I'm interviewed on my own blog! Ha!

(Good morning, everyone. I'm reposting a unique interview from 2011. I invited David Fingerman back over to talk about his new book, but as you will see, David turned the table on me. I hope you enjoy the conversation.)

I am honored to be making my third appearance on Susan Whitfield’s blog. Other than the release of my new mystery, Playing the Hand She’s Dealt, the amazing and fantastic sequel to the equally amazing and fantastic Silent Kill, my life hasn’t change all that much since my last interview here. So, for something a little different I thought it might be fun to turn the table on Susan and interview her.  Happily (for me), she agreed.

And as you can tell, David is sooooo modest. LOL.

Susan, welcome. First off, how does it feel being the interviewee instead of the interviewer on your own blog?

LOL. Well, David, I’ve been interviewed quite a few times but not on my OWN blog. I’m honored that you’re interested.

I'd be willing to bet a lot of people are interested.
When and how did you know you wanted to be a writer, and then a mystery novelist?

I’ve been writing since about third grade, so it’s pretty much been a lifelong dream. However, I didn’t really get serious about it until I was retiring from a high school principalship. They say write what you read, and I truly love a good mystery. I tried to write a steamy novel, but I blushed so much I just couldn’t go through with it.

What’s a typical day for Susan Whitfield?

Normally I grab a huge cup of joe (some people refer to my cup as a planter) and start writing. Unfortunately, right now I have to dress and go to physical therapy in the mornings because I tore me Achilles tendon, power-walking between writing sessions to get into better shape. That’s thrown my routine off and now I’m writing sporadically in the afternoons. So my routine is quite atypical right now.

Ouch! Here's wishing you a speedy recovery.

Thank you. I'm wearing an ugly heavy boot and my husband calls me a platypuss:-( 

LOL, brave man.

You’ve completed four Logan Hunter novels thus far.  How do you keep Logan Hunter fresh and exciting?

I have to remember to let her age and change over the course of the novels. She was inexperienced in Genesis Beach as an intern at the Genesis Beach Police Department, and then once she was an official North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation agent in Just North of Luck, she tackled (quite literally) a serial killer in our beautiful Appalachian Mountains, got herself into all kinds of jams in Hell Swamp, and had truly life-changing experiences in Sin Creek.

In each book, she matured a little more, changed from heavy dark eye glasses to contacts, and married another agent. (I use internal thoughts in my first-person novels so readers can get inside Logan’s head and emotions.) Sin Creek was difficult to write because there’s so much raw emotion in it. Punch Street, the fifth novel in the Logan Hunter series, is about seven pages at this point. I’m currently writing a non-series novel, entitled The Goose Parade of Old Dickeywood, about lifelong friendship.

We'll get more into the Goose Parade in a couple minutes.
How are you and Logan Hunter similar/dissimilar?

Boy, that’s a loaded question.

I try.

First of all Logan is over six feet tall, blond, and toothpick thin. I, on the other hand, am 5’6” and shrinking, have salt and pepper hair, and am not a toothpick. I have to admit there is a lot of me in Logan. I believe in saying what I mean and meaning what I say. I believe in doing what’s right even when it’s not popular. I like bending rules as much as Logan does, but I seldom break them completely unless there’s no other choice. She’s more adventurous than I am; I write adventures but you won’t find me sky-diving…unless I develop more courage or dementia as I age.

Well, let's keep a happy thought.
Changing gears for a moment, please tell us the history and thought processes behind the cookbook, Killer Recipes.

Ah, good question. I met a lady here in North Carolina who came to an event just to meet me. She’d written a cookbook and I bought one. Later, as we kept in touch, she told me how good sales were, and she was considering another cookbook. I started to think about that and all the wonderful recipes I have. Since I had a fairly large audience of writer friends from networking, I asked if folks would consider donating recipes for the cookbook in exchange for promotion at the bottom of each one.

I decided that all proceeds from this book would be donated to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in honor of my grandson, a cancer survivor. I didn’t think it would be right for me to pocket proceeds since the book  couldn’t happen without the support of other writers. Authors all over the country responded in an overwhelming way, and Killer Recipes has become a unique cookbook we can all be proud of. My publisher, L&L Dreamspell, liked the idea so much that they didn’t give me a chance to query, and they donate all of THEIR profits for this particular book as well. Good folks, indeed.

Indeed they are ~ and a great cause! And what a great holiday gift (hint hint).

Yes, giving this book is giving twice. You can order all of my books through my site, www.susanwhitfieldonline.com or www.amazon.com and other online stores. They're all available in print or digital formats. I love having the cookbook on my Kindle.

On a very serious and scary note, and I’m sure it’s a nightmare of anyone who has reached any level of celebrity status, but I seem to recall you were harassed by a stalker some time back. I certainly won’t ask details, but what would you advise your fellow authors to do if ever in a similar situation?

Your memory is still sharp, David. While the person never came to my house and never called my house, she showed up at several of my signings and tried to discourage people from buying books. I really think it backfired, though, because it 's obvious that she is unstable. She wrote a personal attack on Facebook about me, and posted a terrible review on Amazon about what a bad writer I am. The post was up 3 weeks before I knew about it. I contacted Amazon.com and told them about the woman, our past, and the Facebook comment. They removed the review immediately. The scariest part was that the following weekend, I had a signing back in my home county, and she’d messaged me that she was going to go. I “unfriend” her, and contacted a deputy who worked with me when I was a principal. He arranged for a deputy to ride by the bookstore every few minutes during the hours I was there. She never showed. I guess she was playing with my head.

I’m not sure what I’d advise someone else. My situation was strange and it really wasn’t about writing at all. I’ve never had another experience like that and hope I never do again. However, after that lengthy answer, I will also tell you and readers to whatever you have to do to keep yourself safe. There are plenty of nuts out there.

That had to have been not only scary, but very frustrating and time consuming as well. I'm glad it's long behind you.

Thank you , David. I hope it’s over.

I see on your website that Punch Street is due out in 2012. Would you mind giving us a sneak peek into that novel?

Punch Street (working title) is the next Logan Hunter novel, dealing with bullying, a major issue that’s been around since the beginning of time but seems to be in the news so much more since Internet and texting arrived. Logan and another agent go undercover in a school to get to the bottom of a student’s death. Remember, not all bullies are children. They come in every size and package.

Not only an excellent sounding  plot - but very timely.

I also noticed that you’re working on a stand-alone book, The Goose Parade of Old Dickeywood. Would you be willing to share any secrets on what that is about?

Writing this stand-alone has been a hoot, for sure. It’s about lifelong friends who’re now going through menopause, marital problems, and health problems. Their friendship endures even through misfortune and conflict. The title comes from the fact that they live near a pond that is overcrowded with geese, only one of many conflicts that arise.

I can already sense the fun you're having writing this. That's always a good sign that it will be an equally fun book.

What else does the future hold for Susan Whitfield?

My first goal is to get well and back to full-blown writing here shortly, complete Goose Parade and Punch Street, and dig into all the research I’ve gathered about my ancestor, a Knight of the Bath. I hope to write an historical novel about him, son-in-law of King Henry I.

It certainly sounds like you're keeping your writing plate full.

I have to stay busy. I don’t idle well.

Susan, thank you for being such a good sport and letting me turn the tables on you. I hope you had fun being on the other side of your blog.

I certainly did, David. That was a great idea and I appreciate your support. I also wish you tremendous success with your new book.

Thank you. As mentioned above, Playing the Hand She's Dealt is the sequel to Silent Kill. In Silent Kill, Louise Miller was after a psycho-killer. In Playing the Hand, someone is after Louise. Not only does he want her dead, but he first wants to destroy her piece by piece. A great mystery if I do say so myself.

I can’t wait to read it. BTW, as I repost this interview, I'm walking a mile every day and not limping. It feels good to be back. Hugs!   

NOTE: Since this post first "aired", I have completed the Logan Hunter Mystery series with Sticking Point, created my own publishing company, and re-published my cook book, Killer Recipes, now under the Studebaker Press logo.

David Fingerman's SPYDER

It's always nice to have authors on the blog more than once. I welcome David Fingerman for a return visit to discuss his new book, Spyder.

David, it's great to have a fellow Dreamspell author over to the blog, and even though I have previously interviewed you, please give new blog visitors a brief bio.

Hi Susan ~ thanks so much for inviting me back. I was born in St. Paul, but once out of the hospital I've lived my entire life in Minneapolis. During the summer months when the sun is shining and birds singing, I'm perfectly content to sit in my office, with blinds drawn, typing away at my computer. My favorite day of the year is the first day I pull a flannel shirt out of the closet. After 24 years of working in the court system, I walked away to write full time. Edging past Reality is my first book of short stories. Spyder is my second novel and quite a switch from the first. While Silent Kill (first novel) is a suspense/thriller, Spyder is more of an urban adventure.

I remember interviewing you about Edging past Reality and that cover was a fainalist in my book cover contest.
What books came along at just the right time to influence your reading/writing?

Shatterday by Harlan Ellison. As for timing, I have to give a lot of credit to a couple of friends who introduced me to the book. College had sapped my creativity to write. It had been a few years and this book reignited my passion to write for pleasure again.

Please give us a short synopsis of your new book.

Spyder is a very intelligent and very street-wise punk. He realizes, in the words of Bob Dylan, the times they are a changin'. Homeless living isn't as safe as it once was. Gangs now battle for turf and don't care about who's caught in the crossfire. Once respected on the streets, now Spyder, entering into his 30s, is just another nameless victim waiting to happen. Instead he decides to clean up his act and try his hand at mainstream society. Unfortunately, 'friends' and addictions seem to block every path.

As dark as this sounds, Spyder does have a deliciously warped sense of humor and there are plenty of yuks throughout.

I like warped humor.

How has your writing progressed since your first book? Has it changed you?

For starters I'm a much better writer ~ and still learning. It's turned from a hobby to a full time job. I used to send short stories to magazines and if I was lucky enough to sell one I'd get a check big enough to let me supersize at McDonalds and that would be the end of it. When my first book came out, that opened up a whole new world I was totally unfamiliar with ~ marketing. Even after three books I still find it very uncomfortable promoting myself but it needs to be done. That part has certainly changed me by forcing me out of my comfort zone. Also, my whole attitude has changed being that I'm now doing what I love to do.

I've been through the comfort zone thing too, and I congratulate you for taking the challenge.

When do you accomplish your best writing?

It's more of a mood thing than a when thing. I write during the day usually starting around 9am and going until around 4. But on those days when the creativity is flowing, I've been known to wake up at 2 or 3 in the morning and start. Or, if the creativity hits late in the day, I can go until about 2 or 3 in the morning before collapsing. I find it next to impossible to pull an all-nighter anymore (sigh).

Is there another book on the horizon?

Always. Right now I'm working on a horror novel. After that it will be the third Louise Miller suspense/thriller. The day I die there will be an (at least one) unfinished novel on my computer.

After hours of intense writing, how do you unwind?

Usually veg out in front of the TV (I'm usually done for the day by the time Jeopardy starts). On those rare occasions when I've got pent up energy, I'll exercise.

Are your books available in print, ebook, and Kindle?

Yes, yes, and yes.

Where can we purchase these books and get more information about you?

If you live in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, my books are available at the local libraries and most of the independent bookstores. For those not in this area, they're available online at Amazon, B&N.com and many other book ordering sites. But please feel free to go to your bookstore or library and have them order copies. If anyone wants to know more about me (and I shudder as to why anyone would) go to http://davidfingerman.com or my blog http://davidfingerman.blogspot.com/.

Ah, David, you're a delight. Thanks for another interview, and continued success, my friend.

                                                                                 

Halloween Nightmares

As Halloween draws near, I invited a few authors from Dreamspell Nightmares I  and II to join me. David Fingerman, John Capraro, and Joe Prentis are here today to discuss their scary stories in the anthology Dreamspell Nightmares I, and Ellen Dye, who is in Dreamspell Nightmares II, both published by Texas-based L&L Dreamspell. Welcome, folks.

Susan: Congratulations on having short stories published in the anthology. Please give us a brief biography and a short snyopsis of the story.

David:  I was born in St. Paul, but once out of the hospital I've lived my entire life in Minneapolis. During the summer months when the sun is shining and birds singing, I'm perfectly content to sit in my office, with blinds drawn, typing away at my computer. My favorite day of the year is the first day I pull a flannel shirt out of the closet.

As per my story in Nightmares ~ Remember as a little kid being scared of monsters under the bed or hiding in the closet? "The Charcoal Man" is a story of a man who never outgrew his monsters. Well, at least one particular monster that followed him into adulthood.

John:   Oddly enough, music was my first love, with writing a close second. Though I’ve been writing my entire life, it wasn’t until 2007 (while in my mid-forties!) that I finally began to take my writing seriously. Since then, I’ve had a number of stories, articles and even poems published, both in print and online. My agent is currently shopping around my first novel, a YA science fiction piece titled Reaching for Stars.

“Security System” is a story about three young men who enter a recently abandoned research facility for a little urban exploration. To their horror, they soon discover the building isn’t too eager to let them leave.

Joe Prentis attended Union University and then worked for the FBI in Washington D.C. After he returned to his native state, he was the pastor of one church and the interim pastor of three others. He worked for Tenneco until his recent retirement. He is an avid runner and bicycle rider, but admits to having settled into a more leisure pace after retirement. He has written five novels, over fifty short stories and articles, and a musical production to commemorate the National Bicentennial. His play, Freedom 76, had a total attendance of almost 70,000 persons. He is now working on a sequel to a previous novel and doing historical research of a story about the Colonial Era. Joe, how about a synopsis of your story?

Joe:  Sure, Susan. In "Bear Essentials" Merrick and Quentin had served in Special Forces in the Middle East, and half a dozen other trouble spots around the globe. Their hike into the rugged mountains of Montana to confront a group of terrorists was almost routine until they encountered a dangerous situation they had not expected. Their only choice was to discard everything they didn’t need and resist the impulse to run.

Ellen Dye:  I got bitten by the writing bug early in life, declaring at nine years of age I wanted to grow up to write the juicy confession stories I was forbidden to read, but yet devoured in secret. It took a goodly number of years and even more growing up, but I finally arrived at the destination of published author.  Now, in addition to those confession stories I so long ago admired, I write novels and short stories for L&L Dreamspell.

"Just Another Dead Hillbilly" teaser:

Meet Dr. John Ingersoll, a man of money masquerading as a man of science, who is about to get a most deserved comeuppance in a most unusual way.

Susan:  What stories or anthologies came along at just the right time to influence your writing short stories?

David: I really don't know about the timing issue but when I graduated from college I had absolutely no desire to pick up a pen or even read a book for pleasure again. Then one day a friend tossed me a book of short stories titled "Shatterday" by Harlan Ellison. He told me I had to read it. That reignited the creativity spark to read for pleasure again. Soon after the urge to write again started gnawing away at me.

John:  There were a few good anthologies I read that inspired me: “Get Off the Unicorn” by Anne McCaffrey; “The Anything Box” by Zenna Henderson; and “Something Strange” which was published by Macmillan Gateway English. One particular story in that last one really threw me for a loop: “The Cold Equations” by Tom Godwin. Reading those stories created a fire inside me—I needed to write short stories too.

Joe: have always been an avid reader. I read short stories of various types, but when I discovered Dephne du Maurier, I was hopelessly hooked on the type of stories she created. They are compelling, frightening, and very entertaining. I think it takes all three to get the job done.

Ellen:  Well, of course, there was those long ago issues of True Confession which kept me company late at night under the covers with a flashlight. But also, I’ve been heavily influenced by Ray Bradbury’s work as well as all those highly addictive episodes of "Twilight Zone", "Tales From The Crypt" and "Night Gallery".

Susan:  Where do you get your inspiration to write nightmarish content?

David:  Write what you know, right? In all seriousness there is some truth to that. I worked for years in the courtroom as a judge's clerk. I pretty much saw the lowest of the low in human nature. There is no way one cannot be affected by that.

John:  I’ve always enjoyed good, scary stories. For me, ideas can come from anywhere. I have one of those minds that likes to take something real I’ve seen or experienced and twist it into something unsettling. The impetus for “Security System” came from one of my lunch-time walks while at work. There was this huge, ominous, abandoned building, and every time I passed it, I got the willies. So I started thinking about people breaking into the place, and what kind of security system might be inside…and what would happen if that system was a little out of the ordinary.

Joe:  The kind of frightening stories that appeal to me are the ones that are possible. There are a lot of really scary things in the world, and capturing them on the page where others can experience the scalp tightening terror can sometimes be a challenge. With the type of stories I write, it is only necessary to place myself in the scene and sit back and watch. In a certain sense, my nightmarish stories are autobiographical.

Ellen:  From real life, most certainly. I’ve often found that people will do the most nightmarish things in the name of goodness.

Susan:  What makes a good story?

David: I think an opening line that grabs the reader is especially important in a short story ~ and of course to not let go until the story is over. A story that makes the reader think, or at least wonder after they're through reading would define a good story. I mean that in a positive light, not thinking I just wasted twenty minutes of my life that I'll never get back reading this piece of crap.

John:  To start with, you need a strong protagonist a reader will care about, sympathize with, root for. Put your character in a world that comes alive, a world so real the reader actually feels she’s a part of it. Your character has to want something…badly. Then, as the metaphor goes, you chase them up a tree. You throw rocks at them. I also like to start a fire at the base of said tree. In a word, conflict. Keep the reader wondering, What’s going to happen next? After you finally allow your character down from the (now burning) tree, your ending should have resonance; it should leave the reader both happy at the outcome of the story, and sad that the story is now over.

Joe:  For a story to be good, it has to be plausible on some level, and that involves laying the groundwork. If the story is about the supernatural, then it must be set in an atmosphere where ghost, goblins, and demons can get a toehold in the reader’s imagination. I must confess that I don’t have a very good posture when I am typing, but there is an advantage to this. Hunched forward in my chair, I can see my feet. When they start to kick around under my desk, I know I’m going in the right direction.  

Ellen:  For me, I think it’s the characters.  I love to create a character and turn them loose on the page.  And, I also love being able to give them exactly what they deserve in the end, just as I did for the not-so-nice Dr. Ingersoll, the star of "Just Another Dead Hillbilly".

 Susan:  How do you discipline yourself when writing?

David:  My discipline is fear. I credit (blame) my wife. I convinced her I'm a writer. So now if I don't write all day she'll make me go out and get a real job.

Susan:  LOL

John:  Discipline, for me, is pretty easy. First, I have a dream of being a successful novelist. (Haven’t heard that dream before, I bet.) As long as I keep my goals in focus, I don’t notice the obstacles. Also, I’m passionate about writing, so it’s never really a chore. I think the Nike ad sums up my philosophy rather succinctly: Just do it.

Joe:  Distractions are not a problem, but I do make an effort to keep them at a minimum. My office is away from the rest of the house. I keep the radio and television off and I discourage visitors when I write. I set aside a period of time to get my writing done, and I don’t let anything interrupt, short of an extraterrestrial invasion or the last trumpet blowing.

Ellen:  Butt in the chair, my personal catch-phrase for working days.  You’ve just got to sit, focus on the screen and tune out everything else from the dirty laundry to wondering what’s for dinner.


Susan:  Writer Graycie Harmon said, “Being an author is like being in charge of your own personal insane asylum.” Please comment on that statement.

David:  I'm in charge??? Please tell that to the inmates tromping around in my brain.

John:  What, with all the characters running rampant in my head, and the sparks of ideas flitting around like so many fireflies on a warm August evening, and looming deadlines, and relentless fears and self-doubts, and where’s that contract I was supposed to sign, and the chances of becoming a success in the publishing world being less than winning a hefty sum in the Lottery, and…
No madhouse here.
Who said that?
Not me.
Liar.

Joe:  Graycie Harmon shouldn’t have said that because it is too close to the truth. There are a lot of people who want to be a writer, but don’t want to write. Those of us who were born with a writing demon inside write because we have to let it out occasionally or suffer the consequences. There are characters that live inside of us and they are manipulative. If we don’t write down their stories it can become intolerable. We are all driven to some extent, but a strong character has the tendency to take over . . . Well, what else can I say on this uncomfortable subject. Tell Graycie to shut up.

Ellen:  Oh my, I think Steve has the right of it.  I’ve often thought that writers have a great deal in common with schizophrenics.  We both hear voices and we also have imaginary friends who are very real.  Hey, how sane do you expect a writer to be when we spend our professional lives jotting down what imaginary people say and do?

Susan:  Do you have other writing projects underway?

David:  I'm about halfway into writing a horror novel. I recently started the third Louise Miller book, and just the other day I had an irresistible idea that I couldn't let go of, so I started chapter one of a new horror novel. ADHD can be a good thing.

John:  Yes. I am currently slogging through revision on my second novel, A Place Where Magic Happened, a coming-of-age action/adventure contemporary fantasy.

Joe:  Gore Vidal once described his writing process as being somewhat like a conveyor belt in a factory. My own writing experience is somewhat similar. I have never had a problem with trying to find something to write about. Stories leap full-blown into my head. It is only a matter of finding the time to work on individual projects. I am currently working on a sequel to Abraham’s Bones. I am doing research on a historical novel. I have two suspense novels in various stages of completion. There are also several short stories I have finished. I am waiting for them to ‘cool’ before I do a final edit.

Ellen:  I most certainly do, I’m currently working on another mainstream comedy which I hope will be as laugh-out-loud funny and uplifting as my current L & L Dreamspell release, "Relatively Crazy".

Susan:  Where can readers learn more about you?

David:  Information overload about me can be found at http://davidfingerman.com/

John:    Of course, under the Authors section at L&L Dreamspell.


My blog is here: http://thewritelifeforme.blogspot.com/


I’m also on FB: http://www.facebook.com/people/John-Capraro/100000438882461


Website in pre-production phase. (i.e., I’m still thinking about it.)


Joe: My website and blog are at http://www.joeprentis.com/

Ellen:  Drop by my website any time. I love hearing from readers and writers as well!  http://www.ellendye.com/ 

Thank you all for letting me get inside your head for a few minutes. It was truly scary but fun. Best wishes with your anthology and other endeavors.

David:  Thank you so much for inviting us and conducting this interview.

(For more information about Dreamspell Nightmares I and II and other Dreamspell publications, go to www.lldreamspell.com)