Diane Bator's Blog, page 4
December 15, 2023
Round Robin Blog Fest December 16 2023
Happy Holidays!This time around, we were asked to take a shot at Flash fiction. Flash fiction is anything between 500 words and 1500 words. We were limited to holiday themes - not just Christmas, but any holiday we all might be celebrating at this time of the year. Variety is definitely the spice of the season!
My piece comes in around 800 words and I cheated a little! I've just released a short story in an anthology called A Prob-llama of a Holiday. The story is called Visions of Gumdrop and features a PI named Dash Allman who teams up with a drama llama named Gumdrop. Rather than create a whole new piece - here's the cheat part - I've dropped in the first part of the story. Where Dash meets Gumdrop.
By Diane Bator
JimmyBuffett had just started crooning about Christmas in Hawaii when I got a text urgingme to “Stay indoors until further notice. Escaped animal on the loose.”
Mystomach lurched and I shot a quick reply to the sender, my on-again off-againboyfriend, Rob Gwynn who was a local police officer. “What kind of animal?”
Ididn’t wait for a reply. It was the last Saturday morning before Christmas andthe local market would be in full swing in fifteen minutes. No way was Imissing it. I had shopping to do. Besides, no one would be dumb enough to transporta dangerous creature this close to a populated beach, would they?
Iopened my front door anyway. After looking both ways for large, furry beastsand witches on rollerblades, then stepped into the sunshine and locked thefront door of my beach cottage-slash-office. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve beena curious cat, which made me an ideal detective. Not the best one money couldbuy, but definitely in the top one hundred on the coast.
Definitely,the only one with the oddball name of Dash.
The joke in my family was that my mom fellin love with Dashiell Hammett at first sight, which made child hood rough forthe little girl she named Dashiell Allman. Not funny. Although, the nicknameDash did make me feel faster when I ran. People tended to call me out ofcuriosity since my name made me sound like a strong, male detective.
Once they met me in person — a short,blonde, beach bum usually sporting a cast of some sort — some ran. Most laughed.A few took pity on me.
Crossingthe beach, I aimed for the wet sand where the waves could caress my toes on myway to Ricardo’s food truck. I woke up craving a Breakfast Dog. My growlingstomach finally got the best of me as I’d finished the paperwork from my lastcase. Visions of cheese, a hot dog, a hashbrown, tomato, bacon, and a friedegg, over easy had danced through my head for the past hour.
Theair was a bit cooler than earlier in December. A reminder that I still neededto pick up gifts for my two favorite police officers.
RobGwynn, aka Officer Athletic and my current boyfriend, was big into actionmovies, working out, and muscle cars. I still wasn’t sure what to get him.
AlexCarson, his partner and the man I’d called Officer Pasty for years, was easier.He was a foodie who loved to cook. A couple of weeks ago, I’d discovered agreat booth at the market that sold homemade spices and rubs. I’d finallydecided which ones to get him and planned to hit the market. Right afterbreakfast.
Somethingwet brushed against the back of my right shoulder. I brushed it off like a bug.Then it tapped me again.
“Veryfunny, Rob,” I said as I stopped to turn around. “What the…?”
Myjaw dropped and my eyes grew wide as I came face to face with an elongated noseattached to a furry creature that looked like a cross between a horse and atall sheep.
Itsnostrils flared before phlegm hit me square in the chest. Then it yelled“Mwah!” and collapsed into the sand.
“Whatthe flying fig just happened?” I took a couple steps back.
“Whatdid you do to it?” a familiar voice asked.
Oncue, Rob and Alex loped across the beach, more concerned about the creaturethan the fact I’d been accosted.
Iheld up my hands in protest. “Nothing. It just fell over. I don’t even knowwhat it is.”
“It’sa llama, Dash,” Alex told me with a chuckle. “Didn’t you learn anything inschool?”
Scowlingat the two-hundred and fifty pound officer, I shook my head. “I’ve seenpictures of them, but I’ve never looked one in the nostrils before. What’s itdoing on the beach?”
Roblooped a rope around its neck, flinching when the llama rolled away from him tosit in the sand. “It’s part of the petting zoo at the market today. While thefarmer was unloading the animals, this little guy escaped.”
“Little?That thing’s a full head taller than you and smells like a barnyard.”
Hegrinned, petting the creature like an overgrown dog. “Aww, did the grumpydetective scare you, Gumdrop?”
“Ha.The grumpy detective nearly peed her pants.” I took one last look at the llama.If I were a social media-type person, I would’ve taken pictures. No one in myfamily would believe I came face to face with a llama, let alone one thatfainted on the spot.
Foreveryone else who knew me, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise.
Like what you read? You can find Visions of Gumdrop in A Prob-llama of a Holiday by Aconite Press at: Amazon.com Amazon.ca
Drop by to read what the rest of the talented Blog Fest Gang wrote!Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-35i
Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/
Diane Bator https://dbator.blogspot.com/
Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog
Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
December 13, 2023
Christine Milkovic Krauss Continues the Journey of Teddy, The Cat Without Ears.
TEDDY VISITS THE VET
The journey of Teddy,the Cat Without Ears Continues !
Published by Animal House Press and available inpaperback!
Teddy visits the vet is the fourth book in “TheAdventures of Teddy” series. In Teddy Visits the Vet, children can relate theirown feelings and emotions to health care processes and learn self-soothingtechniques. Teddy learns to make choices and celebrates their feelings ofself-empowerment.
Teddy Visits The Vet: Milkovic Krauss, Christine, Van Nes,Cierra: 9798892176521: Books - Amazon.ca
“Adorable Teddy will gain your heart with hispoignant tale of adventure and loss. Vivid illustrations bring this cute cat’stale to life. Eleven stars out of ten for this story of acceptance, kindness,and resilience. Thanks, Teddy, for reminding us all we are “purr-fect”. Jenna Greene, Author of Reborn the 2018Moonbeam Award Winner in the Gold Category
MoreIn the Series:
ABOUT CHRISTINE :
I am a full-time essential services worker andmom of two primary school-aged children. My kids enjoy choosing books from theschool library and I'm always genuinely impressed with the messages ofacceptance and kindness in the stories they select for us to read together.During the pandemic, we had to get creative to keep our home an exciting andpositive space that we all wanted to spend a lot of time at! Our entire familyloves animals, so we decided to foster a litter of kittens over the Christmas Holidays.They brought so much joy into our lives, that we planned to continue to fosteranimals as much as possible! Then we saw Teddy. Teddy just belonged with ourfamily and we knew it the moment we met him. Since that day, he has made ourfamily feel complete. His uniqueness and character have inspired a series ofstories that we hope to share with other avid child readers that love animals!
To request additional review copies or aninterview with Christine Milkovic Krauss, please contact Mickey Mikkelson atCreative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com| 403.464.6925.
We look forward to the coverage!
December 12, 2023
JQ Rose launches a new memoir writing book, Your Life with Jesus
Whether the story is fiction or non-fiction, J.Q. Rose is “focused on story.” She offers readers chills, giggles and quirky characters woven within the pages of her mystery novels, but truth in her memoir, Arranging a Dream. JQ presents workshops on creative writing and life storytelling and takes the podium to encourage attendees to take the time now to write their legacy stories. Blogging, photography, board games and travel are the things that keep her out of trouble. She and her husband spend winters in Florida and summers up north with their two daughters, two sons-in-law, four grandsons, one granddaughter, two grand dogs, four grand cats, and one great-grand bearded dragon.*J Q Rose Focused on Story Blog http://www.jqrose.com/
Click here for the Rose Courier delivered quarterly to your inbox
Tell us about your life outside of writing.
Myhusband and I are snowbirds. I’ve always thought we should be called sunbirdsbecause we leave the cold, snowy north in the fall to enjoy sunny days inFlorida. In the spring, we head back north for the sunny days in Michigan andto spend the summer with our two daughters and their husbands and our fivegrandchildren. Our family includes seven grand and great grand dogs, sevengrand and great grand cats, and one great-grand bearded dragon and hedgehog. I stay out of trouble playingcard games and Pegs and Jokers, a board game. I also love to travel, photographthe scenery and family, and always have a book or two to read on my Kindle.
Do you have a work inprogress?
No, not at this time. Ijust released Your Life with Jesus: How to Spark Memories and Write YourSpiritual Memoir, but I have plans for more writing projects in 2024.
What was the most difficultsection/piece you ever wrote? What made it difficult?
In my memoir, Arranging a Dream, I wrote about my father whopassed away in March 1976. Losing him was one of the worst days of my life. Iwanted to write about the experience, knowing how so many people have suffered thissame loss. People grieve in different ways, but we all experience that holeleft in our hearts. I hoped to offer readers assurance they can get through thesadness and have a fulfilling future. I alsowrote this chapter about Dad to acknowledge his kindness, generosity, and howmuch hecared about people. He appreciated the simple things in life like the beauty ofa spider’s web after a rain and sharing a cup of coffee with folks at Turner’sRestaurant. He was a role model for me as a business person, friend, andparent. But most of all, I wanted to teach our daughter, Sara, the same lessonsby example.
What sort of research do you do for your work?
Originally, I researched information about writing life stories toprepare for my workshop presentations on writing life stories. And I havestudied the Bible all of my life. Probably the most difficult part of writingthis book was selecting only 40 verses to accompany the topics to write about. Iaimed for 40 topics because, as I discovered in my research, 40 is asignificant number in the Bible. Depending on what translation, it is mentioned146 or 149 times. To be honest, there are more than 40 topics in the book becauseI could not face striking them from the list. I guess that’s better than lessthan 40! I include an invitation in my author’s note to readers tocontact me if they need more topics and writing prompts after using the ones inthe book.
Which books and authors do you read for pleasure? Is there an author who inspires you?
Lately, I have concentrated on reading memoirs for pleasure.I loved Pat Conroy’s The Water is Wide and The Widow Wore Pink by RobynDykstra. I began re-reading the Mitford Series this year. The first book waspublished in 1994. I am enjoying them much more at this time in my life. Maybe that’sbecause I can identify more with the 60-year-old Episcopalian priest who is themain character in the stories. The series of 14 books, penned by Jan Karon, spanall the way through 2017. I aspire to write like Jan Karon. She captivates readerswith her wit and wisdom, quirky, lovable characters, and vivid scenes thereader can see because of her rich storytelling.
Was there a person who encouraged you to write?
Yes, my grandmother, Maw, was my cheerleader. BeulahLee, my mother’s mother, was a schoolteacher. She loved reading and especiallyloved reading her Bible. She’s the one who pointed out many verses to me anddirected me to the Lord’s Prayer inMatthew 6.
Weconnected in many ways, but mainly because we both loved to read. Her readingprobably spurred my love of reading which in turn developed my desire to writestories for others to read. I began writing little stories when I was in secondgrade and developed a writer’s bump on my middle finger from writingconstantly. (Did anyone else get that bump?)
Byseventh grade, I decided to tackle writing my first novel. The storyline wasabout a horse and a girl due to my love of the book, Black Beauty. I wrote the entire book on lined yellow tablet paperand showed it to Maw. Taking those scribbled sentences and typing them into amanuscript became her major project.
Herblue eyes sparkled with excitement when she handed me the typed pages. I almostcried. I was overcome with the idea she had “published” my book for me. She gota kick out of my reaction, but she also loved the story and encouraged me towrite more stories for more people to enjoy. From that day forward, I knew Iwanted to tell stories and have them published so I could share them withreaders.
Iwish Maw were here to be a part of my writing experience. I believe she is withme in spirit. I can feel her big, loving hug embracing me now and see her blueeyes shimmering with pride. I thank God for Maw being in my life for sixteenyears and for her encouragement to continue my writing.
New Release! Your Life with Jesus: How to Spark Memories and Write Your Spiritual MemoireBook link https://books2read.com/u/bx6qJo Paperback available now
Arranging a Dream: A MemoirAvailable in print at amazon eBook available at your favorite digital bookseller
Now in Paperback: Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women Girls Succeed! at amazon
*Your Words, Your Life Story: A Journal for Sharing Memories Paperback available at amazon.com
December 10, 2023
Meet MJ Mac, a "Jill of all Trades", and her Kennedy Reeves Cozy Cocktail Cruise Mystery Series!
I get to meet all kinds of great writers through this blog! Join me in welcoming, MJ Mac, a fellow cozy author. I can't wait to dive into her books!
Before she began crafting cozy cocktailmysteries, MJ Mac was a “Jill of all trades” in corporate America for fortyyears. A master juggler in three-inch heels and lipstick, she pulled the ropesfrom behind the curtain, making magic happen. In 2021, a story about a cruisedirector, her coworkers, and their zany passengers began to formulate in herhead and she promptly traded in her world of meetings (and meetings aboutmeetings) for sand and flip-flops to embark on the Kennedy Reeves CozyCocktail Cruise Mystery Series.
Whatwas the most difficult section/piece you ever wrote? What made it difficult?
That’san easy one because I’m there right now as I work on book five! In everyKennedy Reeves book, during the cruise, Kennedy performs her one-woman show.The topics vary by the theme of the books—dating, family, and the holidays, andthey can be challenging to write. I want to make my readers feel like they aresitting in the theater watching Kennedy deliver this monologue and nod theirheads or applaud at some sassy one-liner she throws out there. After I’ve tweakedthis section enough, I spend time going through the physical motions as if itwere me on stage giving the audience the eye rolls, dramatic sighs, andhand-on-the-hip moments that Kennedy delivers with her zingers.
Whatsort of research do you do for your work?
Everythingfrom the cocktails that I have in each book to making certain a person’smovement in a scene is correct. When I wrote one of the scenes from book one, Iactually lay on the floor as if I had been knocked out to ensure how the persongot up was believable.
Whichbooks and authors do you read for pleasure? Is there an author that inspiresyou?
Allauthors inspire me! First, to put yourself out there for the world to readsomething you have created is an act of pure bravery. And to then craft storiesthat make readers “fall into” the book and sweep them away is magical. I thinkseries writers are especially creative because they have to make long-rangeplans for their characters. What happens in this scene in this book may affecta book two down the road.
LillianJackson Braun’s Cat Who series is near and dear to my heart, as is the DianeMott Davidson Goldy Shultz series. When I want to laugh out loud, I read JanetEvanovich because Grandma Mazur is my spirit animal. But there are times when Ineed to read to educate myself and that’s when I turn to Margaret Atwood,Stephen King, and Pat Conroy.
Wasthere a person who encouraged you to write?
Mymain character, Kennedy. I was working an 80-hour week job in the corporateworld, and her story came to me, and I couldn’t shake it. She kept bugging me, tappingme on the shoulder, saying, “I’ll handle this. You just write down what I say.”So, to shut her up, I did, and three months later, the first draft of A Boatfor a Goat was done.
Whatwould you say are your strengths as an author?
I’vebeen told my use of the five senses put my readers in the scenes. That wassomething I learned in my corporate life. I had to make the person I waspitching buy into what I wanted from them.
Howoften do you write, and do you write using a strict routine?
Iwrite every day in some way, shape, or form. Six days a week I work on mycurrent book (or stare at the blinking cursor on the monitor) and I spend oneday a week attending to book business—blogs, social media posts, and my monthlynewsletter. The marketing side zaps me so I make a point of not even trying towork on my books on those days. But, the day after, I put on my flip-flops andhead to the beach for a long five-mile walk to reset my brain.
A KennedyReeves Mystery Book 1
KennedyReeves, cruise director for the Helio, has been called back to workafter being on land for the last year. Everything looks shipshape until theconsultant hired by the corporate office arrives, and he has a very differentcourse charted.
AKennedy Reeves Mystery Book 2
Secretsand scandal are the spices of this cruise when Classic Style Network choosesthe Helio as the location for a cut-throat cooking competition, and it'sup to Kennedy to keep things from boiling over between the passengers,competitors, and a nosy writer.
AKennedy Reeves Mystery Book 3
Kennedyis asked to help on a VIP cruise to Alaska, but the welcome she receives is asicy as the surrounding waters. And while Kennedy and the passengers are takingin Alaska’s dazzling beauty, someone else is busy pocketing other sparklingthings.
Q: Why won’t sharks attack lawyers?
A: Professional courtesy
Cruisedirector Kennedy Reeves is having one of those weeks. Her passengers look likethe walking dead after an epic sail-away party, and the ship’s doctor has thebedside manner of a cockroach. And to top things off, there are lawyers onboard, and although they are slugging down legalese cocktails (recipesincluded), they haven’t sued anyone in a week, and their teeth are beginning tognash.
December 9, 2023
Welcome to thriller writer O.N. Stefan who overcame a great obstacle to follow her dream
Welcome to thriller writer, O.N. Stefan who overcame a great obstacle to follow her dream! Join me to find out more!
O.N. Stefan dreamed of being a writer eversince her obsession with reading books at an early age. What first became aquest to overcome the boundaries set against her in the form of dyslexia hasturned into a life's dream. She first started writing poetry but soon found ataste for thrillers and mysteries. Hidden is her third book in theseries, with the story of Amanda Blake becoming ever more complicated. When notwriting, Olga enjoys spending time with her loving family and friends. Sheloves to travel, enjoying new places and experiences.
Website and social media:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/o-n-stefan
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/natalie-stefan-93f44ad1-d60b-48d9-9d36-71eb443ca93c
https://www.facebook.com/groups/632508307256042
https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=o.n.%20stefan&t=1697418174281
How many hours a day do you write?
I usually write three hours perday, but sometimes it can be less or more depending on where I’m at with astory.
What is your favorite childhood book?
Alice in Wonderland
What inspired you to write your first thriller?
Ienjoy reading good thrillers, mysteries and fantasy. But, my first love isthrillers and I thought I would try writing one. It was quite a journey ofdiscovery to learn the many aspects of writing thrillers. My first foray intowriting thrillers is: The Deadly Caress https://getbook.at/B00I0DI0MY
Andthe first book in the UK detective mysteries is: Softly, He Dies. https://mybook.to/SoftlyHeDies
Five years from now, where do you see yourselfas a writer?
I see myself with many morebooks published with many more books to come. I see a movie series being made,but as yet, can't say too much about that.
How many unpublished and half-finished booksdo you have?
I have 5 unpublished books infirst draft which I hope to polish soon and publish. Three are part of fantasyseries, one romance and the others are mysteries.
Was there a person who encouraged you to write?
I can’t say that anyoneencouraged me to write. I was invited by a friend to join a writing group,which was the start of my challenging journey, due to my dyslexia, to become afull-time author.
THE DEADLY CARESS
An Irresistible Opportunity. AnUnrelenting Killer!
Amanda Blake is reeling from the shock of her mother'ssudden death, a loss that triggers a relentless pursuit of hidden secrets and aquest for justice. But within the walls of a house filled with enigmaticstrangers, the truth becomes a deadly game where the stakes are life and death.
Ina web of deception and danger, Amanda's unwavering determination to unearth thechilling truth becomes a race against time, pushing her to the edge of her ownmortality. When a barrage of bullets sends her fleeing for her life, it'scrystal clear that the relentless killer will stop at nothing until Amanda issilenced.
You might think you know how terrifying things can get,but this time, you're in for a spine-tingling surprise.
SOFTLY, HE DIES
Kat Snowden now lives in adifferent town in a different house. She's left her past behind. It's tooheartwrenching to stay and return to the police station where she and her nowdead partner worked.
Thinkingshe's moving to a quiet easy life by the British seaside where she can heal,she's suddenly thrown into a new case that challenges every concept she hadabout murderers.
BeforeKat can get answers, the murderer strikes again.
She'sabout to lose her job as her new boss assumes she's incompetent. And she thinksshe's losing her mind as things take a turn for the worse. As the bodies startpiling up, she discovers a terrifying clue that points to the perpetrator. Canshe convince her boss that she is correct before the killer commits anothermurder?
https://mybook.to/SoftlyHeDies
December 7, 2023
A Great Romance Anthology for a Great Cause!!
Get Ready to Deck the Halls, Romance Readers!!
Six of your beloved award-winning authors have come together to create a sweet & swoony holiday anthology that is sure to warm your heart.
Starting with the falling leaves of autumn, counting down to Christmas, and guiding you through the New Year, this enchanting charity anthology features six novellas that embody the romantic spirit of the season. Featuring all your favorite tropes, such as: small town, second chance, fake relationship, opposites attract, friends-to-lovers, matchmakers, forced proximity, and of course, a lot of classic holiday magic.
Can you hear the Sleigh Bells? Are you under the mistletoe? It’s going to be a White Christmas thanks to:Katie O’ConnorKelly MoranEllie RhodesAbbey EastonFrieda DowningDaphne DyerFill your season with true love, festive cheer, warm cozies, and happily ever afters.Proceeds to Ronald McDonald House Children's Charity!
Buy Yours Today! https://books2read.com/u/4jBgDY
December 5, 2023
Welcome to multi-talented children's author, Kathleen Gauer!
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Today's feature is another fabulous Canadian Author! Welcome to first time guest, Kathleen Gauer who writes wonderful children's books!
Toronto author Kathleen Gauerloves to write engaging stories that spark the imagination of youngreaders. Published works includeillustrated children’s books High in the Sky, For No Reason,The Wish Carvers, Bathtime Fun! as well as poetry,and magazine and newspaper articles. Heraward-winning books have been acquired in libraries across Canada, the U.S.A.,New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
Kathleen worked as acontributing associate editor for a Toronto community focus magazine for 15years and as an arts columnist for the Etobicoke Guardian newspaper. She retired as a Special Education Teacher’s Assistant after working with the TorontoDistrict School Board for 29 years. Whennot writing or reading, Kathleen enjoys hanging out with her family andfriends, yoga, hiking, golf, knitting, world travel, watercolour painting andchoral singing. She also volunteers withIBBY Canada’s Reading with Newcomers to Canada programin Toronto and does author visits and story time programs in local schools andlibraries.
Ask for Kathleen’s books at yourlibrary or purchase your own copies from her websitewww.skippingstonepress.net, Indigo, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and many otherlocations worldwide.
My website is: https://www.skippingstonepress.net
I am on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/skippingstonepress.net
Instagramat https://www.instagram.com/skippingstonepress
and Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/skippingstonep1
What would you say are your strengthsas an author?
My strengths as an author are my enthusiasm for reading andwriting, my experience as a published author, my love of picture books, a vividimagination and a love for children.
How often do you write, and do youwrite using a strict routine?
I always have a pen and paper handy for when story ideaspop into my head. I write any time of the day or night.
Five years from now, where do you seeyourself as a writer?
Five years from now, I see myself continuing to writestories, visit schools, lead Storytime and Craft events in libraries, and sharemy books at author venues.
If you could offer once piece ofadvice to a novice writer, what would it be?
My advice to novice writers is to read lots of books in thegenre you wish to write. And, it’s never too late to fulfil your dream. Ididn’t publish my first book until my sixties!
What would you consider to be the bestcompliment a reader could give your book?
One of the best compliments a reader can give is that theirlittle ones choose to read my book over and over again.
What are you working on now?
I am working on another picture book that I hope to publishwith a traditional publisher. The idea for this book came to me whileparticipating in “Storystorm” challenge, a free month-long story brainstormingevent for picture book writers that begins each year in January.
THEWISH CARVERS
Whentwo sibling elves, Fay and Eddie, come across an old carving knife with thewords What’s carved with me will come to be, on the handle, they decideto carve and paint a pot of gold, a large stone cottage and finally a fairytalecastle. But with each wish granted come more and more complications. Canthey find a way to return to their old peaceful life? Find out in thischarmingly illustrated whimsical tale that will delight young and old alike!
https://skippingstonepress.net/the-books/
https://www.amazon.ca/Wish-Carvers-Kathleen-Gauer/dp/0994900724/
BATHTIME FUN!
Bathtime is FUN!!! Find out why in this bubbly,fun-to-read-aloud, tugboat adventure. With bright, bold and playfulillustrations, diverse characters, and an engaging, rhythmic text, thisdelightful book is sure to spark the imagination of young readers everywhere.When you combine adventure with getting clean, bath time is a fun time!
https://skippingstonepress.net/the-books/
https://www.amazon.ca/Bathtime-Fun-Kathleen-Gauer/dp/0994900732/
December 3, 2023
Fellow Canadian, Rod Raglin, on Life, School, and Writing
Welcome to another first timer to the blog! Canadian author & photographer, Rod Raglin!
Rod Raglin is a Canadianjournalist, photographer and self-published author of 13 novels, two plays anda collection of short stories. His short fiction has been published in severalonline publications and aired nationally on CBC radio. He’s been a prize winnerin Vancouver West End Writers’ Poetry Competition. He lives in Vancouver,BC, where he is the publisher and editor of an online community newspaper.
He loves cats, is lukewarm onpeople and prefers to spend his time alone in his head creating stories veryfew people read, or in the woods (alone again) shooting photos very few peoplesee.
Buy links for all my books: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003DS6LEU
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Rod-Raglin/100013287676486/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rodraglin
Blog: https://rodraglin.wordpress.com
Photography (in case you want to take a peek) https://rodraglin.smugmug.com
Tellus about your life outside of writing.
I’ve been a journalist for over 50 years and have publishedcommunity newspapers since 1977. I’ve downsized considerably in the past fewyears until today I publish only one, a quarterly, online community newspaperfocused on southeast Vancouver, called The REVUE.
I’ve been interested incommunity development as an activist in the 1960’s, a politico in the 1980’s(including a candidate in civic and provincial politics – never elected, whichis probably a good thing) and with my community newspaper(s) from their inception.Throughout this time, I’ve been on the Board of Directors of the SouthVancouver Neighbourhood House holding all the executive positions at one timeor another. I’d like to think I’ve made a little bit of a difference in mycommunity, but I’d be kidding myself.
An ardent environmentalist, Iwas an avid hiker and alpine climber and still actively advocate forenvironmental causes.
I’m also a photographer, alogical spin-off of being a journalist and as well as news photography I shootlandscapes, sunsets and all the other clichéd stuff.
Doyou have a work in progress?
I do. The Murder of a BIPOCQueen is, like all my stories, a by-product of my research to understandcontemporary issues. This one came from my frustration with seeing BIPOCs andother marginalized communities being given preferential treatment on submissionpages of publications I was submitting my work. I wondered if, in reality,their work was being dismissed because of the colour of their skin or theirgender. And, were they really underrepresented compared to their percentage ofthe population (in Canada)? It has been and continues to be an interesting andcomplicated journey and at one point I realized my findings (and feelings)would be better expressed through fiction than in an essay.
Whatwas the most difficult section/piece you ever wrote? What made it difficult?
I love to write and find iteffortless (though that doesn’t mean I write well). There was, however, oneexception when I was in grade three. My teacher, Mrs. Denholm, really hated me.Can you imagine a grown woman, a professional, taking a distinct personaldislike to one of her eight-year-old students? Once I got to be an adult it waseasy to imagine, and today, though I’ve mellowed considerably, I can still bereally offensive.
Anyhow… Mrs. Denholm, smug andself-assured that she would be lavished with praise, had the entire class writean “honest” essay about what they thought about her. I mean, who didn’t lovetheir grade three teacher, right? (Come to think of it, this woman must havehad some serious issues).
Well, she didn’t count on onestudent who felt the same about her as much as she did him. The difficult partwas telling the truth. I could have lied and laid our feud to rest. But sheemphasized honest and so I let her have it.
She went berserk! Not only didshe completely lose it in the classroom the next day after she read myhundred-and-fifty-word character assassination, but she also called in myparents! Mom was mortified, she always was intimidated by authority – even an unhingedgrade three teacher. Dad was just the opposite, had no respect for authority,the bastards who kept the workers under their heel (he was a card-carryingWobblie (Industrial Workers of the World) back in the 1930s), buthe never showed for the meeting – which was about the only thing you couldcount on him doing, not showing up. As well as a severe scolding and my mothergnashing her teeth and wringing her hands for days wondering what she had doneto have such a perverse son, I was also ordered to attend weekly sessions withthe School Board-appointed child psychologist. In a way making the hard choicepaid off – one hour less a week of Mrs. Denholm.
Whatsort of research do you do for your work?
I do exhaustive research – andI love it. It’s one of the reasons I write. I do this by taking an issue I’minterested in and developing a character who has a different perspective thanmine. I mean, I know what I think and feel about, say, the white supremacy, butwhat kind of person embraces that ideology and how did they come to it? Nowdevelop that character and make him believable. It’s mind-boggling, but what Ithink we have to do if we want to understand what’s going on and, moreimportantly, why.
I’m also obsessive aboutgetting the facts right. In the Mattie Saunders Series, I became an expert inthe evils of the exotic pet trade, the species involved, the threat to theirexistence, and those committed few who rescue, rehabilitate and, in some cases,rewild them.
Whichbooks and authors do you read for pleasure? Is there an author who inspires you?
I was a big fan of AnnaQuindlen probably because she too is a journalist, and her fiction addressescontemporary issues. Lately, she seems to have lost her edge. Success tends todo that (not a problem I have) – all those paid speaking engagements, peoplehanging on your every word, critics too intimidated to give you a bad review.That, and of, course, getting older – complacent, reluctant to take risks, andnot having the energy to carry them out if you took them.
I have this thing. I go to thelibrary and pick out three books of commercial/literary fiction by authors I’venever heard of without reading the blurb or back cover. I rarely finish one.Some I quit after the first few paragraphs. What I enjoy reading most, is thework of other unpublished authors and making suggestions on how to improvetheir story. It’s far easier to see the shortcomings in someone else’s workthan your own. And I have no expectations.
Wasthere a person who encouraged you to write?
No. Well, sort of, but not in agood way. My father fancied himself as an intellectual, and he liked to getdrunk and read his awful poetry and bemoan the unfairness of life – he couldhave been this, or that, blah, blah, blah, and when he dies will I make surehis masterpieces find a publisher (kind of sounds like some of the members onCanada Writes, come to think of it). Of course, pity parties needcompany, so I was encouraged to write, read, drink and commiserate with him. Itwas fun – when you’re sixteen. Then I grew up (he didn’t). Took me years toovercome his bad influence. I still have his sarcastic mouth and shittyattitude.
FOREST: Love, Loss, Legend
Twelve years later, Matt is an acclaimed war correspondent. He’s seen it all and it’s left him with post-traumatic stress, a gastric ulcer, and an enlarged liver. He’s never been back to Pitt Landing though the memory of Raminder and their love has more than once kept him sane. He’s at his desk in the newsroom, recuperating from his last assignment and current hangover and reading a letter from his father, the first contact they’ve had in over a decade. It talks about a legendary lost gold mine, a map leading to it, and proof in a safety deposit box back in Pitt Lake. He’s sent it to Matt in case something happens to him and cautions his son to keep it a secret. Matt is about to dismiss the letter when the telephone rings. It’s Raminder telling him his father has disappeared somewhere in the wilderness that surrounds Pitt Lake. Lost gold, lost love and lost hope compels Matt to return home to a dying town on the edge of the wilderness. The forest is waiting.
https://www.amazon.com/FOREST-Love-Legend-Rod-Raglin-ebook/dp/B00SO4L080/
Quick-tempered, intolerant, and defensive, Mattie Saunders loves birds, but has little time for people. A childhood spent in one foster home after another has made her wary of commitment as evidenced by an absence of close friends and difficulty with intimate relationships. Instead, she's filled her life rescuing and rehabilitating exotic birds people buy as pets and then abandoned.
Mattie’s uncompromising attitude and high integrity frequently put her in conflict with friends, work associates, people in authority – just about anyone who doesn’t have her impossibly high standards. It also puts her at the forefront of environmental and social justice issues. Her passion for birds has her fighting to save endangered species, protect habitat and mitigate the effects of climate change. Her sense of morality demands she speak out against racial discrimination, advocate for gender parity and equal rights for the LGBTQ community.
Romance and action, tragedy and triumph, heartache and happiness – experience all this through Mattie’s eyes in this entertaining and thoughtful five book series that explores contemporary culture and issues.
HERE'S SOME OF THE ISSUES AND CHALLENGES MATTIE FACES IN INDIVIDUAL BOOKS...
Book 1 - The ROCKER and the BIRD GIRL - Fame and finances, rockers and parrots, success and salvation, hope and happiness.
Book 2 - COLD-BLOODED - Drugs and betrayal, lizards and snakes, friendship and family, condemnation and forgiveness.
Book 3 - The BIRD WHISPERER - Love and death, eagles and hummingbirds, #MeToo and gender equality, truth and reconciliation, oil spills and pipelines.
Book 4 - The BIRD WITCH - Relationships and culture clash, dead birds and climate change, migrants and cartels, politics and power.
Book 5 - The FLOCK - Indigenous rights and racial prejudice, alt-right and hate crimes, kids and care giving, LGBTQ and justice, purpose and commitment.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088NH8S6K?
December 2, 2023
Today's feature is Mandy Eve-Barnett, author of The Commodore's Gift and The Rython Kingdom
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Welcome to a local Alberta Author!
I'm excited to feature Mandy again and share her newest works!
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Mandy Eve-Barnett is amulti-genre author writing children’s, YA and adult books. Every story has abasis of love, nature, magic and mystery. Her passion for writing emerged laterin life and she is making up for lost time. With ten books published since 2011and another eight awaiting the editing process, she indulges her Muse increative as well as freelance writing. Mandy regularly blogs at http://www.mandyevebarnett.com, whereshe encourages, and supports the networking of writers and readers alike. She is also prolific on social media. Mandy is currently the Secretary of herlocal writers group, the Writers Foundation of Strathcona County, she hosts themonthly Writers Circle meetings and creates weekly writing prompts for thewebsite. She is past Secretary of the Alberta Authors Cooperative and pastPresident of the Arts & Culture Council of Strathcona County Council. MandyEve-Barnett lives her creative life to the fullest.
Social media links:
Twitter https://twitter.com/mandyevebarnett
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Mandyevebarnettcom/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mandyevebarnett/
Freelance https://tailoredthemedtosuit.wordpress.com/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandy-eve-barnett-58235250/
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.ca/mandywordsmith/
Website https://mandyevebarnett.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/…/6477059.Mandy_Eve_Barnett…
Amazonauthor page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01MDUAS0V
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=Mandy+Eve-Barnett
Publisher: Dream Write Publishing. www.dreamwritepublishing.ca
How many hours a day do you write?
Untilrecently my writing was restricted by full time work, so evenings, weekends andregular writing focused road trips were my writing opportunities. With a changein my circumstances, i.e. retirement, I thought my writing time would increase.However, I seem to be even busier, go figure, so writing time is mainly when Ican fit it in as usual. When a story does take hold though, then I am hyperfocused and can spend two hours or more writing without a break.
Howdo you choose which stories you will write?
Oncea story idea takes hold, I will usually go with it and let the characters leadme on their journey. At times, a conflict occurs when another idea/character‘pushes’ in demanding attention. This is the point where I will changedirection with whichever character is ‘screaming’ the loudest. Yes, it is areal thing in my head. This happened quite recently when I was three quartersthe way through the third book of a crime trilogy manuscript and a maincharacter of a fantasy duology demanded my attention, she won by the way.
Whatis the most difficult part of your artistic process?
Mostprobably ‘bum on seat’ as they say. There are always distractions andobligations, whether external or internal. Also, as a free flow writer, oncethe narrative has come to what I feel is a conclusion, there comes the editingand revisions. Not as much fun but vital to ensuring the narrative captivatesmy readers.
Fiveyears from now, where do you see yourself as a writer?
Hopefully,all my back burner manuscripts that clog my files have found respectivepublishers, and I have connected with more readers, whether in person or onlineand have increased my literary legacy.
Howmany unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
Thisis a huge question as new ones ‘pop’ into my head fairly regularly. So, as oftoday, I have a crime trilogy, a western romance, a contemporary romance, asuspense novel, two short story collections and...the ideas continue toformulate.
Wasthere a person who encouraged you to write?
Actually,not one person but the members of my writers group, the Writers Foundation ofStrathcona County. I am honoured to have among these wonderful people mentors,and supporters. Without this group I would not be writing at all. I am proud tohave been the secretary since 2009 and do not envisage ever leaving.
The Commodre’s Gift - Steampunk
Under the Buldrick Empire’s rule, Owena finds herselffighting alongside a rebel force. Her aptitude for strategy and swordsmanshipcome to the fore. When she meets Galen, not only does she fall in love butbecomes even more determined to join the fight to restore the rightful King tothe throne.
https://www.amazon.ca/Commodores-Gift-Mandy-Eve-Barnett/dp/1988723760
Unaware he is a pawn in a vengeful plan, Guillem’s actionsmay release an evil witch from her entrapment. The famed troubadour attends theking’s court to recite a marvelous tale but his suspicions are raised by astrange servant. With the help of a wizened old woman, and her beautifulgranddaughter, Guillem attempts to outwit the witch to save the kingdom frommurder and mayhem. He then finds himself part of a ritual for life everlastingwith the entrancing and mysterious Juliana.
https://www.amazon.ca/Rython-Kingdom-Mandy-Eve-Barnett-ebook/dp/B06ZYP7HWB
November 30, 2023
Featuring Canadian Romance and Mystery Author, Patricia Johns and her new book Murder of an Amish Bridegroom
Welcome to Canadian Romance and Mystery author, Patricia Johns!
PatriciaJohns lives with her husband and son in Alberta, Canada. The winters are longand cold, her home is snug and cozy, and the combination is perfect for novelwriting. She is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author in Amish romance, andthis is her first foray into cozy mysteries.
Website:https://patriciajohns.com
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/PatriciaJohnsAuthor
Twitter:https://twitter.com/AuthorPatJohns
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/authorpatjohns/
Do yourcharacters come before or after your plot?
My characters come first—at least time around! Iknew who my sleuth would be, and I knew who I wanted to die. The mysterydefinitely grew out of my characters! I find that characters with their secretsand longings are the most interesting part of any book.
How do youchoose a villain and how do you make them human?
Well, in this cozy mystery, I suppose the villainis our victim! He’s just awful. No one likes him, and for good reason, but I dodelve a little deeper and find his humanity. As we learn more about him, we seewhat pushed him to become a worse and worse human being—but he didn’t get therealone. Every sordid, selfish man started out as a sweet little boy, after all. Asfor the killer—I like to look at how any one of us could be pushed too far. Eventhe killer is a “good guy” in their own eyes!
Do yourreading choices reflect your writing choices?
Oh, absolutely! I love reading mysteries, romance,historical novels, fantasy, classics, gothic… I read pretty broadly, but Ithink that helps me as a writer. It keeps me thinking and wondering—which isthe start of any good book!
What sortsof characters are your favorite to write?
I love writing strong, capable, slightly intimidatingwomen, especially within the Amish community. When everyone around them expectsthem to be quiet and demure, it can be hard to find their place. But keepingthem down is not an option! That kind of woman shows up in all of my writing,from my romance novels to this cozy mystery.
What areyou working on now?
I’m currently working on Amish romance.
What sortof research do you do for your work?
I’ve done a ton of research into the Amish worldover the years. I love working with Amish stories because the research isalways applicable to my next book! So I’m often researching how to hitch up abuggy, recipes, how to make ice cream from scratch, how to harvest ice off of afrozen lake, which holidays are celebrated and how… I also try my hand at a lotof different crafts that Amish women would be skilled at. I’m not as skilled byany stretch, but it is a lot of fun to try them! So far, I’ve been doing someknitting and embroidery.
MURDER OF AN AMISH BRIDEGROOM
Petunia Yoder is Blueberry, Pennsylvania’s youngest old maid, attwenty-two years of age, and completely unmarriageable. But she’s determined tocelebrate her friends’ weddings with joy and a full heart. Unfortunately,Petunia’s best friend, Eden Beiler, is playing a dangerous game with a man whois ruining her reputation.
Ike Smoker is the community’s ice man—the one who cuts, stores, and sells theice—and when Petunia discovers him dead with an ice pick in his chest, Eden isfound on the scene with blood on her hands. Homicide detective Asher Nate isnew to the area, and he has a challenge on his hands. The Amishcommunity sticks close together, and he doesn’t understand the subtleties andnuances of the clues he uncovers. He needs an Amish interpreter, and he asksPetunia if she’ll help. In a bid to keep her best friend out of prison, sheagrees.
The community is filled with people who had good reason to hate Ike Smoker,especially as Petunia and Asher begin to uncover his secrets. Was someonetrying to protect their family's reputation? Or to exact revenge for a sinburied deep in the past?
There’s a litany of damning clues that litters the ground—and if Petunia andAsher can’t come up with the truth, they could end up as the next ones on thekiller’s list.
Buy links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Amish-Bridegroom-Seamstress-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0BXKHG8CG/
Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/murder-of-an-amish-bridegroom/9781639105328
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/murder-of-an-amish-bridegroom
