Serial Killer - Eight deaths in Louisiana small town. - Topix

They say truth is stranger than fiction. This seems to the truth on a regular basis. So, those people who don't believe the novels that speak about serial killers in small towns, listen up. Can murder and mayhem descend on the same town over and over again? You betcha'. I'll bring you stories that make you a believer.

Serial Killer - Eight deaths in Louisiana small town. - Topix

Guest Interview Today--Welcome Clare Dargin

Today, I'd like to welcome Clare to my blog site and hope my reading and writing friends drop by and say, hi. Clare writes science fiction. Her latest novel, "Speculative Sky," ISBN: 978-1-60435-726-4, was recently released by Red Rose Publishing.

Astrophysicist April Mullen has just been hired to monitor the deepest reaches of outer space. In this small outpost filled with scientists, she notices something amiss. Though the idea of searching for extra-terrestrial contact is permitted the practice of doing so is not encouraged.

Not satisfied with the status quo, April decides to forgo the warnings of her superiors to make contact with the inhabitants of that speculative sky.

Excerpt:
“I’m sure that’s the case but how can I not be excited over this? It’s the find of a lifetime,” she said reveling in the thought of making contact with extra-terrestrial life.

“You don‘t have to try to impress us. Just do you your work and you‘ll be fine.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means you don’t worry about it. There is plenty of research to be done. You could spend your entire lifetime studying the Jugis Star Cluster alone.”

“Haven’t you ever looked up in the sky and wondered if there was anyone else out there?”

“Of course I have. And if anyone back home asks, tell them it’s just us,” he said finishing off his drink.


Today, I'm interviewing Clare.

Clare, would you let the readers know a little bit about your self, how long you’ve been writing and what kind of books you pen?
I have been writing for a little over fifteen years. But professionally published for about three.


Have you always known you wanted to write? What was the inspiration for becoming a writer?
Ever since I was a child it was a dream of mine to have a book published. My inspiration was going to the book store as a child and dreaming that one day my name would be on one of those shelves.


Do you find that science fiction lends itself to more avenues for self-expression, or have you considered writing in more than one genre?
Interesting enough one of my first attempts at writing was a fantasy story! I loved it and still do. I do believe that the genre of fantasy really allows the reader to be engaged in the atmosphere of the story and allows their imagination to soar! Presently I have stories published in science fiction, my love as well. I guess you can say I am torn between two loves!


Is this your first book or have you published more? What can we expect from you in the future?
“Speculative Sky” available from Red Rose Publishing is my second book to be published. I have a sequel to my first novel “Cold Warriors,” I am presently working on and looking to write more in the areas of science fantasy and historical fiction too.


Tell the readers what you hope they’ll take away from your latest release.First I hope my readers will be thoroughly entertained and a little freaked out! I hope they will also look up at the sky and say “I wonder.”

Who are you as a person? Where do you live and what do you do for fun?
I live in the Midwest and I’m pretty normal. I love animals, I garden and I teach for a living.


Do you find some of your personal experiences end up in your novels? If so, which ones?
My love for science always ends up in my novels! I love Astronomy, Space and things connected with it! So even in my fantasy novels I know I’ll put some thing related to in my work!



If there was one thing you could say to everyone that would explain why they should buy your book instead of all the others debuting, what would you tell them?
They are compelling, strong female leads and really cool story lines!

If you're intrigued with the premise of this book, go pick it up today at:

http://redrosepublishing.com/books/product_info.php?products_id=681

A new book trailer!

Please tell me what you think.

Just took a Booktrailer Class

It was lots of fun and very helpful. I have posted my romantic fantasy video for Honey Blood and the Collector at my website on my other blog. My website is at www.daryncross.com.

Here is the one for my mainstream/suspense, Coming to Climax:

A WHISPER IN THE NIGHT

Man’s stumbles on the road of life are not defeat but simply delays to success. It’s God’s way of making us humble and makes the triumphs that much sweeter. 11/1995

That's what I heard in my ear as I woke up in the middle of the night that November. I've never forgotten it. It has always been a beacon of hope when times are rough. We all have those moments when we wonder, why are we hitting our heads up against a brick wall? Writers have those times more than the average population, I think, because rejection comes not as a thief in the night but a sometimes not very courteous note in the mail or "not for me" comment on e-mail.

But this is what I know. If I can't believe in myself, than why is anyone else going to? Because when I do succeed, and I probably do that more, too, than the average person, I feel like telling all those who rejected me, "sorry you didn't get a chance to work with me."

Happy 101

I just got the Happy 101 Award from Caroline Clemmons! Go on over to her blog for 4/22 and read, www.carolineclemmons,blogspot.com. How sweet! Thank you, Caroline! Bobbye

It's all in the details

Have you ever noticed that the things most intriguing in books are the little touches that set them apart from their competition? So, you have a story about a shape-shifting Japanese computer geek who turns into a world-saving Tyrannosaurus Rex with a love of human kind? Mundane. See it every day.

But how about a geek who does that and he's also afraid of reptiles? Or he doesn't know how to swim? By tweaking the story just a little bit more, people go, wait a minute, why is he afraid of the reptiles/water?

Now you add backstory through dialogue and action:

Asako Natsu(assistant to the mild mannered computer programmer) wrung her hands with worry. "The ambassador has been kidnapped by the evil sorcerer and is being held in an underground computer lab. He will be forced to give the wizard the password to our new computer game, 'Dragon Breath.'"

She crossed the office and laid her hand on Zinan Tomi's shoulder. "Do you know where Super Rex has gone? We need his help. He can swim to the lab and blast open the door with one super sonic pull of huge teeth, freeing the ambassador."

Zinan began to tremble. Fears of almost drowning in his bathtub as a child washed over him in waves.

Well, you get the point. Always put interesting tidbits of fact in your book that will detonate near the end and make it more interesting.

Now to go write about my miniature dragon, Cinder falling in love with the Lake Tahoe sea serpent, Tessie, who is really a male named Torrence, a lean seven hundred fifty pounds monster who fights against evil.