#125 Inside the Emotion of Fiction "DRESSED FOR DEATH IN BURGUNDY" by Susan C. Shea

Chris Rice Cooper 

caccoop@aol.com

https://www.facebook.com/car.cooper.7

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***The CRC Blog welcomes submissions from published and unpublished fiction genre writers for INSIDE THE EMOTION OF FICTION.  Contact CRC Blog via email at caccoop@aol.com or personal Facebook messaging at https://www.facebook.com/car.cooper.7

****Susan C Shea’s DRESSED FOR DEATH IN BURGUNDY  is #125 in the never-ending series called INSIDE THE EMOTION OF FICTION where the Chris Rice Cooper Blog (CRC) focuses on one specific excerpt from a fiction genre and how that fiction writer wrote that specific excerpt.  All INSIDE THE EMOTION OF FICTION links are at the end of this piece. 

Fiction genre? Ex science fiction, short story, fantasy novella, romance, drama, crime, plays, flash fiction, historical, comedy, movie script, screenplay, etc. And how many pages long? A traditional murder mystery investigated somewhat clumsily by a couple of amateur sleuths - not hardboiled, not a thriller per se, and leaning toward what are called cozies. But there are no talking dogs and no recipes! There is definitely some humor but it’s more like the kind that makes you smile when you’re observing it than laugh out loud.

What is the date you began writing this piece of fiction and the date when you completely finished the piece of fiction? Let’s see…I turned in the finished draft of the first in the series in mid-2015, so I must have started this in early 2016. I would guess I finished my part by early 2017. After that, there’s back and forth with the copy editor and then with the proofreader, all of which had to be done by the late fall of 2017 in order for them to sign off and go to print in time for a May 1, 2018 release. It’s a long lead time.

Where did you do most of your writing for this fiction work? And please describe in detail.  I have a home office, a space that is packed with genre books, a desk with teetering piles of paper, and a laptop computer. Most of my writing happens here. I do a lot of note taking when I’m in Burgundy and take a thousand cell phone photos to remind myself of the weather, the color of the stones used on the buildings, the window displays at the butcher and the patisserie. 

What were your writing habits while writing this work- did you drink something as you wrote, listen to music, write in pen and paper, directly on laptop; specific time of day? I never listen to music when I write because music sets its own story in my head and takes me right out of my writing. Always the computer, although I only type with three fingers and get hand cramps as a result!  I sometimes eat lunch at the computer and always have a glass of something cold nearby.

What is the summary of this specific fiction work? American ex-pat Katherine Goff has already put her foot in it with a mysterious death in her small village in rural France, but now she is with a group of tourists when a body appears in an especially gruesome setting. She and a young would-be mystery writer are pulled into the new mystery and think they’ve stumbled on to a few clues. But the closer they get to the heart of the story, the more the unknown killer sees them as a threat. Dressed for Death in Burgundy is the second in a series.

Can you give the reader just enough information for them to understand what is going on in the excerpt? Katherine and her young English friend are in the narrow hallway in front of a roped off display room in the costume museum, surrounded by the American tourists for whom Katherine is serving as translator,

Please include just one excerpt and include page numbers as reference. This one excerpt can be as short or as long as you prefer.

Pages 20-21:

The men in the group brought up the rear as the tour progressed and spent their time in murmured conversation about the American stock market. The women were completely taken by the silver-backed hairbrushes and spider-seamed stockings, the silhouette cutouts of hoop-skirted dancers, and the tableaus in each room.

Katherine had stopped to look at a delicate pair of ear- rings in a case opposite the final tableau in a room on the museum’s top floor and didn’t hear the first sounds that signaled something out of place. It sounded like more exclamations of pleasure. But when Madame began screaming in her high-pitched voice, and Mrs. Harris started saying, “Oh lord, oh lord, oh lord,” Katherine spun around and pushed to the velvet rope that cordoned off the display.

Madame was holding on to the rope’s stanchion, and turned to give Katherine a wild stare. Her face was a pale greenish gray and she looked like she was going to faint, so Katherine grabbed her in a hug. The woman turned and buried herself in Katherine’s arms, beginning to sob.

Mr. Harris and Ronnie had both caught up, the stock market forgotten as their wives kept moaning.

“What the hell?” Ronnie said, trying to see what was causing the upset.

“Probably a rat,” Mr. Harris whispered in Katherine’s ear as he moved up next to her at the entrance to the room. But it wasn’t. By this time, Katherine had picked out the reason for the women’s horror. Draped along the chaise longue at the center of the room, one arm over the back of the sofa and another resting on the floor, was a woman in costume. The costume, Katherine noted with one part of her brain, wasn’t fitting her as well as their outfits did the rest of the mannequins. And no wonder. It was no blandly smiling figurine that looked glassily out at the visitors. It was a middle-aged woman and she was very, very dead. 

Why is this excerpt so emotional for you as a writer to write? And can you describe your own emotional experience of writing this specific excerpt? I visited that wonderful museum (Right: Musee du Costume in Avallon, France) twice, met the charming, frail 90-year old Frenchwoman who ran it, and was charmed by everything. But I write fiction, crime fiction specifically, and these quiet, out-of-the-way rooms with life-sized mannequins wearing real clothes was just too tempting.

Were there any deletions from this excerpt that you can share with us? And can you please include a photo of your marked up rough drafts of this excerpt. I write on the computer and I’ve long since overwritten earlier drafts. But they didn’t change much. My big scenes rarely do and my agent and editor seem to like them as submitted.

Other works you have published? MURDER IN THE ABSTRACT was the first in the Dani O’Rourke mystery series. THE KING’S JAR and MIXED UP WITH MURDER were the second and third. LOVE & DEATH IN BURGUNDY was the first in this series. 

          “The Champagne Girl” is a short story that was just published in the Northern California Sisters in Crime anthology, FAULT LINES. I had a long career in non-profits during which I wrote many annual reports, campaign case statements, university magazine stories, professional journal articles, etc., so I’ve had lots of writing jobs.

Anything you would like to add? If you want to write, do it every day. Read like crazy, believe in yourself, and never give up. But don’t expect to get rich!

          Susan C Shea loves a good mystery, so much so that she has written five already: the Dani O’Rourke Mysteries and two set in rural France. Cats play minor roles in both, at the urging of her own felines. She is on the national board of Sisters in Crime, is a member of the Norcal chapters of SinC and MWA, and is excited that her first short story is included in the Norcal SinC chapter’s anthology, Fault Lines. She blogs at 7CriminalMinds and is active on Facebook at Susan C Shea, Author. French recipes and more at www.susancshea.com

INSIDE THE EMOTION OF FICTION links

001   11 15 2018 Nathaniel Kaine’s

Thriller Novel

John Hunter – The Veteran

http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2018/11/001-inside-emotion-of-fiction-nathaniel.html

002   11 18 2018 Ed Protzzel’s

Futuristic/Mystery/Thriller

The Antiquities Dealer 

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2018/11/002-inside-emotion-of-fiction-ed.html

003   11 23 2018 Janice Seagraves’s

Science Fiction Romance

Exodus Arcon

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2018/11/003-inside-emotion-of-fiction-exodus.html

004   11 29 2018 Christian Fennell’s

Literary Fiction Novel

The Fiddler in the Night

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2018/11/004-inside-emotion-of-fiction-christian.html

005  12 02 2018 Jessica Mathews’s

Adult Paranormal Romance

Death Adjacent

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2018/12/5-inside-emotion-of-fiction-jessica.html

006  12 04 2018 Robin Jansen’s

Literary Fiction Novel

Ruby the Indomitable

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2018/12/006-inside-emotion-of-fiction-robin.html

007  12 12 2018  Adair Valerez’s

Literary Fiction Novel

Scrim

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2018/12/007-inside-emotion-of-fiction-adair.html

008  12 17 218 Kit Frazier’s

Mystery Novel

Dead Copy

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2018/12/008-inside-emotion-of-fiction-kit.html

009 12 21 2019 Robert Craven’s

Noir/Spy Novel

The Road of a Thousand Tigers

http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2018/12/009-inside-emotion-of-fiction-robert.html

010 01 13 2019 Kristine Goodfellow’s

Contemporary Romantic Fiction

The Other Twin

http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/01/010-inside-emotion-of-fictions-other.html

011 01 17 2019 Nancy J Cohen’s

Cozy Mystery

Trimmed To Death

http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/01/11-inside-emotion-of-fiction-nancy.html

012 01 20 2019 Charles Salzberg’s

Crime Novel

Second Story Man

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/01/12-inside-emotion-of-fiction-charles.html

013 01 23 2019 Alexis Fancher’s

Flash Fiction

His Full Attention

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/01/13-inside-emotion-of-fiction-alexis.html

014 01 27 2019 Brian L Tucker’s

Young Adult/Historical

POKEWEED:  AN ILLUSTRATED NOVELLA

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/01/14-inside-emotion-of-fiction-brian-l.html

015 01 31 2019 Robin Tidwell’s

Dystopian

Reduced

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016 02 07 2019 J.D. Trafford’s

Legal Fiction/Mystery

Little Boy Lost

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017 02 08 2019 Paula Shene’s

Young Adult ScieFi/Fantasy/Romance/Adventure

My Quest Begins 

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018 02 13 2019 Talia Carner’s

Mainstream Fiction/ Suspense/ Historical

Hotel Moscow

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019 02 15 2019 Rick Robinson’s

Multidimensional Fiction

Alligator Alley

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020 02 21 2019 LaVerne Thompson’s

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The Soul Collectors

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021 02 27 2019 Marlon L Fick’s

Post-Colonialist Novel

The Nowhere Man

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022 03 02 2019 Carol Johnson’s

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023 03 06 2019 Samuel Snoek-Brown’s

Short Story Collection

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024 03 08 2019 Marlin Barton’s

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025 03 18 2019 Laura Hunter’s

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026 03 21 2019 Maggie Rivers’s

Romance

Magical Mistletoe

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027  03 25 2019 Faith Gibson’s

Paranormal Romance

Rafael

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028 03 27 2019 Valerie Nieman’s

Tall Tale

To The Bones

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029 04 04 2019 Betty Bolte’s

Paranormal Romance

Veiled Visions of Love

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030 04 05 2019  Marianne Maili’s

Tragicomedy

Lucy, go see

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031 04 10 2019 Gregory Erich Phillips’s

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032 04 15 2019 Jason Ament’s

Speculative Fiction

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033 04 24 2019 Stephen P. Keirnan’s

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034 05 01 2019 George Kramer’s

Fantasy

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035 05 05 2019 Erika Sams’s

Adventure/Fantasy/Romance

Rose of Dance

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036 05 07 2019 Mark Wisniewski’s

Literary Fiction

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037 05 08 2019 Marci Baun’s

Science Fiction/Horror

The Whispering House

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038 05 10 2019 Suzanne M. Wolfe’s

Historical Fiction

Murder By Any Name

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039 05 12 2019 Edward DeVito’s

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The Woodstock Paradox

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040 05 14 2019 Gytha Lodge’s

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041 05 16 2019 Kari Bovee’s

Historical Fiction/Mystery

Peccadillo At The Palace:  An Annie Oakley Mystery

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042 05 20 2019 Annie Seaton’s

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043 05 22 2019 Paula Rose Michelson’s

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Rosa & Miguel – Love’s Legacy: Prequel to The Naomi

Chronicles

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044 05 24 2019 Gracie C McKeever’s

BDMS/Interracial Romance

On The Edge

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045 06 03 2019 Micheal Maxwell’s

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The Soul of Cole

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046 06 04 2019 Jeanne Mackin’s

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The Last Collection:  A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and

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047 06 07 2019 Philip Shirley’s

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048 06 08 2019 Bonnie Kistler’s

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049 06 13 2019 Barbara Taylor Sissel’s

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050 06 18 2019 Charles Salzberg’s

Short Story/ Crime Fiction

“No Good Deed” from Down to the River

http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/06/50-inside-emotion-of-fictions-no-good.html

051 06 19 2019 Rita Dragonette’s

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The Fourteenth of September

http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/06/51-inside-emotion-of-fictions.html

052  06 20 2019 Nona Caspers’s

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053 06 26 2019 Jeri Westerson’s

Paranormal Romance

Shadows in the Mist

http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/06/53-inside-emotion-of-fictions-shadows.html

054 06 28 2019 Brian Moreland’s

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The Devil’s Woods

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/06/54-inside-emotion-of-fictions-devils.html

055 06 29 2019

Epic Fantasy

Wings Unseen

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/06/55-inside-emotion-of-fiction-wings.html

056 07 02 2019 Randee Green’s

Mystery Novel

Criminal Misdeeds

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/07/56-inside-emotion-of-fiction-criminal.html

057 07 03 2019 Saralyn Ricahrd’s

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Murder In The One Percent

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#058 07 04 2019 Hannah Mary McKinnon’s

Domestic Suspense

Her Secret Son

http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/07/58-inside-emotion-of-fiction-her-secret.html

#059 07 05 2019 Sonia Saikaley’s

Contemporary Women’s Literature

The Allspice Bath

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/07/59-inside-emotion-of-fiction-allspice.html

#060 07 09 2019 Olivia Gaines’s

Romance Suspense Serial

Blind Luck

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#061 07 11 2019 Anne Raeff’s

Literary Fiction

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#062 07 12 2918 Vic Sizemore’s

Literary Fiction-Short Stories

I Love You I’m Leaving

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/07/62-inside-emotion-of-fiction-i-love-you.html

#063 07 13 2019 Deborah Riley Magnus’s

Dark Paranormal Urban Fantasy

THE ORPHANS BOOK ONE:  THE LOST RACE

TRILOGY

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/07/f063-inside-emotion-of-fiction-orphans.html

#064 07 14 2019 Elizabeth Bell’s

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NECESSARY SINS

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#065 07 15 2019 Lori Baker Martin’s

Literary Novel

BITTER WATER

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#066 08 01 2019 Sabine Chennault’s

Historical Novel

THE CORPSMAN’S WIFE

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/08/66-inside-emotion-of-fictions-corpsmans.html

#067 08 02 2019 Margaret Porter’s

Historical Biographical Fiction

BEAUTIFUL INVENTION:  A NOVEL OF HEDY LAMARR

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/08/67-inside-emotion-of-fictions-beautiful.html

#068 08 04 2019 Hank Phillippi Ryan’s

Suspense

THE MURDER LIST

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/08/68-inside-emotion-of-fictions-murder.html

069 08 08 2019 Diana Y. Paul’s

Literary Mainstream Fiction

THINGS UNSAID

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/08/69-inside-emotion-of-fictions-things.html

070 08 10 2019 Phyllis H. Moore’s

Women’s Historical Fiction

BIRDIE & JUDE

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/08/70-inside-emotion-of-fiction-birdie.html

071 08 11 2019 Sara Dahmen’s

Historical Fiction

TINSMITH 1865

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/08/71-inside-emotion-of-fiction-tinsmith.html

072  08 19 2019 Carolyn Breckinridge’s

Short Story Collection

KALIEDESCOPE & OTHER STORIES

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073 08 21 2019 Alison Ragsdale’s

Emotional Women’s Fiction

THE ART OF REMEMBERING

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/08/73-inside-emotion-of-fiction-art-of.html

074  08 22 2019 Lee Matthew Goldberg’s

Suspense Thriller

THE DESIRE CARD

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/08/74-inside-emotion-of-fictions-desire.html

075 08 23 2019 Jonathan Brown’s

Mystery/Amateur P.I.

THE BIG CRESCENDO

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/08/75-inside-emotion-of-fictions-big.html

076 09 02 2019 Chera Hammons Miller’s

Literary Fiction w/ suspense, concern with animals & land management

Monarchs of the Northeast Kingdom

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/09/76-inside-emotion-of-fictions-monarchs.html

077 09 09 019 Joe William Taylor’s

Literary Mystery

The Theoretics of Love

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/09/77-inside-emotion-of-fiction-theoretics.html

078 09 15 2019 Linda Hughes’s

Romantic Suspense

Secret of the Island

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/09/78-inside-emotion-of-fiction-secrets-of.html

079 09 19 2019 Max Elliot Anderson’s

Middle Grade Adventure/Mystery

Snake Island

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/09/79-inside-emotion-of-fiction-snake.html

080 09 22 2019 Danny Adams’s

Science Fiction

Dayworld: A Hole In Wednesday

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/09/80-inside-emotion-of-fiction-dayworld.html

081 09 24 2019 Arianna Dagnino’s

Social/Historical/Adventure

The Afrikaner

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/09/81-inside-emotion-of-fiction-afrikaner.html

082 09 29 2019 Lawrence Verigin’s

Thriller/Suspense

Seed of Control

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/09/82-inside-emotion-of-fiction-seed-of.html

083  10 05 2019 Emma Khoury’s

Fantasy

The Sword And Shield

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/10/83-inside-emotion-of-fiction-sword-and.html

#084 10 07 2019 Steve McManus’s

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller

SEVEN DEVILS

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/10/84-inside-emotion-of-fiction-seven.html

#085 10 08 2019 Sheila Lowe’s

Mystery/Psychological/Suspense with Scientific Bent

PROOF OF LIVE

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/10/085-inside-emotion-of-fiction-proof-of.html

#086 10 10 2019 Jess Neal Woods’s

Historical Fiction

THE PROCESS OF FRAYING

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/10/86-inside-emotion-of-fiction-process-of.html

#087 10 11 2019 Karen Odden’s

Historical Suspense

A TRACE OF DECEIT

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/10/87-inside-emotion-of-fiction-trace-of.html

#88 10 14 2019 Kate Maruyama’s

Love, Loss & Supernatural

“HARROWGATE”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/10/88-inside-emotion-of-fiction-harrowgate.html

#89 10 17 2019 Sherry Harris’s

Mystery

“LET’S FAKE A DEAL”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/10/89-inside-emotion-of-fiction-lets-fake.html

#90 10 18 2019 Linda Mooney’s

Science Fiction Apocalyptic/ Post Apocalyptic

“THE TRUNK”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/10/90-inside-emotion-of-fiction-trunk-by.html

#91 10 19 2019 Jayne Martin’s

Flash Fiction Short Story Collection

“TENDER CUTS”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/10/91-inside-emotion-of-fiction-tender.html

#92 10 22 2019 Janice Cole Hopkins’s

Inspirational Romance

“IT ALL STARTED AT THE MASQUERADE”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/10/92-inside-emotion-of-fiction-it-all.html

#93 10 29 2019 Kristi Petersen Schoonover’s

Short Story Collection

“THE SHADOWS BEHIND”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/10/93-inside-emotion-of-fiction-shadows.html

#94 11 01 2019 David Henry Sterry’s

Fiction: Sexual Violence

“THE TENDERLOIN WARS”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/11/94-inside-emotion-of-fiction-tenderloin.html

#95 11 03 2019 Jay Requard’s

Dark Fantasy/Horror

“DEATH & DUST: THE PALE SAND ADVENTURES”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/11/95-inside-emotion-of-fiction-death-dust.html

#96 11 04 2019 Caroline Leavitt’s

Fiction

“WITH OR WITHOUT YOU”

http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/11/96-inside-emotion-of-fiction-with-or.html

#97 11 06 2019 Kelsey Clifton’s

Science Fiction

“A DAY OUT OF TIME”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/11/97-inside-emotion-of-fiction-day-out-of.html

#098 11 13 2019 John F Allen’s

Urban Fantasy Tale

“The God Killers’
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#99 11 16 2019 Damian McNicholl’s

Historical Novel

“The Moment of Truth”

http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/11/99-inside-emotion-of-fiction-moment-of.html

#100 11 19 2019 Stacia Levy’s

Mystery/Suspense Novel

“Girl Crush”

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#101 11 24 2019 Charlotte Morgan’s

Fiction Novel

“Protecting Elvis”

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#102 11 26 2019 T. L. Moore’s

Children’s Christian Fiction

“Ed On My Shoulder:  Maria & The Candy Trail”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/11/102-inside-emotion-of-fiction-ed-on-my.html

#103 11 27 2019 Jeanne McWilliams Blasberg’s

Coming of Age Literary Novel

The Nine

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/11/103-inside-emotion-of-fiction-nine-by.html

#104 11 29 2019 Charlotte Blackwell’s

Adult Paranormal

“MYSTIC EMBRACE”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/11/104-inside-emotion-of-fiction-mystic.html

#105 12 07 2019 Mike Burrell’s

Satire Novel

“THE LAND OF GRACE”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/12/105-inside-emotion-of-fiction-land-of.html

#106 12 09 2019 Phil McCarron’s

Screenplay

“Escapement”

http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/12/106-inside-emotion-of-fiction.html

#107 12 11 2019 Wendy H. Jones’s

Crime Fiction/Police Procedural Novel

“KILLER’S COUNTDOWN”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/12/107-inside-emotion-of-fiction-killers.html

#108 12 13 2019 Sandra Arnold’s

Historical Literary Fiction

“The Ash, the Well and the Blue Bell”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/12/1

8-inside-emotion-of-fiction-ash-well.html

#109 12 16 2019 Amalia Carosella’s

Historical/Contemporary/Duel Timeline/ Women’s

Fiction

“DAUGHTER OF A THOUSAND YEARS”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/12/109-inside-emotion-of-fiction-daughter_17.html

#110 12 19 2019 Laura Bickle’s

Weird Western/Contemporary Fantasy

“DARK ALCHEMY”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/12/110-inside-emotion-of-fiction-dark.html

#111 12 27 2019 Brian Pinkerton’s

Science Fiction Thriller

“THE GEMINI EXPERIMENT”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/12/111-inside-emotion-of-fiction-gemini.html

#112  12 28 2019 Sandra de Helen’s

Lesbian Thriller

“TILL DARKNESS COMES”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/12/112-inside-emotion-of-fiction-till.html

#113 12 29 2019 Jo Wilde’s

Vampire Thriller

“THE CROSSING”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/12/113-inisde-emotion-of-fiction-crossing.html

#114 12 30 2019 Sam Richard’s

Short Story Collection of Weird and Transgressive

Horror

“To Wallow In Ash and Sorrows”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/12/114-inside-emotion-of-fiction-to-wallow.html

#115 12 31 2019 Duncan B Barlow’s

Literary Fiction Novel

“A DOG BETWEEN US”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/12/inside-emotion-of-fiction-dog-between.html

#116 01 02 2020 Allison Landa’s

Young Adult Novel

“BAD HAIR”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/01/116-inside-emotion-of-fiction-bad-hair.html

#117 01 03 2020 Pablo Medina’s

Literary Satire Novel

“THE CUBAN COMEDY”

http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/01/117-inside-emotion-of-fiction-cuban.html

#118 01 06 2020 William Trent Pancoast’s

Historical/Literary Novel

“THE ROAD TO MATEWAN”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/01/118-inside-emotion-of-fiction-road-to.html

#119 01 07 2020 Jane Bernstein’s

Contemporary Novel

“The Face Tells the Secret”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/01/119-inside-emotion-of-fiction-face.html

#120 01 09 2020 Terry Kroenung’s

Young Adult, Historical and Fantasy

“Brimstone And Lily”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/01/120-inside-emotion-of-fiction-brimstone.html

#121 01 12 2020 Melissa Yi’s

Fiction Thriller

“GRAVEYARD SHIFT”

http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/01/121-inside-emotion-of-fiction-melissa.html

#122 01 15 2020 Marcie R. Rendon’s

Crime Thriller

“GIRL GONE MISSING”

http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/01/122-inside-emotion-of-fiction-girl-gone.html

#123 01 16 2020 Tori Eldridge’s

Multi Genre Novel

“THE NINJA DAUGHTER”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/01/123-inside-emotion-of-fiction-ninja.html

#124 01 17 2020 Kristen Joy Wilks’s

Christian Romantic Comedy

“YELLOWSTONE YONDERING”

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/01/124

inside-emotion-of-fiction.html

#125 01 20 2020 Susan C. Shea’s

Cozy Mystery

“DRESSED FOR DEATH IN BURGUNDY”

http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/01/125-inside-emotion-of-fiction-dressed.html

#001 The Magnification of One Memory In Memoir "TWO MINUS ONE: A MEMOIR

Chris Rice Cooper 

caccoop@aol.com

https://www.facebook.com/car.cooper.7

*The images in this specific piece are granted copyright privilege by:  Public Domain, CCSAL, GNU Free Documentation Licenses, Fair Use Under The United States Copyright Law, or given copyright privilege by the copyright holder which is identified beneath the individual photo.

**Some of the links will have to be copied and then posted in your search engine in order to pull up properly

***The CRC Blog welcomes submissions from published and unpublished memoir writers for THE MAGNIFICATION OF ONE MEMORY IN MEMOIR. Contact CRC Blog via email at caccoop@aol.com or personal Facebook messaging at https://www.facebook.com/car.cooper.7

****Kathryn Taylor’s TWO MINUS ONE: A MEMOIR is #001 in the never-ending series called THE MAGNIFICATION OF ONE MEMORY IN MEMOIR. All THE MAGNIFICATION OF ONE MEMORY IN MEMOIR links are at the end of this piece. 

Name of memoir? And were there other names you considered that you would like to share with us? The name of my book is Two Minus One: A Memoir. As is often the case when a book is published, the title is changed from the original title that the author used as the driver for the writing. I wrote my story with the title When the Other Shoe Drops – or He’s Really NOT in it for Life. That title compelled me to write my story after the unexpected betrayal by the husband who repeatedly promised I could, “Quit waiting for the other shoe to drop, I am in this for life.”

          The title was changed as the publisher, Brooke Warner (Below Right), was convinced that the title was too cliché, and clichés do not sell. In retrospect, I believe that the new title presents me as more proactive and in control of my life rather than reactive and allowing someone else to control my actions and decisions.

What is the description of this memoir? Two Minus One: A Memoir is a personal story of strength, resiliency and empowerment. It is a detailed account of how unexpected hardship leads to the discovery of untapped inner strength, enlightenment, renewal, and a triumphant new beginning. It provides the reader the gift of hope, courage, and confidence. If I, as the author, could overcome what had occurred to me, others can do the same. 

What is the date you began writing this memoir and the date when you completed the memoir? I began writing my story in July, 2015 at the encouragement of a friend. I finished my manuscript the end of November 2016 and sent it off to the five people who had supported me throughout my journey. They each provided enthusiastic support for my product and encouraged me to consider publication in order to offer encouragement to others experiencing a similar situation.

Where did you do most of your writing for this memoir?  And please describe in detail.  I began work on my story at the beach over the July 4^th holiday weekend. I spent three days brainstorming chapter titles, reviewing quotes that had helped me through my ordeal and writing a dedication, preface and prologue.

Whenever possible, I wrote at the beach. 

         

          However, it was not always practical or convenient so much of the work was done at home. I am fortunate to have an office with a large workspace, a large kitchen and dining room table, and a screened porch which affords me not only a great deal of sunshine, but a much needed sense of peace and inspiration.

What were your writing habits while writing this memoir- did you drink something as you wrote, listen to music, write in pen and paper, directly on laptop; specific time of day? I did not have a set time or place that was predetermined for my writing. I was writing to make sense of a devastating experience and I wrote whenever I had thoughts or ideas that demanded my attention. Wherever I wrote at home – unless it was scribbling ideas in the bed – I had a scented candle, a bottle of water, and a variety of pads, notebooks, pens and post it notes at hand. I also have a variety of inspirational quotes and cards nearby as well as handheld stress relief products in a variety of fun and motivational shapes. I wrote everything by hand and arranged pages throughout the house often ordering/reordering/editing my work with an array of colored pens. When it came time to compose my thoughts into document form, I worked only in my upstairs office with the above items at hand. When I had printed pages, I would again lay them out across tabletops or floors, and literally cut and paste the copies together in improved sequential order. I am unable to focus with any background noise, so there was never music.

How do you define memoir?  And what makes memoir different from an autobiography? To me, memoir recounts the personal struggle and awakening resulting from a specific event or series of events in an author’s life. It is a raw and detailed portrayal of an emotional or physical challenge, which the author faced, worked through, and conquered. The purpose of memoir is to support a theme – in my case, personal empowerment – and to make a point – that we have an untapped strength and resiliency, which we only realize when we are called upon to use it.

An autobiography covers the entire span of an author’s life while a memoir deals with a specific and more limited timeline or event.

Out of all the specific memories you write about in this memoir, which ONE MEMORY was the most emotional for you to write about? And can you share that specific excerpt with us here.  The excerpt can be as short or as long as you prefer, and please provide page numbers as reference. The most emotional memory in the book was the unexpected loss of my father.(p81-87) 

          Although I was having a great deal of difficulty dealing with the unforeseen abandonment by my husband, the death of my father during this time compounded my pain and shook my very foundation. I had loved my husband without reservation and was struggling to regain sense in my world. Then my father died suddenly, and I found myself without the wisdom of my final parent. My father had been my mentor, my support, and my strength throughout my entire life and now I was without my spouse and was also an orphan. I had inherited his optimistic attitude, his belief that I had the strength to rise above all obstacles and the power to positively impact the world around me. His death was unexpected and, (Excerpt Below)

“I had been unable to say goodbye to my father before he died, and continually went over the details of our last telephone conversation, the day of his death.” (p83) Sorting through his things with his widow, I realized that, “…what I was looking at was the closet of a man who proudly escorted his wife, whom he loved dearly, on his arm whenever they stepped out to enjoy a social occasion.” (p.83) “As a military veteran, my father would be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Therefore, I had to gather strength both for services in his town of residence and for a trip to Arlington four months later.” (p.83) “After the service and the family gathering that followed, we drove back to our hotel…The man we had both loved had been officially laid to rest.” (p.87)

Can you describe the step-by-step process of writing about this ONE MEMORY? The difficulty in writing about all memories that go into memoir is the continual reliving of the most painful moments of one’s life. As an author, one wants to be as concise, relevant, and unbiased as possible about sharing these intimate moments. However, as a human who has suffered the loss and/or experienced the tragedy, it is excruciating reliving those very moments to share with the reader.

Were there any deletions from this excerpt that you can share with us? I worked very hard to be forthright and present the raw emotions that I was experiencing during my ordeal. The only deletions that were made were intimate family communication that would not enhance the story, could cause pain or embarrassment to family members, and remain private.

Other works you have published? I contributed an essay entitled Royal Support to The Pulpwood Queens Celebrate 20 Years which describes my first encounter with Kathy L. Murphy (Below Left) and her Pulpwood Queen Girlfriend’s Weekend.

Anything you would like to add? I would like to thank every individual who has supported me throughout this journey. I appreciate your reading, reviewing, and sharing my story. You have had a profound impact on my life, and I hope to meet even more of you in person in the coming months. I also want to suggest that if you have a desire to write and a story to share, sit down and do it. It is never too late to achieve your dreams or restructure your goals. If I can do it, anyone can.

Kathryn Taylor was born at the Great Lakes Naval Station near Chicago, Illinois and spent much of her life in the Chicagoland area. She spent nearly thirty years in the classrooms of Illinois, California, and Virginia before she retired from teaching and relocated to South Carolina. It was there that she wrote her book, Two Minus One: A Memoir (November 2018 from She Writes Press) following the unexpected abandonment by her second husband. Two Minus One: A Memoir received a starred Kirkus Review and was subsequently named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2018. It is an Amazon Best Seller and was selected as one of the September 2019 selections of the Pulpwood Queen’s Book Club. Taylor has participated on author panels at the Pulpwood Queen Girlfriend Convention, and the Pat Conroy Literary Center. She is an avid reader, enthusiastic traveler, and incurable beach lover. She resides outside of Charleston, SC where she enjoys all three of her favorite past times.

http://bit.ly/2minus1

https://www.facebook.com/KathrynTaylorAuthor/

https://twitter.com/ktaylorauthor

THE MAGNIFICATION OF ONE MEMORY IN MEMOIR links

001

03 18 2020

“Two Minus One”

by Kathryn Taylor

http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/01/001-magnification-of-one-memory-in.html

002

03 19 2020

“HeartSnark”

by Terry Kroenung

https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/03/002-magnification-of-one-memory-in.html