Brain to Books Cyber Convention (FAIRGROUNDS) discussion
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Tim Hemlin ~ dystopian scifi with a paranormal twist; mysteries with touch of cozy noir
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Wastelanders Series:
My latest novel is the first in a series called The Wastelanders a dystopian, science fiction, cli-fi (climate fiction) and has been described as a political thriller. Set in a futuristic Texas where water is a commodity more precious than gold, The Wastelanders addresses many issues. But I wrote it because of my love for the environment and fear of where we are heading with climate change rampant not to mention the political atmosphere, an oligarchy based on an all-powerful Water Cartel seemed imminent. And now . . . several years after I started writing it seems even more probable than ever. I am nearly finished with the second book in this series
The Neil Marshall Mysteries
For ten years, I worked as a chef for an upscale catering company here in Houston. This provided a wealth of material on which I based my culinary mystery series, the Neil Marshal Mysteries. I penned these in the late 90s and recently got the rights reverted. We will be re-releasing them, on the 20th anniversary of the first book’s publication this June . In the series, Neil Marshall is a grad-student, poet, and chef for an upscale catering company . . . sound familiar? Yet also through a hard shove of Fate he solves crimes with C.J. McDaniels, a gritty private investigator. Like his hometown of Houston, Neil is on the cusp of change, and in a large part that is due to his developing relationship with irascible C.J., his love interest with Linda Garcia, and the peppering of bodies served up Texas style between the tortilla soup and the corn and jalapeño soufflé.
Son of a Kitchen Witch Series
My newest book, Son of a Kitchen Witch which is with my agent right now. It’s a coming of age young adult urban fantasy with a large dose of the paranormal and a touch of romance. Seventeen yr. old Bobby has always known his overprotective mother is a witch. However, he never understood the depth of her powers until he learns the truth about his father’s death and the ancient group of fanatics determined to hunt down and kill every last witch on earth. As if being in high school isn’t hard enough, Bobby and his best friend Angelina struggle to understand the emerging secrets of white magic in the Wiccan community.
Every year our lovely conference coordinator, Angela Chrysler, posts three questions as a FLASH INTERVIEW. Here are the answers ~(Please reply and give your own answer or comment on my answers in the reply box. I'd enjoy interacting with you.)
This year's questions are:
QUESTION ONE ~
What story has recently inspired/moved you?
This will probably sound odd, but the story that has inspired me most recently is Stephen King's Doctor Sleep. Doctor Sleep is the sequel to The Shining, which I first read in the late 70's. King is of course a rock star among writers, but what I like most is his ability to seamlessly mix the everyday with the supernatural. That could be you or me in his stories, god help us. It's because of this quality that I often turn to him when I hit a rut in my own writing. I'll read his work and voila, I see the answers to my own questions, which usually consists of not overthinking what I'm working on. It's a story, Tim, just tell it.
QUESTION TWO ~
Characters begin with their strengths and weaknesses. Many authors reflect their own strengths and weaknesses in their characters. What are some of the strengths and weaknesses that you relate to, and how have these traits influenced your characters?
Everyone loves a strong character, but when the strength is coupled with flaws we identify with that character. In The Wastelanders, the time-witch is a powerful young woman, yet she struggles with understanding this power. In a way her tale is kind of a belated coming of age story. I also have Joey Hawke, the warrior-priest, who often questions himself. Self-doubt is a prevalent weakness among my characters. They have the tools to get the job done but question if they're good enough to do it. I think this is what makes them real. The fear of failure, and then the courage to be forge ahead anyway and face that fear.
QUESTION THREE ~
What did story mean to you as a child?
Stories make the world go 'round. Without them we'd be living in a sterile, dystopian society (can you say Equilibrium? an underrated movie in my opinion) worse than the one I created in The Wastelanders. I've known since I was very young that I wanted to be a writer because I just love hearing stories. I recall a time in early elementary school a storyteller came and spoke to our class (he also did caricatures and sketched one of me). He told a lot of spooky tales that kids love, changing his voice with each character. I was mesmerized, and the fact I remember his performance nearly fifty years later speaks to the impact it had on me. Stories are what made life interesting then, and they still do.
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Now just for fun, for those of you who missed last year's convention, Here are the interview questions from the 2015 cyberconvention as well:
2015 QUESTION ONE ~
Describe your favorite scene in your book and tell us why its your favorite.
Choosing a single scene is tough, but in the spirit of the question I’m going to go with a deceptively simple section in The Wastelanders where Si-Ting, girlfriend of Warrior-Priest Joey Hawke, plays a game of chess with her captor.
Detained in a remote location because the authorities believe she can lead them to Joey, Si-Ting proves stronger willed than anticipated. She has resisted the lie scan and controlled her thoughts under sleepless duress and hunger. Dr. Eagleton, her interrogator, then attempts to get inside her mind through a game of chess. He intends to break her concentration, and for a moment it appears to have worked as Si-Ting falls prey to a poisoned pawn, unleashing doubt and confusion, her defenses dropping . . .
Or does she?
This is the scene where Si-Ting recognizes her latent powers. This is where she begins to become a time-witch.
2015 QUESTION TWO ~
Which of your characters, do you relate to the most (or) who is your favorite character and why?
A number of years ago I had the good fortune to meet Janwillem Van De Wetering, author of the Grijpstra and De Gier mysteries, a series set in Amsterdam. I always felt that Mr. Van De Wetering’s characters were different aspects of himself—the dashing young De Gier was how he’d like to be, grumpy old Grijpstra was actually how he saw himself, and the wily Commissaris was his intellectual self.
I liked the idea of that and in The Wastelanders translated it into warrior-priest Joey Hawke, his father Bernie Hawke, and the enigmatic Bear. So to answer the question I guess I relate strongly to my three male main characters. Joey is how I’d like to be—young, searching and questioning, with so much life ahead and so much to do. Bernie is closer to where I am in life—older, scarred after having faced his share of battles, successes and disappointments, yet still believing in love after so many years. And Bear is the archetypal philosophical hero, the big burly protector and warrior everyone wants on their side and few desire to cross. Joey and Bernie are no lightweights, but Bear has that edge where the ends justify the means.
2015 QUESTION THREE ~
“Story” has always been the center of all human cultures. We need it. We seek it out. When we lack it, we invent it. What does “story” mean to you?
Stories are what make life new. Each generation defines itself by the layer of tales it leaves for future generations to excavate. We read stories in fragments of cuneiform, in ancient pottery and on the walls of caves. Stories hold time captive, releasing it only when future readers choose to set it free.
Everyone likes a good story because it’s how we relate to each other and to our world. How many times have you heard a story similar to one I might tell you? Yet mine is distinctive because it comes from my perspective and my world, and then you fill in with your own background knowledge and enrich the tale on a personal level. I can look to the past and tell you a story today about a future you’ve never even dreamed of.
I see stories in everything—a fleur-de-lis bottle opener, a scruffy old pair of cowboy boots, two wooden beach chairs facing each other on an abandoned shoreline. Stories are rooted in objects the imagination then takes to new heights. Stories can be simply told and yet so complex . . .
Have you heard the one about the guy who at the last minute decided to wear his cowboy boots when meeting a bunch of friends? Well, crowded around a table at the bar a certain young lady said, “I write westerns and I don’t even know how to two-step. Can anyone teach me how to two-step?” The guy in the scruffy old pair of cowboy boots jumped up and said, “Yes, ma’am, I can.”
And they’ve been dancing together ever since.
Stories are life.
Day ONE ~ The author is currently IN! I won't be IN until after 7:00 CST. Yes, because I have a day job. At that time I'll be here to visit, answer questions and work the room.Until then pop on over to STORY HOP ~
Sample some of the stories these author's who contributed a short story for this event then.
Day THREE ~ The author is OUT!Trivia quiz and giveaways!
Tomorrow's Trivia questions are:
1) There have been many stories based on the hero of Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf. What writer, in a literary twist, based his famous book on the monster?
2) A number of years ago a famous talk show host made a massive nineteenth century classic novel a modern day bestseller. Name the talk show host and the novel.
3) What fictional tough guy was totally devoted to Susan Silverman even though they never married or really lived together?
4) What beloved mystery writer nearly a hundred years ago disappeared for eleven days, causing a countrywide search?
Answer in the comments for a chance to win an e-copy of The Wastelanders.
Hi Tim! *waving furiously from a corner booth*
I swear I've still got the Wastelanders waiting to be read. I should pull that out after I finish this next book.
Riley wrote: "I swear I've still got the Wastelanders waiting to be read. I should pull that out after I finish this next book."It's excellent! Rather Dune-like. :)
Glad all is going well. Thumbs up...
Chess wrote: "Hi Tim! I opened a portal from your booth to mine! I hope you'll stop by to visit. You're welcome to leave a link from my booth back to yours! :o)"
Hi Chess! Great to see you. Will try to get Valerie to put the link. She's my techno person.
Marguerite wrote: "Hi Tim! *waving furiously from a corner booth*"Hey girl, waving back at you!
J.S. wrote: "Hi Tim! Lovely booth!"J.S. wrote: "Riley wrote: "I swear I've still got the Wastelanders waiting to be read. I should pull that out after I finish this next book."
It's excellent! Rather Dune-like. :)"
I would be honored if you'd read Wastelanders. And thanks for the Dune comparison, Jenny!
J.S. wrote: "Hi Tim! Lovely booth!"Hi Jenny!
Riley wrote: "I swear I've still got the Wastelanders waiting to be read. I should pull that out after I finish this next book."Thanks Riley!
Charlotte wrote: "Glad all is going well. Thumbs up..."Hi Charlotte!
Hi Tim! Good to see you again! There's quite a big group this year! I've still got Wastelanders in my to be read pile, but Son of a Kitchen Witch sounds like something I'm going to want to jump on.
Christina wrote: "Hi Tim! Good to see you again! There's quite a big group this year! I've still got Wastelanders in my to be read pile, but Son of a Kitchen Witch sounds like something I'm going to want to jump on."Hey Christina, great to see/hear from you! It is a bit different from last year, isn't it? Perhaps you'll get to Wastelanders this year. I will say, I am anxious to get Kitchen Witch out. It was one of those books where I loved writing every word and was sorry to see it end. Anyway, how are things with you?
I'm good! Just a specator this year because I've got quite a bit of real life nonsense going on. Spending more time on my step count than my word count these days. ;)
Christina wrote: "I'm good! Just a specator this year because I've got quite a bit of real life nonsense going on. Spending more time on my step count than my word count these days. ;)"*You're not walking!* says your pedometer.
Specator. I invented a new word, apparently. ;p
Christina wrote: "I'm good! Just a specator this year because I've got quite a bit of real life nonsense going on. Spending more time on my step count than my word count these days. ;)"Christina, I don't think I'd ever consider you just "a specator." ;)
Though I hope this nonsense is just that.
Chess wrote: "Christina wrote: "Specator. I invented a new word, apparently. ;p"Kind of like a specter that's always watching? *shudder*"
Heheheh! That's me 0_O
Getting dizzy from these portals... but here's one back to my booth:
What's all this about balls of yarn?
Les wrote: "Getting dizzy from these portals... but here's one back to my booth:What's all this about balls of yarn?"
Chess goes craft crazy every once in a while, Les . . .
But better yarn than rotten tomatoes.
David wrote: "I'm lost in a alternate dimenson help lols"Hi David. I'm afraid you're trapped at the fairgrounds until Sunday evening . . . :)
Hi Tim, Since you are marathoner have you been to NY marathon ? :)
Marco wrote: "Hi Tim, Since you are marathoner have you been to NY marathon ? :)"
Hey Marco. Not yet. NYC, Boston, and Marine Corp in DC are on my list. So far I've run Seattle, San Diego, and Houston, to name a few.
Do you run?
Wow you did quite a lot, no i'm not run but i go with my mountain bike, i have done 750km since last year i think 600miles :)
Marco wrote: "Wow you did quite a lot, no i'm not run but i go with my mountain bike, i have done 750km since last year i think 600miles :)"Nice. Mountain biking sounds fun, and I bet you have a great area for it.
Chess wrote: "Tim wrote: "Chess goes craft crazy every once in a while, Les . . ."Um, oops?"
Oh Chess, as a professional counselor I can only say . . . LMAO!
We have some nice tracks, i especially prefer the ones on parks to avoid traffic :)
Chess,The St. Louis Dr. Who Fan club knitted a scarf long enough to stretch between the legs of the Arch back in (roughly) 1985. I looked, but it doesn't look like anyone decided to toss an old picture online from the event. They then cut it up and sold it. (You remember the Tom Baker [Dr. #4] scarf?)
Les wrote: "Chess,The St. Louis Dr. Who Fan club knitted a scarf long enough to stretch between the legs of the Arch back in (roughly) 1985. I looked, but it doesn't look like anyone decided to toss an old pi..."
Hey, Les! Tom Baker is my ALL TIME favorite Dr. Who. Remember how he used to trip on that scarf when he'd climb stairs?
Hi Tim,Between bouncing back and forth from here to Facebook, and falling through the portals that Chess is leaving everywhere, I keep getting lost!
The Wastelanders is on my to-read list, which has grown horrendously over the last couple of days.
Trivia quiz -
I think I know the answers to 1,3 &4 but I haven't a clue on #2!
Rainne wrote: "Hi Tim,Between bouncing back and forth from here to Facebook, and falling through the portals that Chess is leaving everywhere, I keep getting lost!
The Wastelanders is on my to-read list, whic..."
Good Morning Rainne!
Thanks for stopping by. When you get to Wastelanders, I hope you enjoy it. I appreciate you putting it on your TBR list.
#2, huh? Hmmm . . . if you're still stumped later I'll give you a hint. Guess it won't help to say I read the book . . . and it's my favorite of that author.
Have a great day!
Rainne wrote: "Hi Tim,Between bouncing back and forth from here to Facebook, and falling through the portals that Chess is leaving everywhere, I keep getting lost!
The Wastelanders is on my to-read list, whic..."
Of course, Rainne, it might help if I put the right century (ugh). Nineteenth, not eighteenth. The novel in question was published in the late nineteenth century . . .
For the trivia questions, should we post what we think the answers are here?
Your book the Wastelanders looks really interesting. :)
Your book the Wastelanders looks really interesting. :)
R. wrote: "For the trivia questions, should we post what we think the answers are here?Your book the Wastelanders looks really interesting. :)"
Hey Rebekah, yep, answer right here. Your work looks interesting, too. I always did like the rodeo.
Hi Tim!It's nice to meet you :) Wastelanders sounds very interesting. I do love dystopian novels!
Tim wrote: "R. wrote: "For the trivia questions, should we post what we think the answers are here?
Your book the Wastelanders looks really interesting. :)"
Hey Rebekah, yep, answer right here. Your work loo..."
Thank you. Mine doesn't have too much rodeo in it besides my character's misunderstanding of what a rodeo clown is. My story's a satire about the jerk everyone avoids at parties, but with more oddness.
Here are my attempts at answering:
1. John Gardner Grendel
2. Spencer from the books by Robert B. Parker
3. Anna Karenina Leo Tolstoy and the talk show was Oprah
4. Agatha Christie
Your book the Wastelanders looks really interesting. :)"
Hey Rebekah, yep, answer right here. Your work loo..."
Thank you. Mine doesn't have too much rodeo in it besides my character's misunderstanding of what a rodeo clown is. My story's a satire about the jerk everyone avoids at parties, but with more oddness.
Here are my attempts at answering:
1. John Gardner Grendel
2. Spencer from the books by Robert B. Parker
3. Anna Karenina Leo Tolstoy and the talk show was Oprah
4. Agatha Christie
Ashley wrote: "Hi Tim!It's nice to meet you :) Wastelanders sounds very interesting. I do love dystopian novels!"
Nice to meet you too, Ashley! Thanks for stopping by. And who doesn't love a good dystopian, right? ;)
R. wrote: "Tim wrote: "R. wrote: "For the trivia questions, should we post what we think the answers are here?Your book the Wastelanders looks really interesting. :)"
Hey Rebekah, yep, answer right here. Y..."
Thanks Rebekah! Actually I love satire. Ever read A Confederacy of Dunces?
Tim wrote: "Of course, Rainne, it might help if I put the right century (ugh). Nineteenth, not eighteenth. The novel in question was published in the late nineteenth century . . ."Ha ha... that helps a bit, Tim!! :D
1) John Gardner
2) Oprah and Anna Karenina.
3) Spenser
4) Agatha Christie
Tim wrote: "R. wrote: "Tim wrote: "R. wrote: "For the trivia questions, should we post what we think the answers are here?
Your book the Wastelanders looks really interesting. :)"
Hey Rebekah, yep, answer ri..."
I haven't yet, but I've heard a bunch of good things about it and need to go ahead and buy it. There's so many books out there, I always end up swamped with different ones I want to read.
Your book the Wastelanders looks really interesting. :)"
Hey Rebekah, yep, answer ri..."
I haven't yet, but I've heard a bunch of good things about it and need to go ahead and buy it. There's so many books out there, I always end up swamped with different ones I want to read.
Chess wrote: "Tim wrote: "Chess goes craft crazy every once in a while, Les . . ."Um, oops?"
Wow! Super cool, like Dr. Seuss illustrations.
J.S. wrote: "Chess wrote: "Tim wrote: "Chess goes craft crazy every once in a while, Les . . ."Um, oops?"
Wow! Super cool, like Dr. Seuss illustrations."
No kidding, Jenny. Makes you wonder what Chess does in her spare time . . . or maybe it doesn't.
Brain to Books Cyber Convention (FAIRGROUNDS)
Books mentioned in this topic
Echoes of Winter (other topics)The Wastelanders (other topics)
Black Silence: A Wastelanders Short Story (other topics)
If you want to join in the fun you'll have to join this group. New to Goodreads? Just click back to the 2016 Author Cyber Convention Center then click on the Join Group button located under the Convention Banner. To get back here, Click on the GREEN square that says MAPS then either scroll until you see my booth titled: Tim Hemlin.
Now, let me tell you a little bit about myself:
I'm a marathoner, former teacher, and current high school counselor, but it's my passion for the environment that sparked me to write The Wastelanders, a dystopian-clifi published in both e-book and paperback by Reputation Books. I'm represented by Kimberley Cameron of Kimberley Cameron & Associates Literary Agency. By the way, having an agent and a publisher sounds good but I still do my own marketing and function as an indie.
Recently the Muse has kindly allowed me to tap into that creative magic and pen a young adult urban fantasy titled Son of a Kitchen Witch. This is a coming of age story with a good v. evil backdrop. I loved writing this book and I think it shows.
Currently the manuscript is with my agent. Last fall I wrote a related story titled The Darkest Night of the Year which appeared in the Echoes of Winter anthology.
In the 1990’s Ballantine Books published my series of culinary mysteries set in Houston, Texas. The Neil Marshall series includes If Wishes Were Horses, A Whisper of Rage (nominated for a Shamus Award), People in Glass Houses, A Catered Christmas (the one I most enjoyed writing), and Dead Man's Broth. I have recently attained the rights of this series from Ballantine and will soon be reissuing the books, on the twentieth anniversary of their publication, through La Nouvelle Atlantide out of New Orleans.
I have published shorter works, most notably a story in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. And, I also have a short story, Black Silence, where I introduce a new character who will appear in The Rise of the Time-Witch, the long awaited sequel to The Wastelanders.
During the conference I will be wandering around visiting with my fellow authors and sampling their wares. I will post the times I will be IN each day. When I am OUT, please feel free to leave questions in reply section of the message box and I will answer them while I am IN.
All three days, I'll be holding give-a-ways, a trivia quiz, joining in a Facebook party and am on several panel discussions. Also, please join me and a number of other writers as we ply our trade and present the Story Hop for your enjoyment throughout the conference.
Also, please join me and a number of other writers as we ply our trade and present the Story Hop for your enjoyment throughout the conference.
I will be giving away e-copies of The Wastelanders, Black Silence and Echoes of Winter during different events and contests I'll be attending and hosting throughout the conference.
Join the fun and don’t forget to mark one of my books as a “To read!”
Find me on all my social media sites ~
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
NOTE: All of the winners for my giveaways will be chosen using a random number generator.
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