You Know You're A Suspense Writer....

You know you're a suspense writer when.......

You're sitting at the kitchen table happily eating dinner, and you imagine a crazed lunatic with a gun breaking in the back door. And then you debate between two possible reactions:

1. Would you have enough time to scramble into the kitchen to grab the phone to dial 911?

OR

2. Would you have to flip the kitchen table over, hide behind it and hope you could stab the intruder with your fork before he gets a shot off with his gun?

Thank you to Becca (AKA R. L. Syme) for sending me the Booker Award! With it, I get to share with you my Top 5 books of all-time. I don't read as much as other people (or as much as I'd like to), but even still my decision was a diffcult one. I've read so many fabulous books over the years and whittling my list down to 5 was exruciating.

Here are my own Top Five in no particular order.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee- I had to read this for school (like so many other people) and I dreaded reading it. But once I actually started it and studied it, I loved it. The idea of seeing the world through Scout's eyes appealed to me then and appeals to me now. What a fantastic way to approach such difficult topics!

 

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon- This was the book that sealed my fate as a writer. I saw this in the bookstore and was right away drawn to the plaid on the cover. I was in a Scottish phase at the time (or rather, that was early in the phase I'm STILL living in) and the idea of an English woman traveling back in time to clans and kilts and Scottish turmoil intrigued me. I read the story and loved every moment. I went on to read several more stories in the series, but that first one grabbed my heart. It was that story that made me want to be a romance writer. I felt the challenge rise in me to write characters for other people to care about as much as I cared about Jamie and Claire and the others. I've never looked back since.

 

Whisper of Warning by Laura Griffin- I'm a suspense writer first and foremost. I honestly believe (and have been told by editors) most of my full-length stories (NOT my novellas) are more suspense focused than romance. This book, for me, was the exact balance of romance and suspense that I love. Also, I've been a HUGE fan of Laura's work since her first book hit the shelves. I can't tell you exactly why I love this story so much. I honestly don't know. Perhaps it's because the heroine has struggled so much in her life and no matter what she keeps trying. (And I really identify with that.) Maybe it's because the hero is risking his career for this woman and his growing love for her. But of all Laura's stories this is the one that has found a place on my keeper shelf.

 

Final Victim by Stephen J. Cannell- This story was the first one I read by this author. I honestly don't remember a lot about it because I read it about 13 years ago, but I know it's about a serial killer who really freaked me out and the hero and heroine racing against time to catch him. Yes, it's like a lot of other suspense stories, but Mr. Cannell had such a fascinating way to draw the reader in. I was completely hooked by the details and the descriptions as well as the surprises that he kept throwing at me. I should also tell you that Mr. Cannell created MANY of the TV shows I watched growing up and I do credit him and his shows with my love of and my path to writing suspense.

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane- I had to read this during high school. It became one of my favorite stories because at the time, I was fascinated by soldiers and their experiences. Everything I read during high school outside required reading dealt with the Vietnam War and especially the experiences of the soldiers. Reading and working on assignments related to Crane's book only made me more interested in how people react to danger (which in its own way guided me toward my love for suspense).

(Okay, I'm cheating. I'm also going to give you my 2 runner-up stories because I really can't decide which to be my top 5!

Light in Agust by William Faulkner-I honestly don't remember much about it because I don't reread books and I read this back around 1992, but I remember I LOVED it. My mother and I, to this day, talk about how much I loved this book. I have both a paperback copy and a hard cover copy and every once in a while I do consider rereading it.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens- In any format- book, movie, play- I love everything about this story. While the book is good, I think the story itself and the various adaptations are what attract me. If I had to choose my favorite STORY of all time this would be it. I love how crusty Scrooge is and how he changes. I NEVER get tired of this story!)

So there you have my Top 5 books of all time and Two Runner-Up favorite stories of all time so far. What do you think of my choices? If you're so inclined to share your own, please do and let me know so I can read and comment on yours! 

 

 

Good News Alert!!!!

We interrupt this grand Tuesday with a......

GOOD NEWS ALERT!!!

In chatting with my publisher, I got some good news last week! With novella #3, Simple Treasures planned for the holidays, I now have enough written material for us (Decadent Publishing and me) to go to print! I will eventually have a print anthology with my 3 UK Honor Guard stories in it! My OWN book in my OWN hands! It will definitely be a dream come true! I'll be sure to keep you updated on that progress.

And now, back to writing my historical short story.....

Catchin' Up

Hello, hello! I've been scarce the last week or so for no other reason than lots of stuff is going on and I've got nothing much to tell you. But, here we go with some deets:

Last week I attended substitute teacher retraining for 2 different school districts (basically so I can still be a sub this school year).

I applied for a handful of jobs- some by email, some by physically visiting the office.

I interviewed for a teaching job in China. If you're one of my Facebook friends you know the deets. If you're not one of my facebook friends....why aren't you? I didn't get that job, but I learned a lot in the process.

I interviewed for another position that is PERFECT for me. I've been passed up to the next level for a follow-up interview so once that's done I'll share more deets about it. Wish me luck and send some good vibes for me!

I researched on a few more jobs that I realized I don't want.

I heard from my lovely senior editor. She gave me the go-ahead to write my very first historical romance story, which will be a short story. She's also going to look at my 1st short story, the contemporary story Carry Me Home. I'll keep you updated on the yay or nay on that!

I visited one of my brothers who had a birthday.

I'm now taking a Marketing class through Celtic Hearts.

I'm also starting to plot and plan promo activities for when novella #2, Fractured Paradise, is released. Any ideas? Or any ideas on how I can celebrate my UK trilogy since novella #3, Simple Treasures, has also been contracted?

Okay, that's it for me. You're pretty much caught up. I'm off to the grocery story and then I'm back to work on the rough draft of the historical. Yes, such a glamorous life, huh?

Six Sentence Sunday- Fractured Paradise

Good morning and welcome to my next installment of Fractured Paradise! This will be my next release. As soon as I hear the release date you can bet I'll let you know!

In last week's Six Sentence Sunday, I introduced you to Rachel and Aidan, the hero and heroine. Rachel was sitting alone in the pub, but then Aidan came in and sat right next to her. They're already at odds because she's there to clean up her grandmother's abandoned cottage for her grandmother's return and he wants to buy it. At the end of last week's snippet, Aidan called her by her first name and she loved the sound of it falling from his lips. This week's snippet picks up from there. (Trevor is her former boyfriend.) Enjoy!

Her insides melted even as her brain ordered her to ignore the reaction. Good grief, what was wrong with her? Camden equaled enemy. Trevor had wanted her dad’s social circles. Camden wanted the cottage. They weren’t that different.


To read more entries, visit the Six Sentence Sunday website here! And don't forget to leave comments! Authors LOVE comments!

Gettin' To Know Me

I'm interviewed on The Book Boost Blog today! Come visit & learn something new about me!

Melrose Abbey & The Heart Of The Bruce

Today I'm over at the Celtic Hearts Blog sharing info and pictures of Melrose Abbey in Scotland and the heart of Robert the Bruce! Stop by for a few minutes if you have time!