Joseph Lewis's Blog, page 3

Meet David Seaburn – An Author!

I’ve said this before, usually with each author interview I conduct, but interviewing authors is so much fun! I meet individuals, like me, who write, often out of the spotlight. Each author I’ve interviewed- and there have been many- gave me food for thought, and stoked the fire of creativity within me.

The only thing I knew about David was that he was a Black Rose Writing author. Other than that, I didn’t know anything about him. What I learned is that he is an author alright, but he is so much more!

At age twenty-four, he became a Presbyterian minister and served a small rural church in western New York, and was their pastor for six years. While he loved the work and his people, David found the ministry not his true calling.

He went back to graduate school to get a masters degree in counseling, and began working in the mental health field. He worked in community mental health for five years before being recruited to the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Psychiatry, and the Department of Family Medicine. Along the way he got his PhD in Psychology and became an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Family Medicine.

For the next twenty years, he worked at the medical center and did marriage and family therapy in both departments, but eventually centered his clinical work in the Highland Family Medicine Residency Program.

David became one of the founders of the subspecialty Medical Family Therapy and did extensive writing, including over sixty papers and book chapters, as well as two academic books, one for family physicians on how to work with families, and one for mental health professionals on how to collaborate with heath care professionals.

Whew!

At first, David didn’t think he had a fiction bone in him, but he started writing fiction in 2000, while at the medical center. His first novel was published in 2005. His tenth novel, Until It Was Gone, debuts today, December 12, 2024.

Folks, meet David Seaburn- an author, and so much more!

What was it that made you decide you had a story to tell and to become an author?

I never thought fiction was in my wheelhouse. As noted, I did other kinds of writing, but not stories. In 1990, a patient told me a story about a tragic incident that, for years, I couldn’t get out of my mind. I wrote notes on a possible novel, then put the notes in a folder for the next ten years. I didn’t know what to do with it. It wasn’t until I read a novel written in the first-person (I don’t recall the title) that I got an idea on how to create a story out of my notes. And so, my fiction writing career began.

As an author or writer, what sets you apart from others?

Hard question. Readers have admired how I develop characters and how realistic my dialogue is. I think both skills emerged from being a marriage and family therapist for thirty-five years. I listened to how people spoke to each other, how they revealed things and hid things, how they shared their stories in layers.

How do ideas for your stories present themselves? How do you know what story lines to follow and which to ignore?

I’m not always sure! A couple of my novels have come from unusual news articles, one from my experience in the ministry, but most out of thin air. As for story lines, I don’t have as much difficulty as one would expect. I have a primary plot line, but I also have several (usually six) other character subplots. So, there are multiple voices. Weaving them is the challenge.

What genre do you write, and why?

I would call my novels family life literary fiction. They are character driven, and I fully develop multiple characters, such as their lives, their struggles, their secrets, and their hopes.

Besides writing and telling a good story, do you have any other talents?

If you asked my grandchildren, they’d say I’m funny. I would not use ‘talents’ to describe most of what I do in life, except for writing. I read, and I’ve kept a journal for well over fifty years. In a prior life, I was an athlete. I’ve even done consulting on organizational matters.

If you were to name one or two books that you deem unforgettable and that had a major impact on you, what would they be, and why?

There are many! The Courage to Be by Paul Tillich, I and Thou by Martin Buber, The Cloud of Unknowingby Anonymous, The Denial of Deathby Ernest Becker, The Last Temptation of Christ by Nikos Kazantzakis, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard, Letters to a Young Poe by Rainer Maria Rilke, Our Town by Thornton Wilder, Death of a Salesmanby Arthur Miller, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, Night by Elie Wiesel, Job in the Bible, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and The Social Construction of Reality by Bergen and Luckmann. Whew! I’ll stop there. They have helped shape my thinking about human connectivity, meaning, time, loss, resilience, hope, God, and suffering. These matters are reflected in all my novels.

What authors do you read regularly? Why?

Jesmyn Ward because I think she is the best writer in America right now. Alice McDermott because I was amazed by her novel, Someone, which was remarkably engaging. George Saunders because when I read him, I realize anything is possible. Colson Whitehead because he is so varied, and he is writing about race in a way that punches you in the face. They all write literary fiction.

If you were to have dinner with 5 individuals living or dead, who would they be and why?

Henry David Thoreau. We lived near Concord when I was in seminary. I went to Walden Pond frequently and loved his writing. Abraham Lincoln. I’ve read many books about him. I’m impressed with how his depression shaped him as a leader. Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He was a theologian who publicly opposed Hitler and was executed for his beliefs. Vincent Van Gogh. I’ve been to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and was amazed by his work, and the influence mental illness had on him. Bob Dylan. Hero of my youth, and a hero of my elder years, too. His early albums influenced how I looked at the world.

What is your writing routine? When you write, do you plan or outline ahead or are you a “pantser”?

I am a pantser, so I let the story emerge as I write it. It is embarrassing to say I don’t have a routine. There are days when I don’t write at all. Sometimes this is because I am busy with other things. Sometimes, though, I don’t write because I need to think or let what I have written settle. Giving myself time often yields greater depth to my writing. Usually, I write four days a week, sometimes five, and I edit as I go. I find that what I am going to write is shaped by what I’ve already written, so I like to make sure the narrative bricks are squarely in place before I go on. I stop writing after every fifty pages and do a thorough edit before going on.

Describe where you write and what an observer might find there.

Half of our basement is refinished. My desk, which is really a long table, faces a wall that is covered with family photos, artwork from my grandchildren, and mementos from trips abroad. My desk is a mess. More pictures! Ten framed that span a lifetime. Also, stones and sea shells I’ve collected from beaches and lakes. Other random objects including a brick from the elementary school I attended, a Thoreau paper weight, a Bob Dylan key chain from my adolescence, a dog leash, a handheld balls-and-strikes counter from when I umpired as a teenager, a high school graduation picture of my wife. Scrap paper to write notes on. Laptop and printer. Around me are bookshelves full of books. Behind me is a play area for the grandkids.

When writing, how much do you read? Do you read in or out of your genre?

Twice when I was working on two different novels, I had to stop writing because I had read books that were so well written. I thought, ‘What’s the point!’ Usually, I read what I read. It doesn’t seem to affect me. Literary fiction, usually.

Is there something you set out to do, but somehow, it didn’t work out for you? (In writing, or something else you felt was important to you at the time?)

I’ve been lucky as a writer. I’ve been able to complete the novels I’ve started, and in each case, I had written the stories I had intended to write. This question is, in part, about regret. I went into the ministry when I was in my late teens. College and seminary followed and by the time I became a minister at age 24, I was a very different person. I knew it wasn’t the right match. I hoped I was wrong and served a church for six years and loved the people. But I knew too much had changed for me to continue down that path. So, I went into mental health work, which was the right match. When I look back, I have a sense of loss, a sense that I didn’t complete something. I wouldn’t go back, because leaving was the right thing to do, yet I don’t feel satisfied with how it ended.

What tips would you give to new or even experienced writers?

Don’t worry if you feel uncertain about where your story is going. If you keep writing, you’ll find your way. Also, don’t wait to be inspired. Sit down and write, even when you don’t feel any magic.

How did you “teach” yourself to write or did it just come naturally? What lessons would you pass on to others?

Before writing fiction, I had many years’ experience writing creative nonfiction, academic papers, books, and even sermons. I had experience being edited, so I understood the value of having other eyes on my work. When I started my first novel, I had had no training in fiction, but I knew how to structure a long project, and how to persist even when there didn’t seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel. I read a lot of craft books. Perhaps surprisingly, I taught novel writing at a local literary center for many years, which helped me learn how to write better. It’s hard to think of lessons to pass on from my experience. Mainly, keep going and be open to opportunities to learn.

How do you handle a negative critique?

I gnash my teeth, rend my clothes, and decide to give up writing altogether! Once I calm down, I review what’s been said, figure out what I can disregard, and then use anything that will make the book better.

Is there a type of writing/genre that you find difficult to write? Why?

I am unsure how to answer this. I have written no fiction outside my genre, which is literary fiction. But I think I am most humbled by poetry, though I don’t think I could be a poet. So much meaning packed into so few words.

How important are the elements of character, setting, and atmosphere to a story, and why?

The most important element in my novels is character. Aside from the main character, I often have at least five other characters whose thoughts, feelings and stories are developed in detail. While their stories are intertwined with the main plot, they also have a life of their own. What readers say is that they are drawn in by the depth with which my characters are developed and presented. Setting has been important in most of my books. I have used aspects of my home when the story is set in the past, and I’ve used detailed settings to increase the intensity in scenes that call for it. Honestly, though, I give very little thought to atmosphere. Please don’t shoot me. At most, I try to vary the tone depending on the situation and the character. I often use humor to create balance.

Do you see yourself in any of the characters you create? How/Why?

Yes, I do. I think all fiction is autobiographical. I don’t mean that the writer is always writing about him or herself. But I do mean, for example, if you read all my novels, you’d know what matters most to me. I have borrowed scenes from my life. I have also given greater weight to some characters’ affect based on my own feelings about a similar issue. When I finish a novel, I usually can find parts of myself in all the characters.

Is there an unforgettable or memorable character that will not leave your head, either of your own creation or from a book you’ve read?

The main character in my novel, Charlie No Face, is a boy named Jackie. He is eleven and eventually meets the town boogie man, who everyone calls ‘Charlie No Face’ because of his disfigurement. Anyway, much of the story is unabashedly autobiographical. It was great fun to reimagine what it was like to be an eleven-year-old growing up in the late fifties and early sixties. Most fun I’ve had writing.

Tell us about your most recent book. How did you come up with the concept? How did you come up with the title?

My latest book, that was published today, December 12, is Until It Was Gone. I am not sure why it happens this way, but I start each of my novels with three things—the title, the main character, and a dilemma. Here, the main character is a seventy-year-old man, Franklin, and his fifty-nine-year-old wife, Laney. In the first scene, they are getting ready to go to their favorite restaurant to celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary. At the end of the meal, Laney announces she is leaving him. When Franklin finally asks her if she ever loved him, she says, “Yes, until it was gone.” The outcome of this scene generated the rest of the novel. I actually didn’t know she was going to do this, but when she did, my wheels started turning. What other characters do I need to tell this story? They have an estranged daughter who left when she was barely sixteen. Laney goes in search of her. Soon after Laney leaves, Franklin develops Covid, which morphs into the long-haul type. His sister, Gretchen, moves in from out of state to help take care of him. The reader will learn that her husband was killed in a mass shooting four years earlier. Laney will find their daughter who has a nineteen-year-old daughter of her own. The nineteen-year-old will get pregnant and then learn it is a molar pregnancy, which is not a real pregnancy. It requires surgery to remove tissue, or she could develop cancer. Unfortunately, the nineteen-year-old and her mother live in a state where abortion is outlawed, even if there is no fetus. Each character will have their own dilemma, and their own story with its own arc and conclusion. All the stories will crisscross, influence each other, and come together in the end. I was well into this novel before I decided that this family would be touched by several of the contemporary problems we face in our society.

From your book, who is your favorite character? Who is your least favorite character? Why?

My favorite character is Gretchen, Franklin’s sister, because she has great strength and grit. In a way, I think of her as the hero of this story because of her resilience. Least favorite? It’s interesting, I work hard to make sure the primary characters are complex, multidimensional, and because of that, I come to understand and care for each of them. Because of this, there is never a least favorite character.

There you have it! David Seaburn, an author and so much more. I told you, didn’t I? I hope you found his story as fascinating as I did. I would love to hear what you think, so please use the comment section below. And I hope you check out David’s writing, especially his newest book, Until It Was Gone.

Social Media Links:

dseaburn@gmail.com

www.davidbseaburn.com

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/dseaburn @dseaburn

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/david_b_seaburn_writer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.seaburn

Amazon Profile: https://www.amazon.com/author/davidbseaburn

Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5001238-david-seaburn

Book Link to Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Until-Was-Gone-Contemporary-Resilience/dp/1685135226/

Book Link to B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/until-it-was-gone-david-b-seaburn/1146043639?ean=9781685135225

Thanks for following along on my writing journey. Until next time …

In Time for the Holidays!

Hi Everyone:

Happy Holidays … Almost. And in that spirit, I have some fantastic news to share with you.

But first, I want to let you know I will be publishing a wonderful interview with David Seaburn tomorrow, whose book, Until It Was Gone, was just published! I hope you check it out!

Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) just won a Literary Titan Gold Book Award for Fiction, and it is available for preorder NOW and Only at https://www.blackrosewriting.com/mystery/blackyeii If you purchase Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) prior to the publication date of January 2, 2025, use the promo code: PREORDER2024 to receive a 15% discount.

However, my publisher, Black Rose Writing, and I are sponsoring a Goodreads Giveaway beginning Today, Sunday, December 8 and ending Sunday, January 5. We are giving away 5 signed copies of Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) at the end of the giveaway, so enter now. Here is the link to enter: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/402076?utm_medium=api&utm_source=giveaway_widget

This book, my tenth book, has been a labor of love for me, and the early reviews have been outstanding! It combines three related, but separate, story lines, a Navajo belief in the spirit world, and a coming-of-age thread all wrapped up in a tight thriller-crime-mystery.

AND … for the next 30 days, you can get a FREE copy of my book, Fan Mail if you sign up on Book Sirens. This is a wonderful site if you are an avid reader. All books are FREE, and there are many, many books in all genres. Sign up takes less than a couple of minutes and you can cancel at any time. Sign up for a Free Copy of Fan Mail here:
https://booksirens.com/book/IIV7EAT/R4DR1VV 

Recently, I was the guest on two different podcasts, both by award-winning fellow authors, and I was one of several authors to contribute to a piece for an online magazine.

First, I had the pleasure of being a guest on a podcast of author Karen E. Osborne and her show, What Are You Reading? What Are You Writing?

We had an opportunity to talk about my newest book, about writing, about our influences, and just had some fun conversation. You can check it out here: https://tinyurl.com/fdrz68ju I hope you take a bit of time to listen in.

Second, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Kat Fieler on her podcast, Writer to Writer. This was my second visit with Kat, and it was like hooking up with an old friend. You can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj6hBWvryDU

Like many of us in the BRW family, we promote the work and craft of each other. I do this by interviewing fellow authors, both with my publisher and some who have other publishers. Kat Fieler has begun a campaign of promotion so you can find the newest of the new books by BRW authors at an inexpensive price. You can find her current promo of these fine authors at: https://www.kjfieler.com/post/this-holiday-season-give-the-gift-of-adventure-laughter-and-inspiration-at-stocking-stuffer-pric?utm_campaign=f6fdcaf7-1db3-485d-a7bb-5e31729adf8c&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=4900ceb2-dee8-4453-a0fa-a1d5abd9148a

And I was one of several authors contributing to a wonderful blog/online magazine by Kimberly Charleston, The Author’s Journey. I think you will enjoy it. You can find the article here: https://loom.ly/XY83dR8 

I had several readers reach out requesting a signed copy of one or more of my books. If you would like one, please use the contact form below. I only charge the cost of the book and I cover postage. Let me know soon so you have it by Christmas.

I’d like to know what you think, so please use the comment section below. Thank you for following along on my writing journey. So until next time …Joe

Writer to Writer Podcast Interview

This is just a quick, short post to let you know I was on Kat Fieler’s Writer to Writer podcast recently. She always poses great questions, and the interview centered on my new book, Black Ye’ii, although we did touch on many other topics you will find interesting.

This interview took place before I found out that Black Ye’ii was chosen as an Editor’s Pick by BestThriller, and before I received their wonderful review.

I hope you have an opportunity to check it out. You can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj6hBWvryDU

I would love to know what you thought of it, or perhaps, something struck you and you’d like to ask further questions of me. Please use the comment section below. I will be happy to answer them, either individually or in another post.

Thanks for following along on my writing journey. Until then …

Reviews and Word of Mouth

I recently wrote a post, The Importance of a Review, and you can find it here in case you haven’t read it or would like to read it again: https://jrlewisauthor.blog/2024/11/15/the-importance-of-a-review/

Yesterday, I published a wonderful review from Jill Rey from her blog, For The Love of the Page, about my book, Black Ye’ii (The Evil One) and you can find it here in case you haven’t read it: https://jrlewisauthor.blog/2024/11/22/5-5-%e2%ad-black-yeii-the-evil-one-by-joseph-lewis/

These are just two recent reviews, and I have to say I am overwhelmed with how my new book is being received.

Just as important as a rating or review, is the “word of mouth” from friend to friend that takes place about books. Sometimes, “word of mouth” is more powerful because when one friend talks about a book, the other friend listens. And then that friend will talk to another friend, and so on.

In either case, a “word of mouth” review is as important as a rating/review. It gets word out there about an author’s work. In the long run, it helps with sales and promotion.

Now for some Good News …

I just received this wonderful review from Bella Wright, Editor in Chief of BestThrillers. BestThrillers is a go-to site for honest accurate reviews, especially for books in the thriller-crime-mystery genre. Each of my books that have been on their site received terrific reviews.

Black Yéʼii was selected as an Editor’s Pick by BestThrillers, and considering all the fine books and writers out there, to have my book selected is both an honor and is humbling. Below is the full review.

Black Yéʼii, a Must-Read Small Town Crime Thriller by Joseph Lewis

By Bella Wright / November 16, 2024 / 3 minutes of reading

The Bottom Line: A must-read small town crime thriller that will please new and old fans.

Black Yéʼii opens in Waukesha, Wisconsin, as Carmen Benevides finds three terrifying strangers on her doorstep. The trio is searching for her teenage son, Angel, and they won’t take no for an answer. Minutes later, Angel receives a text message from his mother’s phone: I need you to come home right away. It’s urgent. Angel knows those aren’t his mother’s words, and more importantly, that she may already be dead

Not long after receiving a warning text from Angel, and finding a gruesome crime scene, local detective O’Connor calls Waukesha Chief of Detectives James Graff with a devastating declaration: the international gang MS-13 has returned to town. 

Lewis, who is comparable due to his trademark blend of action and family drama, first introduced the world-weary Graff in his stunning 2018 crime thriller Caught in a Web, which depicted the harsh realities of gang violence and its impact on local communities. Graff resurfaced in Lewis’ follow-up Spiral Into Darkness, in which he assisted the FBI in pursuit of a serial killer. This time, Graff knows his team is the only thing standing between MS-13 and more bloodshed. 

Two years prior, the local police and a group of boys conspired to keep the shooting of four MS-13 members a secret. Graff knows any of them are likely targets, but none more so than high school track star George Tokay, who is at his family’s remote lake house. Unlike O’Connor, George hasn’t received Angel’s warning – and is completely oblivious to the fact that his life is in danger.

The word Yéʼii refers to Navajo spiritual deities, and Black Yéʼii is discussed as The Evil One. Lewis delves into George’s experiences in the Navajo Nation of Northeastern Arizona, as well as the concept that there is some greater force at work. A shared belief system handed down from generation to generation – and the tranquility experienced by multiple characters in place of natural beauty – casts an effective spell over what is an otherwise action-packed work of suspense. The effect is aided by religious ritual and spooky premonitions.

Throughout, Lewis perfectly captures teenagers’ ability to confront danger while simultaneously thinking they are invincible. In a telling scene, the boys decide they need to sight in their rifles and handguns – not only because they “might become the hunted,” but also because hunting season is approaching. In a world filled with military-style rifles, boys in the woods engaged in target practice with civilian hunting equipment is almost charming. But be warned: just because most of Lewis’ characters are sympathetic doesn’t mean every member of the local 4-H club is to be trusted.

While the novel works as a stand alone for newcomers, Lewis delivers numerous easter eggs for longtime fans. In particular, readers of Lewis’ novel Fan Mail will recognize multiple characters as well as a relevant event that rocked the community. But the fun doesn’t end there. Like a budding franchise, Lewis has managed to create connective tissue among numerous books in his catalog while still unveiling new wonders. 

Wow, huh? I keep blinking to make sure it isn’t an illusion.

And on top of all that, I received word from Book Raid that three of my books: Fan Mail, Spiral Into Darkness, and Betrayed achieved BEST SELLER status on their website! I had no idea, none! Talk about blinking …

Not one, not two, but three of my books! This is incredible news. This makes my book, Betrayed, an Amazon Best Seller (two different categories) and a Book Raid Best Seller. I couldn’t be happier.

Last, I wanted to remind you that my book, Fan Mail, is FREE on the Book Sirens website. FREE! I’m hoping those who get it and read it will write a review. You can find it here: https://booksirens.com/book/IIV7EAT/R4DR1VV

I would love to hear your thoughts, so please use the form below. As always, thank you for following along on my writing journey. I appreciate it very much. Until next time …

5/5 ⭐ | Black Yé’ii (The Evil One) by Joseph Lewis

Using his love for David Baldacci, Lee Child and Tom Clancy, author Joseph Lewis has created a relatable character in Jeff Limbach.  Jeff is an author in Lewis’ books, writing thrillers, and having made a name for himself as an international celebrity and famous author.  With his money Jeff has made a comfortable home for […]

5/5 | Black Yé’ii (The Evil One) by Joseph Lewis

The Importance of a Review

Before I get started with my post on reviews, I wanted to remind you about a FREE opportunity for you to read my book, Fan Mail. It is available on Book Sirens, which is easy to sign up for and the book will download to any platform you might wish to use. You can find the link here: https://booksirens.com/book/IIV7EAT/R4DR1VV

The reason I chose to use this FREE service is because Fan Mail has been “stuck” at 26 reviews on Amazon, and 42 reviews on Goodreads. While the reviews have been wonderful, averaging 4.3 on each platform, I need 50 in order for Amazon to advertise it to readers. This would help immensely. If you like a good mystery with a strong coming-of-age thread, I hope you check out this opportunity and give Fan Mail a read.

Which leads into my post for the day. The review and its importance.

When any writer finishes a book, we want it to do well. We want sales to go through the roof, and we want readers to enjoy it. However, once a book leaves my computer and lands on my publisher’s website or Amazon or the like, the book is literally out of my hands. The only thing I can do is promote it- Facebook, book blogs, and other sites.

We never know what the reader thinks of the book unless the reader rates it, and/or reviews it, or lets us know by talking to us. I am one of the fortunate writers who has a large following. Lately, each time I go to a sales and signing event, I sell out of one or more of my titles, and come close to selling out on more than one or two other titles.

And what is really nice is that the same folks who have bought one or two of my books seek me out and buy another. Many times, I hear from a customer who says, “I heard about you from my friend.” For a writer, any writer, that’s so gratifying. To know that someone enjoyed one of our books and tells another about it. For the writer, it’s wonderful to hear.

But unless the reader tells another, or unless the reader rates and/or reviews it, the author has no way of knowing how that book is doing. We’re operating in darkness. Yes, we continue to write because we love writing and telling stories, but we really have no way of knowing how those books land.

Obviously, the 5 and 4 star rating are the best to receive because it does two things. It tells the author, “Hey, you did a helluva job on this! I love it!” But it also tells other prospective readers the book is worthy of a read and nudges them to pick it up and give it a try.

But ratings of 1 and 2 are just as important. They tell the author the book missed its mark. For whatever reason, the book didn’t catch the reader’s heart on fire. We learn from them (after we lick our wounds and are done feeling sorry for ourselves) and point us in a different direction.

Reviews are even better. They tell us specifically what the book did, and didn’t, do for them. They either cause us to smile or sometimes to frown and make us determined to do better next time. At least, that’s how I look at them. I try to balance the good ones from the not so good ones, and I try to view both as a learning experience. That might be the educator in me, I guess, but I think most writers feel this way.

So, I ask you to consider reading, and then rating and/or reviewing any book. It helps with sales, with promotion, but mostly, it helps writers learn and grow and to do even better the next time out.

I also want to let you know that my newest book, Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) is currently available for preordering at https://www.blackrosewriting.com/mystery/blackyeii If you purchase Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) prior to the publication date of January 2, 2025, use the promo code: PREORDER2024 to receive a 15% discount.

Here are some early reviews of Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) for you.

“Weaving family and friendship with gangs and murder, Lewis has a flair for packing high-octane action into his world of high school boys, brothers, and small-town Wisconsin. With a personal vendetta and more lives on the line, the suspense jumps from the page as a fabricated truth takes center stage. Never one to shy away from action, death, and despair, this latest read brings with it new, yet familiar pulse pounding villains as author Joseph Lewis stuns once again, in this his tenth book.” Jill Rey, Reviewer: For The Love Of The Page Blog

“Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) is a psychological thriller based in a small town in Wisconsin, featuring a group of young men recovering from traumatic events a year ago. Unfortunately, the past is coming back to haunt them, and hunt them down. This thriller features complex characters and relationships that evolve throughout the story, leading to a stunning conclusion. Lewis delivers in this story of police trying to protect the innocents from the evil that is hunting them.” Gary Gerlacher, MD, MBA, author of Last Patient of the Night, Faulty Bloodline and Sin City Treachery

“The Bottom Line: A must-read small town crime thriller that will please new and old fans.”

Bella Wright, Reviewer/Editor BestThrillers.com “I believe this is my favorite so far! In his latest crime thriller, Black Yéʼii (The Evil One), author Joseph Lewis gets readers’ attention with a shocker of a start — a brutal double murder. He keeps that going as law enforcement works to identify the person who orchestrated this and other violence, especially since it is apparent innocent people, including an acclaimed author and a family of adopted brothers, are in danger. Here is the next, and hopefully, not the last, riveting adventure for the intriguing characters Lewis has created for his books.” Joan Livingston, author of the Isabel Long Mystery Series

“A Complex Thriller That Strikes at the Heart, Black Yéʼii is a compelling thriller with family, honor, and the battle between good and evil as central themes. Young Diné (Navajo) man, George Tokay, helps police investigate a cover-up involving cops and the notoriously vicious gang, MS13, now hell bent on revengeful torture and murder.” International Writers Inspiring Change Review

“Black Yéʼii explores secrecy, revenge, and justice, and offers brilliant psychological intrigue that elevates the story beyond a typical thriller. It delves deep into the personal drama and interplay of the secret itself. This makes Black Yéʼii an unmissable read for fans of accomplished thriller writing everywhere.” K.C. Finn, Reviewer for Readers’ Favorite

“Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) by Joseph Lewis had me hooked from the start. The story was jam-packed with action, and there was never a dull moment. With all the twists and turns, I never knew what would happen next and was guessing until the end. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, turning the pages as fast as I could.” Alma Boucher, Reviewer for Readers’ Favorite

I hope you enjoyed this post, but in any case, I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please use the comment section below. As always, thank you for following along on my writing journey. Until next time …

Two Deals and a Snippet from Black Yéʼii (The Evil One)

Do I have a deal for you! No, actually, two deals for you!

First, my book Fan Mail is available on Book Sirens for FREE for a limited time! Yes, that’s right- FREE! The link to get it is here: https://booksirens.com/book/IIV7EAT/R4DR1VV

Here are some reviews for you- the first one just arrived yesterday:

“This story was heartbreaking and gut-wrenching and filled with a myriad of emotions. We are not perfect as humans. We make mistakes and Jeremy’s was a whopper in my eyes. I empathized with each of these adopted kids and their friends, because they had gone through enough with just the adoptions. They had a rough life in the school of hard knocks. I cried buckets that things got that extreme and out of control. Brian is a true hero for so many reasons, and I admired his integrity.” – Beverly on Goodreads

“An emotionally explosive and life-affirming coming of age story wrapped within a simmering crime thriller.” – Bella Wright, Editor, BestThrillers

“Very powerful. Tough. Gritty. Character development is remarkable. The story explodes with tension and strength. Highly recommend it!” – Sharon K. Middleton, author of The McCarron Mysteries

Again, Fan Mail is FREE for a limited time on Book Sirens at: https://booksirens.com/book/IIV7EAT/R4DR1VV

The story behind Fan Mail is an ignored fan becomes a deadly stalker threatening three boys in a band and to tear apart a loving family. A sixteen-year-old boy loves his family enough, even if it threatens his life.

The Book Blurb on the back cover is this:

“Lewis takes after authors such as C.J. Box, James Patterson, and David Baldacci, as he immerses readers in his characters by having them in reoccurring roles and appearing throughout each of his books.”  -TheAuthorSpot.com

A barrage of threatening letters, a car bomb, and a heart attack rip apart what was once a close-knit family of adopted brothers.

Randy and Bobby, along with fellow band member and best friend, Danny, receive fan mail that turns menacing. They ignore it, but to their detriment. The sender turns up the heat. Violence upends their world. It rocks the relationship between the boys and ripples through their family, nearly killing their dad.

As these boys turn on each other, adopted brother Brian flashes back to that event in Arizona where he nearly lost his life saving his brothers. The scars on his face and arms healed, but not his heart. Would he once again have to put himself in harm’s way to save them? And, if faced with that choice, will he?

My second deal for you is my book, Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) is now available for preorder from my publisher, Black Rose Writing at https://www.blackrosewriting.com/mystery/blackyeii If you purchase Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) prior to the publication date of January 2, 2025, use the promo code: PREORDER2024 to receive a 15% discount.

Black Yéʼii has already received some terrific reviews, like:

“On one side, unconditional familial love supported by the camaraderie of law enforcement. On the other? Guns, drugs, and hatred. Black Yé’ii stages an epic battle between good and evil.” Cam Torrens, award-winning author of the Tyler Zahn thriller series.

“Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) is a gripping crime thriller that kept me turning pages even when I needed to get up and do something else. Lewis created an intricate plot, complex characters, protagonists I could root for, and an enjoyable, high-octane read. This is the second novel I’ve read by Lewis. Going back to find more. He has me hooked.” Karen E. Osborne, award-winning author of True Grace and coming in March, Justice for Emerson.

“Weaving family and friendship with gangs and murder, Lewis has a flair for packing high-octane action into his world of high school boys, brothers, and small-town Wisconsin. With a personal vendetta and more lives on the line, the suspense jumps from the page as a fabricated truth takes center stage. Never one to shy away from action, death, and despair, this latest read brings with it new, yet familiar pulse pounding villains as author Joseph Lewis stuns once again, in this his tenth book.” Jill Rey, Reviewer: For The Love Of The Page Blog

“Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) is a psychological thriller based in a small town in Wisconsin, featuring a group of young men recovering from traumatic events a year ago. Unfortunately, the past is coming back to haunt them, and hunt them down. This thriller features complex characters and relationships that evolve throughout the story, leading to a stunning conclusion. Lewis delivers in this story of police trying to protect the innocents from the evil that is hunting them.” Gary Gerlacher, MD, MBA, author of Last Patient of the Night, Faulty Bloodline and Sin City Treachery.

“The Bottom Line: A must-read small town crime thriller that will please new and old fans.” Bella Wright, Reviewer/Editor BestThrillers.com.

“I believe this is my favorite so far! In his latest crime thriller, Black Yéʼii (The Evil One), author Joseph Lewis gets readers’ attention with a shocker of a start — a brutal double murder. He keeps that going as law enforcement works to identify the person who orchestrated this and other violence, especially since it is apparent innocent people, including an acclaimed author and a family of adopted brothers, are in danger. Here is the next, and hopefully, not the last, riveting adventure for the intriguing characters Lewis has created for his books.” Joan Livingston, author of the Isabel Long Mystery Series.

Sublime line: “A dark secret from the past resurfaces, unleashing a wave of violence as a ruthless gang seeks revenge in this fast-paced thriller.”

“The author masterfully weaves together a complex plot filled with twists, turns, and unexpected revelations. Characters are well-developed and believable. Tension builds steadily throughout the book, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the detectives race against time to prevent further bloodshed. Black Yé’ii explores both the darker side of human nature and the positive theme of family and friendship. The author’s vivid descriptions of the brutal nature of gang violence create a truly immersive reading experience. If you’re a fan of crime thrillers with a twist, this novel is a must-read. It’s a captivating story that will keep you guessing until the very end.” Sublime Book Reviews.

“I finished Black Yéʼii (The Evil One)! Could not put it down! As always, you left me wanting more of that family’s story. I will be impatiently waiting for your next book!” Melanie Kabban, Book Reviewer.

The book blurb on the back cover is:

The secret of how four members of MS-13 died was supposed to keep them safe. That is, if no one spoke of it. But someone did, and now people are dying.

The police fabricated a story about the night four members of MS-13 died in a tiny home on a quiet city street almost two years previous. George Tokay and his friends were not supposed to share the secret about what really happened that night. No one was to know the truth. But someone talked, and now MS-13, ruthless and wanting revenge, is back in town, and people are dying.

Can Detectives Graff, O’Connor, and Eiselmann find the killers and put a stop to the killing before anyone else dies?

Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) is now available for preorder from my publisher, Black Rose Writing at https://www.blackrosewriting.com/mystery/blackyeii If you purchase Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) prior to the publication date of January 2, 2025, use the promo code: PREORDER2024 to receive a 15% discount.

Here’s a snippet from Black Yéʼii:

Chapter Thirty-One

Lake, North of Crivitz, Wisconsin

Hot and sweaty, George dangled his feet up to his ankles in the cool water lapping gently against the shore. He had stripped off his t-shirt, but didn’t wade into the lake, content to sit on the rock. At least, for the time being.

As he did often, he ran his fingers over the scars on his hands and arms, then his legs, knowing there were many more on his back. Two of the many scars, lengthy and deep, were under his shorts, one near his groin, and the other just below his butt. All scars were visible except those two hidden under his shorts. No one had asked him about them in a long time. Still, he felt all eyes on him in PE, in the locker room, at cross country and track meets, and while swimming.

Each scar served as a reminder of the attempts on his and his family’s lives, just as the scar left by a bullet in Brett’s left shoulder did, and the scars on Brian’s right hand, his arm, shoulder, and back. Brian also had scars around his right eye, along the right side of his head, covered in a puff of white hair that grew with the black hair he was born with. More recently, he had gained another scar: a bullet wound on the right side of his chest. Each scar for each boy reminded them they were safe only for the moment, causing them to be on constant guard and watch.

But their family, and Jeff and Danny, knew something else from those scars. To them, the scars meant the three boys would do anything they could to protect each other and their family.

With the news of MS-13 back in Waukesha and what they had done to Angel and his mother, the boys knew they would need to be on guard and watchful even more. Because of that meeting with the three detectives, George wore his knife in the leather pouch strapped to his hip and would do so for as long as there was a threat. When in bed, it sat within reach on his nightstand. Just in case.

He needed time by himself to think. In the time they had been up there, no one had ventured in the direction he had walked, so he was confident he’d be alone for the time being. He also knew he couldn’t be away for too long, because he’d be missed, and if he was missed, that meant someone, probably more than one, would be worried about him and come looking for him.            

But he needed the peace and quiet to consider what his next steps might be, and how he could shield his brothers and his family. He had reasoned that because they might be after him, it was up to him to protect his family once again.

—

I hope you enjoyed this post. I would love to hear your thoughts, so use the comment section below. And as always, thank you for following along on my writing journey. Until next time …

Author’s Life in Writing

From My Author Blog by Joseph Lewis

My last post dealt with how life interferes or influences fiction. As I wrote, it is sometimes difficult to separate life from the paragraphs and pages in the writer’s work. And sometimes, the writer doesn’t want to separate the two, but goes with it, using life to bring richness to the work.

In this post, I want to explore how the writer’s background, education and training can influence their work. There are many examples of this from authors I’ve read.

For instance, Joan Livingston is a former newspaper editor and journalist, and her Isabel Long Mysteries contain much of her life, especially the setting of Western Massachusetts hilltowns where she lives. Gary Gerlacher is a pediatric emergency physician and one of his books, The Last Patient, is a thriller using his medical background. Cam Torrens lives in Colorado and is an experienced member and lead on a search and rescue team, so it’s only natural his character, Tyler Zahn, takes part in this in his wonderful thrillers Stable and False Summit.

I have been a teacher, coach, counselor and administrator in middle and high schools for 49 years and counting. My character, Jeremy Evans, who is the father of the adopted boys, is a former teacher and head basketball coach, and is now a counselor- at the same school I used to teach and coach at, Waukesha North High School in Waukesha, Wisconsin. My wife and I even adopted our oldest, a boy, from Guatemala, so adoption is something I’m familiar with, and it, too, takes place in my books.

But on a deeper level, though, is where you might find me in my writing, and perhaps, other writers in their writing.

I grew up in a large Catholic family. Sunday church, once a month confession, boy scout pancake breakfasts and pinewood derbies. We played pickup basketball with the priests on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. And at one time, I strongly considered the priesthood. I even went to a coed boarding school for my high school years and took theology and philosophy.

You will find my beliefs in my character, Brian, a seventeen-year-old boy in my fictional adopted family. However, I am not totally Brian, and Brian is not totally me. I picked and chose parts of my character and personality to give him and to withhold from him, just like I did with my other characters.

In the snippet from Black Yéʼii (The Evil One), I share a conversation between Brian and George, one of the other boys in the adopted family. George is a full-blooded Navajo boy of seventeen, who was trained in the Dine’ way by his grandfather. The Navajo are spiritual people, and the older ones believe that dreams are the spirits bringing messages to the people. Yéʼii are spiritual deities, and there are many in the Navajo belief system, just like Catholics have many saints. However there is one, Black Yéʼii the Navajo don’t mention or talk about. Black Yéʼii translates to The Evil One, and to mention its name or talk about it is inviting evil into one’s life. It is strictly taboo to do so.

In this passage, Brian and George are discussing MS-13 and what ugliness they might bring to their family, primarily, George. The conversation takes place in the middle of Chapter 31 and at their summer home on a lake in Northern Wisconsin.

—

“Can I ask you a question … you know, just between the two of us?” Brian asked.

George nodded solemnly, almost hesitantly.

“Last night, before we went to bed, Brett said he thinks our family is doomed. He said he feels there will always be someone after us. Do you think he’s right?”

George pursed his lips and thought. It was going to be a complicated answer, but if anyone were to understand, it would be Brian.

“When I was younger, my grandfather only brought this up once or twice because he felt he was inviting it into our lives. But he felt people … mostly me, I guess, needed to know.”

Brian nodded.

“The more traditional Navajo, like my grandfather,” he shrugged and said, “and like me, believe in yéʼii. They are spirit deities, much like the Greek or Roman gods we learned about in history and English. He warned me about one in particular, the Black Yéʼii, or The Evil One. In your religion, he is like Satan or the devil. He tries to trick and convince people that,” he shrugged again and said, “drugs, or alcohol, or sex isn’t harmful but would bring pleasure. My grandfather believed Black Yéʼii is the reason people seek those things and become lost. My grandfather included getting even and hurting someone. By doing all of that, people will be happy.”

“Sounds a lot like Satan.”

“Yes. Like anywhere, there were Dine’ who followed him. So to answer your question, I believe there is evil in this world, and evil is led by Satan, or Black Yéʼii, just as there is good in this world, led by Jesus.”

“What you’re saying is that there is something in this world, Satan or Black Yéʼii that is after us. Everyone, actually.”

“Yes.”

Brian nodded and looked off across the lake. Geese had paddled closer to shore. There were two aluminum boats with small outboard engines and with two fishermen each out at a distance in the sun. He knew where the best fishing spots were, and the middle of the lake, where there wasn’t a sandbar or lake shelf, wasn’t a brilliant spot. Brian also guessed that because of their proximity, they might be together.

Brian turned and caught George staring at him. He smirked back at him.

As if reading George’s mind, Brian said, “I was looking at those fishermen and I came to the conclusion they’re not going to catch a lot.” He laughed at his joke. Then he said, “I’m in this. A hundred percent like Tony wants me to be. We’re brothers first, but we’re also friends. We’re family. Someone attacks one of us, they have all of us to answer to. Not just me.”

—

I think it’s difficult to totally separate the author from the characters they create and vice versa. Either consciously or unconsciously, the writer interjects his or her beliefs, opinions, likes and dislikes into the pages and sometimes those ideas spew forth from the character’s mouth when they speak and are on display when the characters act and react. I don’t think it can be helped, nor do I think it should, one way or the other.

I think you can pick up any book and get a glimpse of a picture and idea of who the author is among the paragraphs and pages of the book. It’s only natural.

I would like to remind you that my book, Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) is available now for preorder at https://www.blackrosewriting.com/mystery/blackyeii If you purchase Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) prior to the publication date of January 2, 2025, use the promo code: PREORDER2024 to receive a 15% discount.

Here are some recent reviews of the book:

“On one side, unconditional familial love supported by the camaraderie of law enforcement. On the other? Guns, drugs, and hatred. Black Yé’ii stages an epic battle between good and evil.” Cam Torrens, award-winning author of the Tyler Zahn thriller series

“Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) is a gripping crime thriller that kept me turning pages even when I needed to get up and do something else. Lewis created an intricate plot, complex characters, protagonists I could root for, and an enjoyable, high-octane read. This is the second novel I’ve read by Lewis. Going back to find more. He has me hooked.” Karen E. Osborne, award-winning author of True Grace and coming in March, Justice for Emerson

“Weaving family and friendship with gangs and murder, Lewis has a flair for packing high-octane action into his world of high school boys, brothers, and small-town Wisconsin. With a personal vendetta and more lives on the line, the suspense jumps from the page as a fabricated truth takes center stage. Never one to shy away from action, death, and despair, this latest read brings with it new, yet familiar pulse pounding villains as author Joseph Lewis stuns once again, in this his tenth book.” Jill Rey, Reviewer: For The Love Of The Page Blog

“Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) is a psychological thriller based in a small town in Wisconsin, featuring a group of young men recovering from traumatic events a year ago. Unfortunately, the past is coming back to haunt them, and hunt them down. This thriller features complex characters and relationships that evolve throughout the story, leading to a stunning conclusion. Lewis delivers in this story of police trying to protect the innocents from the evil that is hunting them.” Gary Gerlacher, MD, MBA, author of Last Patient of the Night, Faulty Bloodline and Sin City Treachery

“The Bottom Line: A must-read small town crime thriller that will please new and old fans.”

Bella Wright, Reviewer/Editor BestThrillers.com

“I believe this is my favorite so far! In his latest crime thriller, Black Yéʼii (The Evil One), author Joseph Lewis gets readers’ attention with a shocker of a start — a brutal double murder. He keeps that going as law enforcement works to identify the person who orchestrated this and other violence, especially since it is apparent innocent people, including an acclaimed author and a family of adopted brothers, are in danger. Here is the next, and hopefully, not the last, riveting adventure for the intriguing characters Lewis has created for his books.” Joan Livingston, author of the Isabel Long Mystery Series

Sublime line: “A dark secret from the past resurfaces, unleashing a wave of violence as a ruthless gang seeks revenge in this fast-paced thriller.”

“The author masterfully weaves together a complex plot filled with twists, turns, and unexpected revelations. Characters are well-developed and believable. Tension builds steadily throughout the book, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the detectives race against time to prevent further bloodshed. Black Yé’ii explores both the darker side of human nature and the positive theme of family and friendship. The author’s vivid descriptions of the brutal nature of gang violence create a truly immersive reading experience. If you’re a fan of crime thrillers with a twist, this novel is a must-read. It’s a captivating story that will keep you guessing until the very end.” Sublime Book Reviews “I finished Black Yéʼii (The Evil One)! Could not put it down! As always, you left me wanting more of that family’s story. I will be impatiently waiting for your next book!” Melanie Kabban, Book Reviewer

“A Complex Thriller That Strikes at the Heart, Black Yéʼii is a compelling thriller with family, honor, and the battle between good and evil as central themes. Young Diné (Navajo) man, George Tokay, helps police investigate a cover-up involving cops and the notoriously vicious gang, MS13, now hell bent on revengeful torture and murder.” International Writers Inspiring Change Review

“Black Yéʼii explores secrecy, revenge, and justice, and offers brilliant psychological intrigue that elevates the story beyond a typical thriller. It delves deep into the personal drama and interplay of the secret itself. This makes Black Yéʼii an unmissable read for fans of accomplished thriller writing everywhere.” K.C. Finn, Reviewer for Readers’ Favorite

“Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) by Joseph Lewis had me hooked from the start. The story was jam-packed with action, and there was never a dull moment. With all the twists and turns, I never knew what would happen next and was guessing until the end. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, turning the pages as fast as I could.” Alma Boucher, Reviewer for Readers’ Favorite

I would love to hear what you think, so please feel free to use the comment section below. I will be at several sales and signing events coming up, and if you are in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area, please make plans to stop by.

Porter Branch Library on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM at 2001 Parkway Blvd. Stafford, Virginia.

Salem Church Library on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM at 2607 Salem Church Rd. Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Howell Branch Library on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM at 806 Lyons Blvd. Fredericksburg, Virginia.

As always, thank you for following along on my writing journey. Until next time …

When Life Collides With Fiction

At author readings and at sales and signing events, I am asked some of the same questions over and over. Do I ever use real people as my characters? The things I write about, did they really happen? And there are memes on Facebook and other social media such as, Beware! What you say can be used in the book I’m writing!

Most of the time, my answer is, “Yes, sometimes.” For instance, Detectives Pat O’Connor and Paul Eiselmann who have appeared in most of my books are named after two childhood friends. I have lost contact with them and have no idea what they might be doing now. Detective Jamie Graff is in reality, a Police Chief in a small Wisconsin town. I met him when I was principal at a high school and where he was the SRO- one of the best I’ve ever worked with. I bounce ideas off him. Things like police tactics, action, language. That sort of thing.

Earl Coffey is a local sheriff, who was another SRO back in the day. James “Skip” Dahlke is a former student who is now a forensic scientist. You can guess the questions I might ask him from time to time. Then I had fun characters. Nick Roman and Bob Freeman were principal colleagues and friends of mine. It was Nick who provided the information on hunting for my book Blaze In, Blaze Out. Nick and Bob became despicable characters in Blaze, which is quite the opposite of their real life character and persona. Both are respected leaders in the community. Amy Ivory and Alexa White both appeared in Blaze in bit parts along with their dogs. There have been other instances where people from my life appeared in my books. Of course, I change their names (most of the time) and their personalities to fit my books and in no way should anyone think ill of them.

In one instance, however, I used a conversation I had with a dad of one of the kids in one of my schools that was central to my book, Caught in a Web, and that conversation is central to my newest book, Black Yéʼii (The Evil One), which is a sequel of sorts to Web.

Many years ago when I was a principal at one of the schools I worked in, a distraught and nervous father came to me seeking advice. It was clear at the outset I needed to change hats from principal to counselor, something I was comfortable doing.

He told me he and his wife were worried about his son, a star athlete and honor roll student. They found drugs in his bedroom and in the car he used. There had been no signs of his drug use, none they recognized and none I had recognized. The young man never popped up on our radar. Yet, when pressed by his dad, the boy admitted to his use, and the tale he told scared both of this parents, and upon his dad sharing it with me, scared me.

The conversation is largely captured in a chapter from Caught in a Web, but its theme is carried over in Black Yéʼii (The Evil One). Of course, I changed location and names to fit the story I wrote. After all, as a counselor and educator, I am bound by confidentiality. There is nothing in the chapter that will lead back to the boy, his parents, or the school in which I worked. Honestly, it could have been any number of parents and kids I’ve worked with and listened to over the years, and parts have been changed to incorporate these conversations, and added to the original conversation with this well-meaning and sincere father.

Here is the chapter as it was written for Caught in a Web.

CHAPTER 6   

“Sit your ass back down on that couch! You’re not going anywhere!”

Gary Adair was seething. More than that, he and his wife, Pam, were scared. He tried to calm himself down by shutting his eyes and breathing deeply.

“Zak, we found this in your bedroom. I want to know where you got it.”

Zak folded his arms and glared at his parents. He had already stonewalled them for an hour and he could keep it up the rest of the afternoon and all night if he had to. There was no way in hell he was going to talk to them. He had threatened to leave, but in all honesty, he had nowhere to go. At least, nowhere he could go.

“Zak, your mom and I want to help you. This isn’t like you. You’re an athlete. You’re a good student. You’re popular.” Gary stopped and shook his head. As much as he was angry, he was utterly disappointed. Destroyed.

“Zak, we love you,” Pam pleaded with him. “Please help us understand.”

Zak looked away. He couldn’t bear to look at either his mom or dad. He loved them too much and he knew how much he had hurt them. Somehow, he had to come up with something that would give him an out.

His dad composed himself, though his hands shook as he held out the three baggies of weed, the pipe, and the sheet of paper containing cartoon characters in small squares.

“Your mom did your laundry and she folded your underwear. When she went to put it away, she found the pot and your pipe. Your mom checked your sock drawer and found LSD.”

Zak glared first at his mom, then at his dad and said, “I told you I can do my own laundry.”

Ignoring him and with his voice shaking, Gary said, “She was putting away your laundry when she found this.”

“You searched my room! It’s my room! My room!”

“It’s our house!” his father shouted. “You live in our house. We put the food on the table and clothes on your back. You drive a car that we paid for, so we make the rules! Our house, our rules!”

“Zak, please,” Pam pleaded. “Where did you get this and how can we help you?”

“It’s not mine, okay? It’s not mine.”

“Well good! That’s a relief! So when your mom and I take you to the hospital for a urine and blood test, everything should come back negative.”

Zak’s tongue flicked over his lips, his eyes wide. Every instinct told him to get up and run. Somewhere. Anywhere.

He ran a hand through his hair and over his face and said, “I . . . I don’t need a drug screen. That stuff isn’t mine.”

“Then you don’t have anything to worry about. We’ll go to the hospital, they run the tests and we come back home,” Gary said, though he wasn’t buying any of it.

“We don’t need to do that. God! Didn’t you hear me? It’s not mine.”

“Tell us where you got it. If it isn’t yours, tell us who this stuff belongs to,” Gary said.

“I’m not going to the hospital! I’m not taking any tests! I have rights! You can’t make me!”

Gary and Pam exchanged a look and Pam sank back in her chair. This was going nowhere.

“You’re seventeen-years-old. You’re a minor and we’re your parents. You don’t have any rights as far as we’re concerned. Especially after finding this in your room.”

Zak began to cry. He was caught and he knew it and he knew that his parents knew. Worse, he was scared because if anyone found out, he was screwed.

“Zak, we love you. You know that don’t you?” Pam asked.

“Tell us about this stuff. How long have you been using? How did you start? Why? Where did you get this?” Gary knew he had asked too many questions, but he needed to know the answers.

Zak sobbed. “I can’t tell you anything, all right? I can’t say anything. If I do, I’m a narc, and if they find out . . .” his voice trailed off.

Gary stared at his son determined to do something. There had to be a way to tell someone without getting Zak in trouble.

“Zak, how can we help you?” Pam asked.

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you! You can’t! No one can! If you tell anyone, I’m . . . screwed!”

Gary and Pam stared at their son and then at each other.

Gary stood up and said, “We don’t go to the police directly. If we do, we do it anonymously. You give us the names of the kids who gave you this stuff. We can use the tip line. There’s no way to trace it to us.”

“You don’t get it. These guys are smart. If you say anything to anybody and if it gets back to them that I was the narc, they will kill me!”

“They won’t kill you,” Gary said. His son wasn’t given to drama, but still.

“Oh my God! Dad, you don’t understand!”

Pam was worried before, but now she was flat out scared. She bit her lip and stared at Gary.

“Who is your counselor?” Gary asked.

“Beatleman? She doesn’t know shit!”

“What about Mr. Evans? We could go to him. You ran cross country with George.”

“We can’t say anything to anyone! We can’t tell anyone at school!”

Gary spoke in a quiet voice. “Zak, you have to trust us. Okay? We love you and we’ll take care of you. We have to tell someone.”

 Zak sobbed. He rocked back and forth in the chair. Other than that, he said nothing.

Gary sat back down and stared at his son.

Zak, their only child, was a handsome, bright boy. He ran cross country and track for three years since his freshman year. He had a wide circle of friends, all good kids. Happy, laughing, bright futures- all of them. He couldn’t understand what had happened. Mostly, he couldn’t understand why. Why his son, their only child, would use this shit when he had so much to look forward to.

There had to be a way to help Zak. There just had to be.

—

That chapter was as close to reality and life as I could make it. I believe I was able to capture the anguish of dad, mom and son, and especially the boy’s fear.

I think it’s the writer’s job to capture bits and pieces of life and position them into stories like fitting pieces of a puzzle together. I think it would be difficult to write any story without doing so, especially in my genre of thriller-crime-mystery. So my answer to those questions posed to me at book signings and author events is, “Yes, in part.” There are people, situations, conversations, and events that have taken place or are taking place that are in my books. Well disguised, perhaps, but they are there.

I’d love to know your thoughts, so please use the comment section below. Also, I want to share some upcoming events where I will be selling and signing my books if you are in the Fredericksburg, VA area.

Fredericksburg Independent Book Festival on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Riverside Park, 701 Sophia St, Fredericksburg, Virginia. 

Porter Branch Library on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM at 2001 Parkway Blvd. Stafford, Virginia. 

Salem Church Library on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM at 2607 Salem Church Rd. Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Howell Branch Library on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM at 806 Lyons Blvd. Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Or, simply message me and I will get a signed copy to you. 

Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) is available for preorder NOW and ONLY at https://www.blackrosewriting.com/mystery/blackyeii If you purchase Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) prior to the publication date of January 2, 2025, use the promo code: PREORDER2024 to receive a 15% discount.

Sublime line: “A dark secret from the past resurfaces, unleashing a wave of violence as a ruthless gang seeks revenge in this fast-paced thriller.”

“The author masterfully weaves together a complex plot filled with twists, turns, and unexpected revelations. Characters are well-developed and believable. Tension builds steadily throughout the book, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the detectives race against time to prevent further bloodshed. Black Yé’ii explores both the darker side of human nature and the positive theme of family and friendship. The author’s vivid descriptions of the brutal nature of gang violence create a truly immersive reading experience. If you’re a fan of crime thrillers with a twist, this novel is a must-read. It’s a captivating story that will keep you guessing until the very end.” Sublime Book Reviews

“I finished Black Yéʼii (The Evil One)! Could not put it down! As always, you left me wanting more of that family’s story. I will be impatiently waiting for your next book!” Melanie Kabban, Book Reviewer

Thanks for following along on my writing journey. I sincerely appreciate it. Until next time …

Meet Alle C. Hall – An Author!

Alle Hall is an award-winning author, speaker, and writing instructor whose work focuses on the joy and creativity resulting from trauma recovery. She is a mother, which she takes very seriously. From my background in counseling and psychology, I know you don’t have to be a sexual trauma survivor to have suffered from less-than-nurturing parenting, as Alle had. She states, “It is critical to me that my children, that any child I come in contact with, receives nothing from me but love and respect under the auspices of good boundaries on my part.” As an author and educator, I wish I saw more of that in the world.

Alle has lived in Seattle for thirty-five years. Right now, her family, consisting of Alle, her husband, and their two sons, live in an old Craftsman, which she says, “Is very Seattle.” She lives by a park where she practices Tai chi with an ad hoc group that’s been getting together for decades.

Here is my interview with Alle Hall.

What was it that made you decide you had a story to tell and to become an author?

I’d been working as a journalist, never thought of undertaking a novel. Then, one day I was at work, just filing, and the novel’s arch popped into my head, fully formed: a young teen survivor of child sexual trauma comes across the Lonely Planet’s Southeast Asia on a Shoestring, steals the money from her abusers, runs away to Asia. That’s when begins what I think of as the real journey for every survivor who wants to thrive: the healing.

Funny, that I was never intimidated by the idea of trying to become a novelist—partially because I had been publishing for several years, and partially because I had a new writer’s concept that my book would be so fabulous, it would get published without effort, be an Oprah choice, and made into a movie. But primarily because I was so committed to sharing the story, my main character, Carlie, the travel, and the message of hope for trauma survivors.

As an author or writer, what sets you apart from others?

Most reviews—professional and from readers—comment I have a unique use of language. The Portland Review referenced David Mamet; without the misogyny, I trust. Also, I have the ability to portray emotion and subtext with very few words. Finally, my plots reflect the amount of time I’ve spent overseas, absorbing cultures different from my own.

How do ideas for your stories present themselves? How do you know what story lines to follow and which to ignore?

I just finished the fifteenth full draft of my second novel, which presented itself as a dream. 35 years ago. A real slice of an image that just would not leave me. I suppose that’s what it is: a “something” that happens to me I don’t want to let go of. Whereas I started writing As Far as You Can Go Before You Have to Come Back the evening that I had the idea for it. With this second novel, there was so much involved in the story that I did not understand, so much that scared me, that I put it off and put it off until I simply made myself sit down to write the islands of fiction that I knew.

In terms of following one line and ignoring others in fiction, I am learning to identify the main character’s goal, their primary motivation, and then cut everything that does not directly relate to that character moving toward her goal. I cut every chapter—ouch!—every scene, every word.

What genre do you write, and why?

I write literary fiction, short- as well as long-form. I have published a lot of short-form literary nonfiction/creative nonfiction/memoir.

Why? Because that’s how it comes out. Genre is no more than how the writer’s voice sounds. There is nothing we can do about our voice except get better with it.

I feel strongly that genre is determined by the market, so that The Library of Congress knows how to catalogue your book and so that booksellers can shelf in a way that makes it easiest for a reader to find it. In other words, the more writers attach meaning to genre—literary is deep and makes no money, and commercial is shallow and actually sells—the less happy they are because they become competitive in a in a non-effective way.

Besides writing and telling a good story, do you have any other talents?

My work had to be the best parent possible—on the emotional front. I kind of suck at getting the day-to-day stuff done, cleaning house and what-have-you. My younger son says, “When I want something done, I go to Dad. When I want to understand my emotions, learn how to express them, you are the parent I go to.”

I am a good cook, so at least dinner is always on the table on time, and is usually de-lish. Also—and don’t dismiss this element of a meal—I set a beautiful table. Even when it’s just our family, the bottom of the plate lines up with the bottom of the flatware. All set one inch from the edge of the table. (Can you tell I’ve done a lot of food service?) I lived in Japan for three years; I was taught that the visual element contributes to the enjoyment of a meal.

If you were to name one or two books that you deem unforgettable and that had a major impact on you, what would they be, and why?

Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, which portrays a Black family in the 1930s, who take in a destitute girl who is eventually raped by her father. Harsh material has never scared me! As an incest survivor who was utterly distanced from the emotional consequences of the abuse that went on in my childhood, I connected immediately with the book’s victim: Picola. The empathy I found for her, the ability to believe that incest happens in any group, despite race, religion, nationality, educational and economic standing, and having internalized these facts set me up to believe myself when I said, “I’m an incest survivor.”

What authors do you read regularly? Why?

Long-form, Morrison, of course. Her work is fearless and beautifully formed. In nonfiction, Joan Didion’s Slouching Toward Bethlehem is an essay I read over and over. No one uses language the way she does. She is simply better that the rest of us.

Short form: I am in awe of Meg Pokegrass and Amiee Bender. Both write flash. Bender also writes long-form, but I am most enamored of her flash. Flash is one of the most complex forms. You have to convey an entire life, an experience or just an image that captures you, in fewer that 500 words; even 250; even 50. Bless our hearts.

If you were to have dinner with 5 individuals living or dead, who would they be and why?

Ug. I’m so unimaginative with questions like this. I’ll go for low-hanging fruit. Morrison. I just want to sit at the feet of greatness. Joan Didion is a “No,” despite worshipping her writing. Those same pages tell me she was an alcoholic and had an eating disorder. I get triggered, being around that behavior. Hitler. I’d stab him in the eye, then in the heart. Then slit his throat for good measure. Gandhi. I like the minds of people who change the world! Along those lines, Barack Obama. Despite his brilliance, I’ve never seen or heard him talk down to anyone, and Harriet Tubman. Her bravery astounds me.

What is your writing routine? When you write, do you plan or outline ahead or are you a “pantser”?

I am terrible. Too many times, I write overnight. My husband and I watch what we call “the funny guys”: Colbert, Meyers, and Kimmel. We watch on YouTube, so we usually are done by 10 or 11. Then, I settle into it. I always, always, tell my husband, “I’ll be up soon, Sweetheart,” but then don’t go up until 4 or 7am.

On an ideal day, I’m up around 9, eat a Keto breakfast, write until 4pm, then practice, then make dinner.

I am a big believer in getting that first draft, that crappy first draft, getting it on paper no matter what. For me, that takes pansting. Then it’s time for revision. Lots and lots of revision. For me, a novel takes years of revision, draft after draft, with multiple loops within each draft. I am more structured in my revision drafts because I have notes from an editor or a peer-reader that I am working with.

When writing, how much do you read? Do you read in or out of your genre?

I never read (except for the news) when I’m writing. I got no time.

Is there something you set out to do, but somehow, it didn’t work out for you? (In writing, or something else you felt was important to you at the time?)

No.

What tips would you give to new or even experienced writers?

Revision, not editing. I love teaching a class I’ve put together about deep revision. I’ve come up with exercises that make me look, literally, at every clause, every word. It sounds a bit too-too. However, that’s when the good writing happens.

After you think you have a solid draft, put it away for a while. Then pull it back out. Prepared to be embarrassed about previous assumptions.

The only way to really know if your work is affecting the reader is to have people read it. You’ll get over being hurt by critique. If you want someone to tell you your work is perfect, give it to your grandmother. However, don’t expect to improve if that is all the feedback you set yourself up to receive.

Build your career castles in the air, but don’t live there.  

Never give up.

How did you “teach” yourself to write or did it just come naturally? What lessons would you pass on to others?

Being good at writing is something we are born with. Being great takes a practice, just as Tai chi or any skill takes practice. So no matter what level of talent we are born with, we all can improve.

I’m good at taking critique. In writing groups, I’ve learned to listen without comment, without explaining my choices, without justifying them. I apply the advice in context of what I know about the commentor’s world view and respect for my work, in context with my respect for their abilities as a reader. Unless that reader is mean or simply an asshole. In this case, I leave the group.

How do you handle a negative critique?

It is critical to get over it, or you won’t improve, and you won’t publish. I try to imagine the skin of a rhino. That is what this career demands.

Is there a type of writing/genre that you find difficult to write? Why?

Poetry and child lit/YA. I don’t know why. In as much as I have a specific voice, I have a way of expressing that is geared for adult readers of literary fiction who like it dark and dire.

How important are the elements of character, setting, and atmosphere to a story, and why?

Critical. What I like about these elements of fiction is that they are much easier to learn how to employ, as opposed to voice.

To your list, I would add imagery, point-of-view, story, and, to some extent, theme. Theme is really the purview of English classes. Theme emerges, for me, in the revision process. When I write fiction to a theme or message, the work comes out preachy and boring. Theme and message are completely appropriate for nonfiction, especially self-help and how-to.

Do you see yourself in any of the characters you create? How/Why?

In As Far as You Can Go Before You Have to Come Back, while I totally made up the story, Carlie’s emotional realizations are mine, in very much the same arch.

Other characters contain elements of myself — a good example is the Tai chi teacher’s love of his work and his purposeful generosity despite trauma. He, such as two primary minor characters, are me mixed with people I’ve based them on or simply met, even just glimpsed. An image that results in a feeling can drive a lot of imagination. Two good examples are the gay couple that mentor and nurture Carlie. One is a survivor as well, but not able to claim it and therefore stalled in her healing. That’s “the me” I could have become. I made different choices, is all. The other fave character is a tough-love woman, but soooooo caring. I’ve realized that she’s based on my therapist, who not only saved my life but showed me how to live it.

Is there an unforgettable or memorable character that will not leave your head, either of your own creation or from a book you’ve read?

I’m about to start draft sixteen of my current work, Crazy Medicine. “Crazy medicine” is the English translation of the Thai ya ba: a street drug that cuts methamphetamine with caffeine. When I had that dream—a jade mine in Burma, set into a mountain, I have no idea if that is how jade is mined. The rocks and ground were covered with a thick, grayish dust. As soon as I woke, I knew the story had to do with a young woman traveling in Asia. Lena decides to deal drugs. I hated the idea. The world was so terrible, destructive, violent, and ugly, and I knew about two things related to doing drugs, and absolutely nothing about dealing. To write it seems like so much work. But I couldn’t let go of Lena. I woke from that dream with so much compassion for her. Finding out the why. I was decimated by sadness. I stopped writing for six months. Again, I was driven back to the work by my compulsion to tell Lena’s story.

How did you come up with the title?

Fascinating question. The novel had so many titles before I settled on As Far as You Can Go Before You Have to Come Back. That’s everyone’s story, dealing with whatever they’ve been given to deal with in this life.

From your book, who is your favorite character? Who is your least favorite character? Why?

My fave is Cho, the woman who is compassion wrapped in tough love and, well, greatness. She’s cool. Sensible, fashionable, accomplished, all because she looks the world straight in the eye and accepts all the bullshit with all the good. She runs the department store where Carlie works. When one of the white male employees sexually assaults a Japanese woman who also works there, Cho doesn’t question the young woman’s truth or try to get out of the consequences of addressing sex-u haru (Japanese for sexual harassment) in Japan in the late 1980s. Cho says, “Fire him. Yesterday.” Love that! (Even if I wrote it …)

No surprise, my least favorite character is one of the pedophiles raping Carlie. I probably don’t need to explain further. Strangely enough, I came to a great deal of compassion for the father character, also one of Carlie’s abusers. As I revised, I tried to work in an understanding of his actions even as they are not to be condoned. But I don’t go too far into the boo-hoos of a pedophile. Most of them can fuck right off. This is not a book about perpetrator coming to terms with the sexual trauma they cause. It’s a book about thriving despite it.

One last question, how has your novel done in the market?

I didn’t have huge commercial expectations for a first novel by an unknown author from a small press about surviving sexual abuse. So I was thrilled that the novel received the reviews it did, as well as eleven honors:

Nominated, 2024 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Book Award; Amazon: #1 on Literary Fiction (Kindle Unlimited);Amazon: #1 on Coming of Age (Kindle Unlimited); Amazon: #4 on Feminist Literary Criticism; First Place, 2023 PenCraft Book Award for Fiction: Adventure; First Place, 2022 International Firebird Book Awards: Literary; First Place 2022 International Firebird Book Awards: Coming of Age; Second Place, 2022 International Firebird Book Awards: Women’s Issues; First Place, The 2022 National League of American Pen Women’s Mary Kennedy Eastham Flash Fiction Prize (for an excerpt); and First Finalist (for an excerpt); The 2020 Lascaux Prize.

I hope you enjoyed this interview, and I hope you check out her book. I found her to be captivating and refreshingly honest.

Check out some of the other interviews and articles on my Author Blog, located at www.jrlewisauthor.com and as always, thank you for following along on my writing journey. Until next time …

Links for Alle’s Book:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Far-Before-Have-Come-Back-ebook/dp/B0BVW7YCYT/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9J5W8A05ZK0N&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fHvTsb33jPdJNhJR1rb9T4sDqGQa8nF0qyF4IwAJwg6UZ_k7wPIxPyuT_6jPkABO9xlU-0jDI0RVcOjukcM53zD01JL7tvvp5OTm8Il-grIZ8RniZ4Mv8vSniDJpkIoQ.wEgISXHMkgchL4Ee6J-m8LJwEwDZe6Igp1QT7_gOo0o&dib_tag=se&keywords=as+far+as+you+can+go+before+you+have+to+come+back&qid=1719444936&sprefix=%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-1

B & N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/as-far-as-you-can-go-before-you-have-to-come-back-alle-c-hall/1143031125