Dream Chaser

"To accomplish great things, DREAM. We must dream as well as act"
~ Anatole France

The above quote hangs on a wall in my office, positioned straight in front of my desk. It is an everyday reminder to chase my dreams, whatever they may be. It helps me remember two of the three most important ingredients to accomplishing my goals. First, I must have a goal. Second, I have to do the work. But the third unmentioned necessary to this equation: support.

Truth is, no matter what we do in life, no matter what we are going through at the moment, having a great support system is crucial. Same is true about writing. I can honestly say I've never read an interview where the author said, "Nope, I done it alone. Wrote this masterpiece in one sitting and it was ready for print." Not happening for even the most talented writer. We all depend on someone to help us though the bad and celebrate the good, whether it is a spouse, a friend, or a critique group.

All this to say, be a dream chaser and do the work. But, just as importantly, keep good people in your life. Surround yourself with supportive honest people. Anything less simply isn't worth your time and will shut you down as a writer.

Imagine That !

Having imagination, it takes you an hour to write a paragraph that, if you were unimaginative, would take you only a minute. Or you might not write the paragraph at all.

Franklin P. Adams, Half a Loaf, 1927

I’m rather fond of this quote. I read it often. It reminds me that only a few writers sit down and compose a novel the way Mozart composed a symphony – as if taking dictation from God. And for those writers who DO write like that please keep quiet about it. Things could get ugly.

Imagination is a funny thing. It comes in all sorts of weird ways to equally weird people. Hey, if you’re a writer and you’re not weird you’re just not trying hard enough. Writers have been odd since the first time Grogg picked up a stick and drew pictures on a cave wall. The only reason there are no romance novels on those cave walls is because Grogg’s Mom wiped them off with a wet loincloth and clocked him upside the head with a mastodon bone for drawing dirty pictures.

And imagination is often more fun in a group. The most famous plotting retreat in history produced perhaps the most well-known classic horror story of all time – Frankenstein. Mary and Percy Shelley, Lord Byron and John Pollidori were stuck in a big half empty house during a miserable winter and after much wine and God knows what else (Byron was there. Hello? Some of his antics make Charlie Sheen look like a choir boy!) Frankenstein was born. Well, not really born, but you get the picture. I don’t know if they used Stephen King’s “What if” method or Walt Disney’s “Why not,” but it worked. I'd love to have been a fly on the wall for that weekend!

My third manuscript, The Price of a Gentleman, came out of a spoof writing contest on the Romance Bandits blog. I think we were asked to take a movie and turn it into a historical romance novel. I picked Sunset Boulevard. That’s an old black and white film, for you young people out there, starring Alabama’s own Tallulah Bankhead and William Holden. I think I even had the Bankhead character say something like “I’m ready for my close-up, Mr. Gainsborough.” But the funny thing is, that spoof got me thinking. And thinking. And pretty soon I had the first three chapters of The Price of a Gentleman.

Where does your imagination come from? And where does it take you? Is the journey a ride on the bullet train or a crawl on the mule train? What do you do to spark it? Is it better in a group? Come on and dish! What inspires you to write? And have you ever spent a night sitting around a scary house with a bunch of writer friends drinking wine and plotting your stories?

Do you like Romantic Suspense? Meet Leslie Tentler.

I have had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people this past year, and I am making an effort to introduce them to you on this blog. I am fascinated by other writers—what they write and why.  

Leslie Tentler is the author of the critically acclaimed Chasing Evil trilogy from MIRA Books. Her third novel in the series – Edge of Midnight – releases February 1 and to celebrate, she’s giving away a free copy! Comment below to enter for a chance to win.

What drew you to writing romantic suspense?

I love the elements of danger in romantic suspense stories, and the heightened passions that come along with that. While no one really wants that kind of danger in his or her real life, I’d think, it’s exciting to see it play out from the safety of a book. I’m especially drawn to male characters that act heroically and can be brave even to the point of foolishness when the stakes are high.—I’m with you, to be able to play it out in a book is preferable.

 How do you research and where do you find your info?

The Internet is a wonderful thing! For all three of my books, I relied on it heavily. For example, for Midnight Caller, I did online research on vampirism and the Goth subculture, as both played key roles in the book. But I also had a good working knowledge of New Orleans, which helped with the city’s description and geography. 

In Midnight Fear, my heroine is a former D.C. socialite who runs a non-profit equine therapy program. I loved the idea of the setting, but knew relatively little about horses. Fortunately, I had a friend who grew up showing and jumping horses, so she helped me a lot with descriptions. 

In my current book, Edge of Midnight, my heroine is a newspaper reporter covering a crime beat. I know several former reporters and was able to pick their brains on their jobs and how the industry is changing in the Internet age. 

So I guess you could say my process is a mix of online research and personal interviews.-I find research, especially if it’s outside of what you know personally fascinating. In each book you bring in some very interesting occupations and information (yes, I love the whole vampirism/goth subculture-on a totally intellectual level of course…)

Tell us about your current book, Edge of Midnight.

Here’s the back cover copy, which I think does a good job of setting things up:

The writer becomes the story when crime reporter Mia Hale is discovered on a Jacksonville beach—bloodied and disoriented, but alive. She remembers nothing, but her wounds bear the signature of a sadistic serial killer. After years lying dormant, The Collector has resumed his grim hobby: abducting women and taking gruesome souvenirs before dumping their bodies. But none of his victims has ever escaped—and he wants Mia back, more than he ever wanted any of the others. 

FBI agent Eric MacFarlane has pursued The Collector for a long time. The case runs deep in his veins, bordering on obsession…and Mia holds the key. She'll risk everything to recover her memory and bring the madman to justice, and Eric swears to protect this fierce, fragile survivor. But The Collector will not be denied. In his mind, he knows just how their story ends.—I totally have to read this one!

 Are you a plotter? Panster? Or a mix?

If you asked me that prior to the Chasing Evil trilogy, I would’ve definitely said “panster”. I prefer writing that way. It’s how I wrote Midnight Caller. I had a general idea for the direction of the story and its ending, and I just let things flow freely from there. 

With the other two books, however, the publisher required an outline for approval prior to writing. So I didn’t have much of a choice and became a reluctant plotter.-Ah, see this is good to know. I’m a bit of both. But it seems to have worked for you. Outstanding! 

Do you utilize critique partners? How do they help you?

I had a critique partner for Midnight Caller, but the deadlines I had for Midnight Fear and Edge of Midnight meant that I had to keep a much faster pace. So my critique partner became more of a reader who did a single read-through and just generally let me know if the story was working for her or not. By necessity, the process was nowhere near as extensive as it was with the first book. 

That being said, finding the “right” critique partner is invaluable. It is tremendously helpful to have a second opinion or just someone to brainstorm with!-I couldn’t agree more. So glad you have someone you can trust.  

Revisions: How do you like them – easy or hard? Help you define the story better?

I’m not the fastest writer, but the work I turn in tends to be pretty clean. My editor as well as my agent provided some suggestions for each book but there really weren’t any heavy revisions, so I feel fortunate.-Wow! I am in awe. I fear revisions. 

What is your writing day like?

I’m still working part-time in public relations as a writer and editor, so my day tends to be pretty frenetic. I keep regular office hours (I work at home), but often switch between fiction and business writing projects. I’m definitely not the type of writer who works until late at night or gets up at three in the morning to tap things out on the keyboard – my brain doesn’t function in those “off” hours. I do my best to keep it in the confines of an eight a.m. to seven p.m. type day. –Yes, I’m jealous, but you make it work. I am impressed. 

Writing: What is the hardest or easiest part about it? 

The hardest part for me is battling the pressure of deadlines. I have a huge fear of a contracted manuscript not coming together in time or not living up to expectations.  

The easiest part has been the signings and opportunities I’ve had to speak to book clubs and other groups. It’s rewarding to know that people have read and enjoyed the books you put so much of your heart into.-Ah, see that is my fear. I am not published but it lurks—the dreaded deadline. 

Thank you so much for stopping by Leslie, it has been a pleasure and I hope you come again. I know you are doing a number of blogs. Your next one is with Kelly J. Stone at  http://authorkellylstone.com/blog on Saturday, Feb 4. 

 I wish only good things for you. –M.V. Freeman

What RT Book Reviews says about Edge of Midnight

"A compelling plot, thick suspense, a cunning villain, a shattered cop and a victim who wants answers at any cost place Tentler in the same category as bestselling authors Lisa Jackson and Beverly Barton." 4 ½ STARS - RT Book Reviews 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Leslie Tentler is the author of the Chasing Evil trilogy from MIRA Books, which includes Midnight Caller, Midnight Fear and Edge of Midnight. She lives in Atlanta.
Website: http://www.LeslieTentler.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/leslietentler

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/leslie_tentler

Midnight Caller at Amazon

Midnight Fear at Amazon

Edge of Midnight at Amazon

ENTER THE CONTEST :

I will post the winner on the blog on January 28, 2012 **please put your email at the end of the post like this: jane at gmail dot com, so I can notify the winner directly** This is for one (1) copy of Edge of Midnight. Winner’s choice of e-book or print book. Print option open only to U.S. residents. WINNER is:  Sandy! I will be emailing you.  (I wish I could've given a book to everyone.)  Thank you all for stopping by. --M.V. Freeman

Even The Guys Will Like This

Having Fun With a Theme

This is a new year and I have two new venues to attend. My novel MIRRORED has been released in both (e) and paperback formattes. Just a mear five months ago I signed my publishing contract. Things are moving fast. On Sat. Feb. 4, 2012 I will be on a panel at Murder in the Magic City at the Homewood library. The next day Sat. Feb. 5, 2012 I will be a panelist at Murder on the Menu at the Wetumpka Civic Center.

Over the holidays with all the health problems in my family, I came up with a joke. As a writer it was easy to follow a theme. Just to exercise your creating process, try this yourself and see how much fun it can be.

JOKE: The other night I got a call from a couple of old buddies, Jack Daniels and Jim Beam. They wanted me to go out drinking with them. I told them I was too tired and that I had to get up early in the morning to go hunting. I wanted some shots of Wild Turkey. The queen came by wearing her Royal Crown, but the Captains's language was too spicy. At the end of the day I was left with some Old Crow.