Guest Author Interviews
Interviewed: November 13, 2000
Book Giveaway: Border Prey
Interviewed by Natalie Buske Thomas
Q1: Your mystery Border Prey is the fourth book in the Rachel Porter series. Rachel Porter is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agent, which makes for an original protagonist and a creative plot. Jessica, I've read in your bio that you write about environmental and wildlife issues. How did your interest in these issues evolve into your Rachel Porter series?
Jessica Speart: Rachel evolved in the most natural way. I'd been working for a number of years as a magazine writer specializing in wildlife law enforcement and endangered species issues. As a result, I spent a lot of time out in the field with special agents for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It was there that I discovered not only what special agents are up against in terms of poachers and smugglers, but also the battle they face when it comes to funding. In addition, I saw the wheels of justice at work. Too many poachers and smugglers get off with a simple slap on the wrist for their crimes. What few people realize is that the illegal trade in wildlife is estimated at $5 billion a year, putting it right behind drug smuggling, gun running and involving many of the same folks. I wrote my first book in the series, Gator Aide, as a catharsis. I guess you could call it my own form of bayou justice. Avon read the book and asked if I could produce a series.
Q2: Border Prey involves several colorful characters, such as Sonny, Fat Boy, F.U. and F.U. , Jr. Original characters make Border Prey a lively, fun, read. Did you intend for your oddball characters to act as comedic relief? What was your thought process while creating these characters?
Jessica Speart: I love characters. It probably comes from my background. I was an actress before turning to writing. There are a few reasons as to why my characters are so colorful. First off, it's rarely your average Joe who wholeheartedly dedicates himself to a life of crime. Many of these people are larger than life. Then they have to pass through my "looking glass." Humor is a very important factor when it comes to how I deal with situations. Black comedy further heightens those elements already there. It's not so much that I sit and work on a character. Rather, they generally spring to life all on their own. The really pushy ones become major players in each story.
Q3: One of the settings in Border Prey, the Happy Hunting Ranch, sure is a creepy place. :::Shiver::: What was the inspiration for such a place? And how many years do you think it will be before your scenerio might exist?
Jessica Speart:The Happy Hunting Ranch is the composite of a few actual hunting ranches that I visited in Texas. The inspiration for its more hidden, sinister agenda came about through conversations I had with contacts that I've made within the federal government I did a vast amount of research on the topic and everything I write about is either in development, or could very easily be at any time in the near future. All that's stopping it for the moment is the matter of ethics.
Q4: Jessica, tell us about other projects you are working on. What can you tell us about the future of your series featuring Rachel Porter, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agent?
Jessica Speart: Rachel's next adventure will be published in June and is titled Black Delta Night. The setting is the Mississippi Delta and involves organized crime, rednecks and the illegal caviar trade against a backdrop of mystery, magic and heart throbbing blues. I've just begun research for book six which takes place in Montana and deals with grizzly bears.
Q5: And now for the fun question: When you aren't busy writing, what do you enjoy doing?
Jessica Speart:When I'm not busy writing
I enjoy playing with my dogs, reading terrific mysteries by an array of wonderful
authors, trekking into New York City to eat Thai food and catch a few plays,
and traveling to warm, exotic locales.
Chat: Historical Mysteries, July 30 2000
Book Giveaway: A Lion's Shadow
Natalie: Welcome to the SinC-IC mystery chat! Tonight's GUEST AUTHOR is Marthe Arends, author of A Lion's Shadow. Our topic is "Historical Mysteries". Let's get started. Any time you have a question or comment for our GUEST AUTHOR Marthe Arends, feel free to jump right in. I'll kick things off with some information about her book, and a few questions for Marthe.
Our book prize tonight is our GUEST AUTHOR's book: A Lion's Shadow by Marthe Arends, Avid Press. With the cry "Votes for Women!" upon her lips, headstrong and intelligent Cassandra Whitney has embraced the suffrage movement with all of her determination. When she meets another young woman who is interested in joining the fight for the woman's vote, Cassandra gladly takes her under her wing, bringing Helena St. John to rallies and demonstrations.
When Helena's brother, the self-righteous but fascinating explorer Griffin St. John, learns that his sister has become involved in the tumultuous and unpredictable women's rights movement, he demands that Cassandra put a stop to escorting his sister. Cassandra, who feels much too strongly for the movement, resists his command--and sparks begin to fly.
When a plot against the suffragettes forces them into jail, it is Griffin who comes to release them. And while suspicious accidents and a web of intrigue continue to threaten his life, Griffin begins to soften his attitude toward the stubborn, fascinating Cassandra. The notebook of secrets ... the violent anti-suffrage demonstrations ...the mysterious man with the gold tooth ...it all turns dark in The Lion's Shadow.
ElleBelle: Sounds pretty damned fascinating to me. How'd you come up with using the suffragette movement?
Marthe Arends: You know, I did a chat the other day about Shadow, and it sounded so interesting, I'm almost tempted to read it again. How's that for ego!
ElleBelle: as a backdrop to a mystery?
Marthe Arends: Suffragettes rule! I wanted a very fiesty, self-assured woman, EB, and suffragettes just came to mind. Then I started researching what they were doing at that time, and I became enamored with the fight within the movement. The militant faction vs. the non-militant faction, that is.
ElleBelle: Kind of like the pro-choice, pro-life movement today, in terms of intensity?
Marthe Arends: Very much so. The militants believed no act was too much in pursuit of the cause.
Natalie: Marthe did a great job of creating suspense for a past event.
Marthe Arends: The non-militants took a more conservative, political route to try and force the issue.
Natalie: Marthe, I was impressed by the dialog in your book. It felt like the speech fit the historical time period, and yet the conversation had a contemporary zing to it. Nicely done--how did you do that?
ElleBelle: It sounds like a daunting challenge, Marthe. An awful lot of research, no?
ElleBelle: (Whoops)
Natalie: no prob, just jump right in. I like your questions!
Marthe Arends: Lots and lots of reading, Natalie. I read a lot of contemporary (to Victorian times) literature and that helps with the language and speech patterns. Tons of research, EB. I love research. I live for research. I would rather research a book than write it!
Natalie: wow...not me!
ElleBelle: Forgive me, but is this your first mystery?
Marthe Arends: Shadow only took me about two months to research because I knew the era so well, and just focused on the suffrage movement. The second book took me five months to research. First mystery, yes. I have some non-fiction books out, but this was my first stab at fiction.
Natlaie: Successful stab, congratulations.
Marthe Arends: And it's very cross-genre...what I call romantic historical suspense. The rest of the series is more traditional historical mystery.
Marthe Arends: Thank you, Natalie.
ElleBelle: Now that you've done both, which do you prefer?
Marthe Arends: Mystery. I love to scatter bodies all about. But I'm also writing some straight historical romances, so that satisfies the urge to toss romance into everything. g:
Natalie: Marthe, tell us about the projects you are currently working on. Do you have another novel in the works?
ElleBelle: Sounds to me like no matter what, you're on a roll. Congratulations!
Marthe Arends: The second book is done and sitting at a couple of publishers, the third is about half way done, and I'm currently on deadline for a non-fiction book about writing a family history.
Natalie: Busy woman!
ElleBelle: So . . . do you sleep? grin:
Marthe Arends: Novels sprouting out everywhere, Natalie. g:
Marthe Arends: Sleep! You're supposed to sleep?
Natalie: And now for the fun question: When you aren't writing, what do you enjoy doing?
Marthe Arends: Read. I have a TBR pile that requires a building permit to house. I spend a lot of time reading research books.
ElleBelle: LOL!
Marthe Arends: And even more time reading pleasure books. g:
Natalie: Books, books, books!
ElleBelle: (I don't suppose you could use that phrase in an historical book, though. )
Marthe Arends: Yuppers! Is there anything else in life???
Natalie: junk TV?
ElleBelle: Do you write full time, Marthe, or hold down another job as well?
Marthe Arends: Don't watch TV at all. I haven't in almost two years.
Marthe Arends: I write full time, spending 12 hours at the computer most days.
Natalie: goodness!
ElleBelle: Wow. Yikes. Ohmygawd. Ouch and etc.
Marthe Arends: Yeah, well, a goodly amount of time is spent poking around online.
Natalie: I hope you have a laptop???
Marthe Arends: I do a lot of research online (that's what I call finding books at used bookstores online..."research"). Works for me!
ElleBelle: A lot of your online time poking around must be for research, no?
Marthe Arends: I have a laptop, and a desktop.
Natalie: breathe the air of the great outdoors...
ElleBelle: Sheesh. I hate the lag time in typing and seeing it posted. :)
Marthe Arends: Yup. In fact, I'm teaching a class next year about researching historicals online.
Natalie: so you aren't a hermit
Marthe Arends: Actually, I am a hermit. A shy little hermit who seldom goes out.
Natalie: you shy?
ElleBelle: Marthe, in drawing characters for your novel, did you rely on characterizations based on people you know?
Marthe Arends: Stop laughing, Natalie! g: Not really, but I like to claim I am.
Not a one, EB. Both of the protagonists burst out of my head fully formed, and the secondary cast just came to life almost as quickly. However, in the second book, I use some real historical figures. Which will be interesting to see how it goes over. Especially the people's descendants. g:
ElleBelle: Can you tip your hand about the second book? Or is that bad luck?
Natalie: I liked Cassandra, smart & strong...yet clumsy and absent-minded.
Marthe Arends: Oh, mercy, I've been telling everyone about the second book, it's not bad luck.
Marthe Arends: Thank you Natalie, that's how I wanted her to come across. Thinking she was extremely savvy, and yet really clueless.
Natalie: it worked, well done
ElleBelle: Sounds like a terrific contrast!
Marthe Arends: Second book is set in 1901 Colonial British East Africa. It has the four main characters from Shadow, and a baby warthog named Zuri who thinks he's a puppy.
Natalie: so Cassandra is back then?
ElleBelle: 'Bout time a warthog got some air time! :-)
Marthe Arends: Yup. Both Cassandra and Griffin are back, and I give them bodies to find this time. All over. I went a little beserk with the bodies, come to think about it.
Natalie: will you be giving your series a name?
Marthe Arends: Oh, EB, you know not what you say! I sent the second book to a group of three friends of mine as test readers, and they loved it so much they built a web site honoring Zuri.
ElleBelle: That's wonderful! Seriously, using a warthog is a great hook. At least I'd think so.
Marthe Arends: You know, I never even thought of a series name. Second book is titled now (who knows what it will end up being) The Lion Sleeps. I like the lion motif, especially since a good number of the books are planned to be in Africa. My ex-agent loved the warthog. Everyone who has read it, with the exception of an agent I met with two weeks ago, loves the warthog. I have a feeling Zuri Action Figures are in the future! g:
ElleBelle: I'll be first in line.
Marthe Arends: Heh heh.
ElleBelle: I hope you'll do a Renaissance mystery sometime. My personal favorite slice of history.
Marthe Arends: Mmmm. I want to do a Regency era mystery, but have never thought of a Renaissance one.
ElleBelle: Best of luck with the next Lion book. I'm looking forward to the first, for sure.
Natalie: I'm sure you'll enjoy Marthe's book.
Marthe Arends: Thanks!
ElleBelle: Good night, now.
Natalie: Goodnight Elle!
Marthe Arends: Night all!
Chat: Eccentric Sleuths, July 16 2000
Book Giveaway: Revenge of the Gypsy Queen
Natalie: Let's get started. Any time you have a question or comment for our GUEST AUTHOR Kris Neri, feel free to jump right in. I'll kick things off with some information about her book, and a few questions for Kris.
Our book prize tonight is our GUEST AUTHOR's book: Revenge of the Gypsy Queen, by Kris Neri. Featuring Tracy Eaton mystery writer, detective wannabe and the offspring of wackily eccentric Hollywood stars. Tracy is always out of sync with the *real* world, not to mention with her oh, so conventional husband, Drew.
Trouble always knows how to find her, but Tracy never expects it to pop up during her sister-in-law, Marisa's, wedding until the bride is kidnapped. When her in-laws would rather meet the terms of the bizarre ransom demand than inform the police, Tracy knows that finding Marisa will be up to her.
Kris, our topic tonight is "eccentric sleuths" and your Tracy Eaton mysteries fit right in to our theme. Please tell us about your mystery writer amateur sleuth, Tracy.
Kris Neri Tracy's parents are major motion picture stars, and she spent her childhood hanging around movie sets. While she thinks she's real world and perfectly normal, she's only slightly less reality-challenged than her parents. Her solution to all problems are similar to the ones they use on sets. She has no idea how out-of-synch with everyone else that she is.
Natalie: Kris, after Tracy got bit by the sleuthing bug, she was excited at the prospect of solving more crimes. Do you see a PI license in her future?
Kris Neri: No, I don't. My love of mysteries began with Nancy Drew, an early amateur sleuth. And I'm sure Tracy will remain one, too. A.S.'s have more options, IMO.
Natalie: You've led us right to my next question about the future of your series. Kris, Tracy's husband Drew is a fairly strong secondary character in Revenge of the Gypsy Queen. In the book, Drew and Tracy work separately...will they work together in upcoming books?
Kris Neri: Far more so. In Dem Bones' Revenge, which will be out in September, initially Tracy and Drew are working at cross-purposes. But they ultimately begin working together. Drew achieves quite a bit of personal growth in DBR.
Lynda Douglas: I have it in front of me and have read the acknowledgements and book jacket...I've read Kris's shorts.
Natalie: ah... so you already know Tracy Eaton
Lynda Douglas: The book is beautiful, the publisher did a good job. Not like some I've seen lately.
Debra Shaw: Well, emulation is the sincerest form of flattery after all...
Kris Neri: Too true, unfortumately.
Natalie: I was about to say the same thing---the book itself is very nice.
Marthe: OK, I'll bite. Who is the publisher?
Kris Neri: My publisher did a great job. Rainbow Books, Inc. They're an independent in Florida.
Natalie: I like independents. Good for them!
Kris Neri: The independent route has been great for me.
Natalie: Will they be publishing your next book too?
Kris Neri: Yes, they'll be publishing the next.
Natalie: Which leads us to the next question.. Kris, tell us about the projects you are currently working on. Do you have another novel in the works?
Tammie: I tried to pre-order it from amazon, but they don't have it listed, the swines!
Kris Neri: I'm currently writing the 3rd book in the series, Revenge for Old Times' Sake. And I'm working on another darker book, maybe a standalone.
Kris Neri: Yes, Tammie! I don't know why they haven't listed DBR yet!
Natalie: Kris, all of your titles have a "revenge" in them?
Kris Neri: Well for a while at least. A franchise title helps readers, I think.
Natalie: I agree. It's easier to remember a series when there is a common theme.
Lynda Douglas: How long did it take you to write the first in the series?
Tammie: Amazon was too busy screwing up my Harry Potter order to get DBR listed.....g:
Kris Neri: That's hard to say. It was over a year and a half or so, but I was writing a lot of shorts at the same time.
Lynda Douglas: It took me nearly two years to finish my first book. I was writing short, too. Is that really unusual to take that long?
Debra Shaw: Better not be.
Kris Neri: No, I don't think it's unusual at all. I think it's far more typical to take many years for the first book.
annette mahon: 2 years doesn't sound like long to me g:
Natalie: Kris, let's get to know you better....And now for the fun question: When you aren't writing, what do you enjoy doing?
Kris Neri: Well, I don't have much of a life outside of writing, but I read mystery fiction, of course. I also like to cook, hike, ski and swim. I have a number of pets too.
Kris Neri: And a husband.
Natalie: lol Kris, husband comes after pets... interesting g:
Lynda Douglas: Kris, what gave you the idea for Tracy's character? she somebody you know?
Kris Neri: Tracy cuts quite a wide swath through me, altho our backgrounds are different. But I was reading a Noel Coward play once, and I wondered what it would be like to be raised in that world. Would someone ever function normally in the real world? Tracy was born with that.
annette mahon: Kris, seems like you spend a lot of time promoting too?
Kris Neri: Yes, I do. I think all authors have to today. But small press authors have to work harder still.
Lynda Douglas: BTW. I haven't read it yet, because I just got it about a week ago.
Natalie: Kris, I agree---How much of your promotion involves travel?
Kris Neri: Not as much as it probably should, since I can't afford it. I go to 3 conventions/year, and I hope to visit at least 3 other states with each book. This time it'll be CA, Texas and NY & NJ.
TCSleuth: Do you get any support from Rainbow?
Natalie: Three conventions is quite a lot
annette mahon: which three?
Kris Neri: They've done quite a lot. They send a lot of ARCs for review. They sent flyers to all the stores I signed at, and many other things. But they don't pay for my travel.
This year it will be Left Coast, Malice and B'con. Next year, I'd like to try a could of the smaller conventions.
Natalie: Even some of the big publishing houses don't pay for travel, unfortunately
TCSleuth: YAY B'Con
annette mahon: sounds like you've done some major career palnning
Kris Neri: They pay for authors who don't need it, unfortunately.
TCSleuth: True Nat
annette mahon: oops, planning
Natalie: Kris, yes, true
Tammie: Yes, I like to come to those con and see how much trouble I can get Kris into...eg:
Natalie: Kris, will you be on a panel?
Kris Neri: I do a lot of planning, it's true. But a lot of my best ideas are off the seat of my pants. I trust inspiration a lot.
Tammie, I thought this was you. You always get me in trouble :)).
Natalie: ::::::Heads up!:::::::It's almost time for our chat game:::::
The winner receives Kris Neri's Revenge of the Gypsy Queen.
Kris Neri: Oh, that game. You made me nervous, Natalie :)
Natalie: LOL---we could play something else---"Make Kris Sweat"
Kris Neri: That's not hard to do.
Tammie: yea, that's a good idea.
Natalie: :::::::::It's time to play our chat game!::::::::::
:::Here come the game rules!::::
Our chat game is "Mystery Word". **** Do not start guessing until I say GO!***
The puzzle is based on our theme tonight: "Eccentric Sleuths". I will give you clues and everyone should try to guess the mystery word. Fastest fingers win the prize. Get ready....
OK---don't wait to be called upon, just shout answers. First one to guess correctly wins Kris Neri's Revenge of the Gypsy Queen.
Ready???????
First clue is----"odd"
GO!
Lynda Douglas: eccentric
Natalie: ::::::::BUZZ!:::::::::: Sorry, that's not it. Guess again.
lclady: strange
TCSleuth: opposite of even?
Natalie: LOL, Steph...that was a creative answer
Debra Shaw: and ends
Natalie: Clue TWO: "eccentric"
Debra Shaw: wacky
Natalie: (I know, that was a bummer of a clue)
Tammie: weirdo writers
Lynda Douglas: Tracy Eaton
Natalie: ooh, close Debra...
annette mahon: Poirot
Natalie: in fact, "wacky" is CLUE three
Debra Shaw: off balance
Natalie: :::::humming theme from Jeopardy:::::
Tammie: Me!
lclady: weird
Natalie: CLUE four: "whimsical"
Natalie: CLUE five: has 6 letters
TCSleuth: random
Natalie: CLUE six: ends in a "y"
Lynda Douglas: It sure sounds like Poirot
Natalie: nope
Natalie: CLUE seven: 5th letter is a "k"
TCSleuth: kinky
Natalie: ROFL!!!! nope
annette mahon: quirky
Natalie: Annette!!!!!!!!
YES!
*~~~~~****~~~~~Confetti falling!~~~~~~***~~~~~~ We have a winner!
Congratulations! You win Kris Neri's Revenge of the Gypsy Queen!
annette mahon: that was it??!!
Natalie: YES---"quirky"
Tammie: I liked kinky, lol
TCSleuth: quirky - good game
Natalie: Yes, good game---you got it in under five minutes. Annette, please email Kris with your postal address.
TCSleuth: Kris - when do we get Bones?
Kris Neri: It should be out in late August. I haven't scheduled anything before B'con.
annette mahon: I'll do that. I already have a copy, but this will make a great gift.
Kris Neri: Annette, I could send you my next book, since you bought that one.
annette mahon: oh, wow. thanks a lot. I'd love it.
Natalie: Kris, ooh, what a generous offer---GREAT
Lynda Douglas: I requested that my library order Gypsy. I'll do the same with Bones.
Kris Neri: Thanks, Lynda.
annette mahon: the Gypsy readers will want to follow her adventures, Lynda
Natalie: Kris, you've had a lot of nominations---your head must be floating!
Kris Neri: I can't believe it. I feel really blessed.
Natalie: One after another.... please tell us about your award nominations.
Kris Neri: GQ has been nominated for Agatha, Anthony and Macavity Awards for Best First Novel. I never expected such honors.
TCSleuth: Congrats Kris - you deserve it:-)
Natalie: so you'll be at those award dinners----did you buy your dress yet?
Doris Ann: That's right, Steph. They are richly deserved
Kris Neri: Thanks, Steph.
Lynda Douglas: I hope you win them all.
Ellen Bergh: amen
Natalie: Kris, what an exciting career already!
Kris Neri: I have been fortunate. I've already won two Derringer Awards for Best Short Story. I thought my cup runnith over with them.
Lynda Douglas: You can cross your fingers for me the next time one of my stories gets nominated for SS awards.
Ellen Bergh: Kris R U teach online soon if so where?
Kris Neri: I'm not teaching anywhere just now as I prepare to tour. I've taught one RWA course online and didn't care for online teaching. The people were great but you can't see 'em out there. It's hard for a teacher.
Natalie: Kris, yes, I can see where it would be
annette mahon: for RWA? did you ever write romance?
Kris Neri: I've written one romance story, found it awfully hard, sold it to the second market I submitted it to--and quit romance then!
Ellen Bergh: you found your groove girl
Natalie: Kris, so you've dropped out of romance writing and teaching... and are now up for mega awards. You knew what your niche is!
Ellen Bergh: Kris fabulous short mystery teacher
Kris Neri: Well, I'll be back to real life teaching once my tour is over. I sure knew mystery was my thing.
Natalie: Kris, so you enjoy teaching in "real life", just not virtual teaching?
Lynda Douglas: What do you teach in "real life?"
Natalie: I teach also---computers. Do you teach writing Kris?
Kris Neri: Yes, I like real life teaching. I teach crime writing. Wow, computers!
Lynda Douglas: Where do you teach Crime writing?
Kris Neri: In various campuses around Southern California.
Lynda Douglas: Shucks, I'm in Tennessee.
Natalie: :::::We are reaching the final ten minutes of chat. The floor is open to general conversation and/or networking.:::::::
Ellen Bergh: could we get transcript, pretty please
Natalie: Sure! The transcript will be posted online at the SinC-IC site.
Kris Neri: I hope to make some good progress in my work in progress, and some revisions on another work. But I'm also getting into major promotion mode. It's hard to do both.
Sandie: It must be hard to write one story and promote another at the same time.
Ellen Bergh: Kris like to send dau to your next class at learning tree, will watch 4 promo
Kris Neri: Thanks, Ellen.
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