A Writer's Jumble

The Caper of the New Mystery Author

2012-01-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

This Monday's guest author took great childhood memories and turned them into a setting for murder. You'll never look at your teen memorabilia the same way!

Sally Carpenter is a native Hoosier who earned a master’s degree in theater from Indiana State University. While in school two of her plays, “Star Collector” and “Common Ground,” were finalists in the American College Theater Festival One-Act Playwrighting Competition. The characters in “Star Collector” provided the inspiration for the mystery series.

Carpenter also has a master’s degree in theology and a black belt in tae kwon do. She’s worked a variety of jobs including actress, freelance writer, college writing instructor, theater critic, jail chaplain, and tour guide/page for a major movie studio as well as for a community newspaper.

Welcome, Sally!

Could you give us a quick summary of your book?

Most young girls have a crush on a favorite teen idol, but what happens when the idol and the fans both grow up? My book, “The Baffled Beatlemaniac Caper,” takes up the life of former ‘70s teen idol Sandy Fairfax—star of the hit TV show “Buddy Brave, Boy Sleuth”—long after he’s left the public eye. Now he’s a 38-year-old recovering alcoholic, divorced and desperate for a comeback.

He takes his only job offer, a guest appearance at a small Beatles fan convention in Evansville, Ind. The easy gig turns deadly when a member of the tribute band is shot and the police finger Sandy as the prime suspect. When Sandy’s forced to take the dead man’s place in a concert, the boy sleuth is back in action to solve the “Beatle-ly” clues.

His biggest fan, Bunny, is on hand to help him.

Beatlemania. I’m old enough to remember. How did you come up with this character?

I grew up in the ‘60s when the Beatles were together, but I didn’t get into them until I went to college and met some real-life Beatlemaniacs. They taught me the “lore” of the group. A friend of mine gave me a Sgt. Pepper’s picture disc album and that started my now-extensive record collection.

I’m also a teen idol fan. A number of years ago, VH-1 ran “The Monkees” TV show five days a week and I was hooked. I saw the show when I was a kid and I was on a nostalgia kick. I went to concerts, collected records and merchandise, and talked to other fans.

I was intrigued by teen idols—what do they do at home? What’s it like to have every person in the world know your face? I researched teen idols and found many similarities in career paths, personalities, and even hobbies among the guys I studied.

I though a “grown up” teen idol would make an interesting character with limitless possibilities. In each book of the series, Sandy performs at a different type of gig, meets new people and possibly travels. This way the character stays fresh.

Caper. I actually asked you if this was a juvenile book because of the word “Caper”. I love that word! What made you it in your title?

I suppose that’s how I’m “branding” the series. On Sandy’s TV show, every episode title ends in “caper” and the rest of the title is made up of alliteration, such as “The Billowing Big Top Caper,” “The Different Drummer Caper” and “The Sunburned Surfer Caper” (these episodes are mentioned in the book). So the book titles in the series all follow the same pattern.

I like “caper” because it’s a fun-sounding word. I think of my books as “Hardy Boys for adults,” with lots of action, comedy, clues and cliffhangers (there’s that alliteration again!). I don’t care for mysteries that are ultra-dark or have excessive gore or sex. I want my reader to have fun. And the word makes me think of those “caper” movies where the good guys have to break into a vault/secured room and steal something from the bad guys. I love those movies (“Sneakers” is the best).

You’re a newly published author. Where your experiences different from what you’d heard from other published authors? How?

Nearly all of the authors I know personally are with the big publishers. Many of them have agents. They’re under contracts to produce a new book by a deadline. These contracts are for two to five books. Some authors I know ended the series when the contract was up—not always by their choice, but the publisher didn’t renew the contract due to so-called “poor sales.” Some authors have their backlist out of print.

I’m with a small publisher (Oak Tree Press) that does things differently. I don’t have an agent and my publisher prefers not to work with agents, because they won’t make much money with the company and some agents are too demanding. My manuscript was turned down at first, but the editor let me revise it and resubmit—large publishers won’t give you a second chance.

My book came out six months after acceptance. The usual print time is 12 to 18 months. The large publishers do an initial “print run” of several thousand books and hope they all sell. My publisher uses print on demand, which means books aren’t printed until an order’s place, so there’s not extra stock left over and sitting in a warehouse. Because of POD, Oak Tree keeps books in print for a long, long time. The downside is a large order will take a long time to produce so I need to plan ahead when I have a book signing.

One advantage of a small press is that I have the freedom to choose my own book titles and give input on the cover art. The publisher asked me the title, I told her, and no argument. Even some midsize presses will have the author send in a list of suggested title and the marketing department picks what they want. Big publishers will often arbitrarily pick a title even if the author hates it and not change the cover art if the writer isn’t happy. The cover art on my book is based on my idea.

A disadvantage is that many bookstores won’t stock my book because they don’t want to deal with small presses.

My publisher doesn’t do multi-book contacts. Whenever my next book is finished, I contact her and she works it into the release schedule. I’m not under a tight deadline to crank out another book. The downside of this is that I procrastinate and need a “nudge” to get working. As long as the books keep selling, I suppose I can keep the series going indefinitely, which is what I’d like. I have many more adventures planned for Sandy.

Many authors have success with book clubs and even include questions on their web pages or in the books for these clubs to consider. What’s one question you’d like to ask readers to consider when reading your books?

At the end of my book I have a “teen idol quiz,” personal questions that a true fan would know about Sandy, such as the color of his eyes and the names of his kids. I got this idea from some real-life fan websites.

On a serious note, my book deals with important issues such as alcoholism and broken relationships. Sandy’s estranged from his family and as the series progresses he makes contact with various relatives. He ruined his career and social life through booze and he’s trying to rebuild his life. The great comedy movies have an undercurrent of pathos, which makes the characters real people, not just caricatures. I hope readers will see the humanity as much as the humor.

For a book club, I’d ask if they were ever in a similar situation where they were “starting over” in life and what they did to reach their goals.

Social Media is such a big deal now. How much time do you spend on it, and what platform works for you?

Social media is my principal tool of marketing. In-person book signings are not effective for new authors. I live near LA, where there’s an author on every street corner, and tons of book signings every week. The general public won’t show up except for celebrities or the big name authors.

Some authors do extensive travel to bookstores and events but right now that’s not financial viable for me until I have an audience built up.

When the book came out, I spent a great deal of time as a guest blogger (like right now!). I got on some Beatles fan websites, which was cool.

I recently set up a Facebook page and am still figuring out how it works. Please send me a friend request! Be careful, though, that you reach the correct “Sally Carpenter” as I discovered many people have the same name.

The downside is that social media can take a great deal of time. While I enjoy guest blogging, it takes time away from book writing.

Also, I don’t know exactly how many new readers I pick up at each site. It’s hard to tell right now which marketing tools are the best.

I hope to get a website up, which probably won’t happen until my next book comes out. With only one book to my name, I don’t have much to say on a website right now!

What’s the hardest part of being an author?

Money issues. I work a day job to pay the bills, which sharply cuts into my writing time. I’d like to write other things besides mysteries, but with limited time I can’t be pulled in different directions. Most writers don’t earn enough from their writing alone to do it full time, unless they have a spouse supporting them or have secondary teaching or consulting work.

Writing is expensive—computers, Internet access, conferences, travel, marketing, agents, publicists all cost money. Some authors sell many books but make little profit once the bills are paid.

Wanabees who go into writing expecting to become wealthy will be sorely disappointed. One has to write for the love of the craft and the characters, not for financial gain.

What's next for you?

I’m working on the second book in the Sandy Fairfax series, “The Sinister Sitcom Caper.” Sandy’s a guest star on the lowest-rated TV show of the fall season. Early in rehearsal, one of the actors drops dead at his feet. He investigates with the aid of a dwarf and an animal actor, while also dealing offstage with his ex-wife and ex-girlfriend. But wait; could there be a new romance in the air?

The book was inspired by my experiences working at a major motion picture studio in Hollywood. I had the tremendous opportunity of actually seeing sitcoms filmed and learning how shows are produced. TV buffs will find the book educational as well as entertaining.

Sally would love to "friend" you on her Facebook page! "The Baffled Beatlemaniac Caper" is available in both trade paperback and on Kindle!

Author Debra Goldstein's Unusual Advice on Writer Productivity

2012-01-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

I can't multi-task, so when I hear about someone who accomplishes more in one day than I can think of doing in a week, it's like getting a peek into an alternate universe. My guest today has a surprising solution for writer's who want to increase productivity, but I'll let her tell you.

Debra H. Goldstein wears so many hats that it's best to let her describe herself:

"I hate to be pigeon-holed. Debra H. Goldstein, judge, author, litigator, wife, step-mom, mother of twins, civic volunteer, Yankee, and Southern Woman writer are all words that have been used to describe me. My writings are equally diverse. Maze in Blue, my debut novel, is published by Chalet Publishers, LLC. Even though Maze in Blue is a murder mystery, it is a safe bet that when it comes to my writing, "It's Not Always a Mystery."

She modestly skipped mention of her awards for humor, nonfiction, and short stories, which offer proof that her methods pay off. Read what she's got to say and then give it a try. The worst that can happen is you'll do something nice, earn the respect of your family and peers, and become a valuable member of society.

Debra G. Goldstein's Advice to Writers

Promising to focus time and energy on writing probably was the most recurrent 2012 New Year’s writer’s resolution posted on writers’ blogs and discussion boards. Most of the pledgers plan to increase their writing output by limiting outside activities and distractions. Not me. I resolve to take the opposite approach – balance my writing with volunteering as much as I can.

I’ve tried it both ways and for the sake of my sanity and my writing, I opt for interacting with family and community organizations. Isolation may work for some writers, but, in reality, most of us can’t spend the entire day chained to our computers churning out quality work. For me, walking the dog, sharpening the pencil I won’t use, cleaning my computer screen, patting the dog on the head, emptying the waste basket, deciding what to have for breakfast, lunch and dinner and then making and eating it, and taking the dog out for his last walk doesn’t result in many well-written pages. I piddle the day away and when I re-read what I finally do get on paper, I realize that my ideas and writing, without outside stimulation, are flat.

Imagination is the organic building block for poems, stories, and novels, but imagination alone isn’t enough. Writers are thieves. We steal setting, character traits and quirky behavioral descriptions from the people and places we come in contact with. For me, doing things like helping with tornado relief, being a Girl Scout leader, or working with groups that fight breast cancer or domestic violence is an important means of giving back, but just as often it is the genesis for a character or setting. Pro-bono legal work has found its way into two of my short stories; leadership articles reflect my Girl Scout experiences; and even selling doughnuts to raise money became a pivotal scene in my novel, Maze in Blue. I’m not alone in translating conscious and subconscious elements from volunteer experiences into my writings.

Scott Turow and John Grisham are examples of writers who used pro bono death penalty work to germinate their respective ideas for Ultimate Penalty and The Confession. The bestseller, Three Cups of Tea, grew out of an effort to build schools for girls in Pakistan. Mark Twain demonstrated how a person volunteers and what happens when each person does a little bit of work in the scene in Tom Sawyer where Tom finagles all the boys to paint Aunt Polly’s fence. Perhaps one of the best depictions of an author’s use of the impact acts of giving can have on an entire community is found in “It’s A Wonderful Life.” In all of these examples, the writers stole gems of ideas from personal volunteering or observation to create their stories.

Passion and conviction for the cause one volunteers for often is the catalyst for eloquent writing. It is only fitting to note on the day this blog is appearing, Martin Luther King’s birthday, that two of his most well remembered works are tied to actions on behalf of the civil rights movement. His “I Have a Dream” speech and “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” might have been written in some form, but not with the intensity and depth of spirit his volunteer experiences generated. Similarly, John F. Kennedy’s “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” spurred a generation to act on behalf of others and to produce written works and movies dealing with the concepts of ‘paying it forward’ and doing ‘random acts of kindness.’

Writers also gain from the networking that is an indirect benefit of participating in community activities. When I serve on a committee or board, I invariably meet people whose personalities spark character or story ideas, but I also build close friendships with people who have interests similar to mine. Some of these friends have later been the ones to read and critique my manuscripts or to offer me the encouragement I need to reach the next level in my writing.

Sometimes giving up a few hours of writing time can produce a work that will last far longer than the story one is working on. When my daughter was in seventh grade, Anne George, the Alabama poet laureate and an accomplished mystery writer, came to her school and taught an hour writing workshop. She showed the children how each could take a word like ‘blue’ and create an entirely different poem or story using it. During that hour, she made writing real to those students. Maybe if Anne George hadn’t repeatedly taken time from her work to visit schools, talk to youth groups and scouts, speak to women’s professional groups, or been willing to talk to aspiring writers about her craft, she could have written another book or two before her untimely death; but, the impact of her outreach and networking would have been lost.

Although the 2012 New Year’s Eve resolution to write in a vacuum says what writers most crave – the need for time and energy for writing, it fails to reflect the give and take of the simple act of volunteering. That from the giving comes energized thoughts that can be balanced, no matter how little time is available, into works of quality.

Thank you, Debra! Make sure to visit Debra's website to read her blog and discover independent bookstores that sell her book. Maze of Blue is available in paperback and for Kindle and Nook.

Award Winning Author Pamela Samuels Young Never Gives Up

2012-01-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

It seems appropriate to start the New Year with an infusion of hope, a plan, and a confidence boost from someone who has been there, done that.

Legal thrillers were never on my reading list. I had no interest. And then I discovered Pamela Samuels Young. I fell in love with her series characters, and her fast-paced writing style carried me to the end of the book to the detriment of my daily chores. I've read every book since, including her standalones.

This author, inspirational speaker, and corporate attorney (in her spare time) is a leading example of how writers can take concrete steps toward success. It helps if you have as much energy as Ms. Samuels-Young, but if you find the road intimidating, just take smaller steps. Moving forward is the point!

I'm pleased to present an article by Ms. Samuels Young that will put you on a solid writing track for 2012.

Don’t Give Up!

By Pamela Samuels Young

It’s a new year and that novel you’ve been working on for months or maybe even years still isn’t finished. Perhaps you don’t know where to go next with your plot. Or maybe you’re just physically and emotionally drained from all the time and effort you’ve poured into this dream. You’re feeling more discouraged than ever and questioning whether you’ll ever get it done. I’ve been there!

Each time I fall into the writing dumps, I wonder if I’ll ever dig myself out. Fortunately, I always do and you will too. You’ve put too much time into this venture. Now is not the time to give up.

Here are my top six tips for re-energizing yourself when you feel like giving up.

■ Read Inspirational Stories About Writing and Writers

Take a writing break and read about other successful writers who weathered the storm. Here are three excellent books to get you started:

Knit Together: Discovery God’s Pattern for Your Life by Debbie Macomber.

This book was such an inspiration to me. Macomber, a best selling writer with more than 100 million books in print, openly shares her story of writing rejection. Once you read about her writing journey, you’ll close the book anxious to get back to your own novel.

Rotten Reviews & Rejections, edited by Bill Henderson and Andre Bernard.

This book shares the rejection letters and stinging reviews received by many successful and prolific writers, from Stephen King to Upton Sinclair to James Joyce and more. You’ll scratch your head at the discouraging rejection letters these wonderful writers received. They didn’t give up, and you shouldn’t either.

How I Got Published: Famous Authors Tell You in Their Own Words.

When you read the stories of how these successful writers persevered, you will know that you can do it too.

■ Don’t Strive for Perfect Prose

Many new writers think that everything that flows from their computer must be golden. Hence, if they write a few pages which don’t sound worthy of a Pulitzer, they’re disappointed. Forget about writing a perfect first draft. The most important part of writing is rewriting. Just concentrate on finishing a first draft. Then revise, revise and revise again until you’re pleased with the final product.

■ Set a Writing Goal

Make a commitment to write a set number of hours or pages per week. Can you commit to writing 10 pages per week or find five hours each week to write? Don’t worry about not having as much time as you like. If you only have time to jot down your thoughts during your lunch break, use it. Whatever goal you set, just make sure it’s realistic. Start out small and once you get into the flow of things, increase the goal. And if you fall short one week, don’t beat yourself up. There’s always next week.

■ Start a Writer’s Group

Put the word out that you’re looking to start a writer’s group. Tell friends, family members and colleagues that you’re looking for three or four serious writers who would like to build a supportive writing environment for themselves and other writers. You’ll probably have a lot of interest in the beginning, but only the serious writers will be around for the long haul. Establish a regular meeting time (at least once a month) and require at least two members to produce work for the group to critique each month.

■ Think About Your Story

Most people assume that if they’re not putting words on paper, then they’re not “writing.” I don’t feel that way. The next time you’re taking a long walk, standing in a grocery store line, or stuck in traffic, use the time to mull over your story. Think about your characters or your plot. Imagine your protagonist having a conversation. Think about how you might describe a room. Challenge yourself to invent a predicament that creates conflict for your character. If you come up with some great ideas, don’t forget to write them down.

■ Study The Writing Craft

There will be times when you just don’t feel like writing (operative word don’t, not can’t). When this happens, use your free time to study the writing craft. Select a book in your genre that you think is particularly good and study the writer’s technique. How does she hook you at the end of the chapter? What makes his descriptions compelling? An hour or so of this type of study may just cause your own juices to start flowing.

Above all, just keep writing and never, never, never give up!

Thank you, Pam!

Pamela Samuels Young is a practicing attorney and author of several legal thrillers, including her most recent, Buying Time. Her fifth novel, Attorney-Client Privilege, goes on sale in July 2012. (Jackie's note: Yipee!) To read an excerpt of Pamela’s novels, visit her web site. Writer's, note that there are great articles here, just for you!

Buying Time . . On Sale Now! (Also check out your independent bookstores and other venues.)

Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pamsamuelsyoung

Follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pamelasamuelsyoung

Holiday Reading All Year Round?

2012-01-05T09:04:00.000-08:00

I wouldn't dream of making Corned Beef and Cabbage during July. My palate is fixed on March 17th, and that's the extent of my foray into Irish cooking. (That does not include corned beef sandwiches or hash. Brent's Deli is a favorite haunt.)

The same discernment does not extend to my reading habits. I've happily delved into another read of Hurcule Poirot's Christmas or Murder for Christmas when the sun is shining and the beach is crowded.

I realize there are readers who like the book's theme to coincide with real life. That's why I put Family Matters on sale through January. The murder takes place at the Historic Christmas Walk. It's .99 at Amazon and the same at Smashwords if you use the code DA46P.

Do you only read seasonal mysteries during the coinciding time of year?

Happy New Year from Me!

2011-12-31T08:16:00.001-08:00

A Writer's Resolutions for 2012

2011-12-29T07:47:00.000-08:00

Just to be clear, I dislike resolutions. They reek of failure and political posturing. I resolve to balance the budget. We all understand it's not under the control of one man or woman. And there's part of us that believes the candidate doesn't even mean it. He/She is jumping on the bandwagon and making a promise that sounds good. Why should it be any different when the Average Jane makes the same kind of statement? I resolve to fit into my high school prom dress. Right.

I do, however, like to set goals. Actually, I'm anal retentive and like to make lists so I can experience the joy of crossing something off with my pretty new pen. Here is my list of hopes for 2012.

I hope to leave more reviews on Amazon.

Luck has been with me in 2011, and I've discovered authors who make me smile. It seems heartless and selfish to keep all that enjoyment to myself. Besides, I know how hard it is to get reviews. I've tried giving away free books in exchange for reviews. Here is the formula:

Dozens of Free Books + Requests = No Reviews.

If an author has made my day, why not give them something in return? And for all those Scrooges who say I already gave them my money, don't be so miserly. Spread the joy.

I hope to get my finished works up on Kindle.

I have several mysteries I've been working on for, hmmm, forever! I've rewritten, tweaked, torn apart, and tweaked again. In life, you can't expect new yummy things on your plate if you don't let go of what's already there. So I'm going to do it. I'm going to publish The Body Guy and Barking Mad About Murder. I'm even going to aim to get Civility Rules out by next Christmas.

I hope to get my Kindle books up on Create Space.

I'm tactile about books. I love to hold them in my greedy little paws. As intimidating as learning a new formatting process is for disorganized me, I'm going to do it.

I hope to interview more authors on my blog.

I love authors. I love their excitement, their insights, and their books. When I interview, I don't send a pat list of questions. I read the books and tailor to each author, so it's time consuming. But it's worth it. BTW, if you're an author who wants to be interviewed, send me a note with Author Interview in the subject line. I'm not a snob. In fact, I'm sometimes more excited about new authors I haven't heard about.

I hope to get up a new website.

My current website doesn't do it for me. None of the blame lies with the designer. It's all me. I'm the nightmare client who doesn't understand visuals. This year, I want a one-stop shop that reflects my books and includes my blog. And, hopefully, I won't drive my designer mad in the process.

The other thing about resolutions is that people overdo them. The list is an endless chain that can't possibly be conquered in one year. So I'm going to stop here. Literally.

Start the New Years Off Right with New Authors

2011-12-28T10:44:00.000-08:00

Before Christmas, I offered a list of fabulous writers I've discovered in the past year or two. I couldn't put them all on one list, so here are some more suggestions for 2012! I guarantee you I'll have more lists throughout the year because, as I've discovered, there are some fantastic writers out there!

J. Michael Orenduff - The Pot Thief Mysteries are a pleasure to read. Protagonist Hubie Schuze is the kind of guy you can spend time with without checking your watch. The books are filled with clever dialogue, romance, mystery, and philosophizing. Alburquerque makes a beautiful setting, and the author is coming out with a cookbook of Southwest dishes like the ones Hubie whips up in the books. Each book revolves around a theory, and past stories have included scientific and culinary tidbits that leave you feeling smarter when you're finished with the book. I'll be first in line for the cookbook!

Mark Schweizer - The Liturgical Mysteries are a riot, plain and simple. Hayden Konig is both St. Germaine's police chief and the organist for St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. Sometimes his duties overlap. It's hard to figure out which is more hysterical--the goings on at the church or the murder itself. A huge fan of Raymond Chandler, Konig hopes to write his own detective novel, each book contains a novel within a novel--an outragiously poor piece of prose. I dare you to read it with a straight face.

L.C. Tyler Cross the pond to meet up with third-rate mystery writer Ethelred Tressidor and his diamond-in-the-rough Elsie Thirkettle as they stumble through murder investigations. You'll have to hang onto your sides as you giggle your way through their antics. Mean CAN be funny, especially when it's coming from Elsie. I'm so excited to find that there's a new book out, Herring on the Nile. I can't wait!

Diana Dempsey - Who wouldn't like a mystery called Ms. America and the Offing in Oahu? I did! Not only did I enjoy the laughs, but I felt like putting on a little makeup and a nice outfit by the time I finished. A great vacation read because the environment and vicarious pampering will relax you!

I'll stop there, except to give you a couple of quick links to other authors I've enjoyed.

G.M. Malliet Ms. Malliet writes the St. Just mysteries. I've tried her new series, but I like St. Just best. Lots of humor, and the investigation reminds me of a good, old-fashioned British cozy.

Linda O. Johnston Take your pick. She has several series including her new Pet Rescue books. Others are the Pet Sitter Mysteries and paranormal romances. A book for any mood!

Dorothy Howell - Haley Randolph is a protagonist that you love to hate. Sometimes you wonder why she's not the victim.

Gwen Freeman - Fifi Cutter will have you laughing over her snarky observations, mostly because you'll agree with her!

I hope you enjoy the authors I've listed. I love them all! Happy New Year!

We Have a Winner!

2011-12-17T08:24:00.000-08:00

The lucky winner of a free copy of Family Matters is Jackie Houchin! May she receive hours of enjoyment, laughter, and a general feeling of frivolity from the ebook! Congratulations, Jackie!

How Editing is like Tithing in Reverse

2011-12-13T14:59:00.000-08:00

Tithing. It comes from the Jewish Scriptures (the Old Testament to us Catholics). It's when we give God the "first fruits". It's saying, "Hey, God. Since everything comes from you, I give you back the first and best part of everything, just so You know that I know." (And then we wink.) That's why we tithe off the gross, not the net. Otherwise, the government would get the first and best. Not going to happen.

When you edit, you're tithing ten percent, only it's not the best ten percent, and it's not going to God (or to the all-powerful reader). This ten percent goes right into the wastebasket. But it's still a gift. By culling it out of the story, your reader winds up with only the best. The last fruits, but in this case that's a good thing.

There are those who will tell you to edit out twenty, thirty, or even forty percent of your first draft, but I say, No, No. Let us not be extreme. Or, if we're going to be extreme, do it in steps. Edit ten percent. Clean it up. Edit another ten percent if necessary. Clean it up. And so on.

Cutting like a madwoman on a scissors rampage can kill the voice of your story. Here is my finely edited mystery:

He killed. She died. They solved. The End. Grunt.

Some advise taking out all of the adverbs. I'm not going to sink into a depression if I read "Tell her to go to hell," he said, jokingly. Maybe it's because I read a lot of old books. If Agatha Christie can get away with it, it's a rule that can be broken.

I'm in love with words, so my first draft has a lot of blather. It's highly creative, impressive blather, but it's still blather. My first draft of Family Matters was more of a social satire/mystery. There was a subplot about an illegal immigrant who witnessed the murder...and the murderer knew it. While this poor, frightened guy was trying to lay low and avoid his own demise, demonstrators on both side of the issue were trying to make him their poster boy. Funny, perhaps brilliant, (well, I thought it might be) but it brought in all sorts of characters who had nothing to do with the murder. But they sure made the book fun.

Snip, snip.

Drawing on Friday, December 16th

2011-12-09T13:01:00.001-08:00

Dates have become kind of blurry since Foster was injured. I realized after my post that it was already Thursday, so the drawing for the free copy of Family Matters will take place on Friday, December 16th!

My Christmas Gift to You

2011-12-08T07:09:00.001-08:00

I've been off the net for a while. My husband had an accident at work in October, and it's been a whirlwind of hospitals, rehab, and caretaker activity. He's doing nicely.

To celebrate, I want to do something nice for readers this Christmas. Okay. Make that two nice things.

First, I want to give you a list of great new books available on Kindle. These are authors you will love reading; books that will give you the warm, fuzzy feeling you should have during the holidays; books guaranteed to lower your stress level. Books you can gift to your mother-in-law without worries! (If she has a Kindle. If not, you can always give her one for Christmas along with the book and become her favorite In-Law!) They include a variety of mystery genres, so you should be able to find someone who will appeal to your tastes. The second gift is a free copy of my ebook, Family Matters. Leave a comment, and I'll have a drawing on Friday. Make sure I have a way to contact you.

These are authors you might not have heard of yet, but should. Authors I've discovered over the past year or two who delight me!

Marilyn Meredith. Marilyn writes two mystery series, one under the name of F.M. Meredith. Her latest is Bears with Us and features Deputy Tempe Crabtree, a woman of Indian heritage married to a minister. Marilyn's books are straight-forward mysteries that are part police procedural, probably because she knows so many law enforcement officials.

M.M. Gornell . Madeline's latest standalone mystery is Reticence of Ravens. This lady has the ability to put you down in the middle of a story and make you feel as if you've entered another world. You really feel as if the characters have been living a full life and you've stepped into the room as a spectator. Like P.D. James, Madeline finds a location and wonders what would happen if a murder occurred here? Reticence features Route 66, where Hubert Champion must face his past in order to clear an unbalanced but harmless girl of the murder of her father.

Karen Cantwell . Funny. Funny, funny, funny. Karen writes the Barbara Marr mysteries. Barbara is a suburban housewife and mother who's living a bit like Jamie Lee Curtis in True Lies. Karen has a holiday short out, It's a Dunder-Bull Wife, so you can try her out, fall in love, and start her series at the beginning with Take the Monkeys and Run.

Karen Ranney . If you're looking for romance, Karen's your author. Her latest release is A Scottish Love. Her stories feature Scotland, and she blogs at Warm Fuzzies. I love that Karen's books often deal with characters who are difficult to love who have huge obstacles to overcome.

Pam Ripling . Did you say you like romantic suspense? And lighthouses? Great! You can have both with Pam's books, which she writes under Anne Carter. Her latest, Cape Seduction, travels back and forth between Hollywood's heyday and a modern investigation into the decades-old disappearance of a starlet and a twist ending that will shock you.

Kwei Quartey . Inspecter Darko Dawson is a new favorite of mine. These mysteries take place in Ghana, and Dr. Quartey takes us from the struggling modernization of that country to the traditional villages where superstition rules. Children of the Street will hook you from the start. These are characters you will care about.

Jeri Westerson . A dishonored knight, a young thief, and Merry Ol' England. What's not to love? Westerson's Medevial Noir gives us enough background to create an atmosphere, but not too much. You won't feel you're reading a history book. The mysteries weave in and out of historical events and figures, and the characters are easy to root for. Troubled Bones is the latest release.

K.J. Larsen . While waiting for the next Cat DeLuca mystery--Sticks & Stones--why not check out the first--Liar, Liar? This wonderful cast of characters including Cat, the owner of the Pants on Fire Detective Agency, will have you laughing out loud. Written by three gifted sisters, this series in on my list of favorites!

I better stop there.

As for Family Matters, the novel is my first Wilder Women mystery, featuring Roxanne Wilder and her mother, Deanna, and sister, Vanessa. Deanna is addicted to classes at WACKED (Wilton Adult Center for Knowledge & Education), and her latest is Criminal Psychology & You. When the local accountant turns up murdered at the Historic Christmas Walk, Deanna decides to put her textbook to work. Roxanne's job includes keeping her mother from becoming the next victim, an especially difficult task as Roxanne is carting her sister around in a gigantic wheelchair, the temporary result of an unfortunate accident.

Just leave a comment, and on Friday I'll have a drawing for a free copy--either Kindle or Smashwords, depending on your ereader.

Make sure to check out the authors listed above. They are all wonderful storytellers and their books are the perfect accompaniment to a cup of hot chocolate and some Christmas cookies!

Author Pam Carter Ripling aka Anne Carter

2011-10-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

I'm so pleased to have author Pam Carter Ripling on my blog today. She's the author of several romantic-suspense novels (written as Anne Carter) as well as Young Adult books. She also writes non-fiction, freelances, and is the owner of Valdata Services, Inc, a trust accounting firm. You can read all about Pam and take a peek at her blog here.

I just finished reading "Cape Seduction", and it was good on so many levels. While on assignment in Northern California, professional photographer Rebecca Burke thinks she sees a woman in red on the steps of a deserted lighthouse. She's determined to travel the treacherous waters to check things out for herself. The anonymous owner is impossible to reach except through Los Angeles attorney, Matt Farralone, so Rebecca fibs her way out to the island to have a look around. The discovery of an abandoned crib only peaks her interest, and she delves into the history with an eye toward clearing up unanswered questions.

As the mystery unfolds, the story flashes back to the 1940's, and we watch as the original drama unfolds alongside Rebecca's investigation. Starlet Darla Foster was last seen alive at the lighthouse where she starred in her first film. Coincedence? Or something more sinister? It was difficult to say which storyline captured my interest more, but the startling conclusion brings both ends together in a in a way that resolves both stories and satisfies the reader.

We’re casting your latest book for a movie. Who do you envision in the lead?

Since CAPE SEDUCTION takes place in two different eras and has two sets of characters, it has a variety of roles. Sometimes a particular actor will strike me as having a number of matching characteristics, and in this case the actor was Matthew McConaughey who filled out the role of present-day hero Matt Farralone (name was coincidental). Most interesting, to me, was my role model for Darla Foster, the heroine from the past. She was actually inspired by real-life 1920s actress Alice White, whose face appears on the cover. Playing her on film would probably be Reese Witherspoon.

Lighthouses. They feature in your romantic suspense books. Which comes first? The lighthouse or the story?

Good question! For POINT SURRENDER, the story came first, as the lighthouse is fictional. I did have a specific lighthouse in mind, but that sort of formed afterward. CAPE SEDUCTION, however, was written specifically about a very real lighthouse—inspired by and written about St. George Reef Lighthouse near Crescent City, California.

Pam, I want to know more about lighthouses--if they are publicly or privately owned, what they are being used for now, if there are still active ones off the California coast, if there are web sites and resources for people interested, and if they can visit and tour these lighthouses. What do you look for in a lighthouse for inspiration--the history, the architecture etc.?

Jackie, it’s estimated that there are about 680 lighthouses left in the U.S., of which around 600 are still operated by the U.S. Coast Guard. The rest are privately owned. Some of these are still operated and considered “active aids to navigation,” while others are private residences, bed & breakfasts, museums and landmarks. California has around thirty-six lighthouses at this time, protecting its 840 miles of coastline.

I visit as many as I can when I travel. There is nothing quite like the feel of climbing that winding staircase, hearing the echo in a cylindrical tower, peering out at the ocean once you’re at the top. You can almost hear voices from the past murmuring. Most inspiring for me is the architecture, the setting, and yes, sometimes the history. I’ve already chosen Angel’s Gate as the location for my third lighthouse mystery. This lighthouse, also known as Los Angeles Harbor Lighthouse, is another offshore beacon, and is completely unique in design.

Those interested in lighthouses can find a wealth of information online. One of my favorite sites is LighthouseFriends.com. These wonderful people have tons of useful information, including history, directions and accessibility to lighthouses all over the U.S.

Some of your books take place in or at least flash back to the past. How much research does this involve?

Glad you asked. Research is one of my favorite activities when writing a book. For CAPE SEDUCTION, I had a myriad of subjects to research. First, the late 1940’s era; the slang, clothing, pop culture. How much would Darla pay to see a movie? What would she wear? What was the airplane like she took to Northern California, and was there even an airport where she was going? More, if the characters smoke cigarettes, which would smoke the elite brand, and what was it called? For the lighthouse scenes, I had the good fortune to meet and interview a retired Coast Guardsman who’d actually lived at St. George. His recollections were invaluable.

Paper books haven’t disappeared, but ebook sales are growing. How does this affect you as a writer? For example, the writing process, how you work your appearances, etc.

I have always been a big proponent of ebooks, so I’m happy about the increase in sales. It affects me as a writer in the way I market. There used to be a bigger divide between ebook readers and those who prefer paper books. That gap is narrowing as people get more used to reading electronically. It’s not so much an “either, or” situation anymore. This is a good thing for writers who have had to divide their marketing energies and resources to cater to both types.

As for personal appearances, that’s an evolving animal. At a signing or a book fair, we are selling an intangible that people can’t hold in their hands. We are, essentially, asking them to take an active role, seek out the book online—if they can remember it—and buy/download it there. Over the years, some authors/publishers have tried selling ebooks on diskettes, CDs and DVDs, but to my knowledge it hasn’t been particularly successful.

Honestly, it’s something I’ve never thought about. On the fly, I think I’d want readers to be aware of the lighthouse-as-character aspect. What role does the lighthouse play? If the lighthouse has a personality, is it benign, helpful, safe, or is it antagonistic, dangerous, etc. The answer, of course, might lie with the POV of the character experiencing the lighthouse.

Social Media is such a big deal now. How much time do you spend on it, and what platform works for you?

I tried several at first, on the advice of my publisher. Like many, I use Facebook to stay in touch with fans as well as family, friends and fellow authors. I enjoy participating in Goodreads, both as an author and a reader. As for how much time I spend, it varies. Overall, I think people in general spend way too much time on social media. All one has to do is ignore it for a few days to discover how much of life passes by while sitting at the keyboard. There is a healthy medium that many exceed.

What’s the hardest part of being an author?

Getting books into the hands of readers. It’s a resounding issue. There is tremendous competition for the public’s attention and their dwindling disposable cash. We, as authors and publishers, spend a lot of time thinking up innovative ways to market books.

You write under two names. Why? And could you explain the differences in the books? And has it been confusing for readers at all?

My first romance novel was written 20 years ago. At the time, it was a very different and scary thing for me, but also exciting. Most romance authors I knew of had pseudonyms, so I thought I should, too. When I was finally published, my father had just passed away, and it meant something to me to use his (my maiden) name as a kind of homage. Hence, Carter.

After I’d written a few romances, I wrote a middle grade mystery. It seemed inappropriate to have both genres under the Carter name, since theoretically the younger readers could mistake one of my more “mature audience” books for another middle grade. It hasn’t caused any confusion that I know of.

Tell us what’s next for you?

As mentioned, I’m already at work on the next lighthouse book. I plan to offer more lecture dates in 2012, as I find more and more people are interested in lighthouses and literature. I enjoy the festival circuit and will likely turn up at the Ventura Author Festival and L.A. Times Festival of Books, where I participate with a group of mystery authors we call “Murder We Wrote.”

Thanks, Jackie, as always, for a stimulating and interesting interview!

Battling the Writing Blues

2011-09-22T15:58:00.000-07:00

Sometimes writing gives me the blues. That's pretty bad, considering I write comedy.

At my "real" jobs, I've always been a subordinate--subordinate to the clients and subordinate to my boss. I love it. So what's so great about answering to people, jumping through hoops, and trying to satisfy other people?

Two words. Defined Goals.

Okay. Four words. Defined Goals and Defined Deadlines.

Even when your client isn't sure exactly what he wants, the right questions can get you a definite something that he needs. And he always needs it right away. This goes for female clients, too. And Bosses, although bosses usually know exactly what they want from the start and they want it yesterday.

I miss that. You know what you have to do, do it, and get feedback. You know when you're finished. You put the file away and forget about it until the next frantic call.

With fiction, you write for an invisible audience and yourself. You only have self-imposed deadlines. You never know when you're finished, and most times it takes eons to get feedback, whether it's from a writer's group, an agent, or readers.

It's a lonely, twisted road, and that's where the blues come in.

So how to pull yourself back into the light? I don't always know how.

Right now, the thought of re-defining my goals into tiny, completable steps makes me nauseous. I've done it too many times before and then dumped the goals when the dog got sick or a copywriting job came up (Yipee! Goals and deadlines, and money too!) Or when there was something good on TV.

Setting another deadline and shaking my finger at the page while saying No excuses this time, girlie! doesn't help either.

Things I've Tried

An invisible boss that I answer to. This worked alright for a while, but then I forgot about her. She's invisible.

A separate calendar for writing goals. I have too many calendars already. I'm easily confused.

Threats. You'll never have a house with a big California backyard for the dog to play in (read: average Midwest backyard) and he'll develop arthritis because he never gets to run around.

Real threats. Those bills are only going to get paid if you get some writing out there or get a job greeting people at Wal-mart. But if I'm at Wal-mart, who will be around to let the dog outside? What if he desperately needs to tinkle while I'm collecting carts from the parking lot. No, no, no!

And, finally, guilt. The guy in the parable punished the servant who buried his talents. Is that what you want? Buried talents? What kind of ingrate are you? You have an obligation to make people giggle.

What do you do to get out of the writing blues? And does it work?

Short Story Bonanza Aids Japan

2011-08-29T09:39:00.000-07:00

I love short stories. They're like that tasty chocolate with the oozy caramel center--quick and delicious.

When a collection of short stories will aid people in need, that's an added bonus.

You'll find some of your favorite authors in "Shaken", an anthology to aid the victims of the Japan earthquake. Grab a copy! I did.

Best-Selling Authors Karen Ranney and Sue-Ellen Welfonder

2011-08-22T07:06:00.000-07:00

USA Today best-selling author Sue Ellen Welfonder writes Scottish medieval romances as well as Scottish-set paranormal novels, the latter appearing under the pen name, Allie Mackay , (website coming soon).

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Karen Ranney writes Scottish historical romances set in the 19th century. She also writes contemporary romantic suspense novels which appear under her pen name, Katherine Storm.

They blog together at Tartan Ink .

Welcome, ladies!

“Two authors, one passion...Writing Scotland one book at a time.” How did the two of you find each other? (And may I say that I LOVE that fans of your blog are referred to as “Tarts”.)

Karen: We found each other through Digital Theft, believe it or not. I have often wished that more authors were active in hunting down those who steal our work. I don't believe, for example, that it's publicity. Sue-Ellen emailed me with a digital theft tip I hadn't realized, and I thought to myself: wow, another author like me. When she guest blogged at Warm Fuzzies, it was such a fun experience that we decided to do Tartan Ink.

Sue-Ellen: Ditto to everything Karen said. I’ll add that I was a hermit for years, keeping to myself and minding my own business. Now and then, I’d glance at author blogs and eventually happened upon Warm Fuzzies. I fell in love with Karen’s wit and outlook and knew I’d found a kindred spirit. Like Karen, I hunt and report Digital Theft. Through Warm Fuzzies, I knew Karen’s stance on Digital Theft mirrored my own. One day I discovered a particularly evil trick used by Digital Thieves and emailed Karen, telling her about it. We’ve been friends ever since.

How do you get across the language of the period, the Scottish dialect, and the medieval or 19th century references with the average reader in mind? (Definition of average reader for my purposes: One who is neither Scottish nor a student of history.)

Karen: I've always been fascinated with 19th century Scotland because it was a bridge over cultures. It was a hundred fifty years since the last battle with the English. On the outside, the Scots are good little British subjects, but their past was never far away. You could almost hear the thrumming beat of freedom calling. It's a duality that was buried, simmering below the surface, almost like today with the occasional cries for devolution.

Another thing that intrigues me is that the Scottish people are responsible for some of the greatest inventions that led to the lives we live today. Whether still living in Scotland, or expatriates, the theme of creation and risk-taking seems inherent in the Scottish spirit.

I don't write dialect. I may say something that reflects the cadence of speech, or use Gaelic, but I want the language to connect to the story, not put up a wall.

Sue-Ellen: Again, Karen and I resonate. I, too, do not write dialect. I believe there are other ways to convey a sense of Scotland without words like ye, yer, fer, and what-have-you. Syntax, for one thing. If I do use a Gaelic term or place name, I make certain the meaning is explained in the context. I dislike heavy dialect of any kind and prefer to use words that are familiar to readers, while also giving a sense of time and place through how I use them.

If I were to write in language actually used by my medieval Scottish characters, no one would be able to read the books.

How much research is required when writing a historical novel?

Karen: It all depends on the plot. For example, The Devil Wears Tartan required a lot of history into Egyptology (which I love), Queen Victoria's Chinese expeditions, and the Opium Wars. Autumn in Scotland required that I read all about divorce, Scottish style, and inheritance law. Scottish law is not like English law.

The strange thing is - I do as much research on a contemporary, just to make sure I have the details right.

Sue-Ellen: Tons, though only a small portion goes into the books. I believe it is necessary for an author to know as much as possible about the time and setting of her work. Only then, when you are wholly comfortable in that world, can you paint it vividly on the page. Thankfully, most historical writers love research. I certainly do and consider it one of the best perks of writing.

I’ve always been passionate about Scotland and medieval history, so I had a good working knowledge of medieval Scotland before I ever decided to write. I’ve also been visiting Scotland all my life, so am familiar with the land and people. Like Karen, I research deeper for specifics as needed. As an example, I really studied the Black Death of the 14^th C. for A Highlander’s Temptation. My setting was far removed from the terrors of the plague, but it was going on in the world of that story. I didn’t want to ignore it and so did a lot of really deep research and found a few fascinating tidbits I then wove into the book.

Romances, like mysteries, follow a certain formula. How do you keep your characters and plotlines fresh?

Karen: I think the characters are the ones who keep it fresh. If they're filled in, if you know enough about them, if they breathe, then the book is almost a living entity.

Sue-Ellen: Re plots... The path and destination may be the same, but it’s the individual journey that makes it fun. It’s not so much the happy ending, but how they get there that keeps it fresh.

Re characters... Story people are as individual as real people. Discovering their personalities and watching them come to life on the page is always a grand adventure.

Sue Ellen, you’ve branched out into paranormal novels. Was this a complete switch from Scottish romances, or an extension of that genre?

Sue-Ellen: Not a complete switch at all. Definitely an extension. Anyone familiar with my medievals will know that they’re bursting with paranormal elements. And not just the usual Highland magic such a second sight and myth and legend. There are also curses, ghosts galore, enchanted stones and animals, crones who work spells and other magic, mythical creatures, etc, etc…

I’m always surprised when someone blinks at my inclusion of such things because all the above and more were very much a part of medieval Scotland. To leave out such elements would be to ignore a vibrant and colorful part of Scotland’s past. I have great fun working such threads in my Scottish medievals and wanted to expand on that enjoyment with my Scottish-set paranormals.

For that reason, there are many touch-points between my Scottish medieval and my Scottish-set paranormals. I love taking a modern day American heroine and sending her to Scotland where she either time travels to medieval Scotland or falls in love with a medieval Highland ghost hero. These books are light and humor-filled and the heroines often live out my own travel adventures in Scotland which makes them great fun to write.

Karen, you also write contemporary romantic suspense novels. Are they easier to write than historical?

Karen: I think it's just as difficult to write either, frankly. My recent contemporaries feature San Antonio as a location, since it's my home. My historicals never mention an exact place in Scotland, because the setting is an amalgam of places. As far as plot, characters, pacing, all those are the same. The only difference in historical romance from contemporary suspense is the mores of 19th century Scotland - oh, and the clothing. I still insist on a Happy Ever After in my contemporary suspense, or at least the hint of one.

Both of you have pen names. Was this your choice or your publisher’s choice, and do you worry that readers of one name won’t discover all that you have to offer?

Karen: In my case, using the name Katherine Storm was my decision, to differentiate from my Scottish historical romances. These books are so different that I didn't want fans of one genre to be expecting something similar.

Sue-Ellen: It was my choice to use Allie Mackay for my Scottish-set paranormals. Sue-Ellen Welfonder is my real name and, frankly, quite a mouthful. When opportunity arose, I wanted a shorter, snappier name that also sounded Scottish.

I do worry about readers of one genre not reading the other. But not because of the different names. I’ve been very open about writing in two genres and using a pen name for one. It’s no secret. But I’ve discovered that very few of my historical readers read the Allie Mackay titles. As noted above, there are so many shared elements in both types of books. I’d hoped my historical readers would follow me into the second genre. Some did, but most haven’t. I have two sets of core readers with just a bit of mixed readers.

Sue Ellen, you’ve written a trilogy. Do you start a trilogy with the entire story in mind? And which do you consider easier to write--standalones, a trilogy, or a series? Does your approach to the characters differ with each format?

Sue-Ellen: Highland Warriors is my second trilogy. I wrote my MacLean trilogy (Knight In My Bed, Master Of The Highlands, Wedding For A Knight) early in my career, although my publisher did not market the books as such. My MacKenzie series also wasn’t marketed as a series, although it certainly was one.

I like to think all the books can be read as standalones, but writing-wise I prefer series. I love revisiting well-loved characters and a setting that feels like home. Yes, I have the over-all story in mind before starting a trilogy. There has to be a powerful enough plot to sustain three books.

My approach to characters doesn’t change with format or genre. I’m always inspired first by an atmospheric setting and then the fitting character just ‘appears in my mind.’ I see them instantly and always full-bodied. But they only come when I first know where the story is to take place. My characters are always born of the setting.

Karen, you also blog on Warm Fuzzies. Is blogging an effective way for authors to get the word out about their books?

Karen: I think blogging is a great way to introduce yourself to people, but it's not for everyone. For example, I make a conscious effort not to talk about my books very often. When you go to Warm Fuzzies! - they're all there. If someone wants to buy one, they can. I also don't talk about writing all that often, even though I do like having guest authors.

Instead, I talk to my readers, and I think I've narrowed down who they are. Predominantly, women just like me. So, I'll talk about funny things, odd things, my peculiar view of the world, anything to reach out and connect with other people.

How much time do you both spend on social networking? Which venues get the best reader response?

Karen: I spend an hour a day. I love Goodreads, but I've also developed a liking for Facebook. I'd like to think that both blogs, Warm Fuzzies and Tartan Ink, generate the best response from people.

Sue-Ellen: I spend about the same amount of time on social networking as Karen. About an hour a day, more around releases. I’m fairly new to social networking, having resisted that whole scene for years. I find self-promotion awkward and painful and have avoided such things for that reason. I adore Twitter. I can’t stand Facebook and will be taking down my page there. I love blogging with Karen at Tartan Ink and enjoy popping by Warm Fuzzies.

I am not convinced that social networking sells books. What I love is the immediacy of saying hello to friends on Twitter, catching word of neat blog articles and newsy bits tweeted there. Above all, I LOVE Tartan Ink. We have a warm and friendly community and I believe our readers enjoy visiting the ‘tea room’ each day.

When you read, do you stick to romance or is there another favorite genre that you indulge in?

Karen: I love almost anything. I'm a fiend for non-fiction. Right now I'm reading a collection of paranormal stories, a couple of motivational books, a contemporary romance, and a gritty crime novel.

Sue-Ellen: I adore cozy mysteries and Regency-set historicals. I also love Karen’s books. I have a set-in-stone rule not to read in my own genre, but I make an exception for her. I also read tons of nonfiction. As I love research, it’s pure pleasure to delve into books on all things medieval, Scottish history, Celtic myth and legend, archaeology, the paranormal (haunting, earth mysteries, and sacred places, etc.)

Karen again: Well, shoot, I have to add Sue-Ellen's books. Trust me, I do not read inside my own genre, so I was really annoyed that her latest book, Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel, was so good that it just grabbed me and wouldn't let me go. Truly, her books are wonderful, and she has such a magnificent way of depicting Scotland.

What’s next for each of you?

Karen: I'm currently writing a very spooky and difficult book under the Katherine Storm name and soon to begin a new Karen Ranney book. I have A Scottish Love coming out November 29, 2011, and a few books in 2012.

Sue-Ellen: My next release is an Allie Mackay title, Haunted Warrior, out in Jan. 2012. After that, comes Highland Warriors book three, Seduction of a Highland Warrior, also 2012. Thereafter, a spin-off series from Highland Warriors.

Thank you both for stopping by A Writer's Jumble! You can find out more about each author's books at their websites, and I highly recommend their blogs.

"Source Code": A Disturbing Type of Rape?

2011-07-28T12:29:00.000-07:00

Spoiler Alert

Rape: "to seize, take, or carry off by force"

I just watched the movie Source Code. For those who haven't seen it, a nearly-dead soldier is attached to an 8 minute memory of a man who died in a terrorism attack so he can re-live those eight minutes over and over again to try to track down the terrorist. By the end of the film, he stops the attack, saves the victims and continues to live on through this guy's body.

Aside from the plot complications that come with time travel themes (they never can explain away all of the inconsistencies) there's another aspect of this film that I found disturbing. Make that horrifying.

Am I the only one who noticed that, while the hero goes off to enjoy life in another man's body, the man whose body he now inhabits has been shoved out of the picture? That guy has lost the rest of his life to his new "host". He's been taken over and now ceases to exist. The remainder of his life has been seized, taken by this soldier.

I had the same problem with "Lovely Bones". I didn't see the movie, but in the book, Susie Salmon jumps out of heaven, takes over another girl's body, and has sex with the boy she loved when she was alive.

Rape: "any act of sexual intercourse that is forced upon a person".

I can understand feeling gypped if you left this life without ever sharing intimacy with another person. But did anyone care that the girl whose body she took over gave up her virginity without consenting? What if the teenager had wanted to save herself for marriage? I know it's considered a quaint idea, but the point is she didn't have a choice. She wasn't even there for her first sexual experience.

Most movies and books aim for a feel-good ending, and we grown to care about the protagonists, Colter Stevens and Susie Salmon, but does this negate the rights of other characters? Should rights be governed by popularity contests?

It's a horrifying prospect.

Could My Creativity Save the Planet and My Checkbook?

2011-07-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

Writers are creative people. There are all those articles about right brain versus left brain, and since I suspect that only half my brain is in use at any one time (and I'm not good at math), I'm hoping that the creative side is hard at work.

I recently decided that creativity might be the answer to a tightening budget and waster's remorse. Every time I toss a rotten head of cabbage, I think of starving families in China who, with just the right combination of spices, could have stretched that crucifer into ten meals.

And why, when I look in my pantry, can't I find anything good to eat? I do all of the grocery shopping. ALL of it. How did I manage to buy so many things I don't like or know what to do with?

A desire to tighten the budget combined with a sermon by Father Mike about waste have inspired me to a new challenge. I'm going to utilize everything in my pantry, freezer, and icebox with a bare minimum of shopping for ancillary items.

Craving a candy bar? I'll find a recipe online that uses that half a bag of walnuts, the scrapings from a jar of peanut butter, and baking chocolate. Milk, eggs, butter and dog food supplies are the exception, and if I run completely out of fruits or veggies, I'm allowed to resupply. Sound fair?

There will be less waste and less garbage going to the dump, so it's good for the planet, too.

I WILL have to overcome a fear of dwindling supplies, since I'm certain that the minute I use the last olive The Big One will come and I'll be forced to eat toothpaste. So be it.

I'm making a one week commitment to see how things go. I know one week isn't that long, but if creativity doesn't extend to my cooking, then one week will seem an eternity.

3 Ways to Healthy? Eat Like My Dog

2011-07-18T10:03:00.000-07:00

I make Buster's food. After the commercial dog food scares, I'm committed. (Grinding up euthanised dogs? Really?) That doesn't mean he doesn't get the occassionally crunchy goodness of kibble, but it's really good kibble from manufacturers I trust. And he gets bones. Lots of bones.

My husband has wandered into the kitchen while I've been making Buster's chow and asked me, "What's for dinner?" Yes, it's that good. Ground meat, veggies, grains...It could be a casserole.

I also treat him with fruit or dried chicken strips, and I've made him cookies from ground meat, oatmeal, rice flour, fruit and cheese.

It occurred to me that I worry more about Buster's food intake than I do my own. I never give him cupcakes or candy bars, and I drain the heck out of the ground beef when I use it. While my own butt expands, I'm watching his wasteline. Did you know doggies can get diabeties?

Here's a few adjustments I need to make to my own diet to match Busters.

1. Make it from scratch.

There will be days when I'm pressed for time and grab some processed box of something-or-other for dinner. But I promise myself (and the hubby, who would stand in the kitchen, helpless, if he had to cook his own meals) that I will endeavor to cook from scratch. That means make my own bread for sandwiches, buy cuts of meat to cook and shave for the sandwiches, make any treats from scratch etc.)

This isn't as hard as it sounds because I'm the luckies woman in the world. I have a bread machine. I have a meat slicer. I have the time.

2. Eat more fruit

Buster's after-walk treat is an apple with the core removed. He also loves watermelon, mango, and blueberries. I do love my snacks. While I'll never give up chocolate, I promise to first reach for the fruit bowl.

3. More grains and veggies than meat.

It may surprise you to know that you don't need to feed your dog that much protien unless he's a working dog or she's a lactating or pregnant female. Buster is neither. He also has colitis, which is a nasty thing that is easily cleared up with increased fiber in his diet.

I cut back on the meat in his dog food recipe and increased the veggies. Cured. I promise to balance my meals more towards grains and veggies than yummy, delicious, meat. (Can you tell I'm a devoted carnivore?)

There are more ways I could adjust my diet--eliminate any sugary snacks, give up my glass of wine at night--but I'll try the first few and let you know how it works. We do need our treats! After all, Buster does have his bones.

2011-07-14T12:14:00.000-07:00

I have a short story that I wrote ala Women's World: You get the clue at the end to see if you figured it out. And so I give you "The Mystery of the Nightly Walk". Let me know if you guessed or not. Don't peek!

The Mystery of the Nightly Walk

The old woman with the large-brimmed hat turned the corner and headed up the cul-de-sac, just as she did every other night at nine pm.

“It’s just odd, Jack. That’s all,” I said, pulling the curtains closed. “Sandy and I invited her to come with us on our seven o’clock walk and she turned us down flat.”

My husband didn’t think it was strange. “Maybe she’s not social. Or maybe she's busy at seven. Besides. The only thing the two of you talk about since you've both started dieting is calories. I know I'd be bored with the conversation.” He obviously sympathized with Deloris.

“But she has those men over three times a week, and they aren’t her sons because they don’t look anything like her. They aren't even the same ethnicity.”

“Maybe they’re adopted.”

“And what about the hat? Why is she wearing a hat at night?”

Jack folded his newspaper. “Maybe she’s bald. Or had a bad hair day.”

For the last three weeks, our new neighbor walked the streets of Mountain View Estates every evening at the same time and always wearing the same large-brimmed hat that left her face in shadow.

When she moved in last month, I’d tried to say hello over the rose bushes that divided our backyards, but she ducked her head and went back inside. Maybe she was shy.

She looked like somebody’s grandmother. She dressed her plump figure in polyester outfits and her hands were covered with age spots. But I hadn’t seen any grandkids drop by. The only visitors she had were four middle-aged men who dropped by three times a week after her walk.

“Maybe I’m on edge because of the break-ins.” Several houses had been ransacked while the owners were out. The Petersons had been on vacation, while the Sorge family had only been at the movies. Cathy Sorge was still shaken up, worried what might have happened had they walked out of the awful film as her husband had suggested and returned home early.

“Leave the worrying to the professionals,” Jack joked, and he went upstairs to change out of his uniform having just finished his shift at the Lakewood Police Department.

The next evening, Jack worked late. Right on schedule, Delores came out her front door and headed up the street. This time, I followed at a distance, ready to find out what my neighbor was up to.

The old woman walked at a slow pace, pausing to take in her surroundings. She leaned over a hydrangea bush in front of the Danko house and inhaled, enjoying the sweet sent from the flowers. I followed suit when I got to that spot. Maybe it was my allergies, but I couldn't smell a thing. I looked up and Mrs. Danko stared at me through her living room window. I gave a sheepish wave and she pulled the drapes closed.

Deloris repeated her performance in front of every home, sometimes admiring the bushes, other times stopping to tie her laces or take an irritant out of her shoe.

Feeling like a fool, I picked up my pace and caught up to her.

“Nice evening,” I said.

She started in surprise, Even then, she only nodded a greeting.

“Are your sons stopping over again tonight?” I asked, trying to encourage her to talk.

“Those are friends of mine,” she finally said.

“They must be good friends. They see you every night.” A slight exaggeration. "You must run out of things to talk about."

“We play cards.”

At first she was reluctant to hold up her side of the conversation, but after I congratulated her on having a hobby and told her how thinking games like cards can keep your brain young, she finally opened up.

"Do you play?"

"What? Cards?" I laughed. "I wouldn't know a straight from a whatchamacallit."
“My late husband enjoyed Texas Hold-em. In fact, I always used to joke that Harold looked like the king of hearts. He had the same regal mustache and beard. I’m convinced he thought he was royalty,” she chuckled.

By the time we got to my house, I thanked her for sharing her walk with me. I couldn’t wait to boast of my success to Jack when he got home.

His response was not the one I expected. He kissed me on the forehead and made me promise to stay away from Deloris.

One week later, Jack received an accommodation and Granny Hardcastle and the Hardcastle Gang were behind bars.

“What tipped you off?” I asked after a big kiss of congratulations.

“You did.”

Clue:

Deloris “Granny” Hardcastle said that she had played cards for years. In fact, her husband resembled the King of Hearts. Someone who plays cards three times a week would know that the King of Hearts is the only king without a beard.

2011-07-12T14:30:00.000-07:00

An Ode to Jerky Pet Parents

Please don’t make me mace your dog

He will not like the yucky fog

I know he’s so well trained and all

Perhaps he didn’t hear you call?

My own dog’s leashed, it is the law

The park sign spells it out, I saw

An ordinance to protect me

From dogs like yours, running free

You say he’s friendly, but I wonder

His teeth are bared, his growl like thunder

He’s getting closer, in my space

There goes the lid from my can of mace

We’ve been attacked three times before,

By saintly dogs (the owners swore)

Dogs so pure they’d never bite

Except for this one little fight

I must protect my dog and I

I must let doggie mace spray fly

I wish you loved your puppy dog

Enough to save him from the fog

Interview with Author M.M. Gornell, the Queen of Standalone Mysteries

2011-07-10T12:27:00.000-07:00

Those who read my blog regularly know that I have favorite authors who I would interview every day if I could without causing them to cross the street if they saw me coming. Many of them should be (in my opinion) household names. Authors such as Marilyn Meredith, J. Michael Orenduff, Kate Carlisle, Mark Schweizer, Hannah Dennison and Jeri Westerson. Then there are my new loves such as L.C. Tyler, sisters K.J. Larsen . Another favorite is M.M. Gornell, the author of several standalone mysteries, and a master at storytelling and setting. Madeline has agreed to spend some time with me today. (Yipee!)

She is a lifetime lover of mysteries of all types, and her favorite novelist is P. D. James. Besides reading and writing, she is an avid gardener--with a fondness for roses and fruit trees, and a potter particularly interested in the high-fire reduction process. She now lives with her husband and assorted canines in California’s high-desert.

Don't forget to read my review of "Reticence of Ravens" at the end of the interview.

Welcome, Madaline!

In your standalone novels--more than any other novels I've read--it feels as if I've dropped into the middle of someone's world on the first page. I'm certain that these people have a history, just as I'm certain their story will go on as soon as I step out of the picture. How do you pull this off?

Oh Jackie, what kind words! Especially since I think you’re partly talking about character identification. Having characters that “ring true” and quickly take you into their world is one of my major writing goals. There’s probably also a little bit of plot development involved in the “dropped into” experience.

So far, the stories I like to tell involve ordinary people, presented with some extraordinary circumstances or events. Of course, one of those events is a murder! But besides the murder mystery aspect—and I’m not sure on this—but possibly some of what you’re describing is that I like to have a lot of “things” going on. Just like in real life. So, besides the murder, my characters are involved in life-stuff before the murder mystery, and will continue to be involved in that life-stuff once the book is closed.

Could also be I spend a lot of time trying to take the reader inside my characters’ heads. Which is something I really like doing but must struggle to balance with plot movement and action. Fortunately, I have several extremely good editors who help me with pacing. Without them, nothing I’ve ever written would be published.

I also learned from a very good writing coach about POV. Since I use third-person, with multiple POV characters, it took me awhile to figure out how it should go for me. But once I understood how it could apply to my writing style and voice, it has become a big driver. I think seeing the world through character’s eyes, and occasionally letting the reader into their actual thoughts, lets you “know” them better, and transports you into their world quickly. There’s an irony there, in that I’m rather fond of reading novels that have a more omniscient point of view than what I’m striving for.

Location always plays such a large part in your books. In "Reticence of Ravens", it's a portion of the historical Route 66. Do you build your stories around the location? How do you decide on a location for your stories? How much research do you do?

The first excitement and kernel of an idea for each of my books has come from a location that has reached out, grabbed me, and wouldn’t let go. That sounds a bit silly, and it’s not the whole story, but yes, so far, my novels have started because a location said, “Me! Me! Write about me.” From the location, I’ve then wondered who would have lived there, or come that way. What is their story? Or in the case of my first, Uncle Si’s Secret—it was “What a perfect spot for a murder!”

Another key writing goal/challenge for me is to make that location also come alive for the reader. Have them see, taste, smell, etc. what’s unique about this particular spot on earth. Sometimes that’s very hard. On all levels, rewriting is when my story comes together, and finding just the right word, in particular for sensory experiences is very important. I have yet to reread my published novels—I know I’ll want to rewrite, and nitpick at my word choices—especially when it comes to description. And it’s far too late for that!

I can say with certainty, Route 66 has become a huge source of inspiration with “locations” galore begging to be written about. Unfortunately, I’m a slow writer, and there’s a long queue!

You write standalone novels, which means you have to populate each book with new characters. Where do all of these people come from?! And how do you keep from duplicating characters? "Death of a Perfect Man" and "Reticence of Ravens" each have a unique cast.

To say my characters come from the “jumble” in my head is not being flippant. My life experience has been that “stuff” goes in, but doesn’t remain as specific facts (i.e. terrible memory for historical facts, names of books I’ve read, etc.). The best way I can explain it is, bits and pieces out of that conglomerate in my brain, reappear when I write as characters, events, locations, situations, snapshots… All different from what “went in,” but for sure tied-to and based upon my life experiences and events. Currently, there are still many such characters and ideas jostling around in my head, waiting for their moment on paper, so to speak.

On the duplication, I haven’t thought about that, but I’m guessing there probably is some, in that I think everyone is unique, having lived specific lives, but in some ways we’re all the same, and faced with similar challenges—though maybe not as dramatic as in my stories.

And on a not so philosophical level, I really like creating new characters. For me, that’s part of the fun of writing. I can create new worlds, new people, new towns, fit names to characters, and more—every time I start a new book. It’s exciting just thinking about a new book. What great fun!

Do you have a special approach to marketing? I imagine it's more difficult when you don't have a series, but is that true?

I have yet to come up with a marketing-silver-bullet. After two-plus years at this, I’m still trying whatever sounds like a good idea.

I think not having a series—a set of characters readers want more of—might be a hindrance, but I honestly don’t yet know. But in that line of thinking, my imagination has been captured by Route 66, and “Lies of Convenience”—the first in what I’m hoping might be a trilogy, and now in final edits and rewriting—is again in a fictional town on Route 66 in California’s Mojave. So Route 66 is a “branding” of sorts, and might bridge the “series” issue. For me, marketing is still a big challenge—and the path very uncertain. There’s plenty of advice out there, finding what works for me is the trick.

Oddly, I love reading series—P.D. James and Adam Dagliesh are my ideal and inspiration—but what I keep writing are standalones. Even in my current trilogy work-in-progress, though the protagonist remains the same and there is one underlying mystery tying the trilogy together, in each book most of the other characters will be new, with a new mystery to solve.

Do you have any tips or tricks for writers that might make the rewrite process easier?

I love to rewrite, everything comes together then. I’ve come to anticipate with pleasure thoughts and suggestions from my editors. So far me, rewriting is now one of the good parts of writing. But it’s been a “process” getting to that point. I do think every author is different in their writing journey, but for me, some key things are:

I try to forget how it sounds in my mind now that it’s on paper, and try to imagine from outside of me—the picture my words are presenting in the mind of someone who doesn’t know me or my characters. I think editors, critique groups, etc. are good judges of that—better than myself.

I keep looking for the right word, even if it feels like it’s taking forever. And if I can’t find the right word, or phrase—I delete. At first, deleting was hard—easy now—and in retrospect, what I’ve left out has always been for the better.

Rewriting is one of the few times in life I can “take back” what I’ve said. Too many times in my real-world I’ve wished for that “erase” capability.

Let it sit. Then come back.

Thank you, Madeline!

Please visit Madeline on her website and on her blog . Be sure to check out her books, available in both trade paperback form and as e-books on Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords. Better still, get a signed copy from the author by emailing her at mmgornell@earthlink.net . I noticed that she also offers a deal to book clubs--buy two, get the third free!

Reticence of Ravens

By M.M. Gornell

Hubert James Champion III has a problem, and it’s staring him in the face through blank eyes surrounded by a cherubic face. A former psychologist hiding a dark secret, he thought he could exchange the pressures of helping people for a slow stint as the owner of Joey’s, a small convenience store located in the Mojave Desert. But now a slow-witted woman named LoraLee is sitting on his living room couch, soaked in blood, having allegedly just killed her abusive father.

Though his instincts tell him to stay out of it, Champion is drawn to help solve the crime by more than a desire to protect LoraLee. He’s attracted to Police Chief Audrey Boyes—Mojave County’s Assistant Sherriff. And as the mystery becomes more complex, Champion will have more at stake than just simple curiosity.
Gornell excels at creating worlds that are both believable and enticing. She draws you into the lives of her characters, an admirable feat for an author of standalone mysteries. Yet her character’s stories feel vaguely familiar, as if you already knew them and had been part of the community for years.

You’ll feel the sweat trickling down your back from the hot desert sun and breathe in dust kicked up by an infrequent breeze, because Gornell’s locations are as important to the story as any human character. By the time the mystery is solved, you’ll hate closing the book, because her character’s lives don’t end with the last page.

Am I Writing for You? Take the Test.

2011-07-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

One of the things I haven't really thought about is WHO this blog is aimed at. Who are my targeted readers? I understand from recent articles that, unless I give this serious consideration, I'm a mere talking bobble head. Since bobble heads creep me out, I'm going to go against my creed not to label or pigeonhole people and come up with a v-e-r-y sketchy litmus test. Take it if you dare. If you enjoy reading my posts and don't really care whether or not you fall into the "right" category, skip to the end and I'll tell you what's next.

1. Do you like to laugh?

Okay. That's too wide a net. I don't tell dirty jokes, so maybe you like clean humor. I try not to laugh at other's expense, though once in a while when I read something in the news that's too ridiculous, Cynical Jackie rears her head. Let me revise the question.

1a. Are you a basically nice person who likes positive laughter (think Bob Hope or any comedian before 1960) but occasionally slips up and pokes fun at the ridiculous? (And then regrets her self-righteousness afterwards.)

Let's define basically nice. You have manners. You're not the one talking on the cell phone in the restaurant or the elevator. You feel bad for the sales clerk when she has a rude customer. You are capable of peeling paint with your acerbic tongue, but you keep in in check for the good of mankind.

2. Do you see the world as basically good? Or are you a confirmed cynic?

If you're a cynic, I've been there. It's not a fun place to be. I've decided that you get what you look for, and I've seen a lot of good in people since I started looking for it. Even the toads of life have something to offer. Bad is more exciting. That's why I don't watch the news. They stress bad, bad, bad. They could turn a child's birthday party into a special on diabetes. (And probably have.)

3. Are you offended by the term "girls" for grown women?

I think when a man or woman refers to a group of women as "girls", he or she is reaching back into their youthful days when girls and boys reveled in their differences. Boys had clubhouses to which girls were not invited (and no girl I know wanted to break that barrier and talk about buggers (sp?) and farts.) I'm ecstatic when a gentleman (or woman) sees my youthful side. Being called a girl makes me feel sweet. It reminds me that boys and girls are different, and I think the person who says it means it as a compliment. Even if it's clear they don't, that's how I take it.

4. Do you have common sense?

Here's a test. If the man next to you on the bus had an epileptic seizure and grabbed your arm, would you have compassion for him, see if he was alright and then have one heck of a story to share with your friends? Or would you bring charges against him for assault? (True story. And the judge agreed with the assault charge.)

5. Do you consider housework a necessary act of kindness or enforced slavery?

My hubby's job is at work. Mine is the house. I can be creative about cooking and exercise my business skills over budgeting and shopping for the best price. Every deal I find is a victory. It's my pleasure to keep things nice, cook yummy and nutritious dinners, and make the house a home. I'm not good at all of it, and there are days when I get in the care and drive just to escape, but I consider myself lucky. I have a home. My hubby supports us. I'm free to write. Lucky, lucky, lucky.

While the cynics are saying "You're at home because you don't have skills," they are wrong. I carry a Property and Casualty Insurance License. At one time, I made more than my hubby. Then he generously took on the burden so I could stay home and write. We're much happier at our traditional roles.

(That doesn't mean I expect you to roll around in the dirty laundry, shrieking with ecstasy at the thought of doing another load. That would make you unbalanced.)

These are just a few of the basics I would expect from people who like my writing. How did you do? Great!

Now for what's coming up. I'm excited to have an interview ready for M.M. Gornell. She's the fabulous author of standalone mysteries. I have to write my review of her latest book and then I'll get the post up. Until then, I applaud you for being you, whether or not you agreed with me!

Was Viral Email Momzilla Wrong?

2011-07-01T13:39:00.000-07:00

Mothers are a species known for protecting their young. We even relate thier actions to those of dangerous animals--"like a lioness protecting her cubs" or "a mother tiger". I can only assume that a desire to help her stepson is what prompted the viral email titled "Your lack of manners". Read the whole thing here . I'll wait.

Are you back? Great. Now that you've read the email, you can weigh in fully informed.

One of my characters, Edward Harlow, secretly writes the "Aunt Civility" column, and he would be the first to explain that the purpose of civil behavior is to make other people comfortable. Mother-in-law Mrs. Bourne missed the mark by sending the email, however helpfully she meant it, though she made some personal attacks in it that negate the helpful qualities she might have intended.

Checkmark number one against Mrs. Bourne.

Following are the offenses listed in the email. Let's see if Daughter-In-Law crossed the line.

1. Telling your host what you will and will not eat.

My understanding is that the D-I-L-to-be is diabetic. Here is where the son dropped the ball. It was his responsibility to convey to his mother any considerations that needed to be taken with planning the meals. Same thing applies if the love of his life was allergic to something, a former alcoholic etc. Also, diabetics need to avoid overdoing the sugars and starches, but there must certainly have been something on the table she could have munched on.

Just because she can't dive into a sweet pie or load up on the pasta sidedish doesn't mean that the entire household must forgo these items. If dinner included these items, she could have simply explained to her problem to her future M-I-L who would probably have invited her to help herself to more salad or veggies or protien.

Here is great suggestion from Miss Manners on how to deal with different dietary needs.

Half a checkmark against Momzilla on behalf of her son for not alerting her to the problem, half against DIL for bringing up a list.

2. Do not remark that you don't have enough food.

I'll have to go with Momzilla on this one. If DIL's blood sugar was dropping, she could have explained and I'm betting that Momzilla would have gotten her something to eat. Simply whining about the inadequacy of the meal is rude.

Checkmark against DIL.

3. You do not start before anyone else.

Easy-peasy. That's bad manners. Unless you're given permission by the other diners. I regularly tell people whose order comes up before mine to please eat it before it gets cold.

Checkmark against DIL.

4. You do not help yourself to seconds without asking.

Right-o. You don't know your hostess's plans. Maybe those leftovers were going to be breakfast or lunch the next day. I can't see a polite way to ask for seconds. A sharp hostess would have offered, if possible.

Checkmark against DIL.

5. You do not lie in bed all morning in a household that rises early.

Again, spot on. If you consider your visit a time to catch up on your sleep, stay in a hotel. That's what they're for. My father will tell guests, "Feel free to sleep in." That's a different story. Of course, he also plans activities and alerts his guests to what time they start so that you're not still in your pajamas five minutes before the group leaves for the Botanical Gardens.

Checkmark against DIL.

6. You should never insult the family you are about to join and most definitely not in public.

I'm starting to think that the DIL never intended to get along with her in-laws. These people are her beloved's family. Why on earth would she insult them? That's like insulting her fiance. The only person who gets away with insults is Don Rickles.

BIG checkmark against DIL.

7. You shouldn't draw attention to yourself.

Taken literally, this is true, but without knowing the circumstances, it's hard to tell. Maybe the DIL has a loud laugh. From the context, it sounds like the DIL may be suffering from Bridezilla disease. Here's what Miss Manners has to say about people who talk about themselves all the time.

Checkmark against DIL.

8. To paraphrase, you should have a wedding that is within your means.

This is a big yes! So many brides are hung up on the wedding--not the ceremony where they join together with their mate, but the party stuff like the reception and shower. I knew of a young woman who didn't have a penny to her name, nor did her family. However, she insisted on a lavish wedding, just like her wealthy friends experienced. The in-laws wound up paying for most of it. About two years later, she decided she didn't love her husband. As a man, I would be nervous about any bride-to-be that was wrapped up in the perfect wedding. It's not about the day, it's about the lifetime committment.

Surprisingly enough, this is a checkmark against Momzilla. She can simply refuse to pay for the wedding. While it's unwise to go into debt over a celebration, and it bodes poorly for the marraige, Momzilla shouldn't have said anything unless asked.

That's two and one half checkmarks against Momzilla and seven and one half against her DIL. But how did the DIL get this way? I see families that dote on their children to the extent that they forego their parental role as teacher. Since we don't see manners taught in school, it's up to the parents to show their children what constitutes good behavior.

DIL sounds like a spoiled, unrealistic, silly girl, and Momzilla sounds like she lacks flexibility and has control issues. Can they still make a happy extended family? If they sat down and hashed it out, maybe. Since DIL forwarded the email instead of considering if Momzilla had any valid points, probably not.

Want to make sure your manners are beyond question? Miss Manners Judith has a website, and she also has several books available.

Interview with Karen Cantwell

2011-06-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

I first "met" Karen Cantwell back in 2009 when both of us had novel manuscripts entered in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards competition. Hers was the one excerpt I remembered because the writing was funny and because there were...monkeys. So when I saw "Take the Monkeys and Run" as a completed novel on Kindle, I thought "this has to be the same woman!" It was, and I was so excited when she agreed to be on A Writer's Jumble.

Welcome, Karen!

When I first saw your book "The Monkeys in My Trees", it was in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award competition, doing well as a semifinalist. Can you tell us what happened to the book between then and its release as Take the Monkeys and Run?

The ABNA was a very fun experience and I feel lucky to have made it to the semi-finals. After the contest ended, I did another re-write based on feedback from reviews, as well as from a professional editor. I also changed the title to reinforce the movie theme. I sent more queries to agents and small press publishers to no avail. Finally, I decided that my book could sit around in a drawer, or could actually have some readers, and that's when I published them myself on Kindle. Eventually, I followed with publishing to Nook and in paperback.

I love so many things about your book, but let’s start with the protagonist, Barbara Marr. (Great name, by the way). Even though crazy things are happening to Barbara, I found her refreshingly normal. Did you have to resist the urge to make her over-the-top?

No, I never did feel the need to make her over the top because I think that's what makes her and the book funny - she's this normal person (relatively so, anyway!) caught up in this wacky craziness going on in her neighborhood.

The quirky--I know it’s an overused word, but it really applies--supporting cast is where the crazy comes in. An Irish woman who adapt Italian lingo after marrying an Italian, an ex-hippie with a poodle named Puddles, an intimidating and successful mother who would make any daughter cringe. Did you come up with these characters from scratch, or are they based on people you know?

Yes, they are a quirky crew and I'm proud of that fact. (smile) Some of the characters seemed to just evolve before my eyes, while others are a mish-mash of people I've known or come into contact with sometime in my life. Barbara's mother, for instance, just wrote herself. I decided that she MUST not be anything like my own mother, or I'd be in BIG trouble, so I went the opposite, and before I knew it, she was this larger than life (literally) character that just appeared on the page. That was fun.

I loved that “no animals were harmed during the writing of this book”. I also loved that Barbara doesn’t succumb to the easy road after Howard leaves her. It’s so rare to find an author who takes the high road. Was this a conscious decision? (I’m trying not to give anything away.)

Yes, it was conscious. I started out writing this book, intending that the protagonist would not be a wimpy woman. I hate it in books, in movies, and on TV, when women are weak, and have to be "saved" by a man. Nope. Not Barb. She's afraid, but she's going to overcome. I'm really glad that came across in the story!

The plot was pure screwball comedy, right out of an old black-and-white movie. What authors, books or movies have influenced your writing style.

Screwball - I love it! I'm going to start using that in my promotion. It is screwball - like Lucille Ball. (smile) And I will say, that shows like Lucille Ball and The Carol Burnett Show definitely have influenced my writing. And when I was younger, I would watch, just like you said, the old black-and-white comedies. Dean and Lewis, Abbott and Costello, Marx Brothers. As a young girl, my favorite books were humorous - Are You There God it's Me Margaret and Harriet the Spy were two I read several times.

The Chronicles of Marr-nia is a short story collection of Barbara Marr stories. Did you find that this helped introduce readers to your character?

I'm not sure that Chronicles of Marr-nia introduces people to Barbara Marr or not. It sells well for a short story collection, but I have my suspicions that most people who buy Marr-nia have already read Take the Monkeys and Run and are looking for another dose of Barb and her friends. (smile) There's actually a short story in that collection that is a between-the-novels mystery short that occurs between Monkeys and Citizen Insane.

Citizen Insane, the second Barbara Marr novel, is now available on Kindle. Can you tell us a bit about the plot?

Yes, it's just released and doing nicely already! (sigh of relief) In this second mystery, Barb attends a rather spicy PTA meeting, and always one to get into trouble, learns the hard way that a yearbook scandal is part of a much larger, sinister plot involving some high-profile criminals.

Is it necessary to read Take the Monkey and Run before delving into Citizen Insane?

No - in fact my first review on Amazon is by someone who read Citizen Insane first and she didn't feel she'd missed anything. (another sigh of relief!)

You took the self-publishing route, which many authors, including JK Rowling, are doing. How difficult was it to establish a following of readers by taking this path?

That JK Rowling is one smart cookie, isn't she? And we were all buying that line that she didn't like ebooks . . .

I first published on Kindle with Amazon, and I have to say, that's the easiest place to find an audience if you are self-published. That's not to say that I didn't have to get myself out there and promote the book, but once I did, Kindle readers found it. If I had just published a paperback, I never would have been on a bestsellers list with Janet Evanovich and Charlaine Harris. That was like gold for promotion. But the promotion is definitely the hardest part of self-publishing. It's my own money, and my own blood, sweat, and tears. On the other hand, that's the beauty of it as well. On a good sales day, or when I get that WONDERFUL email from a new fan, I know I did it all by myself. Watch out, I think I'm going to start channeling Frank Sinatra here . . ..

What’s next for you?

I've already started book number three in the Barbara Marr series: Silenced by the Yams. After that will be the fourth book, tentatively titled, Lethal Wet One. Once I have four Barb books written and published, I want to delve into a thriller/mystery about an optometrist that "sees" the future. It won't be as funny as the Barbara Marr books, but my guess is there will be an element of humor, because I can't seem to write anything without throwing at least a chuckle or two.

Thank you so much for this opportunity, Jackie! It's been fun.

Visit Karen at her website and on her blogs, A Moose Walked Into A Bar . I highly recommend that you check out "Take the Monkeys and Run" and "Citizen Insane". After reading the first book, I can't wait to find out what happens in the second!

I thought the book description from A Moose Walked Into a Bar summed the plot up well, and if it ain't broke, don't fix it! So read the description as well as reviews, including one from Publisher's Weekly.

Self-Publishing Versus Traditional: A Conversation with Two Authors

2011-06-23T10:54:00.000-07:00

On June 18th, I moderated a panel for Sisters in Crime/LA at Barnes and Noble, Valencia, with two fabulous authors to discuss the above topic. Sue Ann Jaffarrian and Pamela Samuels-Young (bios at the end) brought two very different perspectives to the conversation, and I, as moderator, got out of the way. A big shout out to Lori Christian and the staff at B&N for a great job setting up the venue.

Publishing is definitely changing, and the changes are making self-publishing an option that more authors--even established authors--are looking at with interest.

Pamela noted that there is a lot of work involved in self-publishing, but Sue Ann pointed out that authors who aren't in the top tiers of traditional publishing have many of the same responsibilities. The author is still expected to foot the bill for travel expenses to marketing venues such as book signings and conferences.

Control is a major plus in self-publishing. While Pamela has to find vendor herself such as copywriters, cover designers, and distributors, the author has say in the entire process. No more bad cover art selected by the publisher. One place to look for freelancers is on Elance , but make sure you get at last two recommendations from authors who have used the person's services. Sue Ann pointed out that her publisher has gotten her books into many foreign markets without her having to worry about it. In fact, sometimes she's pleasantly surprised by a royalty check!

Is an agent necessary for a self-published author? Pamela prefers a literary attorney. Since you don't need to shop the book, an agent is an unnecessary expense. Just make sure your attorney specializes in the business of books. Pamela also suggested joining the Author's Guild, as you can get free advice on contracts as one of their benefits.

Much of Pamela's marketing is done through book groups. She meets with them in person, over the phone, and via Skype. Sue Ann suggested that authors think outside of the box when they look for marketing opportunities. She sells books when she speaks at charity functions. Being a paralegal, she also speaks and sells books at legal functions.

The two hard-bound editions of Pamela's books came from book clubs. Otherwise, it's too expensive to go with hard covers. Both authors preferred trade paperbacks.

One of the more difficult parts of self-publishing is getting book reviews. Pamela suggested Pump Up Your Books , which is an on-line book promotion agency. They can put you on a blog tour and get reviews. Reviewers can become fans, as evidenced by one online reviewer who came to see Sue Ann.

It's only fair to point out that, though both authors have won awards and been on various best seller lists, they still have day jobs. Only a lucrative television or movie deal and the big bucks that go with it would entice them to write full time. One point: Full time authors don't have insurance, though the Author's Guild is able to offer some type of plan, depending on what state you live in.

Both authors also recommended that authors subscribe to Publisher's Lunch and Publisher's Marketplace as a way to keep up on publishing news.

How much social networking do the authors do? Sue Ann considers her blog personal, which can sometimes cause problems when readers don't agree with the author's opinions. Both authors are on Facebook, and Sue Ann has learned to take advantage of the opportunities there, including a FB page set up by fans of her books.

What's next for these authors? Pamela is busy at work on her next novel, and Sue Ann intends to self-publish a short story on Kindle.

Sue Ann Jaffarrian is the author of three series--plus sized paralegal Odelia Gray Series, The Ghost of Granny Apples Series, and now the Madison Rose Vampire Series. In her “other life” Sue Ann is a paralegal and a motivational speaker, and she just hosted a talk through sisters in crime for writers on how to find an agent. You can find out more on her website.

A corporate attorney in her spare time, Pamela Samuels-Young has written four novels, one standalone “Buying Time” and three series books featuring savvy African-American attorney, Vernetta Henderson. She’s a self-help speaker, and her talks for writers include “Self Publishing in 10 Easy Steps” and “Finish That Book Despite Your Day Job”, and if you can’t make it to a talk, you can find her CD “Writing Your Novel Despite Your Day Job’ on her website.

Interview with Prolific, Fantastic Author Marilyn Meredith

2011-06-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

Marilyn Meredith is the author of the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series as well as the Rocky Bluff P.D. series. One of the first authors to embrace e-publishing she has several books that are available in both e-format and trade paperback, among them, the award winning mystery Guilt by Association.

Christian horror is another of the genres she writes in-The Choice, Deeds of Darkness, and Cup of Demons are prime examples. She also has a chapter in the best seller, "THE PORTABLE WRITERS' CONFERENCE" from Quill Driver Press.

Also a writing teacher, Marilyn has been a featured speaker at several writers' conferences. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, EPIC, and the Public Safety Writers Association.

Marilyn is an inspiration to many writers, and she introduced me to that fabulous organization, PSWA. Welcome, Marilyn!

I'm not giving anything away to say that Stacy and Doug are on their way to the altar in Angel Lost. Once they get together, do you envision any changes in the Rocky Bluff series?

I’m not sure what’s going to happen with Stacey and Doug. What I do know is the next book in the series focuses on Gordon Butler—he’s the one that bad stuff happens to all the time. Of course Stacey and Doug are prominent in the book because they are Gordon’s best friends. I’m still editing that particular book.

In this book, you work an Angel into the story. In your Deputy Crabtree mystery series, you included the legend of the Hairy Man. Are you attracted to the supernatural?

In my Deputy Tempe Crabtree series I like to incorporate Native American legends. The Hairy Man is a legend of the Tule River Indians, the Indians who live on the reservation near me. I visited the pictographs of the Hairy Man and knew I had to write about him.

As for the angel’s appearance in Angel Lost, the idea also came from something that actually happened in a nearby town except it was Jesus’ face everyone thought they saw. For about two weeks crowds gathered around the carpet store window every night to view the face—until they figured out that the face was being caused by a reflection from a light across the street. I knew I had to include something like that in a book.

And now for the answer to your question about whether or not I’m attracted to the supernatural, yes. It’s fascinating. I like to write about ghosts too. And my husband and I have stayed in several haunted places on purpose like the Queen Mary and a hotel that is supposed to be haunted as well as a B and B where we stayed in the haunted room. We didn’t see any ghosts, unfortunately, though on the Queen Mary you could definitely feel a different atmosphere.

I've read and enjoyed both of the above series. Do you use a different approach for each series?

The Deputy Tempe Crabtree series mostly comes from Tempe’s point of view. In the latest, Invisible Path, the first chapter is from the point-of-view of the murder suspect, but that is an exception.

In the Rocky Bluff P.D. the point-of-view and scenes shift from different members of the police department and their families. My intention from the first book I wrote in this series was to show how the job affects the family and what’s going on in the family affects the job. Because each series is different from the other, I’m glad I’ve written them this way.

Your books are part police procedural, and you always include interesting technical details. Do you have a special advisor or resource you use?

The Rocky Bluff P.D. doesn’t have much money so they don’t have the up-to-date technical stuff a big city has, and in fact, they have to send off some of their evidence to the Ventura P.D. to be tested. This way I can really keep what happens centered on old-fashioned police work.

Tempe is a Native American resident deputy in a mountain community and things are done a bit different than they are in some other places. It really isn’t her job to do investigative work in a homicide, but she often does because she doesn’t think the detectives have chosen the right suspect. Over the years she’s gained the respect of the lead detective though she’s not always happy when he gives her the job of questioning Indians on the reservation as they are as suspicious of her as any other law enforcement officer.

As for advisors or resources, I am a member of the Public Safety Writers Association and friends with many law enforcement officers. I get some help from them and I’ve certainly asked them lots of questions. However, I always tell them that the Rocky Bluff P.D. is my police department and I can do it however I want.

What's next for you?

My next Tempe mystery is called Bears With Us and will be out sometime in the early fall. Bear Creek is being overrun with troublesome bears. This is another book I had lots of fun writing. No Bells is the next one in the Rocky Bluff P.D. series.

I'm asking every writer I interview this month: Do you have any tips or tricks that will help authors with rewrites?

Oh, my goodness, I had such a terrible time with names of supporting characters in Bears With Us. I had them written down, but didn’t do enough checking and thought I could remember and mixed up names like Vera and Nora, and spelled names differently too. Thank goodness I had a great editor who caught the changes.

Another thing I did was mess up the time line, skipping a whole day. I kept a calendar of what happened each day, but I think when I got toward the end and so much was happening, I quit checking the time line. So—my advice is keep a good record of the characters’ names and check back to make sure you’re using the right on. And a timeline is always important—and don’t do like I did, keep it up to date.

Be sure to visit Marilyn's website and blog, Marilyn's Musings. You can order her books from the usual places, but don't forget the independent booksellers. Thank you, Marilyn!

A Review of "Angel Lost" by F.M. Meredith

2011-06-19T15:10:00.000-07:00

For those fans of the Rocky Bluff PD mystery series, it's no surprise that Officer Stacey Wilbur is distracted at work. She's breaking in a new member of the police force on a sting operation to trap a flasher who has been frequenting the beach, all while she finalizes the arrangements for her wedding to Detective Doug Milligan.

The new guy, Officer Vaughn Aragon, is happy to assist her. He's a recent transfer from the LAPD, and though he wanted a quieter life, he wasn't prepared for the slow pace of Rocky Bluff. There's little night life, and his latest assignment is crowd control in front of a store window on Valley Boulevard--a store window reflecting the unexplained image of an angel.

As the wedding date closes in, it appears that there might be something more ominous going on at the beach than mere flashing, and when Stacey disappears on the morning of her wedding, the FBI steps in to handle the case.

Meredith's writing is part police procedural part soap opera--and I mean the latter in the most complimentary sense. She touches on the private lives of both supporting and main characters to show that they don't exist only when they share "screen time" with the lead. The result is an extended family of officers, wives, and children that the reader cares about, just as if the reader were a citizen in that seaside town of Rocky Bluff.

Has Modern Media Condemned Good Books?

2011-06-15T13:41:00.000-07:00

When I first read Dorothy Sayers' "The Nine Tailors", I was a third of the way through the book when I tossed it aside and said, "If I hear one more thing about change ringing, I'll scream!"

Change Ringing is the act of ringing church bells in sound patterns, and it seems like a pretty big deal in England if my recent viewing of Midsummer Murders is any indication. In "The Nine Tailors", the bell ringers are preparing for a record-setting Christmas Eve performance, though I gave up long before that Holy midnight.

A few years passed, and I learned to love Lord Peter Wimsey. Once again, I sat down with a copy of "The Nine Tailors" and gave it another go. This time, something wonderful happened. An entire world opened up before my eager eyes. By the time I reached that ominous third-way mark, I could feel the December cold in my bones and see the moonlight and shadows peppering a flat country covered in snow, making for a truly Silent Night.

My muscles ached at the thought of the Herculean strength required to ring bells for hours straight, and as the last chime echoed through the early morning, the chill I felt could only be followed up by murder. It was.

Why did the second read satisfy? In the interval between reads, I like to think that I grew up, and part of growing up is learning that anticipation is often much more satisfying than the quick rush of the payoff.

Now that instant gratification is available via the Internet, and movies and television shows rely on unceasing action while they skim over character and setting, too many people have forgotten the pleasure of immersing oneself in a good story.

I recently read Anthony Edward's "The Second Shot". The narrator is long-winded and verbose, not to mention a stuffy prig. After a few pages I paused. Would I be able to read an entire novel of this voice? I'm happy to say I gave it a few more pages. The payoff was delicious and it could never have worked without setting up an unpleasant image of the narrator, and I'm grateful I took the time to allow the author to work his magic. I would have missed out on a gem.

Writers are often told to get the murder in as soon as possible or the reader won't bother with the book. I wonder if Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians" would have been so successful if she had not been allowed to introduce us to the characters on their way to that ominous island? Or if we hadn't seen the reactions of each household as they read the morning paper in "Murder Must Advertise"?

Are nuances a thing of the past? Does everything have to be spelled out in black and white? And will characters be allowed to develop in subtle ways? Or must readers be beaten over the head. And is it for our benefit as writers or for their benefit as readers? It's certainly easier to get on with a scene than to take the time to dig deeper.

I had someone complain to me that Poirot wasn't any fun because he "told" you everything at the end of the book. I took one of her books and read through it. While Poirot certainly did give a summation at the end of the story, EVERY SINGLE clue was laid out in the book. It was a lesson in subtlety and excellence.

This episode happened quite a few years ago. Does that mean that there have always been lazy readers, but that the market now consciously caters to them? Are we in danger of training entire audiences to avoid deep thought and subsist on a diet of candy bars instead of living fully on balanced meals? A candy bar can be perfectly wonderful as long as that's not the only thing I'm putting into my body.

I'd love hear other opinions.

Guest Blog by Erotic Fiction Author Beverly Diehl

2011-06-13T06:04:00.000-07:00

My name is Beverly, and I write erotica and erotic romance.

Yes, there are those who think I should be in some kind of 12-Step group for this. And others who are enthusiastic, and still others who couldn’t give a flying... uh, fig.

As a little girl, I wanted to be Nancy Drew; as a bigger girl, I wanted to write Nancy Drew. As I wrote in Discovering Our Genre and Our Voice, I tried to write mystery, but it turned into a sex-charged thriller. (While my mentor, who tried to write genre romance, kept killing off her lead characters and decided to join MWA.)

I wrote a lot of short stories in various genres, then my first novel. As many first novels are, it was highly autobiographical. I wrote it primarily to assuage the pain of a failed love affair. Since sex and sexual attraction had been a big part of said affair, they also had to be a big part of said novel.

It served the purpose of helping me exercise my writing muscles and exorcize my ghastly feelings. Though it was thoroughly awful, it hooked me firmly on writing, and so, I decided to keep going.

Next novel was more of a chick lit thing, again with sexual attraction themes. Now what? Should I make the sex scenes as explicit and erotic as I possibly could, or should I go in the direction of euphemisms and lightly touching (pun intended) on the subject?

I decided that if publishers wanted a change in the heat level, it would be easier for me to tone down already written sexy scenes, than to take a barely steamy scene, and try to make it hotter.

That novel scored me an agent (if not yet a sale.) I’m now writing my third agented novel, Close Knit, about the sexual adventures of the men and women of an LA-based knitting group. It’s still not easy for me to write a sex scene - I tend to squirm in my chair when I do (take that however you will.) My sex (writing) is somewhat conservative: a little bondage, perhaps a few menages a trois, voyeurism, but mostly straightforward one male-one female interactions.

I continue to read other erotic material in the current market. Some is similar, some is much more subdued, and some is "Release the Flying Monkeys" material that makes me almost wet my pants, and not in a good way.

To each their own trapeze, I guess.

As far as my family and what they think about my writing... I admit, I held back a bit while my last surviving grandma was alive. My remaining family are all cheering me on, though I tend to feel a little - call it queasiness - over them reading the smexy parts and wondering if it’s about me. Which is kind of silly - does anyone believe that Agatha Christie went about stabbing and shooting people on trains?

I decided to write under my own name, as it seems that many erotic authors who write under a pseudonym, like Judy Mays, find themselves being outed by the "pillars of the community" anyway.

I don't think every writer can or should try to write explicit sex scenes. However, I do believe that since sex, sexual attraction, and just plain sensuality are such a major factor in most people's lives, that it's dishonest and off-putting not to acknowledge and deal with it. As a human being, I’ve noticed whenever healthy, relatively attractive people are closely involved in a joint activity - whether that’s digging wells in Africa, operating a fast food restaurant, or acting in a play - the issue of sexual attraction always comes up. Mutual? Perhaps not. Forbidden because of age, gender, existing marriages and relationships, or religious beliefs? Perhaps.

Just don’t try to make me believe there isn’t an elephant in the living room. As a writer, I love the conflict and tension that forbidden love can add to any work. As a reader, I need to see that the feelings are there, and that they are resolved in some believable way, not simply ignored as if the characters were sexless robots. (Unless the characters actually are sexless robots. Though even Wall-E had a girlfriend.)

I’ll be posting sections of Close Knit on my blog as part of the Romantic Friday Writers group, and I also have a short story up on Rose City Sisters that gives a good sample of my smutty style (don’t worry, it’s PG-13.) Come by and join in the fun!

I was going to introduce Beverly at the beginning of her blog, but it was so funny, I thought I would get out of the way and include her bio at the end.

Beverly Diehl writes on the wild side. Tired of too many 19-year-old heroines with perky breasts, she decided to write stories that featured real women. She's a past president of the Alameda Writer's Group, spent four years as columnist in The Working Title, a monthly literary publication, put in six years as editor/contributor to Hoofbeats, a monthly equine newsletter, and writes occasional op-ed pieces for the Los Angeles Times.

She blogs at Writing in Flow, and she's now Tweeting @writerbeverly. Visit her web site to find out more about this author!

Interview with William S. Shepard of the Diplomatic Mysteries

2011-06-06T23:38:00.000-07:00

William S. Shepard is a former career American diplomat who is at home in the world of embassies and diplomacy, and wants the reader to be too. He is also Wine Editor for French Wine Explorers and hopes you will enjoy learning more about superb wines as you read Vintage Murder.

And, yes, that is William on the cover of his books. Doesn't he look like James Bond?

Welcome, William.

Tell us about your diplomatic mystery series.

The first in the Robbie Cutler diplomatic mystery series, Vintage Murder, is now published as a Kindle Ebook . The story is set in Bordeaux and Paris, France. Robbie is a thirty something career American Foreign Service Officer with the Department of State. He has always been interested in crime solving, and he loves good wine. You get a full measure of both in Vintage Murder, including insider tours of the Bordeaux wine country, topped with receptions at Château Margaux, and the American Embassy in Paris.

In Vintage Murder, the Basque terrorist ETA organization is blackmailing the great Bordeaux vineyard owners. One of the victims calls on Robbie, who is Acting Consul General at the American Consulate General in Bordeaux. The blackmailer’s voice sounded like an American! Robbie goes through the visa files, and locates a possible suspect. Since Robbie is already working with the French police and their FBI equivalent to share information on terrorism, cooperation to solve this crime is a logical next step, particularly when Ambassador Adams in Paris gives his approval.

He has an enthusiastic helper in Sylvie Marceau, a French newspaper reporter. Together they explore the great vineyards of Bordeaux, and as the series develops, their detection team becomes a memorable love story. You won’t be surprised when Sylvie solves an attempted murder that had baffled Robbie!

What an exciting (and delicious) world to occupy, even if only for the length of a book.

You have another book which I like to think of as Encyclopedia Brown for adults.

In my eBook “Coffee Break Mysteries”, the reader is the sleuth. Twenty short mysteries are set forth, with the solutions following each story. Each mystery is just long enough to enliven your coffee break. To begin with, we have “The Plot To Poison George Washington.” It was in late 1776 and the revolutionary cause was desperate. Some traitor tried to poison the General – but fortunately the plot was discovered in time. Perhaps you will solve the mystery, for the court martial was never held!

Or … perhaps you will prefer “The Geneva Summit Goldfish Mystery,” featuring President Ronald Reagan in an actual event that took place during a Geneva Summit with the Russians!

These short stories are not as easy to solve as you might think. Why not give them a try?

I did want to point out, with all the talk about branding, that I love the way William consistantly depicts that chic, almost James Bondish, political world on his covers. And fine wines seems a natural extension of this environment.

You can also visit William on his web page , where you can get great info on French wines as well as his mysteries. Finally, if you want fact and not fiction, William has written Diplomatic Tales, a memoir about his time in the diplomatic service. The second half of the book includes fictional tales.

Thank you, William!

Interview with Author J. Michael Orenduff

2011-06-01T09:37:00.000-07:00

I am so pleased to have author J. Michael Orenduff today. His Pot Thief mystery series is a joy to read--fun facts, characters, and cooking combined with a historical Southwestern atmosphere. You can't help but feel your time has been well-spent after reading a J. Michael Orenduff. But enough gushing.

First off, congratulations are in order. The Pot Thief Who Studied Einstein won the “Lefty” award at the Left Coast Crime Convention, and both The Pot Thief Who Studied Pythagoras and The Pot Thief Who Studied Ptolemy consecutively won the “Eppie” for eBook Mystery of the Year. How has this changed things for you?

I’ve received many congratulatory messages (thanks for adding yours), my sales have increased, and I’ve received several invitations to speak at conferences. Unfortunately, none of them has offered me a large honorarium.

But despite the notoriety that comes from winning these awards, publishing with an indie publisher remains a challenge. My publisher, Oak Tree Press, is great to work with. They pay advances and good royalties. They produce a handsome product. They try to promote my book within the limits of their promotion budget. From what some writers with bigger presses tell me, even they don’t get much promotional help these days. Authors have to market their books. But many bookstores simply don’t have the staff or time to sort through all the books offered by all the publishers, so they play it safe and just order from the big NY publishers.

In The Pot Thief Who Studied Escoffier, you take protagonist Hubie Schuze out of his comfort zone in Old Town Albuquerque and drop him in Santa Fe. Instead of copying pots, he’s crafting an original design, and rather than read about scientists, he’s reading up on a chef. Did this take you out of your comfort zone as the author of the series as well?

Actually, it returned me to my comfort zone. I’ve always been a big fan of Agatha Christie and her cast of characters on a boat, an island, a train etc. Escoffier sets the cast in a restaurant, but it is, in some ways, an homage to Christie with the differing personalities of the restaurant workers coming to light and their interactions being clues. There are also several characters whose identity – or at least full identity – is obscured until the end. It was great fun to write.

Each book so far has revolved around a scientists and his specific theory. Escoffier is a chef, not a scientist. Will you be expanding your titles to include other experts outside of the field of science?

I will. The next one is D. H. Lawrence who loved New Mexico and lived outside of Taos for a couple of years. Much of the action in that one takes place of the Lawrence Ranch, now owned by my alma mater, the University of New Mexico. The one after that features Lew Wallace who was the Territorial Governor of New Mexico when he wrote Ben Hur and when he double-crossed Billie the Kid. So the first six will have included a mathematician, astronomer, physicists, chef, writer, and Civil War general. I’m open to suggestions about number seven if anyone out there wants to send me a name.

Hubie has been considering the pros and cons of marriage. And Susannah showed a new side in this book as well--the efficient and professional waitress. Does this mean they are each entering a new life phase? No more evenings at Dos Hermanas Tortillaria?

I don’t think either my readers of Hubie and Susannah would allow me to end the evenings at Dos Hermanas Tortillaria. But characters do evolve, and Hubie continues to struggle with love and marriage in book number five. I don’t have a long-term plan for him. Of course, he doesn’t have one for himself. You are correct that Susannah is a consummate professional as a waitress, but she doesn’t want to consider it a career. At least not yet. That’s why she is still taking classes part time, but that doesn’t seem to be leading to a career either, so she’s also a bit in limbo. Maybe that’s why they are such great friends. Despite being of different genders and generations, they have more in common than either one of them realizes.

I also noticed the steps as Hubie cooked were more explicit, and you even included one warning. Have people been contacting you for recipes? Will there ever be a Hubie Schuze cookbook?

A resounding ‘Yes’ to both questions.

(A big Yahoo! from me.)

Hubie always has an “Aha!” moment when the crime’s solution hits him, usually while he’s doing something unrelated to the murder. Did you set out to make this his sleuthing trademark?

I did. And I planned for the “Aha!” moment to arise from the ideas of the person he was reading about. It hasn’t worked out as neatly as I had hoped. But that’s the difference between planning a book and writing one. Once I get into the story, it takes on a life of its own, and multiple ideas from Hubie’s reading help to tie the plot together. And while one or two of those may help him solve the murder, the breakthrough idea does not necessarily come from the person in the title.

You and your wife, noted art historian Lai Chew Orenduff, gave a presentation about book covers at last year’s Public Safety Writers Association Conference. Your series books have a definite look to them that makes them easily identifiable, and they are attractive as well. Do you have any advice for authors about to release a series on how to come up with an effective book cover? (As much as it is within the author’s control.)

Yes – hire my wife to design the cover. Short of that, try to get your publisher to allow you to have some input. Now I didn’t do either of those on my first book. The publisher’s designer did the work, and I never saw it until it was complete. Luckily, I loved it, and so do readers. I get hundreds of compliments on the covers. When I got the contract for the second book, I asked for and received input, but my main input has been to insist that the general theme of the covers remains the same so that the fact that it is a series is reinforced. It may be true that you can’t always judge a book by its cover, but people are a lot more likely to pick one up and start reading if the cover attracts them.

I’ve asked this question of Mark Schweizer of the Liturgical Mystery series and L.C. Tyler of the Elsie and Ethelred series (just so you don’t think I’m picking on you!)

Hubie has a wry sense of humor that pokes fun of many things, but you never get the impression that he’s mean. As an author, how do you avoid crossing this line?

Great question. I wish I had an equally great answer. I spent a lot of time creating my characters. I actually wrote a biography of Hubie, starting with his parents and their backgrounds. I traced him through school, university, etc. I noted his attitudes, likes and dislikes, weaknesses and strengths, etc. I keep that biography at hand and refer to it as I write in the hope of avoiding inconsistencies. I did have one change in his physical description in the last book, but so far no one has asked about it. It wasn’t something that couldn’t happen – he didn’t get taller or change eye color – but he did change. But he could never be mean.

What’s up next for you?

In addition to the next two books in the series mentioned above, I’m still looking to have one of my plays produced. Getting a play staged these days is even harder than finding an agent or a publisher. I guess I should count myself fortunate that I have two out of three.

Thanks for a great interview. It is refreshing to have an interviewer who does her homework and doesn’t just use stock questions.

And now, for the question of the month: Do you have any tips or tricks that might help writers with the rewrite process?

It helps me to put the work aside for a couple of weeks and work on the next book. Immersing myself in a different story gives me the distance to deal with the older story when I get back to it. That's why I always have two book in process.

Thank you, Mike! Find out more about The Pot Thief on J. Michael Orenduff's website. You can pick up his books online or at independent bookstores.

Interview with SmokeLong Quarterly’s Tara Laskowski

2011-05-22T09:15:00.000-07:00

Today, I'm excited to have Tara Laskowski from SmokeLong Quarterly. To add to the excitement, her interview was done by the fabulous Gay Degani. I'll just get out of the way and let these ladies take it away!

Gay Degani: Thanks, Tara, for talking to me about your writing career and in particular your relationship with short stories. You’ve been honored now three times on the storySouth Notable On-line Stories list including this past year’s “Betta Fish,” nominated for a Pushcart Prize, listed by Dzanc’s Best of the Web series for 2009, and won the 2010 literary awards series from the Santa Fe Writers Project. You also serve as a senior editor at SmokeLong Quarterly so I can’t think of a better writer to talk to for Short Story Month this year than you.

Let’s start with reading, if you don’t mind. You say in your biography that when you were a kid, you read everything you could get your hands on. Can you remember what some of your favorites were and how they’ve influenced you over the years?

Tara Laskowski: I still have a mild obsession with kid/young adult books. When I was younger, I loved mysteries like Nancy Drew and Encyclopedia Brown and The Three Investigators. (I’m trying to collect all the Three Investigators series still.)

I also loved loved loved the Chronicles of Narnia, Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary. I actually miss those days of reading because I think I read differently then. Now that I’m a writer, it’s rare that I read just for ravenous pleasure—I’m often looking at craft, language, etc. in a different way—and I miss that pure love for story. When I was younger, I used to finish a book and start reading it over again immediately. Now I feel like I don’t have time for that.

GD: Love that phrase “ravenous pleasure!” As an editor, I’m sure you’re still looking for “ravenous pleasure so what exactly do you hope for when you start reading submissions? In other words, what kinds of things cause you to shout “We’ve got to publish this!”?

TL: It’s different every time, which is what I like about the process. I can’t ever say there’s one particular kind of story I want because I always find one I love that breaks the rules. That can be frustrating for submitters who want that magic formula to help them get published, but sadly I think it’s true. It’s like dating—you walk into a bar, order a drink, scan the room, and look for what you think looks like the hottest guy in the place. Maybe you talk to him for a bit and realize that though he had promise, he has no substance. Or his dialogue sucks. Then you’re on the way to the bathroom and there’s this guy hidden in the back, in a dark corner, who you almost ignore, but then he steps out and he smiles and he starts speaking and SNAP—you’re in love. Ok, maybe that comparison doesn’t work at all—and maybe I shouldn’t encourage people to meet strange lurking souls in dark corners of a bar. But you get my drift? Maybe? I guess I want to be surprised and delighted. Luckily, it continues to happen, which makes our job so fun.

GD: Lurking cute guys! I totally get it. What about your writing process? What is your routine? Where do you write? Give us a tiny movie clip of you at work.

TL: I have no routine and no real process. I kind of write in spurts, randomly, or when I force myself to. I actually hate to write. I just love having written. I don’t even know if I can give you a movie clip because I honestly don’t know. I just sit down and type and then it’s there and it either sucks or it’s something I can work with. I’m not much for the idea that writing is a mystical process or magical or beautiful—it is work and it is hard and it takes a lot of energy, but like anything else, it’s worth doing, I think you’re a better, happier person if you keep at something you think is important, even if it seems impossible sometimes.

GD: So now we know how hard you work, which of your stories are you most proud of? Which surprised you when you finished it and in what way? Which piece might you consider the most indicative of “Tara Laskowski?” Why?

TL: I’m working on a series of "etiquette" stories right now that are modular stories told in a kind of voice you’d find in self-help or etiquette books. They are a blast to write, I tell you, and I’ve been really happy with the results so far. “The Etiquette of Adultery” was published in Necessary Fiction last year and “The Etiquette of Dementia” was published in Mid-American Review this year.

I write a lot about women, and I write a lot about my hometown, Wilkes-Barre, PA. I also tend to write a lot about people who were close to, but not affected directly by, violence or a violent act. For example, I have a story about a woman whose co-worker was murdered and another story about a woman who witnesses a car accident in which a little boy was killed. I think it’s really interesting what happens to people when they feel this brush with death or danger. So….if you combine all these elements together, maybe a story like "Little Girls" might be an example of a Tara story?

GD: You have a novel you’re work on, Black Diamond City. Are you willing to tell us something about the story and how far along you are?

TL: BDC was my first novel. It is a love story told over several decades, and it was very ambitious, probably too ambitious at the time. (Though I still love it and hope to go back to it sometime.) I’ve since been writing a second novel which takes place over one summer and in contemporary time; I think plays more to my strengths as a writer. I think I’m better at smaller moments in time rather than larger stories told over years and years, so we’ll see. It’s a family drama, kind of like The Ice Storm only with a fire instead of ice. Ha ha.

GD: Can’t wait to see it in print. With all this experience, do you have any words of advice for new writers?

TL: Read a lot. Read a lot. Read a lot. And learn to take rejection gracefully. There’s nothing worse than a writer who can’t take constructive criticism.

GD: Thanks, Tara, for allowing me to ask questions. I’m going to take the liberty now of giving out some links so everyone can fall in love with your writing.

There’s Someone Behind You

Something More Interesting

The Men and the Women

Where My Boyfriend Lives

About the interviewer:

Gay Degani has published in journals and anthologies including three The Best of Every Day Fiction editions and her own collection, Pomegranate Stories. Her stories online can be read at Smokelong Quarterly, The Battered Suitcase, Night Train, Short Story America, Corium as well as other publications. Nominated for a Pushcart, she has been a finalist or short listed at Glimmer Train and The Fish Anthology and won a first place at Women on Writing’s Quarterly Flash Fiction contest. She edits EDF’s Flash Fiction Chronicles and blogs at Words in Place.

Interview with Gay Degani and an Offer to Vote for Best Short Story at FFC

2011-05-18T07:35:00.000-07:00

Gay Degani is the Mistress of Short Stories. Seriously. If you have any doubts (and why would you ever doubt my word?) you can check out a list of her little darlings at Words in Place, her blog. Though now that I think about it, little darlings doesn't quite conjure up the proper image of her fiction, but "little jolts-of-emotion-that-will-knock-you-on-your-butt" seemed wordy.

She's also a former college English instructor and the editor of Flash Fiction Chronicles for Every Day Fiction.

The thing about Gay's stories is that you can't make it to the end of one without holding your breath. Again, seriously. When I read her collection, Pomegranate Stories, I had to take one story at a time so that I didn't pass out. I can still remember the feeling I had at the end of "Rimshot". I won't tell you more, because I would deprive you of the full experience, and that would be a crime.

Besides writing, Gay is also a talented artist. She painted the cover for "Pomegranate Stories". Isn't she good?

Gay decided to use her facetime on my blog to be generous to other writers. Here's what she had to say:

What are your favorite short stories online? Flash Fiction Chronicles, an online magazine devoted to Flash Fiction, is asking for readers to post links to favorite online short stories at FFC's Facebook page. In honor of Short Story Month, the editors want to know what pieces of fiction have turned you on, blown you away, made you laugh or cry. We originally hoped for 100 wonderful stories, but we have over 80 so far and we want to see how many we can garner by May 30 when we will post the links to all of the stories at the magazine site.

To participate, please visit FFC's Facebook page HERE and leave the title of your favorite story or two, the names of the authors and links to where they have appeared online. Links are important because we don't have time to search for them ourselves so please be sure and includes those.

You've find a list of stories already suggested here.

For more information about Gay and her writing process, check out an interview she did with us at Writers in Residence.

Interview with Author Kaye George

2011-05-15T09:31:00.000-07:00

Today we welcom mystery author, Kaye George. Her first comic novel is "Choke", starring Imogene Duckworthy. (Love that name!!) She also writes gritty short stories, and is an online mystery reviewer for Suspense Magazine. Her story, HANDBASKETS, DRAWERS, AND A KILLER COLD, was nominated for a 2010 Agatha award. It can be found in the collection, A PATCHWORK OF STORIES, available on Amazon and Smashwords as an ebook.

Welcome, Kaye!

What made you turn to writing comic mysteries?

Writing CHOKE was kind of my way of making lemonade out of lemons. We lived in an economically depressed area of Texas, near Wichita Falls, for three years in connection with my husband's job. The economic depression carried over sometimes to my mental state, so that was my lemon. However, the area was peopled with warm, friendly people, tough, resilient people. People who made their living ranching and cowboying. After we moved away, I realized that living there had been a gift. The area was a treasure trove waiting for me to mine it--my lemonade. I happened to be in the mood to write something funny, and this was a fit.

Was "Choke" a one time shot at comic mysteries?

I'm realizing that I could write at least several more books using the area and the characters I developed, so it's lemonade plus frosted cookies.

Humorous writing was a change for you, right?

This book may come as a surprise to those who have read my short stories. They tend toward gritty, even venturing into horror. Don't ask me why, but the shorter I write, the darker the story turns out. If you're a fan of my short stories, I'll ask you to give this book a try, even though it's a departure into humor, maybe even slapstick.

You can find her many short story publishing credits here.

What other hobbies do you have?

My main hobby is music. I'm a classically trained violinist and love to compose and arrange, mostly for string quartet, but I've done one full orchestration at the request of a conductor.

That's not surprising, since people often write what they know. Kaye also has a mystery series involving musician/conductor Cressa Carraway. You can read the first chapter of these books as well as of "Choke" here. Choke is published by Mainly Murder Press.

Thank you, Kaye! Make sure to visit Kaye's website .

An Interview with Author Stacy Juba Including a Review of "Laundry Day"

2011-05-11T13:01:00.000-07:00

Stacy Juba 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 and the children’s e-book Victoria Rose and the Big Bad Noise. Her young adult paranormal thriller Dark Before Dawn will be released by Mainly Murder Press in January 2012. Her young adult hockey novels Face-Off and Offsides will be released in 2011 and 2012. She is a former journalist with more than a dozen writing awards to her credit.

For National Short Story Month, I've asked her about her short story, "Laundry Day". Don't forget to check out my review after the post. Welcome, Stacey!

What can you tell us about your new short story Laundry Day?

I'm really excited about this short story as it's a way for readers to get a taste of my writing style. It's a free download on Smashwords and through their distributors, and 99 cents on Kindle. It's about this nice guy, Gregg, who does a favor for a neighbor and snow blows her driveway. While she's on the phone, he goes into her bathroom and finds her sexy lingerie collection drip-drying in her shower. Gregg is mortified, but it gives him an idea, to persuade his wife into spicing up her lingerie. Then this neighbor is strangled with her own fishnet stocking and the neighborhood is turned upside down. I've also included sample chapters from my mystery novels Twenty-Five Years Ago Today and Sink or Swim, as well as an in-depth author interview, in the back of the ebook.

Where did you get the idea for this story?

One day, I was passing a Frederick's of Hollywood store at the mall and this idea popped into my mind. What if someone unexpectedly visited a neighbor and found lingerie all over the place? How embarrassing would that scenario be for the character, and how can I make a mystery story out of this? Then I thought: have someone strangled with a fishnet stocking, of course! I originally wrote the story to submit to anthologies and mystery magazines, but then I decided a better use for it would be to distribute it as a free and inexpensive e-book, to help get my name and book titles out there to readers. It seemed as if I could reach a much larger audience by distributing the story myself.

You mostly write full-length novels. How was it different writing a short story? Do you write many short stories?

I very rarely write short stories. I know some authors who write hundreds of them, but most of the ideas that occur to me are for full-length novels, and then I spend a year or two working on it and move onto the next book. This story was fun as it was quick to write. I wrote the first draft in a few weeks, and then had several critique partners give me feedback. It was gratifying to have a completed story that didn't take months and months to finish. The challenge was writing tight and limiting the characters and subplots, but I outlined the story extensively to make sure I stuck to the main storyline and didn't get off course. Another big difference was that Laundry Day is from the male point of view and my mystery novels are from a female point of view.

What can you tell us about your mystery novels?

I have two adult mystery novels available in trade paperback from Mainly Murder Press and in multiple bargain ebook formats. Twenty-Five Years Ago Today is about Kris Langley, an obit writer and newspaper editorial assistant who stumbles across a 25-year-old cold case on the microfilm and becomes driven to solve it. She investigates the murder of Diana Ferguson, a talented artist who was inspired by Greek mythology.

Sink or Swim is about Cassidy Novak, a young woman who loses a reality game show called Sink or Swim, then returns to her normal life as a personal trainer in a New England town. Cassidy soon finds out that she has attracted a stalker, and meanwhile, her former competitors are getting killed off. To get her life back, she needs to find her stalker. Both books are a cross between cozy mysteries and romantic suspense novels.

What other projects do you have in the works?

I have two children's picture books - The Flag Keeper, which is available in paperback and as a 99 cent ebook, and Victoria Rose and the Big Bad Noise, which is exclusively available as a 99 cent ebook. The Flag Keeper teaches children about U.S. flag etiquette through a fiction story about a bear family, flag facts, discussion questions and an activity. Victoria is about a bear that uses her imagination to overcome her fear of household noises such as the blender. These stories are innocent and cute, the total opposite of Laundry Day!

My young adult paranormal thriller Dark Before Dawn will be released in January 2012 from Mainly Murder Press and is about a psychic teenager who gets involved with a mysterious fortuneteller mentor. I like to bill it as: When ESP Spells D-A-N-G-E-R. I'll also be releasing an updated version of my 1992 young adult Avon Flare novel Face-Off in the near future, along with a sequel. Once all those books are released, I'll finish up my adult mystery novel-in-progress Sign of the Messenger, which was a recipient of the William F. Deeck Malice Domestic Grant and is the first in a series. I'd like to do more short stories also - I'm toying with the idea of a short story featuring Kris from Twenty-Five Years Ago Today and Cassidy from Sink or Swim.

Where can readers find more about your books?

They can visit my web site and my blog . My Laundry Day short story can be downloaded for free at Smashwords. You can also keep an eye on this page of my web site for more retailers such as Barnes and Noble and the Sony Reader Store. Laundry Day is a brand new release, so links to more retailers will be added as the story becomes available on those sites.

Thank you, Stacy. Your books sound like a lot of fun, and I love that you're teaching kids all about the American flag!

And now for a quick review of "Laundry Day".

Laundry Day

By Stacy Juba
Smashwords Edition available for free download
Kindle Edition available for 99 cents

Gregg is in an embarrassing situation. He’s ducked into his neighbor’s bathroom to avoid listening in on her telephone argument with her husband, Dennis, and he’s discovered more than he ever wanted to know about Bridget Severin’s lingerie habits. Lacy bras and panties--the kind Greg wishes his wife, Julia, would wear--are strewn across the shower curtain and soaking in the bathroom sink.

Inspired to add romance back into his marriage, Gregg comes home from work early one day only to find Julia sobbing in their bedroom. Her best friend Bridget has been murdered--strangled with a pair of lacy hose. The husband is the obvious suspect. Were the sexy undies intended for a secret lover? Is there more to this murder than a jealous spouse?

Juba takes her short mystery to a twist ending that will take you by surprise. “Laundry Day” includes many extras, including an author interview and several bonus chapters from her novels.

Review of "Just Like Old Times", A Johnny Casino Short Story

2011-05-09T13:35:00.000-07:00

"Just Like Old Times" appeared in the Sisters In Crime/Los Angeles anthology "LAndmarked for Murder", published by Top Publications, Ltd. 2006.

When Gayle Bartos-Pool teaches her short story class, she tells the students that this more compact form of storytelling is like a brief car trip. She doesn’t mention how fast the car should go, and in “Just Like Old Times”, it’s full throttle.

Johnny Casino is a former mobster turned private eye. He’s retired to a quiet home in the mountains outside of Los Angeles. When a black tie dinner invitation turns into an attempted kidnapping, Johnny discovers that an ex-jewel thief has been framed for murder. He needs Johnny’s help to pin the rap on the real murderer, Vincent Merrick.

Using a set-up worthy of “The Sting”, Johnny turns the tables on bad guy with the help of a cast of aging movie stars.

Pool’s plot moves quickly, and the dialogue crackles with the kind of zingers and banter that haven't been around since the old black-and-white gangster movies. She deftly paints a group of Hollywood has-beens with more class in their pinky fingers than most current A-list actors put together.

“Just Like Old Times” is a lot of fun, and it’s a great way to meet the characters we hope to see more of in Pool’s Johnny Casino collection (which I hope will come out soon!)

The Long and Short of the Short Story by Gayle Bartos-Pool

2011-05-04T06:10:00.000-07:00

Gayle Bartos-Pool (who also writes as G.B. Pool) is the author of the Ginger Caulfield mysteries. Her short stories have been featured in several anthologies including "Landmarked for Murder" and "Dying in a Winter Wonderland". She brought the fledgling Sinc/LA Speakers Bureau to life, holding more than 80 Author Panels and events over her three year term, and she teaches short story writing seminars. Like her Caulfield character, she once served as a Private Investigator, is a crack shot and lifetime NRA member, and is married to the love of her life.

Gayle, can you tell us about your journey into short story writing and what led you to write a Johnny Casino collection?

After writing my first three published short stories, something happened: Readers responded favorably to one of my characters. They liked this guy’s personality.

Of course a writer is supposed to craft memorable characters, but those are usually found in a novel. A writer has more room to flesh out characters in a 300-page novel, not a 25-50 page short story. But something was happening with my “Johnny Casino” character. His personality was too large to stay within 28 pages.

That’s when I realized I had more Johnny Casino stories in me. In fact, by the time I was finished, I had nine stories and 388 pages. That’s called a book. I had turned a one-shot story into what is basically a series.

But the journey was also a learning experience.

I wrote a batch of these stories and showed them to my agent. She liked them, but…she wanted more information about Johnny. She thought the stories needed a love interest, but I didn’t want the short stories bogged down with schmaltz. That wasn’t what I envisioned for my character. But I hadn’t written any reason why Johnny didn’t have a woman in his life, so I wrote a backstory. That’s when I learned a lot of new things about him. It was so detailed, it turned into the second story in the first collection.

The backstory also gave me a different view of Johnny. He had his dark side as well as his sarcastic side. He was becoming a three-dimensional person. I started learning so much about him, more stories popped up. One was so compelling, it became the focal point of the second collection.

Since I had created a past for Johnny, I could write stories about him when he worked in the mob back in New Jersey when he was younger, after all, I had discovered his father was a high ranking guy in the D’Abruzzo crime family. I could also do a story explaining how he became a private detective after he fled to California.

And here’s a heads up for all you multi-tasking short story/novel writers. The character I created who teaches Johnny how to be a first class P.I. is the heroine in another mystery series I have been writing. I figured, if people like Johnny, they just might like the novel featuring Gin Caulfield.

The last thing I learned on this journey is that there is a different kind of short story out there. In classes I teach about The Art of the Short Story I mention a short story is like an hors d’oeuvre. It’s a few really good things served up in a small bite. Whether it’s a handful of cool characters in a terrific location involved in a catchy plot, the short story gets you to one location in the fastest way possible.

In contrast, a novel can take you far and wide with a cast of thousands with sub-plots and bits of interesting background stuff just for the fun of it, and the writer can use 300 to 400 pages to accomplish the task. But the short story writer has to chop out unnecessary characters, places, plot twists and trim down the description to its bare bones and do it in 5 to 25 pages. Or does he?

I think there is a new kind of short story out there. The Novel Short. The length of each individual story can be anywhere from 25 to 70 pages, but the main thing is to have a single set of characters, or in my case, one main character, in every story. Several characters make repeat appearances, and I mention one sub-plot in several of the earlier stories until it’s solved in a story of its own. Each story reveals more and more about my main character and the final story in book one ends with a haunting question that will be answered in book two.

If this sounds like a television series, you betcha. I called it a series earlier and that is how I visualize The Johnny Casino Casebook, whether it stays in book form or hits the TV screen. His stories might be in the “short story” format, but his entire life is a novel.

And for those of you who prefer to create something completely stand-alone in each short story you write, those individual tales can always be put into your own collection. I have one of those, too.

Write on.

Video Enhanced Ebooks--Oh My!

2011-05-02T06:54:00.000-07:00

May is National Short Story Month! Short story writers are gaining an audience through Kindle, but I still think they are overlooked. This month, along with some regular posts, I will be interviewing short story authors and posting reviews of their work.

To start off the month, I bring you the author of the "Skate Crime" series. These are novels, but author Alina Adams has utilized an exciting technology in a novel excerpt (that's a kind of short story!) that I think will benefit authors who write in every form!

Alina Adams is the author of "New York Times" best-sellers "Oakdale Confidential" and "Jonathan's Story," as well as the Figure Skating Mystery series, including "Murder on Ice," "On Thin Ice," "Axel of Evil," "Death Drop" and "Skate Crime," and the romance novels, "When a Man Loves a Woman," "Annie's Wild Ride," "Thieves at Heart" and "The Fictitious Marquis." Her current passion is enhanced e-books with videos embedded directly into the story. The first, "Skate Crime: Multimedia" is available now on Amazon. She can be reached via her website . Welcome!

As the 2011 US Figure Skating Team prepare to make its debut at the World Championships in Russia at the end of April (relocated from Japan due to the earthquake), Alina Adams, author of the figure-skating cozy mystery series of books including “Murder on Ice,” “On Thin Ice,” “Axel of Evil,” “Death Drop,” and “Skate Crime,” takes experiencing her books to an unprecedented next level by adding skating videos courtesy of The Ice Theatre of New York right into the text!

When turning “Skate Crime,” the last novel in my series into an e-book, I decided to try something completely new – I wasn’t just going to write about skating. I was going to show it!

I got the idea after spending ten years as Creative Content Producer at TeleNext Media/Procter & Gamble Productions. While at P&G, I developed two on-line properties for them, www.AnotherWorldToday.com and Mindy’s Twitter, which told serialized, romantic stories in a combination of words and video clips. I thought that if it worked for on-line soap-operas, it would be even better for figure skating, which is such a visually-oriented sport.

What made you decide to add video to a mystery?

I have been fascinated with the potential of enhanced books ever since the idea became technically feasible. However, most of what is currently available is either non-fiction or, if the enhanced book is fiction, it features extras like author interviews, music, special effects, or historical context. I was itching to make the added videos an integrated, vital part of the story itself, like I had with my on-line work. “Skate Crime: Multimedia” fits that bill. It’s not exactly a book and it’s not exactly a movie. I see it more as Storytelling for the 21st Century.

How difficult was the process?

I had no blueprint or precedent to follow. It’s not like I could say, well, this author did it this way and this publisher did it that way, let me see what I can learn from everyone and incorporate it into my own project. I had to start from, more or less, scratch. It wasn’t so much a matter of learning a new storytelling language as inventing one. And the only way to test out if it’s understandable is to see what an audience thinks!

Your protagonist is a bit unusual--not the first image people have when they think of professional ice skaters.

When writing for Black Diaspora Magazine, I did a piece on African-Americans in skating, including the legendary Mabel Fairbanks, who was the first Black ice show star, and initially paired up and coached future world champions Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner. When I began writing my Figure Skating Mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime, I created the character of Antonia “Toni” Wright as an homage to Mabel and other skating pioneers of color.

To “play” the role of Toni, Adams turned to The Ice Theatre of New York and one of their principal skaters, Alyssa Stith (also a veteran of the “Ebony on Ice” show). It is Ms. Stith’s skating that viewers will see in “Skate Crime: Multimedia,” representing Toni.

When I wrote my original piece for Black Diaspora, it really opened my eyes to the hardships those first African-Americans in skating faced. It was a privilege to be able to retell some of their stories and triumphs through Toni. Hopefully, “Skate Crime: Multimedia,” as well as the successes of such athletes as World Champion Debi Thomas and European Champion Surya Bonaly will inspire other youngster to take up the sport – and the legacy.

While all five novels were initially published as trade paperbacks by Berkley Prime Crime, only one, “Skate Crime” is currently available as an e-book.

“Skate Crime: Multimedia Edition” does not contain the entire text of the original but is, instead, a condensed excerpt enhanced with video clips. Was there a reason that you chose an excerpt for your video enhanced book rather than add video to the entire book?

I did it as an experiment to see what the response would be, as well as to test the technical possibilities. Enhancing all five of my skating books is next on my to-do list!

"Skate Crime: Multimedia Edition” retails for $.99 cents in Amazon’s Kindle store here, and can be experienced through the Kindle app on iPad, iPhone, and your desktop. Don't forget to check out the other Skate Crime books!

Visit Alina at her blog and web site.

Thank you, Alina!

April is National Poetry Month: An Interview with Poetess Jacquee T.

2011-04-18T13:37:00.000-07:00

Those who followed me on Writers in Residence will recognize Jacquee T. as the master marketer who combines readings with charity work, bringing about fun events. She epitimizes romance in everything she does. I wanted to delve into her writer side, so I asked about her book of poetry.

Could you tell us what your book, Growing Up (the pain, the joy, the discoveries) is about?

I believe we’re all growing up, whatever age we are. We continue to be challenged, and to reflect on our experiences. However, I’d decided on the book title after I’d compiled the poems and organized them into chapters.

One day I’d decided that a collection of my poems would make an intimate gift for my closest friends and family. I selected poems, quotes and essays I’d written since I was very young to present, then divided them into categories.

Per the selections arranged, I divided them under chapters: “Grey-Blue Skies,” “Love,” “Fears,” “Moods and Changes.”

The first copies were three-hole punched and bound with three ribbons. It all seemed simple and wonderful, until I gave the first book away. When I handed it to a dear friend, I suddenly realized what I was giving. I was giving me, and I wanted that book back! That story, and how I overcame that initial shock of revealing so much of me, is told in the preface.

When I founded my company, Detour Productions, I decided on Growing Up as the first print publication. I designed it as a gift book. It’s 7"x7", cloth hardcover book with silk screen on the cover and spine. The book jacket has a lovely design. So, Growing Up makes an elegant display on the coffee table or nightstand. It’s designed to have handy for personal reads, and to share. It doesn’t have three ribbons tying it together like its predecessor, yet it does have a red ribbon bookmark.

When people open the book, they find poems, quotes and essays laid out nicely on each page. I call it “accessible poetry,” as the works are easy to read and engaging. I have learned since the first Growing Up print version to this, that both men and women respond emotionally.

It’s rewarding to receive their feedback. Bringing the poetry book to print was a journey. That is shared in the Growing Up Preface, and in the Afterword. Everything in between, is poems, quotes and essays in the order and in the chapters per the original three-ribbon bound book.

Do you play around with meter and style, or do you have a favorite form, or do you prefer freestyle writing?

I’ve been a writer since I learned to put pen to paper, and have allowed inspirations to come out as they were – prose, plays or poems. I became naturally receptive to how an idea hit. If it hit as a poem, I never forced meter or rhyme; yet sometimes the poems presented themselves that way.

“The little girl dressed in white felt quite trite. She fell asleep
at the wishing well and dreamed of hell. During her snooze
she tapped her black, patent leather shoes. Suddenly, her
mouth opened wide, and aloud, she cried, for she thought she
had died. When she awoke the words she spoke in her head
were how she’d dread to be dead. On the grass she laid,
clasped her hands and prayed. As the sun set for the day her
black patent leather shoes carried her away. No one would
she tell of her dreams by the wishing well. But the little girl
dressed in white was full of fright."

from Growing Up (the pain, the joy, the discoveries)
© 2008 by Detour Productions, LLC

Most poems came out in “free form,” yet demanded their own line breaks and spacing.

She dreamed about

him again; and when she

woke up she looked

over wondering if

he had seen her

in the same dream.

from Growing Up (the pain, the joy, the discoveries)
© 2008 by Detour Productions, LLC

You give readings, and I know you have the advantage of being an actress. Do you think it’s vital that authors read their poetry aloud in front of an audience?

Being an actress and being a poetess who reads her own poems are two separate things. That’s how I treated them at first. Then I realized they could be the same thing.

I could become my poem in voice, just as I had in writing, during book signings by reading select poems. Still, in the presentation, I held the open book – as a prop, or a crutch, or both.

Most the time, in my opinion, I read shyly. However, when I raised my gaze, I saw that the audience members were engaged. They’d wanted to hear my poems from me, and in that alone I sounded well to them.

Depending on the poetry reading venue, folks raised their hands with questions, about my poems, my book, and my inspiration. Or they approached me afterward to inquire All I needed to do was respond honestly. Their questions sparked my knowledge and passion. By nature of the exchange, I further engaged them.

So yes, I believe it’s good practice for writers to read select work aloud.

In summary:

We poets and poetesses begin by penning something we may or may not share.

Writing poetry is revealing. Putting it to print is another vulnerable step. Yet once we do, folks love the
opportunity to hear our works from our lips. Go ahead. Every step is a growing experience.

For more about Jacquee, visit her web site. She also has A Romantic's Perspective , where you can check out her poetry page .

An Ode to Writer Paranoia

2011-04-06T16:32:00.000-07:00

It's finally up, it's finally out

After all this time, messing about

Too much input, too much fear
Inner critics grabbing my ear

Are the characters foolish? More silly than not?
Should I make Roxanne less bookish, more hot?

Is the cover okay? Are the colors too bright?
Should I put Vanessa in a life or death fight?

Maybe I'll take it off Smashwords and Kindle,
Add a talking dog--a bulldog, a brindle

Or kill off a favorite character or two
Give Deanna a problem--less cheerful, more blue

I'll drive myself nuts if I keep down this path
So I'll kill off my critic to avoid her wrath

It's not an earth-shattering event, after all
Like ending world hunger or the Berlin Wall's fall

Special Delivery is a story for pleasure
One that I hope that readers will treasure

Something to make them smile just a bit--
A result of my humor and stellar wit

The worry is over, I'm ready for glory
Until I get ready to post my next story.

An Unnecessary Roadblock to Writer Fame and Glory

2011-03-25T09:36:00.000-07:00

It never fails to amaze me how difficult writers sometimes make it to contact them. I suppose they could be wary of stalkers--or the same high school classmates they try to ignore on Facebook.

There are plenty of GOOD reasons to make contact info available: agents who've fallen in love with your blog and want to offer you a "Julie and Julia" style book deal, fans who want to praise your latest short story (and who doesn't welcome praise?). There's also me, the blogger, who wants to invite you to guest post.

I made an offer a few weeks ago. The first ten writers to comment on my post would be guest bloggers on A Writer's Jumble. People responded. Interesting people who I would love to talk to, promote, and otherwise fawn over. Here's the problem. I can't reach half of them!

Some had links to profiles that didn't include any kind of contact information. Some had links to blogs that didn't have--any kind of contact information. One had an email that required me to fill in a form before my message would go through. A slight pain, but I understand. I filled out the form and guess what? The program denied me access! I feel so slighted. I'd comfort myself with chocolate but it's a Lenton Friday and I'm Catholic.

I slap my email or website (which includes contact information) on everything I send or post. Call me an extrovert, but isn't that a basic step for writers who want to market themselves? It's a gentle "Here I am. Talk to me."

I would love it if those who commented on my post would send me an email. I thought everyone had interesting things to say based on the blogs and web sites I visited. For instance:

C., you sound like a fascinating woman. Playwright? Poet? Performer? Good golly! How do you do it all? How do you decide what to focus on? Such talent!

C., you lucky devil. You have a book coming out with Oak Tree Press. I LOVE Oak Tree Press! And you're part of a new line of Western Suspense. How cool is that?

G., You are involved in so many things! You write two blogs!! How do you do it? And are you ever embarrassed to write erotic fiction? I know I couldn't do it.

ETC!

These are some of the fascinating questions you'll have answered if these people contact me!

(To be fair, I found one phone number, but I'm too shy to call someone I've never met unless I'm ordering a pizza.)

Seriously, I would love to find out more about all of you! I'll wait to hear from you, hoping that I do.

The Hazards of Elementary School Presentations

2011-03-15T15:51:00.000-07:00

Remembering back to my own childhood, I would say the most awful presentations I sat through were those that bored my tiny tights off.

With this in mind, when I was asked to do an elementary school presentation as part of World Book Day, I aimed to amuse. I put together an interactive play using my book, "Logical Larry", as a reference. I strung together the various parts of a story and had the children come up and act out the hero, villain, helpmate and such. It played out like "The Twelve Days of Christmas", adding each new role after we discussed it.

While the kids got a few chuckles from their dialogue, which consisted of "Ta-daaa!" (the hero) and "Aargh!" (the villain), I underestimated how long it would take to get kids comfortable goofing off with a stranger. We were over halfway through the presentation before they loosened up. They seemed most excited when I had them sit down and write their own stories. Note to self: Not so much interaction next year.

Fast forward to this year. I thought I had it made. In "The Author's Apprentice", I would have them write their own story along with me. As I went over the importance of obstacles, goals, etc., the kids could fill in their own main character, goals and such and read back what they had written at the end of the evening. I even made up nifty forms for them to use, writing out the entire story except for blank lines that they could fill in. Easy peasy, right?

1. Interruptions

This was an after school event involving parents. You can't make parents line up and march into a classroom. I began ten minutes late with only three sets of child/parent. Ten minutes later, an entire group filed in, and I had to backtrack to get the newcomers caught up. This happened twice more, and the last time, the event photographer came with them. A few minutes more and both parents and children started slipping out, which was a bit of a distraction, but at least I didn't have to restart the presentation.

2. Kids Will Be Kids

I don't have my own children, so I have "sucker" written across my forehead. At least, that's what it felt like. The teacher had supplied a box of sharpened pencils. One boy came up and explained that his was broken and he needed to sharpen it. I almost said yes, but then I saw the frenzied light in his eyes and realized that sharpening pencils represented hours of fun to a young boy. I gave him a replacement and accepted his disdain.

Another child insisted that he had to go look for his mother. She didn't know he was in this class, and she was with his brother somewhere. When he reached the near-tears level, I let him go. The school is locked up, so I didn't worry about him escaping, but I will check out what the school policy is next year.

3. Level of Difficulty

Because the group included children from various classes, I had to aim for the middle grade, and I geared my presentation towards the fourth graders. However, I overestimated their writing skills, and none of the children finished before the end of my class.

Conclusion? I needed more interaction.

Next year, I'm going to go for writing games, maybe with prizes to get their attention right away. And I'll mix in a short writing assignment, such as coming up with a great first sentence. If that fails, I'm going to hire a magician to take my place!

All the Variety I Could Hope For!

2011-03-14T11:17:00.000-07:00

Last week, I was in a quandary. As representatives of my blog, how in depth should I screen my guest bloggers? Do they have to agree with my point of view on controversial subjects? Am I furthering the forces of evil if I have on an extremist of any political party? If I'm sceptical of global warming, should I avoid "green" authors? Keeping in mind that I would never allow a member of the Westboro Baptist Church near my site, how do I hang on to my character without living in a hermetically sealed bubble????

I sent out a guest blogging invitation to the first 10 writers to respond to my post. The only subject limits were "No porn. No Politics." The rest was up to fate.

Three people who dropped by to say hi didn't make the cut, but only because they are authors who have standing invitations--the fabulously talented author of several series, Marilyn Meredeth; the uber-queen of short stories, Kate Thornton; and the mistress of marketing and all things romantic, Jacquee.

What I wound up with was a wonderful variety of writers who cover genres from science fiction to real estate mysteries to erotic fiction with believable heroines. Cool!

I'm looking forward discovering new writers, and I hope you'll stick with me for their posts, which I'll announce once they are scheduled.

An Invitation to Guest Blog

2011-03-05T14:14:00.000-08:00

Anyone who has read me under A Writer's Residence or even on this blog knows that I have a streak of the cheerleader in me. I love to promote other writers and books that I love.

A blog is a reflection of the person who writes it. Readers assume that if my blogs are humorous then I must be a funny gal. Or if I vent one day, people who catch that post will assume I'm cranky. So when it comes to picking a guest to blog, shouldn't that person's writing and opinions etc. be a reflection of me?

I'm not so sure. So I'm going to try an experiment.

The first 10 authors to comment on this page will receive a guest spot on my blog.

Are there limitations? Yes. No porn. No politics. No grossing me out. I reserve the right to refuse if it seems that we aren't a good fit.

Why 10? There are other blogs and author interviews I want to fit into the schedule. (I am so looking forward to interviewing J. Michael Orenduff on his new book!) This way I can sprinkle new authors into the mix.

We'll see if anyone responds.

A Blogger's Dilemna or What am I Trying to Say?

2011-02-18T07:03:00.000-08:00

I haven't been blogging regularly because, well, I'm paralyzed with fear that my blog will go astray.

All the experts say your blog has to have a theme, and that makes sense. I go to Buns in My Oven because I want great recipes. I go to Newbie's Guide To Publishing because I want great advice about publishing, or self-publishing, as that seems to be the hot topic right now.

But isn't defining your blog a bit like asking Who am I? To my father, I'm Jacqueline (except when he's irritated, and then I'm Jacqueline Marie.) To most of my family, I'm Jack. Except for my husband. He calls me Jackie and all sorts of nicknames that are none of your business. And to Buster the Wonderdog, I'm Woof.

See? I have so many identities, and that's just my name!

Blogging is by it's nature sharing. So what do I want to share with you?

I love to cook. Actually, I love food. Even as I write, I'm baking brownies for the Women's Guild meeting tonight. When I run into something fantastic, I want to share, but I don't want to write a food blog. I'm not good enough. I defer to Buns in My Oven's Karly. (Karly, you are a goddess!)

I'm Catholic. Really, I'm one of those "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" kind of old-school Catholics, but one of my sleuths is a Catholic priest. He's also and Iraqi war vet and former police chaplain. After losing his temper all over a nasty criminal, he's relocated to teach Religious Ed at an all-girl high school. Talk about penance. I mean it. I was a teenage girl. We're brutal.

I'm writing a Pet Psychic mystery, and I love all things dogs (though I certainly would never discriminate against other pets.) I've had training nightmares with my 80 pound mutt, and sharing what works for me could be helpful to others. Or fun. I had an article in Fido Friendly Magazine last April about using a pet psychic to train your pet that was based on my experiences.

My Wilder Women mysteries focus on family. I have a hu-u-u-u-ge extended family with lots of oddities, like the uncle with nine lives and the grandfather who carried a nifty combo walking stick/blade that he got from Hell's Angles. But isn't telling their secrets just rude?

My character Evan Miller is a crime reporter. I could talk about crime, but then I'd have to bury my depressed head under my pillow and go to sleep.

As a writer, I have lots of things I can say about the writing process. I can run interviews with other writers. I can review books. But there are so many other sites out there doing the same thing. Is there anything special about mine?

I like positive things. You can attribute that to my inner rebel. There are so many articles and people intent on dragging us down. Just look at the magazine covers at the checkout stand. Tragedy! Separated! Destroyed! Just a few of the cover story titles this week. Well, it's not going to happen. Not on my watch. (Did you have a flash of All the Good Men and an urge to salute? Me too.)

I don't live in the past, but I appreciate the different mindset. For example, while Hitler decimated entire populations, Charlie Chaplain came out with The Great Dictator. The same year as His Girl Friday and Philadelphia Story. No wallowing. No whining.

Rallying. Providing Humor. Adversity bringing out one's best. How unbelievably admirable. How can I even approach that subject, except to say I wish I belonged to a different generation? Although, that does bring on all sorts of dilemmas with my parents and my husband.

Finally, does anyone care about what I have to say? It's so Me, Me, Me. And I do think people share way too much these days. I'm going to have to think about this.

If you have an opinion, I'd love to hear it. Do you only visit blogs when they have a specific purpose? Do you drop by various blogs because you like the title of a particular post?

Interview with Author W.S. Hagger

2011-01-31T06:00:00.000-08:00

When able to ignore Mitch's adventures, W.S. Gager enjoys watching high school sporting events, teaching at a local community college, and spending time at the Gager family home.

Welcome, Wendy!

What was your path to publication?

People often asked me if it was hard to get published. The answer to that is not a simple yes or no. It’s both. The hardest part of getting published is writing a great book. That took a lot more work than I ever dreamed. The publishing part was easier and wasn’t something I really planned, but my path was different than most. Let me explain.

I worked for more than a year on A Case of Infatuation: A Mitch Malone Mystery. I’d edited it, my critique group had read and commented, I’d polished it but I wasn’t sure it was ready yet. I’d never written a mystery before and wanted some feedback. I found a mystery contest and entered literally five minutes before the deadline hoping I would get some comments to make my book better. What I received was even better. I took first place in the Dark Oak Mystery Contest and was offered a publishing contract by its sponsor, Oak Tree Press.

Were there any writing organizations that were useful in promoting your book?

When talking to my publisher, she asked if I had any interest in going to the Public Safety Writers Association Conference in Las Vegas and my book would be officially launched then. I investigated and decided to go.

I met a lot of authors and many who were published by my same publisher. Holli Castillo also had her first book, Gumbo Justice, come out with mine and we’ve forged a great friendship based on that bond. It was a great conference.

The next year I decided to enter my first book, and my second, A Case of Accidental Intersection, in the published and non-published categories. A Case of Infatuation came in second to The Pot Thief by fellow Oak Tree author J. Michael Orenduff. I figured that was pretty good. A Case of Accidental Intersection took first place in the yet-to-be published category and came out for real soon after. Just this month has become available on Kindle and Nook.

Most writers see something of themselves in their main character, but you’ve had a different experience.

I've had friends read my books and ask where Mitch Malone, the crime sleuth, came from. They couldn't find me anywhere in the books or in him. I'm not sure that is a compliment or not.

Mitch is a rough-around-the-edges, crime reporter who is dogged in his pursuit of a story. He's looking for fame and a Pulitzer and doesn't want to share his star with anyone. Mitch doesn't have much of a social life and considers himself a man of mystery. What he finds in each of the books is that in order to get the best story, he has to give as much of himself in order to received the information he needs.

Are there advantages to writing a character who’s nothing like you?

What I love about Mitch is that he is just arrogant enough to be funny and I can put the words I always wanted to say to some people in his mouth and they sound perfectly fine.

Thank you, Wendy!

To learn more about W.S. Gager and her books, visit her website. A Case of Infatuation and A Case of Accidental Intersection are both available in paperback and electronic format through

Indiebound and Amazon.

Interview with author Sylvia L. Ramsey, Who Gives ALL Her Profits To...

2011-01-26T07:17:00.000-08:00

Sylvia La Von Ramsey teaches Public Speaking at the Georgia Military Community College in Augusta, GA. She is an Associate professor of Speech Communications and coordinator of the Academic Resource Center on campus.

She was the 2005 White House Communications guest speaker for their observance of Women’s History Month, and was one of the first DJ’s on KWOC in Missouri in the 1970’s.

She was nominated for the 41st. Annual Georgia Author of the Year Award for her book of poetry, Pulse Points of a Woman’s World.

Recently, on the Murder Must Advertise list, Karen Syed of Echelon Press threw down the gauntlet when she said that many writers won't take the time to blog. I mentioned that I interview authors, and that the advantages are many. Three industrious writers contacted me within minutes after I hit the send button on my post.

Some people are rolling their eyes and thinking, "I would never be that pushy." Those people are also not in my blog lineup! I believe in jumping on opportunities right away if for no other reason than my aged mind will forget about them. Really, I think the attitude comes from my years in insurance. Anything I could deal with right away meant one less thing to clutter my desk!

My first author was the quickest to respond. I was intrigued by Sylvia L. Ramsey because ALL of her proceeds go to charity. But I'll let Sylvia tell you in her own words:

Sylvia, tell us first how you got into writing.

Writing has always been a passion of mine. I began writing news and feature articles for a small town newspaper in Southeast Missouri at the age of nine. Because of the nurturing and encouragement by the news editor, I developed a love and a need to write. By the time I was working on my graduate degree, several of my poems, short stories and feature articles had been published. Since that time, over one hundred of my short stories and poems have found their way into literary magazines. I have been a featured poet in several literary journals over the years.

Why give all of your profits away?

Many may wonder why I am so adamant in my support of bladder cancer awareness. I think it is because I remember only, too, well how badly I needed to talk to someone about it, and to find information that would help me understand what was happening to me. However, when I was diagnosed there were none of these things available. I had great medical care, but there was no informative or emotional support. I decided to try to change this if I could. Since that time, things have changed some but not nearly enough. My quest has only just begun. That is why the sales of my books are given to the American Bladder Cancer Society.

Is your charity work what motivates you to write?

It was only natural that my love of writing took on another purpose after I had been diagnosed with Stage T3 bladder cancer. I suddenly realized that there was a big void in information, awareness and support. Somehow, I had to do my share to change this situation because it is ranked as the 5th most prevalent, ranked 4th. in men, and as prevalent in women as cervical cancer, but deadlier.

My books writing and my books became a way for me to make a difference.

You write in several genres. Tell us about your books.

My first book, Pulse Points of a Woman’s World, is a walk through life. It is divided into four sections which are: Pulse Points of Youth, Pulse Points of Love, Pulse Points of Reality and Pulse Points of Wisdom.

My novel, An Underground Jewell is set in a possible near-future, and is about a female sleuth who must clear herself after being accused of espionage by hacking into the national computer system.

And what's your latest book?

My newest book, Merchild Land, was inspired by my first granddaughter who insisted that I tell her numerous stories about mermaids.

Thank you so much for being with us today. You can read more about Sylvia, her books, and her mission on her web site.

You can also visit her at Author's Den.

Finally, her books are available at Amazon and as both paperback and Kindle editions and at Barnes and Noble.

Thank you, Sylvia, and good writing!

A Teacher's Guide for Your Children's Book

2011-01-18T09:44:00.000-08:00

I took a class in writing teacher's guides at the Muse Online Writer's Conference. I'll never start another children's book without one. In fact, I think I'll lay out the teacher's guide first.

A teacher's guide adds value to your book for teachers (obviously), home schooling parents, and plain old parents. Though many authors charge a fee for teacher's guides, I'm offering the Teacher's Guide to Logical Larry on my website at no cost. Why not charge? Because I want people to buy the book, and people are more likely to purchase something if it comes with a bonus. Even if they download the ebook to Kindle for $0.99 instead of purchasing the hard copy, they still get the guide for free.

How do you write a teacher's guide?

First decide what age group your book targets. I aimed Logical Larry at the 4th grade level. The Reading Tub (a site that reviews books for parents) rates it as a read along for ages 7-10 and a read alone for ages 11-13. Fourth Grade is somewhere in the middle.

Next, get your state's educational content standards for that grade. You can probably find them online. I used California because I live here and because I was told they are one of the highest in the country. You can provide standards for more than one state if you like. Maybe you live in California but the book takes place in Illinois. That's two target markets, so I would provide standards for both states.

One thing you'll notice is that educational standards are sometimes vague. Talk to a teacher about how they follow the guidelines. The teachers I spoke to agreed that the standards were sometimes difficult to apply, and teachers in my area are willing to mix different grade standards into their classes. In fact, it was a teacher who recommended my book be used by fifth grade children who are having difficulties reading at the appropriate level. The subject matter will appeal to those above elementary level, but the book is short enough that it won't intimidate slow readers.

If you are writing for elementary and middle grades, it's also helpful if you can includes standards for several subjects. If you have the children write a report about the geography of the book's location, it may meet a Natural Science standard. Many times teachers cross-teach subjects, and the more standards your teacher's guide covers, the more helpful it can be.

Not only will a teacher's guide be appreciated by adults, but it will help you as a writer. I mentioned writing the guide first. Here are the benefits:

If you include a vocabulary test or game, you can ask a teacher for a list of the words they plan to cover this year and include them in your text.
Looking at the guidelines will give you ideas to include in your book. The next Logical Larry I write will include more about the geography and wildlife in my fictional town that can transfer into games and essays for the Teacher's Guide.

Some other things to remember when writing your guide:

Keep it fun. Teachers especially liked the colorful pages that included pictures and the exercises disguised as games.
Test your book and Teacher's Guide on an actual class. Most teachers are happy to have additional materials to go over with their students, and you'll get feedback from your intended audience. I sent the book to a teacher along with a brief questionnaire for the children to complete. Their answers surprised me and I made changes to the book as a result.
Make it easy for teachers and parents to get hold of. As I said, my teacher's guide is available as a download, but if your guide is long, it's sometimes cheaper for the teacher to order hard copies than it is to make copies for themselves.
Don't forget to include the answer key!

Just remember to enjoy the process. You're helping kids to learn, and learning should be fun!

So Much Luck and So Little Discipline

2011-01-15T11:11:00.000-08:00

I just picked up my Saturday delivery from Abundant Harvest Organics. As I unpacked produce from local farms, I wondered how I was going to use it all, since I haven't even made it through last week's delivery.

This is a big contrast from the homeless shelter I volunteered at this week. The shelter survives on donations and dinners cooked by local churches. No one will starve, but it's not as if they have a huge variety to select from. They eat what's there.

One man, I'm not sure if he followed a Kosher or Halal diet, couldn't eat the ham sandwiches prepared for lunch. There was peanut butter and jelly. He declined. Maybe he had dietary restrictions and was allergic to peanuts, too, but his choices were limited.

There are several reasons I order from Abundant Harvest Organics. I'm supporting local farmers. The produce is all organic. I get more for my dollar. But it's the variety that I look forward to most. I consider it a challenge. So far, I've had to figure out how to cook turnips and beets--two foods I've never eaten. This week, there are parsnips. (I passed on the Daikon radish and gave it away.) It makes me think outside the box when it comes to my dinner menu. I'm not doing well so far, but I'm determined to become a better cook and more imaginative with my meals.

It's the same thing with writing. I am never at a loss for ideas. Right now, I have three active projects, two that are waiting for final touches or rewrites, and more than seven that are at least outlined in my head if not on the computer.

With so much choice, it's difficult to finish anything. Like last week's cauliflower that is waiting for me to come up with a new recipe, these projects don't get very far when I look at them all together. It's overwhelming. My efforts are fragmented. At least the writing won't decay in my refrigerator.

At the shelter, all food is dated as it comes in. They use up the oldest first, and that way nothing gets wasted.

Some of my writing projects have been stagnating for years. Maybe if I took the oldest and just finished it and sent it out, I'd have room for new, fresh projects.

Both dilemmas will get solved. It comes down to choices. Choose one thing and cook it or write it. Decide to be active and cook rather than close the refrigerator door and pick up easy fast food. Settle butt to chair and finish that story rather than start a new one.

I've got to stop getting overwhelmed and instead consider my luck. Look at all I have to work with, both in the kitchen and in my writing! I'm a very blessed woman.

My parish priest says it comes down to discipline. When I said I didn't have a lot of that, he just laughed and said it takes practice.

This week's exercise: Practice Discipline

Before You Write Your 2011 Goals

2011-01-03T08:25:00.000-08:00

Birthdays and New Years used to see me writing long lists of things that were going to be different this year. My intended accomplishments would have cowed James Bond. I threw out last year's work as if it were a disposable razor and started fresh at the stroke of midnight.

As I got older, I stopped following a time table endorsed by calendar companies and Time Magazine. Instead, I used the holiday as a reminder to review my goals and make adjustments.

This year, it dawned on me that I couldn't very well adjust my path if I hadn't any idea of where I stood on the journey. Martha Stewart types don't have this problem. Erma Bombeck types do. I'm an Erma, though I can't imagine that that great lady was as disorganized as I am.

So my goal for the first week of January, 2011, is to take inventory.

What projects do I have and at what stage of progress are they? First drafts? Outlines? Do they need a simple grammar check before I send them out? Are they ready to submit but I'm hoarding them like the last Fannie May chocolate in the box?

What markets have I researched? Have I been successful with them in the past? Are they still in business?

Do I have a list of accepted stories and am I utilizing them by listing them on my web page? Have the rights expired so I can submit to markets that accept reprints?

I won't bore you with my household list which includes painting touch ups and reorganizing the bins in the garage. Mind numbing stuff.

Once this stage is complete, I plan to set shorter deadlines. There's nothing like finding a piece of writing that you've been playing with since before your first wrinkle to get you moving.

I also intend to write the START date of each project. At my age, "a couple of weeks ago" usually turns out to have been two years ago, and I'd like to get things off my plate before they develop mold.

We'll see how things stand in a week. I'll either be raring to go on my projects or I'll be curled up in a fetal position surrounded by caramel wrappers. I'm hoping for the former.

Interview with K.J. Larsen

2010-12-21T23:24:00.000-08:00

When I read Liar Liar, I wanted to know more about the wonderful author who brought me such fun characters and hysterical dialogue. Imagine my surprise when I discovered K.J. Larsen is three fabulous authors! The series is written by a trio of sisters, and I'm so pleased to be able to introduce you to them here.

Kari Larsen lives at the foothills of Mt. Rainier and loves hiking, stand-up comedy, and the Blues. She’s written a column for a local paper as well as numerous plays and children’s stories. She’s a mean baker and a bit like Cat’s crazy Mama. Her canolli will drop you to your knees.

Julianne is the youngest of the six Larsen girls and spoiled as God intended. She teaches classes in organic gardening and is a gifted artist and poet. She lives on a farm with her horses, her beagle, and more four legged children than any person with good sense. Like Cat, she prefers jeans and a sweater but she cleans up nice.

Kristen is a gifted writer, weaver and actress and has appeared in plays off off Broadway. Her eyes are green like Cat’s and she’s a shoe-in for the role in the blockbuster movie to come. She lives in the Chicago area and was recently spotted dancing in Bridgeport with Chance Savino. Kristen’s shitzu, Buster, and Cat DeLuca’s beagle, Inga, are rumored to be dating.

I’ve heard of couples working together on books, but this is the first time I’ve encountered three authors behind a single novel. That brings up a few questions:

What kind of home environment produces three authors?? (Or are there more writers, as you come from a family of six siblings?)

Kristen: We grew up in a family where there was a high premium on reading and story-telling. We always read a book together on family vacations. And our parents liked to illicit stories out of us by asking, "Tell me a story?" I think the love of story and story-telling has influenced all of the siblings. In our large family, it was an advantage being a good story teller because it was a sure way to get attention.

Kari: In our family, creative expression had the greatest value. We didn’t have much money but we made a lot of music and art together. We made our Christmas presents: we wrote songs and poems and painted pictures. Our sister Diane spent one Christmas Eve in the emergency room. She slashed a finger carving Rudolph.

How did Liar Liar come about? Was it one sister's idea or the result of brainstorming?

Kari: It was an accident. We were joking around one day, talking about our favorite books and characters. Somebody said something about catching cheaters and someone said "Liar Liar!" Then "Pants on Fire Detective Agency!". We thought it would be a funny book. No one else was around to write it so we decided to do it ourselves. It's just as well we didn't know how much work it would be.

Are your individual writing styles similar or did you each have to adjust to keep the voice the same throughout the book?

Kristen: We do have similar writing styles, but each of us brings our own particular strengths and weaknesses into the mix. We don't try to adjust our voices to each others'. We adjust our voice to Cat's voice. It was difficult at first, but once we knew her voice, things went more smoothly and cohesively.

Kari: The one voice thing wasn't entirely new to us. Our dad was a pastor and he had all six daughters pumping out plays for church and community events since grade school. He's retired now and he's writing his first mystery novel. We're his biggest fans.

How do the logistics work? Do you trade emails or get together in person?

Juli: The sisters email me each day's scenes. I put them together and make small changes to insure we have one voice.

Kristen: I live in Illinois and Kari and Juli live in Washington State. We had to figure out how to really write together long distance. The best solution for us has been to Skype every morning, and some evenings as well. We need to see each other while we're working. It's more spontaneous, honest, creative, and quite honestly, fun, when we can see one another's face. And the fun part keeps us at it and enjoying the work.

Juli: We didn't have a plan when we wrote Liar Liar. We were pretty clueless. We'd wake up every morning and say, What happens to Cat today? When we got to the end of the story, each sister thought someone else committed the murder. We sort of solved the case as it evolved. The sister with the most compelling argument won. (Ta Da!)

Kari: There's no bloodshed between sisters. (But we do have bandaids!)

Does each of you bring something specific to the writing process?

Kristen: We like to begin by brainstorming a scene together. There's a lot of silly laughing. Much of the sassy dialogue is created as a team here. The one who's writing the scene will take notes.

Juli: The person writing the scene may zoom off in an entirely different direction. you can't know where the story will take you until you're alone at your computer. You gotta listen to your muse. Sisters adjust.

Kari: Juli is the youngest sister and has the best instincts for this genre. She lightens up the language. She's sassier than I ever was and she has great instincts. She also dresses Cat. When I write a scene, I leave empty spaces and Juli fills in designer bags, shoes and whatever Cat's wearing. Kristen is an amazing writer and has great character development. She sees the big picture. I do mostly humor and dialogue. And I love a splashy finish.

I think of my own relationship with my sister and I wonder, did sibling rivalry ever rear its head while working on the book?

Kristen: People don't believe this when we tell them that No, it really didn't. When we were growing up, we were not allowed to fight. It was just forbidden. Now there are some consequences in growing up in that kind of household that are not positive. But the positive consequence for us was we had to learn to cooperate with each other. I mean, when you can't fight, you eventually learn to listen to each other and work things out. That's really served us well in writing a book together.

Kari: There are times when we have different visions for the story or a particular character. I wrote a scene for Liar Liar where I killed off a rookie cop named Tommy. Julianne wasn't having it. She raised Tommy from the dead and threw him in the hospital. I mostly hated giving up my funeral scene. I thought it was hilarious. Tommy's back again in "Sticks and Stones", and he's one of my favorite characters. Writing as a team is a game of give and take. We have to trust that what we create together is larger than what one can create alone. And we forget the nonsense of being right.

Just a note, I'm really glad you gals didn't kill off Tommy!

When I wrote Family Matters, my mother immediately recognized some of her character traits in Deanna Wilder. Did you pull your characters from people you know? (Please tell me that Mama really exists!)

Kari: I love this question. I hadn't considered similarities between our characters and people we know. Julianne and Kristen are strong women who might recognize some of their character traits in Cat DeLuca. Our paternal grandmother, Inga, scared the crap out of young children. Very much like Cat's. Our Uncle Bart was larger than live (and a bit on the shady side) like Uncle Joey. As for Mama, I suppose she's rather like me.

I was raised in the Chicago suburbs in a Catholic family (but, alas, not Italian.) You've nailed the ethnic neighborhoods and priestly influence so well. Is the book a reflection of your childhoods?

Kristen: We were not raised Catholic, but we have an Italian side of the family. We lived in Chicago for a period of time growing up and there we got to know the ethnic neighborhoods. Do to our father's work, we moved around a lot as children and that gave us a breadth of experience with different groups and how they live their lives.

Kari: The DeLucas reflect some of my own experience with family. The laughter, fierce loyalty, and staggering portions of pasta and guilt.

You left the implied sex to our imaginations, which is something I appreciate. Was there a specific reason behind this decision?

Kristen: Yes! Our father is still living!

Kari: People tell us Liar Liar made them laugh out loud. It's exactly what we wanted. A woman will read the book and pass it on to a grandmother or friend. I love that. I want to write something almost everyone can enjoy. A little romance can make us feel warm and fuzzy inside. A tickle for the imagination.

Juli: I think by leaving it to our imagination, it can be much better than anything put in print.

In Liar Lair, Catarina (Cat) DeLuca (Or DeLucky as one character calls her) runs the Pants on Fire Detective Agency, a private detective firm that exposes cheating spouses. After a subject she is tailing--Chance Savino--tells her he isn't married, he is allegedly killed in an explosion, and his wife, Cat's client, turns up dead.

Why set the book in Chicago?

Kristen: I live in Chicago and the family lived in Chicago for a period of time growing up. We love the energy of the City, the distinctive neighborhoods, and the rich ethnic diversity.

Juli: You gotta love the Windy City. It draws you in. Chicago has a tradition of great literary detectives who hand their shingles there. There's an easy charm you can't quite pull off in Cleveland.

One of the things I loved about the novel is that this heroine is surrounded by strong male characters, including several brothers. Then I discovered that all of your siblings are girls! Was this wishful thinking, or did you have strong male influences growing up?

Kristen: I think all of us sought out male friendships and mentors growing up to try to create more balance. And thankfully, we found them.

Kari: Speak for yourself, Sissy. I'm giving myself brothers and less competition in the bathroom!

The book leaves off on a potential romance. Will these two characters partner up in future books?

Juli: Let me just say this guy is eye candy and Cat is no fool.

Could you tell us something about the second book in the series, Sticks and Stones, which is due for release in August, 2011?

Juli : Sticks And Stones is a kick. Liar Liar readers will remember a client named Cleo. Cleo’s cheating husband was sleeping with her sister. Cleo shot Walter’s bum full of buckshot. He slunk under the radar taking her money, dog and sister with him. At the end of the first book, Cat vows to find her client’s money and dog. In Sticks And Stones, she and Cleo break into Walter’s house. They find Cleo’s dog and a mysterious big ol’ bag of money. And they find Walter’s very dead body. Cleo is charged with murder and the cops suspect Cat is involved. Now it’s up to Cat DeLuca, catcher of cheaters, to bring Walter’s murderer to justice. But with so many enemies dancing on his grave, it’s not going to be easy.

Thank you so much for blogging with me! For those who want to experience the full flavor of the books, K.J. Larsen's website includes recipes from Mama's Kitchen! You can FB KJ Larsen as well!

You can order the book from the usual sources (the website includes some independent bookstores!) and it's available in several formats, including Kindle, and you can order directly from the website. Sticks and Stones is due out August, 2011.

Review of "Liar Liar"

2010-12-21T23:23:00.000-08:00

Cat DeLuca’s cheating ex-husband did give her one thing--the experience necessary to run the Pants on Fire Detective Agency. Using the skills she honed tracking her wandering ex, Cat makes a living exposing philandering spouses.

Her latest client is Mrs. Chance Savino. Odd that when the husband manages to corner Cat he claims that he’s not married. Odder still when a building explodes just as he walks inside. Cat is caught in the blast and winds up in the hospital with minor injuries, though everyone assumes she has a major concussion when she claims to have seen the dead man walking around.

Then Mrs. Savino turns up dead. Only she’s not really Mrs. Savino. She’s a reporter who was working a story that got too hot. Did the story involve Chance Savino? If only Cat can catch up with the allegedly dead man, she might get some answers. But first she has to avoid a family intervention, the protective arm of the Chicago police department--populated by many of her male relatives--and a few attempts on her own life.

Liar Liar will have you laughing from beginning to end. Cat DeLuca is an engaging character who is refreshingly free of bitter cynicism. It's hard not to fall in love with her family. The second book in the series is Sticks and Stones and will be released in August, 2011. I’ll be the first in line.

Interview with Author Mark Schweizer

2010-12-14T14:02:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to have author Mark Schweizer on my blog. His award-winning liturgical detective mysteries have taken me to that place where I can't breath, my words make no sense, and tears roll down my cheeks because I'm laughing so hard.

Mr. Schweizer has waited tables, written articles for Collgehumor.com, won opera competitions, sung oratorios, taught in college music departments, raised pot-bellied pigs and hedgehogs, directed church choirs, sung the bass solo to Beethoven’s 9th with the Atlanta Symphony, hosted a classical music radio show, taught in a seminary, sung recitals, started a regional opera company, published choral music, built a log cabin, written opera librettos, directed stage productions, helped his wife to raise their two children and managed to remain married for thirty-two years. He also owns several chainsaws.

Welcome, Mark!

Your sleuth, Hayden Konig, is both the Chief of Police in St. Germaine, NC, and the organist and choirmaster for St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. He likes fine wine, fine cigars, and knows both music and liturgy inside and out.

When I read your biography, it was easy to see how you came by your musical expertise. One job caught my attention--you taught in a seminary! How did that happen, and is that where you honed your liturgical knowledge?

I actually taught as a replacement for a music professor at the seminary who was on sabbatical. I directed the seminary choir, taught voice lessons, helped with planning the weekly services, introduced new music, and did my best to teach the seminarians (priests-in-training) how to chant. My experience with the musical end of the liturgy in the Episcopal (and other Protestant denominations) comes from a long career as a church musician. I've been working in churches, part and full-time, for 35 years.

How did a nice musician wind up writing mysteries?

The first one (The Alto Wore Tweed) came out of a choir newsletter that I started and that ran for several years. I wrote the "bad" story as filler when I ran out of material. And, of course, along with the bad detective story that found its way into the first book, I found myself ten years worth of "articles," most of which have been included in the books in some form or other. I wrote the first book thinking that church musicians — directors and choir singers — a demographic I was already involved with as a composer, would enjoy it. Then, when the first book did well, I kept at it.

Your books include a mystery within the mystery--the story that Hayden is working on at the time. Which mystery comes first when you’re writing the book?

I do the mystery within the mystery first if I can. Frequently it changes along the way, but it gives me a good, fun place to start from. And really, its the most fun to write. As my character says, "To write badly is something I can well do." For example:

"It was a dark and stormy night, although Tessie, the one o'clock weather-girl on Channel Two, had nasally predicted a clear and starry night, but was once again dead wrong, chiefly due to her education (Meteorology for Blondes), her inability to read a tele-prompter, and her current preoccupation with the ever-burgeoning hope that this fellow she'd be hearing about, Doppler Radar, would ask her out on a date."

Your series has done very well, and your books have gone into multiple printings. I heard about you by word of mouth--my mother, the Voracious Mystery Reader. How else do you promote your books?

There is an email list we send to when another book is in the offing. There's a website, of course, and Mystery Bookstores do a tremendous job in "hand-selling" the series. Basically though, it's been word-of-mouth from mystery readers.

Your publisher, St. James Music Press, is also the publisher of fine church anthems. (Music Directors and Choirmasters: Note that you pay a onetime fee for the music and receive the right to copy your heart out--for your use.) This definitely “brands” your books. Do you have any interest in creating a separate series?

I just finished with the first book in a different series. That is, I think it will be a series. It depends, of course, on if anyone likes it! It's titled "Dear Priscilla," and follows a couple of 1940's Chicago detectives. It's a harder-edged book — a 1940's comic noir thriller. (How's that for a description?)

As a Catholic, I’m well aware of that fragile and fallible human element that exists in organized religion. I find your humor hysterical, even when it targets our traditions and the many blessed items in the Vatican. (I should mention that you NEVER make fun of the subject of worship, unless, of course, it’s a confection.) Do you get mail from offended parties? And was this something you worried about when you began the series?

I never worried about it, because I'm VERY careful, and when I poke fun at the foibles that occur when we try to make the liturgy (literally: work of the people) into what we think will be more relevant to today's worshipper, I do so with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek. Also, there is line that I do not cross and I know where it is. The practices of worship are fair game. Faith and beliefs are not. I will add that ALMOST everything that happens in the church is taken from actual experience. Well, not the murders....

Humor aside, your characters are unapologetically Christian. Did you worry that this might limit your audience, and did this affect your marketing strategy?

It might well limit the audience. I didn't do any actual marketing strategy on this, but if every Christian in America bought just one book, I'd be VEEERRRRYYYYY happy!

How did you hook up with Jim Hunt, the fabulous illustrator who brings us the covers of your books as well as drawings for your blog and web site?

I saw Jim's political cartoons in the Charlotte Observer years ago. He has a very identifiable style and he captured the whimsy and humor of the books in his preliminary sketches immediately. I looked up "Jim Hunt Cartoonist" on the internet, sent him an email and we were off and running. Interestingly enough, as soon as I have the "bad story" finished (3000-4000 words), I call Jim and get some sketches for the book. His illustrations really help to push the writing ahead.

The blurbs offered on the first pages--from unpaid interns, students, and M.D.’s-- are just as much fun to read as the book! Are some of these actual people?

Almost all of them are actual people (although some of the quotes are invented!) We couldn't sit around waiting for reviews to come pouring— or rather dribbling—in. We call them Advance Reviews, because none of these folks have actually read the book.

Hayden Konig is influenced by Raymond Chandler. Who influenced your writing?

Well Raymond Chandler, of course. But more than that, the good comic writers —Dave Barry, Garrison Keeler, Bill Bryson—and early Robert Parker (for dialogue.)

Could you tell us what’s up next for you?

Number nine in the St. Germaine series. I have the "bad story" finished, and now I have to get cracking on the rest of the mystery. I have a couple of choir commissions to compose, editing, and an opera to sing in the spring. I'll stay busy.

Thank you so much for appearing on my blog.

Visit Mark's website, and you can sign up for his email list. Don't forget to read the blog and watch the video of Noylene's Beautifery and Dip-n-Tan. The Litergical Series in on sale right now from SJMP for only $10 per book. (I completed my set!) You can also get them from independent booksellers and Amazon, and they are available on Kindle.

Getting Author Interviews for Your Blog

2010-12-02T06:41:00.000-08:00

Author interviews are a nice way to spice up your blog. Readers love them. They help promote authors. It's a win-win situation.

So how do you get authors? Ask.

It's intimidating to contact a stranger, but I've found most authors willing to answer questions and happy to appear on your blog. If he's too busy, most of the time he will let you know when he's available.

I enjoy the Joanna Fluke books, so I contacted her when I was on Writers in Residence. She supplied us with a guest blog. I've just contacted the authors of "Liar, Liar" and they have agreed to an interview. I'm thrilled because I loved their book.

Where do you find authors? Well, what are you reading right now? It makes sense to talk to authors whose books you love because your enthusiasm will reflect in your questions. But you shouldn't limit yourself to household names.

Introducing new authors to readers isn't only fun, it gives your blog an edge. Voracious readers are always looking for a new series to devour. I speak from experience. Check out the author list on sites such as Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America, or any other writing site populated by authors.

Should you interview authors you disagree with? That's a tricky question. On one hand, do you want to promote something you don't believe in? On the other hand, you have the opportunity to ask where that person is coming from. You can always stay away from the topics you disagree with and focus on what the author has to offer.

Is this blatant promotion for other writers? It sure is, but doing something nice for another writer is good karma, and we writers can use all the promotional help we can get now that publisher budgets are slim.

There are three ways to showcase an author on your blog.

Ask for a guest blog. You may want to supply a topic to help the author out.
Send interview questions and ask them to return them by email. Make sure to personalize the questions. It takes more effort, but the authors appreciate it and you'll have something new to offer readers.
Ask the author to send you around 1,000 to 1,500 words telling the audience anything she wants them to know about herself or her books. Then work the information into an interview. This idea came from Morgan St. James, and it works well. You wind up with tidbits of information you wouldn't have thought to ask about.

What kind of questions do you ask? I prefer not to put authors on the spot with political or religious questions or anything that might be interpreted poorly. I try to be specific to the books and the author. At the same time, I don't go too crazy, because the authors usually have a full plate and I don't want them to have to apply the same effort to the questions that they'd give to a college essay.

Some extras:

Make sure you get a photo of both the author and the book cover. You can get the cover from Amazon or the writer's website, but I ask for a current photo in case she has something more current they prefer. Make sure you specify what format you need it in. Jpeg works for blogspot.

Include a book review. Just make sure you post it first so that it appears under the author interview.

Links to buy the books are appreciated. I know when I'm eager to try out an author, I like being able to click through right from the blog. Be sure to include a link to Independent Bookstores such as http://www.indebound.org/ . We want to keep those people in business.

Author Interviews are a great way to get readers, and the authors just might reciprocate when you're promoting your own novel.

Lucky in My Choice of Parents

2010-11-24T06:11:00.000-08:00

Don't you hate it when a blog title leads you on? Right now, you're probably thinking I adopted some passing couple and followed them home. The choice was God's, and I am lucky.

They drove in from Arizona last week, which is really nice of them. No airport pickup to deal with. They drive everywhere, including to Illinois, because they love our country and like to discover little out of the way places and people. They also stay at a hotel when they are in town because our condo's not that large. Actually, I think they need their space. Not that they don't like me, but isn't it nice to take your time getting ready for bed and not worry that someone else needs to brush her teeth? Spouses don't count. Spouses have routines.

Every time they visit, I'm reminded what incredible people raised me. There's no such thing as a disposable society to them, only people who waste things. My parents waste nothing, and that includes time and talent.

Dad always insists on fixing something, no matter how small. This time, he replaced a toilet. Last time, a toilet and bathroom counter. He comes from a generation of people who know how to use their hands, and it's a shame that more young people aren't shown how. My hubby has the same mentality, but after working 12-14 hour days, it's nice to have a father-in-law who can help out. I've got some knowledge, but the female lack of upper body strength is something scientists have not overcome. I know how to change a tire, but I'll be darned if I can turn the screws, especially after a machine has had a shot at them.

Mom brings her abundant talent for creating things. She can take a simple ball of yarn and weave it, bead it, sew it, knit it, or crochet it into something beautiful. Creating is a gift, especially when that something is serviceable and lovely to look at. She also loves books, especially mysteries, and we browse the book stores and exchange authors and revel in the genius of those who can give us a good yarn and make us laugh as a bonus.

Mostly, it's their attitude that both overwhelms me and inspires me. Problems are not something to complain about, they are challenges. Action is appropriate. Whining is useless. This positive attitude is what led them to success, and it's what allows them to enjoy what they have. It allows them to be generous, whether they are writing a check to St. Jude's or collecting donations for a poor school in New Mexico--and driving the donations there personally. They are positive people by choice, and that's a rare thing today.

When they leave, there' a gap. It's not only that I miss having family around, though I do. It's this incredible energy that they carry with them, the attitude that nothing is the end of the world. "Why don't you just do X?" is a common refrain, and when they say it, I give myself a mental forehead slap and wonder why I wasted so much time being fearful or distressed, when all I had to do was X.

I try to keep the inspiration going, try to remember the security they bring. It's difficult without their example, but it's why I have such a great long distance calling plan. I'm grateful for everything I have, and I'm especially grateful for the couple who brought me into this world and gave me so much love. I'm lucky.

A Chat with Author Alice Zogg

2010-11-16T04:19:00.000-08:00

I have a warm spot for mystery author Alice Zogg, not only because her books are thoroughly enjoyable, but because Alice is the first person I met at Sisters in Crime. A nervous novice, I went to a monthly meeting to check them out. As I tentatively looked for somewhere to sit, Alice invited me to take the chair next to her. I've been a fan ever since.

Alice writes the R.A. Huber mysteries, and between the varied, interesting settings and the vivid personalities--including Huber's assistant Andi-- these books are must reads for anyone who likes traditional mysteries.

Welcome, Alice!

What led you from mystery fan to mystery author?

Eight years ago I went to the bookstore in search of new reading material. Having read all the mystery novels ever written by my favorite authors, I was planning to purchase works of more contemporary writers, but found nothing that appealed to me. I must have browsed the wrong shelves that day because I certainly have discovered many great books written by present day authors since then. When I returned from the store empty-handed hours later, my husband asked, “Where are the books you bought?” After I explained my dilemma, he teased, “Why don’t you write your own stories since you’re so picky?” I paid no attention to his remark at the time, but about a month later thought, well, why not? So I gave it a try and have not stopped writing since.

R.A. Huber is unusual in that she is an older lady with experience as opposed to a young ingenue fumbling around. Did you have this type of heroine in mind when you started the series?

When I created my protagonist, R. A. Huber, in the first book, I had no idea that she would become the heroine of a series. I became comfortable with her, so I kept her. Like me, R. A. Huber was born in Switzerland and came to the United States as a young woman, and then made her home here. Longing for excitement after she retires, Huber decides to start a second career and opens her own business as a private investigator. Soon the gutsy private eye’s cases take her on journeys from Pasadena to the Catalina Island, up to Lake Tahoe, the Central Mexico region, all the way to Davos, Switzerland, then back to the Big Bear Lake area, and to the balloon festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The lady certainly cannot complain of boredom any longer -- the thrill of the job, particularly when her own life is at risk, can be almost too much at times.

Some readers might be intimidated by a series with eight books, fearing they will have too much catching up to do. Will a reader have to begin at the start of your series to understand what is going on with the characters?
Although the R. A. Huber mysteries are considered a series with the same protagonist, each book can easily be read on its own. Setting my stories in different locations gives me a reason to travel to each spot for research purposes while at the same time enjoying a bit of vacationing there. Huber is also athletic, which gives me the opportunity to describe some of my favorite sports activities. In my last three mystery novels, I gave Huber a dynamic young assistant named Andi. I am having a lot of fun with this character. Andi is a redhead originally from New Orleans and rides a Harley-Davidson.

Tell us about your latest novel. (By the way, I love the cover!)

My latest yarn, Revamp Camp, featuring R. A. Huber and Andi, is set near the idyllic town of Solvang in Central California. After Mr. Hawk enrolls his daughter Emily at a rehab facility for juvenile delinquents, he is unable to get in touch with her, and his concern prompts him to hire R. A. Huber to investigate. Huber sends Andi to pose as a troubled youth in need of treatment. Before long, the young woman is thrown into an atmosphere of mayhem, eventually resulting in murder. When Huber fails to get news from Andi, she becomes alarmed and figures out a way to access the camp for herself. Together, the two uncover the deep-rooted secrets that lurk beneath the surface of Revamp Camp and entrap the killer, placing Andi’s life in danger.

You went the self publishing route, something more and more authors are doing now. Why?

While I was plotting my first book, I bought several how-to manuals on publishing the traditional way. The more I learned about what was involved, the more I felt that it was not worth the headache, and I decided to self-publish. At one point -- I believe it was when writing my third mystery -- an author I know got me all fired up about trying to get published in the traditional manner. Then I did some soul-searching and came to the conclusion that there was no reason why I should put myself under the stress this would involve. I found this creative outlet called writing late in life and it gives me joy and fulfillment, but I am a retired grandma and want to avoid that kind of pressure.

Thank you, Alice, and good luck with your new release!
You can visit Alice at her website, and don't forget to check out her books:
Reaching Checkmate 2003
Turn the Joker Around 2004
Tracking Backward 2005
The Lonesome Autocrat 2006
The Fall of Optimum House 2007
Final Stop Albuquerque 2009

And the latest,

Revamp Camp 2010

Marilyn Meredith

2010-11-11T06:14:00.000-08:00

I'm so pleased to present guest-blogger Marilyn Meredith today. I've long admired Marilyn, both for her great writing and for her ability to accomplish so much and lead a balanced life--something I believe many of us are striving for today.

Marilyn Meredith is the author of nearly thirty published novels, including the award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, the latest Invisible Path from Mundania Press. Under the name of F. M. Meredith she writes the Rocky Bluff P.D. crime series, An Axe to Grind is the latest from Oak Tree Press.

She is a member of EPIC, Four chapters of Sisters in Crime, including the Internet chapter, Mystery Writers of America, and she's on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. Visit her at her website or her blog .

And now, heeeeere's Marilyn!

When I asked Jackie if she had anything in particular she wanted me to write about for her blog she gave me a couple of suggestions. I’m going to respond to two of them.

She asked, “I'm always fascinated by how you manage to fit so many obligations into your life. How do you keep the balance? Do you think that after a certain age a person just stops fretting about everything? Or priorities change?”

I’ve always been one who liked to accomplish things and earlier in my life I was far busier than I am now. I raised five kids and didn’t have a dryer until my last child was born and my grandfather felt sorry for me and gave me the money to buy one. Before that time I washed every day and hung clothes out on the line. Back then, hubby was in the Navy and money was scarce. Despite that, I had a Camp Fire Girl group, edited the PTA newsletter for years, and served as PTA President for four years in a row. When my youngest started kindergarten, I went to work part time as a pre-school teacher and started college. Believe it or not, I also wrote during this time period.

Life changed. Most of my kids grew up and married and we moved to the foothill town where we live now. We bought and took over a residential facility for developmentally disabled women. That meant more washing and cooking, plus a lot of paper work, but I wrote every weekday morning the ladies were off at their day programs. As time went on, I organized and taught mandated continuing education classes for other administrators of licensed facilities. After twenty-three years, hubby and I assisted the women in finding new homes (I wanted them to be in good places) and we retired.

Right now, I have the most time for writing and promoting I’ve ever had in my life. I try to write in the mornings, my brain works best then, though I must admit I’m compelled to read my e-mail first. Because I blog every day (love the fact that I can post ahead of time) I try to post on Facebook first thing and I often use Ping.fm to get the word out to Twitter and other places. My son and his wife (who live next door) help with housework and sometimes one or the other will take a turn at cooking.

Jackie also asked, “Your Facebook posts often include what you're having for dinner. To show us another side to Marilyn, do you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share after teasing us with so many delicious sounding meals? I'll admit that I'm a recipe junkie, and I always go to the mystery sites that have recipes!”

I really like to cook. I’ve always cooked for so many people that I have no idea how to cook for only two—so I don’t. My son and his wife almost always eat over here as does the grown grandson who is living with us now.

One of my favorite recipes is Beef Stroganoff which I learned how to do from a Russian who was serving in the U.S. Air Force. His daughter was in my Camp Fire Group and he had our whole family over for dinner one evening and I watched him cook. I have to warn you, I don’t use amounts.

When we were really poor, I used the cheapest cut of round steak I could afford and sliced it thin and cooked it slowly for a long while. Now I can buy a better cut of beef, but again, I slice it in thin strips and brown it along with chopped onions. I add a dollop of Worcestershire sauce and a can of tomato soup and ½ can of water. (When I’m cooking for a large group, I add a second can of tomato soup and a whole can of water.) Cook long enough for the meat to be tender. This is when I add sliced fresh mushrooms. I love mushrooms so I put in a lot. This is when I add the sour cream, a pint if you’ve used only one can of tomato soup, more if two. Stir it all together and serve over cooked noodles. You can serve over rice too, but I prefer the noodles.

I have gotten a bit tired of being the one to cook Thanksgiving dinner though, and this year we’re going to my youngest daughter’s for the holiday. She’s a great cook.

Thank you, Marilyn. Beef Stroganoff is one of my favorites, so I'm really pleased with your sample recipe!

While Tempe’s son, Blair is home from Christmas break, he and his roommate from college do a bit of snooping to find out about the para-military group who’ve been seen driving through town. When a young popular Indian is found dead near the recovery center on the reservation, Tempe is called in to help with the investigation. Another Native American but a newcomer to the rez, Jesus Running Bear, is the only suspect. A hidden pregnancy, a quest to find the Hairy Man, and a visit to the pseudo soldiers’ compound put Jesus and Tempe in jeopardy.

Invisible Path can be purchased as a trade paperback or e-book from http://www.mundania.com or any of the usual online bookstores. And here is a synopsis just to wet your apetite!