Beth Groundwater's Blog, page 14

More Book Signings and More Photos!!

I'm continuing to promote Fatal Descent , the third book in my RM Outdoor Adventures series that was released to good reviews on June 8th. I've got two more book signings coming up in the next week. If you are in the area, I hope you'll join me at one of these events:


Sunday, June 30, 2013, 10 AM – noon
Signing at the Murder By the Book booth
South Pearl Street Farmers Market
1500 block of South Pearl Street, Denver, CO 80209

Thursday, July 4, 2013, 11 AM – 1 PM
Signing at The French Kiss after the parade
226 South Main Street
Breckenridge, CO 80424

And here are some photos from my recent signings in the Colorado Springs area last weekend for the book. I was too busy at my Monument, Colorado, signing at Covered Treasures Bookstore during their monthly Art Walk to take any photos. That was a very successful event! The first photo below is from my signing at Black Cat Books during Manitou Springs's Art Walk event. I'm with store owner Natalie Johnson.


The next photo is from my signing at the Barnes and Noble Booksellers store near the Citadel Mall in Colorado Springs. I like how readers Linda and Don Miles happened to wear clothing with colors matching mine--and the book covers for Fatal Descent and Deadly Currents!

Today's Mystery Author Guest: Marilyn Levinson

As promised yesterday, fellow mystery author Marilyn Levinson is visiting my blog today. To read her bio and see her photo, please page down to yesterday's post.The cover art of her latest mystery release, Giving Up the Ghost , appears above.

In the book, Gabbie Meyerson moves to the sleepy town of Chrissom Harbor, Long Island, after her divorce to teach English at the local high school. She settles into her rental cottage above the Long Island Sound and discovers she has a housemate--the ghost of Cameron Leeds, who used to live in the cottage. Cam insists his death was no accident and implores Gabbie to find out who murdered him eight months ago. After she recovers from her initial shock, Gabbie agrees to investigate.

Sounds like a fascinating read to me! Below are Marilyn's answers to my interview questions.


1. Who or what inspired you to start writing and when did you start?

As soon as I learned how to read in first grade, I began to read voraciously. I think all the Nancy Drews, Cherry Ames and other books I devoured inspired me to write rather than any one person or author. I started writing short stories in the third grade. In fact, I still have the spiral notebook with those stories.

2. What tools and process do you use to “get to know” your characters before and while you’re writing the books?

I get to know my characters as I write. Rather than compile a list of their favorite colors, sports, history, etc. I get to know them through their actions, how they respond to situations, relate to other characters, and deal with problems. This is probably why I count on a writer friend and critique partner to point out where my novel should begin. I need to write about the situation and my characters, even if I know those pages will be cut.

3. How do you construct your plots? Do you outline or do you write “by the seat of your pants”?

I start out with an outline. When writing a mystery, I like to know the setting, the victims, and the murderer. I find that’s important in order to insert red herrings, clues, incidents and reveal secrets along the way. But writing strictly from an outline is boring. Where’s the fun? The surprise? As if my characters would allow me to write strictly from an outline! New plot twists and complications come to mind as the story unfolds. The trick is to stay on target and not let these side trips deviate too much from the main plot.

4. In the age-old question of character versus plot, which one do you think is most important in a murder mystery and which one do you emphasize in your writing? Why?

My characters are dear to me, especially my sleuths. And especially when they’re featured in a series. I see them as fully-developed, three-dimensional people. Newly-widowed Lydia Krause, my sleuth in A Murderer Among Us, has recently retired and is starting a new life in an over-55 gated community. As she goes about solving the murders in Twin Lakes, she must also deal with her grown daughters’ problems. In Murder in the Air, Lydia’s sleuthing puts her at odds with her lover, Detective Sol Molina.

Lexie Driscoll, the sleuth in my soon-to-be-released mystery, Murder a la Christie, is a free spirit who finds herself out of her element housesitting in the upscale village of Old Cadfield. She employs Miss Marple’s knowledge of human nature and Hercule Poirot’s cunning to solve the murders of her book club members. I think readers remember our characters better than they remember our plots. But a mystery’s plot is the motor that drives the story. Since I write traditional mysteries, I’d say my books are 60-40, with the larger percentage devoted to character development and interaction.

5. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer and what inspires you and keeps you motivated?

I’ve been writing novels for many years now. I used to regard rejections as the biggest challenge. Now that my mysteries, romantic suspense, and children’s books are available to readers, I find myself challenged by the constant need to promote and market. I wish I sold more copies of my books. But hearing from readers who love my books and want more of them keeps me motivated.

6. What advice do you have to offer to an aspiring author?

Write. Take a course or two in fiction writing, if that’s what you write, and in the genre you write. Write. Read, especially in the genre you’re writing in. Write. Join writing groups. Write. Join a good critique group. Write. Send out your book or story when you feel it’s polished. Write. Don’t let rejections get you down. Write.

7. Now here’s a zinger. Tell us something about yourself that you have not revealed in another interview yet. Something as simple as your favorite TV show or food will do.

Recently I find I’m watching TV most evenings. No big surprise that I like murder mystery and suspense shows like “Castle,” “The Mentalist,” and “Hawaii Five-O.” But I also enjoy “The Good Wife,” and “The Big Bang Theory.”

8. What are you working on now and what are your future writing plans?

Right now I’m in the editing stage of three books I’ve written and then plan to send out to editors: a YA horror, a romantic suspense, and a sequel to my children’s book, Rufus and Magic Run Amok called Rufus and the Witch’s Slave. After that, I’d like to write another series or write another mystery in one of my three series.

9. Is there anything else you would like to tell my blog readers?

Please visit my website. I blog the first and third Monday of every month on the Make Mine Mystery blog, and I’m available to talk to book clubs.

Thanks, Marilyn! Now, who has a comment or question for Marilyn Levinson?

Tomorrow's Guest: Marilyn Levinson

Tomorrow, fellow mystery author Marilyn Levinson will guest on my blog. She answers my interview questions, and I'm sure you'll be intrigued by what she has to say.

Marilyn is a former Spanish teacher and the author of mysteries, romantic suspense, and books for children and young adults. Rufus and Magic Run Amok was an International Reading Association-Children’s Book Council Children’s Choice. Suspense Magazine awarded A Murderer Among Us, the first in her Twin Lakes Mystery series, a Best Indie of 2011.  Her Young Adult novel, Getting Back to Normal, has just come out with Untreed Reads. Her latest mystery, Murder a la Christie, will be out this summer with L and L Dreamspell.

Marilyn is a co-founder and president of the Long Island chapter of Sisters in Crime. She lives on Long Island. When she’s not writing, she loves to travel, read, do Sudoku, knit, and visit her granddaughter, Olivia Brooke.

Book Signings

I will be in the Colorado Springs area today through Saturday for three signings for my June 8th release, Fatal Descent , the third book in my RM Outdoor Adventures series. If you are in the area, I hope you'll join me at one of these events:

Thursday, June 20, 2013, 5 – 8 PM
Signing during Art Walk
Covered Treasures Bookstore
105 Second Street , Monument, CO 80132-1066

Friday, June 21, 2013, 5 – 7 PM
Wine and Cheese Signing during Art Walk
Black Cat Books
inside the Business of Art Center
513 Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, CO 80829

Saturday, June 22, 2013, 1 – 3 PM
Barnes and Noble Booksellers
795 Citadel Drive East, Colorado Springs, CO 80909

And here are some photos from recent past signings for the book! The first photo is from my June 8th fundraiser signing for Trout Unlimited at The Next Page Bookstore in Frisco. Corky Ramey from Trout Unlimited is on the left, I'm on the right and Karen Berg, the store owner, is next to me.


The next photo is from my signing at The Book Haven in Salida during FIBArk on June 15th. On the left is Lisa Marvel, store owner, and I'm on the right.


The last photo below is from my June 16th signing at the Breckenridge Welcome Center during Kingdom Days.

Today's Mystery Author Guest: John Scanlan

As promised yesterday, fellow mystery author John Scanlan is visiting my blog today. To read his bio and see his photo, please page down to yesterday's post. Also, John is running a contest for a free autographed copy of his book, Of Guilt and Innocence , the cover art for which appears above. John will select the winner tomorrow evening from among those who leave a comment today or tomorrow.

In the book, when a five-year-old girl is snatched from her own front yard in a well-to-do community of Boca Raton, two Boca Raton Detectives commence on a helter skelter investigation in hopes of finding her alive. As the little girl’s father reveals secrets of his own in hopes of aiding in the search and leads begin to solidify, the investigators learn that their main suspect might have ties to the murder of an elderly victim, a crime attributed to a long dormant serial killer, the South Florida Strangler. Uncertain how these two cases might dovetail, detectives scramble for clues before Ashley or another victim run out of time.

Sounds very exciting to me! Below are John's answers to my interview questions.

1. Who or what inspired you to start writing and when did you start?

I would occasionally come across a criminal case in the newspaper or on television and think to myself, "That would make a great book," and then I'd wish I had the time and resources to write it. About two years ago, after having one of these thoughts, I changed gears and decided maybe I'd try my hand at fiction. So I developed an idea which eventually turned into my first novel, Of Guilt and Innocence, but I didn't really do anything with it right away. It just kind of sat on my brain. Then, my wife, who had been home with my daughters since the birth of my youngest, decided to go back to work. Being a police officer my days off are atypical. All of a sudden I had the house to myself on certain weekday nights with my wife and kids going to bed early. So I figured I'd give it a shot.

2. What tools and process do you use to “get to know” your characters before and while you’re writing the books?

As I develop ideas for a novel, I generally know what characters I will need to make it work. I know roughly what I need their background and personality to be, but I don't get into specific details until I've begun writing. Then as I get a little ways into it and I've decided who all my essential characters are, I write down their names and all the characteristics I envision and need them to have. Age, physical description, etc. When I finish a manuscript and review it, I have this list out so I can see what needs to be adjusted to ensure I have accurately depicted my vision of who the character is.

3. How do you construct your plots? Do you outline or do you write “by the seat of your pants”?

I'm mostly a pantser, but I generally have a loose outline of how I want it to start, what needs to happen in the middle, and how I want it to end. But this outline can change along the way, and generally does to some extent.

4. In the age-old question of character versus plot, which one do you think is most important in a murder mystery and which one do you emphasize in your writing? Why?

I am a big fan of a solid plot and great, unexpected plot twists. To me, there is nothing that draws my interest more than a good story. I'm drawn more to a great premise rather than an intriguing character.

5. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer and what inspires you and keeps you motivated?

The biggest challenge I've faced is my inexperience with the whole process. From grammar and sentence structure to the submission process to the editing process to publication, I've been learning as I go. Sometimes it is a bit overwhelming, but what motivates me is how much fun it is. All of it.

6. What is a typical workday for you and how many hours a day (or week) do you devote to writing?

A typical workday for me is waking up around five a.m. and preparing for my eleven and a half hour shift as a police officer. I get home around seven p.m., make my dinner, then spend about an hour with my daughters before I read them a book and put them to bed. Then, it varies. Some days I will write for an hour then watch some TV with my wife before bed, some days I write for two or three hours then go to bed. Some days I just don't get the chance to write at all. I never push it and that keeps it fun and me looking forward to it.

7. What advice do you have to offer to an aspiring author?

Be yourself. You can only write the way you are capable of, not that you shouldn't aspire to always be getting better. Just don't be desperate to be something you aren't. As long as you have a good story to tell, it won't matter.

8. Now here’s a zinger. Tell us something about yourself that you have not revealed in another interview yet. Something as simple as your favorite TV show or food will do.

Before writing took over what spare time I had, I actually used to brew my own beer at home. I still have all my equipment, though I think my brewing days are pretty much over. It was a way for me to be creative before I found the outlet I now have in writing. And it gave me a lot of beer to drink.

9. What are you working on now and what are your future writing plans?

Right now I am putting the finishing touches on a manuscript about a recently overturned murder conviction. It depicts the point of view of the husband of the murder victim and how he deals with this sudden loss of closure. It also details the man who spent twenty years in prison for the murder and how he re-enters a world he knew as a young man. And finally the police investigation into the original homicide ties it all together. I have ideas for quite a few more, and develop new ones all the time. As long as people continue to enjoy what I write I will continue to do it.

10. Is there anything else you would like to tell my blog readers?

I love feedback, good or bad(but especially good!). Please visit my website. There you can find blog posts I have done, all the locations my book is sold, what I'm working on now, and how you can get in touch with me. I am always up to do interviews or speak at events or even answer any questions you might have. Check it out and feel free to drop me a line!

Thanks, John! Now, who has a comment or question for John Scanlan? Good luck in the contest!

Tomorrow's Guest: John Scanlan

Tomorrow, fellow mystery author John Scanlan will guest on my blog. Also, John will run a contest for a free autographed copy of his book, Of Guilt and Innocence.  He will choose the winner from among those who leave a comment.

John Scanlan is a police officer on the picturesque island of Palm Beach in South Eastern Florida.  After moving south from the small, Western New York village of Le Roy in 2005, he subsequently fell in love with South Florida's tropical beauty and laidback lifestyle, which is the backdrop for his first novel, Of Guilt and Innocence.  A graduate of Brockport College, John's previous endeavors include training with the United States Border Patrol in Charleston, South Carolina and working as a legal aid for the former Immigration and Naturalization Service in Buffalo, New York.  He currently resides in Palm Beach County, Florida with his wife and two small daughters and newborn son.

In his guest post tomorrow, John answers my interview questions, and I'm sure you'll be intrigued by what he has to say. Then, please leave a message for him or ask a question in the comments, and good luck in the contest!

FATAL DESCENT In the News ...

In a recent search of information about my June 8th release, Fatal Descent , on the Internet, I found the following notable mentions, among others, since I last gave my blog readers links to reviews, etc.:

Fatal Descent is mentioned in the All Mystery! email newsletter this week. You can read the issue at the newsletter's website, too.

Also, the book has been pinned on the June 2013 Cozy Mystery Releases Pinterest board.

The Amazon page for Fatal Descent has accumulated four reader reviews so far, and ALL of them are 5-star reviews!

The Monument Art Hop website is announcing my June 20th appearance at Covered Treasures Bookstore and Colorado Springs Fresh Ink has an item about the appearance, too. The Barnes and Noble Booksellers store at Citadel Mall in Colorado Springs in announcing my June 21st appearance.

As usual, Midwest Book Reviews gets the story all wrong in their Mystery/Suspense Shelf review of Fatal Descent. No, Mandy's love interest, Rob Juarez is NOT killed in the book!

A Blog Visit Today and Two Signings This Weekend!

Today's blog post polishes up my promotion week of on-line activities to celebrate the release of Fatal Descent , the third book in my RM Outdoor Adventures mystery series starring whitewater river ranger/rafting guide Mandy Tanner. I am a guest today on the Murder By 4 blog, with an article about "Teasing Apart the Acknowledgements in a Book" where I use Fatal Descent's Acknowledgements page as an example. Do you read Acknowledgements pages? What are you looking for in them? What have you found? Please leave a comment there with your thoughts.

This weekend, I'll be appearing live at two signing events in Colorado:

Saturday, June 15, 2013, 10:30 – noon and 1:30 – 4 PM
Signings During FIBArk Whitewater Festival
The Book Haven
128 F Street, Salida, Colorado 81201

Sunday, June 16, 2 - 4 PM
Signing during Kingdom Days Sidewalk Sale (after the Outhouse Races)
Breckenridge Welcome Center
203 South Main Street, Breckenridge, CO 80424

If you are in the Colorado high country this weekend, I hope you'll come to one of these events and say hi!

Sweet Success and Savoring It

I'm well into my week of promotion for the June 8th release of Fatal Descent , the third book in my RM Outdoor Adventures series starring whitewater river ranger/rafting guide Mandy Tanner. So, I think it's time to sit back a little and savor the sweet success. And, speaking of Sweet Success, I am appearing today in the column of that name on the Pikes Peak Writers blog, Writing From the Peak.

As for what I'm doing to savor that success, I'm taking the day off from writing to pick up trash. Yes, you read that right, I'm picking up trash. My husband and I are volunteering at the Breckenridge Ski Resort to pick up trash off the mountain in the morning, in exchange for a free barbeque lunch after we finish. See our motivation?! ;-) Then, in the afternoon, we'll be enjoying the activities at the Peak 8 Fun Park for Local Appreciation Day. That includes unlimited riding on the Alpine SuperSlide, GoldRunner Coaster, Bungee Trampoline and rounds of SuperPutt!!

After all that fun, we'll move on to the Village at Breckenridge to spend a free night (which I won in an Ullr Fest fashion show in January). We'll enjoy the use of their workout/pool/spa facility and wander into town for dinner and breakfast, pretending to be tourists. By lunchtime tomorrow, I'll be back home, back at work, coming down from my fantasy day of savoring being a tourist in my home town.

A Day in the Life of Mandy Tanner and An Enthusiastic Review and Giveaway

Today, Mandy Tanner, the whitewater river ranger/rafting guide protagonist of my RM Outdoor Adventures series (and recent release book 3 in that series, Fatal Descent ), is visiting Dru's Book Musings to talk about a day in the life of a whitewater rafting guide. I hope you'll stop by the blog HERE and ask Mandy (or me) a question. Whitewater rafting guides work VERY hard for very little money, especially on multiday river trips. I hope reading about Mandy's typical day will give you a little more respect for what your whitewater rafting guide does for you. After taking that roller coaster ride through the rapids, be sure to give your guide a big tip!

Also, the book review blog, Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book has given Fatal Descent a very enthusiastic 5-star review HERE. She's also giving away her review copy to one commenter, so leave a comment to enter the contest!