Next Big Thing Blog – Anasazi Whispers

Kris Neri, author of MAGICAL ALIENATION: 2012 New Mexico & Arizona Book Award Winner and 2012 Lefty Award Nominee, invited me to participate in the “Next Big Thing Blog.” This blog chain is a great way for authors to promote each other’s work.

You can find additional information on Kris and all of her books at http://krisneri.blogspot.com/.

Kris and Joe Neri also own a wonderful bookstore in Sedona, Arizona called The Well-Red Coyote, voted best bookstore in Sedona. I have done two presentations there pertaining to Native American history and will be doing another presentation on Cannibalism and Violence in the Southwest on Saturday, February 16th, 2013 at 2p.

All authors participating in this blog chain are answering the following questions pertaining to their work in progress, so here is my interview pertaining to my third novel in the Ancient Ones series, titled “Anasazi Whispers.”

Where did the idea come from for the book? Anasazi Whispers is part of The Ancient Ones series, so the idea originates from the progression of plot from the first and second novels.

1. What genre does your book fall under? The book is a paranormal mystery novel, but all my books also have strong elements of paranormal romance. Anasazi Whispers also has scenes that go back into the prehistoric past, so also delves into historical fiction.
2. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? Jennifer Marie Morrison, who plays the role of Emma Swan in the TV show “Once Upon a Time,” would make a good Lorelei. Chris Hemsworth, who played Thor in the feature movie, would make a perfect Ian. Joe, my handsome Native American shaman, could be played by Kalani Queypo, who played in the film “The New World.”
3. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? An FBI agent and Native American shaman, Joe Luna, along with the members of the Arizona-Irish Paranormal Research Society, attempt to solve a rather unusual murder/kidnapping case among the prehistoric Indian ruins of the Four Corners.
4. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? I am currently represented by Aberdeen Bay, a traditional publisher.
5. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? The first draft took about six months.
6. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? Not sure my novels really compare to anything else. Probably Tony Hillerman as his mystery novels are also set in scenic locations.
7. Who or what inspired you to write this book? This is the third in a series, and was inspired by my love of Southwestern archaeology and Native American history. It takes place in the Four Corners, including Hovenweep National Monument, Canyon of the Ancients and Chaco Canyon.
8. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? There are many interesting elements to the books in my series, including metaphysical, paranormal, supernatural, prehistory of the Four Corners and archaeology. Readers that aren’t even interested in the paranormal find my books fascinating because there are such strong characters and non-stop adventure.

Please check out the following websites of some very talented authors who I have tagged for this blog chain:

Jenn Czep: Author, belly dancer, philanthropist, pirate – her blog is at www.czepwrites.blogspot.com. This amazing young lady writes pirate novels, so her pirate group does yearly performances at the Phoenix Comicon and the Phoenix Zoo’s Howl-O-Ween event, among many others! I had the opportunity to see this performance at the Velma Teague Library in Glendale, Arizona, and they were very entertaining!

Lena Jo McCoy, author of “Special Run,” www.lenajomccoy.com. Lena is a very talented author, who also writes paranormal mysteries.

Karen Keilt, author of the International Thriller, “The Parrots Perch,” www.theparrotsperch.com. Karen’s book is based on her life in Brazil and is being turned into a Hollywood Movie, to premier in 2016!

Interactive Writing Workshop by Susan Cummins Miller

November 17, 2012 workshop

Fiction Writers:

Have you got saggy middles?

Lost your subplots?

Find out how to fix those beastly problems in this

interactive one-day workshop with mystery author

SUSAN CUMMINS MILLER

Most novels have 3 acts –

Act I: Sets up the conflict that drives the plot

Act II:Into the Belly of the Beast

Act III: Resolves the loose ends

• Story arcs and the Three-Act Structure of novels
• The “Hero’s Journey” as an aid to plotting
• How to spot major problems leading to stalled action and flagging plots
• The role of intermediate helpers, antagonists, goals and hurdles in creating a strong Act II
• How character interactions give rise to subplots
• The importance of subplots in increasing complexity, emotional satisfaction, pace and interest of the story
• How to weave subplots to increase tension and create a satisfying resolution

 

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The Workshop Scoop

This event is supported by Poets & Writers, Inc.

When: November 17, 2012 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Registration deadline (hopefully date): Nov. 13, 2012

Where:  Viscount Suites Hotel,  4855 E. Broadway Blvd.

Seating is Limited, register now.

Cost – Sisters in Crime Members:  $45.00 (includes lunch)

Cost – Non Members:  $50.00 (includes lunch)

Register at the web site:www.tucsonsistersincrime.org

Tell a friend, bring a friend. Feel free to forward to the plotters and pantsers you know who are interested in improving their writing skills.

Lori Hines’ Interview with Mystery Most Cozy’s Karen Rigley

Hello, Lori. Paranormal elements mesh intricately with mystery, so share with us about your writing.

How did you know you were meant to write?

When I began writing poetry at the age of ten, I had a few poems published in anthologies at a very young age and a love poem published in a national magazine. It wasn’t until about six years ago that I decided to start writing paranormal murder mysteries.

Writing is a learning curve.  What have you learned during your journey as an author?

I’ve learned that becoming a successful author is a long, arduous process. I’ve found it more difficult than owning my own copyrighting business. Extensive networking led to word-of-mouth business when it came to owning my own company. However, there are so many people publishing their own novels these days, both traditional and self-published. So it’s very hard to set yourself apart.

I’ve also learned that you have to be able to take advice to improve your writing. Joining local critique groups helps to get your skills up. Along with writing workshops and local writing organizations.

What inspired you to write mysteries?

I have been a paranormal investigator for the past five years, and experiences on those investigations inspired some of the characters and scenes. The paranormal fits in great with the mystery genre.

What intrigues you about mysteries?

Well-written mysteries that provide fascinating characters, and interesting twists of plot that keep the readers wondering what will happen next. I love mysteries that are set in scenic locales so that I can imagine I am there with the characters.

What enticed you to write a series?

A series represents growth and strength of characters. My fans love the bond between the individuals in the Arizona-Irish Paranormal Research Society. I also have a lot of fun with new places to explore – usually locations that I have visited myself. This includes the Vulture Mine Ghost Town near Wickenburg, Arizona, the Dragoon Mountains in Southeast Arizona, the Painted Desert/Petrified Forest near Holbrook, Arizona and the badlands and ancient ruins in the Four Corners (Mesa Verde, Hovenweep, Chaco Canyon, Salmon Ruins and Aztec Ruins).

What is the most challenging facet of writing for you?

I still work full-time as a writer and editor, plus family, and traveling to promote my first two novels in the series, “The Ancient Ones” and “Caves of the Watchers.” I would love to be able to write full-time one day.

What do you enjoy reading?

J.A. Jance is one of my favorite mystery authors, but I am also doing extensive research and reading pertaining to archaeology and Native American history in the Southwest. My novels take place in Arizona and the Four Corners, so I am focusing on the cultures who resided in these places during prehistoric times. This includes the Anasazi (ancestral Puebloan) and the Hohokam who resided in Phoenix, Tucson and into Mexico.

Which authors have influenced you?

J.A. Jance because of her ability to write an amazing murder mystery set in some of my favorite places, including southeast Arizona. And J.K. Rowling because of her imagination

How much of a story do you have in mind when you begin a new novel?

I know basic events that I want to have happen, such as Lorelei meeting Ian in the first book, then getting married in the second. But I don’t like to outline the plot because I find it inhibits my imagination. It is a true adventure for me to start writing on page one and have a surprise ending. My second book, “Caves of the Watchers,” had an ending that wrote itself. And I am very proud of it! Plus my fans keep telling me they never saw it coming.

Part of the magic of writing is creating memorable characters. Who are your own favorite characters, why, and which of your books feature them?

One of my favorite characters is Joe Luna, the Native American shaman. He is a very strong character – a healer and FBI agent. He performs an interesting ceremony in the first book. Lorelei Lanier, one of the main characters, is also a favorite due to her rather unique abilities that develop throughout the series.

What would you like to tell to your readers & fans?

Thanks very much! I appreciate your continued support and great reviews! It’s always nice when people keep asking me when my next book is coming out.

Do you have advice to offer a beginning writer?

Don’t give up! What helped me tremendously was joining local writer’s critique groups. You have to be able to take advice in order to become a good writer. Also, join local writing organizations, such as Sisters in Crime or the Arizona Authors Association. Such organizations can help writers develop their skills and give them opportunities to showcase their work.

Do you enjoy a touch of romance woven into your mysteries or add it into your own stories?

Absolutely. My series is paranormal mystery, but there is a very strong element of romance between Lorelei Lanier and Ian Healy. As the series progresses, there are other romances that develop. My fans have really enjoyed the powerful connection between Lorelei and Ian.

Authors create magic to allow readers an escape into the story. As you write how deeply do you submerge into your own characters, setting and plot and do you dream any of it?

I have to imagine myself in the exact location, which is why I like to visit the places I write about. I take hundreds of photos to be able to remember the details of my locations and incorporate them into my books.

I based Lorelei’s character off of myself somewhat to be able to ‘submerge’ into the story. Being a paranormal investigator makes it much easier to relate to the plot and what the characters are thinking.

What are you writing now?

I am working on the third in “The Ancient Ones” series, titled “Anasazi Whispers.” It takes place in the Four Corners among prehistoric Indian ruins at Hovenweep National Monument and Canyon of the Ancients.

Where can we find out more about you and your books?

http://lhauthor.wordpress.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Lori-Hines/e/B0054MWG38

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4895416.Lori_Hines

To join the Mystery Most Cozy Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/188620978695/?

Read the latest interviews with cozy writers: http://shimmerfall.wordpress.com/2012/10/22/mystery-most-cozy-interviews-carolyn-hart/

October Sisters in Crime Meeting – Tucson Chapter

October Craft Speaker: JoAnn Bassett: Six Ways to Pump Up Your Setting

Setting is sometimes an undervalued component in mystery. We get so excited about our characters, plots, sub-plots and red herrings that we often forget that readers read to escape—to spend time somewhere other than their own zip code. In the fourth “W” (“Where?”) we’ll look at six key ways to `juice up’ your setting. To make it more genuine, more compelling, more unforgettable. We’ll look at ways to not only make readers love the book they’re reading (yours!) but to make them want to come back again and again to the place you’ve created for them (your entire series!). This presentation focuses on series mysteries, but the setting suggestions are also helpful for stand-alone mysteries. 

JoAnn Bassett was born and raised in Seattle, but always preferred palm trees to pine trees. She wrote firefighter training videos for a living but dreamed of “making stuff up” once she put the working life behind her. In 1998, she and her husband bought a home on Maui. Best day ever. She loved living on the beach but her husband longed to get back to “normal life” so they moved to Southern Arizona. Now JoAnn writes about life in the islands as a way to stay connected. Her first book, “Mai Tai Butterfly” became a #1 Kindle ebook bestseller in the Travel category. Her “Islands of Aloha” mystery series features stories set in each of the major Hawaiian islands, starting with Maui. She’s completed two of the series, “Maui Widow Waltz” and “Livin’ Lahaina Loca,” and is now working on “Lana’i of the Tiger.”

October Crime Speaker: Nora Rankin on DNA

Nora Rankin, senior criminalist in the Forensic Biology (DNA) Section of the Tucson Police Department’s Crime Lab, first will present a short history of forensic DNA before explaining types of DNA analysis, how DNA is processed in the laboratory, and the use of DNA databases in solving crimes. She also will talk about some interesting cases.

Since joining the lab in 1989, Ms. Rankin has worked more than 900 DNA cases and has testified in court on over 120 cases with DNA. She is also the local CODIS (DNA database) administrator. Her hobbies include reading mysteries!

Any questions please use the contact buttons at website: www.tucsonsistersincrime.org 

Viscount Hotel 4855 East Broadway Boulevard Tucson, AZ 85711
Meeting date: Oct 20 10:00 am to 2p.m.
Includes Lunch
Members: $20.00
Non-members: $25.00
Please go to the website for reservations and PayPal link: http://www.tucsonsistersincrime.org/
Any questions please use the contact button at website.

 

2013 Great Southwest Book Festival

THE 2013 GREAT SOUTHWEST BOOK FESTIVAL – CALL FOR ENTRIES

AUSTIN _ The 2013 Great Southwest Book Festival has issued a call for entries to its competition honoring the best books of the late winter/spring season.

The Great Southwest Book Festival will consider published and unpublished works in fiction, non-fiction, biography/autobiography, how-to, compilations/anthologies, photography/art, children’s, cookbooks, poetry, spiritual, young adult, business/technology, unpublished manuscripts, wild card (anything goes!), nature/animals and regional lit. There is no date of publication restriction, but all entries must be in English.

Our grand prize for the 2013 Great Southwest Book Festival winner is $1500 cash and a flight to our awards ceremony, to be held in March, 2013.

Submitted works will be judged by a panel using the following criteria:

1) General excellence and the author’s passion for telling a good story.
2) The potential of the work to reach a wider audience.

For more information, visit www.greatsouthwestbookfestival.com or email bruce@greatsouthwestbookfestival.com.

“Somewhere in Crime” Panel Discussion – Morro Bay

Tucson Sisters in Crime Mystery Writers – Do Not Miss this Monthly Meeting

Last call to RSVP for a seat at the meeting next Saturday 2/18 at Old Pueblo Grille, 60 N. Alvernon. This will be a great meeting with Susan Cummins Miller teaching us about the problem of pacing. After lunch we have two representatives of the Arizona Rangers.

Price is $20 for Tucson chapter members, $25 for nonmembers. Price includes lunch and program.

Space is limited, so please get me your RSVP by Tuesday 2/14 at the latest. As always, a Paypal payment to tucsonsistersincrime@gmail.com will help reduce the crush at the door. If you would like to pay by check, consider mailing it to me at 6770 E Carondelet Dr #140 Tucson AZ 85710, and thanks to those who have already done so.

See  you there!

Kilian Metcalf
www.benigneditor.com

Memoir to Mysteries Book Fair – Sierra Vista Library

The Sierra Vista Library will be hosting the Memoir to Mysteries book fair on Saturday, February 11th from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. I will be there selling my first novel, The Ancient Ones. The first five people to purchase my book will get their choice of a free gemstone. I will also be giving away free mandala coloring sheets, which matches the theme of the novel. These are great to color and frame as pictures!

There will be 30 talented Arizona authors at the event, so come say hello!

MEMOIR TO MYSTERIES

SATURDAY: 10a.m.- 4p.m.

FEBRUARY 11, 2012

Sierra Vista Library

Mona Bishop Room

3020 East Tacoma Street

Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

Directions: Hwy 10 South

Exit #302- Hwy 90 south

Take 90 Business loop to the left

Take Coronado Blvd to the right

Take Tacoma to the left

Library is on the right

How to Get Your Novel Published

I never thought my hobby as a paranormal investigator would lead to a novel titled, The Ancient Ones. But it did. Or that I would get a publishing contract only 8 months later. But I did.

Lucky? Perhaps. But I believe it helped to incorporate my interests in Native American history, including Indian ruins and petroglyphs. And mix in metaphysical elements, including astral travel, reincarnation, Reiki, the dark arts and the talents of a Native American shaman for a different sort of paranormal novel.

The road to publishing is never easy! For those trying to get published, consider joining groups in your genre or area of expertise. Since I’m fascinated by mysteries, I decided to focus on only short stories and novels combining the paranormal and mysteries or thrillers. Sisters in Crime has been a great organization to help me fine tune the craft. They have great monthly speakers at the Desert Sleuths chapter in Scottsdale, hold annual WriteNow! Conferences and sponsor a monthly writer’s critique meeting.

Mysteries not your cup of tea? There are many other local and national organizations to help you in your chosen genre. The complete list of writers associations can be found online at http://www.ebookcrossroads.com/writers-associations.html.

1.       Historical Novel Society
2.       Horror Writers Association
3.       Poetry Society Of America
4.       Romance Writers Of America
5.       Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
6.      The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
7.      Western Writers Of America

Have you completed your manuscript and are ready to begin the process of finding an agent or publisher? So where do you begin? In addition to joining other writers groups and organizations, the following websites are great resources that helped me. The first is Predators and Editors – http://pred-ed.com/. This site lists literary agents, attorneys, editors and book publishers to name a few. I went alphabetically through the list and submitted to the ones that were considering the paranormal genre.

The other website is Publishers Marketplace – http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/. For a small fee of $20.00 per month, you receive a daily newsletter. Track deals, sales, reviews, publishers and agents. You can also receive a free, shorter version of Publishers Lunch.

I went through about 65 agents before sending to publishers. It’s not advised to send to both at the same time since agents work with a variety of publishers. And you may be submitting to an agent who works with a publisher you’ve also submitted to. This creates confusion and may result in your manuscript not being considered.

Finding an agent or traditional publisher requires just as much patience as the writing process itself. The primary piece of advice that helped me and that I kept hearing throughout completion of the manuscript – write what you know about. For me, this involves my fascination with the paranormal, metaphysical and archaeology. If you heed this advice, it will be reflected in your writing and will translate through to your audience!

How can you get your manuscript published? Join a good writers critique group. Join organizations focusing on your genre. Hire a great editor. And most importantly, don’t give up!

Two articles on book publishing

Twelve Misconceptions About Book Publishing:

http://www.thenervousbreakdown.com/jefishman/2010/12/12-
common-misperceptions-about-book-publishing/

Top 10 Publishing Trends for 2011:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thepublishinginsiders/
2010/12/15/top-publishing-trends-for-2011