Along Came A Writer Network

Interview with the author of The Final Paladin (Key of Apollyon) and Dusty's Adventures, TJ Akers.

My guest today is Medical Suspense Author, Dr. Richard Mabry:

I'm a retired physician who, in addition to writing, is a husband and grandfather, plays (and enjoys) golf, and does the hundred-and-one other things that retired people do.

I got into non-medical writing after the death of my first wife with my book, THE TENDER SCAR: LIFE AFTER THE DEATH OF A SPOUSE. I'm gratified that it continues to help those who have lost a loved one.

Now I'm writing what I call "medical suspense with heart." My novels have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Award, Romantic Times' Best Inspirational Novel and their Reviewer's Choice Award, have won the Selah award, and been named by Christian Retailing as the best in the mystery/suspense/thriller category. My latest novel is CARDIAC EVENT, which has been given a 4 1/2 star rating and a "Top Pick" by Romantic Times. I've also published three novellas, the latest one DOCTOR'S DILEMMA.

The story is the thing! Right? Well, yes ... and no. A great joke isn't so great if the telling is spoiled or the timing of the punchline is off. The same is true of a great story. The premise can be golden, but if the writing utilizes old-fashioned practices, cliche' phrases or situations, or has poor grammar, an agent or editor will not likely choose to pursue the book and a reader will not likely continue past the first page. 

Writing is a changing occupation. What worked for the classics and the "modern" novels of the 70s and 80s simply doesn't work for today's genre novels. Tune in to learn keys to bringing your golden premise into the 21st-century publishing environment and learn what types of writing are plain indicators that a story, or the author, just isn't ready for a contract. 

Better yet, learn how to avoid those pitfalls so that your story rises to the top of the slushy waters of the pile!

Elizabeth Goddard is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than twenty-five romance novels and counting, including the romantic mystery, THE CAMERA NEVER LIES–a 2011 Carol Award winner. She’s a double finalist in the 2016 Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense for her books BURIED and BACKFIRE in the Mountain Cove series. A 7th generation Texan, Elizabeth graduated from North Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and worked in high-level software sales for several years before retiring to home school her children and fulfill her dreams of writing full-time. She currently makes her home in Minnesota with her husband and children.

Website: http://elizabethgoddard.com/contest/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethGoddardAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bethgoddard

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/bethrachg/boards/

Lena Nelson Dooley will interview Miralee Ferrell about her books, her publishing company, and how her movie came about

The Writing Industry from the Other Side of the Desk

While setting isn't a pertinent element of great fiction, it plays an important role in your novel. In fact, it can even become a pseudo-character for your book. Learn the tricks of establishing your setting without the old-fashioned practice of pagefuls of description.

A dramatic radio script written by Lynne Gentry and Lena Nelson Dooley will be presented by Lena Nelson Dooley and Lynne Gentry with technical help from Linda Kozar.

Edged weapons expert Kirk McCune answers writers questions about blades.

This is the fourth segment of discussion on the key elements that all authors should include in their books. Tonight's topics are dialogue and conflict. Marji and Fay focus on issues that will help authors get their masterpieces prepped and polished to share with agents, editors, and readers.

If you have questions for Marji or Fay, join the chat session during the episode or send an email to [email protected]

Trey Ganem has been designing unique, custom caskets for almost a quarter of a century in Edna, Texas. He's designed thousands of caskets since then, for adults and children, for sports stars, celebrities, and recently for victims of the tragedy in Sutherland Springs. He had just returned from delivering custom caskets to families of victims of the shootings in Las Vegas when this second tragedy occured. He immediately offered to donate free services and custom caskets to help the twenty-six bury their loved ones and help those families in the healing process.

ABOUT:

Trey Ganem, owner of Trey Ganem Designs, is adding life to the funeral world with his dream that started 24 years ago. While working as a hunting guide and providing taxidermy services out of the garage of his home in Victoria, Texas, Trey thought about his funeral. Not about who would be there or what they would say, but about what his casket would look like. He thought about that plain metal box and knew he wanted more. He imagined a casket customized to represent his life and thought about something 'outside the box'. He asked himself, "What could I do to really make my casket represent my life?" 

Today, his dream is coming alive. We take that plain metal box and let that person's "Soul Shine" through our custom casket designs.

Trey Ganem Designs provides families with the opportunity to celebrate their loved ones life. Our work truly comes from the soul, which allows us to create something unique and personal for each individual and forever "Letting Souls Shine". Trey Ganem Designs: http://www.treyganemdesigns.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/treyganemdesigns/