Book Review: WIRED KINGDOM by Rick Chesler

When a blue whale tagged with a web-cam designated with stolen defense technology broadcasts a brutal murder at sea as part of a television nature program, Special Agent Tara Shores finds herself navigating an ocean of maniupulation and deceit in a deadly race to reach the 100-ton creature romaing the Pacific before an unknown killer can destroy the digital evidence it carriers.  (book blurb from the paperback by Deviation Books, a division of Variance, LLC)

From the moment this book began, it hooked me.  The complex plot maintained its pacing and suspense, keeping me turning the pages and anxious to discover what would happen next.  And, whatever did happen next was always a surprise and well-motiviated.  Not a single coincidence in this book.  Chesler tied everything together and created sympathetic characters--even the bad guys.

I found myself oddly drawn to the whale, who, although she is central to the story, didn't share a single thought.  She did, however, experience a multitude of challenges and death-defying experiences that left me rooting for her 100% of the way.  In one chapter, I was sure she'd survive.  In the next, I was convinced the bad guys were not only going to kill her, but do so in one or more gruesome ways.  You have to read the book to learn the fate of the magnificent blue whale.

Rick Chesler holds a B.S. in Marine Biology and, while he educates his readers throughout the story, he does so in a way that is not intrusive or technical.  I found myself intrigued by the underwater world he portrayed so well and equally as enthralled by the people and technology who study and live in it.

Wired Kingdom is a must-read.  If I had to rate it on a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give it a 10.

You can visit Rick Chesler at http://rickchesler.com/.

Guest Blogger: MICHAELBRENT COLLINGS

WRITE, DANGITALL!

A Humble Little Post About how to Kiss Your Writer’s Block Goodbye

(And Maybe Punch it in the Crotch on the way out)

I'll always remember it. Late in the spring of ’82 when I was young and the world was spread before me like something that spreads before you when you’re young.

So I walked into the O.R. and said, “Scalpel.” The lady (I think it was probably a nurse, but who can say when everyone’s wearing a mask – it could have been some desperado in a pink outfit) handed me a scalpel. “I’m making the first incision,” I said. Then I started with the bone saw. “Oooh, look,” was my next comment. “It’s his brain.”

I poked it, and laughed HI-lariously when the fellow kicked a nearby bedpan. Another poke and he shouted “Fruity tooty love your booty!”

At this point several armed officers escorted me out of the room. But in spite of the fact that I was in prison for a while (turns out there are rules about doing brain surgery when you are not, in fact, a doctor of any kind), I’ll always have those great memories. The guy I operated on probably won’t, but that’s a risk I was willing to take.

“Wait, wait, WAIT! What the heck does this have to do with being a writer and avoiding writer’s block?” I hear you say.

To which I answer: everything, suckah.

Here’s the big secret about writer’s block: writer’s block usually doesn’t mean a writer has nothing in him or her to write; rather it usually means they do have something to write, but there’s some kind of internal crap filter that keeps them from writing it. As though there’s a part of most writers that insists that every single sentence be an appropriate calling card for the Nobel Prize for Literature. Or at least a Hugo or something.

But that’s just dumb. Not everything you write will be perfect. And it’s not supposed to be perfect. That’s what God invented re-writes for.*

So wait, now you agree I may have a point, but still aren’t getting the whole brain surgery connection. Well, it’s simple, my fine young friend.** The point of the brain surgery example is to illustrate a simple fact about writing: unless you are in charge of correspondence between hostile states, it is very likely that no matter how bad a writer you are, no one will die.

Person who does brain surgery without adequate preparation = bad (and probably dead brain surgery patient). Person who engages in writing without adequate preparation = fine-and-dandy-because-how-the-heck-else-are-you-going-to-get-good-at-it? So the stakes are low and you can write without worrying about killing someone. Takes a load off, don’t it?

And that leads to this question: You want to know how to avoid writer’s block? Answer: Just WRITE. Accept the fact some of what you write will not be fit for wiping Charley Manson’s behind. When you accept that, you can also accept that you’ll be able to go back and fix it later (thus making what you write fit for wiping the hinies of really important folks like the President or Oprah or other people who run the world).

And when you start to write with this attitude, an odd thing happens: you start to get good. You start to get fast. You start to be a writer who knows you can sit down at a moment’s notice and bang out something that resembles a good piece of work.

Example: I recently optioned a screenplay, and was asked to do some rewrites on it. I netted several tens of THOUSANDS of dollars. Total time to write the script: three days. Total time to do the rewrites: two days.

That’s a good earnings ratio.

Or how about this: I wrote a book called Billy: Messenger of Powers (which, BTW, you can get at smashwords.com at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/14118 or at http://www.amazon.com/Billy-Mesenger-of-Powers-ebook/dp/B003K16OMY on amazon.com). The book is pretty good: it’s currently the Highest-Rated book out of many thousands at smashwords.com, and has gotten great reviews from dozeons of folks. All this to say (aside from being a really subtle way of pimping one of my books) is that the book does not stink. It is even possible to call it “good.”

It is over 180,000 words. That’s well over 400 pages in paperback format.

I wrote it – including rewrites – in a month. Because I just let myself write, and let myself enjoy it.

Writing is NOT brain surgery. It is NOT nuclear weapons testing. It is WRITING. It is something that anyone and everyone can do. And along with that fact, it is also something that anyone and everyone WILL get good at.

If they practice.

If they recognize “writer’s block” for what it really is: they’re own insecurity getting in the way of a good first draft.

If they, in a word… write.

So what are you sitting around reading this for? Go write something!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michaelbrent Collings is a lawyer, screenwriter, black-belt martial artist, father, husband, and has a killer backhand on the badminton court. He is, in a word (wait, that's several words!), a guy going through some serious personality issues.

He wrote Billy: Messenger of Powers because his wife was tired of being scared by the stories he was telling her (especially the one about the girl under the bed...) and wanted something more light, more airy, and with fewer dead people. There have been worse reasons to write a story.

In addition to Billy, he’s also written screenplays, several fairy tales, a couple of nonfiction books, and dozens of articles on a variety of subjects. He even has a blog at http://www.whoisbillyjones/mylittlethoughts that lets you delve into the inner creakings of a warped mind.

And if you’re still game for more, you can “friend” him on his Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michaelbrent-Collings/283851837365, which will give you early heads-ups on his writing adventures and also gives you a pity Thought For The Day (“TFTD”) that is worth every penny you pay for it.

Michaelbrent currently resides in Los Angeles, California, with his wife, two kids, and several imaginary friends, all of whom are too cool to invite Michaelbrent to their parties.

* Unless you don’t believe in God, in which case I guess you’re just going to burn in Hell, where you will have writer’s block forever and also will probably have to sit next to me while I smack my chewing gum very loudly.

**You may in fact be a cruddy old coot, but since we’ve never met I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt. Just like you’re going to imagine me with a thick head of hair.





© 2010 by Michaelbrent Collings

All Rights Reserved

Author Interview with NANCY MEANS WRIGHT

When you begin writing, you seldom have an in-depth outline of plot or character. What are the drawbacks of having too much detail in mind when a writer begins a project?

In part, it’s a reaction to all the term papers I had to do in college and grad school! But mostly I don’t outline—other than a general idea of victim, sleuth, and “who dunnit”—because I love the surprise that comes at the end of each scene. What the characters suddenly decide to do: someone jumps out a window, or a new character slams into the room to upset the tea kettle. I believe a writer should stay open and ignorant and allow new ideas and events to emerge and startle.

You clearly don’t believe in writer’s block because you always quit writing just before the end of a scene and then make notes about where/how to resume. Why do you think other writers have writer’s block? Do you have any tips to avoid it?

I can’t say I don’t ever have writer’s block—I broke my arm this spring and that slowed me up! But in general, no. In addition to the post-scene notes, I read over what I wrote in my last session, and that usually sparks new writing. It might be fear that keeps some writers from writing…and if one takes too much time away from work, the fear grows: “Help! I’ve lost my focus…” And the writer retreats to the refrigerator. Well, I confess: this has happened to me now and then. But a second cup of coffee helps, along with the act of writing—any writing, about anything—to restart the engine.

How valuable is a good agent? How harmful is a bad agent? Does a writer really need an agent?

Valuable, yes! I’ve had three good agents—the first found a publisher for my debut (non-mystery) novel—then quit to start an antiquarian bookstore. The second sent a ms around, died, alas—and the ms was lost. Acting as pseudo agent (see my website), my husband sold my first mystery novel to St. Martin’s Press. I “fired” him, found a new agent, who got more money for the next four—she earned her 15%! But now I’m going it alone with Perseverance Press, who gives me superb editing and lavish book promotion. So a writer only needs an agent, it seems, for the large publishers.

Along with other books, you’ve published ten novels—most of them in contemporary settings. What made you decide to write an historical novel?

I’ve always been fascinated by the 18th-century: its idealism, its revolutions calling for liberty and equality. And I discovered Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) who wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, in which she cried out for a woman’s right to divorce, to cultivate her independence, for equal education with boys—in short, for “Justice for one half of humankind!” I was intrigued by her fiery, unconventional life in Ireland, England, and in France where she lived and loved during the excesses of the Reign of Terror. Although her lover abandoned her, and she scandalized society as an unwed mother, she ultimately faced life with zest and good humor. Sadly, she died shortly after giving birth to the future Mary Shelley who wrote Frankenstein. But I knew I had to write about her life—in her persona.

In addition to writing mystery fiction for adults, and non-fiction, you also write YA. Tell us about that market and the books you’ve written.

I’ve published YA short stories in Seventeen and elsewhere, and in three novels. I guess the age group appealed to me because I’d taught young adults for years and had four of my own—all so conflicted and vulnerable! Down The Strings (E.P. Dutton), came about when my teenage daughter invited a few girls to a slumber party and 200 showed up, along with a rock band. Oh, the damage! As punishment, I made her put the event on tape—it became chapter four; I cast her as a puppeteer’s kid, who feels everyone is pulling her strings. She was also in The Pea Soup Poisonings, a novel that won the ’06 Agatha Award for Best Children’s/YA. A sequel, The Great Circus Train Robbery,was an ’08 Agatha finalist, inspired by an engineer who rode into my life along with his model rail cars, one of which rumbles daily under my reading chair.

Tell us about your most recent book.

In Midnight Fires, Mary Wollstonecraft is a rebellious 27-year-old governess for the daughters of the notorious, aristocratic Kingsborough family in Ireland. To Mary, their Mitchelstown Castle is a Bastille, and her employers proud and contentious. Lady K wants Mary to teach embroidery and the pianoforte; she wants to teach them Shakespeare and to think for themselves. Of course there’s a mystery when Lord K’s womanizing half-brother is stabbed, and rebel peasant Liam is charged with the crime—Mary rises to his defense. To me, the real life Mary W., who deplored sham and injustice (she had earlier kidnapped her own sister from an abusive husband), proves a terrific sleuth. Publishers Weekly (to my great joy) calls the novel “captivating.”

What are the addresses of your websites and blogs?

http://www.nancymeanswright.com/
“Becoming Mary Wollstonecraft” on Facebook.
(Or see my publishers’ URL: Daniel & Daniel/Perseverance Press)

BOOK REVIEW: INTELLIGENCE by Susan Hasler

Maddie James and her colleagues are terrorism experts working in a crumbling intelligence agency.  They are certain another big terrorist attack is coming, but in a post 9-11 election year, the Administration is stressing its victories in the war on Terror--and few want to hear the term's warnings.

So begins the press release for Susan Hasler's debut novel.  I have no personal or factual knowledge of what goes on inside our government agencies, but INTELLIGENCE gave me a whole new insight into what just may be going on.  Hasler spent 21 years working for the CIA and she did an excellent job using jargon in a way that actually lent to the story rather than detracting from it.  Her sarcastic and witty sense of humor, along with a depth of compassion, created a cast of memorable characters.

More importantly, her well-laid out plot provided me with much food for thought--even after I finished the book.  I couldn't put INTELLIGENCE down; I read it from cover to cover in one day.  If I had to rate it on a scale of 1 - 10, I'd give it a 9.5.

INTELLIGENCE was released on June 22, 2010 by Thomas Dunne Books, a division of St. Martin's Press.

Interview with MARILYN MEREDITH

You’ve written a variety of fiction and non-fiction and were also a writing teacher. What is the biggest misconception a writer has before being published?

Not realizing how much one must do to promote his or her book. It takes as much time for me to promote as it does to write a book.

Once a writer has published many books, as you have, is it easier to keep coming up with ideas and materials—or harder?

Oh, I always have ideas--it's finding the time to put them into the computer that's the hard part. We just returned from Mayhem in the Midlands, one of my favorite mystery conventions, and now I have a huge stack of writing-related tasks to get done. (And I didn't even mention all the things that must be done to run this busy household.)

Having penned both fiction and non-fiction, which is easier to write? Should writers try their hands at both, or stick to just one?

I truly love writing fiction the best and seldom write any non-fiction anymore, unless I'm doing a ghost-writing project for someone.  Having said that, I think writing non-fiction is best if you really want to make some money at this profession.

Tell us about your most recent books.

I write two series. The latest in the Rocky Bluff crime series is An Axe to Grind. The idea for the story came from a talk by a coroner at a Sisters in Crime meeting. He showed slides and talked about various murders and one was about a decapitation. I took notes and knew that one day the detectives in my series would have to solve that case. While doing so, Detective Milligan has to put planning his wedding to Officer Stacey Wilbur on hold. The Rocky Bluff P.D. series has an ensemble cast and what I've tried to do is show how what happens in the police officers' families affects the job, and what's happening on the job affects the family.

Dispel the Mist grew from research about Big Foot for a previous novel. I learned that the Indians on the reservation that is often in my Deputy Tempe Crabtree series believe in a legendary creature called The Hairy Man. I was fortunate to see the pictographs of the Hairy Man in a rock shelter on the reservation and knew that my heroine had to have an encounter with him.

I met your husband when we were at the EPIC Conference in New Orleans earlier this year; he’s not only nice (and charming!), but also incredibly supportive. How important do you believe it is to a writing to have a support system?

It certainly helps to have a support system and I'm so fortunate that my husband is willing to do so much to help me especially when I'm on the road promoting my books.

What types of things do you do to promote your books?

I attend writers and mystery conferences if I can either be an instructor/speaker or be on a panel. Though I do a few book store signings, I do far more library visits, book and craft fairs. And of course there is the Internet, where I'm on Facebook and Twitter and do blog tours for all of my books.

What are the addresses of your websites and blogs?

My website is http://fictionforyou.com/
My personal blog is http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/
Every Tuesday I blog at http://thestilettogang.blogspot.com/
and the first and third Tuesday's I'm at http://makeminemystery.blogspot.com/

Linda, thank you so much for letting me visit your blog today.