Cast, Crew, and Carnage; the Filming of Castlewood Manor My American Almost-Royal Cousin Series By Veronica Cline Barton

11/4/2018

Award winning author, Veronica Cline Barton, introduces us to the second volume in her series, Cast, Crew, and Carnage; the Filming of Castlewood Manor:
American heiress Gemma Lancaster Phillips, PhD, can tell you that owning and running a large estate is much less glamorous than it sounds. Her ancestral home of Cherrywood Hall is stunning, but Gemma knows how much hard work her cousin, Lord Evan Lancaster, and his estate manager, Kyle Williams, put into maintaining the sprawling location.
Castlewood Manor, on the other hand, is all the glamour with none of the grit. The period drama television series is set to film in Cherrywood Hall and bring millions of pounds into the local community. The only problem is that someone wants to see the production shut down permanently and is willing to kill for it! Gemma isn’t about to let a murderer run rampant through the halls of her family’s estate. When Scotland Yard’s own Chief Inspector Marquot solicits her advice, she once again enlists the help of Evan and Kyle to catch the culprit.
Egotistical actors, a royal it-girl, rival estate owners, and even a family ghost spring up to help or hinder Gemma on her quest for the truth. Will it be enough to show Gemma just what kind of evil has been brought to Cherrywood Hall?

I enjoyed this story even more than the first one! I was already familiar with many of the characters and Veronica’s style of writing. These stories are written in the First-Person point of view of Gemma. She is the American import helping her British relatives with many different projects surrounding the ancient family manor house on thousands of acres. There are so many tidbits I want to share, but I am committed to a no-spoiler policy. The upside is you get to have the reading pleasure of discovering all these wonderful things yourself.
I love Veronica’s writing, she assembles so many different elements to weave a masterful tale of intrigue and suspense. Scene setting, dialogue, and action are just a few of the things she does so well! Also, there is no head-hopping whatsoever! One of my pet peeves is having to stop and figure out who is speaking.
She offers lots of clues and it might be a little easier if you read the first book, The Crown for Castlewood Manor beforehand. It isn’t necessary by any means. I have reviewed Crown previously, last September.
I give Cast, Crew, and Carnage a score of 4.9 stars.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Cast-Carnage-Filming-Castlewood-Manor-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40532638-cast-crew-carnage-the-filming-of-castlewood-manor
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cast-crew-carnage-the-filming-of-castlewood-manor-veronica-cline-barton

You can follow Veronica Cline Barton:
https://twitter.com/VClinebarton
https://myamericanalmostroyalcousinseries.com
https://www.facebook.com/myamericanalmostroyalcousinseries
https://www.amazon.com/Veronica-Cline-Barton
https://www.goodreads.com/author/Veronica_Cline_Barton
Tags: mystery, suspense, traditional detective, cozy murder, cosy murder, castle

Here is the review of the first book: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-crown-for-castlewood-manor-by-veronica-cline-barton
Here is the review of the third book: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/deadly-receptions-the-debut-of-castlewood-manor-by-veronica-cline-barton
Here is the review of the fourth book: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/mistletoe-and-mayhem-yuletide-at-castlewood-manor
Here is the review of the fifth book: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/double-trouble-showtime-at-castlewood-manor-by-veronica-cline-barton

Copyright © 2018 Mark L Schultz except for the author's introduction

60 Comments

Veronica Cline Barton link

11/4/2018 05:37:19 pm

Mark, thank you so much for this review, I'm so glad you enjoyed reading it! Welcome back to Cherrywood Hall!

Mark

11/4/2018 06:44:46 pm

I did enjoy reading the book a great deal. I love your writing! I am starting to feel right at home at Cherrywood also. Grizz loves snuggling on the rug by the fireplace.
For those who haven't met you in the previous interview would you start by telling us a little about yourself.

11/4/2018 07:30:43 pm

Your words are music to this author's ears! I'm so glad you enjoy the story and characters! It's been a lot of fun for me to write the books in the series, I've been able to mentally travel to some of my favorite places and meet some delightful fictional folks! The food and fashions at Cherrywood Hall are pretty amazing too, #JustSayin :)

I'm relatively new to the writing profession. I started writing the series in 2016, with the first book, The Crown for Castlewood Manor published in February of this year. Before I started writing I had sales and engineering careers in the software industry and the USAF. I've done technical writing throughout my career, but this series is my first journey as a writer of fiction.

I am an avid reader, have been all my life. My favorite authors include Agatha Christie, Rhys Bowen, Stephen King, and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. I read all genres, but I have to say a cozy British mystery is my favorite! I particularly love a series where I can get to know the characters and follow them as they venture into new troubles.

11/4/2018 08:05:17 pm

For a relative newbie, you are doing very well. I find your writing to be well above average in the cozy murder genre. I have read several books, all by different authors. Most of them have been written in first person like your books. The last one, I read over half and never finished it. I got busy and didn't get back to it. Some of the descriptions were quite lengthy.
New questions.
Do you think your career as a technical writer has influenced your fiction writing?
You listed several authors, two of them are quite famous. Do you have a favorite book from each of the four authors?
Do you ever read a book more than once?

11/4/2018 08:46:07 pm

I do think my technical writing has considerable influence over my fiction writing. I learned early on how to be descriptive and concise---very handy when you're describing the surroundings and introducing characters. I want my readers to be able to visualize the characters, surroundings and events to make them relatable, and to keep them coming back for more, LOL.

For Dame Agatha, I have to say I'm most partial to the Miss Marple stories. I think Miss Jane is a superstar when it comes down to analyzing people and situations. It's hard to pick a favorite, but I do love Sleeping Murder, my first Miss Marple read. For Stephen King, I love The Strand--the details of the locations and the characters just riveted me. Rhys Bowen's Her Royal Spyness series has me captivated and inspired the writing style for my series. Rhys releases a new book every August and I can hardly wait for each story. Marjorie Kinnan Rawling's Cross Creek pulls me into Florida countryside, and she has some great food inspiration in her book too. I have the Cross Creek cookbook (separate publication), it's terrific!

I do read books more than once--I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've re-read Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot mysteries. Gone With the Wind is a fave re-read that I do every other year. For me, going back to re-read a book is like visiting with an old friend. I always manage to find something new that I didn't pick up on the first go round.

11/4/2018 09:35:43 pm

I was thinking that the influence of technical writing might have had the impact you mentioned. Your writing is brief, but I would not call it sparse, because your descriptions of scene or action are quite full and paint an excellent picture in my mind.
Mrs. Wordrefiner loves the BBC productions of Marple, Poirot, and now Father Brown. I enjoy watching them with her.
Those four books sound like excellent recommendations. Thank you for sharing them.
I am like you, an old book is an old friend to be revisited as often as needed.
New questions.
For the next several rounds I want to zoom in on your new book and see if I can get you to share a few tidbits about your new book, also. First, Crew, Cast, and Carnage.
You have been to London quite a few times. Since your series is set in England. How much influence has your trips have had on your books?
I imagine you have had some nice Teas. My wife made sure we had tea at several different establishments including Harrods and Savoy, during our trips. Food plays a big part in your books. I would like to hear more.

fi

11/5/2018 09:05:29 am

Ooh, I love Father Brown too. Tell Mrs. Wordrefiner to check out Miss Fisher mysteries (based upon Kerry Greenwood's series, excellent IMO) and Agatha Raisin (based upon M.C. Beaton's series, also fun reads). Both are shown on PBS.

My travels to England are always so fun for me. I just returned from a trip to London where we toured three royal castles/palaces: Kensington Palace, Hampton Court Palace, and Windsor Castle. I was fascinated to roam the halls of these grand buildings--the history behind each is so interesting. I loved learning about and seeing the rooms where Queen Victoria was raised as a little girl at Kensington Palace. They've done a great job showcasing the toys, garments and furniture of the period. They also had several of the gowns and outfits worn by Princess Diana showcased. I loved seeing them up close, remembering the events where she was photographed wearing them. Kensington Palace is the home of the current Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex--they have pretty nice digs and Hyde Park right outside of the palace gates!

Hampton Court Palace is only a short train ride away from the city--it's the birthplace of Henry the 8th. This was my favorite palace--the grounds were stunning to walk through, very much like Versailles in France. Windsor Castle was very fun to see as well. They had a lot of the areas closed off when we were there due to the royal wedding preparation for Princess Eugenie's wedding. It was very informative to see all the behind the scene details that go into a royal wedding--I took lots of notes and pictures, I have a feeling they may be useful for an upcoming story, #JustSayin...

We were lucky enough to have afternoon tea at the Savoy during this trip. For my readers, the Savoy is my inspiration for the Beauchamp hotel in my stories, a favorite place for Gemma and crowd to stay during their London visits. The Savoy tea room is so beautiful, highlighted by a metal gazebo in the middle of the room that has a grand piano housed underneath playing beautiful songs as you dive into the yummy goodies. The afternoon tea started with champagne, a variety of teas, succulent sandwiches and fantastic sweets. I ate everything!

I do showcase food in my stories. I use the teas and meals as a an opportunity for the characters to gather and discuss the days events. There always seems to be a clue or detail that helps solve any dastardly deeds that may have occurred. Chef Karl, the head chef at Cherrywood Hall has a very important supporting role in my stories---many readers have told me they are starving when reading. I'll take that as a good sign that I've used enough detail. ;)

11/5/2018 12:29:09 pm

Windsor Castle was at the top of our list on our last trip to England. It was a great tour!
You had a great trip. Tea at the Savoy is very cool. My wife doesn't like champagne much so I drank the rest of hers. The treats are a wonderful memory for me.
We have been to quite a few teas, not just in England, but also here in America. The Empress Hotel, the Fairmont Hotel, the Benson Hotel right here in Portland, to name a few. My wife has learned to put on an excellent tea as a result. They are legendary among her friends.
At first in Crown, I didn't understand why the characters were always having a snack, a tea, a meal. Don't get me wrong, I loved seeing what they were eating. A little further into the story it made a lot of sense, because people always talk when having food with friends and family. A brilliant device for getting information out without it seeming like an info dump!
New questions.
Since you are such a big Agatha Christie fan, were you able to connect with her and her work in any way?
The second biggest thing in your stories, after food, seems to be fashion. You spent a lot of time talking about historic fashion as well as modern, in both books. I do find it quite interesting. You set up every woman's fashion nightmare in Cast, Crew and Carnage. Why?

11/5/2018 01:31:08 pm

In London we were able to get tickets to the Agatha Christie play, Witness for the Prosecution. The 'stage' setting was actually in a courtroom used previously by the London Count Council, a perfect set location! The audience sat in the velvet tufted chairs and some of the audience got to participate as the 'jury'. It was a great performance and super exciting to see at the County Hall historical building. We're going to another play here in Los Angeles this week, Murder on the Orient Express. I've read the book and have seen a couple of the film versions of the story, but never a play. I'm excited to see how they translate the story to live stage.

I love researching the fashions that are described in my stories. I use Pinterest extensively for the more historic designs from the early twentieth century---many of these dreamy dresses are described as garments in the mega closet archive at Cherrywood Hall. I love weaving in an apparel preservation theme in the books. There are so many beautiful designs and the hand sewn beading and embellishments are amazing. I hope the fashions at these old estates are being taken care of as they are in Cherrywood Hall. I'm going to the Metropolitan Museum in NYC in a few weeks to see their garment collections. I'll be taking lots of pictures there for sure! Always on the lookout for new ideas and inspiration. :)

The fashions are also used in the television series, Castlewood Manor. I've researched many show productions and am amazed at the staffs on hand that do the reproduction designs. Earlier I mentioned the Miss Fisher mysteries on PBS--take a look at Phryne's clothes and you will be amazed! Costume design is a big business, inspired by such greats as Edith Head, a designer who won many Oscars in her time. My Penny Atkins will hope to give Ms. Head a run for her designs and just may start her own award collection...#StayTuned

Gemma and the ladies of Cherrywood Hall seem to always hit their fashions out of the park. I get to play writer's dress-up when I'm formulating the stories, a pretty fun time indeed. It's always good to try keeping up with the royals!

11/5/2018 05:32:49 pm

My wife would have loved to see that play and such creative use of an old building for the set. The jury idea is genius.
I am sure the Murder on the Orient Express will be a lot of fun! Did you know that train still runs? It has a regular schedule from a point in Russia clear across the country some nine or ten time zones, I think.
The history of clothing is quite interesting, I had discovered by watching Downton Abbey. I had never thought about it before. Clothing goes a long way towards setting the historical tone.
Gemma and the others bring a lot of life to the story with their outfits. Another thing that contributes to the story. Penny has big boots to fill if she wants to match EH. It will be interesting to see how she does.
New questions.
Did you originally plan on making fashion such a central part of the book?
When the hot-air balloon event was first proposed, I was suspicious of nefarious activity. It was a perfect setup for an evil-minded person. I did not expect the drop. What inspired you to include this kind of event in the book?

11/5/2018 06:00:32 pm

I thought bringing in the fashion discussion would be a good way to tie past and present day events together in the story and give Gemma a connection to her ancestors. It adds some mystery and intrigue to the storyline too---you never know what may be found in the mega closet! Downton Abbey fashions really intrigued me--I loved learning about the behind the scenes design process. The designers and seamstresses have their work cut out, I want the Castlewood Manor stars to shine as much as their DA counterparts!

The hot air balloon event in the story was inspired by a trip to the Albuquerque hot air balloon festival held each October. My husband and I did a road trip to see the event and wow, it was amazing! We did an early morning event (4 a.m.) that gave us a chance to see the balloons getting rolled out and filled with heated air. These balloons are enormous and so beautiful to see up close. In the early morning darkness you could see each balloon's colors as they billowed out and glowed with the firing up of the gas heaters.

The teams needed to roll out the balloons and hold it down as it filled with hot air needed great timing and muscle! The baskets that the pilot and guests rode in varied--some carried as many as 12-15. I was content to stay on the ground but I'm sure it would have been a great ride.

Once the filled balloons got the go ahead for take-off it was magical to see them float up in the air. Off they went, heading over the skies of Albuquerque. Their teams followed on the ground to pick up the balloons and passengers once they landed (which in a city could be a bit problematic).

I loved the event so much--and you're right, it made for a perfect setting for a dastardly deed!

11/5/2018 07:21:43 pm

The fashions are an excellent way to tie the different generations together. You used a similar device in Crown, with the Dinner of the Two princes. I thought that was spectacular.
I have seen pictures and video of that event. There is a similar event in the Portland area, every year. I have seen balloons flying, but never the startup process like you did. I would definitely go up in a balloon, I also know my wife wouldn't.
New questions.
The cover, I love the cover of both books. There are so many aspects of the book in the cover. Did you make the cover?
Who was your publisher? Will you use the same publisher for your next book?

11/5/2018 07:48:45 pm

Thank you. My step-daughter, Danielle Gregorio has designed all my book covers. We talk about themes for each and use photos purchased at istock.com to avoid any copyright infringement issues (a big no no). She uses software to manipulate the photos and coloring. It's been a fun family project to do this with her. I think she does a great job!

For book 3, I will be using a different publisher from the first two books which were published by Createspace. This go around I will be using BookBaby to manage the formatting/final packaging and fulfill the ebook and print on demand sales on numerous platforms. They've been great to work with so far and have been very helpful. I like having a one stop shop per se to do this end of the project. It will be exciting to get it released--current timeframe is end of January/mid-February.

I worked with Theresa Snyder for the editing and proofing of the book 3 manuscript. She was super helpful and very thorough--I couldn't have finished without her help!

11/6/2018 12:17:51 pm

Danielle is quite talented. Does she do this for anyone else? Is she on Twitter? I will follow her and add her to my list of people who make covers and do illustrations.
I hope Bookbaby works out for you.
I know Theresa, she is a friend and lives near Portland. It will be interesting to see of she left anything for me to find. It has been over a year since I have found a book without spelling errors. She is an excellent author in her own right. I think she has over 30 books published, you made a good choice!
New questions.
I loved the use of drones as an adjunct to security in both books. You caught me by surprise when a drone was used for nefarious purposes. What made you think of that?
You are working on the third book in the series. Do you envision a longer series or will the series end as a trilogy? Can you give me any hints about the WIP?

11/6/2018 01:22:09 pm

Thank you, Mark--I'll ask Danielle what she prefers for contact info. She has done other covers and does quite a bit of magazine work as well.

Drones are my latest technology crush---they're being used for so many new things now I had to incorporate them into the books. Security monitoring is great, especially for a large estate like Cherrywood Hall. I got the nefarious use idea from looking at articles touting them for package delivery and even taxi rides (um, no thank you on that one, not for a while anyway). My little gray cells started thinking about using them for spying (ooh, ah) and then I thought of them delivering something not so nice....voila, that concept went into the story. I think it's a first, especially in a cozy mystery! Now for what the drones ended up delivering, I'll be glad to talk about that over drinks and dinner---fancy some sushi?

The series as I envision it will go on for quite a few more books. There's a lot of excitement for the Castlewood Manor TV series and Gemma is going to have her hands full! Stay tuned for more....

As for the WIP---let's just say that now that season one filming has ended, it's time for the world-wide debut of the Castlewood Manor TV series! We'll be traveling to London, NYC, Vail and Malibu this next time around. We have premiere events and my favorite awards show, the Telly Tiaras! There's love in the air, and maybe a little mur-dah...#JustSayin

For you #RoyalWedding fans, Cherrywood Hall is hosting its first nuptial event at the newly opened Wedding Pavilion... #Uh-Oh :)

Travis Borne link

11/10/2018 07:02:43 pm

Hi, Veronica. Hey, Mark!
You book sounds interesting, Veronica. My current reading list is long, but I'll surely add it and get to it when I can. I'm aways looking for diversity. Currently I'm reading a Vampire novel by William Gareth Evans: Within the Glass Darkly, and loving it!
There's also a nice balloon festival here in Pagosa Springs, CO. This is yearly, in August, called Color Fest. Have you ever been? It's only about three and a half hours from Albuquerque.
Good luck with the new book. It would be interesting to me to hear about how it goes with BookBaby. Keep us posted if you would!
I've tried one of these services before, even hired a marketing individual whom they had recommended, but found it to worked no better than createspace, which I will be going back to full steam. The publisher I worked with, not naming names, had no way to track sales, which made things difficult, too, and overall, it was a bad experience, very costly, and if I was to publish that way again, I would maintain control of the Amazon side of the house (payouts every 30 days, plus more control) and let the publisher deal only with all other outlets.
Also, have you checked into Smashwords? They offer a similar service, publish everywhere, and it's for free.
All the best with your writing! ~Travis

11/10/2018 10:24:24 pm

Thanks for dropping in Travis! Balloon festivals are so pretty, as long as nothing goes wrong!

11/10/2018 11:39:56 pm

Hi Travis--sorry, just saw this! Thank you for dropping in. I love William's Dracula the Musical music too--the tunes are amazing--I have his books on my #TBR list as well.

I haven't been to the CO balloon fest but we may just check it out, we really enjoyed the Albuquerque festival.

I will keep things posted on the BookBaby experience--so far so good to get my new book turned over to their project team. I'll put your books on my #TBR list as well--I'm trying to read as many of my fellow writers books as I can. Mark has given your books very high recommendations!

Thanks again for stopping in! Veronica

11/6/2018 03:03:25 pm

If Danielle is not on twitter, let me suggest she should be, there are many thousands of authors on twitter.
I just read about another use for drones. A company is designing drones to operate autonomously as a group and the drones will fly through a system of caves and map the cave system for humans. Much faster and safer.
Sushi, yes; pancakes, no. ;-)
Many more in the series makes this reader happy!
No stop in Portland, Oregon? That's a crying shame! There are so many wonderful places to hold a premiere and fantastic locations for photo shoots. Portland is just up the road from Malibu also.
#RoyalWedding is really letting the cat out of the bag. Magnum PR is going to be so jealous, I scooped them on the event of the year! What a killer deal!
Sounds like way too much fun, almost enough to die for.
I think we have covered Cast, Crew, and Carnage pretty well. We haven't given too many spoilers out. If you get some really exciting news feel free to jump in and announce.
It's time to talk about writing and such in general.
Are you writing full-time or part-time?
How much editing and proofreading do you do of your books, before sending it out to beta readers?
Have you had any experience with plagiarism and how did you deal with it?

11/6/2018 04:33:52 pm

After every thing that happened this last trip to the States, Gemma and crew may not be back for a while! LOL

I'm lucky these days, I get to write full time! Of course that includes traveling and lots of research, there's always something for a writer to do. (including trying out new foods and cocktails to be included in the next book!)

Editing and proofing are processes I take very seriously. It takes me several run-throughs to feel confident enough to let someone else take a looksie. With my current WIP, I went through it line by line 8 times before I sent it to my beta readers and editor and I was so chagrined to see how many errors there were! It does not matter how many times I review, there are always errors that I just don't catch. I don't know if it's because I can't see the trees for the forest, old age or what. For me, having more people read it the better! I'm just finishing the final, final, final edits now--it will be interesting to see what you find in February, Mark!

So far I haven't had any plagiarism issues (knock wood). It's a sad situation for sure and once your product is out in the digital world it's hard to track. I will say this--if I catch someone in the U.S. plagiarizing, #Uh-Oh....

11/6/2018 06:30:46 pm

I didn't know the writing life was so hard! All that jetting around, trying different foods, exotic cocktails. ;-)
You make it sound so nice, Veronica.
Self-editing is very difficult. It takes a great deal of concentration. Having fresh eyes is very helpful, some writers put a manuscript away for anywhere from a few days to a few months. The more time the better.
I am looking forward to reading the next book, I would love to read a book without being thrown off the rails by spelling errors. It's been over a year since I have had that pleasure. I am hoping for the best.
I have heard of a website that helps identify plagiarizing but I can't think of the name right now.
New questions.
Is it hard to think of a title for your books?
What are your earliest memories of writing, how far back does that go for you?

11/7/2018 08:58:52 am

I try to pick titles that reflect the theme of the book (ie Crowning the winner of the estate set location; Cast Crew Carnage---let's just say things get a little dicey during season one filming). Since I write a series, Castlewood Manor will always be included in the title for continuity purposes. I try and have fun with it---and make sure the cover design fits in with the theme too.

I've loved books since I was a little girl (at least a billion years ago). I loved how magical it was to read and be swept into another world. Reading was my escape and I went into these fictional worlds as often as I could as a reader.

I think about fictional writing until my adult years. I always toyed with the idea of writing a book and when I 'retired' I gave it a go. I found once I started, I couldn't stop! I'm glad I started a series--it's fun to get to know your characters and see them develop over time. I feel more confident as a writer to take the characters into new places and mysteries. I know the characters strengths and weaknesses, and have a pretty good idea of how they'll react to different situations. With my latest WIP, I giggled a lot with Aunt Margaret--she's developing a dry wit that I think is pretty funny. A little humor is always needed when you have bodies all around you! #JustSayin

11/7/2018 12:37:45 pm

You and I have reading for escape in common. I have always enjoyed reading to go somewhere or somewhen new. Most of my life sci-fi and fantasy have been my favorite genres. Now, I enjoy almost every genre if the writing is good!
As a reader, I am following right along enjoying the development of the characters. Aunt Margaret's wit is getting sharp and I am enjoying the twinkle in her eye.
New questions.
Do you have a favorite scene in this book?
If you could meet one of your characters in real life, which one would it be, what would you do for three or four hours, and why?

11/7/2018 01:23:38 pm

I have to say I really enjoyed the scenes with the hot air balloon event. I was so excited to bring this type event to Cherrywood Hall after the visit to the Albuquerque festival. I hope I brought the excitement to the story with my descriptions. There are some fairly dramatic situations that occur during this event, and a tragic scene as well. I wanted to capture the excitement, adrenaline, and sorrow that I'm sure Gemma and the other characters went through. It was probably one of my most action packed sections of the book-- I hope I did it justice! (nervous author giggle)

I'd like to spend a couple of hours with Gemma I think--to get to see what she thinks living in a new country, and being exposed to some very high brow situations and events. She's a fairly well rounded young lady but I'm sure the happenings at Cherrywood Hall have been a bit daunting. I'd love for her to show me around Cherrywood Hall, and especially the Mega Closet. I definitely would love to see the exquisite garments, and if I could keep Gemma from huffing, try on those shoes and boots myself! I think we'd talk about Aunt Pippa too, we've both grown to love this ancestral auntie. We'd have to end our time in the conservatory, I dream about that room filled with the lights and waterfall. I wouldn't mind having a glass or two of the Cherrywood wines...#JustSayin

11/7/2018 01:40:55 pm

That is a good choice! I would have picked the same event also. The hot air balloons are very dramatic! I would be happy to go up in the air, but not with Gemma. It seems someone is out to get her.
I can see you spending a lot of time with Gemma in the mega closet.
There are so many elements in your books that you have woven together so well. You have a major outdoor event in both Crown, the breakfast hunt, and Cast, the balloon flight. You also have major indoor events. There is the discovery of the secret room in Crown and construction of the wedding chapel in Cast. So, I am really looking forward to seeing what you highlight in the next book.
New questions.
What type of environment is best for your writing? Noise, quiet, public, private?
On average, how many words do you write at a time or how long do you spend writing in one stretch, in one day?

11/7/2018 02:24:05 pm

I usually like some background noise present when I write. I've written many chapters in Starbucks. The people talking and the barista activities are comforting to me as I dive into writing. For Cast Crew Carnage, the beginning chapters were actually written in the bar area of our hotel during a trip to Reykjavik, Iceland! I would go there in the afternoon and sit by a lovely stone fireplace to write while they set up for happy hour. They were very kind and brought me some delicious cappuccinos made with their rich Icelandic coffee brew. I got a lot of writing done there--this book will always have a very special place in my heart remembering those Reykjavik afternoons.

When I go into book writing mode, I try and write a chapter a day, which for my books translates into 4000-5000 words/day. I keep myself at it until I reach that quota. Mind you, I have a pretty good outline of what I want to occur in each chapter (although that does change!), and the outlining process itself takes a lot of time and diligence too.

My books fall into the 85K-95K word count with 20 chapters, so keeping a strict schedule for writing is important for me. I have self imposed schedules that I want to keep. If I don't write, I let myself down and I don't like doing that. Some days flow better than others obviously, but in the end I meet my goals. And then we get to go into edits and revisions!!

11/7/2018 04:19:47 pm

That's good production. I bet all that technical writing has given you a lot of discipline. Keeping a schedule is very worthwhile. I have no doubt the planning takes a lot of time.
Iceland sounds like such a beautiful place to visit! The volcanoes and thermal baths. I understand they use geothermal heat to keep the streets and sidewalks free of ice and snow.
New questions.
You are writing lengthy series. What steps are you taking to ensure you don't have any logical errors or surprise fashion faux pas?
Have you ever needed to pattern characters after people you have known or met?

11/7/2018 05:08:13 pm

For the series I have a general outline of what I'd like to occur in each book/storyline. There are some major changes coming up in the next book that I've tried to put in hints about in the first 2 books (we'll see if you can guess, lol). I use excel to plot out the storylines/timelines/characters for each book to use as my reference. It works for me and gives me the flexibility to incorporate any major changes or mods along the way. I do try and keep track of the outfits/boots/jewels that get described in each story. Just like the royals, we have to make sure we don't re-use a garment again too soon (gasp). :)

I think every writer uses traits and characteristics of people they know or have seen to describe and structure a character. I don't use any one person per se verbatim, but I have a list of physical traits, personalities etc that I use when developing a character. I try and personalize them with a particular trait--a smile, a haughty tone in their voice, squinty eyes...traits that make a reader remember a character. The fun part for me is to try and visualize mentally how a character is going to act, or react, to a situation, and translating those actions and conversations into the written word. Sometimes it works right off the bat, and other times I have to tweak things. I've been lucky enough in my career and travels to have met a number of people, so I think I have a pretty good stash of traits and personalities to switch in and out when needed. I always keep notes when I see something that strikes me as funny or rude or makes me laugh. You just never know what is going to end up in a storyline...

11/7/2018 06:44:47 pm

I suspected you used storylines, timelines, and character sheets to keep track of what was going on.
I bet the royals have a wardrobe person that keeps notes for each outfit detailing when and where it's been worn. What do you think?
Some people are so memorable as to never be forgotten. For others, you are wise to keep notes.
New questions.
For English manor houses and castles that are now open to the public. Have they been required to install elevators to accommodate people in wheelchairs? Or do they restrict the public to the ground floor?
What are the easiest parts of writing for you?
What part of writing do you see your greatest need for improvement?

11/8/2018 11:19:47 am

I'm sure the royals have several wardrobe assistants. They not only have to keep track of existing wardrobe components (remember, each dress has shoes/purses/jewels to accompany the look), but also be on the lookout for new fashions for upcoming events (and factor in details such as pregnancy, travel/climate requirements etc). It is probably a fairly complex operation! With the past trip of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to the Pacific Commonwealth countries they actually had to be prepared not only for Duchess Meghan's pregnancy and the hot temps--but also protecting her against mosquito bites that potentially carried the Zika virus! Long sleeves, pants and boots came out in force.

I did see elevators installed at Kensington Palace---not sure about Windsor and Hampton Court. It would be tricky at some of these locations because of the age of these buildings but also because the castles have been added to over the centuries. There were lots of staircases to climb as you toured the different sections of the castle and palaces and some of the hallways, viewing areas were quite tight. The original floors too at times were uneven due to the original building materials and settlement. I'm sure they are putting in as many features as possible to accommodate mobility issues, but it is a challenge I'm sure in many areas.

Easiest parts of writing? Hhhmmm, that changes throughout the process for me. From the start, coming up with the 'big picture' seems easy enough, but then filling in the hundreds of details to support the idea gets complex. Same with characters---I can come up with who is going to be in the story easy enough (each story usually involves around 15-20 characters, including your core group), but then you have to get into each characters head and determine their personality, dialogue, and traits for each--kind of like mental juggling with several balls in the air all at once!

Areas for me to improve? Lots! Grammar, tenses, repetition, rambling sentences--guilty! In the current WIP, it was pointed out to me that I used the word 'Well' to start just about every dialogue sentence--I didn't catch it when I read it, but once it was pointed out, yikes!

Once again, editing and proofing to the rescue! Thank goodness for those extra eyes that pointed these things out! If you have a limited budget for production, this is where you need to allocate what you have. I am amazed each and every time what I miss. I'm learning from each experience, but there's always something...

11/8/2018 03:14:09 pm

I didn't think about all those details! There must be quite a database for each person's wardrobe. I would imagine these people also have to coordinate with each other as well. Quite complicated once you start digging in.
Do you use some software to track all the people and their characteristics or do you use note cards or something else?
The funny thing about grammar is there is so much controversy regarding so many different aspects. When you consider all the exceptions it gets to be so complicated!
A fresh set of eyes is critical for the last stage, no doubt. If the budget allows then use fresh eyes at as many stages as possible.
New questions.
Is there a genre you have secretly wanted to try your hand at, but haven’t?
Have you attended a seminar or lecture to improve certain skills a self-publishing writer needs to know?

11/8/2018 04:29:32 pm

I use excel to track characters and their traits. Once I start writing a book, I carry along a set of notecards with details on each character with me wherever I go to add new attributes or get a refresh when needed. You just never know what sight or sound will trigger a new thought!

I have another issue to take into consideration when writing, American vs British 'English' grammar/spelling etc....that causes some difficulty for me at times. I'm writing from an American perspective of course so I don't want to presume I know how to replicate British speech perfectly! I use a few words here and there for my British characters--it may not be totally correct but hopefully I can get the point across that they are Brits and not American.

I have toyed with writing a ghost/paranormal story of sorts which branches out from mystery to horror. I have mixed feelings as to how far out I want to take the story---I'm not a fan of guts/gore/slasher---it's just not my thing. My story thoughts are more in line with Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House...I'm a firm believer that the worst horror occurs in a person's mind---not necessarily from external sources. I'm writing down my ideas and one day I might venture out with this psychological/paranormal slant. It would definitely take me out of my writing comfort zone, which would probably be a good thing... I guess...(believe it or not I just got chills, hhhmmm)

I have gone to some lectures on self-publishing and read many, many articles. It's always good to get advice and recommendations from others---there's so much to learn! My goal in the next few months is to start querying for an agent. It's time to get some professional advice on what's the best way to navigate these publishing waters. Hopefully having a few books under my belt will help with this!

11/8/2018 06:47:47 pm

Brits have a vocabulary quite a bit different from Americans. I ran into this issue a long time ago when I was proofreading for a client in Britain.
Since that time, I have located dictionaries for British slang, Irish slang, and Australian slang. I also discovered that MS Word has many different English dictionaries built in. You can choose the dictionary you wish to use.
Like you, I am not a fan of slasher horror. I don't like blood and gore. It shocks me. I would much rather read your kind of horror.
A few years ago, I was reading a psychological horror story about a child that went missing. It was so disturbing I couldn't finish the story.
New questions.
What books do you think every author should read, and why?
Do you write poetry?

11/8/2018 07:36:35 pm

It may sound silly in this digital age, but I think having a set of encyclopedias around and a big dictionary are must have books. I got my start reading an old 1953 set of World Book encyclopedias (they had been my grandmother's)--I'd come home from school, get a snack and pull out a volume, going through each one an alphabet letter at a time. At the time that's all I had in the pre-computer/internet times but it gave me a structure to learn by. It's served me well my whole life, and made me want to go out and research more. Same with a dictionary, there's something soothing about going done each page, reading about the different words and their meanings, at least for me.

Other books I love include travel books and cook books. There's nothing like exploring a new place by pictures--it gives me a reference for places I'd like to travel to and see. Cook books give you a real life chance to taste and experience the cuisine of other countries, something I love to do very much. I like to be very descriptive in my writings--describing the sites, the temperatures, the tastes, the sounds you hear in different lands. I want my readers to be able to experience as much of the surroundings as possible through my words. It gives you a better connection to the readers I think.

For my stories I have some television production books, fashion books and lots of books describing castles and palaces. I like learning about the subjects I'm including in my stories. I'd say to collect the books that make you a more knowledgeable writer for your topics and genre. YouTube is a fantastic online resource for this too.

I have writing guides and a few English books from college, but I tend to get any of the English 'mechanics' guides from online sources these days.

I haven't written poetry. it's something I love to read (there are some terrific poets on Twitter) but I just haven't felt the calling there.

11/8/2018 10:33:24 pm

I think we had the World book also. We had a ten-volume set of Science Encyclopedia and a twenty-pound dictionary, that thing was 6 inches thick! It was easy to spend an hour or two in that thing.
We are birds of a feather, for sure.
You have a lot of books that help you write. I love it. If the internet goes down you have resources.
What are your favorite writing guides?
New questions.
What is your favorite motivational phrase that keeps you going?
What famous person living or dead would you like to meet? A famous author?

11/9/2018 08:19:27 am

My main writing guide that I use is the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS). I use their online tools and have found them very comprehensive and thorough for my needs.

I'm a big fan of Winston Churchill phrases for inspiration. When we were in London we had the chance to go through the Churchill War Museum, an underground museum where Churchill and his staff spent much of WWII governing during the bombing. It was a fascinating place to visit and walk through---amazing details and artifacts from the time. I find Churchill's wit strikes big chords with me. My favorite saying: If you're going through hell, keep going! Very wise words, indeed...

I'd love to have a mystical tea with Dame Agatha Christie some time. Her writing has given me so much pleasure my entire life. I love her characters (Miss Jane Marple, the notorious MJM rules), her stories, the settings...She has a way of writing that pulls me in with the characters, experiencing the story with them. for me as a reader, there's nothing better!

11/9/2018 12:59:24 pm

Several authors have told me they use CMOS. It seems to be very popular.
Winston Churchill was an amazing man, he took office at a very difficult time and performed remarkably in terms of carrying the nation through WW2. That is a museum I would love to see.
Tea with Dame Christie would be phenomenal, no doubt! What fun to even ream about.
New questions.
In your careers, did you ever train or mentor a less experienced associate or an intern? Have you ever thought of sharing your knowledge as a writer? Like speaking to a group of kids in high school or college who want to be writers.
How do you relax when you're not writing?

11/9/2018 03:13:37 pm

I did mentor a few people over the years during my careers in engineering, software sales and marketing positions. I particularly tried to work with women since many of the positions I held had been traditional men's positions, particularly in the engineering and technical sales arena. I think it's important to give back, and let people know they're not alone!

I'd love to share my experience with other writer's--young and old! I try to give updates in my weekly blog as to what is going on with my writings, including any outside help I'm getting. I'm just learning the writing/publishing world myself, so I don't pretend to be an expert but at least I can let people know what I'm trying. I give updates and will include areas I find difficult. I'm always open to suggestions and recommendations!

My main way to relax is to travel whenever I can, both locally and overseas. I do lots of local trips--southern California has mountains, deserts, and the beach close by for us to enjoy. We love going to other cities and states here in the U.S. One of my favorite trips this past summer was a long day trip where we took the Amtrak coastal express from San Juan Capistrano up to San Francisco. The trip took over 15 hours but we loved it. The trek along the coastline was magnificent, giving us a chance to see sites we could never see from the freeway. I have a train trip in the next book, so this gave me lots of ideas to include in the story---just wait!

We also spent some time this summer at the Biltmore estate in Ashville, NC, a beautiful American palace of sorts that gave me lots of inspiration as well. The Biltmore estate also has a vineyard and winery on the estate, just like Cherrywood Hall! We had lots of fun going through their operations and it was quite nice to do some taste testing too. :) #JustSayin

Next May we're taking a cruise around the British isles, including stops in Ireland, Wales, and Scotland for our 20th anniversary. I've never been on a long cruise, so I'm really looking forward to this trip! I can't wait to explore some of the new areas, I'm sure it will be beautiful.

11/9/2018 06:52:29 pm

I am glad to hear you are sharing your journey on your website.
Mentoring can be fun. While volunteering in the Childrens Ministry at church, I discovered several of the teen volunteers were writing stories and fan fiction. I got to know them and helped them as much as I could. I also set up small meetings with local authors and that was enjoyed by all.
I hope you get the opportunity to mentor some teens, they are a lot of fun!
I have done a different leg of that train trip, San Francisco to Portland, a couple of times. Just as beautiful I am sure. I have also traveled from Portland to Seattle, not nearly as pretty but so much nicer than driving.
I have no doubt that the tasting at the Biltmore was a lot of fun. A few years ago, we went to Europe and did a day trip out of Paris through the Champagne region That was splendid! We had champagne at every stop, visited operations of a small winery and a large one and learned so much about the history and making of champagne. I was really impressed.
That cruise sounds magnificent! I would love to do something like that. But it will never happen because my wife fears cruise ships for a number of reasons.
New questions.
Have you ever thought about doing a book trailer?
Have you ever thought about doing an audio book?

11/9/2018 07:11:28 pm

I have had a few friends and children of friends who are writers contact me. I share as much as I can with them and tell them to go for it! I have a cousin who is a few years younger than me who is inspired to write an inspirational book after talking with me. She has a terrific story, I can't wait to read it!

I do want to try a book trailer! I love the ones I've seen on Twitter (Bibiana Krall, M.B. Tosi, Marcee Corn to name a few). I think they're a great way to market your books--gives the reader a new perspective on why they may just want to take a read. Great way to market and advertise on social media platforms--a very important aspect to consider!

I just listened to my first audio book, H. E. Wilburson's The Day of the Martians--I loved being able to listen while on an airplane. The narrator's voice and background music set the mood! It is definitely something to consider---one of the writer's I met at the LA Festival of Books signing event this past summer told me that audio releases were her biggest source of income! Need to keep these business aspects in mind!

11/9/2018 09:43:20 pm

That's great! You are already mentoring others.
As a journeyman sheet-metal worker, I had apprentices working with me quite often, I enjoyed sharing my knowledge and appreciated their questions. Sometimes their questions resulted in a better way of doing something.
Stanley Straub has a new book trailer out for "The Trail in the Woods" and it's quite well one. I enjoyed his book and reviewed it previously.
I have a list on my twitter home page of people who make trailers, but I bet Krall and the others would be happy to share with you who made theirs.
I have reviewed Wilburson's audio book also! I really enjoyed it! I didn't find a single spelling error, of course, it was audio! Grizz says I am being silly.
I think your books would be smashing as an audio book.
New questions.
How do you convince readers to give you a book review?
What are your thoughts on bad book reviews?

11/9/2018 10:20:16 pm

I try and ask readers to leave reviews via social media tweets and posts every week. I don't want to be a pest but it's an important topic that I need to stay on top of (as do all authors). I ask people personally when I see them too. In the end, all you can do is ask, and I try and be consistent for timing of my requests.

So far I haven't had any poor reviews. I guess I would question a really rotten one based upon feedback I've received so far, but I would like to understand the reasons behind any negative comments if I do get them (always looking for areas to improve). I can't control trolls or anyone out for revenge--I hope I don't have to deal with that kind of behavior--it does no one any good.

11/10/2018 01:13:00 pm

Yes, reviews are so important! I think it's necessary to ask. So many people forget to leave a review.
I have come to the conclusion that one poor review is a good thing. It validates all the others, proving it's not just your cat, dad, mom and friends trying to boost you up. Trolls are quite obvious, they can and should be ignored. Real criticism is quite valuable and should be respected. Every book as a limited audience, meaning that not everyone will like the same book.
New questions.
How hard was it to choose self-publishing or traditional publishing?
What are the main advantages of being self-published as opposed to getting a book deal?

11/10/2018 02:09:21 pm

I chose self publishing at this time because I wanted to learn about the publishing industry before I made a long term commitment. As an author you need to factor in data rights/ownership, release schedule, revenue/royalty splits etc. Being a new author, I wanted to retain ownership of my rights at this time until I feel comfortable enough making a long term commitment to a firm.

I've found self publishing to me a fairly easy and straightforward process. For my first two books I worked with Createspace/Amazon KDP. They offered at the time an all inclusive set of services including editing/proofing, formatting, cover design, marketing essentials, and print on demand services. Since Createspace no longer offers these services, for my latest WIP I am working with BookBaby to handle the formatting, metadata optimization, and ebook/Print on Demand services. I was lucky to have author Theresa Snyder's support for editing/proofing. They have been very supportive and so far, the process is straightforward.

I suppose a traditional publishing 'deal' varies by publisher and how badly they want your manuscript! their support could lend a writer valuable marketing and editorial resources, as well as distribution support. I have heard however that authors with traditional publishing deals are still expected to promote their works via social media, events, and websites---much as the Indie/self published authors have to do. You may have a bit more stability and perhaps financial rewards with a traditional publishing deal, but there's still work to do, lol!

Again, right now for me I am continuing the self-publish route. That may change with time, but for now it's the best path for me. I find it very fun to learn about new services and technologies, and I've gained a wealth of info since I first started this path last February. I'm fortunate in that I don't have to make a rush decision, and have the resources to support this independent path as I get my OJT and learn about the industry.

11/10/2018 03:41:48 pm

I think you made a wise decision. I read a blog recently talking about intellectual property rights. One author was highlighted because a movie was being made from their book, 59 years after it was traditionally published. The author had kept the movie rights and was able to reap the reward.
I have heard the same thing, publishers expect the author to do more of the work, the author winds up with less. The more I learn, the more self-publishing makes the most sense.
I know a number of authors starting their own publishing house. Perhaps you will wind up doing the same.
One thing for certain, since the appearance of Amazon on the scene, publishing is changed forever.
New questions.
Do you think independent publishers can produce a book as good as mainstream publishers?
What are the three most important considerations for an independent author to be certain of when self-publishing?

11/10/2018 07:19:58 pm

I definitely think that technology has enabled independent publishers to produce a very high quality product just as a mainstream publisher. There are so many tools available to use for formatting, design, and packaging a product today. The emergence of ebooks and audio books has leveled the playing field---you just need to see who offers quality services and distribution options. There are many independents out there, make sure their business options fit with your needs.

I think the three most important considerations for self publishing include:
1)Have your story as polished as possible, including lots of editing and proofing. I can't emphasize this enough. Readers get turned off by plot holes, spelling errors, and story continuity. You can have the greatest story/plot ever, but if you don't execute it well from start to finish you really limit its success, IMO.
2)Choose a publisher that has the tools and practices you need to professionally publish and distribute your product. I'm very interested to compare BookBaby with their open distribution network to Createspace, which is basically Amazon centric (for ebooks). It will be interesting to measure sales across platforms---lets hope the more the better!
3)Market/promote/network---remember sales depend on you! There are over 5 million titles on Amazon alone and you compete for a readers interest! I have started a weekly blog, participate on social media (I will be expanding my presence on Instagram next year, which will require some new social media strategizing on my part). I plan to work with some professionals to help me with this outreach--I think it will be a good investment. I'll also be expanding the PR and advertising efforts for my books too.

11/10/2018 09:52:14 pm

I will be very interested in hearing about how BookBaby works for you.
I read in a blog recently, that Kobo has partners in many different countries to distribute books in those countries. A lot of countries use English as an official language so many people outside of the UK and USA like to read books in English. I think your books would be an excellent fit for those international readers of English.
I completely agree with you about those three things! They are so important and finding the right publisher requires a lot of research, I am sure.
I was on the New Apple Literary services website earlier. Your first book "The Crown For Castlewood Manor" was selected for award in the Mystery category! Congratulations! That is an awesome achievement for your first book! I am very happy for you!
New questions.
For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or print books?
What books are you reading at present for your business and for pleasure?

11/10/2018 10:30:07 pm

Yay! Thank you, Mark! I'm so excited to have received an Official Selection honor for The Crown for Castlewood Manor! I'm blown away and so grateful! There are so many talented writers and to receive this kind of recognition is amazing. I'm putting the medallion on my book covers now! I think there just might be a party being planned at Cherrywood Hall!

I pretty much buy my new fictional reads as eBooks, primarily so that I can read on my tablet when we travel. For me, it's a convenient way to house a lot of reading materials. I do buy hardback or paperback books for my cookbooks that I collect, and some travel and 'coffee table' books with nice pictures. I'm reading Reese Witherspoon's Whiskey in a Teacup hardback right now, enjoying her recipes and anecdotes on growing up in the south. It's a great book!

I've also been reading several books by Twitter authors I follow, including MB Tosi (The Broken Violin); CA Asbrey (The Innocents--a series); Ken Stark (Arcadia Falls); Colin Powell (The Last days of Thunder Cloud); Bibiana Krall (The Soul Keeper) and Marcee Corn (Always Thaddeus). Current read is Luna Selas' (Dead Air). I try to read a new book each week and review--I've really enjoyed these reads and look forward to getting through quite a few more by year end. Very talented writers!

11/11/2018 10:56:03 am

I will be surprised if there isn't a party at Cherrywood Hall. It seems like a regular thing lately. The honor is well deserved. I am very happy you have received the New Apple Literary award.
You are reading a lot! I am sure all of these authors appreciate your reviews.
New questions.
Are there any secrets people are bound to find when they read your books?
Have you received any feedback on a story that influenced the next book?

11/11/2018 11:40:54 am

Well I think the cat is out of the bag with my boot obsession and love for food! Those who know me personally picked up on that right away, lol. The inspiration behind the Howling Pig pub in the stories is my own little 'Rusty Pig' area off our front porch. It's a favorite gathering place with our neighbors to catch up and visit and perhaps imbibe in a cocktail or 2...#JustSayin I also try and incorporate places I have traveled in my stories such as the afternoon tea at the Savoy. I think these kind of details are fun and I like to put little pieces of my life out there :)

I have received feedback from my #BetaReaders for the current WIP. They were excited to read about the travel experiences Gemma and crew have during the latest story. There's some unexpected twists and turns coming up too for Gemma--life changers...I'm getting feedback on what to do with a favorite character for book 4, decision time!

11/11/2018 04:27:48 pm

The Rusty Pig sounds really cute! Your personal experiences really make a difference in the story, it provides a ring of authenticity.
Poor Gemma, while her life seems so idyllic from one moment to the next, she does seem to have an uncanny knack for finding some serious potholes on the road.
I can hardly wait to see what happens next. Come on February!
New questions.
Is it hard or easy to connect with your muse, why do you think it is that way?
Is there any particular time of the day that ideas usually hit you?

11/11/2018 08:45:15 pm

I think when the muse wants to be connected with she'll let you know, lol! Most times the connection works---when I'm in development the pieces of the story usually come together fairly smoothly as I outline and plan out the chapters and characters for the plot lines. From experience I know that things will change once the writing starts but that's okay, most time the changes work out for a stronger story.

There are times however, when I have nothing---times where the words absolutely leave me. I had a period this past summer where I thought I was ready to write and get started, then boom---nothing. I don't know if it was the heat waves we had or what, but I just couldn't get the connection. I waited it out, working more on the outline etc. It took almost a month, a bit scary! Once the words started flowing things were good, I met my schedule and deadlines. For a while though I was a bit panicked!

When I'm in the writing zone, I'm always amazed at the ideas that seem to hit right when it's time to turn in! I've learned to keep a pen and notebook on the side table--if I don't write the idea down it will be lost in the morning. I think your brain churns so much during the day the ideas sit back and wait until you slow down before they emerge.

Lots of things trigger an idea--music, sounds, smells--I'm always pulling out my phone when we're out to send myself messages to capture these little gems. I don't mean to be rude, but when the muse sends you an idea, write it down! (my husband is used to this these days, lol)

11/11/2018 09:10:22 pm

I think a lot of authors would agree with your first statement. You have learned to be flexible with your muse, I see tweets from other authors who seem rather panicked that the story is veering off the road.
I would be in a panic also if the well was dry. It sounds like you made a good choice in refining what you had. Some authors keep several projects going at the same time and move from one to the other as the muse or lack thereof dictates. Some others enter short story contests or write poetry outside of their genre. As long as it works, that's all that matters.
I wouldn't let much stop me from making a few notes if the muse calls, that is very important.
New questions.
How do you deal with a difficult section in a WIP?
Have you read any fiction books that have changed your perception of that genre or style of writing?

11/11/2018 10:01:37 pm

For difficult sections I try and get something down and move on if I get stuck. Sometimes moving to the next chapter brings things in perspective so that you can go back and make the fixes to smooth out a transition or fill in a gap. The worst thing is stopping (for me anyway). One piece of advice from a writer on Twitter suggested writing the final chapter if you get stuck and work backward! I think the best advice is to keep moving ahead with the story---you can always come back and edit/revise, hard to do that with a blank page!

Since I've started to read the books of my fellow Twitter writers I've ventured into some horror (more YA horror and ghost stories) and sci fi that renewed my interest in those genres. I'm particularly fascinated by all things Victorian era Martian now thanks to Powell and Wilburson! Mysteries are still my all time favorite but I'm expanding into historical mysteries and more modern suspense/thrillers--if the story is intriguing I'll give it a go, lol. :)

11/12/2018 11:56:15 am

Skipping a little bit ahead sounds like a great idea. Even writing the last chapter sounds like a good idea, it gives you a definite target to aim at.
Some time back I reviewed a paranormal mystery, "Tribute" by Chris Knoblaugh. It was an excellent story, I think you would enjoy it. Here is the link: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/tribute-the-cleaners-series-book-1-by-chris-knoblaugh
New questions.
Do you use music or some other stimulus to cultivate a feeling within that will help you write certain types of scenes?
Can you name one thing that you would give up to become a better writer?

11/12/2018 02:54:29 pm

I laughed when I read this question---most of the time I have the television on---very helpful when I'm listening to CNN to write 'mur-dah' scenes, lol (blood boils with most of the news these days). If I'm writing an intense scene, I do like it quiet so that I make sure to get the details and wording correct. I want to make sure the reader is getting the emotions of the moment (sad, happy, terror stricken).

Well as long as it doesn't involve my cats, hubby, boots or crowns (no specific order, well except for the cats, they rule) I'm good! I'm pretty happy with my life right now, so hopefully I can keep working and developing as things are. I'm always open to new concepts and learnings, always have been, and hopefully always will! :)

11/12/2018 05:21:57 pm

CNN, that's an interesting use of the channel. To get yourself psyched up to write about violence of one kind or another.
Whatever it takes to make sure the reader connects with the right emotion, at the right moment. That is very important and necessary for good writing.
I hope your hubby loves the cats as much as you do. Otherwise he might feel slightly miffed about playing second fiddle to the cats. ;-)
I do agree, learning and being willing to learn all your life is one of the important ingredients to having a long and fulfilling life. Reading doesn't hurt a bit as well.
New questions.
What area of your writing has the greatest need for improvement at this time?
What non-writing skill could you learn that might prove to be very useful for writing in the future?

11/12/2018 07:05:12 pm

My hubby and I are both second fiddle to the cats, lol :)

I'd like to work on my plot development skills a bit more, and take a few more risks in the storylines. I need to do more research in some technical areas and historical references. While I'm an American writing cozy British style books, I want to make sure I'm accurate when it comes to the British details. For the next book (book 4) the historical 'dilemmas' will play an important part in the plot--I want to make sure I don't break too many 'rules'.

I'd like to learn more about the British estates when it comes to maintaining and sustaining these large manor houses and grounds. It will be interesting to make some site visits and talk with the owners and estate managers. I'd also like to learn more about vineyard and winery operations since this is an important aspect of business at the Cherrywood Hall estate. The more details I have, the better I can translate into the storylines.

11/12/2018 07:33:52 pm

That is a big difference between cats and dogs, cats think you are staff, dogs think you are god. LOL I have had lots of both. I know whereof I speak.
I am excited to see what is in book 4.
Learning about the manor houses and their operations would be quite interesting. A winery is a unique business with some really intense moments during harvest and lots of ups and downs after.

I want to thank you Veronica, for being such a patient and engaging guest. I have enjoyed our chat so much.
I wish you the best in your writing career and can hardly wait for the next book to come out. Cheers!

11/12/2018 07:40:48 pm

Thank you, Mark! See you back at Cherrywood Hall in a few months, cheers!

Cast, Crew, and Carnage; the Filming of Castlewood Manor My American Almost-Royal Cousin Series By Veronica Cline Barton

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