By Linda
The podcast currently has 49 episodes available.
What is a set piece and where can I get one?
Linda Hengerer talks with author Barbara Barrett.
To avoid a midlife crisis, Barbara Barrett wrote fiction at night while still employed in human resources for Iowa State Government. After releasing eleven full-length romance novels and two novellas, she turned to the cozy mystery genre, having discovered it years before when pregnant with her first child. She used one of her retirement pastimes, the game of mah jongg, as her inspiration. Her next book, Courtesy Call, to be released August 31, 2021, is the ninth in the Mah Jongg Mysteries series and is available now. Barbara spends her winters in Florida and summers in her home state of Iowa.
Subscribe to her newsletter subscription at www.subscribepage.com/BBCozies or check out her website at www.barbarabarrettbooks.com to find out more about her books and upcoming releases.
Courtesy Call - available now!
Get to know Barbara - The Tart Words Baker's Dozen:
1. Plotter or Pantser? Combo? Combo
2. Tea or Coffee? Coffee (More like Diet Coke or Water)
3. Beer, Wine, or Cocktails? Wine
4. Snacks: Sweet or Savory? Sweet
5. Indie Published, Traditionally Published, or Hybrid? Hybrid
6. Strict Writing Schedule: Yes or No No
7. Strictly Computer or Mix It Up? Strictly computer
8. Daily Goal: Yes or No No
9. Formal Track Progress: Yes or no No
10. Special Writing Spot? Yes
11. Writer’s Block? Not often
12. File of Ideas: Yes or No Just in my head
13. Favorite Author(s)? Lucy Lakestone, Mary Lee Ashford, Sparkle Abbey, Ellery Adams
What are the two ingredients for a tasty treat?
What do writers need to consider about Setting for their story?
What jobs has Hannah Dennison had that inspired cozy mystery series?
British-born, Hannah Dennison originally moved to Los Angeles to pursue screenwriting. She has been an obituary reporter, antique dealer, private jet flight attendant, and Hollywood story analyst. Hannah has served on numerous judging committees for Mystery Writers of America and teaches mystery writing workshops for the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program now on Zoom. After twenty-five years living on the West Coast, Hannah returned to the UK where she shares her life with two high-spirited Hungarian Vizslas.
Hannah writes the Island Sisters Mysteries (Minotaur), the Honeychurch Hall Mysteries (Constable), and the Vicky Hill Mysteries (Constable).
Visit Hannah’s website www.hannahdennison.com to find out more about Hannah’s books and where to buy them. You can also sign up for her very rare newsletter on her website’s home page.
Her latest book, Danger at the Cove: An Island Sisters Mystery (The Island Sisters Book 2) is available now and releases August 17, 2021. Listeners can buy it here for US and here for UK.
Get to know Hannah - The Tart Words Baker's Dozen:
1. Plotter or Pantser? Combo? Combo - plot until the midpoint and then fly by my pants to the ending (which I know)
2. Tea or Coffee? Coffee - from my Keurig machine
3. Beer, Wine, or Cocktails? Pinot Noir (I'm very specific!)
4. Snacks: Sweet or Savory? I'm a chocoholic
5. Indie Published, Traditionally Published, or Hybrid? Traditionally published by Minotaur and Constable
6. Strict Writing Schedule: Yes or No Yes - every morning
7. Strictly Computer or Mix It Up? Computer now - my handwriting is illegible these days
8. Daily Goal: Yes or No Yes - between and 2 and 3 hours a day when not on deadline.
9. Formal Track Progress: Yes or no Yes - I keep charts!
10. Special Writing Spot? I can write anywhere - even in the departure lounge
11. Writer’s Block? No - if I am stuck it means I don't know my characters well enough
12. File of Ideas: Yes or No Yes. It's huge.
13. Favorite Author(s)? M.M. Kaye (rediscovered), Mary Stewart, Anthony Horowitz, Barbara Pym, Rhys Bowen, Kate Carlisle - I could keep going.
Sweet cherries and a cherry liqueur-infused custard make a summery dish.
What makes the eggy custard climb the sides of the baking dish? Can it be...magic?
In this episode, Linda Hengerer talks with Amy Vansant about her two upcoming releases. Find out what "Meat Bingo" is and what it has to do with Pineapple Cruise, and how Pineapple Circus came to have a circus setting.
USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Amy Vansant has written over 20 books, including the fun, thrilling Shee McQueen series, the rollicking, twisty Pineapple Port Mysteries, and the action-packed Kilty urban fantasies. Throw in a couple romances and a YA fantasy for her nieces... Amy specializes in fun, exciting reads with plenty of laughs and action -- she tried to write serious books, but they always ended up full of jokes, so she gave up.
Amy lives in Jupiter, Florida with her muse/husband and a goony Bordoodle named Archer.
Visit Amy at www.AmyVansant.com to sign up for her newsletter and find out more about her books.
If you're a reader who loves free or discounted books or an author who wants to reach avid readers, visit www.AuthorsXP.com.
Get to know Amy - The Tart Words Baker's Dozen:
1. Plotter or Pantser? Combo?
100% Pantser. Rarely have any idea where I’m going when I start...
2. Tea or Coffee?
Coffee, but tea is a close second.
3. Beer, Wine, or Cocktails?
Yes please. Oh, you mean which do I prefer… Wine and cocktails. Not a beer fan.
4. Snacks: Sweet or Savory?
If I could eat anything any time without worrying about weight or health, I would eat donuts from dawn to dusk.
5. Indie Published, Traditionally Published, or Hybrid?
Indie.
6. Strict Writing Schedule: Yes or No
I try to do it every day but nothing terribly strict about it.
7. Strictly Computer or Mix It Up?
There are people who handwrite books?? I’m not even sure I remember how to use a pen.
8. Daily Goal: Yes or No
Yes and no. I try to write one chapter and edit another, but try not to make myself miserable sticking to it.
9. Formal Track Progress: Yes or no
No. The only thing formal about me was my jr. prom. I even got chickenpox for the senior one and couldn’t go.
10. Special Writing Spot?
My desk in front of a 65” television I use as my monitor so I don’t have to wear reading glasses..
11. Writer’s Block?
Occasionally get stuck on a plot point or a direction to go, but a good shower will usually shake it loose.
12. File of Ideas: Yes or No
I got an iwatch to keep notes that pop into my head because I kept forgetting them. I transcribe them to Trello and paw through them when I need an idea.
13. Favorite Author(s)?
It’s been so long since I actually had time to read I don’t even know anymore. I’ve gone through Vonnegut phases, Carl Hiaasen, Michael Chabon, Julie Smith, Laura Lippman, a lot of nonfiction -- I like to feel like I’m learning something or growing as a writer when I do get a chance to read. Though the last thing I read was “written” by the cartoon character “Archer” --- so maybe not trying to learn EVERY time...
Settle in for a good read, a hot cuppa, and these delicious Russian spice cookies!
In this episode of Tart Words, Linda Hengerer talks about Dick Francis’s book Trial Run, and how he uses setting to emphasize the story, shows how societal expectations affect actions, and how to build characters for story.
It was first published in the United States in 1978 by Berkley Books and is now available in ebook editions.
Description from Amazon:
The last place veteran horseman Randall Drew wanted to go was Moscow. But when his royal highness the prince asks a favor, one doesn’t refuse.
The Royal Family is worried about the prince’s brother-in-law, who aims to make the Olympics. Unfortunately a jealous Russian rider has sworn to kill him if he sets one hoof in Moscow. So Randall leaves his thoroughbred horses and loving girlfriend to investigate.
But what he finds is more than jealousy. It’s a terrifying track of sabotage and murder. And now that he knows, the killer is after him…
Takeaways for writers:
In Trial Run, Randall Drew has time on his hands due to a recent rule saying jockeys cannot wear glasses while racing. He is asked to go to Moscow, find the mysterious Alyosha, and find out what he has to do with a Prince’s brother-in-law. Randall uncovers a plot that will endanger many people at the upcoming Olympics.
Exercises for writers:
Secrets – Johnny Farringford tells Randall Drew an abbreviated story about his interactions with Hans Kramer. How much of a secret do you share, and how much do you hold back and reveal as the story progresses?
Societal Expectations – Randall Drew is an upper-class Brit whose family has served the monarchy over the years. How does his background contribute to his finally agreeing to go to Moscow? How can you incorporate your story’s societal expectations into your characters' actions?
Setting – How do the descriptions of England and Moscow enhance or reinforce the story? How can you describe the setting to convey the tone of the story, and how setting impacts character?
Building Characters for Story – Randall Drew wears glasses and is prohibited from racing due to a recent rule. He is in good health except for being susceptible to lung problems including asthma and bronchitis. How do each of these create problems for him as a character, and play into the story? How do you build characters whose personal flaws contribute to the story?
The podcast currently has 49 episodes available.