Meet Mark Love | Author & Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mark Love and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Mark, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I worked in many industries, in a variety of roles for years. In some cases, I realized the owners or managers in charge didn’t have the best standards when it came to ethics or integrity. The way they ran their businesses showed a lot of errors and faults. It wasn’t difficult to think I could do it better.

About ten years ago, I began teaching a small business management class at the local college. I learned quite a bit from the various textbooks and business journals while developing my lesson plans. It was at this point that starting my own business began to make more sense. I wanted it to be related to something I enjoy. At one point I had a side hustle, working as a freelance reporter for one of the major newspapers in the Detroit area. That helped sharpen my writing skills, which carried over into every job I’ve ever had.

I’ve always been a mystery junkie, so it was time to start writing them. When my novels were accepted and published, it was a golden opportunity to start my business.

I began with a small budget and just the essentials, finding art festivals and shows where my work could be displayed. From the beginning, I ran it professionally. That meant keeping track of all my expenses, sales and promotions. I’m constantly looking at ways to improve it, to reach more people.
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Let’s talk shop. Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art comes my experience as a storyteller. I have written 5 Jamie Richmond mysteries, 3 Jefferson Chene mysteries, and a number of short stories. All of my books take place in Michigan, primarily in the metropolitan Detroit area.

I’ve always been an avid reader. In college I took a couple of creative writing courses in addition to journalism and business classes. Writing fiction allows me the freedom to run with a crazy story idea, or let the characters loose and see where they take me. It’s not easy. In the beginning there was plenty of rejection. But creative people must be born with thick skin. We learn to roll with being turned down. Some authors prefer the self-publish approach. But they will never know the adrenalin rush you get from seeing a letter or email from a publisher when they accept your work.

I’ve learned that the first draft is never perfect. But there will be plenty of time to edit it later. First, you have to write it. Get the story down. I have also learned that ideas and inspiration can come from anywhere, at any time. It’s important to become objective about your work and take feedback from readers and editors into consideration. I’m not perfect. It takes help to craft a great story.
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My books are contemporary and I use real locations people may be able to identify with. My characters are distinctive, but they are far from perfect. Jefferson Chene was an orphan who became a cop. He does well in that role, but he’s awkward at dating and relationships. Jamie Richmond is a stubborn redheaded female who wants to see the bad guys caught. Both series are written in the first person point of view, from either Chene’s or Jamie’s perspective. Some people are surprised that I’ve captured the complicated nuances with both characters. But that’s a big part of what makes these books stand out.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, that might depend on the time of year. If it’s summer, we’re definitely grabbing a boat and heading out to Lake St. Clair for a cruise. Then we’ll have to check out Comerica Park for a Tiger’s game and head over to the Elwood Bar & Grill. Belle Isle Park is in the middle of the Detroit River. It’s also an ideal setting for watching the hydroplane races, which take place in August.

If it’s autumn, we’ll catch either a hockey game with the Red Wings or a Lions football game. Afterwards, we must stop at Lafayette Coney Island for one of their legendary dogs.

There is plenty to see and experience in the Detroit area. Pegasus Taverna in Greektown, right in the heart of downtown, has the best Greek fare I’ve ever tasted. We could check out a show at the historic Fox Theater, which was built in 1928 and refurbished in the 1990s. There are also outdoor venues for concerts.

A trip to nearby Dearborn would include a tour through the Ford Motor Company’s Rouge Plant, where the F-150 trucks are made. Greenfield Village is nearby, so we could check that out as well.

Right across the Detroit River is Windsor, Canada. We can take a tour at the Hiram Walker & Sons Distillery, which includes a sampling of the product.
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Detroit is a melting pot. So if there’s a particular culture or type of food you’re looking for, chances are we can find it.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am fortunate to work with two publishing houses. Let’s start with them.

Inkspell Publishing, which handles my Jamie Richmond series, is led by Melissa Keir. Melissa does an outstanding job supporting the authors in her house. She goes above and beyond the norm to promote our work. Melissa is also a great one to brainstorm with. She is quick to offer support, guidance and encouragement.

Rhonda Penders and R.J. Morris run the show at The Wild Rose Press, which publishes the Jefferson Chene mystery series. Both Rhonda and R.J. deserve recognition for all their efforts to support authors. R.J. even designed the cover art for two of my books!

There are a couple of fantastic groups that share information and offer support here. One is led by fellow author Ingar Rudholm and it’s called Written in the Mitten. This is a fountain of information about events, contests, open mic shows, coffee shops and more within Michigan. The other is Diana K. Penn’s Pages Promotions. Diana offers a number of services for authors. She also hosts the “Indie Reads Aloud” podcast, where indie and small press authors can share a bit of their background and read scenes from their work.
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 It’s that time again.  A chance to catch up a little about my efforts writing, my current work in progress, some upcoming events, an interview with another great author and of course, music.
 
But there is something special about today’s news.  After all, it’s March 19, or numerically, it’s 319.  Which happens to be part of the title of one of my most popular books.  When I began this newsletter, having it appear on the nineteenth each month was a way to set it apart from others.
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Time to get started!
 
Writing
Recently I was chatting with a couple of my students who are interested in writing. One brought up the topic of dialogue. Turns out this is something she struggles with.  It reminded me of a conversation I once had with the late great Elmore Leonard.  We met at a small bookstore in downtown Detroit, where he was autographing his latest release. There was a lull in customer traffic and Leonard was kind enough to chat with me for a while.

When the topic turned to dialogue, he gave me a sly grin.  Leonard explained that not everyone speaks in complete sentences, using proper English. This is absolutely the case, especially if you’re writing contemporary stories.  He encouraged me to simply listen to how people talk and learn from that.

I took his advice and have run with it ever since.  Perhaps that helps all my characters be so relatable to readers.  Speech patterns and dialogue make the difference.

Dialogue is critical to a good tale. It helps to move the story forward.  Too much narration and description can tend to bog down the action.  And it can result in a reader losing interest.
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I related this to my students.  Both seem surprised at the idea of characters not speaking in complete sentences.  I encouraged them to give it a try with their own stories.

Work In Progress
 
Leo Agonasti is a patient man.  Yes, he’s one of my characters, but that’s also one of his traits.  I know this because despite my best intentions, work on his story has been put on hold. 

My writing time has been focused on finalizing the revisions on “Rules of Desperation” the novel I wrote a long time ago.  The plan is to finish this draft and ship it off to my editor, Diana K. Penn at Pages Promotions. Diana will weave her magic and make it pretty. It will be self-published in time for the festival season. 
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Meanwhile, I’ll get back to Leo’s story.  He’s far more patient than I ever claimed to be.  Here's a picture of what Leo might look like. 

​Events
 
Yes, it’s that time of year!  I’ve been looking for new venues to display my books and talk to readers.  This month I’ll be at the Portage District Library on Friday, the 22nd and the Delta Marriott on Saturday, the 30th.   If you’re in the western Michigan area, be sure to stop by and say hello.  I’ll have plenty of copies of the books available.

Spotlight
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Each month it’s my pleasure to feature another author I’ve connected with.  Kristoffer Gair and I met about a year ago.  We were both part of a monthlong virtual book festival with Diana at Pages Promotions.  Kristoffer has a quick wit and is a talented writer. Time to get to know him. 

​Tell us about yourself and how you became an author.
My mother was a huge reader, and she got me started reading at a very early age. I loved how stories could take you somewhere else, how they played to your imagination, could make you laugh (Judy Blume), or make you cry (Wilson Rawls). Mom had an affinity for The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries, so I used to read those before graduating to an adult favorite of hers, Sydney Sheldon. Watching Salem's Lot on TV started me on Stephen King, and a friend later turned me on to Anne Rice.

It didn't feel like a stretch for me back in the day to want to write a story of my own, mostly to see if I could elicit the kind of reactions I experienced from reading, or the reactions my classmates experienced. I loved movies and I loved reading, so why not combine the two passions and tell the kind of stories I wanted to watch? That's what started me on my way. Honestly, I'd have been happy being a B-movie horror director. Instead, I continue to write the kinds of stories I wish had been around when I was a teenager, or what I would have liked to have watched on a Friday or Saturday night with a giant tub of hot buttered popcorn.

Do you ever imagine one of your novels being made into a movie or television series?
I think the majority of my novels could easily translate to the screen. That's how I think when I'm writing anyway; cinematically. One of my degrees is in Film, and the other is in Creative Writing. Unfortunately, with the political climate the way it currently is with anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, constant accusations of grooming and so many other toxic elements, I would never expect there to be any interest in my work becoming a film. Or, if there was interest, I fear they would either want to eliminate or downplay the orientations of the characters, or diverge from the stories entirely, all in order to appease the studio.
That’s unfortunate.  But if it were to happen, are there any favorite actors you’d cast in the lead roles?
Nothing comes to mind for this one. Previous books? Sure. But this one? The characters have been unique for me to write because the story was never planned, yet two of them carried over from the previous book. So, however I thought they looked as minor characters in the last one has carried over into this one.

That makes sense. What is your writing process? For instance, do you do an outline first? Do you write the chapters in sequence?
My writing process is fairly haphazard due to my day job schedule. It almost feels like I piecemeal a story together based on when I am able to write, and what scene I'm inspired to tackle at that moment.

In beginning a new book, however, I always write the prologue and first chapter, then the last chapter and epilogue. I don't know why. It's just the way it happens because I know how I want the story to begin and how I want it to end. I also have an idea of where the middle of the story to be, but how we get there, and then from there is what comes together during the writing itself.

My preference is to write in order after the beginning and end are written. However, if I'm inspired by a scene or bit of dialogue, I will write ahead and sketch that scene out, then see how it fits in when I get to the part where it naturally belongs within the story. I'm not a fan of outlines and never have been. They feel restrictive and even though they can be changed, my first response to an outline is to completely go against it.
 
I also create a playlist of music over the course of the book. I'll hear a song that fits a scene, or I'll have something in mind for it already, and I'll put the songs in order according to how they fit in the story. Then, whenever I need have something that helps me slip right back into writing that particular book, I can listen to its soundtrack.

I like that approach.  Outlines are too restrictive for me as well.  I like the playlist idea. Tell us about the characters in your latest book.
There were a couple of characters in my previous novel, Butterflies I Have Known, who readers started asking me if they would see more of. I never had any plans of doing anything else with them—I had no plans for a sequel—and I didn't feel they had their own stories. Well, I was wrong.

​A very, very secondary character in Butterflies, Cristian Orr, is front and center in Snow Angels in the Dust. The thirty-two-year-old former administrative assistant to a famous WWII photographer, Milton Glass, is known to be cool as steel in the face of adversity, is an amazing researcher, extremely articulate, and possesses admirable instincts. His past, however, remains unknown. Sending Cristian halfway around the world to a country where he is totally out of his element will bring his past to the surface in what amounts to a personal journey he never could have seen coming.

Nhất is in his early 40s, and acts as a guide and translator for Cristian in Vietnam. He also has a past that is shrouded in mystery and is the reason he may be an alcoholic. Nhất is far more carefree in how he deals with people, especially Cristian, but doesn't mince words when it comes to getting the job done. He and Cristian don't trust each other, and what trust does come between them is earned the hard way. There is also a connection between Nhất and a previous novel, Falling Awake III: Requiem, that allows for his own personal journey in this story as well.

That’s a great approach to utilize minor characters from earlier works. Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
I generally know who my main players are going to be. In the case of Snow Angels in the Dust, I knew I wanted to explore Cristian's life, and that Milton Glass would also be a presence in the story despite his having passed in Butterflies. Beyond that, when I needed a character, the first thing that goes through my mind is "What is going to make this character interesting for me to write? What are their quirks? How am I not going to get bored with them?"

Every character needs their quirks. Can you share an excerpt?
I would love to. However, I'm officially in the editing stage where the entire story is being ripped apart and put back together again, and I don't want to share something that's not quite ready yet.

What’s the next project you’ll be working on?
Once Snow Angels in the Dust is ready to go (hopefully in time for a June release), I'll be back to finishing my first Young Adult novel. It'll be an experiment of sorts. My lead characters happen to be gay, only I won't be using that word in this one, and we'll see if it still gets banned in Florida.

You can learn more about Kristoffer at the links below.
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001JP0C8U 
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Website: www.kristoffergair.com 

Music
I stumbled upon some tracks from an old favorite last week. Joe Walsh has been performing for more than fifty years, with bands such as The James Gang and The Eagles, in addition to a solo career.  With the Eagles he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The group also received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2017.
 
Here’s my top five favorites from Joe Walsh.
 
Funk 49:  https://youtu.be/AbyKhl4N6G4?si=oW2nbqz_xAhA9DaK

Rocky Mountain Way: https://youtu.be/4Fz-mHGXgzs?si=3uwHEXZdlxMrPft3

Life’s Been Good: https://youtu.be/T204WpZSbLw?si=IMJoYLjKdP9AyV4Z

In the City: https://youtu.be/xUDFMl-TsaA?si=rZ8ORDw3c2Q59Ycl
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All Night Long: https://youtu.be/C4OHClAv5IQ?si=k3PUT0yoxr-0h_h9
 
 

I had the pleasure of being interviewed recently by Bold Journey magazine. 

We were lucky to catch up with Mark Love recently and have shared our conversation below. 

Mark, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

I am always working on a new story (or two) and ideas for characters, dialogue and scenes are frequently coming to mind. This can be triggered by an action I witness or a conversation overhead. When this happens, I’ll jot down the idea in a notebook if I’m not close to a computer.

Part of this can also stem from my writing process. I don’t use an outline. They are too restrictive. So I’ll start with a main character and an idea or two to get the story rolling. Once that’s written, it may trigger another scene. Since I’m not writing sequentially, it’s similar to working on a jigsaw puzzle. I’ll write the scenes or the dialogue as they hit me. Later, I’ll go back and put them into some semblance of order. At that stage, I’ll read everything and determine whatever needs to be written to connect the pieces.

It’s not a logical approach, but no one ever said creativity had to be logical.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a mystery writer. That genre captured my attention from a very young age. As a storyteller, I focus on creating realistic characters and situations that the readers can identify with. None of my characters are perfect. They all have flaws, to go with their strengths and weaknesses. All my stories take place in Michigan, mostly centered around Detroit and the suburbs. The locations are a major part of each book. I love it when readers contact me and say “I’ve been here! I know this restaurant”.

Before starting on mysteries, I worked for five years as a freelance reporter for a couple of newspapers around Detroit. Not only did that provide me with great experience, but it also served as the inspiration for my two main characters.
I write two different mystery series. The Jefferson Chene novels are about a squad of detectives working for the Michigan State Police, investigating major cases in the metro Detroit area. Most of these are homicides and the investigations cross several city and county boundaries.

The Jamie Richmond books are about a young woman who was an investigative journalist for ten years before deciding to take her skills, experience and contacts and pursue her passion of writing mysteries. Each time Jamie is working on a new book, she stumbles upon an actual crime. She can’t let it rest until she figures it out.

In the first book, she also begins a romantic relationship with a guy who is a police officer. So there’s a bit of romance in these stories. With a last name of Love, an editor told me that’s expected. Love really is my name.

Both series are written in the first person. While it can be a challenge writing the Jamie stories, I’ve had many compliments for how well I’ve captured the character and portrayed her.

Writing is one of my passions. When I create a story that can entertain the reader, capturing their interest and offering an escape from their day, that’s my motivation to keep writing.

One of my favorite opportunities is participating in festivals where I can sell my books. Interacting with readers and pitching my stories can be a lot of work, but it’s also fun. At times, it’s like being on stage, ready to perform. I try to find a way to connect with shoppers. In the Jamie Richmond series, Jamie is a redhead. If a young lady with red hair passes my table, I’ve been known to ask if she modeled for one of the book covers. That usually leads to a smile and often, a sale.

I also teach business courses at a local college. As a storyteller, I use my creative writing skills to engage the students, drawing them into the material. Often, I include some escapades from my own work experience to keep the discussions going.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

As a writer, you have to be observant. That means paying attention to details that can make or break your story. I’ve watched people interacting at restaurants and social gatherings. You can learn a lot about characters by observing their body language alone. If you’re close enough to overhear the conversation, that can open many possibilities for your characters. If you’re writing a contemporary story, like I do, you’ll discover that few people speak in perfect sentences. Realistic dialogue can really move your story along.

A thirst for knowledge is essential. I don’t know everything. But I don’t hesitate to reach out to people with different experiences and interview them. I’ve talked to police officers, doctors, lawyers, aerobics instructors, criminologists, teachers and a Civil War buff. One of my favorite interviews was with a woman who trained human remains dogs. The details she shared worked out perfectly for the beginning of “The Wayward Path” .

I discovered early on that outlines are too restrictive for me. Some people insist on plotting everything out with an outline. You need to determine what method works best for you.

Don’t try to get the story perfect the first time. You’ll drive yourself crazy. Just write! There will be plenty of time later to edit the work. Nobody gets it right the first time. The main thing is to write. Whether it’s on the computer, a voice recording or in a notebook, just write.

I highly recommend joining a writer’s group. It’s been my good fortune to be part of a couple over the years. The feedback can be reassuring and helpful. My current group has about twenty people in it. We meet each month and anyone who wants to share a bit from their latest project can read aloud for up to seven minutes. The others share their reactions and offer suggestions. It’s all constructive criticism. There are people writing from different genres, including poetry. 

As a writer, you need to develop a thick skin. Rejections happen. But one publisher or magazine’s rejection can be another one’s gold. Keep writing.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

Marketing and promotion are my greatest challenge. It’s an important task for any writer. You could have written the greatest story ever, but it will never get off the shelves if you can’t get the attention of potential readers. Like many authors, I don’t have an extensive budget for marketing. So you do the best you can with what you have to work with.
I try to post on different social media sites, such as Instagram, Twitter (X) and Facebook with some frequency. The personal appearances at local libraries and festivals helps too. There are a few different services I’ve tried too. There are so many out there, it’s difficult to find the best ones. Measuring the return on your investment is never easy. Your marketing efforts should lead to sales.
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I have also appeared on several podcasts. That’s another avenue I need to explore further. Being interviewed or reading scenes from one of the books can be a great way to connect with readers