It’s like Déjà vu all over again. Time for another glimpse into my efforts at storytelling. There’s also a bit about my latest projects
and to shake things up, an interview with one of my favorite characters. So
without further delay, let’s get the party started.
Writing
One of the components necessary for a good story, regardless
of the length or the medium (print, e-book, movie or television) is the
subplot. Some people consider this the second or maybe even third story. The
subplots, and yes, there can be more than one, can help flesh out the story,
showing more interactions, conflicts and resolutions with your people. It could
involve the primary characters or be something separate, focused on a secondary
player.
In “Stealing Haven” Jamie Richmond and her best friend Linda
are on a vacation, relaxing on the shores of Lake Michigan. The story predates her involvement with
Malone. A romance blossoms between Jamie
and a local guy, which is the primary story.
The subplot is where Jamie’s curiosity and instincts come
into play when she learns about a series of home invasions. Knowing that
tourism plays a major part in the economy of South Haven and that many of the
homes in the area are vacation properties, she can’t resist the urge to start
snooping and theorizing, much to Linda’s dismay.
You can see the same type of activity in any television
series. Learning more about the challenges and conflicts the characters face
are all part of the appeal for the audience.
Work in Progress
“The Wayward Path” is the working title for the latest
Jefferson Chene mystery. Second round of edits have been completed and my team
of beta readers and currently going through it.
These are all people who have read the earlier works and
given me great feedback. Often, they may catch a mistake or ten that I’ve
overlooked, because I’m too close to the story.
With luck I’ll get their feedback by the end of May, address
any issues or concerns and have it ready to submit to the publisher by early
June. That’s my target. Then it’s ‘hurry
up and wait’ to see if they accept the book. Time will tell.
As I was finishing this novel, ideas began to churn for a new
Jamie mystery. Although she makes
appearances in both the second and third Chene books, Jamie can easily carry
the weight of a full book. To date I’ve written three novels and one novella
starring my stubborn redhead. It is time to get back to her. But before getting started, I reached out to
Melissa at Inkspell Publishing to see if she’d be interested in another Jamie
book. I explained that no writing had even started, it was just brainstorming
at this stage.
Her response: “Yes!”
followed by “When can I expect it?”
Seriously?
Melissa is great at motivating her authors. Apparently, she
didn’t see a problem with that question.
Interview
Usually this space is utilized to introduce you to another
author, someone whose path has crossed mine, whether in person or through the
wonders of social media. But every once in a while I like to turn the spotlight
on one of my characters.
Here’s your chance to get to know Jefferson Chene.
This is what Chene might look like.
Tell us a little about yourself:
I’m a Motown guy, born and raised in Detroit. I’m a Sergeant with the Michigan State
Police, part of an investigative team called Squad Six. We handle major cases
that often cross jurisdictional boundaries, from city to city, within the
tri-county area that makes up Metropolitan Detroit. A lot of those cases involve homicides.
How did your background get you
involved in this novel?
As a kid I was always a bookworm. Mysteries were among my favorites and I
was often trying to figure out who was behind the crimes. Seemed like a natural
progression, so I made a career out of it. In college I studied business along
with criminal justice.
What’s your greatest strength? And your greatest weakness.
Strength would be a creative mind. I’m able to look at the crime and
start spinning different scenarios, depending on who would gain the most.
Objectivity comes into play here.
Probably my biggest weakness is that I don’t have a lot of experience
dating. I have no problem talking to a woman if she’s a witness or a colleague
or even a victim to a crime. But dating… not my comfort zone.
What is it about this latest story
that sets it apart from the others?
“The Wayward Path” centers around a cold case homicide. The FBI gets involved
because their suspect is a retired member of an organized crime family. My involvement comes into play because I know
this man and he’s been a source of information for me on other cases. So you have a couple of state police
detectives collaborating with FBI agents to investigate the case. The FBI
agents want to nail him. I’m hoping to clear him and find the real killer.
Tell us something about your background that may or may not be revealed in the
book?
In the first book “Why 319?” readers learned that I was abandoned at
birth and raised in a Catholic orphanage. My name comes from the intersection
in Detroit where I was found. I was
never adopted, never met either of my biological parents. (Laughs) Maybe being
shy around women is hereditary.
Are you the type of person who always
seeks out the company of others?
I’m a bit of a loner. There is a small circle of friends that I have,
along with my coworkers. I’m not much of a party animal.
Which do you prefer, music or
television?
Music is essential to the soul. I’m a sucker for old blues, rock and jazz
songs. Of course, there’s Motown.
Television is okay for watching the news or a football game. But music
is where it’s at.
What has been the most romantic thing you’ve ever done or instigated?
(Laughs again) I’ve been dating Simone Bettencourt for a while now. She’s
a lovely lady who keeps me on my toes. Recently I asked her out for dinner on
short notice. She was a little irritated with me, but we had a nice meal. I
learned that she was miffed because she hadn’t been expecting to see me and
hadn’t shaved her legs for a couple of days. So I offered to shave them for
her. Things got quite romantic after that.
Why
319? Buy Links
https://www.amazon.com/dp/150921450X
https://www.audible.com/pd/B077SMHSMJ
https://books.apple.com/us/book/why-319/id1222126642
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/why-319-2
Your Turn to
Die
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MPPYY31/
https://www.audible.com/pd/B07PYYZKDJ
https://books.apple.com/us/book/your-turn-to-die/id1449415728
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/your-turn-to-die-1
Music
Carlos Santana
Carlos Santana rose to popularity in the late 1960s. His fusion of rock
and roll and Latin American jazz music.
Throughout his career, Santana has won multiple Grammy Awards and was
inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. He was also a Kennedy
Center Honoree for his musical excellence.
Rolling Stone Magazine lists Santana as number 20 of the greatest 100
guitarists of all time.
Top Five songs.
No One to Depend On: https://youtu.be/mYc-zH0Ak6Q
Evil Ways: https://youtu.be/_tKIPuLfeKg
Oye Como Va: https://youtu.be/J7ATTjg7tpE
Black Magic Woman: https://youtu.be/wyQUCYl-ocs
Smooth: https://youtu.be/6Whgn_iE5uc
