Rereading Jane Eyre

Stream Of Consciousness Saturday #SoCS: Vary your ‘Very’

This post is written in response to Linda G. Hill’s prompt on Stream of Consciousness Saturday. Today’s theme is “vary/very.” Anyone can join in! Enjoy posting and/or Reading other posts here!

Vary Your ‘Very’ (Or Better Still Just Delete It!)

This is something I’ve written about before, but it’s a subject that gets me all worked up, so I’ll talk about it again.

I hate the word ‘very’.

‘But why?’ You may ask. ‘Very’ is a nice little word. It could be, if it appeared every now and again, but it becomes a crutch, or even worse, an annoying habit.

I hate coming up with ‘very’ continuously when I’m reading, and believe me, it usually is continuous. Writers either use it too much, or don’t use it.

The only words I hate more than very are ‘a bit’. The three make me cringe, painfully.

Fortunately, there are two solutions to the ‘very’ issue:

Leave them out. Just scan your document for them and delete. Easy. Read your text again. See, I told you, there’s no difference, is there? Wrong. There is a difference, you’ve improved your text, immensely!

Second option. Vary your ‘very’. Think of alternatives. Be creative. Change the words for another stronger adjective or a superlative, make the adjective into an adverb, use a complete clause, or metaphor, or even a simile, anything will be better than ‘very’.

Some examples for improving ‘very’:

‘very beautiful’ : stunning?

‘very silly’: idiotic? The silliest person I’ve ever met?

‘very far’: a long distance / too far to walk / from here to Land’s End?

‘very tired’: exhausted? Worn out? As if I had walked to Rome?

‘very slow’: slowly?

‘very cross’: furious? Mad enough to kill him?

Very clever: ingenious? Intelligent? Brilliant?

I said I hated every ‘very’, but there are two which are on the top of my list of detestable expressions.

The worst are ‘very good’ and ‘very bad’.

Let’s face it, your character is either bad, or wicked, or evil, or even a monster, but ‘very bad’, that’s so weak, it makes me want to cuddle him.

‘Very good’ irritates me no end. What do you mean ‘very good’? If it’s food, is it delicious? If it’s a job well done, is it excellent? Is it great? If it’s a character, is he adorable? Perhaps to die for?

I say ‘very good, one more time’, or ‘very good, try again’, to encourage my students when they do something badly! That’s absolutely true, all teachers know it’s true.

Come on, teachers never say ‘very bad’, do they? But when they say ‘very good’, it’s never enough. I’m almost certain that ‘very good’ isn’t anywhere near good for most people. If it really is good, use another word, don’t put ‘very’, or you’ll ruin it!

I feel mentally drained after this rant. I need to go for a run and let some steam off. I’ve written ‘very’ so many times, I couldn’t even try to get any work done, because I feel ‘very silly’.

Remember, don’t have a ‘very good’ weekend, have a wonderful weekend!

****

PS If I haven’t convinced you, perhaps Mark Twain will:

Substitute ‘damn’ every time you’re inclined to write ‘very;’ your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should b

This is a wonderful chart I’ve used in class.

PS I forgot to say that the only time ‘very’ would be acceptable is if it’s used in a dialogue, but be warned, I’m going to be very suspicious of the character’s intellect!

Letter V The April A to Z Blogging Challenge #AtoZChallenge

April Author Spotlight 2015

Letter ‘V’ is for ‘Vampire Novels’ and Erica Stevens, author of The Captive Series.

Why do I recommend The Captive Series?

I remember being terrified yet addicted to the tandem Christopher Lee, ‘The Vampire’, and his frequent pursuer, Peter Cushing, in the notorious ‘Hammer’ Dracula films I watched avidly in the 1970s, such as The Brides of Dracula, Dracula: Prince of Darkness, Dracula Has Risen from the Grave, Taste the Blood of Dracula, Scars of Dracula, Dracula AD 1972, The Satanic Rites of Dracula, and The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires, etc.

I thought I had outgrown vampires. I hadn’t read a Vampire novel since I read Dracula as a teenager, and I had no inclination to do so now, in spite of their renewed popularity, until my daughter, teacher and mother of two of my three grandchildren, convinced me to read Captured, the first novel in The Captive Series, which was free at the time, and still is.

This is what happened: in a matter of weeks, I had read the whole series of five books! My daughter was always a book ahead of me, so there was plenty of teasing and debating about what would happen!

I liked the way Erica created a credible future world in which Vampires rule over humans with extreme cruelty and tyranny. I felt empathy from page one with Aria, the free-spirited and brave human blood slave, who is the daughter of the rebel leader. She is captured by the ruling vampires and taken by Braith, a Vampire Prince and heir to the throne (and Byronic hero in disguise!)

All the characters come alive because they have different facets, including flaws and virtues, and they all develop throughout the novel, along with their changing circumstances.

The story is intriguing, original, and well planned and drawn out, including family feuds, secrets, and lots of action. Eventually, no-one was as good or bad as they seemed, and there are plenty of twists and turns, and surprises, to keep me hooked to the end of the series.

I enjoyed the unusual and sweet romance between the young human and the vampire, including a lot of tension, and obstacles to be overcome, but no explicit sex, although there were some violent and gory scenes especially between the violent and bloodthirsty vampires.

I’m not sure if I’ll be reading any more vampire novels, although if there’s yet another sequel to this series, as Erica has promised, I will certainly be reading! However, I’m glad I read this collection, because it is a well-written and enjoyable read. It also reminded me of my (almost) forgotten teenage interest in these supernatural creatures.

What is The Captive Series about, Erica?

The Captive series is a different take on vampires. It’s a dystopian series based in a future where vampires have taken over and rule the world. Some of the humans have helped to keep the vampires in control while others live in the forest and fight against them. Aria is one of the rebels, and when she is caught she finds herself in the hands of the vampire prince, Braith. Neither of them know what to make of the other but a forbidden love slowly begins to grow between them. The vampires in this series aren’t friendly, they’re not all evil, but they are definitely unapologetic of their actions. This series is an interesting, fun ride with many twists and turns throughout it.

What are you working on now?

Right now I’m working on the fourth book in my Vampire Awakenings Series under my other penname, Brenda K. Davies. It’s a more adult content paranormal romance series. Afterwards, I will be returning to The Captive Series to write the seventh book in the series.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I have many many ideas for future books!

How can we know more or contact you?

Captured Links on: Amazon, Apple iBooks, Barnes & Noble, Google Play Books, KOBO, and Smashwords:

Join my Mailing list.

Follow me on Twitter: @ericastevensgcp

My FB page

My Amazon page

****

PD. By the way, in case you think vampires novels are a new trend in literature, have a look here for more information on 19^th century Vampires, such as The Vampyre by John William Polidori (1819), Varney, the Vampyre by James Malcolm Rymer (1845-47), Carmilla by Sheridan le Fanu (1872), The Fate of Madame Cabanel by Eliza Lynn Linton (1880), Dracula by Bram Stoker (1897), and The Blood of the Vampire by Florence Marryat (1897), among others.

I’ll have to write a post on ‘Rereading the Vampire’…

Please take some time to check out some of the other blogs on the A-Z Challenge. There are plenty of interesting and varied topics.

Letter U The April A to Z Blogging Challenge #AtoZChallenge

April Author Spotlight 2015

Letter ‘U’ is for Mark Rubinstein, author of Mad Dog House and Mad Dog Justice.

Why do I recommend Mad Dog House and Mad Dog Justice?

Mad Dog House is a compelling read. It’s a disturbing urban thriller which I read in one sitting. I loved the way the author took me right into the diverse characters’ tormented minds. I was challenged, as they were, to confront the forces of good and evil, and decide how far I would be we are prepared to go to defend and protect my family and lifestyle. What would I have done?

I enjoyed Mad Dog House so much, I couldn’t wait to read the sequel, Mad Dog Justice, which I also read in two sittings, because unfortunately I had other things to do, otherwise I would have finished it in just one day! I would strongly recommend reading both, preferably in the order they were written. They can be read alone, but that would be a great pity.

Mad Dog Justice takes up almost a year after the events narrated in the first book. This time, I was forced to face even more physically dangerous and morally complex situations with the characters. I struggled with them, as they had to give up everything they have in order to recover the privileged and comfortable, middle-class lives they had worked so hard to build for themselves, after managing to leave behind their disadvantaged and traumatic childhoods in Brooklyn.

It’s an exciting read, which is not meant for the faint-hearted! There are plenty of pursuits along the streets of NY, as ruthless killers hunt them down. Once more the climax is surprising and well unraveled, and the conclusion is brilliant.

Mark Rubinstein is an exceptional writer who manages to push the reader into the action-packed stories, including well-written descriptions, vibrant dialogues, illuminating interior monologue, and pulsating action, which make up both of these thrilling novels.

I’m desperately waiting for a third installment…

What is Mad Dog Justice about, Mark?

Mad Dog Justice is a sequel to Mad Dog House. You need not have read the first thriller to love the second. Roddy Dolan, a surgeon, and Danny Burns, an accountant, are in the crosshairs of ruthless hitmen. They think they know why, but aren’t sure. Is it the mafia, the Russian Bratva, or someone else? Any reader will identify with these suburban guys who must decide how to save themselves and protect their families. Anyone who loves suspense and unremitting tension will love Mad Dog Justice, a thriller that rushes at a torrid pace to a stunningly unpredictable conclusion.

What are you working on now?

I’ve just completed a new standalone novel, The Lovers’ Tango (June 2015). It’s a suspense-filled, romantic, legal thriller. Bill Shaw is a best-selling crime writer. His life changed the moment he met the beautiful actress Nora Reyes. Following Nora’s death, he’s in the DA’s sights because of eerie parallels between Nora’s dying and a novel Bill was writing. In a harrowing progression of events, a murder trial ensues. What exactly did happen between Bill and Nora the day she died? The novel blends suspense, tragedy, and romance into a timeless story of love, loss, and the beguiling mystery of memory. It’s a story about lovers locked in a tragic final dance.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I’ve written four novels, two novellas and five non-fiction books. I practiced psychiatry until two years ago, when I began writing fiction on a full-time basis. After graduating from college with a degree in Business Administration, I entered the army, was assigned to a medical unit tending to paratroopers of the 82^nd Airborne Division. I then returned to college, studied the pre-medical courses, was accepted to medical school, and eventually became a psychiatrist specializing in forensic psychiatry.

How can we find out more or contact you?

Links: Mad Dog Justice on Amazon:

My Website

My Twitter page: @mrubinsteinCT

My Facebook page

Please take some time to check out some of the other blogs on the A-Z Challenge. There are plenty of interesting and varied topics.

Three Line Thursday #3lineThursday Week 28 and #WordBookDay 23rd April

Today is World Book Day according to UNESCO, to commemorate the deaths of Shakespeare and Cervantes.

And it’s Thursday, so it’s also Three Line Thursday. Being the efficient blogger, writer, and teacher that I am, I’ve linked both events in this post!

This is the photo prompt for Three Line Thursday. Rules: Three lines, no more than ten words per line.

The Naked Tree

Inspiration is like a naked tree.

Yet her artful pen crafts a budding orchard,

While the reader picks mellow fruit hanging from loaded stems.

****

Writers imagine people, places and events, and build them up into stories, or poems, or flash fiction, or novels, and other types of fiction, while readers reap the fruits. That is why I’ll always prefer reading; it’s easier and more enjoyable.

Writing is hard. I mulled over the 24 words in The Naked Tree for hours, and anyone can read it in seconds; that’s how hard writing is! (I won’t tell you how many hours went into my novel, although I enjoyed almost every minute of it). On the other hand it’s rewarding to know that you can express your feelings, and reach and move people you don’t know and will never even meet.

To celebrate World Book Day, at the Adult Education Centre where I teach English in the south of Spain, we have been carrying out ‘literary breakfasts‘ in our half-hour morning and afternoon breaks all week. Students and teachers talk about and discuss their favourite books, over coffee and biscuits.

We also prepared a Flash Fiction Challenge in English and Spanish (their native language). All the entries were printed on mini cardboard books and displayed along the main corridor, as you can see in this picture.

Prizes, book tokens, were awarded today. This is one of the winning flashes.

It wasn’t easy for them to write a 100-word creative flash with a first sentence prompt, in a foreign language, but they made a great effort (I did promise to make sure it had a positive effect on their marks!).

I’d never used flash fiction in class before, as I teach mainly use of English, which doesn’t include much literary creativity, but I was surprised how much they enjoyed writing, and talking about what they read. I’m definitely going to do it again.

How have you celebrated World Book Day?

Those of you who are teachers, have you used flash fiction in the classroom?

Letter T The April A to Z Blogging Challenge #AtoZChallenge

April Author Spotlight 2015

Letter ‘T’ is for Terry Tyler, author of Kings and Queens

Why do I recommend Kings and Queens?

I loved the unique premise of Kings and Queens. It is an original take on the Tudors by transferring them to contemporary England. It was fun working out who the contemporary characters might have been in Tudor England, and watching how the author adapts them and their circumstances to recent times. Terry has chosen a very clever way of exposing her main character, who is denied a point of view in the novel. Various first person narrators, his wives and his best friend, each with their unique voice, tell us all about Henry Lanchester, so that we get to know Henry through the eyes of those closest to him. Another noteworthy aspect is that it brings the reader face to face with the cyclical nature of life, love, and history. People with power, their behaviour, as well as the way those around them regard them, has not changed for centuries. There are also many humorous moments, and twists and turns, making it an entertaining and enjoyable read. A must for lovers of Tudor England and contemporary family sagas.

What type of reader would enjoy your novel, Terry?

My recent novel Kings and Queens and its sequel, Last Child, have been enjoyed by people (like me!) who are fascinated by the intricacies of human relationships and don’t expect hearts, flowers and happy ever afters; the romantic element in all my books tends to be quite down to earth. Kings and Queens and Last Child will be up your street if you love to get your teeth into a good family saga, especially if you have any interest in Tudor history, as they’re a modern day reflection of the lives of Henry VIII, his wives and children. However!! Non-history lovers can enjoy both books just as contemporary dramas, or if they would like to know more about the history first there is a link to a blog post, in each book, giving a brief account of the relevant period. I’ve been so grateful for and delighted by the reviews I’ve had for each book – now I’m just hoping I can come up with the goods for a third one…!

What are you working on now?

I am currently writing another ‘big business and complicated families’ drama, this time based on the Wars of the Roses. This one is slightly different, though, because it’s only based on historical fact rather than being a modern re-telling; I started to write it in the same way as I had Kings and Queens and Last Child but realised, about 30K words in, that it wasn’t working; the story of the Wars of the Roses is too complicated and there were too many aspects that I couldn’t relate to 21st century living, so I had to grit my teeth and start a complete re-write – never a nice thing to face up to.

The story is not related in any way to the previous two; I never intended to write a series. The other difference is that it’s darker, with a psychic element, and a hint of evil occurrences from quite early on. Oh, and last night I thought of a lovely twist for the end, too!

Question 3. What would you like readers to know about you?

My plan is to move into historical fiction after I’ve finished this book; I have a novel with the preliminary notes written that’s been in my head for about 15 years – I’m a bit scared of all the research needed, though, and I might change my mind if I get another idea for a contemporary novel, but I want to write a post apocalyptic drama, too.

I’d also readers to know that I have a book review blog, on which I review submissions to Rosie Amber’s book review team (I review a couple a month for Rosie) and my own reading choices. I started it because I get so frustrated by the fact that some terrific books receive next to no recognition, then it developed to include the book review team submissions too, though I don’t take in review requests myself.

I have a blog on the UK Arts Directory on which I write articles about self-publishing, here , and a personal blog on which I write about anything that comes into my head! I’m on Twitter and Goodreads. I’m also on Facebook but I don’t use my author page very much.

My Amazon Author Page

Kings and Queens on Amazon.com on Amazon UK

****

Please take some time to check out some of the other blogs on the A-Z Challenge. There are plenty of interesting and varied topics.

One Word Photo Challenge: Rain, And #EarthDay 2015

Although I’ve been following her blog for some time, this is my first time on Jennifer Nichole Wells’ One Word Photo Challenge. When I saw the topic: Rain, two things sprang to my mind, and I had to take part.

Firstly, I remembered I had some wonderful photos, which bring fond memories of a rainy day in London, where I was on holiday over Easter with my children and grandchildren.

This photo was taken from a bus. It was pouring down, and although I’m no expert at taking photos, I often get ‘creative’ 🙂 I love the way the rain sliding down the panes blurs the background, like an impressionist painting.

It makes you think about life in general. Rain can be wet and unpleasant, or it can add another perspective to what you see and do every day. It washes away the ‘dirt’ such as anything that’s been ‘festering’ in your life and give it a new shine or angle, can’t it?

My grandson is wondering what I’m singing about!

Secondly today, 22nd of April is Earth Day, and rain, as an essential ingredient for our planets’ survival came to mind. I live in the south of Spain, and we often have droughts, especially over the summer months, when it might not rain at all from May to September. It sounds like Paradise, but people who live here long for the freshness and cleanliness the rain brings.

It also inspired me to write this 100-word Flash.

Rain

‘Don’t forget to take your umbrella, dear. It’s going to rain.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Says so on my weather App.’

‘It’s not even cloudy.’

‘There you go, you’d never know if it weren’t for modern technology.’

‘My father used to smell the air. He could tell when it was going to rain, and he was always right.’

‘Just like my smart App.’

‘Let’s have a look.’

‘Look, it says rain, very clearly.’

‘Yes, it does, if you’re in London, as we were last week.’

‘I forgot to change my location and the GPS must be off.’

‘There’s technology for you!’

****

We try to control our lives by the clock and with the help of modern technology, and although we know when it’s going to rain, more accurately than ever, we can’t control where and when it’s going to rain.

We’re ‘smart’, but we’re just guests on this planet, the forces of nature are stronger, have preceded us and will no doubt outlive us all.

Thanks Jennifer for the prompt, and organising the challenge.

Would you like to have a look at the other photos or join in? Follow this link.

Letter S The April A to Z Blogging Challenge #AtoZChallenge

April Author Spotlight 2015

Letter ‘S’ is for Olga Nuñez Miret, Spanish Translator and author

Why do I recommend translating your novel into Spanish?

Spanish is spoken by 410 million as a first language and by 90 million speakers as a second language. English has 360 million native speakers and 400 million speakers as a second language. By second language I mean people who speak the language as well as another language fluently. That means that there are almost 1,300 million fluent speakers of English and Spanish. That’s a huge number of people. It’s 300 million speakers more than Mandarin Chinese. (There are also over 600 million speakers of English as a foreign language with varying degrees of competency, but these are not included in the figures I’ve mentioned). It sounds like a good idea to have your book available to a wider audience, but I’ll let Olga tell you all about it, after all, she’s the expert.

Why should authors have their work translated into Spanish, Olga?

Spanish is the second most widely spoken language after Mandarin with 404 million native speakers. Although many might read in other languages, most people who read for pleasure prefer to read in their own language and therefore the potential market for books in Spanish is very large. I also think it adds to the portfolio of an author and also opens up the opportunities to engage with a new group not only of readers but also of writers.

Which books have you translated recently? What are you working on now?

I have recently translated A Journey to Happiness from Spanish to English. This novel is a spiritual journey to Buddhism by bestselling Spanish author Paloma Caral. At the moment I’m editing a thriller translated to Spanish (Estrecho Mortal by Bob McDermott) and I’m also completing the translation of the last novel in my YA trilogy Angelic Business.

Which are the challenges you face when translating a novel?

Sometimes the book might be about subjects I’m not very familiar with and they require a good deal of research (I’ve translated books about the Incas, books looking at the history of the Vatican, and currently the book I’m editing is set in the world of international shipping business, so nautical terms are a must!), sometimes there might be issues of localization (do we want to use local names, are there terms or things that don’t apply or concepts that are unlikely to be understood)… A degree of interpretation of the original is required although luckily I can contact the authors for clarification if I need to. I try to do a quick draft and then re-read the translation and make sure it “sounds” right. Ah, if I spot the odd typo in the original I’ll report back (never enough eyes!).

What would you like readers to know about you?

I’m from Barcelona and have lived in the UK for over 20 years. I love books and have written since I was very young. After studying Medicine and specializing in Psychiatry I could not resist spending more time with books and completed a BA in American Literature and a PhD on the same subject (also writing about films). Once I discovered self-publishing, it seemed natural to me to publish my books both in Spanish and English as I have always written in both and I find translating a great way to get to deeply understand other people’s writing and books. And it’s also a good way to edit my originals. Partly for personal interest and also as a psychiatrist I love interesting and challenging characters.

How can we find out more or contact you?

My website

My Amazon author page

I have a Twitter account: @OlgaNM7

My blog

I also have a Facebook authorpage

My Goodreads author page.

G+

Wattpad

Please take some time to check out some of the other blogs on the A-Z Challenge. There are plenty of interesting and varied topics.

Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge 15th April and #1000Speak Nature or Nurture

This 99-word Flash Fiction was written in response to this week’s prompt: Nurturing a neighborly relationship and also #1000Speak on the topic of Nature or Nurture.

The Adult Education Centre where I work is in a low income neighbourhood with rampant unemployment and social problems. There are many families living in tiny dwellings in ugly blocks of flats trying hard to make ends meet. Social security is often not enough to cover their needs, and those closest to them, their neighbours, frequently decide to help out, as well as, or instead of, their families. The Red Cross, and many other charities and religious and volunteer organisations are also offering some relief. My schools regularly collects food for a food bank in the neighbourhood, which gives it to families in need.

I believe it is in human nature to be compassionate and help others, even though you may be struggling yourself. It’s easy to look the other way, but it’s also easy to ‘chip in’ however you can, and lend a hand to someone who needs it. The events narrated in my flash are not uncommon, in fact it was inspired by an event a colleague of mine told me about which had happened recently, and I know it is not an isolated case, there are many more generous people altruistically helping each other.

Chipping in

‘Where are you taking that roast chicken and the cake you baked?’

‘Down to Dolores.’

‘Stop meddling. It’s none of your business.’

‘But he’s done it again.’

‘He’ll be back.’

‘Not this time. It’s been over two months.’

‘She’ll sort it out.’

‘How? She’s got three children under eight, and she’s unemployed.’

‘She can claim social security.’

‘She has. She gets 400 Euros a month and she has four mouths to feed.’

‘Do you really think we can feed four more people?’

‘Just once every two weeks. It’s our turn today. The neighbours have all decided to chip in.’

****

Have a look at some of this weeks other stories on the Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge

Look at some of the other #1000Speak stories, too by following the blog and twitter hashtag and facebook Page

Letter R The April A to Z Blogging Challenge #AtoZChallenge

April Author Spotlight 2015

Letter ‘R’ is for Jo Robinson, author of African Me & Satellite TV

Why do I recommend African Me & Satellite TV?

Where to begin telling you why I loved African Me & Satellite TV? Perhaps because it’s the only novel which has brought a tear to my eye, or perhaps because Jo has summarised the heart-wrenching story of Africa, or even more of Colonisation, in a beautiful and moving novel.

In the true Postcolonial style, like Lessing or Gordimer, Jo gives a voice to the minor character in her novel, because she knows that real history is not made up of the names of Kings and Queens, but of the names of anonymous, apparently secondary, previously unseen and unheard characters, like Christopher, a seemingly mentally retarded gardener, who acts as a catalyst for the moral awakening of Suzette, and her whole town.

I suffered as I read about the lies, repression, silence, hatred, racism, intolerance, and worst of all indifference, until Suzette realises that when injustice reigns, happiness is impossible because, as she reminds her neighbours, ‘he who allows oppression shares the crime.’ However, realisation and compassion will not come easily, many human and emotional sacrifices are to be made, as black and white South Africans are able to understand and forgive, although Suzette reminds us that, ‘not everything is forgivable.’

This novel is about empowerment, redemption, positive action, and second opportunities. Christopher’s childhood friend, Terry, reminds us that, ‘if we’d all been pacifists we’d probably still be slaves.’ Although the ending is optimistic, the reader is aware that there are many people missing at the funeral, many of them who would prefer the injustice to continue. In fact, the battle for justice has only just begun.

Do not read this book if you’re not prepared to feel torn apart and then stitched back to hopefulness. Do not read this book if you want a light and easy read. Do not read this book if you don’t care about injustice, freedom, discrimination, or cruelty. This book is for people who still have hope in making the world a better place. Do you?

What is African Me & Satellite TV about, Jo?

African Me & Satellite TV is about standing up for what you believe in, and speaking out against injustice. It’s about a woman who has lived in fear of others finding out what she truly believes – especially her own family, because she has some very well hidden but powerful beliefs. She lets life pass her by rather than rocking the boat, the same way that most of us do on one thing or another. We let things go. We look away from the pain of others rather than face the wrath of the majority. Something happens in this story though that leaves Suzette no other path, and she finally finds the courage to do the right thing.

What are you working on now?

Right now I’m working on finishing at least two of the books in my Shadow People series which I plan on publishing at exactly the same time, as well as three non-fiction books. I love to write mainstream fiction as with African Me, but I also write other genres. The Shadow People series probably covers a couple of genres just on its own. As well as aliens including dragons, water dwellers and a race of sentients that resemble giant Earth chickens, it encompasses many things from spirituality to angels, demons, and ancient legends. The multiverse has reached a tipping point where evil must be stopped from being the major force in it if all is not to be lost forever. A small group of people join forces with others, including the mysterious living spaceships – the Vimana, and an equally mysterious group of angelic beings.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I’ve been a writer for much, much longer than I realised. I wrote courses and put together brochures, and translated and typed stories for others for a while. Even as I wrote the first paragraph of African Me & Satellite TV, which was the first fiction I ever wrote, I still believed that to be a writer you had to be taught – go to college and learn it. I was wrong though. Writers just are. From the books that they read, and the fiction that has probably always played out in their head way before they scribbled their first word. As well as writing I also love a bit of art. I’m well aware that I’m not as good at painting and sketching as “proper” artists, but lately having discovered the joy of digital art and photography (also not as good as the “propers”), I’ve discovered a brand new love of cover design. What more could I ask for than books and their covers? I’m probably seen as eccentric by those around me, apart from my feathered horde of two parrots and two weaver birds, who just see me as theirs.

How can we find out more or contact you?

Global link for African Me & Satellite

My Blog

Find me on Google+

Find me on Goodreads

My Twitter

My Amazon Author Page

****

Please take some time to check out some of the other blogs on the A-Z Challenge. There are plenty of interesting and varied topics.

Letter Q The April A to Z Blogging Challenge #AtoZChallenge and Follower 300

Letter ‘Q’ is for the Quest for Followers and my Celebration of Follower Number 300

April Author Spotlight 2015 Karen Long, author of The Safe Word

I started blogging regularly last May, 2014. A few weeks ago, when I realized my number of followers was close to 300, I decided I’d celebrate such a special occasion with a spotlight on the blogger.

Karen Long became my Follower 300, and it so happens that she’s an author, so today the Author Spotlight is for Karen, Author of The Safe Word and The Vault.

As this happened a couple of days ago, it’s the only novel in the A to Z Blogging Challenge I haven’t read yet (although I’ve started and I’ll be writing a review once I finish reading), so I’ll let Karen do all of the talking about her novel.

What is The Safe Word about?

Toronto has become the backdrop to a macabre set of artistic installations: women kidnapped, tortured and horrifically displayed by a killer with a vision.

Only someone capable of understanding the killer’s creative desire will be able to stop the murders and D I Eleanor Raven is uniquely qualified. Driven by a complex personality she pursues only the facts, only the things she can see, but never casts a judgement.

But she also has a dark and dangerous secret – one that will threaten her very survival.

What type of reader would like to read it?

I’d say The Safe Word is considered to be quite dark crime fiction, probably closer in taste to Mo Hayder, Thomas Harris and Jo Nesbo than Agatha Christie. I have a strong but troubled female protagonist, whose tendency to indulge in less than safe sexual practices adds to the conflict surrounding her. I love a good twist and believe that great plotting is the secret to a good read, as are complex and believable characters. The first two novels in The Eleanor Raven series are less ‘who’ and more ‘whydunnit’. Exploring the psychopathic mind is a big part of my writing, though ‘The Cold Room’, which I’m writing at the moment, is all about the ‘who’.

What are you working on now?

I’m balancing writing a screenplay with book three in the Eleanor Raven series, The Cold Room and hoping it’ll be ready for publication in the summer. I also write a weekly blog about my life and my interest in forensic matters. I’m a big fan of authenticity, so if my character has a fight, I go and learn how hard it is and how much it hurts (a lot!). Eleanor Raven uses a Glock .19 and I have to learn how to take one apart, reload and shoot it. It’s all great fun but essential if you want a reader to stay hooked. It really matters that my descriptions of a post mortem are accurate, so not only do I read and study a lot I make sure that I go watch and experience as much as possible.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I was born and raised in the English midlands, educated at Bangor University and taught English and Drama for fifteen years. During my teaching years I studied biology and neurology with the Open University and this interest in medicine, forensics and forensic psychology is reflected in my writing. My husband films all over the world, so a great deal of my time is spent abroad, where I indulge my love of wildlife. I’m a keen amateur naturalist with a deep and abiding love for the crow family and have dedicated time, love and several fingers in an effort to rehabilitate crows, magpies, rooks and ravens. I’m due to take possession of a baby female raccoon in the next three weeks.

How can we know more or contact you?

Amazon UK The Safe Word

Amazon US The Safe Word

Amazon author page

My Facebook

My Blog:

My Website

Find me on Goodreads

****

Please take some time to check out some of the other blogs on the A-Z Challenge. There are plenty of interesting and varied topics.

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this: