#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Judy Penz Sheluk and Friends

I’d like to welcome author and editor, Judy Penz Sheluk, back to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday, with her friends: John Floyd, Chris Wheatley, Christine Eskilson, Peggy Rothschild, Gustavo Bondoni, Joseph S. Walker, and Robb T. White.

JOHN M. FLOYD, ‘Blackjack Road’
Things you love about writing: Plotting, writing dialogue
Things you hate about writing: Marketing, promotion, contracts

CHRIS WHEATLEY, ‘The Angel of Maastricht’
Favorite beverage: I’m English, it must be a nice cup of tea. That’s law.
Something that gives you a sour face: Tomato juice. Never tried it. God willing, I never will.

CHRISTINE ESKILSON, ‘For Elizabeth’
Something you wish you could do: Carry a tune in a song
Something you wish you’d never learned to do: Play tennis. If I didn’t love the game so much I definitely would quit because my hand-eye coordination leaves much to be desired!

PEGGY ROTHSCHILD, ‘Burning Desire’
Last best thing you ate: Dark chocolate with mint
Last thing you regret eating: Dark chocolate with mint (it’s a complicated relationship!)

GUSTAVO BONDONI, ‘Checkmate Charlie’
Things to say to an author: That was spectacularly well written.
Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: I know I’ve never sold a single word of fiction, but you used too many adjectives – for example, did you really need ‘spectacularly’ in the answer above? Haven’t you read the latest fashionable writing book?

JOSEPH S. WALKER, ‘Pink Hearts Pierced by Arrows’
Favorite places you’ve been: I’ve been lucky enough to travel quite a bit in the last few years, and giving that up—at least for the time being—has been one of the most difficult aspects of our current age of social isolation. I very much look forward to the next time I’ll be able to get off a plane in a city I’ve never seen before. I’ll list a few quick treasured memories here: my first view of the Grand Canyon from the south rim; eating fresh beignets in Jackson Square in New Orleans; and sitting by the fountain in Savannah’s Forsyth Park, letting time slip away.

Places you never want to go to again: I taught in Alabama for several years, and I loved a lot of things about it, and many of the people I met.  With that said, I will be very happy if I never have to be that far south in July or August again!

JUDY PENZ SHELUK, ‘Gouligans’
Favorite books (or genre): Mystery / Suspense: John Sandford’s Prey and Virgil Flowers series; Sue Grafton A through Y; Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot
Books you wouldn’t buy: Sci Fi. I may be the only person on the planet who hasn’t seen Star Wars.

ROBB T. WHITE, ‘See You In Court’
Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Going sailing at 18 on the J. Burton Ayers, a Great Lakes ore carrier.
Something you chickened out from doing: Telling my parents I'd crashed my car the night before I left town to go sailing on the Ayers.

JUDY PENZ SHELUK, Editor
The nicest thing a reader said to you: You’re my favorite author. One day, you’ll be on Ellen DeGeneres’ show. (I’m practicing my dance moves, just in case.)
The craziest thing a reader said to you: Him (at a bookstore event): “Hmmm, a Glass Dolphin mystery. I was on a submarine once, too.”
Me: “The Glass Dolphin is an antiques shop, not a submarine.”
Him: “So the antiques shop is inside of a submarine? That’s a unique concept.”
Me: “Yes, yes it is.”
PS He didn’t buy the book.

Let’s Be Social:
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About the Anthology, Heart Breaks and Half-Truths
Book blurb: Lovers and losers.
Whether it’s 1950s Hollywood, a scientific experiment, or a yard sale in suburbia, the twenty-two authors represented in this collection of mystery and suspense interpret the overarching theme of “heartbreaks and half-truths” in their own inimitable style, where only one thing is certain: Behind every broken heart lies a half-truth.
And behind every half-truth lies a secret.

Edited by Judy Penz Sheluk. Featuring authors Sharon Hart Addy, Paula Gail Benson, James Blakey, Gustavo Bondoni, Susan Daly, Buzz Dixon, Rhonda Eikamp, Christine Eskilson, Tracy Falenwolfe, Kate Flora, John M. Floyd, J.A. Henderson, Blair Keetch, Steve Liskow, Edward Lodi, Judy Penz Sheluk, KM Rockwood, Peggy Rothschild, Joseph S. Walker, James Lincoln Warren, Chris Wheatley and Robb T. White.

Release Date: June 18
Publisher: Superior Shores Press

Amazon (trade paperback and Kindle): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088ZGF18Y
Barnes & Noble (trade paperback):
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1137064575?ean=9781989495223

Book Promotions When You're Stuck Inside

We all have had to be resilient in 2020. All spring events were cancelled, and now a lot of summer and fall author conferences and workshops are being moved online. Authors need to be creative and think of ways to promote their work during quarantine or partial-reopenings. Here are some ideas…

1. Run a sale of one of your previous books. This will generate interest in your current book and your series. There are lots of good email promotions like BookBub, the Fussy Librarian, and Book Doggy.

2. Plan a Facebook party with some author friends. This is a great excuse to hang out with readers and writers. And everyone loves prizes and freebies.

3. Send out your newsletter with tips, hints, photos, and projects.

4. Partner with a local bookstore that is doing online events. Pitch a panel or interview discussion.

5. Be active on your social media sites. Interact with readers. This will help you build your platform. Readers like to interact with authors.

6. Partner with your librarians who are looking for panels and workshops for their online programming. Pitch an idea to your librarian.

7. If you like to teach or conduct workshops, look for groups in your area that provide learning for students or seniors. There are several in Central Virginia. I’ve done workshops in person before. This year, they have moved their programming to the virtual realm. This is a good way to share with others and to get introduced to a new audience.

8. Write your next book. This will put you ahead of the game when markets start to open again.

9. Think about doing a collaboration project in an anthology. When you partner with other authors, you’re able to increase your readership. The promotions also have a bigger reach when there are more authors involved.

What would you add to my list?

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Kelly Brakenhoff

I’d like to welcome author Kelly Brakenhoff to the blog today for #ThisorThatThursday!

Things you need for your writing sessions: Irish Breakfast Tea in my large writer mug that says, “Please do not annoy the writer. She may put you in a book & kill you.”

Things that hamper your writing: Music with words! I listen to instrumental movie scores or groups like the Piano Guys while I write.

Hardest thing about being a writer: First drafts, especially the murky middle.
Easiest thing about being a writer: Coming up with character names.

Things you never want to run out of: Irish Breakfast Tea, wine.

Things you wish you’d never bought: High heeled sandals to match a dress I wore once.

Favorite music or song: U2, Classic rock, I change favorite songs every year or two.

Music that drives you crazy: Pop music that repeats the lyrics too many times.

Favorite smell: Freshly bathed baby.

Something that makes you hold your nose: Teenaged boy’s gym duffel bag.

Last best thing you ate: Coronavirus takeout: Gourmet Hamburger with Apples, Gouda cheese, pickled onions & Awesome sauce with Parmesan Truffle Fries from Honest Abe’s (a local restaurant)

Last thing you regret eating: All the little snacks during self-quarantine that led to my COVID +10 pounds.

The last thing you ordered online: Twinkly solar lights for our patio.

The last thing you regret buying: A brown leather recliner I thought was cool but my husband hates.

Things you always put in your books: Characters who are Deaf and use ASL. Funny things my friends say.

Things you never put in your books: Serial killers and psychopaths.

Things to say to an author: “I told all my friends I loved your books!”

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: “You’ve been on self-quarantine for 13 weeks. Aren’t you done with a couple of books yet?”

Favorite places you’ve been: Italy, especially Rome, Florence and Tuscany.

Places you never want to go to again: Branson, MO or places I’ve already visited a couple of times. There are so many new places I haven’t seen that I want to try.

Favorite books (or genre): Mysteries and thrillers!

Books you wouldn’t buy: Space opera, dry business non-fiction, celebrity tell-alls.

People you’d like to invite to dinner (living): Janet Evanovich, David Baldacci, Pope Francis

People you’d cancel dinner on: Most politicians.

Favorite things to do: Reading, cooking, running, hiking.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: Cleaning bathrooms and showers.

Things that make you happy: My family.

Things that drive you crazy: My family.

About Kelly:

KELLY BRAKENHOFF writes the Cassandra Sato Mystery series including DEATH BY DISSERTATION, a 2020 RONE Award Mystery Finalist, and DEAD WEEK, "a diverting whodunit," (Publishers Weekly). Kelly is an American Sign Language Interpreter whose motivation for learning ASL began in high school when she wanted to converse with her Deaf friends.  NEVER MIND, her first children’s picture book introducing Duke the Deaf Dog has enchanted children and parents alike. The mother of four young adults and a hunting dog, Kelly and her husband call Nebraska home.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: http://kellybrakenhoff.com/

facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/kellybrakenhoffauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/inBrakenVille

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellybrak/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kellybrak/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087JNPV9H

Are You Growing as a Writer?

The pandemic has turned everything upside down, and nothing is quite as we expected it to be. I’m trying to keep a regular routine for my writing life. Lately, I’ve also attended a lot of classes and conferences online. As a writer, you need to keep growing and learning. You need to stay relevant. Here are some things you can do to improve your craft, build your platform, and boost your name recognition.

1. Make sure that you are writing. If you can’t or don’t feel like writing every day, write when you can. Set small goals to help you stay on track. Celebrate your successes.

2. Take a class or a workshop. There are lots of free or low cost events out there on every topic. You need to hone your writing skills, but don’t limit yourself. There are online tours of interesting places and things to see. You never know what might become research for a future story.

3. Find a podcast that you like. There are some really good ones out there on writing and marketing. My favorites are the true crime and weird history ones.

4. Get a writing partner or critique group. This gives me a deadline each month for new pages. Plus, interacting and chatting with others is a good break from the craziness of the world we live in right now.

5. Make sure that you take the time to revise and rewrite. This is often the hardest and most time consuming part. You need to fix plot holes and character inconsistencies. You also need to look for repetitive words, fluffy content or dialogue that doesn’t move your story forward, and too many dialogue tags.

6. Make time to work on your social media platforms. Share, like, and comment on others’ posts. Build your following.

7. Decide where you want to go as a writer. Find others in that genre and look at their websites, blogs, and interviews. See what they did or didn’t do in their writing careers.

8. If you’re stuck on your current WIP, put it down for a little while and do something else. Sometimes, all you need is some space.

9. Start a new writing project.

10. Stay current with the publishing trends in your genre. Know what’s popular (at the moment) and see what’s selling.

If you want to improve and grow as a writer, you need to be resilient and adaptable. It’s hard work. There are a lot of disappointments and celebrations. The publishing industry is in a constant state of flux, and you need to be aware of what’s going on in the industry and the book world. Try something new today. You may be surprised.

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Susan Van Kirk

I would like to welcome author, Susan Van Kirk, to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Things you need for your writing sessions: First, I need total quiet. I can’t listen to music because I might write the lyrics into my book. I also need my notes and research, my laptop (obviously), and my list for the day. I outline what I plan to do the next day so when I’m ready to write I know where I’m going.

Things that hamper your writing: I can get unfocused by phone calls or email, especially if either involve something that needs to be done immediately. Leaving my computer to get more coffee or water… and things over which I have no control, like my next-door neighbor mowing his lawn.

Things you love about writing: Typing “The End.” I would much rather edit what I’ve written
than actually write it.

Things you hate about writing: Discovering that the murder timeline won’t work…for the
third time.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Having patience.

Easiest thing about being a writer:

Researching interesting ideas, especially if they are historical. I was a history major in college but ended up teaching English my whole career. Since I love history, I’m currently writing a series that goes back to different historical time periods. I must drag myself away from the research if I’m going to get the book written.

Favorite foods: This is easy. Dark chocolate or anything with the word
“dessert” in the name.

Things that make you want to gag:  Curry…can’t even stand the smell of it. Leek soup…I had that too many times on a tour of the United Kingdom. Arugula…It’s too bitter for me.

Favorite music or song: Classic Rock…I have so many memories tied up in that music.
The Beatles, Rod Stewart, Joni Mitchell, Donovan, the Beach Boys, the Eagles, Bob Dylan. I was in high school and college in the 60s.

Music that drives you crazy: Heavy Metal…Too loud and not my style.

Something you’re really good at: Collaborating with people on writing projects. I began
writing literary CliffsNotes in the 90s, and I had to learn to work with three editors at a time. I loved it, and I learned the skills I needed for writing novels and collaborating with people from that experience. Of course, a career in teaching also involved a lot of collaboration.

Something you’re really bad at: Keeping my mouth shut when my adult children don’t ask me for advice. Part of me thinks a lifetime of experience should be helpful, but then my brain takes over and says, “Just shut up.” Occasionally, I listen to my brain.

Something you like to do: I love to have the time to get lost in a great book. Right now I’m reading Erik Larson’s The Splendid and the Vile about the Churchill family in WWII. But I must read in snippets since I have a deadline looming. Sigh.

Something you wish you’d never done: Locked my car keys in the trunk of my car after buying groceries. I set my purse down in the truck with the keys in it, and shut the truck, forgetting my purse was there. Fortunately, I had my phone, but my house keys were in the purse, and my other set of car keys was in my house. With the brand of car I have, I thought I couldn’t lock it with the keys inside, but I guess that safety setting didn’t involve the trunk. Not going to do that again.

The last thing you ordered online: A set of ten Nancy Drew books for my twin granddaughters who are turning nine.

The last thing you regret buying: A gift for a friend that I ordered from a website, not realizing my order would be shipped from China. It was only six weeks late.

Things you always put in your books: Secrets, small towns, murder, and a likeable protagonist.

Things you never put in your books: Overt violence. There is enough of that out in the real
world.

Things to say to an author: I couldn’t put your book down, so when does the next one
come out? Can’t wait.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book:You have a typo on page 205.  Just thought you’d like to know it.

Favorite places you’ve been: The Lake District in England. It is so beautiful, and the
flowers and gardens are handled with such care. I think if God lived somewhere on earth, this would be the place.

Places you never want to go to again: Florida. I’m sure there are people who love Florida, but it is too hot, too humid, and has too much traffic for me.

The coolest person you’ve ever met: President Barack Obama, but only with a handshake and a few words. He was running for the US Senate from Illinois, and I heard him speak at the local small college where I worked. Loved his eloquence, his intelligence, and his leadership qualities. Coolest person I’ve ever met.

The celebrity who didn’t look like he/she did in pictures/video: Robert Redford, not that I met him. My brother interviewed him one time and took a photo with him. He was far shorter than I imagined he would be, and I was surprised. However, that didn’t change his good looks or that million dollar smile.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: You made that small town come alive so I could see it. She was referring to my small town of Endurance and a book, Marry in Haste, where I had to imagine the town in the present day, as well as one hundred years in the past. That was great fun.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: Where did you come up with the name Grace Kimball? That’s my name, and I know we don’t know each other.

About Susan:

Susan Van Kirk is a writer of cozy mysteries. She lives at the center of the universe—the Midwest—and writes during the ridiculously cold and icy winters. Why leave the house and break something? Van Kirk taught forty-four years in high school and college and raised three children. Miraculously, she has low blood pressure.

Susan Van Kirk’s Endurance Mysteries: Three May Keep a Secret, Marry in Haste, The Locket: From the Casebook of TJ Sweeney and Death Takes No Bribes. Encircle Publications published
her latest book, A Death at Tippitt Pond. Three May Keep a Secret will be published once again by Harlequin’s Worldwide Mystery imprint July 1, 2020. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the online Guppy Group.

Let’s Be Social:
Website:  www.susanvankirk.com

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SusanVanKirkAuthor/

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/susan_vankirk/

Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest/com/sivankirk/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/susanivankirk/

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/586.Susan_Vankirk

Overcoming Fear and Doubt - Tips for Writers

All writers doubt themselves and their writing ability from time to time. I think it’s good if it motivates you to revise and rework your writing and to hone your craft. But doubt and fear shouldn’t debilitate you. If you want to be a published author, you need to be able to accept criticism and suggestions for improvement.

Joining a critique group was the hardest thing I’ve ever done as a prepublished writer. I had worked really hard on my manuscript and was ready to share it with the world, who would be equally as thrilled as I was. After several of the sessions, I wanted to give up and find something else to do. While the feedback wasn’t all bad, it was overwhelming. It felt like everything I did was wrong or could be better. To make it less overwhelming, I took notes as they offered suggestions. Then I waited a couple of days to go back through their comments and make edits. The extra time helped. I was able to get over the “you called my baby ugly” first reaction and really look at their comments.

If you are serious about your writing, you need a critique group or a writing partner. These folks will help you work through plot holes and problems. It also builds confidence, and you’re able to see growth and improvements in your writing. Friends and family love you, but they don’t tell you about the parts that really stink. And you need to hear that part.

It takes a lot of courage to let someone else read your work. Make sure that you’re in the right mindset before you start. Your goal is to get published. Your book has to be the best it can be for that to happen. Learn from the feedback and strive to improve. You’re going to get criticism that you don’t like or don’t think is fair. You can’t take it personally if you want to grow as a writer. (Once you’re published, you’ll face reviews and comments that aren’t always nice or fair.)

Publishing is a business. Agents, editors, and publishers want to sign the best books that will sell. The industry has its ups and downs and fads come and go. Typically, what you write now won’t be published for 1-2 years. And rejection is a big part of the process. You will write many query letters and proposals, and for many of them, you may never hear anything back.

When you get negative comments or rejections, give yourself time to react to it. Work through it. Learn from it, and keep writing. Always be professional. You don’t need to snap back. Don’t do or say something rash that will come back to haunt you later.

Author Jenny Milchman gave a wonderful presentation to my group about her publication journey. Check out her website for her story. It is a good lesson about the ups and downs of the writerly life.

I love my writer friends. I can share losses, disappointment, and celebrations with them. They understand.

Turn the negative energy of doubt and fear to the willingness to improve and to try new things. It will make you a stronger writer. Celebrate the successes and learn from the criticism.

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Kaye George

I’d like to welcome mystery author Kaye George back to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Favorite thing to do when you have free time: In the times we’re having now, nap and
binge watch Netflix are tied for first.

The thing you’ll always move to the bottom of your to do list: Cleaning the house.

Favorite snacks: Lately I’ve developed a string cheese habit. In fact, I just went and got a piece. And chocolate. Dark chocolate in any form.

Things that make you want to gag:  Okra.

Favorite smell: My late husband’s pillow. He was in a home at the end and they washed every single thing before they gave it back to me. There was nothing with his smell on it. But the pillow on our bed still, after a couple years, retains something of him.
Something that makes you hold your nose: Okra

Something you’re really good at: I’ve realized recently that worrying is my super power. It’s good to know your strengths, I think.
Something you’re really bad at: Remembering things I don’t write down.

Something you wanted to be when you were a kid: A really young, kid? I used to follow the garbage truck up the alley, fascinated by their job. I thought there was something romantic about what they did, daring and brave. I thought, then, that I would love to have that job. You could see what everyone threw out. I grew out of that. But I still like to learn a lot about people and, honestly, that would be one way to do it.

Something you do that you never dreamed you’d do: I knew I never wanted to get married and have kids. I knew my life would be all dishes and laundry. I met a guy who was very convincing, and actually did get married and have kids. And it was all dishes and laundry. But with a soulmate and kids, and now grandkids. I wouldn’t trade my life for anyone’s.

Something you wish you could do: Right now? Go to any store I want to at any time, unfettered, with no worries.

Something you wish you’d never learned to do: Take precautions, wear my mask, disinfect everything, stay home. But I think we all wish that.

Favorite things to do: That’s easier to answer during a pandemic when you can’t do very much at all. I probably wouldn’t have given the same answers a few months ago. I now realize that seeing my kids and grandkids, being able to go into any store I want on a whim and browse the aisles, and regular grocery shopping are some of the things I miss the most.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: That’s probably the same. Sky diving. I’m afraid of heights and I think I’d be dead of a heart attack long before I hit the ground after passing out and failing to pull the ripcord.

About Kaye: Kaye George is a national-bestselling, multiple-award-winning author of pre-history, traditional, and cozy mysteries (her latest is the Vintage Sweets series from Lyrical Press). She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Smoking Guns chapter (Knoxville), Guppies chapter, Authors Guild of TN, Knoxville Writers Group, and Austin Mystery Writers. She lives and works in Knoxville, TN.

Book Links:
Revenge Is Sweet, March 10 https://www.amazon.com/Revenge-Sweet-Vintage-Sweets-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B07TS1KJ4T

Deadly Sweet Tooth, June 2 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/deadly-sweet-tooth-kaye-george/1132868200

Let’s Be Social:
Emails: kayegeorge@gmail.com and janetcantrell01@gmail.com

Web page: http://kayegeorge.com/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kaye.george

Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kaye-George/114058705318095

Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4037415.Kaye_George

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kaye-george

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KGeorgeMystery/

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/kayegeorge/

Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004CFRJ76

Blog: http://travelswithkaye.blogspot.com/

Group Blog: http://www.killercharacters.com/

Group Blog: https://writerswhokill.blogspot.com/

Knocking Down Writer's Block(s)

My sister gave me a set of writer’s blocks from Literature Lodge on Etsy. She chose Poe, Fitzgerald, and Baum. They sit next to my window/writing space. These are the only kind of writer’s blocks I like.

The impasse or deadends with writing are a problem. Mine happen when I write myself in a corner and don’t build enough tension in the story. Sometimes, I didn’t have a strong enough motive for some of the characters.

It gets frustrating when the words don’t come, or they aren’t what you want them to be. Here are some things I do to take my mind off the impediment (that I created).

1. Step away from the laptop. Go on a walk. Do something different.

2. Change the scenery. Go outside. Go somewhere.

3. Do another creative project (e.g. sewing, cooking, baking, painting, crafting,…)

4. Do a word or jigsaw puzzle.

5. Read. Reading is research.

6. I do my best plotting when I’m driving.

7. Exercise.

8. Meditate.

9. Listen to music.

I am usually able to get myself out of the corner and fix the problem when I’m not stressing about it. An idea often comes to me when I’m doing something else.