Melissa Bowersock's Blog, page 9
May 20, 2017
Finding Your Voice
How do you know when you’ve found your true voice? I write multi-genre, and I discovered a long time ago that the genre, or the story itself, demands the voice. I write softer, more descriptively, when I write romance. I write more directly and tersely with an action/adventure. I also write more directly when my protagonist is male, and more effusively when my protagonist is female. Back in 2013, I wrote more extensively about changing voices here.But beyond the story suggesting a voice, how do you craft that voice? You do have choices, you know.TenseMost books (I would think 90% or more) use a past tense. He ran up the hill. Whether due to this majority usage or my own proclivity, I feel like past tense is a logical mode for telling a story. I believe most of us use it when we tell our own stories, like recounting our trip to the grocery story.“I was driving along, minding my own business, when this guy pulled out right in front of me …”To my mind, this is a natural way to tell a story, since we are recounting something that happened in the past. There are some, however, who choose to use a present tense. He runs up the hill. To tell you the truth, I have no idea why anyone would choose this method. I find it awkward and annoying. Perhaps these authors think the present tense lends an immediacy to their words or adds to the tension. Whenever I see it, the first thing I think of is a ten-year-old boy telling a whopper.“So I’m just sitting there, you know, doing the reading assignment, and this guy behind me jams the corner of his notebook into my back and I yell. The teacher doesn’t see it, so she gets all mad at me…”Just to round things out, there is, of course, future tense, but you hardly ever see He will run up the hill. Thank goodness.PersonFirst person means speaking from the narrator’s viewpoint. I ran up the hill. This establishes early on the single point of view for the entire story (unless your protagonist has ESP and can read minds). It’s a good device for delving into the emotional condition of your protagonist as it makes sense to describe and explain what s/he is thinking, feeling, planning. I used this in one of my books, and was happy enough with it, although it’s not what I use generally.Second person is less about speaking from and more about speaking to. You ran up the hill. I believe this would be an awkward choice for a book, since every time you wrote something like, “You heard a sound outside and went to the window to see what it was,” your reader might easily be thinking, “No, I didn’t.” I’ve never seen anyone use second person throughout a book, but I do see it sprinkled in here and there, and I think that’s a mistake. Most of us primarily use third person (he ran, she ran), but will sometimes drop in something like, “He’s what you would call a geek,” or, “There were more of them than you could shake a stick at.” In movies, this is called breaking the fourth wall. This is when the character in the movie turns and faces the camera and speaks directly to the audience. At this point, the story-telling is interrupted and the feeling changes abruptly. The viewer or reader is suddenly pulled into the story rather than watching/reading from the outside. It can be effective, but it can also be annoying. In the above examples, I would use, “He’s what most people would call a geek,” or “There were more of them than anyone could shake a stick at,” in order to maintain the third person tense throughout.Third person is what most of us use most of the time. He ran up the hill. This gives the author the ability to enter into the point of view of any of the characters at any time, providing more latitude to the story. That can, however, be overdone. If you’ve ever read a book where the point of view seems to change from one character to another paragraph by paragraph, the author is doing some serious head-hopping. As with any tool, this can be effective at times, but should be used in moderation. You don’t want your readers feeling like they’re watching a tennis match. See more about viewpoint basics and getting your PoVs right at each respective link.Beyond these two prominent aspects of voice, the nuances are up to you. Match your voice to the characters, the location, the time, the feeling of the story and you’re on your way.Originally published by Indies Unlimited on 11/4/2014.
May 3, 2017
Author Interview: Nancy Safford
Today I’m sitting down for a chat session with my friend Nancy Safford to talk about her new book. The book is called A Magdalene Awakens: Hidden Temple Secrets, and it’s quite a journey. Nancy, give us an overview of this very personal story.
NS: My journey began when I moved from the Northeast to the Southwest, to Sedona, AZ, aware my life was changing. Here I encountered, and learned, to navigate other realities as I stepped into shamanism. I soon became a “vortex” guide to help those wanting experiences in the famous energies of Sedona, before I was called to look into the deeper mysteries of my lost feminine self. Soon I was facilitating journeys, pilgrimages to southern France, to places where legacies of Mary Magdalene had long ago been left. I began making discoveries of hidden thing, secrets, I could identify through my other visions. Being able to step between worlds, I made, what feels to be, several valuable discoveries. After years of being silent about them, I feel that it is now time for them to be revealed, in my book.
MJB: Sounds like time, indeed. What was your intent on writing this book? Was it to simply record your own experiences or was it to share your insight with others? What were your hopes for what this book could become? And did it succeed?
NS: First, my intention in writing this book, was to reveal the secrets that I discovered hidden deep within an ancient temple in Southern France. But then I thought it might be important to tell my story, what I had to learn and experience along the way that would lead me to make my mystical discoveries. Yes, I believe my book has succeeded in accomplishing what I wanted.
MJB: I’m guessing this was quite a therapeutic journey, as well. Did you find that? Did the process of writing your story lead you to new discoveries?
NS: Well, yes, my journey led me to a place where I had to surrender and be vulnerable, a place no one wishes to stay long. This book helped me to see everything the way it was, record it, honor it, so I could then step out of it, knowing that I was complete with this part of my story.
MJB: I've found that writing very often does that; puts everything into perspective. What would you consider the most challenging aspect of writing a personal story like this?
NS: Getting all my emotions into it and being honest with myself.
MJB: I know you’ve got a lot of other interests. What else do you have going on?
NS: I continue to facilitate sacred journeys to southern France, or take private clients there, for those who want to explore the legacies of Mary Magdalene, the Knights Templar or the Cathars. Each wants to discover What feels real to them his or her truth. I also have private clients who come to Sedona for a retreat with me, I offer women’s circles and trainings, I do Shamanic healing work and teaching and I offer clairvoyant readings and past life regressions for people.
MJB: Are you working on any new books? Any other ideas in your head, or down on paper?
NS: Yes, I have another book. There is more to my story and more mysterious inner temple secrets to be revealed about the Rennes Le Chateau area of southern France, the same area that the “DaVinci Code” movie talks about.
MJB: And if people want to read more about you and your journey, how can they do that?
NS: Yes… check below
Amazon Author page
Webpage
April 30, 2017
Author Interview: Bob Brawley
Today I’m sitting down with my buddy Bob Brawley to talk about his fascinating new non-fiction book called Adopted by the Amish. The title is pretty self-explanatory, but Bob, why don’t you give us a summary of what the book is about?
BB: Adopted by the Amish is the true story about a young family’s pilgrimage from the modern world they knew into the highly restrictive, simplistic, sectarian world of the Old Order Amish. It is the story of a despondent and dispirited man, seeking to save his marriage from the free-fall that has left it in shambles, a man determined and committed to saving his marriage and reconnecting with God.
MJB: I think this is such a unique experience, especially in this day and age. What would you say were the main drivers that led you to try out such a different lifestyle? What was the draw, and what were you hoping that living in the Amish community could do for you?
BB: I joined the Old Order Amish seeking a better way of life for myself and my family. To reconnect with my faith, to take a step back in time when life was simple, uncomplicated and innocent, the way I remembered it was on my grandfather’s farm. This was my second marriage and I wanted, more than anything else in the world, to make it work. I thought that by removing myself and my family from the stressful world we knew we could re-discover life as it should be, the way it was meant to be, to find peace, harmony and happiness.
MJB: I think all of us can relate to looking for peace and happiness, especially in the turbulent world as it is today. Now, looking back on the experience from many years later, how do you feel about it? Was it worthwhile? What did you learn then that still resonates in your life now?
BB: I’ll be 73 next month, and as I grow older I find I spend more and more time reflecting on my life, my family, people I’ve met and things I would “do over” if I could. The thing I would not change, the thing that has had an ever-lasting impact on my life, is the special time I spent with the Old Order Amish. Even today, I find myself looking at the world through “Amish eyes,” remembering how simple and innocent the world was back then and how protected and secure I felt. I cherish the bonds I made with my Amish family and will forever hold dear the time I spent with these very special people, for that very brief moment in time.
MJB: It sounds like it was a very special time, and it's surely beneficial that you are able to keep it alive in your heart. What would you consider the most challenging aspect of writing a personal story like this?
BB: Peeling back the many layers of my memories of living with the Amish I relive the struggles and the good times we had, the wonderful people we met and loved, and the feeling we had of being a part of a close-knit family. I sometime find myself wishing I could turn away from this life and return to those days, to once again sit in a horse drawn buggy and hear the clop, clop, clop of hoofs on the dirt road, to see my Amish family’s faces, to hear their voices, to breathe in the smells of a farm. The thought of it makes my heart hurt.
MJB: Setting such highly emotional times down on paper is obviously a very difficult task, but you've done an admirable job of it. I’m curious about the evolution of the book. Did you imagine writing it down as you were living it? Or did the idea to write it down come later? How long after the fact did you start writing, and was it easy to access your memories?
BB: I have never thought of myself as a writer, and did not think about writing this story until five years ago. It’s not that I hadn’t thought of the Amish and the time I lived among them. I had... In fact, I have maintained communications with them to this day. Accessing my memories of those special days has never presented a problem. I think about them most every day.
MJB: In my mind, the fact that you never thought of writing it down just goes to show how deep and compelling the experience was. Maybe you didn't think of yourself as a writer, but this was a story that had to be told. Are you working on any new books? Any other ideas in your head, or down on paper?
BB: I’m currently working on a memoir, “His Mother’s Son,” the honest and intimate story of a boy’s personal experiences and anguish as he and his family move from state to state and city to city, pursuing his mother’s dream of becoming a singing star. He was a boy desperately trying to find inner courage, his own identity and self-respect.
MJB: Sounds like another very emotional remembrance. You'll have to keep us posted on the progress of that one, as well. Now, let’s have a little fun here. Tell us three things about you that most people don’t know and would be surprised to learn.
BB: I worked as a cowboy on a ranch in Mustang, Oklahoma. I was a boxer and trained with world-rated amateur and professional fighters: three of which fought for world championships. I’ve driven the Alaska Highway seven times, six of which when it was still gravel. I competed in drag racing for many years.
MJB: Obviously you are a multi-talented and multi-interested man! Thanks for sharing your story with us today, and if people want to find out more about you and your journey, how can they do that?
BB: I may be contacted by email: mailto:RobertL.Brawley@hotmail.com, or on Facebook at Bob Brawley.
BB: Adopted by the Amish is the true story about a young family’s pilgrimage from the modern world they knew into the highly restrictive, simplistic, sectarian world of the Old Order Amish. It is the story of a despondent and dispirited man, seeking to save his marriage from the free-fall that has left it in shambles, a man determined and committed to saving his marriage and reconnecting with God. MJB: I think this is such a unique experience, especially in this day and age. What would you say were the main drivers that led you to try out such a different lifestyle? What was the draw, and what were you hoping that living in the Amish community could do for you?
BB: I joined the Old Order Amish seeking a better way of life for myself and my family. To reconnect with my faith, to take a step back in time when life was simple, uncomplicated and innocent, the way I remembered it was on my grandfather’s farm. This was my second marriage and I wanted, more than anything else in the world, to make it work. I thought that by removing myself and my family from the stressful world we knew we could re-discover life as it should be, the way it was meant to be, to find peace, harmony and happiness.
MJB: I think all of us can relate to looking for peace and happiness, especially in the turbulent world as it is today. Now, looking back on the experience from many years later, how do you feel about it? Was it worthwhile? What did you learn then that still resonates in your life now?
BB: I’ll be 73 next month, and as I grow older I find I spend more and more time reflecting on my life, my family, people I’ve met and things I would “do over” if I could. The thing I would not change, the thing that has had an ever-lasting impact on my life, is the special time I spent with the Old Order Amish. Even today, I find myself looking at the world through “Amish eyes,” remembering how simple and innocent the world was back then and how protected and secure I felt. I cherish the bonds I made with my Amish family and will forever hold dear the time I spent with these very special people, for that very brief moment in time.
MJB: It sounds like it was a very special time, and it's surely beneficial that you are able to keep it alive in your heart. What would you consider the most challenging aspect of writing a personal story like this?
BB: Peeling back the many layers of my memories of living with the Amish I relive the struggles and the good times we had, the wonderful people we met and loved, and the feeling we had of being a part of a close-knit family. I sometime find myself wishing I could turn away from this life and return to those days, to once again sit in a horse drawn buggy and hear the clop, clop, clop of hoofs on the dirt road, to see my Amish family’s faces, to hear their voices, to breathe in the smells of a farm. The thought of it makes my heart hurt.
MJB: Setting such highly emotional times down on paper is obviously a very difficult task, but you've done an admirable job of it. I’m curious about the evolution of the book. Did you imagine writing it down as you were living it? Or did the idea to write it down come later? How long after the fact did you start writing, and was it easy to access your memories?
BB: I have never thought of myself as a writer, and did not think about writing this story until five years ago. It’s not that I hadn’t thought of the Amish and the time I lived among them. I had... In fact, I have maintained communications with them to this day. Accessing my memories of those special days has never presented a problem. I think about them most every day.
MJB: In my mind, the fact that you never thought of writing it down just goes to show how deep and compelling the experience was. Maybe you didn't think of yourself as a writer, but this was a story that had to be told. Are you working on any new books? Any other ideas in your head, or down on paper?
BB: I’m currently working on a memoir, “His Mother’s Son,” the honest and intimate story of a boy’s personal experiences and anguish as he and his family move from state to state and city to city, pursuing his mother’s dream of becoming a singing star. He was a boy desperately trying to find inner courage, his own identity and self-respect.
MJB: Sounds like another very emotional remembrance. You'll have to keep us posted on the progress of that one, as well. Now, let’s have a little fun here. Tell us three things about you that most people don’t know and would be surprised to learn.
BB: I worked as a cowboy on a ranch in Mustang, Oklahoma. I was a boxer and trained with world-rated amateur and professional fighters: three of which fought for world championships. I’ve driven the Alaska Highway seven times, six of which when it was still gravel. I competed in drag racing for many years.
MJB: Obviously you are a multi-talented and multi-interested man! Thanks for sharing your story with us today, and if people want to find out more about you and your journey, how can they do that?
BB: I may be contacted by email: mailto:RobertL.Brawley@hotmail.com, or on Facebook at Bob Brawley.
April 17, 2017
Family Stories: Leaving a Legacy of Words
Every family has them: stories of Great-Uncle Harold’s time in the trenches of WWI, Grampa’s side trip into bootlegging during Prohibition, Aunt Helen’s wanderlust that took her around the globe twice, Grandma’s ground-breaking work as the first female at Lockheed Aeronautics during WWII. These are the stories that may only get trotted out once a year or so, maybe at Christmas or the infrequent family reunion, but otherwise stay hidden away in shoeboxes at the back of closets or in the dimly-lit corners of an oldster’s mind.And very often, the story and its teller are, eventually, lost for all time. Why? Because the stories don’t get written down.There’s a Mandinka proverb that says every time an old person dies, it’s as if a library has burnt down.I was lucky. My dad wrote his autobiography over the last 20 years of his life. After he died, I converted the typed pages to digital, added family photos, and published his story. I didn’t care if I sold a single copy; I just wanted the book out there. Surprisingly, I have sold quite a few, but that’s not even the point. The point is, his story will never die. It lives on. And I can’t tell you what a treasure trove it is for my family.So a few years back on Veteran’s Day, I was thinking about my aunt who was an Army nurse during WWII and was taken prisoner by the Japanese in the Philippines. I had heard this much of the story all my life, but very few details. I began to do some research to see if I could find out more about it; hard to do, as she and all her generation are gone. I was shocked to find out that the Wisconsin Historical Society (she was from WI) had in their possession two scrapbooks that were created by my grandmother, filled to overflowing with letters, telegrams, news clippings, and photos of my aunt’s time in the service. It not only chronicled the events of her capture and imprisonment, it also told the story of my grandmother’s tireless efforts to find out information about her daughter and bring comfort in any way she could. It was a story of two women on opposite sides of the earth, each in their own way striving to push through extremely difficult times.And it was stuck in a drawer in a back room.I knew the story deserved to be told. And I knew I was the only one to do it. There are other writers in my family, but none that devote as much time to it as I do. So even though I’m a novelist by choice, it was time for me to write non-fiction.
I’m glad I did. Again, I didn’t care if the book sold at all; I just wanted the story out there. Surprisingly, it has touched a lot of people, won awards, was even featured in a TV documentary on Wisconsin’s military history. And it got me to thinking: how many stories are there like this, that never get told, that never see the light of day? A ton, I’m sure. And I think that most people believe publishing is way beyond their reach, but here’s the irony. It’s not. It’s fully accessible in our time. Okay, the writing part is never easy and that still has to be done, but the publishing? That’s a breeze. Using CreateSpace, you can do it for about $10, the cost of a proof book and shipping. Really, I mean it. Ten bucks. Indies Unlimited has more than enough information and tutorials in their archives to get you started.I would encourage anyone — EVERYone — who has family stories to write them down. Get them out there! I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised, as I was, how they can touch people well beyond the confines of your family. Because these are not just family stories.They are human stories.And they deserve to be told.Originally published by Indies Unlimited on 4/22/12.March 30, 2017
New Release: Skin Walk
What's better than a shiny new book? Nothing! I love releasing new books. I'm very happy to announce my latest book, Skin Walk. This is the second book in the Lacey Fitzpatrick and Sam Firecloud Mystery series. You may recall that Lacey is an ex-LAPD cop turned private investigator, and Sam is a half-Navajo medium who communicates with ghosts. Together they tackle some very spooky and exceptional mysteries. The first book, Ghost Walk, took place in Los Angeles, California, but in the new book, Lacey and Sam take on a very different situation.
Just to refresh your memory (or tantalize you, if you didn't read it yet), here's the story behind Ghost Walk:
Lacey Fitzpatrick is an ex-LAPD detective with an axe to grind. Tainted by the betrayal of her drug-dealing cop boyfriend, she’s on a quest to prove to herself—and the world—that she’s still a competent crime-fighter. In order to do that, she teams up with Sam Firecloud, a half-Navajo man who communicates with ghosts. With his talent and her research, they tackle troubling unsolved crimes, but their latest case is the toughest. They have to solve a murder—where no record of a murder even exists. Can Sam glean enough information from the victim’s ghost to unravel the mystery, and can Lacey convince the authorities that the murder actually happened?
And here's the story behind Skin Walk:
Lacey and Sam are on the job again. This time, the pair of investigators have been called out to the Navajo reservation to look into the suspicious death of Sam’s cousin. What they uncover leads them into a realm of the supernatural beyond anything Lacey ever imagined; her years on the LAPD did nothing to prepare her for dealing with witches and shapeshifters. With clues few and far between, can they determine who the murderer is before they themselves become the target of deadly curses and feral shapeshifter beasts?
And the best part? Both books are on sale right now for just 99 cents! Catch up with Sam and Lacey on their latest adventure, or get both books at a gonga deal if you're new to the series. Take a WALK on the ghostly side.
Oh, and stay tuned for the third book in the series, Star Walk.
Just to refresh your memory (or tantalize you, if you didn't read it yet), here's the story behind Ghost Walk:
Lacey Fitzpatrick is an ex-LAPD detective with an axe to grind. Tainted by the betrayal of her drug-dealing cop boyfriend, she’s on a quest to prove to herself—and the world—that she’s still a competent crime-fighter. In order to do that, she teams up with Sam Firecloud, a half-Navajo man who communicates with ghosts. With his talent and her research, they tackle troubling unsolved crimes, but their latest case is the toughest. They have to solve a murder—where no record of a murder even exists. Can Sam glean enough information from the victim’s ghost to unravel the mystery, and can Lacey convince the authorities that the murder actually happened?
And here's the story behind Skin Walk:
Lacey and Sam are on the job again. This time, the pair of investigators have been called out to the Navajo reservation to look into the suspicious death of Sam’s cousin. What they uncover leads them into a realm of the supernatural beyond anything Lacey ever imagined; her years on the LAPD did nothing to prepare her for dealing with witches and shapeshifters. With clues few and far between, can they determine who the murderer is before they themselves become the target of deadly curses and feral shapeshifter beasts?
And the best part? Both books are on sale right now for just 99 cents! Catch up with Sam and Lacey on their latest adventure, or get both books at a gonga deal if you're new to the series. Take a WALK on the ghostly side.
Oh, and stay tuned for the third book in the series, Star Walk.
March 21, 2017
Cover Reveal - Skin Walk
Coming Soon! My new book, Skin Walk, will be released soon, but until then, I wanted to share with you the cover. This is the second book in the Lacey Fitzpatrick and Sam Firecloud Mystery series. You may recall that Lacey is an ex-LAPD cop turned private investigator, and Sam is a half-Navajo medium who communicates with ghosts. Together they solve some very knotty mysteries. The first book, Ghost Walk, took place in Los Angeles, California, but in the new book, Lacey and Sam take on a very different situation.
Here's the blurb:
Lacey and Sam are on the job again. This time, the ex-cop and the Navajo medium have been called out to the Navajo reservation to investigate the suspicious death of Sam’s cousin. What they uncover leads them into a realm of the supernatural beyond anything Lacey ever imagined; her years on the LAPD did nothing to prepare her for dealing with witches and shapeshifters. With clues few and far between, can they determine who the murderer is before they themselves become the target of deadly curses and feral shapeshifter beasts?
Sound like fun? Stay tuned for the release date, and then... the third book in the series, Star Walk.
Here's the blurb:Lacey and Sam are on the job again. This time, the ex-cop and the Navajo medium have been called out to the Navajo reservation to investigate the suspicious death of Sam’s cousin. What they uncover leads them into a realm of the supernatural beyond anything Lacey ever imagined; her years on the LAPD did nothing to prepare her for dealing with witches and shapeshifters. With clues few and far between, can they determine who the murderer is before they themselves become the target of deadly curses and feral shapeshifter beasts?
Sound like fun? Stay tuned for the release date, and then... the third book in the series, Star Walk.
March 14, 2017
Travel Channel: The Dead Files
What does a Travel Channel series about ghosts have to do with writers--specifically this writer? It all began over a year ago when I got an e-mail from a gal at the Travel Channel, wanting to know if I'd be interested in being on a show called The Dead Files. It's a reality series about an ex-NY detective and a medium who investigate claims of haunted buildings. While she (the medium) walks the house and gets her impressions of the ghosts who linger there, he (the detective) does the research to find out who these people are and what their tie is to the house. This particular show was going to be investigating a supposedly haunted restaurant in the Sedona area, not far from where I live.
I've seen shows like this before, where experts often weigh in on unique phenomena or occurrences. While I hardly consider myself an expert on anything, I have noticed that many of these people are authors. When I expressed some trepidation about being an "expert" on anything in Sedona, I was told that they particularly like having authors on because authors "know how to tell a story."
Well, count me in.
We filmed the show just about a year ago. It took the better part of a morning and was a lot of fun. The crew were very organized, very professional, and knew how to get things done. I worked with Steve DiSchiavi, the investigator. While Amy did her mediumistic walk through the restaurant, Steve and I talked about the prior inhabitants of the area, primarily Native Americans and cavalry and their inevitable conflicts. Having just researched a time travel book about this very time and place, I was pretty familiar with the events.
We were originally told the episode would air last fall, but for whatever reason, schedules got juggled and now the show will air this Saturday night, March 18. There is an encore showing on March 19, all on the Travel Channel. I hope you'll tune in and see what we discovered about the haunted restaurant in Sedona.
And by the way, if any of this sounds familiar to my regular readers, it's because I "borrowed" the concept of the ex-cop working with a medium to solve mysteries for my Lacey Fitzpatrick and Sam Firecloud series. The first book, Ghost Walk, was released a couple of months ago. Book 2, Skin Walk, will be out soon, and Book 3, Star Walk is about half done. I'm very thankful to the Travel Channel and the people of The Dead Files for inspiring my latest creations.
Lacey Fitzpatrick is an ex-LAPD detective with an axe to grind. Tainted by the betrayal of her drug-dealing cop boyfriend, she’s on a quest to prove to herself—and the world—that she’s still a competent crime-fighter. In order to do that, she teams up with Sam Firecloud, a half-Navajo man who communicates with ghosts. With his talent and her research, they tackle troubling unsolved crimes, but their latest case is the toughest. They have to solve a murder—where no record of a murder even exists. Can Sam glean enough information from the victim’s ghost to unravel the mystery, and can Lacey convince the authorities that the murder actually happened?
I've seen shows like this before, where experts often weigh in on unique phenomena or occurrences. While I hardly consider myself an expert on anything, I have noticed that many of these people are authors. When I expressed some trepidation about being an "expert" on anything in Sedona, I was told that they particularly like having authors on because authors "know how to tell a story."
Well, count me in.We filmed the show just about a year ago. It took the better part of a morning and was a lot of fun. The crew were very organized, very professional, and knew how to get things done. I worked with Steve DiSchiavi, the investigator. While Amy did her mediumistic walk through the restaurant, Steve and I talked about the prior inhabitants of the area, primarily Native Americans and cavalry and their inevitable conflicts. Having just researched a time travel book about this very time and place, I was pretty familiar with the events.
We were originally told the episode would air last fall, but for whatever reason, schedules got juggled and now the show will air this Saturday night, March 18. There is an encore showing on March 19, all on the Travel Channel. I hope you'll tune in and see what we discovered about the haunted restaurant in Sedona.
And by the way, if any of this sounds familiar to my regular readers, it's because I "borrowed" the concept of the ex-cop working with a medium to solve mysteries for my Lacey Fitzpatrick and Sam Firecloud series. The first book, Ghost Walk, was released a couple of months ago. Book 2, Skin Walk, will be out soon, and Book 3, Star Walk is about half done. I'm very thankful to the Travel Channel and the people of The Dead Files for inspiring my latest creations.
Lacey Fitzpatrick is an ex-LAPD detective with an axe to grind. Tainted by the betrayal of her drug-dealing cop boyfriend, she’s on a quest to prove to herself—and the world—that she’s still a competent crime-fighter. In order to do that, she teams up with Sam Firecloud, a half-Navajo man who communicates with ghosts. With his talent and her research, they tackle troubling unsolved crimes, but their latest case is the toughest. They have to solve a murder—where no record of a murder even exists. Can Sam glean enough information from the victim’s ghost to unravel the mystery, and can Lacey convince the authorities that the murder actually happened?
March 4, 2017
Author Interview: Thom Stanley
Today I’m sitting down with my buddy Thom Stanley to talk about his two books. His books are, to say the least, unique. Although the two books are similar in tone, they are still very different even from each other. We’ll take them one by one.
Amazon says this about My Chupacabra Ate My Homework: A satirical and humorous look into all things paranormal. Through the years, there have been many questions that have gone unanswered regarding ghost, aliens, UFOs and other paranormal topics. This book attempts to answer some of those questions with a bent toward the light and humorous.
It looks to me like Thom has some serious explaining to do. So without further ado, we’ll get to it.
MJB: Thom, would you tell us first about My Chupacabra Ate My Homework? What the heck is a chupacabra, and what does it have to do with homework?
THOM: A chupacabra is literally Spanish for “goat sucker.” From Puerto Rico to the Americas, chupacabras have allegedly been responsible for animal mutilations, especially livestock. While scientists have yet to acknowledge its existence, witnesses have described the menacing beast as resembling a small bear on hind legs with spines protruding from its neck and back.
MJB: Hmm, I have a sneaking feeling that most teachers wouldn’t fall for this excuse from a student in class, but the kid might get an A for effort. How did you gather all this information on the paranormal?
THOM: For more than ten years, I research books and online paranormal sites to discover what people were asking and allegedly sighting.
MJB: So would you consider yourself an expert on these weird goings-on?
THOM: Absolutely not. First I believe there are no experts on any topic, as life is in constant flux. I find a question I appreciate for whatever reason and exaggerate the answer based on the nonsense of the question.
MJB: So you answer nonsense with exaggeration? Sounds reasonable. What do you think is the most amazing and unbelievable incident in your book?
THOM: People who claim to have been abducted by extraterrestrials, probed, and returned to tell their story fascinate me. I just don’t understand the human orifice fetish that life clearly more advanced than ours has.
MJB: Gee, when you put it that way… (*Hides DVDs of the X Files*) Okay, now tell us about Frankly Fanny By Herself: Questions that Could Not Be Answered By: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Oprah Winfrey, Ann Landers, Dear Abby, Dr. Ruth, Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, Yoda. Is the book longer than the title?
THOM: The title length is due to the vast number of revered consultants. People seem more apt to follow the advice of celebrities, some with and some without credentials, than to trust their own instincts or seek the help from a loved one or friend.
MJB: What was the impetus behind this book? Did you find the usual advice-givers were falling down on the job?
THOM: The usual advice givers are no more qualified than Frankly Fanny to advise people who have reached out to outside influences to solve their problems. The intent of these answers is to offer comic relief to what seem to be issues of concern.
MJB: What would you say is the weirdest question that you cover in your book?
THOM: I find questions from parents about the appropriate time to talk with their children about the things their parents never talked with them about to be most perplexing. The simple answer is that you will always be too late to tell your kids what they already know about sex.
MJB: I think you’re right about that. That’s a conversation that everyone seems to want to avoid for as long as possible, and by the time they get around to it, it’s almost obsolete. Maybe they could just hand the kid your book.
Obviously you gravitate toward the weird, the funny and the strangely useful. What are you working on now? What subjects do you have planned for the future?
THOM: I am compiling original horoscopes for my book: Astrology For The Weak, The World’s First and Only Multiple Choice Horoscopes. Again, a lengthy title, sorry. Also, I’m working on a book of what I believe are the world’s best quotes. My intent through these books is to offer people a respite from the trials and tribulations of daily life and the sorrow or pain it may bring.
MJB: Giving people an alternative to the stress and teeth-gnashing of our complex society? That’s commendable. I think we all need a break from that once in a while. If people want to find out more, how can they find you?
THOM: I’m on Facebook, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Still working on website, but other works available at SedonaExcentric.com.
Amazon says this about My Chupacabra Ate My Homework: A satirical and humorous look into all things paranormal. Through the years, there have been many questions that have gone unanswered regarding ghost, aliens, UFOs and other paranormal topics. This book attempts to answer some of those questions with a bent toward the light and humorous.It looks to me like Thom has some serious explaining to do. So without further ado, we’ll get to it.
MJB: Thom, would you tell us first about My Chupacabra Ate My Homework? What the heck is a chupacabra, and what does it have to do with homework?
THOM: A chupacabra is literally Spanish for “goat sucker.” From Puerto Rico to the Americas, chupacabras have allegedly been responsible for animal mutilations, especially livestock. While scientists have yet to acknowledge its existence, witnesses have described the menacing beast as resembling a small bear on hind legs with spines protruding from its neck and back.
MJB: Hmm, I have a sneaking feeling that most teachers wouldn’t fall for this excuse from a student in class, but the kid might get an A for effort. How did you gather all this information on the paranormal?
THOM: For more than ten years, I research books and online paranormal sites to discover what people were asking and allegedly sighting.
MJB: So would you consider yourself an expert on these weird goings-on?
THOM: Absolutely not. First I believe there are no experts on any topic, as life is in constant flux. I find a question I appreciate for whatever reason and exaggerate the answer based on the nonsense of the question.
MJB: So you answer nonsense with exaggeration? Sounds reasonable. What do you think is the most amazing and unbelievable incident in your book?
THOM: People who claim to have been abducted by extraterrestrials, probed, and returned to tell their story fascinate me. I just don’t understand the human orifice fetish that life clearly more advanced than ours has.
MJB: Gee, when you put it that way… (*Hides DVDs of the X Files*) Okay, now tell us about Frankly Fanny By Herself: Questions that Could Not Be Answered By: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Oprah Winfrey, Ann Landers, Dear Abby, Dr. Ruth, Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, Yoda. Is the book longer than the title?
THOM: The title length is due to the vast number of revered consultants. People seem more apt to follow the advice of celebrities, some with and some without credentials, than to trust their own instincts or seek the help from a loved one or friend.
MJB: What was the impetus behind this book? Did you find the usual advice-givers were falling down on the job?
THOM: The usual advice givers are no more qualified than Frankly Fanny to advise people who have reached out to outside influences to solve their problems. The intent of these answers is to offer comic relief to what seem to be issues of concern.
MJB: What would you say is the weirdest question that you cover in your book?
THOM: I find questions from parents about the appropriate time to talk with their children about the things their parents never talked with them about to be most perplexing. The simple answer is that you will always be too late to tell your kids what they already know about sex.
MJB: I think you’re right about that. That’s a conversation that everyone seems to want to avoid for as long as possible, and by the time they get around to it, it’s almost obsolete. Maybe they could just hand the kid your book.
Obviously you gravitate toward the weird, the funny and the strangely useful. What are you working on now? What subjects do you have planned for the future?
THOM: I am compiling original horoscopes for my book: Astrology For The Weak, The World’s First and Only Multiple Choice Horoscopes. Again, a lengthy title, sorry. Also, I’m working on a book of what I believe are the world’s best quotes. My intent through these books is to offer people a respite from the trials and tribulations of daily life and the sorrow or pain it may bring.MJB: Giving people an alternative to the stress and teeth-gnashing of our complex society? That’s commendable. I think we all need a break from that once in a while. If people want to find out more, how can they find you?
THOM: I’m on Facebook, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Still working on website, but other works available at SedonaExcentric.com.
February 22, 2017
First Impressions Count — Big Time
So you’ve written the next Great American Novel and you’re ready to publish. Now you’re down to the silly details that try your patience. You have to choose your categories and then come up with a short description, almost every writer’s bane. How do you distill 600 pages down to six sentences? How do you convey all the passion and wisdom and inspiration of your story into one or two paragraphs?Careful. It’s tempting to throw down a few sentences and call it good.Don’t do it.In a recent discussion with other authors, we talked about errors in books both traditionally-published and self-published. It’s an age-old problem that we all face. We re-read, edit, re-read, edit, send out to beta-readers, re-read and edit again and still we miss something here or there. I am guessing it would be more difficult to find a book with absolutely zero errors than it would to find them with one or two if not more. I am actually wondering if there are any books out there without a single error. Maybe, but it’s doubtful. None of us like it, but it does seem to go with the territory. Doesn’t mean we don’t work hard to correct errors, but I don’t think any of us are going to commit hari-kari over it, either.However, there are two areas where errors are positively absolutely never forgivable. I’m talking about the cover and that description you just tossed up on Amazon.Spelling errors on covers are just the most inexcusable thing ever, so I don’t even think it requires a discussion. On the lighter side, here’s a web page with famous covers with one letter missing. Makes all the difference in the world, doesn’t it?But now back to that description. My friend author K.S. Brooks talked about how to write a good one, so I won’t rehash that here. But once you’ve got yours done, don’t just slap it up there. Look at it through a magnifying glass. Check each word. Seriously. Every word. Because this, along with your cover, is the first impression the prospective reader gets of your writing talent and style. If a reader sees an error in your description, what does that say to them? That you’re … lazy? Uneducated? Incompetent? Certainly not conscientious and thorough. Many readers will not — will not — buy a book that has a mistake in the description. If you’ve thrown that description up there with only a cursory glance and there’s a misspelling or a punctuation error there, you’ve just lost the opportunity for a sale not just once, but over and over and over. Is it really worth that five minutes of time you saved yourself? What good is writing that Great American Novel if readers can’t or won’t even get past the description?One last area to think about is the first chapter. This first bit is what the reader can access via the Look Inside feature, so it likewise needs to be top notch. The entire book, of course, should be as error-free as you can possibly make it, but especially these first impressions.As the old saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression.Make it a good one.Originally published by Indies Unlimited on October 21, 2014
February 9, 2017
Valentine's Day Sale!
In the mood for Valentine's Day? If not, I've got the solution. I'm putting all of my romance novels on sale for just 99 cents through February 19, 2017. I've got contemporary romances, historical romances, and a romance satire. Get 'em while they're hot!
Lightning Strikes
(Contemporary Romance)
Jessie Evans is a free-lance journalist, emphasis on the "free," with no plans to tie herself down. While researching a story in Flagstaff about Indian influences in Arizona, however, she encounters Lucas Shay, a smoldering paradox who is part Indian, part architect and all man. Whether igniting her temper with his arrogance or challenging her beliefs with his laser-like insight, Jessie can't deny that Lucas sets fire to her soul as well.
Remember Me
(Contemporary Romance)Elly Cole wakes up bruised and battered in a hospital-and has no idea who she is or how she got there. Her brooding giant of a husband informs her that she had been fleeing with her lover who was killed in the car accident that left her injured, that she is pregnant with that lover's child and that she has nowhere else to go but home-with him. Struggling against the threat of her husband's dangerous rage and jealousy, Elly strives to regain her memory and reconstruct the life she left behind, wondering how she could ever have loved this man who hates her.
Superstition Gold (Historical Romance)
Married and widowed within a 24-hour period, beautiful Leigh Banning watches as her storybook New Orleans life crumbles away piece by piece. In a heartbroken attempt to start over, she travels to the wilds of frontier Arizona in an effort to understand the father she never knew and is rewarded with gold from the legendary Lost Dutchman gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. The gold comes with a price tag, however—the murder of innocent people. Leigh’s quest for justice leads her to a remote Apache camp in the company of a proud Pima Indian and a handsome cavalry officer. Torn between the fiery kisses of the Major and the respectful love of the Pima, Leigh joins forces with the Apaches to battle gold-hungry killers and in the process discovers her true self and her one true love.
The Rare Breed (Historical Romance)
The daughter of a white woman and an Indian brave, Catherine Boudry had spent the first thirteen years of her life among the Cheyenne. Restored at last to her mother’s wealthy parents, Cathy blossomed into womanhood surrounded by all the “civilized” comforts of the white man’s world. But at the age of twenty, the lure of her Indian heritage drew her back to the western plains. It was a journey that would awaken her to the joy and agony of passion in the arms of two very different men—Jory, the virile young trapper, and Barred Owl, the Cheyenne brave to whom she had been pledged in marriage long ago.
And for something completely different, here is my satire of romance novels. Not for the faint of heart!
Love’s Savage Armpit by Amber Flame (Satire) (Originally published as The Pits of Passion)Young, nubile Elizabeth Montgomery is too beautiful for her own good. Accosted by lust-struck males every time she appears in public, she is profoundly grateful when sea captain Benjamin Elliott saves her from a would-be ravisher. Her gratitude, however, turns to shock when Elliott himself seduces her and ruins her chances for an honorable marriage. Sealed to the man in an arranged marriage, Elizabeth rides the surging tide of shock and denial, lust and love, as she is swept from the manicured gardens of England to the savage shores of Africa and the wilds of the New World, never quite sure which Captain Elliott is the man she loves. Caution--this over-the-top satire is NOT your mother's romance novel!
Lightning Strikes
(Contemporary Romance)
Jessie Evans is a free-lance journalist, emphasis on the "free," with no plans to tie herself down. While researching a story in Flagstaff about Indian influences in Arizona, however, she encounters Lucas Shay, a smoldering paradox who is part Indian, part architect and all man. Whether igniting her temper with his arrogance or challenging her beliefs with his laser-like insight, Jessie can't deny that Lucas sets fire to her soul as well.
Remember Me
(Contemporary Romance)Elly Cole wakes up bruised and battered in a hospital-and has no idea who she is or how she got there. Her brooding giant of a husband informs her that she had been fleeing with her lover who was killed in the car accident that left her injured, that she is pregnant with that lover's child and that she has nowhere else to go but home-with him. Struggling against the threat of her husband's dangerous rage and jealousy, Elly strives to regain her memory and reconstruct the life she left behind, wondering how she could ever have loved this man who hates her.Superstition Gold (Historical Romance)
Married and widowed within a 24-hour period, beautiful Leigh Banning watches as her storybook New Orleans life crumbles away piece by piece. In a heartbroken attempt to start over, she travels to the wilds of frontier Arizona in an effort to understand the father she never knew and is rewarded with gold from the legendary Lost Dutchman gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. The gold comes with a price tag, however—the murder of innocent people. Leigh’s quest for justice leads her to a remote Apache camp in the company of a proud Pima Indian and a handsome cavalry officer. Torn between the fiery kisses of the Major and the respectful love of the Pima, Leigh joins forces with the Apaches to battle gold-hungry killers and in the process discovers her true self and her one true love.The Rare Breed (Historical Romance)
The daughter of a white woman and an Indian brave, Catherine Boudry had spent the first thirteen years of her life among the Cheyenne. Restored at last to her mother’s wealthy parents, Cathy blossomed into womanhood surrounded by all the “civilized” comforts of the white man’s world. But at the age of twenty, the lure of her Indian heritage drew her back to the western plains. It was a journey that would awaken her to the joy and agony of passion in the arms of two very different men—Jory, the virile young trapper, and Barred Owl, the Cheyenne brave to whom she had been pledged in marriage long ago.And for something completely different, here is my satire of romance novels. Not for the faint of heart!
Love’s Savage Armpit by Amber Flame (Satire) (Originally published as The Pits of Passion)Young, nubile Elizabeth Montgomery is too beautiful for her own good. Accosted by lust-struck males every time she appears in public, she is profoundly grateful when sea captain Benjamin Elliott saves her from a would-be ravisher. Her gratitude, however, turns to shock when Elliott himself seduces her and ruins her chances for an honorable marriage. Sealed to the man in an arranged marriage, Elizabeth rides the surging tide of shock and denial, lust and love, as she is swept from the manicured gardens of England to the savage shores of Africa and the wilds of the New World, never quite sure which Captain Elliott is the man she loves. Caution--this over-the-top satire is NOT your mother's romance novel!
