[Interview] Jean Holloway

Jean Holloway lives in Kennesaw, GA.

Her books include Ace of Hearts (PHE Ink, 2009)) which is also available as an audiobook; Black Jack (PHE Ink, 2009); Deuces Wild (PHE Ink, 2010) and Full House (PHE Ink, 2011).

In this interview, Jean Holloway talks about her concerns as a writer:

When did you start writing?

It all began when my sister, Lori, commented, ‘You read so much, I bet you could write book,’ and I answered, ‘I bet I can!’ and began writing Ace of Hearts in long-hand in 1980. I completed the manuscript in 1982.

I was 30 years old and the mother of six.

I never considered the possibility of becoming a published writer, in fact, if someone had told me I would become a published author at the age of 57, I wouldn’t have believed them. Lori pushed me into this career when she bought me a ticket to the National Book Club Conference in Atlanta and instructed me to print copies of my manuscript and give them to anyone who wouldn’t throw them back. That’s where I met my first publisher.

Two years later at a literary event in Houston, I met T.L. James, CEO of PHE Ink. I recognized a kindred spirit and switched publishers.

How would you describe your writing?

I’m a genre bender, writing risqué romantic thrillers with a splash of the paranormal.

My target audience is mainly women over 21. I thought they could empathize with my protagonist, Detective Shevaughn Robinson.

Which authors influenced you most?

All my life I’ve been a fan of Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Tananarive Due and Jean Auel. I admired their ability to transport me into their world and take me on a roller coaster ride. I wanted to have the same effect on my readers.

And how have your own personal experiences influenced your writing?

I thought the influence was minimal until my sister, April pointed out the similarities of my characters (especially Shevaughn’s) experiences to correlating events and attitudes in my own life. What an eye-opener!

What are the biggest challenges that you face?

I think my biggest challenge is getting readers who are unfamiliar with my work to give me a chance. I find there are a lot of readers who only read their favorite authors and won’t gamble on someone new.

How are you dealing with this challenge?

I’ve put excerpts on all my social networks. Usually, once they read a smidgen, either they love me or hate me.

Do you write everyday?

No, not every day. I usually write when my characters tell me to. A session starts when I hear one of them whisper in my mind. Then I go to my computer and write what I hear. It ends when they get quiet. Since they seem to be nocturnal, sometimes I find myself jumping out of bed at three in the morning running down to the computer to get down our thoughts before I forget.

How many books have you written so far?

• Ace of Hearts, PHE Ink – Writing Solutions Firm, July 13, 2009, Second Edition
• Black Jack, PHE Ink – Writing Solutions Firm, May 14, 2009
• Deuces Wild, PHE Ink – Writing Solutions Firm, October 10, 2010. That was my 60th birthday present to me!
• Full House, PHE Ink – Writing Solutions Firm – November 22, 2011

The four novels complete the Deck of Cardz series.

Detective Shevaughn Robinson is the main character in all four novels. You get to follow her life and career from rookie to Captain of the Homicide Division. As Portsborough, NY’s first Black female homicide detective in 1981, you watch as she strives to prove herself in a male-dominated workforce. You also meet her new partner, Jared Benjamin, and Tony O'Brien, an unexpected love interest.

The series introduces you to a series of sexual predators, starting with Eric Becker in Ace of Hearts, a psycho who has the inexperienced Shevaughn in his sights.

What is your latest book about?

In Full House, the final novel of the Deck of Cardz series, Captain Shevaughn Robinson is at the pinnacle of her career and living the challenging life of a single mother of two. It doesn’t help that her adolescent daughter still communicates with the dead and is in a relationship that’s way too serious for her age. Or that Nonna, the only one she can depend on, is beginning to show signs of Alzheimer's.

When she hears allegations that the police are ignoring the growing number of missing black women in Portsborough, Shevaughn pledges to personally investigate their disappearance. It leads her to one of the most unusual crimes in her entire career and gives new meaning to the phrase, "honor thy mother".

How long did it take you to write the novel?

Full House took me a year because it’s the last novel of the Deck of Cardz series and after working on this series since 1980, I really hated to let it go. I procrastinated a bit.

Which aspects of the work did you enjoy most?

I loved seeing how everything came together.

I don’t use outlines or storyboards or anything. I write by the seat of my pants and once I’m through getting it all out, I have to arrange everything chronologically like a time puzzle.

What sets Full House apart from other things you've written?

This time I have an entire dysfunctional family instead of my usual one psychopath.

In what way is it similar to the others?

Shevaughn is one tough cookie from start to finish.

How did you choose a publisher for the book?

When I met T.L. James, we clicked. I chose PHE Ink because it’s a small, independent press which allowed them to give me the personal attention I wanted. It’s more like a literary family. I really don’t see any disadvantages since I’m now Managing Partner.

What will your next book be about?

I’m contemplating collaborating with another author or maybe another series, but haven’t worked out the details as of yet.

What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?

Ace of Hearts was nominated against the esteemed Walter Mosley’s The Tempest Tales in 2008. Of course, he beat me like a bad child, but what an honor!

Now Ace is an audiobook, but not your usual audiobook; it has music and sound effects like a classic radio show. And last year, I became a member of the GA Peach Authors. I’m proud to be touring with such a group of well-respected authors.

Related Books:

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Related articles:

• Literary Drama and Dinner with a Purpose, by Cyrus Webb, The Examiner, July 27, 2012
• Gail McFarland [Interview_2], Conversations with Writers, April 5, 2010
• Jean Holloway [nterview], A Book Blogger's Diary, July 7, 2008 

[Interview] Brian L. Porter

Brian L. Porter lives in Yorkshire in the United Kingdom and is a member of the American Authors Association and the Military Writers Society of America.

His books include the novels, The Nemesis Cell (Stonehedge Publishing, 2007), A Study in Red: The Secret Journal of Jack the Ripper (Double Dragon Publishing, 2008) and Legacy of the Ripper (Double Dragon Publishing, 2009) as well as the short story collections, A Binary Convergence (co-authored with Graeme S Houston) (Stonehedge Publishing, 2007), The Voice of Anton Bouchard (Mythica Publishing, 2009) and Murder, Mayhem and Mexico (Eternal Press, 2009).

In this interview, Brian Porter talks about his writing:

When did you start writing?

I’ve been writing for many years, but began my career as a poet. After having over 200 poems published, I began writing short stories, and gradually progressed to full length novels, with A Study in Red: The Secret Journal of Jack the Ripper being my first novel to be published, and, so far the most successful.

That first book was inspired by the fact that I’ve spent over 35 years studying the Jack the Ripper murders, and it seemed logical to me to base my first novel around a subject that I already had a good working knowledge of, although a lot of additional research went into the factual side of the book.

Having written the book I sent submissions to many publishers and agents in the UK, but sadly, such is the state of the publishing industry in the UK, no one was remotely interested in a new author with no previous publication record.

A friend suggested I use the internet to try and find a publisher in the USA or Canada, and, to my delight the first publisher I submitted the work to, accepted it.

From that day, I’ve never looked back and now have a string of publications to my name, not just with Double Dragon Publishing, but with a number of other publishers too.

How would you describe your writing?

When I write under my Brian L. Porter name, my work veers strongly towards the dark side of human nature, with my novels mostly being dark psychological thrillers that delve deep into the psyche of my characters.

It would be true to say I try to give people a good old-fashioned shiver or two as they read my books, and also try to indulge myself in a little misdirection, so that my readers are led along one path, and begin to expect certain things to happen next, and then I throw in various plot twists to turn the story in a totally different direction.

Of course, writing children's and young adult works as Harry Porter, is a totally different scenario for me. My books on dog rescue are all based on the real dogs who share my home and my younger children's books are the results of stories or poems I originally wrote for my own children.

Who is your target audience?

Of course, my novels are aimed at an older, adult audience.

I’ve always loved reading thrillers and mysteries, having been a fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle since my teens, and latterly being a huge devotee of the works of Tess Gerritsen and Jeffery Deaver.

I’ve been fortunate that people appear to enjoy my novels to the extent that A Study in Red won the Preditors & Editors Best Thriller Novel Award for 2008 and is currently being developed as a movie by Thunderball Films (LA), in collaboration with Masterplan Films (UK). All of my other novels have also been signed by Thunderball Films in a franchise deal, for future movie or TV adaptation, so I suppose someone must like my books.

As for my childrens books, the motivation for those was firstly the enthusiasm of my own children who wanted me to write something they could read, and the wonderful experiences I’ve enjoyed with my dogs, which inspired me to write my Harry Porter’s Dog Tales series, the first of which, Tilly’s Tale, won the Preditors & Editors Best Childrens Book and also Best Artwork Awards, 2009.

What are your main concerns as a writer?

I suppose my one main concern when I begin a new book, is whether the work will prove appealing to the target audience.

I’ve become aware of the fact that writers sometimes forget that they should be writing what the readers want to read, rather than what the author wants them to read. To that end, I’ve recruited a great team of between five and seven people, of differing ages and backgrounds who act as a critique team for me, and who read every chapter as I complete it, and give me their feedback on it as readers. I hope that by using these wonderful people, my main concern is dealt with before the book even reaches my publishers.

On a personal level the biggest challenge I’ve had to face is that presented by my own mind, in the form of the depression that is always with me. Each day is often a struggle, and I do my utmost to make sure that no matter what, I always write something each day, even if it’s only a few paragraphs, or often, just a few words. At other times, the writing flows and I can write chapter after chapter in a day, so, my challenge is always to reach out and grasp whatever I can from each day, and then move on to the next.

From a writing angle, the biggest challenge in writing any novel, is the research I always undertake to ensure that the mingling of fact and fiction I always employ is woven together in a believable fashion. I use many sources of research, from police forces to organisations that follow the subject matter of any particular book, as well as using the internet and that most accessible of research sources, books!

Which authors influenced you most?

The three authors I’ve already mentioned have to be my greatest influences.

Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes tales were so perfect in their writing and in the wonderful characterizations and settings he used for the stories. He created such terrific mysteries and his plots were simply superb.

Tess Gerritsen is not only a great inspiration but also a wonderful lady who gave me great encouragement when I contacted her during the writing of A Study in Red. She even sent me a good luck message which appears with her permission on the cover of the paperback edition of the book.

Jeffery Deaver, is to me, the master of misdirection. I love all his books and read them time and again. He also encouraged me, via email, during the writing of A Study in Red. I owe them all a great deal.

I hope there is something of Conan Doyle in Behind Closed Doors too. I’ve set this story in a similar time period to that in which Holmes operated, though my principal detective, Albert Norris, is a member of the official police force, rather than a private investigator. There are red herrings aplenty in the storyline, and I hope I’ve managed to convey something of the period in my descriptions of life in the Victoria era.

I want readers to feel they are a part of the story and are able to 'see' the action taking place, whether it be on the 'new' underground railway system or in the grand houses of the rich, and the less than salubrious dwellings of the less wealthy characters within the book.

How have your personal experiences influenced your writing?

I’ve suffered from depression for a number of years and in many ways, I’ve used the darker side of my experiences of that illness to help create some of the more terrifying and visually 'scary' scenes that often appear in my books.

It’s been a case of using my own personal demons to create something that I hope will reach into the hearts and minds of my readers and allow them to experience the fears and tribulations that often beset my characters, both heroes and villains. Each of those characters does, I suppose contain an element of my own ‘dark side’ within them, and I hope that adds a depth to the realism of those fictional creations.

Certain aspects of Behind Closed Doors will mirror the darkest emotions that often exist within the human psyche, and though my characters are fictional, the situations they find themselves in are as real as I can possibly create, using personal experiences of that dark side of human nature.

When one is lost in a world of darkness and fear, such as is created by deep depression it can lead to many nightmarish visions, which I hope I’ve been able to turn to advantage by transferring some of them into the characters I create.

Do you write everyday?

As I previously mentioned, I do try to write every day, though I don’t stick to a disciplined regime. Having said that, there have been times when I’ve gone days, or sometimes, weeks, without being able to write a word. When that happens, I simply have to wait for inspiration to strike before I can carry on. I don’t decide how a session is going to begin or end, but just ‘go with the flow’ until my mind tells me that enough is enough for the day.

How many books have you written so far?

• A Study in Red: The Secret Journal of Jack the Ripper, Double Dragon Publishing, January 2008.
• Legacy of the Ripper, Double Dragon Publishing, June 2009.
• Requiem for the Ripper, Double Dragon Publishing, June 2010
• Pestilence, Double Dragon Publishing, January 2010
• Purple Death, Moongypsy Press, January 2010.
• The Voice of Anton Bouchard, Mythica Publishing, May 2009
• Dracula Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Eternal Press, March 2009
• Kiss of Life, Mythica Publishing, March 2010
• The Nemesis Cell, Stonehedge Publishing, May 2007 (E-book, but coming soon in paperback from Moongyspsy Press)
• Avenue of The Dead, Stonehedge Publishing, May 2007 (E-book, but coming soon in paperback from 4RV Publishing).
• Murder, Mayhem and Mexico, Eternal Press, April 2009
• The Festival, Moongypsy Press, April 2010
• R.I.G.S, Moongypsy Press, April 2010
• A Binary Convergence (Co-authored with Graeme S Houston), Stonehedge Publishing, November 2007
• Tilly’s Tale (as Harry Porter) 4RVPublishing, October 2009
• Alistair the Alligator (as Harry Porter), 4RV Publishing, January 2010
• Arcadia 22 Heavy: Mayday! (as Harry Porter) Mythica Publishing, March 2009

What is your latest book about?

My latest book will be Behind Cosed Doors, coming from Sonar4Publications. The book is currently a work in progress, though it’s going so well that it shouldn’t take many more weeks until it’s completed.

Altogether, research and writing will probably add up to about six months from start to finish. As to the publisher, this was a case of them choosing me rather than the other way round. I was delighted when Sonar4 approached me and asked if I’d be prepared to write a Victorian murder/mystery for them. They made me a generous contract offer which I was pleased to accept and I can honestly say that so far, contact between the publisher and myself has been an open two-way series of communications and I’ve met with no disadvantages at all so far.

You ask what it’s about? Well, here goes:

Autumn, 1888. The population of London is transfixed and horrified by the atrocious and horrific murder spree being conducted by Jack the Ripper. The newspapers are full of the details of the mutilations perpetrated by the killer and the apparent inability of the police to apprehend the unknown assailant. As Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Charles Warren throws the bulk of his investigative resources into the search for The Ripper, and the tabloid press scream of the crimes in banner headlines on a daily basis; on the new, ultra modern Underground Railway that has revolutionized travel around the great metropolis for the working man, another, less well publicized killer is at large.

Tucked away on the inner pages of the daily press, hardly enough to raise an eyebrow among discerning readers, one may have found a few, short articles which told of the strange and also, so far unsolved murders which are taking place on board the carriages of the new-fangled and much heralded transport system. Each murder takes place the day after one of the ripper killings, as the murderer appears to be taking advantage of the lack of police resources to tackle not one, but two, major investigations simultaneously.

Inspector Albert Norris is charged with bringing the railway killer to justice, but, as with case of Jack the Ripper, clues are few, the killer's motive unclear, and he is forced to carry out his investigations 'quietly and without causing a public panic' as the authorities seek to prevent a loss of confidence in the safety of the underground railway system. The press are being told even less, hence the minimal coverage, and Norris can count on little help from above as he attempts to solve the inexplicable series of murders.

Which were the most difficult aspects of the work you put into Behind Cosed Doors?

The research into the early days of the London Underground System proved a little harder than I’d anticipated, due to a surprising lack of information being available on the internet, but I managed to over come this by visiting a second hand book market where I was able to locate and obtain an obscure book that gave me all the background information I required in order to create the settings for the book.

I’ve really enjoyed creating the central characters for this book. I love the Victorian era and being able to create my own fictional characters and place them within a real timeline and work alongside actual events that were taking place at the time has proved immensely satisfying.

What sets the book apart from other things you've written?

Although this is a thriller like my other works, this one stands out a little because it holds more of a mystery element than my previous works. There are still elements of straight-forward thrills and bloody murder of course, but Behind Closed Doors, will I hope, prove to have a disturbing effect on readers for the simple reason that though this is a work of fiction, I’ve written it in such a way that I hope people will read it and actually believe that this series of murders actually took place.

Behind Closed Doors is similar to my other work because, well, for one thing, my old ‘friend’ Jack the Ripper gets more than a couple of mentions, as my story is contemporaneous with the Ripper murders. It’s a thriller, of course, and it has my usual twist in the tale ending, which of course, I can say no more about for now.

What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?

Easily, the movie contract with Thunderball Films. They approached me out of the blue with an offer for the movie rights to A Study in Red and after negotiations were complete, they then came back to me with the franchise offer for the rest of my novels.

I was then further delighted when I was asked to work with the writer/director on the screenplay and they have been so pleased with my contribution to the screenplay that I’m also to be credited as co-screenplay writer in the movie credits.

The fact that the book won the ‘Best Thriller’ award and also the first movie trailer picked up an award have also been wonderful achievements for the book.

*This article is based on an email interview with Brian L. Porter which took place in June 2010.

Related articles:

• Your Pyschological Thriller: a step-by-step guide, By Chris Wright, Boston Globe, July 31, 2011
• Words with Brian L. Porter, author of Behind Closed Doors, By Walter Rhein, Walter Rhein, March 20, 2011
• Interview with Brian L. Porter, author of A Study in Red: The Secret Journal of Jack the Ripper, By Mayra Calvani, The Dark Phantom Review, October 20, 2008

[Interview] J. R. Reardon

Novelist J. R. Reardon is a Boston native; Suffolk University Law School alum, and former partner of Saltzman & McNaught LLP.

She has practiced law in many areas including civil and criminal litigation. She is active in several legal associations in both Massachusetts and the District of Columbia and is admitted to practice in the federal and state courts of Massachusetts, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

In addition, she has also taught insurance law and is published in the Suffolk University Law Review.

Her first novel, Confidential Communications (Xlibris, 2008) has been described as "...a compelling read that will keep you turning page after page, hoping that justice will prevail."

In this interview, J. R. Reardon talks about her writing:

When did you start writing? And, how did you decide you wanted to get published?

My mother encouraged my siblings and I to read early on, and we took regular trips to the library as children. I suppose that is one of the reasons why I have always had such an active imagination.

I began writing in grammar school -- a short story here, a short story there… and then when I was old enough to babysit I would tell stories to the children I was sitting at night.

My latest novel, Confidential Communications was written well over a decade ago. I was fresh out of law school, new to court appearances and had some down time. One night, the idea popped into my head and I found myself typing away feverishly at the computer. I printed out an 80-page draft for a very select group of people, had it copy-written, and then put it away in an old file cabinet. The story was well received, but life took over, my cases increased, and I became extremely busy.

In the fall of 2003, I married my husband David and moved from Massachusetts to Washington, D.C. In January, we learned that we were expecting our daughter. Instead of taking on a job in the District, Dave suggested that I sit back and enjoy my pregnancy. I had been a partner in my own law firm for quite some time and it was the perfect time to relax, sit back and smell the proverbial roses. During that time, Dave also suggested that I revisit the book (he was one of the few to have received a copy and he truly enjoyed it -- having seen first-hand for years what a critical eye he has with books he has read, I trusted his instincts).

After reading Confidential Communications for the first time in years, I decided “why not?” The original program was so old however, that I was unable to convert it to Word. So, I re-typed it and began the process of expanding it. With another decade of life under my belt, I was able to add some depth to the characters, as well as a few more scenarios. Some of the areas Dave and I had actually visited, and a few we thought would be fun to visit, so I did some research online and included those as well.

Once we were happy with the final version, off it went to print. New to the industry, I had circulated some query letters around, but stumbled upon Xlibris upon the recommendation of a college in Pennsylvania while I was writing my law review articles. At that point, I decided, “It’s done -- why wait?” The positive reviews on Amazon and Goodreads [make me] sure glad I didn’t, and am excited for the upcoming release of the sequel.

How would you describe your writing?

That is a great question. I have always lived life with an open mind, curious about everything that is going on around me. One of the best things and most difficult things I had to deal with when practicing law was my uncanny ability to put myself into other people’s shoes. Doing so, I could better understand other people’s perspectives. I could argue cases easier in court, settle cases easier out of court, and truly empathize with the feelings of others, no matter what side they were on.

I try to do the same with my writing. I put myself into the character’s shoes and try to see what they see, feel what they feel, hear what they hear, think what they think and react how they may react. That way, I can make the reader feel, see, and hear what they need to in order to fully enjoy the story.

Who is your target audience?

When I first wrote Confidential Communications, I honestly didn’t have a target audience. In fact, I still don’t “target an audience.” I write my story, release it into the world and let the audience find it.

I enjoy telling stories and sharing them with others. It is a means of escape -- whether it be to another state, another country, another setting, another life. In a crazy world if I can help someone to escape for at least a little while, I have done my job.

Which authors influenced you most?

I can’t really say that I have been influenced by other authors in my writing. I have enjoyed many an author’s writing in the course of my life, and now that I have more time to read, I am enjoying more and more. The books I choose to read depend on my mood.

If I want something that is for me, a quick, easy read… perhaps someone who has chapters I can breeze through at breakfast or lunch, I may pick up a Robert Parker book. If I want more detail but still escape to Boston, I may read something by Dennis Lehane. And if I’m cleaning out the old Tupperware tubs, I may pick up an old Beverly Gray mystery book that I had never read before just to see how people saw the world in the ‘50s. Lately I have read a lot of extremely talented indie authors.

I will say that my husband, my parents, teachers I had in grammar school, high school, college or law school, as well as judges and insurance adjusters -- were those who influenced my writing the most. I am forever thankful to them for that. Those people actually have read my writing and either commented, graded, or simply understood my position. They made me explain myself fully -- again, I put myself in their shoes so that they may understand what I am saying, even if it is as difficult as explaining someone else’s position -- i.e. my client.

Have your personal experiences influenced your writing in any way?

The story and the characters of Confidential Communications are all fictional, although I will admit that by the end, the character, Joshua, has a little of my husband David (who is also an attorney) in him. Also, Justice McNaught is based in part on my late grandfather who sat on the Federal District Court for the District of Massachusetts. He was the person who originally inspired me as a child to pursue a degree in law and took ethics extremely seriously. I figured, heck, why not “tip my hat” as a little thank you to him and make him a Justice of the United States Supreme Court?

The character Rebecca Lawson also is extremely ethical. As an attorney, I have always strived to be such an ethical person as my grandfather, and other members of the bar who I have met, that still do. There should be more. I hate the fact that I get such mixed reactions when people find out my profession, and hate more the number of legal insults that are out there due to the inappropriate actions of a select few. It is my hope that someday people will see the legal profession as it was made to be: a group of ethical leaders who we can look up to, to make a positive difference in our community.

What are your main concerns as a writer?

I think I have always been concerned with the quality of my writing: is there anything I missed in the editing process? Have the editors missed anything? Have I described something enough or too much? I don’t want to read anything boring or that is riddled with mistakes, and certainly wouldn’t want to subject anyone else to that either.

I am also sometimes concerned with people reading too much into my work. It is after all, a work of fiction. Many family/friends naturally thought that the character Rebecca Lawson was based on me, and my personal experiences. Not so, although I did fall under a firetruck in law school. There were also other characters who family and friends were convinced were based on people I hadn’t even thought of in years. Part of the fun in reading a book is picturing a character, and it has been extremely fun for me to hear how others see one of my characters, whether it be based on an actor/actress or someone I perhaps knew as a child.

What are the biggest challenges that you face?

There is not enough time in the day to do everything that I want to do.

Becoming a published author seemed to fall into place at the right time. I have met incredible people along the way and learned an incredible amount about the publishing process, marketing and promotion. Not long after Confidential Communications was published, I found myself typing away at the computer again with the sequel, and I’d love to share it with the world right now. But Confidential Communications hasn’t even been out a year yet and it has picked up so much steam that I’m doing a lot of promoting and answering fan mail from all over the world. Many fans are looking for the sequel already and I’m excited!

Do you write everyday?

I do write a little every day in addition to my daily emails, tweets, facebook, forums, blogs, etc.

Some days I write more than others.

Perhaps I only have time to jot a few notes on some stickies as I clean the house or take my daughter out somewhere, or it may be handwriting a 20-page chapter out on a legal pad during the course of a week to be typed into the computer later on a weekend.

My family always comes first. Writing is just a way to keep my mind fresh. But it is addictive. I am grateful that I type quickly.

How many books have you written so far?

I have written Confidential Communications, published by Xlibris in June of 2008, available through Xlibris, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Borders and a number of other retailers. It is available in hardcover, softcover and now ebook versions.

The sequel to Confidential Communications is called Dishonored. It is expected to be released later this year.

While I was in the process of editing Confidential Communications, I was busy editing my first law review article with the Suffolk University Law Review. The title for that article is “Selecting Supreme Court Justices: Preserving the System, Protecting with Professionalism” and can be found in Volume 40, Book 4.

Which were the most difficult aspects of the work you put into Confidential Communications?

I think writing scenes which shock the reader are difficult, and there are a few in Confidential Communications. There were times that I worried my family and friends would over-analyze it, thinking they were true stories, or perhaps some reader would read it and not enjoy, but I just thought about all the other books out there with shocking twists and turns and just let it go.

It was also hard for me to take the original 80 pages of the book and re-type it, only to expand it and add things when I hadn’t done that type of project before. There is something to be said for finishing a piece of work. When you hit “save” and “print”, you want it to be perfect and done. After a while with the editing I had to take a break -- I was able to recite the first chapter and unable to find anything to change after a while. Taking breaks is highly recommended!

Then there was the difficulty of editing with my daughter at my side. She wanted my attention when I was working and I, of course, made time for her. There were many times I had to collect stickies at the end of the day where I’d jot down ideas or lines so that I wouldn’t forget to add them later.

What did you enjoy most?

I think I enjoyed shocking my husband when he took his first round of editing it once I took a break. He had read the original version and it was fun to have him tell me “I didn’t see that coming!”

I also love hearing the wonderful comments from my readers.

It was also fun seeing my daughter coloring at the table with me, pretending to “do her work” or “write a book like Mommy.”

Publishing a book was always on my “to do list”, although it is surreal to actually hold it and see people buying it… Here’s my philosophy in life: I don’t want to turn around at age 80 and say “I wish I had done that…” David and I want our daughter to live her life to the fullest in the same way. The world is a great place as long as you see it that way. If you hit any bumps in the road, maybe it’s a sign for you to slow down, open your eyes and your mind, and look at life in yet one more creative way.

What sets Confidential Communications apart from other things you've written

Well, writing a book is certainly different from filing a motion in court. A motion is based on facts and how the law applies to those facts, while this book is fiction.

My law review article also is based on law, public policy, civil procedure and legal history. Definitely a more serious type of work.

Are there any similarities?

Writing Confidential Communications, I was able to use a legal concept, and craft a realistic story around it, which ended up being scarily similar to stories on the news today. Like other legal thrillers, it involves ethical choices but I am told by many that it has a different perspective of the behind-the-scenes action that goes on in the legal world.

What will your next book be about?

As I stated above, my newest novel is called Dishonored, and is expected to be released later this year.

The synopsis is as follows: Federal Court Judge Rebecca Tameron seemed to have it all… a loving family, a prestigious career and the respect of her community -- that is, until her world falls apart.

Implicated in the disappearance of a Supreme Court Justice, and the shooting of a Federal agent, Tameron scrambles to uncover the truth. The problem is, each investigative avenue she pursues only leads to more questions, and every investigative avenue leads back to her. How can she clear her name?

While exploring the reaches, limits and dangers of our increasingly security-conscious and interconnected world, Dishonored questions the faith we place in both strangers and friends, and reminds us just how perilous our techno-savvy life can be.

What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?

That is a tough question. Being published, being recognized, receiving fan mail and emails from all over the world, having the book sell well… the list goes on and on. And it hasn’t even been released a year yet.

I’ve received requests for signed copies and held book signings in the Mall. There is something new every day that I seem to be blessed with.

I will say that I loved seeing my daughter’s face when the first completed copy arrived at my house and she said “Mommy! That’s you on the back of that book!”

Related resources:

Author's website
Author's page, Xlibris

Possibly related books:

,,

[Interview] Sean Parker

Sean Parker's debut novel, Junkyard Dog (BeWriteBooks, 2007) has been described as "an explosive mix of raw power and brutal energy."

The novel, which is set in Manchester, is the first of a trilogy of crime fiction thrillers exploring the city's mean streets.

In a recent interview, Sean Parker spoke about his writing.

When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

My first job was as an engineer working in the nuclear power industry. At that time I used to read a lot of westerns, especially those by such quality authors as Paul Wellman, Will Henry and Louis L'Amour and, as time went on, I decided to write one of my own.

After completion, the manuscript went out to the genre publishers. I knew that very soon I would be taking up shelf space next to Louis.

The rejection slips began to land on the carpet with some regularity, accompanied by the words: "Unfortunately the manuscript is not suitable for our list, but you may well find another publisher who thinks differently, a list of whom you will find in the Writers' and Artists' Year Book."

Naively thinking that these letters were personal to me and me alone I persevered until finally, the penny dropped like a ship's anchor. Through the pain of realisation, I began to understand about indentation; justification; colons and semicolons et al.

At the same time, I was also writing some children's stories for my two daughters, which involved them and their pet rabbit Snowy. Fortunately, their school found them good enough to print for the other kids. Unfortunately, I overfed Snowy and one morning I found him dead in his cage. The hire of a JCB was necessary to get him out and give him a decent burial, under a rose bush in the back garden.

I then switched careers and went into financial services with a major U.K. life assurance company. I now began to take up the business of writing very seriously. A year later I sent a manuscript for a non-fiction book on training and fitness to the publishers Foulsham & Foulsham. It arrived on their desk on a Friday morning. On Monday morning the M.D. telephoned and within twenty minutes the deal was done.

I told my wife we were on our way up; a year later she died of cancer.

How would you describe your writing?

Peter Walsh, the best selling author of Gang War, a definitive non-fiction history of the Manchester gangs, has endorsed Junkyard Dog by saying: "The Junkyard Dog is as close to real life as it gets."

Manchester can be a scary place and I'd like to think that my novel depicts the urban brutality hidden under the surface. I see the 'Dog' as a Mancunian, Long Good Friday.

What motivated you to start writing in this genre?

Being very independent, I tend to do what I believe is right, instinctively, on occasions and on the assumption that if others are telling me what to do, then I am leading their life and not my own. So, influences are very few.

However, on the discovery of a novel by Tom Barling called The Smoke, I was instantly hooked on crime fiction.

I told Tom that I was going to write a novel about modern day criminals in London.

He replied: "Come on, Sean. Don't tell me that Manchester is so crime-free you have to invade my territory. Get lost."

I got the message.

Bernard Cornwell who, after learning about my writing ambitions, very kindly gave me the name of his agent. What a gentleman.

Another influence was the author Derek Raymond. We once went out for a drink, a fatal mistake on my part. I finished up plastered, chewing on a beer-stained carpet but still trying to pick his brains. Another gent.

Also, there is a club in Manchester, which, for the last fifty years, has been at the forefront in providing training facilities for those with an interest in amateur wrestling and boxing, along with the teaching of general fitness. The founder of this club was Max Shacklady. The place was, and still is, known as Shacklady's. Max was for nearly twenty years the coach to the Olympic boxing team. His son, Tony, won a silver medal in the wrestling event in the New Zealand Commonwealth Games. Word spread about the club and one day the famous Joe Louis turned up to meet Max.

Max was also a Magistrate and his idea of justice was to sentence all young offenders to attend his club for two months of intensive training. Not many dared re-offend.

Because of its growing reputation, Shacklady's had begun to attract many of Manchester's bouncers and doormen who realised that keeping fit was a big help in staving off a spell in traction. I got to know many of them and have used this 'inside' information as the basis for the 'Dog'. And no, I do not know where the bodies are buried, honest.

What are your main concerns as a writer, and how do you deal with them?

I don't have any. I just write, and then re-write until I'm happy with it.

As a writer there is, initially, only one challenge to overcome; that of getting the book published. If you are not able to produce the best you are capable of then you're never going to be in with a chance.

How many books have you written so far, and what writing plans do you have for the future?

The Complete Training Diary was a non-fiction book published by Foulsham. It was designed to help those who did some kind of exercise every day to accurately record it so as to keep an ongoing record and therefore assess one's progress along the way.

Junkyard Dog is a crime fiction thriller published by BeWrite Books. As for the future, the second novel, which is complete, involves the same characters and is called Clap Hands Here Comes Charlie.

The last in the trilogy is about a cousin of Charlie and Burnett. Jack Mitchell is another Gypsy head case that, on the odd occasion, enlists the help of the Manchester mob in sorting out the opposition. It's at the halfway stage so I don't have a clue about the ending, other than that it will be an intriguingly explosive one.

What would be your advice to aspiring authors?

If I can help anybody I will.

The first thing is to ask yourself the reason why you are writing. If the answer is not money, then you'll be forever seeking assurances from family and friends about your masterpiece. They will tell you it's fantastic, and your chest will still be puffed up with pride when you're six feet under.

So, you're writing for money. Now you have to do whatever it takes to get there. Learn your trade. Write to authors that have a similar style to that which you are trying to achieve. Many will not reply, but from those that do, take their advice on board. You don't have to use it, but somewhere along the line it will all begin to click into place.

Is it true that all publishers have readers who go through the slush pile?

If they don't like the first line, the MS is rejected. Same thing happens again if they don't like the first paragraph; first chapter; or first line of the second chapter. So what does that tell you?

Now have a look at the "The Ten Deadly Sins" from Elmore Leonard:

1. Never open a book with the weather. Unless it's needed to create atmosphere, and not a character's reaction to the weather. Don't go on too long because the reader is apt to leaf ahead looking for people.
   
2. Avoid prologues. They can be annoying, especially if they come after an introduction that comes after a foreword.
   
3. Never use a verb other than said to carry dialogue. The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in. But said is far less intrusive than grumbled, gasped, cautioned, lied.
   
4. Never use an adverb to modify the verb said. Example, "He admonished gravely." To use an adverb this way (or almost any way) is a mortal sin. The writer is now exposing himself in earnest, using a word that distracts and can interrupt the rhythm of the exchange.
   
5. Keep your exclamation marks under control. You are not allowed more that two or three per 100,000 words of prose.
   
6. Never use the words suddenly or all hell broke loose. Writers who use suddenly tend to exercise less control in the application of exclamation marks.
   
7. Use regional dialects, patois, sparingly. Once you start spelling words in dialogue phonetically and loading the page with apostrophes, you won't be able to stop.
   
8. Avoid detailed descriptions of characters. A simple reference can tell the reader everything there is to know about the character.
   
9. Don't go into great detail describing places and things. Too much description can bring the action and the flow of the story to a standstill.
   
10. Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip. Readers will skip thick paragraphs of prose, all the writer is doing is taking another shot at the weather, or going into the characters head. The reader either knows what the guy's thinking, or doesn't care.
    

The most important rule is one that sums up all ten. If it sounds like writing, rewrite it. Or, if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go. You cannot allow what you learned in English composition to disrupt the sound and rhythm of the narrative.

I prefer to remain invisible, not to distract the reader from the story with obvious writing. Words can get in the way of what you want to say.

Write scenes from the point of view of character that has the best view to bring the scene to life, that way you are able to concentrate on the voices of the characters telling you who they are and how they feel about what they see and what's going on. You, should be nowhere in sight.

And finally, for now anyway, some advice from me. Never use a word that is not needed; or a sentence; or a paragraph or a chapter. Take it all in and turn out the best work you are capable of. Rewrite it, and then cut, cut and cut again.