The Fifty-Fifth Issue

It’s November!  That momentary sense of calm that settles in when Halloween is behind us and it’s a chance to catch your breath before the December holidays arrive.  Of course, you may need to give Thanksgiving some attention as well. 

Meanwhile, it’s time for my latest thoughts on writing, works in progress, word about a new release, an interview with another writer and of course music.  Let there be music.

Ready?

Let’s roll.
 
Writing.

Over the years, I’ve been encouraged by fellow writers to enter my novels in different award competitions. Human beings all crave recognition in one form or another. There have been a few programs in the past that looked promising to me, so I followed the guidelines, sent in my entry fee and copies of the book (yes, some require an actual print copy of your novel) and then sat back to wait. And wait. And wait some more.

One such competition sent word that while I didn’t make the final rounds, the judges did enjoy my story. They even provided some feedback in the form of a scorecard.  Several others never communicated with me.  The only way I learned the outcome was to check the ‘official website’ where the winning authors and titles were listed.

So, I’ve mostly given up on the idea of participating. Until a certain pesky friend named Diana kept encouraging me to enter “Rules of Desperation” in The Bookfest Awards.  After multiple nudges, I decided the only way to silence her was to submit the book for consideration.

Late last month, I was notified that “Rules” captured second place in the Mystery-Thriller category. 
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Last December, “Chasing Favors” won an award for best mystery from N.N. Light’s Book Heaven for 2023.

Now I can honestly declare myself to be a multi-award-winning author. Seeing that acknowledgement from people in the book industry is gratifying.  That’s another form of motivation for me to keep writing. 

Events

“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!” Michael Corleone said that in one of the Godfather movies.  I’m not really comparing events to a Mafia family, but that line has a certain ring to it.

After a whirlwind event season (that started in May and ran until late September) I thought it was over and done.  But then opportunities presented themselves that seemed too good to pass up. And truth be told, I do enjoy participating in different shows, interacting with the other vendors and shoppers.

I’ve got two events before the end of November.

Saturday, the 23rd, I’ll be in Three River, MI for the Norton Craft Show at Norton Elementary School, from 9 to 3.
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The following Saturday, the 30th, I’ll be in Allegan for the Merry Marketplace event on Brady Street from 10 to 6.

Works In Progress.
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Last month I described my plan to put the crime novel on hold while working on a new novella. This will also have a criminal twist to it, something in the white-collar vein. Of course, as with any of my stories, there needs to be a touch of romance.  That’s always part of my efforts to make the characters believable.  Man (or woman) does not live by crime alone.  Even fictional players need someone to brighten their day.

This project now has a working title.  Over 9,500 words have been written. My target is 25,000. Sometimes the stories run a bit longer. That all depends on what the characters have to say.

We’ll see where that leads this month.

Meanwhile Leo Agonasti is patiently waiting for me to resume with the chronicle of his adventures.
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A New Release

I’m an avid reader. While it’s usually mysteries or thrillers that draw my attention, it’s not uncommon for me to pick up something in a different genre. Especially if the story is from another talented author I know.  I was delighted to get my hands on an early copy of Tammy Mannersly’s latest, “A Garland at Bitterbark Creek”.   Tammy is one of those authors who can draw you quickly into the story. She creates characters readers can easily identify with and puts them in situations where you just know the sparks will soon be flying.
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Here’s some background on the story. 

He’s found a new home with her family while his own holds secrets to her past…This heart-wrenching rural romance novel will have you gasping and keep you guessing as mysteries unravel, and as Jack and Sophie discover whether their love for one another can survive the deepest of wounds and darkest of betrayals.

Had it not been for her cousin’s wedding, Sophie Wendall would never have returned to Bitterbark Creek—her aunt and uncle’s idyllic farm-stay on the outskirts of town. Twenty years ago, tragedy stole everything from her including her memory, leaving only secrets and lies. Now that she’s back, there are just two things on her mind: to find out the truth of what really happened to her that day at the dam and to steer clear of the wicked Garland family and their charismatic son—the boy who broke her heart.

Jackson Garland is one of the few people who know what really happened to Sophie all those years ago, but he’s terrified of sharing the truth. To do so would jeopardize his happy sanctuary and newfound home at Bitterbark Creek. Upon reconnecting with Sophie, he realizes that while her extended family may have accepted him as one of their own, she’s going to take a little more convincing. Although he tries to charm and distract her to keep his secrets safe, it isn’t long before he’s at risk of falling under her own tantalizing spell.

As children, their love for one another kept them close until a car accident took one life and hatred tried to steal another. But dark truths can’t be hidden forever when ghosts from the past step into the light. Might the revelations be too daunting for them to handle? Or will Jack and Sophie finally put aside their family history and let love guide them into a future together?

Tammy even provided one of her favorite scenes from the book.

“We can’t just go back to the way things were,” she told him.

“Why, Soph? Haven’t we been hurting and hurting each other for far too long? Isn’t it time to put the past behind us?”

How could she when she still didn’t fully remember what that past entailed?

Sophie sighed and eyed the bodily barricade before her. She could step over him. Her escape could be that simple, but she didn’t trust him to behave if she got too close.

“Come on, Sophie. I’m not asking you to act as though everything is fine. Just talk to me. See where we can go from there.”

“It’s the talking that’s the problem. You’re not the same little boy I used to tell all my secrets to.”

“Well, I’m not some stranger.”

“Close enough.”

Jack studied her. “No, I don’t believe it.” He grinned again. “I know you missed me. You wouldn’t still be standing here fighting with me if you hadn’t.”

“Excuse me?” Sophie scoffed. “Did you hit your head too hard falling from your ivory tower? I knew narcissism ran in your family, but I didn’t realise stupidity followed.”

He sighed with satisfaction. “I missed you, too, Soph. Why don’t we hug it out?” He reached for her, and she stumbled backwards in surprise.

“There’s such a thing as consent, you lunatic.”

It was only after she’d regained her composure that Sophie realised Jack hadn’t been serious—and that he’d started laughing.

“Shut up,” she grumbled, feeling a little silly. She bit her lip to stop herself from sharing his good humour. When they were kids, she’d often made Jack laugh so hard he’d caught hiccups. His genuine laughter still warmed her heart.

“I’ve really missed this, Soph.”

She wouldn’t dare tell him she felt the same. He was making it harder for her to keep hating him. But she wasn’t ready to let her pain go.

I highly recommend you pick up a copy. Here are the links.

AMAZON- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHLY9FQN

KOBO- https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-garland-at-bitterbark-creek

BN- https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-garland-at-bitterbark-creek-tammy-mannersly/1146317093

APPLE- https://books.apple.com/us/book/a-garland-at-bitterbark-creek/id6705121724



Author Spotlight

I always enjoy meeting authors. It’s an opportunity to compare notes about writing, publishing, promotions and all that jazz.  That was the case recently when I met Stacy Elliott.

Tell us a little about yourself and your journey to becoming an author.

My mother is an avid reader and she got me hooked on books at a young age.  Throughout my childhood teachers commented on my talent to write poetry and stories and encouraged me to pursue writing.  I began taking it seriously a little over 14 years ago before writing my debut novel ‘Grandfather’s Whispers’.
 
Do you ever imagine one of your novels being made into a movie or television series? 

I try not to think about it.  Those who have read Grandfather’s Whispers tell me that it would make a great movie and that the details in the book gives them a visual in their head like they are watching it on the television screen.  I hope that one day I will see one of my stories on the big screen, but I don't let the thoughts bog me down.

Any favorite actors you’d cast in the lead roles?

Never thought of it.  However, I imagine my favorite singer, Pink, covering the soundtrack. 😉

What is your writing process? 
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With Grandfather’s Whispers it was a complete free-write.  There was no organization, just pure thought to pen to paper.  During the editing process, I vowed to never write a novel in free-write form ever again.  So much time and energy were wasted reformatting the storyline, organizing the thought process, making sure the scenes matched up with the associated magical element, and ensuring the symbolism was spot-on.  Now, I take the free-flowing thoughts and put them on index cards. Then, I will organize those index cards in a way that I want the story to move and create my outline from there.  Once the outline is complete, I plug it all into Scrivener as scenes in chapters divided up by acts or parts, adding additional notes as I go along.  Next, I build my characters and settings.  I may draw a crude map if I need it for the storyline so that I keep my location in the story straight.  Then, I begin writing one scene at a time in chronological order.  This method has worked very well for my novels, and I do a condensed version of it for my short stories. 

Describe the characters in your  book.

Sarah Miller is the main female character, a 17-year-old girl on the cusp of adulthood and in a medical crisis.  She's going through the typical teenage angst but has experienced more tragedies in her young life than her peers, which makes the prospect of aging into adulthood much more frightening to her.  She meets her grandfather, Ralph Miller, while she is unconscious. Ralph has been the steady rock in her life, the one that Sarah can count on to help her through any problem that she may endure. 

However, some problems are too shameful to reveal to even her own grandfather. We quickly learn that even a grandfather's love can't protect her from all the evils in the world, but his compassion can help guide her into telling the truth about her past and into making a decision that will have a significant impact on her life and the lives of the ones that she loves.

Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?

It starts with one and the rest fall in line as I develop the story.  I usually don't add characters as I write.  But, sometimes, during the editing process, I will discover a need for a new character in a certain scene and will add them in.  Typically, they have a minor role and I try to make sure that they are in scenes where they should belong.

What is your latest book about?
Sarah Miller struggles to remain conscious while medical teams work diligently to save her life. As she slips into a deep sleep, she enters an ethereal realm where her grandfather, Ralph Miller, awaits her under the protective canopy of a large oak tree beside a still pond.

But this is no ordinary tree!

As Sarah gazes into its glittering leaves, she is whisked away into one memory after another. With her grandfather’s ever-changing tie, Ralph guides Sarah into understanding life’s tragedies and the power of decisions. She will discover the consequences of actions made by others, as well as her own. Compelled to accept the truths of her past, she finds the courage to face her fears. In the end, Sarah will have one final choice, a choice that could set the precedence for not only her life but the lives of those around her.

What’s the next project you’ll be working on?

My next project is a 5 book modern fantasy series.  I'm not ready to share what it is about yet since I'm still working on it, but the first book has been written.  The series is called the Snow Chronicles and the title of the first book is Ashes of Winter.  It's in the editing phase and I need to write in a couple of scenes and rewrite a couple more scenes.  I have started the second book. The rest of the series is completely mapped out.

Here are links for Tracy’s book

For a signed copy:
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLYZHARH66KXB/checkout/SAOBSZJ7E3QJUPI7TSDZOWFG

Amazon:  https://a.co/d/cqufWd9

https://stacynelliott.com/

Music
 

James Taylor has been performing for more than fifty years!  The singer songwriter guitarist started in 1966 and his gentle songs continue to draw listeners, leading to more than a million sales for each album released during a thirty year span. 

Taylor has won 6 Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Here are my Top Five Favorites

You’ve Got a Friend.  https://youtu.be/3WJ1cf3nrLE?si=6WbICBUOCMA9L2pG

How Sweet It Is: https://youtu.be/MEI1FIXstqw?si=h_ahV7OmCrf4K0RI

Mexico: https://youtu.be/2e_huGmZJ3g?si=RumSPE8kcJTDB3MU

Up On The Roof: https://youtu.be/R1lwPQhN9gI?si=YbGp63Kj10_zm68G
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Something In The Way:  https://youtu.be/Bfk9nvUni88?si=bMRw7VMqJUgoQXco