Robin Mahle's Blog, page 4

All the Shiny Things - A Sneak Peek!

With only one week to go until the big launch, I thought I'd post just a little snippet!

Enjoy!


THIS WAS THE part that she dreaded the most: opening her apartment door first thing in the morning to get the paper. Would they be there again today; the three or four reporters that lingered outside her quiet building in hopes of getting a statement from the girl who escaped? Their appearance had almost become part of her daily routine. So much had happened since she came forward. Was it still September? Katie had to look at the front page just to be sure.

An unusual morning for this time of year; bright blue sky and air so still that as she looked out among the palm trees lining the street, not a single frond moved. A nice breeze could generally be counted on to drift in through the open windows of her second floor apartment; the air having been cooled by the ocean only blocks away.

But in the past few weeks, Katie’s life had been dramatically altered, leading her down a path she still feared, and so “unusual” had become the norm. No sign of the reporters yet, but it was still early. She stepped back into her apartment and closed the door. The latch clicked and she cringed, wondering if it would stir Marshall. He was still asleep on the couch. He hadn’t left her side since the sketch of her abductor went public.

After the night of the last dream, the one that changed everything, Marshall had accompanied Katie to the police station, where the composite artist had sketched out the face. She brought to life her worst nightmare and it was the first time others would see the monster that had been haunting her dreams for nearly a year.

His long, thin face, round eyes, and high forehead offered a good starting point, but the version she had in her mind was more than twenty years old. It was a distorted, scowling image of a man; angry that he had been bested by a child. But what about now as his youth had given way to middle age? Receding hair, skin leathered with age, waist expanded from years of excess. These were all things that needed to be considered. One thing was certain; she would recognize that scathing stare and twisted mouth if she got the chance to see him again.

The Inspiration Behind Redwood Violet

The odd thing about inspiration is that sometimes it's present when you don't even realize it. I have always been a fan of mystery/suspense novels, so that's what I enjoy writing. It wasn't until I was working on a draft of a novel, which incidentally, still sits unfinished on a flash drive, that the idea for Redwood Violet came back to me. I say 'came back' because it was always there, boxed up in my mind and labeled, "For when she realizes she's supposed to be a writer."

When I was very young, I would say maybe eight or nine years old, I had this recurring dream of being chased by a looming shadowy figure; very frightening, really. In fact, the book was originally title, Shadow Man, to more accurately reflect the vision that always haunted my sleep. I can't recall exactly when the dreams stopped, but the unknown, faceless figure has always stayed with me.

Fortunately, in my case, this was simply the dream of a young girl with an overactive imagination and in no way relates to the events my main character, Katie had suffered in the story.

I first attempted to write a novel in my late twenties. I had always been the creative type; high school theater geek, transitioned to college theater geek and then eventually took a shot at acting professionally. I think we call all guess how that turned out! So, I struggled to find another creative outlet, which eventually led to a haphazard attempt at a semi-autobiographical book about two people brought together by fate. (ie, the story of how I met my English husband)

It didn't take long for me to realize I hadn't a clue as to how to write a book. Nor did it take me long to realize the fact that the storyline probably wouldn't interest as many people as I might like to believe.

So, I tucked away that ambition in pursuit of a more secure future, having a family and a career. But, after all that had unfolded, I was still left with a void. It was a void that could not be filled with the love of my family because it was a different kind of void. It was a deeply personal emptiness that I struggled with for years.

When I took to writing again about four years ago, it was because the economy was in the toilet and so was my career. But lo and behold, the void slowly began to fill with each online article I wrote, each essay, short story and eventually, my novel, Redwood Violet.

So, I guess my inspiration for writing this book came from years of searching for my true passion.

My imagination that has, once again, begun giving off sparks and the love and support from my amazing family also inspired this novel.

Finding Your Voice - Writing in Third Person

How many times had I started a novel in first person, only to backtrack and change to third? A few times, but it was a few times too many and it didn't take long to learn my lesson that it was no easy task, changing POVs mid-stream.

I just couldn't find my voice. While I appreciate that the reader can closely relate to a character in first-person stories, it only means that I, as the author, have to work harder at accomplishing this same task in third-person narrative.

In my novels to date, I have written in third-person limited. That is, narrating from the main character's point of view; never shifting to the thoughts or feelings of another character, unless it is "perceived" by the main character.

However, I have read a few novels lately whereby the author's approach to point of view is unique in its switching from character to character. (I do read quite a bit as is a job requirement!) One such novel, Tom Rachman's, The Imperfectionists, is a great example of how switching points of view work. Gillian Flynn's, Gone Girl is another example of this approach. I have considered this style and will continue to play around with changing things up in my future novels.

However, sometimes I believe a narrator speaking to the reader, conveying the vast levels of human emotion in a character, can work just as well in third person limited. I also prefer past-tense narrative, overall. Present tense just doesn't connect as well with me as a reader and I'm not sure I could successfully convey it to my readers, were I to experiment with it. Again, some writers can absolutely make it work, as noted above.

One example of how effective third-person, past-tense can be is evidenced here in this quote from Robert Ludlum's The Ambler Warning:

"There was a warmth and a humanity to her that he desperately craved right now, the way he craved oxygen."

I had to dig for that one, but I think it sums it up. It is exactly the perfect tone for the reader. The narrator makes the reader feel like he/she is that character. I can imagine that the reader takes a deep breath at the mere mention of craving oxygen, as I did when I read it.

An author searching for her voice finds that it eventually comes with time and experience. I, of course, am only beginning this journey, but I look forward to discovering a variety of ways to give my readers the ability to feel my characters; to live through them as I do.

In the end, I believe it is the personal experience of each reader and how they best interpret a story and make it their own. Ultimately, this is what every author wants--each reader to create a world entirely of their own unique perspective.

My Biggest Influences as a Writer

I have always loved reading books. When I was in elementary school, I read every Judy Blume book I could get my hands on. Who doesn’t remember Are you there God, It’s me, Margaret. And of course, I absolutely fell in love with Wilber the pig in Charlotte’s Web.

But as I got older, my tastes turned to stories that were just a little darker. Call it my brooding teenage years. My generation didn’t grow up with sparkly vampires. We grew up with VC Andrews and Flowers in the Attic. Those books were disturbing, at least to my thirteen year old self!

That perhaps led to a revelation that the dark side was in fact very thrilling…to read about, anyway. I can also attribute this to a family trait. It was my mother who gave me my first Stephen King novel. I was about sixteen and I was reading Christine. Awesome. Since that first King novel, I’ve been reading his work ever since.

I definitely wouldn’t say my writing reflects the morbid aspect of King’s work or Dean Koontz, whom I am also a fan of. I enjoy writing the more mysterious aspects of a story. Don’t get me wrong, I do like to be scared out of my mind, but my own work tends to be more of the psychological suspense, mystery genre. Of course, King is the king when it comes to suspense, in my humble opinion.

So, I read what I love to write; suspense, mystery and in my next book, the sequel to Redwood Violet, you’ll see a touch of the macabre as well. The complexities of creating a picture in the reader’s mind that conveys a mixture of these elements will not be taken lightly. And I can guarantee the reader won’t be disappointed.

What were some of your favorite books? How did they shape who you are? That’s the great thing about books. The impressions they leave are indelible.

Do Most Authors Outline First?

I need structure.

 

This is not news to my close friends and family.  I am, after all, a Virgo.  We are an inherently organized and methodical people.  That's not to say we lack creativity, we just like it planned out.

 

 

 

But, when it comes to my writing, I insist on drafting an outline before beginning any new work.  I need the structure of knowing where my story is going.  It makes the writing flow much more smoothly once I start my first draft.

 

This wasn't always the case.  My first novel is a prime example.  Half-finished, that manuscript has been sitting on a flash drive in my desk drawer for about three years because I simply lost my way.  I attempted to write it "organically" as they say; just sit down with my laptop and type away.  Well, I found myself re-writing, changing plot lines, changing points-of-view and so on until I just ran out of ideas.

 

It was after that exercise in futility that I decided to take another approach.  I started with outlining my now published short story, Long Journey Home.  With a fairly comprehensive outline, I was able to crank out the first draft of it in about a month.  Of course, working and family doesn't allow me much writing time, but I thought I did pretty well knocking that one out.

 

Since then, I realized having that structure and knowing where my story was headed kept my writing consistent and thorough.  It kept me on the straight and narrow, so to speak.  Now, if anyone actually read one of my outlines, I don't think they'd have any idea what I was going on about, but they make sense to me and I suppose that's all that matters.

 

Will I ever go back to that first manuscript and try again?  Maybe.  Probably.  But not yet.

 

I wanted to give you a little insight on my writing process because I have been hard at work and just completed another outline.  The sequel to Redwood Violet.  It is as of yet, untitled, but I'm really excited to jump in and write that first draft!

 

So, for those of you who have asked when the next book is coming...don't despair!  My target date is Fall 2013 and I will do my best to keep you all updated as to my progress.  And keep an eye out in the coming months for an excerpt or two!

 

Now, I know I'm not the only organized Virgo out there.  So, how do you handle a big project?  It doesn't have to be about writing.  It can be about anything you have to tackle.  What works best for you?

If My Book Became a Movie...

 

So, I thought I'd have a little fun today.  After having, what I consider, a fairly successful promotion for REDWOOD VIOLET on Amazon over this past weekend, I got to thinking. What if it was made into a movie?

 

Ahhh, dream of all dreams--My book being optioned for a movie.  Hey, it could happen!

The first name that popped into my head was Tom Hardy of Batman fame.  He was also in This Means War, Lawless and tons of other films.  I think he would be the perfect Det. Marshall Avery!  Not the way he looked in Batman, of course, more along the lines of his character in Lawless - the strong, silent type.  Detective Avery has a mysterious quality about him; reserved and vigilant.  Tom Hardy even has hazel eyes; at least, I think they're hazel.  Ok, so Marshall Avery has green eyes.  It's close enough.

  

 

 

 

 

For Katie, the female lead in my book, I had to think a little harder.  She is strong and determined, but young and sometimes fearful of embracing that determination.  Who could play such a character?  And then, it came to me.  Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook, Hunger Games).  She can play a tough, strong-willed character to a T!

 

 

I try to steer away from overly describing the appearance of my characters when I write because I think readers would prefer to use their imaginations.  But, this is how I see them, to a degree.  And, really, it's likely because of the movie roles each of these actors has portrayed.  I see a resemblance in their personalities to that of my own characters.

 

But yes; this would be my ideal cast if someone came along and said, "How would you feel about a movie adaptation of Redwood Violet?"

 

What an amazing thing to think that maybe...just maybe, someday...it could happen!

 

 

 

Follow me on Facebook:http://on.fb.me/ZnYFiq

or Twitter: http://bit.ly/YxNXan

 

You can find my works on Amazon:  http://amzn.to/10kZj7Y

 

 

www.robinmahle.com

Writing is a Business

 

When I first dreamt of becoming a writer, I imagined myself tucked away in a secluded cabin overlooking a lake.  The prose would flow as freely and gently as the breeze gliding over the water. 

 

And then, I woke up.

 

When I’m in my groove, I do feel the words come to me faster than I can type, but the wonderfully mysterious lives I believed authors to lead, has forever been replaced by the marketing machines they have had to become.  This is not a bad thing.

 

The most successful of us have learned that we are in control of our own destiny.  We treat writing like the business that it is.  I, for one, am new to this business.  But, I am following in the footsteps of ones who have blazed a trail for those of us who seek to build a readership and a brand.

 

Like any business, building it takes time and patience.  I’ve never been one for having patience, but I’m working on it. 

 

I spend time building relationships on social media and letting people get to know me as a person, not someone who just promotes books constantly (you know…spamming!).  It’s challenging because you want to tell the world about your latest creation, but I believe people want to know who you are and what you stand for before trusting you enough to take a chance on your work.  This is where the patience part comes in. 

 

Authors in today’s ever-changing world of publishing have taken on the role of PR rep, agent and in many cases, publisher.  It is a business and not one to be taken lightly if one wishes to achieve success. These are things I am only just beginning to learn.

 

The important part for me is listening to those who have come before me; paying attention to their successes and failures in hopes of choosing the correct path for myself.

 

Thanks for tuning in and I hope you learned a little bit more about meJ

 

I’d love for you to follow me on my journey via Facebook http://on.fb.me/ZnYFiq  or Twitter.  My twitter handle is @RCMahle  http://bit.ly/XibVJb

 

www.robinmahle.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robin Mahle - Author and Blogger?

Yes to the first part and, well... I'm working on the second.

 

Thanks for making it this far on your journey of discovery into my world.  I can tell you that my website has boasted my blog as "coming soon," for quite some time.  So i figured if I'm going to ask you to believe in me as an author, maybe I should take the time to introduce myself. 

 

I am the mother of two awesome kids, who are growing up way too fast, and wife to an incredibly supportive husband. 

 

Since this month's launch of my new psychological suspense novel, REDWOOD VIOLET, my family has stood by me while I wade through the mass of public relations requirements.  It isn't easy for a debut author to make her way, but I will keep working at it.  And, it is fun, for the most part.  I've learned a lot! 

 

I don't intend to bore you with constant plugs of my work (only occassional), but I do hope you'll stick with me as I continue to claw my way out of the slushpile of obscurity.  I have a great many stories to tell and I want to share them with you.

 

My posts will be bi-weekly, so keep an eye out!  I hope to have news about attending a writer's conference in New York next month.  That should be fun!  Me and my best girlfriend in New York.  What could go wrong?

 

In the meantime, if you're so inclined, checkout my website www.robinmahle.com for more information and links to my work.  

 

If you'd like to connect with me, follow me on Twitter @rcmahle or like my Facebook Page, Robin Mahle - Author

 

And, since I am a bit of a novice in the blogosphere, I welcome advice from others who have been doing this much longer than me!

 

 

 

 

REDWOOD VIOLET - book trailer