Ask the Author: Valarie R. Austin
Answered Questions (5)
Valarie R. Austin
This mystery occurred in the 1950's. My distant relative had an unexpected and very curious death when she was in her late 20's. She had been a very popular bartender at a local tavern. She was outgoing and warm to her patrons who were primarily male. Her success as a bartender was assured because she was beautiful and always the life of the party according to my other relatives. Therefore, she made a great living in a occupation that did not have many women in its rank.
Curiously, her illness and death came on suddenly. She experienced delusions and lost a phenomenal amount of weight. She was hospitalized for a short period of time and died in the hospital. At her funeral, the people occupied every seat in the church. There was standing room only; so, the remaining mourners spilled out into the church yard. My relatives stated the scene resembled a famous celebrity or politician's funeral.
The speculation about her death continues to today because my relatives never found out the diagnosis for her illness, especially since there was no autopsy. Many think that she was poisoned by a jilted lover or a rival for another man's affections. The whole mystery fires my imagination for a book plot.
Curiously, her illness and death came on suddenly. She experienced delusions and lost a phenomenal amount of weight. She was hospitalized for a short period of time and died in the hospital. At her funeral, the people occupied every seat in the church. There was standing room only; so, the remaining mourners spilled out into the church yard. My relatives stated the scene resembled a famous celebrity or politician's funeral.
The speculation about her death continues to today because my relatives never found out the diagnosis for her illness, especially since there was no autopsy. Many think that she was poisoned by a jilted lover or a rival for another man's affections. The whole mystery fires my imagination for a book plot.
Valarie R. Austin
Tick, tock. Tick, tock. Tick, tock. As I listened to the clock in the hall, I could smell the air start to sour with my fear and sweat. He was coming to finish what he started . . . but I could not move, scream, or see.
Valarie R. Austin
1. Over the past two months, I finished reading a few books by Jay Crownover. Compliments of my local library, I read most of the books in her series including:
Better When He's Bad: Welcome to the Point
Honor: The Breaking Point (TBP)
Dignity: TBP
Respect: TBP
Rule: A Marked Men Novel (AMMN)
Rome: AMMN
Nash: AMMN
Asa: AMMN
Salvaged: A Saints of Denver (ASOD)
Riveted: ASOD
Jay Crownover's books are typically young adult; however, the Welcome to the Point and the Breaking Point books had strong story lines that had more mature themes.
2. My latest book is Old Money, New Woman by Byron Tully.
Better When He's Bad: Welcome to the Point
Honor: The Breaking Point (TBP)
Dignity: TBP
Respect: TBP
Rule: A Marked Men Novel (AMMN)
Rome: AMMN
Nash: AMMN
Asa: AMMN
Salvaged: A Saints of Denver (ASOD)
Riveted: ASOD
Jay Crownover's books are typically young adult; however, the Welcome to the Point and the Breaking Point books had strong story lines that had more mature themes.
2. My latest book is Old Money, New Woman by Byron Tully.
Valarie R. Austin
My advice is to start and end one story. Although writers may have ideas in their heads, they must put "pen to paper." I also would recommend joining a writer's group for feedback and support during the writing process. Many writer's groups offer workshops on styles, genres, traditional publishing, self-publishing, agent, and more. For a writer, the first step means writing an entire story for viewing by friends, the public, or a writers' group.
Valarie R. Austin
My non-fiction book, "The Student's Comprehensive Guide For College & Other Life Lessons," has been translated from English to Spanish. The book is in the formatting stage. After beta readers review the Spanish version, the book is scheduled for a May 2019 publication.
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