A Visit with Mark Troy

Mark Troy lived in Thailand for five years as a Peace Corps volunteer, teaching English and supervising student teachers. He also traveled extensively in South East Asia, India and Nepal. After earning his doctorate from the University of Hawaii, he worked for several years in education research before joining the staff of Texas A&M University.

Mark, you’ve lived in a number of exotic places. Which setting sparked your interest in writing fiction?

The first spark occurred while living in Thailand. I was doing a lot of reading and discussing books with other volunteers. I tried some stories, but they were terrible. I caught the spark again after we moved to Hawaii and I had finished my dissertation. By that time I decided that I wanted to write mysteries. The fact that there were very few Hawaiian mysteries struck me as something that needed rectifying. I was also inspired by the Halekulani Hotel in Waikiki, which is the spot where the first Charlie Chan story was set. The bar at the Halekulani is named for The House Without a Key and is the best place in Honolulu to grab a martini at sunset.

How did your Hawaiian woman private investigator come about?

My first attempts at mysteries had a main character who was an amateur sleuth and a lot like me. He had a job as a junior researcher at a large university. He wasn’t any kind of an action hero so I added a secondary character, an ex-cop, to supply the action. Thinking there ought to be some romance, I made this character a kick-ass babe. The first smart thing I did with the story was submit part of it to a writing workshop. This was shortly after moving to Texas. The workshop was led by Joe R. Lansdale, whom I was not familiar with at the time. Lansdale hated the main character, didn’t think much of the story, but he liked the woman, Val Lyon. His first two suggestions were to keep the story in her point of view and to write it in the first person. After talking to him about it and giving it a lot of thought, I decided to try it. It turned out to the best thing I did.

The Shamus Awards convinced me to make Val a private eye. I was following Lansdale’s advice, writing the story from Val’s POV when I learned about the Shamus Awards. I looked up the past winners and nominees and realized I’d read most of the books and that the authors were writers I greatly admired. I decided at that point that I should write what I liked to read, so I changed from writing amateur detective stories to private eyes stories.

Did your own participation in sports convince you to write your recent release, Game Face?

I don’t participate in many sports. My main sport is running, which I have not written about. I did skydiving for a few years and that inspired one of the stories in the collection, but that’s the only one. My wife and I watch a lot of sports, though, especially basketball. When I created Val Lyon, my wife suggested that since so many female sleuths were runners, Val should have a different sport. So, I made her a basketball player who had played in college and professionally in Europe. That background and a lot of armchair sports-watching led to these stories. Three of them were inspired by articles in Sports Illustrated.

Tell us about the book.

Game Face is a collection of eight short stories, all featuring Val Lyon as the detective. Seven have been previously published in various magazines, e-zines and anthologies. One story is original to this collection. I wrote that story because I wanted readers who had read the published stories to have a reason to buy this book. There’s also some great interior art. It’s available for all the major ebook readers and in trade paperback.

Although sports provide the backdrop, I don’t consider these sports stories in that they are not about winning and losing. They are about greed, lust, and murder. More cheating takes place in bed than on the court in this collection. The title refers to Val’s dominant attitude of competing to win. The games are afoot and Val had better have her game face on because her opponent is Death and he scores first every time.

What’s your day job and when do you schedule your writing?

I do research on institutional effectiveness at Texas A&M University. Most of my work involves surveys of students and faculty, course evaluations, and assessment of academic programs. Eight to five I’m heavily involved in statistical analysis. Outside of work, I do my writing. I think the two—statistical analysis and writing fiction—are complementary. Statistics is all about people. It’s one way of learning about people. So is writing fiction. I write to learn about these characters.

Do you outline your fiction or do you wing it?

Both. I start with a few notes about the story, which usually include some background on the characters and some statements about the main plot points and the central idea. As I write, I’ll add more information on the characters and list more plot points as they occur to me. From time to time I will look at the plot points and rearrange them as necessary. I used to put the points and the notes on index cards, but now I use Scrivener, which has virtual index cards. By the time I finish the first draft, I have a pretty good outline to aid in the revision.

What’s the most difficult aspect of writing for you and what do you enjoy most?

The first draft always seems to bog down at some point. I start to question the story and the writing. Sometimes I find it hard to get motivated. If I don’t have a set time to write, I might not get anything done.

I enjoy revising. Once I have a draft completed, I enjoy turning it into something good and exciting. I also like letting a story take me to new places and discover new things. A lot of that comes with research.

Who most influenced your own work?

Joe Lansdale set me on the path I’m on now. John D. MacDonald, Robert Crais, Robert B. Parker, Greg Rucka and Marsha Mueller are some of the writers I really admire.

Advice for fledgling writers?

Don’t write what you know. Write what you don’t know. [Research your subject]

Thanks, Mark.

You can visit Mark Troy’s website: http://wwwl.marktroy.net and his blog sites: http://hawaiian-eye.blogspot.com and http://makeminemystery.blogspot.com    He’s also on Facebook: Mark Troy as well as Twitter: Skywritermt

A Visit with Ann Charles

Ann Charles is a technical software writer-editor by day and award-winning mystery novelist by night. Her books are filled with mayhem, fun, romance and humor. When not writing fiction she's busy working on articles about the craft of writing at  her blog site.

Ann, tell us about Dance of the Winnebagos that you wrote with C.S. Kunkle.

I’m actually the sole author of all of my fiction books. C.S. Kunkle is my illustrator (and my older brother). Dance of the Winnebagos is the story of Claire Morgan … When Claire's grandfather and his Army buddies converge in the Arizona desert to find new wives, it's her thankless job to keep them out of trouble with the opposite sex. But when she finds a human leg bone and partners with a reluctant geotechnician to dig up secrets from the past, trouble finds her. If she doesn't stop digging, she could end up dead. 
How did your Jackrabbit Mystery series come about?

Once upon a time, I was playing hangman at work with one of my coworkers. It was her turn to come up with a word, and she added a lot of spaces on the white board. After I landed two consonants and a vowel, the board looked like this:

T _ E    _ _ _ N _    _ _    T _ E    _ _ _ _ E _ _ _ _ _ E _

I was feeling pretty ambitious that day. I took one look at this puzzle and yelled, “The Dance of the Winnebagos!” (I know, the letters don’t match up—I’ve never done well in spelling bees.)

My coworker laughed and hung my poor stick man—the actual answer was The Hound of the Baskervilles. She then wondered what in the heck The Dance of the Winnebagos was.
I said, “I don’t know, but it would make a great book title, don’t you think?”

This game of hangman kick-started my brain. A weekend of plot storming with my critique group fleshed out the story even more. Before I knew it, I had a fun cast, an intriguing mystery, and a book that practically wrote itself. This book landed me my agent, who asked me when I’d have book 2 in the series finished. I hadn’t planned on a second book, but saw where I could tweak the story just a little and make it into a fun series, so I did. And that was all she wrote—well, not really, since I am still writing this series.

How has the ebook revolution affected your book sales?

I’ve sold over 17,000 ebooks this year, my first year of publication. In comparison, I’ve sold around 1,000 printed books. The ebook revolution has served me well, and I personally love reading ebooks on my e-reader. As the co-owner of Corvallis Press, I can also say that ebooks are much easier to publish, sell, and track.

Do you have a day job and what’s your writing schedule like? Also, do you outline?

I am a technical writer by day and a fiction writer by night. Both are full-time jobs and keep me hopping—but not as much as my two young kids. My schedule is crazy, and I carve out moments to write and promote whenever I can, which is mostly at night after my family goes to bed because I am soooo not a morning person.

I am more of a right-brained, write-by-the-seat-of-my-pants author (aka a “pantser”), so my outline is very high level. I rarely stick to it. I like to write a scene and learn what comes next as it fills the pages. It makes the story more fun to build and share.

What are the best and worst parts of writing for you?

Let’s start with the bad stuff. The worst part is just the constant struggle to find time to write, not to mention do all of the promotion and marketing needed to find new readers. It’s not a marathon—it’s more like a triathlon. Some days, I just want to hide under the covers.

As for the best part, it’s the peers, the friends, and the fans. I love meeting new people (even if it’s just online) and building new relationships.

Advice to fledgling mystery writers?

Treat everything as an experiment, which allows you to use failure as a learning device. Be patient and persevere. Remember, this is not a get-rich-quick business. The writing is just a piece of the whole endeavor—an important piece, mind you, but you will need to learn about all aspects of the business like any other entrepreneur.   

Who most influenced your own work?

The list is long, but to name a few of the authors: Stephen King, Rachel Gibson, Dean Koontz, Janet Evanovich, and Jane Austen. I also am greatly influenced by movies, which I use to learn more about elements like dialogue and pacing. 

In the event of a fire, which three inanimate objects would you save?

My husband has trained me to grab the hard drive that has all of our family pictures on it, so that’s the first thing. Next, I’d probably save the printed photos of old. Third, I’d take my laptop to save me a big headache later. 

Thanks, Ann.

You can learn more about Ann at her website: http://www.anncharles.com/
Her blog sites: www.1stturningpoint.com
and www.plotmammas.com

John M. Daniel Revisited

John M. Daniel was born in Minnesota, raised in Texas, and educated in Massachusetts and California. He was a Wallace Stegner Fellow in Creative Writing at Stanford University and a Writer in Residence at Wilbur Hot Springs. He has taught fiction writing at UCLA Extension and Santa Barbara Adult Education and was on the faculty of the Santa Barbara Writers Conference for nearly twenty years. He now teaches creative writing for Humboldt State University Extended Education.

John’s stories have appeared in dozens of literary magazines. His thirteen published books include four mysteries: Play Melancholy Baby, The Poet’s Funeral, Vanity Fire, and Behind the Redwood Door.

John, you have an impressive background in teaching creative writing. When did you first realize your interest in literature?

When I was five years old my mother read me The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. She explained the irony in that remarkable book, and I knew then that forevermore I would be a reader. About ten years later I started reading the novels of Richard Bissell, and I knew then that, whatever it took, I would be a writer.

You’ve worked as a bookseller, freelance writer, editor, entertainer, model and innkeeper as well as a teacher. Which of those jobs did you enjoy and which would you rather forget?

I think I got my highest moments as an innkeeper and a bookseller, because in both cases I was dealing with people and supplying them with what they most wanted at the time. Teaching, too, come to think of it. My least favorite job was as an academic editor for the Stanford University Press. I essentially flunked out, because I wasn’t good enough. That job was hard, borrrrring, and I wasn’t up to the task.

Have you incorporated any of your work experiences into your novels?

 Of course. I’ve written fiction about hotel managers and bar musicians, and my newest one (not yet published) is about a bookstore clerk. My main work experience, as a small press publisher, is what fuels the Guy Mallon mystery series, or at least the first two books thereof, The Poet’s Funeral and Vanity Fire.

Who most influenced your own work?

 I’ve already mentioned Richard Bissell, my favorite writer because of his honest, humorous, wry, cynical yet compassionate voice. He writes about simple folk and makes them into small-time heroes. I should also give a nod to science fiction writer Ray Russell, with whom I corresponded weekly. He was my mentor during my thirties, and he helped me become the writer I became. I also must acknowledge Wallace Stegner and Nancy Packer of the Stanford Creative Writing Program.

Tell us briefly about your small press and how it came about.

I moved to Santa Barbara in 1983 with the goal of being an entertainer, singing old standards and accompanying myself on the guitar. I got a few gigs, but I needed a day job. I’d worked as an editor and a bookseller, so I hired on at Capra Press, a distinguished independent publisher. My position was assistant to the sales manager, Susan Winton. Within a few months, Susan and I were a couple, and we left Capra, pooled our meager resources, and started our own publishing business which (after we married in 1987) became Daniel & Daniel. We’ve never looked back, even in moments when the business drives us nuts.

Have you published any of your own books and how do you feel about indie publishing?

 I have a lot of respect for indie publishing, which comes in many flavors. Yes, I’ve published three books under one of our own imprints, Fithian Press: One for the Books: Confessions of a Small-Press Publisher; Structure, Style and Truth: Elements of the Short Story; and The Ballad of Toby and Lark: A Cat Fantasy. I’ve also epublished three novels with Kindle and Nook: Swimming in the Deep End, Geronimo’s Skull, and Elephant Lake.

Advice to aspiring writers?

Write for the joy of writing. Other reasons to write (for money, for fame) may not pay off, but if you love the pleasure of telling stories, you’ve already won the game.

What are the biggest mistakes your writing students have made?

The word “very” in every other sentence. Beginning writers tend to think the word “very” strengthens a sentence, when in fact it more often than not does the exact opposite.


What inspired your latest book, Behind the Redwood Door?

When Susan and I moved to the North Coast of California, famous for its rocky shores, its towering Redwood trees, its mountains inland, and (yes, for better or for worse) its illegal cash crop, I was enchanted. Then I started hearing gossip about the area’s shady past: exploitive lumber barons, the poor treatment of Native peoples, family feuds, etc. I got hooked. I knew I had to write about this place. And I knew I had to make the murder take place behind our favorite bar, which I renamed the Redwood Door.

Thanks, John.

You can visit Joihn at his website,
His blog site: blogsite,
On Facebook: Facebook
And Amazon.com

A Visit with Ann Parker

Ann Parker is a California-based science/corporate writer by day and an historical mystery writer by night. Her award-winning Silver Rush series, featuring saloon-owner Inez Stannert, is set in 1880s Colorado, primarily in the silver-mining boomtown of Leadville. The latest in her series, Mercury's Rise, was released November 1. Publisher’s Weekly says, “Parker smoothly mixes the personal dramas and the detection in an installment that’s an easy jumping-on point for newcomers.” Library Journal adds, “Parker’s depth of knowledge coupled with an all-too-human cast leaves us eager to see what Inez will do next. Encore!”

Ann, how do you conduct your Leadville, Colorado, historical research from San Francisco?

I have a pretty good collection of books and photographs of the area now, after more than a decade of writing about Leadville and its environs. My bookshelves include such items as Leadville: Colorado’s Magic City, by Edward Blair; the humongous 2-volume The History of Leadville and Lake County, Colorado, by Don and Jean Griswold (and I have it on a searchable CD!); and Historic Leadville in Rare Photographs and Drawings by Christian J. Buys. I love looking at old photos… you can pick out such interesting little details with a close examination! I also “walk the streets” when I can manage to get up there, and take a lot of photos and scribble down a lot of notes. I peruse the old newspapers at the online Historic Colorado Newspapers, and am a regular Internet visitor at the Lake County Public Library’s Local History site. And I pester the research librarians at the library regularly by email, when I have questions.

 Tell us about Mercury’s Rise.

When the book opens, it’s the summer of 1880, and Inez Stannert, part-owner of the Silver Queen Saloon in Leadville, is on a stagecoach Manitou, Colorado. Many come to Manitou to “chase the cure” for tuberculosis, but Inez has a different reason for visiting this fast-rising health resort: she is on her way to reunite with her young son, William, and her beloved sister, Harmony. However, the journey turns lethal when East Coast businessman Edward Pace mysteriously dies under the horrified gaze of Inez and Pace’s wife and children.

As Inez digs deeper into the wherefores and whys of his death, she uncovers shady business dealings by those hoping to profit from the coming bonanza in medicinal waters and miracle remedies, medical practitioners who kindle false hopes in the desperate and the dying, and deception that predates the Civil War. Then Inez’s husband, Mark Stannert, reappears after a year-and-a-half unexplained absence. Even as she fights to hold on to her child and the life she has built for herself, Inez comes to realize there is no “cure” for murder....I know that many readers of the Silver Rush series have been curious as to what happened to Mark Stannert, who mysteriously disappeared before the start of the series. Mercury’s Rise answers that question, at least in part!

I know that your 1880s protagonist, Inez Stannert, was named for your grandmother, but was she also the strong woman you portray?

 Granny was definitely strong, in her own way, but not the gun-carrying, whiskey-drinking, card-playing Inez portrayed in my fiction. I believe she must have had a rough childhood--she never talked about her years as a child and a teenager, so I believe that says something in itself. She raised three children during the Depression, when my grandfather couldn't find work (not an uncommon story back then, I'm afraid). What's more, even though she never finished high school, she made sure her children got good educations and entered worthwhile professions; my uncle because a mechanical engineer, my aunt was a legal secretary (back in the day when women didn't generally do that sort of work), and my father became a physician.

Why would someone with a degree in Physics decide to write a series about the Leadville mining town?

My decision to write about Leadville is due to a family history mystery: Granny was raised in Leadville, and never talked about it… even though she loved telling us grandkids stories about her later life in Denver! My Uncle Walt urged me to research Leadville and think about setting a novel there. I took it on as an assignment, and before I knew it, I’d fallen in love with Leadville’s rich history and its current-day incarnation. As to how this ties to the degree in Physics… I’ve always been fascinated by science and technology, and that led me to research topics such as silver mining and assaying in 1880s Colorado (for Silver Lies). From there, it was easy to apply the same research skills to a host of historical subjects for the other Silver Rush books: Colorado railroads, the Reconstruction, women’s rights in terms of divorce and property law, the medical views/research/treatments of tuberculosis, and so on—all in the proper time frame, of course.

 What’s your day job and when do you find time to write an historical series? Do you outline and have a regular writing schedule?

I’m a science and technical writer/editor and write about darn near any topic you want to throw my way, from nanotechnology to solar energy to cosmology or hydrodynamics or the latest, greatest in supercomputer architecture for data-intensive computing. I also do regular “corporate” writing projects: developing employee handbooks, safety manuals, website content, proposal writing … if it has to do with words, I’ll tackle it. I’m self-employed, for the most part, so take on whatever comes my way.

As for finding time to write fiction… yes, it’s difficult. I don’t have a regular writing schedule—work comes first, because it pays the bills. The fiction I write to “feed my soul.” I joke that I’m driven by deadlines and panic, but it’s actually more truth than not. I’m a caffeine addict, who prefers writing late at night when things are quiet around the house. Sometimes, I will take a weekend and go hide in the guest room of good friend and fellow mystery writer Camille Minichino. I can pound out up to 30 to 50 pages on such a weekend, sometimes even more. I don’t write an outline, but I’m required to write a synopsis for each book before starting, and my synopses tend to run about 10 pages long, so if I get stuck, I turn to the synopsis or brainstorm with other mystery writers.

How has the ebook revolution affected your book sales?

I think the jury is still out on that. My publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, has the first three out in various ebook formats, so that’s great. I can’t say I’ve gotten rich off of the sales, but I’m pleased that the books are available in so many ways, including in audio format, for the most recent two: Leaden Skies and Mercury’s Rise.

Who has been your most read historical author and which writer most influenced your own writing?

Since I read so much non-fiction, I’m hard put to name a most-read historical author. I always look forward to books by Martin Cruz Smith, and I very much admire his writing and how he can put me right into any time and place! Right now, the historical fiction book I’m looking forward to reading next is Michelle Black’s Séance in Sepia. I’m also a closet fan of steampunk, and thinking I’d like to try my hand at that genre someday.

Advice for fledgling historical writers?

Write, write, write. Remember to use all the senses in your writing. Have some honest and blunt “beta readers” who will let you know when you’ve let your research take over your book (a definite hazard of being an historical writer!).

Thank you, Ann. It was a pleasure to have you visit us here.

You can visit Ann at her website: http://www.annparker.net/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/annparker.writer

Twitter: http://twitter.com/TheSilverQueen

and Mercury's Rise and the other Silver Rush mysteries are available from independent booksellers, amazon.com, and Barnes and Noble.

Leave a comment on this post to be eligible to win a Silver Rush mystery prize! To see the rest of Ann’s blog tour schedule, check out her News page.

A Visit with Jinx Schwartz

Raised in the jungles of Haiti and Thailand, with returns to Texas in-between, Jinx followed in  her father's steel-toed footsteps into the construction and engineering industry in hopes of building dams. Finding all the good rivers taken, she "traveled the world defacing other landscapes with mega-projects in Alaska, Japan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico and Mexico."

Like the protagonist in her mystery series, Hetta Coffey, Jinx was a woman with a yacht—and she wasn't afraid to use it—when she met her husband, "Mad Dog" Schwartz. They opted to become "cash-poor cruisers rather than continue chasing the rat," and sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge, turned left, and headed for Mexico. They now divide their time between Arizona and Mexico's Sea of Cortez.

Jinx, why were you raised in the jungles of Haiti and Thailand?

My father built dams.

You mentioned that you followed in your father’s steel-toed footsteps into construction and engineering in the hopes of building dams but wound up “defacing others landscapes and mega-projects in Alaska, Japan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico and Mexico?”

I went into the petrochemical field, so we built large chemical plants, refineries and pipelines

How did you meet your husband Robert “Mad Dog” Schwartz? And how long after your marriage did you leave the proverbial rat race to live in Arizona and the Mexico Riviera?

We are not on the Mexican Riviera, although we did take out boat there a couple of time. We are in the Sea of Cortez, which, if you draw a line from Cabo San Lucas to Mazatlan, everything north of that line is the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California)

I was single, working hard and supporting a three-story Victorian in the Bay Area when my dog upped and died. I decided to change my life, so I bought a 42' Power Boat (my first ever boat) and moved aboard. Six months later, I met Mad Dog at a yacht club, and three years later we married and left for Mexico in what was supposed to be a honeymoon trip, but we decided to stay.

Tell us about your Hetta Coffey series, a woman with a yacht who knows how to use it. 

Hetta Coffey is an engineer, with her own one-woman consulting company. She takes on somewhat iffy projects from a legal and ethical standpoint. When her dog dies (sound familiar?) she decides to change her life, so she sells her home and buys a boat to live on. Hetta has a penchant for iffy men, as well, and her world travels have left a string of bad boys in her wake. She's hoping to change all that, but her human foibles keep getting in the way.

You also write a YA series about your childhood in Haiti. Are the stories strictly autobiographical? And why did you decide to write the series?

All of my Hetta Coffey books, and Land of Mountains I would classify as "fictography" (a term I stole from the back cover of John Grisham's A Painted House.) I never set out to write a series, it just happened.

What’s the most difficult aspect of writing for you and what do you enjoy most about the publishing industry?

I am not the most disciplined writer in the world, and it is difficult for me to write when I'm not in the mood. I write humor, for the most part, and you've got to be "on" to do it.

I love book signings, meeting people.

How do you promote your books?

I'm a lousy promoter. When I was working I could sell a client on a multimillion dollar project, but I have difficulty asking people to buy my books. I do well one-on-one at signings.

Do you research all your books by traveling to the various settings? Which novel was the most difficult to research and write?

Without a doubt, my historical novel, The Texicans, required the most research. The other books were easy; I lived it.

Advice to aspiring mystery writers?

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of editing. Of course, now you can go back into a Kindle version and fix your mistakes, but why make them in the first place?

Where can we find you online (your social media links)?

I am on Facebook, Twitter, Murder Must Advertise, and Dorothy L., to name a few. Google Jinx Schwartz and the next six pages pop up. I also have my website www.jinxschwartz.com and all of my books are on http://www.amazon.com/

Just in time for those new Christmas Kindles, my books are now .99 in ebook format, including the Hetta Coffey mystery series  and the latest, Just Deserts, (Book 4) and Land of Mountains, my YA (but suitable for ages 8-108) mystery/adventure that is a Finalist for the EPIC e-book 2012 Best YA novel. http://www.jinxschwartz.com/

A Virtual Tour Visit with Ron Berney

Ron Benrey writes cozy mysteries with his wife, Janet. Together, they have written nine novels in three series: “The Royal Tunbridge Wells Mysteries,” “The Pippa Hunnechurch Mysteries,” and “The Glory North Carolina Mysteries.”

Ron has been a writer "forever"—initially in magazines (his first real job was Electronics Editor at Popular Science Magazine), then in corporations (he wrote speeches for senior executives), and then as a novelist. Over the years, Ron has also authored ten non-fiction books, including the recently published “Know Your Rights — a Survival Guide for Non-Lawyers” (published by Sterling). Ron holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a master’s degree in management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a juris doctor from the Duquesne University School of Law. He's also a member of the Bar of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Ron, you’ve coauthored nine romantic suspense novels with your wife, Janet. Do you ever disagree on plot and characterization? If so, how do you resolve your differences?

We frequently disagree. But, because we jointly operated a marketing communications firm, we understand the need to create the best-possible “product” when we write. Consequently, we've learned to make compromises and to rethink our initial creative decisions.

You’ve worn a variety of hats. Which job/profession had been the most difficult and which has given you the most satisfaction and pleasure?

In fact, my many careers have had a common thread. I have always thought of myself as a writer who writes interesting words about difficult subjects. That’s even true about the novels I co-write with my wife today. It’s ironic, but “simple writing” that explains how things work is the most difficult kind of writing to do successfully—at least for me. My latest non-fiction book—Know Your Rights, a Survival Guide for Non-Lawyers (published by Sterling Publishing)—took more time and effort than anything else I’ve written. A close second is Understanding Christianity (published by Greenbrier Book Company). I’m always delighted when someone says, “I read your writing and now I understand.”

Do you incorporate your background in engineering and law into your romantic suspense novels?

Frequently. When I develop plots, I often use the analytic thinking approaches I learned at both schools. Engineering thinking is great for zeroing in on precise solutions, while legal thinking is useful for dealing with the inevitable shades of gray in every story. I also feel comfortable dealing with technology in our storylines, and we often use legal issues to create dramatic conflict in our novels.

As a writing instructor and coach, what are the biggest mistakes you’ve encountered from your students?

I often find that students trying to write a novel will leave out one of the five key factors that makes a manuscript publishable. 1. They don't write in a recognizable genre (and so create a novel that can't be categorized—or sold). 2. They don't write with a strong and clear voice (this is the one aspect of publishability that probably can't be taught). 3. They have many errors of fact that stop readers cold. 4. They don't have a compelling story. 5. They don't know how create a fictional dream for their readers.

In the days before self-published eBooks, a serious problem in any of these areas would earn a flood of rejection letters from agents and publishers. Today, alas, an author can put an unpublishable novel “out there”—and many do. The few readers who buy them are usually disappointed, but may not be able to explain why.

What are the key elements of copyright law that fledgling authors should know?

The key fact is that copyright attaches automatically when an author reduces his or her original words to a “writing”—on paper or inside a computer. There’s no need to put © symbols all over your work… or to register drafts with the Copyright Office in the Library of Congress… or to send yourself copies of the draft by Certified Mail (a truly worthless practice). Fledgling authors worry too much that their golden words will be stolen. Their unnecessary efforts to protect their work make them look like rank amateurs.

What tips would you give writers for readings and presentations of their new releases?

The one piece of advice I give to all of the presenters I coach is: Prepare! There is no such thing as a good off-the-cuff presentation. Even if you are reading words from a novel you've written, take the time to rehearse—several times. If you're giving a presentation, at the very least prepare a script outline and rehearse your comments—several times. The presenter’s rule of thumb is that his or her preparation time should equal the time that the audience will invest in listening to the presentation. For example, if you expect 10 people to listen to a 30-minute presentation, you should spend at least 300 minutes (five hours!) creating an outline and rehearsing.

Tell us about one of your series.

Our “Royal Tunbridge Wells Mysteries” take place in and around the Royal Tunbridge Wells Tea Museum, a fictional institution located in a real English city. (Royal Tunbridge Wells is located roughly 40 miles southeast of central London in England. These days it’s a thriving “bedroom community” for well-to-do businesspeople who work in London.) Here’s the synopsis of “Dead as a Scone,” the first book in the series:

Murder is afoot is the sedate English town of Royal Tunbridge Wells … and the crime may be brewing in a tea pot!

Nigel Owen is having a rotten year. Downsized from a cushy management job at an insurance company in London, he is forced to accept a temporary post as managing director of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Tea Museum. Alas, he regrets living in a small town in Kent, he prefers drinking coffee (with a vengeance), and he roundly dislikes Flick Adams, PhD, an American scientist recently named the museum’s curator.

But then, the wildly unexpected happens. Dame Elspeth Hawker, the museum’s chief benefactor, keels over a board meeting—the apparent victim of a fatal heart attack. With the Dame’s demise, the museum’s world-famous collection is up for grabs, her cats, dog, and parrot are living at with Flick and Nigel—and the two prima donnas find themselves facing professional ruin.

But Flick—who knows a thing or two about forensic science—is convinced that Dame Elspeth did not die a natural death. As Flick and Nigel follow the clues—including a cryptic Biblical citation—they discover that a crime perpetrated more than a century ago sowed the seeds for a contemporary murder.

Thanks, Ron.

You can visit Ron at his website: www.benrey.com
His blog.benrey.com
greenbrierpatch.com
and buy is book at:
http://www.amazon.com/Final-Crumpet-Tunbridge-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B004QGY9ZG