Networking and writing with Hawaii's Mary Deal

Do you network with other writers? That is perhaps the most rewarding aspect of having a blog. Sure, I hope folks will be interested enough to buy my books and my guests' books, but getting to know them either through cyberspace or in person is an awesome experience.  I had been friends with Mary Deal for many years in the cyber world. As she wrote books, I interviewed her here and have read most of them. She's an excellent writer. But the most amazing thing happened this past summer. Out of the blue she invited my husband and I to come to Hawaii and meet her in person. YES! Honolulu, Hawaii! We got our plans in order and flew from eastern North Carolina to Hawaii almost non-stop. WHEW! What an awesome trip that was. When we arrived, it was as though Mary and I had known each other since childhood and we pretty much acted like a couple of kids the entire week! I know this kind of generosity doesn't happen every day, but if you aren't networking, you should give it a try. The writing life offers all kinds of unexpected intrinsic rewards. Now on to my interview with Mary Deal:

Mary Deal is an award-winning author of suspense/thrillers, a short story collection, writers’ references, is a Pushcart Prize nominee, an artist/photographer, and former columnist and magazine editor. She is a multi-genre writer and author in both fiction and nonfiction. She resides in Hawaii.Welcome back to the blog, Mary.

Thank you, Susan. I have to add a few thoughts about your trip.You didn’t get to sample a Manapua, a steamed bun with meat and vegetables inside.Nor did you taste the Octopus rolls.

I guess I'm not quite that adventurous Mary, LOL but I do appreciate you taking my husband to climb Diamond Head while I recuperated from your EXCESSIVE energy. And it was neat to meet a man from North Carolina who set us up in a condo on the 19th floor with three ocean views! One of the highlights of the trip other than meeting you in person, was going to Pearl Harbor. Wow! What an experience that was for patriotic folks like my husband and I. I shed a few tears at the Arizona Memorial. So quiet.I could look right down into the water where so many of them are still.

Okay, okay. We have to get to the interview. I think people will understand how great an experience this was. Let's snack on some dark chocolate macadamia nuts while we chat.

Tell us about your mystery series, Mary.

Two plots carry through the Sara Mason mystery series, that of Sara solving cold cases and that of her love interest Huxley Keane searching for this brother’s remains in Vietnam.

In The Howling Cliffs, A Sara Mason Mystery, after a trek through the Vietnam jungle, Sara gets involved in a cold case on Kauai, that of a 6 year old girl missing for 10 years.

  

How has your environment affected your writing?

As you know from visiting here, Hawaii is conducive to clearing the mind. Living in Hawaii, I’m thrilled when people such as yourself can come and visit. It’s as if I can share the aura of this place that takes away cares, puts everything in better perspective and lets us focus on what we do best.

For the past nearly 20 years, I have found peaceful living among the islands to be exactly what I needed. Much to do is available but by using a little restraint, and concentration on the importance of my writing, is not distracting. I know your busy schedule, Susan, and saw you relaxing among these balmy trade winds and incredible sights to see.

Incredibly relaxing and I think I could write there on the balcony with no problem.

Give a short synopsis of your most recently published book.

If I may, since The Howling Cliffs, A Sara Mason Mystery is the 1st sequel to River Bones:

From the River Bones story, Sara is stalked by a psychopathic killer in California’s Sacramento River Delta. She meets Huxley Keane, the love of her life, and then loses him. But Sara and Huxley have built a history together, she having learned that he searches for the remains of his brother and the daughter of their mutual friend, Esmerelda, among other MIAs in Vietnam. Later, Sara agrees to become a decoy for the Sheriff’s Department and falls into the clutches of the elusive madman who leaves no live witnesses as human skeletons keep turning up.

In this story, The Howling Cliffs, Sara and Huxley are deep in the jungle in Vietnam where they find one MIA’s meager remains. As Huxley flies back to the United States to get them identified, Sara becomes involved in a cold case on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. Knowing someone wants to put an end to her investigations to keep a cold case cold, and tries to kill her to do it, leads to a half-crazed homicidal maniac who is just sane enough to keep suspicion off himself.

What challenges did you face while writing this book?

In The Howling Cliffs, I had not intended to take the characters into the Vietnam jungle as Huxley searches for his MIA brother’s remains. That part could merely be alluded to in the rest of this story which takes place in Hawaii. Then, out of nowhere, I met a former Marine who freely and graciously provided me perfect information and edited my descriptions. This allowed me to place the characters in the jungle and added greater depth to this continuing subplot.

Can you imagine how grateful I am to this man? I dedicated the book to him.

That's great!

What do you think is the greatest lesson you’ve learned about writing so far? What advice can you give new writers?

Usually I state the obvious when imparting any advice to others, you know about doing research and proper grammar, punctuation, and such. But this time, with more and more people publishing eBooks, what I’ll say here it that I’ve found most all eBooks have terrible formatting. If writers self-publish, then they need to learn formatting. Nothing spoils a good read like sentences and paragraphs all askew, blank pages in the middle of a story, titles on the bottom of a blank page, etc. These types of errors will ruin a writer’s reputation at a time when it’s most critical. Either writers need to learn proper formatting or they must hire someone to do it.

 I totally agree with you. I've seen some really bad formatting and still prefer a hard book.

Where do you store ideas for later use: in your head, in a notebook, or on a spreadsheet?

As you know, I travel too far and too fast to carry heavy electronics. When out and about, a tiny notebook is my permanent companion. When I am back home everything gets transcribed into a note file on PC. I noticed while you were here that you took a few notes yourself. I’m wondering what you are conjuring about Hawaii that may later show up in one of your books.

 Only time will tell, my friend.

We all know how important promoting our work has become. How do you get the word out both off and online?

Online, I participate in many writers’ sites. Just getting to know people and spreading the word about my books with video trailers, cover images, and exciting bits of chapters, brings book sales. I must remain active online. I live on the most remote land mass on earth and much traveling is not an option. My big writing site, writeanygenre.com, teaches writing. When writers find good advice they are likely to buy a book from someone they trust. Too, I also have two online art galleries for my oil paintings and photography and many friends from those sites have purchased my books.

Offline, you had a taste of what it’s like to do word-of-mouth advertising in a new area far from home. Passing out an informative business card keeps us in people’s minds, as does a free or donated book now and then. When traveling, it’s a chance to place your books in places they may never show up – a great opportunity to reach more readers. Had you not come to Hawaii, you’d not have made such wonderful contacts way out here in the middle of the Pacific unless you searched for them online. Anytime we travel provides a magnificent opportunity to simply talk to people, make friends and Network. And you are so good at it! It’s no wonder people seek you out for promotion.

 

Can you tell us your future writing goals/projects?

The Howling Cliffs is published in eBook format. Around June the paperback will be released. In the interim, I’m working on my 11th book, another nonfiction with the topics coming from my former career field as a clinical hypnotherapist. If my schedule holds, later in the year, my smaller books, Legacy of the Tropics, and Off Center in the Attic will go to paperback as well. Late in 2016, the next sequel to River Bones will be published.

Goody!

Are your books available in print and ebook formats? 

My books are available at Amazon (with some at smashwords)  along with those where I am a contributor. Your Killer Recipes cookbook, Susan, I am proud to claim is among them. My Amazon Author page:

http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Deal/e/B0035B02X6/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1426617201&sr=1-2-ent

http://www.amazon.com/Howling-Cliffs-Sara-Mason-Mystery-ebook/dp/B007FGB3B2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431780517&sr=8-1&keywords=mary+deal

Mary also contributed some great recipes for my cookbook, including Stuffed-in-the-trunk mushrooms. Available in Kindle or paperback at Amazon.com

Mary, please tell Ron how much we enjoyed his company as well. Maybe we can link up again somewhere in the future. Hugs to you both and continued success with your writing, networking, art, and photography.

Arleen Alleman cruises into a new book

Arleen Alleman is a former senior analyst with the Government Accountability Office where she wrote extensively on many topics ranging from military satellite systems and highway technologies to endangered species and biotechnology. She has a science education, but also worked as a fashion model, teacher, insurance adjuster, jewelry designer, and proprietor of a home décor shop. Her interests include reading, health and fitness, origin and history of world religions, and travel. Her trips supply authentic backdrops and narration for her fictional stories. Born in England and raised in New Hampshire and Nevada, she lived in Colorado for many years. She now lives in SW Florida with her husband, Tim. She is the author of five Darcy Farthing adventure novels.

Have some Banoffee pie (an English concoction of banana, toffee, and cream with chocolate shavings)  and a cup of tea while we discuss A Current Deception.

Why, thank you, Susan. I love it!

Wow! You certainly have an interesting background.

How many books have you written altogether?

So far, I have written five novels. All are in the Darcy Farthing adventure series. The stories take place in many different locations and have elements of a travel log along with the murder-mystery story lines. Every book has the word current in the title and this is a play on words referring to my protagonist’s life philosophy, which she mentions from time-to-time. I have to say that once on the road of using the same word in each title, it becomes more difficult to come up with a satisfactory meaningful title.

Give a short synopsis of A Current Deception.

A Current Deception finds Darcy and her new husband, Mick, on a cruise around Australia with her daughter and granddaughter, and some close friends. Readers of previous books in the series already know these characters, but I always strive to have each book stand on its own. In this case, all the characters are anticipating having a relaxing fun vacation in a new environment including a honeymoon for Mick and Darcy and a wedding for friends Sid and Brooks.

Biochemist and pragmatist Darcy is embarking on a new career path as an investigative reporter following her success wherein Time purchased a story from her. She has come to understand that her curiosity and investigative nature cannot be denied. The cruise immediately takes a disconcerting turn when a small town Kansas woman and her husband are plagued by an infestation of invasive yellow crazy ants, mysteriously cancelled tour reservations, and illness caused by a mysterious food-borne pathogen. These bizarre and relatively minor incidents escalate when the ants injure more people. After a passenger dies in a hit and run incident on a street in Adelaide, other passengers come under attack aboard the ship. As crimes escalate, Brooks who is also her ex-husband comes under suspicion and the ship’s security chief refuses to look any further for a suspect. Clue by clue, Darcy unravels a complex plot by a master of disguise and world class computer hacker intent on revenge for a twenty-year-old crime.  

  

How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?

I don’t believe I’ve ever been asked this interesting question so directly before. I would think that all authors have some of themselves hidden in the characters. For me, there is no question that Darcy and I share some personality traits. I think she is more like a role model to me than an alter ego. Like Darcy, I am a humanist and a scientist at heart. She is a woman who strives for the high moral ground and often achieves it, but constantly battles her mistakes and flaws. I say that she is an edgy character, but it is probably more accurate to say she is controversial as are some social issues addressed in the stories. As for the rest of the characters, I don’t know if I am hidden in them, but in many cases I certainly hope not. To my knowledge none of them are patterned after actual people I have known.

So you travel to do research or for inspiration. Can you share some special places with us?

Yes, that is very much the case. So far, the series takes place in a wide range of locations where I have visited either on land or by cruise ship. That is, seaports all around the Caribbean, South America, Mexico, and Australia, as well as Colorado Springs, Las Vegas, SW Florida, Seattle, and D.C. One of the unique things about these stories is the varied settings and the travel log of sorts that Darcy narrates through the stories. Along with working to solve the mystery, she presents tidbits of history, geography, and anthropology, and is particularly interested in the roots of human culture and religion, the fate of indigenous populations, and genetics.

What do you think is the greatest lesson you’ve learned about writing so far? What advice can you give new writers?

No book is for everyone. Many people who like fiction will not even consider reading a novel if they believe the subject is outside their belief system or somehow unpleasant to them. This becomes apparent in talking with folks at book signings. No author should ever feel let down by this simple reality because there are always lots of other people who will think the content is wonderful or at least thought-provoking. So, an author should stay true to her own heart in writing regardless of any negative comments on subject or language. Now that is not to say that criticism of the writing style, and plot and character development, should not be taken to heart as well. For me, the writing process is a learning curve that never ends. I listen to every critique and try to use the comments to improve. I would like to think the books are getting better as I go along.

  

Where do you store ideas for later use: in your head, in a notebook, or on a spreadsheet?

Actually, I sit down and type out a list that is a very rough outline of any idea I have, including the subjects that will need to be researched. At that point, there isn’t necessarily a full story, but I can go back and add to the outline as ideas occur to me. In this manner a story with chapter delineations eventually emerges. For me, brainstorming at the keyboard is very productive. Also, at the beginning of the process I use a big piece of newsprint to outline the characters I plan to include and overall plots. Then I connect them with lines to map out relationships. I think my years of analysis and auditing for GAO instilled a need for structure even with the creative process.

We all know how important promoting our work has become. How do you get the word out both off and online?

I use social media, primarily Facebook and Twitter as well as a myriad of book and author sites, like Book Town. I try to get as much exposure online as possible. My genre is so huge that it is very difficult to stand out among the tens of thousands of mystery novels and series. I work at getting reviewers to read the books, and then highly publicize the reviews.

I have also built a rapport with a number of B&N store managers in several states where they allow me to have book signings every few months. This is a great experience and a way to meet potential readers.

Can you tell us your future writing goals/projects?

At this point, I plan to continue with the series. I am working on Darcy number six now.

I try to write entertaining murder-mysteries, but I have to admit there are subtle and not so subtle messages contained in the stories. I hope fiction lovers will enjoy the fast-paced writing style and will also find some thought provoking and even educational content.

However, I have ideas for novels not in the series that might be set in a future where climate change and water shortages have radically changed cultures all over the world. I’m not interested in writing dystopian novels but would like to address the reality of living in a greatly changed world of perhaps 200 years in the future, and explore how the physical changes will affect human emotions and beliefs.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

My website is http://www.arleenalleman.com . There the reader can learn about the books and about me, check out any scheduled book signings, read news articles, reviews, and book excerpts, and access my Amazon and Barnes and Noble book pages.

Are your books available in print and ebook formats? (please provide the buy link for easy reader accessibility)

All my books are available in ebook, as well as hard and soft cover formats.

On amazon at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Arleen+Alleman

And on Barnes & Noble at

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Arleen-Alleman?keyword=Arleen+Alleman&store=book

Thanks for dropping by, Arleen. I wish you lots of great travels and inspiration for many more good reads.

Thank you, Susan. And the pie was delicious.

Trish Jackson Romances

Trish Jackson grew up on a farm in Zimbabwe, Africa, which sparked a love of adventure and suspense, and being a romantic at heart, she writes romantic suspense and romantic comedy. Her stories are usually set in small towns, where the people enjoy country values, and the pace of life is a little slower. Trish also loves animals and always includes them in her stories. Welcome to the blog, Trish.

Thank you, Susan. I brought you a South African dessert that Andre's mom Rietta makes in Aquarius Addiciton. It called 

Melktert:

1 large ready pie crust

2 cups milk

2 tblsp sugar

½ cup flour

2 eggs, well beaten

1 tblsp butter

½ teaspoon cinnamon

Boil together milk, sugar, butter and cinnamon.

Blend flour with a little cold water, and add boiling milk mixture to it, stirring briskly to prevent lumps.

Return mixture to pan and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

Allow to cool a little.

Add well-beaten eggs, stir well, and cook again for a few minutes.

Pour into pie crust and sprinkle with a little additional cinnamon.

Bake at 375 deg. F. for around 20-25 minutes until just browning.

It's delicious, Trish. Wow! Growing up in Simbabwe is awesome, I'm sure. Tell us more.

How did your environment affected your writing?

Having grown up in Zimbabwe, I had no clue what a 'redneck' was until I moved to the US. I found them to be wonderfully genuine people who would literally give you the shirt off their backs if you needed it, and who are not afraid to speak their minds. That's when I started the first in my Redneck P.I. trilogy.

How many books have you written?

I've written a lot of books, and published six full-length novels, and a couple of non-fiction books. I also write short stories about my characters, which I offer free in eBook format.

Give a short synop of your most recently published book.

I had two books released around the end of 2014/beginning of 2015.

Backwoods Boogie (romantic suspense/comedy) is the third in the Redneck P.I. series. Twila Taunton, redneck private investigator is determined to rescue gentle Brit Pam Taylor from a being convicted of a murder she clearly did not commit. In the course of the investigation, Twila discovers an illegal puppy mill, where several dogs are living in filth and squalor without adequate food, shelter or veterinary attention. She and her quirky friends make a plan to rescue them, while she also helps a biker gang break up a dog fighting operation.

Aquarius Addiction (romantic suspense) is the second in the Zodiac Series, in which each heroine belongs to a different star sign and exhibits the typical traits of her sign. Aquarius Arlette Xylander is feisty, eccentric, freedom-loving, flirtatious, rebellious and unpredictable. Her emotions rage between denial, anger and tears when her doctor tells her she is suffering from a rare terminal disease. When hunky Andre Rossouw asks her to help find his sister who has been missing for four years, Arlette makes two decisions. To beat the disease and find a cure, and to have wild and passionate sex with him. The book includes some paranormal, and (I always write about animals)—a black cat called 'Marbles'.

How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?

I suppose the author's unique voice is really the author's character showing through. I believe my love of animals has helped me create some memorable four-legged characters, including Scratch, the Cairn Terrier who rides on the back of Twila's Harley, and Riley's palomino, Flight-of-Fancy in Capricorn Cravings.

What do you think is the greatest lesson you’ve learned about writing so far? What advice can you give new writers?

I have been published by Uncial Press and Soul Mate Publishing, both of which have wonderful, caring editors who have helped to make my stories so much better than they would have been. I absolutely recommend an editor. Even the best writers have editors, because we can't see our own mistakes.

Where do you store ideas for later use: in your head, in a notebook, or on a spreadsheet?

I create new folders in Word and store them on my computer for later. Another word of advice for new authors is this—keep copies of all your work on another computer or storage device. I keep several copies of everything. Think of how devastating it would be if you lost it.

Can you tell us your future writing goals/projects?

Virgo's Vice, the third Zodiac Series story is with my publisher and will be released at the end of 2015.

I'm currently working on three projects:

1. Leo's Legacy -- the fourth book in the Zodiac Series, which takes place in my country of birth, Rhodesia (nowZimbabwe), and is based on true events. Zimbabwe currently is governed by a ruthless dictator who appeases his disgruntled citizens by allowing them to attack farmers and force them to give up their farms, murdering and torturing them if they feel like it. They also maim and torture the animals, and I plan to bring this horrific situation to people's attention in this story.

2. Ass Backwards – the fourth in the Redneck P.I. Series, as told by quirky character Gasser Cunha, whose many talents include farting, computer hacking, and superior guitar playing. This one is about illegal meth labs.

 I can hardly wait to read that one!

3. My first psychological thriller.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

My websites – www.trishjackson.com and www.trishjax.com also offer free downloads of a few short stories.

Are your books available in print and ebook formats? (please provide the buy link for easy reader accessibility)

They're available in both.

http://www.amazon.com/Trish-Jackson/e/B004ZZG55K/

Thank you for the delicious Melktert ! I wish you great sales with all your endeavors.

Prolific p.m. terrell

p.m.terrell is the pen name for Patricia McClelland Terrell, the award-winning, internationally acclaimed author of more than twenty books in four genres: contemporary suspense, historical suspense, computer how-to and non-fiction.

Prior to writing full-time, she founded two computer companies in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Among her clients were the Central Intelligence Agency, United States Secret Service, U.S. Information Agency, and Department of Defense. Her specialties were in white collar computer crimes and computer intelligence.

A full-time author since 2002, Vicki’s Key was a top five finalist in the 2012 International Book Awards and 2012 USA Book Awards nominee, The Pendulum Files was a national finalist for the Best Cover of the Year in 2014, The Tempest Murders was one of four finalists in the 2013 International Book Awards, cross-genre category and River Passage was a 2010 Best Fiction and Drama Winner.

She is the co-founder of The Book ‘Em Foundation and chair of Book ‘Em North Carolina (www.bookemnc.org), and she sits on the boards of the Friends of the Robeson County Public Library and the Robeson County Arts Council. She has also served on the boards of Crime Stoppers and Crime Solvers and became the first female president of the Chesterfield County-Colonial Heights Crime Solvers in Virginia. I met Patricia the first year of Book 'Em along with many other authors from all over the place.

Trish how many books have you written?

Thank you, Susan. I have written more than 20 books. A Thin Slice of Heaven is the 19^th title to be released, and two more are in various stages of production for release in 2015 and 2016.

Give a short synopsis of your most recently published book.

She had arranged to meet her husband in Northern Ireland for a second honeymoon, but when Charleigh arrives at the remote castle, she receives a message that he won’t be coming—and that he’s leaving her for another woman. Stranded for the weekend by a snowstorm that has blocked all access to the castle, she finds herself three thousand miles from home in a country she knows nothing about.

She is soon joined by Sean Bracken, the great-grandson of Laird Bracken, the original owner of the castle, and she finds herself falling quickly and madly in love with him. There’s just one problem: he’s dead.

As the castle begins to come alive with secrets from centuries past, she finds herself trapped between parallel worlds. Caught up in a mass haunting, she can no longer recognize the line between the living and the dead. Now she’s discovering that her appearance there wasn’t by accident—and is more earth-shattering than she ever suspected.

What challenges did you face while writing this book?

This book took nearly three times longer to write than my earlier works. Each scene has more than one meaning; early reviewers reported staying up all night and once they read the twist at the end, they turned back to the first page and read it all again. Because each scene has double meanings, I had to delve deep into the world of the living and the dead, which required meeting with hospice workers and speaking with people who had near-death experiences.

Do you travel to do research or for inspiration? Can you share some special places with us?

After I wrote the first draft of A Thin Slice of Heaven, I traveled to Northern Ireland in search of my family’s ancestry. I found that my ancestors had once been the Laird and Lady of lands in County Tyrone, so close to the site of the castle in my book that it was eerie.

I had also named the main character Sean Bracken and the castle ‘Brackenridge’ because it sits atop a ridge similar to the Cliffs of Moher. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that my ancestors had arrived in Ireland from the Lowlands of Scotland near a village called Brackenridge!

Wow! What a great experience!

What do you think is the greatest lesson you’ve learned about writing so far? What advice can you give new writers?

There is no quick path to fame. Authors termed “overnight successes” never arrive there overnight; it’s simply that their struggles are not visible to us. I’ve been in this industry since my first book was published in 1984, and I have seen a lot of writers come and go. I’ve learned that sometimes the most successful of them are not necessarily the best; they’re simply the ones who stayed in the game and refused to give up.

Where do you store ideas for later use: in your head, in a notebook, or on a spreadsheet?

In my head. If it stays, it’s worth writing. If it’s elusive, its time hasn’t yet arrived.

Can you tell us your future writing goals/projects?

Two more books are scheduled to be released over the next year. One is the 6^th book in the award-winning Black Swamp Mysteries Series; when reports of UFO’s are sighted hovering above major U.S. cities before mysteriously vanishing, Dylan Maguire is tasked with covertly intercepting Russian plans detailing cloaking capabilities for a new breed of fighter aircraft—but a double agent is already on the run with them, with the Russians close behind.

Then the 3^rd book in the Ryan O’Clery series will be released; when Ryan’s ex-wife shows up on his doorstep begging for help, he finds himself pulled into an investigation that pits him against some of the city’s most powerful leaders and threatening his future in America.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

Author’s website:  www.pmterrell.com

Twitter: @pmterrell

Blog:  www.pmterrell.blogspot.com

Facebook: author.p.m.terrell

Can you tell visitors more about Book 'Em?

The Book 'Em Foundation was founded by p.m.terrell and Waynesboro Police Officer Mark Kearney in 2000. The mission is to raise awareness of the direct link between high crime rates and high rates of illiteracy. On the last Saturday of each February, the Book 'Em North Carolina Writers Conference and Book Fair is held in Lumberton, North Carolina. It brings together more than 75 authors and publishers who participate in panel discussions and solo talks for writers and lovers of books. For every book sold at the event, at least 40% of the gross revenue goes to increasing literacy in our communities. To date, thousands of dollars have been donated to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Robeson County for ages 1 through 5; Communities in Schools of Robeson County for all grade levels; Friends of the Robeson County Public Library for all ages; and the Lumberton Police Department for Reading Across America. For more information, visit www.bookemnc.org.

Are your books available in print and ebook formats? (please provide the buy link for easy reader accessibility)

Yes; my books are available in all book stores worldwide as well as in all eBook formats. Because the list is so extensive, readers can visit my website at www.pmterrell.com, click on the “Books” link in the left menu, and follow the links to each of my books.

A complete list is also on amazon at http://www.amazon.com/P.-M.-Terrell/e/B001JOXFXK

It has been a pleasure to have you over. Best wishes on all future endeavors!

Thanks for having me over to discuss my work. I hope to see you at next year's Book 'Em NC.

Amy Reade: dark secrets

Amy M. Reade is the author of two novels of romantic suspense: Secrets of Hallstead House and The Ghosts of Peppernell Manor. The Ghosts of Peppernell Manor will be released on April 28, 2015. A former lawyer with a husband, three children, a dog, two cats, and a fish, she now writes full time from her home in New Jersey. She loves reading, cooking, and all things Hawaii.

Thanks for joining me on the porch for an interview, Amy. Have some chocolate-covered macadamias.

Thanks, I certainly will.

How has your environment affected your writing?

My first book, Secrets of Hallstead House, is set in the Thousand Islands of New York State, not far from where I grew up. It seemed only natural to set my first story in a place I know so well; besides, it’s the perfect place for a mystery!

My second book, The Ghosts of Peppernell Manor, is set outside Charleston, South Carolina. There is such beauty and a rich cultural history in the Lowcountry; I couldn’t resist its attraction.  

When I first started writing seriously, I needed absolute quiet. I did almost all my writing at one of the local libraries, locked away in a private study room in total silence. I also wrote that book almost entirely in longhand before putting it on the computer. I don’t have time to do that anymore, so I write at home and use the computer almost constantly. My desk is in the living room, so that’s where I spend most of my writing time. When I’m not there, I am at the kitchen table, which is also the hub of activity at my house. So as time has passed, I am finding it easier to work in the midst of noise.

I still do some work at the library, but at this point it’s mostly for research. Now most of my work is at home, where it can get noisy. So I guess you could say that my environment has made it easier for me to write through noisy distractions.

Give a short synop of your most recently published book.

The Ghosts of Peppernell Manor comes out on April 28, 2015. It’s the story of Carleigh Warner, a recently-divorced woman who, with her young daughter, leaves Chicago to move into an antebellum plantation manor outside Charleston, South Carolina, while she restores it to its former grandeur. Once at the manor, she begins to realize that her hosts, the Peppernell family, do not all agree about the future of the manor and she finds herself being drawn inexorably into the secrets and the tensions that contribute to the atmosphere of greed, resentment, and violence.  

 

How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?

People who know me and who have read my books might answer this question differently, but I don’t think there’s much of me in the pages. I do love to cook, so food is mentioned quite often in the books. And I love living near water, whether it’s a river or a lake or an ocean, and all my books so far have taken place on or near the water. But in terms of personality, I don’t think I’m hidden in my protagonists or other characters. For example, in my first book, Secrets of Hallstead House, the main character, Macy Stoddard, is afraid of boats and can’t swim, and I’m exactly the opposite.  

Do you travel to do research or for inspiration? Can you share some special places with us?

I don’t travel to do research; rather, I research while I’m traveling. In other words, I don’t go someplace specifically to do research for a book, but if I go somewhere I love, I make sure to take lots of extra pictures (and sometimes, notes) to refer to in case I ever write a book about that place. I was fortunate enough to go to Northern Ireland last year, and I fell in love with some of the places we visited. I fully intend to use those memories and my photos for a book someday. And I do love Hawaii, so my next novel is set there.

What do you think is the greatest lesson you’ve learned about writing so far? What advice can you give new writers?

The greatest lesson I’ve learned so far is how much marketing work an author has to do to sell books, even an author that is traditionally published.

And here’s the lesson I would give a new writer: get a website, start a blog, or both. Preferably both. Keep them updated. Start a Facebook fan page and update it frequently. Get on other social media, too. I’m on Twitter, but there are lots of other venues to choose from. Post often.

Where do you store ideas for later use: in your head, in a notebook, or on a spreadsheet?

I use a three-ring binder for each book I write. It’s divided into sections such as plotting, characters, chronology, bibliography, research, etc. There’s also a section entitled “Ideas for future stories.” I write down ideas that come to me while I’m writing one novel so that I don’t forget them before I’m ready to start the next one. When one novel is done and the manuscript has been sent off, then and only then do I go back and look at the ideas I’ve written down.

Can you tell us your future writing goals/projects?

I am currently writing a novel that takes place in Hawaii. It’s the story of a sous chef who, sick of winter in Washington, D.C. (maybe I am hidden in these books, after all!), takes a job as a personal chef on the Island of Hawaii, sometimes called the Big Island. But trouble follows her from the East Coast and threatens the serenity of the life she’s trying to build in Hawaii. On top of that, the family she works for harbors secrets that could potentially tear them all apart.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

I love it when readers connect with me online. I can be reached at the following places and I invite your blog readers to visit me at any or all of them:

Website: http://www.amymreade.com

Blog: http://amreade.wordpress.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/amreadeauthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/readeandwrite

Are your books available in print and ebook formats? (please provide the buy link for easy reader accessibility)

My books are available as ebooks and in print formats. You can find the books at http://www.amazon.com, http://www.amazon.co.uk, http://www.amazon.ca, http://www.amazon.com.au, http://www.kensingtonbooks.com, http://www.barnesandnoble.com, http://www.books.google.com, and http://www.kobobooks.com.

Theodore Druch and noir detectives

Born in Milwaukee and educated in Boston, Theodore P. Druch went on to take a “higher” degree at Timothy Leary’s LSD commune at Millbrook, NY. He has written about this experience in a “true” novel, Timothy Leary and the Madmen of Millbrook.  He went on to become a general contractor in San Francisco, mostly remodeling old Victorian homes. At the age of fifty-eight, he and his partner, Maria Ruiz, chucked it all and ran away from home to see the world. They spent ten years traveling to fifty-two countries, and living in several for extended periods. In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, he rekindled an old love of writing. He was an active member of the Puerto Vallarta Writer’s Group, and conducted a weekly workshop for serious authors. He was organizer and chairman for the 7^th Annual PVWG International Writers Conference in February, 2012. He is currently living in Sacramento, California where he’s working on a series of detective novels featuring Joe Gold, a Jewish PI in the mold of Sam Spade.

Welcome to the blog, Theodore. 

How many books have you written?

     Eight so far.

Give a short synop of your most recently published book.

     The Case of the Mayor’s Wife:

     Joe Gold, a down and out PI, is approached by his ex-mistress with news that their daughter has been kidnapped. Thing is, she’s now married to the corrupt Mayor of Central City and he thinks the now 17 year-old girl is his. She also hasn’t told her husband because the kidnap is part of a blackmail plot against her and she doesn’t want him to know something. Before Joe can even begin investigating, he’s the victim of a knife attack and spends several days in the hospital. To top things off, before she can give him some important information, she herself is killed and Joe is left completely on his own without the vaguest idea of what to do next.

     As he sorts it all out, he finds himself on a journey through the corrupt backwaters of Central City on the way to a surprise he never expected.

How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?

    

     Well, Joe Gold certainly has a lot of attitudes and thoughts that are mine, so he’s definitely an alter ego. We are also very different though. He gets himself into situations where I’d be hiding under the bed. Very Walter Mittyish, it would seem. I suppose that lots of other characters also spring from somewhere within my psyche or, at least, some of their behavior and thinking does.

          In my case, I’m really trying to do homage to the great noir detective writing of people like Dashiell Hammet, Raymond Chandler and, in my lighter moments, Mickey Spillane, so I actually follow a tried and true formula that has more to do with familiarity than psychology. There are no new stories, only new twists - if I’m lucky enough to find them and tease them out of the narrative.

     The toughest part is doing it without being obvious, so the reader wonders “why didn’t I think of that.” When all is said and done, putting one over on him is great fun but you’d better make him enjoy it too or he won’t buy your next book.

     I also worry less about how much of myself is hidden in my characters than I do about how much is hidden within me.

What challenges did you face while writing this book?

     I was living in Mexico, working with the Puerto Vallarta Writers Group when I started it. It was interrupted for some medical emergencies and a quick move to Sacramento that turned out to have saved my life.

     Other than that, writing it, and three sequels so far, was a blast. The words came in a flash and it was the easiest writing I’ve ever done. If I was a believing man I’d say that I was being guided by the ghosts of the writers aforementioned. But I’m not, so I’ll just say I have no idea. Creativity cannot be quantitatively evaluated beyond the number of books you write. Or is it sell? I get confused. Quality is solely in the eye of the beholder.

So do you travel to do research or for inspiration? 

     My partner, Maria Ruiz, also an author, and I ran away from home in 1998 and spent the next 10 years traveling the world. After that, we settled in Puerto Vallarta for six years. It was certainly the inspiration for two travel books. Footprints on a Small Planet is about the three years we spent traveling Mexico and Central America by motor home.

     The most interesting trip we took was an impromptu, month long journey in Africa, which we had to undertake to renew our Kenyan visas. We ended up visiting Victoria Falls, the Island of Zanzibar, and going on safari in the Serengeti. We had expected to be gone for a weekend. I’ve written about it all in African Odyssey.

     We lived in Chiang Mai, Thailand for a year and a half. It’s one of the most fascinating and interesting places on the planet. Another place not to miss is Halong Bay near Hanoi, Vietnam. If you can arrange a boat on a nice, misty day, you’ll have the experience of your life as fantastically shaped mountains rise from the mists like ghosts as you sail along.

     Anyone who truly wants to understand how lucky we are in the West must definitely spend three months in India. It’s truly a psychedelic place but give yourself about three months to come down afterward. Earplugs are advised and you must try to harden your heart to some the most abject misery on earth hidden behind a veil of brilliant color and motion, or you could go mad.

 WOW! That was a question worth asking you. Thanks for all the information.

What do you think is the greatest lesson you’ve learned about writing so far? What

advice can you give new writers?

     There are two things that I have found for sure. The more you write, the better you get. And when you write fiction, sooner or later your characters take over your story and you become just their hired pencil pusher. Eventually, you have to become ruthless or they’ll kick you around.

     The best advice I can give new authors is have a good source of income that doesn’t depend on writing. My very best advice is make sure that your parents are fabulously wealthy and don’t care if you actually make any money at all. If they’re happy for you to sit around scribbling all day you’re in like Flynn. Just don’t write anything too true about them or you’ll find your word processor set up in some dingy little tenement room.

HAHAHA! Love your response.

Where do you store ideas for later use: in your head, in a notebook, or on a spreadsheet?

They’re all in my head. I tried keeping a notebook but it became apparent that a good idea just stayed. If I forgot about it, it probably wasn’t any good anyway. That, by the way is probably your most important job, recognizing the crap and being ruthless with it.

We all know how important promoting our work has become. How do you get the word out both off and online?

     Now there I’ve been remiss. I don’t do anywhere near what “they” tell you to do, but I’m  just not convinced that promoting yourself endlessly on the internet isn’t more annoying to everyone else than lucrative for you.

     I do have a blog, but I haven’t done much about updating it.

Blogs and websites are more important for authors who already have a considerable following. I know people who spend hours chatting on facebook and sell maybe $30 – 40 per month. Maria and I make regular rounds of retirement communities here and read from our books. We’ve made as much as $100, but that’s unusual.

      It’s also worth trying to get people to review your book, but no one really pays much attention to those that have been paid for.

The sad truth is that it’s easier for a rich man to pass through the eye of a needle than for an unknown author to sell a book.

     Unless you really love to write, you probably should not waste your time at it.

Can you tell us your future writing goals/projects?

     My immediate goal is to sell the next two books in the Pure Gold series. The Case of the Reluctant Vampire, and the Case of the Bigoted Blogger. They are being published shortly as ebooks by Stark Raving Books, a publisher of noir novellas, and I’m self-publishing the paperbacks on Amazon through Create Space.

At the same time, I’m starting work on a new one tentatively titled the Case of the Gregarious gringo that will bring Joe Gold to Puerto Vallarta.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

    https://theodorepdruch.wordpress.com/

Are your books available in print and ebook formats? (please provide the buy link for easy reader accessibility)

   They are available in both and are all available at this link.

   http://www.amazon.com/Theodore-P.-Druch/e/B007XW6I5O/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1412993154&sr=1-2-ent 

Libby Grandy has promises to keep

Libby Grandy lives in Claremont, California with her husband, Fred. She writes a weekly blog, hosts a critique group and belongs to Inland Empire Branch of The California Writers Club. Libby’s novels, Desert Soliloquy, a mystery, Promises to Keep, Book One of the Haverford Trilogy, and Lydia, Book Two, are available on Amazon. True Abundance, Book Three of the trilogy will be

published in 2016.

 

Libby, welcome to the blog! Have a latte and a cookie while we talk about your books.

Thank you, Susan. Sounds good.

You're such busy lady. How many books have you written?

I've written four books, published three and am editing the fourth for publication in 2016.

Give a short synop of your most recently published book.

Some people make a difference by simply being who they are. They provide a spiritual haven for others. Lydia Nelson is such a person. When people are with her, they have a clearer sense of themselves. In Lydia, Book Two of the Haverford Trilogy, the problems of a family in a small town mirror the stress—and danger—of modern life.

Sounds intriguing.

Do you travel to do research or for inspiration? Can you share some special places with us.

I did not have to travel to write Book One and Two of my trilogy, as my memories of the countryside in Virginia where I lived for over forty years served me well. I lived in a rural environment until we moved to California when I was forty-one. For my mystery, Desert Soliloquy, I traveled to Durango, Colorado and visited the beautiful mesas where the Anasazi once lived. I used the ghost town, Calico, in the high desert of California, as a template for my fictional setting of Odessa in the novel and visited the town often. On one visit, I collected epitaphs from the old tombstones in the graveyard there. I sat in the shade of one of the tall tombstones, typing, when I realized someone was standing beside me. A woman looked down and asked, “Are you from L.A.?” I guess if you are leaning against a tombstone in the desert, at high noon, typing on a laptop, you must be from L.A. (We live forty miles south of L.A. in Claremont.)

What do you think is the greatest lesson you’ve learned about writing so far and what advice can you give new writers?

What I've learned over the years is to just enjoy writing. It is a gift, as well as a welcome distraction at times. My advice to new writers is to write from the heart. Don't concern yourself about what is presently trending, as it probably won't be by the time you finish your book. Learn about marketing but don't focus on it until you have a good, clean, well-written novel. Join critique groups that are helpful, not critical. I have advice about that on my website. Most importantly, learn the craft of writing before you publish your work.

Good advice, Libby.

We all know how important promoting our work has become. How do you get the word out both off and online?

I promote my novels on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Goodreads. I write a weekly blog and mention them whenever I can. I attend book fairs in Southern California. I belong to the Inland Empire Branch of the California Writers Club and encourage fellow members to write reviews for me.

Can you tell us your future writing goals/projects?

I am editing the third book in my trilogy, True Abundance, and hope to publish it in January 2016. I still have some research to do. I've written around 30,000 words on a new novel, The End is the Beginning, and will continue writing on it after editing Book Three of the trilogy.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

My published novels can be found on Amazon at http://ow.ly/HXHE3 and my published articles on my website, http://www.libbygrandy.com.

It's been nice to meet you, Libby. I wish you continued success with your writing.