Ìý Ìý ÌýThank you, Jim Denney, for inviting m...
Ìý Ìý ÌýThank you,, for inviting me to join this leap-frog blog of Monday writers.Ìý
Ìý Ìý ÌýIf you're not familiar with Jim's work, you live in a bunker. The guy's written 198 books. Or maybe only 98. Fiction (the Time Benders series), non-fiction (many with Orlando Magic founder Pat Williams), and his latest books on craft--Ìýis anÌýabsolute MUST for writers.Ìý
Ìý Ìý ÌýJim's also got a couple of cool websites:ÌýÌý²¹²Ô»åÌý. Check the dude out!
Now for the blog-hop questions:
1. What am I working on?
Raleigh Harmon.ÌýShe's the nexus of my fiction universe. Fortunately I really love her company. Nothing like a forensic geologist who can't stay out of trouble.
I'm finishing up the second novel in her Young Adult adventures, the sequel toÌý. And since readers keep whipping me with chains, I'm working on the sequel to her adult life mysteries, afterÌý.Ìý
Ìý Ìý The YA will be out this winter.Ìý
Ìý Ìý The adult mystery will appear . . . no, wait. No promises.Ìý
Ìý Ìý When you write books, making promises will only get you in trouble.
Ìý Ìý Or, more trouble.Ìý
Ìý Ìý But soon.Ìý
Ìý Ìý I promise . . . .
ÌýÌý
2. How does my work differ from other works in its genre?
Ìý Ìý ÌýMy hope is my work doesn't differ all that much: Great mysteries all carry the same elements of tight plot, ripping story, great characters and a setting that puts you right-there.Ìý
Ìý Ìý But Raleigh's a forensic geologist who believes in God.Ìý
Ìý Ìý And that's probably why readers like to tell me how this series differs from other mysteries: Ìý
"The day I found your bookÌýThe Rivers Run Dry, I thought 'Geology and mystery. . . together? What could be better?'
Ever since then I've enjoyed reading your books. Raleigh's charm and view of the world is refreshing." -- Ashley G.
Ìý Ìý ÌýÌý
"You are the kind of author who writes books that make people like me let everything else go because Ìýwe have to read til the end. ÌýIt's a sweet addiction . . . . The fact that Raleigh just can't leave things alone is totally in character with the rest of her persona. ÌýAll the information about the rocks is good too." -- Patricia H.Ìý
"I am an avid mystery reader and have read just about everything from Dick Francis to Agatha Christie to David Balducci (and the list goes on, and on, and on) ÌýSo I have a pretty good feel for what is out there.Ìý Ìý "Your books are so refreshing. They are every bit as suspenseful without being graphic. You have a beautiful way with language and your stories are well crafted and lyrically written." -- Marianne G.
ÌýÌý
Ìý Ìý So, there you have it. Must say, these letters are like wind in my sails; I can't thank readers enough.Ìý
Ìý ÌýBut, world being what it is, there's always one person who feels obligated to dump the one-star review on Amazon just because Raleigh's a Christian. On the one hand, it cracks me up--somebody going to all that cantankerous trouble to rag about a fictional character who has a hopeful view of the world.
Ìý Ìý Ìý On the other hand, I wish these cranks would just go back to reading the delusional Richard Dawkins and leave Raleigh alone.
Ìý Ìý ÌýThe girl's got enough problems.
3. Why do I write what I do?
Ìý Ìý ÌýMysteries: From the minute fell into my eight-year-old hands, I've loved mysteries. My dad later fed me a steady diet of Dash Hammett, Ross Thomas and James Crumley.Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Nothing -- in my mind-- compares to reading a good mystery. Suspense, colorful characters (even those playing secondary roles), wrapped around one big fat Whodunnit.
Ìý Ìý ÌýBut mysteries are also among the most difficult books to write. Some genres allow for loose ends. Every element in a mystery must tie together, and only be revealed at the just-right moment.ÌýIt's like walking a tight-rope, and the answers are all waiting on the other side.
4. How does my writing process work?
Ìý Ìý ÌýI try not to look under the hood too often. In case I spook the machine.
Ìý Ìý But the closest answer would be to compare it to how my Thanksgiving meal gets on the table.
Ìý Ìý The planning stage consists of lists and shopping. Characters, settings, vague ideas that begin, "Wouldn't it be fun to write about . . . ?"Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Then, sweat.Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý And sitting, which for me is the equivalent of water-boarded. Stand outside my office door, you'll hear me whining (and then some) about having to sit and write (yes, I tried the treadmill desk, thank you but I got nauseated. I also don't chew gun and walk at the same time).Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý So sitting and sitting until finally the story takes over and I completely forget that I'm sitting. Suddenly, nothing else exists but the story.Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Carrying our Thanksgiving metaphor forward, this stage would be where I burn the turkey because I have completely forgotten it's even in the oven.Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Crispy outcomes aside, few things compare with having a story sweep you into its telling. Those moment feel holy--and wholly undeserved by the likes of me.
Ìý Ìý ÌýWhich reminds me.ÌýBefore she would begin her day's writing Flannery O'Connor used to pray to St. Raphael. The Catholic faith calls Raphael the "angel of happy meetings."
Ìý Ìý ÌýI can't think of a better way to express the mysterious process of fiction: Happy meetings, both with the characters who come to bother Raleigh Harmon, and the readers who meet these people and love them just as I do.Ìý
So What's Next?
I've invited the lovely and talented to make this blog tour's next literary lap.Ìý
Ìý Ìý ÌýA true southern girl, with a wicked sense of humor, Christa writes women's fiction. Her debut Ìýprompted Publisher's Weekly to dub her "one to watch."Ìý
Ìý Ìý So, watch!Ìý
Ìý Ìý .Ìý
Ìý ÌýÌý
Ìý Ìý ÌýIf you're not familiar with Jim's work, you live in a bunker. The guy's written 198 books. Or maybe only 98. Fiction (the Time Benders series), non-fiction (many with Orlando Magic founder Pat Williams), and his latest books on craft--Ìýis anÌýabsolute MUST for writers.Ìý
Ìý Ìý ÌýJim's also got a couple of cool websites:ÌýÌý²¹²Ô»åÌý. Check the dude out!
Now for the blog-hop questions:
1. What am I working on?
Raleigh Harmon.ÌýShe's the nexus of my fiction universe. Fortunately I really love her company. Nothing like a forensic geologist who can't stay out of trouble.
I'm finishing up the second novel in her Young Adult adventures, the sequel toÌý. And since readers keep whipping me with chains, I'm working on the sequel to her adult life mysteries, afterÌý.Ìý
Ìý Ìý The YA will be out this winter.Ìý
Ìý Ìý The adult mystery will appear . . . no, wait. No promises.Ìý
Ìý Ìý When you write books, making promises will only get you in trouble.
Ìý Ìý Or, more trouble.Ìý
Ìý Ìý But soon.Ìý
Ìý Ìý I promise . . . .
ÌýÌý
2. How does my work differ from other works in its genre?
Ìý Ìý ÌýMy hope is my work doesn't differ all that much: Great mysteries all carry the same elements of tight plot, ripping story, great characters and a setting that puts you right-there.Ìý
Ìý Ìý But Raleigh's a forensic geologist who believes in God.Ìý
Ìý Ìý And that's probably why readers like to tell me how this series differs from other mysteries: Ìý
"The day I found your bookÌýThe Rivers Run Dry, I thought 'Geology and mystery. . . together? What could be better?'
Ever since then I've enjoyed reading your books. Raleigh's charm and view of the world is refreshing." -- Ashley G.
Ìý Ìý ÌýÌý
"You are the kind of author who writes books that make people like me let everything else go because Ìýwe have to read til the end. ÌýIt's a sweet addiction . . . . The fact that Raleigh just can't leave things alone is totally in character with the rest of her persona. ÌýAll the information about the rocks is good too." -- Patricia H.Ìý
"I am an avid mystery reader and have read just about everything from Dick Francis to Agatha Christie to David Balducci (and the list goes on, and on, and on) ÌýSo I have a pretty good feel for what is out there.Ìý Ìý "Your books are so refreshing. They are every bit as suspenseful without being graphic. You have a beautiful way with language and your stories are well crafted and lyrically written." -- Marianne G.
ÌýÌý
Ìý Ìý So, there you have it. Must say, these letters are like wind in my sails; I can't thank readers enough.Ìý
Ìý ÌýBut, world being what it is, there's always one person who feels obligated to dump the one-star review on Amazon just because Raleigh's a Christian. On the one hand, it cracks me up--somebody going to all that cantankerous trouble to rag about a fictional character who has a hopeful view of the world.
Ìý Ìý Ìý On the other hand, I wish these cranks would just go back to reading the delusional Richard Dawkins and leave Raleigh alone.
Ìý Ìý ÌýThe girl's got enough problems.
3. Why do I write what I do?
Ìý Ìý ÌýMysteries: From the minute fell into my eight-year-old hands, I've loved mysteries. My dad later fed me a steady diet of Dash Hammett, Ross Thomas and James Crumley.Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Nothing -- in my mind-- compares to reading a good mystery. Suspense, colorful characters (even those playing secondary roles), wrapped around one big fat Whodunnit.
Ìý Ìý ÌýBut mysteries are also among the most difficult books to write. Some genres allow for loose ends. Every element in a mystery must tie together, and only be revealed at the just-right moment.ÌýIt's like walking a tight-rope, and the answers are all waiting on the other side.
4. How does my writing process work?
Ìý Ìý ÌýI try not to look under the hood too often. In case I spook the machine.
Ìý Ìý But the closest answer would be to compare it to how my Thanksgiving meal gets on the table.
Ìý Ìý The planning stage consists of lists and shopping. Characters, settings, vague ideas that begin, "Wouldn't it be fun to write about . . . ?"Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Then, sweat.Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý And sitting, which for me is the equivalent of water-boarded. Stand outside my office door, you'll hear me whining (and then some) about having to sit and write (yes, I tried the treadmill desk, thank you but I got nauseated. I also don't chew gun and walk at the same time).Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý So sitting and sitting until finally the story takes over and I completely forget that I'm sitting. Suddenly, nothing else exists but the story.Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Carrying our Thanksgiving metaphor forward, this stage would be where I burn the turkey because I have completely forgotten it's even in the oven.Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Crispy outcomes aside, few things compare with having a story sweep you into its telling. Those moment feel holy--and wholly undeserved by the likes of me.
Ìý Ìý ÌýWhich reminds me.ÌýBefore she would begin her day's writing Flannery O'Connor used to pray to St. Raphael. The Catholic faith calls Raphael the "angel of happy meetings."
Ìý Ìý ÌýI can't think of a better way to express the mysterious process of fiction: Happy meetings, both with the characters who come to bother Raleigh Harmon, and the readers who meet these people and love them just as I do.Ìý
So What's Next?
I've invited the lovely and talented to make this blog tour's next literary lap.Ìý
Ìý Ìý ÌýA true southern girl, with a wicked sense of humor, Christa writes women's fiction. Her debut Ìýprompted Publisher's Weekly to dub her "one to watch."Ìý
Ìý Ìý So, watch!Ìý
Ìý Ìý .Ìý
Ìý ÌýÌý
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