Sunday, April 18, 2021

The 14th Issue

 


14th Issue

In a blink of an eye, another month has passed.  I’m enjoying the longer periods of daylight, the warmer temperatures and the opportunity to get outside in the fresh air here in the land of the Mitten.

Time to continue with my take about writing, my latest Work In Progress, an interview with another author and of course, music. There must be music! It’s essential to life.

So, with that being said, let’s get this show on the road.

 

Writing

          Last month I was focused on character names and described how important they are to my efforts. It’s often my plan to use distinctive names, or ones that may give the reader a clue as to how the character will act.

          In the old days, I used to peruse the obituaries and death notices, looking for distinct names, some from different ethnic backgrounds. I’ll still make a note of a name that jumps out at me, from an article or a newscast.  But sometimes, the real ones are just too good to be true.

          A couple of my students have names that are distinctive. With their consent, they may just appear in the next Chene novel. Or they could show up in something else down the road.  Olivia is one such person appears in the second and third book.  The character is a reporter for Channel Four in Detroit and truth be told, she’s based on a young lady I worked with a few years ago.

          The real Olivia was the inspiration for the character. Her mannerisms, attitude and interactions with Chene are spot on.  There’s a fair amount of good-natured bantering they share, which is a mirror image of the real Olivia.  When I shared pages from the earlier work with her, Liv was delighted.

          Olivia also helped do some research about prohibition for “Your Turn to Die”.  Modeling a character after her was a great way to express my thanks. Little did I realize that Olivia the reporter might find her way into multiple stories.

          Something tells me Liv doesn’t mind at all.

 

Work in Progress.

          The story continues to roll slowly forward. Since I mentioned Olivia above, it’s a perfect time to share a scene with that player.  Chene and Banks are meeting with her at the television studio to get some assistance from the media.

Here’s a picture of what Olivia might look like.

 


Olivia Sholtis was waiting at the reception desk. The guard must have alerted her. She leaned forward and brushed her cheek against mine. I introduced her to Banks.

“Let’s use this conference room. Then you can tell me all about what’s got you working with the FBI.”

“Hope I didn’t drag you away from an important story,” I said.

“Told my producer I’ve got a hot lead on an in-depth interview with a rogue cop and his sexy girlfriend,” she said, fluttering her lashes at me.

“You know, I almost forgot about your wicked sense of humor.”

“Someday, Chene, you’re going to sit down and tell me everything. By the way, you still owe me for that spa treatment from last month.”

“Send me a bill. I’m good for it.”

There was a small square table in the conference room with four chairs at the sides.  I ended up sitting between Banks and Olivia.  On the wall across from me was a large screen showing the current program the station was broadcasting. 

Banks explained the details on the case. Olivia jotted down notes in some journalistic version of shorthand. Using a tablet computer, she called up the details on the discovery and subsequent identification of Charity Gray.  There had been little follow up since that story ran.  We watched the reports together on the big screen. There wasn’t much to begin with. After reviewing her notes, Olivia looked at me and fluttered her dark lashes again.

“What do you have in mind, Chene?”

“A quick interview. Get the public thinking about this poor girl who vanished and no one’s been held accountable for her death yet.”

A look of surprise crossed her face. “You’re willing to go on camera? The elusive Sergeant Chene, being interviewed live on the noon news?”

“Hell no. You want someone people can relate to. Kids she knew then would be in their thirties now. They’re probably scattered to the four winds, but some may still be in the area. And someone may remember her.”

“So, if you’re not going on camera, who is?”

Banks piped up. “You’re thinking one of the sisters from the school.”

“Damn right. The principal, Sister Augusta, wasn’t there when Charity disappeared, but Sister Mary Margaret was. She was one of her teachers.”

Liv was adding to her notes. “You think she’ll do an interview?”

“Bet your cute little ass she will,” I said. 

Banks offered to call the school and arrange it.

Olivia leaned close and whispered, “You really think my ass is cute?”

I winked at her. “Yeah, but don’t tell Charlie.”

She patted the back of my hand. “That will be our little secret. And I won’t mention it to your new girlfriend when I interview her.”

“You keep dreaming, kid.”

“Always. When you crack this case, do I get an exclusive?”

I had already considered that. “Some of it may have to be off the record, but I’ll make sure you get solid information.”

“Promises, promises. You can be such a sweet talker, Chene. Telling me exactly what I was hoping to hear,” Olivia said with a smile.

 

Author Interview

 

Last year my novella “Don’t Mess With the Gods”, co-authored with Elle Nina Castle, was included in the “Magic & Mischief” anthology, which included several great authors.  Mikael Lemieux was also part of the group. His tale “The Curse of Cinder Ash” was a delightful read.

So I invited Mik to stop by for a visit.




 

Where are you from? 
I was born in New Tecumseth, Ontario. Adopted by French Christian parents, I grew up in Longlac, a small town in Northern Ontario known as “Nature’s Home-Town”.

What’s your ‘someday’ or dream vacation spot and why?
My dream vacation spot would be to spend one week exploring the beautiful city of Copenhagen with my family.

What’s your favorite thing to do for relaxation?

I like to spend my time relaxing either next to a campfire or on a lake fishing, taking in nature and spending time with family.

Any favorite hobbies?

My hobbies including fishing, hunting and hiking. Experiencing nature will always be my favorite past-time.
How long have you been writing?

I began writing in 2018 and don’t plan on stopping. 

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

I write part time. I am currently employed by the Canadian Armed Forces as a Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineer.

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

Over last three years I have exclusively written in the genre of romance. I began writing in this genre as a gift to my wife. In the future I will be pursuing more non-fiction technical works.

Do you use friends or family as characters in your work?
I typically draw all my stories from real world experiences. Family and friends regularly make it into my work which makes the stories that much more special.

What authors had an impact on you growing up and as an adult? 
The authors who had the biggest impact on me growing up were J.K. Rowling and Cornelia Funke. Their enchanting books full of wonder allowed for an escape from the world and encouraged my creativity.

Has anyone in your life influenced you or encouraged you to pursue your interests of writing?

My wife has always been my biggest supporter in writing. She has helped me every step of the way.

Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing? 

A laptop, water, notepad, pen, country music and lots of snacks!

What have you learned the most from being in the writing business?
To be a successful author in this modern information age you can’t only be an author. You must take all opportunities to become marketer, business owner and salesperson all in one in order to succeed. An expert in the writing business is far from exclusively a writer. 

How did you decide on your story plot?  

Inspired by a traumatic car accident I experienced with my wife. I spent months watching her injuries heal. She was an inspiration. I was touched and decided that I had to write about it.

Do you use an outline or ‘seat of the pants’? 
I typically sit down and write whatever comes to mind. The good stuff usually comes to the surface after a few drafts.

Tell us about one of your works:

My very favorite work is titled Remember Me. A Canada Book Award Winner.





Blurb:

It was their passion… that’s all people talked about.

True love… it’s complicated.

Madeline and Elliot's partnership was the envy of the dance floor. Their story, an unspoken truth. Star crossed lovers focusing all their emotions into their craft... like I said it was complicated.
Until the day everything was taken away. Until they fell harder than ever before. It was always Elliot and Madeline, but now…

What would you do? Would you fight for true love?

If you're a fan of Helen Hardt or Sienna Parks, you'll love this inspirational romance! “Remember Me” gives rare insight into the length people will go for true love.

Excerpt:

Elliot's father waited for Elliot in baggage claim. He was a bit tipsy and emotional so when Neal pulled Elliot in for a hug, he broke down. The six to eight hours of not knowing was slowly killing Elliot and he couldn't figure an outlet for how he was feeling. He wasn't the type to hit anything or throw something across the room in frustration kind of guy. He was the I'm going to find something positive in the moment. This time he couldn't find it. He was lost and the one person who always led him to the right place couldn't be there to soothe him, to collect him from the chaos and bring him back to good old Elliot. He couldn't be that same guy because his other half was missing and hurt.

“How is she, dad?” he asked, not really wanting to know what the answer might be.

Neal shook his head. Elliot nodded and found himself under the arms of his father as they walked out of the airport. His mother was with Madeline's mother, a friendship that was formed nearly twenty years ago when their children were paired together. Elliot knew that his mother didn't need to be any other place. Davina's place was right by Wendy and Elliot didn't expect it any other way.

“Your mother wanted me to take you home Elliot,” his father told him as they made their way onto the freeway.

Elliot turned his head, “I want to see Madeline.”

“Not yet son.”

“But...” Elliot stopped when his father looked at him. Elliot's father was a soft-spoken man. He never really had anything to say. His eyes spoke more of the things that needed to be said and right now beside him, his father's eyes bore into him. Elliot knew that his father wasn't going to let him go near the hospital at this very moment.

“She just came out of surgery this morning so everything is still in a holding pattern,” Neal told his son, “I, too, say that you wait. The events are a still too raw. We need to take things slow here. Let her family...”

Elliot sat in the passenger seat contemplating about what his father was telling him. He could easily have disregard what his father was saying but when he looked at his father, he saw the tears forming in his eyes. They were just as watery as Elliot's was.

“We're her family too,” Elliot whispered.

There was no argument from Neal. He knew just as much as Elliot that Madeline was part of the family. They had grown up together, shared everything together. There was no mistake that Neal and Davina loved the Mullins' children.

Neal looked at Elliot. “I've never asked you do anything for me Elliot but today I'm asking you for your sake to just wait one day.”

Elliot turned his head a looked outside the passenger window. Everything was moving so fast outside as the car made its way to his mother's home. Elliot nodded in reluctance. “Okay, but I need another drink. I need one badly.”

Neal looked at his son and nodded in agreement, “Me too, son. But honestly, we're going to need more than just one.”

 Here’s a trailer for the book.  

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=426630755244177

Is there anything else that you want to share… feel free!!
I absolutely love interacting with my reader so please comment, review and contact me. I will always respond!

You can learn more about Mik at the links below.

Website

https://www.northernamourwriting.com

Northern Amour email:
mik_lemieux@northernamourwriting.com
Personal Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/mikael.lemieux2
Northern Amour Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/NorthernAmourWriting

Personal Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mikaellemieux95/
Northern Amour Instagram Page:
https://www.instagram.com/northern_amour_writing/

Amazon Author Page:
amazon.com/author/mikallemieux

Music

          Popular songs from George Michael still appear in the rotation on my sound system.  During his career which spanned more than thirty years, Michael sold more than 115 million albums worldwide and won multiple awards for his music.  George Michael was a singer, songwriter, record producer and philanthropist.  He passed away on December 25, 2016 at the age of 53.




Here’s my top five favorites from George Michael

Freedom 90: https://youtu.be/diYAc7gB-0A

Faith:  https://youtu.be/6Cs3Pvmmv0E

Father Figure: https://youtu.be/m_9hfHvQSNo

I Knew You Were Waiting (with Aretha Franklin) https://youtu.be/fDxzQJaA228

One More Try: https://youtu.be/bG5N3GC-m20

 

 

 

 

 

 

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