IT’S TELEVISION TUESDAY FOLKS
WITH SASHA ALSBERG!
What are you reading? Tell me in the comments!!
Benjamin Thomas
@thewritingtrain
http://www.thewritingtrain.com
Check out my other site: Mysterythrillerweek.com
Watch “BOOKTALK WITH VERONICA ROTH | SPOILER FREE” on YouTube
It’s Television Tuesday
Veronica Roth speaks on her upcoming release!
Pre-order Carve the Mark on Amazon!
Are you excited about this book? Tell me in the comments!
Benjamin Thomas
@thewritingtrain
http://www.thewritingtrain.com
Check out my other site: Mysterythrillerweek.com
Book Review: Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
- Hardcover: 480 pages
- Publisher: Ballantine Books (October 11, 2016)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0345544951
- ISBN-13: 978-0345544957
- Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1.3 x 9.5 inches
According to Goodreads
Ruth Jefferson is a labor and delivery nurse at a Connecticut hospital with more than twenty years’ experience. During her shift, Ruth begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be told a few minutes later that she’s been reassigned to another patient. The parents are white supremacists and don’t want Ruth, who is African American, to touch their child. The hospital complies with their request, but the next day, the baby goes into cardiac distress while Ruth is alone in the nursery. Does she obey orders or does she intervene?
Ruth hesitates before performing CPR and, as a result, is charged with a serious crime. Kennedy McQuarrie, a white public defender, takes her case but gives unexpected advice: Kennedy insists that mentioning race in the courtroom is not a winning strategy. Conflicted by Kennedy’s counsel, Ruth tries to keep life as normal as possible for her family—especially her teenage son—as the case becomes a media sensation. As the trial moves forward, Ruth and Kennedy must gain each other’s trust, and come to see that what they’ve been taught their whole lives about others—and themselves—might be wrong.
With incredible empathy, intelligence, and candor, Jodi Picoult tackles race, privilege, prejudice, justice, and compassion—and doesn’t offer easy answers. Small Great Things is a remarkable achievement from a writer at the top of her game.
MY RATING
First I wanted to thank Jodi Picoult for taking the time to write such a tremendous book. Jodi, if I ever get the chance to meet you I’ll give you a double high five. This great book is no small thing!
MY IMPRESSION
First it took me awhile to get use to the multiple point of views, but once that happened it became the strength of the story. I commend the author for taking head on things that most people try to avoid. Racism. Prejudice. Bias. I certainly try to avoid these topics like the plague instead of facing them.
Small Great Things employs a heavy theme throughout the book. Jodi makes no attempt to skate around the subjects at hand. Honestly, at first I thought it was a little bit over the top; but then I thought about the interaction between Kennedy McQuarrie and Ruth Jefferson. Kennedy a defense lawyer, did not think it was appropriate, necessary, or wise to bring race into the courtroom. Eventually she fully embraces the matter of race in her own life, both personally and professionally. This helped me to embrace the story more on a thematic level. It’ll never be easy to discuss matters of race, but I’m glad somebody did!
I will always reserve a place in my heart for the great story of Ruth, Kennedy, Edison and Turk Bauer. The embody the real life struggles, challenges, and transformation that we all need.
I greatly appreciate Jodi’s ability to capture the reality of each character and reveal them on the page. Weaving together so many elements is not easy for an author.
- Kennedy McQuarrie– I enjoyed such a classy, witty, gritty, determined and compassionate lawyer. The kind of arc that she went through in the story was quite compelling.
- Ruth Jefferson– Ruth was special. Such a hardworking individual in so many areas getting caught in the midst of an impossible dilemma. I could sense her pain, frustration and fears. Her transformation also is notable. Really when I consider Ruth, I have to consider Kennedy because they both had such a huge impact on one another.
- Edison– He was a sweet kid who loved his mother. A bond between a mother and son that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
- Adisa– She was hilarious! What a potent character. Captured beautifully.
- Turk Bauer– It was good to see how he developed with all of his experiences good and bad. His trans formative arc was very touching.
- Brit Bauer– What an intense character! Loved her too. Too bad she suffered such an ending though.
Each character is symbolic of something deeply rooted in our society. But love overcomes all things.
“Love suffers long. Love is kind; it is not jealous. Love does not brag and is not puffed up- 1 Cor. 13:4
“…does not take account of evil- 1 Cor. 13:5
“It covers all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.-1 Cor.13:7
*All verses are taken from the New Testament Recovery version Bible*
“With love, everybody wins.”-Benjamin Thomas
“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.-Nelson Mandela
THANKS JODI PICOULT FOR BEING WONDER WOMAN!
Benjamin Thomas
@thewritingtrain
http://www.thewritingtrain.com
Cozy Mystery Author Mary Feliz
Introducing Cozy Mystery Author Mary Feliz
Welcome Mary!
“Trying to solve the mystery is what I enjoy most about writing.”-Jon Ronson
How long have you lived in the Silicon Valley?
I moved to Mountain View in 1982 and lived in the area for 34 years. My husband and I recently relocated about 50 miles south to live at the beach.
Sounds inviting. Haven’t been that far north in California just yet.
How has living there affected your writing?
Silicon Valley is a unique area that changes quickly. It’s an incredibly gorgeous setting with a mild climate, but it’s also crowded with lots of traffic. The tech companies that originally created the area did so because of its proximity to Stanford University and a number of other large educational institutions, and education is highly valued. Movies, television, and newspaper articles have focused on some of the regions flashiest characters, but I don’t think they capture what the day to day life is like for ordinary people. I’ve tried to do that in my mysteries.
Nice touch. It would be good to get an inside scoop of what life is like inside the valley!
How long have you been writing fiction?
In the late 90s, I wrote two young adult historical novels about a young Latina woman who was a refugee in Monterey following the Mexican American war. I wasn’t able to attract a publisher and self-publishing wasn’t as prevalent as it is now, so I put them away and focused on writing communication materials for schools and other local programs. I’ve learned a lot about narrative structure since then and plan to go back and re-edit them. A few years ago, I decided to try again, and chose to write mysteries because I love them, and I knew I’d have fun writing the stories even if no one else saw them.
Oh great! I would love to hear more of the stories you wrote back then. I’m curious how you came to writing mysteries though. What made you switch?
“My life was a mystery even as I lived it.”-Melissa Gilbert
What other kinds of professional writing have you done?
I’ve worked in Corporate Communications and Public Relations for financial and high-tech companies, and did a lot of community relations writing for the schools and programs my children were involved in.
Wow, you’ve lived a writing life. In my experience writing professionally and writing fiction have been mutually beneficial, however I definitely prefer fiction!
Tell us about some of the short stories you’ve written.
I’ve written a grand total of ONE short story. It won a few contests, which was fun. I have the greatest admiration for short story writers — one false move and the story crashes and burns — they are incredibly difficult to craft. But I find it easier and more enjoyable to write novels.
Sounds like it was fun, especially if it won contests. I had no idea about the difficulty in crafting short stories.
How did you craft Maggie Mcdonald?
The series began because I wanted to do something new in the cozy mystery genre. At the time I started writing series, most of the amateur women sleuths were young single women or recently divorced women who were caterers or crafters. But I wanted to write about an older character who was happily married and juggling a career and kids. Raising a family is hard work and doing it while you’re trying to catch bad buys and launch a successful business is probably only possible in fiction, but I wanted Maggie to try. I felt that making her a personal organizer would give her access to the places people keep secret — their closets and underwear drawers.
I love her already! She sounds adorable, witty, and very capable. It takes a lot of skill to the potter of a great character.
How do you relate to Maggie personally?
Maggie shares part of my world view, but she’s thinner, fitter, braver and younger.
Do she have a sidekick?
Maggie’s permanent sidekick is her golden retriever, Belle. In each of the books, a different character takes precedence as her primary helper. But her sons and her husband Max are always helping out.
I like it. You gotta love a good sidekick!
Tell us a little about the setting for Address to Die For.
The book takes place in Orchard View, a fictional compilation of Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Mountain View. The McDonalds move into a large 100-year old craftsman home Maggie’s husband inherits from his great aunt. The house is based on an actual home, The Griffin House, which is now part of the Foothill College campus and is awaiting renovation. Griffin House was designed by a prolific Bay Area architect Frank Delos Wolfe in 1903.
I’ve been thinking a lot about setting recently and it’s importance in these kind of genres. By the way, I absolutely love this book cover!
What are the elements of a good mystery?
I think the most important part of any mystery is the characters. I love the books of Louise Penny and miss her characters between books. Even the secondary characters have developmental arcs across each book and the series. I can’t begin to touch Penny’s deft skill, but I’ve tried to bring those elements into the Maggie McDonald series.
This is definitely a skill one should have in their books. Learning how to pull it off takes time though.
Can you tell us about the next book in the series?
Scheduled to Death will be released in January, Maggie works to help friend, client, and Stanford University physicist Lincoln Sinclair escape a murder charge. In Dead Storage (July 2017) Stephen Laird is held responsible for the death of a local restaurateur.
Sweet! I have the first book, and looking forward to the second and third installments. Your covers are so beautiful and captivating.
The job of the artist is to always deepen the mystery…-unknown
Support your authors by buying a book and posting a review. Without it they would fall!
CONNECT WITH MARY
Like her Facebook page
Mary Feliz
Author of the Maggie McDonald Mysteries
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Silicon Valley Professional Organizer Maggie McDonald has a penchant for order that extends beyond her clients’ closets and sock drawers. When murder comes to Orchard View, Maggie must set things right.
Address to Die For (Kensington Publishing) July, 2016
Scheduled to Death (Kensington Publishing) will be released January, 2017
Dead Storage (Kensington Publishing) will be released July 2017.
Hey folks, thanks for ridin’ the train. Come again, and don’t be a stranger!
PS
Check out our other site at: www.mysterythrillerweek!
Benjamin Thomas
@thewritingtrain
http://www.thewritingtrain.com
Burned by Fire Book Tour with Author Danielle Annett
Burned by Fire
Blood and Magic #3
Genres: New Adult, Urban Fantasy, Magic, Vampires
Publication date: September 30th 2016
Aria’s pyrokinetic ability has always been hard to control, and being pulled in so many directions, isn’t making it any easier.
Now she has to help Inarus, a foe turned friend who is being targeted by the Human Alliance Corporation-the very organization he once worked for.
But the HAC has more than just Inarus in their sights. Aria finds herself going deep into enemy territory to save a witchling child with never before seen powers, that the HAC has kidnapped to further their own ends.
Aria has been hired to save a child once before, and she failed. That failure has haunted her even to this day and she wonnt let herself fail again. With the HAC closing in, and complications between herself and the Pack rising, Aria has no choice but to succeed. A child’s life is on the line and Aria will risk everything to save that life.
Buy links: Amazon Kobo
There’s nothing like the imagination of a buddinig writer. Author Danielle Annett does a great job conveying her characters in the midst of dynamic relationships and navigating through dire circumstances. I’ve always appreciated the cast that surrounds the main character. To me, it always brings out the best fiction in any story. Aria has good intentions, but struggles to contorol her pyrokinetic abilities. Because of her lack of control, and apparent weakness, she’s become dependent upon her Alpha mate, Declan. This forces her to deal with her mixed feelings about him, her friend Inarus, is caught up right in the middle of it.
My rating
Author Biography
Danielle Annett is a reader, writer, photographer, and blogger. Born in the SF Bay area, she now resides in Spokane, WA, the primary location for her Blood & Magic series. Addicted to coffee at an early age, she spends her restless nights putting pen to paper as she tries to get all of the stories out of her head before the dogs wake up the rest of the house and vye for her attention
Thank you Bookmark booktours and Danielle!
Benjamin Thomas
@thewritingtrain
http://www.thewritingtrain.com
The Crown of Stones Trilogy by Fantasy Author C.L. Schneider
PLEASE WELCOME ONE AWESOME FANTASY AUTHOR
C.L. SCHNEIDER
C.L. Schneider is an author mom who just penned her first published work, The Crown of Stones. The first in a trilogy, Magic-Price is a gripping account of one man’s struggle to accept who and what he is. It’s the journey of a flawed hero, a fallen race, and a land at war. A page-turning tale of prejudice, betrayal, secrets and lies.
*It sounds absolutely and deliciously scrumptious!*
GULP…
THE CROWN OF STONES
*How long did you live in Kansas?
I was born and raised in Atchison, Kansas, a small town on the Missouri river. Atchison is the birthplace of Amelia Earhart. It is also considered the most haunted small town in Kansas. I came to New York after I finished school and have lived in the same general area (the Hudson Valley region) ever since.
Haunted small towns, eh? Just in time for Halloween!
*What sorts of books did you read growing up?
I come from a family of readers, all with different interests, so the bookshelves in my house were bursting with books from all genres. I was an early reader. In elementary school I devoured my older sibling’s collections of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, but by the time I was in middle school I was reading a lot of the classics. Some of my favorites were: Gone with the Wind, Jane Eyre, Rebecca, Frankenstein, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Northwest Passage, The Time Machine. I loved mysteries and gothic novels. From there, I moved onto historical fiction and horror. I didn’t start reading fantasy until after high school when my brother bought me a copy of The Mists of Avalon. I fell in love and read it twice within a couple of months. I had already finished my first novel at that point, but that book changed everything for me. It narrowed my writing focus. Once I read Mists of Avalon, I knew fantasy was my genre.
That’s an interesting mix of books there! It intrigues me how certain books can have a particular affect on us. In your case it was The Mists of Avalon.
The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.-Dr. Seuss
*Who were your favorite characters growing up, and how did you relate to them?
I adored Scarlett O’Hara. She was such an amazing character. On the surface she was this incredibly strong woman who let nothing stand in her way. She knew how to work the system to get what she wanted. Yet underneath, she was vulnerable. Scarlett O’Hara was the first truly flawed character that I ever encountered and she definitely set the bar high. I was also drawn to Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights. To me, at the time, he was the epitome of a tortured character. I loved his passion and recklessness.
YESSSS. Flawed characters are the name of the game. It’s amazing how we’re touched by them isn’t it?
*What’s your educational background?
I’ve had no formal writing education. Writing is just something I’ve done for as long as I can remember.
Me neither!! Hah! But you’re trilogy looks AMAZING. The reviews I’ve seen are also very astounding. Impressive for someone who has no formal background in writing. You’re an encouragement for the rest of us!
*Who are you favorite characters today and how do you relate to them?
One of my favorite characters that I’ve discovered recently is Mason Stone from the Saint Monolith series by fellow indie author Tom Reinhart. Mason Stone is such a compelling character. He’s an unsung hero, a loose cannon vigilante, a tortured man, and a very lost soul. I can’t say that I relate to him, really, but I admire how he doesn’t hold back. He does the things that everyone else wishes they could.
Hmm…I haven’t heard of him, but I’ll check him out!
*Tell us about Ian Troy and how you crafted him.
There is a quote by Kahlil Gibran that I believe describes Ian Troy perfectly: “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” That is Ian Troy.
Ian is an anti-hero, flawed as they come. He’s solder, a magic user, a drinker, a smart-ass, and an outcast who’s maddeningly stubborn and guilt ridden. Ian’s story is a dark one, and he goes to some very dark places. He doesn’t always do the right thing. In fact, he does some very bad things. But you can always count on him to be selfless in the face of danger and put other’s lives ahead of his own. How did he get to be this way? Over the course of the trilogy, you learn about the roller coaster of his life and how he was manipulated and coerced even before he was born.
I love flawed characters. The more flawed they are, the more opportunities they have to incite emotions in a reader. Flawed characters, to me, are far more interesting that the gallant white knights and the perfect super heroes. Those are fine, to a point. But I’m far more intrigued by what’s underneath the shining armor and the mask. What trials and tribulations did they have to endure? What past mistakes or secret desires are they hiding?
When I created Ian Troy, I set out to construct a character that I, as a reader, would want to get lost in. It was important to me that Ian carried traits from some of the characters that sparked my imagination growing up. I wanted him to be a cowboy and an outlaw, a good guy and a rogue; a detective when he needed to be, a monster when he could help it, and a hero even when he tried not to be. I knew his story would revolve around magic. That he would be flawed and suffering, bold yet strong, valiant yet broken. To me, the best way to create and explore a tortured character was to make his greatest strength (magic) also his greatest weakness.
I love, love, love your description of your characters and your entire premise.
“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.”- Kahlil Gibran
*What do you love most about him?
I love Ian’s strength, his ability to keep going, to keep striving for what he knows is right even against terrible odds. It probably sounds strange, but when I’m faced with a difficult task and I feel like giving up, I think: Ian wouldn’t give up, and it pushes me to keep going.
Now that’s awesome. You’re inspired by your own character! That’s heroism at its best.
*If you were to meet him in person how would you feel?
Oh, I’m not sure! No one has ever asked me that before. I might feel a little star struck, actually. Though, I would love to find out. It would be amazing to have the opportunity to sit down with Ian and the gang at one of the taverns in my book and share a bottle. That would be a fun night!
I can almost picture this playing out in my head, lol! That would be EPIC.
*What did you enjoy most in writing the Crown of Stones Trilogy?
Worldbuilding was definitely one of my favorite parts of writing The Crown of Stones. I loved forming all those realms and crafting their history. Taking the flaws and accomplishments (and the secrets) of each society and interweaving them together over the three books was so much fun. Mirra’kelan is a world I’m proud of. I think it has a lot of potential for future stories.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the characters. One of the hardest parts of moving onto a new project was letting them go.
Yeah, that sounds like it would be pretty hard. Having to let them go and move on would be tough.
*What exactly is Epic Fantasy?
Epic fantasy is generally described as a novel set in an entirely imaginary world, completely unlike our own, with environments and societies that are fully explored and realized. As a rule, the story is lengthy and often evolves over multiple books. It frequently includes a large cast of characters, complex magic systems, sweeping battles, and/or a journey across multiple realms. The plot is complex and game-changing, leaving the story-world altered on a grand scale and the characters evolved.
I like it. Just realized my story sounds a lot like epic fantasy.
*What is Urban Fantasy?
With urban fantasy, the magical/supernatural elements are still there, but story generally takes place in more of a contemporary, urban setting than epic fantasy.
I wonder what is it if your story has both elements of Urban and Epic fantasy? Interesting.
*Can you give us a teaser about your next book?
My next book, Nite Fire, is the first in an urban fantasy series. It’s the story of Dahlia Nite, a half-dragon shapeshifter from a parallel world very different from our own. Many years ago, Dahlia’s emerging empathic abilities interfered with her job as an assassin. She failed the dragon queen, Naalish, and was condemned to die. Being half human (and able to shift into human form), Dahlia fled her home for the only other world where she had a hope of blending in: ours.
Nite Fire is set in the fictitious Sentinel City. Already a hot-spot for the unexplained, when a series of brutal killings disguised as spontaneous combustion strike the city, Dahlia knows the killer is one of her own kind. She worms her way into the investigation, teaming up with a human detective to solve the case, while struggling to maintain the lies that have kept humanity in the dark for centuries; believing myths and legends were just that.
As Dahlia searches for the truth behind the murders, the bit of peace she’s found in this world starts to unravel. Nite Fire is the first book in a series. An early excerpt is posted on my website on the Playground page Nite Fire Play if you’d like to have a look! Leave a comment, too. I’d love to hear what you think of it.
You really now how to craft a story with intriguing characters! Please drop me a line when you finish. I’d be open to review it.
Connect with C.L. Schneider!
Twitter | Facebook | Google | Goodreads | Amazon | Website
Thanks for ridin’ the train folks!!
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When writing a novel a writer should create living people; people not characters. A character is a caricature. -Ernest Miller Hemingway
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To write well, express yourself like the common people, but think like a wise man. -Aristotle
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“When I want to read a novel, I write one.” -Benjamin Disraeli
Don’t be a stranger…
Benjamin Thomas
@thewritingtrain
http://www.thewritingtrain.com
Brainwalker Blog Tour: by Robyn Mundell & Stephan Lacast!
BRAINWALKER BLOG TOUR
by Robyn Mundell & Stephan Lacast
Genre: YA Scifi/Fantasy
Release Date: October 1st 2016
Dualmind Publishing
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Check out a Q&A with the authors here!
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- Paperback: 258 pages
- Publisher: Dualmind Publishing (September 21, 2016)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0997652519
- ISBN-13: 978-0997652512
- Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
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Summary from Goodreads:
Fourteen year-old Bernard
Fourteen year-old Bernard is full of out of the box ideas—ideas that nobody appreciates. Not his ultra-rational father, not his classmates, and definitely not his teacher, who’s fed up waiting for Bernard’s overdue science project. You’d think with a hotshot quantum physicist for a dad, the assignment would be easy as “pi”, but with his relationship with his father on rocky ground, Bernard is under more pressure than a helium atom.
And Bernard’s impulse control flies out the window when he’s stressed. So instead of turning in his project, he moons the class and gets suspended. Now his dad’s got no choice but to bring him to his work. At the Atom Smasher. It’s the chance of a lifetime for Bernard, who knows smashing atoms at the speed of light can—theoretically—make wormholes. How about that for the most mind-bending science project ever? But when he sneaks into the particle accelerator and someone hits the power button, Bernard ends up in the last place he’d ever want to be.
Inside his father’s brain.
And it’s nothing like the spongy grey mass Bernard studied at school. It’s a galaxy, infinite and alive. Like, people live there. A mysterious civilization on the brink of extinction, as unaware of their host as he is of them. But there’s zero time to process this. Bernard’s about to be caught up in an epic war between the two sides of his dad’s brain over their most precious resource:
Mental Energy.
With his father’s life at stake, Bernard must go up against the tyrannical left side of his father’s brain to save the dying, creative right side. But how the heck is he supposed to do that when he’s just a hopelessly right-brained kid himself? (less)
ADD TO GOODREADS: Brainwalker
WEBSITE: Brainwalker.net
BUY LINKS: Amazon Kindle | Amazon Paperback
My Rating
What a fascinating read! I enjoyed the romp through the Brainiverse that Bernard takes us on in order to save his Dad, and even himself. He goes on quite an adventure to both sides on his Father’s brain in efforts to restore peace, communication and unity between the two cerebral hemispheres, Reezon and Intuit.
The authors do a great job of taking complicated brain science and turning it into an entertaining story to read. From neurons, microorganisms and organelles, it has it all.
May this book raise your appreciation for neuroscience, physiology, the nervous system, not to mention the balance of intuition and logic within all of us.
THANK YOU TO YA BOUND BOOK TOURS FOR ORGANIZING THIS EVENT!!
Benjamin Thomas
@thewritingtrain
http://www.thewritingtrain.com
Flooded: A Creative Anthology of Brain Injuries with Victoria Griffin
**WATCH “FLOODED: A Creative Anthology of Brain Injuries”**
Check out the link to the Kickstarter campaign!
Allow me to introduce my friend Victoria Griffin a freelance editor, writer, blogger and all around awesome gal. Welcome Griff!!
Former Softball Player Creates Creative Anthology Devoted to Brain Injuries Knoxville, Tennessee – October 6, 2016 – In January of this year, author and Campbell University softball player Victoria Griffin sustained a severe concussion that would last four months. The injury stripped her of basic abilities–reading, walking, speaking—and took her final season of college softball. Now, she is using the experience to fuel the creation of Flooded, a literary anthology of fiction and creative nonfiction devoted to concussions and brain injuries. In order to fund the project, she is launching a Kickstarter campaign October 11, 2016. The bulk of funding will go toward contributor payments, editing, and design. She hopes the anthology will provide an outlet for victims of brain injuries to express the emotional realities so often glazed over in favor of statistics and facts. She also sees the anthology as a tool to educate those who have not experienced brain injuries–and those who will in the future. Supporters can become involved with the project as ambassadors, sharing updates about Flooded with their social media networks. Find out more about Flooded at victoriagriffin.net/flooded
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Alright, time to knock this puppy out of the park. You ready??
*Where did you grow up?
I grew up in East Tennessee, near the base of the Smoky Mountains, in a little town called Claxton. It has one red light and no post office, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it.
Nice. I haven’t trekked to much around the Smoky Mountains, but I’ve driven through it *many* times.
*How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing as long as I can remember. I’ve got a folder of stories from the first grade that make me wonder how many horror flicks my dad let me watch as a kid. My first publication came during my junior year of high school. I’d say that was when I truly decided writing was going to be my life.
That’s great, Tori. You’re going to have to share some of those stories with us!
*What do you love most about it?
Writing has a way of giving you control, while completely stripping it away. As a writer, I decide characters’ fates, and yet it often feels like transcribing a story that has already happened. I love creating in a way that feels like discovery.
I love your take on this. There is something about creating these fates and destinies that’s so satisfying.
“Writing has a way of giving you control, while completely stripping it away”-Victoria Griffin
*Can you tell us a little about the brain anthology?
Flooded was inspired by my own experience with TBI and my subsequent realization that concussion and brain injury awareness are seriously lacking. The anthology will consist of fiction and creative nonfiction about brain injuries, with the purpose of spreading awareness about the reality of brain injuries’ impacts on people’s lives.
This project is very special and I’m glad you decided to participate in it!
*Explain your goals for the Kickstarter campaign and how we can participate.
While this anthology is devoted to concussion awareness, it is also a literary undertaking. I will seek out the best work by talented authors, and I believe they should be paid appropriately. The main goal for the Kickstarter is to make sure that happens. The funds will also cover editing, layout, cover art, etc. to produce a high-quality anthology. Of course, you can participate in the campaign by pledging to the project (and getting some sweet rewards), but you can also participate by spreading the word. Sharing the Flooded story with your friends, family, and social media networks is greatly appreciated.
This is exciting! Can’t wait until the final product comes about. But the great thing is we can participate in the process!!
*How do you view writing after experiencing a major concussion?
Of course, the experience impacts my work—as all experiences do. But the greatest change since the injury is how grateful I am to be able to write. During those four months, I was physically unable to write. Language was painful. I couldn’t understand words being spoken to me, let alone create them myself. Now, to be able to tell stories and follow my passion means so much more than it did before.
Wow. I’m just glad you’re ok. But I’m even happier that you emerged with more passion for writing!
“Passion will move men beyond themselves, beyond their shortcomings, beyond their failures.” -Joseph Campbell
*Has it changed how you write?
I have become much more interested in representing myself and my culture in my work—as a brain-injury survivor, a woman, and a southern Appalachian. The concussion helped me to realize how powerful writing and storytelling is. Losing the ability to write or read for four months made that abundantly clear. I suppose I feel more responsibility, now, to use my writing in an impactful way.
This is powerful. Love it.
“The concussion helped me to realize how powerful writing and storytelling is. Losing the ability to write or read for four months made that abundantly clear.”
*How has it affected your outlook on life?
I’m not sure I can express how much the injury changed my outlook. I lost absolutely everything that makes me who I am—down to my emotions. My family told me after the fact that my eyes were dull and dead-looking. I have been symptom-free for four months, now, and still just stepping into the sunshine gives me more happiness than I can describe. Reading a book, watching a movie, listening to music. I am grateful to be able to do these things. My perspective has shifted. To be alive, breathing, and not in pain is a miracle to me.
The other massive change in my outlook is a result of the people in my life who took care of me during that time. We’ve all had someone care for us while we’re sick. This was nothing like that. These people dropped their entire lives to make sure I stayed breathing—literally. A friend stayed with me when I was afraid I would stop breathing during the night. Coming to help me while I was stuck on the stairs. Shielding me from the lights and sounds that shut down my system. Pulling me out of buildings when I couldn’t move. The list goes on. At the same time, I saw the absolute worst in people. Those who actually tried to hurt me while I was helpless to defend myself. So I learned, and I will remember, to hold tightly to true friends and loved ones and to let the others go. The only people I need in my life are the ones who love me enough to hold me up when I’m falling, and I will never stop telling them how much I love and appreciate them.
This is very moving, especially hearing how they cared for you in your lowest times. Love motivates a true friend to hold you up when you fall. Very sweet indeed.
* Post-concussion, what are you most grateful for?
The people who were and continue to be there for me.
Hey, you can’t beat that.
*Can you name up to 5 things that helped you through this difficult time?
I’ll name a few things that helped me post-concussion, after the symptoms subsided. Because to be completely honest, there is nothing in the world that could have helped during the injury.
1. My friends and family
2. Reading and writing
3. Having a clear picture of where I wanted to be in the next year, of the person I wanted to get back to being
Excellent. I’m glad you pulled through, and hats off to all those who lent a helping hand.
Don’t forget to check out the Kickstarter page for more information, goals, and rewards for participation!
Victoria Griffin
865.292.1798
Thanks for ridin’ the Train folks!! Until the next time…..
Benjamin Thomas
@thewritingtrain
http://www.thewritingtrain
YA Bound Book Tour: The Row by J.R. Johansson
**THE ROW BY J.R. JOHANSSON**
About the Author
J.R. Johansson’s books have been published in a dozen languages and more than twenty countries worldwide. She has a B.S. degree in
public relations and a background in marketing. She credits her abnormal psychology minor with inspiring many of her characters. She lives in Utah with two sons, a wonderful husband, three cats, and a hot tub named Valentino.
She is represented by the stellar Kathleen Rushall of Andrea Brown Literary Agency
Blog Tour organized by: YA Bound Book Tours
Author Links:
Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook
The Row by J.R. Johansson
Genre: YA Mystery
Release Date: October 11th 2016
FSG/Macmillan
Summary from Goodreads:
A death sentence. A family torn apart. One girl’s hunt for the truth. Seventeen-year-old Riley Beckett is no stranger to prison. Her father is a convicted serial killer on death row who has always maintained that he was falsely accused. Riley has never missed a single visit with her father. She wholeheartedly believes that he is innocent.
Then, a month before the execution date, Riley’s world is rocked when, in an attempt to help her move on, her father secretly confesses to her that he actually did carry out the murders.
He takes it back almost immediately, but she cannot forget what he’s told her. Determined to uncover the truth for her own sake, she discovers something that will forever change everything she’s believed about the family she loves.
Buy links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Google Play | Books-a-Million | Indiebound | Indigo | Overstock | Powell’s | Target
*Who’s your favorite football team?
I’m an absolute freak about the Green Bay Packers. I never miss a game. I usually go out to Green Bay for several games a year, I own stock in the organization, and I helped my son decorate his entire room green and yellow. 😉
Cheesehead, eh? I’m a 49er’s fan!
*What initially drew you to write?
The first time I sat down and started writing, I did it as an escape. My life was stressing me out and I had this idea in my mind that just wouldn’t go away. I thought maybe if I wrote it down, it might help, so I did. Not only did it help my stress, but I found something I loved more than I ever would have imagined.
I had the same experience. Beginning with simple escapism in poetry then morphing into full blown fiction.
*Why have you chosen to write YA?
Teen years are so formative. They are one of the first times we all start trying to identify and establish ourselves and our independence. We begin to figure out who we are and create and define ourselves. I think we continue to do that again and again at various points for the rest of our lives and so it’s easy to identify with. I love writing characters in that kind of flux and transition. It creates beautifully poignant conflict and tension.
Wonderful! Conflict and tension is the name of the game.
*How do you craft your characters?
I try to start with someone real and flawed and then try to get into their heads. I create their backstory and try to figure out what having a history like the one I gave them would do to these people. I basically just work to make them whole and breathe life into them.
We all love real and flawed characters. You can’t go wrong there!
*What is it about psychology that you enjoy employing in your writing?
I think this ties into the characters question because my psychology background helps me analyze the way a background would make a character who they are. It also helps me get into flaws and communication skill sets and all kinds of stuff to make both characters and relationships well rounded.
I love this. Your way of crafting characters is very fascinating.
*Who’s your favorite character you’ve ever created?
Wow…hard choice. I’m going to name a couple and say why because picking one is just too hard. Finn (Night Walkers’ Series) is the most fun. Piper (Cut Me Free) is the toughest. And Riley (The Row) has the biggest heart.
Awesome. I can’t wait to read all of your books!!
*As a reader, who are your top 3 favorite characters and what do you appreciate about them?
Peeta – (The Hunger Games) because he was vulnerable in a position that made everyone else hard.
Caymen – (The Distance Between Us) because I don’t know if I’ll ever find a better depiction of my ideal sense of humor anywhere else.
Adelina – (The Young Elites) because she’s the absolute best anti-hero I’ve ever seen and I love her for it.
Vulnerability, humor, and the anti-hero.
*Tell us about the protagonist in your new book.
Riley has walls up pretty high. She’s spent all her life defending her father and having people slander him and her whole family in front of her (and behind her back). She loves her father and believes that he’s innocent. This situation has flipped her perspectives in some interesting ways. She doesn’t trust police or the justice system. She has nightmares of the police coming to her house at night to steal her parents away. She’s very close to her father, but has more normal growing pains in her relationship with her mother. Her whole life was put on hold when her father went to prison and she and her mother have spent years with their lives in limbo as they fight to set him free. So when Riley starts to doubt her father, it sends her whole world spiraling out of control. She’s good, and loyal, and fierce in a situation where no one expects her to be. I loved writing her because it gave me a chance to expose and explore some things in our society that I don’t agree with. Often children and families of criminals are treated like they are guilty too, that they should’ve known and are somehow also responsible. I also got to ask some questions about how we can really be sure that we truly know anyone—or what they’re capable of. These topics fascinate me.
Totally agree. The story has a great premise and very interesting protagonist.
*You seem to write with powerful themes in your stories; I suspect you’re a very passionate person. What’s your process for selecting theme?
I do tend to gravitate toward powerful themes and I am a passionate person. I’m afraid my process for selecting a theme is far from scientific though. I like to expose myself to as much life as I can. I watch tv, movies, travel, go to the park and watch people, read the news and books. Then I wait for something to strike a particular chord. When it happens and I find myself really wanting to dive into researching a topic or issue more than normal, then I know it’s one I might want to write about.
LOVE IT. These are the best stories written by the best kinds of authors.
*Have you ever cried while writing? If so, what was your experience?
Yes, actually. The last two books: Cut Me Free and The Row. With both, it has been in a part of the story near the climax where I’m particularly connected to the characters and they’re at their lowest point. I also get a little choked up when I’m writing the end. The most emotional moments for my characters set me off a bit, but I think it usually means I’m getting that emotion to come through on the page in a good way as well, so I’m happy about it.
You gotta love emotion, it’s the currency of all fiction.
*What have you experienced or learned in writing this book as opposed to your other series and stand-alones?
The experience with this book has taught me to be flexible because I basically went through three different editors over the course of working on it. That’s unusual for me, so it took a bit of adjusting. I’m really happy with the way it turned out though. It was also my first mystery, which meant the tension changed a bit as opposed to my thrillers. The main character was in less danger than I was used to, so it forced me to run the story a little differently. I think I’m a better writer for the experience.
I like the idea of being a flexible writer. Crafting these kinds of stories are great exercise.
*I can tell you enjoy writing about the deep complexities of human life. Can you bring us into your mindset on this?
People fascinate me. They always have. I remember as a kid looking at a stranger walking down the street and thinking that it felt so random that I was in my body, in my life, and they were in theirs. I used to imagine being in their body. Would I be taller, would my arms be longer, what would the world look like from their perspective? I use this in my writing constantly. We all have struggles. We all have our own pain and triumph. I like to dig around in that and try to see the strength in human flaws and frailty. Through that lens is where we really capture the beauty of humanity.
We must be twins separated at birth!! People fascinate me as well. I love to connect with people on different levels. FUN!
*What do you have next coming down the pike?
I’m currently working on another standalone thriller and a couple of middle grade projects, so watch for news on those soon!
We’ll put out a BOLO for all of your upcoming projects. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
~~BETWEEN THE PAGES OF A BOOK IS A LOVELY PLACE TO BE~~
THANKS FOR JOINING THE YA BOOK BLOG TOUR
Benjamin Thomas
@thewritingtrain
http://www.thewritingtrain.com
A new Political Thriller by J.C. Peters
Everyone please welcome J.C. Peters!
The Dog and its Day
There has been only one assassination on a Presidential Candidate, Robert F. Kennedy, in 1968. Has the time come for the next serious attempt? Legal Philosopher, historian and author J.C. Peters uses this scenario in his first political fiction novel, The Dog and its Day (Odyssea Publishing), available now on Amazon and major online retailers. As the United States comes to elect the next President in the coming months and with the first debate completed, Peters is compelled to depict the main characters in the book off current political and presidential candidates.
In The Dog and Its Day, two conservative billionaires decide to hire the best assassin $10 million can buy to kill Republican presidential candidate Ronald Drump, realizing any other candidate would have a much better chance of winning against the notoriously unpopular Valery Clayton. The assassin, an American, is meticulous, methodical and he never fails. As a rule, he does not operate stateside, but the chance to retire in style, with a legendary campaign season swings into high gear, the killer chooses his time, place and method. The hour is fast approaching. One main can change the course of history. The question: who will it be?
To learn more about the book and author J.C. Peters, visit www.JellePeters.com, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
*How did you go from writing historical nonfiction to fiction?
After finishing my latest nonfiction history book, World 2.0: A History from Enlightenment to Terrorism and Beyond, which had taken me more than three years to write and research, I was actually planning to take a small break. But as I watched Donald Trump rise in the Republican primaries, I began thinking about how incredibly high the stakes would be if he actually became the Republican nominee, how the entire country could be swayed into one of two very different directions and how the course of history is often determined by just one person. Truth is, I had come upon many Donald Trumps while writing World 2.0. Of course, if one man can change the world, it also takes just one man to stop him. And that is how the story of The Dog and its Day was born.
It’s amazing how one person can affect the world and turn it upon its hinges.
*Can you note the differences you experienced?
Interestingly enough, the difference between fiction and nonfiction was far smaller than I had expected. In the last six months of working on my history book, I sometimes fantasized about finally being able to throw off the constraints of having to research and double-check every single fact. In fiction, I thought, I could do whatever I wanted, I would finally be the king of my own universe! But when I started writing The Dog and its Day—actually even before that, when I was still just thinking about the story—I realized that for me at least, the main difference would be to recalibrate reality a few degrees. When it comes to thrillers, I was never that interested in outlandish stories where the villains do unspeakable things. In The Dog and its Day, I wanted to explore how an assassination plot on Donald Trump would be conceived, planned and executed. That turned out to take quite a lot of research as well, but at least I didn’t have to name sources, write footnotes and create an index anymore.
That’s awesome. I’m writing a my first fictional piece and hope to pen nonfiction one day.
FICTION REVEALS TRUTH THAT REALITY OBSCURES -RALPH WALDO EMERSON
*Does your book explore a particular theme?
One man can change history. Nothing is set in stone and history does repeat itself.
This is very fascinating. I guess it all depends on who is changing history and how they’re doing it.
*What can you tell us about these two billionaires and their relationship with one another?
They are lifelong friends who together founded a coal-mining company 30 years ago and expanded it into a global empire in the decades that followed. They have had people standing in the way of their business interests eliminated before. When one of them suggests to have the Republican nominee assassinated, the other first recoils, but then he realizes the time for moral objections has long since passed.
Sounds like a great premise! Two power hungry billionaires with their own agenda.
*Tell us three things about Ronald Drump.
He is the Republican nominee for president. A New York real estate developer without any political experience. He is brash, arrogant, notoriously unreliable and far behind in the polls when the two billionaires decide to have him eliminated.
Well, may the odds ever be in his favor.
*Tell us three things about Valery Clayton.
She is the Democratic nominee for president. Her husband, Richard Clayton, was President in the 1990s. She has vowed to close all coal mines in the United States if elected.
I’m surprised they the billionaires wouldn’t have her assassinated instead. Especially if she’s trying to close the coal mines!
*How meticulous is this legendary assassin?
He is the kind of man who, if he had an unforeseen chance to take out his mark with a 9mm handgun in a dark forest with nobody else around, would still do nothing more than mumble a greeting and walk on, if he had planned to take him out a day later with a .300 Winchester Magnum from 800 yards away.
I’ve always thought assassins were cool for some reason. It must be the nature of the job and how they manage to get away with it, or not.
*If you were Ronald Drump and realized an attempt on your life what would you do?
Probably the same as what the real Republican nominee, Donald Trump, has done. Hire extra private security—much to the dismay of the Secret Service.
Yikes! Sounds like a high stress job. Whew.
*If you had opportunity to change the world as Drump, Clayton, the billionaires, or the assassin which person would you be?
The billionaires and the assassin can only stop someone else from becoming President of the United States. I would prefer to be in power myself.
Good answer!
*What is your favorite time period in history?
I find that once you start digging and are transported back in time, each period has its own unique stories to tell and adventures to share. Fourteenth century France might seem less interesting than World War II at first glance, but once you start exploring the Hundred Years’ War and the Black Death and it all comes to life again, it quickly become another favorite period in history.
It would be adventurous to be a time traveler and go back to observe how things unfolded personally.
If you think you have it tough, read history books. -Bill Maher
*Will you write more political thrillers?
I already have a new plot. One that strikes at the heart of the presidency and puts the President in an impossible situation. So yes.
YES. More political thrillers! Keep us posted!
THANKS J.C. PETERS!!!
THANKS FOR RIDIN THE TRAIN!!!
The Writing Train: Join the locomotion 