3.26.15 - 7 Minutes With... Dave White

I am so excited to welcome my Killer Year mate and great friend, Dave White, to the Tao. Dave is a one-of-a-kind writer. His Jackson Donne novels are incredibly cool -- PI novels with heart and sheer drop-off-a-cliff stories. And he's at that amazing time in life where the changes are so abundant--marriage, children, being published, not necessarily in that order--that I can't wait to see what the next decade brings to him. (Did I mention he was published in his twenties?)  To have so much talent at such a young age... I guarantee his future will be amazing, and I can't wait to read his new novel, NOT EVEN PAST. Welcome, Dave! It's great to have you here today!

_________

Set your music to shuffle and hit play. What’s the first song that comes up?

“Too Drunk to Dream” by the Magnetic Fields… which, I think, is a song I haven’t ever listened to—or haven’t in a very long time.  Seriously, how did that end up in my iTunes?

Now that we’ve set the mood, what are you working on today?

This interview.  Heh.  That’s so cheating, but it’s true.  I’m writing this on a Sunday.  I just sent my editor a draft of the next Jackson Donne novel, AN EMPTY HELL, and I’m trying to figure out what I want to write next.  I’m also kind of taking a break from writing for a little bit and catching up on reading and Netflix.

What’s your latest book about?

NOT EVEN PAST sees my series character and former private eye, Jackson Donne, returning for his first novel in almost 7 years.  He’s finally figured his lift out—gone back to college, got engaged, toned down the drinking—and just before exams, he sits down and checks his email.  What he finds takes him to a video of his long-thought-dead finacée Jeanne tied to a chair, but very much alive.  Donne has no choice but to find out what happened, how and why she’s alive.  And the deeper he digs, the more dangerous the case gets, potentially shattering him and everyone to close to him.

Where do you write, and what tools do you use?

I usually write at home on my couch using my laptop.  I write in Word.  I’ve tried to use Scrivener, but it’s too complicated for my brain.  So I stick with what I’ve always used.  I take notes in a separate file and save moments I’ve cut in another file as well.

What was your favorite book as a child?

I loved the Hardy Boys series, but I’m having trouble singling one out.  However, I also loved Sherlock Holmes and THE SIGN OF FOUR keeps coming to mind.

What’s your secret talent?

I can wiggle my ears, and I’m a pretty good rebounder in pick-up basketball.

What book are you reading now?

I am almost done with Laura Lippman’s AFTER I’M GONE, which has really drawn me in the past couple of days.  Laura’s standalones are so good at spiraling downward, taking ordinary moments and making them full of tension and emotion.

After I finish it, I think I’m going to try Taylor Stevens’ THE INFORMATIONIST.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve written stories for as long as I can remember, getting a Sherlock Holmes story published in my school paper in elementary school.  I wrote and drew my own comic books too—so I’ve always been a storyteller.  But I think it was my sophomore year in college, when I wrote a mystery story and my professor told me it was good enough to be published.  That’s when things really started igniting for me.

Who is your writing idol? Have you met him/her? If so, did you completely nerd out or keep your cool?

My writing idol was always Robert B. Parker, who I’ve actually never got to meet, unfortunately.  I wish I had a really good fanboy story for you, because lord knows I’ve embarrassed myself tons of times in front of people.  It used to be a daily occurrence, but I am drawing a blank coming up with any good stories.

What’s your favorite bit of writing advice?

“Ass in chair.”  It basically comes down to that, sitting and doing it.  Writing as much as you can and following it through. 

What do you do if the words aren’t flowing?

I walk away.  I go play with my son or play a video game on my iPad or work out… I do something other than writing.  Usually when I come back, I’ve unlocked whatever it was that was stopping me up.  That said, some days you just have to power through.  The words aren’t always going to flow, you’re rarely going to have a day where you get 1000 words done in 45 minutes or whatever.  Sometimes it’ll take two or three hours… those days you just have to sit there—ass in chair—and get it done.

Are you creatively satisfied?

Wow.  Um.  I’ve never thought about it like that.  I love the books I’ve written, and I think they’re very good.  I am satisfied with them.  Am I creatively satisfied though?  There is a lot more I’d like to do.  I’d like to write a comic book one day.  I’m still hoping to write a “big book”—something different.  There’s a lot on my checklist that I’d like to get to.  But that doesn’t mean I’m unsatisfied…it just means I have goals.

So, yes, I think I’m creatively satisfied with what I’ve done so far and what I have on the schedule.  But there is still more I want to do.

What would you like to be remembered for?

Being a good person, a good family man, and someone who made an impact.  I’m a writer, and I hope people remember my books, but I’m also a public school teacher and I hope I’ve made some positive impact on people’s lives and they’ll remember me going forward.

Alright, now for the really important questions:

Beach or mountains?

Beach, but probably pool, if I can cheat.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee—multiple times a day

Skydive or bungee jump?

Um.  I’ll just stay here if that’s okay, guys.  You have fun.

Chocolate or vanilla?

Chocolate

Winter or summer?

Winter, winter, winter.  I’m going through cold weather withdrawal and it hasn’t even really started to heat up yet.

Cake or pie?

Cookies.  (Fine… cake… unless the pie is pizza.)

Cats or dogs?

Dogs

Pens or pencils?

Pens

Truth or dare?

Truth

Print or ebook?

I go through phases, but haven been stuck in print for about a year.  I like being able to flip ahead and know how long a chapter is.

_________

Dave White is a Derringer Award-winning mystery author and educator. White, an eighth grade teacher for the Clifton, NJ Public School district, attended Rutgers University and received his MAT from Montclair State University. His 2002 short story, "Closure,"  won the Derringer Award for Best Short Mystery Story the following year. Publishers Weekly gave the first two novels in his Jackson Donne series, WHEN ONE MAN DIES and THE EVIL THAT MEN DO, starred reviews, calling WHEN ONE MAN DIES an "engrossing, evocative debut novel" and writing that his second novel "fulfills the promise of his debut." He received praise from crime fiction luminaries such as bestselling, Edgar Award-winning Laura Lippman and the legendary James Crumley.

Both WHEN ONE MAN DIES and THE EVIL THAT MEN DO were nominated for the prestigious Shamus Award, and WHEN ONE MAN DIES was nominated for the Strand Critics Award for "Best First Novel". His standalone thriller, WITNESS TO DEATH, was an ebook bestseller upon release and named one of the Best Books of the Year by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. All three books have been reissued by Polis Books and are available wherever ebooks are sold.

And here's a little more about NOT EVEN PAST:

Finally, Jackson Donne has it figured out. After leaving the private investigation business, he's looking toward the future — and getting married to Kate Ellison. Donne is focused on living the good life — planning the wedding, finishing college, and anticipating a Hawaiian honeymoon — until he receives an anonymous email with a link and an old picture of him on the police force. Once Donne clicks the link, nothing else in his life matters. Donne sees a live-stream of the one thing he never expected. Six years ago, his fiancée, Jeanne Baker died in a car accident with a drunk driver. Or so Donne thought. He’s taken to a video of Jeanne bound to a chair, bruised and screaming, but very much alive. He starts to investigate, but quickly finds out he’s lost most of his contacts over the years. The police hold a grudge going back to the days when he turned in his corrupt colleagues, and neither they nor the FBI are willing to believe a dead girl’s been kidnapped. Donne turns to Bill Martin — the only man to love Jeanne as much as he did — for help. And that decision could cost him everything.

1.8.15 - 7 Minutes With... Jaden Terrell

Jaden Terrell and I go way back. Way back. Nearly a decade now, before either of us had book deals, and were both ardent Sisters in Crime, working hard and praying to get noticed. There is nothing better than seeing your old friends succeed, and succeed wonderfully. Her Nashville-based Jared McKean mysteries are a delight – smart and unique, with lots of local flavor. It’s kind of an alternate universe from my Taylor series; the characters walk the same streets, know some of the same people, yet never cross paths. Cool, huh? Jaden is one of the most dedicated writers I’ve ever met, and juggles an unholy load of work, writing, running the local Sisters in Crime and SEMWA chapters, is the executive director of Killer Nashville, board member of MWA – the list goes on and on. It takes great stamina and creative spirit to keep up with her. So enough of my blathering, here she is!

___________

Set your music to shuffle and hit play. What’s the first song that comes up?

The opening theme from GAME OF THRONES. Very epic.

Now that we’ve set the mood, what are you working on today?

I’m working on the fourth Jared McKean novel, which is about the Tennessee Walking Horse industry.

What’s your latest book about?

The newest release is RIVER OF GLASS. It’s about two people: Jared and his half-sister, Khanh, each of whom wishes the other didn’t exist, but they form an uneasy alliance to save Khanh’s daughter from human traffickers.

Where do you write, and what tools do you use?

My favorite place is on my laptop on the living room couch, with a Papillon on each side and a Tibetan Spaniel at my feet. It’s just terrible for my back and posture, but I love being able to snuggle with the dogs while I write. I also carry a spiral notebook and a pen so I can take advantage of the inevitable hang time between appointments and obligations. You know, those times when there’s not enough time to go home, but it’s too early to be at the next place.

What was your favorite book as a child?

Such a hard question! I think it must have been CALL OF THE WILD. (Yes, dogs again!) I carried it everywhere and read it over and over again until the binding fell apart. I actually went through three copies of that book.

What’s your favorite bit of writing advice?

There are two. The first is “Resistance always has meaning.” If I’m stuck, there’s a reason for it. I just have to figure out what it is. The second is, “You can’t edit a blank page.”

What do you do if the words aren’t flowing?

I pull out a pen and a spiral notebook and start asking Jared questions.  I usually start with, What happened next? I write down whatever he says, which at that point is usually pretty sketchy. Then based on what he said, I ask whatever other questions come to mind: How did you feel about that? What did it look like/smell like/taste like? What did she say? What did he do? What was she wearing? And then what? And then what?

I tell myself I’m not writing, just brainstorming. Eventually, I find myself writing a scene and I can just keep going. If not, it usually means I’ve gone astray and something that happened earlier isn’t working. (“Resistance always has meaning.”) I keep writing in the notebook, but this time asking myself “what if” questions. What if x is really a bad guy? What if y betrays Jared? What if this thing in Chapter 3 happened another way? What if Sara and Donald were secretly in love with the same person?

What would you like to be remembered for?

View fullsize

Kindness. But I would also like to be remembered for writing something thought-provoking and wonderful, something readers love enough to read until the covers fall apart.

Jaden Terrell is the Shamus Award-nominated author of three Jared McKean mysteries and a contributor to NOW WRITE! MYSTERIES, a collection of exercises published by Tarcher/Penguin for writers of crime fiction. Terrell is the special programs coordinator of the Killer Nashville conference and a recipient of the Magnolia Award for service to the Southeastern Chapter of Mystery Writers of America. She is currently working on the Million Books for Freedom project to benefit victims of human trafficking. Visit her blog at http://killerconversation.wordpress.com. 

Here's a bit about RIVER OF GLASS, now in bookstores everywhere: 

Nashville private detective Jared McKean has spent his whole life trying to live up to the memory of the war hero father he barely knew. Then the body of a young Asian woman is found in Jared’s office dumpster clutching a yellowed photo of Jared’s father. A few days later, another Vietnamese woman, Khanh, appears on his doorstep, claiming to be his half-sister and begging him to help her find her daughter, Tuyet, who has been taken by human traffickers. While the police have their hands full with a renegade bomber, Jared and Khanh form an uneasy partnership to find Tuyet before she’s killed or whisked into a violent world beyond their reach.

7 Minutes with . . . Jennifer Brooks

I'm so delighted to have Jennifer Brooks here today! Jennifer has been my first editor for many years, and she has just released her latest novel, WHISPER OF DARKNESS, a wonderful contemporary romantic suspense that you must add to your reading list. Her first book, NO EVIL LOST, was a winner as well. It's as exciting for me to see her books for sale as it is for her, I think.

Without further ado, I give you my adorable sister from another mister, Jennifer Brooks!

Set your music to shuffle and hit play. What’s the first song that comes up?

Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (Billy Joel). Can I just comment on this? Since we’re talking about writing, it’s too perfect an allegory to let slide—it’s a story within a story: Two old friends who haven’t seen each other in a while meet for dinner, order a bottle of wine; the POV character catches his friend up on what’s been going on in his life, tells her how great she looks; they reminisce about old times, old friends; and then it’s time to go and it’s sad to see the evening end, knowing that it may be years before they see each other again, even though they agree to try to get together more often . . . all within the setting of Joel’s brilliant musical style, varying tempos, killer piano licks. One of my favorites. Sigh.

Now that we’ve set the mood, what are you working on today?

The next book! It’s a contemporary romance, a fish out of water tale about a young Chicago attorney, orphaned at a very young age, who finds the key to his past—and his future—on a Texas ranch. I wrote the original manuscript a few years ago, so it really just needs some dusting off and a bit of upgrading/tweaking/polishing. And a new title (to be revealed at a later date).

What’s your latest book about?

WHISPER OF DARKNESS is a romantic suspense about widowed author CJ Moore, who leaves her quiet life in Vermont for the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to help a private production company adapt her most cherished book to the silver screen—and the psychotic fan who follows her there, intent on making sure the film is never made. It’s been called Nora Roberts meets Agatha Christie, and it has a bit of everything—intrigue, sex, humor, and a whole lot of tension, both romantic and suspenseful.

Where do you write, and what tools do you use?

Ten years ago my husband and I were very fortunate to find a house that would accommodate our family of five so that each of us had our own “space”—mine is a 10 by 12 office, full of everything you’d expect a writer’s den to have: bookcases crammed to the hilt with all kinds of books, a couple of filing cabinets, a recliner, and two desks. This is my workshop, and these are my tools. The recliner is my reading space (when the kitten’s not sleeping in it). I use one desk for writing, on my laptop. The other desk has more books, mostly a collection of how-to’s on writing, reference books and such, as well as my CD player and music collection. (I have to have some kind of orchestral music playing while I write, always, or the Muse deserts me.) I generally write in Word, just because it’s been my friend and my crutch for about 25 years, although I do occasionally use Scrivener, which is the coolest program on the planet for getting your thoughts organized.

What was your favorite book as a child?

Oh my goodness I read everything when I was a kid—but my favorites were mysteries, mostly anything Nancy Drew or Agatha Christie. It seems funny to say a ten-year-old’s favorite book was And Then There Were None, but I thought it was the most brilliantly written thing I’d ever read in my life. If we’re going back further than that, my favorite children’s book was probably Ferdinand, the story of the bull who didn’t want to fight matadors but was more content to sit under his favorite cork tree and smell the flowers. Or Angus and the Cat. So precious.

What’s your favorite bit of writing advice?

I think Stephen King came up with the most sound advice I’ve ever heard, even if it is the most simple—“Read a lot. Write a lot.” (I may be paraphrasing, but that was the gist.) I try to do at least a little of both every day, and would encourage other writers to do the same.

What do you do if the words aren’t flowing?

I have to take a break when that happens, and do something that stimulates and recharges my brain. Puzzles—of both the word and jigsaw variety—are my favorite vice. And hidden object games. But I read, too, to keep my finger on the pulse of the creative process. Once my cerebral palate is cleansed, I go back to the writing, and generally spot right away what the problem was in the first place. A very wise friend of mine (I won’t tell you her name, but her initials are J.T.) once said, “Writer’s block is your story’s way of telling you something’s wrong.” (Again, paraphrased.) But I’ve found that staring at the words on the page doesn’t give me the perspective I need to solve the issues.

What would you like to be remembered for?

Having raised my children well. And being the kind of woman that when my feet hit the floor each morning, the Devil said, “Oh crap, she’s up.”

Thanks for being here today, sweetie! Good luck with WHISPER OF DARKNESS!

________

Jennifer Brooks was born in Tucson, Arizona, the “quintessential Air Force brat” of a USAF fighter pilot and a stay-at-home mom who to this day is never seen without a book in her hand. An insatiable reader with an overactive imagination, Jennifer’s passion for literature manifested itself early in her youth, and she discovered her talent for writing during high school. In a career spanning 20+ years, Jennifer has written, edited and/or published a fairly lengthy list of books, novellas, short stories, essays, articles, interviews, and book and movie reviews, covering a wide range of genres, authors and topics in both the fiction and non-fiction realms.

Jennifer holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Indiana University. After a brief stint as a paralegal, she began working in the healthcare field and has now been there for almost 25 years. A bona fide Yankee transplanted to the South, she lives near Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and a small menagerie of cats and dogs. They have three adult children.

About WHISPER OF DARKNESS: Acclaimed mystery author CJ Moore has strayed out of her regular genre and written a gripping love story based loosely on her own life. After six years, CJ is still grieving the loss of her husband, and unlike her novel’s heroine, she has yet to find someone to mend her shattered heart. Now one of Hollywood’s biggest stars wants to turn her most cherished book into a blockbuster film, and their whirlwind romance is at the heart of the deal.

Unfortunately, CJ has an overzealous fan who believes they are ruining her story, and his obsession drives him to eliminate those he feels responsible. When heartbreaking truths from the past come to light, CJ’s emotional strength is pushed to its limits—until she learns to let go of the past, embrace the present, and find her happily ever after in the most unexpected of places.

7 Minutes With... Allison Brennan

I am so thrilled to have my dear friend, mentor extraordinaire, and wonderful NYT bestselling author Allison Brennan here today for a special 7 Minutes With... interview. Her new book, NOTORIOUS, the first in a new series starring Max Revere, comes out tomorrow. I can't say enough good things about this book - you simply must buy it, right now.

Allison and I have known each other for years - she was the first person I met at the very first Thrillerfest, and the friendship stuck. In all things, when I'm trying to make decisions, I ask myself - WWAD? She's a brilliant author, mother of five, a word churning burning chick who is one of the most selfless people in crime fiction. If you haven't read her yet, you're in for a treat. And if you have - NOTORIOUS will knock your socks off.

Here's a quick interview to help you get to know her better.  

Set your music to shuffle and hit play. What’s the first song that comes up?


Time that Remains by Three Days Grace

Now that we’ve set the mood, what are you working on today?

What am I not working on? I have a book due this week (Max Revere #2), I have page proofs due next week, and a book out tomorrow. So … a little of everything!

What’s your latest book about?

I hate talking about my books, let’s talk about yours … WOW is all I can say about WHEN SHADOWS FALL. How do you write every book better than the last?

[Blush - stop that.]

Oh, wait, this is my interview. Okay … NOTORIOUS is the first book in a new series starring investigative crime reporter Maxine Revere. Max goes home to wealthy Atherton, California for a funeral and ends up investigating two cold cases – the five month old case of a murdered architect at her alma mater, and the thirteen year old case of her murdered best friend. Max is totally different than my other heroine’s – she’s not in law enforcement, breaks rules, has an attitude, is opinionated and arrogant but hates bullshit and has a heart of compassion. As long as she doesn’t catch you in a lie.

Where do you write, and what tools do you use?

Most of the time, I write on my iMac in my office. Sometimes, when I’m stuck, I need a change of scenery and take my MacBook to Starbucks. Or a bar. Depends on the time of day … and my mood!

What was your favorite book as a child?


You ask hard questions. How young? I don’t remember most things before I was 5. When I was 8 I discovered my first favorite book series – Trixie Belden. I still have all the books.

What’s your favorite bit of writing advice?

RUE: Resist the Urge to Explain. I tend to over-explain. It also fits my second favorite bit of writing advice: Resist the Urge to Edit. When I start editing before I’m done with the book, I tend to have time management problems.

What do you do if the words aren’t flowing?

Change writing locations (like go to Starbucks); watch television; play video games. Something relatively mindless so I can empty my head for awhile. Usually after an hour I uncover the fundamental problem with the scene.

What would you like to be remembered for?

Being kind.

[That will not be a problem.]

Thank you for joining us today!

Photo Credit - Britton Dodd

Allison Brennan is the New York Times bestselling author of 23 books and numerous short stories. Visit her website here.

Here's a bit about NOTORIOUS on sale March 25, 2014:

Maxine Revere has dedicated her life to investigating murders that the police have long since given up any hope of solving. A nationally renowned investigative reporter with her own TV show and a tough-as-nails reputation, Max tackles cold cases from across the country and every walk of life. But the one unsolved murder that still haunts her is a case from her own past.



When Max was a high school senior, one of her best friends was strangled and another, Kevin O’Neal, accused of the crime. To the disgrace of her wealthy family, Max stood by her friend, until she found out he lied about his alibi. Though his guilt was never proven, their relationship crumbled from the strain of too many secrets.



Now Max is home for Kevin’s funeral—after years of drug abuse, he committed suicide. She’s finally prepared to come to terms with the loss of his friendship, but she’s not prepared for Kevin’s sister to stubbornly insist that he didn’t kill himself. Or for an elderly couple to accost her at the airport, begging her to look into another murder at Max’s old high school. Max is more interested in the cold case at her alma mater than in digging around Kevin’s troubled life, but she agrees to do both. As Max uncovers dark secrets, she finds herself caught in a complicated web of lies that hit far too close to home. And it’s becoming increasingly clear that someone will do whatever it takes to make sure the truth stays buried.