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Jann Says . . . Visit the Past and the Present with Claire Naden

December 2, 2019 by Jann Ryan in category Jann says . . . tagged as Claire Naden, interviews, mysteries

CLAIRE NADEN enjoyed a career as a paralegal before turning her attention to writing full-time. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and master’s degrees in history and library and information science. Her first novel, Cache Under the Stacks: A Cate Wagner Mystery, was published in June 2018. She lives with her husband, David, and their two dogs in Pasadena, California. Visit her online at clairenaden.wordpress.com.

Jann: We’re here today chatting with author Claire Naden who loves writing about the past and present.

Jann: On June 7, 2018, Cache Under the Stack, a Cate Wagner Mystery, your first novel had its debut. Tell our readers about Cate and the mystery she finds herself involved in.

Claire: Cate has inherited a bookstore from her late great aunt. She has always loved the bookstore, so it is only fitting that her auntie has left it to her. One night she is awakened by a phone call and the caller threatens the bookstore and her. He virtually stalks her, and it takes some sleuthing for Cate to discover what he is after. There is a historical twist in the middle of the book that lends itself to the conclusion.

Jann: Will Cate Wagner have another mystery to solve?

Claire: I have been working on another mystery for Cate to solve in which she will make some life altering decisions.

Jann: I understand you are almost finished with your edits for your women’s fiction, Starting Over, set on the island of Kauai in 2004. What’s your story about?

Claire: Actually, I have my galleys back from the publisher, so I am working my way through it for a last check. My story is about a middle age woman who has been recently widowed and decides she wants to start her life over after having had several failed relationships. She makes the decision to sell her condominium and move to Kauai where she will purchase a bed and breakfast. I don’t want to divulge any more – spoilers you know!

Jann: You’re also working on a WWII novel. Do you have any favorite sources for research?

Claire: I have a lot of sources that I use for research and find myself falling down the rabbit hole every once in a while. Since my story is about a journalist, I have used The Women Who Wrote the War as my starting point.

Jann: Do you find yourself returning to certain themes in your stories? What? Why?

Claire: I tend to write stories where my protagonist is a woman. I like to write about women who have conflicts, face obstacles to what they want and manage to overcome and come out on top. I don’t feel comfortable in a “man’s voice.” Maybe that will change.

Jann: Do you have any writing rituals? Schedule?

Claire: No, but I wish I did. Maybe I would accomplish more.

Jann: What kind of writer are you? A page a day or a burst writer?

Claire: I try to get words in every day but not always successful. You know life happens. But if I don’t get words down then I do something writing related like research which I love, character outlines, editing etc. I can always find something to do related to my writing.

Jann: Are there any words of inspiration on your computer, in your office or in your mind when you write?

Claire: Nothing except “Write Everyday.”

Jann: What’s the best writing advice you ever received?

Claire: Not to give up in other words keep swimming!

Jann: How do you stay motivated? What drives you to keep writing?

Claire: It is hard but when I look in my office and see everything I have built up over time and remind myself I am committed.

Jann: What are you dying to try next?

Claire: I would love to try a Victorian mystery/romance set in my town of Pasadena, CA.

Jann: Thanks Claire for sharing with us today on A Slice of Orange. We wish you and all our readers a very special Holiday Season!

Books by Claire Naden

CACHE UNDER THE STACKS

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Rebecca Forster December Featured Author

December 1, 2019 by Rebecca Forster in category Featured Author of the Month tagged as December Feature Author, Josie Bates, Lost Witness, new release, Rebecca Forster., The Witness Series

She marketed a world-class spa when it was still called a gym, did business in China before there were western toilettes at the Great Wall and mucked around with the sheep to find out exactly how her client’s fine wool clothing was manufactured. Then Rebecca wrote her first book and found her passion. Now, over twenty-five books later, she is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author and writes full-time, penning thrillers that explore the emotional impact of the justice system. She earned her B.A. at Loyola, Chicago and her MBA at Loyola, Los Angeles. Rebecca has taught the Business of Creativity at University of California Long Beach Writers Certificate Program, UCLA and UC Irvine extension. Married to a Los Angeles Superior Court judge, she is the mother of two grown sons and spends her free time traveling, sewing, and playing tennis.

December 1st sees the release of Rebecca’s newest novel Lost Witness the eighth in the Josie Bates Witness.

It’s two in the morning and an aging cargo ship lies off the Port of Los Angeles. Deep in the bowels of the vessel, an important man is dead and the woman who killed him is mortally wounded. On shore another man staggers out of the sea determined to save the woman before she dies or the ship sails. Exhausted and terrified, he goes to the only person he trusts to help, Josie Bates. He brings with him a history she can’t ignore, a problem that seems insurmountable, and a plea she can’t refuse. But Josie is up against international law, maritime justice, a Port Authority that doesn’t want anything to get in the way of profit, the U.S. Coast Guard who dances to the tune of politics and a captain who swears the people in question were never on his ship. With the clock ticking, Josie becomes ever more desperate to prove the woman is real and get her safely ashore. What Josie doesn’t know is that the sands of time that are running out may be her own.

More Books by Rebecca Forster

DISTANT RELATIONS

INTIMATE RELATIONS

CHARACTER WITNESS

BEYOND MALICE

BEFORE HER EYES

THE MENTOR

KEEPING COUNSEL

VOWS: The 90s Collection

VANITIES: The 90s Collection

THE RECKLESS ONES: The 90s Collection

SEASONS: The 90s Collection

DREAMS: The 90s Collection

THE BAILEY DEVLIN TRILOGY: BOOK 1-3 (The Bailey Devlin Series)

LOST WITNESS: A Josie Bates Thriller

SECRET RELATIONS

THE DAY BAILEY DEVLIN’S SHIP CAME IN

THE DAY BAILEY DEVLIN PICKED UP A PENNY

THE DAY BAILEY DEVLIN’S HOROSCOPE CAME TRUE

SEVERED RELATIONS

DARK WITNESS

FORGOTTEN WITNESS

EYEWITNESS

EXPERT WITNESS

PRIVILEGED WITNESS

SILENT WITNESS

HOSTILE WITNESS

FOREIGN RELATIONS

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The Extra Squeeze Team: Writing Books and Story Structure

November 30, 2019 by The Extra Squeeze in category The Extra Squeeze by The Extra Squeeze Team tagged as Formulas, Story Structure, The Extra Squeeze Team, Writing Books

Dear Extra Squeeze Team,

We have two questions this month.

Question #1: Do you like books on writing? What are your three favorite books on writing?

Robin Blakely

PR/Business Development coach for writers and artists; CEO, Creative Center of America; member, Forbes Coaches Council.

Here are my three favorite books on the craft of writing. I love what these writers have to say… and how they think… and the encouragement they offer. Two of these books I first read decades ago…and, just to be sure, I re-read them this year and still love the breathless excitement and the truths they provide.

If You Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit by Brenda Ueland
APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur—How to Publish a Book by Guy Kawasaki
Writing Juvenile Stories and Novels: How to Write and Sell Fiction for Young People by Phyllis A. Whitney

BONUS ROUND. Books on writing are important…BUT, here are my four favorite books on surviving the decision to become a writer. Each of these share something that for many writers will be more important than honing the craft of writing or studying the specific industry know-how. Spoiler Alert: Believe in yourself and your dream…don’t give up on yourself no matter how many times you are rejected…be aware that the road less traveled is frightening but worth the effort. And, please don’t wait for someone else to make your dream happen for you…you just gotta do it yourself.

The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
Oh! The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss
The Missing Piece Meets the Big O by Shel Silverstein

H.O. Charles

Cover designer and author of the fantasy series, The Fireblade Array

Is it really shameful that I’ve never read a book on writing? Oh dear, it probably is, isn’t it?!! I’m going to hide over here in the Naughty Writers’ corner and let the others take this one…

Rebecca Forster

USA Today Bestselling author of 35 books, including the Witness series and the new Finn O’Brien series.

I must confess, I have never read a book on writing. I have never taken a class. My education came through the school of hard knocks (editors doing the knocking) and osmosis because I am an avid reader.

Question #2: My critique partner keeps yammering on about story structure? Do I HAVE to follow a formula?

Robin Blakely

PR/Business Development coach for writers and artists; CEO, Creative Center of America; member, Forbes Coaches Council.

No, you do not. Likewise, you do not have to write books other people will read and you do not have to create work that is anywhere near commercially viable. Your critique partner is trying to alert you to the alarming way your work is turning out. Your story may ramble and wander about. Your work probably lacks the structure needed to give readers the experience they demand. What can you do? Start by exploring the notion that story structure and formula are not exactly the same thing, and neither are evil. I think formulas can provide an important illumination for your chosen genre. If you are a new writer, following a proven formula can allow you to lean on something that works while you develop your skillsets. Structure is a different kind of thing. It is a design requirement to make sure your work has the scaffolding needed to support a reader. Like an architect designing any building, writers must accept that writing projects require a certain framework to function. So formula is like building a line of cookie cutter houses. Structure is the engineering rules you follow that allows iconic buildings and cookie cutter houses to stand up at all. All to say: listen a little more to the critique partner and explore what you are being told.

The advice about structure that your critique partner is yammering about is a must if you want to be a successful writer.

Rebecca Forster

USA Today Bestselling author of 35 books, including the Witness series and the new Finn O’Brien series.

There are no hard and fast rules in art, but there is a reason why successful novelists pay attention to structure. Think of your manuscript as a maze. It is your job to guide the reader through it to a satisfying conclusion. If you decide to have some fun and lead them down paths that are confusing and unrecognizable, there is a good chance they won’t play your game because you’re making them work too hard. Instead, they will find someone who weaves a structured tale. So, ask yourself what is important: pushing a tried and true envelope for the sake of an artistic fling or gaining a loyal audience?