“Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted―” E.M. Forster I was recently asked how I would categorize my novel, Vindictive. The options presented to me were Thriller/Suspense, Mystery/Crime, and Action/Adventure. To me, however, something key was missing. So, I answered it my way. The truth is, I never have to […]
WHEN examining the concept of the “Trauma Narrative,” it’s evident that many literary works—spanning genres from horror to romance to dramatic fiction—adhere to a recognizable yet troubling pattern. At the center of these stories often lies a protagonist or antagonist ensnared by a singular, overpowering emotion that casts a shadow over their entire narrative […]
Toot your own horn! Be proud of what you’ve created, and never feel embarrassed to promote yourself. Excitement is contagious! IN MY twenties, I met my favourite author Anne Rice, creator of The Vampire Chronicles. Though our time together was brief, we chatted about several things, including her inspiring, descriptive writing style. It’s a memory […]
I WAS once asked if it was difficult to “kill one’s darlings.” Let’s look at this more broadly than just the mechanism of killing off a primary or popular character for plotline purposes (but I will get to that in a moment, not to worry). It takes courage and fortitude to cut storylines you’ve worked […]
I’D LIKE to take a moment to highlight the scenes between Police Inspector Declan James and Dr. Thaddeus Madden in Vindictive Too. Not only were they great fun to write, but also a poignant learning experience. It was important to add diversity to my novel, as it is for all my books, but I wanted […]
THANKFULLY, I was fully involved in the creation of my novels’ covers, and yes, I had a plan from the get-go. The concept and design for Vindictive and Vindictive Too, to suggest a theme of revenge through starkness and specific, impactful imagery, was a relatively straightforward process. Both books have the same basic colour scheme […]
OCCASIONALY I get asked, “What is your favourite scene in the book?” With Vindictive, I don’t believe I’ve ever answered that question, and I’m not sure I can or ever will. At least not to anyone’s satisfaction. When I think of a scene in my first novel that tickles me, another one that thrills me immediately comes […]
(What started as a conversational post about my novels being part of the Queer Thriller Genre became more of an “essay-like” piece, as my husband termed it (LOL), but I think it’s still compelling while remaining accessible.) MY NOVELS, Vindictive and Vindictive Too, are staunchly in the Thriller Genre. What I feel sets them apart from traditional thrillers […]
REVENGE IS a complex concept. At its core is the desire for vengeance or retribution motivated by perceived wrongdoing. The perpetrator, the one who carried out the unforgivable slight, the immoral act, the unforgettable harm, must pay for their transgression, and they must pay in a manner that will equal the pain and suffering of the […]
REGARDING MY writing process, I take time to develop a story, formulate a unique plot, and design the characters’ personalities thoughtfully. I’m no pantser, but I allow for organic creativity. If inspiration strikes, I’m not so rigid that I won’t alter the course of a character’s preset fate or adjust a storyline. Admittedly, I’m […]
