How did that
happen? I blinked and suddenly it’s February.
You’d think a guy named Love would be looking forward to all the special
attention that comes with Valentine’s Day, the celebration of romance and true
love smack dab in the middle of the shortest month. That’s never been the
case. I’ve never even gotten a discount
from a restaurant on that day. Ah well.
As Chuck
Berry once sang, “‘C’est la vie’. It goes to show you never can tell.” Time to
get back to work with a few bits about writing, a sneak peek at my latest
efforts, an interview with a great author and of course, music. So enough misdirection. Let’s get the party
started.
Writing
Inspiration can strike at any moment. For a writer, that can
often happen when you least expect it. I can be sitting there, minding my own
business, maybe grading papers or listening to music and suddenly, Zeus hits me
in the ass with a lightning bolt. Well, that may not be exactly how it works,
but its close.
Here's a recent example.
I was talking with Eric, an old buddy I haven’t seen in half
a dozen years or more. We were catching up on a video call when he asked about
my latest project. I explained the premise of the cold case investigation,
where Charity Gray, a 15 year-old girl, had disappeared on her way home from
school and her remains had been found fifteen years later. At this stage in the story, Chene was
interviewing teachers from the school who might remember the girl.
Enter Zeus.
Eric has a love of all things related to the Civil War. He’s
participated in reenactments and probably has over 800 books on the
subject. It occurred to me that Charity
should have taken American History. What
better means of engaging the students in the topic of the war than to have the
teacher involved in reenactments? I hit
Eric with a few questions. It took less
than a nanosecond to persuade him to be a source for the character and the
book.
Thanks, Zeus.
Work In Progress
Steady work on the next Chene book continues. Now that
professional football is done until September, I should have more time to work
on this book. In theory. The pieces keep clicking together. My unofficial
target is to get the first draft done by the end of April. Then it’s time for a revision or two and
recruiting a couple of beta readers to get some much needed feedback and
direction.
Once I have a good character in mind, it’s difficult to keep
them out of the story. Both Chene and
Jamie Richmond have made guest appearances in each other’s novels. While it
wasn’t intended, Jamie fit in well with the latest story. Here’s an excerpt where Chene turns to her
for some off the record assistance.
“Where are we headed?” Donna asked. We were back in the Jag, travelling west on I
696. She reached up and pressed a button
near the ceiling. A smoky glass panel rolled back, letting fresh air into the
cabin. I could get used to this kind of
ride.
“I need someone who is good with
research. Somebody accustomed to digging
deep. We’ve got about thirty hours left on Pappy’s deadline.”
Donna tilted her head back, feeling the
breeze on her face. “Something tells me you’re not headed to see a librarian.”
“Not exactly. But she does have a knack for
gathering information. And she could crush the image of a librarian to pieces.”
“So, a naughty librarian.”
“Shut up.”
I rolled to a stop in front of the little
ranch house. Movement inside the window caught my attention. The door opened
before we were halfway up the walk and a slender redhead emerged. There was
concern in her green eyes. She skipped down from the stoop and covered the
distance between us quickly.
“Hey, Jamie,” I said.
“Hello, cowboy. You don’t need to get shot
to come and visit.” Avoiding my wounded arm, she moved to the other side and
gave me a gentle hug.
I’m still awkward around most women. There
was a slight hesitation before my right arm circled her waist for a brief
squeeze. “You remember Donna?”
Jamie let me go and stepped back. “Sure. We
met during the Morrissey case. Let’s go
inside and you can explain.”
We settled around the kitchen table. There
were tall glasses filled with ice and a pitcher of lemonade in the center.
Jamie served us and settled on the edge of her chair to my right, a legal pad
and pen within easy reach.
“How’s Malone doing?” Donna asked. Jamie lived with another cop, a sergeant with
the MSP. Malone worked at a post nearby that managed the highway patrols for
part of the Motown area.
“He’s good. Had to be in court this
morning.”
On the phone earlier I’d been reluctant to
say much. It was entirely possible the feds or someone else was tapping my
line. Now I spelled it out for her. I
needed whatever information she could uncover about organized crime,
particularly the families that were involved thirty years ago. While I talked, Jamie scribbled notes in her
own style of shorthand.
“You mentioned a deadline?” she asked while
I sipped the lemonade.
“I hate to impose, but we’ve got maybe
twenty-four hours before things get even crazier. The feds are trying to make a
statement, with a bust related to one syndicate or another. Right now, it’s all
about politics, bullshit and headlines.”
Jamie smiled and batted her lashes at me.
“Smooth talker, you know that’s what makes the world go ‘round.”
“Which is why you came to mind. You were
extremely helpful with the Morrissey case and you certainly know how to dig. My
only concern is that you might get someone’s attention who doesn’t want you
poking around.”
She waved her hands apart as if chasing a
pesky fly. “I’ve got enough contacts who
are still working that know how to bury any connection with me. I should get
some information by early evening. And a lot may be available on the internet.
Besides, I’m just a harmless little old lady writing mystery novels.”
“Old doesn’t come close to you,” Donna said
with a laugh. “And Chene told me about some of your previous escapades. I’m not
buying the ‘harmless’ image.”
Jamie shrugged away the compliment. I
doubted she was even in her mid-thirties.
I waited until her gaze shifted back to me. “Is there any way you can
dig without leaving a trail? Whoever is
really behind this didn’t hesitate to bring out the guns last night. And
despite your past, I’m disinclined to let your stubbornness get in the way of
your safety.”
“I can use some back channel approaches.
There are a couple of academics I know who’ve done papers on Detroit’s
organized crime dynasties,” Jamie said. She tapped a polished fingernail on the
legal pad. “Besides, it’s just research for a book. My focus is on fiction
now.”
Donna glanced at me. “Sometimes truth is
stranger than fiction.”
“Sounds like something from Mark Twain,”
Jamie said.
“Yeah, but there’s no arguing it,” I said.
“You didn’t want to talk about this on the
phone. How do I get you the details on whatever I find out?”
I’d been thinking about that for a while.
“Let’s go old school. Nothing digital, just print whatever you can find.”
“Then what?”
“Is Malone working tonight?”
She nodded.
“Three to eleven.”
“Well, if you put whatever you find in an
envelope that would be easy to deliver to the post, along with a burger or two.
Or maybe some sushi.”
That earned me a grin. “That’s a good plan,
cowboy. And once Malone has the details, he can pass them on to you.”
“One brother cop to another. That also keeps
you in the shadows.”
Jamie pushed back from the table and stood.
“Then I’d better get started.”
“You don’t sit still long enough to get
dusty,” Donna said.
She walked us back outside. As was her custom, Jamie looped her arms
around my neck and gave me a tender kiss on the lips. Donna just stood there with a sloppy grin on
her face.
“Give Simone a hug for me,” she whispered as
she pulled away.
“Will do. And thanks, Jamie.”
“Go to work, Chene. There are bad guys that
need catching.”
Interview
February has a number of events, such as Groundhog’s
Day, Super Bowl Sunday, President’s Day and yes, Valentine’s Day. So for a little change of pace, it seemed
only appropriate to interview a guy who would actually know how to deal with
Cupid’s holiday. Enter Malone, the guy
who takes Jamie Richmond’s breath away.
Here’s a picture of what Malone might look like.
How did you and Jamie meet? I was at work. She came in to do a ride along with one of the state police troopers, to get background for a character she wanted to include in a book. (Shrugs) I was in charge of the shift.
What first drew you to Jamie? There was a little spark when Jamie and I met.
It wasn’t ‘love or even lust at first sight’, (chuckles) but there was
definitely something there. She’s very bright, with a great sense of humor. And
she’s a bit of a smart ass. That’s refreshing. A lot of people I meet are
either intimidated by my job or tend to be a little cocky. I’m just a regular
guy. That’s how Jamie treated me. Of course,
that red hair got my attention in a hurry.
What was the most
memorable moment for you? There’s the scene where
Jamie and I become lovers. The tension between us had been gradually building
up. In my mind it was going to be this slow, romantic, passionate encounter.
Two adults seeking to give intimate pleasure to their partner, taking their
time. (Laughs and shakes his head at the memory) Instead it was like two horny
teenagers who finally had ten minutes alone. We practically tore each other’s
clothes off.
What do you do for fun? I like to cook. It’s a way to be creative
with a very immediate reward. You get to eat what you make. I grew tired of dining in restaurants all the
time. So I have a number of recipes that always turn out well. And I’ve been
known to check out a cookbook or two.
Which is helpful because Jamie’s culinary talents are rather…limited.
What is your greatest
fear? That someday Jamie will get in over her head.
She seems to attract trouble like a redheaded magnet. Each time things get a little more
dangerous. We have a good thing
going. I don’t want to lose that. Or
her.
What do you think is
your strongest attribute? A sense of calm. I’ve been through a lot in the military
and on the job. It’s important to be able to remain calm and take charge of the
situation if need be.
What is most attractive
to you about the opposite sex? A
dazzling smile. One that encompasses the whole being, not just the mouth, but
the eyes, the face, the whole persona. Sometimes it’s not overpowering, but you
know it’s there, just beneath the surface.
What trait or
characteristic do you most dislike about the opposite sex? Phonies. I don’t like
it when people try to act how they think I want them to. Just be yourself. Be honest. Be real. It doesn’t matter if
you’re wearing the latest designer doodad or drive a snazzy car.
What’s your favorite
thing to do on a snowy afternoon? I like
old movies. Maybe catch a game on the television. Chase Jamie around the house.
Not necessarily in that order.
You can get to know more about Malone in the Jamie
Richmond series.
Devious
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017Y9XMHC
Vanishing
Act
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0190T15Y6
Fleeing
Beauty
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019WPCIBM
Music
Variety is
always part of my playlist. Lately there
have been a lot of tunes from Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Vaughan’s music
was a mixture of blues, rock and jazz. A
sensation in Texas at the start of his career, he gained notoriety at the
Montreux Jazz Festival. From there he
became a national treasure. His career
included winning a Grammy and being inducted in both the Rock & Roll Hall
of Fame and the Blues Hall of Fame.
While his life was cut short in 1990, dying in a helicopter crash, his legacy lives on. Vaughan’s style continues to inspire other performers, including John Mayer, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and others.
Here’s my top five favorites.
Pride & Joy https://youtu.be/0vo23H9J8o8
Riviera Paradise:
https://youtu.be/KfGBQHM1EzI
The House is Rocking: https://youtu.be/vYb0ZylEMbg
Hide Away: https://youtu.be/3F0dSPqPnpU
Give Me Back My Wig: https://youtu.be/83Ep9CTzQmQ
