Meet KJ Roberts

For a special treat today, I have author KJ Roberts who prides herself on being a country girl born and raised. KJ and I share a couple things in common besides the initials that are our names, we can’t remember when we started writing but it’s just a natural part of life for the both of us. Us fellow Midwesterners have to stick together. Like my stories set in West Michigan, KJ is an Indiana native; her stories are usually set in the Hoosier state. After a ten year stent in the military, she moved to Mississippi (we won’t hold that against her) with her husband and two kids. She loves reading, listening to her son play guitar and watching her daughter dance. Let’s see what she has to say…

How do you get your inspirations for your characters?
I don’t want to sound crazy, but it’s like they talk to me or live in my mind. I don’t usually base them on any real life person. I’ll “hear” a few lines in my head and know if it’s a past character, someone from my WIP or someone new. If they’re new, I’ll listen and try to figure out their story. Maybe it’s enough for a book, maybe not. When I give them a name it will either just come to me or I’ll scour the social security popular baby names website by year. Other details fall into place as I “get to know them.”

Are you a plotter or a pantser, ie, do you write from an outline or have a general idea where the story is going and then just roll with it until the end?
I usually know the start of the story and the end. Then I try to figure out the journey in between, throwing in a few plot twists as I go. I would call that more of a pantser, because I don’t write anything in stone or do a chapter by chapter outline. Some might call it plotting since I usually have major events figured out, but not always. My characters surprise me as I go. They drive the story. If I plot everything, they’ll get mad and let me know that is not how the story goes. If I try to force it, they clam up and the words stop flowing. I guess it’s true what they say, you teach others how to treat you, I just didn’t think it applied to fictional characters too.

What was the most surprising thing your characters did in your most recent release that was a surprise to you?
Oh, wow. If I told you that, I’d give away the ending, because that was the most surprising thing Maxwell did. But If I have to pick something else, I’d say I was surprised he almost lost his cookies so-to-say when he was at the morgue. I think he was surprised too. He’s an ex-homicide cop. He’d seen victims before and these victims aren’t mutilated or anything. They just had a cut around their ear. So he can’t figure out why he had this strong reaction. It become clear in the story as he discovered a connect between the victims and himself.

Thank you so much for the insight into your writing. Anything else you would like to add?
I’d like to say thanks to Wendy for having me on her blog today and share the blurb of my latest release, Pieces of the Star.

Ex-cop and brain tumor survivor, Vincent Maxwell has been recalled for a special assignment: Capture a killer. With no obvious common links or clues, Maxwell must work fast before another body turns up. What he discovers suggest more than his reputation is at stake. Wrapped up in an unbelievable world of superpowers, he’s dragged in deeper with a connection he never thought possible. Can he use the information to his advantage and stop the killer? Or will death strike before he finds answers?

Keep track of KJ Roberts and her books at:
Blog: http://authorKJRoberts.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KJRoberts
Twitter: http://twitter.com/authorKJRoberts

Out of the Mouth of the Young

I was speaking at a Mother-Daughter Banquet Tuesday night and met the most awesome nine-year-old girl. Hannah was her name and when I asked who wanted to be a writer, her hand shot up so fast and so strong she nearly climbed on her seat to get it higher.

She came up as she as the door prize winner and I couldn’t help but ask her some questions. Her answers made me think about my writing, but more importantly how enthusiastic she was and knew her goals. I asked her about what she wanted to write thinking it may be a children’s book or the next Twilight series. She wasn’t interested in that. After only nine years, she knew she wanted to write adult books. There was no wavering, no hesitation.

Now that is one girl who will be giving all authors a run for her money and in only a few years, if we are lucky and it takes her that long. I suspect it may be sooner. She wore a black sequined shirt that simmered in the light but that couldn’t match the light shining in her eyes and her willingness to take on the world.

Sometimes as writers it seems really tough to do all the things you have to do to promote your books once you spend years writing and revising them to get them published. No one tells you that the writing is the easy part and the promoting and networking is the real job of writing. With my second book, A Case of Accidental Intersection, coming out in a couple of months, I’m in the middle of trying to get all the publicity ready, arrange the blog tours and set some signings, appearances and book launch. I’ve been overwhelmed with “to do” lists.

Hannah reminded me of my enthusiasm for writing and not to let the promoting of it drag you down. My message for the evening was don’t forget to write and nine-year-old Hannah was the one who reminded me. And I’m off to do just that. The list can wait, my characters can’t!

“Don’t YOU forget to write” too!

Writing in Chaos

I went to listen to National Bestselling Author Anne Lamott Thursday night and she had a special message about grace and finding it in three places where you would least expect it. She talked about the three moments in her life where grace found her. The first when her son became a father, the second when she was in India in the fog and the last was an ordinary moment of chaos.

I haven’t read any of Anne’s books, yet! I purchased Bird By Bird, Some Instructions on Writing and Life. I hadn’t really planned on going until a friend insisted on making it “Writer’s Night Out” for our critique group. Usually we are relegated to an afternoon of reading each other’s work while kids are in school and our husbands are at work. It was the best suggestion! It was a moment of grace, according to Anne Lamott. I’m not sure about the grace part but it was a great evening for friends to laugh, think and enjoy each other’s company. No written words were needed. Just a love of the written word and knowing that writing is a part of each of us. It just is. With all the chaos in our lives, the big decisions that need to be made and all the things we do for our family, there is a part of us that has to write, that burns inside until we put words to the paper. It isn’t something we can control, it just is. At the end, Anne challenged each of us if we felt that burn to give up the news each night and write. We can always catch a recap the next morning. It’s true. Each of my friends knew it, have known it because we are writing books with chaos all around. We’ve talked about stopping because of the pressure of everything else and it is just that, talk. It is a part of who we are.

So as Anne challenged us last night, I challenge you. Pick up the pencil, the pen, the keyboard and start banging out the words. It doesn’t matter if they make sense or not. They are yours. With Anne’s inspiration, I also developed a tag line that I plan to end every blog with starting today . . . Don’t forget to write!

Chicago's Spring Fling A Great Carer Move

Just returned from Chicago where I attended Spring Fling sponsored by the North Chicago Romance Writers of America. What was I doing at a Romance conference? Learning. I write mysteries but when I first started my first novel I thought it would be romance so many of my contacts and friends are romance writers.

I must say the North Chicago RWA group certainly knows how to put on an event. They had headliners, like the outrageous Cherry Adair who took pictures during several of her presentations to send to her husband at home and the humorous Julia Quinn, whose homespun humor was so easy to relate to. Of course there was lots of chocolate and great sessions on craft.

My favorite sessions was “Getting it Done” by Allie Pleiter (www.alliepleiter.com). She gave a very specific recipe for figuring out how long it takes to finish a book and keeping you on target every step of the way. Great job Allie. You have helped me so much (Today’s chunk: only 310).
Another good session was Sarah Wendel from Smart Bitches Trashy Books blog. She had great suggestions on keeping your name on the internet and top five lists for websites and to get noticed.

Another cool thing was the book signing on Saturday afternoon. By luck of the last names, I was able to sit next to Simone Elkeles who just made it on the New York Times Best Seller List. She was so gracious and a consummate marketer. Watching her with all the teens who were such fans was amazing. She is helping to create a whole new generation of readers!

Thanks Chicago North members who were very friendly and enjoyed each exchange. See you in 2012! Special thanks to my great friends at the Grand Rapids Region Writing Group who never allowed a dull moment. Thanks Kim, Cheryl, Mary, Cindy, and Andrea. You’re the best!

I have an essay in Chicken Soup for the Soul

I’ve been meaning to get this blog up for the last few days and especially by yesterday because it was “the day,” but alas, was not meant to be. I guess only a day late won’t make that big of a difference. (Drum roll here …) I have an essay in the newest Chicken Soup for the Soul book: Thanks Dad.

The book hit the stores Tuesday (hence my deadline) and is obviously geared toward the Father’s Day market. I submitted something for this because a friend had an entry and the publisher had submitted a call that more entries were needed to do the book. I had an idea, wrote it in a couple of hours and sent it in on the day of the deadline. I’m not sure if it was karma or what but my article was accepted. My submission is number 105 out of 107 in the bonus section and titled: “Running the Gauntlet.”

It talks about the torture I went through whenever I brought home a guy to met the family. To understand what was going on, I was the only girl and the men in my family were very protective. I was just a little rebellious.

I love the Chicken Soup for the Soul concept because you can pick up the book and flip it open and by some miracle it is something perfect to give you perspective. I must admit that I had dragged my feet in announcing this until I could get with my Dad and give him a copy. I didn’t want him to read about it anywhere. He was surprised when we finally got together late last week.

Sometimes in the writing and publishing business, things don’t go as planned and you get discouraged. And then you get these little surprises like the acceptance of my submission for Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Dad. I want to say Thanks Dad a little early for Father’s Day. I inherited my stubbornness from you and it has been a good thing!

Following Dreams Like Julie and Julia

I just finished watching Julie and Julie. (I know the movie has been out for ages but I’m really slow at getting around to watching movies. I would much rather read a good book!) This moving was so cool. Great story, great acting, just great. It didn’t hurt that I love food and it was a great story of a writer who struggles and then makes it big. I’m hoping for that to happen to my Mitch Malone Mystery Series. I could see it as a great TV show similar to Castle.

Julie and Julie gives me hope that it can happen to me. You work so hard getting the books written, then you have to sell them and what they don’t tell you is that after you sell the real work starts and that’s the promoting. I’m struggling with that part and I have a background in marketing. The hardest part is tooting your own horn. I could promote anything even canned dog poop but I have a hard time telling you that A Case of Infatuation is a fantastic read. The next in the series, working title A Case of the Accidental Intersection, also has a great surprise ending. Look for it this summer.

I watched the author do an interview on the “extras.” It was so easy to see myself doing a similar interview. She talked about what it was like. The best of the movie was the end when she accomplished her goal. I’m doing this blog post as a promise to myself that I’m going to blog more, put myself out there. Tell me about your hardest job you have to do is?

It’s St. Patrick’s Day and Mitch Malone insisted on taking over for me. Says I’m slacking or something and he has a mite he wants to say. (He’s cringed at my attempt at an Irish Brogue!)

Mitch Malone here to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day. You see the wearing of the green may seem silly, but for us with a wee bit of Irish in them, it is sacrilege not to at least say something in its honor.

I’m not big on finding me kin but I do know the Malone family emigrated from County Cork in Ireland and then to the United States via Canada. Cork is famous for the Blarney Stone don’t you know.

I went to visit Ireland once as part of a high school trip. That was before I decided to be a crime beat reporter and was still pretty green. (St. Patrick’s Day does bring out the silly side of Mitch Malone.)

Now kissing the Blarney Stone was one of the hardest things to do. It’s like standing on your head. A little gymnastics is needed as you bend backwards over a very hard rock. When you look down and all you can see is air for three stories, you are in the right spot. Now all the blood is rushing to your head and it is no wonder you feel euphoria after you quickly plant a kiss on “the” rock just so you can reach terra firma again.

So, in honor of my heritage, I’ve donned a Kelly green shirt to wear under my leather jacket, just for today. Hope you’ve done the same. Here’s an Irish toast to commemorate the day:
Here's to a long life and a merry one.
A quick death and an easy one.
A pretty girl and an honest one.
A cold beer-and another one!
--Old Irish Toast