What the Experts Say: Deanna Lynn Sletten, Women's Fiction

 

Please welcome Deanna Lynn Sletten, a novelist who writes women's fiction and has also written one middle-grade fiction action/adventure novel. Her novels include MEMORIES; WIDOW, VIRGIN, WHORE; and OUTLAW HEROES. She started her writing career as a freelance writer for parenting publications in the early 1990s and transitioned to writing for blogs and websites until she made the jump to novelist.  Deanna is married and has two grown children. When not writing, she enjoys walking the trails around her northern Minnesota home with her beautiful Australian Shepherd.  


(1) You have written two romance novels and a children’s middle grade novel. I notice that one of the novels is set following the Vietnam War, the children’s novel is about Butch Cassidy, and the third novel involves AIDs. What inspired these topics? What kind of research did you do for appropriate background? Who are your target readers?

These three novels transpired over a period of ten years. MEMORIES, a romance, was the very first novel I wrote. The main male character in that novel is a Vietnam Veteran who, when he first meets the female character, is still struggling with returning from the war. The Vietnam War ended when I was a teenager, so it was common to know at least a few men who fought in that war. As I grew older, I became very interested in learning more about the Vietnam War and began reading autobiographies by soldiers of their experiences. Their stories hit a cord with me, and I began creating MEMORIES. Even though MEMORIES is a romance at heart and is targeted toward women, I wanted to make sure my facts and characterization of the war veteran in the story were as accurate as possible, so I did a lot of research before writing this novel.

WIDOW, VIRGIN, WHORE started out as a novel about the relationship between sisters and best friends and morphed into a story about struggling with AIDS. I never intended for AIDS to be the focus of the novel, but as I continued writing it, that is what happened. The more research I did on AIDS and the people who suffered from it, the angrier I became over the fact that no one really talks about it. And of course, no publisher wanted this novel – it was too controversial. However, deep down, this is still a story about best friends and sisters, and is therefore targeted toward women.

OUTLAW HEROES is just plain fun! I have always been interested in the old west and outlaws, and the characters of Butch Cassidy, The Sundance Kid and Etta Place intrigued me most because no one knows for certain what became of them. So, I have read practically every book ever written on these characters. One day when I was watching my kids play cowboys, the idea of placing a 12-year-old boy in with the outlaws came to me. I enjoyed every minute of writing Outlaw Heroes and I think that shows in the novel.

(2) How do you create your characters? Are they based on real people? What do you do to make then engaging and compelling?

Except for OUTLAW HEROES, which is based on real-life people, my other two novels are characters I've created from a montage of people I've known, met or read about. I am a people watcher – always have been. I notice details and characteristics in people that other people miss. In my mind, I'm always analyzing why people do the things that they do, what drives them to be the way that they are. Another strange thing is that people are drawn to me and tell me all about themselves. I can be standing in line at the grocery store and a stranger will start telling me their life story. This has happened since I was a child. So, the catalog in my head of people and their unique characteristics is quite large.

When writing a novel, I draw from that catalog to create my characters. I try to give them interesting backgrounds that readers can relate to, flaws, strengths and weaknesses. When creating a character, I want the reader to be able to say, "I know that person" or "I understand what that person is going through".

(3) You have had a successful career as a contributing writer to a variety of newspapers and blogs. How did you transition to become a writer of novels? Were you able to leverage your business writing experience for your novels?

Actually, I was writing novels before I began writing articles for newspapers, magazines and websites. I started writing for regional magazines and local newspapers to earn money doing something I enjoyed. Since I love to research, this worked out well for me. Eventually, I started writing for blogs and websites. I've sold hundreds of articles on the internet and had a nice career doing so. But my first love has always been novel writing, so last year I took the plunge and self-published my novels. What I brought with me from my earlier writing experience is the ability to promote myself across the internet. Without promotion, the best novel in the world will not sell. Luckily, I enjoy doing this aspect of the business too.

(4) Why did you decide to self-publish? What self-publishing tips would you offer other authors?

In all honesty, I decided to self-publish after receiving hundreds of rejection letters from book agents and publishers. Many of the rejection letters were personal and encouraging, but that didn't get me any closer to a publishing contract. I haven't regretted one second of self-publishing though. The ability to self-publish has opened a door to me that wasn't previously open and has given me the opportunity to share my novels with the public. And the readers have been so kind and encouraging, I couldn't ask for anything better.

My tip to other authors who are thinking of self-publishing is to not rush getting your novel out there, but to take the time to proofread and edit your novel. Readers catch everything, so make sure it's as perfect as possible before publishing.

(5) I noticed that you wrote your novels while simultaneously rearing two children. What do you recommend to busy moms who want to become authors?

I was lucky in that I only worked part-time outside of the home and was home with my children the rest of the time. Some days I would drive the kids to school, go home and write for 3-4 hours and then run to get the kids. I also spent many late nights writing when the kids were asleep. And of course, I carried my writing with me everywhere (in those days I hand-wrote my books in notebooks and then transferred them to the computer when I was home). I wrote in the mini-van and I wrote while sitting at baseball practices.

My tip to busy moms: You can write a lot in 15 minutes – so take every moment you have and make the most of it.

(6) Are you working on another novel?  Can you share the topic?

I am currently working on a Women's Fiction/Romance novel. At this point, trying to explain it will only confuse people, so I'll just say that this one may not make you cry, but you might get a few goosebumps when you read it. I am hoping to have it published in paperback and ebook in December 2012.

Deanna Lynn Sletten's Favorites

Authors	F. Scott Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Buchan, Janet Evanovich, Stephen King, Alle Wells and Ann Swann
Books	The Great Gatsby, Jane Eyre
Movies	Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, Beaches, The Way We Were,  Casablanca, The African Queen, The Help
Fun activity	Hiking
Hobby	Writing!
Celebrity	Katharine Hepburn

Deanna Lynn Sletten LINKS

MEMORIES

WIDOW, VIRGIN, WHORE

OUTLAW HEROES

Web page

Blog  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeannaLSletten

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What the Experts Say: Top Ten Things That Should Be On Your Author Website by Aileen Stewart

Aileen Stewart resides in lovely Shelby, Ohio with her beautiful daughter, her wonderful husband, and their cat named Max who acts more like a dog and chews everything in site. She is the author of the children’s book Fern Valley-A Collection of Short Stories, a blogger, and a public speaker. She holds a degree in Business Administration and a certificate in Sales/Marketing from North Central State College which she has put to good use since becoming published. Besides writing, she loves to cook, quilt, craft, take pictures, garden, travel, bird-watch, and volunteer at her daughter’s school. She also volunteers at her local library where she is in charge of the children’s display case. Aileen is a firm believer that “Kids Who Can Read Can Do Anything” a motto which she created from lessons learned from her late father.
 

From time to time I like to share with fellow authors, especially new authors, the things that I have learned on my publishing journey. One of the things I have learned is the importance of having a website. A website is important for many reasons, one of them being that having a home base with all your pertinent information in one place is helpful for fans, potential customers, and media. So with that in mind, here are the top ten things that should be found on your author website.

Home Page- Every author website should begin with a home page. This is the landing page for everyone who stops by and it is also the page where you make your first and hopefully best impression. Be sure to include your name, the name of your site, and your branding message. In other words, what do you stand for as a writer, what do you promote, what can people expect from you. My branding message is "Kids Who Read Can Do Anything". This not only lets my readers know that I promote children's literacy, but it also lets them know how important I think good reading skills are for children's future success.

Bio- Every author website should have an interesting biography because lets face it, people are a curious lot. Readers want to know about the authors whose books they find intriguing. They want to know where you live, what other hobbies you have, and what makes you tick. This helps them to connect to you on a personal level and when people feel connected they are more likely to care and share!

Book List & Synopsis- Readers need to know what books you have available and what each book is about. A brief synopsis of your book or books gives them a taste of your writing style, allows them to see what genres you write in, and if well written, will wet their appetites. This is also the place to add the covers of your book or books because we all know a picture is worth a thousand words.

Easy To Find Contact Info- Contact information is a key ingredient. Fans want you to be accessible and the media don't want to have to dig for information if they are interested in you and your product. I usually make my mailing address available for those readers wishing to send me letters or pictures; each which  fills me with delight when it arrives.

Reviews and Interviews- Reviews and Interviews are an authors credibility builders. They show possible customers that there is an established audience for the work. People are leery to read books by authors of whom they have never heard and generally wish to see recommendations before making a decision of their own. Make note that links to reviews and interviews should always be made to appear in a separate window so that potential fans remain on your site until they choose to leave.

Availability- Today's customers like everything they come across to be user friendly and nothing turns them off as quickly as a site that doesn't allow them to effortlessly find what they are looking for. Links to the various places that your book/books are available should be assembled in one easy to find place. And similar to review and interview links, they should be made to appear in separate windows.

Events Page- Now that you are a published author, you want to connect with the public and this is the page that allows you to do just that. This is the page where you share your projects such as an upcoming book, a book launch, a contest or promotion, book signings, and any speaking engagements. People want to know what you are doing and where can meet you in person, so be sure to keep this page up to date.

Current Picture- As stated earlier, people are a curious lot. Not only do they want to feel that they know all about you, they also want to know what you look like. The more people recognize you from your picture, the more people will remember you; the more people remember you, the more likely they are to share with others about you and your work. This another great way to build credibility.

Added Value Content- Added value content are pages that draw the reader back over and over again, pages that show the reader that you are not totally self absorbed, pages that offer the reader something of value.Value content can be almost anything you think your target audience would be interested in. My audience consists primarily of mothers of children from six to twelve; I, therefore, offer pages introducing other great children's books that I recommend, craft sites, recipes, safe sites for kids, etc...

A Call To Action- And last but not least, you need a call to action. A call to action is exactly what you want your visitors to do before leaving your site. As an author, I have two things I want my visitors to do before they leave. I want them to comment on what they think about my site, and I want them to buy my book. On my home page I state that I would like people to look around, find something useful, and then leave me a comment about the site. Underneath this statement I have placed a comment box for them to do this. I have also placed, on several pages, small "buy now" buttons that are linked to my book's Amazon page.These buttons make it easy for people to go right to the point of sale.

And there my friends you have a list of what content should be in an authors website. Signing off for now with wishes for a bright and beautiful day!

Reprinted with permission by Aileen Stewart from Aileen's Thoughts 

For more on Aileen, please check out her website or LIKE her Fan Page

What the Experts Say: Top 10 Tips to Connect Companies to the Community - by Jillian Hillcrest

Jillian Hillcrest is the fictional PR Executive who solves mysteries written by Joyce T. Strand. She has had more than ten years of experience working with the media and the community at Silicon Valley high-tech and biotech companies. In the newest book in the series --OPEN MEETINGS-- scheduled to be launched shortly, she becomes actively involved in the community as part of her responsibilities.

As the head of corporate communications for Harmonia Therapeutics, I frequently work with local organizations and non-profits to support their efforts to entice companies to become more involved – both financially and socially.

It is not intuitively obvious why for-profit companies should become involved with non-profit organizations. If you are a non-profit organization looking to involve corporations in your activities, you might suggest the following Top 10 Reasons to companies as to why they should be involved in the community, or non-profit associations. 

1.     Word-of-mouth publicity – communities are groups of people from a wide range of different types of work, social and activity groups. When they hear about a company, they talk about it to their colleagues and friends—spreading information about a company and its products. 

2.     Media coverage – local reporters from newspapers and blogs cover local events. Participating in community activities can help generate articles about the business. Regional and national media often pick up stories from local media.

3.     Employee engagement—employees like to see their companies involved in the community where they live. Many also like to participate to support local organizations. They are more likely to stay engaged at a company they respect and see involved.

4.     Individual investors – local citizens can also be investors.  The more they understand about a company and its potential, the more likely to invest.

5.     Influence with city and county governments—although not a guaranteed result, a relationship with local city and county governments can offer an opportunity to present viewpoints. 

6.     Accessible event venues—relationships with community organizations and businesses can often open the door to the use of venues for customer, investor, employee and partner events.

7.     Special deals for employees at local stores and restaurants—again, employees enjoy being known as members of a community. Companies can often organize events that will treat employees when they visit.

8.     Local government support and attendance at company events—community involvement in company events can support customer, partner or international partnering and also increase relationships with employees.

9.     Solicitation of company perspective on local development projects—development projects by city and county governments can have an impact on traffic and parking patterns, at a minimum. Officials are more likely to solicit input from companies with whom they sustain a relationship.

10.  Potential candidates for clinical trials or as focus groups for new products.  

What I recommend to my non-profit friends is that you print the above list and send it to those companies whose involvement you want. You can strengthen your case by adding specific examples that support any of these tips.  Of course, you should also include your pertinent request. Good luck!

What the Experts Say: Act Like an Adult. Think Like a Kid. And Write Like Your Life Depends On It -- by Jan Welborn-Nichols

Jan Welborn-Nichols was born in Peculiar, Missouri, really. Now that she lives in Bloomington Illinois she is near to Normal, the town next door. Jan was a chubby kid who survived a trying adolescence of bad skin, ugly glasses, and plus size clothes. She has been an opera singer, a cubicle drudge, a black belt in the Japanese martial art of Aikido, an entrepreneur, and is the owner of Market Arts Creative, a content development strategy firm.

Writing for kids is just like writing for adults – only harder. Children don’t have a lot of life experience; consequently they have very little patience for pokey pacing, false dialogue, and cardboard characters. Reader forbearance is acquired with age. But kids are brutal. They won’t stick with a book if it doesn’t grab them by the hand and pull them down the rabbit hole from page one. It’s okay if the situation is incredible, even far-fetched, as long as it seems real and “gets good” really fast.

Why then, would a first-time author choose the greater challenge of writing for children? Several reasons. First, the story came up, introduced itself, and like the worst possible guest refused to leave until I wrote it down. Second, I didn’t know what I was getting into until it was too late. Actually, not knowing is a really good thing. Think of all the cool stuff we wouldn’t even try if we knew at the beginning how much we didn’t know. Besides, I seem to be a leap-before-looking kind of person. Not that I don’t have a neo-cortex and on occasion use it for rational thought. I just love being swept away by an idea, being so engaged that all else momentarily falls away, and I end up, well, leaping. But the real reason why I wrote a book for children ages 10-12 is because that’s the true state of my emotional development.

Who Knew a Chubby Childhood was Book Fodder?

            I was a chubby kid before childhood obesity became a public health crisis. And I stayed overweight for much of my adult life until a funny thing happened. I wanted to change the way I felt more than I wanted to change the way I looked. I no longer wanted to defer feeling good about myself until after I lost weight as I had done so many times before. Taking a good, long look in the mirror, I resolved to forgive myself for having a weight problem, to accept and respect myself exactly the way I was. It was that emotional shift that allowed me to happily, whole-heartedly and gradually change my habits of eating and living. In time, the weight came off for good. And now, when my friends lament the crow’s feet around their eyes, or the excess underarm skin that flaps when they wave, I relish the fact that I’m finally comfortable in my own skin. Trust me, it pays to be a late bloomer.

So it’s no surprise that my 12-year-old protagonist, Henrietta Sharp, is chubby. But I didn’t write a book about me (thank goodness), I wrote a book that I would like to read, influenced by the books that I’ve read, lived in and loved. My book had to be in the science fiction genre like Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time. It had to have a sly wit like Norman Juster’s The Phantom Toll Booth. And I wanted it to be “kind of” epic like J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. Mind you, I’m not saying I accomplished anything comparable to my writing heroes though I worked very hard at it.

The Business of the Book

            I say this without diminishing the importance of craft and the rigor of writing a book. But I’ve always thought of my book as a business. I’m an entrepreneur by profession, having run my own marketing firm since 1994. While I was working on the outline of the book, I was also working on the business plan, asking the simple questions that are so gnarly to answer: Who’s my audience? Is there more than one audience? How will I reach them, and the really big question, how will I make money?

It turns out that I had several audiences. Here’s how it worked out.

• Book buyers: parents, grandparents, children ages 10-12
• Book referrals: teachers, librarians, dieticians and nutritionists
• Bulk book sales: dieticians and nutritionists, organizations and associations promoting children’s health, food industry associations promoting healthy children’s menus, and healthy products

So far that looks like a pretty traditional business approach to audience. Here’s the next step.

The Platform

In the book, the main character must learn to appreciate her whole self, including the chubby part, before she can claim the super power that is her birthright. One of the themes I wanted to explore was the idea of power, the super kind that can make you go crazy and lose your humanity, and the kind that each of us has within our grasp; the power to be our true selves.

Determined not to write a preachy book about making healthy food choices, we (not a royal we, my team) created a beta site designed to do two things: sell book (d ’oh) and demonstrate how characters from the book can be used to communicate nutritional information in a fun and imaginative way.

Here’s an example. We took Henri’s cat, a minor character in the book, and on the web site transformed him into Kitchen Kitty, leader of the Food Detective Club. Kitchen Kitty goes on field trips to the grocery store and reveals cool stuff about the stuff we eat: things like reading ingredient labels to detect the presence of Sugar Daddy in cereal; or learning that a pinto is a pony and a bean.

             We’ve gone from being in the book-only business to becoming a content development company. In addition to the core book series (coming someday kind of soon), I have the opportunity to sell additional products that are focused on healthy eating and healthy kids.

• Picture books (expanding the audience base) featuring other minor book characters: Sir Broccoli, McCauley Flower, Sausalito (a serape-wearing bottle of hot sauce) and more

• Branded books (customer cover/content) for companies who want to promote healthy eating habits
• Sponsorship of Kitchen Kitty videos for healthy-minded organizations and companies
• Product placement in videos (must meet nutritional standards or be labeled as a treat)
• You get the point …

As a marketing strategist by day who writes middle grade fiction at night, I encourage my fellow authors, even those who write outrageous space-time travel adventures, to look at the universal themes within their books. Friendship and loyalty, courage and kindness, or anger and redemption; these themes can be the basis for a platform that does more than market your books. You can be both a writer and a rebel with a cause greater than any single book. And when you’re attached to something greater than yourself, you will reach more people, your platform will have more meaning for them, and guess what, you’ll sell more books.

The Leisurely Launch

            This is a great time to be an indie author if we could just slow down and enjoy it. The technology that opens a path to reaching readers directly can evoke the feeling that we should work machine fast, then even faster.

            I’m speaking out on behalf of the leisurely launch. It takes most businesses 5-7 years to be successful. So work hard, be ambitious, set outrageous goals, but decide you’re in the business (and writing is a business) for the long haul. You can go for a mega-hit or you can seek out nice audiences that can be sustained and become economically rewarding over time.

            Henrietta Sharp and the Magic Lunch Box is my first book so I don’t have multiple products to sell. (Yes, a book is a product, although a very precious one.) To compensate a bit, I’m bringing out an audio and a print version of the book in time for the 2012 holiday season. I’ve got a plan, a fledgling platform, a persevering nature and, oh yes, I’m learning patience. How about you?

Henrietta Sharp and the Magic Lunch Box is available at most eBook stores, at GoodReads, and at www.henriettasharp.com

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What the Experts Say: My Love Of Thrillers by Stacy Green

Stacy Green writes suspense thrillers with romance, and her debut novel, INTO THE DARK, will be available from MuseItUp Publishing in November. Her popular Thriller Thursday series features true crime stories, forensics, and the occasional ghost story. She lives in Marion, Iowa with her husband and daughter and their three lovable but annoying dogs.

Imagine a giant ticking clock hovering overhead as you race down a darkened tunnel. Four minutes to save your life or die trying. Your heart’s hammering so fast the beats are nearly continuous, your hands are numb from being clenched into fists, and your lungs burn from the rapid intake of air. Thundering behind you is a force so terrifying you don’t want to look back, and yet, you must. Look, gasp, run harder, and look again.

That’s a thriller. A plot so intricate and chocked with twists and turns you not only can’t put it down, but you’re physically altered while reading it. Remember the books that have you looking around the corner, leaving the light on, or staring at complete strangers as though they might morph into a kidnapping psychopath right before your eyes? There’s a reason they stick with us.

I love every kind of thriller, but my personal favorites are psychological suspense thrillers, with The Silence of The Lambs being the standard. To this day, no villain has terrified or enthralled me more than Hannibal Lecter. Author Thomas Harris makes Lecter crawl into our minds from the moment he steps onto the page. When Hannibal calls Clarice Starling at the end of the novel, even though the main story line is all tied up and Buffalo Bill is dead, our hearts still pound at what the good doctor might say. That’s the essence of a thriller – the ride doesn’t stop until the very end.

So what do you need to write a great thriller? There’s no formula, but there are some must have elements.

1)    Hook readers on the first page. An action scene can be a great way to snag a reader, but there are any number of books that start off more subtle, with the initial hook tapping into a reader’s deepest fear. Harlan Coban is a master of hooks that dig into our psyche and compel us to read on.

2)    Unforgettable hero/heroine. Readers love characters with flaws, ones that push themselves to the edge. Lisa Gardner’s heroine in Say Goodbye is a great example of this: she’s pregnant, but she’s lured to a case that might get her and her baby killed. Married less than a year, she’s also attracted to her partner, and yet she loves her husband. She moves through the book with a mixture of guilt and determination–a state most of us can relate to.

3)    Most importantly, an all-powerful villain. In Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons, Robert Langdon is up against the powerful and secretive Illuminati as he tries to thwart their efforts to destroy the Catholic Church. These guys are willing to sacrifice themselves – and each other – for their cause.

4)    Put your characters through hell and make it personal. What do you fear? Spiders? The dark? Abandonment? Death? Losing a loved one? Whatever it is, make it happen to your characters. Torture your characters until the end, but give them the strength to persevere.

5)    Balance. Keep the rollercoaster moving. Lull your readers into a sense of calm by making your characters get what they want–and then drop them to their knees one last time.

Thrillers thrill; it’s that simple. What’s your favorite thriller? What books have kept you up at night lately?

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What the Experts Say: Transitioning from Category Romance to Women’s Fiction by Joyce DeBacco

There was a time when women’s fiction was synonymous with bodice rippers. Thankfully, those days are long gone. Although romance is still a large part of our reading material, women today want more from their fiction. With more women in the workforce now, either by choice or necessity, our reading time is understandably limited. While it’s fun to occasionally indulge in a fluffy romance, many women prefer to read what’s relevant to them. It’s the reason little girls want dolls that reflect their ethnicity or coloring. And, because we’re strong women, we don’t always want the female to follow the male’s lead; we can think for ourselves. On the other hand, sometimes we want to be taken care of. It’s a fine balance.

It’s not hard to figure out from my writing that my preference is for women’s fiction. Although at one time, I tried my hand at category romance in order to submit to the popular romance publishers of the day, I just couldn’t adhere to the publisher’s strict requirements as to length or timing. I didn’t want my hero and heroine to meet, fall in love, and live happily ever after according to some arbitrary formula. I wanted to do it my way.

Of course, at the heart of any good women’s fiction is authenticity, and family dynamics is an important part of my fiction. One of the greatest compliments an author can get is when a reader says their characters seem like real people. As mothers, we’ve all dealt with a toddler’s temper tantrum or a teen’s rebellion. And it’s the rare woman who hasn’t experienced sibling rivalry or mother-daughter issues. The characters in my books face these problems as well. They may not always say the right thing at the right time, but that’s what makes it real. It’s also why some of my characters are well-educated and some are not; some are professionals and some are not. They’re a microcosm of society. The important thing is that they’re all motivated by their love of home and family.

In the end, women’s fiction is about life. As wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, we strive to keep our home lives and professional lives separate. When they do overlap, we do the best we can to blend them; multi-tasking has always been part and parcel of a woman’s life, from pioneer days to the present. Today’s woman can be the head of a corporation or the head of a family, and women’s fiction has evolved to reflect that. Today the hand that rocks the cradle is just as apt to rock the business world. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.

About Joyce DeBacco

After reading women’s fiction for many years, Joyce knew she wanted to create stories of her own. As the mother of four grown daughters, she’s familiar with the problems women face finding love, raising children, and stepping back when necessary. While raising her daughters, she also ran the office of her husband’s sub-contracting business, so she’s quite familiar with multi-tasking. She is happiest when she’s secluded in her office creating new worlds and people to populate them. When she’s not taxing her brain with plot, structure, and grammar, she likes to sew, particularly quilts. When she really wants to rest her brain, she sprawls out in front of the TV and tries not to fall asleep. Please visit her website, http://www.joycedebacco.com for information about her books, one of which was named Best Indie Romance of 2011 at Red Adept Reviews.

What the Experts Say: Catherine Astolfo on Background Playing

Catherine Astolfo is the author of The Emily Taylor Mysteries, published by Imajin Books.  Her novels have been optioned for film by Sisbro & Co. Inc. Catherine is a Past President of Crime Writers of Canada and a member of Sisters in Crime Toronto.   www.catherineastolfo.com

Background Playing

There’s an old adage that says, “Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.” Most authors of fiction would probably agree that we can’t get all the research right every time. Often the situation just calls out for a manipulation of the facts. However, the background information provided in a novel is often fascinating, if not entirely accurate to the last drop.

We are all familiar with the detective story, police officer or private detective variety.  Think of how much we’ve learned about processing a crime scene because we’ve read these books. Doesn’t mean we could conduct one, but still… Other writers opened the world of forensic pathology , autopsies and morgues with the result that many shows on the subjects turned up in television.

Fiction covers the gamut: law, medicine, education, government…name the field and there is more than likely a novel that has, in its background, some details about that world that are new to you.

           The background playing is often part of the fun, the fascination, and the transportation of reading. By transportation, I mean getting carried away into another realm, one that was probably —and will likely continue to be—unfamiliar, but interesting. You can virtually learn something from every single book.

           In fact, the new plans from that big computer software company that we all know, are to introduce electronic books for schools. The “e” texts would include features whereby students can click on a name and find the entire history of that person. Currently, our ereaders give us definitions of words and other links that we can pursue for information. More services and tools are being offered all the time. What a huge education all in one little story/textbook!

Even in the “simplest”of novels, the background information is important. By simple, I mean they’re not necessarily focused on a field of work. They’re not primarily detective or legal or medical fiction, but tell a tale about rather ordinary folk. In my first book, The Bridgeman, I portrayed an old-fashioned lift bridge and the person who managed it.

My protagonist throughout the series (the Emily Taylor Mysteries) is a school principal in a small town. When the bridgeman is murdered in the school, I have to explain about how the education system would handle such a thing. Then there is the puppy mill: for this section, as difficult as it was, I wrote about the experiences of my niece as a veterinarian’s assistant. In Victim, I did a lot of reading about Ojibwa folklore—and shared that with my readers. Legacy (number three) returns to the school and its processes, plus there are tidbits about the effects of fire, inquests, and hypnosis. My fourth book, Seventh Fire, discusses a wrongful conviction and how these tragic mistakes often come about. My books are mysteries, but they still teach.

Although the stories are fiction, and some of the facts may not be one percent accurate, there is enough background information to give the reader a more in-depth picture of the setting, the characters, and how the plot plays out. It may even lead a reader to investigate the topic further. Just like an “e” text.

Web page

Author page Amazon

The Bridgeman

Victim

Legacy