Elena Hartwell's Blog, page 80
June 1, 2016
Fellow ITW Author and Thriller Writer Robert Rapoza
Robert Rapoza is the author of THE VILCABAMBA PROPHECY, a 2015 Adventure Writers Competition Semi-Finalist, was released on April 10, 2016, by Ravenswood Publishing. The Vilcabamba Prophecy, an action packed thriller set in the Peruvian jungles, is the first adventure of archaeologist Nick Randall and his daughter Samantha Randall.
Click here for a sample of The Vilcabamba Prophecy.
His second thriller, OPERATION ICE HAMMER, continues to follow Nick’s exploits as he is joined by his son Johnathan. This recently completed work finds Nick and John searching for clues that lead them from the sunny Bahama Islands to the frigid Antarctic continent.
Click here for a sample of Operation Ice Hammer.
Robert is currently completing the third book in the series, THE DEVIL'S HEART.
Born and raised in Southern California, when not writing novels, he enjoys hanging out with his wife Holly, daughter Heather, son Ryan and dog Bandit. He and his family enjoy the outdoors, taking bike rides along the beach and camping along the California coast.
A die hard Red Sox and Patriots fan, when not watching sports, he also enjoys coaching his son Ryan, a pitcher and 1st baseman.
A member of the Southern California Writers Association he was recently selected to the 2015-16 Debut Authors program of the International Thriller Writers Association and will be among several new authors featured at the Debut Author session at this July’s ThrillerFest in New York City.
The ideas for his novels are drawn from his interest in archeology and science and his love of adventure stories. Bob has always been drawn to these topics and is fascinated by the technology utilized by ancient civilizations. This interest has provided fertile ground for his entertaining books. History is rich with mysteries waiting to be solved and Bob enjoys asking questions about these mysteries and offering ideas about what they might mean.
To that end - I'll be asking Bob questions.Check back for my Q and A with this fellow ITW Debut Author.
Click here for a sample of The Vilcabamba Prophecy.
His second thriller, OPERATION ICE HAMMER, continues to follow Nick’s exploits as he is joined by his son Johnathan. This recently completed work finds Nick and John searching for clues that lead them from the sunny Bahama Islands to the frigid Antarctic continent.
Click here for a sample of Operation Ice Hammer.
Robert is currently completing the third book in the series, THE DEVIL'S HEART.
Born and raised in Southern California, when not writing novels, he enjoys hanging out with his wife Holly, daughter Heather, son Ryan and dog Bandit. He and his family enjoy the outdoors, taking bike rides along the beach and camping along the California coast.
A die hard Red Sox and Patriots fan, when not watching sports, he also enjoys coaching his son Ryan, a pitcher and 1st baseman.
A member of the Southern California Writers Association he was recently selected to the 2015-16 Debut Authors program of the International Thriller Writers Association and will be among several new authors featured at the Debut Author session at this July’s ThrillerFest in New York City.
The ideas for his novels are drawn from his interest in archeology and science and his love of adventure stories. Bob has always been drawn to these topics and is fascinated by the technology utilized by ancient civilizations. This interest has provided fertile ground for his entertaining books. History is rich with mysteries waiting to be solved and Bob enjoys asking questions about these mysteries and offering ideas about what they might mean.
To that end - I'll be asking Bob questions.Check back for my Q and A with this fellow ITW Debut Author.
May 24, 2016
Mystery does love company! Jack Remick, Robert J Ray, and Marilyn Bennett make the readings sing.
My first month as a published author continues to be full of epic events. After appearing at Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego, I feared everything else would be a let down.
But the readings at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park and King's Bookstore in Tacoma were amazing.
Two wonderful bookstores
If I've learned anything after twenty years in the theater, it's to surround myself with great people. I got to join Jack Remick and Robert J. Ray at Third Place Books for a reader's-theater style performance from each of our most recent books. (Well, my only book, the guys are very prolific).
The audience overflowed The Den, the wonderful staff found extra chairs, and we were off! So much fun to read with these two remarkable writers.
On May 22nd, I got to read with a longtime mentor, colleague, and friend, Marilyn Bennett. Our Friday rehearsal was approved by Herbert, one of the resident critics, so I knew we were ready to go.
Herbert the cat
We started with a monologue performed by Marilyn, then did two scenes from the book together, and ended with me, reading the opening of the novel.
Such a great audience! They stayed and asked questions, had a little bubbly, and I got to sign books. So pleased to be able to engage with readers and support a local, independent bookstore.
It's been an emotional couple of weeks. Fear, that no one would come or that people would come, then the reading would fail. Elation, as audiences arrived and the readings go well. Anxiety about whether or not people enjoy my book. As an artist, it's very hard to know how your work is experienced. We often downplay the compliments, thinking "they are just being nice," and obsess about the negatives, taking even a simple, offhand comment and spinning it into "they hate my work!" But the high from people laughing and applauding at the end of the readings helped allay the fear.
Which is good, because I'm hard at work on book two, and the confidence their responses gave me helps me leave my inner critic at the door.
Next up! The official launch party on Saturday May 28th at 2pm! Click here for information about the event.
But the readings at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park and King's Bookstore in Tacoma were amazing.
Two wonderful bookstores
If I've learned anything after twenty years in the theater, it's to surround myself with great people. I got to join Jack Remick and Robert J. Ray at Third Place Books for a reader's-theater style performance from each of our most recent books. (Well, my only book, the guys are very prolific).
The audience overflowed The Den, the wonderful staff found extra chairs, and we were off! So much fun to read with these two remarkable writers.
On May 22nd, I got to read with a longtime mentor, colleague, and friend, Marilyn Bennett. Our Friday rehearsal was approved by Herbert, one of the resident critics, so I knew we were ready to go.
Herbert the catWe started with a monologue performed by Marilyn, then did two scenes from the book together, and ended with me, reading the opening of the novel.
Such a great audience! They stayed and asked questions, had a little bubbly, and I got to sign books. So pleased to be able to engage with readers and support a local, independent bookstore.
It's been an emotional couple of weeks. Fear, that no one would come or that people would come, then the reading would fail. Elation, as audiences arrived and the readings go well. Anxiety about whether or not people enjoy my book. As an artist, it's very hard to know how your work is experienced. We often downplay the compliments, thinking "they are just being nice," and obsess about the negatives, taking even a simple, offhand comment and spinning it into "they hate my work!" But the high from people laughing and applauding at the end of the readings helped allay the fear.
Which is good, because I'm hard at work on book two, and the confidence their responses gave me helps me leave my inner critic at the door.
Next up! The official launch party on Saturday May 28th at 2pm! Click here for information about the event.
May 18, 2016
First Bookstore Event... the bar was set high!
The very first bookstore event I attended as a published author was on May 7th, for the Mysterious Galaxy's Birthday Bash. Located in my hometown of San Diego, Mysterious Galaxy celebrated their 23rd year as the premiere bookstore dedicated to a passion for books of “Martians, Murder, Magic and Mayhem.”Arriving early (theater people know arriving on time means you're late), I found the bookstore full of people and a writers' panel going full swing.
It was hard to believe in just a short time, I'd be up there too. Having taught at the university level for almost twenty years, I've done a lot of public speaking in my time. At writers conferences and writers workshops, I've stood in front of thousands of people. But this was the first time someone could hear me speak, and then be able to go and buy my novel. I'd waited a long time for this moment.
My panel included authors Kelley Armstrong, Daryl Wood Gerber, Kwei Quartey, and Gavin Scott. They had each written a number of books (Kelley Armstrong has almost 40 titles alone!). It felt humbling to be sitting next to these prolific, award winning authors.
Our panel went great. It was so fun to see the audience. Though I did wonder, would anyone buy my book?Regardless, it was a real kick to see my novel on the shelf.
The signing was equally amazing. I had decided no matter what happened, I was going to be happy just to be there. I ended up sitting at a table with Kelley. The line for her signature snaked around the bookshelves, people carrying stacks of her books, while my line was a wee bit thin. It was a delight to sign books for friends and family. I felt like a real "author." Then it happened. The moment I'd been hoping for. A person who didn't know me and did not have the last name Hartwell, came up to where I sat. She carried a book. My book. She asked me for an autograph. It was a moment I'll never forget. I'd arrived.
But where had I arrived? I knew it was just a single spot to stop for a moment on the author's road I'm traveling. But it was an important stopping place.
For the moment, I just sat back and enjoyed the view.
May 4, 2016
Spotlight on Mystery Author, Elena Hartwell ... Wait! That's me!
Elena Hartwell started her creative life working in the theater. She spent years as a playwright, director, producer, and basic Jane-of-all-trades.
Switching to fiction, she's pleased to have found a home for her Eddie Shoes Mystery Series with Coffeetown Press's mystery imprint Camel Press.
When she's not working away at her computer or teaching her amazing students at Bellevue College, she can be found hanging out with her husband and their horses, Chance and Jasper. Or relaxing in their home by the river with Polar the wonder dog.
My first month as a published author...
After interviewing published authors for several years now, it's very exciting to include myself on my own blog. My novel officially launched on April 15th with Camel Press.
The first two weeks after the launch have been a whirlwind.
As a longtime playwright and writing instructor, I've spent years leading classes and workshops, from dialogue for fiction writers to story structure to voice. This last weekend I got to have my book available in the bookstore at a conference for the very first time. I can't tell you how fabulous it was to see the pile get smaller and know that people I'd interacted with in my workshops were interested in my work.
I'm going to spend the month of May chronicling the adventures of a first time author. I'd love to answer any questions you might have as we go along - feel free to either leave them as a comment or email me at elenahartwell@gmail.com.
First up? Saturday May, 7th I'll be in San Diego for my very first book signing at an actual bookstore. Can't wait to join my fellow mystery writers to celebrate Mysterious Galaxy's 23rd birthday with book signings and cake. Mmmmmm.... cake.
Looking forward to sharing this exciting time with all of you!Elena
The first two weeks after the launch have been a whirlwind.
As a longtime playwright and writing instructor, I've spent years leading classes and workshops, from dialogue for fiction writers to story structure to voice. This last weekend I got to have my book available in the bookstore at a conference for the very first time. I can't tell you how fabulous it was to see the pile get smaller and know that people I'd interacted with in my workshops were interested in my work.
I'm going to spend the month of May chronicling the adventures of a first time author. I'd love to answer any questions you might have as we go along - feel free to either leave them as a comment or email me at elenahartwell@gmail.com.
First up? Saturday May, 7th I'll be in San Diego for my very first book signing at an actual bookstore. Can't wait to join my fellow mystery writers to celebrate Mysterious Galaxy's 23rd birthday with book signings and cake. Mmmmmm.... cake.
Looking forward to sharing this exciting time with all of you!Elena
April 15, 2016
A Conversation with Allen Eskens, Award Winning Mystery Author
Allen Eskens grew up in the wooded hills of Missouri and, after high school, migrated north to pursue his education. He acquired a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Minnesota, and a Juris Doctorate from Hamline University School of Law. He honed his creative writing skills in the M.F.A. program at Minnesota State University and took classes at the Iowa Summer Writing Festival and the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. THE LIFE WE BURY, Allen's debut offering, was named the Best Debut Novel of 2014 at the Left Coast Crime Conference, winning the Rosebud Award. The Life We Bury was named a finalist for the Edgar Award, the Thriller Award and the Anthony Award for Best First Novel. It was also named a finalist for the Barry Award for Best Paperback Original novel and the Minnesota Book Award for Best Genre Fiction.
THE GUISE OF ANOTHER, Allen's follow-up novel, tells the story of Max Rupert (one of the secondary characters from The Life We Bury) and his brother Alexander. Both are detectives with the Minneapolis Police Department and both get pulled into a dangerous cat-and-mouse hunt for the truth about a dead man with a secret past.
Allen Eskens shows us how to evoke emotions in our writing
The Interview - Part IIScroll down to read Part I
What's your writing process like? First, I do a thorough outline and there is no specific pattern for that as it is more daydreaming and jotting notes than it is actual writing. But when I sit down to write, I try to get 5000 words a week. I also think it is important to edit those 5000 words to make them sing as much as possible before moving on the next 5000 words. Once I have a first draft, I break the book into sections and revise. For example, in my next novel The Heavens MayFall , (due out on Oct. 4) I tell the story from the points of view of two co-protagonists (Max Rupert and Boady Sanden from The Life We Bury ). So in revision, I break the story into each character’s chapters and revise them individually to make sure that I am satisfied with the character arc of each. Then I put them together and revise the novel as a whole.
Character development is very important to you as a writer, and part of why your work is so engaging. What advice can you give writers to help them develop their characters into fully formed people with rich inner lives and backstory?I think character development is about making the character relatable to the reader. The more the reader can associate with the character, the more the reader will feel what the character is feeling. Give the character problems that the reader understands. Almost everyone understands loneliness or being in debt or anxiety over the future. The writer doesn’t need to make these central to the character, but when the character has to struggle with these problems, they become more real to the reader. Give the characters a past, even if it doesn’t all make it on to the page. I, as the author, know that past and it will influence the motivations and decisions of the character during the story.
What are you working on now?I am working on my fourth book (as of yet untitled). It is the last book in a three-book arc for Max Rupert and is all about Max seeking revenge—something that Max would have been incapable of doing at the beginning of the three-book arc. His character has moved from being a boy scout in TheGuise of Another to being a man who could contemplate a cold blooded execution in the final book of his journey.
Final Words of Wisdom: My final word of wisdom is “EVOKE”. I believe that being a writer is more than telling a story. I believe we writers should use our talents to evoke emotion in the reader through the telling of a story. From the very beginning of my outline process I ask myself: where is the personal story? What do I want the reader to feel as the story unfolds? Can I make it so that this story stays with them emotionally after the last chapter? That is really the hardest part about being a writer, and it is the most satisfying part when I hit the mark. A writer may not meet that goal every time or to the extent they hope for, but they should shoot for it every time.
What's your writing process like? First, I do a thorough outline and there is no specific pattern for that as it is more daydreaming and jotting notes than it is actual writing. But when I sit down to write, I try to get 5000 words a week. I also think it is important to edit those 5000 words to make them sing as much as possible before moving on the next 5000 words. Once I have a first draft, I break the book into sections and revise. For example, in my next novel The Heavens MayFall , (due out on Oct. 4) I tell the story from the points of view of two co-protagonists (Max Rupert and Boady Sanden from The Life We Bury ). So in revision, I break the story into each character’s chapters and revise them individually to make sure that I am satisfied with the character arc of each. Then I put them together and revise the novel as a whole.
Character development is very important to you as a writer, and part of why your work is so engaging. What advice can you give writers to help them develop their characters into fully formed people with rich inner lives and backstory?I think character development is about making the character relatable to the reader. The more the reader can associate with the character, the more the reader will feel what the character is feeling. Give the character problems that the reader understands. Almost everyone understands loneliness or being in debt or anxiety over the future. The writer doesn’t need to make these central to the character, but when the character has to struggle with these problems, they become more real to the reader. Give the characters a past, even if it doesn’t all make it on to the page. I, as the author, know that past and it will influence the motivations and decisions of the character during the story.
What are you working on now?I am working on my fourth book (as of yet untitled). It is the last book in a three-book arc for Max Rupert and is all about Max seeking revenge—something that Max would have been incapable of doing at the beginning of the three-book arc. His character has moved from being a boy scout in TheGuise of Another to being a man who could contemplate a cold blooded execution in the final book of his journey.
Final Words of Wisdom: My final word of wisdom is “EVOKE”. I believe that being a writer is more than telling a story. I believe we writers should use our talents to evoke emotion in the reader through the telling of a story. From the very beginning of my outline process I ask myself: where is the personal story? What do I want the reader to feel as the story unfolds? Can I make it so that this story stays with them emotionally after the last chapter? That is really the hardest part about being a writer, and it is the most satisfying part when I hit the mark. A writer may not meet that goal every time or to the extent they hope for, but they should shoot for it every time.
April 1, 2016
Allen Eskens, Award Winning Author of The Life We Bury...
Allen Eskens grew up in the wooded hills of Missouri and, after high school, migrated north to pursue his education. He acquired a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Minnesota, and a Juris Doctorate from Hamline University School of Law. He honed his creative writing skills in the M.F.A. program at Minnesota State University and took classes at the Iowa Summer Writing Festival and the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. THE LIFE WE BURY, Allen's debut offering, was named the Best Debut Novel of 2014 at the Left Coast Crime Conference, winning the Rosebud Award. The Life We Bury was named a finalist for the Edgar Award, the Thriller Award and the Anthony Award for Best First Novel. It was also named a finalist for the Barry Award for Best Paperback Original novel and the Minnesota Book Award for Best Genre Fiction.
THE GUISE OF ANOTHER, Allen's follow-up novel, tells the story of Max Rupert (one of the secondary characters from The Life We Bury) and his brother Alexander. Both are detectives with the Minneapolis Police Department and both get pulled into a dangerous cat-and-mouse hunt for the truth about a dead man with a secret past.
Award winning mystery writer, Allen Eskens: The Interview Part I
Your education as a writer started in Journalism then went on to graduate work at the Minnesota State University, the Iowa Summer Writing Festival, and The LoftWriting Center. How have those different experiences helped you forge your voice? Before studying creative writing, I already had a degree in journalism and had excelled in legal writing in getting my law degree. But I had to retrain myself when I endeavored to write creatively. Those other forms of writing focused on being direct, declarative and brief. Legal writing, especially, focused on tapping the intellectual and analytical centers of the brain. Creative writing, on the other hand, is all about emotion. I had to create a place in my head where I could let my creative side flourish. For example, as a legal writer I never used contractions. As a creative writer, I had to retrain myself that contractions were not only allowed, but essential. In retraining my brain, I found myself drawn to narrative voices that were as far from the formalistic writing of my past as I could find. Those voices inspired me to try to create an equally distinct narrative voice in my own work.How has your career as an attorney impacted you as a writer?As a writer of mysteries, my background as a criminal defense attorney is very important. I spend my days dissecting police investigations. I have to be as knowledgeable in investigative techniques as the police in order to do my job well. This dovetails well with my writing. I believe that readers are very sophisticated in ways police procedures and writers need to stay ahead of that curve.Your first novel, The Life We Bury, has been wildly successful, both in critical acclaim and commercial popularity. How did that early success impact you writing your second book?
I had my second novel, The Guise of Another , already written before The Life We Bury hit the bookstore shelves. All of my books have a slightly different feel to them because I want each story to stand on its own. That’s one of the reasons I have characters that cross from one novel to another, as opposed to a series. With that said, one of the lessons that I learned from the success of The Life We Bury is the importance of depth. I see the mystery aspect of the story as pulling the reader forward and the personal journey of the characters as pulling the reader deeper into the story. Readers enjoy the twists and turns of the mystery, but the part of the story that stays with them is the depth of the characters and their relationships.Check back April 15th for Part II
I had my second novel, The Guise of Another , already written before The Life We Bury hit the bookstore shelves. All of my books have a slightly different feel to them because I want each story to stand on its own. That’s one of the reasons I have characters that cross from one novel to another, as opposed to a series. With that said, one of the lessons that I learned from the success of The Life We Bury is the importance of depth. I see the mystery aspect of the story as pulling the reader forward and the personal journey of the characters as pulling the reader deeper into the story. Readers enjoy the twists and turns of the mystery, but the part of the story that stays with them is the depth of the characters and their relationships.Check back April 15th for Part II
March 1, 2016
March comes in like a lion... a Literary Lion. Bring on the Authors!
Jennifer Kincheloe grew up in California, playing on Ventura beaches, and spent her twenties running on the sand in Santa Barbara. She has a Masters degree in Public Health from Loma Linda University and a PhD in Health Services from UCLA, and adores developing complex statistical models. She was on the faculty at UCLA, where she spent 11 years conducting research to inform health policy. She loves Los Angeles, yoga, her writer’s group, and traveling off the beaten path in places like Ethiopia and Papua New Guinea. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, two children, dog, and cat. Currently, she is busy writing books two and three in the Anna Blanc detective series.
John A. Connell is the author of Ruins of War and SPOILS OF VICTORY, the first two books in the Mason Collins series. He was born in Atlanta, where he earned a BA in Anthropology, and has been a jazz pianist, a stock boy in a brassiere factory, a machinist, repairer of newspaper racks, and a printing-press operator. He has worked as a cameraman on films such as Jurassic Parkand Thelma & Louise and on TV shows including The Practiceand NYPD Blue. He now lives with his wife in Madrid, Spain, where he is at work on his third Mason Collins novel. Visit him online at johnconnellauthor.com.
www.BryanRobinsonOnline.com and
www.BryanRobinsonNovels.com
Author, psychotherapist, and Professor Emeritus at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has authored thirty nonfiction books, has been translated into thirteen languages, and has had articles in over one-hundred journals and magazines.Visit his websites for more information.
