Tag Archives: blog tour

HOW SEXY IS TOO SEXY?

I have been asked: what is the most difficult scene to write? That one is easy: #sex.

Now don’t get me wrong. It isn’t from lack of experience! No, the challenge stems from the fact that #sex is such an intense experience that to write it well I must decide how much detail is enough while making sure I don’t cross the line into too much. I hate it when I am reading a book and really want to shout, “TMI!”

The other thing that makes the writing of #sex scenes difficult is that I am a product of my time/era. I grew up during a certain period of history, in a specific #culture with its particular cultural norms that was nestled within the mainstream #culture. My family expressed our #culture in a certain way, and with that way comes a set of morals, ethics, viewpoints, perspectives, and obligations.

I must negotiate my way through those constraints to arrive at my own definitions of what is acceptable. But, isn’t that what writers do? We take where we came from, how we grew up, what we learned and what we dream and define the alternate realities that we create.

Beyond the personal, there is the major constraint of the story, the novel that I am writing. Scenes, whether sex scenes, battle scenes, or death scenes, must fit within the context of the story. I cannot simply decide I need some filler material so I’m going to write a battle scene, or maybe a juicy, hot sex scene. To employ such devices would create a jarring sense of disconnection within the story.

The #SpecialCrimesTeam murder mystery series I am writing does not lend itself to sex scenes, so in Book 1: Sketch of a Murder the reader will find battle scenes and death scenes, but not much in the way of sex.

In the second edition of #Good #Intentions, a literary #novel, sex is present, but more hinted at than actually shown.

On the other hand, in my coming vampire series, Book 1: Artemis’ Warriors, there are very detailed sex scenes. Graphic sex is an integral part of the story.

While there is no simple solution to how I handle writing those challenging scenes, whether they are sex scenes, battle scenes or some other scene, the one constant is that a writer must be true to her vision of the story. I must know my #characters intimately enough to know how much is too much, how much is not enough to lend the #novel its verisimilitude.

I would be interested in hearing from my readers if they feel there should be more, or less, sex in my (soon-to-be-released) novels: #Good #Intentions, second edition, and Sketch of a Murder. Once you have read the novel, you can leave a comment on my blog, or leave a comment on my facebook page. Both books should be released by my publisher, Mountain Springs House (#MSH) by the end of this month.

Stay tuned to this blog for information on the release dates for Good Intentions and for Sketch of a Murder.

Meanwhile, you are invited to visit #Aya on #facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ayawalksfar

Plotter or Panster? Which style of #author/#detective are you?

Leave a reply

Today, as part of the #MSH #Blog #Tour, I have the honor of #interviewing Lieutenant Michael Williams from the Special Crimes Team in Seattle, Washington. Thank you, Lieutenant Williams, for taking the time to come and talk with us.The subject of today’s #interview is: are you a plotter or a pantser?

Lieutenant Williams: I appreciate being invited.It would be helpful if you would define those terms again.

Actually the term pantser comes from NaNoWriMo, National Novel #Writer’s Month. It describes an #author who ‘flys by the seat of the pants’. The #author doesn’t have an outline, a summary, nothing except the basic idea for a #novel.Plotter is pretty self-explanatory.This type of #author plots the entire novel or a large portion of it,has an outline or a summary,often has biographies of the various characters, especially the main characters and protagonist.

My theory is that there are divisions within #detectives that correspond to the divisions of types of #authors. So tell me, are there #detectives who are plotters versus #detectives who are pantsers?

Lieutenant Williams: (a smile that reaches up and causes his eyes to sparkle with good humor) I am afraid I have to confirm your theory. Of course, we have certain non-negotiable procedures, protocols that must be followed as we solve #crimes. (He gets a devilish gleam in his eye) And, we do our best to adhere to those.

(Interviewer raises eyebrows in gentle disbelief) Not what I’ve heard about the #Special #Crimes #Team.

Lieutenant Williams: (clears throat) Hmm. Don’t believe everything you’ve heard about us, (big smile) even if most of it is true. However, we digress. As I was saying, there are plotters and pantsers within the ranks of #detectives. A good example of that is Sergeant Slowater–I believe you attempted an interview with her not too many weeks ago–and myself.

Sergeant Slowater would be considered a plotter. She believes absolutely in logic, in following leads in a methodical manner, in carefully constructing a case, step-by-step. She is very intent on weighing the possible outcomes against the risks, and having backup plans in place. She does not give much credence to what she terms “woo-woo stuff”. This includes non-traditional methods such as using the press, giving weight to anything that cannot be perceived by the five ordinary senses, that type of thing. Sergeant Slowater gets uncomfortable with, as my granny used to say ‘coloring outside the lines’.

I am more of a pantser. Once I have done all that I can within the ordinary methods of solving a case, I am inclined to follow my instincts, to perhaps follow unconventional leads, and give credence to information that comes from sources that don’t necessarily use the five ordinary senses. I guess you could say that I am a bit too comfortable ‘coloring outside the lines’. (He smiles.)
(He cocks his head and looks at me) May I ask you a question?

Of course. (Interviewer gives Lieutenant big smile and a firm nod) I had hoped this would be more a dialogue than simply a question and answer period.

Lieutenant Williams: How do you see your style of #writing?

(Interviewer frowns in concentration) Well, I believe I fit the pantser style, like you. I don’t use outlines, summaries, bullets, or any biographies of my characters. I simply am (smile) ‘attacked by an idea’ that won’t leave my mind until I write it down. (a shrug) After that, I just follow where it leads me.

Lieutenant Williams: Why do you use that style? Why not use the plotter style?

(Interviewer taps a finger against her lips as she thinks) I suppose it’s because my characters, like real people, like the criminals you go after, don’t always follow a script, a plot, an outline. They can sometimes dart off in unpredictable directions. I guess, for me, it’s important to study why they act, and react, as they do. What causes them to go in a certain direction, act in a certain manner, say what they do, believe as they do? People can’t be put on a graph like a mathematical equation. Does that make sense?

Lieutenant Williams: (a slow thoughtful nod) Yes, it does. That is exactly why I use the pantser style in solving crimes. It is more about understanding the perpetrator, looking at life from his perspective. If I can understand the perpetrator, then I can predict the next action to be taken.

You said you are open to using non-traditional methods. Are you talking about psychics? And what do you mean by ‘coloring outside the lines’?

Lieutenant Williams: (Purses his lips as he thinks) Let’s just say that I believe there are things outside of our normal senses that can be utilized in solving #crimes, or #writing books. As for ‘coloring outside the lines’, there are situations that force a #detective to make hard decisions. Sometimes those decisions don’t follow absolutely along the lines of procedure. That’s all I will say on that subject.

(Interviewer glances at her watch) Oh, my! We have run overtime! I am so sorry to have kept you beyond the time I requested.

Lieutenant Williams: (good-natured grin) In that case, I guess you’ll have to buy me a venti mocha with two-percent milk and no foam, but lots of whipped cream. Sergeant Slowater got me hooked on those fancy coffees.

You got it! There’s a Starbucks I like.

For my blog followers, if you would like to know more about Lieutenant Williams and the Special Crimes Team be sure to stay tuned for the announcement of the release of #Sketch #of #a #Murder, Book 1 of the Special Crimes Team series.

For more information about me and about my books:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/ayawalksfar
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/314888
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/AWalksfar
#Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ayawalksfar
#Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Aya Walksfar @ayawalksfar
Blog: http://www.ayawalksfar.com
My publisher: #MSH http://www.mountainspringpublishing.com
Join me at my NEW! #Pinterest site and watch it GROW!: http://www.pinterest.com/ayawalksfar
Find me on #Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/ayawalksfar

#Interview with Bev Ransom

2 Replies

This week the subject for the #MSH sponsored #blog tour is to interview the main character of our novel. So, today I have asked Bev Ransom whose biography, #Good Intentions, is due out later this month to speak with me.

Good Intentions

Bev, thank you for taking time to talk with me.

(Bev)Oh, sure. When Mom gave me the message I thought it would be interesting.

What are some of the reasons you participated in having a biography of your life written?

(Bev)Well, (she leans forward, arms propped on her thighs, face earnest) there are some things people should think about. I’m not that old, and I don’t have all the answers (she chuckles), but I know how I felt when everything came out in the open like it did.

Yes, that was quite the surprise, wasn’t it? What was the most important thing that occurred during the time sequence covered in your biography?

(Bev) My dad dying.(She glances away and blinks her eyes several times before turning back to face me)

I know how painful this must be for you. Are you okay talking about it?

(Bev gives a brisk nod)Yeah.(Taking a deep breath, she huffs it out and speaks in a stronger voice)Yeah, I’m okay. See my dad was always the one I talked to. Mom got so emotional about everything. But, Dad he was cool. I could discuss stuff with him. Where Mom cried about stuff, Dad would tell me to stop wasting time crying, and use that time to think about what I could do to change whatever it was.

That sounds like good advice.

(Bev)(She shifts around on her chair like she’s uncomfortable with what she needs to say)Well, yeah.Mostly.

What do you mean “mostly”?

(Bev)(Her brows scrunch down and she stares for a moment at her hands, clasped together in her lap) It wasn’t until quite some time after Rene died, and you know, everything else started happening, that I finally realized: with Dad it was all about logic and action, but it was Mom who let me feel.

Sounds like a person needs to do both of those things—think and feel.

(Bev smiles) Yeah, that’s what I learned. Eventually.

What was the second most important thing you learned during that time?

(Bev’s face falls into serious lines)I learned that #family shouldn’t keep #secrets from each other, especially not from their kids.

But aren’t there good reasons to keep things from #children?

(Bev firmly shakes her head) No. If a kid knows what’s going on in the family, we can find a way to cope. It’s when we’re kept ignorant of what is really happening that we get confused by conflicting messages that our parents don’t even realize they are sending out.

(Bev tilts her head and gives me a considering look) Do you know why I wanted my biography to be titled Good Intentions?

(I shake my head)No, I don’t know why you insisted on that title.

(Bev bites her lower lip then speaks) A friend of mine—and I don’t know where the quote came from—but she said, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” That’s what happened to my family. Everyone had good intentions when they made their decisions, especially the decision to keep me in the dark. Those good intentions were like cobblestones set in the street that we were traveling down. And that street led straight to the hell that our lives became.

Wow. That’s a heavy message. (We both take a sip of cold coffee from the mugs we’d forgotten were even there.) There you have it folks. Family secrets, even when they are kept with the best of intentions, can really bring a lot of sorrow to your loved ones. So, whenever you’re tempted to tell your children something less than the truth, please remember how much pain you might eventually cause.

Thank you, Bev, for coming today, and for sharing what has been a painful journey of self-discovery in your biography, Good Intentions.

Mountain Springs House Publishing, #MSH, will release the second edition of Good Intentions later this month of July. Please stay tuned to this blog for the final release date.

You can contact #Aya Walksfar, the author of Good Intentions, at:
http://www.facebook.com/ayawalksfar

Aya Walksfar

Or tweet to her on Twitter Aya Walksfar@ayawalksfar
Check out other books by this author on her author page at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/ayawalksfar
Check out some of the books Aya reads on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/ayawalksfar

Picking from the Garden of Blogs

When Do Characters Attack You?

MOUNTAIN SPRINGS HOUSE BLOG TOUR!

1 Reply

I am thrilled to announce that Mountain Springs House Publishing is doing a blog tour from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

This is the VERY FIRST blog tour I have ever been involved in and I am honored that my publisher, Allison Bruning, has asked me to participate. I will be getting to host some really fine authors on my blog, and I will be doing guest posts on other blogs. This is going to be so much fun! Even for a technosaur like me!

Check out Mountain Springs House on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/mountainsprings/
And “LIKE” us on http://www.facebook.com/MountainSpringsHouse?fret=ts

I have been asked to post a bio and photo so you can get to know me a bit better.

One dark night, just as the wolves howled…. Oh, wait! I’m supposed to do the true stuff, right? Okay, try again.

I was born. I grew up. I am now a big monster. Oh, okay, that’s not quite what I was supposed to do. Do I ever do what I am supposed to do? Not really. Probably why I like Sergeant Nita Slowater of the Special Crimes Team.

Sooo…here’s the real skinny:

Born in a rougher section of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, (and there were several of those areas when I was growing up. I hear they’ve cleaned Pittsburgh up very nicely, now. Haven’t been back in many years.) I soon learned how to make myself invisible. If you tend to be on the smaller side, this is a very good talent. As a result, I got to observe people in their myriad of attitudes and emotions. They fascinated me.

In self-defense against loneliness, I learned to read very early, and to write. My first story was written in pencil on those tablets for little kids with huge spaces between lines. It was a story about a lost dog. Do you ever forget your first?

Ever since that day, I have been creating alternate realities.

Fortunately, my life has been anything except traditional, and therefore, I have never run out of stories to tell. I lived on the road for several years, have worked non-traditional jobs (and a very few traditional jobs), and have walked many dark roads and city streets.

Currently, I live on a 12 acre wildlife/wild bird/indigenous plant habitat that my wife of 25 years and I have created. During a single year, we host over 68 different species of birds, and many different animals.

When I am not either reading or writing, I love to hike, take photographs, work with my dogs, tend the land, horseback ride, travel, learn new things, and recently, I acquired a motorcycle, so I am having a great deal of fun learning to ride. Whenever I have the opportunity, I also search for the perfect chocolate. There are many good chocolates in the world, but I am convinced that there is a “perfect one”. Have to eat a lot of chocolates while I am researching!

Aya Walksfar

Now that you know who I am, let me share what I write.

My novella, Dead Men and Cats, is a murder mystery set on an island in Puget Sound, Washington. Two women, Megan Albright and Janie Sampson, while walking on the beach, discover an old rowboat stuck in a driftwood tree. As they turn to continue their walk, a calico kitten leaps from inside the rowboat and onto the slick tree trunk. Nearly falling into Shallow Point Cove, the frightened animal leaps back into the boat.
Megan wades out to the rowboat to rescue the kitten, and encounters the body of a dead man lying in the bottom of the boat. A few days later, Dan Uley’s bookstore is firebombed. With a black cat.
Not long after his bookstore is firebombed, Dan is gruesomely murdered.
Fearing that Sheriff Johnson’s lack of progress may stem from his well-known anti-gay sentiments, Megan and Janie launch their own investigation. They never expected their search to lead to a young man that they both considered a friend.

In mid-July, my literary, coming-of-age novel, Good Intentions, will be re-released as a second edition, by Mountain Springs House.
In August, the first book in my three-book series about the Special Crimes Team, Sketch of a Murder, will be released by Mountain Springs House.

So, there you have it: who I am and what I’m up to!

Aya Walksfar, Author

Hard hitting, in-the-news murder mysteries