Saturday's Blurbs featuring Books by Stuart West #MFRWauthor #mystery #humor

Peculiar County BLURB:

Growing up in Peculiar County, Kansas, is a mighty...well, peculiar experience. In 1965, things get even stranger for Dibby Caldwell, the mortician's fifteen year old daughter. A young boy's ghost haunts Dibby into unearthing the circumstances of his death.

Nobody—living or dead—wants her to succeed. James, the new mop-topped, bad boy at school doesn’t help. Dibby can’t get him out of her head, even though she doesn’t trust him. No, sir, there's nothing much more peculiar than life in Peculiar County…except maybe death in Peculiar County.

Chili Run BLURB:

When Wendell Worthy decides to blow off laundry for the day, he has no idea he'll soon be running across downtown Kansas City in his tighty-whities.

But a murderous, psychotic drug dealer has his brother and the ransom's a cup of chili that has to be delivered within two hours. The catch? There are rules in place: no rides, no money, no help. And Wendell has to do it in his underwear. Regardless of the rules, he knows he can’t go it alone.

The only person downtown who might help is Alicia. Too bad their one and only date ended in disaster. Wendell can run like the devil’s on his tail, and he’s gonna’ need to, because all sorts of hell’s about to break loose.

Chili Run: The perfect thriller for the reader on the go.

Bad Day in a Banana Hammock BLURB:

Zach wakes up with no memory, no phone, and no clothes except his stripper g-string. And oh yeah! There’s that pesky naked dead guy in bed next to him. Problem is Zach's not gay. Or a murderer. At least, he doesn't think so.

Only one person can help him, his sister, Zora. Of course Zora's got problems of her own—she has three kids at home and is eight month's pregnant with the fourth. So she’s a bit cranky. But that’s not going to stop her from helping her brother.

With kids in tow, the siblings set how to find the true killer, clear Zach's name, and reassure Zach he's not gay.

Friday's Guest - Stuart West #MFRWAuthor #writing #YA

We all know there are six elements of fiction. Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. I believe the first five lead to the sixth which for me is plot. What's your take on this?

Janet, for me it varies for each different genre. For instance, for my latest book, the YA ghost story, murder mystery, Peculiar County, I had a very specific time and place in mind--a small Kansas town in the mid-sixties. And I had an idea for the lead character, a fifteen year old tomboy, daughter of the local mortician, torn between other-worldly happenings around her and her father's starkly scientific approach to life. Once I had that set, the plot unravelled on its own. So, yes, this book definitely followed the theory you laid out.

Other books? Not so much. For instance, in the Zach and Zora comic mystery series (the third one, Nightmare of Nannies, out in October) started with a dare to write the dumbest, most vain and vapid lead character ever. Everything fell into place after that.

1.      How do you create your characters? Do you have a specific method?

 No method. As I said above, I'm not beyond creating a character out of a dare. (Oddly enough he's a lotta fun to write, too!). Other characters I crib from taking traits here, inserting habits there, eavesdropping on people, dreams, random thoughts, lots of "What If" questions. You name it.

2. Do your characters come before the plot?

Most of the time. Not in Chili Run. Chili Run was hatched from a silly nightmare, the kind that seems deadly serious at the time, and one probably born from a particularly potent batch of chili consumed the night before. I had no idea what my lead character would be like until I started writing (in the dream, of course, it was me). But Chili Run was the exception to the rule. Once I get a solid character, they practically write themselves.

3. Do you know how the story will end before you begin? In a general way or a specific one?

   

Never! Just like the reader, I'm along for the magical mystery ride! During the course of the book, I'll get a better idea, but a lot of times, that changes. I've saved many a character from the gallows and have even changed the identity of mystery murderers before book's end. The fun part of writing!

4. Do you choose settings you know or do you have books of settings and plans of houses sitting around?

Nothing's planned, at least to the point of being put down on paper. Although, for Dread and Breakfast (my psycho-thriller taking place in a bed & breakfast joint), I actually had to sit down and chart out a blueprint of the building. The place was so integral to the interconnected plot-lines, practically a character in itself, I had to have it firmly in mind at all times.

5. Where do you do your research? On line or from books?

On line, of course! I don't know how in the world ye olde writers used to do it! For my one historical paranormal tale, Ghosts of Gannaway, I actually researched through a stack of books. Took more time than the writing! Never again.

6. Are you a draft writer or do you revise as you go along and why? Do you sketch out your plot or do you let the characters develop the route to the end?

Draft writer! The first draft flies by, practically a subconscious race toward the end. Lots of fun and always surprising as the characters dictate what happens. Then comes the drudgery of going back through (Ugh. Did I actually write that?) and trying to make sense of it (Ye gads! What was I thinking?).

 7. Where can we find you on the net?

*Stuart R. West's Books We Love Author's Page: http://bookswelove.net/authors/west-stuart-r/ 

*Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Stuart-R.-West/e/B00B419X5C/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Peculiar County Growing up in Peculiar County, Kansas, is a mighty...well, peculiar experience. In 1965, things get even strange...

*Stuart R. West's (totally inconsequential and smart-alecky) blog: Twisted Tales from Tornado Alley

*And the rest: Facebook, Twitter

Saturday's Blurbs featuring Books by Stuart West #MFRWauthor #Paranormal #Mystery

Bad Day in a Banana Hammock (a Zach and Zora comic mystery): Zach wakes up with no memory, no phone, and no clothes except his stripper g-string. And oh yeah! There’s that pesky naked dead guy in bed next to him. Problem is Zach's not gay. Or a murderer. At least, he doesn't think so.

Only one person can help him, his sister, Zora. Of course Zora's got problems of her own—she has three kids at home and is eight month's pregnant with the fourth. So she’s a bit cranky. But that’s not going to stop her from helping her brother.

With kids in tow, the siblings set how to find the true killer, clear Zach's name, and reassure Zach he's not gay.

Review
“An hilarious murder mystery romp. Ride along with Zach and Zora on this most entertaining of mysteries.”
-Heather Brainerd, author of the Jose Picada, P.I. mystery series. 

Secret Society (Killers Incorporated Book #1): Leon Garber has his reasons for ridding the world of abusive people, call it justifiable homicide. Opportunity comes knocking from Like-Minded Individuals, Inc., a global company fulfilling the needs of clients: new identities, security, and even lists of potential “projects.” But let’s not call it “serial killing” (such a nasty term). For Leon, it’s a dream come true.

However, LMI has put a target on Leon’s back, with no indication of why. LMI, the police, sanctioned hit men, and a vicious psychopath are after Leon. He collides with other Like-Minded Individuals: The Good Samaritan Killer, The Mad Doctor, Donnie and Marie (don’t ask). Heads are chopped, dropped, and swapped as Leon fights for his life. But nothing will keep him from finishing his current project. Not even the chance to fall in love. Sometimes a killer business idea is just that. Killer.

Ghosts of Gannaway: Ghost whispers echo through the mines of Gannaway. They have a story to tell. It’s the story of a town torn apart by greed, pollution and vanity, by racial discord between the Native Americans and the invading miners, by the Great Depression, by the violent union strikes of the 1930’s. That’s not all that brought Gannaway to its knees, though. Not by a long shot. Because something—else—lives in the deserted tunnels of the mine, something dark and evil. Something that breathes life into the Ghosts of Gannaway.

Ghosts of Gannaway takes the reader on a journey they won’t forget. ~ Paranormal Suspense Writer Gail Roughton

Friday's Guest - Stuart West - Who He Was Before #MFRWauthor

1. What were you in your life before you became a writer? Did this influence your writing?

Thanks for having me back, Janet. I was a graphic artist for the last 28 years or so. I believe the only influence that had on my writing was I never wanted to step foot in the corporate world again! I find a lot of writers are “corporate drop-outs.” Wait, maybe it did inspire my thriller/darkly satirical series Killers, Incorporated.

2 Are you genre specific or general? Why? I don't mean genres like romance, mystery, fantasy etc. There are many subgenres of the above.

 I’ve written a historical ghost story, four young adult books, several horror tales, a couple of thrillers, a children’s picture book and two comedy mystery pseudo-cozies. I believe I even have a romance in my future. So, probably not genre-specific. I like to mix genres up. It helps to keep things interesting for me. Eventually, I’ll probably try to take a stab at most genres except for science fiction and erotica. Science fiction would entail a vast knowledge of science. Which I don’t have. And erotica simply doesn’t interest me as a reader or writer. One thing you’ll find in most of my books, regardless of genre, is humor, usually of the dark variety. Whether or not the books are actually funny is a different matter completely. But I try and write stuff that makes me laugh.

3. Did your reading choices have anything to do with your choice of a genre or genres?

Again, I like to read many authors and many different genres. Lately I’ve been enjoying a lot of Elmore Leonard, some older Stephen King books and a bit of Donald Westlake.

4. What's your latest release?

Why, thanks for asking! It’s Murder by Massage, the second Zach and Zora comic mystery tale.

Blurb town: Zach is back! And he hasn't learned one darn thing since the last time he ended up as the number one suspect in a murder case. But just like last time, big sister comes to the rescue. And what a big sister! Zora LeFevre's a private investigator. The only down side is she's usually got her four kids with her.  Join the laughs, chaos and mystery as Zach and Zora race against the clock. No clue is too big, no clue is too small. Even if it involves dancing cops, ex-radical hippy militants, pompous pastors, or a creepy set of "Furries" (don't ask!) 

5. What are you working on now?

The third and final book in the Killers Incorporated series. Killer King. This wraps up the tale of those lovable serial killers, Leon and Cody, once and for all.

6. Where can we find you?

Usually blabbing away on my blog about whatever’s got me uptight that week: http://stuartrwest.blogspot.com/

Or check out my Amazon author’s page: Stuart R. West

Friday - Stuart West - Talking About Heroes, Heroines and Villains #MFRWauthor

1. Do you write a single genre or do your fingers flow over the keys creating tales in many forms?

Does your reading choices reflect your writing choices?

Are there genres you wouldn’t attempt?

Janet, I do like to vary genres up, making things interesting for myself, and I hope, the readers. The first book I wrote was a YA supernatural, mystery, comedy dealing with bullying. Since then, I've written suspense, thrillers and horror. Even children's books! My first book with BWL is a historical ghost tale, Ghosts of Gannaway. My upcoming book is Killers Incorporated, a clowder of cats and mouth suspense thriller with a dark streak of humor coursing through its veins. In the future, I'm chomping at the bit to write a romantic comedy set in the near future (nothing too sci-fi, though...I don't know enough about science!).

As far as genres I wouldn't take on? Don't think I'd tackle erotica (not that there's anything wrong with that!). I just don't think I have enough writer in me to constantly come up with different ways to describe sex!

 

2. Heroes, Heroines, Villains. Which are your favorite to write?

Definitely villains. Everyone knows what to expect out of heroes and heroines, a comfy knowledge in you're eventually going to get what you signed up for: heroism. But I find villains fascinating, particularly when they don't necessarily think of themselves as villains. It's fun to try and get into their heads, make them human.

 

3. Heroes. How do you find them? Do pictures, real life or plain imagination create the man you want every reader to love? Do they come before the plot or after you have the idea for the story?

 

Story usually comes first. Then I start thinking about characters to drop into the mix. Once I get both set, boom, the book practically takes off on it's own. In Ghosts of Gannaway, there're two heroes: Dennis, a troubled, recovering alcoholic environmental scientist in 1969 (his redemption arc was a blast to write, even if harrowing at times); and Tommy, a mine foreman in the '30's looking after his men, hoping to unionize. Captain America, pretty much, everyone's idea of a true hero.

Where'd I find them? They found me, Janet! Plus the novel's based on true, sad events that took place in Picher, Oklahoma, a ghost town devastated by corruption, pollution and greed. Someone like Tommy Donnelly had to balance it out.

4. Heroines. How do you find them? Do pictures, real life or imagination create the woman you want the reader to root for? Do they appear before the plot or after you have the idea for the story?

Okay, my heroine of Ghosts of Gannaway? Claire Donnelly, Tommy's wife. One of the most fun characters--and strongest heroes--in the book. I consider her one of the first feminists. She'll do anything to protect her husband, her family, a true lion. At one point, the mine's warning buzzer goes off, heard across town. Bucking the odds, she barrels through all the men at the mine, hops in a bucket and gets lowered into the mine, seeing if her husband's fine. Back then, a woman'd never set foot in a mine, let alone a (gasp!) red-headed woman (considered bad luck back in the day).

 

5. Villains or villainesses or an antagonist, since they don’t always have to be the bad guy or girl. They can be a person opposed to the hero’s or heroine’s obtaining their goal. How do you choose one? How do you make them human?

 

Kyle Gannaway,  the bad guy in Ghosts of Gannaway, considers himself a hero. In many ways he is; he created the town of Gannaway, single-handedly responsible for the mining boom taking place there, supplying the greater percentage of jobs. It's just his methods of "taking care" of his town sometimes leave a lot to be desired. He'll kill, if necessary, for the "good of his town."

6. What are you working on now?

Killers Incorporated. It's a thriller about a corporation that funds serial killers. My "hero", Leon, is a killer who only takes out abusers. He has his reasons. But the company, Like-Minded Individuals, has put a target on his back. And he doesn't know why.

Yeah, I know, right? Crazy premise, a challenge, but a lot of fun to write (even given the dark subject matter). Hope readers will find it fun as well. I always try and incorporate some humor in my books, mostly through character.

 

7. How can people find you?

Just holler and I'll be over to anyone's house for dinner and an extended stay-over.

No, how about my blog: http://stuartrwest.blogspot.com/

My twitter account: @StuartRWest

Email: texthewitchboy@gmail.com

And my books are all over the place. Start with my Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Stuart-R.-West/e/B00B419X5C/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1