Jennifer Chase's Blog, page 72

Blog Author Interview — Wise Words

I was featured today on a wonderful book blog: Wise Words   This blog features authors in the spotlight, interviews, and guest posts.  It's all about books!

You can read my interview here: Author Jennifer Chase 

 

What Makes a Terrifying Villain?

Why serial killers? 

I've been asked this question many times about my thrillers.  Why write about serial killers?  The very words "serial killer" scares me.  It conjures up images of a madman wielding an ax coming after me in the dead of night and help is nowhere to be found.  Or, running out of gas on a deserted country road and the nearest town is twenty miles away and there's no signal for my cell phone… 

Seriously, images like this run through my mind as I begin to create a serial killer for any of my stories.  I have to dig deep into my own psyche to find what scares me most and incorporate that image and feeling onto the page of a thriller novel.

For Dead Game, I wanted to create a villain or serial killer that hunts for his unsuspecting victims because of the type of technology that they used and the video games they played.  I found that to be frightening.  We all feel safe when we're on the computer or using our cell phone. 

I wanted to leave that lingering question for readers… What if someone was watching or stalking me because of the technology I'm using?

What makes for a terrifying villain in a thriller?  For me, it's the unknown.  Fear is in the darkness, the loneliness, and the unfamiliar.  It's also the thought that there are people lurking out there searching for victims right now. 

Here's a brief excerpt of Samuel's psychopathic mind from Dead Game:

The mornings were easier to fight the uncontrollable urge to run and hide, not being seen by the enemy that was always lurking just out of view. 

The evenings were all together different and were the time that posed the impulse to torture and kill.  The menacing shadow that  relentlessly followed him during the day was finally resting and content with his dark thoughts. 

It was still only in the midmorning hours and the urges that possessed Samuel were real and immediate.  He hated the feeling of not being in control, or frightened about the prospect of being a potential victim himself. 

He tried to push the memories of his childhood from his unbalanced mind.  He was extremely poor growing up, but that wasn't by his choice.  His father drank and would wallow in his self-pity and then pump up his own ego by beating only Samuel, never his brothers or younger sister.  He was the family chosen victim and there was nothing he could do about it.  He suffered unspeakable savage beatings, broken bones, and numerous head injuries.  He finally gathered enough strength and ran away from home and joined the Army, he lied about his age and soon found himself deep in the jungles of the Vietnam War.

It was the only time in Samuel's life that he felt closeness to anyone.  He soon found that the group of men he spent every hour with had the same urges to kill that he did.  They developed a strong bond that connected them even today.  That bond could never be broken.

 

Photography Sunday — Big Sarge in Charge

Two of my favorite things is Sarge (my 14 month old black Labrador) and the beach.  The beach is a great place for me to unwind, breathe in fresh air to recharge my writing battery, and to watch my favorite Lab chase his favorite ball in and out of the waves.

Take some time out with your favorite buddy and enjoy your weekend.

Happy Father's Day to all those great dads out there!

Violence, Crime, and Psychopathic Offenders

Not all crime and violent acts are committed by psychopathic offenders.  Individuals with a variety of mental disorders and addictions commit even some of the most unspeakable crimes in our society today. 

One of the biggest challenges facing our criminal justice system is incarcerating violent offenders with substance addictions, personality disorders (including psychopaths), various types of brain damage, major affective disorders (such as mood disorders), and schizophrenia.  

We hear the modern buzzword "psychopath" in so many contexts that it seems to not have any meaning anymore and the definition often gets blurred when it comes to violent offenders.  Psychopaths are not out of touch with reality and do not experience delusions or hallucinations.  This type of psychopathic behavior is by choice and is freely exercised by these types of individuals. 

Psychopaths suffer emotional and interpersonal problems such as being superficial, egocentric, having shallow emotions, deceitful, and manipulative with a lack of empathy or remorse.  To add to their already antisocial lifestyle, they are social deviants who are impulsive with poor behavioral controls and generally have shown early childhood behavioral problems.  Psychopathy has been described as a type of syndrome with a cluster of related symptoms. 

Crime is often the next most logical step for a psychopath.  It is their "living for the moment" mentality along with the lack of remorse and empathy that makes them an almost prefect candidate to become a criminal.  For psychopathic violence in the cases of serial killers, we see them as cold-blooded and even causal about recounting their heinous actions.     

One of the most startling facts about psychopaths is that they aren't limited to criminal offenders and murders.  In fact, the psychopathic personality, for the most part, can be found manipulating their trade without murdering anyone.  Psychopaths are intermingled throughout society in all different professions: banking, politics, business, service, and even our neighbors. 

As for the criminal offender psychopath, the big question that plagues the mental health professionals as well as the criminal justice system is whether or not to treat or control these individuals.  It has been estimated according to Robert D. Hare, PhD that there are at least 2 million psychopaths living in the US and New York City has as many as 100,000 living among them.  The prison population is made up of approximately 20 percent psychopaths both male and female, and about 50 percent of violent crimes are committed by psychopaths.   

Who is really responsible for the treatment of psychopaths? 

There are so many complicated and multi-faced questions that surround this phenomenon.  What's the best avenue to address this issue?  Treatment or incarceration?  Or, both? 

Is there an increase in psychopaths among our society today?  And, what does the future bring for crime and these types of individuals?

What do you think we should do with psychopathic offenders – violent and nonviolent?  I would love to hear your comments.

Blog: www.authorjenniferchase.com/

Website: www.jenniferchase.vpweb.com/

Crime Watch Blog: www.emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/

Book & Crime Talk: www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase/

Books: Compulsion = Dead Game = Silent Partner = Screenwriting

Dozens Arrested on Child Pornography Charges in New York

To hear that anyone has been the victim of a violent crime is disturbing, but when the person involved is a child the horror of the situation is intensified.  These most innocent and vulnerable members of our society should be protected by the adults in their life, not exploited and abused.  However, in our technological age, those who wish to do harm to children are finding more ways to do so.

Twenty-six people in New York have been arrested for viewing and sharing images of child pornography, including videos of kids being raped and sexually assaulted.  There are apparently thousands of children who are seen victimized in the footage that was collected by authorities, ranging in age from only one year up through teenagers.  The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is now working to determine the identities and parents or guardians of these kids.

The men who have been arrested are both young adults and senior citizens, and some of them even work in environments in which children are frequently around.  It is frightening to face the reality of how many others continue to view this material without detection . . . at least for now.

It is difficult to understand the psychology of a person who enjoys watching the sexual abuse of anyone, but particularly young children.  And, there is at least just as much mystery to someone who would engage in these acts.  Forensic psychologists are so important in cases such as this one, both to locate and arrest other possible suspects and to engage the accused criminals in conversation in order to learn information that may be helpful in the case.

I have long been a student of criminal behavior and have incorporated my education into all three of my novels—Compulsion, Dead Game, and Silent Partner.  While I certainly still have more questions than answers, I hope that my background lends some credibility to the characters I create and the challenges that law enforcement faces in capturing them.

Random Dozen Quick Questions for Author Jennifer Chase

I'm often asked creative and fun questions as I move through my writing projects. Some questions are from my interviews or just curious folks I've met.  Either way, these questions make me smile or laugh.  Here are a few of my latest questions that I've received.

Chunky or smooth peanut butter?

I don't eat peanut butter very often, but I go with organic, chunky all the way.    

Dogs or cats?

I love animals, but I tend to enjoy the company more from big, rambunctious dogs.

Favorite ice cream flavor?

I absolutely LOVE ice cream.  It's one of my food pitfalls.  My favorite flavor is butter pecan and a close second is chocolate chip.

Paperback or ebook?

Paperback.  However, I enjoy my Amazon Kindle.

Stairs or elevator?

I take the stairs at every possibility, unless I'm wearing high heels or other uncomfortable shoes then an elevator is a relief.

Butter or margarine?

Butter.  I try to eat natural things from the source that aren't chemically altered in any way.

Coffee or tea?

Neither.  Am I weird or what?  There have been occasions that I drink hot or iced tea.  Coffee ick!

Rent a movie or go to a movie theater?

I mostly rent movies, then I can take a break whenever I want.  I've found that the noise and rude people at the movie theater frustrate me more as I get older.

What books are surrounding you on your desk right now?

Right at this moment, I have all three of my novels to help keep me inspired as I move forward onto my fourth book: Dark Mind: An Emily Stone Novel.  Also, I have Love You More by Lisa Gardner (ebook), Dead on Writing by Robert W. Walker (ebook), Blood & Water by John Walker (paperback), and Criminal Profiling by Brent Turvey (textbook).  Strange combo or what?         

To outline novels or not?

Outline.  I need a road map to explore all of my options including the dirt roads and off the beaten paths.

What annoys you the most?

Rude and mean people who want to take something from your hard work and success.  Life is too short for such negative energies.

What are your strongest qualities?

My drive and curiosity.  I would say that my curiosity about things pushes my drive, sometimes into overdrive.         

Following the Hectic Roadmap of Bloodstain Patterns

I find it absolutely fascinating how bloodstain patterns are interpreted and examined to help solve a crime.  This can answer so many questions on where the perpetrator was standing, how tall the perpetrator was, weapon used, and how the crime was committed.  Once you get past the "blood" part and really take an objective look at the patterns, it reveals a whole new perspective of what had transpired during the crime. 

The importance of blood spatter evidence can't be overestimated.  Notes and sketches always supplement the photographs of bloodstains.  It is noted the detailed description of the physical characteristics of the blood patterns, such as size, location, shape, distribution, and physical features.  There are other notations made on the actual color of the blood, reddish-brown or bloodlike.  Further, the blood is then classified into categories similar to how fingerprints get classified.   

There has been a new methodical technique for documenting bloodstain pattern as part of the crime scene analysis.  This technique allows for the complete documentation of bloodstain patterns.  It is essentially photo roadmap that tells the story.  Toby L. Wolson of the Miami-Dade Police Department's Crime Laboratory developed the roadmapping technique.

To properly document the bloodstain pattern roadmap:

1.                  Identify the patterns you want to document and photograph the patterns just as they appear.

2.                  Use yellow scales with tape or glue so that they surround the blood pattern both vertically and horizontally.

3.                  Label each separate blood pattern with an adhesive mapping symbol, such as A, B, C, etc.

4.                  Find the most important individual stains within each pattern and label with an adhesive scale, showing the impact pattern, directionality, and area of convergence.

5.                  You are ready to take your overall, medium distance, and close up photographs.

"All objects in the universe are unique."

I love this quote from Nickel & Fisher in their book Crime Science: Methods of Forensic Detection.  I think it definitely speaks for the roadmap of bloodstain pattern evidence.  

"No two things that happen by chance ever happen in exactly the same way.  No two things are ever constructed or manufactured in exactly the same way.  No two things wear in exactly the same way.  No two things ever break in exactly the same way."

 

Blog: www.authorjenniferchase.com/

Website: www.jenniferchase.vpweb.com/

Crime Watch Blog: www.emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/

Book & Crime Talk: www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase/

Books: Compulsion = Dead Game = Silent Partner = Screenwriting

Never-Ending Paperwork of Book Promotion

I've received many questions over the past year in regard to marketing a novel and the best way to go about it.  It's simple and complicated.  How's that for an answer?  No doubt the Internet has made it easier and more streamlined to market any product, but there is still a mountain of work to maintain on a regular basis.

Here are five basic questions and how I've approached marketing a novel.  You can be free from all the unnecessary paperwork and promotion by staying organized and on track.  Simply put, have a plan.  Keep things as simple as you can, but keep moving forward.  

1.      When should you begin marketing a novel?  Before or after you've written the book?

You should begin marketing the novel before you've finished the book and before publication.  You begin to lay the foundation by gently easing into it.  Once you know what your book is going to be about (fiction or nonfiction), you can begin to write articles, set up a blog and/or website, and begin to create a buzz about your book.  Book blog sites are fantastic to help create a buzz about you and your book.  Your intended audience will be looking forward to the new release of your book. 

2.      How much time should I spend marketing and promoting every week?

The best way to gage how much time to spend is to figure out what it is you want to do with your novel in a realistic manner.  How much time can you actually spend?  Can you stick to it week after week?  Generally, you should spend a little bit of time each day or every other day.  If you wait for once a week, you'll find that it will overwhelm and consume you.  Start with a solid list of what you want to accomplish for the week.  For example, a good rule of thumb is to spend a minimum of an hour a day.  This would include updating social networks, posting a blog article, networking with other writers, sending out emails or mailing lists, researching websites, etc.  Realistically, it's closer to two to three hours a day.

3.      What are some of the ways to promote a book?

Promoting a book requires a combination of efforts and there is no simple recipe.  I would recommend for new authors to have an active blog (minimum 3 articles a week) as well as a simple website.  Keep these sites updated on a regular basis and interesting because you will always have new visitors stopping by.  The social networking capabilities out there is extremely effective with Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn and writer/reader specific sites such as Goodreads, AuthorsDen, CrimeSpace and Shelfari.  Make sure you network your blog with all the blog related sites: blogger.com, blog catalog, networked blogs, etc.  And, always take the opportunity to promote yourself and book through local venues such as book signings, interviews, artist events, businesses specific grand openings, flea markets, book giveaways and any type of author appearances.   

4.      How long should I spend on a promotional idea if my marketing isn't working?

Keep in mind, nothing happens overnight.  Things do start out slowly and begins to gain momentum.  Don't be discouraged when you first begin if not much is happening and you're selling only a few books.  The key is to have several marketing outlets and let them simmer for a while.  Objectively look at each area and see what's working and what isn't.  If something isn't working, cross it off your list and keep moving forward.  Keep the idea in your marketing notes because at a later time it might prove to be useful.  Consistency.  Drive.  Tenacity.   

5.      Should I hire a marketing manager?

This is a personal decision.  It is based on what kind of budget you have available and what you're willing to do yourself.  I personally feel that you should be actively involved in your marketing and promotion regardless if you hire someone to help you.  You can do this all by yourself!  If not, pick a dollar amount that you can live with on a monthly basis.  Don't get overwhelmed or hustled if you spend more money, you'll get even better results.  That's not true.  You need a solid, workable plan and you need to active every day/week without fail.  It's not impossible to market and promote a book by yourself, but beware that you will have quite a workload and need to do your homework. 

The best advice I can give is to look at ALL your options and don't be too quick to make a choice.  Don't' rush into something!  People and companies MAY NOT be what they seem.  I've learned the hard way of a mistake I made, but it doesn't have to derail you.

* * *

Talk to writers, authors, bloggers, promotional specialists and publishers.  Make a plan before you jump out there, you'll be more satisfied with the results.      

 

Dogs Enter the Courtroom to Comfort Distraught Victims

I am the last one who you need to convince about the therapeutic power of dogs.  I think they are wonderful comforters, counselors, and friends who know just when to offer a soft nuzzle or head on your lap.  Those of you how know me or visit this blog regularly know the connection I feel to dogs and all animals.  So, I loved reading an article on MSNBC's website this week that featured the use of dogs in courtrooms as a way to calm traumatized witnesses.

The story focused on a fifteen-year-old girl who was terrified to testify against the man who had been sexually abusing her for the past four years.  The court allowed for a golden retriever named Rosie to sit by the girl's side, largely unseen by jurors, to offer a head to pet when the girl would otherwise have been too afraid to speak.  While this case occurred in New York, the idea of allowing dogs in court for this purpose is gaining in popularity with jurisdictions across the country employing the tactic. 

Rose was well-trained in easing the fears and anxieties of children, as she works at six alternative schools near New York City with children who have emotional, behavioral, and learning problems. 

Defense attorneys have raised the argument that these dogs can make the victims appear more sympathetic to jurors, but their objections have fallen mostly on deaf ears.  In the case of Rose, the attorney noted that there is no law in New York allowing the dog to be in the court and he plans to appeal if his client is found guilty.

What do you think of allowing dogs in the court to comfort those taking the stand?  Is this a great therapy tool or a move that creates unfair bias towards the victim?  Share your thoughts!

Applying Reliable Techniques & Methods for Crime Scene Reconstruction

My tough and driven heroine, Emily Stone, from my two novels (Compulsion, Dead Game) uses her innate skills and abilities to try to reconstruct the crime scene in order to track down serial killers and child abductors.  The difference in her procedure at crime scenes is that most of law enforcement doesn't know it's a crime scene yet.  She carefully backtracks, profiles the suspect, and eventually uncovers evidence that leads to the killer.  She must reconstruct the crime scene to gather all the evidence anonymously for law enforcement.

Crime scene reconstruction is basically like a big life-size jigsaw puzzle and every crime scene is different from the last.  Of course the most important question is "how" was the crime committed.

The investigator or profiler must observe all the events and related clues to determine if anything can be learned from each of these observations.  Propose alternative explanation for the events that have taken place.  The investigator then can eliminate anything that doesn't have the unbiased analytical logic and critical thinking. 

There are basic roles of evidence that assists with reconstruction classifications. 

Sequential

This evidence helps to establish when an event occurred, such as footprint over a tire track or blood stains under the glass of a broken window.

Directional

This evidence shows where something was going, such as the direction of footprints or tire tracks.

Locational or Positional

This evidence shows where something has happened, such as single fingerprints on the inside of a passenger car window or liver mortis that has settled in the lower portion of the deceased body.

Action

This evidence helps to define anything that has happened during the commission of a specific crime, such as gunshot wounds or a broken window or door. 

Contact

This evidence can demonstrate whether two people or objects were at one point, such as trace evidence (hair, fiber, soil) transferred from object to person or vice versa.

Ownership

This evidence assists the investigator in answering the question of "who", such as written signatures or email.

Associative

This evidence is generally in the form of trace evidence that can be identified, such as a bloody footprint or fibers found on a body.

Limiting

This type of evidence can be extremely important and can establish if there are secondary crime scenes, such as a deceased victim without a wallet or jewelry.

Inferential

This evidence is based in the investigator's inference that the crime occurred, but evidence hasn't been actually found.

Temporal

This evidence refers to the passage of time in relevance to the actual commission of the crime, such as a broken clock or body temperature.

Psychological

This is referred to as motivational evidence, when a perpetrator must satisfy a personal need or motivation for committing the crime.

* * *

When an investigator or the fictional character of Emily Stone first sees a potential crime scene, there are many things to consider that will eventually lead to the suspect and to solving the crime. 

 

Blog: www.authorjenniferchase.com/

Website: www.jenniferchase.vpweb.com/

Crime Watch Blog: www.emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/

Book & Crime Talk: www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase/

Books: Compulsion = Dead Game = Silent Partner = Screenwriting