The Ninth Issue

 

How can it suddenly be November?  Wasn’t the sun shining yesterday with balmy breezes and warm temperatures.  Actually here in Michigan we hit 70 degrees several times this month, so the idea of cold and snow and ice being just around the corner is a difficult concept to grasp. 

Regardless, it’s time for the next issue of my ramblings about writing, a glimpse at a work in progress and an interview with another talented author.  Of course, there’s music to be shared and this month bring a little change in pace. 

So to quote legendary comedian Jackie Gleason “Away We Go!”

                                                                   Jackie Gleason

Writing

 

Many people know that I don’t work with an outline. It’s too restrictive for me. I haven’t used one since elementary school and even then, I wrote the outline after completing the assignment.  If you listen closely, you’ll hear the good Catholic sisters spinning in their graves at my admission of this education related sin.

The method I use seems bizarre to some people. I begin with just a basic story idea in mind and my main character.  Then I write a scene to get things rolling.  This may not necessarily be at the beginning of the story. It can be anywhere.  I rarely know how the story will end, so it’s not like I write the tale in reverse.  It could be a setting, or a bit of dialogue.  I may overhear a bit of conversation or witness something that triggers an idea that becomes part of a story.

Often the character’s actions and comments will trigger ideas about what happens next or what should have happened before.

As more scenes are written, I’ll start to put them in some kind of order or sequence.  When they add up, then I can go back and see what’s missing and figure out what is needed to tie the story together.  I know this style doesn’t work for everybody. But it works for me. Life isn’t orderly. Why should my writing style be that way?

 

Work In Progress

 

Lately my free time to write has been somewhat limited with other demands on my schedule.  But the ideas keep coming. I’m working on the third novel in the Jefferson Chene series.  I take every opportunity to spend a little time that gang.  In addition to the investigation, I’m inclined to continue developing the relationship with Chene and Simone.

Recently during a chat with Elle Nina Castle, my collaborator on “Don’t Mess With the Gods” Elle (pronounced Ellie, if you’re wondering) commented about Michigan being called “The Mitten” in reference to the shape of the lower peninsula. What followed was a mini-geography lesson and her suggestion that this sounded like something Chene would do with Simone.  Inspiration struck! And just as I described in the section above, there was the idea for a scene with the two of them.  Here’s an excerpt of that.  Bear in mind this is a Work In Progress, so there’s no guarantee it will make it into the final book.

                                                               Elle Nina Castle

 

In this scene Chene and Simone have met for a quick drink. Simone’s eager to talk about something other than the investigation he’s working on at the moment.  

“Do you realize in the time we’ve been dating, there are still so many things about you I don’t know?” she said.

          “I’m an open book.”

          That earned me a burst of laughter from her. “Yes, and I’m Venus de Milo.”

          “Nice to see you, Venus.” It was impossible not to smile with her, no matter how tired I was. “What do you want to know? Keep in mind we both have a very early morning.”

          She thought that over briefly. “How did you ever learn your way around town after being raised in an orphanage?  I’m pretty good with the area, but you seem to know where everything is.”

          I motioned to her. “Raise your left hand.”

She did, giving me a quizzical look.

“Welcome to Michigan. You know the lower peninsula is shaped like this.”

“Of course.”

Taking her by the wrist, I turned her palm so she could see it in the dim outdoor lights. “Down here, near the heel of your thumb, is roughly where Detroit is.” I slid two fingertips across the surface toward her index finger. Her skin was soft and warm. “This gets you near Dearborn and maybe a little bit towards Westland.”

Her shoulders were swaying a little. Simone gave me her undivided attention.

“A little further this way, it gets closer to Romulus, Belleville and Ann Arbor.” I continued in what would be a western direction, then moved up from the palm to the base of her first two fingers. “Livonia, Plymouth, Northville, Farmington, Novi and Wixom are this way.”

Simone drew a deep breath and moved in front of me. She turned, pressing her back against my chest. Her hips were moving in rhythm with her shoulders. In the background, the jazz music seemed to grow louder.  “Keep going,” she said.

I dragged my fingertips back toward her thumb. “Southfield, Royal Oak, Clawson, Birmingham. Further east you get Mt. Clemens and St. Clair Shores. A little lower, you have the Grosse Pointes.”

Without noticing it earlier, I was matching her movements, a slight sway of the shoulders and hips. She leaned back against me. My left hand still held hers. At some point my right hand found her hip. Movement at the doors of the saloon caught my attention as the waitress started to come check on us. She hesitated, flashed a smile and ducked back inside.

“Chene.” Her voice was little more than a whisper.

“Yes?”

“Either take me home or I’m going to jump you in the parking lot.”

“What about your early morning?”
          “I’ll be fine. The question is, will you be?”

I couldn’t see her face, but knew she was smiling.

“Without a doubt.”

Simone turned around in my arms. “You’d better kiss me now, to keep me interested.”

“No man alive could resist that request.” A long, slow kiss followed. Then she pushed me away, grabbed her purse and headed for the door.  I threw cash on the table, nodded to the waitress and followed.

At her apartment, Simone returned to the comfort of my arms.

“You expect me to believe you know your way around town because of landmarks on your hand?”

I shrugged. “That, along with maps and a GPS.”

 

 

Author’s Interview.

Tammy Mannersly

With the wonders of technology, we’re able to enjoy the works of writers from around the globe, without leaving the comfort of our own home. Which is important in these days of a pandemic.  So it’s time to get to know Tammy Mannersly, an award winning author who has plenty of stories to share.

Where are you from? 

A stunning seaside town just north of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

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

It’s my ultimate dream to go to Bora Bora and stay in a little hut out over the water. Living in Queensland, I’ve been to my fair share of islands, but there is something particularly spectacular about Bora Bora. I also love swimming and am a waterbaby at heart, so anywhere with a beach or pool is my kind of vacation spot.

What’s your favorite thing to do for relaxation?

Going for a walk along the beach with my dog or watching a good movie. 

Any favorite hobbies?

Between work and writing, I don’t always get time for my hobbies, but when I do I love to swim, read, draw and go bushwalking.  

How long have you been writing?

It happened naturally on it’s own when I was in primary school. I used to try to re-write my storybooks at first and then started creating my own characters and storylines. It’s been a driving passion ever since.

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

I write part-time and work at a library for most of the week and some weekends.

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

Growing up, I used to write a lot of fantasy and paranormal romance. It wasn’t until I gave contemporary romance a chance that I finally found my niche. I’d still love to write in other genres though—maybe try fantasy again one day, or even horror.

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

I aim not to, although some of my friends and family try to find themselves in the work. However, I have used many of my personal life experiences and those of friends and family as inspiration for my storylines.

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

I read many genres growing up, but lived for books with romance in the narrative. In my teens and early twenties, I loved anything by Laurell K. Hamilton, Meg Cabot, Anne Rice, J. R. Ward, Patricia Briggs and Sherrilyn Kenyon. Now, I enjoy reading more non-fiction, especially Jon Ronson, Linda S. Godfrey and various autobiographical works. I think all of my favorite authors have had an impact on me in some way and have helped me develop and improve my writing style over time. It’s hard not to be influenced by other authors, especially when you enjoy their writing so much that it stays with you.   

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

I’d never considered writing as a career pathway until my grade 7 teacher suggested I apply for entry into a Brisbane-based writers camp. From there I met and participated in workshops with published Queensland writers and learned that there were more opportunities than I’d realized. I received similar encouragement from my English teachers in high school and went on to study creative writing at university. My parents have also grown to be especially supportive of my passion and I love sharing my achievements with them. 

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

I love coming up with ideas for new stories and characters, and roughly planning the trajectory of the love story. It’s always so exciting to create something new, knowing that anything is possible. My least favorite aspect of writing a book would probably be those moments of self-doubt that hit you along the way. Sometimes you doubt yourself, other times it’s the storyline, but every time it takes a lot of determination and positivity to fight your way through and continue until the work is complete. 

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

There are too many things to mention just one, but I believe that my technique and style get gradually better with each book. 

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

I must have the TV on, usually with a familiar movie or TV show running. I can’t work in silence or with music. I find silence can become unnerving and music always sways and changes the emotional aspects of my dialogue and character interaction. I must also be able to sit cross-legged or be able to stretch my legs out or else I get uncomfortable. 

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

Water and swimming pools occur a lot throughout my work because of my absolute obsession with the two. I also like to write about my favorite places in Australia and the special local spots I frequently visit. 

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

Quite a lot over the years, really. Here are a few tips: Perseverence is key. Don’t give up on your passion. Writing is extremely subjective. Rejection isn’t the end of the line. Just believe in yourself and stick to your goals. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Everyone experiences their own journey in this industry.

Tell us about your latest work: 

I actually wrote this book, “Finding His Zen”, during our isolation period of the pandemic. I had set myself a goal to complete a novella by a particular deadline and didn’t want the changing circumstances in the world around me to affect that. Considering everything else happening at the time, I found the book relatively easy to write and ended up being very pleased with what I’d created. “Finding His Zen” is a short sweet romance about valuing simple things and listening to your heart.

Blurb:

Swimming superstar, Sebastian DuMont, agrees to headline the reopening of the Poseidon’s Shore Health Club at a discounted fee, grateful for an excuse to visit his beloved hometown. However, he hadn’t expected to be tempted by the lovely Zenia, owner and operator of the fitness facility.

All of Zenia Andino’s dreams come true with swimming superstar, Sebastian DuMont, attending her gymnasium’s reopening. She’d idolized him as a teenager with his poster pinned to her bedroom wall, but meeting the hunky celebrity in person gives her heartbeat an excited new rhythm.

Before they can test the waters, Seb’s agent interferes and Zen’s fame-hungry sister alludes to an affair with the Olympian. Will Seb keep up the lie for continued fame and fortune? Or is it finally time to follow his heart and feed the special spark he felt with Zen before the opportunity extinguishes forever?

How did you decide on your story plot?   

Actually, the story was inspired by something that occurred to someone in my family. They work in the fitness industry and were having a celebrity help promote the re-opening of a local, seaside health and fitness center. There was no magical love story in real life as both parties were in relationships and from different generations, but it got me thinking about the possibilities.

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

I always do a little of both. I need a basic outline to know where I’m heading. I basically try to have the big points roughly mapped out, but how I reach them is usually “seat of the pants”. I also have a tendency to let my characters drive the story, so sometimes those big plot points change depending on my characters wants and needs.   

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

There’s a scene in Finding His Zen where Sebastian and Zenia go for a walk on the beach with Zen’s golden retriever. It’s something so simple and yet, so pleasurable and relaxing—just being outside, enjoying the sun, sand and water, and seeing the grin of delight on the dog’s face. I absolutely love it and it’s one of my favorite things to do in my personal life! 

Here’s an excerpt from the story.

“So, do you think there might be love in the air?” Sara, the reporter from the Courier Mail enquired again.

A wide, ecstatic grin was like a gash across Lexy’s face. She gazed up into his eyes, searched them for a second before once again acknowledging the assembly. “When it comes to Seb and me, anything is possible.”

At that, the bottom fell out of Seb’s stomach and he felt as like he was riding the steep, rushing decent of a rollercoaster dip.

The audience erupted at Lexy’s answer, newly galvanized and interested in the possibility of a sexy affair to report on and obsess over. The insinuation of a relationship made Seb feel sick, nausea roiling in his gut. He wanted to correct the mistake, but couldn’t see a way out without embarrassing both of them.

Seb felt a pat on his shoulder as the raucous roar of the gathering continued, the audience’s arms waving, camera’s flashing and he heard Mayor Jones commend him.

“Congratulations,” the older man said, his tone genuinely joyous, oblivious to the reality.

With his heart racing, palms sweating, his gut churning on the verge of sickness, Seb cast a look at the one person in the world whose opinion really mattered to him in that instant. He caught Zenia’s eye, saw her solemn smile and…seeing that look, her fallen spirt, had pain stabbing into his heart, breaking it a little.

What the hell had he done? What the hell had he agreed to? And what could he do to show Zenia that his true interest lay with her and not her sister?

BUY LINKS:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CY8NY6M

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/finding-his-zen

BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1137341973

Itunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1523544097

You can find out more information about Tammy and her work on her website: www.tammymannersly.com or by visiting:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tammymannersly 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16935790.Tammy_Mannersly 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tammymannersly/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TammyMannersly

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/tammy-mannersly

 

                                                    Music

Variety is essential to life and that applies to music as well. This month’s featured artist is Jesse Cook.

This award winning Canadian musician mixes a blend of jazz, new world and flamenco with a touch of gypsy to his popular tunes.

In addition to writing his own songs, Cook also films, directs and edits his own music videos.

Here’s my top five favorites. I hope you enjoy them. 

Double Dutch.  https://youtu.be/hOjctd1mNME

Mario Takes a Walk. https://youtu.be/c_X0KET2gh0

Hembra: https://youtu.be/i9srZFMhCZU

Once: https://youtu.be/Rw65ol7VeEA

Shake: https://youtu.be/AmF69DqUyOs

 

 

Tribute: Sir Sean Connery

 

The news hit hard yesterday.

Sir Sean Connery, passed away at age 90.

This actor was the epitome of cool. He commanded every role he played and knew exactly how to make the audience stand up and take notice. In my eyes, he always was and always will be “Bond. James Bond.”  I don’t care who else attempts to fill those shoes. They’re just shadows, following in his footsteps.

Connery won recognition and awards for his hard work. He captured my imagination with his portrayal of many roles, beyond Bond.  After all, he was Henry Jones, Sr.  in “Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade”, John Mason in “The Rock”,  Captain Ramius in “The Hunt for the Red October”,  Jimmy Malone in “The Untouchables”,  Robert MacDougal in “Entrapment” and many more.

Ironically I watched a clip from “The Rock” on Friday, still smiling at his power in that role, just hours before learning of his death.

Rest in peace, Sir Sean Connery.  Your talent will continue to entertain and enthrall generations to come.

I tried to capture some of his traits for a character in “Fleeing Beauty”.  In this scene, Jamie is trying to get a lead on a stolen piece of the art collection from her late father’s studio. That leads her and Linda to a meeting. Here’s an excerpt from the story.

We arrived at the Townsend Hotel five minutes early. Something told me that Harrison Mundy was not the type of man who would like to be kept waiting. The receptionist directed us to the Rugby Grille. As we approached, I could see the place was about a third full. Maybe it was too early in the evening for society’s elite to have dinner.  There was also a bar at the other end of the hotel that seemed to be doing a brisk business.  At the hostess stand, an attractive young woman wearing way too much makeup and perfume gave us a vague smile.

“Are one of you Miss Jamie Richmond?” she asked in a breathy voice, as if she’d just run up two flights of stairs wearing stiletto heels.

“That’s me. We’re supposed to be meeting someone.”

She nodded twice. I noticed that her hair didn’t move when she did that. “Your party has already arrived. Right this way.”

We followed her across the room to a private corner table. I noticed there was no one else within twenty feet of it. A distinguished looking man with a full head of silver hair was already seated. As we drew closer he rose smoothly and extended his hand.

“You must be Miss Richmond.”

“Please, just call me Jamie,” I said, lightly taking his hand.

“Thank you, Jamie.” He turned smoothly to Linda. “May I presume that you are Miss Davis?”

She took a step back in surprise before taking his hand. “I prefer Linda.”

He flashed a charming smile at both of us. “I would be pleased if you will call me Harry. Let us sit down.”

I noticed the place setting that was to the right of his chair was disturbed. Linda took the seat on his left and I took the one opposite him. Before we were settled, an exotic looking beauty with silky black hair came over from the bar and took the empty seat.

“This is Jocelyn.”

She smiled and nodded. A waiter appeared with a tray of food.

“I took the liberty of ordering a few simple dishes to go with our conversation.” He glanced up at the waiter. “What did you bring us, Phillip?”

The waiter gave a quick nod. “We have chilled prawns, foie gras and duck tacos. These are specialties of the house. I’m sure you’ll enjoy them.”

“Perhaps a drink would be in order?” Mundy said.

I ordered tonic water and lime. Linda asked for a glass of chardonnay.

“How did you know who I would bring along?”

Mundy flashed a smile at me that was almost blinding in its brightness. “I prefer to know as much as I can about the people I am meeting. Even though I am retired, I like to keep my senses sharp.”

“So you’ve retired from a life of crime?” I asked.

“Really, Jamie, you know I am not a criminal. I was never convicted or even accused of an illegal act. I have many interests that have been cultivated over the years. Is there a particular area of my expertise that appeals to you?”

I took a moment to study him while phrasing my response. He was very handsome, with the dazzling smile, smooth complexion, and thick silver hair. He was fit and trim, perhaps a little taller than me, which would put him about five-foot eight-inches tall.  I had no doubt the suit he was wearing was tailor made for his frame. He spoke with an educated tone. His nails were manicured.  Jocelyn motioned to Linda at the food before us. She sampled the foie gras.

“I would like to know about art thefts, particularly the best way to do it. Did you always have a buyer in mind?”

He chuckled dryly. “Jamie, what makes you think I know anything about thievery?”

“Perhaps in your studies of the subject, you learned how thieves work.”

“That is a very good answer,” he said. “May I presume your interest stems from the recent discovery of your father’s work?”

“He really did do his research,” Linda said quietly.

“You may,” I replied somewhat sullenly. It dawned on me that I was mimicking his precise way of speaking. This wasn’t like me at all. And it was obvious that Mundy was in complete control of the conversation and the situation. Disgusted with myself, I speared a prawn with my fork and focused on sawing it into bite sized pieces.

“Miss Davis is quite correct. Before I accepted your inquiry, I researched your background. It is somewhat unsettling to discover how much information can be so readily available on the Internet.”

While nibbling a chunk of prawn, which was incredibly good, I saw Jocelyn carefully put a sample of each appetizer on a plate and hand it to Mundy. He smiled his thanks, gently squeezed her hand, and set the plate squarely before him. Before tasting anything, he sipped from a highball glass filled with a clear liquid and ice. I caught a whiff of juniper.

“How’s the gin?” I asked.

“Smooth as always.” He tasted a duck taco and lightly patted his mouth with the linen napkin. “Shall we dispense with the formalities and the subterfuge?”

“What the hell. I’d appreciate that.”

“Then tell me what it is you are really interested in?”

“If you were going to steal some of Peter’s artwork, how would you do it?”

Mundy leaned back in his chair. He took another sip and carefully set the glass down beside his plate. He glanced at Jocelyn. She held his gaze and gave a tiny nod of her head.

“Suppose I give you a hypothetical example of the theft of some artwork. Would that be helpful to your situation?”

“That’s exactly what we want to know,” Linda said. “If you were going to do it, how would you manage it?”

Mundy began to weave a tale that sounded like something out of Hollywood. After being trained by his father and grandfather on the basics, he utilized technology to beat the latest security systems. Mundy turned his attentions to insurance companies and collectors, using his skills to recover stolen pieces of priceless art and jewelry and return them to their rightful owners. It was his claim that such work was in high demand and that the commissions on the recoveries paid him well. There was still a great deal of risk involved, since many of the people he’d retrieved pieces from were less than honorable.

“So hypothetically, how would you get away with it? I mean, surely the people you stole from would be suspicious when the artwork or jewelry that was supposedly safe in their possession suddenly disappeared,” I said.

Linda had been engrossed in his tale and was anxious to join in. “In some situations, it would be weeks after a recovery before the person would realize the item was gone, if it was jewelry locked away in a vault or a painting stored at a summer house. But that couldn’t have been the case every time,” she said.

Mundy took his time studying each of us before turning to Jocelyn. “Your perceptions were extremely accurate. Not only are they both beautiful, but highly intelligent as well.”

She flashed him a delighted smile. “It would be in your best interest not to underestimate them, especially Miss Richmond. I understand she can be quite…determined.”

Mundy gave me a gentle nod.  “I must admit a certain degree of pleasure in meeting you. I have read some recent accounts of your escapades as they were described in the media. The actual police reports were very enlightening as well.”

“How did you get copies of police reports?” I asked.

Mundy smiled and lifted his palms lightly from where they rested on the table. Maybe it was his version of a shoulder shrug.  “My network of resources is quite extensive.”

“So if you were hypothetically going to steal some of Peter’s artwork, how would you go about it?”

“There are many ways to execute a perfect crime. But each one takes a great deal of careful planning and preparation. Contingencies must be calculated as well.” Mundy paused to sample the foie gras. He gave a single nod of approval.  “Tell me about the building.”

Linda and I took turns describing the structure. I was surprised how much detail she was able to give, knowing she’d only been there today. But Linda is extremely observant. I described the minimal security system. Before I could tell him what had been stolen, Mundy raised a hand.

“Pardon me, Jamie, but I do not want to know what is missing. You are asking me to postulate a hypothetical robbery. I will need some time to consider various options. I must ask your indulgence.”

Puzzled, I glanced across the table at Jocelyn. She smiled and rose smoothly from her chair. I realized Mundy was now on his feet as well.

“You’re leaving?”

Harrison Mundy dropped his linen napkin on the table. I noticed his glass was empty and the appetizers were gone. He shot his cuffs.

“Our meeting was for one hour. That time has passed. Jocelyn and I have another commitment.” He turned slightly toward Linda and lifted her hand. Smoothly he bent forward and grazed his lips across her knuckles. “It has been a delightful pleasure to meet you both.”

Linda’s cheeks flared red. “Thank you,” she stammered.

Mundy turned to me. I was standing now, trying to figure out how to prolong the conversation.  His eyes were twinkling as he looked at me.

“Your reputation is well deserved, Jamie. I must admit to be intrigued by your—situation.  When the time is right, I will be in touch.”  With that he gently, but firmly, took my hand and did the knuckle grazing kiss.  I felt a flush run through me. Who was this guy?

Dumbfounded, I stood there, watching Jocelyn and Mundy leave the bar. Automatically she linked her arm through his. Linda appeared beside me.

“What just happened?” Linda asked.

“It beats the hell out of me.”

Phillip appeared and began to briskly clear the table. For a moment I thought Mundy had stuck me with the bill, but the waiter only smiled and shook his head.

“That was taken care of before you arrived.”

Linda stared at me. “Who was that guy?”

“He certainly wasn’t what I expected.”

We headed for the door. There was no sign of Harrison Mundy or the exotic Jocelyn. We exited the hotel lobby and stood for a moment on the sidewalk, waiting for the valet to bring up my car.

“I don’t know about you, Jamie, but I’m starving. Those tasty little treats inside just woke up my appetite.”

“You expect me to feed you now?”

She fluffed back her curls and struck a pose. “I am all dolled up and we are in downtown Birmingham. The very least you could do is take me to dinner.”

 “I think there’s a hot dog place nearby.”

“You’re not getting off that easy.”

I shook my head as we got into the car. “You’re such a pricey broad.”

“You’d better believe it.”

 Buy Links

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019WPCIBM

https://books.apple.com/us/book/fleeing-beauty/id1071015365

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/fleeing-beauty 

Music this week comes from John Hiatt

https://youtu.be/7aYxMuLb3h8

 

The Eighth Issue

 

 

A blink of the eye and it’s time for the eighth issue of my newsletter. October brings the change in weather, the end or beginning of daylight savings time (depending on your location) and the appearance ghosts, goblins, witches and horror.  Not to mention Halloween. So let’s catch up with a little writing, an update on latest efforts and the interview with a true lady of horror.

Writing

 

Characters drive the story. I can’t think of a single book or movie that doesn’t involve characters. They are essential to drawing the readers or audience in.  Recently I picked up a mystery that had been recommended by a friend. Twenty pages in, I had to toss it aside. The book failed to keep me interested. The characters were bland, boring and without anything that made me care about what happened to them. Worst of all, I couldn’t find anything that separated them, nothing that made them stand out even from each other. 

As a writer, my role is to tell you an engaging story. Develop characters you can relate to. Someone you may like or despise. Perhaps some of their traits remind you of yourself or someone you know. Or someone you’d like to know. Maybe you want to sit down and have a drink with them. You might want to smack them up the back of the head for their stupidity or faults. But I want you to react. If my characters are indifferent, you’re gonna get bored. Then you might use the book as a projectile or a doorstop.  That’s not what I want.

 Here’s a reaction from Joanna, a loyal reader. 

Development of the characters is what draws me into a Mark Love novel. Whether it’s a novel , a movie or a TV show, if I don’t like the characters I stop reading/ watching. Great job Mark! 

That note gives me the incentive to keep working on the characters, to help them grow.  Because I don’t want the readers to stop until they finish the story.  And hopefully, they’ll be reaching for the next one.

 

                                         Work In Progress

 

Last month I mentioned my efforts for promotion. I ended up being interviewed on The Writer’s Podcast out of Australia and Impact Radio from Detroit. I was also interviewed on author Andrea Hintz’s blog. Links to all three are below.  A special note of thanks to Melanie, Paul and Andrea for the opportunity to visit with each of you. 

The two podcasts focused primarily on the Inkspell Anthology “Magic & Mischief” and the novella “Don’t Mess With the Gods” that I co-wrote with Elle Nina Castle.  Since the collection of nine paranormal stories ties in so well with Shocktober,  Melissa at Inkspell decided to put it on sale for just 99 cents through November.

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BKD7B5H

The Writer’s Podcast:   https://www.buzzsprout.com/999724/5617309

Dr. Paul’s Family Talk:

https://pod.co/impact-radio-usa/author-mark-love-10-9-20

Author Andrea Hintz: 

https://andreahintz.wixsite.com/andreahintz/post/interview-with-mark-love-author

  

Author Interview

 

This month it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Peggy Christie, another talented Michigan author.  We've crossed paths at several author events over the years and the conversations are always memorable.

 Where are you from?  

I was born in Pontiac, MI, and grew up in Troy. I still live in Michigan but in a much smaller town than either of those!

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

I would love to see South Korea/Japan/Transylvania. I’ve been obsessed with Asian culture and movies for a long time, Korean Dramas being a particular passion. And I actually have a friend who knows someone in Romania – where they have tours of Dracula’s Castle. And if you keep reading this interview, you’ll know why THAT is on my bucket list.

What’s your favorite thing to do for relaxation? 

Vegging out on the couch, watching horror movies, and eating snacks!

Any favorite hobbies? 

I’ve recently learned how to crochet, so that’s something I’d like to keep improving on (two scarves and snood so far). I also like to craft stuff – paint, foam, clay. I’m working on a costume right now that is super fun and, hopefully, terrifying.

How long have you been writing? 

For about 20 years. I got a late start.

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

I am lucky enough to be able to stay home and write.

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

Horror, horror, dark fiction, and horror. Pretty much everything I write is horror and dark fiction; sometimes there’s a little fantasy thrown in. I’ve been a horror junkie since I was a kid.

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

They ARE the best source of inspiration.

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

I hate to say this, as an author, but I was never a big reader as a kid. I didn’t really get into reading until after I started college (don’t ask how I got through high school lit classes). But once I started, Dean Koontz was one of the first ones I fell in love with (Stephen King is almost required as a horror author). But later I discovered Bentley Little and his twisted mind. So Koontz and Little have had the biggest influence on me.

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

Not really. There were no writers in my family; I liked creative writing in 6^th grade but my teacher said I wasn’t allowed to write the stuff I wanted to write; my best friend was always a great writer (not horror, but for any school paper she always hit it out of the park) so I think partly, wanting to be like her may have had an influence. 

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

I love when a story starts to come together. Even if it’s just once particular scene, once I sit down and get into the flow of writing, I never want to stop. Sometimes I can’t stop until I get the story or scene or action out of my head. The least favorite part is editing, despite how important it is. Editing is the bane of my existence. 

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

Being able to just sit my butt down and write more often than I do.

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

I need quiet. If there’s any music, all I can think of are dance routines; if my dog wants attention, I can’t ignore him; if a movie or tv show is on, I just want to watch it (there was one exception – I marathoned Dirty Jobs one day and cranked out a bunch of drabbles. It was very weird.) I don’t NEED snacks or booze, but they do help fuel the creative juices sometimes.

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

I have a lot of humor throughout my writing, probably because it was my family’s coping mechanism through my whole life. I have noticed quite a few stories with mother/daughter relationships – usually bad, but that’s a whole other backstory. I also tend to write a lot of my protagonists as male. Not sure what’s up with that. I think maybe I was a man in a previous life. *shrug* 

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

Networking, as cringy as that concept can be (as an introvert, I’m awful at it), can help you find markets, publishers, readers, artists, editors, conventions, work - everything a growing writer needs. And with all the good is the bad: the scams, the predators, unprofessional behavior (including other writers), egos, insecurities. But interacting with all those aspects can make you better at selling yourself and your work, in the best way. It helps you learn your worth and how to fight for yourself, I think.

Tell us about your latest work:

I’m actually working on a really cool project now, called The Plague of Man. The Kickstarter for it just ended so the artist, Don England, and I are working on gathering all the tier stuff. But the book is an illustrated novelette about a young boy trying to survive a concentration camp in WW2 by assisting a crazy doctor and his experiments. And while that’s happening, a group of Plague Doctors are watching everything go down.

                                                BLURB

1945, Germany. Young Jakob has done all he could to survive the prison camp, including helping Dr. Sauer in his medical lab. But what he doesn’t know is someone is watching him, waiting. Someone outside the realm of human misery, who watches what the plague of man has done to the world.

How did you decide on your story plot?  

We originally had talked about doing a Nazi zombie story with some kind of mutated virus, but once I started researching the Black Death and Plague Doctors, the original idea of a one-shot book turned into what we want to create as a series. Most of the plague doctors from the 14^th century had no medical training. So they were there to simply write down the name and numbers of victims, or to witness wills being written by the dead and dying. So our Plague Doctors (so far) are the watchers of history, and writing down the happenings of the human world.

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

Seat of the pants. Outlines, for me, are a waste of time because the story I start writing usually ends up changing direction several times through the process. I’ll write down key ideas or characters or scenes I want to include, but nothing so detailed as an outline. 

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

Not sure if I have one scene, but I’m proud of anything I write that gives me goosebumps, or makes me laugh or cry out loud. I do have one favorite story I’ve written, because it was based on two guys I used to work for when I was a secretary at an advertising agency years ago. The story is “’Til Death Do Us Part”. You can find that story in my anthology, Dark Doorways, from Dragon’s Roost Press. (available at Amazon: paperback and Kindle)

 

 

https://www.amazon.com//dp/0998887870

 

DARK DOORWAYS

Enter this dark mansion of ghastly delights. Each dark doorway opens to another tale of horror. Some rooms are large banquet halls, others are tiny servant’s quarters. Each contains wondrous, fear inducing words from master scribe Peggy Christie. If you have the courage, take hold of one of the latches, open the door…and enter.

 

EXCERPT from ‘Til Death Do Us Part: 

Mike nodded. “But, Steve, don’t you want this to end sooner rather than later?”

“No. I’m not ready for that yet. I guess I haven’t reached the point where I’d rather be truly dead than live like this. But I’ve always--”

Steve felt his nose split and slide off his face. It plopped onto the table in front of him with a wet smack. He picked it up, and cradled it in his palm. The cells broke down so rapidly that what he used to consider his best feature turned into a small puddle of chunky, black slime in his hand while he watched. He looked up at Mike who tried to cover a smile, and failed.

When Mike began to snicker, Steve ground his teeth in anger, reaching his arm back to throw what was left of his nose at Mike’s face. He skipped that plan when four of his teeth popped loose. He spit them out into the same hand holding the remnants of his nose. Mike stopped laughing, reached over, and plucked one of the loose teeth out of Steve’s hand. He held it up to the light as if inspecting a newly cut diamond.

Placing it back in Steve’s palm, Mike grinned. “Are you sure you’re not ready yet?”

You can learn more about Peggy and her stories at the sites below. 

www.themonkeyisin.com

www.facebook.com/authorpeggychristie

www.instagram.com/@PMonkey710

www.twitter.com/@PMonkey

  

                                                    Music

 

Guitar legend Eric Clapton has been on the rotation lately.  Clapton is the only artist to be elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times, once as a soloist and as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton is listed second in the Rolling Stone’s list of 100 greatest guitarist of all time. 

Clapton’s songs have also appeared in many movies, including Lethal Weapon, Runaway Bride, The Blues Brothers, Phenomenon and more. 

He has multiple Grammys to his credit and as a soloist has over 100 million albums sold worldwide.

Here’s my top five Clapton tunes. 

Pretending.    https://youtu.be/zm2PvnM7Vds 

Motherless Children  https://youtu.be/9EZlmqWmcqw 

Change the World  https://youtu.be/x11NA63gLDM 

Rock & Roll Heart  https://youtu.be/bMiBbAvsFfY 

It’s in the way That You Use It  https://youtu.be/kP1AFDDJoeE