10.29.15 - On Trying To Be All Things To All People

On Friday mornings, when I go to the coffee house with some writer friends to socialize myself, I’m only supposed to be writing blogs. 

But once again, my day got away from me and here I am, with nothing to show for it except a wad of business done.

No fiction words, no worthwhile non-fiction words. Nothing but sheer annoyance at myself for letting this happen — again — and a vague unease that permeates everything I’m doing these days. 

I have a lot on my plate right now. This is not a surprise to anyone who knows me. I usually function well in this construct. The pressure works for me, most of the time. It keeps me focused, and allows me the freedom to do what I long to do most: say No to things.

Saying No is very, very hard for an author.

There is a so much more to writing now than simply writing a book. You must wear a million hats: writer, marketer, bookseller, social networker, publicist, travel agent. I’m not complaining (well, maybe a little) because the hats I wear outside of being a writer are fun for me. I am a small business owner; my business being my writing, and there are things that must happen outside of story to help that business grow and flourish.

In the course of helping my business flourish, I read a lot of marketing and promotion tips. I read this article last week. The headline grabbed me, as it was meant to do: 4 Ways to Market Yourself As A Writer and Author. 

When I decide to read something, my thought process is affected by short, pithy pitches. (Let’s not even talk about the 140 unread articles in my Instapaper.) This particular pitch sounded quick and exciting. I clicked on the link, read the article. There were some excellent ideas in it. Things I’m not doing. Ways I can reach more people. 

I immediately tried to figure out where these new options could fit into my retinue of social media outreach. The train of thought made it all the way to “I could have Amy do . . . ” when I cut myself off with a resounding NO!

Amy is my assistant. She’s extraordinary. She’s helping me with things that take a huge amount of my time — like editing, formatting, and self-publishing my short stories (more news on this next week), handling requests from three publishers, updating my websites, keeping me sane . . . all the awesome things great author assistants do to leave writers more time for writing. 

Amy has a lot on her plate, too. My business schematic is something of a hydra right now, and Lord knows SHE doesn’t need more work. I don’t need more work, either.

But these are great new ways to reach readers . . . 

And it hit me, yet again.

*You can’t do everything, JT. You don’t WANT to do everything. Why in the world would you add in MORE?* 

Because, like all writers I know, I am trying to be all things to all people. 

Do you know why publishers have been encouraging writers to engage in the social media arena? They figured out early on that personality sells books. (Some people call this a "platform.")

That’s why they send authors out on tour — so they can make a personal connection with booksellers and readers. That’s why the author website became so important. Why the Facebook likes and Twitter follows and the Instagram clicks and the Pinterest pins and the Tumblr reblogs became such an integral part of the marketing plan. 

Only one thing: there’s a B.I.G. problem with this approach. 

An author has a single job: write books. Write kick-ass, unputdownable books. But now that the author’s personality is being used to sell books, I’m worried the writing isn’t as important anymore.

It’s readily apparent in the writing world, where a kick-ass Twitter feed can outshine the quality of the work, or finding a cool kid on YouTube channel with a huge following, somehow means that having them write a book is appropriate and worth doing. It’s happening in YA, leaking into the thriller world, and finding it’s way into romance. Sci-Fi is overrun with it. Literary — well, there seems to be a modicum of "FU" going around there — sometimes, the more people think you're a jerk, the better the books do. Not sure I get that one . . . 

For so many years, the story was paramount. The voice, the story, the characters: that was how a reader judged the author’s personality. Visually, at most, you got a photo on a jacket cover to go on, though many didn’t bother, and those that did had photos that were sometimes decades out of date. And those small things used to be more than enough to hook a reader. 

Now, authors are expected to do a lot of their own marketing. We have indie publishing, which uses a huge amount of author personality to drive the success or failure of book. Social media has gone from being a great tool to spread news about your latest novel to a way for readers to decide if they actually like the author as a person. And if they like the author, then they’ll buy the book. This worries me greatly.

As more and more of my time is spent trying to make sure readers like me as a person, fewer and fewer words are being written that will hook them for life.

(Don't worry, I am remedying the word count situation. Never, ever will I take off three months from writing again.)

I don’t know the solution, or that there is a real problem here. I love my social media feeds. I love that I can talk to my readers directly. I've had a great time building this network, and it sure as heck helps me sell books. All I know is I won’t be adding in anything more to how I market my books to readers. And there’s a certain relief in that. 

Am I crazy? Is it just me who sees this happening?

9.17.15 - 7 Minutes With... Chris Goff

Chris Goff has a delicious new thriller out—DARK WATERS—that I think you will love. I sure did! The setting, Israel, completely drew me in; the story clips along; the characters are fascinating, and Raisa Jordan kicks serious ass. It’s a wonderfully crafted book, not a surprise to anyone who’s read Chris in the past; her Birdwatcher mystery series is highly acclaimed. And, she’s from Colorado, which should say more than anything I ever could. I know you’re going to love her.

Welcome, Chris!

_________

Set your music to shuffle and hit play. What’s the first song that comes up?

Tracy Byrd's "Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo"

Now that we’ve set the mood, what are you working on today?

RED SKY, the sequel to my first thriller, DARK WATERS. It's a book set in Ukraine, and with the changing landscape there, I might really need the Cuervo.

What’s your latest book about?

DARK WATERS is a thriller set in Israel. It introduces Raisa Jordan, a Diplomatic Security Service Special Agent. She is the new ARSO in Tel Avi, when a shooting happens in Dizengoff Square, killing a Palestinian with ties to the Palestine Liberation Committee and her predecessor at DSS. She is sent to investigate and to protect a federal judge and his daughter who were caught in the crossfire. During the course of her investigation, she uncovers a plot years in the making—one that leaves millions of lives hanging in the balance.

Where do you write, and what tools do you use?

I have a great little office with an eight-foot picnic table as a desk and a view of the backyard and the tomato plants. I love pens and pencils. I use a fountain pen, lots of markers, a dry erase board, a large foam board for plotting and my trusty PC.

What was your favorite book as a child?

SILVER PENNIES. It's a collection of Modern Poems for Boys and Girls published in 1925 by Blanche Jennings Thompson. My favorite poem was one about a little doormouse who takes refuge under a mushroom during a rainstorm – "and that's how umbrellas first were invented."

What’s your secret talent?

I knit. I love to knit, especially baby sweaters. I think my favorite to date was one I made for my niece, Evelyn. My family name is McKinlay (Scottish) and I took the family tartan, graphed it for a sweater and knit it as a baby shower gift.

What book are you reading now?

CRASH AND BURN by Lisa Gardner

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

It sounds cliché, but I made the decision in third grade after writing a "book" as a school assignment, and my grandmother told me I should be a writer. The book was entitled "The Haunted Mansion," and it was about these kids who discovered a haunted house. They would wait for the witch to go out at night and fly on her broom, and then they would sneak inside and play with her Eye of Newt. That is, until one night when the witch came home early and . . . 

Who is your writing idol? Have you met him/her? If so, did you completely nerd out or keep your cool?

I have a lot of writing idols, and I've been fortunate to meet a lot of them. But the first big name writer I ever met was Mary Higgins Clark. I had read her first suspense novel, Where are the Children, my first year in college and loved it. I remember being really inspired by her personal story, too. Years later, I met her at my first Malice Domestic conference. Of course, I had every intention of playing it cool, but I'll admit it—I went totally fan girl.

What’s your favorite bit of writing advice?

A workshop instructor once said, "Never forget that your villains are the heroes of their own story." It stuck. It helps me keep my villains real. While I may not like what they do, my villains aren't just evil. They have strong motivations for what they do.

What do you do if the words aren’t flowing?

Not writing isn't an option, not when you're on deadline. So, I usually go back a few pages, maybe a chapter, and work through the pages until I'm back into the story and can move forward. Usually if I'm stuck it's because something is wrong with how I'm laying the story out on the pages. If I can just figure that out . . .

Are you creatively satisfied?

Yes. There have been times in the past when I would have said no, but right now I'm writing what I want to write, and I have a publisher who's publishing my books. It doesn't get much better.

What would you like to be remembered for?

Professionally? For telling a great story. Personally? For being a great mom. I have one son and five daughters. I hope I've taught them by example to follow their dreams and to know they can be anything and everything they want to be.

Alright, now for the really important questions:

• Beach or mountains?  Beach, though I've lived in the mountains all my life.
• Coffee or tea? Coffee
• Skydive or bungee jump? Neither. I'm terrified of heights. If you made me pick, skydive. Death would be less immediate.
• Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate
• Winter or summer? Summer, though I love to ski.
• Cake or pie? Cake
• Cats or dogs? Dogs
• Pens or pencils? Pens
• Truth or dare? Dare
• Print or ebook? Print

_________

Chris Goff is an award-winning author of international thrillers and the Birdwatcher's Mystery series. She began her career as a newspaper columnist, and has written for local, regional and national publications. She has edited rock and ice-climbing guides for Chockstone Press, worked in graphic production for a division of The Morehouse Publishing Group, taught writing workshops and served on the board of Mystery Writers of America. She lives in Colorado. DARK WATERS is her first thriller.

You find out more about Chris at ChristineGoff.com.

And here's a little more about DARK WATERS!

Raisa ''Rae'' Jordan, an agent for the United States Diplomatic Security Service, isn't in Israel for more than a day before her predecessor is gunned down in a Tel Aviv square by a sniper. Assigned to investigate the assassination of one of her own, she must also protect Judge Ben Taylor and his teenage daughter. A desperate cadre of terrorists has their sights set on the secretary of state's upcoming visit. But is an attack on the secretary of state just the beginning?

With millions of lives hanging in the balance, Dark Waters, Chris Goff's explosive new thriller, is a series debut that mirrors the headlines around the globe and will have readers frantically turning pages.

And you can pick up a book and meet Chris at these signings:

September 24, 7:00 p.m.
Tattered Cover Bookstore
2526 East Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO

October 8-11
Bouchercon
Raleigh, NC

October 21, 7:00 p.m.
Author's Night at the Douglas County Parker Library
10851 S. Crossroads Dr.
Parker, CO

November 18, 12:00 Noon
Moby Dickens Bookshop Book Club
124A Bent St.
Taos, NM
 

8.14.15 - The (long-overdue) Round-Up of WHAT LIES BEHIND

So WHAT LIES BEHIND has been out since just before Memorial Day, right when spring was on the cusp of becoming summer. Lots of people have said lots of nice things about this book, and in the dual interests of posterity and housekeeping, I've gathered them together in one, convenient place. It's my media scrapbook, of sorts. Forgive the delay on the post, but if you haven't read Sam's latest adventure yet, this should tip you right on over the edge. Happy Friday!

 

 

Reviews

I’m always grateful to get a good review from the fine people at Publisher’s Weekly. 

Bestseller Ellison’s captivating fourth Samantha Owens novel (after 2014’s When Shadows Fall) finds the former Washington, D.C., medical examiner working as a consultant for the FBI. When a woman is found dead and a man near death in a house in Sam’s Georgetown neighborhood, the bloody crime scene suggests that the man stabbed the woman, then himself, in a fit of passion. Sam’s police detective friend, Darren Fletcher, who was recently promoted to homicide lieutenant, consults with Sam on the case. When the U.S. State Department asks them to keep the investigation under wraps, Sam and Fletch become increasingly suspicious that the crime wasn’t a simple murder-suicide. Meanwhile, Sam’s boyfriend, bodyguard Xander Whitfield, takes on the job of protecting James Denon, a wealthy British industrialist, while he’s visiting his business interests in the States. As Sam and Xander’s missions converge, they discover evidence of a serious bioterrorist threat. The cliffhanger conclusion will leave fans of romantic suspense eagerly anticipating the next installment. 

Romantic Times deemed WHAT LIES BEHIND a June Top Pick! 

Ellison just keeps getting better and better! This new addition to her Dr. Samantha Owens series further develops the ensemble of complex characters who play off each other nicely. This would make a fine beach read, except with the fast pace and thrills — the action all takes place in about 24 hours — you might never make it into the water. Minor plot threads and a brief appearance by Taylor Jackson (another Ellison protagonist) hint at more good stories to come.

Loved this quotable quote from Library Journal:

"Verdict: The fourth Samantha Owens novel moves from forensics to international bioterrorism, and the results are breathtaking! Thriller fanatics craving an action-packed novel of intrigue will be abundantly rewarded." 

Idgie over at Dew on the Kudzu has some lovely things to say as well (thank you, Idgie!).  

Samantha has an interesting case on her hands . . .   This novel involves spies, double spies, sociopath spies, mama spies and apparently a slightly slutty spy. Finally, throw some bioterrorism in there and you get really nervous while reading.

Shout-out to the incomparable Margaret Renkl of Chapter 16, and thank you for a stellar review (Speaking of, did you see Margaret's op-ed in last Sunday's New York Times on caregiving? Beautifully written, that). 

Fans of Patricia Cornwell will appreciate Ellison’s brand of high intrigue paired with a medical-examiner slant . . . What Lies Behind is a straightforward and multilayered thriller with a dynamic cast of characters and an intricate web of conspiracy and backstory. Nashville-based Ellison, whose national reputation has been growing for years, is sure to win more new fans and critical acclaim with her latest thriller.

Working Mother Magazine has some kind things to say as well. 

“What Lies Behind has an explosive storyline that is all too realistic. The plot is a compelling mystery with a lot of action and terror.”

MilitaryPress.com. called WHAT LIES BEHIND a "realistic, frightening novel." You know, they'd probably know . . . 

Blackfive.net seemed to dig the plot:

“Because the plot takes place in one harrowing day the action never seems to stop.  It can be seen as a warning for a terrorist threat that seems to have fallen under the radar.”

I so enjoyed chatting with Debbie Haupt, mastermind behind The Reading Frenzy, who was ridiculously kind in her assessment of the novel! 

“Where do I start telling how wonderful this was, do I start by giving it the 6 out of 5 stars it deserves? Do I start by saying what an adrenalin rush this nail biting, page-turning, one-sitting tale is so that by the end readers will need to breathe into a brown paper bad to stop hyperventilating?”

Universal Creativity, Inc. Magazine was so gracious with their comments in the May issue.

A highly thrilling and fact-paced novel that readers will come to love. The suspense hangs high in the air on every page.

 

Guest Posts & Chats

Suite T, Southern Writers Magazine’s blog, invited me over for a guest post! 

And many thanks to Crimespree Magazine for hosting such a fun chat. 

 

Interviews & Features

Amazon featured WHAT LIES BEHIND in crime newsletter and on Kindle Post blog! 

I was honored that Bookpage invited me to be one of their “Meet the Author” segments in June. That was pretty cool. 

A kind literary blogger from Bulgaria, Ognian Georgiev of LandofBooks.com interviewed me too.

Anthony Franze of Suspense Magazine portrays me more charmingly than I deserve. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation on writing, and giving you, gentle readers, a few of my secrets.

I had so much fun with Josie Brown of The Big Thrill. She asked me a delightful mixture of insightful yet fun questions!  

 

Signings

I also had a few signings, where I had the good fortune to meet some of you lovelies. Many thanks to each of these venues for hosting me!

• FoxTale Book Shoppe: Atlanta, GA
• Parnassus Books: Nashville, TN
• Reading Rock Books: Dickson, TN
• Books-A-Million: Nashville, TN
• The Friends of the Decatur Public Library: Decatur, AL
• Publix Highway 100: Nashville, TN

And most of all, thanks to you, gentle reader, for your kind words and support. You mean more to me than you'll ever know! Xoxo

6.29.15 - On Learning From Your Mistakes

Like all writers, I suspect, I need mental space to be happy. I need time with just my laptop and my own stories. I also need time with my "other" voices, the ones who don't exist in my series novels, who clamour to be heard, to come alive on the page. So I schedule writing retreats. Sometimes I stay home, sometimes I go away. I take a break from all my obligations and I let the other voices come out to play. Sometimes these vignettes become short stories. Sometimes they turn in to novels. Sometimes it's not worth pursuing and it goes into the treatments file. One never knows.

Last Tuesday, I set off for one of these retreats. I have very little time left to myself this summer, between traveling and editing the new standalone and starting a new book with Catherine, and I've had this small pocket of uninterrupted writing time planned for a while. 

So you can imagine my dismay when I arrived at the airport (this was a going away retreat) and realized that I'd left my laptop at home. I'd been working earlier in the day, and I plugged it in so it would get a full charge before I got on the plane (because I wasn't finished with my words for the day and was looking forward to the 90 minute flight to write) and I left it on my chair in the living room. Open. Plugged in. Decidedly NOT with me. 

I won't bore you with the self-flagellation that followed. I was upset and frustrated and embarrassed. I am normally tethered to my laptop. It is an extension of me, and leaving for 5 days planning to write sans my greatest tool wasn't the smartest move I could have made. Though as one of my dear friends reminded me, a dose of humility is always good for the soul.

I don't know that the humility helped, but it was a nice reminder.

When I posted this status update on Facebook (what is it with our need to publicly shame ourselves?) I had glib comments, of course I did, which I deserved. Ha ha, there's this crazy thing called pen and paper, etc., But for what I'd been planning to do, which was blow up a book by moving chapters around, pen and paper wouldn't cut it. I needed Scrivener, I needed Dropbox, I needed a reliable wifi connection, I needed my f-ing schedule that I'd planned out.

Deep breaths.

This is why I have Dropbox. I can access my files anywhere. Assuming I have wifi, that is.

Of course, access to wifi on this little island isn't the easiest thing. Though I had a desktop computer to work on, the wireless was turned off for the summer. Hello, touch and go mobile hotspot. 

The first day was awful. I jury-rigged some wifi, burned 90% of the data downloading my Dropbox (finally got smart and realized they have a selective download) then Scrivener needed an update. Which updated 90% then crashed the computer. Had to start over. Five hours later, I finally had everything I needed and managed to get to work. I moved my chapters around, then started writing new stuff. 

Day two was better. I continued moving things around. Wrote 1000 words, then went for a walk. I was still upset with myself, but I'd at least found a way to do what I needed. 

I did work. I didn't accomplish 1/5 of what I'd intended, because I like nothing less than sitting at a desk to write when there is a perfectly good porch swing and a sea breeze to enjoy, but I worked. And in the empty spaces, the places I couldn't take my laptop with me, I recharged my batteries. Walked 3.5 miles a day. Read 4 of 5 endorsement books due. Used my phone to communicate until it just became too much of a bother and I ditched it for some sangria. Ok, maybe a little too much sangria. 

So all's well that ends well, right? 

Sort of. 

I realized a couple of things while I was gone. 

Planning is my “thing.” I love it. I love knowing what I’m doing, day-by-day. As a tool, my calendar takes a very close second place to my laptop. I am an extensive planner. I have to be; with all the projects I have going on, making schedules and planning my time is the only way I meet my deadlines. The only way. I'm not being precious here. I have organizational OCD. Planning gives me a sense of control I’m otherwise missing. 

Which led me to this:

• I am way too dependent on my tools, but I'm not sure what I do about that. I'm a writer who works best on a laptop and likes to plan months/years in advance.
   
• Dropbox is like manna from heaven, but I can't ever leave the house on a trip without my work on a thumb drive (ironically, I do have one that has everything backed up to it daily...in my laptop.) 
   
• Perhaps I am holding on too tightly. To everything. As a consequence, I am calling bullshit on myself. 

The calendar, the writing for three houses and putting out my own work...I've become rigid and inflexible with my calendar, which is simply an extension of myself. If I'm rigid and inflexible, my work will be as well. We can't have that. Where's the fun in being a writer in this scenario?

Remember my war on the word busy? I think I need to start a war on the word inflexible, too. Rolling with it is just not my forte anymore, and I'm not sure when that happened. 

I can't change my nature, not really. I am who I am. I will always feel in control when I know what I have to do, and by when, and plot out my days accordingly. But I can learn to let go of things that I can't control. Leaving my laptop at home was stupid, yes. But the upshot was, I still had my Kindle, and my phone, and my sneakers, and a beach. After two days of really beating myself up, I let it go and took advantage of the situation. I ended up getting things done, getting ahead on my reading responsibilities, and had a little break, too. 

Granted, it wasn't a sanctioned, scheduled break.... (Let it go, JT. Let it go.)

I'm looking forward to getting home because it's time for me to check my annual review goals for the year. This whole Year of No thing might need a major mid-course correction. I'll keep you updated.

In the meantime, I am all ears if you have advice on how to battle this newfound rigidity....

3.19.15 - Mystery Writers of America Cookbook Giveaway

Look what's coming out next week! Recipes from all your favorite mystery writers! I'm telling you, this will become your favorite cookbook. It's gorgeous, illustrated, and has so many cool recipes. A great addition to any kitchen collection. And there's a Goodreads Giveaway going on - link below!

Hard-boiled breakfasts, thrilling entrees, cozy desserts, and more--this illustrated cookbook features more than 100 recipes from legendary mystery authors. Whether you're planning a sinister dinner party or whipping up some comfort food perfect for a day of writing, you'll find plenty to savor in this cunning collection. Full-color photography is featured throughout, along with mischievous sidebars revealing the links between food and foul play. Contributors include Lee Child, Mary Higgins Clark, Harlan Coben, Nelson DeMille, Gillian Flynn, Sue Grafton, Charlaine Harris, James Patterson, Louise Penny, Scott Turow, and many more.

Win a copy of The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook on Goodreads! Enter by April 3rd at http://bit.ly/1Gq7vUq