Hello Readers. I am so very appreciative of all those who have read my book–either through purchase or borrow. Thank you! Recently, many of you added A CRUEL LIGHT to your kindle library! I cheered when A CRUEL LIGHT reached Kindle’s top-sellers rankings on both Amazon’s US and Canada websites this month. Wow! It was an emotional moment that was definitely an author milestone.
(An aside, today, I just learned that my book has been chosen as the monthly read by Bloomingdale Library’s book club! Stay tuned for news about my upcoming author event to be held at this charming library! Hello, Bloomingdale!)
I am hoping that if you enjoyed my novel, you will add a rating or review for A CRUEL LIGHT either on Amazon or on Goodreads. I feel awkward requesting this… that you chose to read my book is awesome, considering there are millions of books available in the world. And you decided to read mine! Hopefully, my writing moved or entertained you. If it did, can you let others know? Thank you!
New writers often envision their characters; they know their eye or hair colour, if they are tall or short, if they are curvaceous or slender or plump. They may know who they love and who (if anyone) they hate. They should know how they speak and gesture, what they like to eat and drink, and their strengths and weaknesses.
Recently, I was thinking about my characters and their finances.
Money does so much more than determine what someone eats or where they live or what vacations they take; money is a gamechanger that can affect how we view the world and our role in it.
Take for example the concept of time. For those who live comfortably, and money is always available to travel or purchase large ticket items, time is vast—it stretches, unless health is in question.
“I will visit Paris in the spring,” they may say or “My next car will be a Bugatti” or “I will retire, live in Florida and golf.” The less money that is available to the character, the less the future comes into play, I think. Someone living paycheque to paycheque does not really think about next year; they are thinking about next week or next month. The person living rough on the streets who is barely surviving is thinking of his next meal, where he will sleep for that night, if he has water, if he will be dry for the next hour.
Money = time.
Personalities, histories, and mindsets come into play. How grateful is the character for where they are in the scheme of things? Are they resentful or appreciative? Do they live in the moment or do they only think of the future? How do they treat those with less or more money, employees or employers? Do they show sensitivity or awareness of others’ plights? Are they empathic or apathetic? Do they only live for profit and gain? Are they respectful to everyone who is kind or friendly or do they only show respect to those who can pay for it, improve that profit margin, so they can earn a new Cadillac?
When crafting characters, think about how they view wealth and poverty. How much do they need to be content and what are they willing to do? Who would they help? Who are they willing to hurt? Who would they keep from being hit by a train and who would they throw under the bus all in the name of greed?
Recently, I read a writing guideline which stated that love scenes have to work within the context of the story. And I was thinking that unless the story has a child protagonist and the narrative adheres to that voice, has only monk or nun characters, features Asexuality or the plotline is that the characters can’t stop or the world would end, then sex could most likely be a part of that story. We eat, we drink, we sleep, we eliminate waste, and yeah, we have sex. It is a part of the human experience—regardless of murders, what the other elves are doing, what is happening with the warlords, zombies, and the foreknowledge of global annihilation—we hug our children, love our friends, profess our loyalty, fight for what’s right, face our enemies, triumph or fail… and yet we still have sex. Sex happens, has happened, and will happen. Even when the clock is ticking down, even when you know you’re about to step into the ring. Yes, even then.
Now, how descriptive the sex is depends on many things—genre, intent, balance, writer style, reader expectations, and the characters themselves. (Sometimes, writers are just along for the ride, and they want to peek into those bedrooms, but their characters shut the door, and it really does feel like writing THAT scene should be more a brief tell than a, ahem, blow by blow show.)
I kept things very ‘behind the door’ for Annora and Mac, at least in their first book, A CRUEL LIGHT. I am currently working on what I’d describe as a Gothic Horror Women’s Western with Mystery elements, working title “The Secrets of Bloodroot Hollow”, and I just wrote a two pepper spice scene. It did not happen behind closed doors, no siree, and my characters were fine with my lustier descriptions of their actions. Frankly, I’m having some fun, and I think my readers will appreciate ALL the balances.
I will be writing a rom com in autumn. I know within that book the things that will be going bump in the night will have nothing to do with legendary creatures or murderers. And these two will be keeping me warm as the temperatures drop. I’m ready to bring it. To you.
Readers, each story has its own voice. I very much doubt I’ll be writing about forever virgins or a novel that is so action packed that there is no time to, ahem, grab a snack, but life is full of surprises. There is a reason that the blockbusters have included lip-smacking kisses. Most of us want to see a romance develop up on that screen, even for a minute, to see and feel that connection.
Writers, let the lovers do what lovers do. How wide that door should open depends on so much. My suggestion is to see what the exclusion of THAT scene does to the story. Listen to your instinct as a writer, and follow your character’s lead. They may know a little more than you do.
Lovers, just ignore us. Pretend we’re not here. Just do that thing again. Yeah, that one.
Writers can easily fall into the mindset of ‘get ‘er done.’ We travel from task to task, checking off to do lists. We come up with a story idea, fact check and research, write and rewrite, write and revise, write and edit. While new stories are crafted, we are marketing and promoting the novels that have been published. There are book events to arrange, books to sign, readers to meet, and questions to answer. Many of us also work other jobs and have families.
It’s easy to forget that all work and no play sucks the life out of us– and out of our writing. It’s called burnout.
We need to take a day to regroup. Often, these rest periods become ‘thinking’ periods for me. I find myself becoming more aware of the world, of conversations and people. More often than naught, works-in-progress tag along in those quieter moments.
Recently, I’ve visited a butterfly sanctuary, toured of a former mill (being developed into affordable housing), and enjoyed walks along the river (which will soon be near impossible as the path will be closed from mid-June to October). I’m looking forward to a day at the beach with my family, library visits– as a READER, and walking the new nature trail close to our home.
Sometime, Friends, we must go rogue, go totally FERRIS BUELLER, just for a day or two. Playtime feeds both our souls and muses. Don’t ignore selfcare.
A Cruel Light is available in EPub, hardcover and audio formats.
As A Cruel Light finds its readers, and the second Annora Garde novel–A Brutal Eclipse— is being considered by my publisher, Crooked Lane Books, a Penguin Random House imprint, I am working on a standalone horror-mystery-spice novel, writing my heart out every day.
( Cover concept / mockup )
Writing may be hard work, but it is also fun. In my Annora Garde mysteries, I get to slip into the shoes of a pretty cool art conservator who likes to travel, has three degrees, and enjoys her independence.
In Bloodroot Hollow, My main character is a twenty-four year old woman who was abandoned at only five in an off-the-grid mobile home. Oriana has lived a hard life and recently escaped domestic abuse. Desperate, needing time to plan her next steps, and willing to confront her past, she returns home. The land she owns is part of a century-old agreement between her great great grandfather and Harmony, a former logging town that isn’t as idyllic as it pretends to be. Though the town is now thriving, it’s history is stained with odd disappearances, and old legends. As Oriana establishes a temporary home for herself, she begins to see and hear things. Something sinister waits in the woods that surround her trailer, something ravenous, something that has been kept a secret for over a century.
(Cover concept/mockup)
Oriana’s voice is bolder. She was bounced between foster homes, and her favourite family owned a funeral home. She’s finding herself, exploring her sexuality, and enjoying her freedom, but she’s also struggling with issues around trust, and she has a lot of baggage.
I’ll be outlining the next Annora Garde mystery, A Scorned Shadow, in a week or two. The story is set on an isolated (fictional) island located near Cape Breton. This time, Annora will be restoring the slashed portrait of Blythe Rudaville–a famous silent film star–by using her ‘death’ mask. As Annora restores the painting, a drama documentary on the actress’s life and death is being filmed in her former mansion, now a museum and available for private rentals.
The notorious starlet had supposedly poisoned twelve guests at a dinner party. A hundred years later, the case is still being argued as to whether she truly did it. The island is reportedly cursed– tales of love triangles, revenge, and mass murders have tainted the island’s reputation since the eighteenth century. When a filmed reenactment becomes far too real, Annora and Mac survive the event… but will they survive the island?
AND Next Sat, June 3rd from 10-11:30 a.m., I’ll be attending my first book club event as an author at The Book Wardrobe in Streetsville, Ontario. The ticket to this event is the purchase A Cruel Light from the lovely shop on Queen St. I am looking forward to answering questions, discussing themes, giving readers the inside scoop, signing books and having my picture taken with all those who attend! It’s sure to be a fun.
I’m busy, feeling driven, and I have no word of a lie, ten books in my head that are demanding to be written.
Hopefully, I’ll have more news for you in the coming weeks.
I love discovering where my book is available. I knew that one day, it was possible that A CRUEL LIGHT could be translated. I imagined German. I have no idea why German, except that having lived in Kitchener, (once named Berlin) I have gone to Oktoberfest celebrations and enjoyed German culture.
I hadn’t realized that countries around the world would carry my book. I’ve found that it is available to purchase everywhere from South America to Romania. It’s in shops in Quebec, and it’s in shops in Ireland.
My audiobook, available in Australia
It just blows my mind! In my wildest dreams, I had not expected my debut novel to be available in Italy, Romania or Denmark.
My main character, Annora Garde, is well traveled, a freelance art conservator who has worked in museums around the world. It does seem fitting that her story is globe trotting too. And it brings me indescribable joy to know that a shopper in London, England and a shopper in London, Ontario can walk into a bookstore and find my book on a shelf. It gives me the same feeling knowing my book is available in digital formats in Hong Kong and Africa.
It can be overwhelming at times– the vastness of my potential readership, the distance my words may have traveled. The emotions are just as immense, ocean wide and deep.
Thank you, readers, far and wide. I am thrilled my book is in your neighbourhood.
I will be at The Rookery (25 Main St Cambridge Ontario) for Canadian Independent Booksellers Day on April 29th from 11:00 am – noon.
I am thrilled to be able to meet and chat with readers, answer questions, and sign copies of my gothic mystery.
Draw tickets will be given for each book purchased at an Independent Canadian bookstore on April 29th. As a Canadian author, by buying my book on that day, you can double your chances in winning a gift certificate.
CYNDI MACMILLAN 