News@ 319

Welcome to the inaugural issue.  After more than 200 blog posts, I felt it was time for something new. So here’s a chance to get a peek into my world when it comes to so many topics related to my efforts.   There will be interviews with other authors, details about characters, movies that inspire and even music, since it’s so important to life. There may even be a glimpse into a current project or a ‘soon-to-be-released’ effort.  With that in mind, away we go!

So What’s the Big Deal about 319?

Some people place special significance on March 15, as it relates to the Ides of March and the times of Julius Caesar.  Others look fondly at March 17 as St. Patrick’s Day is a good reason to celebrate.  For me, I’ll take March 19.  Because if you are just using 3/15, 3/17 or 3/19, that refers to my mystery novel “Why 319?”  Over the years, I have learned that it’s better to have a distinctive title for your work. And what is more distinctive than the message a killer leaves on a motel mirror than a clue that taunts the cops?  So what better date to launch a newsletter than 319?

Writing:

In the past, I facilitated a twice-monthly writer’s workshop. Each session we would briefly discuss one component of writing, such as character development, dialogue, setting or conflict. Many in the group were amazed to learn that I don’t use an outline for my stories. I find it too restrictive.  To explain, I share this tale.

I attended a Catholic elementary school. One of the sisters teaching English gave us an assignment.  Write an outline tonight.  Then tomorrow night, write the story based on the outline. I tried to talk my way out of it. Even as a kid, I found that idea repulsive. But the nun wouldn’t budge. Frustrated, I went home and wrote the story, following the parameters that were set.  When it was completed, I wrote the outline.  After both assignments were handed in on schedule, the good sister gave me a smile and said, “See, I knew you could do it.”  I told her she was right, of course, while scanning the skies for lightning bolts.

To this day, I still don’t use an outline.

I’ll start with the main idea for a story, like a murder investigation, pick out a couple of key players from my cast of characters, and let them go.  With this style, I also don’t write chronologically. The idea for a scene will hit me and I’ll work that around a bit. Then it sticks in my head until it’s written.  Then it’s off to the next one.   Eventually I’ll figure out the timing of the scenes and what is missing to tie them all together.  As one of the nuns once said ‘Crude, but effective.”

Hey, whatever works, right?

Author Interview:  Destiny Eve

Welcome to the News. Where are you from? 

A small town in Northwest Minnesota.

What’s your ‘someday’ or dream vacation spot and why?

I have so many but probably one of the highest on my list is to take my three children to Disney World.

What’s your favorite thing to do for relaxation?

To relax, I enjoy watching TV and movies. I also like to color mandalas.

Any favorite hobbies?

I have several hobbies aside from writing. I enjoy photography, graphic design, crafting, interior design, and home remodeling. Basically I like anything creative that challenges my mind and utilizes my skills.

How long have you been writing?

I began writing when I was in elementary school. I was an avid reader as a child and it eventually led me to think I could create stories too. It started out small with picture books that I would draw and write. Then it advanced into novel writing in my teens. Ask anyone I went to high school with and they’ll tell you I always had a pen in my hand or my nose in a book.

Are you able to write full time or do you also have a job/career?

Right now my writing is at the hobby level, having yet to make a single dime off it. I do hope to change that in the very near future. Writing is something I squeeze in after my busy schedule lets up for the day. My “career” is being a mom, as well as working as an accounting clerk and secretary.

Is there a particular genre that you write?  Or more than one?  What led you to there?

This is an interesting story for me. When I became more serious about writing, I started out to write thrillers like my favorite author of all time, Stephen King. With my debut novel, Her Heart in Chains, I was surprised by how much romance I wanted to put into the story. Soon I realized I was nothing like King, and I’m completely okay with that. I write romantic thrillers. I incorporate elements from both of my favorite genres to create stories that will give you the feels and make you cringe.

Do you use friends or family as characters in your work?

I don’t use family or friends as characters in my work, specifically. I do however, pull elements from people I know and incorporate them into my characters. But it’s a hodgepodge rather than being able to pin it down to one specific person.

What authors had an impact on you growing up and as an adult? 

As a kid I fell in love with the Goosebumps books by R.L. Stine. I was always excited to check out the Scholastic Book Fair to scoop up the latest one. As I got a little older, I advanced to R.L. Stine’s Fear Street series, which was more appropriate for teenagers, even though I was much younger than his intended audience. By my early teens I picked up my first Stephen King novel, Christine, and I’ve been devouring his books ever since. Stine and King have been staples in my life and have shaped me as a writer.

Has anyone in your life influenced you or encouraged you to pursue your interests of writing? (teacher, family member, friend)

I have had several people throughout my life encourage my interest in writing but probably my biggest supporter is my sister. She is also a writer and it’s a passion we shared growing up together and one we continue to share into adulthood.

What is your favorite aspect of writing? Your least favorite? 

My favorite aspect of writing is the creativity. Building plots, inventing characters, and flying by the seat of my pants as the words flow from my brain to page. My least favorite aspect of writing is editing my work. I’m my own worst critic and I often nitpick myself to death.

What aspect of writing would you most like to improve on? 

I’ve been working a lot on my showing vs telling, and it’s something that is still a work in progress. From where Her Heart in Chains started to where it is now, it’s night and day, but I need to improve even more on it for future works.

Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing?  (Food, drink, silence, noise, location, scented candles)

The most important thing for me to be able to write is tranquility. My days are chaotic and I need some peace and quiet to get my creativity flowing. I wait until the chores are done and the kids are in bed. My drinks and snacks vary widely depending on the day. I will almost always have white noise of some kind, and on rare occasions I listen to a little music.

Is there a common theme or item that appears in each of your works?  

I like to incorporate controversial topics in my fiction. As an example, in Her Heart in Chains you’ll find a long laundry list of hot-button topics such as suicide, self-harm, drug addiction, teen sex, underage drinking, domestic assault, infidelity, and homicidal violence, to name a few.

What have you learned the most from being in the writing business?

The most important thing I have learned is to write your story, your way. There are so many “rules” out there that it’s easy to get lost in the mix. I’m not saying you should disregard the important aspects of writing, but use what works for your story, regardless of what popular opinion is.

Tell us about your latest work:

Her Heart in Chains by Destiny Eve

Sweet Janelle Dixon falls for the mysterious Ian Edwards despite already having the perfect boyfriend. Soon she learns that love can have unexpected and deadly consequences.

How did you decide on your story plot?  

A pivotal scene in the novel stemmed from a dream I had, and it’s how the story was born. From there I fleshed out the major details and let the rest come through in the writing process.

Describe how this method works best for you. Outline or ‘seat of the pants’? 

I’m in between the two. I do a small, skeletal outline that really only hits the major points of the novel. The rest is written in seat-of-the-pants style.

Do you have a favorite scene you’ve written? What makes it special? 

I absolutely love the scene where Janelle and Ian run off to make out in a supply closet. Writing the sexual tension between the two characters leading up to the scene and the passion between them during it was invigorating. This scene also lays a very important foundation for everything that happens after.

Book Genre: Dark Romantic Thriller

Her Heart in Chains will be released Summer 2020. To keep up on the latest from me, check out my website at https://www.destinyeve.com/  and be sure to follow me on Twitter @museofdestiny.

Movies:

I’m an old movie buff.  It’s not uncommon for me to watch a movie more than once, often picking up details with a later viewing that shot right by me the first time. Some of the old masters are delightful to watch how they used the effects of light and shadows to set the scene, long before CGI was ever thought of.

Since we’re in March and so close to St. Patrick’s Day, it seems only appropriate to dig out “The Quiet Man”. This 1952 comedy-drama was directed by John Ford and starred John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara and Barry Fitzgerald. Wayne plays a retired boxer who moves to the little village in Ireland to live a quiet life. When he meets O’Hara the sparks fly in more ways than one, as he tries to win the girl and get acclimated with the culture of Ireland.  Ford drew upon the talents of this crew and a host of relatives to fill in supporting roles when they shot the exteriors in Ireland. The movie won 2 Academy Awards, including best director.

Music:

I can’t work in silence, so there is always music in the background. Sometimes the genre fits with what I’m writing. Other times, it’s just chance. My tastes run from old classics with Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin and others to blues, jazz, Motown and rock.  One of my favorite artists is the late Marvin Gaye.  Here are the top five of his best from the Motown style.   Let’s Get it On:  Sexual Healing:  Heard it Through the Grapevine:  Got to Give it Up:  What’s Goin’ On

Giveaway

I have 2 novels in the Jefferson Chene mystery series (“Why 319?” and “Your Turn to Die”) with The Wild Rose Press and 3 novels in the Jamie Richmond romance/mystery series (“Devious”, “Vanishing Act” and “Fleeing Beauty”) with Inkspell Publishing.  I’ve also been fortunate to have two of my recent short stories included in anthologies. “Stealing Haven” is part of Inkspell’s  “Once Upon A Summer”  and “Goody Twoshoes” is part of the “Australia Burns” collection to raise funds for the relief efforts down under.

As part of this new venture, I’m offering up a free e-book version of one of my novels.  All you have to do is click on the my blog or my Amazon author’s page. Check out the details on the books and send me an email, indicating which one is the most appealing and why.  That’s it!