How did you come up with that?

“How did you come up with that?”

This is a question I’m often asked by friends and family. Everyone wants to know where the dialogue, characters and situations in my writing come from. I have to be honest: sometimes I ask myself the same question after reading a particular passage or exchange between characters.

 There’s no simple answer to the question. Sometimes I do research on a specific subject, other times the spark may come from someone I saw walking around a store. I’ve even been known to have conversations with my characters to figure out what they would do or say in a certain situation.

 One place I draw on occasionally is my own memories. When I’m trying to convey a particular emotion, I search my past for a time when I felt the same way. I can then use that framework to build a more realistic situation for the characters involved and evoke a more realistic emotional reaction.

I don’t usually describe my actual memory, but in one case I made an exception. In “Killing Karma” I gifted James McCarthy with one of the earliest and most precious images I carry in my mind and heart. James’ treasured memory of his father is actually the only memory I have of my Uncle Charlie Pierson.

I described it just as I remembered, changing only the names:

He recalled his earliest memory in the small, bright living room; it was a memory of his father. James could see a picture in his mind; just a snapshot frozen in time.

He pictured a large, dark haired man reaching down to pick him up. He appeared so big and imposing, but his warm smile disarmed James and melted away any fears. He remembered the feeling clearer than the face . . . a feeling of warmth, and of love.

A few weeks ago one of my cousins posted a picture of Uncle Charlie, her father. When I saw the photo, the same warm feeling I had all those years ago came over me like a wave. Before I even read the accompanying text, I knew exactly who it was.

This was the first time I had ever seen a clear image of his face. Growing up, we had very few pictures from that side of the family. I would like to thank my cousin Pat for giving me back the gift I handed over to James. I would also like to thank her son Greg for enhancing the image and letting me see that smiling face again.

Available in paperback and for Kindle at Amazon. 

Available for Nook at Barnes & Noble.

Available for all devices at Smashwords and Kobo.

Also available in the iBook store on iTunes.

 

Get to Know Me!

I’m always curious about other writers and what inspires them. Why do they write and where do their ideas come from? If you’re curious about my process and the inspiration for “Killing Karma,” check out my author interview on Smashwords.  Many of your questions may be answered there, but if you want to know more, just ask.

Available in paperback and for Kindle at Amazon. 

Available for Nook at Barnes & Noble.

Available for all devices at Smashwords and Kobo.

Also available in the iBook store on iTunes.

Local Flavor!

When you tell a story, the location is just as important as the characters involved. The setting can become a character itself. One of the challenges of basing a novel in a real city or town is choosing locations for your action. When do you use a real business or locale as opposed to a fictional one? It’s a tough call, but if you want readers to connect with your story keeping one foot in the real world can help.

One of the real locations included in “Killing Karma” is Macayo’s on Central Avenue in downtown Phoenix.  An institution in Phoenix for almost 70 years, Woody and Victoria Johnson opened their first restaurant in the downtown area in 1946. Macayo’s is still family owned and operated to this day, making it a perfect setting for a story about someone discovering what a real family is all about.

When you’re in the area, be sure to stop in and enjoy the same experience as Missy and James!

 Available in paperback and for Kindle at Amazon. 

Available for Nook at Barnes & Noble.

Available for all devices at Smashwords.

The word is out... Smashwords, that is!

"Killing Karma" is now available on Smashwords.com! What does this mean? It means you can read about the exploits of James McCarthy and friends in the PDF, RTF, TXT, IRF, PDB, and HTML formats, in addition to EPUB and MOBI. Now there is a file available  for just about any reading device you might have. Download a free sample today and give it try!

Available in paperback and for Kindle at Amazon. 

Available for Nook at Barnes & Noble.

Available for all devices at Smashwords.

Just a few “Notes”

Most artists and authors draw inspiration from the world around them. Sights, sounds, people, and places; they all feed the creative process. I am no different. If you’ve ever been to Phoenix or the surrounding areas, you may have recognized some of the locations in “Killing Karma.” You might even look at the characters and say to your self, “Hey, I think I know that guy.” You just might… or at least someone like them.

One place I draw a lot of inspiration from is music. Sometimes you can find me sitting in front of the keyboard lost in my own world, headphones blasting a tune directly into my brain. As the real world melts away the music takes me to another place, allowing my imagination run free. Sometimes the music even makes it into the story, buried among the words like a hidden treasure.

“Killing Karma” contains several of these treasures. Here’s a little challenge for you. As you read the novel, see if you can spot the hidden references to different bands and songs. There are a couple of pretty obvious ones, and a few that require a somewhat broader scope.  

Have some fun with it and post your findings in the comments!

***

Available in paperback and Kindle format at Amazon. 

Available for Nook at Barnes & Noble.

Two Milestones in One Day!

If you prefer the feel of a real book in your hands, your time has come. For those of you who have been waiting patiently, the print version of "Killing Karma" is now available on Amazon.com! I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your patience and understanding during the wait. It's been a long process, but well worth the time spent.

Take a Look on the Nook!

I am proud to announce that "Killing Karma" is now available for you Nook readers out there! If you don't have a Nook, Barnes & Noble has a free Nook Reader app available for most devices.

An Update on Updates!

This has been a busy week in the Valley of the Sun.  The new cover art has been photographed, formatted, and updated. Several corrections (including the Table of Contents) have been uploaded too. Work continues on the print version of the book, as well as other electronic formats such as Epub and PDF. Look for “Killing Karma” to be available for your Nook e-reader in the near future!

A Sincere Apology

In all of the excitement of launching this book, I did not do enough research when creating the cover.  My use of the Hindu God, Ganesh is offensive.  As a Catholic, I would be equally offended if Jesus Christ were similarly displayed.  As a result of this I have decided to create a new cover and will not release the paperback version until the cover is changed.  The eBook cover will be changed at that time.  I have caused disrespect and I did not intend to.  While intent is relevant, the lack of intent does not diminish the hurt.  I apologize for this lapse.

It's Hot, Hot, Hot!

Here it is October 1^st and the Valley of the Sun is still living up to its name. While the desert may still be baking under triple digit temperatures, it’s not the only thing that’s hot! I’m proud to announce that my novel Killing Karma is hot off the presses . . . well, the cyber-presses anyway. The Kindle version is now available on Amazon!  You can find it right here!

You say you don’t have a Kindle? Amazon has a free Kindle App available for most devices; check the “app store” on your specific devise. Other electronic formats will be coming in the near future. For those of you who still prefer the feel of a real book in your hands, stay tuned for details on the upcoming print version!

It's Here!

Things are still heating up here in Arizona! After a year of writing, editing, and repeating the process several times, my first novel, Killing Karma, is now set to launch. My book will be available in the Kindle format on Amazon after October 1^st.  The print version will follow soon; I’ll make an announcement when a firm date has been set. Wider distribution on other sites and in other formats will also be coming in the near future.

I feel it’s appropriate that the book is launching now, as the first chapter takes place during this time of year. In the spirit of the season, here’s a peek at the book: first two paragraphs of Chapter 1:

***

Rose McCarthy, a simple straightforward woman in life, had no wish to be otherwise in death. The coffin she arranged to carry her earthly shell to its final rest appeared tasteful, but understated, the service short and to the point.

It was only 10:30 in the morning and the late September sun had already taken its toll. The small group gathered at the cemetery on the western edge of the desert metropolis fidgeted, tugged at collars and ties, and fanned themselves with anything they could find.  James stood in silence, his eyes fixed on his mother’s casket, afraid to look away; like if he shifted his gaze for even one moment, it would become real. After what seemed an eternity he straightened his back, swallowed the lump in his throat, and turned away.

***

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support, be it in the past, the present, or the future. Subscribe to this blog and I’ll keep up to date on releases of this book, as well as progress on my future writing projects.