When Stiletto Gang Blog
members suggested interviewing fellow blog members, it only made sense for me
to partner with author Lois Winston. After all, as
critique partners, we know where
 |
| Author Lois Winston |
the bodies are buried (so to speak). I feel fortunate to have Lois as a
critique partner. She has an outstanding brain, is well read, and knows the
publishing industry. Do I take everything she suggests? Absolutely not, and vice
versa. But the fact that we brainstorm, mull over plots, word choice, grammar,
goal, motivation, and conflict is worth all the gold in Fort Knox. (All right, maybe not ALL the gold).
With that, let’s get to know author
Lois Winston better.
Donnell: Lois, you recently moved to Tennessee from
New Jersey to be closer to family. How
many months has it been and how has the New Jersey girl transitioned to living
in the South? What is your favorite
thing so far about Tennessee? And what do you miss most about New Jersey?
Lois: We’ve been here since
the end of June but in our new home since the middle of July. It’s been a
difficult transition for me. Up until now I had lived my entire life in either
metro New York City or metro Philadelphia—and I don’t mean Philadelphia,
Mississippi! Moving during a pandemic has made the transition even more
difficult. However, I do like the milder winters.
What I miss most about
New Jersey is no longer being within a short train ride into Manhattan. I’m
going through massive theater and museum withdrawal, and it isn’t pretty! Just
ask my husband!
 |
| Manhattan skyline |
Donnell: The beauty of writing the Anastasia Pollack
series is that you can visit New Jersey any time you wish. How many books have
you written now surrounding Westfield and the state of New Jersey?
Lois: Getting back to New
Jersey isn’t that easy. It requires me to either hop on a plane or drive
thirteen hours, which I can’t do in one day. Would you believe there are no
trains that go from Nashville to New York?
 |
| No trains, so a plane will have to do… |
Both my Anastasia
Pollack Crafting Mystery Series, of which there are currently ten novels and
three novellas, and my two Empty Nest Mysteries are set in Westfield. In
addition, Westfield is part of the setting for Moms in Black, the first
Mom Squad Caper; my contemporary romance, Finding Hope; and my middle
school novel, The Magic Paintbrush. My other books have been set in two
other New Jersey towns, New York, and Philadelphia.
Donnell: Reviewers have compared your protagonist
Anastasia Pollack to Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum. Did you have that in
mind when you started writing the series? Do you feel your protagonist after 10
books and 3 novellas has formed an identity of her own? How many more books do
you plan for this series?
Lois: I didn’t consciously
have the Stephanie Plum books in mind when I wrote the first Anastasia book,
but I’ve always enjoyed Evanovich’s humor. Kirkus Reviews called Anastasia
“North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum,” and I think that’s true.
Stephanie doesn’t have to worry about anyone but herself. Anastasia is a more
realistic character. She’s juggling widowhood while raising two teenagers and
dealing with the debt her husband left her. She’s also permanently stuck with
her communist mother-in-law. Stephanie works in a profession that has her
dealing with criminals daily. Anastasia is the crafts editor at a women’s
magazine. Murder and mayhem aren’t part of her job description, yet circumstances
beyond her control force her into becoming a reluctant amateur sleuth.
As for how many more
books I’ll write in the series, I’ll keep writing about Anastasia as long as
she’ll let me.
Donnell: As a graphic artist and
former craft editor, you and your protagonist are closely related. At the back
of your books, you always have craft projects and ideas for readers. Do you
find that an advantage of writing this series? Do you have an avid “craft”
following?
Lois: When I was asked to
write the series, it was understood that craft projects would be included, just
as recipes are included in culinary mysteries. The difference, though, is that
I’m limited in the type of projects I can feature. I can’t include patterns,
only written directions or tips, due to the limitations of size in a printed
book and the fact that there would be no way for someone reading an ebook to
print or download a pattern.
Back when I was a
full-time designer, I had a sizable following. This was before the Internet
really took off, but I still hear from crafters from time to time. In 1996 I
designed a 3-D cross stitched Nativity set that was featured in Women’s
World. I still receive emails from a few crafters each year, usually
because they want to stitch another set and have lost the patterns.
Donnell: At one time, you wrote romantic suspense, do
you think you’ll ever write another romantic suspense?
Lois: I’ve learned never to
say never, but it won’t happen anytime soon. My romantic suspense novels were
quite dark. With everything going on in the world, I’d rather write humorous
cozy mysteries. We all need to laugh more these days.
Donnell: Speaking of romance, you have one in your
Anastasia Pollack series. After being widowed from the louse of a spouse,
Anastasia has found happiness with photojournalist Zack Barnes. In a recent
book Anastasia and Zack became engaged. Have readers commented on their
engagement—are they excited about their upcoming nuptials? Any hints at whether
this will be a long engagement or a sudden elopement?
Lois: I’ve heard from many
readers who want to know when Anastasia and Zack will marry. Zack proposed in Handmade
Ho-Ho Homicide, the eight book in the series. I didn’t want the wedding to
occur in the next book, and it didn’t work for the plot I wanted to write for
the last book. I’m currently working on the eleventh book in the series, and
I’m thinking this might be the book that will include a wedding. We’ll see…
Donnell: One thing, I don’t think readers and writers
know about you is that you’re a former literary agent and are extremely generous
with your industry colleagues, published and unpublished alike. I have
benefitted firsthand by knowing you for so many years. If you were the Dear
Abby of Publishing, what advice would you give to published authors? Then, turn
this, what advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Lois: The best writing advice
I ever received was from the owner of the agency that represented me and
employed me for ten years. He said that every scene in a book and all dialogue
needs to do one of two things—either advance the plot or tell the reader
something he or she needs to know about the point of view character at that
moment. If it doesn’t, it’s filler and should be cut. This advice applies
to both published and unpublished writers.
As for aspiring
authors, my best advice is to remember that the road to publication is a
marathon, not a sprint. Take the time to learn your craft and grow a thick skin
to deal with the inevitable rejections you’ll receive along the way. Very few
authors have ever sold their first attempt immediately after completion—if
ever. There are thousands of first manuscripts cavorting with the dust bunnies
under beds throughout the world. Those who have been lucky enough to sell their
first book usually did so only after many revisions over several years.
Donnell: Thanks, Lois! To say
I’m grateful for your friendship is putting it mildly. Thank you for always
picking up the phone.
Lois: Ditto, Donnell!
Want to learn more about prolific author Lois Winston? Check out her website at:
http://www.loiswinston.com
Spoiler Alert!
/in Author Life/by Shari RandallBy Shari Randall
Spoiler alert. Those warnings are ubiquitous nowadays. We just wrapped up the Olympics, where the difference in time zones made watching television or reading the news a minefield for anyone who wanted to be surprised by the outcome of an athletic event.
I even heard “spoiler alert” at a recent book club meeting. Half the group had finished the book —a bestselling literary novel— and the other half hadn’t. The group voted to not talk about the ending in order to avoid spoiling it for those who hadn’t read to the end. I was the only dissenter (full disclosure – it was a very book clubby book, by which I mean it wouldn’t have been so popular if the main character hadn’t survived, nay, triumphed, against the odds and lived to fight for justice another day. I was correct and I admit, I wasn’t a fan of the ending. It would’ve been much more realistic and enjoyable to me if the author had killed off the protagonist. Sorry, I digress.)
In general, I don’t mind knowing how a book ends. As a reader —and a writer— I find it enjoyable to see how the author weaves the story line into a satisfying conclusion.
But if the club’s choice had been a whodunit or work known for a big twist…I definitely wouldn’t have wanted the ending spoiled. Imagine the ire heaped on any book club member who spoiled the twist of Gone Girl or The Murder of Roger Ackroyd? What your friends would say if you spoiled the ending of The Sixth Sense or The Prestige or Murder on the Orient Express?
There was an article about spoilers in Psychology Today by a professor who studies decision making. You can read it here.
A group was given short stories to read. Some were given the story plus the ending. Then researchers asked if having the ending ruined their pleasure in the story. The outcome? Most of the study’s subjects said it didn’t.
My fellow mystery reading fans will immediately see the flaw in the construction of this study.
How many of the study’s subjects were mystery readers?
The team ran the experiment again, with a another group of subjects. This time the results were different. Ha! We know why. The group must have included mystery readers who read for the pleasure of puzzling out the clues to how-, why-, or whodunit. The study’s organizers posit there is a group with a higher “need for cognition” who like to figure out the story for themselves. (read: mystery fans)
The mystery reader reads because – what were Sherlock Holmes words? — “My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram, or the most intricate analysis, and I am in my own proper atmosphere. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for mental exaltation.”
What do you think about spoilers? Do spoilers bother you or do they heighten your pleasure in a story?
Shari Randall is the author of the Lobster Shack Mystery series. Her debut, Curses, Boiled Again, won an Agatha Award for Best First Novel. As Meri Allen, she writes the new Ice Cream Shop Mysteries.
The Difference Between Cranes and Egrets by Lynn Chandler Willis
/in Uncategorized/by Lynn WillisI pride myself in writing setting well. In each of my books, there’s been at least one review where the reviewer praised me for making them feel the heat of Wink, Texas or bask in the autumn colors of the North Carolina mountains. To me, setting is a secondary character. It should be treated to the same amount of development as the rest of the supporting characters.
I don’t spend a lot of time, though, on stuff like motivation and family history and childhood traumas. Not when I’m talking setting. The physical being of the landscape––the smell, the touch, the way it looks. These are the elements I dive into and, quite frankly, forget to come up for air. Some authors call it research. I call it broadening my horizons.
When I was writing Wink of an Eye, I joined the Wink, Texas Facebook group. They welcomed me and were eager to offer help. I even made friends with the mayor’s wife and we sent messages and texts a couple times a week. On one such occasion, I had sent her a message along with a picture I’d borrowed from Google Images.
The photo was of a beautiful desert plant, tinged in red and found all over west Texas. Bingo! In the scene, P.I. Gypsy Moran is driving along the highway running from Wink to Kermit and is ruminating about this part of his home state. A jackrabbit ran alongside the van, kicking up dust and dirt. Prickly Pear cacti dotted the barren landscape and added a touch of green. Back to the red-tinged plant.
After hours, and I mean hours of researching this plant I knew the scientific name (Echinocereus coccineus). I knew how tall they grew (not much as they’re low to the ground), I knew when they bloomed (late May, early June) and I knew wildfires were hard on them. I knew some of more common names like Scarlet hedgehog cactus, claret cup cactus, scarlet beehive cactus. I was learning so much about this plant, I fancied myself an expert. Except I wanted to know what west Texans called them. I wanted the name that a native Texan would use, driving along the lonely stretch of highway with only a jackrabbit and this red-flowering cactus to keep him company.
I sent Stormy (her real name) a message with a picture and said, “What do y’all call this?”
“A cactus.”
“No, I mean what do y’all call it?” I gave her a few examples to help her along. “You know, something like dragon fire? Maybe devils blood?”
She must have been thinking about it because there was silence. So, I helped her again. “If you were driving down highway 171 right now and saw this on the side of the road, what would you call it? In your terms. As a native west Texan.”
“A cactus.”
Several hours of research, in my case overthinking, equated to exactly one line of a paragraph in the book. But by gosh, the reader could see that dang cactus right along with Gypsy.
Flash forward a few years to my new P.I., Raynor Beck. The series is set in the southern Outer Banks of North Carolina (or OBX for those in the know). Primarily in the Beaufort, Morehead City, and Atlantic Beach area. If you’re familiar with my books, you’ll know what a break this setting is from my beloved Appalachian mountains. The beach. Eeek!
In my part of North Carolina, the beach, or coast, is about an hour east further than the mountains west. It’s the best of both worlds. But for me, it also meant new research. Like knowing the difference between the bow and the stern. Starboard (right side), port (left side), gunwale and the hull. I researched the trees that are native to the coast. The average temperature of a given day. The differences between the fish caught off the Oceana Pier at Atlantic Beach and a couple miles out in the Gulf Stream. And the birds! I snapped this photo during a recent stay. I was watching the boats come in to the Morehead City Yacht Basin and could not take my eyes off of this guy. He would be in the book. First chapter, even, to really set the scene.
I popped the photo into Goggle Lens and it immediately brought up crane. Again, I dive in to research and learn everything there is to know about the crane. Oh my gosh––the symbolism! Crane symbolism focuses on the need for balance and living in harmony with others. I could just see the cover of the book. There would be a glorious crane on it, perhaps gliding over the ocean.
Yep, with my hours of research, or broadening my horizons, I had come up with a cover idea, a possible title, and even the broad theme.
There was just one more thing I needed to clarify so I googled “where do cranes live.”
I can now tell you where they don’t live. North Carolina. They’re also commonly confused with the egret and/or the heron.
Heartbroken, and cussing myself for overthinking again to the tune of wasted writing time, I refused to spend any more time “researching” that dang bird and simply wrote:
Period. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less. I hate that stupid bird.
What about you? Are you guilty of overthinking?
Read more
The Year of the Tiger
/in Uncategorized/by Barbara Eikmeierby Barbara J. Eikmeier
2022 is the year of the tiger. As images of Lunar New Year
celebrations scrolled across social media, I remembered that my son was born in
the year of the tiger. Immediately I knew, with a little shock, that he will be
36 this year. It’s not that I always
know the current ages of my adult children off the top of my head. It’s
because of the tiger.
While living In South Korea, a culture where respect to
elders is expressed with a more formal form of language, I noticed a Korean
national’s need to establish who is older when meeting someone for the first
time. With different generations it may be obvious who is the elder but when
ages are closer it can be awkward since it’s also considered rude to ask
someone their age. If only there was a 12-year
age span tool to help narrow the gap. Enter the Chinese zodiac.
My Korean language tutor, Kang Ok, thought it was amusing
that Americans, when describing a person, would always tell hair and eye color
and approximate age, such as “He’s in his late 30s.” She admitted she had a
hard time telling a westerner’s age and she taught me a trick to determine an
age span.
Kang Ok demonstrated by saying, “I was born in the year of
the dragon.”
I immediately replied, “I’m the year of the pig,” (according
to the red paper placemat at every Chinese restaurant in America.)
It was exactly what she was expecting me to say. Kang Ok,
because she’s Korean and has the order of the twelve Chinese Zodiac animals memorized, knew
that I was either five years or (add 12) 17 years older than her. So, although she
was my teacher, which implies I use the more formal language when addressing
her, I was her elder, requiring her form of language to change
as well.
Kang Ok, went on to tell me that Koreans think females born in the
year of the dragon are strong willed. She added, “But I was born during
daylight hours so it’s not as bad!”
Once I was on to the secret, I tried it with other Korean
friends. In the process I learned that when Kang Ok told me she was the year of
the dragon – the same as my daughter Sarah, I could immediately know that Kang Ok
was at least 12 years older than Sarah. It just so happened it was the year
of the dragon at the time. My daughter was 12. Now I knew, without asking, that
Kang Ok was 24 years old.
It’s been 20+ years since I’ve lived in Korea. I’m back to just
asking a person their age. I thought about my writing where I may flat out say,
‘he was 30 years old’, which works just fine, but if my characters have
different cultural experiences, maybe I needn’t be so blunt. The dialog could
be as simple as when Kang Ok tested me with: “I was born in the year of the
dragon.” To which a Korean might reply with raised eyebrows, “Dragon Lady? I’m
the pig.” To which Kang Ok would laugh and say, “Don’t worry, I was born during the day.” As the characters part ways, Kang Ok, could think, for example, “He’s
too old. He wouldn’t have been a student there at the time of the murder.” You
never have to say his age. But Kang Ok knows his age and has eliminated him as
a suspect.
What else can you extract from the Chinese Zodiac placemat
to use in your character development? A dragon lady has great potential to be a strong female
character, but you might find other traits, compatibilities and opposites to work into your writing. So, if you don’t spill the egg drop soup or lose noodles from your chopsticks you can save that paper placemat for your writing folder!
As for me, I’m off to think up the perfect Year
of the Tiger gift for my son.
Barbara J. Eikmeier lived in Seoul, South Korea for two years. She is a quilter, writer, student of quilt
history, and lover of small-town America. Raised on a dairy farm in California,
she enjoys placing her characters in rural communities.
Untitled Post
/in Uncategorized/by Saralyn RichardWelcome
to the World
by
Saralyn Richard
There’s
a reason launching a book is often compared to delivering a baby. Books are conceived
in passion—whether love, hate, anger, or shame—they begin from a deep-seated surge
of emotion. The iimpetus for the book grows and develops into something
tangible, something very personal and worthy. After a long period, possibly
nine months or way longer, the manuscript is written, critiqued, edited,
revised, dressed up, laid-out, and published, ready to introduce to the world—the
author’s baby.
As
a reader, I also think of new books as babies. I can’t help appreciating the
inspiration, dedication, and hard work the author and publisher have expended
to create the product I’m holding in my hand. As I get to know the story, I
find myself bonding with the person who produced it.
BAD
BLOOD SISTERS is my fifth baby. I’ve experienced the process five times, but
the excitement of producing a new novel is no less than it was for NAUGHTY NANA
in 2013. Like every child, every book is different, and so is my love for it.
This
excerpt offers a glimpse into Quinn McFarland’s situation just before her
estranged BFF is brought into the family mortuary, a victim of violence.
Not for the first time, Quinn considered
how time seemed to speed by these days. If Jack’s life, or even hers, were to
end now, what imprint would each of them have left on the world? Neither of
them married, no children, and except for working in death services, what had
either of them accomplished?
Quinn had told her second grade teacher
she was going to be a doctor. Even at age seven, she’d wanted to work on the
living side of things. What had changed her mind, she wondered now? How had all
her aspirations evaporated into the salty Gulf Coast air?
Quinn’s thoughts drifted into the past,
colorful threads of memories. Her last thought before she fell into a troubled
sleep was of the summer of ’05. Now she remembered how she’d gone off-course.
That was the summer she’d been totally absorbed by Ana French.
Quinn is haunted by the
past, her friendship gone awry, and the blood oath she’s sworn to keep secret.
Quinn is the only one who knows enough to bring the killer to justice, but what
she’s buried puts her in extreme danger.
Advance praise for BAD
BLOOD SISTERS has been gratifying, and I’m so excited to introduce Quinn’s
journey to the world. For more information and to purchase an autographed copy,
go to http://saralynrichard.com.
Saralyn Richard was born and raised in a small town, an
island on the Gulf Coast of Texas, just like the one where Quinn’s peril takes
place. Her other books are set in places as diverse as the elite Brandywine
Valley in Pennsylvania and the underprivileged urban high school. Check out
Saralyn’s books here.
Interview with Stiletto Gang Member Lois Winston
/in Uncategorized/by Donnell Ann BellWhen Stiletto Gang Blog
members suggested interviewing fellow blog members, it only made sense for me
to partner with author Lois Winston. After all, as
critique partners, we know where
the bodies are buried (so to speak). I feel fortunate to have Lois as a
critique partner. She has an outstanding brain, is well read, and knows the
publishing industry. Do I take everything she suggests? Absolutely not, and vice
versa. But the fact that we brainstorm, mull over plots, word choice, grammar,
goal, motivation, and conflict is worth all the gold in Fort Knox. (All right, maybe not ALL the gold).
With that, let’s get to know author
Lois Winston better.
New Jersey to be closer to family. How
many months has it been and how has the New Jersey girl transitioned to living
in the South? What is your favorite
thing so far about Tennessee? And what do you miss most about New Jersey?
the end of June but in our new home since the middle of July. It’s been a
difficult transition for me. Up until now I had lived my entire life in either
metro New York City or metro Philadelphia—and I don’t mean Philadelphia,
Mississippi! Moving during a pandemic has made the transition even more
difficult. However, I do like the milder winters.
New Jersey is no longer being within a short train ride into Manhattan. I’m
going through massive theater and museum withdrawal, and it isn’t pretty! Just
ask my husband!
Donnell: The beauty of writing the Anastasia Pollack
series is that you can visit New Jersey any time you wish. How many books have
you written now surrounding Westfield and the state of New Jersey?
Jersey isn’t that easy. It requires me to either hop on a plane or drive
thirteen hours, which I can’t do in one day. Would you believe there are no
trains that go from Nashville to New York?
Both my Anastasia
Pollack Crafting Mystery Series, of which there are currently ten novels and
three novellas, and my two Empty Nest Mysteries are set in Westfield. In
addition, Westfield is part of the setting for Moms in Black, the first
Mom Squad Caper; my contemporary romance, Finding Hope; and my middle
school novel, The Magic Paintbrush. My other books have been set in two
other New Jersey towns, New York, and Philadelphia.
Donnell: Reviewers have compared your protagonist
Anastasia Pollack to Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum. Did you have that in
mind when you started writing the series? Do you feel your protagonist after 10
books and 3 novellas has formed an identity of her own? How many more books do
you plan for this series?
have the Stephanie Plum books in mind when I wrote the first Anastasia book,
but I’ve always enjoyed Evanovich’s humor. Kirkus Reviews called Anastasia
“North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum,” and I think that’s true.
Stephanie doesn’t have to worry about anyone but herself. Anastasia is a more
realistic character. She’s juggling widowhood while raising two teenagers and
dealing with the debt her husband left her. She’s also permanently stuck with
her communist mother-in-law. Stephanie works in a profession that has her
dealing with criminals daily. Anastasia is the crafts editor at a women’s
magazine. Murder and mayhem aren’t part of her job description, yet circumstances
beyond her control force her into becoming a reluctant amateur sleuth.
As for how many more
books I’ll write in the series, I’ll keep writing about Anastasia as long as
she’ll let me.
Donnell: As a graphic artist and
former craft editor, you and your protagonist are closely related. At the back
of your books, you always have craft projects and ideas for readers. Do you
find that an advantage of writing this series? Do you have an avid “craft”
following?
Lois: When I was asked to
write the series, it was understood that craft projects would be included, just
as recipes are included in culinary mysteries. The difference, though, is that
I’m limited in the type of projects I can feature. I can’t include patterns,
only written directions or tips, due to the limitations of size in a printed
book and the fact that there would be no way for someone reading an ebook to
print or download a pattern.
full-time designer, I had a sizable following. This was before the Internet
really took off, but I still hear from crafters from time to time. In 1996 I
designed a 3-D cross stitched Nativity set that was featured in Women’s
World. I still receive emails from a few crafters each year, usually
because they want to stitch another set and have lost the patterns.
Donnell: At one time, you wrote romantic suspense, do
you think you’ll ever write another romantic suspense?
Lois: I’ve learned never to
say never, but it won’t happen anytime soon. My romantic suspense novels were
quite dark. With everything going on in the world, I’d rather write humorous
cozy mysteries. We all need to laugh more these days.
Donnell: Speaking of romance, you have one in your
Anastasia Pollack series. After being widowed from the louse of a spouse,
Anastasia has found happiness with photojournalist Zack Barnes. In a recent
book Anastasia and Zack became engaged. Have readers commented on their
engagement—are they excited about their upcoming nuptials? Any hints at whether
this will be a long engagement or a sudden elopement?
Lois: I’ve heard from many
readers who want to know when Anastasia and Zack will marry. Zack proposed in Handmade
Ho-Ho Homicide, the eight book in the series. I didn’t want the wedding to
occur in the next book, and it didn’t work for the plot I wanted to write for
the last book. I’m currently working on the eleventh book in the series, and
I’m thinking this might be the book that will include a wedding. We’ll see…
Donnell: One thing, I don’t think readers and writers
know about you is that you’re a former literary agent and are extremely generous
with your industry colleagues, published and unpublished alike. I have
benefitted firsthand by knowing you for so many years. If you were the Dear
Abby of Publishing, what advice would you give to published authors? Then, turn
this, what advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Lois: The best writing advice
I ever received was from the owner of the agency that represented me and
employed me for ten years. He said that every scene in a book and all dialogue
needs to do one of two things—either advance the plot or tell the reader
something he or she needs to know about the point of view character at that
moment. If it doesn’t, it’s filler and should be cut. This advice applies
to both published and unpublished writers.
As for aspiring
authors, my best advice is to remember that the road to publication is a
marathon, not a sprint. Take the time to learn your craft and grow a thick skin
to deal with the inevitable rejections you’ll receive along the way. Very few
authors have ever sold their first attempt immediately after completion—if
ever. There are thousands of first manuscripts cavorting with the dust bunnies
under beds throughout the world. Those who have been lucky enough to sell their
first book usually did so only after many revisions over several years.
Donnell: Thanks, Lois! To say
I’m grateful for your friendship is putting it mildly. Thank you for always
picking up the phone.
Lois: Ditto, Donnell!
Want to learn more about prolific author Lois Winston? Check out her website at:
http://www.loiswinston.com
Untitled Post
/in Uncategorized/by DebraReflections on Today – My
Birthday by Debra H. Goldstein
Today is my birthday. It isn’t a special birthday, but it
is another notch in my belt of life. Another year around the sun. And a
reminder that the years seem to each be moving faster than the one before.
When I was a child, I devoured books. If it was hot
outside, I preferred to be indoors, where it was cooler, reading. My mother
felt that I needed to get out of the house and play for at least an hour on
those hot days. I specifically remember once, when there were no neighborhood
children to play with (which always took care of the hour plus), I was forced
to entertain myself outside for the hour. I sat on our front stoop periodically
checking my watch only to be dismayed at how slowly time moved. That hour was
an eternity. Today, an hour goes by so fast that it melds into other hours and
the entire day passes before I know it.
One other thing I’ve noticed is that I no longer am the
young hotshot. I’ve reached the age where people say “ma’am,” offer me senior
drinks before I ask for them, and at club and organization meetings, I am
respected for my institutional knowledge. The honors coming my way aren’t
titled “Top women under thirty” or “Rising Star.” Instead, they are more like
“Fifty Over Fifty.”
Being seasoned has its benefits – seeing my children happy
in marriages and careers; having grandchildren; AARP and other discounts; and
being able to use Rhett Butler’s “I don’t give a damn” line whenever I want.
The sad part is knowing that there are less years left than have passed so
there are things I would like to see or experience that I may not.
The latter thought is sad, but I’m not going to dwell on
it. For now, I’m going to happy dance and celebrate this birthday! (By the way, I’m not Poppy, but I loved this picture of one of granddogs wishing my husband a happy birthday) How do you feel about birthdays?
Author Goals
/in Uncategorized/by Bethany Mainesby Bethany Maines
Each writer has their own reason for putting cursor to word doc, but in general it’s because we have a story to tell. And as we develop the story, writers have to live outside the moment and wrap their heads around the entire plot. This goes double when it comes to writing a series. An author has to keep all the little threads in mind as they write through the books. I’ve developed spreadsheets to track my characters and keep chapter by chapter synopsis’ of each book for easy reference. All of this means that when it comes to our books and characters we’re like the annoying friend who binged a TV series while the reader is watching one episode a week.
THE PROBLEM
But this style of writing also means that sometimes characters the author knows are going to be awesome later aren’t so beloved in the initial books. Which is why when I set out to write book 2 of the 3 Colors Trilogy – A Deeper Blue – I crossed my fingers. Azure Lucas says some fairly harsh things to her younger sister Scarlet, in book 1 – A Little Red – and I knew that readers that loved Scarlet wouldn’t be thrilled with Azure going into book 2. Which is necessary for book one, but my challenge is then… Can I make my readers love her in book 2?
So when I send out my book to Advance Readers, I nervously chew my nails and wait for the reviews to come back. And then, earlier this week, I got this…
AUTHOR GOAL?
Whew! Wiping the sweat off my brow. My reviewer complete took the journey with Scarlet and Azure. If I can make my readers love them both then I have met my challenge as a writer. Author goal… achieved! Now I just need to see if they stick around for book 3 – A Brighter Yellow. Author worries are never completely gone.
A Deeper Blue releases March 18 and I can’t wait for more readers to fall in love with Azure too.
LEARN MORE
PreOrder – https://amzn.to/3DZQHbf
Goodreads Giveaway – https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/enter_choose_address/342167
Learn more about the series – https://bethanymaines.com/supernaturals/
**
Bethany Maines is the award-winning author of the Carrie Mae Mysteries, San Juan Islands Mysteries, Shark Santoyo Crime Series, and numerous
short stories. When she’s not traveling to exotic lands, or kicking some
serious butt with her black belt in karate, she can be found chasing her
daughter or glued to the computer working on her next novel. You can also catch up with her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.
Gay Yellen: Spotlight on Kathryn Lane
/in Uncategorized/by Gay YellenToday, I interview our own Stiletto Gang-sister, Kathryn Lane, award-winning author of the Nikki Garcia Mysteries. Missing in Miami, her fourth book in the series, has just been released.
Kathryn is a woman of many parts: artist, writer, and former international corporate executive, all of which provides rich background for her stories. What is it like to be a world traveler who solves crimes? Read on…
Gay: Kathryn, when your series begins, Nikki Garcia is a crackerjack forensic accountant, a rather nontraditional kind of sleuth. And yet, you managed to turn the investigation into a riveting read. As the series progresses, Nikki picks up other skills, and by the time we get to the new book, which takes place in Cuba as well as Florida—she’s almost a full-blown spy. Did you plan this character progression from the start?
Kathryn: I’d love to answer with a resounding, “Yes, of course I planned it that way!” But when I wrote the first book, I did not know I’d be writing a series until my publisher insisted I create other books with Nikki as protagonist. Being a pantser (a writer who doesn’t pre-outline) I developed her into a sleuth, thinking it would otherwise get boring if she was always investigating corporate fraud around the world.
Gay: I see similarities between you and Nikki: a love for travel and good food, and a background in corporate finance. How is she different from you?
Kathryn: I’m not nearly as brave as Nikki!
Gay: The character of Eduardo, a Colombian physician, is a dreamboat: romantic, wealthy, and kind. Did you pattern him after a real person, or is he simply a dream?
Kathryn: I was single when I wrote the first book, so maybe Eduardo represents my dream man. He is purely fictional, as are all my characters, except for some mentions of real or historical persons. After completing the first book, I met Bob, who is now my husband and who shares three of Eduardo’s characteristics: he is immensely supportive of my work, he’s kind, and he has a romantic streak—he lights a candle for our dinner every night we eat at home. The one trait he’s missing is that he’s not wealthy, doggone it!
Gay: In the new book, you mention a novel I happen to be reading right now: Klara and the Sun, by Kazuro Ishiguro. What was behind that choice?
Kathryn: In every mystery I’ve written, I’ve mentioned another author or visual artist whose work I admire. As I was writing Missing in Miami, I read Klara. In that story, a girl named Josie suffers from an illness that is never fully defined. I mentioned the book because Andrea, the missing girl in my novel, also has an illness. I don’t expect many readers to catch the comparison, but the connection sparks my own creative juices.
Gay: I’m fascinated by your world travels to… is it over ninety countries? Each of your books is set in a different location, and they each seem to offer a bit of a traveler’s guide for the area. Having been to so many places, how do you decide where Nikki Garcia will go next?
Wow, the places Kathryn has traveled! What about you, readers? What foreign lands have you visited?
*****
GAY YELLEN writes the award-winning Samantha Newman Mysteries, including The Body Business, The Body Next Door, and the soon to be released Body in the News. Gay would love to hear from you in the comments below, on Facebook, or BookBub, or via her website.
Writer and Paper Organization
/in Uncategorized/by Debra Sennefelderby Debra Sennefelder
We’re three months
into the new year, and I’m reviewing the yearly goals I set in 2021. One has a check mark next to it – all done! And what a relief it is because it’s the
manuscript due to my editor in May. The other goals are either in progress or
haven’t been started yet. So today, I thought I’d share one of my in-progress
goals with you. Who’s up for a chat about paper organization?
I know. I hear the
groaning. But it’s an important chat.
Back in the day, when
I worked at Macy’s as a buyer’s assistant in the cosmetics department, the only
staff who computers worked in the order processing department. That was in the
early 80s. Fast forward a decade, and my husband surprised me one day with a
computer. We set up in a spare room. The machine was big, clunky, and not very
aesthetically appealing. There was buzz about how with computers becoming
mainstream, everything would go digital. Everything. The mantra had been go
paperless.
Well, how has that
worked out for us?
According to Lisa
Woodruff, founder of Organize 365, “More than seventy percent (72%) surveyed
believe they will never be truly paperless. And now, as more are working from
home – these piles of paper may be stacking up even more, leaving many feeling
overwhelmed and stressed by all of the clutter.”
I’m guessing I wasn’t
alone in choosing to organize all the %$* paper as a goal for this year.
So, how has wrangling,
decluttering, and organizing all the paper gone so far?
Meh.
January and
twenty-five days of February have been consumed with dealing with issues of
elderly parents and writing the first draft of a manuscript due in June (yeah,
two books due back-to-back. Note to self: don’t ever do that again!). However,
one day after I gathered all my papers for the accountant, I realized how much
I hated how my desk file drawer was set up. How could hanging folders illicit
such a strong reaction?
Well, for starters I
didn’t like the placement of the file tabs or the mismatched colors of the file
folders or the labels. Ahh. The labels. They were the catalyst to jumpstarting
my paper organizing journey.
I found our big mama
label maker while looking for my smaller label maker (which is still MIA), and
I started printing.
I made a list of file
names. There were some I re-named and some new ones I created. Then I gathered
all my hanging file folders and organized the three sections of the drawer –
personal files, business files, and writing files (for current projects). I
assigned each section a color. Before going any further, I ordered a new set of
file folder tabs with inserts. What I’d been using was a mismatched collection
I’d gathered over the years. I also purchased a new printing cartridge in
clear. I’ll be using this cartridge for my other files that need to be
decluttered.
When I had my new tabs
and inserts, I set up two sections in my desk file drawer. The third, which is
writing-related (synopses, outlines, etc., from my two current series), will
get revamped this month. And then, I’ll move onto another file drawer and then
to the filing cabinet.
I’ve had to accept that
this process of decluttering paper and organizing it into a way that makes
sense to me (and looks pretty) will take time. Baby steps. And that’s
okay.
There are a few things
that I’ve learned about paper organization and here they are:
Have a paper
organizing procedure.
Once you decide to
tackle your paper clutter, you should have a strategy of how you will do it in
place. This was something I didn’t do before, but this time, I know that I will
move from the desk file drawer to the file container under my desk to the
rolling cart file drawer. I will decide what papers get stored where and have
all the supplies I will need. After these three spaces are done, I will move to
other paper storage areas.
Plan where you’ll
gather and sort your papers.
With your plan in
place, you’ll need a space where you’ll do the work. Professional organizers
may tell you to gather ALL your papers into a bin and then have three boxes for
keep, recycle and shred. I’ve done this and failed. This time, I’m taking it
one drawer at a time. You do you. Whatever you decide, you will need a space to
work, and I suggest using a timer to keep you sorting.
Manage your
expectations.
You didn’t collect all
those papers in a weekend, so it may take more than a weekend to sort,
declutter and organize. I’m finding that this process is more of a sprint than
a marathon. For this first round of organizing, I took my files to the living
room, turned on YouTube, and binged on my favorite channels while I sorted and
kept our Shih Tzu, Connie, from eating my papers. Fun times! And it was.
Did you set any goals
for 2022? If so, how are they going? Have you tackled paper organization? Or,
is it something that you are planning to do? Let’s keep the conversation going.
Comment below.
Debra Sennefelder is the
author of the Food Blogger Mystery series and the Resale Boutique Mystery series.
She lives and writes in Connecticut. When she’s not writing, she enjoys baking,
exercising and taking long walks with her Shih-Tzu, Connie. You can keep in touch
with Debra through her website, on Facebook and Instagram.
Whose Story Is It?
/in Uncategorized/by The Stiletto Gangby Sparkle Abbey
At our most recent Sisters in Crime meeting the discussion topic was “Point of View.” An easy technique for some writers, a more difficult one for others.
Whether using first-person point of view as we do in our books, or third person which is very common in fiction writing, the choice of point of view is an important choice that a writer makes when beginning to tell a story. It will impact every other choice you make along the way.
First person point of view is narrated by a character in the story. In our case, Caro or Mel, depending on the book. So you never get the story from anyone else’s perspective. First person sounds like this, “I don’t normally break into people’s homes, but today I was making an exception.”
Second person, puts the reader into the story as a character. This isn’t one we’ve used very much. It sounds like this, “You went to work that morning and first thing, you decide you need more coffee.”
Third person limited only lets the reader know what one character at a time thinks and sees. This one is pretty common and can be a very effective way to add suspense to a story. It sounds like this, “He had played this same game before and had anticipated this time out it would be something of a let down.” That’s from the brilliant Mary Higgins Clark’s “You Belong to Me.” Certainly a master of suspense writing!
With third person omniscient point of view anything can be revealed about anyone. It’s often used at the beginning of a story and then the writer shifts to other POVs to move the reader closer. Many times it reads like this, “Little did they know that…” It’s the wide shot and can be an intriguing method to get a readers attention.
In our opinion, the bottom line is that the very best point of view is the one that goes unnoticed. It’s a matter of – whose story is it? Who can best tell the story in such a way that we don’t even think about it. We’re just along for the ride!
So readers, do you notice point of view when you read? And do you have a preference for a particular POV?
Sparkle Abbey’s latest story (written in first person) is a short but fun one. If you’ve not yet checked out PROJECT DOGWAY, this is a great time to do that.
Sparkle Abbey is actually two
people, Mary Lee Ashford and Anita Carter,
who write the national best-selling Pampered Pets cozy mystery series. They are
friends as well as neighbors so they often get together and plot ways to commit
murder. (But don’t tell the other neighbors.)
They love to hear from
readers and can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, their favorite social
media sites. Also, if you want to
make sure you get updates, sign up for their newsletter via the SparkleAbbey.com website