Good morning! Thank you for joining me for a nice interview with mystery-suspense writer, Joan Curtis!  Good morning, Joan!

Joan's new release The Clock Strikes Midnight is an e-book ready for download!  Joan, can you tell us what your book is about?

The Clock Strikes Midnight is a race against time in a quest for revenge and atonement. This is a story about hate, love, betrayal and forgiveness.

If you found out you had only 3 months to live, what would you do? That’s the question Janie Knox faces in this fast-paced mystery full of uncertainty and tension that will surprise you until the very last page.

 Hiding behind the façade of a normal life, Janie keeps her family secrets tucked inside a broken heart. Everything changes on the day she learns she’s going to die. With the clock ticking and her time running out, she rushes to finish what she couldn’t do when she was 17—destroy her mother’s killer. But she can’t do it alone.

 Janie returns to her childhood home to elicit help from her sister. She faces more than she bargained for when she discovers her sister’s life in shambles. Meanwhile her mother’s convicted killer, her stepfather, recently released from prison, blackmails the sisters and plots to extract millions from the state in retribution. New revelations challenge Janie’s resolve, but she refuses to allow either time or her enemies to her stop her from uncovering the truth she’s held captive for over 20 years.

 

 

Tell us a bit about yourself. I’m a communications consultant married to a psychiatrist. I have three stepchildren and 4 step-grandchildren. I’m also the mom of five animals (5 cats and one dog). I love to travel, particularly to Italy. I spend most of my time reading, writing, working out and doing mundane things that life demands.

It sounds like we have a lot in common, Joan!  :)

How old were you when you knew you were interested in writing?  Don’t know if I can identify a particular age. I wrote a play when I was in 8^th grade. That was probably my first non-assigned written work. But, I also directed and produced puppet shows in our garage. So, why didn’t I become a famous Hollywood director?

That could definitely be in your future! 

Did you excel at writing as a child, or did this skill emerge with age? I’d guess my writing skill emerged. My mom encouraged us to be creative. Writing was just one part of that. My sister had artistic talent—she could draw and paint. I suspect my mom was focused on her talent, and she let mine emerge.

It’s always great when a parent encourages creativity!  Did you ever think about writing and have your sister illustrate? 

Do you most love to write the type of books you like to read? Absolutely I write the type of books I’d like to read.  When I say that, I mean fiction. I read a lot of biography, but I don’t see myself as ever becoming a biographer. That’s too limiting. I like to be able to create and manage the “truth.” You can’t do that with biography!

I agree, but I bet you would write a very interesting autobiography! 

I see you are a cat lover.  Do you include cats into your stories? There is a cat in The Clock Strikes Midnight (and a dog), but she doesn’t play a dominant role. In my mystery series, which will debut in the spring of next year, the main character has two cats, Churchill and Stalin. Because she is a single young woman, her cats are like her children. They are very important to her and to the story. I do not like books where cats do things cats would never do—like talk or capture a villain. My cat characters are real cats.

I love animals and am passionate about them.  I like that you incorporated them into your story cats – it helps to appeal to more people and makes your characters more realistic!

What sparks your ideas for your stories? Anything can spark an idea. Living sparks ideas. The key is taking that idea and putting it on paper. I have many ideas, but I don’t always follow up with them. Usually an idea starts the story and then things happen I don’t expect. The idea is the impetus.

I love it when the spark strikes at midnight!  Then you might be up for hours, but it’s worth it!  I also love how life can spark stories!  The stories I love most are based in reality!

Do you typically write one genre, or do you try several? I’ve written in the mystery genre (but two sub-genres) in fiction. The Clock Strikes Midnight is a mystery/suspense. My series, which will debut with e-Murderer, is a cozy mystery. I’ve also published nonfiction business books. That is a very different kind of writing. It helps me to write in different genre in order to keep my writing sharp.

Wow!  That sounds like a lot of fun to me!  Each type of writing uses a different part of your brain, and I’m sure that it does help to filter into all of what you create!  I can’t wait to read your stories!  I bought The Clock Strikes Midnight yesterday.  I just have to upload it to my Nook!  :)

How does blogging help you?  Is it mostly promotional or do you benefit personally in your writing as well? Similar to the last question, blogging is a different form of writing. The good thing about blogging is it requires you to write nearly every day. You soon learn that you can write all kinds of things—usually not fiction, but I have put some flash fiction on my blog. I see blogging as another way to keep my writing skills sharp.

I rarely use blogging as “promotional.” Instead I see it as a way to engage both writers and readers. I strive to present good content—tips for writers, challenges to writing, interviews with authors, reviews of books, character conversations, grammar conundrums, to name a few.

I love your blog!  You help me and many others with all your wonderful hints and tips!  I am very blessed to have found such a wonderful inspiration in you to help mentor me!

What is your personal ratio of ideas to finished products (guestimate)?  I can only guess but I’d say about 50-50. I need to reduce that number and that’s my plan for next year—Yippee! A New Year’s resolution.

Haha!  You know what they say about New Year’s resolutions!

What do you do with ideas you don’t complete?  (Do you save them for a possible ideas for future writing or do they go into a place of no passion?) They usually languish in my computer. If I don’t complete something, then I don’t have enough energy around that story to see it finished. It’s best to move on.

I, personally, am a horder.  I think I MAY, someday, return to develop an idea.  At least you have the comfort of knowing you can go back if you choose, but I agree – don’t waste time on something that just doesn’t hold the passion anymore.

What is your method for writing? I’m a pantser. I say that having just learned the meaning of the word. My stories evolve. The characters tend to take over and move the story along. My method is to create very strong characters around some idea or event and then to see what happens. That kind of writing means I usually spend a lot of time editing. But, I’ve found it is the only method that works for me.

I was going to ask what a “pantser” was! J  I love it when a story takes a life of its own.  It makes it more realistic, believable, and I’m more willing to invest in it. 

What is the best advice you’ve ever received for writing? Not to give up in the face of rejection. All writers hear that, but it’s very hard to put into practice. You spend so much time working on something and still you hear things like, “The story is too sad,” or “I can’t get into your story,” or “Show don’t tell.” It becomes quite a challenge to stick with it. Much of the criticism is good and has helped me become a better writer. The trick is sifting the good out of the rest and to keep going.

I have to agree.  I have been so discouraged, but somehow, I always found my way back to looking for that publicist.  I think it is very difficult to get a company to read your product with any real effort due to the market being inundated with the masses of manuscripts.  However, I agree – don’t give up on your dream!  I am still working out the sifting process! 

What would you avoid with writing? I’m game for most things as far as writing goes. I suppose I avoid writing horror or science fiction. Those are two areas I do not read and have little experience with. I did write a ghost story once that might be construed as horror, but that’s about as close as I’ve ever gotten to either of those genres.

I think it is good to avoid things you’re not passionate about.  Writing just seems flat (or I can’t get into it) when an author just doesn’t put his/her heart into it! I, also, am not a fan of horror!

What is your purpose for writing? I’m not sure I have a purpose. I write because I can and I like it.

That is purpose enough for me!   You do it because you are called to it, and you love it!

Are you currently working on anything? Gosh! I’m working on so many things: 1) My WIP is a second book in the Jenna Scali (cozy) series. 2) I’m writing a series of stories for a story blog 3) I’m creating a prequel for The Clock Strikes Midnight for Wattpad. 4) I have a stand-alone mystery floating around in my head that is dying to get out.

You are a very busy lady!  I will be looking forward to reading it all! 

Where can we find your books?  All my books are on Amazon and Barnes&Noble. The Clock Strikes Midnight is also on Kobo Books. Here are some links.

http://www.joanccurtis.com

http://www.joancccurtis.com/blog

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Clock-Strikes-Midnight-Joan-Curtis-ebook/dp/B00NUGACKO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1412178637&sr=1-1&keywords=the+clock+strikes+midnight

Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-clock-strikes-midnight-joan-curtis/1120581919?ean=2940046275223

Kobo Books: http://store.kobobooks.com/search?Query=The+clock+strikes+midnight

MuseItUp Publishing: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/coming-soon/the-clock-strikes-midnight-detail

 

Any last words, advice, or comments? Thank you, Sheri. I appreciate the opportunity to think more about my own journey as a writer.

Thank you so much for this great honor, Joan!  I truly enjoyed it and learning more about you!  :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interview with Joan Curtis!

Today I have the pleasure of meeting with Joan Curtis!  Joan is a wonderful author who has helped me discover the world of blogging!  Good morning, Joan! 

Joan's new release, The Clock Strikes Midnight, is a hot new release! 

What is this book about, Joan?

The Clock Strikes Midnight is a race against time in a quest for revenge and atonement. This is a story about hate, love, betrayal and forgiveness.

If you found out you had only 3 months to live, what would you do? That’s the question Janie Knox faces in this fast-paced mystery full of uncertainty and tension that will surprise you until the very last page.

Hiding behind the façade of a normal life, Janie keeps her family secrets tucked inside a broken heart. Everything changes on the day she learns she’s going to die. With the clock ticking and her time running out, she rushes to finish what she couldn’t do when she was 17—destroy her mother’s killer. But she can’t do it alone.

Janie returns to her childhood home to elicit help from her sister. She faces more than she bargained for when she discovers her sister’s life in shambles. Meanwhile her mother’s convicted killer, her stepfather, recently released from prison, blackmails the sisters and plots to extract millions from the state in retribution. New revelations challenge Janie’s resolve, but she refuses to allow either time or her enemies to her stop her from uncovering the truth she’s held captive for over 20 years.

Tell us a bit about yourself. I’m a communications consultant married to a psychiatrist. I have three stepchildren and 4 step-grandchildren. I’m also the mom of five animals (5 cats and one dog). I love to travel, particularly to Italy. I spend most of my time reading, writing, working out and doing mundane things that life demands.

Wow, Joan!  It sounds like we have a LOT in common!!!!  :)

How old were you when you knew you were interested in writing?  Don’t know  if I can identify a particular age. I wrote a play when I was in 8^th grade. That was probably my first non-assigned written work. But, I also directed and produced puppet shows in our garage. So, why didn’t I become a famous Hollywood director?

Ha ha!  I bet you could if you wanted to pursue that avenue!

Did you excel at writing as a child, or did this skill emerge with age? I’d guess my writing skill emerged. My mom encouraged us to be creative. Writing was just one part of that. My sister had artistic talent—she could draw and paint. I suspect my mom was focused on her talent, and she let mine emerge.

Isn't it wonderful when parents encourage artistic expression? 

Do you most love to write the type of books you like to read? Absolutely I write the type of books I’d like to read.  When I say that, I mean fiction. I read a lot of biography, but I don’t see myself as ever becoming a biographer. That’s too limiting. I like to be able to create and manage the “truth.” You can’t do that with biography!

I agree!  I bet your life would be a great read, however!

I see you are a cat lover.  Do you include cats into your stories? There is a cat in The Clock Strikes Midnight (and a dog), but she doesn’t play a dominant role. In my mystery series, which will debut in the spring of next year, the main character has two cats, Churchill and Stalin. Because she is a single young woman, her cats are like her children. They are very important to her and to the story. I do not like books where  cats do things cats would never do—like talk or capture a villain. My cat characters are real cats.

I love it when authors include animals into stories.  Of course, I am an animal lover - and when my passion is incorporated into a story, it is even better for me!

What sparks your ideas for your stories? Anything can spark an idea. Living sparks ideas. The key is taking that idea and putting it on paper. I have many ideas, but I don’t always follow up with them. Usually an idea starts the story and then things happen I don’t expect. The idea is the impetus.

I like it when a spark "strikes at midnight" and gets the ball rolling!  :)

Do you typically write one genre, or do you try several? I’ve written in the mystery genre (but two sub-genres) in fiction. The Clock Strikes Midnight is a mystery/suspense. My series, which will debut with e-Murderer, is a cozy mystery. I’ve also published nonfiction business books. That is a very different kind of writing. It helps me to write in different genre in order to keep my writing sharp.

I love mysteries full of suspense!  I can't wait to read it!  I just purchased it yesterday and have to download it to my Nook!

How does blogging help you?  Is it mostly promotional or do you benefit personally in your writing as well? Similar to the last question, blogging is a different form of writing. The good thing about blogging is it requires you to write nearly every day. You soon learn that you can write all kinds of things—usually not fiction, but I have put some flash fiction on my blog. I see blogging as another way to keep my writing skills sharp.

I rarely use blogging as “promotional.” Instead I see it as a way to engage both writers and readers. I strive to present good content—tips for writers, challenges to writing, interviews with authors, reviews of books, character conversations, grammar conundrums, to name a few.

I am very impressed with your writing and the wonderful advise you give.  It has helped me in many ways!  I love how you give to not only improve yourself but also to help others.  I am very thankful that I got to meet (and interview) you! 

What is your personal ratio of ideas to finished products (guestimate)?  I can only guess but I’d say about 50-50. I need to reduce that number and that’s my plan for next year—Yippee! A New Year’s resolution.

Ha ha!  You know what they say about New Year's resolutions!

What do you do with ideas you don’t complete?  (Do you save them for a possible ideas for future writing or do they go into a place of no passion?) They usually languish in my computer. If I don’t complete something, then I don’t have enough energy around that story to see it finished. It’s best to move on.

I always save my ideas as well.  I think that maybe... someday... I'll feel motivated to finish.  I guess that is a bit of a hording nature, but don't we all hate to throw away things we've created - or at least, started?

What is your method for writing? I’m a pantser. I say that having just learned the meaning of the word. My stories evolve. The characters tend to take over and move the story along. My method is to create very strong characters around some idea or event and then to see what happens. That kind of writing means I usually spend a lot of time editing. But, I’ve found it is the only method that works for me.

You answered my question - I didn't know what a pantser was.  I think when characters and stories evolve, that makes them more believable and therefore, easier to sink one's teeth into.  I love a good fiction book that seems real!

What is the best advice you’ve ever received for writing? Not to give up in the face of rejection. All writers hear that, but it’s very hard to put into practice. You spend so much time working on something and still you hear things like, “The story is too sad,” or “I can’t get into your story,” or “Show don’t tell.” It becomes quite a challenge to stick with it. Much of the criticism is good and has helped me become a better writer. The trick is sifting the good out of the rest and to keep going.

That is the best advice I've received as well!  It is VERY hard not to give up.  It is so competitive out there, and the market it over inundated.  It is much easier to reject quickly for a company swamped with stories than to invest and read more than a few pages. 

What would you avoid with writing? I’m game for most things as far as writing goes. I suppose I avoid writing horror or science fiction. Those are two areas I do not read and have little experience with. I did write a ghost story once that might be construed as horror, but that’s about as close as I’ve ever gotten to either of those genre.

I think that if you don't enjoy reading it, it is good for one to avoid writing it!  Create your passion!

What is your purpose for writing? I’m not sure I have a purpose. I write because I can and I like it.

That is a great reason for writing!  I don't think we should ever invest with purpose on something we don't truly enjoy unless it is to help someone!

Are you currently working on anything? Gosh! I’m working on so many things: 1) My WIP is a second book in the Jenna Scali (cozy) series. 2) I’m writing a series of stories for a story blog 3) I’m creating a prequel for The Clock Strikes Midnight for Wattpad. 4) I have a stand-alone mystery floating around in my head that is dying to get out.

Oh, my goodness!  I am sure you will have great success with them all!

Where can we find your books?  All my books are on Amazon and Barnes&Noble. The Clock Strikes Midnight is also on Kobo Books. Here are some links.

http://www.joanccurtis.com

http://www.joancccurtis.com/blog

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Clock-Strikes-Midnight-Joan-Curtis-ebook/dp/B00NUGACKO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1412178637&sr=1-1&keywords=the+clock+strikes+midnight

Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-clock-strikes-midnight-joan-curtis/1120581919?ean=2940046275223

Kobo Books: http://store.kobobooks.com/search?Query=The+clock+strikes+midnight

MuseItUp Publishing: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/coming-soon/the-clock-strikes-midnight-detail

Any last words, advice, or comments? Thank you, Sheri. I appreciate the opportunity to think more about my own journey as a writer.

Some of my reviews! Check them out!

Here is my first review!  Thanks so much, Matt!  I truly appreciate it!

"Hi, Sheri,

I finished reading “Eyes With No Soul.” I enjoyed the story very much. It is a pulse-pounding read that catapults you through it. I read it in one sitting because I was so anxious to find out what happened to the protagonist. The settings and people are eloquently described and Laurie’s fear becomes the reader’s own. I look forward to the next installment in the series. 

Best,

Matthew Peters"

 

This is my second review! I am so humbled!  :)

Full of Suspense!, August 10, 2014

By 

Iva A Pavlakovic - See all my reviews

 

This review is from: Eyes with No Soul (The Locked Door) (Kindle Edition)

I simply could not put this book down until the very end! The main character, Laurie, is faced with a predicament that will give you chills down your spine. Ms. Chapman has created very interesting and complex characters in this story. Laurie has a very close bond with her mother, as well as her group of friends, and I really enjoyed watching her story unfold. This would be a great selection for anyone who enjoys a highly suspenseful book. Well done, Ms. Chapman!

 

 

My third review is here! Thank you so much, Kay!  <3

 My Review, July 28, 2014

By 

Kay Lalone "Kay LaLone" (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Eyes with No Soul (The Locked Door) (Kindle Edition)

I loved this book. Great title. Laurie has a gift of precognition. When she bumps into a stranger, it triggers her to see a murder scene and she knows this stranger is the killer. The strange part is Laurie looks like the girl that he killed. Full of suspense. I look forward to reading more books by Sheri.

 

And my fourth review!  Yay!  Thanks, Kirstie!  You are so sweet!  I appreciate it very much!!!! 

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Thumbs Up!, August 29, 2014

By 

Kirstie - See all my reviews

Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Eyes with No Soul (The Locked Door) (Kindle Edition)

Keeps you on edge for the entire book! What a story, I couldn't put it down, so hard not to keep reading. I kept hoping it wouldn't end but sadly it did. I really can't wait for the next one, you can't go wrong with her book! Sheri chapman is an amazing writer. She is a very kind and gentle person that takes great care of everyone.

Blog Hop with Iva

Meet my Characters Blog Hop~Meet Laurie from “Eyes With No Soul.”

 

Hi everyone! I was invited to participate in this blog hop by Iva Valentino.

You can read her post here  http://www.ivavalentino.com/blog/meet-my-characters-blog-hop

 

First, a bit of info about Iva Valentino:

 

Author Bio:

Iva Valentino lives in Arizona with her husband and their dog, Lupo. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s degree in Education. She thinks visiting cold places is fun, but she loves living year-round in the warm desert.

 

Iva spent many years as a middle school teacher, where she enjoyed doing cool science experiments with her students. She currently works as a science editor at an educational publishing company. She loves travel, yoga, and photography. There is nothing that brings her more happiness than a good dance class! You can find her at www.ivavalentino.com and www.facebook.com/ivaavalentino.

Thanks, Iva, for the invitation!

 

 

Now, I’m supposed to choose one character from a work-in-progress or a

recently published book and answer seven easy questions. Here goes!

 

What is the name of your character? Laurie Bowman

 

Is he/she fictional or a historic person? Laurie Is definitely fictional!

 

When and where is the story set?  “Eyes With No Soul” is set in Ozark, Missouri in present times. 

 

What should we know about him/her?  Laurie is a high school sophomore who has always had an intuitive sense about her.  Bumping into a stranger at the mall opens her psychic doors and overwhelms her with knowledge of what he's done.

 

What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?  Laurie’s main conflict is that the man she bumped into has committed a murder – and she’s witnessed the murder scene in her mind.  “Adam” takes an avid interest in Laurie and begins to stalk her.  Laurie tries to protect herself, but the law simply things she is a dramatic high school girl and doesn’t take her seriously.  Laurie must survive on instinct and support from family and friends. 

 

What is the personal goal of the character?  Laurie must survive, and in order to do this, she must outwit a smart man. 

 

Is there a working title for this novel and can we read more about it? 

 

Eyes With No Soul

 

If published, add buy links and other author info here.

 https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/coming-soon/eyes-with-no-soul-detail

 
http://www.amazon.com/Eyes-No-Soul-Locked-Door-ebook/dp/B00LUQ1SKE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409284603&sr=8-1&keywords=eyes+with+no+soul

http://www.amazon.com/Eyes-No-Soul-Locked-Door-ebook/dp/B00LUQ1SKE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1409284982&sr=1-1&keywords=sheri+chapman    (Kindle version)

                                                  
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/449508

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/eyes-with-no-soul-sheri-chapman/1119776924?ean=9781771275552  (Nook version)

 

Now invite as many authors as you’d like to continue the blog hop. They will

do their post exactly one week after yours. Feature their photo and bio below

to show upcoming character tour stops.

Hi, everyone!  I am so excited to participate in a blog hop on Monday, Labor Day!  Please join me!

I am so excited to start talking about my new release, "Eyes with No Soul"!  It was released July 2014!  It's a short and easy read offered in four e-book formats! 

I love paranormal things, and my main character has a touch of precognition.  She also has the misfortune to look exactly like a murder victim... and she's captured the villan's attention! 

I can't wait for my friends, family, and the general public to read it and give me feedback and reviews!  I am so excited!  Thanks!!!!!