tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37208444762576875182024-03-05T17:25:19.701-08:00The Raven CroaksWhere dark plots are brought to light......Karynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11265664252817615171noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3720844476257687518.post-10820575926295805442009-12-29T07:43:00.000-08:002009-12-29T07:48:00.376-08:00Moving!!<div>Thank you to everyone who's become a follower of my site or simply dropped by to read. Due to problems with Blogspot I will be moving The Raven Croaks to another website shortly.</div>
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<br /><div>Please check back here for the new location.</div>
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<br /><div>See you soon!!</div>
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<br /><div>Karyne</div>Karynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11265664252817615171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3720844476257687518.post-27478240989496261222009-11-02T11:09:00.000-08:002009-12-04T19:38:19.190-08:00The Ravens Eye Is On : Sunny Frazier<span style="color:#cc0000;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><strong><em>I've known this woman for several years now and she's never failed to impress me. First and foremost, she is one hell of a talented writer. Secondly, she is a smart and saavy career woman who has taught more than a few fledging writers not only the intricacies of writing a great story, but the more hazardous and pitfall laden path to the business of being a published author. Her Christy Bristol series, with astrology as a enticing hook, is a great read and one I highly recommend. Christy is an underdog heroine, the kind we love to root for and who resonates as a true modern woman, with no fancy bells and whistles but rather a honest perspective and one extrordinary skill at reading the planets.</em></strong></span></span><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em></strong><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong><em>Was there ever a moment when you reconsidered being a writer?</em><br /></strong>No, it never crossed my mind. However, I remember when I decided to give up journalism and devote my talents to fiction. It was after I dealt with discrimination as the only woman on a small newspaper and they paid me much less than the male summer intern. The publisher told me I didn't need equal pay because I should have a husband to take care of me. This was 1979. I sued.<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em><strong>Is there anyone, author or otherwise, in particular you draw inspiration from? If so, how has that influenced your writing?<br /></strong></em>I've always considered J.A. (Judy) Jance a mentor; she is accessible to her fans and very honest in her writing. However, Chuck Palahniuk is the author I wish I were brave enough to imitate.<br /><br /><em><strong>What’s the first thing you do once you get a great idea?</strong></em><br />I mull. I let my mind play with the idea, add to it, see the characters. I also look to the outside world for more ingredients for the stew. I can simmer an idea for years before I sit down and write. But, at that point, the writing is simply an aftermath.<br /><br /><em><strong>What comes first for you, the plot or the character</strong>?</em><br />Character. My stories are all character-driven. I have no idea how the plot will unreel until I know who is involved.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em><strong>I know you have a unique and innovative approach to getting published, tell me more about it.</strong></em></span></span></span><span style="color:#cc0000;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#cc0000;">While I was writing my first novel, FOOLS RUSH IN, I also wrote short stories for contests. My teacher and other writers warned me against this, they were afraid I would get off-track or give up the book. Oddly enough, it was the short stories that put me on the map and got my name out there. I published many of my prize-winning stories in VALLEY FEVER and went on to contribute to three other anthologies. I now teach guerrilla tactics on how to win short story contests.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><em><strong>What is the most difficult part of writing for you?</strong><br /></em>Right now it's putting down other books to attend to my own. I'm submerged in historical fiction and don't have my head in mystery at the moment.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><em><strong>While getting a book onto store shelves is a huge challenge, the work doesn’t end there. How do you go about publicizing your work and keep expanding your fan base even at this stage in your career?</strong><br /></em>I found out early on that marketing was my second love. And not just marketing myself, but other writers. I do this through The Murder Circle, my cyber gossip column of who's publishing in mystery circles. Locally, I maintain contact with all the Central California authors and set up book events for them at the library and other venues. I blog, do interviews and stay active on approx. 35 Internet sites. I also sweetened my own sales by telling people I would do their horoscope for 6 months if they would order my books directly from me. In my mind, by promoting writing in general people will gravitate to your works and words. So far, it's working.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><em><strong>If your characters could describe you what would they say?</strong><br /></em>Christy would definitely bad-mouth me. She thinks I push her buttons and I'm only here to make her life miserable. Rod would probably agree and tell me to back off. Lennie and I would go drinking together and compare guy-notes. She'd keep me up past my bedtime.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><em><strong>Do you work with a schedule to get to your deadlines or do you have a more freeform style towards your writing?</strong><br /></em>Schedules don't work after you publish. There's so many expectations and opportunities, I stay fluid. Plus, I got into writing to make my own hours, so I don't like working for someone elses deadlines. My publisher understands this.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><em><strong>What is the single best piece of advice you could give to someone striving to become a published author? What is the greatest pitfall for a new author?</strong><br /></em>It's a balancing act of following your artistic vision and realizing you have to sell it to the public. Don't sell your soul to commercialism or the latest trend, but always know who your audience is and respect them. Don't buy into your own success. Keep people around you who are supportive but not afraid to tell you when you're full of shit. You can't write on a pedestal.<br /><br /><em><strong>Who do you read when you have the time to?</strong></em><br />Any book that Daniel Silva produces. Right now I'm entranced with Margaret George and Philippa Gregory.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><em><strong>What sort of process do you use to create? Is there anything special you do to get in the mood to write?</strong><br /></em>Competition fires me up. If I think another author in my circle is eclipsing me, I feel I have to prove I'm still in the game. That's probably a personality flaw.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><em><strong>What are you working on now and when can fan’s hope to get their hands on it?<br /></strong></em>The third astrology mystery, A SNITCH IN TIME, should be out next spring. I'm also experimenting with THE CHRISTY CHRONICLES where my character discusses how she feels about the people she does charts on, then the person continues the story with what happened in their life as predicted by the stars. With the new Dan Brown book out, I think there may be a raised interest in astrology.<br />I'm also putting finishing touches on a children's book I wrote 30 years ago. THE KING'S TABLE is "Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Food Channel." Children should know the history of where the food they take for granted comes from.<br /><br /><em><strong>Anything else you'd like to share?</strong></em></span></span></span><span style="color:#cc0000;"><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">I just returned from a Mexian Cruise. It was a cruise saluting Veterans, very patriotic(I am a Vietnam Era Vet). I was on a panel of authors talking to the vets about writing their memoirs. We got together later with the travel agent who pulled together the trip and pitched the idea of a Mystery Cruise: Murder on the High Seas: A Cruise To Die For.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Details: Nov.14-21, leaving from Los Angeles. Three days at sea for the panels and such. Ports-of-call Puerto Vallart, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas. No extra charge for the conference, just pay for the cabin. Really encouraging fans, small presses and and their authors to attend. I'm also trying to negotiate with the ship so we can sell our books. Bev has wrangled 20 cabins. She'd like to see $100 deposit to hold the cabin as soon as possible, with a second installment on the deposit of $150 by June 1st, and the remainder by Aug 25th. Go to </span><a href="mailto:Beverly@cruisingsmart.com"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Beverly@cruisingsmart.com</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">. She'll send your readers a flier.</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#330099;"></span>Karynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11265664252817615171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3720844476257687518.post-18555859175031711062009-10-17T17:31:00.000-07:002009-10-19T09:19:57.820-07:00The Ravens Eye is on Carolyn Hart<div><font face="trebuchet ms"><strong><font color="#000066"><em><font color="#ff6600" face="georgia">This Halloween I've got one treat you won't forget. An interview with a woman who has made an indeliable mark on the mystery world with her wit, style and panache. In the ranks of the most illustrious and esteemed authors of mystery, there are a few names that have the rare honor of having illuminated the path for the rest. One of those is Carolyn Hart. Not only does Carolyn possess a rare and wonderous talent at creating clever characters and ingenius mystery plots but she is a truly lovely and gracous woman. I am thrilled and grateful that she took the time to share with The Raven Croaks. Make sure you run out and get the second book in her Ghost at Work series, Merry Merry Ghost, its one book that will linger with you as long as the afterlife.</font></em></font></strong></font><br /><br /><br /><br /><font face="trebuchet ms"><strong><font color="#000066"><em><font color="#ff6600" face="georgia">When did you begin the process of writing your first adult fiction book?</font></em><br /><font color="#000000">Carolyn: I wrote several books for children and young adults, then turned to adult fiction in the early 1970s. My first adult novel was FLEE FROM THE PAST, a suspense novel.</font> </font></strong></font><br /><br /><font face="trebuchet ms"><strong><font color="#000066"><font color="#ff6600" face="georgia"><em>How long did it take you?</em></font><br /><font color="#000000">Carolyn: As I recall I spent about a year writing it. At that time, my children were young and I didn’t work in the summers when they were out of school. </font></font></strong></font><br /><br /><font face="trebuchet ms"><strong><font color="#000066"><font color="#ff6600" face="georgia"><em>What did you find the most challenging?</em></font><br /></font><font color="#000000">Carolyn: The challenge of writing fiction is to be able to have the confidence to trust in the process. Books are built sentence by sentence, character by character. I am not able to plot in advance except in the most general terms so I have to believe that if I keep on writing, I will find the book. </font></strong></font><br /><br /><strong><font color="#000066"><font face="trebuchet ms"><em><font color="#ff6600" face="georgia">Is there anyone, author or otherwise, in particular you draw inspiration from?</font></em><br /><font color="#000000">Agatha Christie, Mary Roberts Rinehart, and Phoebe Atwood Taylor. Christie is the premier genius of plotting and characterization. Rinehart always wrote with great charm. Taylor’s humor celebrated the absurd.<br /></font></font><font face="georgia"><em></em></font></font></strong><br /><font color="#ff6600" face="georgia"><em><strong>If so, how has that influenced your writing?</strong></em></font><br /><font color="#000000" face="trebuchet ms"><strong>Carolyn: I write a fair play mystery, a la Christie. I love to celebrate being an American and writing about Americans, a la Rinehart. I hope that I offer humor, a la Taylor. </strong></font><br /><font face="trebuchet ms"><strong><font color="#000066"><em><font color="#ff6600" face="georgia">Where do you get your ideas from?</font></em><br /><font color="#000000">Carolyn: From the news, from observing people, from an interest in human relationships.</font> </font></strong></font><br /><font face="trebuchet ms"><strong><font color="#000066"><em><font face="georgia"><font color="#ff6600">I found this quote in your biography and I liked it so much I wanted to share it. ""Readers read mysteries and writers write mysteries because we live in an unjust world where evil often triumphs. In the traditional mystery, goodness will be admired and justice will prevail"". Is this still your most fervent belief? </font><br /></font></em><font color="#000000">Carolyn: Emphatically yes.</font><br /></font></strong></font><font face="trebuchet ms"><strong><font color="#000066"><em><font color="#ff6600" face="georgia">What do you think of writers who want to delve into the darker more sordid aspects of mystery without an emphasis on good triumphing over evil?<br /></font></em></font><font color="#000000">Carolyn: All authors follow their heart and write what matters to them. </font></strong></font><br /><font face="trebuchet ms"><strong><font color="#000066"><em><font face="georgia"><font color="#ff6600">It is becoming more difficult for authors today to become published. Your career started in a different era of publishing. What was the process when you got started?</font><br /></font></em><font color="#000000">Carolyn: Publishing was indeed different. There were about 47 publishing houses in NY when I began. Now there are about 5. My first book, a juvenile mystery, was published because I won a writing contest. I attended writing conferences and found my first agent. That is how the later books sold.<br /></font><font face="georgia"><em></em></font></font></strong></font><br /><font face="trebuchet ms"><strong><font color="#000066"><font face="georgia"><em><font color="#ff6600">What do you think caused the implosion in the publishing world?</font><br /></em></font><font color="#000000">Carolyn: Publishing houses are now huge conglomerates and are expected to sell an ever increasing number of books. The concentration on best sellers has severely limited the number of mid-list books purchased and mysteries are usually mid-list.</font><br /><em><font face="georgia"></font></em></font></strong></font><br /><font face="trebuchet ms"><strong><font color="#000066"><font color="#ff6600"><em><font face="georgia">Should new writers really start re-thinking their previous concept of how to get published?</font></em><br /></font></font><font color="#000000">Carolyn: I still recommend becoming a part of the writing world via workshops, Sisters in Crime, and conferences. Self-publishing usually is a dead end for authors. Be patient and seek an agent.</font></strong></font><br /><font face="trebuchet ms"><strong><font color="#000066"><em><font face="georgia"><font color="#ff6600">So many mystery writers have been inspired by Nancy Drew, what was it about her that appealed to you the most?</font><br /></font></em></font><font color="#000000">Nancy is brave, kind, independent and devoted to justice.<br /></font></strong></font><br /><font face="trebuchet ms"><em><font color="#ff6600" face="georgia"><strong>While getting a book onto store shelves is a huge challenge, the work doesn’t end there. How do you go about publicizing your work and keep expanding your fan base even at this stage in your career?</strong></font></em></font><br /><font color="#000000" face="trebuchet ms"><strong>Carolyn: I think the most effective outreach is a web site and attending conferences.</strong></font><br /><font face="trebuchet ms"><strong><font color="#000066"><em><font color="#ff6600" face="georgia">Up until the ""Ghost at Work"" and the soon to be released, ""Merry Merry Ghost"", your books were primarily ""living"" mysteries, what made you decide to branch out into the world of undead mystery?<br /></font></em><font color="#000000">Carolyn: I always loved the Topper books and films. I enjoy funny ghost stories. The Bailey Ruth Raeburn books are intended to be fun as well as provide a good mystery. They are whimsy.<br /><em><font face="georgia"></font></em></font></font></strong></font><br /><font face="trebuchet ms"><em><font color="#ff6600" face="georgia"><strong>Do you believe in ghosts?</strong></font></em></font><br /><font face="trebuchet ms"><strong><font color="#000066"><font color="#000000">Carolyn: I believe in whimsy and imagination.</font><br /><em><font face="georgia"></font></em></font></strong></font><br /><font face="trebuchet ms"><em><font color="#ff6600" face="georgia"><strong>I’d like to say you’ve seen your share of the mystery world evolve throughout the years, what changes do you see ahead? In both publishing and writing?</strong></font></em></font><br /><font face="trebuchet ms"><strong><font color="#000066"><font color="#000000">Carolyn: My crystal ball is murky. E-books will continue to increase their share of the market but I believe paper books will always be available. Possibly POD may become more the norm.<br /><em><font face="georgia"></font></em></font></font></strong></font><br /><font face="trebuchet ms"><strong><font color="#000066"><em><font color="#ff6600" face="georgia">Do you work with a schedule to get to your deadlines or do you have a more freeform style towards your writing?</font></em><br /><font color="#000000">Carolyn: I work to meet deadlines. I try to write five pages a day. Some days are good; some days are not.<br /><em><font face="georgia"></font></em></font></font></strong></font><br /><font face="trebuchet ms"><strong><font color="#000066"><em><font color="#ff6600" face="georgia">What is the single best piece of advice you could give to someone, such as myself, striving to become a published author?<br /></font></em><font color="#000000">Care passionately about what you write. If you care, somewhere an editor will care.<br /><em><font face="georgia"></font></em></font></font></strong></font><br /><font face="trebuchet ms"><font color="#000066"><strong><em><font color="#ff6600" face="georgia">Who do you read when you the time to?<br /></font></em><font color="#000000">Carolyn: I often read books to provide cover quotes. Two of my favorites coming out this fall are ALL THE WRONG MOVES by Merline Lovelace, Berkley, and THE WITCH DOCTOR’S WIFE by Tamar Myers, HarperColins.<br />When I am writing, which is most of the time as I am expected to write two books a year, i enjoy old favorites by Christie, Rinehart, Taylor, and Patricia Wentworth</font></strong></font><font color="#000000">. </font></font><br /><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font><br /><font face="Trebuchet MS">Thank you Carolyn. This interview has truly been a pleasure. I hope everyone gets out there and makes merry with Merry Merry Ghost this holiday season.</font></div>Karynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11265664252817615171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3720844476257687518.post-29736572135816475832009-09-24T07:45:00.001-07:002009-09-29T15:38:13.916-07:00The Raven's Eye is On: Yvonne Mason<div><strong><font color="#000066"><em><font face="trebuchet ms">When did you begin the process of writing your first book? How long did it take you? What did you find the most challenging?<br /></font></em>Yvonne:I began writing my first book in the early 1970'swhen my children were small. I did it because I wanted to leave something behind for my children to remember about my brother who is challenged. It took over thirty years to complete it. The most challenging was finding a publisher who would publish it for me. I have so many rejection letters if started to become a joke at my house. Q: Is there anyone, author or otherwise, in particular you draw inspiration from? If so, how has that influenced your writing?The person who has inpsired me is my brother Stan who is challenged - He never quits no matter how many people tell him that he can't do something. He believes therefore he achieves. To him Failure is Never an option<br /><br /><em><font face="trebuchet ms">What comes first for you, the plot or the character?</font></em> </font></strong></div>
<br /><div><strong><font color="#000066">Yvonne:Sometimes they both arrive at the same time. If depends on what I am writing. If it is true crime it is the people, if it is fiction it just depends on where the character wants to go. </font></strong></div>
<br /><div><br /><strong><font color="#000066"><em><font face="trebuchet ms">It is becoming more difficult for authors today to become published. Tell me more about what paths you took to success?</font><br /></em>Yvonne:Yes, it is more diffucult to get published that is if you believe it so. My path has not been one of ease. I spent many years being rejected by traditional publishers simply because they didn't have time for me.<br />I decided that I would take control of my destiny and found a way. My first book was finally published in 2007 and I haven't looked back. Yes, I was burned by a Publisher, but that taught me a very valuable lesson. That being that I need to always be in the drivers seat.<br />Because of the internet getting published is so much easier than it was years ago. I have on book with Kerlak Publishing out of Tennesse and the rest are with Lulu which is a Publish on Demand and I am in control. I load all of my books up to lulu and they are instantly ready to be put in book form. I am all over the internet because I don't have my books in stores I use the net as my store. I have an online bookstore which I sell my books from. They arrive to the buyer signed by me. I am on Amazon both with books and on Kindle. I sell e-books on Lulu as well as my paperback books. I have a cover designer by the name of Debi DeSantis which has really enhanced my sells.<br />I network with other authors, post blogs, have numerous blog sites and am on facebook and myspace. If any one googles Yvonne Mason they will see I am all over the place. I get my books reviewed by other authors and those are posted all over the net.<br />I use a press release site by the name of </font></strong><a href="http://prlog.org/" target="_blank"><strong><font color="#000066">prlog.org</font></strong></a><strong><font color="#000066"> I post press releases all the time and they go all over the net.<br />I buy my business cards, banners, postcards and other advertising material from Vista print which is online and I carry my business cards and post cards with my book covers on them every where I go. I hand them out all the time.<br />I always carry a book with me. I am on many blog talk radio shows and do interviews anytime I am asked. I am a member of the Florida Writers Association and do public speaking.<br /><br />There has to be a discipline in marketing just like there is in writing. It is something one must do every day to be successful as an indie author.<br /><br /><br /></font></strong><strong><font color="#000066"><em><font face="trebuchet ms">What is the most difficult part of writing for you?<br /></font></em>Yvonne:When I can't write. I never run out of things to write about and sometimes all my characters try to talk to me at once. They all want to be heard. I now have two books I am working on and some days it gets very interesting . One is fiction and the other is another true crime </font></strong></div>
<br /><div><br /><strong><font color="#000066"><em><font face="trebuchet ms">While getting a book onto store shelves is a huge challenge, the work doesn’t end there. How do you go about publicizing your work and keep expanding your fan base even at this stage in your career?<br /></font></em>Yvonne:I never stop marketing and networking. I do it every day. I do it every place I go and talk to every one I see.<br /><br /></font></strong><strong><font color="#000066"><em><font face="trebuchet ms">If your characters could describe you what would they say?<br /></font></em>Yvonne:They would say that I am passionate, dedicated, loyal and that they are always telling me what to do.<br /><br /></font></strong><strong><font color="#000066"><em><font face="trebuchet ms">Do you work with a schedule to get to your deadlines or do you have a more freeform style towards your writing?<br /></font></em>Yvonne:I have a semi schedule. Some days I do nothing but marketing and somedays I do nothing but make my books come to life, even if it is just research.<br /><br /></font></strong><strong><font color="#000066"><em><font face="trebuchet ms">What is the single best piece of advice you could give to someone striving to become a published author?</font><br /></em>Yvonne:The best piece of advice is this, Failure is Never an Option. There are always success no matter where one is in their dream. To have tried is to have succeeded. To have never tried is to have failed.<br />Another piece of advice is this. If you are really serious about being published understand that you will not and I repeat will not become a millionaire. An author must write for the sheer joy of seeing their work in print. That is the easy part. Forget the money. What comes will come. Just write because you love it. </font></strong></div>Karynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11265664252817615171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3720844476257687518.post-28781916001202619282009-09-14T08:49:00.000-07:002009-09-14T18:32:35.632-07:00The Ravens Eye is On : Deborah Grabien<strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">Deborah Grabien shows some righteous chops when she writes the JP Kinkaid mysterys as well as the otherwordly Haunted Ballad series. A true artist, Deborah weaves the story intricately with songs lyrics to create a harmonious mystery that will delight the senses. In the JP Kinkaid series, she </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;">shows you the other side of a musicians life, the ups and downs, the sorrow and the joy, not to mention the murders and mystery.</span></strong><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#003333;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>It took you a while to feel comfortable writing about your life during the peak of the Haight-Asbury days, what eventually made you decide to do it? What did you find the most challenging?</strong></span><br /></span></em>Deborah-My Haight-Ashbury days were actually spent on the other coast! But I got fascinated by, and then acquainted with, the San Francisco bands at places like Fillmore East , Queens College, Ungano's, and the folk clubs in the Village. My sister, who's nearly nine years old than I am, was already writing about music for all the publications out there at the time: Crawdaddy, Changes, even Rolling Stone. She took me damned near everywhere with her, so I was running around backstage at 14. I decided I was moving to SF after Woodstock and Altamont, and my sister had already moved out here to Marin County, so that was a nice easy move. My parents were fine with it.<br />I walked away from the local scene, and everyone in it, for nearly thirty years, after a bad personal breakup. An old friend who is now a literary agent kept leaning on me to write about those days. She was there, and she knew it was eating away at me, that I needed to reclaim some of that lost history. Besides, the whole "midlife crisis" thing has a way of asserting itself. When I finally cracked and decided to do it, I wrote the first six thousand words in about two hours, and never looked back. That was the first JP Kinkaid Chronicle mystery, Rock and Roll Never Forgets. I finished it in 29 days, took two days off, and began While My Guitar Gently Weeps. That one got finished in 31 days; it comes out on 15 September 2009. I didn't so much write this series as bleed it. I'm now in the middle of book 7, Dead Flowers.<br /><br />Most challenging? Two things: First, keeping the integrity of John Kinkaid's narrative voice. His voice began as the voice of the man whose memory I was trying to recapture, so it was vitally important to me, both as the writer and as the woman, to get his voice right. The second thing was the fact that his younger life partner/caregiver, Bree Godwin, is very much what I think I might have evolved into had things gone differently. Writing her, I kept thinking things like "Wow, what a pain in the ass she is!" Ouch. But you have to be true to the story.<br /><br /><em><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="color:#003333;">Is there anyone, author or musician, in particular you draw inspiration from? If so, how has that influenced your writing?</span></strong><br /></span></em>Deborah-Inspiration? Probably not in the way the writers I know would define that word. There are a couple of writers I adore - Peter S. Beagle comes to mind, as does Ngaio Marsh - but my inspiration, such as it is, comes from a different place. It's an interior thing.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#003333;"><em><span style="font-family:verdana;">What book was the most difficult for you to write?</span></em><br /></span></strong>Deborah-One that hasn't been published yet: the fifth Kinkaid, Book of Days. I can't say why without dropping a huge honking plot spoiler for the first two Kinkaids - everything in this series loops around and is interconnected - but reality and fiction came together in a heartbreaking confluence at the end of that book. It just nailed me.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#003333;"><em><span style="font-family:verdana;">What sort of process do you use to create? Is there anything special you do to get in the mood to write?</span></em><br /></span></strong>Deborah-Nothing. I sit down, and either the story is there or it isn't. If it is, it pours out, I write it, I send it out to my wip-readers (that's Work In Progress), I wait for their feedback, I weigh it, I do whatever I agree needs doing. If the story isn't there just then, I walk away from the computer and go do something else. I can't speak for anyone else, but for me, I never force myself to write and I've never had to.<br /><br /><em><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#003333;"><strong>It is becoming more difficult to become published. Tell us about the process it took for you to get your first book on bookstore shelves.</strong></span><br /></em>Deborah-Oh, lord, it's a different era entirely. I did the nice traditional thing, back in 1987 or thereabouts: I wrote a book, I submitted it to an agency, they took me on and sold my next four books (that first one never did get bought, but all the next ones did). These days, it's so much harder, I can't even imagine it. While getting a book onto store shelves is a huge challenge, the work doesn’t end there.<br /><br /><em><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#003333;"><strong>How do you go about publicizing your work and developing a fan base?</strong><br /></span></span></em>Deborah-I'm fairly tireless about promotion, and that's saying something, because, like JP Kinkaid, I have multiple sclerosis and there are days when putting shoes on is like one of the labours of Hercules. But I have three publicists (a personal publicist and my publicists at both St. Martin's Minotaur and Egmont USA), plus a longstanding list that grows constantly. I've cultivated relationships with particular local bookstores and with several of the local media outlets. I'm especially invested in libraries.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="color:#003333;"><em>What is the single best piece of advice you could give to a writer just starting out?</em><br /></span></strong></span>Deborah-Depends. To a writer just sitting down to write their first work, I would say, A writer writes. If you're really a writer, sit down and do it. No excuses, no stopping to read someone else's advice on writing, no fancy classes, none of that. A writer writes. To someone who's finished their work and is trying to sell it, I'd say, make sure you get a selection of fresh eyes on it, and be prepared to weigh all the advice. Learn the differences between dissonance (if ten readers all say different things, you've done your job) and consonance (if five of those ten have the same problem with chapter three, you'd better go look at chapter three). And if you have any shiny dreams about selling next week for a zillion dollars, lose them. It doesn't work that way and that isn't why you should be writing anyway.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#003333;"><em><span style="font-family:verdana;">If your life could be summed up in a song, which one would you choose?</span></em><br /></span></strong>Deborah-Hoo boy, that's a toughie. It changes from day to day, but today, I'd probably say the Rolling Stones "Can You Hear The Music". Tomorrow? Something else.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><em><strong><span style="color:#003333;">Tell us one quirky things that fans might not know about you?</span></strong></em><br /></span>Deborah-I own a crossbow. Know how to use it, too.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#003333;"><em><span style="font-family:verdana;">What book are you working on now and when can fans expect to get their hands on it?</span> </em><br /></span></strong>Deborah-Two books, as a matter of fact: The seventh Kinkaid, Dead Flowers. And the follow-up to my first YA novel, Dark's Tale, which comes out March 2010, on Egmont USA. As to when? They haven't even been seen by the publishers yet - I write really, really fast!<br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>My sincere thanks to Deborah for spending some time with me. You can purchase any of her fabulous books from the first JP Kinkaid, Rock and Roll Never Forgets, to the upcoming second in the series, out this week, <em>While My Guitar Gently Weeps</em>. Make sure to add the Haunted Ballad set as well, starting <em>withThe Weaver & the Factory Maid, The Famous Flower of Serving Men, Matty Groves, Cruel Sister,</em> and <em>New Slain Knight.</em> Check out her website,<a href="http://www.deborahgrabien.com/">http://www.deborahgrabien.com/</a> to find out where to buy them all.</strong></span>Karynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11265664252817615171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3720844476257687518.post-85647723897404292962009-09-07T07:20:00.000-07:002009-09-07T09:26:18.994-07:00The Raven's Eye is on: Kate George<em><strong>Kate got her start writing because someone double dog dared her to stop talking and start writing, and aren't we glad she did! Her debut is one great ride of mystery, romance, and murder. Nothing like a corpse to kill a girls good time!</strong></em><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>Read on to find out more about Kate and how she managed to work some murder into the moonlight.</em></strong><br /><em><strong></strong></em><br /><em><strong>You started writing on a dare, but did always have the bug to write? How long did it take you to finish your first book? What did you find the most challenging?<br /></strong></em>Kate-Yes, I wrote Moonlighting in Vermont on a dare, (more the fool me!) but it wasn't my first novel. I wrote my first novel when I was in my twenties, and it was pretty awful! I don't think I could make it readable if I tried. Before that I had some poetry published. Moonlighting is my first novel since that first novel, but I've also had essays published.<br /><br />I had a passing fancy as a child that I'd like to be an author and see my name on the books in the library!<br /><br />That first novel shook that fancy out of me. Writing can be hard work!<br /><br />I have to say that having some life experience has made writing so much easier for me. I "get" a lot more about people than I used to. Dialogue, motivation, interesting situations are all easier to write when you've been around the block a time or two. At least for me! I was not a prodigy by any stretch of the imagination. I had to really live some life before I began to be able to write about it. The most challenging part was balancing family with writing. I have four children aged 9-15. I was fortunate enough not to have to work for the first part of the book or I may not have made it. It took me about a year to finish Moonlighting and then another year to get it published. During that time there were innumerable rewrites!<br /><br /><strong><em>What is the most difficult part of writing for you?</em><br /></strong>Kate-There is always something more interesting, pressing or important to do! It's easy to get caught up in the dishes, the email, the laundry, the research and forget to get to the writing. I set aside writing time but I'm not particularly disciplined.<br /><br /><em><strong>Is there anyone, author or otherwise, in particular you draw inspiration from? If so, how has that influenced your writing?</strong></em><br />Kate-Janet Evanovich and Jennifer Crusie are my biggest influences. They both use humor to lighten the mood of their writing. Like most people, I've had a few challenges in my life and I love to be able to read novels that make me laugh when the world around me is falling apart! These two women have always been able to cheer me up. When I started writing Moonlighting I wanted to give other people that same feeling. Kind of like paying it forward, or paying it back if you rather. I felt I could write best what I most like to read, and so that's how I began. It's hard sometimes to keep that light tone. It's difficult to stay light and upbeat when things are falling apart in your own life. But I do my best!<br /><br /><em><strong>Which came first, your character, or the plot?<br /></strong></em>Kate-Ack! How to answer? I've been nursing the plot for a long time. I worked at a hotel that catered to the rich and famous and we weren't supposed to be seen by the clients. There were secret closets and underground tunnels, all kinds of tricks to keep us invisible. So I guess the idea had been percolating in the back of my mind for a while.<br /><br />But without my character that plot would have never come to be. At the time of the "dare" I'd been reading a lot of Evanovich and Crusie and I loved their female protagonists. One of my friends said I was a lot like Agnes in Agnes and the Hit Man by Crusie and Mayer. No worries though, I only use my frying pan for cooking! I wanted to write about a woman who was like me - but more. Funnier, braver, but also more prone to things going wrong. Bree is like me in some ways but at the same time she's completely her own person.<br /><br />I guess the real answer to that question is the plot came first, but it didn't become real until Bree stepped into the story.<br /><br /><em><strong>What sort of process do you use to create? Is there anything special you do to get in the mood to write?<br /></strong></em>Kate-I write best when it's quiet. So I like to get up early or write late when no one's around. But that's not always possible. When I need to tune out the world I put on my ipod and listen to music. I try to make a play list for each novel, that way whenever I hear my music for each book I'm immediately back in the story. Back in the mood.<br /><br />If I'm writing where it's noisy I leave the music on and tune it out. I need to be able to hear the words in my head, and it's funny in a weird kind of way, but sometimes when I'm listening to something those words end up on the page instead of my story! If I'm in a quiet place I either turn the music off after a couple of songs, or just don't turn it on to begin with.<br /><br />I'm trying to teach myself to be able to write anywhere at anytime. I write in airports, on buses, with pen and paper if I don't have my laptop with me. Waiting rooms, you name it. With four kids I figure I'll never get books finished unless I write at every possible moment.<br /><br /><em><strong>It is becoming more difficult to become published. Tell us about the process it took for you to get your first book on bookstore shelves.<br /></strong></em>Kate-Never give up. I queried many, many agents and many, many publishers. It only takes one yes and eventually a small publisher took a chance on me. Mainly Murder Press, LLC is small and relatively new so maybe it was taking a chance on each other. It's a decision I don't regret in the least. I read somewhere "When the bus stops, get on." In my mind that means when your chance comes, take it. I'm glad I did.<br /><br />The sequence of events was interesting for me. I entered the Daphne writing contest for excellence in mystery before I submitted Moonlighting to Mainly Murder Press. Actually, I entered and then totally forgot about it. I submitted to MMP and was offered a contract within a month! Unheard of. (well, maybe not unheard of, but rare.) Then I found out I was a finalist in the mainstream division on the Daphne. Oh joy! Oh my! I'd just signed a contract and I didn't know if I'd already violated one of the clauses! Yikes.<br /><br />Luckily, MMP was as thrilled as I that Moonlighting was a finalist and eventually won the mainstream division. So it was two fortuitous events in a row! But I tell you, I was worried. A contract is very formal and legally binding and it would be just like me to have inadvertently messed it up before I even really got started!<br /><br /><em><strong>Tell us one quirky thing that fan’s might not know about you?</strong><br /></em>Kate-Besides having four kids I have three obnoxious dogs. One of my dogs made it into a story I'm writing now, and a woman who was kind enough to critique my work told me it wasn't believable that anyone would continue to put up with the dog's exploits. She basically said that readers wouldn't be able to relate to a protagonist that was stupid enough to let a dog run her life. I couldn't bring myself to tell her that it was all true. That dog was modeled after my shepherd/retriever cross, Moose and I put with a great deal more than I should from him. Just ask my husband! I can't help it. Moose is the most lovable chowder-head you'll ever meet. He may the stupidest dog I've ever owned, but he's also one of the most adorable.<br /><br />The only other quirky thing I can think of is that I used to be a motorcycle safety instructor. Yes, I taught people how to ride motorcycles for a living when I was young. Now I'm doing everything I can to keep my kids off them!<br /><br /><em><strong>While getting a book onto store shelves is a huge challenge, the work doesn’t end there. How do you go about publicizing your work and developing a fan base?<br /></strong></em>Kate-I'm still learning how to publicize and develop a fan base. I try and keep a presence on the web - update my website, blog, facebook. I also judge contests and stay as active as I can in my online writers groups. If a book store or library gives me the opportunity for a signing or reading I jump on it. Fellow writers are also a good source of information about getting the word out. I read a lot about publicity, what works - what doesn't.<br /><br /><em><strong>What is the single best piece of advice you could give to a writer just starting out?</strong><br /></em>Kate-Just write. There's no way to become a better writer except by writing. Set a daily goal and strive to meet it. Write before you do anything else. Email, critiques, writers groups, research - all are good things, except when they are getting in the way of actually writing. Can you tell I have experience with this? There's nothing worse than getting to the end of the day, totally exhausted by life with no energy to write and realizing you didn't even try to reach your daily goal. So I'll say it again. Write.<br /><br /><em><strong>If your characters could describe you, what would they say</strong>?</em><br />Kate-That crazy woman keeps ruining my day? No? Let's see, Bree would say I'm a combination of her best friend Meg, Bree's mother - Samantha MacGowan - and a little bit of Bree herself. Meg and I would be best friends.<br /><br /><em><strong>When can fan’s expect their next dose of Kate George?<br /></strong></em>Kate-If all goes well there will be a new novel on the shelf next summer. I have two in the works: California Schemin' is another Bree MacGowan adventure. Tank and Maggie Meet the Mob is about a new protagonist - Maggie Merlot - a FBI dropout who finds herself in the kind of situation she left the FBI to avoid. And in case our readers don't know it, those are working titles - Meaning that if I'm are lucky enough to get them into print, the publisher may decide to change the title. My name, however, will stay the same!<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><em>Thanks to Kate for spending this time with me. I’m sure there are plenty of readers who can’t wait to go Moonlighting in Vermont. Order it now from Mainly Murder Press (.com) at a 20% discount. OR from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and can be ordered from any bookstore in the country</em>.</strong>Karynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11265664252817615171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3720844476257687518.post-44577598617233229972009-09-02T09:15:00.000-07:002009-09-02T14:49:58.318-07:00JAFFARIAN’S BUSTING OUT, GEORGE GRABS THE DAPHNE, FOX FEARS NO DANGERSSue Ann Jaffarian’s larger than size twelve heroine, Odelia Grey is back in her fourth adventure, “Booby Trap”, after a lipsmacking time in “Thugs and Kisses”. This time Odelia has to help a friend in distress whose son may or may not be a serial killer. When her friend gets chatty online with a stranger who suspiciously resembles the notorious Blond Bomber, Odelia jumps in to help. Sinful sex talk, tastelessly tainted torsos, and tough guys with ties to the murders along with lively humor make this an mystery with a plus size appeal.<br />Make sure to visit Sue Ann Jaffarian’s website for a list of all her great book, <a href="http://www.sueannjaffarian.com/">http://www.sueannjaffarian.com/</a><br /><br /><br />Where there’s moonlight, there must be murder. Kate George’s <em>Moonlighting in Vermont</em>, a Daphne aware winner, has no shortage of mayhem and mystery. Bella Bree McGowan, typesetter for the local paper, finds that life in the boonies can be dangerous to your health, as well as your freedom. She’s got a sexy Lt. who wants to put her in jail, a town that thinks she’s capable of almost anything on the wrong side of the law, and dead bodies popping all over the place. Bree might have just lost her boyfriend, and slept with the wrong guy, but she’s about to find out that moonlight can be a pretty dark place to be.<br />Make sure to visit Kate George’s website for more information as well as more on this great read, <a href="http://www.kategeorge.com/">http://www.kategeorge.com/</a><br />COME BACK IN OCTOBER FOR A SPOTLIGHT ON KATE!<br /><br /><br />Angie Fox’s straight laced Pre-school teacher Lizzie Brown may have thought finding out she was demon slayer was life altering enough in <em>An Accidental Demon Slayer</em>. Especially when it comes with a gang of seventy-something biker witches, led by her Grandma, a love affair with a shape shifting griffin and late night conversations with her suddenly talkative terrier. In the second book of the series, <em>The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers</em> she’s off to Sin City where a salacious succubi has her eye on her devilishly handsome protector, Dimitri. This demon is about to find out just how tough a Pre-School teacher can get.<br />Make sure to visit Angie Fox’s website for a list of all her great books, <a href="http://angiefox.wordpress.com/">http://angiefox.wordpress.com/</a><br /><br />The ability to see what lies beneath the conscious surface of our world can be a blessing and a curse. Rebecca J Vickery’s psychic Jessica Wilder knows this all too well. In <em>Looking Through the Mist</em> Jessica has seen enough as consultant for the FBI to compel her into retirement. The life she is building is threatened when horrific visions of child abductions force their way in. Now she has to confront whatever malevolent force is at work in these crimes as well as the skepticism of a police detective who may doubt her vision, but not the growing attraction they both feel.<br />Get this great read as an E-book from ClassAct Book. Make sure to visit Rebecca’s website for a list of all her great books <a href="http://rebeccajvickery.blogspot.com/">http://rebeccajvickery.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />Miraculous cures, mysticism and murder fill the plot of <em>Bleeder</em>, John Desjarlais latest mystery thriller. After Professor Reed Stubblefield suffers the disabling consequences of a school shooting, he finds peace in rural Illinois writing a book on Aristotle. Suddenly, this reclusive haven is overcome with the afflicted seeking a cure for their ailments in the form of the new parish priest who claims the power of the stigmata. Reed, against his own reservations, is drawn into a friendship with the cleric, only to see him bleed to death on Good Friday in front of the entire parish. Was this the fatal price for the fleeting fame of being a stigmatic or something more sinister? A local reporter, Aristotle’s logic and Reed’s stubborn pursuit of the truth are all that stand between him and a devious killer.<br />Check out John’s other books at <a href="http://www.johndesjarlais.com/">http://www.johndesjarlais.com/</a>.<br />COME BACK IN OCTOBER FOR A SPOTLIGHT ON JOHN!<br /><br />If you think fixing up your old house is tough, try doing it around a dead body. Avery, the renovation maven from Jennie Bently’s first in the DIY mystery series, <em>Fatal Fixer-Upper</em> returns in the second of this series, <em>Spackled & Spooked</em>. This time, Avery and her hunky handyman in crime, Derek are trying renovating a house that was once home to a decades old murder. When some resident spirits make their dislike of the new wallpaper known Avery and Derek have to utilize more than their knowledge of paint and plaster to flip this house.<br />Check out more of Jennie’s books at <a href="http://www.jenniebentley.com/">http://www.jenniebentley.com/</a><br /><br /><br />Carole Shmurak brings back Shauna Thompson from <em>Deadmistress</em> for new mystery set in a privileged Connecticut town. In <em>Death at Hillard High</em>, Shauna has been hired as the first African-American teacher in the schools history. Change doesn’t come easy to this town and soon Shauna is being subjected to cleverly cruel pranks. She turns to her old teacher for help discovering who’s behind the malicious campaign. Before Susan can determine if its student or colleague, another teacher disappears then his wife turns up dead. Susan’s soon digging deep into town secrets as she tries to uncover the truth along with the missing man.<br />Find out more at <a href="http://www.mattytrescott.com/Carole.htm">http://www.mattytrescott.com/Carole.htm</a>Karynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11265664252817615171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3720844476257687518.post-88393543984610541462009-08-06T07:50:00.000-07:002009-08-06T16:37:25.627-07:00The Ravens Eye is On: Juliet Blackwell<div><em><font color="#003333"><strong><font face="georgia">Juliet is a woman who realizes that real life can imitate art and make you a successful writer along the way. Her real life interest in art was parlayed into a clever series on a art forger turned detecive that brought her high praise. Now she turns her pen to paint a picture of a witch trying to keep out of the public eye until dark deeds by demons compel her to ditch the cloak of privacy and cast her spells to save the day. Juliet's writing is smart and fun, with a serious dash of the supernatural thrown in. Living out in San Fransicisco bay area has given her a great perspective on those who live their lives in more unusual ways than the rest of the world. When I met Juliet, I knew right away she was one clever, bright and fun woman. I am very proud to have her on the spotlight</font>.</strong> </font></em></div>
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<br /><div><font color="#000000"><strong><em><font color="#003333">Q: Why do you write mysteries? What in specific draws you to them?<br /></font></em><font color="#330033">Juliet</font></strong>:When I first started writing, I think I was drawn to mysteries because I read so many of them, and also because there’s already a basic structure for a plot: a crime, an investigation, the discovery of the murderer. As a beginning writer, it was comforting to know where the story was going. But now I think I like mysteries because of the puzzles they present, both to readers and to writers. I love planting clues, and following the characters, and changing my mind about whodunit because one of my characters decides to go off on their own. It’s such fun!<br /><br />Finally, I love a happy ending. I guess in mysteries the “happy” part is somewhat mitigated by the fact that, after all, there was a murder, and loss of human life is huge. But I love that there is a resolution at the end of the story, as there so rarely is in real life. The murderer is discovered, justice is served, and things are put aright once again.<br /><br /></font><font color="#000000"><strong><em><font color="#003333">Q: When did you begin the process of writing your first book? What did you find the most challenging?<br /></font></em><font color="#330033">Juliet</font></strong>:My first book was Feint of Art, which I wrote under the pseudonym of Hailey Lind (a family name) together with my sister Carolyn. We both have backgrounds in academia: I was studying anthropology, and Carolyn teaches history and women’s studies at Old Dominion in Norfolk. But creative writing was brand new to us, and it started as a “sister project”, just for fun to see if we could actually do it! After writing scholarly articles, fiction seemed so fun and free…but of course it comes with its own set of challenges. There was a whoooole lot to learn, and the manuscript for Feint of Art went through many, many revisions. We had to learn about pacing, building suspense, creating memorable characters, even fundamentals like not starting dialog with a lot of “well” or “oh” or “Hm”s. We’re both big readers, so we sat down and analyzed the books we love the best, and tried to figure out why. Ultimately, the biggest challenge was to actually finish the book, and then to do the big re-write…it’s a heck of a lot of work!<br /><br /><strong><em><font color="#003333">Q: The Art Lovers mystery series, you wrote that your sister Carolyn, was it harder to work with a collaborator, especially a sibling, or easier?</font></em><br /><font color="#330033">Juliet</font></strong>:Both. How’s that for indecisive? My sister and I are very close, and I miss her constant input as I write, and the loooong phone conversations we had when we thrashed out plot points, etc. But I have to admit that writing by myself means no more tussles over certain aspects of the storyline (she can be SO unreasonable! Good thing I’m such a saint ;-).) It’s also a rather more streamlined process –when we’re writing together, we have to re-write A LOT to make sure the plotlines aren’t lost when one or the other of us makes a change. We’re currently writing the fourth in the Art Lover’s mystery series together, however, so I still get to have my sister fix.<br /><br /><font color="#003333"><em><strong>Q: Why the crossover to supernatural, in particular, witchcraft?</strong></em><br /></font><strong><font color="#330033">Juliet</font></strong>:My Aunt Mem used to come through California every year and visit with us. She was (and continues to be) a magical woman in many ways – she has a deep, generous laugh, a huge heart, and twinkling eyes. She was also able to read the future with regular playing cards and tea leaves. Her readings and insights were startling –she finally stopped practicing when she predicted the deaths of two friends – it was too traumatic for her. She told me that some things are best left in the hands of fate.<br /><br />I think that early influence opened my mind to a lot of things…afterward I lived in Santa Cruz, California, and Mexico, and Spain (where I met a lot of Romani “gypsies”) and then in Italy. In all those places there is more of an open acknowledgement of something beyond the world we see in our everyday lives.<br /><br />In short, the supernatural world has always fascinated me, so when my editor at Signet asked if I had “anything paranormal” tucked away in a drawer somewhere, I came up with the idea for Secondhand Spirits, whose protagonist, Lily, is a natural witch of enormous powers, trying to make her way in San Francisco.<br /><br /></font><font color="#000000"><em><font color="#003333"><strong>Q: How many books do you plan for the witchcraft mystery series? Do you think witchcraft could become the next “hot” genre, as vampire and werewolf ones have become?</strong><br /></font></em><font color="#330033"><strong>Juliet</strong></font>:I’ve already finished the second in the series, A Cast-Off Coven, and have the third one outlined, so I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon! Unfortunately, that decision is more up to the readers and the publisher than to me, but I would be happy writing several books in the series. Witchcraft is such a deep font of plot ideas and subject matter that I’m sure I won’t run out of things to say soon. Also, there are a number of fascinating characters that would be great for spin-offs…!<br /><br />Great question about the next “hot” genre. I think in many ways, witchcraft doesn’t have the same sexy draw of the vampire and werewolf stories because in those, the paranormal critters are generally the objects of desire. Their unknown quality is part of what makes them so sexy. When the witch is the protagonist, she’s more in control…so to me, it’s a slightly more mature look at the genre, with the female protagonist as a real “actor” in her own story, if that makes sense. I hope readers agree!<br /><br /></font><font color="#000000"><strong><em><font color="#003333">Q: Is there anyone, author or otherwise, in particular you draw inspiration from? If so, how has that influenced your writing?<br /></font></em><font color="#330033">Juliet</font></strong>:I mentioned my aunt Mem above. Another of my mother’s sisters is a writer and used to own a bookstore, as did another brother, and yet another sister was a librarian. And my mother, of course, who was a schoolteacher, an editor, and a lifelong reader (and a great, loving mom). She adored fiction, and always believed that to be a writer was a most noble activity, whether or not you ever published. I think from all of them I learned to love words, and love working with them. Though I want to publish and love building a fan base, I think it’s important not to forget to relish writing, and reading, every day.<br /><br />As for authors, I love: Barbara Michaels aka Elizabeth Peters, Linda Barnes, my friend Sophie Littlefield (whose first book comes out in August, yay!), Tim Maleeny, Sherman Alexie, Nick Hornby, Barbara Kingsolver, Amy Tan, Richard Russo, David Sedaris, Anne Lamott…Good heavens, the list goes on and on! I think every book I read teaches me something –hopefully for the good, but even for the bad. Nothing like a really poorly written book to illustrate how I don’t want to write!</font></div>Karynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11265664252817615171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3720844476257687518.post-3161115019871176922009-07-10T18:55:00.000-07:002009-07-16T16:51:18.619-07:00The Ravens Eye is on: Carolyn Haines<span style="color:#ff6666;"><strong><em><span style="color:#000000;">As a Yankee girl, born and raised, I had no idea just how sassy and spirited those southern belles could get. Carolyn Haines is a fabulous writer who can craft a great mystery in the sweetest southern style you've ever seen. Her sweet tea sipping, with a side shot of Jack Daniels, sassy and outrageous heroine, Sarah Booth Delaney, has more than just the ghosts of Dixie to contend with, she has real life criminals as well. <span style="color:#000000;">The adventures and romances that Sarah, Tinkie and Sweetie Pie(one hound of a dog) get into are some of the best reading you're ever going to come across. So set yourself down a spell</span> and get to know more about this wonderful writer.</span></em></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"><strong><em><span style="color:#000000;">When did you begin the process of writing your first book? How long did it take you? What did you find the most challenging?<br /></span></em><span style="color:#330033;">I started out writing short stories and was lucky enough to get an agent, who encouraged me to write a novel. My first novel was a Southern story about family and an act of euthanasia (never sold). I had always been an avid reader, but I didn't even know the terms point of view or immediate scene. I simply wrote. The book was structurally flawed, and the lack of plot didn't help matters (imagine that!). But I managed to tell a story, sort of, enough at least to sustain encouragement for the agent and some kind words from some magazine editors. So I set about trying to understand the elements of a novel. And I did it the hard way--by being rejected. It took seven years and numerous rejections before I was published.</span></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"><strong><em><span style="color:#000000;">Is there anyone, author or otherwise, in particular you draw inspiration from? If so, how has that influenced your writing?</span><br /></em><span style="color:#330033;">Carolyn-So many writers have influenced me at different times in my life. Flannery O'Connor, Eudora Welty, Doris Betts, when I fell in love with short fiction. Today, I am awed by the mastery of James Lee Burke. Pete Dexter. Dark writers who use the mystery form, at times, to dig deep. I'm deeply thrilled with Carlos Ruiz Zafon's second translation, The Angel's Game. He's able to write a mystery with elements of the supernatural and a coming of age story plus an examination of what it means to be a writer. Wow! This is a good old-fashioned story that's bubbling with energy. Elizabeth George's early Lynley books are phenomenal--she nails the psychology of a character in one paragraph. She taught me a lot about writing a series character. I also read a lot of debut authors. And I greatly enjoy Carolyn Hart, Charlaine Harris, and Tim Dorsey. They take me to a place, sometimes of insanity, where the living is easy (and with an edge of danger). I love a good ghost story when I can find one, but I put the emphasis on story, not ghastly effects. </span></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"><strong><em><span style="color:#000000;">What is it about mystery that draws you to write it?</span></em><br /><span style="color:#330033;">Carolyn-One thing I've learned about writing fiction is that it's my job to make order out of chaos. Books may reflect real life, but they have to organize the events so that they make sense and deliver emotional satisfaction (life does not do this, at least in my universe). Mysteries bring about that order, but they are also about justice. That's satisfying on some primal level. Writing a mystery also requires plotting, which is a big challenge to me. I'm character driven, so I work hard for plot and structure (as do most writers, I think). The only two things I've ever wanted in life have both been very hard for me--writing and riding horses. I really work at my writing, and I've had to work hard to become a fair rider. But the things that come easily to me I don't appreciate.</span></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"><strong><em><span style="color:#000000;">Who was the first mystery author you can remember reading?</span><br /></em><span style="color:#330033;">Carolyn-Carolyn Keene, of course. The Nancy Drew mysteries were the goal at the end of the month, when I'd saved up my allowance every week until I had enough to buy one. I loved the Hardy Boys, too (better toys, faster cars, etc.) I also read a lot of Alfred Hitchock magazines</span>. </strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"><strong><em><span style="color:#000000;">Did the idea for the paranormal mystery come to you from a real life encounter with the supernatural? Do you believe in ghosts?<br /></span></em><span style="color:#330033;">Carolyn-I do believe in ghosts. In fact, I had one in my truck for several months. I bought the truck at an auction, and I'd had it several years before I went outside one night hunting for one of my cats and discovered a young man sitting behind the steering wheel. He attempted to talk to me. It scared me badly. I saw him several times, but could find nothing about him or any link to the truck. Finally I learned how to release him and I haven't seen him since. But I've seen other spirits. None have ever been intimidating or seemed angry or dangerous, but they have creeped me out.Jitty came as a character, and as, sort of, Sarah Booth's subconscious. But the fun of writing her is that she can be read either way. I like that. As you can see, I enjoy a challenge in my work.</span></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"><strong><em><span style="color:#000000;">Do the characters always come to you first or does the story? Who is your favorite character out of all the ones you’ve created?<br /></span></em><span style="color:#330033;">Carolyn-Stories come to me in different ways. With Sarah Booth and Jitty, I heard their voices. With Johanna and Duncan McVay from TOUCHED, I saw this elegant woman, so strong, pulling a wagon that contained a rocking chair, a badly burned child, and a rooster. I had to figure out who they were and what their story was. With PENUMBRA and FEVER MOON, there were things I wanted to write about--the consequences of loving the wrong person and the power of belief systems to make our lives big and wonderful or tiny and hellish. I think my job as a writer is to honor the story that I'm given and work as hard as I can to tell it properly. It's difficult not to try to force a story into a form that I want to write, or that I'm comfortable with. I write in a lot of genres, from mysteries to general fiction, to romantic mysteries, to short fiction and even nonfiction. I'm working on a Southern gothic horror idea right now. This genre hopping is sometimes exhausting, but it is also what keeps me totally enraptured as a writer. I am learning and growing. And my goal is to honor the gift of the story and do my best, whatever kind of story it is.I can't pick a favorite character. These are my children (as perverse as some of them are).</span></strong></span><br /><br /><em><strong><span style="color:#000000;">Is the writer you are now come close to the writer you once pictured yourself being?</span></strong></em><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">Carolyn-It's funny, because I never anticipated actually publishing novels when I was growing up. My parents were journalists, and I grew up in that business. I sold my first story and picture when I was 12-years-old to a newspaper with a circulation of over 100,000. I dreamed of writing--the act of doing it--but I don't think I projected to see myself as published. I have to say, the business is not what I imagined. It is very hard work, and writing is only a part of it. My life as a writer is much more public than I imagined.</span></strong><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"><strong><span style="color:#000000;"><em>How do southern women feel about your revealing the secrets of the Daddy's Girl handbook? Overall, have southern Belles rallied behind Sarah Booth?</em><br /></span><span style="color:#330033;">Carolyn-Actually, Daddy’s Girls feel that if EVERYONE followed the rules of proper conduct, the world would run smoother. So they really aren't upset that I discuss the Daddy's Girl handbook.</span></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"><strong><em><span style="color:#000000;">It is becoming more difficult to become published. Tell us about the process it took for you to get your first book on bookstore shelves.<br /></span></em><span style="color:#330033;">Carolyn-I think a lot of things have changed in publishing that make it harder for a writer to break in. There are more writers and less bookstores. Books have only a short period of time to sell before they're pulled from shelves. Editors are slammed with work which includes editing but so many other things, too.My first published book was A DEADLY BREED (written as Caroline Burnes) with Harlequin Intrigue. I look at some writers who seem to have everything come easily and wonder how they got that sprinkling of stardust. Well, my stardust was Tahti Carter, an editor at Intrigue. She saw something in me--and she took the time to help me. Through the editing process of that book, she literally taught me the basics of writing. It was a hard, fast process, and there was no time for messing around or whining. She gave me a huge opportunity, and I owe her a lot.With several Intrigues under my belt and an understanding of point of view, forward movement of character, the balance of emotion, action, and scene by scene development, I started work on SUMMER OF THE REDEEMERS, a coming of age story set in 1963 Mississippi about a horse crazy young girl and one summer when a horse trainer and a religious cult move onto her red dirt road. Her best friend's infant sister goes missing. That book sold to Dutton in one of those fairy tail moments. The publisher called from the courthouse, while she was on jury duty, and made an offer on the book. While getting a book onto store shelves is a huge challenge, the work doesn’t end there. </span></strong></span><br /><br /><em><strong><span style="color:#000000;">How do you go about publicizing your work and developing a fan base?</span></strong></em><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">Carolyn-At first, I didn't get the whole publicity thing. I used to be really shy. Morbidly shy might be more accurate. I like quiet, and I like being alone with my animals in my imaginary world. So when Dutton sent me on tour, I honestly didn't know how to deal with it. I made some mistakes, but I learned. Today, so much work is done on the Internet. This is easier on my physically (I have 21 animals, many of them rescue critters--6 dogs, 8 cats, 7 horses--so it's hard for me to find a "sitter"). But the technology is hard to keep up with. And I enjoy the face-to-face with the people who read my books. Strangely enough, it's like we're all good friends. The common ground is the Zinnia gang--we share that interest. Though I'm the author, I'm as surprised as the readers by some of the things Sarah Booth, Tinkie and Sweetie Pie get into. I guess what I'm saying is that I don't have a firm grip on these characters.A really important way to get the word out involves folks like you who give writers an opportunity to talk about writing, my characters, the things that matter to me.I have a web site, </span></strong><a href="http://www.carolynhaines.com/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color:#330033;">www.carolynhaines.com</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color:#330033;"> , and I try to connect with folks there and on Facebook. Most of the people who read my books are big animal lovers, and over the years, we've shared animal stories. Folks know all about my 32-year-old Thoroughbred, Miss Scrapiron. We share that love of our four-legged family.I also give talks and attend conferences and teach. But without a doubt, the most important thing for an author is word of mouth. When a reader says, "You have to read this book. You'll love it." There is no money that can buy that kind of endorsement. I do a newsletter on an irregular basis, and my readers often pass it along to their friends. This kind of support and enthusiasm is the best. By the way, folks can sign up for my newsletter at my Web site.</span></strong><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"><strong><span style="color:#000000;">I want to thank Carolyn for spending time with me. Her latest Sarah Booth Delany mystery, Greedy Bones, is out right now, so grab yourself a copy quick.</span><br /><br /><br /></strong></span><span style="color:#ff6666;"><strong></strong></span><span style="color:#ff6666;"><strong></strong></span>Karynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11265664252817615171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3720844476257687518.post-29466430283053112782009-06-29T10:45:00.000-07:002009-06-30T20:28:34.409-07:00The Ravens Eye is on : Chris Grabenstein<em><strong>Being a born and raised a Jersey girl it's no wonder that I gravitated towards the books of Chris Grabenstein. A man who, although originally from TN, spent several years here in the Garden State apparently growing to appreciate the unique Jersey creations of bagels, beach and boardwalks. His humourous grasp of all things wild and wierd New Jersey, along with fast paced plots and inventively original characters, make reading his books a true feast for the mystery fan. Buy your ticket now for the fantastic reading ride that is the Ceepak mysterys.</strong></em><br /><br /><em><strong></strong></em><br /><br /><strong><em>Why do you write mysteries? What in specific draws you to it?</em><br /><span style="color:#990000;">Chris:</span> Well, I think I like the puzzle solving aspect of mysteries. As a writer, you are forced to tell a story with a beginning, middle, and an end. Also, mysteries are what I loved to read on the train ride from Metuchen to NYC. It's the one genre where the reader can be an active participant. I think mysteries have the same appeal that Crossword Puzzles do.<br /><br /><br /><em>When did you begin the process of writing your first book? What did you find the most challenging?</em><br /><span style="color:#990000;">Chris</span>: I started writing my first book about a year after I left advertising. I had assumed I would write screenplays, since the commercials I had been doing for 17 years were mini-movies. But, I was WAY too old -- you have to be 24 to be a screenwriter. And, I lived on the wrong side of the country. Then I read Stephen King's little book ON WRITING and it convinced me that I may be able to write a...gasp...novel. All those words! Remember, a thirty second commercial has a maximum of 70 words. Books have thousands. Usually around 80 thousand, in my case. The most challenging part was probably not knowing whether what I was working on was any good for almost a year...because it took that long to get it into readable shape.<br /><br /><br /></strong><strong><em>How many books do you plan for the John Ceepak series? Why carnival rides? For that matter, why New Jersey ? Is there a personal reason?<br /></em><span style="color:#990000;">Chris</span>: As many as they'll let me! Book #5 comes out this June. I hope #25 comes out when I'm in the old folks home. I chose the Carnival/Boardwalk ride theme because I think a good mystery is like a good roller coaster ride. Ups and downs, twists and turns -- you scream with laughter right before you're scared to death. I set the books down the shore because that's where I go every August...and, having lived in Metuchen for several years, I know all about jug handles.<br /><br /></strong><strong><em>Is there anyone, author or otherwise, in particular you draw inspiration from? If so, how has that influenced your writing?<br /></em><span style="color:#990000;">Chris</span>: Stephen King for voice. James Patterson for pace. Donald Westlake for his humor. Elmore Leonard for his dialogure. There are so many great story tellers. I think I have learned from them all.<br /><br /></strong><strong><em>It is becoming more difficult to become published. Tell us about the process it took for you to get your first book on book store shelves.<br /></em><span style="color:#990000;">Chris</span>: Very hard. TILT A WHIRL, my first book, was my fourth manuscript. It took four years and several rejection letters. One of my series (the holiday thrillers) died before it's time because the publisher went out of business and no other house picked it up. The competition is fierce. So, I tell people you really have to enjoy the actual writing process...because you just never know if or when you'll be published, how long that will last, etc. I love writing and am grateful that I am able to be read.<br /><br /><em>While getting a book onto store shelves is a huge challenge, the work doesn’t end there. How do you go about publicizing your work and developing a fan base? </em><br /><span style="color:#990000;">Chris</span>: Well, you have to try just about everything. I like meeting readers at book events. I love going to schools and meeting students and discussing my YA titles. You basically have to become your own marketing department. However, as they always say, the best thing an author can do to publicize his work is -- write a good book! Especially in fiction. Word of mouth is just about the only proven selling tool in fiction.<br /><br /></strong><strong><em>What does the future hold for John Ceepak and Danny Boyle?<br /></em><span style="color:#990000;">Chris</span>: This summer, they'll be heading a little further down the Jersey Shore to Atlantic City for book #5 MIND SCRAMBLER. They go there investigating one case but end up helping to solve a murder that takes place back stage during an illusionist's show at one of the big casinos. The victim? A very close friend from back home!<br /></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Thank you Chris. </strong><br /><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong></strong>Karynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11265664252817615171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3720844476257687518.post-60863071484857088152009-06-17T09:22:00.000-07:002009-06-22T12:08:32.407-07:00The Ravens Eye is On: Kris Neri<span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><strong><em>When did you begin the process of writing your first book? How long did it take you? What did you find the most challenging?</em> </strong></span><br /></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Kris</span>: Unlike many writers, I didn’t start with a novel. I wrote oodles of short stories first, and articles before that. One of my stories, “L.A. Justice,” featured Tracy Eaton, a mystery writer and her daffy, reality-challenged, movie star mother, Martha Collins (available in my story collection, THE ROSE IN THE SNOW). Readers of “L.A. Justice” kept telling me I should put those characters into a novel, and when the story won the Derringer Award, I figured they might be right. REVENGE OF THE GYPSY QUEEN, Tracy’s first book-length adventure, was my first novel. It took me about a year or so to write, while I continued to write stories. I was lucky with it, too. The first editor who read it acquired it, and that book went on to garner Agatha, Anthony and Macavity Award nominations. Readers also really took to that series.But I did face challenges in the writing. Coming from a short story background, I had a tendency to keep things too lean, as we typically do when writing short. I had to force myself to flesh out the descriptions and let the dialogue go on a bit longer than I would in a story, as well as dealing with lots more plot than I was used to. I felt too wordy, and I simply had to trust that those things would work. But writing that book helped me learn to write a novel. REVENGE OF THE GYPSY QUEEN has just come back into print with a new publisher, Cherokee McGhee Mystery, along with the second book in the series, DEM BONES’ REVENGE. That’s especially gratifying to me, since those were my first books.</strong><br /></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;"><em></em></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;"><em>Is there anyone, author or otherwise, in particular you draw inspiration from? If so, how has that influenced your writing?</em> </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Kris</span>: Oh, too many to list. I’ve been a voracious reader from the time I was a little kid. I read everything, and I’ve learned something from everyone I’ve read, even when those books are in genres I don’t write in. Ultimately, the nature of story and the craft of putting words together are universal. I’ve learned something from every presenter I’ve ever seen at writing conferences, too. As writers, I think we’re always perfecting our work and finding our influences everywhere. </span></strong><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><em><strong>Do you know the ending to your book when you start writing? After it’s in print, do you ever wish it had a different ending?</strong></em> </span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Kris</span>: I always know the ending. That might also be a function of my short story background, since the twist endings of short stories often comes to writers first. So I always know how a novel will end, too. What I don’t always know is what happens in the middle and how I’m going to get from the beginning to the end. But that discovery is a fun part of the journey. After it’s in print, I’ve never wished I’d written the ending differently, either. I write a fairly character-driven book, and I’m always convinced that the crime springs from the unique psychology and circumstances of one character. </strong><br /><br /></span><br /><em><strong><span style="color:#000000;">It is becoming more difficult to become published. Tell us about the process it took for you to get your first book on bookstore shelves. </span></strong></em><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Kris</span>: I was very fortunate with my first book. A friend told me about a small press, with a longtime track record in publishing nonfiction books, which was looking to move into mystery fiction. I sent my manuscript off and they bought that book, REVENGE OF THE GYPSY QUEEN, in less than two weeks. But since the publisher of that book was an unknown small press, I really had to work to get it into stores. Some turned me down, though most of them eventually carried it. Everyone in this work experiences some rejection, and I’m no exception. But I’ve been pretty fortunate, too. My latest acceptances, HGH CRIMES ON THE MAGICAL PLANE, my new woo-woo mystery, and, REVENGE FOR OLD TIMES’ SAKE, the next Tracy Eaton mystery, were both taken by the first publishers that read them. </span></strong><br /><br /><em><strong><span style="color:#000000;">While getting a book onto store shelves is a huge challenge, the work doesn’t end there. How do you go about publicizing your work and developing a fan base?</span></strong></em><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Kris</span>: Promotional work is hard and costly for the writer, since publishers typically don’t carry much of the expense or effort. Authors constantly have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to promotion, as well. When something works for one author, others also try it. Pretty soon it becomes a cliché, and everyone needs to try something new to get readers’ attention. On the other hand, I really love meeting the people who come to my events, and discussing my books and writing in general with them. I’ve met such wonderful people that way. I believe books are sold one book at a time. So whether I’m speaking to a large group, or conversing online with whoever reads my remarks, I’m trying to forge a connection with each of those people.</strong> </span><br /><br /><em><strong><span style="color:#000000;">Till now, you’ve been a mystery writer, what made you decide to leap into such a fantastical world as the one in High Crimes on the Magical Plane? What kind of experience was it to incorporate several different genres into one story? </span></strong></em><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Kris</span>: I’ve always been fascinated by the idea that the people who come into our lives at particular times are the exact people we need, even if they aren’t necessarily the people we would have chosen to bring into our lives. I also like exploring the big metaphysical questions, such as why we’re here and if our lives are fated. HIGH CRIMES ON THE MAGICAL PLANE allowed me to explore all of those ideas, and many more. It features Samantha Brennan, a cheerful fake psychic and scam ancient deity, and Annabelle Haggerty, a genuine Celtic goddess who works as an F.B.I. agent and who hides her powers and what she is. With her eccentric wardrobe and questionable career choice, Samantha is a delightfully irresponsible sprite with great panache, while Annabelle, who denies her gifts and powers, and tries to live her life as an ordinary human working stiff, could use a little more style. Each of these women secretly wishes she had the other’s life. And each is the last person the other would choose to turn to for support, but somehow they have each been fated to watch the other’s back. They each bring qualities to the relationship that the other needs. Samantha needs to learn to be responsible and loyal, and Annabelle needs to learn to have more fun and take more pleasure in being a goddess. Their lives become further entwined when Annabelle’s ancestor, Angus, the Celtic god of Youth and Love and Laughter, falls hopelessly in love with Samantha. Writing a supernatural mystery was so great! I think crossing genres made it easier to write, not harder. </span></strong><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>The most fun was deciding what creatures would inhabit this world within a world, and how I would hide them from the people within the real world. It ended up being a place where leprechauns spy in school yards, banshees patrol parks, gods work as lounge singers, and flowers are colored by flower fairies. And I’m sure lots of women fantasize about having a steamy love affair with a god, but I also had to make Samantha strong enough to stand up to Angus, especially when he was in the mood to hurl thunderbolts. </strong><br /></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;">I love spending time with these characters, and I hope readers do as well. Charlaine Harris read HIGH CRIMES ON THE MAGICAL PLANE and said, “You’ll enjoy the unlikely twists and turns in this novel, and both characters are delightful.</span></strong><br /><br /><em><strong><span style="color:#000000;">What’s next for you after High Crimes on the Magical Plane? Is there a genre you are still longing to write?</span></strong></em><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Kris</span>: The third Tracy Eaton mystery, REVENGE FOR OLD TIMES’ SAKE, will be out in Spring ’10. And I’m hard at work on my next Tracy Eaton mystery, REVENGE ON ROUTE 66, and my next Samantha Brennan and Annabelle Haggerty supernatural mystery, MAGICAL ALIENATION. That’s quite enough to keep me busy for now!<br /></span></strong><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><em>Thank you, Kris for a great interview.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><em><strong>High Crimes on the Magical Plane is due out October 2009 available from Red Coyote press.</strong></em></span>Karynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11265664252817615171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3720844476257687518.post-48304170440994330212009-06-05T12:41:00.001-07:002009-06-06T08:33:03.267-07:00Frazier Gets Fearless, Webb Cuts Up and LeBlanc goes Hunting.<div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343931367572116994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 385px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 209px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-8vMcJBaVL6fmKBfTYY71DSGiu9JEeKKk76sQUdwynzwEgHNfNeCds0_OG9mH27HjhBTTyyg0i5syLIaVrZsZYqBbiNjKqoIPSxavlO3kEIezDbjfjttpGEKIE0pbLpxGnCzxQQvN0Ve/s320/DeborahLeBlancHouseShot.jpg" border="0" /><br /><font face="trebuchet ms" color="#000000"><strong>Deborah LeBlanc</strong> has moved from the keyboard to in front of the camera to take us in search of what lies beyond the shadowy curtain of urban legends and myths. If you love Deborah’s ability to craft a great horror story, make sure you tune in on the <strong>Discovery Channel, October 2009</strong>, to watch her deftly explore the dark tales of local terror that wait just outside the boundaries of your doorway. Check out Deborah above on the set. </font><br /><br /><font face="trebuchet ms" color="#000000">If you want to know more about Deborah and where to find her books go to <a href="http://www.deborahleblanc.com/index2.htm">http://www.deborahleblanc.com/index2.htm</a></font><br /><br /><br /><font color="#330033"><em>Where Angels Fear</em>, <strong>Sunny Frazier’s</strong> second offering in her Christy Bristol Astrology Mysteries has Christy taking a walk on the wilder side when she gets involved with sex clubs, thigh highs and dead men. Not even Christy could have predicted what lay in the stars when she finds out that her latest foray in crime detecting could have her dancing an intimate samba with her new boyfriend, Rodrigo or donning dominatrix duds to solve this devilish deception. Make sure you read all about Christy's first dangerous doings in <em>Fools Rush In</em>. If you want to know more about Sunny and where to buy her books, go to </font><a href="http://www.sunnyfrazier.com/"><font color="#330033">http://www.sunnyfrazier.com/</font></a><font color="#330033"><br /><br /><strong>Betty Webb</strong> slashes into the heat of the desert with her new Lena Jones mystery, <em>Desert Cut</em>. The ghost of famous Native American warrior Geronimo has left an eerie legacy in the small town of Los Perdidos, AZ , a place who’s outward beauty hides some ugly truths. Modern immigration issues fuse with ancient bloody traditions as Lena discovers that small town secrets usually mean dire consequences for everyone. She may be forced to use her own brand of justice in order to resolve this hotbed of death and mystery. If you want to know more about Betty and where to buy her books, go to </font><a href="http://www.bettywebb-mystery.com/"><font color="#330033">http://www.bettywebb-mystery.com/</font></a><font color="#330033"><br /><br />When knitting is no longer a safe hobby, nothing is sacred. <strong>Maggie Sefton </strong>has already shown us the deadly twists that can knot up any good knitters work, but now she has her fast stitching heroine, Kelly Flynn up a mountain and tangled up in murder. <em>Dropped Dead Stitch</em>, #9 in the Knitting Mysteries series, has Kelly and her fellow knitters seeking relaxation up at a ranch resort in the mountains. Things get personal when the owner, a man who once attacked Jennifer is murdered leaving her as the prime suspect. Kelly will have to piece together the clues quickly in order to save her friend. If you want to know more about Maggie and where to buy her books, go to </font><a href="http://www.maggiesefton.com/index.html"><font color="#330033">http://www.maggiesefton.com/index.html</font></a><font color="#330033"><br /><br />Some crimes are buried, literally, so well they might never be uncovered. Such might be the case in <strong>Carol Goodman's</strong>, <em>The Night Villa,</em> a haunting tale of modern Capri, and its ancient past. Sophie Chase, a classics professor, is excavating the Villa della Notte where a nobleman, who carried out pagan rituals, and his family’s lives were cut short that fateful day in A.D. 79. The day when Mt. Vesuvius burst forth with its final and violent eruption. As she digs deep into the culture and the soil, she uncovers the mysterious death of their slave girl, lusta who may or may not have been a victim of the volcano or something otherworldly. Sophie unearths the last words of lusta through ancient documents discovered in the eerie subterranean labyrinth beneath the foundations of the villa, and must hurry to discover what really lies beneath the ash and dust before it vanishes forever. </font><br /><font color="#330033">If you want to know more about Carol and where to buy her books, go to </font><a href="http://www.carolgoodman.com/"><font color="#330033">http://www.carolgoodman.com/</font></a><font color="#330033"><br /><br />Lily Ivory, the spell spinning heroine of <strong>Juliet Blackwell's</strong> upcoming book, <em>Secondhand Spirits</em>, is a witch in search of a home. She finds one in eclectic, free spirited San Francisco where a witch can keep to herself and still live large. She discovers that she’s not the only outsider to fit in as it appears a bunch of phantoms are running wild, snatching children and murdering people. Lily might just have to ditch the hiding in plain sight and move into the spotlight if she’s going to end the phantoms spree of destruction. And you thought the hippies got out of hand… </font><br /><font color="#330033">If you want to know more about Juliet and where to buy her books, go to </font><a href="http://julietblackwell.net/"><font color="#330033">http://julietblackwell.net/</font></a><br /><br /><br /><font color="#330033">The dead just can’t keep to themselves whenever Pepper Martin is around. <strong>Casey Daniel's</strong> latest adventure, <em>Night of the Loving Dead</em>, has her cemetery guide turn paranormal sleuth on a simple business trip to Chicago for a cemetery seminar. Before Pepper knows it, the seminar has turned from a snore fest to a ghoul fest. The message from the great beyond, via a female ghost with reason to know, is that Dan Callahan, the doc that Pepper's got the hots for, is in grave danger. Trouble is that Pepper should have remembered that the dead don’t stop keeping secrets just because they stopped having lips to keep them with. This is #4 in the Pepper Martin series, make sure you check out the rest to find out more about how Pepper got her unusual and sometimes unwelcome ability to converse with the dead. If you want to know more about Casey and where to find her books, go to </font><a href="http://www.caseydaniels.com/index.html"><font color="#330033">http://www.caseydaniels.com/index.html</font></a><font color="#330033"><br /></font><br /><br /></font></div>Karynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11265664252817615171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3720844476257687518.post-63468902518326335572009-04-25T07:40:00.000-07:002009-05-04T20:18:45.563-07:00VIETS Gives Us a Little off the Top, MYERS Tickles the Ivory. SOKOLOFF Reveals Whats Hiding in the Dark.<strong>Elaine Viets</strong> reveals the shear terror of working for a high profile hairstylist with KILLER CUTS, book #6 in her Dead End Job mystery series. Helen Hayward has been running from her past and a dicey dilmena successfully. She is about to come to the end of the line, with dangerous consequences for everyone. This time it might not be just her job that gets terminated. Elaine likes to work the job before she writes the story. Hmm..I wonder if I could get a novel about being the Easter Bunny…<br /><br />POISON IVORY,out May 26th, is # 15 in the Den of Antiquity novels by <strong>Tamar Myers</strong>. Abigail Timberlake Washburn is on the hunt for fabulous antiques, this time a special knick knack for her mama Mozella. She winds up on the wrong side of the law as a illegal ivory smuggler. It's enough to rile up any self-respecting woman and Abigail is no different. Too bad she has to turn to her slimy ex to get out of the jam instead of her hunk of a new hubby. No woman should ever have to sink so low, but that’s only the beginning of trouble for Abigail and her mama as they hunt down the real smugglers.<br /><br />Life is different when viewed through the eyes of someone who’s been down to the bottom of the bottle and back again. <strong>Liz Zelvin’s</strong> second novel, DEATH WILL HELP YOU LEAVE HIM, has Bruce, who barely survived DEATH WILL GET YOU SOBER, finding life is not only more interesting when you’re sober but a whole lot more dangerous. Especially, when his friend finds her abusive lover dead in her apartment. Then there’s that pesky but appealing ex-wife who is about to crash into her own bad destiny and bring him with her. Liz is an addictions counselor in her dayjob and she brings all the authenticity of her own experiences to the forefront crafting this tale.<br /><br />What is it about Maine that inspires writers to rain down death and doom on small hapless towns? I don’t know but remind me to keep that state off my travel plans for a while. <strong>Sarah Langan</strong> followed up her fear drenched first novel, THE KEEPER, with the equally unnerving THE MISSING, the 2008 Winner of Bram Stoker award of Outstanding Achievement in a Novel. What happened to the town of Bedford, Maine was a horrific apocalypse but it was only the beginning. Those in the neighboring town of Corpus Cristi are unaware that the supposed natural disaster that devoured Bedford is about to corrupt its citizens into flesh eating beasts. Worst yet, these undead can think. There is nothing worse than a thinking zombie, unless you consider the possibility that they might want to share their feelings.<br /><br /><strong>Alexandra Sokoloff,</strong> in her latest fearfest THE UNSEEN, takes us to places where what we can’t see could be the death of us. When two psychologists decide to research previously unknown files from the infamous Duke University parapsychology experiments, they have no idea what dark abyss they are about to fall into. Unlucky for them is not knowing the horrible fate of the first group of researchers. A haunted mansion, a determined band of ghost hunters, and the only thing missing is the truth.<br /><br /><strong>Deborah LeBlanc</strong> takes us on a murky trip into the Bayou swamps as Dunny, the heroine of her latest novel WATER WITCH, discovers that the special talent which has kept her an outsider all of her life might well be the only hope of saving two young lives. Up till now whatever lay in wait in the mysterous depths of the swamp was nothing more than will-o-wisps and lost souls. This time something far more sinister and deadly holds the lives of these children ransom and only Dunny can save them. If she can accept her fate.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><strong>LOOK WHO'S SQUAWKING</strong>-Christopher Fowler, author of the immensely popular Bryant & May mystery series said this when questioned about his decison to make his famous duo elderly.” I stuck by my character outlines, even though a radio interviewer told me I should have made everyone younger, which would allow for more sex and violence - the very thing I did not wish to do. It wasn’t a matter of prudery; rather the fact that a sexual bout or a fist fight is too lazy an exit from an awkward scene.”<br /></span><br />If you have some tidings you'd like to share or the latest news on your upcoming or current book, please email me at <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">theravencroaks@yahoo.com</span></strong>. Give me something to crow about!Karynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11265664252817615171noreply@blogger.com1