Barrett's Blog, page 13

My Interview by Amy Dawson Robertson

http://amydawsonrobertson.com/

Author Amy Dawson Robertson ~ Interview

The 2010 GCLS was the first time I met Amy. I'd read her book and was gobsmacked! It was unlike any other. More importantly, Amy is a warm, genuine person who took time with a shy newbie. When I recently asked her to participate in a blog swap, she readily agreed and it's been a fun dual-interview. My half of the interview appears on her site: Amy Dawson Robertson.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. PLUS, you may win a copy of "Scapegoat" 
Without further ado….



JBM: And now for your question: what inspired you to write your first book?

ADR: I had been dabbling with writing for a long time. Mostly just abandoned paragraphs or openings. Then after 9/11, I got the idea for a story involving a heroic woman and started writing. That beginning eventually became Miles To Go and though it takes place prior to 9/11, I think it served as the outlet I was looking for.

JBM: And a terrific idea it was.

So, can you tell me What kind of relationship did/do you have with you main character?and How did it evolve and was it difficult or did it form easily?

ADR:  Writing Rennie can be tough sometimes because she isn't very wordy. She's very internal which means I have to figure out how to communicate her thoughts in an interesting way. Especially in the first book, there is a long section in the middle where she is on her own. I was really pleased by the feedback I got from readers — that they didn't have a problem with that long stretch of narrative. I really don't remember how I fleshed Rennie out — it's a decade now that I created her. My first draft of Miles To Go is a painful read — I was essentially learning how to write as I went. I think it was through the process of deep editing that she came to life.

JBM: Rennie's internal workings were intriguing to me because my protagonist, Zeke, is very similar. I really enjoyed the narrative and was amazed how fast it moved with so little dialogue. So, did you find that "Scapegoat" was easier or harder than M2G? and why?

ADR: M2G was hard in that it was my first and I really didn't know what I was doing. But aside from that it is a very straightforward and linear narrative. Scapegoat on the other hand has a more complex plot. I think that thrillers in general — and I expect you've found this to be so — are challenging to deal with because of the subterfuge and the twists and such. For me, it can sometimes feel like I can have way too many balls in the air. Otherwise, in many ways, Scapegoat was easier since I already had a well defined cast of characters in place.

JBM: Well your very first was a thrilling jump out of the gate. The pace of that book was amazing. I haven't started "Scapegoat" but can't wait until my edits are done so I can retreat to my reading chair for a month!

I guessing you are a meticulous "plotter" and researcher. Can you take us on a little tour of your process from how a story is born through its birth and development?

ADR: Thanks, I'm really glad you felt that way! Regarding plotting and researching: yes, I do a lot of research and really enjoy it. I've read things I never would have picked up before I started the Rennie series. Plotting on the other hand… Writing M2G and half of Scapegoat, I did essentially no outlining in advance. With M2G, since it wasn't particularly complex, that wasn't so bad, but once I was half way into Scapegoat I knew I had to stop, figure everything out and write myself a road map for the way forward. It convinced me, at least when writing thrillers or mysteries, to always plot in advance — it saves a world of trouble.

JBM: I agree, especially with a mystery. Somebody really needs to know "whodonnit" up front.

Let's try another area, if you will. Would you describe what you find most challenging about your own writing?

And then how did those challenges change once you were contracted for the first then second book? Essentially, how have you changed since becoming a "published author"?

ADR:  I think initially the biggest challenge was insecurity. Before you have the faith of an outside body that isn't a friend or family member, you don't always trust your own judgment (and, often, for good reason).  I think that remains my biggest challenge in large part. I've always thought it interesting that of all the arts, writing gets the most editorializing. When you think about painters or composers, I've never heard of the other arts having a sort of institutionalized system of editors weighing and having a fundamental impact on a work. I'm not saying it's a bad thing at all. I think most of us feel that we have benefited greatly from our editors — I know I have. But I do wonder why writers seem to need so much more hand holding than other "artists."

In regard to other challenges, I think that with each new book, there are always going to be new hurdles — at least I hope there will — since I like to try new things, look for new ways to impart information in an interesting way.

JBM: That's an interesting observation. It's true, painters, sculptors, musicians, all have seem to be able to express their vision without much input.  When a piece is "ready" to the artist's satisfaction–it goes out. The public can judge it or not.

Writers today ( and in the past) are dependent on the Publishers to act as the middlemen and they, in turn, employ even more layers. Gradually, I think, works are changed in subtle or enormous ways to  "sell".  Today some author's are eliminating the middle man, so we may see a change in  our work. Who knows.

If we were to look ahead ( following that model) how would you imagine the writing/publishing model to change "creatively"?  For example, would you change what or how you wrote if you had complete artistic freedom  and knew there was a market?

ADR: That's a good point about the saleability. When you think of art that is meant to sell to the masses, like pop music, the people who hold the purse strings tend to have the most control. And the product, for better or for worse, ends up the most fiddled with and with more fingers in the pot.

Your question is a really hard one. I find it impossible to envision complete artistic freedom. I mean, we have all been influenced by the market one way or another. There are those who create new narratives styles — I guess that is real artistic freedom. But that doesn't really appeal to me. I have never been interested in any literature that is particularly avant garde. I just like a good story. I suppose if editors let me have my way I would have a lot more exposition than I even do now. I'm not much of a believer in that classic Show, Don't Tell trope. I think effective telling can often be much more delicious than good showing.

                              ~~~~~~~~~

Thanks, Amy! this has been fun we should do it again.

Next Monday, I'll draw a name from those who post a comment or question, the winner will get a copy of Amy's newest release.

For more about Amy or to purchase her books:  http://www.bellabooks.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Scapegoat-Rennie-Intrigue-Dawson-Robertson/dp/159493262X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318445381&sr=8-1

Coming Soon to a Blog near You

Coming Monday…"The Interview"

…big time, fancy-ass author

…won an Alice B. certificate for new authors

…critically acclaimed writer

…very tall

…has a new book out

…swills beer on occasion… I'm told.

…writes with a red pen and dictates on her iPad

and may be one of the nicest people on the planet.

Just sayin'

stop by Monday, February 13th for a pre-Valentine's sweet.

it's time for another trip down memory lane…

 

In just about a month, the second book in the Damaged series will be released by Affinity. So in preparation, I'd like you to refresh your memory with a glowing crib sheet of book one..                      "Damaged in Service" 

http://rainbowreader.blogspot.com/2011/08/damaged-in-service-by-barrett.html

For anyone unfamiliar, it will provide a nice snapshot of the story along with some clever and amusing banter from the very talented Salem West- Reviewer Extraordinare.(and yes I was paid handsomely for this promo…NOT).

Also, I did promise some guest bloggers and that's in the works. I will also have my shiny new cover to show you. squeeeee

"Defying Gravity" is coming soon!

 

If only.

Had cir cumstances been different, instead of cyberspace notes…I might have been celebrating my Mother's 99th Birthday.
Eterna.

The Story of the Prequel, not to be confused with the popular Nyquil

For a little change of pace, I thought I'd tell a story. Probably that's not much of a change of pace but, let's give it try.

Lo, many years ago, before there was NaNoWriMo, before there were  thoughts of writing  lesbian fiction, even before my beloved Zeke and Anne; there was a story.

I was attending a medical meeting in Washington, DC, as I did every year. On this particular occasion I enjoyed a presentation by a pediatric otolaryngic allergist. (I know! But isn't it fun to say?) By the end of the conference, we had become friends and agreed to collaborate on a presentation for the following year. Through that process, we became lifelong friends—in fact, because of her I ended up moving to New Mexico. Another story for another day.

During one visit, and an excellent bottle of French wine, we started talking about the trials and tribulations we had each experienced in our medical careers and that led to a sort of revenge/retribution idea. The story of a surgical resident and a nurse who combined skills to solve a mystery.

The story incubated for months and soon I began to cobble together a few ideas about a plot with a nefarious megalomaniac Physician decapitating homeless people. I started writing out in longhand and eventually shared what I had with my Physician friend. She loved it and thought it would be a good idea if the surgical resident was killed. "what?!" I  completely resisted that idea, after all, how would the nurse solve the crime without her sidekick. Well that was 1990 something.

I tinkered with the story for years, adding scenes, more characters, more subplots until it began to look like a Cecil B DeMille epic. There were at least 20 characters—10 of which I considered major—with at least six secondary storylines. I am here to tell you this is one fascinating story. I asked a couple of friends to read it and I'm very grateful they did. However… they both returned the manuscript with some lovely notes and gentle comments but both bore identical glazed expressions. 128,000 plus words. (poor souls)

A cliff notes version of the as yet to be revised novel "Tattoo: Scenes From a Crime"

Super nurse Kate Ramsey (who lives with super cop, James Patrick O'Rourke–the tragic widower) is on duty at a suburban hospital emergency room when Pamela Mason (Chicago District Atty.) shows up with her husband in full cardiac arrest. He survives and the very grateful DA remembers the brilliant nurse and recruits her to work undercover at a Chicago teaching hospital where they believe a serial killer may be working. Coincidentally, another local hospital ER resident, Dr. Shayla Graham becomes good friends with Kate Ramsey until her rotation finishes and she goes back to the Chicago teaching hospital. (Spoiler: they get identical tattoos) The director of nursing, it turns out, is an old nursing school classmate of Kate's. Helen's partner, Louise, also works the hospital and is director of education.

Meanwhile, Chicago cops are pulling their hair out because of the string of unsolved murders. Several homeless men have turned up around the city minus their heads and hands. No motives, no violence, no clues. They all seem to have died of heart attacks. Frustrated with their lack of progress they request help from the FBI. Enter special agent extraordinaire, Zeke Cabot. She carefully insinuates herself into the sub community of the disenfranchised, blending and befriending them.

Through a series of convoluted side stories, Zeke,Shayla, Kate, Patrick, Helen, Louise, Dr. Ahmed Hussein and his minions, and the ever intriguing Detective Sween Forkbeard all become acquainted in a race to stop the killing.

Of course, once he's identified, the skeevy bad guy continues to wreak havoc on our heroes and escapes. For a while.

When the dust settled and I decided to let go of my murder mystery for a while. I longed for the simplicity of a two-character story and out of all of those pages and fascinating characters, the one that haunted me the most was Zeke Cabot.

I began to tell her story and found her a new nurse and now that story is growing. Zeke and Anne have met, bumped heads, bumped other things and developed a passionate attraction for one another. Sadly, Zeke's past keeps bumping into her and sucking her back into the drama of the case that never closes.

Book two of my Damaged Series will be released in mid march. Book three and four will follow as they are revised to the current storyline. I can't promise that that's the end, we'll just have to see.

At some point I will go back and work on the prequel to this series so that my readers (and thanks to each and every one of you) will understand the whole epic saga. Because now you know how much I love sagas!

and for those who may think I've forgotten, No. I have some wonderful guest bloggers lined up and you will be thrilled! I know I am.

A buffet…

We had a very unusual freezing foggy morning with some delicious photos –for your viewing pleasure. (double click each for the full effect)

So often I put up a blog and days later remember some pithy little item I've forgotten. So…today, a mish-mash of thoughts.

Last week I sent a shout out to those many folks who check in from sites around the world. What I forgot to mention was that "Damaged in Service" is available through Amazon sites in the UK, Germany, Italy,  and France. And of course through my publisher Affinity eBooks. Big thanks to all who have bought my scrappy little novel, sales have jumped the past two months…tell your friends!

The edits for "Defying Gravity" are a bit ahead of schedule and the cover is nearly done. March 2012 !!

The next Guest Blogger [clue: she has a major-huge-awesome new release]  is working on some questions and I have two… maybe three more in the pipeline. ( Remember, that means book giveaways…)

Tomorrow, January 17th, I will be adding a piece to the Babbling About Books Lesbian Appreciation Event. There have been some very interesting posts about the state of affairs in lesFic…no pun intended.

Next up for me will be a road trip to the "Lonestar LesFic Festival" 

The date for the Festival is Saturday, March 31, 2012.  The event will be at Nature's Treasures, a local women owned business in Austin, TX.  You can view the actual venue, "the Crystal Auditorium", by going to the community tab on their website: Nature's Treasure

After that a trip to the 8th Annual "Golden Crown Literary Society" in Minneapolis, MN. June 13-17. Readers, writers, publishers and FUN!

On the home front:
The snowy white wonderland of December has devolved into moderate temps and the treacherous high desert…MUD, leaving the dogs and I damp and untidy.
Does that mean Spring? …not so much. Today started with rain and now its baby hail…with thunder. ?
Good day to be in my nice warm house.

That's it for the mock-newsletter, enjoy! Stay warm and keep you *power* dry.

Barrett

damn, Skippy, it's 2012!

Well my patient readers—especially the growing number from countries around the world— I can't tell you how thrilling it is to see little dots pop up from countries all around the globe. The Internet is truly an 'amazement'. (love to hear from you)

You've indulged me as I blithered about any number of topics, not the least of which, were my adventure's in the Realm of Writing. Have I mentioned how much I love writing? Well I do. Allowing my imagination to set sail is pure joy. Revisions and editing force me into my left-brain, but are still wonderful learning experiences. But the creative process is wondrous and constantly changing. I am addicted to Word Smithing. LOVE-it

Even after spending hours revising and tweaking, when I sit back and just read the story, I still enjoy it. I love reading about these characters, who have become so real to me. They're like adopted family.

Okay, this is probably starting to sound a little crazy so I'll stop.

Today's blog is brought to you by the up and coming release of my next book, "Defying Gravity" which is the second book in the Damaged series. The first was "Damaged In Service".

Last month, my publisher, Affinity ebooks, NZ, Ltd. Offered a free download of chapter one for those of you impatient for the second book, which will be released March 1st 2012. In the meantime, I offer you another teaser that may act as an inducement for those of you have not yet read the first book, an excerpt.

~~~Excerpt Chapter Three  "Defying Gravity"

She waited for the elevator thinking about his suggestion. Of course, he couldn't understand. The sexual assault of FBI agents didn't occur on a regular basis. After pushing the button for the ground floor, Zeke pulled out the Post-it and read the name again. The idea of talking to another female agent who had experienced the same indignity might be a good idea.

Zeke was lucky that the midday traffic was light and she reached Dr. Nilsson's office on Michigan Avenue with five minutes to spare. When she arrived at the office, the waiting room was empty and Dr. Nilsson's door stood open.

"Hello?"

"Agent Cabot, please come in. I didn't expect to see you so soon. I thought you were enjoying some well deserved time off."

They each took a seat in one of the comfortable club chairs at a round coffee table. In the center, a teak tray held a carafe and several glasses. Natural light from several floor-to-ceiling panels provided plenty of light and the indirect recessed lights added a pleasant ambiance. Zeke tried to get comfortable—something she rarely did in any office. It was even truer when the subject of conversation would be her.

"I was, until I got the call of duty." She tried to laugh. "Actually, Agent Hartbrooke asked if I could come back to Chicago briefly to sort out some loose ends."

Dr. Nilsson was probably around sixty with silver-grey hair pulled back in a braid. She was tall, close to Zeke's height and slender. Zeke thought the pale skin and eyes were clearly Scandinavian features. The warm smile was disarming.

"I see." Dr. Nilsson folded her hands in her lap as she crossed her leg.

Zeke tried to relax.

"I wanted to come back, at least for a little while." She shifted in her chair and shoved her hands under her legs to keep from trembling. "There was … I had … I was attacked and, sexually assaulted." Fuck. I can't believe I just said that. She looked at the bookcase trying to avoid the doctor's gaze. Zeke sped through a very brief summary of the attack in the campground in the mountains and subsequent hospital treatment. "Mostly it was a lot of bruising and a broken nose."

"Was that what you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Well, yes. But there's something else." She cleared her throat. "I met someone when I arrived in New Mexico and she was with me that day.

"Our initial meeting was kind of an accident; then we bumped into each other on three separate occasions. The last time was when I fell off a hiking trail and she, well … she kind of rescued me. Because I injured my ankle, we ended up spending a fair amount of time together and developed a strong attraction to one another."

Thinking about Anne settled her. She shifted and crossed her legs. "The trip to Taos was our first weekend getaway together and it was wonderful. I never dreamt I could be so happy. Too happy, I got careless." The muscles in her abdomen tightened. "Two armed men caught us off guard. The attempted rape was unsuccessful, but ever since then, I feel … I haven't been the same."

"Can you tell me more about that?"

Her heart thudded against her ribs. She looked up into gentle blue eyes. Dr. Nilsson wore a concerned expression with their head tilted slightly to one side.  "I really care for this woman and we were just beginning to get close, intimate. But that, when we got back to her house, I got spooked. When she touches me now, even a simple like a hug feels constricting, like I can't get my breath and I don't understand it."

Zeke reached for the carafe and poured water into one of the glasses. She gulped it and put the glass down seeing a tell-tale tremor in her right hand.

"While I was working undercover here in Chicago, I was pretty closed off emotionally. I had to be. I didn't think I'd ever have normal sexual feelings again. When I met Anne, that's her name, feelings started to wake up but. It was exciting to find out that I could still be interested and aroused." A brief flicker of light went off in her head. In that instant, she relived the incredible bliss that she had when they made love for the first time. A momentary wave of peace washed over her. "In spite of the utter joy I experienced with her, I feel like I've lost my moorings. I can't seem to connect to solid ground. Do you know what I mean?"

"I think so, but go on."

Zeke rubbed her hand across to her eyes. Where are the words? "Sometimes when I'm in a conversation, especially about work, I have trouble staying focused and I can't feel the floor under my feet or the chair I'm sitting in. It's like floating, a little. Focus is difficult because I feel so spacey."

"Difficulty focusing is a very common symptom. From what you've described, Agent Cabot, your reaction seems fairly typical. Tell me, has your sleep been disturbed?"

"Not much more than it was when I left here, but some nights are better than others."

"How about your appetite?"

"That's improved some. Of course, the food is terrific out there. I just don't always think to eat."

"If you remember, when I saw you the last time, I suggested you try some medication for anxiety. I did that because I suspected your undercover assignment created acute post traumatic stress disorder. You realize a new incident would only compound that." She uncrossed her legs and leaned forward with her arms resting on her knees.

"PTSD is unpredictable at best. There may be times when you feel fine, and without any warning, you may notice mild symptoms, some anxiety, loss of focus, or a full-blown panic attack. There's no way to know what might trigger those symptoms. It might help to keep track of things that precipitate the symptoms." She spoke again softly. "As I said, your reaction is not unusual. It will take some time for you to begin to trust your feelings again but I think it will be easier now that you have someone you can trust. Of course, the best thing would be for you to be honest with her." Zeke struggled to stay in the chair and listen. Her heart was pounding and her mouth was dry. She tried to slow her breathing even as her hands trembled.

"Agent Cabot, did you hear what I said?"

"Yes ma'am."

"You're going to be all right. Medications and therapy have proven effective in most cases. I'll be happy to work with you while you're in Chicago. Exactly how long will you be here?"

"I hope to leave soon because my work is finished. I really don't want to be in Chicago for very long, it's difficult." Zeke heard her own voice slipping into the southern drawl she used whenever she was nervous.

Dr. Nilsson stood and walked over to a desk, and returned with a prescription pad. "I'm going to give you a prescription. This is for anxiety. I know you don't like to take medication, but I think this will help." She handed Zeke the prescription. "I would also like you to talk to somebody in Albuquerque. If you're willing, I have a friend who specializes in PTSD and I will e-mail you her name and phone number. This is not something you can do by yourself, do you understand?"

"I think so."

Zeke noticed the calm expression Dr. Nilsson initially wore had vanished, replaced by a worried look.

The doctor slid back in the chair and tented her fingers. "There's more isn't there?"

"Not really. I'll get the prescription filled. I'm sure you're right, it should help." Zeke could barely wait to escape the confines of Dr. Nilsson's office. They shook hands at the door and when it closed, Zeke slumped against the wall. Ragged breathing tore at her lungs and the pounding in her chest burned. Shit!

Stay tuned for more. Thank you all who have read and commented. Your words sustain me. And there are two more books to come. Meanwhile, you can find Book One as well as a free download of Chapter One of book two on the Affinity site. Book available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Happy 2012

Some good memories and a whole lot of gratitude

The past year has been quite a little roller-coaster ride… in my humble opinion. I'd like to briefly hit some of the high points to pave the way for the gratitude piece of our show.

After the requisite rejections, I sold my manuscript "Damaged in Service" to  Affinity eBooks, NZ, Ltd. In April, began the edits in May and released the E book in July.

A month later, the print version was available and nine days after that I was offered a contract for the remaining three books in the series along with a spectacular review. I also attended my first book signing which was scary and fun.

September locked me into the serious business of revising the second book in the series to be in line with the changes I made to the first book. I received some wonderful feedback from people who bought the book and enjoyed it. I was equally grateful for the suggestions I received.

October provided a most wonderful opportunity to do my first-ever reading alongside my wonderful Life Coach, Diane Gaidry and two wonderfully supportive writers who had encouraged me for the past year, Georgia Beers and Rachel Spangler. We were joined by  S. Alexander Smith and Laurie Salzler. Later in the month, I did a reading for "The Bar Rag"  Face Book show.

In November, while still doing revisions, and decided to go ahead and participate in my seventh annual NaNoWriMo.

The story idea was one that I had played with as collaboration with another author. Those two projects kept me at the computer all month. I also polished up the first chapter of the new book so that my publisher could post it as a free offering December 1st.

The frosting on the cake was a blog swap just after Thanksgiving with the celebrated author of "The Girls Club", Sally Bellerose. It was a first for both of us and turned out to be fun and successful.

The distractions meant that December has been a pedal to the metal race to complete one more pass through "Defying Gravity", the second book and the Damaged Series, which is set for release in March 2012. Yesterday, I sent the final version off to the publisher to begin edits. Once those are complete, I will start the major overhaul of book three, which promises to be much more of a thriller. But I did take a quick break to guest review Ruth Perkinson's "Piper's Someday" for The Rainbow Reader.

In January, I'll be doing another blog spot with another incredible (surprise) author…TBA.

As well as writing a piece for the "2012 Lesbian Fiction Appreciation Event at Babbling About Books, And More".  

In February, yet another fabulous author will swap blogs with me. (Can't wait!)

March 1st "Defying Gravity" should be ready for prime time. And at the end of the month, I will be traveling to Austin Texas, to present for "The Lone Star LesFic festival."  

So that's all the news that's fit to print.

I would like to close this year out by thanking everyone who has helped me attain my lofty dream. I sincerely appreciate every note, suggestion, and comment you have provided. It is with your continued support, I will improve my craft. When I started writing seriously five years ago, I had no thought of publishing and today my story has reached out to so many. It truly has been a dream come true. And for everyone who has asked, there are least four or five books in a holding pattern waiting for revisions and submission.

For 2012, I wish everyone love, health, happiness, peace and prosperity .

Holiday Greetings from Grousemoor Manor

 

 

(print borrowed from Alex Wolf with thanks)

 

Thanks to all who have supported my dreams this past year.

I wish each and every one of you a Joyful Holiday season

and Healthy  and wondrous 2011.

Barrett, Dalwhinnie and Princess Poppy