Now I Know!

Back in the day when learning words and telling time were all I needed to do, I remember my grandmother teaching me how to read from the Dick and Jane books. They were vintage books used to teach children to read from the ‘30s into the ‘70s, and are still sold today. There was a lot of repetition in them, such as “Look. Look Up. Look Up at the sky”, so it was easy for children to learn words and sentences. I also remember the colorful illustrations in these books.

Then many, many years passed before I had any desire to read again. When I started back, I went through a phase where I would only read Sidney Sheldon books. At the time, I had no idea how much this man accomplished with international praise for his scripts, movies, plays and novels, let alone that he was from Chicago. He thought of his writing success as a miracle. “I was born in Chicago during the Depression and both my parents were third grade drop-outs," he recalled. "My father never read a book in his life and I was the only one in the family to complete high school." His books were mostly crime fiction and thrillers. He was the only author I’d read, and that was the last time I ever stuck to only one writer. Unfortunately, Mr. Sheldon passed away in 2007, but left behind a legacy of words.

I then ventured out and started reading Mary Higgins Clark and Victoria Holt, and both of these women wrote suspense with a romantic flare. I’ll admit that I didn’t know what genre any of these writers wrote until now. I always thought they were romance novels with an ingredient of suspense. After these female authors, I started reading Sandra Brown, who also writes suspense.

I find all of this interesting because for a few years I didn’t read many women authors (this in no way suggests that women authors aren’t great writers). Since my early favorites, I’ve gone on to read many authors of both gender and all different genres. After finding out that all of my favorite writers, who got me back into reading, were suspense and thriller writers, it now makes sense that I have written a psychological suspense thriller. 

Genres are and will always be foreign to me. Each category has its definition, but some of these definitions blend in with others, such as thrillers and suspense. I believe they both go hand in hand. How can you have a thriller without suspense, and how can suspense not be thrilling? Since I’m not one who has done extensive research in genre categorization, I’ll have to leave it up to the experts.

What’s your favorite genre, or who is your favorite author? Has it changed since your earlier days of reading?

Revisions and Tea,

Bea

A Query to my Readers

I thought I’d share a little something with you…stop laughing…this is different. :D  Everyone talks about query letters and their importance on snagging an agent. Many established agents and writers say to immediately get to the point, provide a tag line and then a synopsis. But I must point out that query letters are different for fiction and non-fiction…at least that’s what I’ve read. Anyways, I did some research and came up with a few query letters so I thought I’d post one of my letters to see what you think…if it captures your attention and if my manuscript is something you’d want to read. I’m not planning on sending this letter out…it’s merely to get my readers’ input.

“Dear Agent:

One lonely evening in a chat room, Sydney Hayes is approached by a man named Arcane, who soon takes possession of her head and heart, until games and unfortunate events force Sydney to move away and change her identity—but can she truly hide from evil.

Lonesome, independent Sydney Hayes never met her ‘knight in shining armor’ during her daily routines and solitary weekends until a snowstorm hits Chicago. Restless and bored, Sydney enters a chat room full of people reflecting the same feelings and then a window pops up on her screen with a greeting from a stranger. At first, their relationship is strictly online, but swiftly turns to a real life relationship with real life consequences. After chiseling away at her independence, Arcane takes Sydney against her will and begins playing with her life, situations becoming more sinister than the last one. Sydney has no other choice but to leave town—to become someone else.

In a new state and with a new identity, Sydney begins to build her confidence and reclaim her life. As she becomes comfortable in her new surroundings she befriends a man by the name of Garrett Hart—time and exposed secrets bring them close—but not before the evil she is running from gradually shows signs he is not too far away. Now Sydney must fight against Arcane to protect those closest to her.

[Title of Book] has allowed me to explore the depths of loneliness, the horror of stalking, the line between sanity and insanity, so I could write characters that will do anything for revenge and/or to protect their loved ones. My book is likely to appeal to the same audience of Shutter Island.

[Title of Book] is my debut psychological thriller at [number of words] words. Thank you for your time and consideration.”

Let’s hear it. What do you think? Did this capture your attention? Do you want to read it? Not interesting? Not your genre?

Imagination is a Beautiful Thing

I recently watched two movies written and directed by James Cameron—The Abyss and Avatar. At first I didn’t know Mr. Cameron wrote the screenplays, but I waited as the credits rolled because I had to know whose mind created such great stories. It’s James Cameron’s imagination that leaves me awed, along with his ability to bring these stories to life on the big screen. Even those I watched the movies with feel James Cameron’s abilities are endless.

We all have our favorite writers no matter what genre, because there is something about their talent, their achievements that move us. Many people favor Stephen King, John Grisham, Jodi Picoult, and I’m not disagreeing with their incredible gifts, yet it’s James Cameron that leaves my mouth hanging with admiration. He has become the key to unlocking and releasing an intense need for me to become a better writer. 

The first novel writer who stopped me in my tracks is Carlos Ruiz Zafon. He wrote The Shadow of the Wind and after reading his cravings that poured onto the pages, I knew I wanted that. To create a different voice with words that render the reader emotionally drained because my characters and story brought them on an everlasting journey. Now I know I will never reach the height and depth of both of these writers, because realistically my talent only goes so far. But that doesn’t mean I can’t make myself learn and craft my imagination to its highest potential—where readers can taste, feel, smell, see and hear my soul. 

Everyone should reach for the difficult so they have something to strive for instead of just existing. At least, that’s what I believe life is all about. Imagination doesn’t just apply to writing—it applies to life. It’s our imagination that gets us through adolescence, adulthood and retirement. And because we use our imagination to achieve the best life, it’s that which leaves us with the greatest of memories.

Happy Sunday! I wish you all a wonderful week.