Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Author Interview: C. K. Crigger

My good friend C. K. Crigger is my interviewee today. C. K. writes time-travel and sword-and-horse fantasy books as well as novels of the American West. Her latest book, Black Crossing, falls into the latter category, and was published just this month by Amber Quill Press.

Welcome, C. K.

What made you start writing?
I've always wanted to write, and played around with it even as a young child. After my own kids were past the mommy stage, I decided it was now or never and took the plunge. My first novel turned out to be about fifty pages long, so at that point I had to go through a steep learning curve. I never considered quitting, though. I think writing builds on itself and becomes a compulsion. Now I can't NOT write.

How long have you been writing? When did you sell your first book?
I've been serious about my writing for over ten years now. My first sale was in 1999, to Books In Motion, an audio publisher. That was Book #1 of my "Gunsmith" series, In the Service of the Queen. BIM has published the whole series. My first print sale was a little sword and horse fantasy from Amber Quill Press, entitled The Prince's Cousin.

What type of writer are you? Do you plan ahead/plot or do you simply fly by the seat of your pants?
I do some of both. When the story is conceived, I think about it until I have a point to start, a direction to head, an idea of the finale and of course, the main characters. After that, if I'm lucky, the characters will take over the helm and I ride in the passenger seat. That said, I find that while I'm out walking (gotta get the heinie off the desk chair once in a while) is a good time to solve the characters' problems and make additions to the plot line.

How do you choose your characters' names?
There's power in names, and I believe each character needs a name that will define him/her as a person. I go for what I hope are unusual names, names you won't forget the moment your eye passes over the letters, but feel they must still be simple enough to say and spell without causing a reader to scratch her head. Villains, in my books, are often given especially common names. I've used my uncles' names more than once. (Heh, heh. >>evil laugh.<<) Names should also belong to the era in which you're writing. I wouldn't use Hyrtha or Bertha in a modern story, and I wouldn't use Tiffany or Madison in a period piece.

What type of writing schedule do you have?
I must admit I kept a better schedule when I was still working. Now, in the belief I have all the time in the world, I slough off a lot. Still, I manage to write a little something nearly every day, whether it's a thousand words on my novel, a 600-word article for the newspaper, or a 250-word book review for either Roundup (the magazine of Western Writers of America) or my blog. You're most likely to find me writing between 10 - 12, and again from 1 - 3.

How do you handle life interruptions?
Aw, they don't bother me. Unless it's my husband passing out (like from TIA episodes) upstairs and from my basement office, I hear and feel the thump of him falling. That raises my own pulse rate a little higher than comfortable. But dogs needing in or out, or answering the phone, or turning the sprinkler system on or off don't even break my concentration. I'm pretty easy-going.

Do you get blocked? Any hints on how to stave it off?
I don't get blocked. I get lazy, or too self-critical for the stage the story is at, or I indulge in pity-parties. The best way to quell it is to write something, anything, on the current story. Make believe you're accomplishing something, whether you are or not. Surprisingly often, the "junk" writing will have value, and if it doesn't, well, that's why they have delete buttons on computer keyboards.

What have you always dreamed of writing, but haven't yet?
Besides that NY Times bestseller? I'd like to write something that thirty years from now, someone will pick up the latest reprint and have the story connect in a new way.

What one thing do you like most about writing? Least?
The best thing for me is concocting the story and characters. I dislike selling, whether to the initial agent or publisher, or hand-to-hand at a bookstore signing.

What is your next project?
I have so many started that it's a matter of eeny, meeny, miny, moe as to which I finish first. I'm in final edits (before it goes out) of a contemporary mystery, I'm working on a science fiction/adventure, plus I have another mystery and two historical stories in the planning stage. I may not live long enough to finish all of them. Oh, well.

What is your advice for other writers?
Keep working, keep learning, keep reading, and don't lose faith in yourself. Persevere. If for no other reason, write for yourself and appreciate the sense of accomplishment writing gives you.


Tell us about your new book.
Black Crossing, my latest release from Amber Quill Press, is a novel of the American West, a term I like much better than "a western." No cowboys in this one. It's set in the big timber country of northern Idaho.

Here's the book blurb:
A woman’s revenge and a man’s honor meet on a collision course...

Isaac Gilpatrick witnesses the killing of old Marshall Blodgett, and when his mother Ione is threatened with death—or worse—he is intimidated into remaining silent. But the guilt he carries wears at Isaac’s nerves until he can bear it no longer and vows to put the information into the new marshal’s hands.

Unfortunately, Marshal TJ Osgood arrives in town too late. He finds Isaac silenced for good after a crooked judge ordered him hanged. Now, with an under-aged deputy and a hound dog as his only allies, Osgood must sort out the truth, protect the bereaved Ione Gilpatrick, and bring a rough bunch of backwoods timber thieves to justice. That is, if Ione doesn’t beat him to it...

What other works have you published?
I'll start with the latest and work to the oldest, (more or less) listing the genres.
Black Crossing (Novel of the American West)
"Aldy Neal's Ghost" (amazon.com short story which was a 2007 Spur finalist) (American West)
The Winning Hand (Novel of the American West)
Six Shot (time-travel)
Crossroad (time-travel)
Shadow Soldier (time-travel)
In the Service of the Queen (time-travel)
Liar's Trail (Novel of the American West)
The Prince's Cousin (sword and horse fantasy)

Thanks for letting me visit, Marsha.

It was my great pleasure. Thank you for the interview.

Visit C. K. Crigger's website at ckcrigger.com and her book review blog here.

Friday, August 24, 2007

BYU Education Week

My time here in Provo, Utah, is winding down, but I've had a great experience. These are a few highlights:

  • Seeing/meeting some of my favorite authors at bookstore signings: Rachel Ann Nunes, Michele Paige Holmes, Matthew Buckley, Annette Lyon, Nancy Anderson, Lael J. Littke, Carroll H. Morris, and Elodia Strain. Today I get to meet Trina Boice, who I just profiled here last week.
  • Provo during Education Week surely must have the highest per capita incidence of pregnant women in the world.
  • Women will wear flip flops or sandals instead of sensible shoes for walking over miles of hard concrete if they have a nice pedicure to show off. I didn't have one, so I chose sensible shoes, then bought a pair of NothingZ to wear the last two days. Very cushioning, very light!
  • Attending a class given by Janice Kapp Perry and having her refer to a dear relative of mine. I hadn't known that she wrote the first verse of "The Test" to honor him.
  • Learning about Islam at the feet of Daniel C. Peterson. His dry wit is delightful!
  • Getting into a Kevin Hinckley class by the skin of my teeth. Except for the couple behind me, I was the last one admitted.
  • The wonderful trip up from Payson, Arizona. I cemented relationships with dear sisters in my congregation, and I expect another terrific trip back down tomorrow.
  • Learning the fine art of changing your mind at the last minute about attending a class and having the adventure of going into another one. Most of the speakers are new to me, so I wasn't predisposed to have to attend any one class. Next year, I suppose, will be different, now that I have some favorites.
  • Walking a ton of miles. I'm putting my scale on notice that it had better show a significant weight loss when I get home.
  • Finding out what to bring and what to leave home next year. Bring a couple of hangers, leave home the pillow. Bring mayo, leave the extra blouse. Scissors are always handy. The water is drinkable, so I don't need a bunch of water bottles from home. A half liter bottle will refill more easily from a drinking fountain than a 24-ouncer. Get a map of the Wilkinson Student Center and take it with me each time I go there. Helaman Halls have mini refrigerators in each room, so leave home the huge coolers. Internet is available. A wheeled tote is essential to me. They sell wheeled totes at the bookstore annex! Since we did the bring-your-own-food thing instead of buying a meal ticket, it would have been nice to remember to bring napkins and enough paper towels. Wipes would have been nice for a multitude of uses.
  • Meeting friends from the past, some as far back as the 1960s.
  • Meeting new friends. I kept running into one women, and we finally exchanged email addresses.
  • The musical performances. I've attended "Take the Mountain Down," a wonderful country/bluegrass version of the story of the prodigal son. Tonight I will see "The White Star," a new Doug Stewart play with music by Janice Kapp Perry.
I think I understand now what brings people back to Education Week, year after year, because I've resolved to return again. There's an energy, a spirit here that draws a person in. Whether it is spiritual or emotional, physical or cultural, I can't tell, but I don't think it matters. There is plenty of all of the above draws for everyone who attends. The next Education Week takes place August 18-22, 2008.

Put it on your calendar.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

The Dawning of a Brighter Day

This week I'm attending BYU Education Week for the first time. I obtained Internet access relatively painlessly, so I'll give a little report.

The theme this year is "The Dawning of a Brighter Day." Yesterday, at the Devotional, what a thrill it was to raise my voice with thousands of others in singing, "The Morning Breaks, the Shadows Flee," the LDS hymn from which the theme is taken. Elder Richard G. Scott, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave the devotional address, in which he taught us keys for learning from the Holy Spirit.

I was able to sit with Rachel Ann Nunes during her book signing yesterday. I may even have sold a copy or two of her newest book, Flying Home, for her. What fun to renew our acquaintance! Later that day I met Michele Paige Holmes, the author of Counting Stars. Today and tomorrow I have other author buddies from LDStorymakers to see and meet (you can be Internet buddies without meeting, you know).

Of course, there are classes to attend--I'm enjoying the select few I've chosen to go to--and performances to see. Last night I viewed the new musical, "Take the Mountain Down," by Steven Kapp Perry and Marvin Payne, and had a hand clappin' good time! Mandolin and banjo music have such joy inherent in their sound.

I'm having a good time in this first taste of Education Week. I hope the aches and pains of protesting muscles will prove short, and the social, mental, emotional, and spiritual boost of the classes and being with friends will continue to lift me up to that Brighter Day.

Friday, August 17, 2007

And Now, the News!

I'll be out of town next week, and I don't know if I'll have Internet access, so don't hold your breath waiting for a new entry.

The week after, though, I'll have an interview with a wonderful author and friend of mine, C.K. Crigger.

C.K. writes in a variety of genres, including Western, Fantasy, and Romantic Suspense. I can hardly wait to have her as my guest.

Until then, keep your stick on the ice . . . er . . . don't take any wooden nickels . . . um . . . be nice to your neighbor. Yes, that's it! Be nice to your neighbor. While you're at it, go buy one of my books to read: Links found by clicking on the book covers here.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Author Interview: Trina Boice

Today I’m interviewing non-fiction author Trina Boice. Trina’s latest book just hit the shelves of LDS book stores, and is available online at Deseret Book. It’s entitled Parties With A Purpose: Exciting Ideas for Ward Activities.

Welcome, Trina.

1) What made you start writing?
My elementary school teachers! I was fortunate enough to have teachers who responded well to my creative writing and made me feel good about what I had put down on paper. Of course, when I read those early works now and see how terrible they really were, I realize how overly generous and kind those teachers were. The impact a supportive teacher or adult can have on a child is incredible. As a little girl I loved to read and would often miss the call to dinner because I had disappeared into a faraway world in some book while reading in my bedroom. In second grade my teacher created a book worm that wrapped around the room, made of big paper circles that represented books each student had read. Most of the circles were mine and the teacher put gold stars on my circles for books I had read that were especially difficult or thicker than what everyone else was reading. My goal was to read every book in the library. (Gee, get a life, kid!) I competed on the Speech & Debate team in high school and in college and have always been fascinated with words and the clever use of them. I dated wordsmiths in college. I appreciate good literature much more than I am able to produce it!

2) How long have you been writing? When did you sell your first book?
I’ve had dozens of books swirling around in my brain for years. I can think of book ideas faster than I can write them. Many times I’ve had a terrific idea for a book, only later to see it sitting on a shelf in Barnes and Noble, written by someone else who beat me to the punch. I knew some day I’d be an author and so when I was about 9 years old I began collecting famous quotes, stories and ideas into a little box. The box evolved into 18 file cabinets and now I’ve scanned everything into my computer. My first book was published in 2004 by Spring Creek Books. My publisher has been extremely supportive and has published all six of my books with more on the way! It’s really great to find a publisher who wants to help build your writing career rather than just print a single book for you and then move on to other authors.

3) You write non-fiction works. Do you have fiction projects inside you, too?
I’m really a non-fiction kinda girl. I love to become enveloped by a good novel, but I find myself reaching for the non-fiction books more often because I want to learn about so many topics. I’m so impressed with authors who can create entire imaginary worlds in their fiction books. I would love to be able to do that, but that seems really hard to me right now. Non-fiction ideas come much easier into my brain. I’d like to think there is an awesome fiction story hiding inside me, but I think it’s buried underneath many layers of non-fiction books that still have to be uncovered and written first.

4) How do you decide what topics to write about? Does your publisher make suggestions?
I presented a gigantic list of manuscript ideas to my publisher a few years ago and he put them in the order he was interested in publishing them. Timing is everything. Sometimes he’ll bump one of my suggested books for a book he wants me to write. He has a really good feel for the market and so I trust his preference.

5) How do you research your topics?
I love the Internet. There is so much great information to be found there! I also check out a ton of books from my local library, write from my own personal experiences, interview tons of people and send out questionnaires. I like to talk to people to find out what they would want to read and learn about in the subject my book is addressing. I know people buy my books with hard-earned dollars, so I feel a great sense of responsibility to make sure they get their money’s worth! I try to pack in as many ideas as possible so they get the most bang for their buck. Most of the time I write so much that my publisher has to delete a lot in order to keep the page count down to a reasonable price. When that happens, I try to create blogs or web sites where I can give my readers the ideas that didn’t fit inside the book.

6) What type of writing schedule do you have?
I try to write when my kids are in school so that I’m not taking time away from them. I don’t ever want them to resent my writing or feel that it is more important to me than they are. I always keep a notepad with me in my purse, my car and by my bedside so that I’ll be able to pen sudden bursts of inspiration. Ideas will pop into my head at the most random time and simple things I see during the day will trigger thoughts that I want to write down, so it seems I’m always reaching for a pen and paper.

7) How do you handle life interruptions?
Who said I handle them?!

8) What have you always dreamed of writing, but haven't yet?
That “must have” book, the one you see everywhere in all of the stores, the “it” book, the one that inspires, uplifts and changes people’s lives. What is it? I don’t know, but I’m working on it!

9) What things do you like most about writing? Least?
One of the coolest things ever is to hold a finished book that I’ve written in my hand. I love having written probably more than the actual writing itself. I love seeing one of my books on a book shelf in a book store. I enjoy writing when I’m in the “zone”, when words just flow and ideas fill my head all the way down to my typing fingers. I really get a kick out of book signings and talking with people about more ideas. The part I dread is having to run away from the Paparazzi…..just kidding. I don’t like it when I have a deadline and my brain feels dead with no inspiration. I don’t like it when I have a looming deadline and I’m forced to sit and write rather than spend time with my kids.

10) What is your next project?
I’m always working on several manuscripts at a time. That is, until I have a looming deadline and then I focus on that one book exclusively. Right now I’m working on a Cub Scout book that will help LDS Primary leaders and parents with ideas that incorporate the Faith in God program goals. I’m also working with a wonderfully talented friend on a great resource book for service project ideas that will include specific patterns for crafting projects, as well as a directory that includes national organizations that people can connect with to work on projects in their area of interest or expertise. I’m also working on a book inspired by the “Deals That Are Nifty by Sister Thrifty” consumer e-newsletter I’ve been sending out to subscribers for 5 years. People always ask me to write a creative dating book and a book of ideas for Visiting Teachers, so those two are slowly taking shape as well. So much to write, so little time! I have a few national book manuscripts floating around out there, so we’ll see if they ever make it to the book shelf at a store near you.

11) What is your advice for other writers?
Keep writing! If your goal is to get published, then don’t give up. I have piles of rejection letters. Timing is everything. It’s also important to read a lot and become familiar with what’s already out there. Be true to yourself and find your unique voice.


12) Tell us about your new book.
It’s called Parties With A Purpose: Exciting Ideas for Ward Activities. It’s a brainstorm idea book to help LDS ward leaders create meaningful activities that unite the ward. It could easily be used for other religious denominations as well. Chapters include cooking for a crowd, games that help people mix and mingle, decoration ideas, publicity tips, ways to keep kids happy and safe while adults chat, web site resources, and tons of theme and party ideas. It’s a fun book to help get people’s own creative juices flowing. People are so busy nowadays and the world is such a crazy place, that they need to have church activities with more substance so that they leave the event feeling uplifted and strengthened. I try to write books that help members of the church want to be valiant, know how to magnify their callings, build the kingdom, and love living the gospel!

Thank you for the interview, Trina. Where can people find your books?
My web site address is http://www.boicebox.com/ where people can read more about each book and even purchase them at a discount.

Books by Trina Boice:
Sabbath Solutions: More than 350 Ways You Can Worship On The Lord’s Day
Easy Enrichment Ideas: Thinking Outside The Green Gelatin Box
Climbing Family Trees, Whispers Through The Leaves
Bright Ideas for Young Women Leaders
Great Ideas for Activity Days
Parties With A Purpose: Exciting Ideas for Ward Activities

Monday, August 13, 2007

New Author Interview tomorrow

My interviewee will be Trina Boice, who writes how-to and other non-fiction books for the LDS market. Her topics range from better Sabbath worship to writing your Family History to get-together activities for congregations.

Trina lives with her family in Southern California. Be here tomorrow to get to know her better.

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

The Fours Tag Game

Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen tagged me in this go-around.

Four Jobs I've Had:
Instructional Assistant for Traumatic Brain Injured (TBI) students at Mesa Public Schools Charter school teacher: Spanish, Southwest Studies, Newspaper
Editor, The Beehive newspaper, Arizona Edition
Secretary/Bookkeeper at a construction company

Four Places I've Lived:
Phoenix, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Bogotá, Colombia
Caracas, Venezuela

Four Favorite TV Shows:
Monk
Psych
Burn Notice

24

Four Favorite Foods:
Chili Rellenos
Meatloaf
Green Corn Tamales
Spaghetti & Breadsticks

Four Websites I Frequent:
Amazon.com
Netflix.com
Imdb.com (Internet Movie DataBase)
Six LDS Writers and a Frog

Four Places I'd Rather Be Right Now:Walking in the forest
At the library getting free high-speed internet
At church, playing the organ
Somewhere, anywhere, signing the book I’m still writing

Four Movies I Love:
Gone With the Wind
Shenandoah
Paint Your Wagon

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Four Bloggers I Tag Next:Darvell Hunt
Melissa Williams - somewhere on MySpace
Marcia Mickelson
Heather Horrocks

Edited to remove tags because of obnoxious email

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Grammar Check

I've spent part of my writing life being an editor, several times at a newspaper, other times at a writers' magazine.

Magazine and newsletter editors get all kinds of interesting things in the mail, including manuscripts filled with what one hopes are typos, and not grammatical errors. Unfortunately, more often than not, the wished-for typos are grammar mistakes. Unfortunately again, instruction in grammar went out the window years ago in public education. Students today don’t know the difference when their gaffes proclaim them to be ignorant. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if they think a gaffe is a smaller version of a giraffe!

One morning I saw two mistakes that recurred with frequency: using a homophone or a similarly spelled word for the intended word: “Don't your food and drink leek out when you swallow?” The word “leek” is wrong. It should have been “leak”. A leek is a relative to an onion, and the word is a noun, not a verb. The second mistake I saw is in the following sentence: “They both stood very close to each other, no longer trembling, and where becoming good friends.” “Where” should be “were”. Other examples of transposed homophones that I have seen used are “that doesn’t phase me,” which should have been “faze;” misuse of the sister words peek, peak, and pique; and the all-time winners, there, they’re, and their.

Let’s look at peek. It means to look quickly and furtively. “I saw her peek out the window,” and “I took a peek out the glass” are both appropriate. Peak has three meanings: 1 a pointed end or top, as of a cap, roof, etc. 2 a) the summit of a hill or mountain ending in a point, b) a mountain with such a summit. 3 the highest or utmost point of anything—also a verb meaning to come or bring to a peak. This word is not to be confused with “peaked,” pronounced pe’ kid, which is thin and drawn, as from illness. Pique, pronounced peek, means resentment at being slighted. Watch out for pique’, which is a two-syllable word (accent on the last) meaning a cotton fabric with ribbed or corded wales. Ah, the English language is so rich!

There is no substitution for the word “there”. It can be used as in the previous sentence, or to denote something at a distance—“over there”. “They’re” is a contraction of “they are”. “Their” means ownership or possession in a plural sense. My boat or their boat, it is the same boat.

Now, I am asked frequently when to capitalize family names, such as Dad, Mom, etc. When used as a direct address, “Dad, I want to show you this rock,” it is capitalized. When I say, “My dad is 75 years old,” lower case is used.

One of my pet peeves is found today in grocery stores, believe it or not: potatoe’s and rose’s, or roses’ can be found equally frequently on signs. There should be no apostrophe in those words! On the other hand, it is a pity that “it’s” and “its” are switched so often. It’s is always a contraction meaning “it is”. “Its” connotes possession; just like “hers” or “his,” it has no apostrophe.

Grammar isn’t as hard as it seems. You just need to study it and learn the basics. When it doubt, go to my friend Delsa's favorite book, a big dictionary.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...