“Weaving Evil” Back Cover Blurb!

A tapestry of silk ends it all…

Vengeance is the itinerary of a woman obsessed by her past. Vanessa Servais utilizes a myriad of chemical compounds with the most unique of delivery systems, as she quenches her thirst for blood.

Riverside Detective Kelli Jordan discovers the discarded body of a Jane Doe, who appears to lack one essential element regarding her death. This leads Detective Jordan to consult quirky but brilliant medical examiner: Martin Dankes, who verifies the cause of the woman’s death, are both intriguing and terrifying.

As the body count rises, Detective Jordan uncovers the evidence to unravel the killer’s deadly web, but Vanessa Servais has other plans and soon she will be gone…forever.

Will Detective Jordan arrive in time to bring the sadistic woman to justice or is this just the beginning to a new brand of serial killer?

Only time will tell…

 

A Method to My Writing Madness and a Little Taste of Something…

Today, I will take you on another journey through the depths of my sometimes devious mind, as we discuss one of my favorite parts in assembling a finished work. Drumroll…please! Chapter titles and the abbreviated version on two reasons why they are important to me…and hopefully the fans as well. 🙂

The creation of chapter titles is important for me because of two main reasons. After I have created my outline and all the names of my victims are chosen…err…I meant main characters, of course, I visually play out the interaction of each person, bouncing it off my outline. Now, remember I haven’t written down one word of the story, so my memory is pretty much what I utilize. This can sometimes be problematic, especially if you have three girls at home fighting about which Disney Channel show to watch, and the youngest is screaming at a decibel level somewhere along the lines of an opera singer reaching her crescendo. Needless to say, sometimes I have to remove the words Spongebob or Finneas and Ferb, that somehow found its way into the rough draft. After I’m satisfied with how the chapter flows, I usually pick three possible chapter titles, then systematically eliminate them until the one I should have picked first is the one that’s left. (I did entitle this “Writing Madness.”)

Okay, the other reason the titles are important is this. I simply love to have some foreshadowing for the readers. In my latest re-released work, Death Prescription, the first chapter is named “Anatomy of a Killer.” Well, the readers have hopefully reviewed the back cover blurb and know the story is about a serial killer, so when they see the chapter title, they automatically know this chapter is designed to talk about the killer’s thirst for blood. It gives new readers some insight without divulging all the deets!
For my next book, I’m trying something a little different by not using individual chapter titles. I don’t know how that’s going to work out, but only time will tell…

Btw, I promised you a taste of something, didn’t I? Well, here is the first chapter of Death Prescription…enjoy, as you are well aware…death is only a click away!
😉

Chapter 1
Anatomy of a Killer

Darkness and death were comfortable roommates for the stranger hidden in the dense foliage. The downpour that spewed from the heavens scattered the masses in various directions, as they sought refuge from the Almighty’s wrath. Outstanding! The art show was the perfect venue for him to collect his next victim. Rubbing the coin between his fingers, the man cherished the preciousness of the moment. He valued life less than the worn fifty-cent piece, which he had taken from his first conquest. The death of the young woman made him powerful, almost like he was deemed to be untouchable by mere mortals. Murder was how he chose to define the nickname his mother had labeled him with when disciplining him so many years earlier. Lucifer. She taunted him with the condescending name for so long.
He recalled his first “masterpiece” as he prepared to kill again. That night had been similar to this, with one exception; the rain had been gently bouncing off the streets in a way that had almost seemed acrobatic. A tall, young woman named Angela Deeds was carrying a dark umbrella in one hand and a set of keys in the other. Her light blue pantsuit hugged her figure like a second skin, leaving almost nothing to the imagination. She ran toward her yellow sports car, trying to avoid the falling raindrops. Not getting wet would be the least of your worries in a few short moments. The destiny of this female was to be his first masterpiece in a line of many that would follow. There had been a previous death, but it was not worthy of the effort. He watched her approach the vehicle, coming even closer to where he was hidden. All the muscles in his body tensed. The two instruments he had chosen to start his new craft with seemed to weigh down his hands. Get a hold of yourself.
He peeked through the bushes and remembered how exquisite she looked. Angela’s hair was the silkiest and shiniest he’d ever seen, like those unattainable women advertising shampoo in a television commercial. Lucifer was excited as he tightened his hands around that night’s weapons of choice, a small syringe full of his paralytic concoction and the silver nickel-plated 9mm semi-automatic handgun. He hadn’t held a firearm for many years and only wanted to use it in case something went wrong.
He had planned the assault in his mind for many days, watching her walk from her vehicle in the morning, knowing she left at the same time every evening. Lucifer walked past Angela’s place of business and purchased some items from a lingerie store adjacent to her office. He even made eye contact with this striking beauty at the coffee shop just a half block away from her designated parking area. His future victim was only a few short feet away, as Angela tried to hold the umbrella and open her car door at the same time. She fumbled with the keys, as they slipped out of her hand, clattering to the ground.
Lucifer slipped out from his hiding spot and approached her undetected. A sudden movement later; it was too late. The young woman tumbled to the cold wet pavement and landed on her back. She looked up. Lucifer noticed the anguish in her eyes, relishing the fact Angela seemed to recognize him from somewhere, but with the onset of paralysis, time was running out for cognitive thought. Lucifer smiled as he towered over his victim, and decided to use the handgun instead of waiting for the drug to take effect. He pulled the silver slide back, as the clicking sound of the bullet being chambered into position thrilled him. Lucifer watched as Angela Deeds’ breathing became labored, and she clutched desperately at her throat, trying to force out the last bite of air. Almost the end.
Her hands relaxed, and he knew she would never be able to move again. Lowering the firearm, he pointed it between her eyes. Passionately, the man gazed into them and beamed with delight as her pupils dilated. Lucifer eased the trigger back until a deafening explosion erupted, propelling the blunt projectile through the front of her skull. The impact of the small round scattered her brain matter upon the saturated pavement.
Lucifer was pleased with his performance and how his victim had been unable to react. He fingered through all of her belongings, locating several fifty-cent pieces scattered in the bottom of her blood-spattered purse. He placed one in his pocket. “This is how I’ll honor all victims. Taking a piece of each, making his or her death a part of my life forever.” That was the first day of his new life. Lucifer would keep the fifty-cent piece with him always to commemorate that day—until the day he died.
* * *
Lucifer finished his performance for this evening as well. The killer had returned to his apartment and stood at the kitchen sink, meticulously washing the remnants of human carnage from his hands. “Unexpected deaths.” Lucifer hadn’t considered two other people would be in the park, but so be it. He improvised, and now they would also be enshrined in his collection of “masterpieces.” Cleaning off the battle-axe, and drunk with excitement, he stared at the wooden table. “Ah, three new prize possessions,” Lucifer whispered.
He picked up the first item. It was a worn silver Zippo lighter with the initials J.P. etched on the right side of the lid. He held it for a few seconds, careful to return it to the proper place before reaching for the next. The killer inspected the plastic neon band, tapping the bright face of the time-keeping device. Raising it to his ear, he could still hear the repetitive sound of a working battery. This treasure had come from his youngest victim ever. Lucifer set it back on the table and smiled.
The third and final item would, hands down, be the most cherished of all his new tokens. He ran his fingers along the canvas, careful not to damage the small masterpiece. The artist had created a wonderful work, which Lucifer admired. I have the perfect place! He decided to hang it on the wall in the cramped closet that held his “collection.” What a productive night. Lucifer was skilled with many of the tools reserved for creating pain and torture. Tonight’s performance was no exception. This sample of work was but a preview of what was to come. Tomorrow, he would start his hunt for another victim, learning all possible details, becoming one with his prey. But now, even the killer needed to rest.

Listen to My Interview Today with Gelati’s Scoop!

Listen to the interview now by clicking here!

Eldora Library Today

Here we are at the Eldora Library fans and friends! A pic or two for you all.

Interviewed by Cold Moon Press

This week, I was interviewed by my publisher, Cold Moon Press. You can read it soon on their website (http://coldmoonpress.com), but I’m posting it here for my fans first! Enjoy!

Tell us about your writing process for this novel.

The creation of this latest work followed the first two books with regards to how I construct my ten chapter outline. In my normal writing calendar, this would mean within 60 days, I would have my first rough draft ready for editing. But 3:16 was very different indeed…after I did a once over of the storyline, I literally had a gag-reflex. (I’m so not kidding.) Simply put, the chapters were lifeless, and the main characters seemed to aimlessly wander the pages without a sense of purpose. So I did what a reasonable author of serial killer novels does…I sent those pages to their new place of residence called the Recycle Bin. I then took a few days scouring my favorite music site and downloaded a compliment of tunes which would assist me in creating something wonderful. All of my characters were redesigned, and any likeness from the previous players was stricken from the record. After I completed a second ten page outline, it was again time to review. A devious grin filled my face as I realized it was time to move forward, and put the other subplots into motion. This novel took almost a year to complete, but I can truly say it was worth it. Now, it’s the fans turn to decide…

This novel has multiple points of view and several main characters, making it your most complex yet. How have you grown as a writer, and what have you done to facilitate that growth?

I knew after my second novel, Deadly Demented, was published. I knew it was imperative to test my writing skill set and spend some time creating a few short stories. I thought, if I could entice readers with a full length work, why couldn’t I accomplish this with a story much less in length? Going from 80,000 words to 8,000 has some very obvious challenges, and I welcomed them with arms wide open. Needless to say, the Mark Blakenship short story series ensued and BELIEVE it or NOT, they don’t involve my patented serial killers or the men who chase them scenario. I have come to realize that the only way to hone this craft and make it believe my next book is always better than my last.

The key to growing in this field is in the ability to research the craft and perseverance of that craft. WRITE! WRITE and WRITE some more!

Describe the three main characters for your book. How are the alike/different?

Ah, only a taste, my dear interviewer. The first character is…drum roll please…Brandon Thornley. He is a security guru for a Threat Assessment Company called Langston Security Solutions. A definite leader of men, Brandon uses his fame and fortune to partake in a murderous reign by using the local social networking website, konnect2u.com. Brandon sends friend requests to select people, and you can only imagine why…Hehe!

Next up is Donovan Petrie. He’s a blue collar type of gentleman who recently has found a hobby of his own, and believe me…it’s truly diabolical and disturbing. Donovan is also one of Brandon Thornley’s select individuals, but Donovan has other plans for the security genuis…but they don’t include playing golf at the local country club.

Finally…Homicide Detective, Patrick Morgan: Yes, he’s the brazen and talented investigator tasked with the challenge to catch a killer, but his competition is fierce, and this individual will do anything to ensure Detective Morgan fails… and I do mean anything.

Let’s ponder the likes of the three.

1. All of them are motivated to accomplish designed goals, and all of them will use any means necessary to ensure their success.

2. All three are confident and understand how this trait works in their everyday contact with outsiders.

Now the differences.

1. Brandon will balance his secret life with his 9-5 career and has little trouble coordinating both.

2. Donovan is fueled by hate and rage, and at that rate… he will unravel.

3. Patrick Morgan is led by honor and commitment, but family obligations are a cross to bear…to say the least.

4. Brandon thinks he’s untouchable and more intelligent than those around him.

5. Donovan is careless and reckless but possesses unseen knowledge the reader would least suspect.

6. Patrick is street savvy and lacks faith.

Where do you get inspiration for your plot?

Now, if I tell you that… you will know the method to my madness…hehe.

Okay, I wanted to use something relevant in this novel with regards to everyday life. A great deal of people use one form or another when it comes to social networking, I wanted to use this as a medium for our killer. This is very real and almost scary to think about. But I think it has a universal tone, and people will be enticed…

What projects are you currently working on? What’s next?

This is like a double secret probation question YOU know…

1. Well, I was trying to complete a Valentines Day short, but as it has developed, Cupid’s Kill will be more than likely be a full-sized novel.

2. Weaving Evil: Female serial killer uses toxins of various deadly insects to seek vengeance on her victims.

3.Death Map: The compilation of Brian Jeffers, Kelly Jordan, AND Mark Blakenship will coordinate efforts to stop a killer who uses the popular geocaching sport to locate potential victims and leaves a travel bug like no other has ever come across…I guess you better find out what a travel bug is…hehe…

Hmm…I should mention the screenplay for my first novel, Lucifer’s Calling, too…

A Great Event at Beaverdale Books!

Many, many thanks to the great staff and my wonderful friends and fans who came out to the signing at Beaverdale Books last weekend! I signed a bunch of books, met some new people, and had a few pics taken (see below).  If you missed this even, make sure you visit Beaverdale Books, and come to my next signing at the Eldora Public Library on February12.

Which Scares You The Most?

In my books, I explore the fears that many people have. And yes, sometimes they are things that go bump in the night, but often, the fear in my stories comes from very real people placing others in horrific situations. Here are a few samples. Read through them, then vote at the end on my reader poll.

3:16

Cindy finished off her drink, exiting in the direction of the master bath. After pulling open the ivory curtain, she turned on the water. Time for a little more wine. Cindy rushed down the stairs, grabbing the bottle from the table. On her way back up, she realized she couldn’t hear the water running. She stopped at the top of the stairs. Was Mark here and playing games with her?

Bravery set in as she stormed the master bath. Nothing. What’s going on? “Hey, Mark, if you’re in here, I’m going to kick your ass.”

By entering the bathroom, Cindy cut out any opportunity for escape. The dark, masked figure slipped out from her bedroom and was just a feet feet from the bathroom doorway, hidden in the shadows.

Deadly Demented

Brian Jeffers rushed for the sedan with his weapon at the ready. Why would this man be here if he wasn’t trying to kill the rest of my family? This has to be the guy. He dove for the ground as a ring of gunfire cut through the bitter cold. The barrage of metal seemed to last forever, but in reality, it was just seconds. Brian Jeffers didn’t feel the two rounds that penetrated his uniform or the path each made when they struck the tactical vest. He drifted into the darkness, where a peaceful sleep awaited him.

Lucifer’s Calling

Lucifer saw Tamia Stevens exit her vehicle and walk within five feet of where the alcove had him hidden. He could smell the strong, luxurious odor of her perfume as she walked by him and up to lock her door. He watched as she placed her house key ito the door lock and began opening the door. Before she realized something was wrong, Lucifer was on her from behind, pushing her farther into the residence. He kicked the door shut with his back foot, slamming it, ending the model’s hopes of ever leaving again.

Happy Veterans Day and Operation Ebook Drop

Today, we talk about Veterans Day and what it personally means to me. First, for all the Veterans out there, this is your day. I know the sacrifices given to keep America safe, and kudos to my fellow brothers and sisters in  arms (politically correct you see…lol.) 

Okay, as most my fans know or should know, I was in the armed forces, and served in the United States Marine Corps.  Yes, a few good men and women (Yes, politically correct again.) I spent six years in the Corps, and two of them  were spent roaming around in the sand. You all know what I mean. So, during  my spurts of “down” time, I spent most of it gobbling up any reading material at my disposal. A wonderful novel kept my mind busy enough to not always focus on the worries of  where I was and what impending doom was around the corner.

It’s no accident some of my characters in my recent works have some military background, and I intend to keep creating  these types of protagonists/antagonists because it’s a part of me and my experiences.

With that in mind, there is a program for all of the armed service members who are overseas and don’t have access to your local Barnes and Noble or Borders. Operation Ebook Drop is a great program where the troops can enjoy a great book by a multitude of authors through the modern technology of e-book readers. I am fortunate to be a part of this, as my novels are available to the troops for their reading pleasure (the latest novel should be up soon, so you can check it out the deets!) I will continue to support the program and would hope if you know someone fighting in a foreign land, and they enjoy a good book, that you will pass along the info. So, I will leave you for now, but again I want to wish all my fellow Veterans out there a GREAT VETERANS DAY!!

The Haunted House of Misery

Trick or Treat. 

Ah, the phrase will be used in abundance over the next few days as children and adults alike shed their everyday skin  to don outfits ranging from their favorite pop star to the most grotesque creatures imaginable. It’s a great time to celebrate and partake in devouring handful after handful of delectable treats, but as with the good, also comes unmitigated evil. Hence, the story I have for you today. House of Misery is not my usual thriller, but given Halloween is only a few hours away (it is in some places), I decided to focus on a story I released earlier  this year. It doesn’t necessarily take place during Halloween, but the atmosphere around it makes it seem like it does… Hehe.  I thought it would be fun to post it again for people who didn’t get the opportunity to read it. Well, without further ado, I wish you all a happy and safe Halloween…

Enjoy the haunt!!

House of Misery

“What do you think?” Brooke asked, flipping back her long, blonde hair. She parked the black four-door sedan in a space alongside the dark, dilapidated structure that used to be someone’s home.

“Well, this street is called Misery Isle.” Austin sat next to her, flashed his partner a smile as he finished setting up the long-range camera he held.

The two investigative reporters were selected to this assignment, not due to their journalistic acumen but because they were the only ones who didn’t get caught up in the circus surrounding the origin of the house. Blake Misery had been the architect of this gated residence, just as he was for a majority of Grand Island’s modern buildings. The man was the epitome of success, and the naming of a local street in his honor was just a small sample of what the community thought of him.

But just as there was with every proclaimed hero, there was a dark side. It was rumored that one night, Blake returned home early from a conference, finding his wife of twenty years and her much younger lover in passionate embrace. He became enraged, grabbed a machete, and sliced them into pieces and buried them somewhere on the property. He then dowsed himself with kerosene and lit himself ablaze. Local law enforcement kept the details of the case under wrap, despite the fact that Blake’s son was also missing. A few months later, people in the neighborhood started seeing apparitions of Blake, his wife, and her lover roaming the property. Several reporters had attempted to enter the house to uncover what had really happened, but before they could get inside, something scared them away. Brooke and Austin wouldn’t be swayed that easily.

“It’s just a name. Don’t freak out on me.” Brooke laughed, exiting the car and opening the rear car door to grab a dark plastic bag from the back seat. She undid the tie string and removed several digital recording discs.

“Me? Freak out? I wouldn’t call it that…exactly.” Austin looked at her over the roof of the car, both eyebrows raised. The comment was not accurate in describing the former bodyguard. He had a history of being in volatile surroundings, and this wasn’t anything close to those.

His partner on this assignment was Brooke Anders. She was a recent graduate from Purdue University, possessing the cookie-cutter good looks most women in her profession usually displayed. Austin Davenport, on the other hand, had gained a great deal of weight around his midsection. The combination of high fat and nutritionally extinct meals, along with the lack of any type of fitness program, was to blame for that.

“You ready with the camera, Austin?”

“Hold on. I’ll be done in a few seconds.”

“Hurry up; this is supposed to be the night. I want to be ready, just in case,” Brooke said.

“How did you find out it was tonight?” Austin leaned in towards her.

“Strange phone call from an unknown source…early yesterday morning.”

“What do you mean strange?” Austin asked.

“Well, when I answered the phone, the man’s voice whispered something I could barely make out.”

“What was it again?” Austin had a little grin on his face, as he stared at the old structure.

“‘The evil you seek will find you on December 24, at the hour of contemplation,’” Brooke said, as the hairs on her arm stood up and her body suddenly felt like it was dipped in freezing water.

“What in the hell does that mean?”

“I don’t know, but the day, Christmas Eve, does seem a little out there,” Brooke said.

“Yeah, it’s definitely out there,” Austin said.

A flash of light from a window on the second floor caught Brooke’s attention. “Look up there!” She feverishly tapped on Austin’s shoulder, pointing at the window.

“Whoa. What’s gotten into you?” Austin brushed her hand away.

“Get the camera quick…something’s up there.” Brooke ran through the overhang of branches covering the sidewalk. She burst through, almost tumbling at the feet of the crumbling cement blocks that used to be the front steps.

“Wait! You’re gonna kill yourself if you don’t slow down,” Austin called, chasing after her.

“I think someone’s in the house,” Brooke said, almost out of breath.

“I think you’re seeing things.” Austin finally caught up to her at the top of the steps.

“I know what I saw. There was something in the window looking at us.”

The two reporters faced the front door of the mysterious home. Austin held the camera at the ready, while Brooke shakily grasped the ancient silver doorknob. She jerked her hand back, staring at it in disbelief.

“You all right?” Austin asked.

“I don’t know. The knob is freezing. What’s going on?”

“Brooke, hello…it’s winter. Of course the doorknob is freezing.”

Brooke stared at her hand, noticing the skin immediately showed signs of frostbite. “Damn it! Look at this.” She stuck her hand out for him to inspect.

“Okay, I see it. You don’t want to leave, do you?”

“No, but you go ahead and try to open it.”

Austin reached into his pocket and slipped on one of his winter gloves. He reached for the knob, slowly opening the door.

“We’re in.” He glanced back and could see Brooke wrapping her injured hand with her brown scarf.

“I’ll be alright, but stay close, in case I want to get the hell out of here.”

“Gotcha. You’re right, though…it’s a little strange.”

“A little?”

“Okay. It might have some paranormal aspects to it.”

Brooke finished wrapping her hand as the two walked through the entryway. A thin layer of frost covered everything within sight. Brooke could see the warmth of her breath cut through the icy air. She looked in Austin’s direction. He gasped, noticing the icy interior as well.

“You got the camera rolling?” Brooke shivered as she grasped at the pocket flashlight. Even though her hands were covered, numbness crept through her fingertips.

“Yes, it’s ready.”

Brooke glanced at the side of the device, realizing the recording button wasn’t working. She tapped at it with her hand, and soon, the red light activated. The two reporters had only taken a few steps when they were assaulted with an odor of rotting flesh and defecation.

“Oh my God…that’s awful!” Brooke put a hand over her mouth, the taste of vomit filling her throat.

“Probably some dead animals in here somewhere,” Austin said.

“In this cold? That’s nasty, Austin. And it looks like this place is pretty well boarded up. I can’t imagine anyone ever living here.”

“Well, they did.” His voice was terse.

Before she could respond, a shrilling sound erupting from above the two. “Ahh, ahh, ahh…”

Brooke turned her head toward the noise. “What in the hell—”

“Sounds like someone’s hurt. You were right. Somebody’s up there,” Austin said.

“I told you I wasn’t imagining it.”

Brooke pointed up in the direction of a spiraling staircase, as it seemed to disappear into darkness. A small ball of red light screamed across the floor above them. Brooke clung to Austin, nervous and afraid. Austin guided her with one hand, as his other held the recording device in position. He aimed the lens in the direction of the unknown illumination. Brooke’s first instinct was to turn and run, but the firm grip Austin had on her forced her to move forward. Brooke gave her co-worker a sheepish smile. The two cautiously ascended the stairwell. The deep, penetrating sound became stronger, piercing the eardrums of the houseguests.

Brooke tried to cover her ears but was unsuccessful. Tears started to well up in both eyes. “Austin, we gotta get out of here!”

“I know—”

A strong booming voice began to reverberate through the walls, as the two again grabbed at their ears. The light flared brighter, and suddenly, they heard a voice with distinct clarity.

“The hour is at hand, and many have come before you are waiting.”

The stairs began to sway and rumble beneath the frightened investigators. Austin tried to keep his hand around the camera and maintain his balance, but he was failing desperately. The camera slid from his grip, falling over the edge of the staircase. Brooke scrambled up the stairs, racing against the wooden planks that fell as they were torn from their foundation.

“Austin, what’s happening? Oh my god…we’re going to die!” Brooke cried out.

She felt her body lift as it was hurled forward from the unknown force. Blood began to flow from a gash she had on her forehead as she bounced helplessly at the foot of the second floor. She turned and couldn’t see Austin.

“Austin? I’m hurt—where are you?”

Brooke realized the screeching noise had ceased, but the other noise was still deafening to her ears. Crawling to her feet, she braced herself against a wall. In confusion and disbelief, she fumbled for the flashlight but was unable to find it. She again called out for her partner.

“Austin…Austin?”

Just as Brooke regained a little balance, the unseen energy again struck her with little compassion. It propelled her backwards, smashing her through a hallway door, splintering her small ribs. She looked up and could see something approaching her. It was a man dressed in black with a hood around his head.

“Who are you?”

“I’m here. Everything will be fine, my child,” he said.

“Who are you?” she asked again, sobbing.

The figure in black stepped forward, then slowly slipped his hood away.

“My name is Austin Misery, and this is my father’s house.”

Brooke grabbed at her waist. “You’re Blake Misery’s son?”

He put a finger to his lips, removing a machete from under his cloak. “Shh. No time for talk now…lots of work to complete before daddy gets home.” He placed the palm of his other hand on her head and smoothed out her hair. “Welcome to your new home. And more importantly, welcome to Hell…”

The End

Echelon Press Editor Wants to Interview Me!

Today, I’m conducting research in an abandoned house of sorts. I guess you could venture on even calling it haunted, especially since some people would say my evil minions aren’t human… Ah, here comes the arachnid of the hour. The Brown Recluse and its special love potion… hehe… Hold on while I collect my sample for testing…I’m sure my female antagonist of my next work. “Weaving Evil” will be elated; I have gone the extra mile for her…not so much for her victims though… Hmm, it seems my Robophone is vibrating. Yes! This is him friends and fans. Mr. Stephen Brayton is on the line… btw I  have checked out his website, and I wanted be the first to congratualte him on his publishing contract. You guys need to check it out as well. Here’s the addy…www.stephenbrayton.com.

Stephen are we ready? Let the interview commence…

Q: Who is Jeffrey Martin and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

A: I am many things… A Law Enforcement official, a father to three young girls, a former semi-pro athlete, and now… it seems I have taken refuge in creating many tales of murder and mayhem. I think putting these all together have a direct correlation to where I envision myself in a few years. I think most people can be fascinating, and all possess something which propels them to higher echelon for what their niche is. No pun intended…so, in that regard, I’m just a little fascinating.

SHH… One of the spiders is trying to struggle in my grasp. Good thing I have latex gloves on… 

Q: Without revealing a deep dark secret (unless you want to), what one thing would people be surprised to learn about you?

A: I see dead people…no…just kidding.  When I was in high school, I competed in Bible Quiz championships throughout the country. Yes, I know it vastly different than what kind of work I pen now… 

Q: What interested you to be become a writer rather than something else such as becoming a nuclear physicist?

A: One, I would look even more demented in the trademark pointdexter glasses, so a career in physics is definitely out of the question. Two, I left writing for many years before I finally came back to it in the early spring of 2007. Creating stories was how I spent a large amount of my childhood years, and sooner or later, I knew it would find its way into my life again. 

Q: Writers are readers. With which author(s) would you enjoy sharing dinner? Why?

Hmm, it’s really dark in here… I think something else is down here.

A: I have always been a voracious reader of suspense novels, and I can tell you there are two authors in particular whom I attribute my interest in pursuing the writing field. The first is John Saul. I remember reading his books in high school, and the teenage protagonist was perfect for me. Mixing in horror and suspense was something I believe he did with perfection. Plus, being a teenager myself, I could truly identify with his main character. (No, I didn’t kill any adult in a horrific manner… lol.)

The second author is John Sandford. I read his books while I was in the Marine Corps and the Lucas Davenport series was one of the best I have ever experienced. Using a Midwest Law Enforcement official hit close to home because I was from there, and it was easy to identify with the places he mentions in his work. To this day, I think Lucas Davenport is out there, catching evil-doers and running his software company… (Maybe he could help me with Madden 2011, there’s gotta be someway to beat the Saints.) 

Q: If I were stranded on a deserted island (or suffering a four hour layover at the airport), why would your book(s) be great company?

A: I enjoy creating a work that is a quick read for people who like to read thrillers about serial killers. I keep word counts to a minimum by not trying to add words just for the sake of upping the page count. Every word I put on the page is important to me, and I hope my readers can feel that as well. I try to entertain with a plot line, that is something different, and use my Law Enforcement background to create scenes, mood, characters, and emotion that will keep them coming back for more.

Behold, another spider has surfaced in front of me… let’s grab a syringe to extract the good stuff. 

Q: Share the Martin process of writing in regards to: idea and character development, story outline, research (do you Google, visit places/people or make it up on the spot?), writing schedule, editing and number or rewrites.  

A: Hmm, I see you want to know the method of my madness. The first part of my writing process is to create a list of characters I want to use in a story. I do put a few “real” places in my work, but most of the time, I just create new cities, and work from there. After I have those picked…sometimes, I even let my fans help me decide by involving themselves on my website. I list a host of names, and they vote on which sounds best. After I have all the players established, I create an outline of the story. This is usually the first ten chapters or so. From that point, I judge it for flow and plot line. If I like how it sounds, I move forward, and chapter eleven is my focal point. But if the story sounds rushed or just not what I think it should be, I will delete everything except the characters and start over.

So, let’s talk about a writing schedule. That is an interesting topic. I will tell you, while I’m in the creativity mode, I write all the time. I may plan for an hour a day, and within fifteen minutes of starting, I know I’m going to need three five hour energy drinks and my spouse will be texting me to come to bed. So a schedule doesn’t work so well for me.

The editing phase consists of three separate edits. After I have completed the rough draft, I will go back and scour the work for plot issues. Once I have those ironed out, I will wait about a week and get caught up on my iTunes purchases and Netflix movies before moving forward. After I have my iphone loaded up with new music, I start a second edit, with emphasis on sentence structure, style, and fixing small errors. Depending on how long my novel is, this process lasts for 1-3 months. Once, I’m satisfied the second editing phase is complete, I forward the document to my “Guru editorial advisor,” where she will go through my second edit like a woman possessed. All errors are identified, and I have a third edit to complete. This includes the rewrites of chapters as well.

Q: I think I have a god idea for a story, but I don’t know where or how to begin. Your process may not work for me. Any advice?

A: My advice is simple. Everyone has their definitive style when it comes to creating a work. I suggest that if someone wants to write and is serious about it, they do a few things. First, look for an online writing community, which will answer questions for you. I know many of the sites out there are helpful, and the knowledge a new writer gains from testing the waters will be beneficial to their growth. Also, joining a writing group in your area can be one of the best ways to get feedback from others looking to accomplish the same thing you’re looking for. Listen and learn and it will prove to be rewarding in more ways than just writing. The camaraderie of others may prove to earn you long lasting friendships. 

Q: I saw a great t-shirt the other day which read “Every great idea I have gets me in trouble.” What is your philosophy of life?

Damn. I think something just bit me…

A: “Sometimes a man can find his destiny on the road he traveled to avoid it.”

For me, this is the philosophy that has come into play. I once was an avid writer, and all of a sudden, I just stopped. Twenty some years later, I have picked it up again, realizing it was a mistake for me to have abandoned it. 

Q: Please tell me you’re not going to stop writing? What’s next for you?

Have you ever seen a Brown Recluse bite? This doesn’t look good.

A: My next work is in the research stage. It’s called Weaving Evil, and the premise is something quite scary…

A killer uses the toxins of the Brown Recluse, Black Widow, Banana Spider, and several others to murder her male victims. I don’t want to divulge too much, but I will say one thing. Some will be afraid…very afraid. (LOL)  

Q: Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

A: Personal web site is Jeffrey Martins Novels. You can learn all about me and my demented writings.

Friend me on Facebook or follow my fan page on Facebook!

I think this is going to leave a mark… hehehehe….