Giving in to Emmaline by Victoria Chatham

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When I first saw Emmeline Devereux, my heroine in His Dark Enchantress, she was soaking wet with her long black hair plastered to her head and her dress cloaking her like a second skin. I saw her clearly, I knew her name, I knew she liked horses, I knew she was venturesome and then…what was I going to do with her? She really didn’t tell me anything more about herself and each time I put her into a story, it just didn’t work out for her or for me.

I’m sure there are many authors who will know exactly what I mean just as I’m equally sure that non-writers will shake their heads in disbelief or despair that anyone could be so fanciful. But it’s being fanciful that gets books written and on the shelves for readers to enjoy, or not, as the case may be.

Emmaline bugged me for weeks. I first gave her a Lara Croft type role. Anyone not familiar with that name might be more familiar with the Tomb Raider video game series that morphed into the 1993 movie starring Angelina Jolie. A remake featuring Alicia Vikander is currently playing. That role wasn’t quite right for Emmaline nor were any of the more contemporary settings I tried putting her in. A western romance didn’t work at all as she didn’t like the clothes. Once I knew that clothes had to be right for her, I started dressing her in different costumes. Maybe she was a Regency belle all along because as soon as I dressed her in a muslin gown, spencer jacket, and wide-brimmed bonnet everything fell into place and the words just flowed.

They weren’t necessarily good words, but first drafts rarely are. The purpose of a first draft is to get the story out of the author’s head and into a working document. Making it pretty and interesting comes with rewrites and revisions, help from critique partners and beta readers and a whole village of people. Here is an excerpt from His Dark Enchantress. I hope you enjoy it.

***

With Emmaline gone to the village, Lucius took a gun and two of his spaniels and set out across the park for a far covert where he hoped to flush out a brace of pheasant. 

The September afternoon basked under a clear blue sky. The gentlest of breezes occasionally buffeted his face and ruffled his hair, and all was as perfect as it could be. He traipsed through the fields, clambered over walls and fences that he would be jumping over once the hunting season started, got his feet wet in the trout stream that ran close to the southern boundary of the Park and the Beamish estate, and returned home well satisfied. 

He cut through the stable yard after leaving the dogs in the kennels and noticed the carriage house door ajar. Curious, he pulled it open. 

The place where the gig should have been was still empty. 

Puzzled, he closed the door and checked Sadie’s stable. It was also empty. He looked up at the stable yard clock. It was gone five. 

Panic gripped his heart, almost stilled his breathing. 

He charged up the stairs to the grooms’ quarters, two at a time bellowing for Noble who met him at the door. 

“What time did her ladyship leave, Noble, and who accompanied her?” he barked. 

“She left a little after noon, my Lord, and insisted she drive herself.” 

“Did she indeed?” Lucius seethed inwardly but paused for a moment, holding his temper. “And you let her go alone? Where were your wits? Saddle a hunter, Noble, I’ll go to Nettleford across country.” 

As soon as the horse was ready, Lucius set off at a steady gallop across the park, scattering the herds of fallow deer and sheep that grazed there. 

Damn her. The pig was one thing, but driving off without a groom? Who did she think she was to drive herself unaccompanied? And how could Noble have been so foolish as to let her go alone? 

He steadied the horse for a post and rail fence, soared over it and picked up the pace across the next field. A gate and two hedges later he was pounding along the road into the village where he pulled up abruptly and dismounted outside the inn. 

“Jackson.” he roared as he pushed into the taproom. 

The landlord had already heard him and sent a boy to take the horse and now met him in the corridor. 

“What’s amiss Milord?” 

“Have you seen her Ladyship?” Lucius demanded. 

“Put the gig up here while she did some visiting, left about mid-afternoon.” 

“Then where the devil is she?” Fear replaced the panic in Lucius’ heart and he cursed himself for not having asked the whereabouts of those she planned to visit. 

***

www.victoriachatham.com

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorVictoriaChatham/

http://www.bookswelove.com/authors/chatham-victoria-romance-historical/

A Mountain To Climb

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A Mountain To Climb

Okay, so I have a new project; the Good Vibes Film Production Group. Consisting of well, me, writer, Courtney Ross, website designer and Melanie Neilson, Marketing Manager, part of the successful team that put on the First Chilliwack Film Festival.

To cut our teeth in this cut-throat business; a short film. A fish out of water meets bucket list. The moral is you’re never too old and never, ever, give up on your dreams, however unattainable they may seem.

We meet seventy-year-old Rose Anderson, successful career woman. Having lost her partner, Fred, she finds her life suddenly bleak and meaningless. At the monthly meeting of the Ladies Wot Lunch Club her girlfriends try to help her get her life back on track.

A chance comment from one of the ladies makes up her mind. She will climb a mountain. Rose has always wanted to, but never found the time, or the inclination, or (to be honest) any reason to get off her butt and just do it. But this is different. She will do it for herself and for Fred.

Finding zest and meaning in her life again, she visits a bookstore, an outfitters and begins her crash-course training. After several bungling and humorous attempts, we witness her increasing aptitude at surviving in the wilderness.

The great day dawns. Standing alone at the trailhead, eagles screeching in the background, she looks up. Way, way up. Rose begins to realize just how crazy an idea this is and the misgivings set in. But she thinks again of Fred. How he loved the outdoors. How he would have happily bounded up the trail if it weren’t for his rheumatism. Her fierce determination re-emerges. Now undaunted, Rose puts on her lipstick, as she feels naked without it, and, designer handbag on her arm, where it has always been (as Queen Elizabeth II never goes anywhere without) she takes her first steps up the mountain, becoming more confident with each one.

Her day is filled with misadventures, trials and tribulations. At night, alone in her tent, the sounds of something skulking outside awakes her. Terrified she clutches at her locket; Fred is with her. What would he do? Would he stay here hiding in terror or would he go down fighting?

Does Rose survive her night of terror and make it to dance in joy on the mountain top?

Well, only the bears know for sure and they aren’t talking.

Hang on, bears don’t talk. They growl a little. Okay, a lot. And smell really bad. Who writes this stuff anyway?

We would be honored if you would like our facebook page and so doing support out Storyhive webpage. The more likes and support the better the chance we win a grant from Telus for our movie. And the more we are liked the more we know we are loved. Come on people, what isn’t there to like? Positive vibes, seventy-year-old spunky lady, designer handbag, hiking, the outdoors and achieving your dreams. Gotta love it. WIN, WIN all around. Hey, I’m tearing up, where’s the Kleenex?

Our facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/amountaintoclimbmovie/

The pitch for the video is below (I tried to download it, but the file is too big. View and enjoy).

https://youtu.be/u0aICJ6unGE

To purchase from Amazon

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Sincerely

Frank Talaber

twosoulmates@shaw.ca

Frank Talaber’s Writing Style? He usually responds with: Mix Dan Millman (Way of The Peaceful Warrior) with Charles De Lint (Moonheart) and throw in a mad scattering of Tom Robbins (Even Cowgirls Get The Blues). 
PS: He’s better looking than Stephen King (Carrie, The Stand, It, The Shining) and his romantic stuff will have you gasping quicker than Robert James Waller (Bridges Of Madison County).

Or as is often said: You don’t have to be mad to be a writer, but it sure helps.

https://www.facebook.com/FrankTalaber/

https://www.facebook.com/franktalaberpublishedauthor/ (My facebook short story page)

http://bwlpublishing.ca/authors/talaber-frank-suspense-urban-fantasy-canada/

Twitter: @FrankTalaber

Thought For Food

https://books2read.com/u/b5M7jp

I’ve been focusing on food. Specifically how to eat better and, especially, less. My research has taught me that it is important not to constantly think about food. More specifically, think about food at the proper time.

And, I discovered that the time to focus on food is when you are eating it. By slowing down and savouring each morsel I reduced the amount I ate.

After weeks of slow eating I realized that flavour trumps food types. My favourite tastes can be combined with the this amazing things called vegetables. A thought struck me a couple weeks ago about one of the foods I adore, crispy ginger chicken.

Ordering in became a no-no as it didn’t have the healthy ingredients I require (here are those ‘vegetables’ popping into the conversation again.

I took it upon myself to find the recipe that had the flavour I prefer and dramatically increase the amount of veggies. While it’s a time-consuming process it led me to the other sensation key to enjoying healthier food, texture.

The crunchiness of property prepared vegetables actually added great enjoyment to eating the meal. While this is not the healthiest recipe around I learned that the few ingredients that used to be taboo were just fine in moderation.

Bone Appetite

My Daughter's Recipe: No-Bake Cookies

Romantic suspense, Dangerous Sanctuary by J.Q. Rose

Pastor Christine Hobbs never imagined she would be caring 

for a flock that includes a pig, a kangaroo, and a murderer.

Find more books by J.Q. Rose here.

Need a quick treat for your family and/or friends? This cookie is stirred together in the pan and cooked on top of the stove. It's quick, easy, and has some healthy ingredients in it. (But don't tell the kids...)

My daughter loved to make this recipe when she was a kid. When I searched my recipe box to find the recipe for No-Bake Cookies, I found a treasure. A crunched up piece of paper folded within the recipe cards magically appeared. I smiled when I opened it up and discovered it was this cookie recipe written by my daughter in her distinctive handwriting. Although the paper is faded and stained by years of lovingly stirring this no-bake cookie mixture together, it brought back wonderful memories of being together. You can bet I tucked this keepsake back in the box. My daughter is all grown up now with children of her own.

No-Bake Cookie recipe written by my daughter many years ago.

The ingredients include peanut butter and oatmeal, so it’s got to be good for you, right? If you have kids/teens/ guests coming over, this is a cookie everyone will love. I typed out the recipe below for easy reading.

No-Bake Cookies Recipe

½ c. butter

2 c. sugar

¼ c. cocoa

½ c. milk

½ c. peanut butter

3 c. oatmeal

1 tsp. vanilla

Bring the sugar, cocoa, butter, and milk to a boil in a large saucepan.

Boil mixture over medium heat for one and a half minutes. Remove from stove.

Add peanut butter and vanilla. Stir well. Add oatmeal and stir.

Drop mixture by the teaspoonful on waxed paper. Cool until set and firm.

# # #

About J.Q.

After writing feature articles in magazines, newspapers, and online magazines for over fifteen years, J.Q. Rose entered the world of fiction. Her mysteries published by BWL Publishing are Terror on Sunshine Boulevard, Dangerous Sanctuary, and Deadly Undertaking.

Author J.Q. Rose

Blogging, photography, Pegs and Jokers board games, and travel are the things that keep her out of trouble. She and her husband, Gardener Ted, spend winters in Florida and summers up north camping and hunting toads, frogs, and salamanders with her four grandsons and granddaughter.

Connect with J.Q. Rose online at

Focused on Story Blog by J.Q. Rose  

Writing a Police Procedural Made EZ by Stuart R. West

Click Here for the Your Laugh Line's 2017 Funniest Book Nominee

That’s right! For a limited time only, I’m divulging the secrets to writing a successful police procedural for only ten—that’s right, ten!—easy installment payments (which we’ll discuss later)!

(Disclaimer: Although I’ve not written a true police procedural, I’ve had quite a few cops and detectives tumble in and out of my books. Besides, I’ve seen enough TV procedurals to qualify as an expert.)

Ready? Let's go!

Step #1) Pick Your Lead.

This is the biggest choice you’ll face as a writer: what gender to make your lead. Once you clear that hurdle, the rest of the book will flow naturally. It doesn’t truly matter if your lead detective is male or female because they’re going to share the same traits: hard-edged as granite, muscular, no-nonsense, tough-talking, swagger walking, alcohol-pounding, quip-dropping tough gals and guys. Note that it’s no longer politically correct to have your protagonist chain smoke, so don't even think about it.

Step #2) Pack Your Baggage.

Your protagonist needs baggage, HAS to have baggage. Lots and lots of emotional baggage, so much baggage, it’d put an airport baggage handler into traction. Said baggage may be due to a series of lousy, failed relationships (usually due to a combination of drink, infidelity, and the stress of being On The Job). Or maybe there's the unfortunate passing of a loved one. Maybe your hero has had too many bad encounters with cable guys and has snapped. It doesn't really matter as long as he or she is damaged as tornado debris.

Step #3) Choose Your Lead’s Police Partner.

Another simple step, really, because there can only be two choices. Your protagonist’s work partner is either a newbie, eager-to-please, green-around-the-ears rookie cop; or a slovenly, donut-eating, burned out cop just days away from retirement. There are no other choices. And it doesn’t matter because the partner’s doomed within the opening pages. He may as well wear a sign on his back reading “Dead Cop Walking.” For he will be shot early on, oh, yes he will. And prepare for your hero to raise his/her hands to the sky over the late partner’s corpse and scream, “Nooooooooo!” Bonus points if it takes place in the rain.

(Note: A lot of writers choose to have a man and woman, both from the hard-boiled school, as partners. Naturally while chasing the bad guy, they'll fall into bed. Should you choose to go down that path, it’s fine, but don’t forget to add a little Yin to Yang.)

Step #4) Position Your Police Captain (and Immediately Disrespect Him).

This is the guy in charge. Invariably, he's always bald, short-fused, sick and tired of your protagonist’s lone wolf ways, and one step away from a heart attack. His coloring tends to run stroke-red. It’s a must that your protagonist never shows the least amount of respect for the boss, treating him with cool disdain and quippy one-liners. And it’s important to remember your protagonist should only address the captain by his last name or a colorful nick-name.

Whether you choose to make your captain crooked is entirely up to you. It's a popular choice these days.

Step #5) Master the Maniacal Laugh.

Your good guys are in place. The stage is set. Now things get tricky.

Bad guys are tough to do on paper. The Maniacal Laugh is particularly tough to express in words.

“For you see, Trina, I’ve been killing ice-cream vendors because of a tragic bomb-pop incident in my childhood years. I despise sprinkles. Mwah-hah-hah-hahhhhhhh!”

See? Doesn’t exactly sing in the written word, does it?

But, like it or not, you’ve set yourself up to write a police procedural, and you need an incredibly unhinged villain, lest your tough-as-nails protagonist comes off appearing uncouth, particularly in these sensitive and politically correct times. Maniacal laughter is a must. Please do approach with caution, though, and strive for a modicum of subtlety.

Step #6) Uncomfortable Sex Locales.

I don’t know what it is about these tough cops and detectives, but as a general rule, beds aren’t their number one location to have sex (NOT make love; tough gals and guys don’t go in for that sissy stuff). No, like everything your tough protagonist does in life, there's a tendency to take the road less traveled, a rocky road indeed. The love/lust scenes play out in alleyways (again, cue the rain, thus making it even more uncomfortable), cars, against walls, any place sure to put a cramp in the reader’s leg.

Not sure why, really. I don’t make the rules.

Step #7) Make It Personal.

Your protagonist has to have a personal gripe against your bad guy. It’s nice to tie this into the hero's baggage (see Step #2). Maybe the current serial killer was the hero’s scoutmaster or paper-boy. This will involve the reader in an entirely new level, pulling them in by the lapels (but since Casual Friday is the current popular mode of wardrobe, I suppose lapels are rather dated). Be creative. 

Ta-dahhhh! There you have it! Everything you need to know about writing a successful police procedural. Now all you need to do is go publish and make a kazillion dollars. It's that simple.

A Burned Out Detective Lurks Within!