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‘Write a newsletter’, a friend once said. ‘It’s a great way to share details about your efforts as a writer. Include some special features. Make it different from all the other ones.’ Difficult to believe that was more than four years ago. This monthly spot continues with bits about my writing, upcoming events, works in progress, interviews with talented authors and music. Variety is a wonderful thing! Ready? Let’s roll. Writing “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.”  You probably recognize Shakespeare’s line here from Romeo and Juliet. It’s appropriate for this section on writing. I’m a sucker for unusual names. As a kid many of the characters in books I enjoyed had common, everyday names. They were as plain as white bread and mayonnaise. That’s boring! The characters’ names can give you a clue as to how they might behave, if the writer puts some thought into it. Some writers will use a random name generator app. But that takes all the fun out of it. A great resource I’ve discovered is capturing the names of people I meet during the day. This is especially true at the events I participate in. So far this year, I’ve met young ladies named Breezy, Arizona, Alura, Sharmane, Nikkia, Cheyanne, Kayleigh, Rebekah, Brittney, Mina, Madisyn, Destinee and Avva. Sure, some of these may be just unique spelling of common names, but that’s the point. I want to celebrate the differences by using some of these for my characters. One of the reference books I use that’s been on my shelf for years is the Character Naming Sourcebook. It gives the nationality and the meaning for various names. This is my go-to book for the background on names. Sometimes I’ll pull them directly from there. The more distinctive the name, the more memorable the character. And that’s what I’m striving for. Because if the readers remember the names, they may just come back to buy another book.  Events The caravan continues! Next stops on my wandering around the Mitten State include: Dowagiac’s Summer Festival on July 19 and 20, (Main & Front Street) the SterlingFest in Sterling Heights on July 27, (in front of the library on Dodge Park) Art in the Park in Holland on August 3 (Centennial Park, Central and 10th) and the Treasures & Treats Craft Show, part of Howell’s Melon Festival on August 17 (First Presbyterian Church, 323 W. Grand River). Work In Progress Writing on the crime novel continues. I’ve passed the 50,000 word mark on the first draft, which is encouraging. That means it’s time for me to go back through the manuscript, scene by scene, and start putting them together into some type of timeline. This helps me determine what details need to be expanded on. It also provides me with the opportunity to consider scenes that are needed to connect the subplots with the main story. It’s part of the process that has always served me well. With any luck I’ll write another three to five thousand words this month. Time will tell.  Author Interview I am proud to be part of the Inkspell Publishing family. That’s the house that brings the Jamie Richmond books to life. Somehow I think that means Libby Kay and I are related, since she’s also with Inkspell. You know her stories would be great if they were accepted for publication there. Let’s learn a bit more about her.  Tell us a little about yourself and how you became an author. I’m a bit of a cliché, I’m afraid. I’m a librarian who has had a lifelong obsession with books. Some of my earliest memories are going to the library for the summer reading program. I’d leave with armfuls of books, hiding away in the house behind a stack of stories. As I got a little older, I started doodling little picture books. Granted, it was basically 2-dimensional sketches, but I loved crafting the words that built the story. (There’s a reason I’m glad Inkspell has cover artists—I cannot draw to save my life!) I love writing. It’s an escape and inspirational place for me to go. While I only published my first book in 2022, I’ve been writing since I was a teenager. (And trust me when I tell you, that was a long time ago.) Getting my stories out to readers is a dream come true, if you’ll excuse another cliché. I’ve had readers reach out and share how my stories touched them or made them believe in love again. That is so rewarding, and it puts the biggest smile on my face! When I’m not reading and writing, I spend time with my husband and hike or travel. I’m a homebody, but we love to get away on weekends and explore the Midwest. If we happen to find a delicious restaurant in our travels, all the better. 😉 Do you ever imagine one of your novels being made into a movie or television series? Yes, more often than I should admit. 😉 My Buckeye Falls series has Virgin River and Sweet Magnolias vibes, so I’d love to see it turned into a Netflix or Hallmark series. That will always be the dream. Any favorite actors you’d cast in the lead roles? What’s that expression? Beggars can’t be choosers? If my books were turned into a movie or TV show, I wouldn’t push too hard for any certain celebrity. I have a hodgepodge of people in mind when I write my characters, and it’s rarely just one person. Unfortunately, the one person I do envision with a character is no longer with us. (For those of you who read Falling Again, Anthony is modeled after JFK Jr. Swoon!) What is your writing process? For instance, do you do an outline first? Do you write the chapters in sequence? In the world of pantsing or plotting—I’m definitely a panster. I have a brief outline of what will happen in the book, using beat sheets from Gwen Hayes’s book Romancing the Beat. But overall, I write in the moment and write in sequence. When I get stuck in a certain passage, I usually work on the epilogue to get me focused on the couple’s happily ever after.  Describe the characters in your latest book. My most recent release is Faking the Fall. It’s book 4 in my Buckeye Falls series, but like all the books can be enjoyed as a stand-alone read. Faking the Fall follows Alice and James, and one of my favorite tropes: fake dating! Alice is a bit of a free spirit who spent the last decade traveling and going to school. Now she’s back home in Buckeye Falls, but she isn’t ready to settle down yet. The only problem? Her family and neighbors won’t get off her back about her sad dating life. Enter James, a sweet hearted (and adorable!) artist who recently relocated to town after a bitter divorce. He’s been hiding away working on his newest collection, but he’s lacking that creative sparkle. When he and Alice meet, James sees the perfect muse to get his creative juices flowing. Alice finds the perfect fake boyfriend to please her fellow Buckeyes. The only problem with their little scheme? When they start to catch real feelings. Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write? When I started writing the Buckeye Falls series, I envisioned a trilogy. I had firm ideas for Max, Evan, and Anthony to get their happily ever afters. But the more I wrote, the more I wanted to give Alice and Mallory their own stories. They played big parts in helping their brothers find love, and I couldn’t imagine leaving those girls hanging. 😊 What is your latest book about? Sparks fly when a reclusive artist meets his muse in this new installment of the Buckeye Falls series. Alice Snyder knows her reputation—and if she didn’t, Buckeye Falls loves to remind her. She may come from the town’s First Family, but that doesn’t mean she plays by the rules. After a decade of traveling and going to school, she’s back home and ready to settle down, or at least relax for a while. The trouble is, her neighbors are determined to find her a husband. She needs a way to get them off her back… When James Gibson, a divorced artist, flees New York for the peace of small-town Ohio, he’s excited to get painting again. The only trouble is, he’s completely blocked. Despite his best efforts, his collection of canvases are blank and he’s at a career crossroads. A chance meeting with the mayor’s sister throws James’s routine off balance, and he’s eager to spend more time with this quirky spitfire. And Alice might have the solution to both their problems… Fake Date. She gets the Nosey Nellies off her back, and James gets time with a woman who inspires him both inside and outside the studio. Just a few weeks of pretending, and they’ll move on. Simple, right? The trouble is the more time they spend together, the realer their relationship feels. The laughter, the stolen kisses—it all starts to feel like more. Can these two be honest with each other and find their happily-ever-after, or are they doomed for a real breakup? For anyone who is a Buckeye Falls fan, stay tuned this August for the final novel in the series--Forever to Fall. This is Mallory’s happily ever after with Beckett, her brother’s best friend and first love. Check out my Instagram and Facebook pages for a cover reveal and teasers later in July! Libby Kay’s FAKING THE FALL redeems Buckeye Falls’s spinster troublemaker with a fake relationship romance filled with sweet small town vibes. FAKING THE FALL will bring to mind amazing books like Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams and Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey. But best of all, it returns readers to the small Ohio town and the familiar characters from the previous Buckeye Falls books. All the zany, overbearing, and well-meaning ones! So, sit back and grab FAKING THE FALL for the latest roller-coaster romance by Libby Kay. Can you share an excerpt too? The air had a delicious freshness to it, a faint hint of leaves and spice in the air. “This was one of the best nights I’ve had in a while.” Alice only broke away from James’s hold when they reached the car. “Seriously, just what I needed.” The itching in his fingers told James the evening was not only enjoyable, but also inspirational. The fading sunlight gave Alice a glow he wanted to capture on canvas. But first, he needed to kiss her again. Kissing Alice felt urgent, a necessity to keep him going. Pinning Alice against the side of his car, James caged his arms on either side of her. Keeping six inches of distance between them, he waited a moment for her to object. He was coming on strong, especially for a fake boyfriend, but he couldn’t stay away. Alice had this magnetic energy, and James was powerless to resist. “Alice.” Her name escaped on a rasp. She slowly lifted her head, and James knew she felt this too. This was not a one-sided attraction; what burned between them was too strong, too special. “I’m going to kiss you now.” “Okay.” She nodded, jutting her tongue out to lick her bottom lip. Any control James had evaporated into the early autumn air. Cupping her face, he closed the remaining distance and kissed her like his life depended on it. Because from where James was standing, it very well might. Alice felt like his lifeblood, and not just creatively. Getting her to smile, watching her come out of her shell was all he wanted in the world. What’s the next project you’ll be working on? I just got an Inkspell contract for a new book, When Sparks Fly. This is still a sweet, smalltown romance, but it’s set in Georgia and follows a team of firefighters as they fall in love. I’m envisioning a trilogy for this series. When Sparks Fly will release in April 2025. Stay tuned for more details! For anyone who is a Buckeye Falls fan, stay tuned this August for the final novel in the series--Forever to Fall. This is Mallory’s happily ever after with Beckett, her brother’s best friend and first love. Check out my Instagram and Facebook pages for a cover reveal and teasers later in July! Faking the Fall buy links: AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CDM9F6LX KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/faking-the-fall BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/faking-the-fall-libby-kay/1143866386 APPLE: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id6457364406 Other links: Website: https://www.libbykayauthor.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libbykayauthor/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LibbyKayAuthor/ Goodreads: Libby Kay https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19377638.Libby_Kay Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/libby-kay  Music
At a recent event, I was talking about the newsletter with a couple of lovely young ladies who were interested in my books. When I mentioned that music is always a part of my day, they asked for specifics. It was a pleasant surprise to learn they recognized many of the artists I referred to. Occasionally I will select a theme instead of just one performer or band. They challenged me to pick songs with colors in the title. How could I refuse? Normally, I pick five titles, but there was no way to narrow it down, so here’s my top ten tunes. Santana: Black Magic Woman. https://youtu.be/9wT1s96JIb0?si=zrwnUUlrF6_fGajM Linda Ronstandt: Blue Bayou. https://youtu.be/Kp9G0zkorio?si=z1cLHcxm9hxJIWYM Van Morrison: Brown Eyed Girl. https://youtu.be/UfmkgQRmmeE?si=lwWhEvNqcKcixVEu Mitch Ryder: Devil in a Blue Dress. https://youtu.be/0Ubl1thJwG4?si=7SNUPxxRPSddAbLn Sting: Fields of Gold. https://youtu.be/5som4EYefio?si=nXUgmiz1v4W7v73F Spin Doctors: Jimm Olson’s Blues https://youtu.be/GrQCro68sRU?si=il2NY3MUQwZs14At Prince: Little Red Corvette. https://youtu.be/v0KpfrJE4zw?si=nP-CDmi4nT71jr46 Aretha Franklin: Pink Cadillac. https://youtu.be/Ip_pjb5_fgA?si=I_rEPCcC-KsmUZIU Bruce Springsteen: Pink Cadillac. https://youtu.be/V4PeT6aeytU?si=PLz-L39i-uE9daOT John Mellencamp: Pink Houses https://youtu.be/qOfkpu6749w?si=nfSEu7cqgJuHdYxG
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We were lucky to catch up with Mark Love recently and have shared our conversation below. Mark , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s something crazy on unexpected that’s happened to you or your business. My business centers around my efforts as a writer. I’m the author of 9 books that are available in print and eb00k formats. Writing mysteries can be challenging. I want my stories to be believable, so it takes a lot of research to make sure the facts are accurate and pertain to the story. In addition to selling my books online, I frequently attend various events, such as festivals and art shows. That gives me the opportunity to interact in person with potential readers. It’s essential that I have a number of pitches prepared. In a heartbeat, I have to adjust my pitch to connect with people as they approach my booth. It’s important to be upbeat, friendly and able to engage anyone in a conversation. This is similar to being onstage. It’s improvisation at it’s finest. At a show last year, an older woman stopped by. She glared at the covers of each book. Then she pointed a crooked finger at the first on display. “What’s this about?” she asked. I gave her the synopsis, describing what could be found on the back. She frowned, nodded, and hooked her thumb at the one beside it. “And that one?” she asked. Again, I gave her the details. She repeated the process, scowling at me for more than 15 minutes as we moved through the table’s display. “So this is all fiction. Basically, you’re just making stuff up!” she said.. I agreed and confirmed that was the definition of fiction. Then I pointed out my efforts to research certain topics that were pertinent to each book. By now, I was ready to chalk it up as a waste of time. That’s when she surprised me and whipped out her credit card. “I’ll take one of each. But you can’t charge me extra for signing them.” “Autographs are always free,” I assured her. Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers. As a kid, I was an avid reader. While I read a variety of genres, mysteries always captured my attention. Perhaps that is what triggered the storyteller in me. During my professional career, I worked in many industries in different roles. After spending twenty years as a Human Resources Director or Manager, I was tired of solving problems for employees and management and working for someone else. Ten years ago, I began teaching business courses at the local college. One course I’ve taught every year since is Small Business Management. This focuses on how to start your own company. Teaching the material gave me insight into how to create and grow my own business. At the same time, I had been sharpening my skills as a writer. After getting a few short stories published, I started writing novels. Research helped me find a publisher who liked my work. One story lead to another. It was a kick to see my novels get printed. I ended up leaving the first publisher and finding a second one that was more interested in my books. Ideas kept coming. With the last name of Love (yes, that’s really my name) an editor told me readers would expect a little romance in my books. That led to the Jamie Richmond series, which are now with the Inkspell Publishing House. There are five books so far. “Devious”, “Vanishing Act”, “Fleeing Beauty”, “Stealing Haven” and “Chasing Favors” I started a second series, about a squad of police detectives investigating major crimes. There are three books in that series to date. The Jefferson Chene mysteries are with The Wild Rose Press.. Those titles include “Why 319?” “Your Turn to Die” and “The Wayward Path”. I’ve also self-published another book, “Rules of Desperation” was released in May, 2024. It’s my first attempt at self-publishing. It’s an experiment with a standalone book to see how it sells. I also wanted to have a new title on my display table at festivals this year. I am proud of each book. What is remarkable to me is to see the reactions of people at festivals and events as they become interested in my work. It’s also rewarding when someone from a different venue seeks me out to buy another book in the series. What sets me apart from other small businesses is two-fold. The books are my product. Each one is a standalone novel, set in contemporary times that the reader can relate to. Books are a great escape. They can also entertain and educate the reader. The second component is me. Whenever I’m at a festival or event, I strive to engage potential buyers, telling them just enough about myself and my books to attract their attention and hopefully result in a sale. All of my books take place in Michigan, primarily the metropolitan Detroit area. That location becomes a character in my work. So it was only fitting that I named the company “Motown Mysteries”. The name clearly identifies what the business is about. Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?Every writer will face rejection at some point. My first attempts at selling stories did not go well. Disappointment reared it’s ugly head. A cloud of doubt began to circle. Was I any good? Could I actually write a story that people would read? Would they enjoy it? How could I surprise the reader? Could I keep them guessing or would they quickly figure out the mystery? I realized there was another way to improve my writing skills and get paid for it, by transitioning to journalism. I took a couple of journalism courses in college. One instructor recommended me and several other students to a local newspaper who was looking for freelance reporters. Many of the assignments were dull. I covered schoolboard and city council meetings. That led to offers to write editorials and a few feature assignments. Positive feedback from the newspaper editors gave me confidence. After five years of my side gig as a reporter, I was ready to return to writing fiction. Can you open up about how you funded your business?I have always worked another job. As an HR Director, I was able to set aside funds to slowly start the business. I have to purchase print copies of each of my books from the publishers. While I do get these at a discount, there are other costs I had to keep in mind. Each venue I attended usually charged a fee. Some provided booths, tables and chairs. Others did not. In the beginning, I picked one event each month during the season (May through September). I tracked the sales and calculated how much profit from each show. The more books I had, the more I sold. The more I sold, the more events I wanted to participate in. During the offseason, I built up the account for the business. I bought my own equipment for the outdoor events. This gave me the opportunity to find new venues. I closely monitor the sales volume at each show. In most cases, when I register for an event, I’ll check with some fellow authors to see if they are interested and available to join me. If so, that helps to reduce my cost. The less expense for the venue, the easier it is to make a profit. It’s not competition sharing a space with another author. It’s collaboration. We all treat this as a business. Contact Info:
Image Credits“Rules of Desperation” by Pages Promotions LLC
“Chasing Favors” and “Stealing Haven” by Fantasia Frog Designs “Devious” by Dawne Dominique “Fleeing Beauty” by Shades of Rose Media “Why 319?” and “Your Turn to Die” by R J Morris “The Wayward Path” by Debbie Taylor It’s the 19th, so it’s time for the news. There’s a bit about writing, details about new events, my latest project, an interview with another author and of course, music. There must be music. As comedy legend Jackie Gleason would say “And Away We Go!”  Writing A subject all authors must be aware of is one I’ve learned the hard way: the pitch. When I was young and innocent all those decades ago, I just assumed once the story was written, my work would be done. Then I could move on to the next project. Talk about naïve. The pitch is part of marketing. I believe they are interconnected and extremely necessary to the writer’s efforts. A few authors I know dedicate one day each week to focus on their marketing efforts. That could include a mix of social media posts, paid advertisements or entries into different contests or competitions. Lately my focus has been on the pitch. While I often post updates and photos on social media, it’s the pitch that draws people in. Your pitch can be written, the various words you use to describe the photos on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. But nothing compares to a live pitch. Here are a couple of examples from the show I was in recently. My booth was all set and ready to go. There was a nice, steady stream of people. I have learned over the years that being friendly and approachable is the best start. Smile, wave, say hello or good morning or whatever feels comfortable greeting people as they pass your station. With 10 books on display, I’ve got a quick spiel already in mind for each of them. Some people will start to pass my booth, only to be drawn in by the colorful covers. Others may hesitate. That’s when it’s time to make the pitch. A lady walking past wore a T shirt emblazoned with LOVE on the front. I asked if we were related, making a play on my last name. She smiled, then stepped closer to check out the books. Her friend tagged along. They asked a few questions. Turns out they were both in a large book club and we’re always on the lookout for new authors. I explained that if the book club were to read one of my books, I’d be happy to join their meeting, either in person or via a video conference, to answer questions or chat about the characters and my writing process. That led to two sales. A short time later, a young couple wandered past. The woman had beautiful, thick red hair. I asked if she was one of the cover models used in the Jamie Richmond series. Her face lit up with a brilliant smile. She picked up each book, studied the covers closely, indicating which ones she liked. Her boyfriend was grinning, shaking his head. “You could always tell your friends you posed for the cover,” I said. “Or that you were the inspiration for the character.” “My friends would believe that.” She bought copies of “Stealing Haven” and “Chasing Favors”. When asked by others about the pitch, I explain that working these events is like being on stage, doing a play or improv. You need to connect with the audience, which in this case, is made up of potential readers. Tell them a little something to draw them in. That’s the pitch. It’s essential.  Events The road show continues! An old friend commented recently that I’m turning into a carney, bouncing from town to town. But I’m having fun! And it’s a great way to connect with new readers. You just never know who you’ll see at these events. I’ll be in Otsego on June 22, then Dowagiac July 19 and 20 and Sterling Heights July 27. Works In Progress Now that “Rules of Desperation” has been released, I’ve been able to return my attention to “Agonasti’s Dilemma”. That’s the working title on my crime novel. Fortunately, I’ve had a bit of free time to write some new scenes. Once I add another 3,000 words, I’ll have to start sketching it out, deciding what new scenes will be needed to put all the pieces together in some kind of order. I’ve also been sneaking in a couple of scenes on what will become the fourth book in the Jefferson Chene series. Ideas keep sneaking into my brain on that one and the only way I can move beyond that point is to write them out. It’s good to know that Chene, Pappy and the rest of that crew are waiting in the wings.  Author Spotlight I’ve had the great pleasure of meeting Marianne Wieland several times over the years at different festivals. She’s also been an active participant in the monthlong virtual festivals, taking the role of a character in the event. Marianne’s efforts often result in gales of laughter from the audience. Time to learn a little more about her.  Tell us a little about yourself and how you became an author. I have been writing in one respect or another most of my life. Before I wrote my first book, I was writing plays and musicals that were performed around the Battle Creek area and occasionally on the east coast. I’ve been on the stage most of my life and as I got older, preferred being behind the scenes directing and producing. About ten years ago I decided to try turning scripts into a novel and it worked out. Do you ever imagine one of your novels being made into a movie or television series? Sometimes. I was approached years ago after I wrote ‘My Heart for Jill’ to buy the rights to the book for a movie or TV series. It was after the book was accepted by Harlequin. But I had already gone with another publisher at the time. I turned it down because I was a new writer and was planning several sequels. I didn’t want anyone to change it. If I could turn back time… Any favorite actors you’d cast in the lead roles? I gave it some thought a long time ago. I am sure the ones I had in mind are no longer in the appropriate age range. In ‘My Heart for Jill’ I imagined Karl Urban as Nick Wallace. Steve Martin as Jim Dennison. Andrew Womack as Andrew Wallace. Rufus Sewell as Gerard Wallace. Kaley Cuoco as Brenda Montgomery. Jennifer Love Hewett as Gwen Wallace. Linda Hunt as Margaret Wallace. No one ever came to mind for Anika Wallace, Matt Dennison or Josie Dennison and no one for Jill. In ‘Meeting Henry’ I had thought of Richard Flood as Henry. James Marsden as Joe. Nicolas Cage as General Barnett. Larry Joe Campbell as General Smith. Prince Harry as Mark Jones. Katherine Heigl as Missy. Amy Adams as Rayna Ivanov. No one came to mind for the others. What is your writing process? For instance, do you do an outline first? Do you write the chapters in sequence? I always write the chapters in sequence. I make a general outline as to what chapters should include but as I write, it takes on a life of its own and a lot of the outline goes out the window. Describe the characters in your latest book. My latest book, ‘Unintentional Moments in Time’, is a collection of short stories. Many of the stories include real events with real people. A couple of these include characters based on real fear. Imaginable fear. Forgotten love. Growing up and facing the past. Some comedy stories, but all stories have a big twist to the ending that you don’t see coming.  Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write? I have most in mind when I outline what I want in the book. However, sometimes the character changes depending on seeing them in a larger role than what I originally imagined. Can you share a scene? This is an excerpt from the story, ‘The Adventures of Stevo and Jorge’. Several of the team players met at the local pizza parlor to talk about practice and the upcoming game with their most feared rival team. They had never won a game against this school in the history of having a soccer team. “Maybe that will change now that we’re getting an expert soccer player,” said Dave. “We don’t know yet just how much of an expert he is,” said Nick. “We can hope,” said Wendy. “Do you suppose he is from a foreign country?” Anita was picking the mushrooms off her pizza. “Your dad did say he was from a distance away.” “Who knows,” said Mike. “I just hope he doesn’t have an attitude like he is better than the rest of us.” “Yeah,” said Dave. “Nick is bad enough without another big head in the mix.” “Cut it out,” said Stevo. “He will probably be nervous meeting and playing with all of us. If he is from such a good team, he is probably worried that we won’t meet his standards.” “Gosh, that’s right,” said Wendy. “We never thought of that. He might take one look at us and quit the team.” “If he takes one look at Dave,” said Taylor, “he will quit the team for sure.” He got up quickly before his teammates threw ice water at him and headed into the bathroom, where he overheard half a conversation from some other classmates. “The new janitor starts next week,” said a freshman boy that Taylor didn’t know, so he ignored this part of the conversation. “I heard he is from Mexico.” “Hey!” Taylor’s ears perked up at this news. “Do you know his name or what he looks like?” “Probably Jorge or Juan or something like that,” said another Freshman boy. “If he’s from Mexico, he’ll have darker skin, dark hair, and dark eyes, right?” “Oh, right,” said Taylor, leaving the bathroom. “Wonder why one of the soccer captains is so interested in the new janitor?” said one Freshman boy to the other. “Beat’s me,” shrugged the other freshman boy. “You’ll never guess what I heard in the bathroom,” said Taylor excitedly. “What? Tell us quick,” said Mike. “Here comes your mother.” “Guys!” Taylor tried to get them to hear him. “The new guy on the team is from Mexico.” He was quickly pulled out the door by his mother. “Wow!” Anita and Wendy said simultaneously. “I bet he’s cute.” Wendy leaned into Anita. “All that thick, dark hair.” Dave noticed the freshman boys leaving the bathroom, heading to the door of the pizza parlor. “Hey! You! The new guy from Mexico,” said Dave loudly. “Do you know his name?” “Jorge. We think it’s Jorge.” By the next morning, Steveo and Mike were in the office signing up for junior pictures. “Have you boys heard about the new soccer player?” Lydia, the office aide, got the forms to take to their parents. “A little,” said Mike. “What do you know?” “Well,” she looked both ways. “I probably shouldn’t say anything, but I think you two can be trusted not to spread rumors. His name is Jorge, and he is from Mexico…” she continued to tell them all she had heard. “Here comes Jane and Ryan. We should give them a heads-up before they get blindsided at practice today. I doubt they have heard anything about the new player.” Before the boys could say anything, Jane and Ryan began to regale them with information about the new player. “He has never missed a goal. He has scored more than twenty points in every game he has ever played and dates the daughter of the President of Mexico. They are getting married as soon as he graduates. His parents have already arranged it. The wedding will be at their mansion in Mexico City.” They ran down the hall to catch others who had not heard the news. “And he sings back-up with Enrico Iglesias.” “He has one brother and five sisters, but they are not coming to America.” “He speaks five languages.” “His father has a magic act in Vegas, and his brother is a professional Mime.” “He has already been accepted into Harvard Law School but turned it down to play professional soccer with Argentina.” “He is a professional dancer, and his parents own a string of dance studios worldwide.” “He doesn’t eat. He only drinks protein shakes made from wheatgrass, tapioca, and goat.” “He has a God's body and a Devil's personality. He is every girl's dream and every boy's wannabe.” “His mother was Miss Mexico and was named the most beautiful actress four times by People Magazine.” “He has to shave three times a day.” **It’s a story about how rumors get started and is based on a true situation from my son’s soccer team. What’s the next project you’ll be working on? I am currently writing my first ‘standalone’ novella. It is called ‘Summer Vacation’ and is told initially from the boy’s point of view. Then I am retelling it from the girl’s point of view. The final section is what happens in the future to them both. It’s a sweet’ coming of age’ type story. Here’s a link to Marianne’s website. https://www.mariannewieland.com/  Music
Glenn Frey has always been one of my favorites. The fact that he’s originally from Detroit probably has something to do with it. As one of the founding members and frontman for The Eagles. Frey co-wrote many of the band’s hits and was often the lead singer, playing guitar and piano. After The Eagles went on hiatus in 1980, Frey had many successful hits with his solo career. The Eagles won six Grammys, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and recognized by the Kennedy Center Honors. Here are my top five Glenn Frey Songs (including a couple with the Eagles) The Heat is On. https://youtu.be/uZD8HKVKneI?si=9C47RfmJiltrrvmp Smuggler’s Blues: https://youtu.be/8sXHQKJwOMA?si=KTbK0n5Sw9Gpb8If You Belong to the City: https://youtu.be/HeH4vCOKd8E?si=OjcdrP1dTA21SE8L Heartache Tonight: https://youtu.be/JAKx_ndmBqo?si=CUvEc-e0Za7y762j Hole in the World: https://youtu.be/9-NWi0LPo1w?si=0k779U9YNPhFeRpi “Does everyone know what time it is?” Yes, it’s time for the news! Check out my latest bits on writing, upcoming events, works in progress, along with an author spotlight segment and music. Gotta have music. Writing One of the most challenging components for a writer is introducing the characters. Some readers want to know as much as possible about the players in the story, which can be accomplished by offering details about their size, shape, hair and eye color, age and demeanor. Other readers are comfortable with a general description. Their imagination can fill in the blanks. They can even include what the characters will sound like. The greatest example of introducing a character I’ve ever experienced wasn’t in a book but in the movie “The Pirates of the Caribbean.” I’ve shared this clip with friends at different writing groups and it’s always been well received.  https://youtu.be/rQRsVM_uGMc?si=eCh96tg7bfgvg90V I never liked books where a writer gives the reader all the details at one time, as if they were putting together a missing person’s report for the police. Or perhaps it’s like the profile for an online dating service. It’s my preference to share bits and pieces of each character as the story progresses. Readers will gradually learn more about them. To me it’s a more natural way of sharing that information. For example, with the Jefferson Chene character, as the first book unfolds, you learn he was abandoned at birth and his name is actually the intersection near downtown Detroit where he was found. I’ve had great feedback from readers who love to discover these parts of Chene’s background. It also helps them better understand his personality. Writers need to determine what method works best for them. When you’ve got a process that can deliver enough information so the reader can visualize what they look like, the rest of the story just flows better. Events The festival season is in full swing. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be at several locations in Southwest Michigan. Craft Show in Marshall, May 18 & 19, 10 to 4. Celery Flats in Portage, May 24 3:30 to 7. Art, Beer & Wine in Jackson, June 8, 2-7 Strawberry Festival in Coldwater 9 to 3.  Information for other upcoming sites is posted on the events tab on the website. So, if you’re looking for an autographed copy of any of the books, you’ll know where to find me. If I’m not going to be anywhere close by, you can always email me a request to get a book sent via regular mail. Work in Progress. It’s almost here! After countless updates and revisions, two official rounds of edits and so much more, “Rules of Desperation” is about ready to be released! Here’s the blurb from the back cover: How far would you go to achieve the goal of your dreams? All Nicholas Burr wants to do is traditionally publish a mystery novel. Sure, he’s had some success as a ghost writer for a young adult series, but that’s not the same. It’s not even close. Camille, his long-suffering wife, has had enough. She’s tired of being the bread winner. Tired of listening to him prattle on about his next project. Tired of…him. Nicholas Burr is desperate. Would he do something rash? Something unexpected? Something so outrageous it would get everyone’s attention? Yet if there’s one thing he knows, it’s that he must follow the rules. Meanwhile I’ve been able to do more writing on the Agonasti crime novel. Some new scenes have started to come together. As the saying goes, small steps can lead to big changes. That’s certainly true of writing. Author Spotlight. I have yet to meet Amy Klco in person. We’ve been together on several episodes of a Pages and Promotion podcast. Amy has a razor-sharp wit and a quick sense of humor. It’s time we learned more about Amy and her work.  Tell something about yourself and how you became an author. When I was in 4th grade, each student had an assignment to make a book, complete with illustrations and a story. Those books were shared with 4th graders across the district. Each class voted on which stories they liked best. My story won 2nd place! And that is the moment I knew I was meant to be a writer. And I have been working towards that goal ever since. Do you ever imagine one of your novels being made into a movie or television series? Yes, please! I would love to see my fantasy series made into a movie (or a mini-series.) I think it would be so amazing to see an idea that once existed only in my head come to life on the silver screen. Any favorite actors you’d cast in the lead roles? I was about to say no, I couldn’t think of anyone. And then it dawned on me. I would love to have Morgan Freeman play the Old Willow Man from my fantasy series. What is your writing process? This is my writing process: · Think of an idea. · Let it germinate in the back of my mind until I realize that it will not let me go until I write it down. · Get to know my main character and the general situation they are in. · Sit down to start writing and see how things unfold. · Keep writing until I get stuck (or life gets in the way.) · Get unstuck using one of the following techniques: o go for a walk, o take a nap (I get some of my best ideas in that ½ sleep state), o or my new favorite is to brainstorm with one of my writing friends. · Write more. · Get stuck and unstuck over and over again. · Be surprised by the amazing, imaginative ideas that come along out of seemingly nowhere. · Push through to the end. · Finish it. · Share with my trusted beta readers. Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write? Generally, my main character is the first thing that comes to me, after the idea of the book. They dictate everything else. The minor characters are often based on what the main character needs (help, advice, etc.) or what will propel the story forward. However, I have at times had a character come seemingly out of the blue. In one book I was working on, I knew I needed another character, but I wasn’t sure who they would be. Then, as I was brushing my teeth one morning, I “heard” a voice saying, “Hello, I am Vivian Valencia. Like the oranges. Nice to meet you.” I rushed to my computer to get down the conversation. Vivian turned out to be exactly who I needed to really make the book work. I’m glad she took the time to introduce herself to me. What is your latest book about? It's called We Mask. Jessie/Jessica is a trans kid living in Florida to unsupportive parents. When their father says that “If my child ever told me they were gay, I would kick them out of the house,” Jess decides to run away from home. Can you share an excerpt too? Chapter 1 “Hey, Jessie,” my dad called to me as I was heading upstairs to my bedroom. “Where ya’ going? The Gators are playing. Don’t you want to come watch the game with your old man?” “Of course I do,” I told him, doing my best to sound sincere. In reality, one of the last things I wanted to do was watch a football game with my dad. But the very last thing I wanted to do was get in a fight with him. So I smiled and sat down, acting like there was nothing I enjoyed more. We watched for a while in silence, but I knew that wouldn’t last. The blissful silence never did. Before long, a commercial came on and the questions started once again. “How come you never tried out for football?” he asked me, as if it had just occurred to him, as if he’d never asked me before. “We’ve been through this, Dad,” I replied, as carefully as I could. “I’m no good at sports.” “Nonsense,” he responded. “You’re my boy. Of course you’re good at sports. You just have to apply yourself a little. Get out there and move, use your body, instead of sitting in your room playing video games all day.” “I like video games,” I mumbled, even though I knew I should just stay quiet. “I’m good at video games.” “Anyone can be good at video games,” he replied. “That doesn’t take any talent. Now these guys,” he added, motioning towards the television where the game had resumed, “what they do takes real talent.” “Talent I don’t have,” I reminded him. “Talent you could have if you just applied yourself,” my dad snapped back. “Did you know that I was recruited to play for the Gators when I was your age?” “Yes,” I responded, trying my best to keep the frustration out of my voice. I couldn’t even count the number of times my dad had told me about his glorious past as the star quarterback for his high school football team. “I would have done it, too,” he continued, oblivious to the fact that he had told me this story so many times before. “If I hadn’t gone and knocked up your mom. That was before I found God and realized the error of my ways. Luckily her dad sat me down and helped me to understand Jesus’s plan for me. I took responsibility for my actions, married your mom, and got a job to support her. And you.” “Yes, Dad,” I replied, since he was clearly expecting some kind of response. “I gave up everything for you,” he added, as if I needed it spelled out one more time. “You owe me your life.” “I know,” I said, again doing my best to sound grateful. “If it weren’t for you, Mom would have gotten an abortion and I wouldn’t even be here today.” “She wanted to. But I knew better. We had already sinned when we conceived you. But murder? Nope, I was not going to have that on my conscience. People who kill babies go automatically to Hell,” he reminded me. “They’re almost as bad as faggots!” I tried hard not to wince at the word. I should be immune to it by now, as often as I heard it. But the hate I could hear in his voice when he said it always cut right through me. What would he do, I wondered, if he ever found out that his precious boy, his pride and joy, his life, was one of them? “You be careful, you hear,” my dad said next. “Sex outside of marriage is a sin, but women can be tricky. If you ever do anything, just make sure you use protection, you hear? You don’t want to end up like me,” he said, and then caught himself. “I mean, I have a great life. Everything turned out just fine, but… Just be careful you don’t get anyone pregnant. Keep your options open.” “I will, Dad,” I told him. And that was one promise I knew I could keep. I was pretty sure I would never get a woman pregnant. “And you should really go out for football this year,” he added, as if it were an afterthought. “It’s not too late. If you work hard your junior year, by your senior year, the talent scouts are bound to notice you.” “I’ll think about it,” I replied. “What’s there to think about? It’s a great plan! I’m glad you agree with me.” “Sure, Dad,” I said, since there was clearly nothing I could say to change his mind. “Can I go upstairs now?” “Don’t you want to finish watching the game?” he asked, as if either of us had been actually watching the game. “I’ve got homework to do,” I replied, getting up before he could tell me no. “I can’t get a football scholarship if I don’t keep my grades up.” I had no chance of getting a football scholarship either way, but he didn’t seem able to grasp that concept. “Smart,” he said. “Hit those books. But you will try out for the team this year, right?” “Yes, Dad,” I replied before slipping off upstairs. “Whatever you say.” What’s the next project you’ll be working on? I have an idea for a science-fiction story dealing with AI. That’s all I’m going to tell for now. 😉 You can learn more about Amy and her work on the website. https://www.enchantmentpress.com Music During a recent conversation, the topic of lists came up. I’ll often make a quick list of tasks I need to complete or check on. That triggered a memory from the John Sandford novel “Broken Prey”. A subplot of the story is protagonist Lucas Davenport receives an I-pod and has to pick his top 100 songs to download. Throughout the story, characters are making comments and suggestions about what tunes to include. I’m not about to list my top 100. That’s impossible. But I do have a few songs that always get my attention. These are especially good for traveling and I’ll be on the road a lot over the next few months. Here’s my top five favorites. Bob Seger: Get Out of Denver: https://youtu.be/hcEAfZX6SJw?si=MbV9_TibODD8r-rT
Chuck Berry: Reelin’ and Rockin’: https://youtu.be/ca2jxk6o3Rw?si=ojbTquoj84X09UJ6 Traffic: Low Spark of High Heeled Boys: https://youtu.be/vDGorIWYz-A?si=FkgGbkZ7Q155472H Stevie Ray Vaughan: Riviera Paradise: https://youtu.be/3c_8VUL5jks?si=gTnQyY6ob-U-GmAD Rolling Stones: Sympathy for the Devil: https://youtu.be/Jwtyn-L-2gQ?si=SN9LzBcp9BqovCFJ April! The time of taxes. The time for Spring to arrive. The end of teaching the Winter semester. Time for baseball. Sunshine and warmer temperatures (depending on what part of the globe you’re in). Of course, it’s that day when I share my thoughts about writing related subjects, a peek behind the curtain at current projects, upcoming events, an interview with an incredibly talented author, and music. Must. Have. Music. Ready? Let’s roll. Writing While I don’t teach creative writing courses at the college, it’s not uncommon for some of my students to express interest in my efforts writing mysteries. A conversation last week centered around the issue of outlines. Both students were surprised that I never used them. To me, outlines tend to stifle creativity. It works better for me to start with a story idea, a main character or two and just writing a scene. Often my subconscious kicks in, and one idea triggers another. And another. And another. It’s not uncommon for me to have an inspiration that hits, where a particular scene or an exchange of dialogue comes to mind. I’ll write that and figure out later where it will actually fit into the story. One student asked how long I’ve worked this way. I related a memory from elementary school. The sister who was teaching English gave us an assignment. Write an outline for a story and submit that on Wednesday. Then write the story and turn it in on Thursday.  I tried to explain to the nun that there was no way I could do this. She calmly listened to my argument, shook her head and wouldn’t budge. So, I did the only thing that made sense to me. I went home and wrote the story. When it was done, I went back and wrote the outline. Both assignments were turned in on the appropriate days. The good sister caught me after class on Thursday and beamed a smile. “See, you can write an outline!” I didn’t have the heart to admit my misdirection. The main thing was the work was done and she was satisfied. Outlines aren’t for everybody. Some people find them necessary to keep their story in line. But many authors I know prefer to use the ‘seat of the pants’ approach. That’s not to say we don’t do a lot of research for our work. It’s just a different approach to the creative process.  Work in Progress There’s a line from an old rock song: ‘What a long, strange trip it’s been,’ that keeps running through my mind. After far too long, I’ve finally been able to get back to work on the crime novel, featuring Leo Agonasti. Some of you may recognize Leo from his appearances in the second and third Jefferson Chene novels. I received so many comments about this character that it made sense to focus on Leo’s story. When he encounters Chene, he’s a retired mobster, living a quiet life. But to get a real understanding for the character, I took him back to 1992, where he’s still actively working. Reading over the early draft has brought Leo and his best friend, Max, back into the spotlight. Not only have I been able to edit and clean up the earlier work, but new scenes are surfacing rapidly. One of my challenges is to keep the timeline accurate. With luck, more progress will be made soon. Events My calendar is filling up nicely. I’ve already participated in three events since March. Interacting with readers, discussing my books and the characters is always appealing. Up next will be the Maple Syrup Festival in Vermontville on April 27 and 28. With the arrival of May, I’ll start participating in outdoor events. Hopefully Mother Nature will be kind on those days. On May 11, I’ll be in Niles for the Spring Market. The following week, May 18 and 19, I’ll be at Cornwell’s in Marshall for the Craft Show. The Interview It is surprising to admit that Deb Reed and I have yet to meet in person. We’ve been involved in a couple of virtual events over the years and frequently connect on social media sites. Deb is another talented Michigan author who has a sharp wit and a wicked sense of humor. Let’s learn a bit more about her.  Tell us about yourself and how you became an author. I love stories in any format. Stories pull me in until the real world around me fades away. Because I become so invested in the characters and story, my emotions are pulled into play as well. I began writing because I wanted make others feel the same way I did when reading a story – whether that is happy, sad, afraid, hopeful…you get the idea! I wrote my first suspense novel at 14 years old, but it wasn’t until I was in my mid-twenties that I revamped it and published it under the pseudonym D.A. Reed. What followed was a seven-book series (sorry, they are no longer in print!). Anyone who knows me well knows that I love action and suspense: explosions, a good fistfight, etc. I have researched ways to commit the perfect murder to such an extent I am probably on every law enforcement watchlist known to man, though they have not yet shown up at my door (knock on wood…). My first young adult novel came about because I was inspired by a teenager with a physical disability. I wanted to write something that would show her how special she is. The response I received from that novel showed me that I could help others with my writing – and I never looked back! I publish one YA realistic fiction novel a year (to date, seven are in print), and often publish a thriller each year as well, but YA is my priority. Do you ever imagine one of your novels being made into a movie or television series? The answer to this is a resounding yes! I believe my books in both genres would make fantastic films. Sadly, I have not yet been approached with a movie deal (insert heavy sigh). Any favorite actors you’d cast in the lead roles? Well, I have to say that Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig, and Ryan Reynolds are hands-down my favorite male actors and would be at the top of my list. Female actresses would be Jennifer Lawrence, Scarlett Johansson, and Sandra Bullock. As I write this, I am realizing these most of these actors are of an age that would make it difficult to cast them in any YA roles, which could pose a problem…and which is making me contemplate how old I am… What is your writing process? For instance, do you do an outline first? Do you write the chapters in sequence?My writing process involves getting up at 4:45 a.m., grabbing a cup of coffee, and then sitting down to write before everyone else in the house wakes up and chaos ensues. I tried writing an outline once…I stared at a wall for 2.5 hours without writing down one word and have never tried that again. I am a “pantser” through and through – meaning, I fly by the seat of my pants. The chapters are written in sequence because if I didn’t, I would get lost in my own manuscript and quite possibly never find my way out. Tell us a little bit about the characters in your latest book. My latest YA novel is titled Flameout.  Chase Hanson has just graduated high school with his friends and has dreams of playing in the NFL – dreams that are no longer possible and have left him unsure of his future. Cora is literally the “girl next door,” and has been there for Chase through hard times. But she has her future planned out and doesn’t understand why Chase can’t seem to get his present or his future together. Chase’s best friend Ash is loyal to a fault. He’s also a playboy with his eye on the new girl who just moved into the neighborhood. Sloane, the aforementioned “new girl,” is fighting her own demons and doesn’t have the patience to be politically correct – she will say whatever is on her mind and doesn’t care if she offends you. Jeri is top-model gorgeous with a brain to match. Those who underestimate her often find themselves regretting it. Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write? I usually have my characters planned out but—without fail—one tends to show up without any forewarning in each book. The most notable for me personally is Jaz from All the Things We Didn’t See. I was happily writing out the first chapter—with a definite idea of how it should unfold—when Jaz dropped in from out of nowhere and inserted herself (rather aggressively) into the story. Though I was a bit surprised to meet her (to say the least…), I have to say that Jaz is a driving force in making that story what it is. What is your latest book about? Flameout: Chase Hannon has everything he ever wanted: friends, a girlfriend, a college football scholarship, and a promising future in the NFL. All that changes when one crippling tackle threatens Chase’s football career forever. While Chase tries to come to grips with his new reality, uncertain goals, demanding jobs, new friends, and family secrets cause Chase to feel like his life is spinning wildly out of control. Friendship, love, and drugs collide in an epic standoff that forces Chase to make hard decisions – and that has devastating consequences. How about an excerpt? CHAPTER 1 It wasn’t supposed to be like this. But of course it was exactly like this. The rest of the year had sucked, might as well end it that way too. “Ugh, I just can’t even.” Cora cranked up the air in my truck, turning all the vents toward her as they blew at full blast. Never mind that I was just as hot as she was. “All those pictures are going to be gross.” I didn’t disagree, but there was no way I would ever tell my girlfriend that she looked less than stellar at the moment. I’d tried the whole honesty-is-the-best-policy tactic before. For the record, it’s not the best policy. And telling Cora that she resembled something limp and sweaty on one of the most important days of our lives would not be the wisest move. It was graduation day, and it was hot. Like, ninety degrees hot. The Madison High grads who chose not to wear anything but their skivvies under the thin robes laughed at the rest of us. The rest of us exuded stagnant misery. Running makeup, limp sweaty hair, and sweat stains under the arms of the blue robes were only half the problem. Due to an impending rainstorm—which had yet to appear—the ceremony was held in the unairconditioned gym. Ninety degrees, four hundred students, and over two thousand family and friends crammed into one gymnasium. After twenty minutes, the smell was enough to make you wish you were dead. Or buy stock in deodorant. Anything that didn’t involve enduring the stench of almost two thousand bodies packed together. And if I heard “It’s the first day of the rest of your lives” one more time, I wasn’t going to be responsible for my actions. Some of us didn’t want to be reminded that our lives stretched out before us in pointless, endless days. Some of us didn’t have dreams to reach for anymore. “Can you believe Ash flashed the entire school?” Cora rolled her eyes, but a smirk tilted the corners of her mouth. “Uh, yeah.” I grinned despite the heat and the persistent pain radiating up my left leg and into my hip. “Have you met Asher?” “Well, he could have at least gone to the tanner before showing off his private bathing suit parts. I mean, how blindingly white can skin be?” Cora shook out her hair, then combed the damp strands back with her fingers, trapping the blond strands with a hair tie. “I think Jeri was in on it—I caught her putting her sunglasses on when they called his name.” “Sunglasses would have been helpful,” I agreed, slowing down as I came up on a rusted-out car going five miles under the speed limit. Cora glanced at the car, then at me, but didn’t say a word. I could tell she wanted me to pass but wouldn’t push it. Which was good, since I wasn’t in the mood to go there. Not today. My hands tightened painfully on the wheel at the mere thought of moving into the opposite lane to go around the car. Nope. Not going there today. Cora had bent forward to rummage around in the bag at her feet, probably to hide her irritation. I couldn’t get too upset with her; less than a year ago I had been just like her, moving at full speed all the time. It was what drew us together sophomore year, that drive to seize life and wring out everything we could. We were fearless. Seeing that in Cora attracted me in a way I never felt with other girls, and I knew I wanted her. She fascinated me. Still did, but we weren’t on the same playing field anymore, and I kept wondering how that would play out when she disappeared to Dannon University in the fall. I tried not to think about it, but it wasn’t easy. Popping upright again, Cora held up a fifth of vodka, a grin stretching her full lips. “We’re meeting at the Pit, right? Tell me we’re still meeting at the Pit.” “We’re meeting at the Pit,” I confirmed, shooting her another grin. There was something about Cora tonight, an infectious energy that radiated off her, making her even hotter than normal—despite the sweat issue. “Good. I need to let loose for a while.” I laughed. “When do you not let loose, Cor?” My girlfriend shrugged, unrepentant, and grinned coyly. “I can’t think of a time…” she drawled, letting the words fade out. “Your house or mine?” I asked as I steered the truck into the entrance to our subdivision. “Yours. Definitely yours.” There was a bitterness tinging Cora’s words, and I wished I could make Mr. and Mrs. Marks understand what they were doing to their daughter. But I couldn’t even fix my own problems, much less solve anyone else’s. Still, I felt like I needed to do something to wipe away the frown now marring Cora’s face. “They’ll come around, you know. Your parents won’t let this ruin your relationship; they love you too much.” Cora’s lips twisted. “Want to tell them that? I think they missed the memo.” My jaw set. “I will. If it comes to that.” Silence fell inside the cab, the only sound the cold air rushing from the vents. The celebratory mood had vanished, and I knew I needed to get it back fast or Cora would fall down a rabbit hole of dejection. And that fifth of vodka wouldn’t last long. The tires of Journey—the name Cora had dubbed my truck when I first got it and that now wouldn’t shake loose—crunched over chalk my visiting cousins had left out in the driveway. I winced, knowing I’d hear about it when they noticed. Cora sighed. “Sorry to be a downer. I don’t want to think about that now, okay? I just want to have fun.” I reached over and squeezed her hand. “So let’s go have some fun. After, ah, we say hi to my family…” “We just saw them at graduation,” Cora laughed, already getting out of the truck. I followed suit, wincing a little as my leg hit the ground harder than I intended. Slamming the door harder than necessary as a way to relieve the frustration coursing through me, I forced my face into a neutral expression as I met Cora in front of the truck. “Yeah, well. You know my parents. They wanted to take us out to dinner and have a long, drawn-out celebration with the fam from out of town. It took some fast talking to get them to understand this was our night—and we wanted to hang out with friends after.” “How long are your grandparents and everyone in town?” I shrugged, holding the front door for Cora. “They’re leaving tomorrow, I think. We’re doing a big family breakfast and then they’re heading back to Utah.” Cora shook her head. “I still can’t believe they drove all the way to Michigan for your graduation.” It sounded rude, how she said it, but I knew Cora didn’t mean it that way. She was just jealous that my family cared enough to make the trek. Her own parents barely made it to the ceremony on time. I dropped a quick kiss on the top of her head as she passed me and stepped over the threshold of my house. She shot me a quick smile before she was swarmed by a horde of Hannons. My parents were the only Hannon family to have only two kids. Both grandparents on each side of the family came from big families and had five kids of their own. My aunts and uncles continued the tradition, my parents did not. The large family made reunions fun. And chaotic. And loud. And sometimes not so fun, depending on what current family drama was underway at the time. Thankfully, as graduation rolled around, there didn’t seem to be any crises on the horizon. Or everyone was hiding it really well. I didn’t care so long as I didn’t have to deal with it. “Chase!” The squealed chorus was followed by three small bodies as Molli, Brennan, and Avery launched themselves down the hall and at my legs. I didn’t have time to step out of the way or hold out my arms to slow their advance before the five-year-old triplets smashed into me. Cora’s hand flew out to support me as my body was slammed back into the—thankfully—closed front door. She missed. Pain sliced up my left leg and into my hip. I felt my face twist into a grimace I couldn’t mask even as I reveled in the feel of the three small bodies pressed in close, pinning me to the door. Then Brennan squeezed my bad leg with his thin arms and flashes of light bounced across my vision. “Kids. Get off Chase right now. Give him some space.” My vision cleared to see Aunt Monica rushing toward the foyer, her gaze seeking mine in apology. “I’m so sorry, Chase. They still—they don’t understand—" “It’s okay,” I said, even though it wasn’t. Even though my body was on fire with pain as Aunt Monica pulled the triplets off me and back into the living room. “Are you okay?” Cora whispered, her hand now finding my arm, her breath fanning across my face as she looked up at me with concern. I didn’t have time to answer before my mom came barreling into the foyer. “There you are.” Mom latched onto Cora, her usual attentiveness to every change in my face and body hindered by her excitement. Which was fine, considering I wasn’t in the mood to answer the standard Fifty Questions that followed every facial tic—whether it was related to my leg or not. “You have to see your cake, Cora.” Mom was already pulling my girlfriend away and in the direction of the kitchen. “My…cake?” Cora shot a confused look in my direction, but I was still trying not to collapse onto the floor. “We got you your own cake, sweetheart, of course we did! Come see it.” And they were gone, the confusion on Cora’s face morphing into excitement as Mom dragged her away. While I was glad Mom had gone all out for Cora—we all knew her parents wouldn’t have a cake or anything else special for their daughter—I had to fight off irritation at my girlfriend leaving me in the dust while I was still struggling to stay upright. “Chase, my man. Congratulations on the diploma.” A meaty hand clapped down on my shoulder, almost sending me to the ground. I smiled weakly at Uncle Gary, my dad’s youngest brother. He was the same height as my six-foot-two-inch frame but was twice my size in width. He worked in construction and, already built like a tank, was made even more solid by all the muscle built up by his job. “Thanks, Uncle Gary.” I tried not to sound as strained as I felt. “That girl of yours around here somewhere? Your Aunt Rachel has a gift for her.” “In the kitchen, I think,” I said as I shifted back to both feet, gritting my teeth with the effort. After all the months of physical therapy, you’d think my body wouldn’t hurt so badly, but no. Even better? The doc said the pain would never fully go away. “So what’s the plan now? Goin’ to college someplace?” The dreaded question. The one everyone asked while not stopping to think that maybe, just maybe, the person in question didn’t want to divulge their future plans—or lack of them—to the world. I shrugged noncommittally. “Not sure yet. Got some time left to figure it out.” Uncle Gary nodded, but I could tell he was trying not to look down at my leg. Like everyone else tried not to look at my leg. It must be draining, constantly ignoring the elephant in the room. In my case, shattered dreams to go along with my broken body. I knew it exhausted me. “Yes, well,” he cleared his throat. “No rush. You’re young yet, no need to hurry into the rest of your life.” I smiled thinly, hoping I didn’t look as annoyed as I felt. I couldn’t hurry anywhere, but I bit down hard on my tongue so I wouldn’t say it. “I should probably find Cora.” I tilted my head in the direction of the kitchen, hoping Uncle Gary would take the not-so-subtle hint. “Yeah, sure, sure. We’ll catch up later.” That meaty hand fell onto my shoulder again, a weight to match the one in my chest. I gave a short nod, though I had no intention of seeking my uncle out if it meant having a conversation about my future. I also tried to ignore the look of relief on Uncle Gary’s face at the out I’d given him. Was that what the rest of my life would be like? Everyone dancing around the elephant—or leg—in the room and looking relieved when I let them escape before things got too uncomfortable? That thought, like so many other things in my life, exhausted me just thinking about it. What’s the next project you’ll be working on? I am currently working on my first YA fantasy novel! The world-building required in fantasy has always intimidated me, but it is my teenage daughter’s favorite genre – and she finally convinced me to give it a try. I can honestly say that I am enjoying writing it. I am also thankful my daughter is full of ideas when I am thinking too realistically and not “fantastical” enough. She has been a big help whenever I get stumped and am not sure where to go next or how to get my characters out of a particular predicament! *Website: dareedauthor.com  Music
David Bowie’s songs are often cycling through my collection of tunes on the streaming services. With a career that spanned more than fifty years, Bowie is considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th Century. He sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, won 6 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Here’s my top five favorites. Golden Years https://youtu.be/HRD0ghlFSgk?si=G7072iQbiNljLMiM Young Americans https://youtu.be/iO6OvHxD_m8?si=RweB0uxrvKpIf4vo The Jean Genie: https://youtu.be/kMYg_Ra4cr8?si=hZHgAgENUP9zf6hg Modern Love https://youtu.be/HivQqTtiHVw?si=KtGOOEgSjhB5xH-a Under Pressure (with Queen): https://youtu.be/HglA72ogPCE?si=QOyc_auzGrAzKo1K 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.   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. 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. 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.
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. 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. 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. 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 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 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 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. 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 February! How the days keep marching by. But the sun is arriving a little earlier and hanging around a bit later each day, so I’ll take that as an encouraging sign. Here in the Mitten State, we had temperatures in the sixties to start the month. What is up with that? Time to catch up on writing, events, an interview with another author and music. Let’s go! Writing Inspiration can strike anywhere, at any time. Often when I least expect it, an idea will hit me. I may jot down a note or open a new file on the computer and write the basics. With any luck, that will be sufficient and when I’m ready to incorporate that idea into a story, it will be patiently awaiting my return. Or not. Recently I had an idea that would work perfectly in the fourth Chene novel. I kicked this around in my head for a while and tried to move past it. Nope. Not happening. So I opened a new file, intending to just type in a few words. I ended up writing five pages of a scene. It wasn’t about a homicide or an investigation. It will become a subplot. Only after writing this was I able to set it aside. Of course, you know what happened next. Another scene sprung to mind. This was about the homicide and how Chene and his team get involved in the investigation. A quick sketch was added to the existing file and saved away. For now. It doesn’t matter that I’m currently working on two other projects unrelated to Chene. Sometimes my characters have a way of demanding my attention like a young child, as if I’m going to forget about them. I’m sure many authors get involved in multiple projects simultaneously. Perhaps it’s just the way our brains work.  Events One of my favorite activities is participating in festivals and events where I can set up my table and display my books. It’s a great way to interact with readers. Over the years I’ve had some people return to buy additional copies of one of the series. That’s a magical connection. With the start of the year, I began researching new venues to visit. Right now I’ve already got two scheduled for March and several others.  I’m also participating in a virtual festival with Diana Penn at Pages Promotions. Each night in February, two authors will read a short scene from one of their books. Later in the evening, autographed copies are given away. Following the reading, there’s twenty minutes of mayhem as the group tries to solve a murder mystery. I’m featured twice on the show. On February 15th, I read a scene from “Chasing Favors”. Then on the 21st, I’ll share a scene from “Your Turn to Die”. Anyone can register to join the fun. The sessions are held on Zoom and recorded, then aired the next day on YouTube. You can also watch earlier recordings. Here’s a link to the schedule. This is a great way to discover new authors and sample their stories. You might even win a prize too! https://www.pagespromotions.com/2024-author-reading-schedule.html#/ Spotlight I always enjoy discovering new authors. Sometimes it’s in person, where we’re both attending an event. Other times it can be through the powers of technology. This month’s guest is Jennifer Raines. Jennifer is part of the Inkspell Publishing family. She is also participating in the virtual event described above. Jennifer hails from Australia.  Tell something about yourself and how you became an author. Books have been my happy place for as long as I can remember. I love the way authors play with words and the images and emotions they evoke. I wanted to do that myself. As the daughter of a single parent, financial independence was an early lesson, and so after school, I got the kind of job that puts a roof over your head and food on the table. I created vignettes and short stories in my head, and occasionally wrote them down. As time passed, I wrote more. My writing doesn’t support me, but I can balance the competing needs better now. Romance was always going to be my genre, although I toyed with writing for children and non-fiction, but I’m a realist who’s a sucker for happily ever afters. Being published is a joy. It was also a joy to place second in the 2023 Romance Writers of New Zealand Koru Award for Best First Book for Taylor’s Law, my first published book. Congratulations on the award. That’s quite an achievement. Do you ever imagine one of your novels being made into a movie or television series? I’m the sort of person who thinks books and movies are two different beasts. They might start off telling the same story, but it’s always different. Books and movies tap into different parts of our brain. I read more than I watch. If I had to choose a book that might be suitable for a movie, I’d say Lela’s Choice because it’s set in Malta, a videographer’s delight. An alternative would be Planting Hope, which is about a healing garden, another option for a visual extravaganza. Any favorite actors you’d cast in the lead roles? I’m being naughty here, but the lead in Planting Hope is considered by some to be a dangerous character. He’d have some of the sexy, wild, dark good looks of a young Ola Rapace, the Swedish actor in series 1 of Wallander.   What is your writing process? For instance, do you do an outline first? Do you write the chapters in sequence? I do a rough plan, where I outline where my characters are going, although I can completely upend a scene, change the point of view character, even motivation and outcome as the book cooks. Having said that, I write the setup scene first. I find the beginning of the book is the hardest part for me and results in numerous rewrites. My ideas are tumbling over each other and I need to sort them so I provide the right amount of information to the reader clearly at the right time. I don’t write sequential chapters. I tend to write snatches of dialogue as a way of getting to know my characters. I’ll expand those conversations into scenes, and then I slot them in where they fit in the working manuscript. I’ll go back and layer them repeatedly with narrative to provide deeper insight into the character’s thinking or to paint a picture of where they are and any action that’s part of the conversation. I’ve learned that when I get to about 30-40,000 words I need to set the manuscript aside for a minimum of six weeks. It’s nowhere near finished. Key scenes are missing, insight into the characters is missing, but the absence improves my perspective and understanding of my characters and enables me to write a better book. Tell us a little bit about the characters in your latest book. I like strong characters by which I mean characters who respect themselves and who respect others. Lela’s Choice was released in December 2023. Lela Vella has been a dutiful daughter and aunt who’s preparing to break loose. Then her niece flees Australia for Malta. Lela follows, knowing she has one final responsibility to her dead sister—solve the riddle of her flight. Hamish McGregor is an internationally recognized Australian child-protection lawyer specializing in the kidnapping of minors across borders. He’s battle- scarred—his pregnant wife was murdered by the husband of a client—and determined not to risk his heart again. Do the characters all come to you at the same time? I work outwards from the lead characters. I start with them and think about who they are now, their pasts, their goals and dreams, and why they are the perfect match. Then I look for other characters who fit into their lives. These secondary characters can start as incidental actors then gain in significance as they tell me what they can do and how they can help the story move along. Some readers have told me it’s those minor characters that appeal to them most. What is your latest book about? My latest book is Masquerade-Choosing Families Book1 Fool me once… Money won’t bring LIAM QUINN’S father back, but it’ll save his mother’s home. A high-paying law partnership is in his sights. To win it, he needs to successfully land a project. Problem is the project requires absolute confidentiality, and he’s just discovered his estranged identical twin is appearing life size on a billboard across the city. The second catch is a return to environmental law. His earlier career imploded after his lover was revealed as a mining company spy. Researcher and soon-to-be-published romance author KATE TURNER needs a disguise. Maybe more than one. Her famous playwright father despises ‘trashy’ novels. Her ex-boyfriend mocked her ‘dirty little secret’, then stalked her when she left him. Her identical twin coaxes her into appearing on a billboard to prove she can be notorious and anonymous at the same time. No one connects the billboard model to the dowdy researcher Kate has become, and no one knows about her author pseudonym and second disguise as Ms. Sexy Romance. Kate and Liam’s lives collide when she’s hired as Liam’s research assistant. Liam’s boss laughs off the billboard. Having doubles is the perfect cover for confidential field work. A masquerade, a road trip, a steamy attraction, the sudden appearance of Liam’s old lover, and Ms. Sexy Romance’s unexpected arrival in the wrong place at the wrong time, and Liam and Kate discover the steps they took to protect their hearts might break them.  Here's an excerpt Chapter One Kate Turner plastered a confident smile on her face as George Clelland, founding partner of Clelland and Associates, led her towards his boardroom to meet his “four best people”. Suits—any gender—were her least favourite people. She told herself that was a prejudice she should be over by now. But she’d met too many who were wedded to the idea that charcoal-grey wool cut in severe lines guaranteed they were always right. Her misgivings were her business, and George’s steady patter of encouragement was a palliative to the tension roiling in her gut. Halting inside the doorway, Kate scanned the room. The three suits present weighed her up and found her wanting. Her bland, off-the-rack clothes were a jarring contrast to their designer suits. To the lawyers, her drab outfit signalled she had no permanent place in their company; to her, being instantly forgettable represented success. Ms. Dowdy Researcher could hide in plain sight. “Glad you could make it, Liam.” George turned back towards the door, his body blocking her view of the fourth suit. “Problems with the flight from Canberra?” “A bit of traffic from the airport.” An alarm sounded in Kate’s head. The Irish lilt was fainter, but the mellow baritone was ominously familiar. The newcomer moved to join the other three strangers. When her gaze met his, her stomach knotted while his polite smile faded. George began introductions. Kate shook hands, as if she’d been programmed to meet and greet on command while her heart raced like a runaway bride, and her brain scrambled for purchase. Please, God, no! “Kate Turner meet Liam Quinn.” George made the final introduction. The man’s name provided the absolute confirmation Kate didn’t need. Inhaling deeply, she met his gaze. “Hello, Ms. Turner.” He held her hand longer than necessary, the living embodiment of all her least favourite stereotypes. An austere, charcoal-suited, silk-tied, face-chiselled-from-marble legal eagle who regarded her with the irritation of someone who’d found a worm in his perfect apple. The man packed speculation and suspicion into a simple handshake. “Do I know you?” Have you ID’d me? Memo to self: you will not—repeat not—hyperventilate. Kate concentrated on simple inhalation and exhalation. In two-three; out two-three. Nice and steady. “I don’t think so.” “You look familiar.” “I have that kind of face.” She’d let her guard down, allowed herself to believe the gods were finally on her side—that she could work, write and live again free of shadows. “I don’t think so.” He was persistent. “Maybe I’ve seen a photo? “Unlikely.” In two-three; out two-three-four-five. There was a Genosearch billboard on the route from the airport to Sydney’s central business district. The public story was that Kate’s identical twin, Anna, was the model featured in glorious colour on the billboard. Instead, Kate was the real billboard model, having abandoned her Ms. Dowdy Researcher disguise for the length of the photo shoot. “Call me Kate.” Had Liam seen through the costume granting her anonymity from every other observer? The possibility was a body blow. No one had made the link between Ms. Dowdy Researcher Kate and the woman on the billboard. She’d gambled that no one ever would. She lifted a hand to make sure her fake glasses sat firmly on her nose. With her lack of makeup, very different hair colour, clothes and body language, it shouldn’t be possible for anyone to pick her likeness to the woman on the billboard. Even after Liam Quinn released her hand, he studied her with a fierce intensity Kate struggled to ignore. The advertising company was doing a slow reveal. Kate’s face had been in jigsaw pieces but was now complete. Ultimately, two faces would appear on the billboard. In the last twenty-four hours, they’d added the outline of a male head and a pair of penetrating grey eyes. Had Liam recognised his identical twin, Niall, in the eyes of the male model on the billboard? Easily—probably—definitely—damn. What’s the next project you’ll be working on? I’m working on a series related to the Choosing Family Series. My publisher, Inkspell Publishing, and I are toying with the idea of calling it Extending Families. It is about friends and family members we encountered in the Choosing Family series and just want to know a bit more about. Thanks for being in the spotlight. Here are some links to learn more about Jennifer. https://jenniferrainesauthor.com/ AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRLN6XBH KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/masquerade-220 BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144567121 APPLE: https://books.apple.com/us/book/masquerade/id6475606710  Music
I’m a firm believer that music is essential to life. How boring things would be without it. This month I’ve been listening to a lot of tunes by The Police. This English rock trio started in the late 1970s and performed together until 1986. Together they sold more than 75 million records and collected 6 Grammy Awards. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Here’s my top five songs. (The last is a solo by Sting) Don’t Stand So Close to Me: https://youtu.be/KNIZofPB8ZM?si=0HaCIwfj4rPxiN4j Every Breath You Take: https://youtu.be/aSATTrwW0xs?si=d6xxV04kmV3i3ULm Every Little Thing She Does: https://youtu.be/OMOGaugKpzs?si=AZ7C49zsqX6AW_bF De Do Do Do: https://youtu.be/I584PnQ3xpI?si=o6GYCu7Rq8_wBEIu Know Nothing ‘bout Me: https://youtu.be/mNPh2z3W_WY?si=nPC-u0urx2LOMJZA Welcome to 2024! Time to start another trip around the sun. To get back to writing, picking up wherever we left off. Here in Michigan, we’re getting a frozen gift from Mother Nature that is bound to keep on giving for several weeks now. I’m sure the skiers, snowboarders and snowplow drivers will be happy. The rest of us…not so much. Time to get started with an update on writing, current projects, an interview with another author and music. Must. Have. Music. Writing In the past I’ve participated in a few competitions where authors submit their work for consideration and the hopes of receiving accolades. A couple were recommended by other writers. Sadly, some of these organizations don’t even bother informing you as to who won. They just accept your entry fee and wave good-bye. With so many books written each year, even being named a finalist, let alone winning, is no easy feat. The mystery category is gigantic. So no matter what program it was, there was sure to be a lot of competition with the books I write. In late December, I learned that “Chasing Favors” was selected as the best mystery of 2023 by N.N. Light’s Book Heaven. This company had more than 1,200 books in consideration. Winning this award is quite an achievement. It also gives me the motivation to keep writing. I’ve got many stories to share.  Work In Progress. There’s a great old line from the legendary Mel Brooks. “Man plans and God laughs.” My crime novel, featuring Leo Agonasti continues to move slowly toward the finish line. Getting that first draft done is a big goal for me this year. Yet Mel’s words ring loud and clear.  Hidden in the archives of my files and computer is an old manuscript titled “Rules of Desperation”. I wrote this one about fifteen years ago with the idea that someday I’d dust it off, give it a fast read and go looking for a publisher. This has been waiting patiently for my attention. During a conversation with Diana K. Penn last fall, I mentioned this book. Her eyes widened and she began to do a little happy dance. Diana offered to edit and format the book for me and then I could go the indie route and just publish it myself. This would also give me a new book to add to the display for the festival season. Who could turn down such an offer? Now I’m about halfway through the 80,000-word manuscript, updating it and cleaning up some of the dialogue before sending it to Diana. Which of course means Leo is quietly waiting in the wings. Once I ship her the manuscript, I’ll be able to turn my attention back to the crime story. But that doesn’t stop me from writing something else. Like a scene that will become part of Chene’s fourth novel. When an idea struck, I knew the only way to get behind it was to write it down. With that done, I can get back to “Rules” and finish that project. Makes me wonder if all writers are crazy, working on multiple projects simultaneously. The Spotlight About a year ago, I crossed paths with Jacob Bullen for the first time. We were both participating in last February’s virtual book event. There was a lot of laughter and antics with that show. As luck would have it, we both attended a different event later in the year. I thought Jacob would be a great addition to the news.  Tell us something about yourself and how you became an author. I've been writing since I was 8 years old and was fascinated with storytelling at the age of 3. Even in my earliest memories, I had a tale to tell, so I suppose it's easy to say that I've always been chasing one story or another. I can say that the thought of publishing never took flight until my daughter, Ashlynne, came around. While my wife, Kristian, had long advised that I write my stories down, it took a promise to Ash before I decided to pursue publishing. Do you ever imagine one of your novels being made into a movie or television series? Yes. I have imagined how my books might translate into such formats. Any favorite actors you’d cast in the lead roles? I've always wanted Daniel Craig to play a villain. I would cast him as the fallen angel, Lucien Grey from the Blood in the Rain series. Back when the series was first published, I had considered Austin Butler to play the role of Alec from The Legends of Valoria. What is your writing process? For instance, do you do an outline first? Do you write the chapters in sequence? I tend to be a "plantser." Generally, I start with a basic idea, be it a dream of some rabbit I've decided to chase down a hole. Once I have the idea, visualization is the first step. What do the world and my characters look like? What drives them? What trials do they face? By the time I've answered the second and third question, I've typically figured out more than enough to begin writing. So far, by the time I've finished writing the first draft, I have an overall concept for the entire series. (Feel free to ask me about upcoming entries in a series. Chances are, it's in my brain somewhere. Tell us a little bit about the characters in your latest book. The latest book I've finished writing is Avenger, the 3rd book in my Unbound series. The main character, Vali, is a young, Viking warrior who unlike the rest of his brethren, has long sought to end the century's old war between his people and the Kresh, seeking a way for the two races to coexist within the Isles of Vala. He's insecure of himself and of his victories thus far, constantly questioning whether he is up to the task the old gods have left for him. His companion, Aya, has similar worries of her own as she tries to keep Vali safe from his own recklessness, her past feelings of abandonment, and the uncertainty that comes with trying to unite warring clans to face off against the remnants of the old gods and the beings who brought their reign to an end. Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write? Typically, I have most of them per book before I've begun to write. I may not have all the faces in order for book 3 while I'm working on book 1. However, as an example, I've known how the Legends of Valoria will end since I penned the first book. What is your latest book about? Avenger marks the conclusion of the Viking Civil War Arc and the beginning of the Sword of Asgard arc. Can you share an excerpt? “I believe he received the idea from the same woman who convinced Gram to stay behind.” Lym continued, the weight of her words growing far more severe and tense with each passing syllable. “He spoke of a blade of sorts, but not the weapon he entrusted to you. No, he spoke of a metaphoric blade, an agent of Asgard’s vengeance. Someone to return and serve as their avenger. Whatever unspeakable thing that guides these Masked Ones, has found a way to work against the grand design. Somehow, it has found a way to supplant what was intended for it. There are other agents out in the world that are working to unmake the world, possibly all of the realms as we know it. However, Stromholdt believed that this sword, this avenger would somehow know of their purpose. Would have their hand guided to it as if they had always known of it." What’s the next project you’ll be working on? I wish for my world's to be every part as complex as the real one. Love, Crime, Fantasy and Horror can all exist within our world anywhere and at any given moment. I am currently plantsing (we make our own words) several off genre entries into my current series. Currently that means writing a Horror novel set in The Tales of Anon series. You can learn more about Jacob and his books on his website. www.meetthebullens.com  Music
When it comes to music, variety keeps me going. That includes songs from jazz, blues, rock, classics and more. One of the artists that has been on my airwaves a lot lately is Kenny Loggins. Known to many as The King of Movie Soundtracks, Loggins career has covered more than 50 years. Whether part of a group or as a solo act, Loggins music continues to entertain people. He completed his final tour in 2023. Here are my top five favorites. Celebrate Me Home: https://youtu.be/Kbcro30GBtU?si=dCgDiYBIgqwbD479 Mama Don’t Dance: https://youtu.be/VTu4yQH8KBs?si=PUjuxgwFvq-lBskI I’m Alright: https://youtu.be/1rmPckNvD3E?si=l6pTccrC_ywC1RIP Footloose: https://youtu.be/ltrMfT4Qz5Y?si=3zSdqxeqJXkJaLm4 Angry Eyes: https://youtu.be/lFM-VaUO_CE?si=nelxsgZMt8ZRFfQF |
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