A day in the life of debut author Dee Willson

  Welcome Dee to Jamie Tremain’s blog on the  launch of

your book  A Keeper’s Truth

                  

                                     

Every one of us has a soul. 
Some are new, some old, and a few, the dangerous, are lost. 
But only twelve know why we have a soul at all.
Only twelve remember mankind’s forbidden past.

Jamie:

These words from your book certainly got my attention. Would you share with us a little about these souls and how they feature in your story?

Dee:

Absolutely. I am fascinated with the idea that almost every practiced religion speaks of human beings having souls. It would seem, should one investigate further, that there are new souls, souls with very little past, and old souls, souls who have experienced many lifetimes. There are myths abound about the soul, where it comes from, how and why it returns, but I am most fascinated by the souls that fall off track, the ones who lose their grip on humanity, their purpose. And I love connecting the dots to fantastical details within mythology and folklore, to ancient history and theories. Whether you believe in the concept (of a soul) or not, it’s certainly something wondrous to ponder, and A Keeper’s Truth will get you thinking.

Jamie:

A Keeper’s Truth was not written overnight. For most or us, writing is a long journey. Can you tell us about your road to publication?

Dee:

I wrote the first draft of A Keeper’s Truth in 10 weeks. Don’t be impressed, it took me over 2 ½ years to edit. Writing is one thing, writing well is another. I had a lot to learn. I still do. Writing is a constant process, a lifetime of trial and error, of studying our craft, of finding our (writing) voice.

After A Keeper’s Truth was edited, I took a year to write my second book, GOT (Gift of Travel). It wasn’t the second installment in the Keeper’s series, but a whole new story, and I needed to write it. I needed to know I could take what I’d learned and apply it to a new body of work. And I needed to prove (to myself) that I could write and edit a book within a year, which I did with GOT. Only then I felt I could return to A Keeper’s Truth and see it with fresh eyes.

Even after I agreed to give A Keeper’s Truth to Driven Press, my publisher, the process took almost two years. A cover needed to be created, editing done, marketing organized. Publishing is not a fast game. That said, it’s well worth the wait. A Keeper’s Truth has been 7 years in the making, but I’m proud of what it’s become.

Jamie:

Giving birth to a novel is daunting for most of us. Will you do anything different for your next book?

Dee:

The first draft of A Keeper’s Truth was written quickly, on a high. The story poured onto the page, and I didn’t take a moment to consider structure, plot, character development, etc. I didn’t even know what these things were at the time. For those in the industry, you’d say this makes me a ‘pantser,’ meaning I write by the seat of my pants.

With GOT, however, I’d learned my lesson. I planned ahead, spent months on character development, scene structure, description, dialogue, plot connections, and research to substantiate the details that bring a novel to life. Before I wrote word one of GOT, I had hundreds of pages of notes and research. I’d become a ‘planner.’

Jamie:

You wear many hats: wife, mother, business woman, and now a published author. When do you find the time to write?   

Dee:

Sometimes I don’t!  I try not to beat myself up over it. The guilt is brutal.

When I’m running my business, there is a part of me screaming to write. My characters can be relentless. And when I’m spending time with my kids, there is a part of me missing, my head in my work-in-progress. The housework falls behind.  We eat whatever can be defrosted.

All I can do is try to stay focused. When I’m writing, I attempt to give it my all. When I’m with my kids, they have my utmost attention. When I’m running my business, my writing laptop is tucked away in another room and social media is turned off.

Of course, in reading this back, I notice I didn’t mention my role as a wife. I guess my husband gets whatever is left.  LOL.  Poor hubby.

Jamie:

The road to publication can be fraught with pitfalls. Query letters, the dreaded synopsis and finding an agent or publisher. What have you learned in your quest to be published that you would avoid the second time around?

Dee:

Hmm… I don’t think I would change anything I’ve done or not done. I’ve learned from each experience. Publishing was never an end-goal for me. It was never a quest. I write because I love to write, because there is no other way I’d rather spend my time. Being published is just icing on the cake.

That said, I wish the agent process made more sense. Agents have become the gatekeepers, filters for editors and publishers. This is fine, I suppose, but the system is lacking. For example, an author is told to target specific agents most interested in their work, but it’s almost impossible to find what an agent wants and likes. The limited information out there tends to be vague, not to mention outdated. 

Jamie:

Have you ever considered co-authoring a book?

Dee:

No, I’m afraid I haven’t. I’m not against the idea, but I’m not sure I’d make a good writing partner. I’m bossy and I spend way too much time in my head. I’m sorry to say, I think a partner would eventually get frustrated with me.

Kudos to you, Pam and Liz, for working so great together!

Jamie:

Book clubs, writing groups and social media play a big part in the life of an author today. What is your take on these activities?

Dee:

In regards to social media, my stance is to tread lightly. Social media is a great way to connect with like minds, but it will not make me a better writer, and it hasn’t proved itself a great sales tool. I adore meeting new and old friends online, but my writing comes first.

As for book clubs and writing groups, they’re wonderful places to share the love of books with others. And the glass of wine and hearty laughter that usually accompanies these things is an added bonus.

Jamie:

We met at the Bloody Words conference about five years ago. Did you ever imagine this day would come, or did you always believe it would happen, someday?

Dee:

Imagine what, that I’d live another five years, that we’d still be friends, or that my book would be published?  LOL.  Let’s see… I’m glad we’re still buddies, it’s nice to see A Keeper’s Truth hit the shelves, and I’m really happy I’m still breathing. LOL

Thanks, Dee, for sharing with Jamie Tremain and our readers. We wish you well with your launch and all your future endeavors.

Thanks for having me!

 
                                
Connect with Dee at the following:

Email: dee@deewillson.com

Website: http://www.deewillson.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeniseWillson

Published by Driven Press: www.drivenpress.net info@drivenpress.net

Check back next month for an insight into how Robin Harlick, author of the Meg Harris series plans her next novel.

Talk again soon,

Slainte,

Jamie

It's all in the Collaboration

It’s been two months between posts and I have no real excuses other than, Christmas shopping, Christmas eating and partying, traveling for New Year and more eating and partying. There is a theme going on here and it’s about to stop. There is only one box of chocolates left in the freezer where I hid them. I do not want them! Really!

When I was not working on the edits of The Silk Shroud I was reading. Collaborating with Liz Lindsay as Jamie Tremain. I am drawn to other authors who do the same. Co- authoring is on the rise and ‘big name’ authors are getting into the act. Writing a novel is a mammoth task and sharing the load makes sense, with a few ground rules.

The books I read during party season were all co-authored.

 Melodie Campbell, an award-winning novelist, and author of ten books, teamed up with Cynthia St-Pierre and created the Fashionation with Mystery Books series published by Imajin Books  
Cynthia is also an award-winning author and marketing professional.

     The first in this series came out in 2012. A Purse To Die For. Anyone who knows me can testify that fashion is of great interest to me and I would rather have a new purse than new shoes. But the book languished on my ‘to be read pile’ until the next in the series was published last year. Killer Necklace. I like necklaces too.

     I am hooked on this series. Great characters and sexy, funny dialogue. Is there another in the works ladies?

"A Killer Necklace does not disappoint...hard to put down..."

Lorna Gray, author of Finding Daylight

Award-winning author Gloria Ferris and debut author Donna Warner  have entered the collaboration stakes with their novella thriller Targeted published by Black Opal Books.  Also available at Amazon.

This thriller has it all. An exciting ride to a beautiful Carribean resort. Blue sea and sky and sizzling sandy beaches, handsome men and those mahitos are to die for. Likable well thought out characters had me zipping along with this tension- filled story. I stayed up until the early morning hours to read the conclusion. Hope to see more of Peidmont and Blair.

  

Two authors I have read over many years are the fabulous Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. 

Both prolific writers having written many books together and alone. I follow the Special Agent A.X.L. ( Aloysius) Pendergast series. Aloysius is a law unto himself.

 

2013

       White Fire is my abosolute favourite.

"The best Pendergast book yet- a collision between past and present that will leave you breathless. " -- Lee Child

2014

"Heart pumping action and an intricate plot that pits a vengeful killer against the most interesting character in fiction". -- Suspense magazine.

2015

 I will get to this one shortly.

With today's technology, collaborators do not have to be in the same room to write let alone be near one another.

Melodie Campbell lives in a different town but the same province as Cynthia St-Pierre. Gloria Ferris and Donna Warner are within spitting distance (well maybe 10-15 km's away) and Liz Lindsay and I are 70 km's apart. Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child don't live in the same State. Douglas divides his time between New Mexico or Maine and Lincoln lives in New Jersey.

For Liz and I, using email, Googe Drive to share documents, and Skype is our method of working together.Once or twice a month for a face to face, with lots of coffee and reinforcements also works. 
You do what works for you.  Liz and I had a great day yesterday and have a handle on the edits going forward. One step closer to see The Silk Shroud in print.We'll keep you posted.

Jamie Tremain's calendar is being filled for author interviews  and guests on the blog for 2016. You can look forward to learning all about Dee Willson's debut book A Keepers Truth.

The rest of the schedule TBD.

Talk soon,
Slainte,
Pam

I'm Sold -

On Cruising That Is

I’ve just returned to winter here in Southern Ontario after a glorious week in the Caribbean, and crossing off the first item on my bucket list – taking a cruise.

Many of you know where I work, and each year, top performers are recognized by earning a cruise. This year, my best friend at work, earned this honour and chose me as her guest! What a fantastic opportunity to try a cruise; all expenses paid!  Technically a business trip, there were mandatory events and learning sessions to attend. Nine hundred top performers, plus their guests, and various executives and support teams ensured we had the entire ship to ourselves.

Celebrity - Constellation (our home for 7 beautiful days)

We set sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Jan 7, stopping first at a beautiful beach in the Dominican Republic. Sun, sand, and activities for a few hours and then a return to the ship anchored in the bay.

Dominican Samana Beach paradise

Our next visit was to St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. I’ve always heard how pretty the island is and the photos I managed don’t do it justice at all! And the shopping – wow! Some day when I’m rich I’ll be back to shop for the fabulous pieces of jewellery on display. Diamonds of every colour conceivable!  My co-worker and I wandered the shops and spent a fantastic day browsing and choosing one or two treasures.

Then it was on to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where we visited the famous Castillo, El Morro.  Lots of walking and mostly uphill, which, for me, was slow going. But we eventually made it. The team of organizers, always wearing red shirts, could be spotted on almost every corner ready to answer questions or point us in the right direction.

Our final stop was in Nassau, but unfortunately only for a few short hours. And the weather was grey and cool. However, we were greeted at the dock by a marching band specifically for our cruise. That was special and the private hotel beach where we attended a business presentation was quite magnificent. I can only imagine how spectacular it would have been with full sun.

Our ship, Celebrity Constellation, provided for every comfort and the service was beyond anything I could have expected. We were fortunate to have a balcony with our stateroom and I spent quite a few hours just gazing out to sea and managing to read two full books!   

One being Targeted by Gloria Ferris and Donna Warner. As their book is set in the Caribbean I thought it appropriate to save it for the trip.  It’s a great read and I do recommend it highly.

Overall it was an experience I’ll never forget. The waters were calm and being gently rocked each night while drifting off to sleep is something I’m already missing. Cruising is definitely the way to go. Next up, for me, would be an Alaskan cruise. We’ll have to see what the future will bring.

Palm trees, sun, sparkling blue water – a perfect combination for a wonderfully relaxing time. Even with work being part of the week, the batteries have definitely been re-charged.

But now back to reality and Pam and I have to get in gear and get our first revision completed and back to the publisher. Enough of this lolli gagging about.

Cruising, for me, gets a two-thumbs up and wistful thoughts about another opportunity. If you haven’t tried it and get the chance, go for it.

Cheers and a belated Happy New Year!

Liz

Three of this year's best...

I feel privileged when asked to review an author’s book and state my opinion on a body of work they may have slaved over for a long time. It’s their baby. I admit I do have a hard time. Mainly because I usually know the author personally or we chat through social media.

I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve and hate to upset anyone by giving a negative review. I know how much time and effort has gone into writing and revising, and revising again until they have the finished product. Good reviews are the life blood of a writer. She/he depends on this vehicle to spread the word that this is a book worth reading…or not. Whether I read for information, a history lesson, solving a mystery, to be transported somewhere, or scared out of my wits with loads of suspense, I still need to be entertained. If a book doesn’t have some of these elements to hold my attention, I won’t finish the book.

In the case of these three books, I read through until the end. Each book had something different to offer. They are all highly recommended.

Shroud of Roses ………. Gloria Ferris

The second Cornwall and Redfern Mystery take us on a humorous journey with Police Chief Neil Redfern and his girlfriend Bliss Moonbeam Cornwall. When a skeleton is found in an old abandoned high school in a student locker Bliss and Chief Neil are on the case. Who is this person and how long has the body been there? Prepare yourself for an enjoyable read and hearty chuckles.

 Rainy Day Women……Kay Kendall

Sex, drugs and rock and roll. It’s the sixties and Kay Kendall has nailed this era in history with her protagonist Austin Starr. As the song goes, Times, they are a changin’. The second book in this series delves into the women’s liberation movement and Austin Starr personifies feminism. Leaving her husband at home, she travels with her baby to help a friend in need. Suspenseful and fast paced. A well-written mystery.

The Corpse with the Diamond Hand 
Cathy Ace 

The sixth book in the Cait Morgan mysteries is set in Hawaii and aboard a cruise ship. Professor Morgan has finally married her long time retired police detective Bud and they are on their honeymoon. In traditional mysteries, there are loads of interesting characters aka suspects to a murder. This will not disappoint. Great plot and clues along the way but it takes Cait with the help of her new husband to solve the crime.

Another winner in the series.


Three great books by two Canadian crime writers and one who hails from Houston (Kay Kendall) who sets her mysteries in Canada. Perfect for a lovely fall day and the winter we know is coming.

Liz and I are busy with the first edits of The Silk Shroud. We'll keep you posted.

Talk soon,
Slainte,
Pam

BOOKS,BOOKS,BOOKS

My favourite time of year, not just for the cooler nights but finding the new crime writer titles and settling down to read by the fire. Or curled up in bed and staying up late as I can't put down the latest mystery/thriller of choice.

Summer went all too fast and my reading was limited as I prepared for a trip to the Netherlands and the UK to visit family.

While at my sister's place outside Amsterdam I met an author who is her neighbour. Claudia van der Sluis
 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13404135-het-grote-boek-van-de-maan

My sister has a translating business. Dutch into English, so, Caroline, get busy as I'd like to read Claudia's book.

In London, I checked out a few bookstores looking for Canadian authors. Quite well represented. Snapped pictures of a bronze Agatha Christie and strolled by a Sherlock Holmes restaurant. Not enough time to do everything so off to Edinburgh where the International Book Festival was held in Charlotte Square.  

Be still my heart! The book tent was huge. 800 authors were represented at this festival and readers and writers were there from all over the world. After wandering about the tents with Joan Blanch and generally having a good time doing what bibliophiles do, we went for lunch and talked books over a very nice Merlot. In the evening, my nephew and his son escorted me to a reading by two crime writers. I was in my element.


Love this painting of The Writers Museum.

This place is situated in Lady Stairs Close just off the Royal Mile. It has such a sense of history as much of Edinburgh does. Tiny doors and steep and narrow steps. They were much shorter in those days.

The Writers Museum

Lady Stairs Close

The Writers Museum celebrates the lives of three of Scotland's finest writers.


Too many writings to quote but you may be familiar with;




                            Robert Burns 1759-1796

'Auld Lang Syne'  'A Man's a Man for a' That' 'Tae a Mouse'  'Ae fond kiss'  

                        

                              Sir Walter Scott 1771-1832

'Ivanhoe' ' Rob Roy' 'Lady of the Lake' 'The Waverley Novels'

        Robert Louis Stevenson 1850-1894

'Treasure Island'  'A Child's Garden of Verses'   'Kidnapped'  'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' 





Many of these works are still in print. 

I enjoyed my visit and if you haven't read any of these authors you will find them still very readable after 200 years and more.

My next writerly visit was the evening before I left to come home. After dinner with my brother and sister- in- law at the Spylaw Tavern, we took a walk on a path that Robert Louis Stevenson  meandered  when he visited his grandfather at the manse in Colinton. 

It was a long way down.

One of my favourite finds.



Vacation is over and it's back to work. Jamie Tremain is back in session. We've been brainstorming, plotting and planning and have made some headway with the sequel to " The Silk Shroud." Check back for some new reviews.
Talk soon,
Slainte,
Pam

A Brons Winner

Janet Brons that it is.

In Janet Brons’ first book –"A Quiet Kill" – we are introduced to Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Hay from Scotland Yard and RCMP Inspector Liz Forsyth.   And now they’re back in “Not A Clue”,  the newest offering from Janet due for release October 13

                                                                  

This time they investigate murders on two separate continents. In Ottawa, Inspector Forsyth is handed the case of a young Chechen woman’s murder, gunned down at the gates of the Russian Embassy in Ottawa.  While on the other side of the Atlantic, Scotland Yard’s Inspector Hay works to unravel the puzzle behind the murder of a young Canadian woman who had been travelling alone.

Hay and Forsyth work their respective cases while trying to establish a long distance relationship. Not always easy with a five hour time difference.

Janet’s previous experience with the Foreign Service in Moscow has provided a good foundation for creating intriguing characters

This is a page turning read, with a definite Canadian flavour. Revisiting the destruction of ice storms was vividly described. And memorable characters and circumstances were deftly woven around the central protagonists.

Jamie Tremain is very pleased to highlight Janet Brons this month.

Welcome, Janet, to our blog.

JAMIE TREMAIN:

An obvious first question is will there be another chance for Liz Forsyth and Stephen Hay to connect in the near future – is there a new book in the works?   If so, can you tell us a little about it.

JANET:  Yes, I am currently writing a third book.  I’m very much enjoying writing this story, which I’ve notionally entitled “The Wrong Size”.  Suffice it to say that Forsyth and Hay will find themselves in the same country this time!

JAMIE TREMAIN:

Your postings with the Canadian Foreign Service took you to some truly exotic places, including Kuala Lumpur. Does any particular posting stand out more than the others and why?

JANET: They were all memorable, although in very different ways.  Malaysia was indeed, as you say, exotic; I remember lovely people, intense tropical heat and colour, and phenomenal food!  I was in Poland from 1989 to 1990, during which time extraordinary change took place in the former Eastern Bloc, with Warsaw at the forefront of events.  Moscow was very interesting, and I was there at a challenging time, as Russia struggled during the aftermath of the dissolution of the Soviet Empire.

JAMIE TREMAIN:

Were there locations you missed out on during those years and if given a chance could go to today?

JANET:  I would probably go just about anywhere, given half a chance!  I would have loved to go to London; despite locating A Quiet Kill in the Canadian High Commission in London, and although several High Commission characters reappear in Not a Clue, I was never actually based there!  Now that you’ve asked the question, I can’t really think of anywhere I wouldn’t want to go!

JAMIE TREMAIN:

If we were to have a peek at your list of “Want to read next” what book titles would we see there?

JANET:  You might be surprised to find that the books on the list are all classics that I haven’t got to yet!  I haven’t yet finished reading all of Dickens – I think I have two to go and will in fact be very sorry when I’ve finished.  I still have a number of Trollope novels yet to read and, despite having read all of them at least twice, I can’t get enough of Austen.

JAMIE TREMAIN:

How active do you feel an author needs to be on social media such as Facebook or Twitter?

JANET:  Oh boy, that’s a tricky one.  I know that a lot of people are all over social media like a rash.  To the dismay of my publisher, I am very uneasy with Facebook and other social media, although of course I recognize their immense value as advertising tools.  I may yet be compelled to take to social media, but for the moment the most I can offer is a website!

JAMIE TREMAIN:

Jamie Tremain is a collaborative writing partnership – is this anything you’ve ever considered?

JANET:  Until I spoke with you two, I never even thought about such a partnership!  It sounds wonderful, but I’m sure that within a week I wouldn’t even be speaking to my writing partner, let alone producing a book.  I’m sure that it works wonderfully well for some people, but fear that I am not one of them!

Jamie Tremain wishes you much success in the coming days and thanks you for being our guest today.

JANET: Thank you very much – it was a pleasure!

You can learn more about Janet at her website

Books may be ordered through Amazon  where Not a Clue will be available in paperback October 20 2015.

Jamie Tremain wishes all our Canadian friends and followers a very Happy Thanksgiving!

More interviews and book reviews coming up shortly - stay tuned.