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Three years! Seriously?
It seems like only a short while ago that I decided to switch from
occasional posts to my blog and put together something more consistent. I wanted to include my take on the various components
of writing, along with updates on my current projects, an interview with another
author or the occasional character, and of course, music. There must be
music!
And to make my newsletter a little
different from so many others, I opted to release it on the 19th of
each month. Starting with March made
perfect sense, since that combination of numbers 3 19 will always be special to
me.
So here we are, three years later,
with issue 36. With a tip of the hat to
the legendary comic, Jackie Gleason, let’s get the party started.
“Away We Go!”
Writing
During the second workshop, I was able to chat with a couple of people who were at the first session. They both enjoyed hearing other writers share their scenes, but the more impactful part was the reactions they got. Seeing the expressions on people’s faces and hearing the comments they shared is vital to any writer. Getting that feedback can help take their efforts to the next level.
One lady said that she found those interactions inspiring and she’ll channel that into her own efforts. I encouraged her to share her work with others next time. The group is not a competition, it’s about supporting each other on the writing journey.
Work in Progress
The crime story featuring Leo Agonasti
and his good friend Maximo Aurelio continues to develop. Other responsibilities have kept me away from
the keyboard more than I like, but different scenes, interactions amongst the
players and more twists keep coming to mind.
For some reason three o’clock in the
morning is often when inspiration strikes. Most days that’s enough to get my
brain firing with different ways an idea could work into the manuscript. As
soon as possible, I enter these ideas into the file and review them later in
the day when I’m more alert. As a nun in
elementary school once said ‘crude, but effective’. Call it what you like, but it works well for
me.
The Virtual Event
Last month’s virtual book
festival was a tremendous hit. Many people participated, watching the antics
from this crazy band of creative writers as we tried to identify the culprits.
Multiple attempts by
Diana, the facilitator and moderator of the group, to rein us in and keep the
investigation flowing led to more hilarity and oddball questions.
Diana, in her wisdom put replays
of all the episodes on YouTube and created a yearbook of all the authors who
shared their work and were part of this zaniness. Links are provided here. You might just discover a new favorite. There are works in every genre.
https://www.pagespromotions.com/2023-virtual-festival-yearbook.html#/
https://www.pagespromotions.com/2023-event-replays.html#/
Author Interview
I’ve been fortunate to connect with many
great authors from different parts of the globe. There is so much talent out
there, beyond our borders. It’s my
pleasure this month to introduce you to Lynn Griffin who hails from the United
Kingdom. Welcome, Lynn!
Tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
I’ve done a wide variety of jobs, from
child-care to lecturer and along the way have met really fascinating people.
Some of their stories have been funny, but some have been so shocking it would
make your toes curl. I wanted to hug them. My education was nothing to shout
about but I could read, and I could write, and I wanted to help those who
couldn’t. After all, at the very least
it puts us all on a level playing field. Anyway, as
said, I
love writing and have been writing around the paid job for years. However, I’ve
never had the confidence to submit my work until very recently. If it wasn’t
for someone giving me a huge nudge with a “get it out there before you pop your
clogs mate,” I don’t think it would have ever happened. When I was offered a
contract by The Wild Rose Press, I couldn’t believe it. I thought it was a
scam. Seriously! I double checked. Of course, it wasn’t. So, to anyone else out
there thinking about submitting their work. If I can do it, then so can you.
Do
you ever imagine of your novels being made into a movie or television series?
Absolutely. In fact, most of my readers have told me
that it would make either a great movie or TV series, and the latest review on
Goodreads suggests exactly that. Such a compliment!
When I write, I see everything in film as if it is
happening right before my eyes. The trouble is when I bump someone off it can
get a bit scary.
Any
favorite actors you’d cast in the lead roles?
Hmm. Oh, my goodness. Richard E Grant, or Hugh
Grant, maybe for the part of Uncle Jack, British, kind eyes, and great
all-rounders. (Seems like there might be a bit of a name theme going on). But I’d
also like to give a chance to an upcoming young actor for the female roles. I
never forget where I started, and we all have to start somewhere.
What
is your writing process? For instance, do you do an outline first? Do you write
the chapters in sequence?
I
have an idea in my head and start writing. Then I stop and use a timeline on a
flipchart to make sure everything works, then once the bones are there, I start
fleshing it out. The trouble is my imaginary friends are really bossy, they
shout at me in the middle of the night, when I’m shopping, anywhere in fact,
and it can get a tad embarrassing. I find myself telling them to be quiet,
whilst they are shouting at me to hurry up and get on with it. I get strange
looks. But then I am weird. Stay weird I say.
Tell
us a little bit about the characters in your latest book.
The Twenty-One-Year
Contract is set 1950s London. But the story begins much earlier. In 1939, Devilishly handsome Jack is a pilot, and an engineer
and his skills much sought after across the world troubleshooting mining
disasters. When Jack learns WWII is about to break out, his immediate instinct
is to return to his native home in the UK to offer his skills as a Spitfire
pilot.
In Brighton, Jack meets Cassandra. From
the moment he sets eyes on her he knows she is the one. Deeply, madly, in love,
he intends to ask her to marry him. Luck is not on his side. Cassandra returns
to London, before he can discover her true identity. While fighting for his
country he never gives up hope of finding her. But when he arrives in London,
the street she has mentioned have been bombed, and though his search for her becomes
a fruitless task, he never gives up hope.
Kathleen is
a little wild, popular, fun, and talented. At fourteen her adoptive parents are
involved in a tragic accident. Stricken with grief and guilt she takes a chance;
she becomes Kate and runs away to the bright lights of London. She starts working
for atelier where her talents are instantly recognized, but very soon she
becomes drawn into the seedy underworld and is determined to put wrongs right.
Do the characters all
come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
There’s a
mixed answer to this. My central characters are there, in my face. I know them
instantly, but they have this habit of introducing me to their friends and
acquaintances. I have to listen, don’t I?
What is your latest book about?
Fourteen-year-old
Kathleen Gray— talented, a little wild, at times rebellious, but always
popular—has a fun, easy life in rural Somerset, with a doting family. Suddenly,
they are gone, she has only Uncle Jack. Try as he might, he cannot be father
and mother to her. Kathleen takes a chance and becomes Kate Westfield,
fending for herself in London, with a new life built on her hopes and dreams
and new friends. She could hardly have imagined that one of those friends has a
shoebox full of answers.
The Twenty-One-Year Contract –
sequel (also standalone) to Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox.
Can you share an excerpt?
‘After a
glass of water, Jack made himself a cup of tea and returned to the job in hand.
This was going to be much harder than he could ever have imagined. Working deep
through the night, Jack methodically sifted through volumes of paperwork until
light inched its way through the curtain. Though he felt thoroughly ready for
bed, he continued searching, his aim to find at least a smidgen of information
about his niece. Randomly tidying up as he went, Jack noticed an encyclopedia
oddly extended over one of the top shelves. He tried pushing it back into
place. It was jammed. It looked awkward. Pulling it out to check the depth of
the book, he found a box file hidden behind. Upon the side panel was one word,
capitalized in thick bold lettering: KATHLEEN. As the hazy sunlight grew, Jack
pulled the curtains to lend natural light, took the file off the shelf, sat
back in Henry’s chair, and looked inside. He ran his hand through his hair,
exhausted, this was going to be far harder than he could have ever expected…’
What’s the next project
you’ll be working on?
I have two
works in progress. The one I’m focused on at the moment is a contemporary
romance. I needed to write something fun and sassy and it certainly is. I am
really looking forward to seeing it finished, though I know it will be a loss
as I know I will miss Georgia, I love her and writing about her escapades.
Here are the buy links:
https://books2read.com/u/3JER1P
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Twenty-One-Year-Contract
https://www.amzn.com/1509239723
https://www.amzn.com/B09THQKFJS
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn1509239723
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secrets-Shame-Shoebox
Music
Since my guest Lynn hails from the United Kingdom, it was the opportune
moment to feature one of my favorite bands from there.
The Rolling Stones have been entertaining the world for more than six
decades now. Recognized by many as one of the most popular bands of the rock
era, the Stones have sold more than 240 million records worldwide. There are rumors about that the band may
actually tour this year, but nothing definite has been announced. Yet.’
Here are my top five favorites.
Jumpin’ Jack Flash: https://youtu.be/qGd7SkdETro
Satisfaction: https://youtu.be/poXvMBhjSWk
Sympathy for the
Devil: https://youtu.be/GgnClrx8N2k
You Can’t Always
Get: https://youtu.be/Ef9QnZVpVd8
Can’t You Hear Me
Knocking: https://youtu.be/3fa4HUiFJ6c
