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/

Promote Your Novels with the All Mystery e-newsletter

The following article is written by Rebecca Dahlke, author of four great mystery/suspense novels, including “A Dead Red Oleander,” “A Dead Red Heart,” “A Dead Red Cadillac,” and “A Dangerous Harbor.” She is also the publisher of the All Mystery e-newsletter!

In 2010, I started an e-newsletter for mystery and suspense authors. It ran, free of charge to the authors until December 2012. I decided to let it go because: 1) authors just weren’t with me on how effective this kind of advertising could be, and 2) I had my own books to write.

So I put the website in mothballs, but kept the Facebook site, the yahoo group (which is where authors meet to talk about promotion, and readers come to see what authors are talking about.) and Good Reads group for Indie and small press promotion, and a Twitter account.

Since then, I have put four mysteries up on Amazon/Kindle, and because I understand that this my book is a product, I also began a six month quest for the best, and most effective, form of advertising my books.

The results were exciting! I discovered that with a combination of inexpensive paid and free promotion, I could sell more books. I thought the results of this were interesting enough to share with my writing friends. So the first thing I did was put together a 7 page handout and speak on this subject with my local Sisters in Crime chapter in Tucson. The handout was necessary because I had a lot of powerful and helpful information to share, but cautioned my grateful listeners with the following: The only thing I could guarantee about this information was that some of it would change.

That was in June, and sure enough, things have changed… again. One of the sites I listed as smart and creative just bit the dust, and another site, Digital Books Today, has taken a giant leap after only 18 months in the business.  Eighteen months? Gee, All Mystery e-newsletter had started before Digital Books Today… so that meant… but wait! There’s more!

In a recent e-mail from the founder of Digital Books Today, Anthony Wessel, he says, and I quote: “Traffic on our Sites: March: 8,000, June 16,000″ and in their “The Top 100 Best Free Kindle Books List: November 2011: 600+ and June 2012- 10,000+ with 38,000 click outs to books on Amazon.”

It is obvious that Indie and small press authors are now using paid book marketing as part of a successful campaign to sell their books. I know, because I was using them too, and the results have been gratifying—except for one thing. As a mystery writer, all of the best e-newsletters had mystery squished in between vampire and memoir.

It didn’t take me much more than a nano-second to see that All Mystery e-newsletter was needed.

I ticked off the possibilities for resurrecting this e-newsletter against the fact that it might take some time to gain momentum. Then realized I already had all of my requirements for a good promotion site: Facebook page, Yahoo and Good Reads groups, and Twitter with a small army of Re-Tweet pals.

The website is now up and running. Better yet, September is already SOLD out, but I am accepting submittals for October through December 2012. And, yes, the ad insertions for this e-newsletter are reasonably priced: $10.00 a book insertion.

Here are links to All Mystery e-newsletter places:

1. http://allmysteryenewsletter.com
2. http://www.facebook.com/allmysteryenewsletter
3. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/allmysteryenewsletter/?yguid=185161871
4. http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/42847.All_Mystery_e_newsletter
5. Twitter handle: @allmysterynews

Last but not least, for those of you who would like a copy of my updated copy of that 7 page hand-out for both free and paid promotions for authors, send me an e-mail with “promotion handout” in the subject line and I’ll send you a PDF copy. E-mail: rp@rpdahlke.com

Camels of the American West

Here is an interesting article a friend found on the “Weird California” website pertaining to camels in the Southwest. Be sure to read the full article as it discusses a rather fascinating myth!

Millions of years ago, camels roamed the North American continent. The camel family evolved here and migrated over into Africa and the Middle East as they slowly died out on this continent. One species of camel even persisted in California until only 15 thousand years ago. Today, old fossils and bones of these ancient camels are still found; as recently as October 2002 down in Long Beach.

But although these camels long died out, rumors, folklore, and legends in the American South West still tell tales of wild camels and even ghost camels wandering the deserts of California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and Texas. Some attribute these sightings to remnants of the US Camel Corps put together back in the mid 1800′s. Although how the camels could survive until today or if they have been reproducing in the wild is a mystery. A few states once had laws on the books preventing the use of camels on certain highways, a result of problems occurring with camel use shortly after the closure of the US Camel Corps. Nevada, for example, passed a law in February of 1875 prohibiting camels and dromedaries from running at large on public roads in the state. The act was repealed in 1899.

Continued: http://www.weirdca.com/location.php?location=36

Somewhere in Crime Anthology only $2.99

The Sisters in Crime anthology, titled “Somewhere in Crime,” is now available on Kindle at only $2.99. I have a short story titled, “The Yellow Rose” in this anthology and there are many other talented mystery writers included. This would make a great last minute gift.
The link is: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006O1FXT2

We expect the Smashwords version almost any time, and printed copies are available from Revenge Publishing: info@revengepublishing.com Happy holidays and a great New Year!!

Book Trailer – The Ancient Ones

Check out the book trailer for my first paranormal mystery novel, The Ancient Ones.

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!

Somewhere in Crime short story anthology

The following anthology, published by the Central Coast chapter of Sisters in Crime, has one of my short stories, titled The Yellow Rose. Check out the reviews below of the stories.

Coming Soon 11-11-11!

Letters from a gambler to his sister, a soldier losing a battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, a priest on a murderous mission and a Geranium by any other name, all take readers back in time in 15 well-told stories. Enjoy centuries worth of nefarious deeds at the hands of today’s modern mystery scribes.

–Sunny Frazier, author of The Christy Bristol Astrology Mysteries

You’ll never read another crime anthology with so many unique stories and diverse settings as right here in Somewhere in Crime. You’ll find mermaids, burlesque, the old west, the paranormal, reincarnation and time travel just to give you a hint of what is inside. Besides exotic locations, you’ll recognize some others you might be more familiar with like Morro Bay, CA and Gorman, CA. I enjoyed every one, but my personal favorite is a story about Agatha Christie and Dr. Freud aboard the Orient Express.

–Marilyn Meredith, author of Bears With Us, a Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery

ORDER FROM SINC-CENTRAL COAST CHAPTER ISBN 978-0-9846098-4-0

vheckman@charter.net or Amazon.com  e versions available from Smashwords & Kindle

2011 Desert Sleuths Anthology

Murder and mayhem western style.

The Desert Sleuths Chapter of Sisters in Crime offers 20 exciting tales. Everything from old-time shootouts to modern day forensics, noir to comedy can be found in the compelling anthology. Walk on the wild side of the SouthWest, as Arizona celebrates its centennial year. Hang up your spurs, kick back and enjoy!

Click on the link below to order any of the Desert Sleuths anthologies:

http://www.desertsleuths.com/Anthologies.html

Here is a review by Debe Branning, Arizona Haunted Sites Examiner, of the Ancient Ones.

http://www.examiner.com/arizona-haunted-sites-in-phoenix/a-visit-with-the-ancient-ones

History and Hauntings of the Southwest

Where do you find underground passages, Indian ruins, Stonehenge-like monuments, an alternate dimension and ancient petroglyphs of the solar system?

You can find all of these elements, which culminate into the adventure of a lifetime for Lorelei Lanier, psychic medium, and the Arizona-Irish Paranormal Research Society, in Lori Hines’ first paranormal mystery novel titled The Ancient Ones. Published by Aberdeen Bay, it is the first in the trilogy and is available in print and kindle format through Amazon.com.

Since the main characters are investigators, Lori partnered with Sonoran Paranormal Investigations (SPI) in Phoenix to lead ghost hunts of the places featured in her novel. The first book signing and ghost hunt took place at the Triangle T Ranch in Dragoon, Arizona on May 28th. The ranch, owned by Linda Kelly, has been featured on an episode of Psychic Kids. According to Linda, “guests, visitors and staff have all experienced unusual phenomena, including three men playing poker in the dining hall, an Indian princess riding through the property on a horse, a Hohokam woman, and the spirits of Cochise and Geronimo.”

Established in 1922, the ranch boasts a colorful and exciting past. In 1929, it came into the hands of Metta Tutt and was named the Triangle T for “Tutt”. Since then, the Triangle T has been the site of many historical events. It was the center of intrigue during World War II. The subsequent rumors that high-ranking Japanese officials were detained at the ranch were recently confirmed by award-winning author Jane Eppinga, after years of exhaustive research and the lifting of the 50-year moratorium on classified information. Details of the incarceration of the world’s “most wanted” war criminals are available in the library at the Triangle T.

Located adjacent to the Amerind Foundation archaeological research center and museum specializing in Native American cultures of the Southwest, the Triangle T Guest Ranch is rich in its own Native American History. Apache Chieftain Cochise and his band used the ranch as a summer camp for many generations. The ranch also holds a centuries-old sacred ceremonial location among the boulders, complete with petroglyphs and rock carvings.

The Triangle T hosted the ghost hunt, which took place from 11:00 p.m. and lasted until 1:30 a.m. with guests from Phoenix and Southeast Arizona roaming the property to try and get a glimpse of the past. One of the teams had an experience within the lower dining hall, hearing footsteps on the outside stairway that goes to the roof, though no other teams were in the area. And it sounded as though a person were walking on wooden stairs, though the steps had been covered in cement. Could it have been a spirit going about their lives in another dimension, crossing with the curious in our dimension?

Historic Vulture Gold Mine

Discovered in 1863 by Henry Wickenburg, Vulture Mine was one of the Arizona Territory’s richest mines and it was still producing, at decreased levels, until World War II. Today, this ghost town provides visitors with the opportunity to see a genuine vision of what life was like in an old west mining town. Many buildings remain intact and there is also a fair amount of mining equipment to see, as well as an old schoolhouse, the assay office, the dining hall/saloon, old blacksmith shop and power generating station.

Vulture Mine’s wealth allowed the camp to blossom into a self-contained town by 1880. Along with roughly six boarding houses, the town boasted a cookhouse and mess hall, a blacksmith shop, several buildings associated with the mine, stores, offices, saloons, and even a school. By this time there were about three hundred miners and their families living in town. Vulture City peaked with a population of about 5,000 residents. Owner after owner would face many challenges turning a profit with the mine over the next several decades as the main gold vein was lost. However, the mine was not officially shut down until 1942. Throughout its lifespan, the mines at Vulture City officially produced upwards of two hundred million dollars in gold.

Due to all the spiritual activity, Vulture Mine is one of the favorite places for paranormal teams throughout Arizona. Actual paranormal experiences from visitors, staff and investigators include a floating head at the ball mill, children’s voices at the schoolhouse and on the playground, a man standing in front of the bunkhouse, smells emanating from the old dining hall and physical encounters with not-so-friendly ghosts inside the assay office.

Other locales included in The Ancient Ones include Wickenburg, Bisbee and Tombstone in Southeast Arizona, and Sunset Wupatki National Monument north of Flagstaff. It contains true facts pertaining to Native American history, Arizona history and the metaphysical.

The Ancient Ones cover blurb:

Lorelei Lanier is adjusting to the powerful connections she has to spirits. Unfortunately, her medium abilities are only the beginning. While working a dark arts case with the FBI and the Arizona-Irish Paranormal Research Society, she discovers she is the reincarnation of Annie O’Shea, the original owner of the Texas Canyon Ranch where the mystery unfolds. And Lorelei’s astral abilities that saved her from a mine three years ago are becoming stronger upon discovery of an extinct, ancient race of people.

Underground tunnels, Stonehenge-like monuments, petroglyphs of the solar system, an alternate dimension and hidden Indian ruins—clues discovered in Southeast Arizona pertaining to the ancient ones existence. But Lorelei has much more to worry about than the supernatural. She is struggling with her feelings for fellow investigator Ian Healy. Pagan and Wiccan, it is Ian’s ability to heal with his eyes that captures her heart.

Two mysteries, one in Southeast Arizona and the other north of Flagstaff, soon culminate into a new reality for Lorelei Lanier. Will she be prepared for what the ancient ones have in store?