Author Interview with LINDA WEAVER CLARKE

Linda is a writer who tours the United States, teaching people the importance of Family Legacy, encouraging others to turn their family history and autobiography into a variety of interesting stories. She has written 5 books in the series, A Family Saga in Bear Lake Valley."

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Tell us about your grandmother – your inspiration.

Yes, Sarah Eckersley Robinson was my inspiration for this new novel, David and the Bear Lake Monster. After writing her biography, I felt so close to her that I decided to borrow her experiences and give them to my fictional character. Since my stories are historical fiction, I thought it would be fitting. I also named my character Sarah, after my great grandmother. What made her so interesting and different from other women? Sarah had a disability that made her a strong and courageous woman. She became deaf at the age of one but she never let her deafness stop her from developing her talents.

Sarah was known as one of the most graceful dancers in town. She never sat on the sidelines at dances because of her natural ability. She was known for gliding across the floor with ease, with just a touch of her partner’s hand. Sarah had such agility and gracefulness, not only on the dance floor, but also while swimming and diving. People would actually throw coins in the water so they could watch her dive after them. They would applaud, letting her know how much they enjoyed watching her, and then throw another coin in the water.

An intruder actually hid in her bedroom under her bed, thinking he could take advantage of her since she was deaf. He must have thought she was an easy victim but was sadly mistaken. She swatted him out from under her bed with a broom, and all the way out of the house, and down the street for a couple blocks, whacking him as she ran. She was a beautiful and spunky woman!

In my research about the “hearing impaired,” and talking to a dear friend who became deaf in her youth, I became educated about the struggles they have to bear. It was a surprise to find out that some struggle with self-esteem and the fear of darkness. I didn’t realize that concentrating on reading lips for long periods of time could be such a strain, resulting in a splitting headache. After all my research, I found that I had even more respect for my great grandmother and her disability. What a courageous woman!


You wrote short stories and novels for years before submitting them for publication. What held you back from submitting and what motivated the change?

I didn't submit my short stories because they were the stories of my ancestors. Their stories were powerful but yet very personal. After writing their biographies, I couldn't stop writing so I turned to historical fiction. After writing six novels, I finally got the courage to send them in. What stopped me from doing it sooner was self confidence. I didn't know if my novels were good enough to be published. Then it dawned on me. These stories were good and I needed to believe in myself. I took a deep breath and then took a step forward. I was going to do it and I would not let rejections get me down. After about a year, I found a publisher who was interested in my work and I signed a contract for my first book and all the books following. I thought that a year was a long time but found out that Dr. Seuss was refused over and over again. Louis LaMour, a great legend in his own right, was rejected again and again. So I felt real lucky that someone believed in me.
     

What is your favorite thing to read? Do you think your partiality to this type of material affects what you like to write – and why/why not?

I love to read stories that have adventure, American history, and some romance intermingled. I love historical fiction. Yes, it really affects what I write.
     

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer?

The biggest challenge is promoting my books. I didn't realize how much an author has to do to get his or her books recognized. I thought the publisher would do all that but found out differently. My publisher told me that I needed to get out in the public's eye and give talks, to let people know who I am. So I decided to teach people how to write their family stories. It was what got me started writing in the first place, so what better thing to do than help others to get started, also. I fly all over the U.S. teaching at libraries. Each library sponsors my Family Legacy Workshop and it's free to the public.
     

What is the title of your most recently published book? Briefly tell us what it’s about and let us know where we can buy it.

David and the Bear Lake Monster: A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho is my fourth book in the series. Although a person doesn't have to read the first three to understand what is happening because each book has it's own plot and story line. Here's the synopsis:

Deep-rooted legends, long family traditions, and a few mysterious events! David quickly becomes one with the town and its folk and wonders why they believe in this Bear Lake Monster. It just has to be a myth. While visiting the Roberts family, he finds himself entranced with one very special lady and ends up defending her honor several times. Sarah isn’t like the average woman. This beautiful and dainty lady has a disability that no one seems to notice. He finds out that Sarah has gone through more trials than the average person. She teaches him the importance of not dwelling on the past and how to love life. After a few teases, tricks, and mischievous deeds, David begins to overcome his troubles, but will it be too late? Will he lose the one woman he adores? And how about the Bear Lake Monster? Does it really exist?

You may read an excerpt from each of my books on my website. My books are available on Amazon, book stores who order from Baker and Taylor, or from my website at www.lindaweaverclarke.com.


What are you working on now and when/where do you expect it to be available?

I just finished Elena, Woman of Courage: A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho. It's the fifth and last book in the series. It should be available soon. While researching this last book, I absolutely fell in love with the 1920s language. This new generation spoke a language that their parents didn’t understand. They said words like: Cat’s pajamas! Ah, horsefeathers! Attaboy! Baloney! You slay me! When referring to a woman, they used doll, tomato, and bearcat. When a person was in love, they were goofy. If a person was a fool, they were a sap. And when a woman wasn’t in the mood for romance, she would say, “The bank’s closed.” I used this new language in my book and had so much fun with it.

Here's the synopsis of the book: When Elena settles into a strict conservative town as the newest doctor, a slew of problems begin to arise. The town is not ready for a female doctor, let alone one so strong and independent. Elena Yeates, the town’s newest doctor, must struggle to prove herself in this western town, while keeping her composure, poise, and femininity. As she fights to prove herself, the town’s most eligible bachelor finds it a challenge to see if he can win her heart. With the 1920’s rise of women’s rights, this novel gives you great insight at the struggles women had to go through, all the while watching a young love blossom!


Writers, especially new writers, are always looking for tips and helpful information. What is the single most important “tip” you can give to a new writer?

Emotion is the secret of holding a reader, the difference between a slow or dynamic recounting of a story. When you feel the emotion inside, so will your readers. By giving descriptions of emotion, it helps the reader feel part of the story as if he were actually there himself. Emotions of a character can help us feel satisfied because we can feel what the character feels.

When emotion and feelings are left out of a story, we can feel let down. Emotion is part of our lives, so why ignore such an important element in a story? But remember: Show, don’t tell.

Whether writing your family history or a fictional novel, emotions bring a story to life. When you describe the effects of intense emotion, it helps the reader feel as if he were a part of the story, as if he were actually there himself. It can be difficult, however, for an author to know exactly how the character felt unless he or she had been in a similar situation, and that’s where research comes in. After researching stories about people who have been faced with a similar situation, the author can describe the emotions and feelings of a character easier and thereby make the reader feel as if he were experiencing the event himself. Remember, emotions are part of life and can be an essential part of your story.


What writers organizations claim you as a member? How has membership helped you develop as a writer – or not?

Would you believe that I'm too busy to be active in a writers group? I would recommend it for beginners, though, but my schedule is so tight. I didn't realize that being an author would keep me so busy. I actually thought I could sit at my desk and begin a new story while my publisher did all the work. Not so! You can check my schedule on my website and click on Upcoming Events and see what I mean.


Do you have any upcoming book signings or appearances? If so, give us all the details.

I'll be in northern California for a week in October.


Here’s your opportunity to tell us anything else you care to share.

To those who are interested in writing their own “Family Legacy,” I wouldn’t put it off. The importance of family history can never be over emphasized. I believe we are the people we are because of our ancestors. Who are they and what were their traditions? Did they fight for a cause and what was it about? Each of us has a story from our ancestors or even our very own story to tell. If these stories are unwritten, then how are our children going to know of their parentage? It’s up to us to write these experiences down. We must record and share these stories with our children.

There are just a few things to remember. First, collect your thoughts; write down any experiences that you remember. Then talk to family members and discuss memories. You can make several short stories, making the history into segments. Or you can write the whole history as a continuous flow. Your children will want to know their heritage, what their ancestors stood for. Make your Family Legacy something your children will remember, something they will be proud of. You may read some of my short stories on my website to give you an idea of what you can do with your family stories.


What are the addresses of your website(s) and blog(s):
My website: www.lindaweaverclarke.com
My Blog: http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com

10 Solutions to Top 10 Reasons Your Book Was Rejected - Article by Robert W. Walker

As both a writing professor and an editor with my Knife Services, I see all manner of writing from the best and greatest writing to the worst and most unfortunate. When an autopsy for your story or book is necessary, it may require a scalpel. In fact, a Stryker saw may be needed to cut it to the bone. When I speak to other writers and editors, what I hear again and again about a book’s rejection is that it failed in one or more of the Ten Deadly Sins of writing and here they are:

10. No sense of play/fun comes through on the page. The author is not passionate over his/her story to the degree that it shines through. Solution—rewrite with a smile.

9. No sense of specific audience the author is writing to excite. It is difficult to determine the genre and thus, the audience. Solution—rewrite with a cold eye as to what category your story falls into.

8. No sense of forward-moving plot/action in the story. Solution—work with the word compelling tattooed on your brain or taped over your computer along with a list of and how all five senses can be placed in a scene.

7. Pronoun references are weak; pronouns proliferating to exclusion of naming people, places, and things. There are many errors that involve pronouns. Solution—name names and repeat names of people, places, and things. Triangulate the character’s five senses and sometimes his/her sixth sense into each scene.

6. Cluttered sentences; overblown sentences and paragraphs. A given character or characters are blowhards—going on in paragraph-length dialogue segments. Solution—break into lengthy dialogue segments with “action” lines or “interruptions” from other characters.

5. Action stops cold with description of a person, place, or thing. Writing does not involve action in the descriptive segments. Solution—strive to sift everything through the mind and five senses of your characters, especially your main characters.

4. Passive Voice takes over throughout the story; Active Voice is dead or nonexistent. Helping, linking, and the verb to be proliferate. Twelve wases appear in a single paragraph. Solution—wrestle the verb to be and helping verbs to the mat and replace them with active verbs; takes work but can be done.

3. Sentences are filled with qualifiers—words that qualify otherwise strong nouns and verbs. Sentences are riddled with qualifying remarks that undercut otherwise strong sentences. Solution—when in doubt, strike it out; when a word like very or maybe or sometimes does not generate power or allow the power to fall on the subject noun or verb, then excise this qualifier.

2. Dialogue is wooden; dialogue is perfect English but imperfect pitch. Too formal dialogue reads like bad lines for the Native American character in a western. Dutifully study how people speak, and have all your characters talk differently from one another, each with his own cadence and ticks.

1. Failure to wring drama and conflict out of situations and characters. Solution—no guts, no glory; no conflict, no story. A story is a war (or should be), and a story without a war is a snippet. Each chapter should set up obstacles to one’s character. Character plus conflict equals drama.

In addition--do not stop your ACTION to describe a person, place, or thing. Place the thing, the setting, the other character into the perceptions of your main character. It is of little interest that “authorities” suspect the victim is already dead, but it is of huge interest to the reader that “Marcus” or “Katrina” suspects this.

I hope these comments are of use and helpful to you in rewriting and finishing your novel or story. To locate direct help from me and my Knife Services, write me at inkwalk@sbcglobal.net.

Rob Walker
http://www.robertwalkerbooks.com/

Author Interview with W.S. GAGER

W.S. Gager has lived in West Michigan for most of her life except for stints early in her career as a newspaper reporter and editor. Now she enjoys creating villains instead of crossing police lines to get the story. She teaches English at a local college and is a soccer chauffeur for her children. During her driving time she spins webs of intrigue for Mitch Malone's next crime-solving adventure.

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Who is the one person who most encouraged or influenced you to be a writer—and why?

Narrowing it down to one person is tough. I would have to say my mother. She never let the fact that she hadn’t done something before stop her. While she didn’t write a whole lot, mostly Bible studies as I was growing up, she always went into everything with a positive attitude. Can’t was never in her vocabulary. She was never afraid to try anything and jumped in with both feet. I never knew there was another way until much later in life. She always told me to do what you like to do. My writing has always been like that. Something I did because I enjoyed it. If it hadn’t been for her attitude about just going after your dream, I would have given up before finding a publisher. When I get frustrated, I just think back to the crazy things she volunteered to do and how they always came together at the end. Some of those bizarre experiences will befall characters in my books.


How long have you been writing? In what genres do you write?

I have been writing since before the eighth grade. I don’t remember much before that. In eighth grade I was named editor of the class newspaper. I worked as a reporter and editor for newspapers for a decade then did some marketing, speech and public relations writing for a while. I have been seriously working on getting a novel done and published for more than three years. When I started my first novel, I thought I would be a romance writer because that is what I read all the time. A friend at a writing group read my manuscript and convinced me I should write mysteries because that is what took over my first romance. I chalked that manuscript up to a learning experience. Following her advice, I started a mystery and have had much better luck. That book just came out in June and is called A Case of Infatuation. It is an amateur sleuth mystery.


Early in your career you worked as a newspaper reporter and editor. What made you switch to mystery novels?

I loved working for newspapers. You never knew what you would be doing and no two days were a like. The only bad thing was it was long hours and a lot of nights and weekends. It was great for a while but then I started a family and running out to crime scenes and chasing stories wasn’t conducive for child care. I tried some 9 to 5 jobs for a while but they were a lot of work and left me exhausted and didn’t allow me much creativity. I had some down-time after surgery and started writing. I knew this time I couldn’t let it go. I reassessed my job and life and rearranged it to fit in writing. I’m a much happier person when I am writing. Now I get the best of both worlds. I can live vicariously the life of a newspaper reporter through Mitch Malone’s antics in the pages of my book but without getting up in the middle of the night to cover crime.


What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer?

Trying to get published. You work really hard to get your manuscript the best you can get it and then you send it out and all you get is a form letter that says, thanks but no thanks. It can really drag you down. The thing is: you have to believe in yourself and keep submitting. That is where writing groups can really keep you going and give you positive and negative feedback to improve.


What is the title of your most recently published book? Briefly tell us what it’s about and let us know where we can buy it.

My book is called A Case of Infatuation. It is about loner Mitch Malone, a crime beat reporter who thinks he is the man of mystery working as an objective observer until he tries to impress a pretty intern who captures his interest. Mitch finds himself accused of murder, saddled with a pint-sized witness and his “infatuation” woman. It is a bit overwhelming for him and he is on a vengeance to solve the crime and get his simple life back. He has run-ins with cranky contractors, angry terrorists, and the quest for the perfect hamburger. A Case of Infatuation is available at www.BarnesandNoble.com, www.Amazon.com, and www.OakTreeBooks.com.


What are you working on now and when/where do you expect it to be available?

I am working on the next in the Mitch Malone Mystery Series with a working title of A Case of Identification. It is another opportunity for Mitch to walk away after completing a simple story, but he can’t do it. He finds himself hiding from his new editor, chasing a story that takes a turn into alternative lifestyles of the rich and famous, and helping a damsel in distress, Mitch’s biggest weakness. It will be available in spring 2010 from Oak Tree Press.


Writers, especially new writers, are always looking for tips and helpful information. What is the single most important “tip” you can give to a new writer?

The best tip I can give is when you have written yourself into a corner and feel like you have writer’s block, I always think about what is the worst thing that can happen. (I wish this was my idea but came from another writer at a mini writer’s conference but it works!) Then send your story in that direction and you will soon find yourself back on track with the creative juices flowing. The great thing about this is that your characters really show their true colors when forced to react to their worst nightmare.


What writers organizations claim you as a member? How has membership helped your career?

Membership has definitely helped my career. The networking, support, and writing help will really make your writing pop and help you get your prose in front of publishers. I am a member of Romance Writers of America, Grand Rapids Area Writers Group, Public Safety Writers Association and a couple of small critic groups in my home town. I would encourage anyone who is serious about getting their book published to find a writing group. If you have a question, someone else has an answer or knows where to find it. They can be a great time saver and networking to get your name out there.


Do you have any upcoming book signings or appearances? If so, give us all the details.

I will be at Barnes and Noble on 28th Street in Grand Rapids, MI on Nov. 17 from 6-8 p.m. and at Robbins Booklist in Greenville, MI, on Oct. 3, from 11 a.m. 2 pm. Come see me …


Here’s your opportunity to tell us anything else you care to share.

I really enjoy making a mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat and keeps you guessing until the end. Give A Case of Infatuation a read and see if you can beat Mitch Malone to solve the crime. Then let me know what you think, shoot an email to wsgager@yahoo.com


What are the addresses of your website(s) and blog(s):
http://www.wsgager.com

Author Interview with DRUE ALLEN

Drue Allen is a freelance writer and the author of a romance that, according to Jordan Dane, bestselling author of The Wrong Side of Dead, "...delivers a frightening scenario of bio-terrorism in one sexy read..." It also has a terrific opening paragraph.

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Who is the one person who most encouraged or influenced you to be a writer—and why?

My parents have always been extremely encouraging. Also, my grandmother published home economics textbooks in the 1950s that were used across the United States and translated into many different languages. I can remember sitting as a child, with those books in my lap—my fingers tracing the Chinese letters, and thinking about those words being her words. I was awed by that and wanted to grow up to be just like her.


What do you like best about writing romance?

I like the joy of it—the hope. Many of us have difficult jobs, tough family situations, health issues. Life is just plain hard. I write romantic thrillers, which might seem like an odd way to escape from a hard reality, but my stories always swirl around a man and woman who must learn to trust and depend on each other. I totally dig that about romance.


How many books did you write before becoming published? Tell us about some of the trials and triumphs?

Ack! More than I thought I would. I THOUGHT my first story would be published because it was so damn good—ha ha ha. The Cost of Love was my fifth completed manuscript. You know, there was a day where I decided I should take up bowling or some more useful hobby. Working 10 hours a day, then writing another 4 makes you question yourself at times. I began writing freelance in 1999, the novel bug hit in 2003, and I received my first contest win in 2004 (Abilene Writers Guild—final judge was Tess Gerritsen, and no—I did not realize what an honor that was at the time). By the fall of 2006, I was so discouraged that I hadn’t sold, I was ready to quit. I was in a horrible job, and I was winning RWA chapter contests right and left, but no contract offers and no agent offers.

Then in the winter of 2006 I decided to take a trip to Florida to accept the Golden Palm award for first place in the romantic suspense category. That sweet group of folks rekindled the fire in me to keep writing. More importantly, they helped me believe that my dream of becoming a published writer was possible. I went home and finished the book I was working on—The Cost of Love. I was offered a contract with my current agent 2 years later and a contract for The Cost of Love six months after that.


What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer?

Undoubtedly, time. It’s so hard to balance a full time job, writing, and the REST of my life. That last category is very important to me, but there’s a temptation to neglect it—I don’t want to be that person who has twenty bestsellers on the shelf but no family around. There are a lot of things I enjoy in addition to writing—like hiking, kayaking, fishing, gardening, dancing…the list goes on. And those things I enjoy really do make my writing richer. So while there’s a temptation for me to tape my fingers to the keyboard and refuse to budge, I have to force myself to back away at times. Balance is the key to much happiness, and ultimately—I believe—success.


Tell us about The Cost of Love, when it was released, and where we can buy it.

The Cost of Love is a wonderful, sexy thriller set in the dusty town of Roswell, New Mexico. I was hiking in the Guadalupe Mountains with some friends, and we decided to drive up to Roswell for a look-see. I was instantly captivated by the area. There’s so much history in Roswell, and so much room for imagination. My characters are accustomed to living with the lore, but it also plays a big part in the biological terror that is about to be unleashed—not just on them but on the country at large. I have repeatedly had first readers email me in the middle of this book to say that they will not speak to me again if I’ve “done anything” to either Lucy or Dean. Lucinda Brown and Dean Dreiser are characters who work their way into your heart and stay there after you reach the last page. The Cost of Love will be released by Five Star Press in March and will be available through your local library or at BarnesandNoble.com or Amazon.com


What are you working on now and when/where do you expect it to be available?

I’m currently working on The Edge of Love, a sequel set in the Pacific Northwest. This time the threat is cyber instead of biological, but the terror is no less real—threatening to destroy the electrical grid for the entire western half of the United States. Our main characters are Jazmine Petit and Cole Bishop. The attack begins at Puget Sound and cascades across the country, but the battle will be fought in the remotest area of Olypmic National Park, where roads are few in some places, nonexistent in most and glaciers abound. Where terror waits. The climb to the top of Mount Olympus will take Jazmine and Cole past the brink of their endurance. It will also take them to The Edge of Love.


Writers, especially new writers, are always looking for tips and helpful information. What is the single most important “tip” you can give to a new writer?

Control your time—it’s the only thing you CAN control. No one will send you an award for Spider Solitaire, so just give it up. You want to be a writer, so write. Control your time, and keep the first things first.


What writers organizations claim you as a member? What personal/professional benefits have you received from membership in these organizations?

RWA has been an amazing support to me. I’ve received over thirty chapter awards now, and each time the people have been just lovely with both their congratulations and their feedback. I’d like to add, that one of my harsher critiques from a contest early-on (yes, for The Cost of Love) has become a very good friend…all because I sent a thank you note through the contest coordinator. She’s a best-selling author, and has been a fabulous mentor to me. Also, I’ve been amazed at how kind PAN members have been with their advice and their help.

ITW (International Thriller Writers) has also been wonderful in helping to promote me as a debut writer. They offer a Debut Author’s forum and have helped me to establish connections across genres.

Missouri RWA – I’m proud to be a mentor for Missouri RWA. I think this is a wonderful venture that pairs published authors with pre-pubbed authors, and it’s been a fun learning experience for me.


Do you have any upcoming book signings or appearances? If so, give us all the details.

Since my book debuts in March, I am only beginning to set up blog tours, book signings, and interviews. I invite readers to check my blog and webpage for upcoming events.


Here’s your opportunity to tell us anything else you care to share.

When you hear the odds of becoming published, you want to throw in the proverbial dishtowel, but every time I hear those odds it’s like waving a red flag in front of a Texas longhorn. First of all, I’ve taken basic statistics, and I know they can be skewed to mean whatever the statistician is trying to prove. Secondly, don’t mess with my dream. I’ll be practical, and I’ll work hard, but I know it’s possible because others have done it.

Logically, I believe those stats are what they are, because many of the writers submitting do not do their homework. They do not prepare. They do not attend classes, go to conferences, work on their craft, close the solitaire game, join writers groups, read and adhere to submission guidelines and write another manuscript. Each time you do those things, YOUR odds become statistically better—so just keep writing.


What are the addresses of your website(s) and blog(s):
http://drueallen.com/
http://drueallen.blogspot.com/

Author Interview with SUE VIDERS

Author and artist, Sue Viders, has been writing and painting for, as she puts it, "a very long time." She writes mystery fiction and non-fiction with titles such as Heroes and Heroines, Deal a Story, and 10 Steps to Creating Memorable Characters. She recently survived a computer catastrophe, which barely put a dent in her productivity.

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You are a writer and an artist. Tell us how you got started with each of these careers.

I’ve always been an artist. My grandmother was a fine watercolorist and she taught me a lot. I did paintings of flowers for the members of her garden club as I was growing up. With a B.F.A. in fine art and a educational minor from the University of Colorado, I began teaching art in the public schools, first in the grades, then in high school and finally for adults.

Married with five small children under the age of eight, I didn’t get a chance to practice my art professionally until my youngest child entered school. Then my art career took off. After several years of exhibiting with a group of other artists, I realized that although I was a competent artist and a great teacher what I really loved was the marketing of art, going head to head with editors and PR people.

About that time, American Artist Magazine published a small monthly newsletter. Looking through one, I realized there was nothing on marketing art. So I did the only thing I could...I wrote to the editor of the newsletter and suggested a column on marketing. Much to my surprise, they loved the idea. So suddenly, I was a writer with a column and absolutely no idea how to do it!


How long have you been writing?

A very long time... After several years of writing columns, I was approached by a printing company, Color Q, out of Dayton, OH. They wanted an art educational director to help their artists sell more prints. I quickly agreed and for many years held semi-annual marketing seminars in the printing plant that were very successful. I also produced a monthly eight page full color newsletter for the artists.

Of course, if you have enough columns and teach enough classes, you have enough material for a book. Several books on marketing followed along with audio tapes, charts and a variety of materials all geared to help artists sell their creative products. However, after many years of writing non-fiction books, I became tired of telling the truth and researching everything, so all the details were actuate and longed to write some fiction where I could finally lie a bit. Make up stuff and in general have fun. But, as in all dreams, reality is different. My hero sucked. Or so said my critique partners. What a blow to the old ego.

I countered with the question “Aren’t there any other types of heroes beside the alpha character?” This, of course, elicited reactions from all the other writers in the group. After much discussion, we arrived at our sixteen archetypes and so the book, The Complete Writer’s Guide to Heroes and Heroines, Sixteen Master Archetypes, was born. The book was very successful. Most writers have a copy in their library and the book is used in film schools and in writing classes at universities and colleges across the country.

More books followed and recently I turned the archetypes into a card game for writers. Deal a Story has 101 cards and six different color coded sections. All the writer has to do is pick a card from each color group and...suddenly s/he has the makings of a story.

So to answer the main question, I’ve been writing for over 35 years. A very long time.


In what genres do you write?

In the fiction field, I love mysteries and suspense stories with a touch of romance. My current project is a light paranormal cozy, sort of a Miss Marple with super powers. And of course I still write non-fiction.
     

Who is your favorite author and why do you like his/her work?

I don’t have a favorite author. I read all genres and all authors as I read a lot, at least a book a day. I have open books in all the rooms, one on the kitchen table, one in the bathroom, and of course one by my bed.     


What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer?

Finding the right publisher for the right product. For example, when my new card game, Deal a Story, was finally completed, I thought, this won’t be a problem getting it published...after all I already had two books with Random House in New York.

But of course, it was a problem. Bottom line, it took almost a year from the publisher’s acceptance and the signing of the contract until I had the actual game in my hot sweaty hands.


What is the title of your most recently published book? Briefly tell us what it’s about and let us know where we can buy it.

The most recent is 10 Steps to Creating Memorable Characters. It’s a combination text and workbook. Four of us, all in the same critique group, put it together. We came up with the various elements that a writer needs to consider when developing their characters. What is unique about this book is that we came up with three characters--hero, heroine, and villain--and as the reader/writer goes through the factors that are needed to make a memorable character, we use our three characters to illustrate how it is done. The book is available everywhere as is my first book, Heroes and Heroines.
   

Tell us about Deal a Story and how your writing career helped you develop it.

Several years after Heroes and Heroines came out, I started playing around with the idea that putting the archetypes on cards would be a great way to get young adults interesting in writing. Instead of eight heroes, I took the two styles we had developed for each archetype and used them. That gave me 16 heroes and 16 heroines. Next, I added the most used plots. Luckily, I managed to come up with 16 and then threw in 16 genres.

Then I needed villains, and flaws… Finally, I had 96 cards, six groups, and each set was color coded. Then we decided it would look better if we could say we had 101 cards, so I had to come up with five more cards. My husband gave me the idea of adding a wild card like the one they have in a poker game. The five wild cards were the extra “kick in the pants” the writer could use if needed.

Everyone who has used the cards loves them. They are great for “thinking” out of the box, dreaming up new ideas and sub-plots and a great teaching tool. They can be found at http://www.dealastory.com/.


Writers, especially new writers, are always looking for tips and helpful information. What is the single most important “tip” you can give to a new writer?

That’s easy. Write. Write every day. Have a plan for your writing. Mine is that I write early in the morning before the errands and chores of the day overwhelm me and suck the time away from the computer.


What writer’s organizations claim you as a member? How has membership helped you writing career?

The first one I joined, over 10 years ago was the Heart of Denver Chapter of RWA. Then I joined RMFW (Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers) and CAL (Colorado Author’s League). The value of any writing group is the camaraderie, the ability to have someone who can help you with a writing concern.

  
Do you have any upcoming classes on-line? If so, give us all the details.

We have a ton of classes coming up. For a complete list, please go to http://www.writethatnovel.com/

     
Here’s your opportunity to tell us anything else you care to share.

With a close writing friend, Becky Martinez, we are soon to introduce our monthly newsletter, which is in the form of a Q and A format. Writers send in their questions and we will try to answer them. Since we teach mainly classes on plotting and character development the questions should be related to these two areas. If you would like to join the newsletter group, please send your name, email address to sueviders@comcast.net . We also are about to come out with a new product, The Plotting Chart, which is based on our popular class, the Plotting Wheel. We also are working on a plotting booklet.


What are the addresses of your website(s):
http://www.sueviders.com/
http://www.writethatnovel.com/