Hello every one and
how are you doing today? Happy and healthy, I hope. 'm back and hope everyone is doing well and happy!
It’s so great to be with all of you again. Welcome back to my writing blog page
where I try to share whatever I think may interest you. Of course, by now you
all know how very much I love promoting other authors. Today I interview another
fellow writer. With me this time is Multi-published author Jacqueline Vick, as
she discusses writing and her current book, Civility Rules, which was released on June 9, 2016 from
Classical Reads.
Jacqueline Vick
is the author of over twenty short stories, novelettes and mystery novels. Her
April 2010 article for Fido Friendly Magazine, “Calling Canine Clairvoyants”,
led to the first Frankie Chandler Pet Psychic mystery, Barking Mad At Murder, followed
by A Bird's Eye View of Murder. Her first Harlow Brothers' mystery, Civility
Rules, will be out in June 2016. To find out more, visit her website at www.jacquelinevick.com
While researching an article for "Fido Friendly Magazine" (April, 2010), Jacqueline came up with the idea of the Frankie Chandler Pet Psychic mysteries. The first novel, "Barking Mad at Murder", is available on Kindle.
While researching an article for "Fido Friendly Magazine" (April, 2010), Jacqueline came up with the idea of the Frankie Chandler Pet Psychic mysteries. The first novel, "Barking Mad at Murder", is available on Kindle.
Author Jacqueline Vick
Her humor has
been described as screwball, and she thinks sleuths are at their best when
surrounded by nutty and unpredictable characters. That's why she loves the
"Liturgical Detective" series, the "Barbara Marr" series,
and the "Ms. America" series. "Death by Sheer Torture" by
Robert Barnard will always be one of her favorites.
To read her
interviews of other writers you may like as well as hearing the latest news,
visit A Writer's Jumble at www.jacquelinevickauthor.blogspot.com. Find out more
about the author on her website www.jacquelinevick.com including the true story
behind how her big sister led her to a life of crime...writing.
Welcome Jackie!
Thanks so much for joining us here. You’ve lead such an interesting and
well-traveled life in writing. I’m fascinated by it all. Shall we begin to learn more
about you and your writing?
SJ: I couldn’t help noticing that you have
written a number of suspense novels as well as children’s books. That is quite
a varied experience. Can you tell us a little bit of how the idea evolved for
each one?
Jackie: I have
several mystery novels, and I think I fell into writing them because my mother
has always been a huge mystery fan. I remember she owned every Agatha Christie
written, and she loved other Golden Age crime writers, especially the British.
You would be hard-pressed to come up with an author from that era that she
hasn't read.
It's funny, but I
didn't like mysteries when I was growing up. It wasn't until my thirties that I
started reading them. I fell in love with the genre, and then I had a lot of
catching up to do!
After we moved to
Los Angeles from the Chicago area, I started writing screenplays. (Like
everyone else out here!) Then I took a shot at a mystery that later became Family Matters.
The children's
book came out of nowhere. I liked the idea of teaching children logic, and Logical Larry was born. I haven't
followed up with it because it means keeping up with two different worlds of
writers etc., but I do have another young adult novel in mind that I might
eventually write.
Jackie's Latest Release.
SJ: Please tell
us about your newest release….
Jackie: Civility Rules is the story of Edward
and Nicholas Harlow. Edward is the author of the Aunt Civility etiquette books,
something only his younger brother, Nicholas, knows. Nicholas is his secretary,
and it's a difficult job, because although Edward looks the part of a mannered
individual, he's actually a short-tempered diamond-in-the-rough.
I love family relationships. They are so honest. You would
say things to your siblings that you'd never say to a friend or stranger, and
in a straightforward manner!
SJ: How extensive
was your research for each one of your books? How much fact and fiction do you
roll into each one?
Jackie: The facts
are the support for the fictional story.
The current pet psychic novel-in-progress takes place on a cruise. I've
researched various elements about the setup of a cruise ship, such as the
typical floors on a cruise ship, where the on board entertainment would live
while on the ship, etc., but then the fiction comes in. There isn't a Finlander
cruise line or a chief security officer named Robinson (to the best of my
knowledge); however, Officer Robinson is ex-military, and that's where cruise
lines actually get a lot of their security officers.
Another example:
Facts: The various
experiences of animal communicators and animal behaviorists that I've
interviewed for my pet psychic mysteries.
Fiction: The situations that wind up in my books.
It's a balance I'm happy with. My books aren't police
procedurals, but I try not to take too much license with how things would work
in the real world.
The first Frankie Chandler Pet Psychic Mystery
SJ: If you could
turn one of your books into a film, which one would you choose and why?
Jackie: Civility
Rules would make a good movie of the week, and Family Matters would make a good comedy romp. The pet psychic books
would be much harder to show on film, since you can't touch, feel and see a
psychic experience.
SJ: With so
many published books, you’ve written, where do you get your inspiration and
ideas from?
Jackie: Life
with a capital "L". Everything
that happens to me is fodder for my books. As with most authors, I simply ask
"what if?" I have a friend who
was harassed by a customer at the grocery store where she works. What if she
decided to extract revenge? Could she poison his produce without anyone finding
out? What if he was a serial harasser, and there were clerks all over town who
would like to eliminate him? Nothing is safe.
the 2nd Chandler Mystery
SJ: What do you
love most about being a writer? Least?
Jackie: The
hardest part of being a writer is discipline. You are responsible for your own
deadlines. No one tells you what they want and when they want it by (although
editors and publishers sometimes play this role.)
The best is the
freedom to create. I love to make people laugh.
SJ: What writer inspired you most and how?
Jackie: Agatha
Christie is up there. Do you realize that more than once she came out with
multiple books in a year? I would love to be as clever and productive as she
was.
SJ: If you could
give just one piece of important writing advice to an aspiring writer, what
would it be?
Jackie: Keep
writing. You will look back on your first brilliant piece of writing and wonder
how you could have thought it was any good! It takes several years of writing
to hone your skills. Don't give up, but don't embark on a writing career and
expect immediate payoff.
SJ: What is a
favorite book you enjoyed reading and would recommend without hesitation? Why?
Jackie: Robert
Barnard's Death by Sheer Torture. Hysterical.
SJ: In closing,
and without giving too much away, do you have any more projects in the
immediate future? We’d love to hear about it.
Jackie: I've
been researching exorcists. Interesting. My priest, Father Gerald McAllister,
is a former exorcist assigned to teach Religious Education at an all-girl high
school. Anyone who has ever been or known a teenage girl knows this is a
lateral move.
SJ: I agree. That
is quite a switch from one extreme to just teaching. Not to mention, a bit out there. Looking forward to the end
result of your research. Thanks so much, Jackie for participating. It’s been a
pleasure speaking with you. I don’t know about you, readers, but I can’t wait
to read it and see what you put to paper. Thanks, Jackie, for allowing use to
take some time out of your busy schedule and interview you about your writing
and your latest novel, Civility Rules.
It’s been a pleasure and so fascinating speaking with you. Do keep writing and keep those stories
coming.
Readers, take
note you may purchase a copy of any of Jackie’s books at on-line book stores:
Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and from all major and Indie US book stores.
Jackie's Children's Book
But before we go,
it wouldn’t be fair if we didn’t share an excerpt from Civility Rules:
For more about Jackie and her writing, remember to check out her website at:
The setup: Edward and
Nicholas have arrived at Inglenook Resort. As Nicholas is standing in line to
check them in, he meets one of their fellow guests....
Behind a front counter of dark-polished wood, I could see
through a glass wall into an office. Directly behind the counter, a man and
woman about my age, early thirties, with matching dark auburn hair worked to
process the guests, who looked like the kind of people you'd find at a resort
in the middle of nowhere. Not a group of good-looking women in the bunch.
Off to my left, a placard welcomed the Victorian
Preservation Society for their annual convention, but no mention was made of
their guest speaker, Edward. That would suit my brother fine, because while he
enjoyed lecturing groups that shared his interests, he hated meeting the
average public, whom he referred to as cretins.
"That's a nice coat." The voice came from a short,
stocky woman in a checkered dress of white and gray, black stockings, and
sensible shoes. Her faded strawberry-blond hair had been hacked into a bob with
bangs. She touched the sleeve of my leather jacket.
"My granddad brought back a jacket just like that from
the war. You remind me of him. Of course, you're quite a bit younger. And his
hair was blond. And he's dead."
"We almost sound like twins." I nudged the luggage
forward with my foot and moved ahead with the line, and she moved along with
me.
"I'm Zali. Are you here for the grand opening? It's
been in all the papers. So exciting. I suppose everyone wants a peek inside the
old Inglenook mansion, though I can't think why. It's just a big house."
Zali beamed up at me with the pleasure of a child who has discovered a new playmate.
"Then why are you here?" I said just to make
conversation.
"Me?" Her hand went to her throat and she played
with the collar of her dress. She shifted her gaze around the room and puckered
her lips together. "Me?" she repeated. "I'm just taking a little
vacation." She grasped the fingers of one hand in the other, a gesture of
comfort. "A little rest and relaxation."
My gaze traveled the room and landed on a geriatric group
huddled in the corner assisted by canes, walkers, and one wheelchair. "This
is the place for you, then. Don't imagine anything exciting ever happens
here."
Zali clasped her hands behind her back and rocked on her
feet, obviously pleased to raise my low expectations. "Oh, I would think
murder's exciting enough for anyone."
Edward wandered up right then and handed me a Styrofoam cup
of coffee. I pointed it at Zali and made introductions.
"She's here for rest and relaxation." I hoped to
cut her off before she continued her theme of death, but she was determined to
spread the good news.
"I was just telling him about the murder."
Edward choked on his coffee and pulled out a handkerchief to
cover his coughing fit. "Pardon me," he said, his deep baritone
smoothed out in what I called his public voice. "I thought you said
murder."
I turned my back on her. "Don't mind her. She's
cuckoo."
"I'm not crazy." Her tone held an icy edge, and I
pulled a face for Edward's benefit and turned back to her with a bright smile.
"Of course you're not." I patted her shoulder and
winked at Edward, but he turned to stare straight ahead, like a statue trying
to ignore an approaching flock of pigeons.
"There was too a murder. A maid went to sleep and never
woke up. Something nasty put in her evening cocoa." She squinted her eyes
and nodded her head. "Probably to cover the theft of the Inglenook
Emeralds."
It was too much for Edward. "Excuse me," he said
to Zali, and to me he added, "I'll wait for you," and then he escaped
like a coward to one of the armchairs.
"Inglenook Emeralds, huh?" I said to Zali.
"Good choice. Emeralds are rarer than rubies, which would make them more
valuable."
Zali crossed her arms over her sturdy bosom. "There's
no such thing as the Inglenook rubies."
"Of course not."
"Next, please." The pretty clerk looked up, and I
approved of the way her dark eyes and brows went well with her auburn hair. I
picked up the luggage and approached the counter.
Civility Rules amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Civility-Rules-Harlow-Brothers-Mystery-ebook/dp/B01GW8R9VG/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1468025961&sr=1-1&keywords=civility+rules
Civility Rules amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Civility-Rules-Harlow-Brothers-Mystery-ebook/dp/B01GW8R9VG/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1468025961&sr=1-1&keywords=civility+rules
For more about Jackie and her writing, remember to check out her website at:
Or at one of her other social media links:
Amazon author page:
http://amzn.to/28S60DD
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JacquelineMVick
Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/295H4tZ
Thank you all for visiting with us. Until
next month...every one please stay safe. Smile. Be happy. Show compassion. Be
nice to others. Put a little love into your heart. Please speak up for those
without a voice, whether it be a dog, cat, elephant or monkey. One person, one voice can make a difference.
May all your dreams and wishes come true for each and every one of you.
Regards,
S. J. Francis
Advocate for the underdog, and cat, et al.
In Shattered Lies:
“Good and bad, it's All about Family."
Now available from Black Opal Books, on-line and indie booksellers.
My Official web page: http://sjfranciswriter.com
My Black Opal Books Author Page:
My Official web page: http://sjfranciswriter.com
My Black Opal Books Author Page:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sjfrancis419
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Good Reads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/33550975-s-j
And now for some
legal stuff: Copyright 2015 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely
those of the author, S. J. Francis and the guest author and are meant to
entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.
