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Hello from way down in New Zealand. Thanks so much to the Dames for having me over today.
My latest Regency romance is being released on 1 May 2012. INVITATION TO SCANDAL, book two in my ‘Invitation to’ series. I’m having an 
Invitation to Romance Blog Tour to celebrate. Collect all the clues on the tour and be in to win a $200 Gift Card from Amazon or B&N (your choice) PLUS a book basket containing 30 SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR books.
Today I’m talking about heroes. Have you noticed that in romance novels the hero’s traits usually don’t differ across the genres? There is a certain type of man we all fall in love with. Sure, we usually write them as tall, gorgeous and charismatic, but we like them to have substance when they open their mouths.
We love our heroes to be compassionate, intelligent, humorous, selflessness, tough but tender, determined, and fearless when it comes to protecting the woman he loves.
If we delve deeper across genres, those qualities morph into other differences. Some books call for the hero to be extremely wealthy and domineering, or they have special powers like shape-shifting, or they are over the top, dominant alpha males like Vampires. We meet the beta male who quietly gets on and saves the heroine without too much fuss or, as in Regency romances; we meet the extremely arrogant peers of the realm.
In the Regency period, the period I write in, heroes tend to be very alpha. Not always, but it’s hard to have a believable peer of the realm who is not alpha. The world lay at their feet. It was impossible not to get a god like complex, or at the very least become extremely confident, bordering on arrogant. Kind of like today’s movie or singing super-stars.
The Regency heroes are usually devilishly handsome rakes, who start their journey to the HEA by seeing women as ‘disposal pleasures rather than meaningful pursuits’ as said by the heroine, Vesper Lynd, in James Bond’s, Casino Royale. 
Since hero traits in romance are very similar, how do we make our readers fall in love with our hero in particular?
The crux is to have a believable and sustainable emotional conflict. If you nail this, you can help your reader fall in love with your hero (and heroine).
For example, in INVITATION TO SCANDAL, Rufus Knight, Viscount Strathmore, is trying to clear his late father of treason. He’s all about honor and atoning for his father’s perceived sin in order for his mother and sister to be accepted within Society. He follows the letter of the law, and sees the world only in black and white. He will settle down with a pious wife and live an exemplary, if somewhat boring, life.
Rufus’s journey is all about understanding the true meaning of honor. Rufus has tried all his life ‘to do the right thing’. What happens when ‘doing the right thing’ may not be honorable? Is right always right? Is the world more complex than he thought, and perhaps filled with many shades of grey?
It is of course the heroine, Miss Rheda Kerrick, who complicates matters for him. She’s a woman who through her own terrible experiences knows the world is not black and white. She lives her life on the very edge of black, in deep grey territory, determined to be her own woman. She’s learned that sometimes you have to break the rules in order to do good.
When Rufus finally has the means to clear his father’s name, all he has to do is hand to the magistrate the woman he loves. That’s when he faces his biggest dilemma—what comes first—love or honor?
It’s the combination of the internal conflict or fears, and the relationship between the hero and heroine, which drives their growth and their journey towards their happy ever after. [CLUE THREE: DARK]
There are many types of heroes. It’s the journey the hero takes, because of, and with the heroine, that makes us completely love him. As we all know, behind every great man is a wonderful woman!
Here’s the blurb for INVITATION TO SCANDAL – book two in my Invitation to series.
Her secrets are coming undone…
Plagued by scandalous rumors, Rheda Kerrich will stop at nothing to restore her reputation and make an honest living for herself-and she’s determined to do it without a husband. But times are hard, and smuggling is a risky though profitable trade. So when a dashing agent for the English government catches her in the act, she desperately resists his charms and conceals her illicit profession. Until she realizes he may be the key to her ultimate freedom-and unbridled passion.
Rufus Knight, Viscount Strathmore, has never had trouble beguiling the ladies of Kent. When his search for “Dark Shadow,” a cunningly elusive smuggler, leads him to alluring and headstrong Rhe, her objections to his amorous advances merely incite a tantalizing game of cat and mouse. Soon, they’ll find the very secrets driving them apart could ensnare them in a love they can’t escape…
http://www.bronwenevans.com/bronwen-evans-books/its.html
Read an excerpt
Rufus couldn’t help one further attempt at getting what he wanted—knowledge about the cask of brandy. He reached for her and pulled her back into his embrace. “Name your price. I am an extremely wealthy man, and I shall be very generous.” He paused and gently kissed her lips. “Especially if you tell me about the barrel.”
Rheda was beginning to hate the barrel.
She couldn’t look away; there was something warm and tender in Rufus’s eyes that seemed to be lulling her toward her own demise.
“How does five guineas sound?” He paused and ran his finger gently down her cheek, tracing the outline of her lips until they parted on a soft sigh. “I’ll double it if you tell me where you found the barrel.”
Her heart beat a wild pulse in her throat. A man just bartered for her as if she were a whore. She shouldn’t be surprised. Her actions were deplorable. She’d let him touch her, kiss her… To her great shame, she longed to do more. With him. With this beautiful, dangerous, rake.
Remember your mother.
Rheda twisted within his firm grip. “I am not for sale at any price, my lord.” With her pride hurt she uttered, “Let me go.”
His arms tightened. “Is the sum not enough? One hundred guineas?” She was shocked at the small fortune he’d offered, yet the purring quality of his husky voice quieted her alarm.
Vaguely Rheda realized she was letting him caress her again, stroking with hushed delicacy the column of her throat, her bare shoulder, her tingling breasts . . .
Slowly he bent his head, his lips following the path his fingers had taken, his soft caress sending desire shooting through her body. A tremor shook her as he tugged her bodice lower, deliberately exposing her breasts to his heated gaze and wicked tongue.
“Two hundred,” he said, his voice husky with want, before his tongue played in a leisurely erotic dance on her skin.
Rheda came to her senses just in time. Just before his mouth latched on to her nipple. Just before she forgot everything except what this man could make her feel.
She struggled in his arms, trying desperately to pull out of his tight embrace.
“Don’t be afraid, angel . . .”
She felt the soft brush of his breath on her ripe swells. If he suckled her she’d be lost, so she suddenly found her strength. Spying a heavy stick, she grabbed it and swung it at his head. It connected with a sickening thud, and he let her go. She fell backward on the grass as he struggled to his feet with a roar of injured pride.
“What the hell was that for?”
What is your favorite trait in a hero and why? What romantic hero best demonstrates that trait?
One, commenter will win a copy of INVITATION TO SCANDAL. Open internationally.
With so many wonderful writers in various groups to which I belong, it’s only natural that we get into some fascinating conversations. The hot topic for over a year now has been The E-Book Phenomenon, of course. Everyone has such diverse opinions that I decided to pose the question of how e-books have changed their lives to eight of the finest writers I know. But before they share their reasons, I’ll relate mine.
I can honestly say that e-books have made my writing journey easier, quicker, more fun and much more economical. I now get more royalties for one small book than I got for a full-length novel from traditional print publishers. All that and there are no dead trees, no ink and no postage. The postage alone used to kill any joy I had in getting a meager ten percent royalty. Yay for e-books and double yay for the e-readers. Love my Kindle Fire too.
Author Wayne Zurl: A Dinosaur Rolls Over
I’m a dinosaur and proud of it. I worked long and hard to attain that status and wear a lapel pin to prove it.
Electronic publishing is advanced technology and I’m techno-phobic. I shy away from anything new. I still use a spinning reel purchased in 1964 and wish I had never bought a personal computer. (laughs)
What does this have to do with how e-books changed my life? I’m getting’ there…
When I finished my first full-length novel, A New Prospect, I began the epic chore of querying agents—a dozen or so at a clip. Agents spend hours a day writing blogs telling potential clients how busy they are. The process of getting their rejection letters took ages. After a hundred of those buggers sent me “not interested” notes, I attacked publishers willing to accept submissions directly from writers. That process was even slower.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I began writing shorter stories, novelettes, for practice. I needed a creative outlet in my retirement and manuscripts seemed a lot easier to store than model airplanes or oil paintings. Somewhere along the line, I ran across a publisher who wanted novelettes, stories between 8,000 and 11,000 words, to create one-hour audio books and e-books. I submitted something called A Labor Day Murder and a month or so later, I received something new and different—an acceptance letter. That began my career as a fiction writer.
So far I’ve seen twelve novelettes accepted, recorded by a professional actor and simultaneously turned into Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Sony and other e-book formats I never heard of. The things I’ve written can be listened to or read on eReaders, personal computers, iPads, iPods, iPhones, Blackberries, blueberries and gooseberries. (laughs)
Thanks to all the formats available and the low prices, ($1.99 or less) e-books outsell the audio versions. Thanks to e-books, the Sam Jenkins mystery series made it to the publishing map. Eventually, I found a small publisher who would take a chance on A New Prospect. It’s not only in print but in all variations of e-book, too.
This dinosaur rolled over and accepted a bit of technology that helped boost his ego and kept him interested in writing.
http://amazon.com/author/waynezurl
Ann Swann Never Dreamed Her First Book Would Be an E-book
Who knows what future opportunities lie in store for authors and readers? All I can say for sure is that we’ve arrived in the era of e-books ever after–lucky us!
I first discovered e-books three or four years ago when my handsome hubby, Dude, bought me a Sony reader for Christmas. I fell in love with it because I have so many books that I am always dusting, needing to dust, or sneezing my head off while complaining about the dust. (laughs)
Mind you, I do miss turning pages late at night when Dude’s working and I’m reading in bed with my dogs at my feet and my cat, Maggie May (yes, that Maggie May), curled up under my arm. It just isn’t the same when I doze off and the e-reader—I’ve graduated to Kindle now—falls over on my face and bonks me in the nose. Paper books don’t bonk, they just sort of slither. But enough bonking already, Betty asked how e-books have changed our lives as readers and authors.
As an author, I never dreamed my first book would be available just as an e-book. When I sent it in to Cool Well Press, I was so used to rejections that when the acceptance e-mail came, I could scarcely read what it said after the line “We like it! We want it!” (Okay, maybe it didn’t say that exactly , they are professionals, after all, but that’s how my brain interpreted it.)
So, was I disappointed when I learned that the novella-length Phantom Pilot qualified only for e-book status? Perhaps for a moment, but after we discussed the possibility of a series of Phantom books, I was satisfied. I’ve just signed the contract for Book Two: The Phantom Student. It will be novel length, thus qualifying it for both print and e-book status.
So, Betty, I guess the main way digital changed my life as an author and as a reader is this: it made me a little greedier. Now I want all my books, the ones I read and the ones I write, to be available in print and digital. I don’t think that’s too much to ask, do you? (laughs)
http://facebook.com/annswann.author
Author John Zunski: Invigorated by Writing E-books, Loves the E-readers
Easy as A, B, C… You know, another blog concerning d’em e-books. (laughs)
“ ‘ey hair farmer,” he cried stomping snow from his boots. “Put down that library machine and get me a beer, huh ennit.”
Translation from Montanan: Mr. Bartender, when you finish with that portal into worlds infinitely more interesting than drunken prattle, would you find it in your heart to pour me a fine, mass-produced libation, please?
Somewhere I’ve heard that the customer is always right, and in this case, he is! It’s wonderful carrying a library in the palm of my hand. E-readers have reinvigorated my reading experience, or more accurately, have provided literary crack-cocaine to a once on-the-wagon book junkie.
On-the-wagon not only because I was running out of shelf space, but the words on the page were harder to read. So, why don’t I build another shelf and get reading glasses?
The short answer – I’d rather live with my wife than bunk with the librarian and my ego had a difficult time admitting needing glasses. E-readers, you have given me the best of both worlds: I can resume collecting books and never have to worry about losing my glasses. Font control is a wonderful thing.
Plus I will never get back strain from lugging around the equivalent of the New York Public Library. Yes, how great is life that with a push of a button one can go from shivering on the soaked streets of London to baking in the Egyptian desert, or go from experiencing the world of an innocent child to understanding the motives of a mafia don?
E-readers are better than any TV remote control I know; not only do I control the picture, but there’s no flippin’ commercials. But, what is really cool, in someone’s portal, a reader is slipping into a world I’ve created and is experiencing it through the eyes of my characters. That has truly rocked my world.
Author Barbara Watkins Changes Mind about E-books
I have to admit when I first heard of e-books I thought to myself, this concept will never fly. Boy was I wrong!
My publisher insisted that it was the wave of the future. Boy was she right!
My first full-length novel Hollowing Screams was released in e-book format October 31, 2011 and sales fared quite nicely. The print version was released a few weeks later with disappointing sales. Not much has changed…
When a reader can purchase an e-book copy of their favorite author at a fraction of the cost of the print version, more times than not they will choose the less expensive path. For me, as an author, having these options of selling in e-book format, as well as print, improves my odds tremendously when it comes to sales.
What does this all mean for the readers? A reader can place a book in print in their hands, turn the pages, and when finished, strategically place it on the shelf. However, a reader that purchases an e-book can download that same book onto their kindle, iphone, nook tablet, computer, ipad, and other electronic devices…again for the fraction of the cost.
There will always be a place for paperback and hardback versions of your favorite authors. Imagine for a moment that you could no longer purchase the best-selling book in the world in physical print: the Bible. However, having the choice to purchase literary works in physical form or as an e-book download to your electronic device… Well, it’s a win, win situation for both reader and author.
http://www.barbarawatkins.net/
https://www.facebook.com/barbienell.watkins
Husband-and-Wife Writing Team Matt and Danielle Drake
Founded Kourageous Kids for Ill Children to Star in Own Books
Danielle: When Matthew and I first started writing we finished our first manuscript, then set out to find an agent. We were excited, until the dreaded query letter came along.
Matthew: We were part of several writing groups, forums and critique clubs. It seemed everyone had the “right” way to do a query letter. However, none of the “right” ways agreed. Felt like religion or politics…
Danielle: (laughs) Don’t encourage him. It was rather painful. We wrote and re-wrote the query what… ten times…?
Matthew: Closer to thirty, I think!
Danielle: We only got form rejections, so we trunked the novel. Gave up…until we discovered e-publishing… That first novel still rests in the back of the hard drive, but we are now learning everything we can about editing, writing and being our best.
Matthew: Most days I would be happy to never admit that first manuscript even exists. The grind really made me hate that book. (laughs)
Danielle: After so many changes…yeah… It’s toast. Honestly, I prefer the freedom to write the stories I want to, not the ones that agents think they can sell.
Matthew: I do think that e-books will revolutionize writing in much the same way that Youtube revolutionized indie film-making. I have really enjoyed the exposure to artists I would have never had an opportunity to discover on my own.
Danielle: It isn’t about selling; it’s about reaching readers. We have amazing stories to tell. I don’t want an agent to tell me they “love the idea, but don’t think they can sell it.”
Matthew: Also I wanted to say it seems fitting that our “coming out” interview is on Betty Dravis’s blog.
Danielle: She inspired us to be our best. She put us in our place, but did so in a kind manner and helped us get better.
Matthew: When she told us how horrid our writing was, she took the time to explain why and get us the writing guides to fix it.
Danielle: Matthew! No, you are right… (laughs) It was horrid, but those are your words, not Betty’s.
Matthew and Danielle: Couldn’t have done it without you, Betty!
Special Note from Betty Dravis: Since Matt and Danielle wrote the above, they have shelved their former books until they can have them properly edited, but something magnificent came out of this delay: They had been reading about terminally ill children and came up with the idea to write books for each individual child, making them the heroes of their very own picture book. They named their group Kourageous Kids and have already written several books that they’ve presented to some of the kids whose parents contacted them…or vice versa.
Needless to say, Matt and Danielle’s project has already blessed a number of children and their families. I’m so proud of them and encourage all our readers to check their websites and perhaps join their efforts. And please send them the names of ill children you think would like their very own book. Following is the Kourageous Kids Storybooks Mission statement:
Our goal is to bring hope, joy and laughter to children fighting cancer and other terminal illnesses. We write picture books for children and their siblings depicting them as the heroes and heroines they really are. Whether they are braving the pouring rain, or being part of a heroic Search and Rescue team, or learning sign language to befriend a lonely girl, our stories carry messages of strength, love, compassion and courage. To personalize the messages, the main characters’ names are those of the children who are living with and fighting their diseases. Included in the short stories are these brave youngsters’ favorite foods, their dreams and their aspirations. We want to give the children an opportunity to live through the stories we create for them.
Matt and Danielle are also gifted book-cover designers, graphic artists and illustrators. Check out both their websites.
http://www.wix.com/kourageouskids/storybooks
http://www.covercreations.blogspot.com
Tess Thompson Hardwick’s ‘Riversong’ No. One at Barnes & Noble
As a writer, the rising popularity of e-books has helped me tremendously. Last October my debut novel, Riversong, rose to the #1 spot on the Nook Book bestseller list. As an unknown author, without the popularity of e-books, I would never have had the opportunity to have such success.
As a reader, ironically, although I own a Kindle and love it, I still find many books at the library. As a mother of two on a strict budget, I love the library; I still feel like an awestruck child when I enter a library and realize I can take any book home I want. When I was young and single and making more money, I used to buy a lot of books, feeling that it was important to support writers however I could. Now, similarly, I love my Kindle because I can find all my favorite indie authors and read their novels, which are almost always less expensive than a latte.
Bio: Tess Hardwick is a novelist and mother. She lives in western Washington with her husband, two young daughters and their puppy, Patches. She writes a blog called, Inspiration For Ordinary Life at and is currently working on her second novel.
Author Melanie Saxton: ‘It’s a Smorgasbord Out There’
What isn’t there to love about e-books and the wonderful tools we use to read them? After all, the advent of e-books has loosened the stranglehold of traditional publishers, allowing emerging authors across all genres to bloom and e-publish. The number of books available to readers has risen exponentially, almost all at prices we can afford. Without even owning a Kindle or Nook readers can still download books in PDF format right off Smashwords, while iPad owners can simply download free Kindle and Nook apps. Perhaps people are reading more than ever due to this phenomenon . . .and that’s always a good thing!
E-reading devices are near and dear to my heart, especially since they also work with many magazines. As a contributing editor for six publications, you can bet this delights me. We are still in the Wild-West days of e-books and e-publishing and the only downside is the minor risk involved in buying an e-book that hasn’t been properly edited. But then again, I’ve read hardbacks that could use some help in that department. The point is that works we’d never, ever otherwise read are now available without the blessing of the brick and mortar publishing houses. We can choose our books all by ourselves, and it’s a smorgasbord out there!
Link to Melanie’s interview of former First Lady Barbara Bush:
http://houstonlifestyles.com/?p=4302
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1700954844
Author Joe Perrone’s E-books Earning Big Bucks;
E-reader Saving His Eyesight
When I published my first novel, Escaping Innocence (A Story of Awakening) I’d never even heard of e-books. It wasn’t until my son-in-law, Brad, told me about them that I decided to investigate them, which I did—extensively!
Now, nearly four years later, I have published a total of five books, and all of them are available as e-books—in both Kindle versions and multiple other formats through Smashwords.com.
Thanks to e-books, my life will never be the same. I am earning in excess of $25,000 a year in royalties, more than 80% of that coming from—guess where?—yep, e-books! Just last weekend, I elected to offer Escaping Innocence and my latest Matt Davis Mystery, Twice Bitten, as free downloads through the Kindle Select Program. In two days, readers downloaded 2,132 free copies of the books.
As for reading, I am so grateful to have my Kindle. I have had two detached retinas, which left me with some minor double vision. Thanks to my Kindle, I am able to read for hours on end by utilizing the font size option.
So, my answer is that e-books and the associated reading devices have changed my life forever—and for the better!
Photo Montage Created by Author Daniel L. Carter
by Daniel L. Carter
Reprinted from “A Christian Man’s Perspective”
Daniel L. Carter: I am always pleased to introduce my readers to visiting authors but today is truly an honor. My guest today is not only a talented author but has been an interviewer to the stars for years. Ranging from Clint Eastwood to Jane Russell this talented woman could be categorized as a Hollywood schmoozer! Without any more introduction, I’m blessed to call Betty Dravis my good friend. Welcome to my website, Betty. Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Betty Dravis: Hi, Daniel, and everyone. Thanks for inviting me to “A Christian Man’s Perspective.” To start at my humble beginnings, I was born in Hamilton, Ohio, second youngest of seven children born to John and Felda (Crawford) Barger. I came to sunny California after I graduated from high school and liked it so well I never went back home to live. But, Go Bucks! (laughs)
Most of you know me as the quirky lady you bump into all over the Internet. You know, the one who’s always pushing her own books and books of her author friends. (laughs) In recent years, I’m best known for my celebrity interviews, including actors, authors and artists of all types, but during my career I was a journalist, newspaper publisher and hosted a TV talk show.
But first and foremost, I’m a mother and grandmother; my family is my “real” life. All else is just icing on my cupcake… I had six children, five daughters and a son, but two daughters are now angels in heaven, having left us too soon…too young. Those were the saddest times in my life, but I’m consoled that they’re in Heaven now and our family circle will be complete as each of us find our way to them when our time on earth is over. And rather than mourn our loss, I treasure their memories and the children they left behind. I have nine grown grandchildren, five precious great-grands and one adorable great-great grand. They are what keep me so young at heart and filled with energy.
Daniel L. Carter: You are amazing! Your most recent book Star Struck: Interviews with Dirty Harry and Other Hollywood Icons. Tell us about your book, Betty.
Betty Dravis: Well, Daniel, you asked the right question here. There’s nothing I like better than talking books with another author. As you know, I write in many genres of fiction and also write non-fiction. I actually have six books on the market; three still in print format, two that were print but now “e-incarnations,” and two more e-books.
My latest is a short e-book, Star Struck: Interviews with Dirty Harry and Other Hollywood Icons. In this book I share behind-the-scenes happenings of some of my favorite celebrity interviews. You know, Daniel, the usual: What led up to the interviews and my feelings and impressions during and after the meetings… Among those I was fortunate enough to interview were: Actor/Director Clint Eastwood, Senator Ted Kennedy, 40′s Star Jane Russell, Singer/Actress Tanya Tucker, Mayor Joseph Alioto and Actress Ann Sothern. Those were “heady” days for a young journalist just starting my writing career. As delighted as I was to land such coveted interviews back in the day, in this day and age, I’m crowing over the fact that John Locke wrote the foreword for Star Struck. I consider that a feather in my cap because John’s the darling of the “e-book crowd,” having been the first self-published author to sell a million books on Kindle. Wow!
Daniel L. Carter: Out of all the stars you’ve interviewed, which of them did you most identify with?
Betty Dravis: Of the six high-profile people in Star Struck, I more closely identified with Clint Eastwood because he was sought after by every writer in the world and I was grateful that he chose me. I was a bit in awe of him, but identified with him because he was so kind, complimentary and considerate to me during and after the interview. I admired what he’d accomplished before I met him, so followed his career with great interest. From that day forward, I strove to be as good a writer as he is an actor, so eventually turned to him as my role model.
Daniel L. Carter: You’re not just a great interviewer but you’re also a talented author. When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Betty Dravis: At age eleven, I started writing poetry and little short stories–more like life observations, from this viewpoint many years later–but even though my family encouraged me and my high-school, creative-writing teacher marked my papers as “best in class,” it was years before I took it seriously. You see, Daniel, in those days we were trained and encouraged to be wives and mothers, so I didn’t take writing too seriously until after my first child was born. I started out in journalism, writing columns for local dailies in various cities and eventually worked up to publisher. I always wanted to write a novel–try my hand at fiction–but journalism was a more steady income, so with six children to raise, I stuck with newspapers. I didn’t have time to write my first novel until I retired at age 62.
Daniel L. Carter: You are my role model! (smiles) If you could give advice to other authors or aspiring authors what would say?
Betty Dravis: I would tell them to take as many classes as they can, read all the books on writing in their selective genres, and to keep at it. Write! Write! Write! Even if it’s just little thoughts that come to them from time to time, write it down. Practice is what makes us better at our craft. And never let life’s setbacks (or negative people) stop them. Of all the ultra-successful people I’ve interviewed, they have all agreed: Keep focused on what you really want to do and you’ll win in the end. Persevere!
Daniel L. Carter: Great advice, Betty! What source or sources do you draw from when creating a new story? Personal life, your faith, the world around you, all the above…?
Betty Dravis: That’s an easy question to answer, Daniel, but harder to describe. It’s all of the above! I truly believe that everything we’ve ever seen, heard, read or experienced becomes part of us at some hidden level and that all of our accumulated information and experience filters up through our subconscious when needed. Whether we need information for a book we’re writing or other circumstances in life, our cumulative life experiences are there for us when most needed.
Daniel L. Carter: If I asked you to pick one of your characters as your favorite who would it be and why?
Betty Dravis: I have many favorites, Daniel. In fact I like all my characters, for one reason or another. But in giving it deeper thought, I will have to choose David Wetterman, the weatherman-turned-prophet in my first-published novel, Millennium Babe: The Prophecy. Why? Because he’s such a funny, likable little guy… He’s definitely not the image of your average hero; he’s just an ordinary, kooky guy who always bungles things, but somehow manages to end up “smelling like roses.” He’s what you call a “real character.” On the order of Jim Carrey, I suppose…
Daniel L. Carter: What was your greatest challenge, personally, when writing Star Struck?
Betty Dravis: My current book, Star Struck, is non-fiction, so it came with a unique set of problems. Since these six celebrity anecdotes were previously published in Dream Reachers, I had to get permission from my co-author Chase Von to put them in this book. He readily agreed, so that problem resolved amicably. My second problem was that, in addition to photos I owned, I also wanted to publish a few photos of the celebrities from their public life. That entailed either getting their permission or finding photos in the public domain. Since some celebrities’ managers charge as much as $200 per picture and take too long getting back, I opted for the public domain. That took a bit of digging, but it all worked out. And finally, I had to sell my publisher, Wendy Dingwall of Canterbury House, on trying the 99-cents price. Thank God, she agreed.
Daniel L. Carter: That’s great that your publisher was willing to work with you on the pricing. What factors do you use that tell your book is done?
Betty Dravis: Daniel, I consider a story finished after I’ve answered all the questions (tied up all the loose ends), making everything clear to my readers. And I always proof-read my books several times, trying to catch all the “nits.” I believe what Stephen King says, though: He said (in so many words) that if he had waited until a book was perfect in his eyes, he would never have published a thing.
Daniel L. Carter: That is so very true! Tell us, Betty, why did you choose to write in different genres?
Betty Dravis: When I first started, I thought I would write in the horror and thriller genre because that’s what I love to read. However, life just threw particular stories at me and I ended up writing an epic romance about my beautiful older sister (faction, my word to mean it’s based on a true story but is highly dramatized for commercial reasons). Then The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley came at me in such an unusual way, I just had to write that young adult. Once again I lucked out with another “famous person” boosting me along. Steve “The Woz” Wozniak agreed to play a speaking role in my Toonies. And so it went…until I ended up with one romance, one YA, one supernatural fantasy adventure and two non-fiction celebrity interview books. And yes, Daniel, I finally wrote my thriller and a horror. (laughs) I have those in the wings, waiting for perfect timing to publish. I think you’ll like them.
Daniel L. Carter: I am so looking forward to buying my autographed copy! (grins ear to ear) Do you have any favorite authors?
Betty Dravis: Indeed I do, Daniel. In fact, I have many, but my all-time favorite author (living or dead) is Pat Conroy. He amazes me with his beautiful words, perfect phraseology, dialogue, plotting and everything. I absolutely adore his poetic, flowery–some critics say too flowery—prose and his similes are to die for. To me, he’s a genius…
I have at least a hundred authors that are friends on the Internet and many, including you, who are my new favorites. You have a surprising number of great writers on Author Central, your popular page on Facebook. Of the ones I’ve read, at least fifteen blew my mind with their powerful, entertaining stories. Wow! I wouldn’t want to offend anyone by mentioning my favorites; actually, there are too many to list.
Daniel L. Carter: (Laughing) That’s alright, Betty. I know where I stand in your heart… wink wink. Are you working on a book now, and if so, tell us a little bit about it?
Betty Dravis: In addition to the horror and thriller mentioned above–Evil Voices at Circle Lake and Dead Women Don’t Talk Back (both finished except for a final proof)–I’m trying to find time to finish a second in the young adult Toonies series: The Toonies Rock New York. It’s similar to the first Toonies, with good cartoon characters escaping out of a humanoid boy’s computer into the world. The bad ones follow them out and wreak all kinds of havoc as they try to destroy everything in their paths. It’s another story of good versus bad, with good winning in the end. (laughs)
Daniel L. Carter: Now that sounds fantastic! You could have them come out of their IPhone…hehehe. If you were stranded on a deserted island and could pick only two books to have with you, what would they be and why?
Betty Dravis: The first one is a no-brainer. I would choose The Holy Bible because it’s always been my inspiration and I need it to refresh me on a daily basis. I’d also like to take a book that I wrote, 1106 Grand Boulevard, because my family members are in it and it has special meaning to me; many fond memories of my parents and siblings. Since there are only two surviving from our family, I would most likely get the most benefit and enjoyment from that book.
Daniel L. Carter: Hopefully readers have guessed that I am very fond of you as a friend and a writer, Betty. I pray they caught of glimpse of what a special person you are. Before we say goodbye, I want to thank you for sharing with us today. I’m sure you have intrigued many today. Where can people go to get more information about you and your books?
Betty Dravis: Thanks for the opportunity to reach more people, Daniel, and for giving me a chance to share my links. I wish you best of luck with your amazing G-6 Chronicles trilogy. I’ve read the first two and they’re very exciting and original; love the children in your books. Can’t wait to read the third one.
My website: http://www.bettydravis.com
My Amazon Author Central page: http://tinyurl.com/7mqorjj
My DOD blog: http://damesofdialogue.wordpress.com/
My Orangeberry Books page: http://tinyurl.com/6t5khqy
Blessings,
Daniel L Carter
Author of The G-6 Chronicles
CC Tillery
Perhaps some of our readers have noticed a new name showing up at the top of our page. Yes, that’s right, we have a new Dame…er, or maybe she’s actually the result of two of the original Dames who have split personalities that came together to form a new Dame; CC Tillery. CC is actually half Christy Tillery French (on the right) and half Caitlyn Hunter (whose real name is Cyndi Tillery Hodges is on the left) who wrote a book together about their great-aunt Bessie’s life growing up in the mountains of western North Carolina.
CC Tillery (see what they did there? Their first initials and their maiden name combined to give this new author a name. Slick, huh?) Anyway, Christy, as you already know writes suspense and thrillers and Cyndi (Caitlyn) writes mostly paranormal romance with some contemporary thrown in on the side. Whistling Woman, the book they wrote about their great aunt, is a whole ‘nother thing entirely (as they say in the South). About as far from suspense, thriller, or paranormal romance as you can get, although it does have a little bit of romance. It’s southern literature, women’s literature, a coming of age story, and historical faction (part fact, part fiction). It includes many of the family stories they heard from their dad and their great aunt when they were growing up and it also has bits of Cherokee folklore and medicine, not to mention quite a bit of historical data about the town of Hot Springs, NC and the surrounding area.
So why the new name? Why not just go with their real names on the cover of this book that comes from both of their hearts? Well, it’s because they’re both stubborn dames and while Christy wanted Cyndi’s name to come first on the cover, Cyndi wanted Christy’s name to come first. So, in an effort to avoid having their first argument since they were teenagers and realized that having each other for a sister was not such a bad thing, they decided to go with a pseudonym. They decided to use their first initials (since thir first names both start with C, there’s no way anyone would know who was actually first) and used their maiden name, Tillery. And that’s how CC Tillery was born.
So, there you have it, Cyndi Tillery Hodges and Christy Tillery French writing together and producing what they both consider the finest writing of their career.
Want to know more about Whistling Woman? Check out the Whistling Woman blog where you’ll find some tidbits about the writing process of the book, a table of contents (Southerners Speak Music…), the dedication, acknowledgement page, and the back cover blurb. Not to mention the buy link for Whistling Woman on Kindle and how they came up with the title. And check back here next Friday when CC will be sharing the first chapter!
Author Betty Dravis
Have you ever seen a Christmas angel? Well, I count myself blessed because I not only see them, I’m honored to work with them on a daily basis. You see, I believe authors are the real angels of the world because they know how to give the perfect gift: the gift of reading, a gift that not only educates people, but also enables them to travel outside their own surroundings and have the most exciting, inspiring adventures imaginable.
Where else can you travel to other worlds, both real and imaginary, without leaving the comfort of your home? Or you can read while traveling by car, bus, boat, train or any other modern conveyance. A new, fascinating adventure is only a book away…
Authors work hard to make these reading adventures possible for you, anywhere from eight months to several years. In fact, author C. Robert Lee worked over twenty years to perfect his Circles of Destiny trilogy, with Imajin Books releasing the first in the series, The Other Face of God, last month. And many other writers throughout the years have done the same. Writing takes a lot of discipline, hard work, dedication and perseverance.
With that in mind, I compiled an eclectic mix of Christmas stories to entertain you and your children during this delightful new Christmas Season of 2011. Books that will also make excellent Christmas gifts. To learn more about the authors and where to purchase their books, click the links beneath the photos.
Author Barbara Briggs Ward Offers Two Adult Christmas Books
http://www.thereindeerkeeper.com
http://www.thereindeerkeeper.blogspot.com
Coming Mid-December: Author Carolyn Arnold Presents Justified,
the Second in Her Madison Knight Series
https://www.facebook.com/carolynannarnold?sk=info
http://sassy3421.blogspot.com/
What Would Christmas be Without The Christmas Story
A Little Golden Book from 2000, by Jane Werner Watson & Eloise Wilkin
Dr. Niamh Clune’s Awesome Book Orange Petals in a Storm -
Grand Finale Occurs on Christmas Eve
http://facebook.com/niamh.clune
http://www.orangeberrybooks.com/#!
Edie Hand and Jeffrey Addison Offer a Heart-warming Christmas Tale:
A Christmas Ride: The Miracle of Lights
A Christmas Gift Changes Lives in Peggy Clement’s
Tale of Shifting Sand
http://www.peggyclement.com
http://www.amazon.com/Shifting-Sand-ebook/dp/B005UR7DC6/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2
Julia Taylor Ebel’s Mama’s Wreaths is Free Verse Strung
Together Like Cranberries on a Christmas Tree
http://www.amazon.com/Julia-Taylor-Ebel/e/B001JOXFAI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
In Karen Pokras Toczydlowski’s Middle-Grade Novel
Nate Rocks the World, Nate helps Santa and saves Christmas
My Latest Book is Not a Christmas Book, but Get it for Your Sweetie
and You Won’t Need Mistletoe to Get That Kiss
Everyone Likes to Read About Clint Eastwood & Hollywood Icons
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presented by Betty Dravis
Author Betty Dravis
I recently met two fantastic authors, Brian Bianco and Dr. Niamh Clune, who belong to Author Central, a group of “authors helping authors” founded by Daniel L. Carter. Bianco and Clune are also co-founders of Orangeberry Group which promises to be an invaluable marketing site for up-and-coming authors. I thought our Dames of Dialogue readers would enjoy meeting them, so I asked Niamh if I could share the following story she recently wrote about Brian. (To balance the slate, I hope to interview Niamh for a future issue of DOD.)
Meet and Greet Brian Bianco
by Niamh Clune
When Brian Bianco puts pen to paper, he begins a marvelous journey into creating a story of make believe. He becomes completely involved with the lives of his characters. Creating them and weaving a story that brings them to life is as magical and fulfilling to him as Disneyland is to kids. Writing is Brian’s passion. So when I asked him what makes a good novel, he answered immediately: realism. He believes passionately that a writer must win the hearts and minds of his readers. The only way to do that is for the reader to believe in what they are reading. They must believe that the events in the story could happen; that they are real.
When he first started reading John Grisham’s book, The Pelican Brief, the story instantly engaged him because Grisham wrote about characters and a story-line that was completely plausible. Brian was present with Grisham inside the conference room listening to FBI Director Denton Voyles. Brian was with Gray Grantham in the newsroom of the Washington Post. Brian was in the lecture hall when Darby first appeared in the story. And Brian was sitting next to Grantham’s buddy taking camera shot after camera shot of the victim. The point is, Brian was there because John Grisham put him there. Grisham’s ability to convey realism through his writing style made Brian Bianco believe.
As far as Brian is concerned, writing style is the make or break point where a writer either engages a reader or loses them. Brian offers an example of this. Recently, he started reading a novel, but put it down after the first chapter. The writer lost him because the dialogue was smothered in over-description. The characters had so many internal feelings clamoring for attention all at once, that as a reader, Brian lost contact with them. He found himself continuously trying to pick up the dialogue, but failing and remaining lost in the hole into which the author had put him.
As far as Brian is concerned, dialogue is what moves the story along. It tells the reader about the true feelings behind a character. Descriptive wording, when used rightly, paints images of the visual aspects of a story. From the words they have chosen, we should be able to see who the characters truly are. Once a point has been made through the use of descriptive narrative, the writer needs to move on. Otherwise, Brian fears, a reader will find the story boring. He thinks it far better to write a shorter novel than to write a longer one filled with unnecessary descriptive wording that ultimately drives the reader to search for another book.
When Brian started writing Dressed for a Kill, the three main points to which he tried to adhere were: realism, dialogue and not being overly descriptive. He wanted the dialogue to tell the story and not have the characters interact with unrelated conversation. He wanted the descriptive wording to fill in the blanks and make certain the story was a real possibility in time—that it could happen. He also wanted his characters to be human, with real flaws just like the rest of us, and not make them like those seen on movie screens who are neither plausible nor real.
Brian thought hard about what kind of a story he wanted to write. To which genre did he belong? What kinds of stories did he personally enjoy reading? What attracted him as a reader? Most importantly, would he be a story-smith, able to tell it well? Brian questioned himself on all of these issues; not for him to start writing without a clear direction.
Murder/mysteries intrigue him. As a reader moves through a book, he or she must always keep an eye open for the one little clue, the one tell-tale sign that might lead to the right conclusion before the author has had a chance to tell us. Brian loves being able to outsmart the author. To Brian, writing is a challenge. The scent of the challenge is what inspired him to write Dressed for a Kill.
He labored at his task, as first impressions are lasting impressions. It took him a year to write and longer to edit; until finally, he was pleased with his labor of love. Brian knows it is good. He trusts what his gut tells him. And his positive reviews reinforce his belief in himself. Some of these can be read on his website, some on Amazon.
He wanted a unique storyline that incorporated twists and turns to keep the reader guessing until the very end. Even at the end, he wanted to leave the reader unsure as to whether the real killer was caught, or if others were involved.
Brian believes that those who like John Grisham will like him, also. And John Grisham had to start somewhere. Readers must always take a punt. As a new writer, all that Brian asks is that readers do likewise for him. It might be a risk. But Brian is a risk-taker and believes the price of discovering a new author is well worth it. After all, there is nothing better in life than discovering something new. And he guarantees, readers won’t be disappointed
http://www.amazon.com/Dressed-Kill-Brian-Bianco/dp/1439258880
Endnote by Betty Dravis: Dr. Niamh Clune resides in the UK and is best known for her metaphysical book Orange Petals in a Storm. She can be found at:
http://facebook.com/niamh.clune
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I’m happy to announce that my latest e-book, Star Struck: Interviews with Dirty Harry and Other Hollywood Icons, will be launched in a few days. This is my sixth book, and I can’t wait to share the inside stories of how I met and interviewed a number of famous legends, including Clint Eastwood, the late Senator Ted Kennedy and four others.
Since these stories were published before in Dream Reachers, an inspirational “print” book containing thirty-seven in-depth interviews by me and my co-author Chase Von, I decided to “e-incarnate” them, thus making them available to the growing number of e-book readers. That’s how Star Struck: Interviews with Dirty Harry and Other Hollywood Icons came to be. And since it’s a short book, I set the price at 99 cents so more people could delight in my treasured memories.
As for the book’s description, a celebrated author described it well in this excerpt from her Amazon review:
“Dravis’s own accounts of some of her more colorful interviews… They include Bad Hair Day, a charming story about the day she met Clint Eastwood; A Treasured Moment in Time, which is about meeting Senator Ted Kennedy; Lobster Anyone?, an interview with Jane Russell; and recollections of the days she met San Francisco Mayor Joe Alioto, actress Ann Sothern and country singer Tanya Tucker… I recommend this book to all aspiring journalists for tips on conducting successful interviews. Well done…” – Michele Van Ort Cozzens, Arizona, author of Irish Twins and other best-selling novels
Another descriptive review: “Betty Dravis has lived quite an amazing life. Here she shares some of her most exciting interviews with famous legends, including Clint Eastwood, Jane Russell, Ted Kennedy and Tanya Tucker. As always, Ms Dravis’s interviews have a warmth, charm and delightful quirkiness that draw you in, fill you with enjoyment, and leave you wanting more. Ms. Dravis always adds that special personal touch that leaves the reader with a true sense of who these icons really are as people, not just as idols.” – Karen McCord Zabalaoui, Texas, Amazon Top Reviewer
Now for the BIG SURPRISE: You will never guess who I snagged to write the Foreword!
I asked a good friend who is the role model for all e-book authors to write the Foreword for me and was stunned when he accepted. I was so happy I just had to share it with a few close friends, but held my breath in case the news leaked out. I so-ooo wanted to surprise you, dear readers, with the fact that the renowned John Locke wrote the Foreword for Star Struck!
In case there is anyone on the planet who doesn’t know John Locke, he’s the first self-published author to sell a million books on Kindle and at one point had four books in the Amazon Top Ten simultaneously. Here is what The Wall Street Journal had to say about him:
“John Locke, the 60-year-old Louisville businessman turned part-time thriller writer, has now sold more than 1 million Kindle e-books, joining the ranks of such best-selling authors as James Patterson, Michael Connelly and Stieg Larsson.” - Jeffrey A. Trachtenberg
Now isn’t that exciting? Did I surprise you?
New York Times Best-selling Author John Locke
Although, absolutely delighted that John agreed to write my Foreword, I had another surprise when I read what he wrote about me. I had no idea he knew so much about me and I feel so honored. He’s a clever man whose sense of humor and outspokenness, I learned, match my own. But after all, he lives in Kentucky, the birthplace of my parents and ancestors, so we do have a lot in common. With the large family of Bargers and Crawfords I still have in The Blue Grass State, it wouldn’t surprise me if we were kissing cousins. 
Here’s a snippet from what he wrote; a teaser to whet your appetite to read the entire Foreword:
“This collection is special for another reason. It offers you a glimpse into the mind and character of the author herself. Make no mistake, Betty’s a charmer! High-spirited and full of energy, she’s a treasure, far as I’m concerned, and her wit, charm, and self-deprecating humor is evident in these unique and personal stories.” – John Locke, author of Saving Rachel and other Donovan Creed novels
Well, I’ve spent my life bragging about my interview and meeting with Clint Eastwood (not to mention Ted Kennedy and others) and now I can spend the rest of it bragging about John Locke. Two handsome, talented, dedicated men who touched my life in vastly different ways: One at the sunrise of my writing career, the other at the sunset. I’m a lucky woman…
For more about me, check these links:
http://www.orangeberrybooks.com/#!__celeb-interview-inspirational
http://talentspotlightmagazine.com/?p=832
Endnote: My publisher, Wendy Dingwall of Canterbury House Publishing informs me that Star Struck: Interviews with Dirty Harry and Other Hollywood Icons will be posted on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other online sites in “twenty-four to forty-eight hours”…if SmashWords keeps on schedule. SmashWords has the irritating habit of posting it on their site before it’s available for purchase, but I’ll post an announcement the very day it goes on sale. You can count on that! While waiting, I will appreciate it if all who read this can go to this link and push the like button:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/103588
Other Books by Betty Dravis
Author Betty Dravis
Being as publicity conscious as the next author, it always delights me when I see a stranger reading one of my books. The publishing industry has changed drastically since my first novel was published in 2000. I’ve been pleased to see how creative authors have gotten in finding unusual places to hold book-signings…or actually, the places have probably found us (since we are normally invited to give signings).
Since I asked a number of authors to share a story about an unusual book-signing location, it’s only fair that I start this session off. And by unusual, I mean any signing not held within the hallowed walls of a bookstore. Well, here goes…
I must say, I got a rush when I saw a man reading my first book, Millennium Babe: The Prophecy, on the Capitola beach. It was all my friends could do to restrain me from trudging through the hot, burning sand, offering to sign it. But I didn’t…
That would have been a bit unusual, but looking back, I think the most unusual place where I held a signing was at a Trinity Networks Team (TNT) Christian luncheon in Modesto, about a half-hour from my current residence. I was invited to be guest speaker at the luncheon by TNT founder J.P. Hurlbert whom I met through Stan Countz who is a promoter, poet, publisher, etc. Countz is another high achiever featured in our book Dream Reachers II.
I truly enjoyed the luncheon meeting/signing because J.P. led the guests in opening prayer and Stan Countz sang and played a little Gospel music. It was, indeed, an unusual venue for a book-signing, but it was tons of fun. My joy was made complete by David Sings who videotaped my presentation for a lengthy YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=bettydravis#p/f/4/HQ9eF0VR87w
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Dr. Niamh Clune Has ‘Hit & Run’ Signing in the Irish Dail
When Betty Dravis asked me if I had any amusing book-signing stories to share, one immediately sprang to mind. In my capacity as an environmental campaigner, I was meeting the Minister for the Environment in the Irish Dail (equivalent to the Houses of Parliament). I was in serious mood, fired up for the challenges of the day, poised and ready to fight my corner.
Prior to the meeting, I sat in the Private Member’s bar, drinking tea with some friends. A little wrinkled, toothless man shuffled up to me and said, “Are you the Niamh Clune…” and trailed off, leaving the question suspended between us, a paused moment of seemingly tremendous importance.
He doffed his cap. I couldn’t help but notice his appearance. His trousers were folded over his belt. The legs of them were too short and riding up his calves. He looked incongruent in such a lofty place as the hallowed ancient building that housed the Irish Parliament.
But I was used to such things in Ireland. And nobody else seemed to think his appearance strange, so I answered, “I am Niamh Clune, but depends on who is looking for me!”
He looked up, nodded his head and remarked how that had been a wise response. He shuffled from one foot to the other. He placed his cap on the table, and like an Irish version of Columbo, scratched the side of his forehead slowly, then pulled on his earlobe and asked gently, “Are you the Niamh Clune from Co. Clare?”
“I am,” I said.
“And do you write books?”
“I do,” I answered.
“Now I have ya,” he grinned, and produced a scrunched-up serviette from deep within his trouser pocket. “Put it there,” he said, handing me the napkin and a chewed pencil.
I must have looked clueless. He urged, “Go on, go on… Put your signature there! Sure I’ll keep it as a memento.”
I did as I was bidden whilst struggling with the thick-leaded pencil on the flimsy serviette. I gave it to him. He looked very pleased, picked up his hat and wandered off. I called after him, “Which book have you read?”
He paused, turned slowly and said, ”Now I didn’t say I had read any of them, now did I? But I did know your mother, and very fine she was too!”
http://niamhclunewrites.blogspot.com/
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Slushie, Hot-dog…and Shane Moore’s book, please…
One of my publishers was friends with the owners of the 7-11 chain in Saint Louis. They were testing the market, so they asked if they could schedule a signing of his best-selling writer at their stores.
He volunteered my services, so there I sat in a 7-11 store, signing books from 11am to 4pm. These books were sold with slushies and hot-dogs… (laughs) I was pleased, though, because I sold ninety-six books. That has proven to be a retail record; no bookstore in my career has ever topped that. http://www.abysswalker.com
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Auto Dealer ‘Parties Hardy’ for Collette Scott’s Books
Okay, my most unusual book-signing was at an automobile dealership, Camelback Toyota in my town of Phoenix, Arizona. They were kind enough to have me out there with a DJ and a local restaurant to serve their customers. It was a huge PR blast for the customers. I signed forty books, with donations taken for a local children’s safe-house charity. It was so much fun. There are pictures on my website and Facebook page.
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Author Chris Thrall Surprised by Success…
I’ve got my upcoming launch in a nightclub. I often go to this club, but I never thought for a minute I would be signing my book in it! As for signing, it’s just a weird experience full-stop– signing a book for anyone! Perhaps the strangest place so far is in my workplace for colleagues… Sorry I haven’t got a funnier story!
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Jodie Brownlee Finds Fan While Traveling
You asked where was the most unusual place I signed a book. It was on a train in my hometown on my way to visit a friend. I hadn’t lived there for over twenty years and was unknown in the area so it was a surprise to see a nearby passenger reading my book. For a few moments I just enjoyed the sensation that comes when you see someone reading your book. Then I plucked up the courage to tell her that I was the author. She couldn’t believe it. I told her I grew up in her town (a small semi-rural suburb of Australia) and I signed her book. Then we arrived at the station and went our separate ways, both beaming. It was a lovely encounter.
http://facebook.com/jodie.brownlee
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Children’s Pirate Books Author Signs in 1874 Lighthouse
The St. Augustine lighthouse is the most unusual location where I hold book-signings. It’s an active lighthouse on the north end of Anastasia Island, within the current city limits of St. Augustine, Florida and was built in 1874. I also wrote a fair amount of the first draft of my first book in the shadow of that lighthouse in a grove of live oaks on the grounds. Also two chapters of Bad Latitude take place in that lighthouse and my books sell like crazy in their gift shop.
Re: another blog you wrote, Mark LaFlamme’s answer to your question about what authors wear while writing was pretty much what I would have expected. He’s a nut… (For the record, I wear t-shirts, cargo shorts and flip-flops most of the times, especially when I write.)
Now there’s a picture of me on my blog with my grandson that you might get a kick out of. He thinks I’m a pirate and tells his classmates that I’m famous, so in anticipation of his visit, I let my beard grow long…for the sake of the picture. Naturally, my wife Deb was happy to see it trimmed hours after the photo was taken. (Endnote from Dravis: I decided to use the photo that Dave’s referring to in the following montage. He does make a convincing pirate, doesn’t he?)
http://jackrackhamadventures.blogspot.com/
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by Betty Dravis
Well, here I am again! My final chance this go-round to tell you about my books. I’ve already written about The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley and 1106 Grand Boulevard, so that leaves the two books in the Dream Reachers series and Millennium Babe: The Prophecy. Since I can’t cover all three in-depth in one post, today I’ll share about Dream Reachers, leaving my Babe for another day. And if you can resist moving to the bottom of this story prematurely, I might have a surprise ending for you.
The first question most people ask me when discussing the Dream Reachers books is: How did you and your co-author Chase Von decide to publish the Dream Reachers series?
Like most good things, the idea occurred in a natural way. As most of you know, Chase is a poet and a celebrity interviewer. My author friend Chrissy K. McVay told him about me and when he asked to interview me for his blog on Student Operated Press (SOP), I was honored. After reading about the struggles overcome by his other very successful interviewees–Jenny McShane, MT Robison, Darcy Donavan, Kitty Kavey and Jason Seitz to name a few–I suggested that his interviews with those talented entertainers, authors and other artists would make an inspiring book. He thought about it and told me he would do it if I went in it with him. He wanted my stories of Clint Eastwood and five other legendary icons to be in the book. One thing led to another and Dream Reachers (Vol. One) was born.
Remember, in the first DR book, I interviewed no new subjects; simply used the fantastic subjects I had interviewed during my journalism career: Actor/Director/Producer Clint Eastwood, mentioned above; U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy; Actors Jane Russell, Ann Sothern; Singer/Actor Tanya Tucker; and then-San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto. Well, needless to say, I caught the interviewing bug all over again and just had to interview more people, as did Chase. Dream Reachers II evolved naturally.
Creating both Dream Reachers books was hard work but fun, also, because during the course of interviewing enchanting people and editing the books, I met many of the featured subjects and formed some new, lasting relationships. Now, in addition to working on another book, I’m interviewing more up-and-coming entertainers myself. I publish them on this Dames of Dialogue blog, sharing my treasures with the four other Dames (authors Maggie Bishop, Christy Tillery French, Cyndi Hodges, aka Caitlyn Hunter, and Laurel Rain-Snow). Christy, being the site’s co-founder, appointed me as their official celebrity interviewer.
Our friends and fans enjoyed the first DREAM REACHERS book so much that we had to do DREAM REACHERS II… Since we were meeting all kinds of fabulous people–like Katherin Kovin Pacino, lovely actress and step-mom of Al Pacino, Hollie “Hot Stuff” Dunaway, four-time World Champion Female Boxer and many more–we knew you’d be interested in learning how they surmounted all the obstacles in their paths to fulfill their dreams.
The complete roster of DREAM REACHERS (a club founded by Jessica Gilbert, founder of the popular Talent Spotlight Magazine) now totals 70; 37 from book one and 33 from book two. For your information, here’s the list of amazing people who brighten the pages of DREAM REACHERS II (in order of appearance):
Jenny McShane, actress, model, musician; Bryant McGill, counselor to the stars, radio show host, author, founder of Good Will Peace Treaty; Katherin Kovin Pacino, actress, singer (step-mother of Al Pacino); Tony Tarantino, actor, film director, producer (father of Quentin Tarantino); Antonia Tosini; screenwriter, author, Italy’s Goodwill Ambassador; Frank Nappi, award-winning author (two books going into film); Susan Kennington, actress, screenwriter, model; C. Robert Lee, retired photojournalist, author; Cheryl Kaye Tardif, best-selling Canadian author, Imajin Books publisher/owner; Marissa Autumn, actress, model, singer; Stan C. Countz, publisher, promoter, poet, musician and lyricist; Jessica Gilbert, talent promoter and founder of Talent Spotlight Magazine; Sherwin Buydens, actor, realty investment entrepreneur; Dr. Linda Salvin, psychic, radio show host; John Manha, Vietnam vet, entrepreneur; K. Michael Crawford, award-winning children’s author, illustrator; Rob Waterlander, “People Whisperer,” LIfe Coach; Jackie Krudop, founder of Pacino Worldwide; Joshua “Deous” Gennari, Washington State Movie Director/Producer; Hollie “Hot Stuff” Dunaway, four-times World Champion Female Boxer; Ed Roberts, poet, author; Elham “Elie” Madani, model, actress; Gretchen Hirsch, author, professional editor; Alexa Dectis, singer, actress, TV show host; Claire Dodin, actress, model from France; Jamie McCall, actress, model, author, poet; Yolanda “Yo” Jackson, AKA Poetic Flow, poet, author; Diane Wayne, singer/songwriter, actress, poet and founder of children’s charity, “A Music Mission”; Nicollette Varanelli, model, singer, songwriter; Wodige Wehali, AKA Reggie Solomon, musician, singer, songwriter; Joan Baker, “Queen of Voiceover” and actress; Judyth Piazza, journalist, Student Operated Press founder and radio talk-show host; Ada “Ace” Velez, six-times World Champion Female Boxer.
As you can see, Dream Reachers II has a vast variety of high achievers; some are already stars, while others are people like you and me…still reaching for that top rung. They all have two things in common: God-given talent and perseverance!
To put it in gorgeous Susan Kennington’s words: “True DREAM REACHERS aren’t just DREAMERS, we are also DOERS!”
Now for a sample of what’s in store for you, here is a portion of the first interview in Dream Reachers II…the lovely, talented actress Jenny McShane:
Interview with Jenny McShane
LOVELY ACTRESS SINGS LIKE AN ANGEL
Betty Dravis: Welcome to Dames of Dialogue, Jenny. Christy Tillery French, co-founder of this select band of female authors, appointed me as celebrity interviewer of the group. As you know, the Dames usually interview people in the publishing industry, but since I co-author a series of Dream Reachers books, they think it will add fascinating variety to interview people from the other arts. You are one of the most popular artists in Dream Reachers and were so helpful to me and Chase Von during its production that I wanted to interview you again for this edition.
Jenny, you have done so much in the entertainment industry, I’m sure our readers will enjoy you as much as your current fans do. I know from your section in Dream Reachers about your father’s job choice, but can you tell us a little about that and how you went from there to being such a successful actress?
Jenny McShane: I wanted to be an actress since the age of three when I tortured neighborhood kids by performing on a ledge in my basement with an empty paper-towel holder as my microphone. I asked my parents for a piano when I was in second grade. I had a deep desire to get whatever it was inside out, I think! Most people who know me say I like attention, but I think it is more than that––I like to see people happy. I think music and entertaining lets people momentarily escape whatever stress they may have. When I see people’s faces respond with a happy gaze, it makes me happy. Entertaining helps me to escape, as well, and gives me a deep inner peace.
Betty Dravis: You chose your career for an admirable reason, Jenny, but it looks like it chose you, too. I have to grin at the image of the “little girl you” in that basement. I bet you get a lot of mileage from being the “daughter of a pig farmer” too…and a lot more laughs, all good-natured and in the right spirit, I’m sure. Nobody can argue with success. I’ll get into some of your movies and your leading men later, but can you tell us about when you first started singing and playing guitar? I understand you formed your own band for a while, but that you recently joined an up-and-coming band with a very unusual name. Do you mind sharing about how you met “Harry the Dog” and where you’re currently performing?
Jenny McShane: I do, oddly enough, get a lot of mileage out of the Pig Farmer’s Daughter line. My mother gets so upset, especially when they included Pig Farmer’s Daughter in an interview The New York Times did on me. “Couldn’t you say Hog Farmer’s Daughter, Jen?” she asked. “It sounds so much nicer.”… I think the funniest thing that ever happened with the pig stories was meeting Smokey Hormel. Smokey was the son of the famous Hormel family, which is where I drove with my family to take our pigs when it was time for them to go to market. Smokey became a guitar player in Bruce Willis’s band. I started playing guitar and singing when I realized I could get out of some more work.
When we were growing up, my parents made a music room for us in the house. Mom and Dad loved to listen to me play the piano at night after chores. I honestly liked playing but knew it would also make them forget about extra things that might need to be done. My father is one of twenty-two children. His brothers and sisters and mother were all very musical and I was in heaven when I went to my grandma’s house and heard them all singing and playing various instruments together. It was so beautiful. My grandmother played the violin and was an expert tap dancer, so she was always the highlight of the show.
It was such a sense of achievement when I learned to play guitar and piano and could sit in with Dad’s family and keep up. I took piano lessons at the convent next to the Catholic school, from Marguerite McPartland, another Irish lass. The piano was great, as you can read music and it helps you learn other instruments easily. I can play accordion and guitar based on the basics of the piano lessons.
I did have my own band, called Little Rubie, for a little bit seven years ago. I put it together to keep myself busy when I wasn’t working in acting. In April of this year I joined a band called Harry the Dog and the Traveling Soul Circus. My boyfriend is from England and has a whole crew of English people in LA who really stick together like a posse. He is friends and a big fan of Harry Bridgen’s band. I accidentally ran into Harry at an English pub called Cat N Fiddle on Sunset. I overheard one of Harry’s friends saying they were looking for a female guitar player because a girl in the band was going on tour with Pink. When I heard Pink, that grabbed my attention! I am a big fan of Pink, so I asked if I could audition to be in the band and Harry agreed. I took Bruno Frasca, the expert guitar player in the band, to Chateau Marmont and proceeded to play the piano and the guitar for the guests that were there that night. The last song I played on the guitar was “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers. All the other hotel guests joined in; even the actor Josh Hartnett enjoyed it and was singing along. Needless to say, I was invited to join the band. I am on guitar and back-up vocals for the group. I also helped the band write and record a very cool song titled “American Man.”
Jenny McShane with Dion Jackson, Dustin Hoffman and her sister Karee Miller Jaeger.
Betty Dravis: That’s a fun, interesting story, Jenny. Best of luck with the group! I haven’t had the good fortune to be in the LA area to see you perform, but I’ve seen YouTube videos and photos on various Hollywood websites. You certainly are a good singer, pick a mean guitar and your energy is endless. How do you keep in such fine shape? And please give us some links to your various websites.
Jenny McShane: I do have a lot of natural energy. I think it was growing up with all the manual labor. Now I have to work out at least five times a week just to feel like I am doing something. It makes my spirit positive to run, lift weights, ride a bike, etc. I think if you are an entertainer it is your responsibility to respect your fans and show them you have morals and drive. I love to watch Rocky as many times a year as I can; it inspires me. Drive and being in great shape is something I admire in any performer. Who likes to drive a dirty car? is how I look at it! I love that Clint Eastwood is in top shape to this day. Any of the performers I admire are always in great shape in person!
I have my own website which is www.jennymcshane.com but I need to get some updates on there! I also post my current gigs on my Facebook page.
Betty Dravis: I hear you loud and clear about updating your website, Jenny. That seems like an endless task, especially for someone who does as much as you. I’ve seen five of your movies: Furnace, which is your latest (with the very handsome Michael Pare); Shark Attack, in which you starred with Casper Van Dien; The Watcher, starring Keanu Reeves, where you played the lead female detective; Shark Attack 3, where you co-starred opposite John Barrowman; and Stag. I expected Stag to be an actual stag party, which is not to my taste, so was pleasantly surprised to see that it was about something tragic that happened at the beginning of a stag party, rather than going in-depth with a so-called “sex” movie. It has some nudity, but is more of a thriller, IMO. How many movies have you been in, Jenny? Dream Reachers went in-depth on this subject, so keep it brief. Then tell us about some of your modeling jobs. I’d love to hear your take on that, as I’m sure our readers will.
Jenny McShane: I have been in about twenty movies, but only on four television shows. I never keep an exact tab, though. The movie Stag has a real message. The film is quite scary as it shows kids and adults that some of our decisions can end up affecting our entire lives. After filming Stag, I met a director in London who told me his eighteen-year-old son had been drunk driving and hit and killed two people and would be serving the rest of his life in prison. The character I played in Stag was difficult to play. The original script had the back-story that was not included in the movie. The mother of the two sisters in the movie was dying of cancer and since they didn’t have insurance, they stripped to get the money quickly to help the family.
Modeling is the way I started in the business. There is some misinformation about modeling. Modeling is a job description and every model isn’t perfect. The majority of modeling I did was commercial as opposed to editorial. Editorial models were stunning, in my eyes. We commercial models were basically girl-next-door types. I did a lot of Budweiser/Anheuser Busch ads and catalog shoots, as well as Target and Dayton Hudson ads when I started. I also did a lot of industrial shoots for various companies, including Fingerhut, 3M, etc. I don’t consider photos that I do now to be modeling, but rather publicity for my likeness.
Betty Dravis: That’s a modest appraisal, Jenny. I can see the girl-next-door in you, but I also see the “stunning” that you see in others. In fact, you look so different in so many photos and movies that you’re like a chameleon…which is a wonderful attribute for an actress, so keep on doing what you’re doing. But back to the acting, who was the first big actor you met and what were your feelings at the time? Cowboy actor Jim Davis was the first one I met. He was quite popular in the 50s, if I have my dates straight, but I remember him more as J.R. Ewing’s father in the later Dallas TV series. Meeting him was impressionable, but it didn’t move me nearly as much as meeting Clint Eastwood later, a story I relate in Dream Reachers.
Jenny McShane: Oh, Betty, I love the story of how you met the iconic Clint Eastwood. He’s one of my favorite actors. The first actor I met was Kyle T. Heffner. I met Kyle in a café in Chicago, during one of my mother’s visits. He was the third lead in a film I loved–– Flashdance! He also starred on Golden Girls and Seinfeld. He was working in Chicago in a play with Brian Donehy, another actor I loved. My thought when meeting him was: I have just met somebody who can tell me how to become an actor because he is one! Since then, Kyle has coached me on any role I really wanted. I think it was meant to be, as he knows everything about me and keeps me the person I first was… And I guess I do that in return, now that I have had some success. I keep him in check and he does the same for me! Being in the business for a long while now. I have seen people get big breaks and totally screw them up with bad decisions. I think the acting profession can be compared to gambling: There are no guarantees and it feels like you are walking a tight rope at all times. I don’t think there is any performer who has had smooth sailing. My profession isn’t an easy life.
Betty Dravis: I’ve heard that you’re well respected in Hollywood for your dependability and professionalism, Jenny. That says a lot for what you’ve learned. What is your routine when working on a movie…your schedule? Which role was your biggest challenge? And are you between roles now? If so, what do you do to fill the time while waiting?
Jenny McShane: My routine when I am working on a movie is to get my environment situated and feel at home first. Next I try to get into the community and find some down-home people to hang out with after work. As a performer you can’t take a drive with a stranger, so it takes a little bit of detective work. But I usually find some good people and end up keeping in touch years later. I like to find out about the places I am working in, if I can, and what the people are like and what makes them tick. One of my first movies was shot in Moscow, Russia. Wow, did I go through some scary moments there. The Russian people are very scared of “The Americans” and don’t trust us, so that was a very uneasy time. I guess it was like being a skunk and thinking you could go hang out with the cats after work.
I have had the amazing opportunities to work on films in Bulgaria, Russia, India, London, South Africa and Canada. I am between jobs right now and I know a lot of fellow actors are, as well. Work is very lean out there right now, but it is for everyone, so I am keeping busy with my band until I land the next gig. The people at Gibson Guitars have been amazing by giving me different guitars every time I play with my band. That inspires me to play as much as I can because I love Gibson Guitars. Currently the band that I am playing in, Harry The Dog and the Circus of Lost Souls, is doing a series of four concerts at The Unknown Theater in Hollywood. The Unknown Theater is four years old and is a nonprofit theater similar to Steppenwolf in Chicago. If you haven’t seen the theater, you have to go just to admire the beauty of the place.
I have a few bites on the line, in fishing terms, as far as jobs go, so as soon as I land a job, my vacation is over. I pray that our economy and world come to peace, the troops come home from Iraq and we can all have a great Christmas and end 2010 with a bang!
Betty Dravis: That’s my prayer, too, Jenny… I suppose most actors do similar things to fill the time, but now tell us what you love about acting? What do you hate? I’d enjoy seeing you in a hit TV series…one that would make you a household name. What are your thoughts about that? This curious mind wants to know…as I’m sure our readers do.
Jenny McShane: What I love about acting is getting paid to do something I love which I know a lot of people would love to do. I meet people every day that are doing manual labor just to support their families and give their children education and opportunities they never had. I also love the actors I admired when I was growing up and have now had the opportunity to work beside.
There is nothing I hate about acting! I love it all! I would love to be in a hit TV series. I had a blast in an episode of Don Johnson’s TV hit Chase Nash; I played guitar and sang my rendition of “Desperado.”… I have a great casting director fan that is a fan of April Webster. I came close to getting two TV series with April Webster. I think I will when the timing is right. It has to be the right fit. I wish I could play a gunslinger in an old Western. The character has to be totally ME, so hopefully it comes my way soon. I am a big fan of The Mentalist and Mad Men. Those television series fit the actors in the cast like gloves! Hopefully, one of those talented writers reads this and thinks of me…
Betty Dravis: You have certainly met a lot of big names…people you led us to while creating Dream Reachers. Chase and I are grateful to you for introducing us to the famous photographer Jim Marshall, who photographed huge talents, like The Beatles, Janis Joplin, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix…too many to list. In fact, he was the only photographer used by The Beatles near the end of their career. You graciously gave me his phone number and he was so helpful, putting me in touch with the right people at Rolling Stone magazine when we needed to use a picture of Tanya Tucker on one of their old covers. What a charming man! And you put me in touch with Mike Regan, VP of Marketing and Acquisitions for Melee Entertainment, when we needed permission to use movie stills from Avi Lerner, the BIG producer of Slumdog Millionaire and other huge box-office hits.
But for your next question, what advice do you have for aspiring actors?
Jenny McShane: Be prepared for the opportunity. Know your craft and then make the steps to go for it. If you want something bad enough, you can get it!
END OF PORTION OF JENNY McSHANE INTERVIEW… I hate to leave you hanging, but to learn more, I hope you can buy our books on Amazon and other online bookstores.
All of the above demonstrates that Chase and I are proud of our “Chubby Baby,” which is what we fondly call our Dream Reachers II because it’s 838 pages in length and contains about 300 awesome photographs (some action, some glam, but all eye candy).
I promised you a secret at the end of this blog, so here it is! A sneak peek at the new cover for Dream Reachers II. Chase and I decided to change it because the first cover turned out too dark and small icon versions didn’t show up as much as we expected. Since cinematographer Mario Prado had sent us such an enchanting photo of lovely actress Katherin Kovin Pacino, we felt like the cover needed a Hollywood “face-lift” to best enhance the perfection of our gorgeous subject. Thanks to author and graphic artist Daniel L. Carter for “catching my vision” in creating this new cover. The change has already been submitted to the printer and will be featured on the various websites asap. I loooooooooooove it… Let us know what you think. (Please help us keep our secret by not sharing this cover until we tell you. *Wink* *Wink* (Of course, we hope that you will Tweet and FB the link to this blog. Buttons at top of comment section… And do leave your comments. Group hug to you all.)
Betty Dravis
Wow, it’s my turn for a little self-promotion. What fun it is to take time out from interviewing other authors to talk about my own books. There’s nothing an author likes more!
I’m actually following author Caitlyn Hunter who wrote about the second book in her Shadow series yesterday. Her “leading men” in that series are so hot that I find her a tough act to follow. However, I know you’ll find my “leading lady” Billie Jean Sloane of 1106 Grand Boulevard just as unforgettable.
Yep! Since I told you all about The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley last week, I’m pitching 1106 Grand Boulevard this week.
As most people know, Grand was one of my most popular books when it was in print. It’s been out of print for a few years, but I now have a new publisher, Wendy Dingwall of Canterbury House, and we decided to “e-incarnate” Grand and the Toonies, bringing them into the digital age so my readers can get them for their Kindles, Nooks and other e-reading devices.
A reminder: Like Toonies, you can still get print copies of Grand because they’re available on the secondary market, ranging in price from $14.56 to $79.99 for Grand and $14.84 to $159.95 for Toonies. (It seems that some people take the concept of “Collector’s Item” very seriously.) That’s one of the many reasons I’m happy to be able to bring the digital copy to you for $4.99. What a difference!
The author's childhood home is on original cover of the print version of 1106 Grand Boulevard; Photo taken through window of father's car; father driving.
But back to Grand, it was bittersweet writing that story because the title is the actual address in Hamilton, Ohio where I grew up with my parents and three brothers, three sisters. Grand is a dramatized version of the life of my beautiful sister Billie Jean and her seven marriages. It’s an epic romantic thriller that I call “faction” because it’s based on her true story. It was sweet bringing Billie Jean to life and sharing her joys and accomplishments, but it was “bitter writing” because I had to dig into the sad memories as well as the good.
This is the cover for the electronic (E-book) version of Betty Dravis's featured book.
You’ll get a taste of this story by reading the first chapter, so without further ado, here it is:
CHAPTER ONE
Billie Jean Sloane-Taylor
Hamilton, Ohio, August 3, 1933
The quiet peace of the humid August evening was abruptly shattered when Cal stormed into the kitchen. He pulled up short, slammed his fist into the ice-box and roared at his young bride. “You slut! How dare you let Rusty see you like that! You stupid or something?”
When he puffed out his chest, folded his arms across it and glared at Billie Jean, his hooded brown eyes blazed with anger and his nostrils flared, pulsing to the beat of some hidden rage. Billie Jean couldn’t believe Cal could be so cruel. His drastic mood-swing terrified her. As a tremor shook her slight frame, an odd observation slashed through her mind: Cal looks madder’n that old bull on Uncle Bob’s farm.
She flashed back to earlier in the evening when Cal had seemed so happy and carefree. They had enjoyed a peaceful, relaxing supper with his young brother, Rusty, followed by a refreshing run through the lawn sprinkler; it had been a swell day. Then he had driven Rusty to a friend’s house and returned home in a rage.
So what had happened between now and then? Why was Cal being so mean and hurtful? He was like a different man.
When Cal stomped into the house and verbally attacked her, Billie Jean had been cutting into a ripe, juicy watermelon. He startled her so much, she instinctively jumped back, causing the melon to slip off the counter onto the floor where it shattered, sending sticky, mushy blobs of pulp and rind slithering all over the shiny linoleum.
Christmas colors, she fleetingly observed, even as she inhaled the rather sickening sweetness of the juicy, red pulp.
Billie Jean was confused by the changes in her husband since their hasty marriage––petty jealousies, unfair criticism, temper tantrums––but he’d never been this unreasonable. Hurt by Cal’s meanness, she fought back tears, determined to be brave, determined to not show her fear.
Through sheer willpower, she thought she had succeeded when she clenched her small fists and brought them up before her face, but her body language betrayed her. Billie Jean’s hands trembled and she knew how she must appear to Cal when she glared at him. In the past, he’d told her that her eyes looked like two fiery green marbles when she was angry and she had joined him in laughter when he charmed her into forgiving him.
But his current behavior was no laughing matter; Cal had gone way too far this time. He even had the gall to smirk when he said, “Close your mouth! You look like a moron with your mouth hanging open.”
That remark infuriated Billie Jean even more, but she struggled to control her emotions, deliberately closing her mouth, unclenching her fists and lowering her arms to her sides. She relaxed her jaw and with renewed resolve, tried to still her shaky voice. She wanted to scream at Cal, but reining in her own Irish temper, she chose her words carefully. “I c-can’t believe you think there’s anything wrong with Rusty seeing me in this modest, old-fashioned swimsuit. After all, he’s your brother and he…he just came in the kitchen for a soda-pop before going to the movies.”
And why hadn’t Cal objected to the swimsuit this afternoon when they’d had such fun in the sprinkler? Why mention it now?
Moving closer to Cal, Billie Jean placed her rigid hand on his shoulder and forced herself to gaze up into his eyes. “I…I love you, honey, but your hot temper and unreasonable jealousy is destroying our marriage. Darling, we’ve talked about this before and you really do need help. Please go talk to Pastor Young.”
At her open reference to his fiery nature, Cal’s anger exploded. “Dammit, Billie Jean, don’t ever talk down to me,” he shouted. He bared his teeth like a rabid animal as he stumbled to the bureau drawer and withdrew a pistol, waving it menacingly. When she saw the gun, Billie Jean ran for the front door, slipping and sliding in the goop on the floor, but just as she grabbed the doorknob, Cal caught her and shoved her aside. She lost her balance and fell. Cal went down with her, rolled on top of her and grasped her arms, attempting to pin her to the floor. Both were breathless from exertion as they struggled around the floor, getting seeds and fruity pulp all over themselves.
Billie Jean broke out in a sweat when she looked into the barrel of the gun. The petite girl––not much over a hundred pounds (sopping wet, as Cal often bragged)––knew she was no match for her big, brawny husband, but she grappled with him…rolling aside a scant second before the gun exploded in a burst of blue smoke and a stifling odor.
Hot, searing pain shot through Billie Jean, but she lurched to her feet and staggered out the door before Cal recovered from the shock of what he had done. Fearing he would bolt after her, she stifled her screams, ran like hell and crawled beneath the evergreen bushes between their apartment and the house next door. She crouched there like a frightened little kitten trapped by an angry, snarling dog.
As Billie Jean hunkered down behind the prickly bushes, shivering in the damp, sticky swimsuit, a police cruiser drove by, but fearing Cal would discover her hiding place, she remained silent. Too terrified to leave her meager shelter, she stared at the cruiser as it rounded the corner, as though she could will it to return.
Too much in shock to feel the pain from the bullet wound, Billie Jean huddled there in the dark for what seemed like an eternity. Squatting in that awkward position cramped her muscles, so she eventually gave up and slumped to the ground. When she rested her head on her arms and sprawled out on the hard, rough earth, she felt something warm, fluid and sticky. She jerked back, swiped her hand across her temple, then drew it away. Her fingertips were coated with blood. She thought she had a head wound, but after gently probing with her fingers, she discovered she’d been shot in the upper arm.
Then, from someplace deep within, Billie Jean’s emotions finally erupted. Forgetting about Cal, she screamed loud enough to wake all the dead at Greenwood Cemetery, then angrily pounded the ground with her one good arm.
As people rushed out of their apartments and surrounding homes, Billie Jean heard the sputtering noises of an old car puttering up the street. She sucked in her breath when Earl and Sally Friedland, the retired couple who lived next door, pulled up in their faded blue Oldsmobile. “Oh, thank God!” she cried, lifting her eyes to Heaven. She was so relieved to see them, she mumbled incoherently as she crawled out of the bushes and collapsed at their feet.
Safe! I’m safe! she thought. Earl and Sally would help her. They would take good care of her.
Earl was a kind, caring man…a round, florid man who always wore plaid pants with a pocket-watch dangling over his paunch, wide-brimmed felt hats and carried an umbrella year-round. Even though he was a bit showy and pretentious, he had a heart of gold and to Billie Jean, he looked like a swashbuckling-Errol-Flynn-to-the-rescue as he waddled up the cobblestone path to summon help.
Meanwhile, Billie Jean was left in Sally’s capable, yet arthritic, hands. Sally was a comforting sight; in her usual attire––floral house-dress and big straw hat which she wore with rolled-down nylons and sensible black shoes––the woman was every bit as colorful as her husband. Billie Jean felt a fleeting pang of sympathy when Sally groaned as she lowered herself to the ground and cradled her against her motherly bosom. She knew Sally’s arthritis was acting up, but her own pain was so severe she couldn’t be concerned about anyone else.
Oh, God, it hurt so bad.
Billie Jean burrowed into Sally’s body like a frightened child, thriving on the woman’s sweet, soothing voice. Temporarily lulled, she moaned as Sally rocked her back and forth, stroking her long copper tresses with a trembling hand while waiting for help to arrive.
But as warm and nurturing as Sally felt, Billie Jean yearned for her own mother and eventually stirred in Sally’s compassionate embrace. “Mom! Mom!” she cried. Her silver tears spilled onto the shoulder of Sally’s floral dress, then trickled down into her own blood.
And that was how Billie Jean Sloane-Taylor got started on her way back to 1106 Grand Boulevard…the first time.
She was only sixteen years old. (End of chapter one)
Billie Jean in her twenties...
Since my sister was as glamorous and impressive as the movie stars of her day and beyond, I think the following quote from Marilyn Monroe is appropriate front copy for the book: “This life is what you make it. No matter what, you’re going to mess up sometimes, it’s a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you’re going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends…some come, some go. … As for lovers, baby, I hate to say it, most of them–actually pretty much all of them–are going to break your heart. But you can’t give up because if you give up, you’ll never find your soul mate. You’ll never find that half who makes you whole…and that goes for everything. … Keep trying, hold on and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don’t, then who will, sweetie?” – Actress Marilyn Monroe
Before leaving, I’d like to share a few of my favorite reviews of 1106 Grand Boulevard:
“Who is BETTY DRAVIS? With 39 out of 40 Rave Reviews on Kindle, she just might be your next big discovery for your ‘Favorite Authors’ list!” – Kindle Nation
“1106 Grand Boulevard reads like Harold Robbins’s The Carpetbaggers, but with a beautiful woman in the lead.” — Paul Kyriazi, Hollywood movie director (Omega Cop), author of How to Live the James Bond Lifestyle, Hard Rock Lovers
“Edge-of-your-seat suspense. Dravis grabs the reader up front… A pageturner story that tugs the emotional heart strings.” — David E. Meadows, author of the best-selling Joint Task Force and Sixth Fleet series
“A great cross between Gone With the Wind, The Carpetbaggers and Wilder’s film Sunset Boulevard, this is a stunning electric gem that will stun the senses and break the heart; yet put a huge smile on your face as you hold your breath in eager anticipation of what is gonna happen next. Thrilling and compelling from the first word to the last! Very noirish and modern, yet Victorian and epic… Awesome!” – Scott Brooks, author of
I especially appreciate this review from Amazon’s Top Ten Reviewer Grady Harp because he explains why he gave five stars to my very first writing effort. (I wrote this book first, but it was third to get published.):
“1106 GRAND BOULEVARD is a tough book to classify and giving it a rating in numbers of stars is yet more difficult. Usually 5 stars indicates a masterpiece of literature, one of the great novels, one of the books destined to climb to the top of the best selling list, or some other dubious notch on the ladder. But Betty Dravis has written an engrossing book about middle America and the foibles and kinks and bonds of the big family, bound together by secrets and by familial love of the unconditional type, and in doing so she has elected to tell her story in the language appropriate to the family. This novel is not overflowing with metaphors and waxing eloquent: Dravis writes with constrained Midwest vocabulary even as her huge cast of characters travels the continent and eventually the world. Her strict reliance on this style pulls the story along with a credibility sense that keeps it real. It is a feat, a writer’s decision, and it works. And as such it deserves 5 stars” – Grady Harp, Amazon Top 10 Reviewer
I hope you can all read this book now that it’s in very economical e-book format.
Endnote: I am very sorry to report that my beloved sister, Billie Barger Shannon, passed away at the age of 93 on October 4, 2010. RIP, darling girl.
