Just A Few Lines Ginger Simpson from A Novel Murder

Simpson-ANovelMurder-200x300.jpg>A Few Lines from A Novel Murder by Ginger Simpson




“I’m going to resign!”

“Resign?” Naomi’s mouth gaped.

“God, you sound just like Tony. Relax. Not right at the

moment, but as soon as our current cases are solved. I can’t walk away when

women...one of which I’ve met, are losing their lives.”

“So, have you really thought this through?”

“You have no idea. I actually made some progress on my novel

tonight, but my muse isn’t cooperating because I can’t stop thinking about

Kitten and Persia.”

“When did you get cats?”

“Oh, Nay. Those are the stripper names of the two dead

women.”

“Hmm, yeah now I remember. Sorry, guess I had a memory

lapse. So more about this resignation thing...”

“I have my writing to fall back on, and my editor thinks

this next story is going to be the one that makes me big bucks. I’m making out

pretty good on the first, but I love to write, so being

free of the force will

give me the time I need.”



Ginger

Spice Up Your Life with Ginger

Ginger Simpson

http://www.gingersimpson.com

http://mizging.blogspot.com

http://www.amazon.com/author/gingersimpson

Friday's How She Does It featuring Karen Cote plus a word about EPIC #EPIC #MFRW

As Karen says we have several places of contact. EPIC is for everyone who is involved with electronic publishing. I've been there almost from the start and have met so many people who share my interests from writers to publishers.


Hello dearest Janet and I cannot tell you what an honor it is to be here. You are simply adorable and not only do I know you from Marketing for Romance Writers where people pay it forward by helping others, I also have the pleasure of spending time with you at the Voice of ePublishing or as we know it - EPIC (Electronic Publishing Industry Coalition).






To be here is another delightful opportunity to once again see a different side of someone I'm learning is a very generous individual.





So…on the hot seat with your lovely Friday How She Does It.





Question 1)

I do not have a special system different than other artists in this industry. Most will tell you their characters are the special part of the system that makes writing a unique and invaluable treasure of meeting all those people who exist in our heads. I can tell you that my characters develop themselves and surprise me on who they want to be and I am taken by surprise each time when I fall in love with my hero. He usually carries some characteristics of my real life hero which is my husband although, even after developing into everything I'd want in a hero, my character still does not possess all the traits my husband does. My husband astonishes me constantly with his goodness and love. I couldn't possibly create such a soul-mate. Hubby is a direct gift from above. I don't question how that happens or how he is the way he is. I'm just grateful.





Question 2)

My hero and heroine reveal themselves before the story. It's kind of like, meet so-and-so. Now they want me to write their story. I do not plot. I have a general idea on who I want to spend time with these wonderful creations who enter my head but overall it's a love story. Their love story and I can tell when I get in the way of who they are becoming as they do stop talking to me.





As for ideas for scenes, they usually come the day before or late at night when I'm trying to sleep. Since I write Romantic Suspense, coming up with scenarios of the mystery and crime are never something I struggle with. I love Criminal Minds and reading books by John E. Douglas who was the real life profiler in the FBI. His detail provokes ideas. In fact, I follow the FBI on Twitter and it was one of their tweets in capturing someone who had hidden a camera on someone's computer that prompted my current novel, Crime of Fashion, not out yet.





Question 3)

I never know how the story ends. Just "who done it". I love making other characters appear suspicious to throw readers off on who the perpetrator is. Erotic Deception (which is a Romantic Suspense, despite the title - darn I wish I would have rethought that as people rightly confuse it as an erotica-type). I do not close the door, however, so it still qualifies for some censorship. Anyway, as I was saying, Erotic Deception has had many reviews on Goodreads and none have indicated they'd guessed the killer. On the contrary. They were surprised. I like that.





Question 4)

I enjoy choosing settings I know because I'm a "feel my way through" something-type so I can put my reader there through my eyes. That way I can focus more on making scenes gripping without making something up. So far it has worked well and since I've travelled many places with my husband, it's not difficult to choose a different location each time.





Question 5)

I do research through the internet. I'm a bit of a geek though so I have to be careful to stay focused on what I'm researching and not get caught up in the constant shiny new gadgets I get sidetracked with. I think those darn search engines track my activity as new gadgets are always hitting me somewhere or another.





Question 6)

I do not draft. I have no idea what is around the corner for my characters. In fact, it's when I put them somewhere of my own choosing, I usually end up deleting some very valuable word count. I actually love the surprise on where my story and characters end up. It's fun. Like opening a journey with unlimited possibilities.





I believe that is all the questions you had for me. Thank you, Janet. Once again, I cannot express how humbling this is. What a fabulous home you've made for yourself here. Thank you for inviting me in.





Karen Cote' - www.karencote.tv

PR Chair - www.epicorg.com

EPIC, the Voice of ePublishing since 1998

Thursday's Opening Scene from Gemstones by Janet Lane Walters #MFRW

GEMSTONES




Janet Lane Walters



Published by Books We Love LTD









Chapter 1



Calcutta, July 1810



"Miss Nicola. Miss Nicola."

The whisper woke Nicola Gordon. Like wasps around ripe fruit, tales of native uprisings swarmed in her thoughts. She groped beneath the pillow for the knife she kept there.

The girls. She had to protect her sisters.

"Miss Nicola, wake up."

"Who?" She tried to keep fear from clogging her voice.

"Sarad."

"What are you doing here? Where’s Papa?" Just two days ago, she had seen her father and his young native assistant off on a buying trip. Fear gripped her spine. The knife fell from her fingers.

"Your father. You must come."

"I can’t leave my sisters. What if they wake and find me gone?"

"They will be safe. Your papa needs you. We were set upon by thugs and he was hurt. I found a safe place for him to stay until I am sure we were not followed."

Nicola pushed aside the netting that enclosed the bed. She found her shoes and grabbed a dark cloak. Her heart thudded in her chest. Though she and Sarad had engaged in mischief years ago, her childhood friend had become sober and responsible. So had she.

"Where is he?"

"The place is not far." He slid open the door to the verandah. Nicola followed him to the gate in the compound wall. The aroma of wet earth rose from the garden, but outside the gates, the recent rains had failed to mask the scent of exotic flower and spices of the odor of garbage. The absence of the moon created an ominous darkness. She hurried through alleys and along streets beside her silent guide. Her thoughts conjured a thousand tragedies.

She stumbled. A groan escaped.

Sarad gripped her arm. "Be silent as the tiger stalking prey."

His warning chilled her. Who knew what would happen to an Englishwoman caught in the streets at night.

Ahead, she saw the looming shadow cast by one of the city’s many temples built to honor one of India’s multitude of gods. Why had they come here?

Sarad pulled her into a dark passageway that led into the temple. Their passing stirred the dust of the ages, musty and dank. Finally, they emerged in a torch-lit room. She followed her friend to a recessed alcove.

"Papa!" The blood-stained bandages around his chest and head alarmed her. "Papa, oh, Papa." She knelt on the stone floor beside him.

His dark eyes were unfocused. His skin felt hot.

"The eye. Siva. The eye."

"I don’t understand."

"Nicola. Must warn. Must tell."

"She is here, Sahib Gordon."

Nicola gripped her father’s hand. The flickering torchlight revealed his pain-filled features. "Papa, I will take you home and see to your wounds."

He took a shuddering breath. "Must leave Calcutta."

"Where will we go?" She couldn’t think of leaving. Calcutta was home.

"To England. Ian Grey will send an escort." He gasped a breath. "Your grandmother and Denmere. Old Earl dead. Marry the new. Distant cousin."

His words shocked her nearly as much as her memories. "My grandmother did not protect Mama. I don’t want to marry and live with strangers." Why was he saying this? He would get better and until then, she could care for her sisters. For ten years, since her mother’s death, this had been the case.

His fingers tightened around hers. "You must. Danger for you. For sisters." He struggled to sit up. "Your knowledge. Gems."

Fresh blood seeped through the dried stains on the bandages. "Rest, Papa." Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I cannot leave you."

"Protect sisters."

She chewed her lower lip. "I will keep them safe."

He sank back. "Promise. Marry Denmere."

She couldn’t say the words. "Papa."

He pressed a velvet pouch into her hand. "For you and sisters. Not Fergus. Now go."

Though she thought about disobeying, she kissed his cheek. As she and Sarad left the alcove, tears cascaded down her cheeks and blurred her sight. She stopped to wipe her eyes and stifled a gasp.

Torchlight illuminated statues and wall carvings of men and women engaged in activities she had read of in the Sanskrit manuscripts her teacher had given her. Her eyes widened in astonishment. She hadn’t believed the human body could assume such convoluted positions.

Sarad grasped her arm. "We must go."

His whisper broke the spell. She tore her gaze from the figures that fascinated and repelled. Her cheeks burned as though she stood beneath the mid-day sun. She followed Sarad into the dark passageway.

Wednesday;s Writer's Tip brought to you by Janet Lane Walters - Tag lines #amwriting

How a writer chooses to identify who is speaking can be problematic. In the heat of writing an exchange between two people some problems can occur. I know I've found this in my writing. The rapid exchange goes down with no bother to say who is speaking. Then going back and trying to discover who says what can suddenly seem not so bright. If the writer can't figure who is speaking, think of the reader. I've seen this in contest entries and even in published books and have to go back and try to decipher who is saying what. Sometimes I find speaker A has said something two times in a row. Calls for revision.

Another problem in writing a scene heavy with dialogue is the creative use of tags. The simple said, asked, answered are avoided for fancy words. Shouted, yelled. Suddenly a pattern evolves and the reader begins to wonder what tag the writer will use next. I've read books like this and I suddenly become more interested in seeing what the next tag will be. Not great for enjoying the story and maybe an excuse for the reader to put the story aside never to be seen again.

What about those lovely adverby. "She said quickly. He replied angrily. She asked softly. Here another pattern can arrive and the reader enters into the adverb alert. Another reason not to read on.

But just using said, though generally invisible to the reader can also become boring. There are ways to avoid this usage. Try a little action, using the speaker doing something. Mark's eyebrown arched. "What are you doing? "I don't care." A gruffness entered Ray's voice. Doing this becomes very important when writing scenes with a mutitude of cnaracters, making it easy for the reader to know who is saying what.

Making things easy for the reader to want to continue to be involved with the story is what it's about. Falling into patterns that turn the reader's attention to seeing what clever tag the writer will use, or having the conversation look like "follow the bouncing ball" can lose readers. So, whatch your tag lines and during the revision stage check to see what patterns if any you have put into your story.

Tuesday's Inspiration - A long running series by CJ Cherryh #amreading

Today's inspiration is a bit different. I don't have a quote from this author but I really like the books. I've just finished reading number 14 in the series and am really waiting for the next one but I know some time will pass. Actually, when I find a lull in my reading, I'll probably re-read all the stories. I first found these books in 1994, actually the first of the books.

So what fascinated me about the story. The first thing was the main character - Bren. The second was the totally different culture the writer envisioned. I was led into the culture and the story by the reading of the book, not by large bits of background.

Reading these books did a number of things for me as a writer. I tend to write trilogies and reading this allowed me to make one of my what started out to be one book into four rather than the three trilogy style.
Second, I learned that having a character who comes alive is a must if writing stories that continue past the first book. Another is that adding characters who become main ones also aids in writing a series. I'll never do anything this long but I appreciate the things I've learned by reading the 14 books in the series. The last thing was if you're writing a series, be sure to end the book so the reader wants the next one immediately.

Meandering on Monday with Janet Lane Walters

I'm reading the 14th part of the Foreigner series by Cherryh and am amazed that the writer has been able to continue the series so long and with fresh new material. The story is science fiction and shows the politics of an alien culture and the impct and concerns of stranded humans. The characters have grown and developed. The action can be explosive at times. Each time I read a new book in the series, I am re-united with characters I have learned to enjoy and to care about. Is there a trace of envy in what I'm reading? Yes, but not the kind of envy that makes me want to put the person down.

Writers, and most other people, often find the negative kind of envy when reading stories other people have written. Envy can go from Wow, I wish I had written that to the kind that says If I had the chance I would have written a better kind of story.

It can be difficult to feel happy for another person's success when you have worked just as hard. But this kind of feeling doesn't help the person feeling this to do better. One of the groups I belong to posed a question about going back to change an event in one's life and what would it be. Several of the people had particular times they would change. Several says the choices they made have helped them become the person they are today. Interesting.

Now to my writing progress. Shattered Dreams is moving ahead. Shadowed Dreams will have another change. The first few chapters have bogged down now the middle of the book is approaching. I need to go back and re-focus on the first few chapters so I can continue through the middle to reach the end. Sometimes I groan at doing this, but it must be done. False starts can be corrected. Sticking to what's not working can't.

3 Blog visit Sunday discovered by Janet Lane Walters

http://www.theballroomblog.com/2013/04/historical-inspiration-the-special-license/

http://patriciagreenbooks.com/2013/04/23/guest-star-the-inimitable-jenna-jaxon-with-ladys-wear-daily/

http://davidgaughran.wordpress.com/2013/04/22/lazy-literary-agents-in-self-publishing-money-grab-via-argo-navis/

Saturday's Excerpt Three's A Crowd by Melissa Keir

Blurb:


For Lissa, the second time at love was a charm but in marriage, three’s a crowd.



Single mother Lissa Vincent found her soul mate in her best friend’s ex-husband. Alex Hunter couldn’t believe his fortune when his ex-wife told him her best friend was available. After divorce, finding love again could be a challenge but it appeared Alex and Lissa had gotten lucky. Yet as they start their lives as newlyweds, Alex and Lissa don’t realize just how difficult it might be to blend a family.



When Alex’s ex new marriage begins to unravel, she sets her sights again on Alex. Does Alex still have feelings for the mother of his child? Will Lissa keep her best friend or lose her husband?



Fairytales promise a happily-ever-after. But what really happens after the after.



Excerpt:





When my cell phone rings. I look down.

It’s Steve and I don’t want to answer. I’m on a date with my husband. The children are safe with Steve. I—we—deserve this time together. Pushing the off button, I ignore the call.

“Was that Steve?”

Alex understands my dilemma. Steve has anger issues and isn’t happy that I’ve remarried. The phone rings again.

“I’ll call him back later.”

I cut a small piece of beef burgundy from my plate and lift it gently to Alex’s lips. Feeding each other is a very sensual experience. My legs tingle watching his tongue dart out to catch a drop of sauce lingering on his mouth. I reach across the table to run my thumb over his lips then pull his face close to mine in search of a passionate kiss.

When my phone rings for the third time, I know it must be important.

“Hello?”

“Scotty and Mac were playing around when Scotty tripped and fell, hitting his head on the corner of the door frame to his room. We’re on our way to the urgent care. He probably needs stitches.”

“Which urgent care are you going to? I can meet you there.” My stomach clenches in anxiety.

I obtained all the details while Alex paid the bill and had our food wrapped to go. We rushed out into the night, our romantic evening ruined, fright replacing passion.

Guilt began to eat at me. Why didn’t I answer the phone sooner? How was Scotty handling things? What kind of parent was I to put myself over my child? Alex seemed to understand what I was feeling and reached over to hold my hand. Without saying a word, his touch made me feel better.





Bio:

As a writer, Melissa likes to keep current on topics of interest in the world of writing. She’s a member of the Romance Writers of America and EPIC. Melissa is always interested in improving her writing through classes and seminars. She also believes in helping other authors and features authors and their books on her blog.

Melissa doesn’t believe in down time. She’s always keeping busy. Melissa is a wife and mother, an elementary school teacher, a book reviewer, an editor for a publishing company as well as an author. Her home blends two families and is a lot like the Brady Bunch, without Alice- a large grocery bill, tons of dirty dishes and a mound of laundry. She loves to write stories that feature “happy endings” and is often found plotting her next story.

This is what readers are saying about Melissa’s books:

Amazon 5 star review for Second Time’s the Charm- “Such a sweet and heart warming story. As I read it, and the details unfolded, I was engrossed to see if that I thought was going to happen, would really happen.” – Lacey Wolfe, Romance Author.

Barnes and Nobel 5 star review for Protecting His Wolfe- “Great read. I couldn't put it down. I really liked the characters, especially Betsie and the Pigg brothers. A love story with suspense and surprise.” – Anonymous



Melissa loves hearing from readers!

www.melissakeir.com

http://www.facebook.com/melissaakeir

http://www.facebook.com/AuthorMelissaKeir (fan page)

www.twitter/melissa_keir

Just a Few Lines - Sydell Voeller - The Fisherman's Daughter

A few lines from THE FISHERMAN'S DAUGHTER


By Sydell Voeller



http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00727LIBY/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=20309144768&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=s&hvrand=1113970418473976963&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_21vpl4zhgg_b



"So you're a cop," she said, meeting his stunningly blue yes, noting the breeze ripple through his hair. He certainly fit the stereotype. Broad shouldered and strong. Opened black leather jacket with the collar turned up. An incredible heart-stopper with his sophisticated good looks. But copes were the worst choice for a husband, she reminded herselfâ€"even if she were looking for one, which she definitely was not. Cops lived in the fast track. With violence. And danger. Cops were gunned down every day.



Find out more about Sydell's books at: www.sydellvoeller.com



Make sure to visit again for a few lines from Ginger Simpson the week of May 3

Friday's How She Does It featuring Melissa Keir

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> Thank you for having me visit Janet. I think that the six elements of fiction are so closely intertwined. The first five lead to plot and a better story!



.

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

My characters are a mixture of people I know and people I've witnessed in life. To me, I love to people watch. There is nothing better than seeing people about at a mall or at a job and wondering about their stories. I feel that the characters are very important and usually have a picture of who they are in my head. For example, in my Wilder Sisters series, I have five girls who left their small town after graduation. I am the oldest of five girls in my family. So I have a lot of knowledge about the interactions between siblings and what it is to grow up in a small town. However, the five girls are not me or my sisters. I wanted these girls to be women I'd love to hang out with or be friends with. You know... the kind you can call up and go shopping with. They are all struggling with how to balance their wants with their needs in a complex world that we live in.



2. Do your characters come before the plot? Do you sketch out your plot or do you let the characters develop the route to the end?

Each story is different. Sometimes I have the plot first and other times, the characters lead the show. I love that each story can be different. In Beach Desires, I knew the main characters but I didn't know where the story was going to go. In fact, I rewrote the ending a few times. But for A Christmas Miracle, I had the whole plot planned out and then the story was fleshed out. I am by definition a plotter. I don't write out my plots or character descriptions but I do have a bunch of story ideas and interesting facts written down so that I can use them when they work into a story.



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

I mostly know how the story will end. I want my stories to end with a Happily Ever After, but sometimes the story surprises me. When I was writing Protecting His Wolfe, I knew who the bad guy was but I didn't see all the other twists and turns. It surprised me when someone else stepped up and did some bad things! Of course the reason made sense but it was a shock.



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

I love to choose setting of places that I know. One of my hopes is that readers will fall in love with these places as much as I do. The Wilder Sisters series takes place in my hometown. It's the place I grew up and my family still lives there. I moved a long time ago but still consider Amherst, the home of my heart. Small towns have such a unique feel to them. Everyone is aware of what everyone else is doing and there's a nice sense of community. I only hope that I do these places justice with my stories.



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

I do most of my research online but sometimes a book is certainly the best choice. I'm open to whatever I need or what works.







6. Are you a draft writer or do you revise as you go along and why?

I always revise as I go along. Since I have a day job, I don't always get a chance to sit and write in long periods of time. So I have to go back and re-read what I've already written so that I can pick up where I've left off. This lends itself to editing as I go. I actually enjoy this process. I can always find something that I need to correct or make more clear. Since my muse loves to talk to me while I'm driving to and from work, coming home to my manuscript is a great time to revise!