

Since I write both mysteries and historical fiction, readers have some choice of venue in my books. Reviewers seem to like the sense of place I provide and the depth of characterization.

6.Share the Lindermuth 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’m more of a pantser than an outliner. I generally have an idea how a story will end, but getting there may be more of a roundabout process than I expect in the beginning. I may pen a few notes now and then to keep me on track. A story/book generally begins with an image in my mind of a character/situation which may be inspired by a conversation overheard, something I’ve read or just conjured out of the blue. I tend to write in scenes as they come to me and there may be some juggling of these as I get closer to the end. I try to get the whole thing down before doing revising, since stopping in the middle tends to throw things out of kilter. And I love research—whether that means actually going to a place, reading about it, or searching it out on Google.

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 doubt if my process would work for someone else. I don’t think there is ONE method. We each have to find our own way. One suggestion I would make is if you have an idea don’t dally over it waiting for inspiration. Just sit down (or stand, if you prefer) and start writing. The wonderful thing about writing on a computer is if it doesn’t work the first time, it isn’t as difficult to start over as it was in the days of typewriters and quill pens.

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’ll quote my friend Cervantes here: “Good actions ennoble us, and we are the sons of our own deeds.” We’re all responsible for our own actions. So it behooves us to make the best choices we can and hope they’re the right ones.

9.Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?

I like to keep the pot a-stirring. And have more ideas than I can hope to get to in one lifetime. I just want to keep on writing, my friend; hopefully with the product always improving and people interested in reading it.

10.Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

My website: http://jrlindermuth.com
My blog: http://jrlindermuth.blogspot.com
And of course there’s Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and all those other places we lurk these days.

Thanks for the opportunity, Stephen. I’ve enjoyed this time with you.

Around the Globe with SALLY CARPENTER

2011-09-02T08:03:00.001-05:00

A little rainy, a little humid for the beginning of the new month. I'm looking forward to having the release of my next book, "Beta" on the first of October.

This week gets a little funky because my featured author wanted to travel to a place I didn't think we could go. However, my transporter is fashioned after a famous blue police box, so with a little manipulation, a few thrown switches and blown fuses, we end up in Indiana standing backstage after a sold out Sandy Fairfax concert. Sandy is a 38-year-old former teen idol/TV star making a comeback and the amateur sleuth of Carpenter's series. While waiting for Sandy to finish schmoozing after the concert, we talk.

1. Who is Sally Carpenter and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

I’ve written a book that nobody else has written. My mystery is the first to feature a middle-aged former teen idol that still wants to work in the entertainment business. Matt Williams wrote a play about southwestern Indiana called From Daylight to Boonville, but mine’s the first book ever set in Evansville, Indiana. I grew up in a town north of Evansville, but I don’t live there any more.

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

My hair is naturally curly. I don’t roll it or style it. It just grows that way.

3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming an astronaut?

I’ve always wanted to tell stories, although I never did it well until recently. As a child I made up stories in my head—didn’t write them down—and read oodles of books. When I was a kid I cut pictures out of magazines and made up my own stories about them. Even when I was working at another job, I still wanted to write. I’d go in a library and think, “I’d like to have a book of my own on the shelf.”

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

Steve Hockensmith, author of the “Holmes on the Range” mystery series. He grew up in the same town where my book is set.

I also admire William Link, TV writer extraordinaire who created “Columbo” and “Mannix.” Also William Read Woodfield and Allan Balter, who wrote for “Mission: Impossible” and other shows.

Can we include deceased persons? I’d like to meet Mildred Wirt Benson, who wrote most of the original Nancy Drew books as well as hundreds of other juvenile adventure books.

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’s quick and easy to read, not the kind of reading where one has to plod along slowly to figure out the meaning or stop to look up words in the glossary. My novel’s funny and can maybe cheer up someone who’s stuck in an unpleasant situation. The plot is interesting enough to keep a reader turning the pages. The characters are likeable. And hopefully the mystery is crafty enough that readers won’t figure out whodunit before the end (although all the clues are in plain sight).

6. Share the Carpenter 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.

For the character development of this book, I researched “teen idols” like crazy. I read biographies and autobiographies about teen idols, taped TV documentaries about them, watched concert videos, attended concerts and got wrapped up in the whole fan thing of collecting records and merchandise.

For this book I listened to all my Beatles records, watched their movies again and read those Beatles biographies on my shelf. With all this information in my head, the story nearly wrote itself.

As for the outline, the setting determines the structure. In this book, Sandy’s at a weekend Beatles fan convention, so the story takes place in the three days of the event. The various activities of the convention provide the framework of the story and I fit the sleuthing in around that.
In the next book of the series, Sandy’s a guest star on a sitcom. These shows rehearse and shoot in five days, so he has that much time to find the killer. He has to fit his sleuthing around rehearsals, publicity events and family matters.

I once worked at a movie studio, so I dug out every scrap of paper I’d saved from that job—old scripts, call sheets, information about the studio. Fortunately, at the time I had the foresight to save everything.
In each book, Sandy is performing at a different venue and the demands of that gig forms the basics of the story. Plotting is easy because the structure’s already in place.

Writing schedule, editing, and revisions. I work a day job, so my writing time is limited to evenings and weekends. I try not to get dictatorial about time—“it’s seven o’clock and I must start writing on the dot!”—because then it feels too much like a job. But I try not to wait too late in the evening to get started or I run out of time.

Revisions are numerous. The rough draft is just that—words to get me started. I edit and rewrite each page many times. I look at editing like a jeweler—I take a rough stone and keep polishing and cutting to find the gem inside.

Too many writers slap off a first draft quickly, send it to publishers and then wonder why it’s rejected—because it needs more work!

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 not aware I have a “process.” I plop my seat in the chair, pick up a pen or turn on the computer and go (okay, sometimes I start with a few minutes of computer games, the worst time wasters ever invented). That’s the best advice I can give. Do it. Don’t spend all your time talking or blogging about writing. If you never start, you’ll never have a finished product.

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?

Trust that God can help you overcome setbacks. Took me many years of failure to finally publish a book. The writer’s journey is not straight, short or easy.

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?

I’m working on the next book in the Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol mystery series, The Sinister Sitcom Caper. Most of the story takes place on a studio lot as Sandy’s rehearsing for a TV show. An actor drops dead at Sandy’s feet. A dwarf, an animal actor and his biggest fan aid our hero in the case. We also meet some of Sandy’s family members. And could romance be in the air?

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

You can reach me at scwriter@earthlink.net. I’ll be happy to answer any questions. I hope to set up a website soon. My book is available at http://oaktreebooks.com/dark_oak_mysteries.htm.

Around the Globe with RODNEY ROBBINS

2011-08-24T08:28:00.001-05:00

An early trip this week with our featured author due to the fact I'll be in Nashville on Friday. However, today in Iowa it looks to be another very warm day, so I'm off to meet Rodney Robbins in Denmark this morning. While doing the interview, we're touring the National Museum, looking at the Gundestrup Cauldron and other Celtics relics. Then we're seeking out a open air cafe by the canal. Apparently, he has a hankering for some Southern style tea and, as you'll see in a bit, gluten free cookies.

1. Who is Rodney Robbins and what makes you the most fascinating person in your home town of Maiden, North Carolina?

I write paranormal fiction, plays and musicals. Who else would write a book about an elf queen hiding out as a school nurse, a dramatic comedy about a man with multiple personalities (one of which may be a ghost), and a musical about a reluctant porn star and a mad scientist looking for true love?

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

Most people don’t know that I live with three chronic illnesses: migraine headaches (2-3 per week—that’s a lot), Celiac Disease (an “allergy” to wheat and other common grains) and Periodic Paralysis (a rare muscle disorder that causes spells of weakness or outright paralysis). I think these are part of “Macha’s Curse.” There’s an ancient Irish legend about how the goddess Macha, who was annoyed with her drunken husband, cursed the men of Ulster says, “May your strength fail you when you need it most.” I think I’ve been caught up in the tail end of that curse.

3. What interested you in becoming a writer rather than something else such as a cobbler?

I was working on a kitchen cabinet assembly line one day, and my mind was racing and worrying and fretting over improbable or impossible scenarios when a little voice in my head said, “Well, if you’re going to imagine this kind of crap all day, maybe you should try and get paid for it.” Isn’t that what we writers do? Worry, scribble, and worry about what we scribbled?

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

I’d love to meet Steven Koontz for dinner on the beach in Hawaii. It would be my pleasure to treat him, and his wife, to a couple of nice shark steaks and some flowery drinks. Then I’d ask him how much of his own personality comes through in his character Odd Thomas. I’d also love to ride my Honda Goldwing motorcycle to the Rock Store (a famous biker hangout and restaurant in California) and have dinner with my boyhood hero Rod Serling (creator of “The Twilight Zone”). I’d ask him for tips on turning out so many wonderful teleplays, and pass along a cryptic warning about the dangers of smoking. (Serling died during heart surgery at age 50).

5. If I were stranded on Papua New Guinea (or suffering a four hour layover at the Heathrow Airport), why would your book(s) be great company?

Well, the books are still being written, so I suggest your best bet for entertainment would be to check out one of my plays. If you were stuck of an evening in Papua New Guinea, I would suggest you scoot over to Port Moresby and check out my psychological dramedy “House of Many Rooms.” It’s the story of a young man struggling with multiple personality disorder. Dissociative Identity Disorder sort of runs in my family and this play takes an honest but humorous look at dealing with multiples. (After you see the show, don’t tell anyone it’s really a ghost story.)

Now, if you were at Heathrow Airport, outside London, you might be able to squirt over to the West End and see my sexy, musical comedy “Big Feet, Big Love.” This show is a blast. It’s about a reluctant porn star and a mad scientist looking for true love. It includes a Real Woman, two witchy sisters, a half dozen hot poll dancers, The Leather Lovers (Eros and Psyche), a car crash, a restaurant fire, a reanimation sequence and much more. It’s good, clean, sexy fun--for adults only.

6 Share the Robbins 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.

Here is an example. I’m currently working on a middle grade paranormal fiction novel called “Nurse Brandt’s Waiting Room.” Nurse Brandt has been with me for a long time—over ten years. I knew she was an elf queen hiding in plain sight. I knew she used dreams to help treat her young patients. The story really started to come together when I was driving along in a snow storm and suddenly had an image of her standing on a Carolina beach in her chain mail—a storm wind ripping at her cloak. I saw her very clearly, staring out to sea and crying. In that instant, I knew her entire back story, why she was crying, who she was showing this image to, and what she wanted more than anything in the world.

Then I did character biographies, scene cards, two different written outlines, two synopses and a final set of scene cards. Now, I’m using the scene cards to write the actual manuscript.

I like to write first thing in the morning, before I go to work. Once I’ve done that, I can concentrate on being a good husband, father and employee without worrying that there is something important I’m supposed to be doing.

Rewrites—well, it takes as many as it takes. My first draft is written quickly, about 2 pages an hour. Then I’ll rewrite a bit to make it read well aloud. Then I might read sections to my wire and son. When the whole novel is done, I’ll go back and make corrections and do what most people call editing.

I don’t do line edits. Not my job. That’s what professional editors are for. They need the work, and they’re welcome to it. I can’t spell and won’t agonize for hours over which word is the best substitute/alternative/choice/possibility for “forgotten.” Editing—it’s best left to the professionals.

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?”

If you don’t know where to begin writing, it’s because you don’t know your story yet. Stop writing immediately and start dreaming. Flesh out some character biographies. Write down your elevator pitch. Follow your characters around for awhile, or let them follow you. Don’t start writing the manuscript again till you’re just bubbling over with things to say. Also, don't be afraid to start with what you know. Write the opening later, it's not going 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?

I saw a T-shirt once that read, “Every job worth doing is worth doing poorly.” Think about it. If the job is to give shoes to 10,000 African orphans, and you only manage to put shoes on 500 of them, well, that’s 500 kids walking around in new shoes. That ain't bad.

9a. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing?

Stop writing? Are you nuts? I can’t stop now. I’ve got three mystery series to write, four new musicals, a second middle grade series, an epic science fiction trilogy plus three picture books to write. I won’t be able to stop till I’m 80.

9b. What’s next for Rodney Robbins?

It will take a few months to write the first “Nurse Brandt” novel. Then I might jump ahead to a murder mystery set in uptown Charlotte. Of course, I’m starting to do more publicity so keep an ear out for me on your radio.

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

For the plays, musicals and theater publicity tips visit http://www.MyNewPlay.com. For more about my paranormal fiction, plus writing tips and stories, visit http://www.RodneyRobbins.com.

Around the Globe with KALI VAN BALLE

2011-08-19T07:49:00.003-05:00

This week, I transport Kali Van Baale and myself to a place neither of us has been to - Amsterdam. The day is cool, the bicyclists are out in force, and as I conduct my interview, we're visiting all the museums, including the Van Gogh museum. She mentions he is her favorite artist. Plus, she has a connection to the city as her husband is Dutch.

1. Who is Kali Van Baale and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

Hah! I'm sure no in my town would name me as the most fascinating. But let's see...I can recite all the American Presidents in order to the tune of "Yankee Doodle"? That's kind of fascinating in a dorky way.

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

I have an adopted daughter from India named Gauri. Our names, Kali and Gauri, are both Hindu goddesses. Kali is the goddess of energy and destruction, and Gauri is the form she takes for motherhood and nurturing.

3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming a nuclear physicist?

The world would seriously be in trouble if I were a nuclear physicist. I've always been two things: imaginative and talkative. Writing seems to be a perfect marriage of the two.

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

I'd have to go with Jane Hamilton. She's my favorite author of all time and so brilliant. Also very funny in a quirky sort of way, but very down-to-earth and approachable. Not a single snobbish bone in her body. I met her at an AVID event a few years ago and made a total fool of myself with all my nerdy swooning, but she couldn't have been more gracious and nice.

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?

On a stranded island, it would make good kindling, I suppose! In an airport, it's just short enough you could probably read it during a single layover.

But on a serious note, I think it's a story about someone surviving and overcoming a painfully desperate situation. A relatable theme for one stranded on a desert island. Or in an airport.

6. Share the Van Baale 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'm a big believer that every writer has to find their own process. I hate writing advice that says "This is what you have to do." My process starts first with a very general story idea and character that interests me. I usually turn the idea over in my mind for months, maybe even years, letting it incubate until the egg is ready to hatch. During that incubation period, I take lots of notes as thoughts come to me. They're very jumbled and nonsensical in some ways--a line of dialogue, a snippet of description, a description of a scene--but once I start writing the first draft, I use them like bread crumbs to find my way through the forest. I also do some preliminary research at the library or online, but just enough to get me started.

My first draft is typically skeletal in nature. I work just to get down the bones of the plot, structure, overall attitude of the story, find the voice of the character, make sense of the timeline, and get to the end. The revision process, which I most enjoy, is where I start to add meat to the bones, really flesh out the characters and scenes with details, fine-tune my sentences and scrutinize my word choices. My revisions tend to messy with lots of cutting, rearranging, adding and fiddling. I can easily produce a half a dozen drafts of any single story before I get to the draft that finally feels right.

When it comes to critiquing, I use my monthly writer's group as my "is-this-even-working?" barometer during the first draft, and their comments and feedback then become a big part of my revisions. I next give that revised version to a couple of "ideal readers," as Stephen King likes to call them, to read from begging to end, which can produce vastly different reactions and feedback than my "critique-as-I-go" readers, who get the story in pieces over a long period of time. After several rewrites from ideal reader comments, I send my manuscript to my agent, who usually comes back with a few suggestions for polishing. Then the ms gets shopped around to editors.

I write 5 days a week, M-F, about 4-5 hours a day, when my kids are in school. I get very little writing done during the summer months and virtually none during the weekends. When my kids were babies and home all day, I did most of my writing during their naptimes and evenings, sometimes early in the morning before they awoke. I like my current schedule MUCH better.

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 suggestion would be to just write on a regular basis and play around with a few approaches, maybe some you've read about from other writers, until you find the one that lights your fire, the one schedule or approach that keeps you motivated and excited to keep writing. My guess is that you'll end up with a style that is totally personalized to you and what's going on in your life.

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'd rather be a failure at something I love than a success at something I hate." --George Burns

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?

Right now, I'm finishing rewrites on my second novel to return to my agent before the holidays. She'll then shop it around to editors with New York publishers and hopefully snag a contract for me. I'm starting graduate school in January to finally get my MFA in creative writing, and plan to revise the rough draft of my third book as my graduation project. I'd love to eventually teach creative writing at a university level once I have a degree. I'm also the Literary Advisor to The Modern Dickens Project, a serial novel in the form of a monthly contest designed to feature an untold Iowa story by undiscovered Iowa authors. We're picked our first winning chapter last month and will pick our November in a few weeks!

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

On my website: www.kalivanbaale.com and I'm also on Facebook: Kali White VanBaale

Complete details about The Modern Dickens Project can be found at www.moderndickens.org and on Facebook: The Modern Dickens Project.

Around the Globe with JERRY HOOTEN

2011-08-12T08:10:00.000-05:00

This week, my landlord, after starting 15 months ago, finally completes putting in my central air conditioning...right in time for the cool down. Sigh! Today, I hop in my transporter, pick up author Jerry Hooten, and we're off to Cabo San Lucas where we partake in margaritas in the El Squid Roe bar. It's where i snapped his picture for this week's interview. Speaking of...

1. Who is Jerry Hooten and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

My ‘anomonimity ‘ (I think I made up a word.) Ask anyone “Who is Jerry Hooten” and you will get the same response. “Who?”

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

I have been pretty well trained to be a first class burglar. Nice to have a fallback career.

3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming an Arctic explorer?

I think that meeting Michael Connelly and having the opportunity to assist him with some of his research for his books. I had been a fan of his from the beginning. I had been a writer wannabe since I took typing in High School.

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

Michael Connelly and the late Barara Seranella because I have had dinner with them and enjoyed it immensely. Just about any mystery writer. I feed off of their experience.

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 think it would be because they are a fast read and I try to keep the chapters fairly short.

6. Share the Hooten 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 usually get my ideas out of the blue. I got the idea for “Don’t Talk to Strangers” while driving to Oregon. The sequel, “Dead End”, came out of the rewrite process. I got the idea for “Friends and Others” from my grand daughter’s imaginary friend. The characters seem to develop on their own as I’m writing. I don’t do an outlne, (probably should), I do my research online and at the library and a lot of it comes from personal experience (twenty five years of law-enforcement). My schedule is erratic, not by choice. I like to have my wife edit. She is very critical. I lose count of rewrites. At least ten per book, and that’s before the edit process.

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 advice would be to just start writing. Ideas have a tendency to develop on their own. I think that process works for about anyone. Once you get started, you can arrange your methods. I do “NaNoWriMo”, the National Novel Writing Month contest that occurs every November. It’s a contest against yourself to try and write 50,000 words in the month of November. The focus is on quantity, rather than quality. I think it is a great motivator. I’ve finished the last two years, but I’m way behind this year.

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 try to go with the flow. Avoid confrontation. Keep smiling.

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?

As I mentioned earlier, I’m doing NaNoWriMo. I’ve started on a new idea for this year. I also have several good starts from previous years.

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

I have a website. Two, in fact. One is the “Mystery Writers Resource”, where I give tips and links on writing for mysteries. The second is my security site. I’m still available to do investigations and security consulting. The first is http://www.facebook.com/l/de067FldUCniKDbu80qwG4yBOrQ; www.jerryhooten.com, and the security site is, http://www.facebook.com/l/de067Bi-B8s8mvpT2VANJRRS5zQ; www.tech-conrite.com. I have a newsletter that is in limbo right now. Back issues are available on my mystery writer’s site. I plan on starting it up again soon.

Around the Globe with Elizabeth Kolodziej

2011-08-05T07:58:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I know, I couldn't pronounce her name either. On our way to a spot away from the main crowds on a southern Italian beach, this week's author taught me how to say her name. After a few tries, she congratulated me on my efforts. So, now I get to teach all of you how to properly say her name. Ready? Let's try it together... Ee-liz-uh-beth. Very good. Oh, her surname? Fugetaboutit! Lol. Actually, it's - collage-E or ko-la-g.

However you say it, we had a pleasant time next to the ocean and a fine interview.

1. Who is Elizabeth Kolodziej and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

I don’t think that I am the most fascinating person in my city. I would say what makes me fascinating to some is my drive and goals in life. But then again that is also what intimidates other people too. I don’t know why. But anyways, that and I am very honest and fun.

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

I am very shy. I know this sounds weird because I will go up to anyone at any point in time to talk to them but while doing this I get lots of anxiety because I am naturally shy and self-conscious.

3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming an astronaut?

I hate math and I’m pretty sure being an astronaut means I would have to be good at math. Hehe. It’s that whole right brain left brain thing. I am just the creative type and becoming a writer was where my passion is. For me that is something special because I can be fickle or very indecisive. To actually finish something like a book and continue down this world without ever getting bored or wanting to give up tells me that it is meant for me.

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

Tamora Pierce, Jeaniene Frost, Kim Harrison or Christopher Moore. Tamora Pierce is the first author who ever inspired me to start writing myself. The other three are authors I admire and love to read. (and they aren’t snobby!)

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 think my book would make great company because it is a world you get lost in and one you keep flipping the page to see what happens next. In my humble opinion, that is what I look for in a book and what saves me from four hour layovers.

6. Share the Kolodziej 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 am a hands on writer. If I can I will go to the place I am writing about because I like to see first hand what the area is like, the people, etc. I hate having to write about places I haven’t been to and so far I haven’t done that yet. Though it kind of sucks I am lucky to live in DE, because it is adjacent to places like New York, Philly, Baltimore, DC, etc. The big name cities so many stories take place in.

As for a writing schedule, I tend to write at the very minimum once a week. It really depends what my projects going on are. When working on my second book I was writing every night or every other night unless plagued with writers block. I get my book edited by a professional after it goes through a couple beta readers. And I don’t keep count of rewrites. I kind of just fix problems when they occur.

Lastly, I research, research, research. I Google so many things and get books on so many subjects because researching to me is key it making a fiction story factual and relatable. Plus it gives me great ideas and inspiration for my stories.

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 start writing. It is really that easy. Though my process won’t work for you, developing your own process will and the way a writer does that is by sitting down and writing. It all comes to you through trial and error. Hopefully not too much error!

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?

Well, I am a Taurus so I am ruled by my emotions very much so. With that said my philosophy for life is to follow your heart. It will rarely steer you wrong.

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?

I don’t think I could keep myself from writing! It has become like an extension of my self. Right now I am working on getting the second book ready for publishing. In fact, I am considering going totally indie and publishing the book myself. After I get through edits for the second book to Vampyre Kisses I will begin work on the third because once everyone reads the ending for the second they are going to bug me to no end for the third due to the way the second one ends.

On top of that I am constantly writing short stories for anthology submissions or contest. I am working on an anthology for charity. As always going to as many conventions and conferences as possible to network and make new friends. I like to keep busy.

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

Website: www.vampyrekisses.com
Twitter: @ejkolodziej
Facebook: /kweenkitten

Around the World with YVONNE EVE WALUS

2011-07-29T04:05:00.001-05:00

With Iowa enduring a July heat wave, I so want to get in my transporter and go to someplace cool to interview this week's author. However, the controls are jammed and I'm stuck. So this week's questions are asked and answered hrough a series of instant messages. Where is my author? I'll let her tell you.

1. Who is Yvonne Eve Walus and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

Hi! I’m writing this on my laptop at one of Auckland’s boat clubs. The sun sparkles on the creased silver of the lake, the wind blows strong into the white sails. All New Zealanders are boat-mad and I stick out here like a bookworm at a Halo convention. But then, despite spending the last 13 years on this lush Pacific Island, I’m only a New Zealander by passport. I simply don’t fit in: I don’t drink beer or follow the rugby, I can’t mend a fence, and I’ve been known to wear a little makeup when we go out to dinner. Oddly enough, nobody falls off their chair when they learn I’m a published, award-winning novelist. Fame, talent and success don’t make a person fascinating in this part of the world: catching your own dinner does!

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

For some bizarre reason, I have a lot of James Bond skills: I can scuba dive, skydive, flirt, concoct a poisonous mixture out of ordinary household items, shoot a handgun as well as a semi-automatic. I’m good at poker, know my single malt whiskies and can tell a Dom Perignon from a Taittinger as well as a revolver from a pistol. I have a PhD in Mathematics and speak several languages. I can program a computer… but I cannot, repeat, not, hack into a secure network (and you can quote me to the authorities on this).

3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming a mountain climber?

Mountain climbing is exercise. Writing I can do sitting comfortably on my bottom. Also, I like telling people that I lie for a living.

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

I love the intelligence, the pacing and the rhythm of Harlan Conan thrillers. If he talks as well as he writes, he’d make an excellent dinner companion.

To make friends with, I’d choose Joshilyn Jackson (Gods in Alabama, Backseat Saints) – from her blog and Facebook page, I’m guessing she and I have a lot in common.

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?

Almost any Discworld Series book (some are brilliant, others merely very good). You can read them for the humour, you can read them for the plot, but what I value about them the most are the multiple layers of philosophy and acute observations about humanity.

6. Share the Walus 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.

For short stories, it all starts with a single idea: how well would you get along with a clone of yourself (The Seventh Taboo), what if your husband told you you’re too fat to have an affair (Small Price To Pay), what actually happens in teen chat rooms (Witch Hunts on the Internet). It then takes about a day per 1000 words to get the first draft down, and one edit a few days later.

Novels are a bit more complicated. I usually have a setting in mind: apartheid South Africa, communist Poland, planet Qwerty. The theme is usually tied into the setting from the beginning, so much so that sometimes I’m not sure which comes first. I brainstorm the theme and setting until my characters begin to form, then I come up with some conflicts for them to deal with and start writing. At this point, I have no clue what the plotline is, I just write. After about 10,000 words I step back and map out the plot highpoints. Then I write some more. When the book is finished, I will typically need two revisions to get it exactly the way I’d imagined it at the outset.

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?”

• Start with your core idea and write it down in the centre of a large sheet of paper. Draw a bubble around it and an arrow leading from it. How does this idea make you feel? Write down the emotions – these are the emotions that the characters will experience in your story and the readers will feel when reading your work – draw another arrow and write down a few ideas how to make that happen. Go back to the centre, draw another line. How does your core idea change people’s perceptions and what can the characters get up to in order to convey your message?

• Make a list of all things you’re currently passionate or curious about: interior decorating, parenthood, preparing to run the marathon, hating your boss. Look at the list and select those that will fit your core story. Try to incorporate them into your work, for example, make your heroine an interior decorator who gets distracted from the main plot when her toddler gets chickenpox. She has to stay at home with the child because her husband is training for the marathon, but her boss needs her to….

• Sit down in front of the dreaded white screen. Type in these words: I want to write about…. Keep going. Every time you stop, type in those words again: I want to write about…. You may not end up with any ready passages for the story, but it’ll break your writer’s block.

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?

Life is too short to read or write mediocre books.

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?

Thank you for this insightful question. As much as I love writing, I sometimes wonder whether that’s the best use of my time on earth. Would I be a better wife and mother if I focused more on my family and less on my story people, or would the drudgery make me impossible to live with? Are stories useful, or should I learn to build houses instead? Does the world need novelists as much as it needs nurses?

Until I figure it out, though, I’ll listen to Nemo the Clownfish and keep on swimming… writing, I mean. My work in progress is a humorous thriller for women, think Harlan Coben without balls.

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

Just Google Yvonne Walus. My website should be the first hit.
The wind is picking up and the water doesn’t look like crushed diamonds anymore. Better go… it’s been a privilege.

Around the Globe with OPHELIA JULIEN

2011-07-22T08:17:00.000-05:00

Finally, we get a little rain try to cool off things around here, but I'm off to the land of cheese with this week's featured author. She gives me directions and soon we're basking in chairs a stone's throw away from Green Bay (the water, not the town) sipping cool refreshments.

1. Who is Ophelia Julien and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

I'm still trying to figure out who I am myself! At the moment, I'm a writer/student/grandmother raising a two-year old who carries stories, characters, scenes, and bits of dialogue around in her head until she figures out what goes where in whatever story. I don't think I'm the most fascinating person in my city, but anyone who wants to know someone who is interested in all things paranormal, lives in music, and bleeds words might find me good to talk to. I grew up in a haunted house, after all.

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

People who know me aren't much surprised by anything I get into! People who don't know me might be surprised to learn that martial arts are important to me (I'm about 4'11" and 108 lbs). I studied Tae Kwon Do for years but shifted over to western martial arts to learn medieval long sword and arming sword. Superficially, I'm short and small and fit nicely into the background.

3. What interested you to become a writer rather than something else such as becoming a psychiatrist?

Ahh, I wish I could answer this as a full-time writer! I'm not, you know. I have a day job and am studying to get another one. I'd like to be a writer when I grow up. But in terms of interest, stories fascinate me. I'm obsessed with ghost stories and cryptozoology. And I've been writing since I still had an eight o'clock bedtime, so I don't know that I chose to become a writer. I think I always was.

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

I've been lucky enough to share dinner with one of my all-time favorite writers, Douglas Preston (NY Times bestseller of both fiction and non-fiction.) So maybe we ought to go back to authors no longer walking the planet. In which case, I'd love to have dinner with Rudyard Kipling, believe it or not. I love the way he writes and cannot reconcile the novelist I admire with the racist/imperialist everyone assures me he was. That's not the take I have on him at all, no matter how many experts and scholars I read, and I would love to ask him how he got painted with that brush and how he feels about it.

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

Good question! I love books that I can get lost in and that feature characters I wish I knew in real life, so I do my best to accomplish that in the books I write. I think that Saving Jake could take you away from where you were, at least for the time it took you to read it. I think you'd get through it a lot quicker than four hours, though...

6. Share the Julien 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.

Wow, that's a long question! Ideas come to me in weird ways: from articles I've read, from a bit of conversation I've overheard, from a name. I can't write a character until I have his or her name, so sometimes I get stuck waiting for that inspiration, believe it or not. Even though the story is in my head, I need a character to introduce his/herself to me before we go away together. I never use an outline for fiction; I use a laundry list of "things that need to happen" and I am constantly crossing things off as I use them and adding things in as need be. I also play around with the chronology of the story using my list. My schedule is, I write when I can but as the story gets more urgent I find more ways to squeeze writing time into my day. Editing and rewriting I do as the story needs, and then again at the end of the first draft. I may rewrite entire sections any number of times, but there's only been one time in my life that I've rewritten an entire book, and that was only because I seemed to be missing a character! I forgot about the research part. I prefer to find people to talk to about a chosen subject. To that end, I have interviewed a hospice administrator, an adoption agency worker, a police sergeant, a pastor, an ER doc, and a deputy US Marshall, to name some.

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?"

This is one of those things that's an entire conversation as opposed to one question and one answer, that's for sure. I've had students ask me variations on this and I usually ask them back who the story is targeted at so that they can start to focus on point of view, character, and voice. One of my favorite teaching exercises is to have my students write an opening line. During the course of a three-hour class, I'll have them come up with one opening line every hour. (I tell them them to come up with an opening line that would make a person want to read the rest of the story.) I'd probably tell the person asking me this question to keep that story idea in mind and then come up with a list of about 7-10 opening lines. Hopefully, one of them is going to open the door and let the rest of the narrative out.

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 have a couple of things I try to live by. The first is my 11th commandment: Thou shalt have no regrets. What that means is I try to live my life so that I won't look back and regret...never taking that workshop because it seemed too expensive, never talking to that famous writer because I was too shy, never telling that person "I love you", never taking the opportunity to fence longsword in front of the whole class after only eight weekly lessons. That philosophy dovetails with Eleanor Roosevelt's "You must do the thing you fear." She had it right. We all stop ourselves (as adults) because we worry about feeling/looking foolish, being illogical, being rejected, any number of uncomfortable things. But nothing gets accomplished if we stay comfortable our whole lives. Go for it!

9. Please tell me you're not going to stop writing? What's next for you?

I almost stopped writing, but I can't, actually. I've been writing since second or third grade so I guess it's a little late to pull the plug. I have a book manuscript on an editor's desk at this very moment. If she kicks it back to me, I'm going after an agent. And I have about three books in my head for when school finally ends!

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?
I have a website, www.opheliajulien.com That's the best place to find out about me. As for finding out about what I'm up to, since I'm not my own webmaster and don't know how to update my events myself, well, you could just write me care of the website. I answer everybody. Also, I have a blog (opheliajulien.blogspot.com) which I desperately need to update (I know. My bad.) I'm on Twitter somewhere, too. And FaceBook. Because I was told I should be. I'm not the best about keeping up with all of it, but I do get around to things eventually. If someone seriously was looking for me, though, the website is the best bet. I check that daily. Oh, and here's something fun! If you have about two minutes, check out my book trailer! It's at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpBBCNSctjE ; (If the link doesn't work for some reason, just go to YouTube and search for "Saving Jake Trailer".)

Around the Globe with MARGOT JUSTES

2011-07-15T03:21:00.000-05:00

Up early on this Friday morning, knew the day would be another hot one, so I dash to my transporter to meet this week's author Margot Justes. Where? Well, I'll let her tell you as an introduction/answer to my first question.

1. Who is Margot Justes and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

I’m an author, and while researching my next novel, I found myself in the middle of the Sahara desert surrounded by nomads who cannot speak English. You came to interview me and report on progress of said research. I’m the only one who speaks English, doesn’t that make me fascinating? You had no one else to chat with, except with fascinating…me.

Oh, well, so much for getting away from the heat.

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

Hmmm…the secret is out, I love to belly dance.

3. What interested you to become a writer rather than something else as becoming a Supreme Court Justice?

I love to read and just recently started writing, and find it a magnificent escape from reality. The intrusion back to reality, if you will, is in the process of selling and marketing the manuscript.

4. Writers are readers. Which author (s) would you enjoy sharing dinner? Why?

That is tough, Oscar Wilde would be my first choice, his sense of humor in the absurdity of civility and social mannerism was impeccable. I would love to sit down and chat about his acerbic humor and take on society.

Dorothy Sayers would be another author I would love to have dinner with. Her exquisite and elegant use of the English language I always found enchanting, her perfect hero Lord Peter was captivating. I would have learned a great deal. Alas, they are both gone.

Contemporary author Elizabeth Peters, because she makes reading about archeology informative and exciting and you get a good mystery to boot. She easily reaches her audience even thought the subject of Egyptian archeology is not that common a topic or setting in the mystery genre.

Quite recently I started writing a paranormal romance, and I would love to sit down with Christine Feehan, because her characters are so varied, well developed and just plain fun.

Science is magic to me and I would love to meet anyone who can explain gravity to me (in very simple terms, because it is, after all done with smoke and mirrors.) and why we don’t fall off the face of the earth.

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?

It’s a delightful, adventurous and romantic tale set in Paris. I love the city and got the point across well. I’ve been told by readers that I made Paris come alive for them, and I could receive no better compliment.

The thirty second pitch defines the story…art brought her to Paris, then a stranger’s death changes her life. You have Paris, romance, art, murder and mayhem and of course more romance.

6. Share the Justes 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.

I really don’t have a process. I try to write a little every day. I still work full time. Weekends, if left alone are my most productive times. If I’m stuck I go back and read the previous chapters, make changes and that usually allows me to continue. Editing and rewrites are all part of that same process.

I love to travel and because I set my books internationally, I visit the places. Google can provide facts but not the essence of a place…that you must experience.

A writer should have a personal touch, a connection to the place and a certain attention to detail. You should feel the pulse of the place, that intimate experience of walking in the Luxembourg gardens, hearing the crunch of gravel beneath your feet. Or visit the Rodin museum and walk through the gardens, stop by and visit the Thinker, sit on the bench and assume his stance and ponder your own existence. Goggle will provide the facts and images, but I need that personal connection to a place I write about.

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?"

That is a difficult question to answer. I’ve never written anything ‘paranormal’ but an agent said can you write about a vampire and art? At first I thought no, I’ve never done anything like this. But I do love a challenge, came home and thought about it, and came up with an idea. Leonardo da Vinci, the incomparable Renaissance man meets an obsessive art collector who happens to be a vampire. I think you just need to think about it a bit and start somewhere, you can always go back and change. Nothing is cast in stone, just a computer, key board with an easily accessible delete button. Although, I never delete my scenes, I just save them for future use.

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?

Wow. Do you want an answer in one sentence or less? This could be a thesis. Take a chance and do what you most want to do. Fear should not lead you and failure should not guide you. Do not be afraid of failure, if you don’t try, you will never succeed. I’m sure someone said that at some point, somewhere. Just because you haven’t done it before doesn’t mean you can’t. Challenge is a terrific learning experience.

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?

I love writing and have no intention of stopping. I finished my second novel A Hotel in Bath, a novella that will turn into a novel very soon, A Fire Within and I also hope to finish with my vampire story Blood Art by year end. I have started A Hotel in Venice but put it on hold for a bit. I want to finish the paranormal story.

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

I have a website www.mjustes.com I have a blog http://margotsmuse.blogspot.com
I am on Facebook, Twitter, all the required social networks.

Stephen, thank you very much for the interview, it was fun to do. Once I’m done with my research in the desert, we can meet in Cairo, go to Giza and ride a camel on the way to see the Pyramids. Something I will be doing next year…

Around the Globe with MARTIN BARTLOFF

2011-07-08T08:06:00.000-05:00

This week's featured author had no specific destination in mind for our interview, so seeing he was from Germany, I kindly asked him if he'd mind if we visited several places of interest in the old country. He graciously agreed and while we talked, we enjoyed various local delicacies.

1. Who is Martin Bartloff and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

I'm a 44 year-old, parent, automotive shop owner and author. People are always fascinated when they hear I immigrated from Germany in 1991, not speaking a word English :)

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

They are always surprised to hear that I'm not married and never was. They know I have a son assumed I would be happily married. My son was adopted when he was only 6.

3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming a NASCAR driver?

In all honesty, becoming writer was never on my wish list. I wanted to entertain by becoming a musician or film producer, or stuntman because my abundance of imagination and entertainment always fascinated peers, even when I was a child. Writing is the more convenient way to entertain people and reach a broad audience world wide.

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

I would enjoy having dinner with Jay Asher. That would give me a chance to ask him what makes him so arrogant when it comes to fellow authors :-)

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?

There are several reasons I can think off. TORN FROM NORMAL is not only a great story, the book has also a very strong message for young and old people, globally speaking. The most important fact is, and this is what readers say about TORN FROM NORMAL, The story is told very deep and real, it reads like watching a movie, you see the images, identify with Andy Riley, my main protagonist. The emotional involvement is unlike anything they ever read. This comes from my readers and fans, in form of reviews and email.

6. Share the Bartloff 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.

My writing process is a story by itself. My visions and images come when I listen to music. Don't get me wrong, I could never listen to music and simultaneously write. No, I disconnect from the world by shutting my curtains, turning phones off and become one with my stereo, the music and myself. I do this several times a week, in complete dark. I begin to see images, triggered by either a part of the lyrics, or simply by the melody. In order to complete an entire book, I must keep the order of songs, during the which the images started. Torn From Normal was re-written 4 times. I'm kind a picky and don't turn my stuff lose unless I myself am 100% satisfied with my work. I don't visit places in order to write, but many places I happen to visit throughout my life, appear in my stories.

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?”

Very good question, my favorite one :-) Begin by believing the story at first. Ask yourself if you would believe it if someone told you! Think yourself into the skin of the characters you're writing about. Does that work? You're on the right path. If you're having difficulties thinking, seeing like the characters, scrap the idea or try a different approach. Don't be led by a particular order, begin writing with images and ideas you have. Even if that means writing the end of the book first. I began writing TFN with its end and worked my way back to the beginning of the story.

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?

I don't intend to stop writing. In fact, there is another, strong story in the making. The rough draft is already finished and the clean up and structuring has began.

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

I maintain a strong web presence, such as Facebook, twitter etc. My website www.MartinBartloff.com is frequently updated.

Around the Globe with JO ANNE ALLEN

2011-07-01T09:55:00.001-05:00

On this very hot (but sunny) day in Iowa, I quickly get into my air conditioned transporter, set the controls for Grand Junction, Colorado, to pick up this week's author, Jo Anne Allen. Then we do a short skip over to Vail. I haven't been here in over three decades. Oh, the memories...breaking the car key off in the ignition (Dad and I couldn't lock the door the entire trip); tennis; white water rafting (Dad fell out of the the boat); and a very weird memory of the longest lasting strawberry dacquiri (ask me about it sometime).

Anyway, it's cool enough so Ms. Allen and I can sit outside and enjoy a few drinks (non alcoholic, of course. I'm driving) outside a small cafe with an excellent view of the mountains.

1. Who is Jo Anne Allen and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

I was very blessed to be born from Myrtle and Lawrence Stolte. I have the best genes anywhere in my energy level and excellent health. I am very fascinating because I can run circles around anyone, especially those that are 20 years+ younger than myself. I am 53 but you'd never know it by my heart rate...it's actually 53 beats per minutes. I am a dedicated athlete.

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

I have a black belt in TKD.

3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming a NASCAR driver?

I have always loved to write...even in the very early years of 8 and 9. I loved telling stories and keeping people's interests with the subject. I have never had another dream of any other profession.

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

Og Mandino. He has changed my life with his books and I will always think of him as the greatest out there!

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?

Because you are totally surrounded by God in my books.

6. Share the Allen 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? I only listen to my heart and write what it tells me to do. I rarely change anything once I write it because the process takes place in my head, along with all the editing and story line before I transfer it on paper. All my characters are based on people who have crossed my path. It's very easy to write what you know.

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?”

No. You totally have to know where to begin. I think it's natural for some people. I always like to start any story with something that would keep you reading from that point on. Something totally "out there."

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?

Treat everyone you meet like you know a big secret about them. They will die at midnight. You will find yourself going that extra mile to be kind, to make this moment happy for them, etc...your life will never be the same.

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?

Are you kidding me? I can't find the time for complete books now but I never stop with the short stories. I recently won 2nd place in a national prose contest. Two years ago, I won first.

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

If they call me, I'll send them some of my self published books. I do have a website for my Marine book from Echelon Press. www.mysonisamarine.com

Around the Globe with JEN HILBORNE

2011-06-24T07:40:00.001-05:00

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.

Around the Globe with JEFFREY MARTIN

2011-06-17T07:39:00.002-05:00

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….

Around the Globe with JOHN DESJARLAIS

2011-06-10T07:52:00.000-05:00

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?

Around the Globe with DIANA BLACK

2011-06-03T07:58:00.000-05:00

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

Around the Globe with CYNTHIA POLANSKY

2011-05-27T08:35:00.004-05:00

It's a sunny but cool Friday and I'm looking for warmer climes. So I hop in my transporter and pick up this week's author, Cynthia Polansky. She gives me directions which fulfills my desires. Soon, we are sitting on a veranda outside a fashionable hotel in Tahiti. The water is absolutely gorgeous, the air is clean, and the sun is warm. She hands me a passion-fruit punch and we begin the questions.

1. Who is Cynthia Polansky and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

What makes Cynthia Polansky fascinating is her unpredictability. I seem to constantly surprise people with my interests and projects. That's why my tagline is "Expect the Unexpected."

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

I've never used any recreational drugs, not even marijuana. I just wasn't interested.

3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming an archeologist?

I had always liked to write and thought I was fairly good at it, but lacked whatever magic ingredient was necessary to become a "professional" writer. In my mid thirties, a friend commented that I'd missed my calling. Irealized that I didn't want to miss it, and I signed up for an adult-education creative writing class the very next day.

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

I would love to have dinner with Stephen King; I've always been awestruck by his prolificness (is that a word?). I enjoy what I call "Twilight Zone" stories and King's imagination is as bizarre as mine. I'd also like to have met the late Cynthia Freeman, a mainstream novelist who crafted characters like no other could.

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?

Either of my novels would take you completely out of your surroundings and into the world I've created or emulated. They are pretty fast reads, so they're better suited to the four-hour layover than a deserted island...though a tropical island is a nice place to come back to when you're finished in my world!

6. Share the Polansky process of writing in regards to: idea and character development...

Because I'm not Stephen King, I have to spend a good deal of time thinking about my idea and characters before I can start writing.

I have to know pretty much where the story is headed before it begins.

Story outline...

That comes after I've thought about the story for a while and have an idea of its direction. I definitely like to outline so I never sit down and feel intimidated by the pressure of creativitiy.

Research (do you Google, visit places/people or make it up on the spot?)...

I definitely use all available resources in my research: the Internet, books, interviews with real people, anything I may hear or see in the course of a day might find its way into my book. I write everything down on notecards and organize them into the appropriate book sections. Ultimately, some gets chopped but I prefer to have too much than too little.

Writing schedule...

I wish I could say that I write eight hours a day, five days a week, but that's just not the way my life goes. When I'm in research mode,. I'm always working, though: reading, outlining, bookmarking resources. My most striking ideas seem to come during three activities: driving, showering, or walking/running. I do have a regular weekly writing date with a good friend of mine who also has a busy life. It's the only way we can guarantee to get a specific amount of work accomplished. Now, when I'm writing for hire and have a deadline, I tend to be more methodical in my writing schedule.

Editing and number of rewrites...

As many as it takes! No fewer than three drafts: the rough draft, which I do in longhand; the first edit, which occurs as I'm typing the rough draft into the computer; and the second revision, which again is done in pen and ink on the printed-out manuscript. I am much more creative with a pen in my hand than directly on the keyboard.

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?”

The instructor of that adult-education creative writing class gave me the best advice: Just start writing. Write one true sentence. Don't worry about where it's headed or how you'll get there. Just start writing. And he was so right! I tutor at the Naval Academy's Writing Center, and students come in every week with the same problem: they don't know how to start. I ask them to tell me a little about their paper, and they launch easily into a discourse. Then I tell them to write down exactly what they've just verbalized to me. It works like a charm! For some reason, "talking it out" seems to blow away the cobwebs holding them down.

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?

"Dog" spelled backwards is "God." If we lived as simply and happily as they do, we'd be a lot better off as a species! As Mahatma Gandhi said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?

I'm working on a nonfiction pop-reference book on the history of human body odor. Working title: WHIFF: Human Aroma Through the Ages. (I told you to expect the unexpected.)

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

My website, www.cynthiapolansky.com, has lots of information about me and my novels. Readers of my nonfiction dog books can find me at www.cynthiapgallagher.com, both of which are on the same site. I also have a blog of lists: homophones, odd street names, words that are no longer used in their literal meanings, etc. Crossing Polansky (a desperate attempt to humorously blend the film title Crossing Delancey with my cross-genre writing persona) can be found at www.crossingpolansky.blogspot.com, and I welcome suggestions for new lists, as well as suggestions for a new blog title! In fact, I think I see a contest coming down the pike...

Around the Globe with J.R. TURNER

2011-05-20T08:06:00.001-05:00

On this cloudy and cool Friday morning, I hop into my transporter, pick up this week's featured author and we soon find ourselves at the end of a dock overlooking one of Wisconsin's many lakes. It's still cool here in the northern country, so we've brought along a thermos of hot chocolate and unbeknownst to me until that first sip, she's spiked the cocoa with a touch of Bailey's Irish Cream. Yowza! We discuss the upcoming fishing season and relaxing with our toes in the sand. Then, it's on to the questions...

1. Who is J. R. Turner and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

I'm your average Wisconsin homemaker. I bake, plan birthday parties, shuttle the kids to boy scouts and girl scouts, walk the dog, garden, and make quilts, crochet, knit, and other artsy fartsy things. Most likely my neighbors would consider my career as an author and all my travels interesting.

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

Gosh, I'm pretty much an open book (no pun intended!) I used to have a black thumb. I killed those plants that are supposed to take care of themselves. Even murdered a cactus! You'd never guess looking at my garden and the massive amount of houseplants I have now. This is one of those things, y'know? After all the green death in my life, I saw keeping a plant alive as a challenge. Through research and practice, I gained the skills needed to grow and maintain healthy plants. I love the challenge of fixing a "weakness" I find in myself.

3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming trapeze artist?

I love stories. I had rough life, seriously rough. I bounced between relatives a lot, and many were not the best role models. My family was always involved in the arts—most juggling music and art in some form or another. When I was 15, I began working as a contract artist, covering the overflow for my mom. Painting was just a way to make a buck for me though. Maybe it was because my parents were so very talented. Whatever the reason, I know that no matter what school I went to, or what apartment I lived in, there was always a library nearby. I spent hours there, enjoying the cleanliness and temperature control—and the silence. The pure joy of burying myself in other places and people never left me. I always wrote, but it wasn't until 1999, when I got my first computer, that I decided to attempt it professionally.

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

Dean Koontz—for his love of language. Julie Garwood—for her amazing sense of humor. Stephen King—for being an amazing author (and to make my husband jealous!) And if the dead could show up wanting more than just brains for dinner—I'd love to dine with Margaret Mitchell and Mark Twain. The bravery of their social commentary through their entertainment is something I find fascinating.

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?

Oh, they have so much going on in each of them! Romance and explosions in my earlier works, and spine-tingling ghosts, demons, and monsters in my newer books. Because they're designed to be a fast read, there wouldn't be any trouble passing the time.

6. Share the Turner 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 generally write early in the morning. Five a.m. seems to be the ideal for me—though I don't know why. When I was an artist, I worked all through the night. As a writer, my best time is that space between sleep and just waking up. Maybe I can slide between realities from a dream-state better. When I'm developing a story, I prefer to write the first three chapters without constraint or research. If those three chapters work for me, then I'll stop and learn what I need to complete the book. I like to use personal journals online to gain insight to what my characters might experience and Google to 'see' locations.

I use an outline, generally a very loose scene-by-scene outline that is subject to change as I get deeper into the story. When I need to get submerged in the reality I'm creating, I like to do 10K Days—an event where the author aims to write 10,000 words in one day. The most I've ever written in one day was 23,000 words. I was very exhausted—but fully invested in my novel at the end. For rewrites, I generally do a story/plot edit, another round for characterization, and another round for technical issues like grammar errors or typos.

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 write. Your natural process will only emerge once you're doing the work of translating the idea to the page. There are no shortcuts for a writer to learn, there's only the way that works best for the individual. Above all though, have fun! If you're not having fun, the reader won't be either.

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?

Mine are "Don't sweat the small stuff" and "Choose your battles wisely." Not so much because I live by them, but because I need to constantly remind myself of these two axioms. I'm getting better as I age, though!

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?

I almost did stop writing, but I couldn't stay away long. I'm working on Detour 2 Death now, it's the 3rd book in the Extreme Haunting series. I've been invited to write as many books in this series as I like, so I'll be busy for years to come. Beyond this, however, I'm now an acquiring editor for Echelon Press and in my spare time, I'm putting together a line of supernatural/urban fantasy books for adults. Not so much a series as it is a genre I'm drawn to. Currently, I've completed Racing the Moon—a book about werewolves written ala Jurassic Park and an urban fantasy ala Frank Miller titled Redemption. Both are fun books with a lot of world-building and research involved.

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

I can always be found on my website: http://www.jennifer-turner.com and on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/JRTurner17 and on Twitter: http://twitter.com/JRTurner

Thank you so much for letting me spend some time with you and your readers, Stephen!

Reviewers, Part 3

2011-05-13T14:03:00.000-05:00

So, another in a long line of book reviewers steps into the arena. I hope you will check out Brayton's Book Buzz, http://braytonsbookbuzz.blogspot.com, where I want to provide a fun and intelligent review of the literature I read. I do a bit of reviewing at GoodReads.com, but I wish to expand a little more in the Buzz postings.

I want to be honest without being overly critical. I mentioned last week about the conditions I must follow for Suspense Magazine. Unfortunately, the first book I read to review was not a good book. I asked not to send in a review. I hope to never read another in the same category, but if I do, I will be honest about it. Yes, I do plan to post a review about this particular book on my site, if only to show you my intentions in regards to the reviews.

I don't just want to vaguely recommend a book or not recommend one, I want to provide the reasons I either did or did not enjoy it or why I think it's either a decent read or not. As an editor for Echelon Press, I loved the fact that after I found mistakes in others' writing, I could more easily discover them in mine. So I hope to provide a point of view from an editor as well as a reader. I want to concentrate on a few areas in the review and comment on each one.

Plot – I'll give not just the basic pitch of the story as found on the back cover or on the inside flap of a book, but how the author presents the story, the surprises, the challenges, the revelations. Is it formulaic? Is it complex? Does it make you want to keep turning pages or hope that the story ends very quickly? Is it complete or leave questions unanswered? Does it set itself up for a sequel? Is it believable?

Characters – Are they believable? Does the reader connect and empathize with them? Are the bad guys bad enough you love to hate them? Do you root for the protagonist even if he/she has personal problems? Is there too much information about the characters it drags down the story? Does the reader care about the characters or feel they are unnecessary to the story?

Dialogue – Is it choppy? Is it 'real?' Do all the characters sound alike? Is the author using too much foul language or not enough? If three or more people are talking, is it difficult to tell who's speaking? Do you know from the dialogue the mood of the scene or the particular character?

Writing – This encompasses a lot. How much detail is included? Is it important? Does the story drag or is it too fast? What is the quality of the sentence structure? Do the sentences and paragraphs make sense? Does the author have point of view problems? Are there editing mistakes? Does the author use a phrase that is unique and interesting? Does the author send you to the dictionary every few pages using words nobody ever uses in real life? (Not necessarily bad, but humorously frustrating at times.) Does the author move the reader through the story in a logical course or jump around? Does the reader get lost or confused by unanswered questions or language not understood by laymen?

I think those four aspects of the story should provide a quality review. With many reviewers (movies, television shows, restaurants, hotels, and books), they will end with a rating. Three stars, two thumbs up, "I give it a six out of ten." I've even seen one reviewer whose ratings are based on cakes sizes. I sort of liked that one. Anyway, since I'm a taekwondo instructor my ratings will be rankings of belt colors. In my organization, there are nine colored belt ranks – White, Orange, Yellow, Camouflage, Green, Purple, Blue, Brown, and Red. After Red there is a half step before Black Belt. (There are also nine degrees of black belt, but that's another story for another time). Now, I don't wish to demean the colors or the organization or the students who train by saying White belt is the worst. White is the beginning rank and as the student progresses in maturity and training, and experience, his/her skills will improve. So, if I ever give a book a White belt rating, I'm saying the author needs to improve his/her craft either with better writing skills, editing, or, in the extreme case, forget about writing in the first place and taking up gardening, which won't improve the writing, but will relieve me from having to read anything else by that particular author. lol. A high rank rating shows the author has presented an enjoyable book, written and edited professionally. A high ranking means I would probably enjoy other books by this author.

So, let's jump into the deep end see if the sharks are lurking beneath the surface or if I'll have visitors over for a chat, shoot the breeze, enjoy a few drinks, something thrown on the poolside grill. What I mean is, if you are interested in having your book reviewed by yours truly, please contact me at slb@mahaska.org. I will accept hard cover, soft cover, or pdf file. I promise to be honest and try to have a little fun.

Because if you can't have fun doing it, it ain't worth doing.

Reviewers, Part 2

2011-05-06T07:32:00.000-05:00

I wrote last week's rant a few weeks ago during the time I was attempting to find reviewers for "Night Shadows." At the time, I didn't plan for this to go any further than one blog. However, since then, I've taken on a new assignment: reviewing books for Suspense Magazine, a monthly Internet publication. You can find more details about the magazine at www.suspensemagazine.com. I've agreed review a couple of books per month. If you're interested in the latest in mysteries, horror, and suspense, please take a look at this magazine. The publication is chock full of short stories, reviews, interviews, and a lot more.

However, I'm limited in my reviews. I've agreed to review only those books where I can provide a positive slant on some aspect of the books I read. I don't necessarily have to enjoy them or even recommend them, but I cannot rip apart the author's work just because I think it's a bad book. Because, as my supervisor wrote, while I may think it's not worth reading, someone else might enjoy it. If I cannot find something good about a particular book, then I can simply request to not review it.

I'm also limited by word count. They want brief reviews, approximately 350 words in length. Also, I was asked not to disseminate my reviews to other sites until after publication.

Partly because of my limitations with Suspense, and partly because of what I wrote in last week's post, I decided to jump into the field of book reviews with my own book review blog.

"Oh, Steve, are you sure you want to do this? Do you have the experience? Do you have the education?"

Please, hold your questions and protesting emails and I will answer all of them as best I can. Let me address the education question first. I have a B.A. in Communications. I've taken various college courses, including online courses in various subjects. I don't recall seeing Book Reviewing 101, but I think I'm intelligent enough to offer up a decent opinion and worthwhile review. As to experience…well, I've been reading books for decades. I've gobbled up so many books over the years I'm confident I am knowledgeable enough to discern bad from good. No, my opinion may not be shared by others and I may not like a lot of the 'classics' so enjoyed by many. For instance, I could have lived my life never regretting not reading "A Tale of Two Cities" or "The Scarlet Letter" or "The Pearl." Unfortunately, due to my high school English teacher's foisting these tomes upon me, (I still love ya, Jake.) I was robbed of the time I could have been reading a cool mystery. If you look around the 'net, however, you will find average men and women, just like me, (okay, I consider myself above average in many ways, lol), also reviewing books.

I would like to take this a step further. I don't just want to say I like this particular book, or recommend that particular novel. I want to provide reasons behind my review. Similarly, if I do not like a book or consider it not worthy reading, I will give you those reasons. Ironically, when I decided I wanted to do this, I was in the middle of slogging through my first selection sent to me by Suspense. I had to laugh, because my supervisor said I might receive a really bad book at times, but it wasn't going to happen too often. I ended up getting one first time out of the chute. I sent in the request (along with my reasons) to not do a review for that particular book. I could not recommend it and I could not find something good about it.

Next week, I want to explain a little more about my review process and give you the link to the blog. You might see it listed here in this blog, but currently there is nothing there except maybe my profile. I have to do some work to make it look cool. Unfortunately, unlike Brayton's Briefs, my book reviews won't be a regular weekly posting. I will be busy editing my books and writing new material to submit for publication. Also, as I mentioned, I will have to wait until Suspense publishes my reviews before I can expand on them on my site. I will also review other books not sent to me by the magazine and will invite any author wishing a review to contact me. A link to the reviews as they come out will be posted on my various sites, so keep watching the skies…wait, that's for tracking UFO's.

Keep watching my website and my blog for details.

Reviewers, Part 1

2011-04-29T03:38:00.000-05:00

If I’ve learned anything throughout all my years or writing, it’s that this business is difficult. There are obstacles every step of the way.

First, there is writing the story. Sure, if you want to take a further step back there is the creation of the plot, characters, setting, etc. I mean the actual writing, though. Setting aside a portion of the day to write. Then, after X amount of days working and rewrites and editing and rewrites, you enter the ‘send out query letters and receive rejections’ phase. Finally, one day, you get a book deal with either an agent who finds a publisher or with the publisher directly. What’s next? More editing, of course. Meanwhile, before, during, and after publication, you’re into marketing. Selling the book. A website, a blog or two, joining other socialization networking sites, appearances, interviews. For those who have been published only as an eBook, where there are no ARCs to distribute, you then seek reviewers.

I didn’t realize how difficult this portion of the process would be. Now, before I begin my list of grievances, I’d like to mention I have found several reviewers who have read, or are currently reading, my book, Night Shadows. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of them for accepting the book. I’m not here to lambaste the reviewing process or name names of specific reviewers I don’t like. I’m not here to bash someone who gave me a bad review. I want only to make note of a few problems I’ve run into with reviewers in the hope others can learn.

Point 1 – No eBooks
Many reviewers have great sites and make a fabulous presentation. The sites are organized and laid out attractively. The reviews are professional and noteworthy. However, in the submission guidelines, they say they don’t review eBooks. I can understand with the explosion in e-self publishing, who knows what you may be receiving. As a reviewer, I wouldn’t want to slog through numerous files shoddily written by a bunch of hacks. However, with the popularity of eBooks, surely the reviewer could do some homework, take a little time to investigate the author/publisher, then decide. One reason I have seen mentioned is because the reviewer doesn’t own an eBook reader. Okay, I understand, but the person does use a computer and most everybody is aware of pdf files. Most eBook authors have pdf files to send. So, I don’t understand this objection to eBooks.

Point 2 – “I don’t have time. I’m backlogged.”
Totally understandable. You get a lot of books, you have other responsibilities, you have a separate job, and reviewing may be a part time endeavor. I have no problem with this reasoning. However, how difficult would it be to put that fact somewhere on the website, preferably the first line of the submission guidelines? “Backlogged and currently not accepting books for reviews until....” A simple statement is all that’s needed so as to not waste the author’s time.

My second problem in this point is I’ve run into reviewers who are backlogged, yet have advertised on at least one website that they’re accepting books for review. If all these people are trying to do is attract attention to their site, then they’ve failed with me because I went there to find a reviewer. To be told later they’re backlogged and can’t accept anything doesn’t do them any good with me, especially not if they’re looking for word of mouth attention. It’s simple: If you’re not accepting, don’t advertise you are.

Point 3 – Mistaken genre identity.
Night Shadows can be purchased at a number of sites, including Ominilit.com. At this site, you will find the genre, key search words related to the topic, and a story excerpt. Once again, it comes back to doing your homework, because one reviewer I contacted wrote back with polite refusal but misunderstood my story for a police procedural.

What I’m saying is, if you’re going to be a reviewer, whether you’re a newbie, doing it for fun, or looking to be a professional, then do your homework. Sure, you’re going to make mistakes, but try to avoid the obvious ones. State what you want and how you want it. What you’ll do and how you’ll do it. If you find you’ve run into a snag, then tell people.

With this in mind, please visit next week, as I introduce a new venture I’m undertaking. Hmm, wonder what it’ll be…

Around the Globe with F.M. MEREDITH

2011-04-22T07:52:00.001-05:00

Another week of rain, but I don't mind since I'm off to Rocky Bluff, California, with this week's author F.M. Meredith. She's taken me to a wonderful restaurant overlooking the ocean where we enjoy, what else? A fabulous seafood dinner. While we're talking, we get entranced by the phosphorescence dancing on the waves rolling onto the beach. What a grand place. Well, onto the questions...

1. Who is Marilyn Meredith and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

For this interview I’m F. M. Meredith though most people do know me by Marilyn. I don’t live in a city, not even a town. I’m about a mile outside of an unincorporated village in the foothills of the Southern Sierra. I am the only person in the area who is an author with books that haven’t been self-published.

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

At my age, I don’t really have any deep dark secrets. Most people are surprised to hear that I’ve been married for nearly 60 years to the same man and we raised five kids and now have eighteen grandkids and eleven great grands.

3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming a nuclear scientist?

I’ve always written, but my goal in life was to be an artist living in an attic and never have any kids. Ruined that one when I got married at 18. Though I’ve always written one thing or another, I’ve also been a PTA President four times, a Camp Fire Girls leader for 10 years, taught developmentally disabled pre-schoolers, was a day care center teacher and a pre-school teacher, owned and operated my own licensed facility for 6 developmentally disabled women for 23 years—and I wrote and had nearly 30 books published.

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

I love good food and great conversation, so I’d enjoy sharing dinner with any of my favorite authors of whom I have way too many to list.

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 books are written to entertain. In my latest, Angel Lost, you’ll meet many interesting people, most good, and the kind you’d enjoy having for a friend or neighbor.

6. Share the Meredith 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.

Because I write two series, I already know the main characters. In my Rock Bluff P.D. series there is an entourage of ongoing characters. I first have to decide which ones are going to have the spotlight in the story and how the others will support them in whatever dilemma or crime they find themselves involved in solving. I get plot ideas from the newspaper, people I talk to and others I eavesdrop on, and from things my cop friends tell me. I write a lot of notes about new characters who will appear either as villains or victims. I begin when I have somewhat of an idea where I’m going. I write in the morning, do editing at night sometimes. I read each chapter to my critique group, then I rewrite. I have a reader I like to pass the story by before I send it off to the publishers. We went over the galley proof, found mistakes, then my publisher put together an ARC and we found more mistakes in it. Gremlins like to get into pages that are supposed to be perfect.

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?”

Every writer needs to figure out what works for him or her.

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?

Never give up. My first book was rejected nearly 30 times before I did a lot of rewrites and it was finally accepted.

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?

I have another Rocky Bluff P.D. book that I’m reading to my critique group that is essentially done, and I’m working on a new one for the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series.

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

All my books and the first chapter of each one are listed on my website. http://fictionforyou. I also have a blog on which I write about what I’m doing and also host a lot of guest authors. http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com

Bio:

F.M. Meredith, also known as Marilyn Meredith, is the author of nearly thirty published novels. Her latest in the Rocky Bluff P.D. crime series, from Oak Tree Press, is Angel Lost. Marilyn is a member of EPIC, Four chapters of Sisters in Crime, including the Internet chapter , Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. Visit her at http://fictionforyou.com and her blog at http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com

Angel Lost Blurb:

As plans for her perfect wedding fill her mind, Officer Stacey Wilbur is sent out to trap a flasher, the new hire realizes Rocky Bluff P.D. is not the answer to his problems, Abel Navarro’s can’t concentrate on the job because of worry about his mother, Officer Gordon Butler has his usual upsets, the sudden appearance of an angel in the window of a furniture store captures everyone’s imagination and causes problems for RBPD, and then the worst possible happens—will Stacey and Doug’s wedding take place?

And here’s one from a fellow author that I love:

"A pervert threatens women joggers on the beach, a robber threatens wealthy homes on the bluff, and an angel watches over the townspeople from a downtown window. F. M. Merediths' latest Rocky Bluff P. D. novel is a gentle human drama about loneliness and change, through which the reader is pulled, page after page, by an assortment of compelling criminal curiosities."

C. N. Nevets is an author of psychological suspense.

Around the Globe with STACY JUBA

2011-04-15T11:09:00.003-05:00

Spring has not quite sprung, at least with constantly warm temperatures. This morning is rainy and cold. No matter, though as author Stacy Juba and I are off in my transporter to Disney World! We're waiting with snacks and drinks in hand along Main Street waiting for the parade to start.

Stacy is the author of the mystery novels Twenty-Five Years Ago Today and Sink or Swim (Mainly Murder Press), as well as the patriotic children’s picture book The Flag Keeper. Her young adult paranormal thriller Dark Before Dawn will be released by Mainly Murder Press in January 2012. She is a former journalist with more than a dozen writing awards to her credit. Let's find out more while we're looking forward to the first float to pass.

1. Who is Stacy Juba and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

I have a lot of people living in my brain and they talk to me! I've created characters from high school hockey players and patriotic teddy bears, to a crime-solving obit writer, a reality show personality, and a teenage psychic.

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

They might be surprised to know that I'm trained in Reiki, a form of hands-on energy healing, and that I'm very holistic.

3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming a circus lion tamer?

I was very introverted as a child and loved reading. In third grade, I felt motivated to write my first story, and by fifth grade, I was reading college textbooks about writing and working on my first mystery series. I was so introverted that today they call it selective mutism - there were some circumstances where I just could not find my voice. But on paper, I had a strong voice. Writing gave me a powerful way to communicate.

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

I would love to share dinner with authors Darcia Helle and Maria Savva. We founded a web site together called Bestseller Bound, which brings together indie and small press authors, readers, reviewers and book bloggers. We communicate with each other over email or on the message board forum several times per week, and I consider them wonderful friends, but we have never met in person.

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 books Twenty-Five Years Ago Today and Sink or Swim are a great form of escape. They are fast-paced and entertaining, and will leave you trying to figure out whodunnit. Twenty-Five Years Ago Today is thought provoking and leaves many readers thinking about the characters long after they've read it. Sink or Swim is a lighter beach read. (See, I'm very confident putting something like that in writing...however if I was in an airport for four hours, I'd have an incredibly hard time going up to the person reading a Kindle and telling them I was an author and to check out my books.)

6. Share the Juba 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 do character sketches beforehand about the main character, the villain, and important supporting characters, then I do a lengthy outline. The outline isn't written in stone, but I use it as a guide when writing. I'll write a handful of chapters at a time, then go back and edit. Once I finish the manuscript, I use different colored highlighters to help with the editing - for example, I'll highlight all of the description one color, all of the internal thought a second color, all of the dialogue a third color, etc. This helps me work on strengthening different aspects of the story. I use Google to do research, but I also visit places and do interviews. I took a one-day firearms class to research handguns, and I've interviewed police detectives. Sometimes, if it's just a quick question, I'll find an expert on-line and send them an email, explaining that I'm an author researching a book.

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 a very structured writer, but some authors like to make it up as they go along. Just start writing and see what happens. I'd also recommend either joining an in-person critique group or finding critique partners online. It's important to get different perspectives. It might take a little time to find a good match, but there are loads of web sites and organizations where writers can network with one another.

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 got this out of a fortune cookie on New Year's Eve and liked it so much that I taped it onto the vision board in my office: Fear can keep us up all night long, but faith makes one fine pillow.

My philosophy is to stay positive and trust that things will work out okay. Think about the things that you want to attract into your life, and try not to waste your thoughts on what you don't want.

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?

My young adult paranormal thriller Dark Before Dawn will be released in early 2012. I'll also be publishing an updated version of my out-of-print young adult novel Face-Off and releasing a new sequel. I'm also working on Sign of the Messenger, the first book in a planned mystery series about a psychic healer who solves crimes.

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

They can visit my web site http://stacyjuba.com/blog/ and my blog http://stacyjuba.com/blog/blog/ as well as my Amazon author page:
http://www.amazon.com/Stacy-Juba/e/B002OXLSDE/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Around the Globe with TINA WHITTLE

2011-04-08T13:13:00.001-05:00

Yeserday we had a day of rain, so today is cloudy and cool. Not only does my author for this week make me stand around waiting for her to get ready for her trip to be interviewed, she hadn't planned an iternary. Which means, she left it up to me to decide where we go.

So, I transport her to Washinghton, D.C., in the hope I might catch a glimpse of my parent who are vacationing in the area. Author Tina Whittle and I on the Capitol mall enjoying a nice stroll with cool drinks in hand.

1. Who is Tina Whittle and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

I’m a mystery novelist. Tis means I make my living making up imaginary happenings in the lives of pretend people. The fact that I’m still walking the streets and not in some quiet rest home is a remarkable testament to my fascinating personality.

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

That I’m a lousy golfer and a very good tarot reader.

3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming an nuclear scientist?

I am an introvert who enjoys spending lots of time alone talking to made-up people. Being a writer was pretty much my only career choice.

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

Barbara Kingsolver, David Sedaris, and Oscar Wilde. Barbara shares my love of local home-prepared fare, and my concerns about the environment. Oscar and David would make sure the conversation didn’t get too serious. Good food requires good conversation & these would make it happen,

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 spending time with my characters talking to me, they’re smart, funny and a delight to hang out with. I think the main reason I write these books is a chance to hang out with these people. Plus, it’s a mystery, so you can engage your mental capabilities.

6. Share the Whittle 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 recommend the Whittle process. I tried my hardest to reinvent this process for Book Two, only to discover that there seems to be only one way I write a book. I write a big bloated chaotic mess two times as long as it needs to be, with every tidbit of weird research that intrigues me thrown in. Then I have to find the story in there, hone it, and do the research that matters. Which has to be in-person. I have to smell a place to understand it. And unfortunately, I have no imagination for creating setting. I have to see a place to be able to write about it. So yesterday I spent the day riding the MARTA train in Atlanta, touring the Fox Theater, walking the perimeter of the Westin Hotel’s observation walk, sitting in a Ferrari F430, then eating hot dogs and friend macaroni and cheese at Turner Field the night before the Braves take the field for the first time this season. In short, the Whittle process is exhausting.

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 the spine. It was advice from William Diehl, the author of Sharkey’s Machine. Figure out the heart of what you’re trying to say and be sure that everything you write connects to that heart, like ribs to a spine.

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?

Be kind. It works for the Dalai Lama, I sure as heck oughtta be able to make that work.

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?

Oh no, no stopping for me. Some famous writer once said writing is the only profession that chooses you. Which is a really fancy way of saying that you know you’re a writer if you MUST write. I’m in that category. So now I’m working on Book Two, the second in the series that began with The Dangerous Edge of Things.

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

www.tinawhittle.com is a good start. I have links to my blogs there, as well information about my schedule of appearances and contact information. There is also an excerpt from The Dangerous Edge of Things should anyone wish to test drive the book.

Around the Globe with MELISSA BRADLEY

2011-04-01T04:42:00.000-05:00

This week, I pick up author Melissa Bradley at her home and she tells me she wants to go to her home away from home. So, I set the transporter controls for Paris. In no time we are sitting on the Left Bank at a pied a terre enjoying wine and fine chocolates. Now this is nice. The City of Lights, a fine wine, and a wonderful author. Onto the questions...

1. Who is Melissa Bradley and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

Wow, most fascinating in my city…I’m sexy and smart and… Oh wait that’s a personal ad, ahem sorry. LOL I don’t know as I am fascinating, really, but I love to hang out with a variety of people from all walks of life and learn about things that take me out of my comfort zone.

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

That I am an avid NFL junkie and do nothing on Sundays in the Fall, but watch football. I will not answer my phone unless it is to discuss the games and I know who those people are, they are on my list. I’m so addicted I play Fantasy Football, too. I also love to bowl, both in the actual alleys and on the Wii, where I am Goddess of the lanes.

3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming an nuclear scientist?

Nuclear scientist was out because I hate math. I suck at it completely. I guess it would have to be the voices in my head and the freedom to make up my own universes and control everything in them. LOL Rather maniacal, aren’t I? I also got inspired by the works of C.S. Lewis, Judy Blume and a horde of romance authors I read on the sly without my parents’ knowledge.

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

I would absolutely love to have dinner with Liz Williams, Edeet Ravel, Stephen King, John Stewart, Michio Kaku and J.K. Rowling. I find them extremely interesting people and I adore their writing. I can just imagine the fun I’d have talking to them around the dinner table with awesome food and drink.

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 books would be great company because they are funny, sexy and have an edge to them. They’re filled with loads of snappy dialogue and would make the time fly for sure. I was told by someone that they are not bad for rereads, either.

6. Share the Bradley 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 never really thought of my whole process per se. I would have to say that my inspiration for stories comes from all different places so I always have a notebook handy. When something or someone strikes my fancy, I start making notes. I get out whatever is in my brain. Then I develop plot or characters or setting, whichever I feel most like working on. The next step is fleshing out the story. I do general research first, saving the more specific stuff for when I do the writing. I don’t know what’s necessary until I’m actually working on it. I have a variety of research methods that include Google, reading and interviewing.

I don’t have a set schedule for writing just now, but I’m trying to work on that. I tend to write mostly when I’m in the mood because things flow better. As for an outline, I sort of do one, but I’m mostly a pantser.

I edit as I write, which means I take a long time to get a manuscript finished in the first draft. Then I do another round of edits, take it to my crit partners, then do a final edit. After that, it’s off to wherever that particular story is going, whether it’s my current publisher or someplace new. There’s a query involved with some place new so that involves some extra steps.

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 advice is to start writing. When inspiration hits start to outline, jot down scenes that pop in your head, anything, but keep writing. The important thing is to get out whatever’s in your head first. You can work from there, shaping it, adding, subtracting, etc. Everyone’s writing style is different so remember to do what’s best for you. Once you’re finished, then comes the editing, beta reading, querying, etc. Also, try to network with other writers as much as possible. You can learn a lot about the craft and the business side 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?

I love that saying. I’ve spent a lot of my life hugging the corners and riding the pine because of various things that have happened, but I’ve been working past all that and one thought that helps me through is let the bodies hit the floor. Stuff is going to happen to matter what you do. No one can live your life, but you and you have to just get out there or you’ll end up living a life you hate.

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?

Nah, I could never stop writing. Too many voices in my head. LOL I have two sequels planned for two current stories, Michael’s Keeper and Maxie Briscoe: Werewolf. I also have a zombie story and a historical planned.

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

People can find me by visiting my blog, Melissa’s Imaginarium at http://melissasimaginarium.blogspot.com/, or on My Space at http://myspace.com/melbwrites.

The World of Wylie

2011-03-25T04:34:00.009-05:00

This week, I'm sitting at my computer, ready to type in my weekly post, when suddenly this woman from Canada, named Jennifer Wylie, bursts into my apartment. Now, normally, I wouldn't mind, but with barely a "How Ya doin'?" she hip checks me away from my computer, and takes my chair. Before I can recover, she's hijacked my blog. She spends a few minutes typing away like mad, then she's out the door in a flash. The bad news is, she left the Canadian cold weather in her wake and we had been enjoying sixties here in Iowa for a week or so. The good news is after reading her posting, instead of geting upset, I want to thank her for showing up and letting us know what she's been up to. Come back anytime, Jen, but knock next time, or I'll sic the Mounties on you...

I need a clone. Seriously. The last few months have gone by so quickly I feel as though I simply stepped through a time machine to now. Well, almost...I'm rather tired, and a bit frazzled. My eyes are sore and my fingers cramped. Since I received my first contracts from Echelon Press in September I've been going nonstop. If I'm not editing then I'm writing or marketing. Mostly I edit.

Even though I'd love to take a break and relax I've too many things on my plate to do so. Luckily, I enjoy being so busy, what I'm doing. Occasionally I get a bit overwhelmed, but I have a wonderful support group of family and friends and colleges who keep me from falling over the deep end.

For those of you reading I haven't met before, my debut publication came out in December. Jump is a humorous urban fantasy short story which has done very well, hitting OmniLit's Top 10 Best seller list the day of release, reaching and stay at #1 for over a month. (Currently at #3). This month I was very excited to get the contract for its sequel! (No release date yet though)

In late February my longer short story in my Immortal Echoes world was released. The Forgotten Echo has also been doing very well, currently #2 on OmniLit’s Top Seller list, and the sites Top Rated list. I've just received a contract for another short story in this world, The Untouchable Echo.

Did I mention I've been busy? In February I was also contracted for a short story series- 6 stories total, one to be released the first of each month. That's a lot of writing and editing just in case you were wondering. My Tales of Ever series is part of a new short story program being put out by Echelon Press. Electric Shorts is a pilot program for reluctant readers. Each series contains six short stories presented once per month as electronic downloads (eBooks), much the same as a television series. Tales of Ever is a fantasy series written for young adults (13-17 year olds). My first instalment was released March 1st. I love this world and am very pleased to see Banished doing well too. The second in the series, Fire Girl, will be out April 1st. I'm currently working on edits for it as I write the third story.

If you aren't a lover of short stories, ~gasp~, you'll be happy to know my novel Sweet Light is due out in May. I'm also working with an editor for it. (Did I mention I've been doing a lot of edits lately?)

So you see I've been rather busy, but still trying to keep in touch with everyone. The kiddies are keeping me on my toes, and I'm hoping for more time to show up at some point so I can work on some books I started a while ago. I'm not sure when that will happen...but I'll cross my fingers!

For information on all of my work, and for updates on what’s coming soon, contracted or in progress check out my website: www.jenniferwylie.ca
Do stop by my blog too! Lots of fun stuff there :) http://jlwylie.wordpress.com/

Tales of Ever
Series Blurb:
Welcome to Ever.

Ever, a deadly realm where feared, powerful and dangerous magical beings are banished. Though very large, it is not a world but a magically created prison. You can’t break through its circular boundary. Who, or what, made Ever? I’ve no idea. They were powerful, and cruel. That is all I can tell you.

Ever is like and unlike every other world. Nothing is safe. Safety is a dream. Ever is a nightmare. Few survive their first day. Nothing is what it seems. If something appears safe, it isn’t. If something appears dangerous, well it is, but probably more so than you think.

Ever has no sun, no moon, no stars at night. Time is told by the ever changing color of the sky where portals open, dropping new inhabitants, or new terrors. Time does pass. Don’t worry, you won’t get old. You won’t live that long.

The landscape changes without reason form dessert to jungles. The flora isn’t safe at any time. There is food, if you can find it without getting eaten yourself. Most plants and animals are poisonous. So is the water.

Are you afraid? You should be. This is the end. It gets worse of course. Remember the portals? Do think angels come through? Rarely the innocent do. Mostly, it is people of evil, people too powerful to kill. Their magic works here. The creature’s are worse.

Do you understand? Well you will eventually, or you’ll die. There is no escaping Ever. Ever.

#1 Banished:
My life was normal. It sucked, but it was normal. At least until I got this new power. I can control fire. It would be cool if it wasn’t so dangerous and if I knew how to use it. Pretty much my sucky life took a nose dive once I got it. Yup, everything gone. I suppose I should be thankful some uncle I never heard of took me in. Turns out the whole family isn’t normal and my power is a lot more dangerous than I thought. I thought things couldn’t get any worse. I was wrong. They banished me to Ever.

If I’m lucky, I might survive my first day.

Buy Links:
Omnilit: http://www.omnilit.com/product-banished-519511-234.html

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/44865

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Banished-Tales-of-Ever-ebook/dp/B004Q9TX4A

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Banished-Tales-of-Ever/dp/B004Q9TX4A

B&N: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Banished/Jen-Wylie/e/2940012206961/?itm=1

Bio:
Jennifer Wylie was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. In a cosmic twist of fate she dislikes the snow and cold.

Before settling down to raise a family, she attained a BA from Queens University and worked in retail and sales.

Thanks to her mother she acquired a love of books at an early age and began writing in public school. She constantly has stories floating around in her head, and finds it amazing most people don’t. Jennifer writes various forms of fantasy, both novels and short stories. Sweet light is her debut novel to be published in 2011.

Jennifer resides in rural Ontario, Canada with her husband, two boys, Australian shepherd a flock of birds and a disagreeable amount of wildlife.

Around the Globe with DEBBIE MACK

2011-03-18T08:17:00.002-05:00

This week, as the early signs of spring are starting to stay around for awhile, I hop in my transporter and pick up author Debbie Mack and in no time, we're sitting at a table at a streetside cafe in Rome. (You can see a little of where we're having the interview in the picture to your left.) I'm not sure what she's drinking, but I'm trying a very expensive dry red wine. (Hey, she's paying, I'm just the inteviewer.)

1. Who is Debbi Mack and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

Those are tough questions. Much tougher than they look. I can tell you that I’m the kind of person who would never claim to be the most fascinating person in my city, because I live near two cities full of fascinating and eccentric people – Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD. I’ll let you guess which trait is prevalent in which city.

I will say that I’m a good listener. I love to listen to other people’s stories. And I have a few of my own that are pretty interesting. I’ve lived through some unusual experiences and survived some close calls. A few near death experiences, even. It gives me pause sometimes and makes me appreciate what I have and life all the more.

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

I can imagine there are a few things about me that would surprise or even shock people, but I’ll pick just one: In my senior year of high school, I skipped school so many days during one grading period that they marked the number in red. Somehow or other, I managed to pass all my classes with decent grades. I think I had a B average. Maybe. I’d lost interest. Clearly. In fact, I didn’t even attend my graduation. I just picked up my diploma from the office. I was more than ready to move on to something else at that point.

3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming an nuclear scientist?

I think my interest in writing began with reading. As I grew older, I started keeping journals and even tried to write stories, without much success at first. It wasn’t until high school that I wrote my first short story. It was science fiction, inspired in part by 1984, with a bit of Star Trek thrown in – in retrospect, I think, I was ripping off a few ideas here and there and combining them. Boy, was I surprised when the teacher gave the story an A-!

Despite that, and even though I ended up majoring in journalism (after starting off in electronics technology – long story), I ended up going to law school, because I figured I could practice law for a living and write as a hobby. But practicing law is time consuming and demanding. Life is too short to spend on things you’d rather not do, when you could be spending that time on things you want to do. Writing was what I wanted to do. So I changed careers.

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

Oh, boy! How big is the table? Let’s start with Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, Ross MacDonald and Margaret Millar. These four are among the classic hardboiled mystery authors that have most profoundly influenced my writing. Margaret Millar wrote both hardboiled mystery and psychological suspense. I’d love to add the late Mercedes Lambert to that group, since she wrote a hardboiled mystery series about a crime solving female lawyer in Los Angeles similar to mine. Judith Van Gieson has also written a hardboiled mystery series about female lawyer Neil Hamel in Albuquerque, NM, so I’d include her, too. And, of course, Sue Grafton, Walter Mosley, and the late Robert B. Parker, because these three are among the best known contemporary mystery authors that have influenced my work.

Outside the mystery genre, I’d love to add Mark Twain, because I imagine he’d tell great stories. Erica Jong because of Fear of Flying. Sylvia Plath because of The Bell Jar (yeah, I was a teenaged girl once). J.D. Salinger because of Catcher in the Rye (boy, is the seating going to get awkward or what?). Isaac Asimov, because he was a genius and a visionary. Harlan Ellison because he’s a no-nonsense, straight shooter and a writers advocate. Douglas Adams because he wrote The Hitchhiker’s Guide and he was funny. John Kennedy Toole because it’s tragic that he didn’t get to enjoy the success of A Confederacy of Dunces and I’m sure he’d be great company. I could rattle on and on … but that would get boring fast.

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 books tend to combine the feel and structure of a hardboiled private eye novel with the fast-pace and action typical of a thriller. At the same time, I like to write about real issues, and the characters and situations are often gritty and realistic. Somehow, I think I’m able to strike a balance between realism and the more plot-oriented action/adventure feel to end up with a story that both informs and entertains, and ends well, but not always due to the right reasons. There’s usually a bittersweet or ironic aspect to my endings, sometimes almost a touch of noir, without going so far as being tragic.

6. Share the Mack 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 can come from just about anywhere. For example, my idea for my latest novel Least Wanted was sparked after reading about girl gangs in The Washington Post and listening to stories my husband’s friend told about working as a security guard at a Prince George’s County middle school. The two things got me thinking and I wrote a rough draft of an outline for the story. I did some research on girl gangs on the Internet. I read a book about girls in gangs. I also spoke with someone in the PG County State’s Attorney’s Office who had direct experience with the subject. I spoke to an attorney who handled juvenile court work and corresponded with a school guidance counselor. There was also an embezzlement storyline that I had to research and vet, too, and I was fortunate to meet a financial auditor to help me with those details. Otherwise, I tried to read as much as possible on the Internet, including articles, government reports and other documents on various subjects including girl gangs, juvenile crime, juvenile incarceration, embezzlement, money laundering, pawn shops and other topics.

Regarding my writing schedule, every night I always plan out what I intend to do the next day. Usually, I’ll plan to write from around 2 to 4 or 4:30 p.m. (afternoons are best for me), after I’ve set aside time to handle email and marketing chores. I usually write a little every day, unless life absolutely makes it impossible, because that’s my job. My only day off is Sunday. Generally, as I’m writing the first draft, I’ll give the chapters to my writers group. They review them and comment on them, so I’m usually revising and updating as I go. So, by the time the first draft is finished, I have a pretty good idea what changes I want to make for sure. Then I take another look at the whole thing again and go over it once more and make any more changes I think are necessary before I hand it off to my editor.

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?”

First of all, just start writing. Don’t edit yourself. Just start and see what comes out. Get the bones down, as someone once put it. Check your local community college to see if they offer adult education courses on fiction writing. I took a course on mystery writing at my community college when I started out. It helped me understand story structure. You also might want to read books on writing, such as (to give a few examples) Stephen King’s On Writing, Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird or (if you’re into mystery or thriller writing) Carolyn Wheat’s How To Write Killer Fiction. Also, you can learn so much from reading well-written books. Whatever else you do, I encourage you to read, read, read other books of all kinds. Read them with a critical eye and figure out what makes them interesting. As a writer, you may eventually find yourself doing this automatically.

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 think my life’s philosophy can be best summed up in one of my favorite quotations from Helen Keller: “Life is either daring adventure or nothing.”

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?

Stop writing? Perish the thought. I’ll stop writing when I stop breathing. Right now, I’m working on the third novel in the Sam McRae mystery series. I’m almost finished. I have lots of ideas for more Sam McRae novels to come. I have two other standalone novels I’d like to revise at some point and publish eventually. I have an idea for a young adult novel that I’d like to work on next. I’ve also written a feature film screenplay. Any producers out there interested in hearing the pitch? Hmm?

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

You can read about me and my work on my Web site at http://www.debbimack.com and on my blog at http://midlistlife.wordpress.com. I also have four other blogs (yes, five blogs total – insane, I know ), which you can find listed on the sidebar of my Web site.

Around the Globe with KRIS SEDERSTEN

2011-03-11T08:13:00.001-06:00

Well, like so many of my authors do when I come to interview them, they just step in and take over my transporter's controls and assume command. This week, Kris Sedersten even took over some of the narrative and, hey, give me back the keyboard-

Stephen and I are meeting at the fabulous Stanley Hotel in Estes Park Colorado. We are here to enjoy the amazing view and check out the haunted history of this beautiful establishment. There is some awesome mojo in this place. We may take a ghost tour while we are here. I’m hungry for Chinese food so I think that’s what we’ll have while we visit.

All right, but you could have waited until the summer to come to Colorado. Anyway, on with the questions.

1. Who is Kris Sedersten and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

My city is actually a very small town of 900ish people. Believe it or not, there are a number of citizens who are more colorful than I am so I don’t think I’m hardly the most fascinating person in town. I enjoy spending time with friends and family above all else. My husband and I have three grown children and eight amazing grandchildren. I am a budding paranormal investigator so I guess that makes me a ghost hunting grammie, and that’s a lot of fun. I recently founded a paranormal investigation group called Synergy Paranormal Investigations so we’ll see where that leads. So fun!

2. Without revealing a deep dark secret, what one thing would people be surprised to learn about you?

Many people would be surprised at my passion for the paranormal. I’m a really down to earth person, generally speaking. Many people were surprised to learn that I write fiction, also. Not a lot of colleagues in the Health Care field do either of those things! Isn’t it wonderful that we all enjoy different passions in life?

3. What interested you to become a writer rather than something else such as becoming a nuclear scientist?

Actually I am a Registered Nurse and a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, so I was much more inspired to enter the helping professions before I was inspired to become a writer. Writing was more of a hobby I tripped over later in life. It was an incidental journal entry that became the catalyst for writing fiction. I found that I love the creative process and now I am quite addicted to writing.

4. Writers are readers. Which author(s) would you enjoy sharing dinner? Why?

Stephen King would be my first choice because he is the master of horror and I love horror stories. Mr. King could join us here at the Stanley Hotel which is where he was inspired to write The Shining. Kathy Reichs could also join us because I love the TV show Bones!

5. If you were stranded on a deserted island (or suffering a 4 hour layover at the airport, why would your books be great company?

Mojo is a fast paced paranormal thriller that would keep you engaged until the bitter end. The twists and turns keep you guessing. You may not want to read it too close to dark, especially on the deserted island since you would be very much alone! You might have to sleep with the tiki torch on afterward! lol

6. Share the Sedersten process of writing in regards to idea and character development, story outline, research, writing schedule, editing and number of rewrites.

I start out with the general plot and character ideas which I put into an outline. I often wonder why I bother to do that, however, because the story tends to write itself and it goes where it goes in the end. The end product may slightly resemble what I had in mind to begin with but sometimes only slightly. I write everyday for at least one hour. When I am in the creative process I can honestly write for ten to twelve hours at a time if the world lets me. I get obsessive about getting the story down on paper and it’s hard for me to stop until that is done. I’m learning to edit more as I go to decrease the number of rewrites. Until recently I haven’t edited much during the first draft. I just want to let the ideas free flow and get them down on paper. I do most of my research on the internet or other books on the topic of interest.

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 just start writing. You will never get your story to go anywhere if you don’t start somewhere! I suggest writing while the ideas are fresh and exciting. In some areas there are writing groups that can be a big help to authors. That is not the case where I live. I would also suggest working with an editor to help you figure out your strengths and weaknesses. That can definitely help you become a better writer. That’s not to say you want an editor who fixes everything for you or essentially “ghostwrites” for you. The good ones won’t do that, but they will challenge you and help you to grow as a writer by teaching you more about the craft and developing your own style.

8. I saw an amazing T-shirt the other day which read, “Every great idea I have gets me in trouble.” What is your philosophy of life.

Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?

I am working on the second installation of the Mojo series. It is in the process of being edited as we speak. It is called “Lost Mojo” and I hope it will be out by the end of the year. I have the third book also on the way. I’m nearly finished with the first draft of that one. I’m very inspired to write a book of true ghost stories also with my new found interest in paranormal investigating. There are a lot of truly fascinating tale of unexplained phenomena out there just waiting to be told! I’ve started putting a few ideas together there as well.

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

Well, you can Google me to find information about ezine articles and book reviews from genre bloggers etc. I have some articles published about paranormal experiences and paranormal investigating on www.goarticles.com and www.americanchronicl.com ezines. My website is http://www.krissedersten.com. Please feel free to stop by anytime and leave a comment or a good ghost story!

Salute Editors, Part 2

2011-03-04T09:47:00.003-06:00

I continue the interview with Kat Thompson, former senior editor at Echelon Press. Every publisher has individual preferences for manuscripts. Where one will accept a tag line after a question, another will not. As I discovered, the rules continue to be updated, but many are to make the writer think, to be more creative, and to put out a better product.

8. I've learned a lot about writing, as have others, through trial and error and from other writers in critique groups. I strive to put out the best manuscripts I can, to follow all of the rules. However, I've read a lot of books, written by well known authors, where I find all sorts of mistakes I'm not allowed to make? Why do editors let those go by?

Because each editor looks at things differently. For instance - at Echelon, we don't like tags with question or exclamation marks. Other publishers don't seem to have an issue with this - just different styles. Many of the books/guides written by authors are extensions of their own opinions about what is correct. You can get 3 different editors in a room and have 5 different opinions about what is correct in any given situation - that's the craziness of the English language.

9. I'm ready to submit my manuscript to be review for acceptance. I can just mail the whole thing to your attention, correct? Why not?

No. You must check the publisher's website and review the submission guidelines. If you do not follow the guidelines (very often different for different publishers), the publisher will not even consider your submission. The publisher's opinion is if you cannot follow those guidelines, then you may not want to follow other rules of the publishing house and, frankly, we don't have the time to deal with someone who will not follow the rules.

10. Could I ask how many submissions Echelon Press receives on a monthly basis? How do I make myself stand out?

It really depends on the month. I've seen as many as 6 or 8 and as few as one. If you follow our guidelines, your submission will be read. We read every single one of the submissions we get - as long as they have followed the Echelon guidelines.

11. I've submitted a manuscript. Should I wait by the phone or keep checking my email every day expecting a reply? How long should I wait and should I just assume if you haven't replied within X amount of time, you just didn't like what I wrote?

Generally, expect to wait 4-6 weeks. Most publishers do not have a single person or team who do nothing but read submissions, so submissions are being read by the editing staff, in between editing books and dealing with whatever else life is throwing at them at the moment. A good publishing house will acknowledge receipt of a submission and try to give you an estimate of how long you can expect to wait. If, however, after 6 weeks you have not heard anything, it's acceptable to drop a line to the submission email and inquire where you are in the pile.

12. I've made submissions to multiple publishing houses or agents and, wonder of wonders, two have accepted it and would like to offer a contract. How do I choose?

Good question. How do you feel about the publishing house? Which one gives you the best impression? Which one responded first? This is entirely subjective, but good luck with whichever one you choose.

13. Part of Echlon's submission requirements is a request for a marketing strategy. What is this and why should I have one? I mean, I wrote the story, if you publish it people are just going to buy it, aren't they?

Because Echelon expects its authors to market their books, we want to know how you plan to do so. Echelon does not have the personnel to do nothing but marketing. For that matter, the big NY publishers may expect an author to do some of his/her own marketing, too. Without marketing your book may sell - to your family, friends, and possibly friends of friends, but unless you get out there and sell your book, it can be in all the right places (Ingram, B&N, Amazon, etc), yet will not sell enough copies to make it worth the time, effort and cost to the publisher. This is a business, after all, and Echelon, as well as every other publisher, is in the business to make money - for Echelon, the editors and the authors. You have to be willing to help get there.

14. In our frequent correspondence, I've noticed a tag at the end of your emails saying you're in search of 'wandering body parts.' Explain what these are and give a few examples.

Wandering body parts are perfectly correct sentences that create humorous mind pictures. Or they may be sentences that because of word order, create a physically impossible action/movement/scene.
Examples: Small pine trees reached out, and then a row of bamboo shot up in front of him. She squeezed her eyes together. Boots and skirts spun past Ann. Slinging his arm over his eyes on the bed. The Marquis sat in the den reading along with a snifter of brandy, which sat on the highboy next to him.

15. What advice do you have for new writers or already published authors to help them improve their skills to make the writing more fun and your job a little easier?

Write, write, write, then write some more. Pay attention to what your editor says and learn from your mistakes. Accept critiques in the manner in which they are intended - as an aid to improving your story. Read books and study how the authors tell their stories. And write.

Salute to Editors, Part 1

2011-02-25T03:06:00.002-06:00

This week, I present part one of an interview I did with Kat Thompson, former senior editor at Echelon Press. Although since she first sent me the email leting me know Echelon had accepted two of my novels for publication, and since she graciously agreed to an interview, she has stepped back from major editing duties. However, as a guide and advisor, she possesses skills and talents from which all writers may benefit.

1. Who is Kat Thompson? Tell me a little about yourself. What one thing about you would surprise most people?

I am a retired computer systems security geek. Have been married to my best friend for over 30 years. I am a voracious reader, like to garden, do needlework and bake. I occasionally write extremely bad poetry - something few have seen. I started proof-reading when I was 10 years old - for a newsletter my mother published. Since then I've proofed, been a reviewer, I do cold reads, advise on cover art, and edit both fiction and non-fiction. I've been known to write the occasional non-fiction article, but for the most part I do not write...and have no desire to do so.

2. What brought you to Echelon Press? How long have you been with the company? What's your title and duties?

I started with Karen about 2004, as an editor. I'd heard she was looking for editors and had just survived the implosion of NBI. After working for Karen for a few months, she offered me the Executive Editor position. Talked if over with my husband, agonized about it for a few days and, with great trepidation, accepted her offer. At that point, my life got a bit interesting (sort of like a Chinese curse).

I am the Executive Editor, responsible for herding cats (our editors) and making sure manuscripts receive quality edits we and our authors can be proud of. I am the final decision maker when there are issues concerning editing, and I act as a sounding board for the other editors when they have questions specific to manuscripts.

3. What's the lure of being an editor? What do you find satisfying about the job?

I have always loved the English language, and editing seems to come from that. I enjoy reading new stories and helping the author make the story the best if can be. I've had a lot of satisfaction in being involved in helping authors polish their stories.

4. Okay, I have what I think is a great story and I write it. I've gone over and over it. I've gotten critiques from other writers and I've rewritten until I can't improve it any further. My part is done, correct? Why not?

Nope. You still need to work with your editor. There is no such animal as a perfect story - someone will always find an error in it (even Eats Shoots and Leaves has at least one!). With a good editor, one who can look not only at the language, grammar, and punctuation, but the content, you can take your story from a really good one, to a truly great story. Your editor cannot do that without your assistance, because it is YOUR story after all. How important is the editor - think about this: how many books have acknowledgments or dedications to an editor? That gives you an idea how important that relationship is.

5. Do you ever run into writers who have the following attitudes: A. "Well, I've paid a professional editor, why do I need a publisher's editor? B. Well, you editors are all a bunch of sharks. You're just wanting to mark up my manuscript." C. "It's my story, leave it alone." How do you handle these?

A. Oh yes, and way too often. The thing is, a professional editor can do a good job, no question, but a publisher will soon lose the business if he or she depends on editors who know nothing about the publishing house and the needs and wants of the publisher. The publisher's editor knows what the publisher likes, what buttons (grammatical) he/she has, and the styles the publisher needs. Each publishing house has a personality and style that comes from the publisher through the editors. It gives the books published there a sort of flavor that is unique to each publishing house - subtle, but there.

B. True - for some editors. Too often authors are hijacked by editors who take ownership of the author's story. It takes a truly talented editor to work closely with the author, yet not force his/her own style, feeling, impressions into the author's story. An editor must keep in mind that the story belongs to the author and it is the editor's goal to help make that story the best it can be without losing the author's voice. And yes, we DO want to mark up your manuscript - but only to improve it.

C. Sometimes you can convince the author in these situations that you're there to help make the story the best it can be. Sometimes, all too often, unfortunately, you have the publisher hand back the rights and tell the author good luck. Thankfully, this attitude does not seem to survive too many rejections - or else they simply go off and self-publish. The sad thing is, someone will read the story - whether it's good or bad.

6. So, what rules should all writers be expected to know and what guidelines should all writers follow?

Writers, first and foremost, need to understand the general rules of English. A good guide for writing is Strunk & White Elements of Style. Other than that, a writer just needs to keep writing, pay attention to what your editor says and learn from it.

7. If a writer knows the rules, has repeatedly re-read the manuscript, why do they miss obvious errors an editor later catches?

Because he or she has re-read the story so often he/she no longer sees every word. One way to help this is to read it out loud, but even that can miss things. It normally takes at least 2 people to catch most of the errors. Even then, we'll find an error just as a book is about to be released, or a couple weeks after release. It happens.

Check in next week for Part 2.

The Name's the Game

2011-02-18T09:02:00.000-06:00

One of the many common questions people ask authors is, “Where do you get your ideas from?” Actually, the correct question should be, “From where do you get your ideas?”

Anyway, many authors will answer, “From everyday life.” Just walking around looking at things and people and listening to news stories. At the Killer Nashville writers' conference last August, guest Jeffrey Deaver told how he came up with the idea for The Burning Wire. He had an electrician over one day who did some wiring. During a delicate operation, the electrician told Deaver he had to be careful because a minor slip in either direction could kill him (the electrician, not Deaver). Well, of course being a devilish, murder plot-minded guy, Deaver said, “Cool, tell me more.”

I conceived the idea for Night Shadows after listening to a radio show about supposedly real encounters with shadow creatures and thought, “What if the shadows came from another dimension and killed people?”

When a writer develops his or her plot, one of the most important parts is names for the characters. As any good wizard knows, names have power. Names mean recognition. For instance when you hear the name Sherlock Holmes, you know the character being discussed. Same with Hercule Poirot. Sam Spade. Hamlet. Mike Hammer. After many novels fans begin to recognize names like Stone Barrington, Stephanie Plum, Joe Gunther, Jack Ryan, Ellery Queen, Elvis Cole.

But how do authors choose character names? Some have some good stories behind them but I think it's as interesting to know how authors come up with character names as how musical groups come up with theirs. Level 42, The Platters, Spandau Ballet, The Byrds, The Dead Kennedys (yes, that's a real name of a musical group), Ratt, Genesis. I could go on and on, but you get the point.

Mike Manno, fellow author and friend of mine, picks his characters' names from the list of past Iowa lieutenant governors. It's a list, I'm fairly certain, of which only Mike and the actual LG's themselves are familiar. I mean, can you name five past LG's? Do you care if you can? Anyway, I thought Mike's list for choosing names is interesting.

When I started writing, the name Sam Petersen just popped into my head for my detective. He lived in the Quad Cities and solved mysteries. As the years went by, I changed Sam to Mallory and moved her to Des Moines. In Beta (coming July 15th to fine Internet stores near you), I had originally named Mallory's assistant Jamie and her cop friend Laurel. Then I had a couple of friends tell me those names were a little, uh, well, effeminate for the characters portrayed and they wondered about their, uh, well, sexual inclinations. After thinking about their comments, I changed the names to Darren and Lawrence, respectively. (More manly sounding? Well, Biff and Duke just didn't fit.) Originally, I had most of the Beta's character's surnames begin with the letter C. After re-reading the story, I thought that idea pretty dumb.

I used to scan the phone book for names, but more often than not, settled for one I didn't think quite correct. Then I stumbled onto another source for names that has worked magnificently and, so far, hasn’t failed me yet. When I wrote Night Shadows, Harry Reznik, like the long ago Sam Petersen, just popped into my head and just worked for me. When choosing his partner's moniker, I knew her first name, but chose the surname from my other source. Most of the rest Night Shadows’ characters' surnames (as well as some of the first names) are taken from this source.

So, here's the contest. Tell me where I get the majority of the Night Shadows character names from. Or more accurately (so my editor and former English teacher don't take turns smacking me upside the head), from what list do I get my Night Shadows character names? A little homework and a couple Internet clicks should tell you the answer in pretty quick fashion. The trick is to be the first one to give me the correct answer. There are many ways of doing this. Email, telephone, snail mail, knocking on my door and letting me know in person (after three in the afternoon please since I work most nights), carrier pigeon, sky writing, smoke signals, or even Morse code. (You might have a little trouble with the latter two since I don't understand either. I'd probably call the fire department on the first and wonder how you managed to get a telegraph system in my apartment on the second.)

Of course, all good contests have a prize. The winner will receive a free copy of Beta when it is released in July. (Where you'll find more names from the same source.)

So, happy reading and good luck!

Anticipation

2011-02-11T13:31:00.002-06:00

The waiting is the hardest part. Every day you see one more card. You take it on faith, you take it to the heart. The waiting is the hardest part. - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Anticipation, anticipation is making me late, is keeping me waiting. - Carly Simon

Yes, the above two references speak of intimate times with a lover yet to arrive, but I haven't been able to get those two songs out of my head for the last couple of weeks. Because finally, finally, after years of writing story after story, after years of critique groups hammering my novel to death and forcing me to think and re-think my characters and plots, after years of searching for a publisher, after months of waiting for edits, after long arduous hours of editing, editing, finally, more editing, after all the hype and promotion and marketing, and despite a glitch, I get to fulfill a dream. After February 15th, just five days from now, I can add the title 'Published Author' to my name.

The excitement has been growing. I'm ready. My family is ready. My friends and supporters are ready. I hopefully have sparked a readiness in the media. The time to hit the ground running and kick for the uprights has now arrived. (Yeah, sorry about the badly mixed metaphors, but who cares?)

When you read the book, you'll find an acknowledgment page thanking all the folks who've helped me to be published. I was allowed only a certain number of words so I'd like to take the space here to give more thanks to more people.

Of course my parents and family. You've supported me throughout the years and kept pushing me to continue writing. To Karen, Kat, Sean, Mary, and Jennifer at Echelon Press for staying tough and supportive. For giving me advice and a couple of smacks upside the head when I needed them. To Angi, Mike, Virginia, Sara, Susan, and everybody else in the writers' critique groups I've attended throughout the years. I never would have gotten this far without you all pointing out the stupid parts of my story and opening more doors when it came to pitches and publishing. To David who calmed my fears when it came to marketing. To Sunny who opened more doors in networking. To all of the folks I interviewed for research, from the lighting industry, to the police, to the insurance company representatives who provided me with a key scene in my story. A special thanks to Kim who has been a good friend throughout the years, who has traveled the long miles with me, who laughs at my jokes, who has provided enough fodder for a score of stories, who kept pushing and has sacrificed so much for me and the writing craft. You are so close to experiencing the dream and I want you so much to feel the high.

And of course, thanks to all of my friends, associates, Facebook buddies, and the taekwondo crowd who cheer me on and congratulated me beforehand.

I hope you all will enjoy the book as well as the one being released in July. If you don't like them, please tell me. I can take it and I'll try harder on the next one. If you like them, tell me (my ego also anticipates praise. Lol), but most importantly, tell your friends.

The waiting is the hardest part.

The waiting is almost over.

Thank you!

PS. Don't forget about the contest. Details to come next week.

Around the Globe with KERUL KASSEL

2011-02-04T08:05:00.000-06:00

So as another snowy week comes to an end, I jump in my transporter, pick this week's author, Kerul Kassel and we're off to a great meeting spot she picked out. Welcome to the Canopy Tower in Panama, outside Panama city, where we're sipping tropical fruit juice and observing the birds and wildlife buzzing outside the open windows at tree canopy level at 6:30a.m. Check out where we're at- http://www.canopytower.com

1. Who is Kerul Kassel and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?
Kerul is a procrastivity expert who knows the difference between good and bad procrastination. She's fascinating because she combines incisive intelligence, mild attractiveness, moderate ambition, and a fierce drive to learn and understand why people do the things they do.

2. Without revealing a deep dark secret (unless you want to), what one thing would people be surprised to learn about you?
I have a (rather private) tattoo and smoke the occasional cigarette.

3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming Shakespearean actor?
Like so much in my life, I'm an accidental writer (similar to how I became an accidental horse owner, an accidental publicly elected official, and an accidental owner of homes in three states). Maybe incidental would be a better word. Anyway, I wrote to help people understand why they do the things they do, and to create visibility and credibility for my business coaching niche.

4. Writers are readers. With which author(s) would you enjoy sharing dinner? Why?
The first person to come to mind would be, Carl Hiaasen, because he's so funny, writes a great story, and he shares my green sentiments. I'd also love to have shared repast with Kurt Vonnegut (so creative and critically minded), Shakespeare (do you know how much of the English language that man coined?), and Ann Rice (just for curiosity).

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?
They have some humor, some seriousness, a generous helping of grounded practicality, and a large dollop of compassion.

6. Share the Kassel 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 write fiction - I'm too linear and literal for that, at least at this point in my life. Generally, I edit as I write - when I get stuck I go back and edit and then proceed again when I get to the spot where I'd been stuck. I don't re-write a lot, but then I'm not writing fiction. When writing, I set a schedule and then stick to it (mostly :-))

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?”
Join a writing club and get lots of good ideas from other writers.

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?
"Visualize whirled peas."

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?
I'm currently working on a doctoral dissertation (yes, really). After that's done, all bets are off.

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?
www.Procrastivity.com

Around the Globe with HEATHER INGEMAR

2011-01-27T13:05:00.001-06:00

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!

Around the Globe with SARAH STORME

2011-01-21T07:55:00.000-06:00

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!

Around the Globe with BETH SOLHEIM

2011-01-14T08:04:00.000-06:00

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

Around the Globe with AUSTIN CAMACHO

2011-01-07T08:44:00.000-06:00

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.

Happy New Year

2010-12-31T08:00:00.001-06:00

New Year's Eve. What will you be doing? Shall I tell you what I will be doing?

Working.

Sitting behind a desk in front of an empty lobby, just as I have done for the last eleven years. Nope, I don't get to go party with friends, or trek to New York to gather in the cold with the mob of thousands to watch the ball drop. I don't get to kiss the pretty girl to welcome in the new year.

Yes, I know others are out there doing the same thing I'm doing. Because that's the job. Nurses and doctors and police officers and fire fighters and soldiers and, yes, thousands of other desk clerks around the country. I'm not begrudging them. God bless 'em, each and every one and to each I say, keep up the good work.

I'm just talking about me.

For a number of years, my dad brought in the new years printing gobs of reports few people cared about for the banks for which he worked. Some years, I'd call him up around midnight and wish him a happy new year as I, too, was soon going to be printing out gobs of reports few people cared about.

The next day, January 1st, I'll be sleeping through most of the football games and the parades and the only ringing going on will be the ringing of the alarm to wake me up in the afternoon.

Am I bitter or angry or depressed? Well...not really. Seriously. I guess I'm a little down being alone on New Year's Eve. You can say new and better things are coming in the days and weeks. My book, Night Shadows, is being released the middle of next month (look for links on my website, stephenbrayton.com. Ebook to be purchased at several fine Internet stores.). Sure, I'm excited about that event. I'm a year older and made it through another twelve months with relatively good health (not counting a minor surgery and a stupid three day cold). That's cool.

Still..

I miss the parties with classmates I attended years ago. I miss staying up with friends OR, if I chose, going to bed early.

I don't like sitting in a dim lobby reading and looking up at the clock to find midnight has come and gone with nary a firework or even a 'Whooppee!' I shrug and go back to the book.

I'm not really sure where I'm going with this post. The point and all. Maybe there is none. It may sound depressed, and maybe it is a little. New Year's seems to be just another day with more darkness than daylight, little celebration of the end of the year, maybe ingesting a little leftover Christmas treat, enjoying the gifts.

But, I'll get by. I have the job to do and I'll do it. I'll greet any late arriving guests and wish them a Happy New Year. (Thankfully, I haven't had to deal with the people who've partied a little TOO much.). I'll print my reports and make my log notations.

And...if a pretty girl happens to drop by looking for a midnight new year kiss... Well, let's just say, I'll have one ready and waiting.

Seriously, have a safe and happy new year.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T08:00:00.002-06:00

So, it's Christmas Eve, and although the fact shouldn't have to be said, apparently there needs to be certain reminders every year. These reminders have been done for a number of years because of certain people or groups of people.

The world has been celebrating Christmas in many a fashion for a very long time. Throughout the years the notion of a Santa Claus type personage came into being and it was a fun thing to share with the children.

However, recently there have been some people who wish to be offended at the notion of Christmas, the term Christmas, the public portrayal of Christmas. They don't necessarily mind having a tree in a public square (although some of them do), but do not wish it to be referred to as a Christmas tree. The kids taking a break from school can't take a Christmas break. We can't send Christmas cards to family and friends. Everything is to be termed 'holiday'. Because Christmas is mainly a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus, some Jews, some Muslims, some atheists, some practitioners of other religions or not, or the folks at the ACLU and other such groups spout annual offenses against the Christian traditions. Every year you'll read or hear about lawsuits to remove Nativity scenes or Christmas trees and other decorations from public squares or lawns or light posts. And, normally, this is the one time of year where defenders of Christianity will stand up and say to these folks: shut up. And I'll say the same thing:

SHUT UP!

Recently, I was speaking to a Mexican family about Thanksgiving. They didn't celebrate it because it was strictly an American holiday. That's cool. I didn't begrudge them. They celebrated another Mexican holiday in their own style and that's cool. I wasn't offended they weren't joining in on the turkey and fixings. And I wasn't offended they celebrated their own holiday.

If you don't want to celebrate Christmas, fine. You have the right not to do so. If you take offense at the decorations and the hymns being played in the public square and the malls, and the Christmas tree lighting ceremonies and the Santa Claus sightings...fine. Be offended. However, you do not have the right not to be offended. In other words: shut up when it comes to allowing those who do like all of the above and more to enjoy them. If you don't believe in God or Jesus, fine. In my opinion, you have far more to worry about than getting all upset about my hanging lights on my house windows.

Why is it the offended have to be attended to?

Personally, I think Christmas is a lot more than celebrating the birth of a person and if some of these people and groups would only get past the stupidity of their lawsuits and their useless offended nature, they might see similarly.

When my family gathers to open gifts, to eat good food, enjoy the lights of the tree and the house (and yes, egad! enjoy the snow), it's to celebrate family and togetherness. To say we all made it through another year. To watch the happiness of each other receiving new toys and clothes and candles and coffee and gadgets and other miscellany. To be warm and cherished in the relationships.

If you want to add the religious aspect to it, fine, all the better. If not, why can't the fact that family is together suffice? If these offended don't want to have that feeling, fine. If they want to have the feeling on another day, or in another way, I say go for it. If you don't want to buy gifts, or want to practice the liturgy of Hanukkah, go out into the woods and worship the tree god, or even if you want to stay home and drink a six pack of your favorite brew...whatever trips your trigger. I promise you, if it doesn't harm anyone else, I won't be offended.

I'm not forcing my beliefs on you, though, but I am going to call it a Christmas tree, and Christmas cards and say, “Merry Christmas.” Because whatever your think, that's what this season is about. Christmas. However I choose to celebrate it. If you don't wish to participate, fine. But shut up and let those who do, do so without having to constantly defend it.

Around the Globe with JENNIFER WYLIE

2010-12-17T08:10:00.001-06:00

This week I have a pleasant interview with author/editor Jennifer Wylie. She wanted to go to someplace tropical, so I hopped in my transporter, picked her up at her house out in the country in snowy Ontario, and while her kids were off at a babysitter, whisked her off to Antigua where we lounged on the beach. While she sipped a strawberry daiquiri and I slurped milk directly from the coconut I asked her the ten standard questions.

1.Who is Jennifer Wylie and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?
Well I live in the country, not even in a village, so I don't have a lot of people to fascinate. :D That said I'm a stay at home mom of two darling boys. When I'm not reading or writing (or editing) I putter about with various crafts. Otherwise I try to to be Supermom and keep my chaotic house in some semblance of order. Hmm I suppose I should also note I live in Ontario, Canada. Yes we get a lot of snow. I dislike snow. :P

2. Without revealing a deep dark secret (unless you want to), what one thing would people be surprised to learn about you?
Many people would be surprised I write, it's not something I go on and on about, I just simply do it. For those who do know about that, I suppose they'd be surprised to know I have about 50 birds. Now that my writing is keeping me busier I am trying to cut my flock down to a more reasonable size, but I do love my little friends.

3. What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming the Boston Philharmonic conductor?
I started writing in public school, but really got into it in high school. It was just something I wanted to do, needed to do. I have so many stories in my head and they need to come out. I did go to university and get a degree, however things happen, as they tend to do, and I ended up being a Mom rather than finding a career. I wouldn't change that for the world. I didn't write for a number of years when the kids were little, but once they were a bit older and my brain started functioning again the need to write came back. Writing is something I can do from home, so I certainly lucked out there. :)

4. Writers are readers. With which author(s) would you enjoy sharing dinner? Why?
Oh my, I don't even know where to start. I love both science fiction and fantasy. I've a million favorites authors for different reasons. I love books that make me feel things. If I had to choose one, the first which pops into my head is Michelle Sagara (Michelle West). I love all of her series, she is such a diverse author!

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?
They will suck you in, they will make you feel. I'm a very emotional person and this really comes out in my writing. I also like to think I tell a superb story! :)

6. Share the Wylie 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.
Goodness, I could almost write a book about this. :) My stories form first in my head. They play out like a movie in my mind and then I write. Sometimes it will come in spurts, other times I may need a while for the perfect scene to form. The characters write themselves, though I do take notes as I write. Research is either things I know, or I use Google. For the most part I make things up. I have no problem writing a chapter out of order if it comes to me first either.

My writing schedule is whenever I have time. Usually in the afternoon, or in the evening after the kids are in bed. I used to hate editing, however now that I'm actually learning HOW to do it, I'm finding it not as bad. My writing is also improving, so I've less things to fix! My first book I went over again and again a million times. My newest which I just finished, I went over twice. I'm having some friends look it over, and then will go over it once more making corrections from their input.

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?”
Apparently everyone writes differently. You'll need to find YOUR perfect way to write. I suggest just sitting down and writing. Try different times of the day, play music or not, just write and see how things go. My biggest advice to anyone who starts and gets stuck – make something bad happen. Kill a character. A good story has conflict, your characters can't have everything happen perfectly. The more things which go wrong the better.

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?
Be happy. Care about others. It doesn't take much to smile and say a kind word, but to someone having a bad day it can mean a lot.

9. Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?
I don't think I could stop writing if I tried. :) I just finished a new YA novel titled Broken Aro, so will be getting it ready to send out to the publisher. The sequel to my novel Sweet Light (which comes out in 2011) is also finished and in need of edits. I'm hoping to write a lot more short stories, and I've a number of other books in progress.

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?
My website is www.jenniferwylie.ca. Be sure to stop my blog too! http://jlwylie.wordpress.com/

Afterwards, we lazed around a bit before I returned her to Ontario where she gave me a picture of her recently released short story, Jump. Click on the picture to check it out.

Around the Globe with SAMANTHA ALLARD

2010-12-10T13:48:00.002-06:00

This week I begin a series of author interviews. I'll be travelling to various parts of the world to talk with them (so I may max out my credit card on expenses. lol Just kidding, I make the authors pay my travel expenses. Okay, kidding again. I actually use my newly discovered transporter. Yes, that's the truth.)

I think you'll find the answers to a standard questionnaire very interesting and I encourage you to click on the links and check them out further.

First, I start by hopping across the pond to to accept and invitation to talk with Echelon Press author Samantha Allard, a.k.a. Ella Grey. We're in the Lake District, which took me awhile to find being a few hours from Scotland, but it's full of beautiful hills and grand looking lakes. After walkign around awhile I finally found her sitting under a large umbrella, dressed for December and offering hot chocolate. When I asked her why here, she said, I’ve always liked water and I like how the weather can change so drastically, so quickly. My dad wanted to take a wide shot there, three pictures shot side by side. This only took a few seconds but when he developed the picture he could see the black clouds rolling in. Things can change so quickly.

Who is Samantha Allard and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?
I don’t think I’m the most fascinating person in my town, I’m just complicated but then again aren’t most people?

Without revealing a deep dark secret (unless you want to), what one thing would people be surprised to learn about you?
One thing that might surprise people is that I use to collect comics, X men, Spiderman and Wolverine, which aren’t the most girly comics in the world.

What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming an astronaut?
As far back as I remember I’ve always wanted to be a writer. Well one time I wanted to be a brain surgeon but it probably wasn’t the most realistic career choice.

Writers are readers. With which author(s) would you enjoy sharing dinner? Why?
If I could have a meal with any particular writer it would be Stephen King. I have never been able to get into his books but I really admire his work ethic.

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 would be great entertainment because it will make you laugh. It isn’t a comedy by any stretch of the imagination but it is filled with that dry British humour that we’re known for.

Share the Allard 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.
My process is quite simple. I start with a basic idea, usually it’s a character and then go from there. To me writing is a very fluid process, I see where the story leads me. I usually type faster then I think so there is usually quite a few mistakes that need to be fixed. Thank god for editors.

“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 think if you’re a writer you write. You need to find you own style because in the end I believe to a certain extent a writer can’t be taught. Your skill and style can be refined but a talent to tell a story is something that’s inside of you. You really can’t be anything else.

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’m a complicated woman, that’s not much of a motto for life but the truth.

Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?
At the moment I am working on the sequel to Molly O’Brien, it will turn the expectations of everyone onto its head. This one will be a heist, this time she has to go bigger and better. There is also a story in development about a girl called Art ’Artemis’ Coates. She is part of the hunters, a group mentioned in the novella.

Where can people find more information on you and your projects?
ellagrey@tumblr.co.uk www.myspace.com/ellagrey24

David Schlosser, Part 3

2010-12-02T13:14:00.000-06:00

I present the final part of my interview with David Schlosser. At writers' conferences, you get time for only a greeting and a couple of questions between seminars. It’s been a pleasure having this time to go more in depth.

What does your company do? Why would someone contact you? What is an analect?

My business card claims I’m a writer, editor, and strategic communications advisor. I need to add pre-/self-/author-funded publishing advisor and publisher. That’s a lot of titles to say that I play with words. I make words do what I or other people want them to do.

- Some of my clients are individuals and companies that need help writing something persuasive, or figuring out how to get a persuasive message in front of the right audience (which may not be entirely aware it needs to be persuaded). This kind of work includes things like strategic plans and campaigns, white papers and case studies, speeches and presentations, web site content, marketing and advertising, fund raising appeals, public/media/government relations materials, editorials and opinion essays, and surveys and research projects.

- Some of my clients already have words, but their words may need fine-tuning or a complete overhaul. I work with organizations and individuals to make sure their content is as clear as humanly possible, so it can have its intended effect on its intended audience. This kind of work ranges from PowerPoint presentations and speeches, to articles and journal submissions, to fiction and non-fiction manuscripts.

- Some of my clients want words, but don’t have the time or ability to put them down, so they retain me to write on their behalf. This kind of work ranges from short to long – newsletter articles to brochures and pamphlets to entire books – and it may be credited to someone else (ghost writing), to no one (most organizational materials and Web content), or to me (journalism).

- I spend an increasing amount of time coaching writers who want to complete a manuscript, or who have a completed manuscript and are trying to decide whether to seek a traditional publishing deal through an agent or publisher, or whether to fund their own publishing venture. I offer a free manuscript review (it’s quick but honest), so I hear from a lot of writers who want to know if their work is ready to send to an agent, publisher, or self-publishing partner.

- Finally, I am starting to do some of my own publishing through Equinoctes Media. We’ve got some really fun novels planned for later this year and into 2011, and my monograph on editing and revising your own manuscript (The CT Method: Revision and Editing for Fiction and Creative Nonfiction) is available in e-book format from just about every e-book retailer.

An analect is something gathered or picked up, and most people are familiar with its plural use in relation to collections of literary fragments or extracts from the classical authors. It describes the varied nature of the kinds of writing I do.

From what I've read on your site and discussions I've had with you, this sounds like an evolution of careers. How did you grow into this particular line of employment?

My work life started in politics, and after about a decade of campaigns and lobbying, I decided to go straight. I got into pubic relations for a few years, but – of course – learned that career path was as zig-zaggy as politics (and, honestly, not as much fun). When the dot-com turned to the dot-bomb back at the turn of the century, I was working with a terrific little technology PR agency, but could see what direction the economy was moving. So I jumped out and opened my own practice focused on writing and strategic communications consulting.

I worked in and out of corporate life for a few years, including helping an author-services company called Groundbreaking Press get off the ground and managing the international PR team of a Fortune 500 technology company. Since about 2005, I’ve evolved more and more into writing and editing, since those careers are more accommodating to relocation with my wife’s corporate career track. I took a couple of brief sojourns in politics during those years, but stay pretty focused on my client’s work and my own.

If I can help any of your readers with any of those topics, they can get in touch with me through my Web site at http://www.analects-ink.com/. You can also reach me through Twitter @dbschlosser and Facebook http://facebook.com/dbschlosser

David Schlosser, Part 2

2010-11-26T08:00:00.000-06:00

Continuing my interview with David Schlosser. We were just starting to discuss marketing.

My books are going to be released as e-books. How does e-book marketing differ from print, or p-book, marketing? There are many choices on the Internet (reviewers, blogs, groups). How does one choose which ones to be involved with to make the most out of marketing? Where does one start?

I don’t think there’s a colossal difference in the ways you reach readers of e-books versus p-books. You need to be aware that e-book readers will tend to be more tech-savvy – which means generally younger and wealthier – than the reading population as a whole, but I think that readers are readers. Virtually all readers have access to a computer or cell phone, or both, and that’s really all you need to read an e-book. Kindle and Nook are nice platforms, but the software for reading e-books is free and available for Windows, Macintosh, and Linux PCs as well as most major cell phone and tablet operating systems.

My exception to that rule is that e-books are more price-sensitive than p-books. I also have a technical clarification to that rule – what I really mean is, you can sell an e-book for very little money and not really lose any money, whereas there is a certain price below which you can’t sell a p-book without losing money. If you’re interested in volume, pricing an e-book at 49 or 99 cents will – generally speaking – allow you to move a lot of product. You won’t earn as much per book, but the math is pretty simple: a $10 book that sells 100 copies is the same as a $1 book that sells 1,000 copies.

For e- and p-books, the best place to start marketing is early: write a great book. (A corollary for self-publishers: make sure the editing, layout, and design is as good as what you’d get through a traditional publishing deal – you’ll have to pay for it, but your failure to do so will doom your sales prospects.) A great book is the surest, quickest way to get people buying, reading, and talking about your book. All the advertising in the world won’t sell a bad book – or, at least, won’t sell many copies of it.

Lots of writers will scoff at that idea, and point at a well-advertised best-selling book they consider lousy. Some of that is simply the beholder’s concept of beauty, but most of it has to do with two things:

- First, story. A great story will outweigh weak prose virtually every time.

- Second, brand equity in an author’s (or, sometimes, a character’s) name. It’s hard to believe that one of the best-selling mystery authors of all time is Jessica Fletcher (a television character), but less difficult to believe that James Bond and Sherlock Holmes continue to sell books, even if the prose is weak.

After that, apply the 80/20 rule and elbow grease in equal amounts. The 80/20 rule says you’ll get 80% of your sales from 20% of your coverage (scoring an interview with the biggest blogger, securing a review with the most popular opinion-maker), so you better put 80% of your effort into getting that interview or that review. Save 20% of your hard work to spread across the 80% of the outlets that are going to drive only 20% of your sales.

If you have trouble deciding which outlets are the right ones to focus on, ask readers in your genre about the sources on which they rely for advice about what to read next. Or, search Bing, Google, or Yahoo! – those search results will come back with the most heavily trafficked sites first.

What are some of the DONT'S of marketing?

Glengarry Glen Ross popularized the concept of ABC – Always Be Closing. That’s the biggest DON’T of marketing, especially in the Internet age.

If you’re constantly asking people to buy your book – particularly via weak-tie media like Facebook and Twitter – people will very quickly tune you out and eventually turn you off.

Instead, strive to add value to people’s lives in the form of good advice, inspirational thoughts, humor, and pithy wisdom. If you’re adding value to your relationship with them, they’ll reciprocate by telling people about you – and, by extension, your book.

Marketing can be a tedious effort. Any tips for making it easier or less stressful?

No.

It’s hard work. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Your best bet for reducing the stress of selling your book (which, let’s be honest and admit, is really selling yourself) is to be an extravert brimming with self-confidence.

Since that describes about 2.64% of writers, your next-best bet is to focus on bringing your audience what your audience wants (that is, adding value to their lives).

They want great stories populated by interesting, dynamic characters. If you’ve written a book that meets their craving for terrific books, you should feel wonderful about telling readers why they’ll love your book.

Note that I did not say you should feel wonderful about telling readers to buy your book.

Maintain your focus on what your readers want, and what you want will follow naturally. If your focus is on what you want, your readers have plenty of other opportunities to find what they want with an author who cares about giving it to them.

Check in next week for the final part of the the interview.

David Schlosser

2010-11-19T07:44:00.000-06:00

This week I present the first part of an interview with David Schlosser. He is an award-winning fiction and non-fiction writer an award-winning editor. As a political and public relations consultant and candidate for public office, he has delighted and offended people around the world through such diverse outlets as The Wall Street Journal and New York Times as well as “Hard Copy” and “Inside Edition.” A native of Kansas, David went to college and grad school in Texas. After living or working in nearly a dozen states, he recently landed in Davidson, North Carolina with his lovely wife and their enthusiastic Goldendoodle puppy. He makes his living as a writer, editor, publisher, and strategic communications advisor who emphasizes the power of story to increase the impact of all forms of communication.

I met David at the 2009 Killer Nashville and in the last couple of years, I have only barely tapped into his knowledge, intelligence, and advice. His guidance has helped me to properly approach Echelon Press for submissions, and steered me in the right direction (and away from possible potholes) in marketing.

You're an author. What have you had published?

I’m fortunate to have published a range of fiction, non-fiction, and journalism in a variety of outlets (journals, magazines, newspapers) under my own name – from my college literary journal, the Trinity Review, to a profile of award-winning, best-selling novelist John Hart in the Charlotte Observer. If you read in politics/political economy, computer technology, or business, there’s a decent chance you’ve read something I’ve written (even if it wasn’t obvious I wrote it). I’m looking forward to getting my mystery novel out in 2011, as well as an expanded version of my self-editing/self-revision monograph, The CT Method (more about that later).

Where and when should a new author start marketing him/herself and the book?

As political people say about voting, “early and often.”

The specifics of any one author’s strategic plan are going to depend mightily on the kind of book and the kind of audience. Generally, though, as soon as you know your book is going to be published, you want to start telling your great news to people who will be interested.

You want this kind of message to be less about you (“Hey – I got a publishing deal!”) and more about your readers (“If you love a great supernatural romantic thriller with a satiric edge to the great theological debates of our time, I’m excited to tell you about my book.”).

The only thing that’s guaranteed to sell books is positive word of mouth (in the biz, we call that WOM, and you’ll often hear people talk about something (especially a video or a meme) “going viral”), so you want to make it easy for other people to get excited about your book, and then tell even more people about it.

Advertising is a “you get what you pay for” thing. There’s no secret deal or hidden treasure in advertising – if the rates are cheap, it’s because the exposure isn’t worth much. Before you do any paid advertising, calculate how many books you think you’re going to sell (painful truth: the number is never as high as you think), then figure out your ad cost per book and how much you’re going to make on each book. That should make it pretty obvious that advertising is a lousy investment for most books. Worse, advertising is not something people tend to share, so it actually works against your WOM.

Business cards, bookmarks, and other sturdy paper cards make it easy for you to leave a few teasers wherever readers might be (remember that bookstores are terrible places to try to sell your book – way too much competition!). They also make it easy for your friends and family to pass along information about you and your book to others.

Increasingly, readers rely on Internet-based modes of communication, so you want to start talking about your book (in an audience-focused way) online and in fora that make it easy for people to share. Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Tumblr, WordPress, YouTube, blog, and podcast are all terms you should know and love. If you need some advice to get started on those services, use your favorite Internet search engine to look up this term:

how writers should use SERVICE

How does a published author continue keeping his/her name out in front of people?

Authors need to keep adding value to their relationship with their readers. I think that concept of “adding value” is what really differentiates an author who continues to sell books from an author who gets the surge of day-of-release sales and then trickles off.

There are countless strategies and tactics for adding value, and I encourage authors to pick a couple or a few that are most comfortable for them, then really focus on doing them well (see the conversation about the 80/20 rule later in this interview).

If you’re an extravert, think about reading/literacy programs, book clubs, public readings (especially at places relevant to your story rather than bookstores), lectures based on what your book is about or your experience in publishing it, local/regional arts festivals, and reader/writer conventions where you can mix/mingle or set up a table.

If you’re an introvert, think about blogging on the topics you researched for your book, writing articles for magazines or online news outlets about those topics or about your experiences as a published writer, and doing a tour of blogs to conduct an interview like this one with readers who have questions about you, your book, and the topics in your book.

Tune in next week for Part 2

EBooks Don't Count

2010-11-12T12:56:00.002-06:00

As part of my marketing strategy to promote the release of Night Shadows (January 15, 2011), I have contacted several colleges and universities respectfully inquiring about interest in a guest reader, or, as a professor at my alma mater suggested, putting on a workshop with some of the creative writing students, offering critique, and editing and marketing advice. The professor I spoke with thought the workshop would be a better way to relate to the students. After my book is released, this professor will receive copy for reading, then we will talk about scheduling a visit.

On my website, www.stephenbrayton.com, I wrote about a recent visit to William Penn University. The professor I met at this institution was ecstatic about having me attend a couple of classes. As I mentioned, the first visit, I offered my writing experience and how I became contracted to Echelon Press. Afterwards, the professor offered me a short story written by one of the students and the next time I attended, I offered some critique.

We both felt honored by the experience and the last communication I had with her left the door open for a future visit to a beginners' writing course next year.

Currently, I'm in contact with other institutions hoping to schedule future workshops. However, I recently received two rejections I feel I have to discuss. I won't name the colleges or the professors I contacted, but I was bothered by their reactions.

When I received rejection notices from publishers and agents, I chalked them up to inexperience, felt bad, but continued to persevere. I do not know how many more workshops or visits I may have at various colleges/universities, but I will keep trying.

The first rejection came via a phone call. The professor sounded bothered I had contacted him in the first place, annoyed he felt he had to call back and, in my opinion, didn't really want to listen to my proposal. He said there was no interest, “at least in this school.” before a quick termination of the call. Fine. One can only try so long before one realizes, ahem, it ain't gonna happen. Oh, that I would have realized this many moons ago when asking women for dates...but that's another story for another time.

The second rejection I received through email. This particular institution selects guest authors a year in advance and chooses only ones with “significant publications and who have won major awards.” Absolutely understandable. I researched some of their past guests. Names include: Edward P. Jones, Adrienne Rich, Ana Castillo, and John Edgar Wideman. I'm not going to put down any of these people even though I've never heard of them. I'm sure other writers and readers are familiar with their work. These authors have written some interesting material and, yes, have won some pretty prestigious sounding awards. So, I can understand this particular college wanting to have them and not me. I do not have numerous books published...yet, and I lack the awards...so far.

What really burnt my toast, however, was the first line of the email.
“E-books are not counted at the university level.” Excuse me? I'd like to know the reasoning behind that statement. Was this person saying e-books aren't REAL books? Yes, there are sites where any schmoe can put up his story, worthwhile or no. Buyer beware. But if you're with a publishing company that has a number of years under its belt with authors and editing and with some know how, then the unreality of e-books idea is not credible.

Or maybe he was thinking e-anything wasn't legitimate. I counter with: then nothing on the college's WEBSITE is credible either. Or the fact the message was sent by EMAIL might be a bit ironic. I didn't do any investigating, but I wonder how many of this college's guest authors have their own websites. I guess Stephen King and several other successful authors had better be told the news their works aren't acceptable, at least at the university level.

I've lowered my blood pressure since reading the email and took a few days before writing this post. And as I mentioned, I shall persevere. In the following weeks, I shall present some fascinating people, their thoughts, their books (e-books and tangible alike), and their successes. I think they will be entertaining and informative. Some have won awards for their work, whether written or otherwise, and all enjoy what they do and what they write. I think all of them offer advice, intelligence, and exhibit intestinal fortitude worthy of any guest appearance anywhere.

So, starting next week, let's have some fun and on the count of three, everybody give a raspberry to the notion e-books don't count. One, two...