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
Watch “How Authenticity Attracts Readers for a Successful Book Launch with Angela Ackerman” on YouTube
TELEVISION TUESDAY
With Lorna Faith & Angela Ackerman, author of the popular Emotion Thesaurus
Find Angela Ackerman’s Books on Amazon
What did you learn? Tell me in the comments!
Benjamin Thomas
@thewritingtrain
http://www.thewritingtrain.com
Check out my other site: Mysterythrillerweek.com
Watch “Creative Writing: DIY MFA with Gabriela Pereira” on YouTube
TELEVISION TUESDAY
Don’t miss Gabriela Pereira and Joanna Penn on Creative Writing!
What did you take away from this? Tell me in the comments!!
Benjamin Thomas
@thewritingtrain
http://www.thewritingtrain.com
Story of the Writer Series: Author Lynda Filler
Please Welcome Lynda Filler
Author of the Jet World Series & Target in the Sun
Glad to have you with us Lynda!
Are you fluent in Spanish?
No, I speak Spanish poorly but with a Canadian accent and say “eh” at the end of the sentence.
I’ve never heard a Canadian accent before.
Can you share some pictures of Mexico with us?
Lynda dwells in the lovely land of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
Why did you chose to start writing?
I’ve been writing all my life. Poetry in my twenties and my first novel. I tossed it by accident last year preparing for a hurricane!
Oh no! That’s too bad, but it’s understandable given the circumstances! Glad you’re OK.
How has bestselling author Russell Blake influenced your career?
Now that’s a great question. I think RB personalised the process for me. Because of his invitation I started writing JET Exposed in Kindle Worlds. The story was super fun and seemed to take on a life of it’s own. I have three novellas for his World, and two for Toby Neal. As a matter of fact, I may have to write another this year.
Wow. It’s not everyday you have a bestselling author invite you to write books!
According to Goodreads
Jet: Exposed (Jet World #) Book 1
JET EXPOSED, A SUSPENSE THRILLER, UNCOVERS A DARK AND DANGEROUS WORLD OF HIGH-LEVEL INTRIGUE, PASSION, POWER AND GREED
The US government is in the throes of cyberwarfare with China. Luke Raven, a high-tech billionaire, is the only man that can save America from the deadly fallout. Jet, a highly trained operative, returns from Kosovo to retrieve two hundred and fifty million dollars in diamonds safely stored in Uruguay. Spotted by a drug cartel, she is chased up the Pacific coast of Mexico where she is saved by ex-Navy Seal Zach, a member of ‘Raven’s Group’.
Luke and his team recruit Jet to help execute a dangerous, highly classified special operations mission that is crucial to national security…Jet completes the critical Team Profile. They take their high-paced adventure across the USA and over the ocean to Paris. The action culminates in Shanghai, China where an ultra-wealthy and ruthless business tycoon possesses highly sensitive information that would have catastrophic results in the wrong hands. But will they get there soon enough to secure the information from their enemies?
– New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Russell Blake
“A writer should have the precision of a poet and the imagination of a scientist.”-Vladimir Nabokov
What is your goal in becoming a writer?
My goal is creative expression. I want to tell stories that entertain, inspire, create wonder and border on magic. I want my readers to be transported to a place they’ve never been and feel the story as it enfolds.
YES. That encapsulates it perfectly. I love it. I don’t think I could’ve said any better. Creativity unbound.
Did you write poetry before fiction?
I think I did but I started writing so many years ago that it all blends in for me. I published poetry first The Love Fix in 2009, then Love Rehab 2011 and I (Spy) Love in 2013. Poetry for me is prose in short bursts, sometimes rhyming, more than often stream of consciousness. I wish there was another word for what I’ve written so more people would be inspired to read it. I know they would enjoy my sometimes senseless or emotional or erotic writings.
I began with poetry as well, then progressed to fiction.
Share two of your favorite poems.
Someone Forgot
someone forgot
to rewind my clock
instead my time
is time/warped/locked
is cut in half
is set to explode
when all I asked
was time to reload
the memories
the mistakes to fix
time to love deeply
time to mix
what is soul
important
what is naught
mundane
money chased
now seems so lame
someone forgot
to rewind my clock
Tick
Tock
The Love Fix
too many have come before you
and left before you
and promised nothing
and in the past, nothing was enough
I love these two poems. They really say a lot, especially the second. Words can be very powerful when used to convey meaning, experience or the past. Well done.
“Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.” Carl Landburg
What motivates you?
Love. Love of life, and the amazing men I’ve loved. The Creative Process for creation itself.
Wonderful. You can’t beat love of life! There’s something about the ability to create that’s so exhilarating isn’t’ it?
What’s your antagonist? Or what’s in the way of achieving your dream?
Time. Never enough time for all I want to create on so many levels.
Ah yes, father time. They say time and tide wait for no man.
Name three of the most difficult things as a writer.
- Time to learn to hone ones craft.
- Time to learn to market ones work.
- Belief that you are good enough
These are all great opportunities to learn throughout our writing life. You have a great beginning!
Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching-purehappylife.com
What is it about thrillers that you enjoy?
Oh the fun and the mystery and the thrill of the unknown. When I write I have no idea, even when I plot, where the story is really going to go! Thrillers are only limited in your mind.
I love thrillers too! The fun, mystery, intrigue, action and suspense all wrapped into one.
Have you learned to write from the heart?
Absolutely. My poetry is totally from the heart. And that is both the strength and weakness in my writing, it’s from the heart. If I don’t cry at some point in my story I didn’t get it right.
That’s amazing. I’ve heard several authors say they cry when they write. I’ve definitely been there. It must be the release of passion from us to the page. Sweet isn’t it?
Why do writers give up?
Lazy. In it for the wrong reasons.
Tough love.
What would you say to them?
- If you think you can, you can.
- Don’t listen to criticism.
- Write for the love it it, the art of it, not the money.
I especially appreciate your last statement. It definitely rings a bell. Art is beautiful; you never know where it might take you.
Write for the love it it, the art of it, not the money.- Lynda Filler
What’s your next project or book release?
Thanks for asking. My novel TARGET in the SUN is amazing. Great reviews. I thought it was a one-off but favourite readers have been asking me what happens to Carlos and Mia. And what about Sofia and Lucia. Without giving any of the story away, I’ve been surprised by events in several of the chapters. I started with a newspaper story and moved on from there. I LOVE this book VANISHED in the SUN. Pub date expect December 1st.
Can’t wait! Drop us a line when it’s ready!
THANKS LYNDA!
Lynda Filler
Best Selling Kindle Worlds Author, Novelist and Poet
THANKS FOR RIDING THE TRAIN FOLKS!
COME BACK AND SEE US!
PS
Check out my other site: Mysterythrillerweek for more fun and action!
Benjamin Thomas
@thewritingtrain
http://www.thewritingtrain.com
Watch “When Is The Right Time To Go Full-Time As A Writer? With Joanna Penn and CJ Lyons” on YouTube
ITS TELEVISION TUESDAY
With Joanna Penn & CJ Lyons
Are you a full-time writer? Did this video help you? Tell me in the comments!
Benjamin Thomas
@thewritingtrain
http://www.thewritingtrain.com
Watch “The Struggle That is NaNoWriMo | Pep Talk” on YouTube
IT’S TELEVISION TUESDAY
Are you participating in NaNoWriMo? How’s your writing going? Tell me in the comments!
Benjamin Thomas
@thewritingtrain
http://www.thewritingtrain.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
____________________________________________
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
Watch “How to Write 50,000 Words in a Month with Grant Faulkner” on YouTube
IT’S TELEVISION TUESDAY
With Grant Faukner
It’s NaNoWriMo 2016, are you in? Tell me in the comments!
Benjamin Thomas
@thewritingtrain
http://www.thewritingtrain.com
Autumn’s Cascade
A Short, short story
It started on the darkest night of fall’s unyielding autumn breezes. Where the far countryside of Adam’s county was seized by blindness of nightfall. Even the moon took refuge amidst the clouds that night, turned its back, and refused to lift up her countenance. The night flexed the might of its grip denying every shred of light. No one really knew what happened to the power that night, but the people wandering in the streets took the black into their eyes, let it trickle up their spine, and whisper fear in their hearts.
They say the shadows keep their own, and what they don’t possess return to the light. Some never realized the essence of human nature is bound within the perpetual cycle of day and night. And some who never put off the works of darkness would never see the light of day.
That night the slow howl of wind was grinding, sifting all through Hartsville under its own hungry volition. Where it came from, or where it went nobody knows, and certainly no one really knew what it brought with it. Because in that solemn night; there wasn’t an inch of light, except in the house of Old man Bill.
OTHER BLOGHOP PARTICIPATES:
- C. Lee McKenzie Beautiful
- Erica Damon Penance’
- J. Q. Rose Sorry
- Elise VanCise Lady In The Woods
- Barbara Lund Spooky Space
- Angela Wooldridge Quiet Neighbours
- Katharina Gerlach Australian Dream
- Karen Lynn The Waves at Midnight
- Sherri Conway Ants
- Elizabeth McCleary Over James Henry Wilcox Dead Body
- Canis Lupus The Picture
- Peg Fisher All In the Fall, a Fractured Fairytale
- Bill Bush Trapped
- Crystal Collier Emily’s Ghost
- Viola Fury 911
- Benjamin Thomas Autumn Cascade
- Juneta Key Shiny People
The Writing Train: Join the locomotion 