Category: Writing Life

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Guest Post – J. L. Campbell, Author of Flames of Wrath

The Writer Behind the Book

I’ve always said the mind of a writer is a terrible place. I didn’t know exactly how terrible until I started coming up with the punishment Geneva laid out for her daughter’s attackers in Flames of Wrath. With that said, let’s take a look at how the writing process unfolds—depending on what I’m writing, of course.

What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?

Most times, I start writing before I do any research. Some books demand a little and some, a lot. It was easy enough to start writing Flames of Wrath without any research, but the level of injuries Alexia suffered meant finding out medical terms and consulting the people in that field to get my facts straight. Also, the technological mishaps required a fair amount of research to get the details right and for me to write them in a convincing way. My son, who’s a techie, helped with this.

Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?

I used to be a voracious reader, but to be honest, I don’t read as much as I used to. Time seems to be in shorter supply the older I get. These days, in between the episodes of crime drama, I try to get my reading in. I’m an eclectic reader, but romance is my favorite genre and going deeper, romantic suspense is my jam. I also enjoy historical fiction set in the far east. A good thriller cleanses my palate in between reads.

Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?

I can have the television on when I write, but can’t have music playing. If I do, I’ll be engaging in more singing than writing. I enjoy singing and as long as I know the words, I’ll be belting them out with the artist. For me, music is a recipe for not getting much writing done.

Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?

My habits have changed and I try to stay true to one book. If I have more than one deadline, or I’m stymied by a plot point, I’ll jump to another book and brainstorm or write a chapter or two. Otherwise, I like the idea of finishing one thing before I start another. That doesn’t always pan out, but I try to cultivate good habits.

Do you see writing as a career?

I definitely do and would love to be able to write full time. The challenge is being able to write the way I used to, in that I set a regular publishing schedule. In the last few years, I’ve not been as faithful with publishing as I was in the past, but I’m trying to switch that up and get back on track. It’s very easy to go down a side road and forget what the endgame is supposed to be when there are so many shiny, new things begging for attention in a day.

The need to right a wrong against an innocent victim triggers a hailstorm of revenge.

Flames of Wrath

by J.L. Campbell

Genre: Crime Thriller

A mother’s quest for justice turns into a race against time to stop insidious murders that mysteriously begin populating throughout the city. Fans of Lisa Jewell and Ruth Ware will be enthralled by this emotionally chilling thriller!

The need to right a wrong against an innocent victim triggers a hailstorm of revenge!
 
In less than twenty-four hours—before Alexia Leighton is scheduled to return to Miami from spring break in Jamaica—a group of friends betray her in a grisly assault that stops a heartbeat away from murder. The seventeen-year-old prays for the mercy of death. She survives. While on the road to recovery, Alexia’s attackers become victims of mysterious acts of violence, leaving authorities confounded and racing against time to prevent another deadly attack. Concern looms, as the perpetrator has proven to be two steps ahead of them at every turn.
 
When the attention swings to Alexia’s mother, a cyber-security expert, the family closes ranks. Geneva Leighton must quickly eliminate herself as a suspect, but not without handing down more punishment. The offenders fear for their own safety and the secrets that plague them. Can they trust the police to find the killer before someone else dies, or has their fate been sealed—leaving them with no place to run, and no place to hide . . .

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads

Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Flames-Wrath-J-L-Campbell-ebook/dp/B0BZ3579DM

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/flames-of-wrath/id6446507924

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1143144070?ean=9798985594164

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ww/en/ebook/flames-of-wrath

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/flames-of-wrath-by-j-l-campbell

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123453746-flames-of-wrath

About the Author

National Bestselling Author, J.L. Campbell lives in Jamaica and writes across several genres. She is a certified editor, and book coach, who has produced over forty books. When she’s not writing, Campbell adds to her extensive collection of photos featuring Jamaica’s natural beauty.

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Author Links

Website: http://www.joylcampbell.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jlcampbellwrites

X: https://twitter.com/JL_Campbell

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jl.campbell

Bookbub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-l-campbell

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.-L.-Campbell/author/B004S148VO

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1091161.J_L_Campbell

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New Cover Reveal – Moment of Truth

My first published book, Moment of Truth, has gone through a few cover changes. The challenge of finding the perfect image to convey the heart of the story proved tricky. But I think I’ve finally hit upon the right one.

See all the different covers below and let me know your thoughts? Did I finally nail it?

New cover, same great story!

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New Release Alert – Writing Craft Books

MY WRITING TRIBE OF NEW YORK TIMES AND NATIONAL BESTSELLERS HAVE WRITTEN TWO BOOKS ON THE CRAFT AND PUBLISHING THAT YOU MIGHT FIND BENEFICIAL. Both are ON PREORDER FOR only .99 Cents, before the price increases. And be sure to sign up for a FREE four-hour writing and publishing workshop for May 15!
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The Marketing Stuff is the companion book for The Write Stuff: A Journey into Writing Your Book and takes authors on the part of the journey that some find challenging. Each author, from New York Times to national bestsellers, shares their inspiration for taking their publishing journey. You will find tips on everything from connecting to readers on various platforms, to methods of growing your brand and expanding visibility.
https://bit.ly/TheMarketingStuffAMZ
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The Write Stuff is the book for anyone who wishes to dip their toe into the literary waters. Each author shares their inspiration on getting you started on your writing journey, editing, world building, and even additional insight on writing in the following genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Thrillers and Paranormal/Sci-Fi. If you’re thinking about writing and publishing, this book will help you to do the damn thing!
https://bit.ly/TheWriteStuffAMZ

FREE WORKSHOP:
https://bit.ly/COASPRINGFLING

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Writing What You Know

Photo by hannah grace on Unsplash

What I’m Reading: The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris

What’s on the Spotify Playlist: “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” – Whitney Houston

Since I’ve started this writing journey, the one piece of advice I get the most is “write what you know.”  But what does that really mean?  Is it referring to occupations?  If the writer is an attorney like John Grisham or Pamela Samuels-Young, your character is also an attorney.  Or could it be as simple as a situation that your character faces?

In my novel, “Moment of Truth,” Adrienne has a three-year-old son with sickle-cell anemia.  His disease requires doctor’s visits and one scary emergency room stay.  Now everyone has been to the doctor’s office and the hospital, and I thought I did a decent job describing the scene and emotions.  That is until real life intervened.

One night my nephew was rushed to the emergency room.  He spent two weeks in ICU and even more time in a regular room.  During my frequent visits to the hospital, I found myself taking mental snapshots of sights and sounds.    I cataloged smells and noted the presence of machines, and watched hospital personnel.  This was the type of thing used to enhance my own story.   My personal experience allowed me to transfer it to my character. 

But I felt guilty about it.  While I was focused on my nephew’s recovery and being a source of comfort to my sister, I was also thinking about my book.

Then I had a conversation with a former editor. When I told her my dilemma, she said, “You are a writer!  All of your experiences are fodder for your craft.  You should use all of your feelings and experiences to fuel  your manuscripts.”  Her words resonated with my artist self and confirmed something I knew all along.  To create these well-rounded characters and make believable worlds, the artist has to use everything within them.

Write what you know is an adage to explore the world and embrace it to breathe life into a story.

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What’s Your Theme Song?

Photo by jurien huggins on Unsplash

I believe that everyone should have a theme song.

In fact, I have several. Depending on the month, day or moment, a song can help you cope.

The song should capture an emotion or motivate you to live your best life. I came across an oldie but goodie today. “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. The words capture where my head is at now and serves as motivation and prophecy. Some of the words are “I am unwritten, can’t read my mind. I’m undefined. I’m just beginning, the pen’s in my hand, ending unplanned.” This song is an excellent metaphor for my calling as a writer. Just listen to the chorus: “Staring at the blank page before you, open up the dirty window, let the sun illuminate the words that you cannot find…..Today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten.”

Back on my writing grind. 56,912 words down. The end is nearing and this book will be done.

So, what’s your theme song? What are some lyrics that help to get you going?

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6 Secrets About the Blue Marlin Restuarant featured in “Moment of Truth”

My debut novel, Moment of Truth, is set in my hometown of Columbia, SC. Here are some secrets about a location visited in the book.

  • The Blue Marlin Restaurant is located in the downtown area of Columbia, SC is known as the Congaree Vista, or simply The Vista.

  • The restaurant is housed in the former train station. Today a venue for fine dining, this distinctive circa-1912 building was known for decades as a hub for transportation into and out of the capital city. Its adjacent loading platform and the Seaboard Air Line Railroad baggage room, a smaller, circa-1905 building to the north, reveal the property’s original function. Both buildings benefited from adaptive efforts that transformed the Vista into a vibrant commercial and residential district.

  • Well into the early 1980s, the Vista’s light industrial and mercantile character remained largely unchanged. However, twenty years earlier much of its residential life had been erased through Fight Blight programs instigated by national trends in urban renewal. Totally lost was the almost exclusively African-American neighborhood known as Ward One, whose modest houses, stores, schools and churches fell for the construction of such buildings as the Carolina Coliseum in 1968. The new view by city planners was this district that lay within the shadow of the State House was ripe for redevelopment – a vision that would change its landscape within the next generation.

  • The shrimp and grits are a signature dish.
  • My favorite is the Firecracker Flounder with fries and greens along with a cup of She Crab Soup.
  • Adrienne and Christopher dine here after their visits to schools for his daughter.

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http://bit.ly/MomentofTruthMDR
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SORMAG’S Online Book Festival

I’m a participating author for SORMAG’s Online Book Festival.  Join me for three days of book fun.

Register at the link below and tell them Michelle sent you.

http://bit.ly/SOBF20  

#SOBF20 #mdrayford #mdrayfordwrites