Q&A with Jenni Walsh, Becoming Bonnie

What inspired you to be a writer?

I’ve always loved being creative, which led me to spending ten years as an advertising copywriter. The ad business can be pretty regulated. It’s commonplace for a project to look night and day from where it began, after the client has his/her way with it. Writing a novel was a bit of a creative release, where I could write for myself. Until, of course, my editor entered the process, haha, but we shared a very similar vision for the book.

If you could collaborate with any author past or present, who would it be?

This is really hard. There are many authors who would be amazing, but honestly, I’d love to write a book with my critique partner, Carolyn Menke, at some point in time. She’d probably know what I’m thinking before I think it ☺

If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?

Anything written by Ruta Sepetys. Her books ooze emotion.

When people talk about the infamous duo Bonnie & Clyde, we seldom hear much about Bonnie. Your upcoming debut, Becoming Bonnie, tells us the untold story about her. Tell us about it.

Becoming Bonnie is the story of how Bonnie becomes the Bonnie of Bonnie and Clyde. The novel begins with her as Bonnelyn, a fictional name I dreamed up to depict her as a wholesome, church-going gal. By the novel’s end, she’s Bonnie, half of the infamous Bonnie and Clyde duo.

That transformation is the crux of the story, taking a young girl who was promised the American dream but who was instead given the Great Depression. The circumstances, hurdles, and obstacles she faces all lead to the pinnacle moment where she falls for a convicted felon—and turns to crime herself.

Interestingly enough, this story isn’t the one I first sought to tell. Driven by my desire to write the story of an iconic figure, I first began writing my own version of Bonnie and Clyde’s 1930s crime spree. I quickly put on the brakes, realizing I first needed readers to understand who Bonnie really was. What made her tick? What was her background? Why was she so loyal to Clyde Barrow? So I put what I’d written aside, hoping to one day use it in a sequel, and started over, going back five years to tell Bonnie Parker’s origin story, which also allowed me to drop Bonnie into a 1920s speakeasy in the middle of a foxtrot. Now that was a good time.

It’s always great to find authors that feature strong female characters. Your debut, as well as your upcoming children books, will emphasize that. Is that something intended? If not, how do you feel about the importance of strong female characters represented in a
story?

My forthcoming middle grade nonfiction series, Brave Like Me, will feature women who, at a young age, accomplished daring feats of perseverance and bravery. I’m kicking off the series with two books, one about Bethany Hamilton and the second about Malala Yousafzai. It’s actually because of Becoming Bonnie that I was considered for this series, which was a dream project between my agent and an editor at Scholastic. When they were trying to think of an author who could tackle the project, my name came up because of Bonnie’s biographical (yet fictional) story. I jumped at the chance to depict these strong female characters.

Are you currently working on anything that you can share?

Yes! Though Becoming Bonnie is a complete story, I’m excited to be working on follow-up, Being Bonnie, which picks up where Becoming Bonnie leaves off, focusing heavily on Bonnie and Clyde’s crime spree.

What advice can you give to someone who wants to become a writer?

Read, a lot! Other historical fiction novelists often inspire me.

About Becoming Bonnie:

From debut historical novelist Jenni L. Walsh comes the untold story of how wholesome Bonnelyn Parker became half of the infamous Bonnie and Clyde duo.

he summer of 1927 might be the height of the Roaring Twenties, but Bonnelyn Parker is more likely to belt out a church hymn than sling drinks at an illicit juice joint. She’s a sharp girl with plans to overcome her family's poverty, provide for herself, and maybe someday marry her boyfriend, Roy Thornton. But when Roy springs a proposal on her and financial woes jeopardize her ambitions, Bonnelyn finds salvation in an unlikely place: Dallas's newest speakeasy, Doc's.

Living the life of a moll at night, Bonnie remains a wholesome girl by day, engaged to Roy, attending school and working toward a steady future. When Roy discovers her secret life, and embraces it—perhaps too much, especially when it comes to booze and gambling—Bonnie tries to make the pieces fit. Maybe she can have it all: the American Dream, the husband, and the intoxicating allure of jazz music. What she doesn't know is that her life—like her country—is headed for a crash.

She’s about to meet Clyde Barrow.

Few details are known about Bonnie's life prior to meeting her infamous partner. In Becoming Bonnie, Jenni L. Walsh shows a young woman promised the American dream and given the Great Depression, and offers a compelling account of why she fell so hard for a convicted felon—and turned to crime herself.

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About the Author

Jenni L. Walsh spent her early years chasing around cats, dogs, and chickens in Philadelphia's countryside, before dividing time between a soccer field and a classroom at Villanova University. She put her marketing degree to good use as an advertising copywriter, zip-code hopping with her husband to DC, NYC, NJ, and not surprisingly, back to Philly. There, Jenni's passion for words continued, adding author to her resume. She now balances her laptop with a kid on each hip, and a four-legged child at her feet. Becoming Bonnie is her first novel.

Please learn more about Jenni and her books at jennilwalsh.com.

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Q&A with Brian Freeman, MARATHON

What made you decide to tackle the timely issues of terrorism, marathon bombings and social media?

Four years ago, Marcia and I were in a hotel in Door County, Wisconsin, as we prepared for a library event.  We turned on the television and found that all the channels were broadcasting live from Boston, as a manhunt for the marathon bombers gripped the city.  I thought about how much the marathon is a part of the identity of Boston – and how that is true of the marathon in Duluth, too.  So I felt immediately that I needed to write a novel in which Jonathan Stride faced these complex issues.  In the time since then, we’ve continued to struggle with a self-perpetuating cycle of hatred, violence, and revenge, and I wanted to bring all these difficult topics together in the midst of a page-turning thriller.

While researching these topics for Marathon, did you come across anything that surprised you?

My research led me in directions that were both surprising and scary.  I found a lot about how pressure cooker bombs work.  Technology can be simple and yet enormously destructive.  I was also disturbed to discover the depth of the real-world security threats that all marathons face in the wake of Boston.  However, I found determination and faith, too.  Despite the increased security, the marathon in Duluth is still one of the most inspiring events you’ll ever witness.  I also talked to many Muslims whose love of the U.S. is undimmed by the angry rhetoric that is sometimes directed their way and who are horrified by the violence done in the name of their religion.

Can you tell us more about the significance of the green park bench in many of your novels (including an appearance in Marathon!)

The most ordinary places can have an almost sacred importance for us.  That’s true for Jonathan Stride and the green bench at the end of Park Point in Duluth.  It’s nothing special.  It has no great significance in the city.  But Stride has gone there at turning points in his life.  He went there to grieve the loss of his wife, Cindy.  He went there to deal with the future of his relationship with his new partner, Serena.  It’s a symbolic place for him.  I love the fact that readers have embraced it, too:  They will write and tell me they have to make a pilgrimage to “Stride’s bench” whenever they visit Duluth!

In Marathon, social media almost acts as its own character.  Was this your intention?

Yes, social media has upended how we deal with tragedies.  Misinformation spreads like wildfire, and it’s easy for false accusations to take on a life of their own.  It also means the police face additional pressure when responding to a crime because of the viral intensity of social media coverage.  I wanted to showcase some of the dangers of this trend – how social media threatens to compound the violence of a tragedy and divide people, rather than bring them together.

What will you be doing to celebrate the release of Marathon? (tours/signings etc?)

I’ll be all over the country!  I’ve got events scheduled in Duluth and the Twin Cities and in areas like Denver, Houston, Phoenix, St. Louis, and Vero Beach.  I hope readers will come out and talk to me.  You can find a full list of event dates, times, and locations at my website, bfreemanbooks.com.  If you can’t make it to an event, be sure and post about MARATHON on my Facebook page at facebook.com/bfreemanfans.

Q&A with Faye Hall

As an author of historical fiction, history can be so interpretive. How do you stay authentic while trying to create a story that a reader can find interesting. Where do you draw your inspiration? 

I do get a lot of inspiration from stories of my own grandparents and such as they were first settlers in the towns my stories are set in.  I'm also very lucky as the actual history of Northern Queensland is quite fascinating too.  It's in my nature to think of the real stories of hardship and struggle and think 'But what if this happened?' and that's probably the biggest asset in writing the kind of stories that I do.

What time in history would you consider your favorite? Your least?

My favorite is the era in which I write which is the 19th century.  To me it is the era of change and challenge.  My least favourite would have to be the present as I think we have lost quite a few old values and take too much for granted.

What kind of research do you do and how long to you spend researching before starting a new novel? 

I tend to do spot research throughout the writing process.  Google is a great help for that, but I also have some local history books that give me actual hotel names and so on.  Most intense research I usually do involves Aboriginal bush medicines as it's very important to me that I get that as accurate as possible.

Much of your stories derive from your homeland during the 19th century. What makes it stand out? Any plans to explore further? 

Yes my stories are set in Australia, in townships close to where I grew up actually.  I started writing them mainly because as a young reader I often wondered why I could never find novels set in my country.  One day I decided if I couldn't find them I would write them instead.  Australia has a very romantic and fascinating history, one that I think can challenge the standard settings for books like the US and UK.  At this stage I have no plans to explore further.  Maybe when I know Australian romances are a popular read then I might change.

Your upcoming, Amorous Redemption will be out in May. Can you tell us about it?

I wrote this story based on my own great grandparents lives.  The station mentioned in the book was actually owned by her family until a few years ago.  Here is the book blurb:- 

Phoebe Porter had run away from her family…from her fiancé…from her life.

Upon arriving in the dusty mining town of Ravenswood, Queensland, Australia, Phoebe was certain she was finally safe from all who wanted to rob her of everything she had…including her life.  That was until she felt herself being swept up in the strong arms of a stranger…a stranger she would soon be surrendering her body and heart too.

This was to be the last job for bounty hunter, Duncan MacAllester.  All he had to do was retrieve Phoebe Porter from Ravenswood and return her to her home of Inkerman Downs Station and to the fiancé awaiting her.  If he could survive this last hunt for this woman then he would finally have the money he needed to reclaim his cattle station and retrieve his life.

When Duncan pulled Phoebe safely from the midst of a bar brawl, never could he have imagined this would be the beginning of one of the most dangerous journeys he had ever made…or the most passionate.

Together Duncan and Phoebe must face not only the unforgiving humidity of the North Queensland outback, but also the men that were sent after them to kill them both.

When Phoebe is ripped from his grasp by the abusive hands of her fiancé, Duncan follows her back to her hometown knowing that he would do anything to protect this woman…even if it cost him his life.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Don't take bad comments too much to heart or you'll likely give up.  You need tough skin in this business.  Learn from your mistakes - be it a book or a publisher.  And most importantly write the kind of book you want to read.

Q&A with Sharla Lovelace

Describe yourself in five words or less.

1. Snarky (Might be kind of scary that this was the first one that came to mind.)

2. Introverted

3. Sneaky

4. People-watcher (notice how I hyphenated to get an extra word? Yeah, see #3)

5. Dog-lover (it worked last time

Can you tell us a little about your book?

It’s about lying! LOL. Truly, it’s about when all your little white lies catch up to you, and what the hell do you do then? You make up a gargantuan sized one to cover them, and then hope it doesn’t swallow you whole. Unless it’s in the form of a hot sexy get-under-your-skin man….then by all means swallow!  (I did not just say that.)

Lanie and Nick’s story was honestly one of my favorite books to write—EVER. It was so much fun, and such a runaway train ride with no hands! I loved literally watching them fall for each other, I loved Lanie’s spunk! I loved every second of it, and it birthed the town of Charmed, so I hope you will love it as much as I do.

If you had a theme song, what would it be?

I Hope You Dance

Name one thing you won’t leave home without.

My phone and a hair tie on my wrist. (That’s 2. Damn I have trouble following rules.)

What types of scenes are your most favorite to write?

I adore writing intense scenes with either sexy-smexy chemistry burning up the page or fast snappy dialogue. Sex scenes before the sex…with the tease and the tension and the snarky back and forth talking…I love that.  Also fights are a blast with all that emotion churning around. Dialogue is always the most fun. I groan to write description…

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Everyone says this, but seriously, never give up. I met Sandra Brown at a writer’s conference, and she was behind a table signing for a line of hundreds, and when I got up there I said “Everyone in this line wants to be you one day.” She looked at me and said, “You’re here. You’re already halfway there. Don’t ever stop learning and don’t ever stop writing. You’ll get here. One day, maybe I’ll be in your line.” I never forgot that. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing by any means, but my first book was published almost exactly 5 years ago, and now A CHARMED LITTLE LIE is my 10th published book, and I’ve just finished writing my 12th.  Don’t give up on your dream. Also, remember that you write about life, and to do that you have to live. There are times (deadline evil times) that you have to stay in a cave and pound out words, but outside of that, find a balance and enjoy your life. It will show in your writing when you do…and when you don’t. If you write romance, kiss your husband every day. And if you are writing about hot sex and he is one of your readers, you’d better be prepared to give up the goods. Saying you aren’t in the mood after penning being banged against a wall—doesn’t cut it honey. ;)

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

I wouldn’t be here without you, and I love and adore you so much for taking the time to buy my books and give my stories a try. And when you email or message me to tell me about it…oh my God you just don’t know the rainbows and unicorns that fill me up. Nothing is more important in this job than readers. When I make you happy…when I make you laugh or cry or feel something that you are moved enough to tell me about…my God, ice cream isn’t even as good as that. It’s close. But not quite. ;)

Q&A with Terri Reed, GUARDIAN

Was it different to write about a K-9 in the plot vs people?

Writing stories with dogs is both a challenge and a delight. I love dogs and find them fascinating creatures. Dogs have their own personality, just like people. Making them a character in the story without overshadowing the humans can be tricky. I like to show the bond between humans and canines, especially the special relationship of a K-9 dog and the police handler. They must rely on each other, trust each other and constantly train in order for the working relationship to function properly.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Sometimes the names come to me easily while other times I have to search for the right name depending on the characters personality, background and temperament. I have a reference book titled Names Through the Ages that I use quite often when looking for a name. I like to know where the name originated and the meaning of the name. I try to incorporate something in the characters to reflect the meaning or origin of the name.

Do you have any traditions you enjoy during Spring?

Here in Oregon we have The Wooden Shoe Tulip Fest during the spring months. It’s a wonderful sight to see the fields of colorful tulips swaying in the gentle breeze or sunlight reflecting off raindrops. The festival is a family affair with a children’s play area, hay wagon rides through the fields, and local food vendors providing delicious fare. Even dogs are welcome. It’s a wonderful place to create family memories. http://www.woodenshoe.com

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve been making up stories for as long as I can remember. I would act out my stories for my grandparents when I was a kid. In junior high I had an English teacher who really sparked my interest in one day becoming an author. He made believe that my stories were worth telling. In college, my creative writing professor also encouraged me to pursue writing. However, fear kept me from taking the leap of faith for many years but I’m so glad I finally gathered enough courage to try.

How long does it take you to write a book?

I like to have 3 to 4 months to complete a book. Sometimes it takes longer or shorter depending on my deadlines and what is going on in my personal life.

What makes writing in the contemporary romance genre unique?

Writing the contemporary story requires a delicate balance of grounding the reader in the world of today yet not dating the book so that readers who find the book a few years later don’t feel like the story is outdated.

How many books have you written?

I’ve written over forty books in the span of fourteen years. Do you have a favorite? My second book, A Sheltering Love for Love Inspired, will always hold a special place in my heart. It was a Romance Writers of America RITA finalist and the heroine in this story is closer to who I am than most of my other stories.

What book are you reading right now?

I’m reading a Harlequin Romantic Suspense by one of my favorite authors. Operation Alpha by Justine Davis, is book eight in the Cutter’s Code series. Cutter is an uncannily brilliant dog who not only knows when someone is in trouble, but he plays matchmaker amid well-done suspense plots. I’ve enjoyed all the books in the series and have read every book Justine Davis has written.

What are your current projects?

I’m working on a couple of stories right now. Book 1 of the 2018 K-9 continuity series for Love Inspired Suspense. This series will be set on a fictional Air Force base and feature Military Working Dogs. I also just turned in the proposal for book 1 of my own new series for Love Inspired Suspense.

What advice do you have for writers?

Keep writing through the ups and downs of life. Be flexible, teachable and believe in your work.

Q&A with Brenda Novak, FINDING OUR FOREVER

Did writing about Cora Kelly, Aiyana and Elijah require a lot of research into birth mothers and adoption? 

Definitely! The story was actually inspired by a friend of mine, who has finally found her birthday mother (my friend is nearly 60) after a closed adoption at birth. Her story has been exciting, frustrating, heart-wrenching, just like Cora’s. She shared it with me as she was going through it. That’s what made me want to write about a woman who was also looking for her mother. Also, I did a lot of research online.

What is your favorite part about writing Contemporary Romance books?

I love the emotional honesty. They are stories that are so easy to identify with because the characters are often facing problems any one of us could face.

Do you have any traditions you enjoy during early Spring?

My birthday is in the spring (and everyone else’s in the family, besides my oldest daughter, is in the fall, all bunched together). I make my birthday last the whole month of May! Ha! (My family has often remarked on this.)

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I caught my daycare provider drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep all day while I worked as a loan officer. Once I realized what was going on, I quit my job to stay home with them myself. Problem was…I wasn’t working because I wanted to. I still needed to contribute financially. I had three of my five kids then, and I had no idea how I was going to help earn a living while taking care of them at the same time, but my sister sent me KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR. It was a wonderful book, one that really swept me away. When I finished it, I remember thinking, “I wonder if I could write a book.” I started OF NOBLE BIRTH the next day and have never looked back.

How long does it take you to write a book?

I have deadlines every four months. If I was really pressed, I could probably do one in three, but not book after book.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I’m always on the hunt for new character names. I listen when I meet people, pick up on certain names my children mention or other people mention around me. I’ve even gone online and looked up lists of the most popular names in America. My former assistant gave me a character naming book which has been helpful, too!

How many books have you written? Do you have a favorite?

I’ve written 61 so far. I have quite a few favorites—usually for different reasons—but if I had to pick only one, I’d have to say THIS HEART OF MINE. That book is really emotional for me, and yet it just poured out. It’s the easiest book I’ve ever written.

What book are you reading right now?

Sandra Brown’s STING. I have an online book group in which I select a fellow author to highlight in the months when I don’t have a release of my own. I’ll be going to Arlington, TX to interview Sandra live next week! I can’t wait. I love her work!

What are your current projects?

I’m currently finishing the fourth book in my Silver Springs series (comes out in November). Then I’ll be starting the third book in my Evelyn Talbot series, which is geared more toward suspense than straight contemporary romance.

What advice do you have for writers?

I can boil it down to just one word. Believe. It’s that simple. If you truly believe in yourself and your talent, you will be motivated to actually sit down and write the book instead of only dreaming about it. You will be driven to seek out any help you may need (research or craft-related) to make it the best you can create. You will follow through with marketing ideas until you sell it (or self-publish it), and you won’t give up if you don’t immediately reach your goals. Belief drives the entire engine—especially through the rough spots.