Thursday, March 25, 2021

Owen Mullen’s DEADLY HARM is #222 in the never-ending series called INSIDE THE EMOTION OF FICTION

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****Owen Mullen’s Deadly Harm is #222 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.  



Name of fiction work? And were there other names you considered that you would like to share with us? Deadly Harm is book 2 in the Mackenzie Series and has literally just been relaunched. Its name was set from the beginning because of its predecessor's title - In Harm's Way 2. 


What is the date you began writing this piece of fiction and the date when you completely finished the piece of fiction? I started in January 2019, and crossed the end line in May of that same year. 


Where did you do most of your writing for this fiction work? And please describe in detail. And can you please include a photo? By this time my wife had become more involved with the process and I moved my base from the studio to the dining room table! 


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? My habits don't vary. I drank coffee or ginger and lemon tea (no teabags died in the making of this work of fiction) and settled at my PC until I was happy with what I'd produced - normally a minimum of six hours, five days a week (excluding plotting sessions).  (Left: Owen Mullen's dining room office where he writes.  Credit and Copyright by Owen Mullen)


Please include just one excerpt and include page numbers as reference. This one excerpt can be as short or as long as you want. Chapter 7 page 56 

Kirsty McBride had the face of an angel, but the defiance behind the innocent hazel eyes and in the upturned chin was unmistakeable. She fell heavily onto the couch, took a lighter and a packet of cigarettes from her jacket pocket and put them on the table. She knew smoking wasn’t allowed. In her immature way, she was threatening to break the rules. The girl wore jeans and a jacket over a T-shirt with I UNDERSTAND I JUST DON’T CARE printed on it. Her first words – a surly reference to Andrew Geddes – supported the statement. ‘All right, he’s got what he wanted, I’m here. Let’s get on with it.’ Mackenzie held out her hand and introduced herself. Kirsty didn’t take it. ‘I know who you are, he told me. Never stops talking about you. Think he fancies you.’ Mackenzie ignored the hostility and called a waiter. ‘Are you hungry?’ Kirsty didn’t answer. ‘Is coffee okay or would you prefer something else?’ No reply. She ordered. ‘Coffee and sandwiches, please. Roast beef.’ Andrew Geddes had been serious when he’d wished her luck. The moment to draw the red line was now, otherwise they were wasting their time. ‘First up, lose the attitude. DI Geddes is trying to help you and so am I. If that isn’t what you want, we’ll step back. Except it isn’t just about you now, is it?’ She nodded towards the pram. ‘She’s depending on her mum making a grown-up decision for both of you. What’s her name?’ ‘Alison.’ ‘How old is she?’ ‘Ten months.’ ‘I hear Malkie called you from prison. What did he say?’ Kirsty wouldn’t go there. ‘Just stuff.’ ‘Like what?’ ‘Private stuff.’ Mackenzie answered her own question. ‘Let me guess. He’s sorry. It’ll all be great this time.’ The girl turned her head away and Mackenzie hesitated; Kirsty McBride was damaged enough. ‘He loves you; did he tell you that?’ This wasn’t how to win her trust. She softened her approach. ‘Kirsty, you aren’t stupid. You know what he’s like. Surely you haven’t forgotten what he did to you.’ Her eyes flashed, defiance back as the words tumbled out in defence of the man who’d terrorised her. ‘Everybody deserves a second chance. Or is that only for people like you?’ Mackenzie let the fire settle: they needed light, not heat. Forcing Kirsty to stand up for Malkie Boyle would drive her towards him. Mackenzie spoke quietly, no trace of confrontation in her voice. ‘Except, it wouldn’t be a second chance, would it? Or even a third or a fourth? Malkie isn’t going to change. He can’t. He is what he is.’ Kirsty lifted the disposable lighter and turned it over in her hand. Mackenzie wasn’t sure she was listening. ‘But you can change. For you and your daughter.’ ‘What if I don’t want to?’ ‘Then fast-forward fifteen years. Picture the awful things Alison will have seen. She’ll be scarred and she’ll leave the first chance she gets, despising her mother for being weak.’ ‘You don’t know that.’ ‘Yes, I do. You said DI Geddes talked to you about me. Then he must’ve told you my story and what I do now. I’ve come across dozens of Kirstys. Before I’m finished, I’ll probably meet hundreds. And it always ends the same. Either they find the courage to break free or they go down. Believe me, Alison won’t be able to look at you – she’ll hate you. Or worse, pity you. Either way you’ll lose her.’ Kirsty’s eyes strayed to the pram, concern in them for the first time, and Mackenzie realised she was getting through. Andrew Geddes called her a kid. That kid had known more unhappiness in her eighteen years than most people suffered in a lifetime. Her attitude was a coping mechanism to protect her from a harsh world. To understand how badly she’d been broken meant seeing behind the rebel façade. What must it be like to be afraid of the past and even more afraid of the future? Mackenzie desperately wanted to help her. Alison stirred in her sleep. ‘When she’s old enough to understand, think how proud she’ll be of her mum.’ Kirsty nervously played with the lighter – not convinced – the sum of all her fears crystallised in one question. ‘How can I be sure Malkie won’t find us?’ Mackenzie had an answer for her. ‘He won’t know where you are. Nobody will. Not even me. Not even Detective Geddes. That’s how it works. Social Services deal with situations like this every day.’ As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she knew she’d made a mistake; the girl reacted. ‘A “situation”. Is that how you see me? Just a problem that needs to be fixed?’ ‘No, of course not. You’re in trouble. Somebody has to take your hand and lead you to a better place. A safer place.’ ‘And that’s you, is it?’ ‘That’s one of the jobs Social Services do.’ ‘Why should I trust them just because you tell me to? It’ll be me and Alison he’ll come after, not you.’ ‘But he won’t find you. You’ll be safe. Safe as houses.’ Kirsty bowed her head, the rebel who’d arrived with the DI gone, leaving a frightened girl in her place, speaking so quietly Mackenzie could hardly make out what she was saying. When she did, she felt for her. ‘Why can’t we stay with you?’ ‘Kirsty…’ ‘We won’t be any trouble, honestly we won’t.’ Mackenzie swallowed hard. ‘I thought DI Geddes explained. We’re full. There isn’t any room at the refuge. I wish there was.’ ‘Is it because of Alison?’ ‘No, no, of course not.’ ‘She’s a great baby, really she is. She never cries. If you knew her, you’d love her.’ Mackenzie couldn’t remember when she’d felt so useless – turning the girl and her child away was painful. But the refuge was full. Caitlin had got the last bed. Surely the detective hadn’t led Kirsty to believe there was a space for her. ‘I’m sure I would.’ Kirsty grabbed Mackenzie’s arm. ‘Please don’t make her suffer because her mother’s been a stupid bitch. Please!’ ‘I’m so sorry.’ The businessmen hadn’t heard and went on with their meeting, but the receptionist looked up from her PC, and across the lounge Andrew Geddes was rising out of his seat. Mackenzie shook her head and he sat back down. Gently, she took the girl’s hands in hers. ‘It isn’t about you or Alison. Honestly, it isn’t. If we had room, I’d have both of you there today.’ Kirsty pulled her fingers free. ‘Then why bring us here? Why did he want me to meet you?’ She deserved the truth. ‘Because he cares about you and he’s worried. He hoped I could persuade you to let Social Services take over before Malkie comes out of Barlinnie.’ ‘He’s getting out next week.’ ‘I know. There isn’t much time.’ Kirsty didn’t hide her disappointment. ‘I told Alison we’d be going with you. What will I say to her now?’ 


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? There are so many excerpts I could have chosen. Unfortunately, most of them are spoilers. But I found Kirsty's innocence and hopelessness in this pivotal scene particularly moving to write - knowing it would change so many lives added an extra layer of feeling for me. Horrifying to think this is how some people are forced to live. (Left:  Owen Mullen's view from his dining room table.  Credit and Copyright by Owen Mullen)


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? No deletions and unfortunately all drafts are cleared out after the book has gone through all of its many edits.


My name is Owen Mullen and I'm a writer. I've always been a writer but it took me 50 years to realize it. I literally got up one morning and announced to my wife Christine that I was going to write a book. Now my life revolves around inventing interesting characters and telling their stories. I have a wonderful time creating 'real' people and setting them in difficult situations to see how they will cope; who will come out of the drama intact. I want the reader to feel they may be standing next to one of my characters at any time. It's been quite a journey and I'm very proud to have several 'Bestsellers' under my belt. I was also delighted when Games People Play - the first book in the Charlie Cameron series was long-listed for the McIlvanney Crime Book Of The Year alongside industry giants like Ian Rankin and Val McDermid. (Above Left: Owen Mullen in May of 2020.  Copyright by Owen Mullen)

All of the Inside the Emotion of Fiction LIVE LINKS can be found at the VERY END of the below feature: 



INSIDE THE EMOTION OF FICTION links
 
001   11 15 2018 Nathaniel Kaine’s 
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http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2018/11/001-inside-emotion-of-fiction-nathaniel.html

002   11 18 2018 Ed Protzel’s
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https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2018/11/002-inside-emotion-of-fiction-ed.html

003   11 23 2018 Janice Seagraves’s
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004   11 29 2018 Christian Fennell’s
Literary Fiction Novel
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005  12 02 2018 Jessica Mathews’s
Adult Paranormal Romance
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006  12 04 2018 Robin Jansen’s
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007  12 12 2018  Adair Valerez’s
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008  12 17 218 Kit Frazier’s
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009 12 21 2019 Robert Craven’s
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010 01 13 2019 Kristine Goodfellow’s
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011 01 17 2019 Nancy J Cohen’s
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012 01 20 2019 Charles Salzberg’s
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013 01 23 2019 Alexis Fancher’s
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014 01 27 2019 Brian L Tucker’s
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015 01 31 2019 Robin Tidwell’s
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016 02 07 2019 J.D. Trafford’s
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017 02 08 2019 Paula Shene’s
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018 02 13 2019 Talia Carner’s
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019 02 15 2019 Rick Robinson’s 
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020 02 21 2019 LaVerne Thompson’s
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021 02 27 2019 Marlon L Fick’s
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022 03 02 2019 Carol Johnson’s
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023 03 06 2019 Samuel Snoek-Brown’s
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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
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027  03 25 2019 Faith Gibson’s
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028 03 27 2019 Valerie Nieman’s
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029 04 04 2019 Betty Bolte’s
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030 04 05 2019  Marianne Maili’s
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031 04 10 2019 Gregory Erich Phillips’s
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032 04 15 2019 Jason Ament’s
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033 04 24 2019 Stephen P. Keirnan’s
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034 05 01 2019 George Kramer’s
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035 05 05 2019 Erika Sams’s
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036 05 07 2019 Mark Wisniewski’s
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037 05 08 2019 Marci Baun’s
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038 05 10 2019 Suzanne M. Wolfe’s
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039 05 12 2019 Edward DeVito’s
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040 05 14 2019 Gytha Lodge’s
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041 05 16 2019 Kari Bovee’s
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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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044 05 24 2019 Gracie C McKeever’s
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045 06 03 2019 Micheal Maxwell’s
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046 06 04 2019 Jeanne Mackin’s
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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
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051 06 19 2019 Rita Dragonette’s
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052  06 20 2019 Nona Caspers’s
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053 06 26 2019 Jeri Westerson’s 
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054 06 28 2019 Brian Moreland’s
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055 06 29 2019 Rebecca Gomez Farrell’s
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056 07 02 2019 Randee Green’s
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057 07 03 2019 Saralyn Richard’s
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#058 07 04 2019 Hannah Mary McKinnon’s
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#059 07 05 2019 Sonia Saikaley’s
Contemporary Women’s Literature
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#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 
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TRILOGY
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/07/f063-inside-emotion-of-fiction-orphans.html

#064 07 14 2019 Elizabeth Bell’s
Historical Fiction
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#065 07 15 2019 Lori Baker Martin’s
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#066 08 01 2019 Sabine Chennault’s
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#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
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070 08 10 2019 Phyllis H. Moore’s
Women’s Historical Fiction
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071 08 11 2019 Sara Dahmen’s
Historical Fiction
TINSMITH 1865
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072  08 19 2019 Carolyn Breckinridge’s
Short Story Collection
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073 08 21 2019 Alison Ragsdale’s
Emotional Women’s Fiction
THE ART OF REMEMBERING
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074  08 22 2019 Lee Matthew Goldberg’s
Suspense Thriller
THE DESIRE CARD
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075 08 23 2019 Jonathan Brown’s
Mystery/Amateur P.I.
THE BIG CRESCENDO 
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076 09 02 2019 Chera Hammons Miller’s 
Literary Fiction w/ suspense, concern with animals & land management
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077 09 09 019 Joe William Taylor’s
Literary Mystery
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078 09 15 2019 Linda Hughes’s
Romantic Suspense
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079 09 19 2019 Max Elliot Anderson’s
Middle Grade Adventure/Mystery
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080 09 22 2019 Danny Adams’s
Science Fiction
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081 09 24 2019 Arianna Dagnino’s
Social/Historical/Adventure
The Afrikaner
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082 09 29 2019 Lawrence Verigin’s
Thriller/Suspense
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083  10 05 2019 Emma Khoury’s
Fantasy
The Sword And Shield
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#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’
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/11/98-inside-emotion-of-fiction-god.html

#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”
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/11/100-inside-emotion-of-fiction-girl.html

#101 11 24 2019 Charlotte Morgan’s
Fiction Novel
“Protecting Elvis”
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/11/101-inside-emotion-of-fiction.html

#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”
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/12/108-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”
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2019/12/113-inside-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”
http://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


#126  01 22 2020 Phong Nguyen’s
Improvisational Fiction
“ROUNDABOUT”
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/01/126-inside-emotion-of-fiction.html

#127 01 23 2020 Kate Thornton’s
Mystery Short Story In Its Entirety
“Ai Witness”
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/01/127-inside-emotion-of-fiction-ai.html

#128 01 24 2020 Phil McCarron’s
Semi Fictional Essays
“The Great Facepalm: The Farce of 21st Century
Normality”
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/01/128-inside-emotion-of-fiction-great.html

#129  01 27 2020 Kenneth Weene’s
Historicized Literary Fiction
“Red And White”
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/01/129-inside-emotion-of-fiction-red-and.html

#130 01 28 2020 Graham Storrs’s
Science Fiction Thriller
“TimeSplash”
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com 
/2020/01/130-inside-emotion-of-fiction.html


#131 02 08 2020 Angela Slatter’s
Short Story “Terrible As An Army With Banners”
From her Short Story Collection THE BITTERWOOD BIBLE AND OTHER RECOUNTINGS
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/02/131-inside-emotion-of-fiction-terrible.html

#132 02 11 2020 Joan Joachim’s
Romance
Just One Kiss
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/02/132-inside-emotion-of-fiction-just-one.html

#133 02 16 2020 Kelsey Clifton’s
Science Fiction
A DAY OUT OF TIME
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/02/133-inside-emotion-of-fiction-day-out.html

#134 02 17 2020 Soraya M Lane’s
Women Historical Fiction
THE GIRLS OF PEARL HARBOR
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/02/134-inside-emotion-of-fiction-girls-of.html

#135 03 07 2020
Linked Fiction
BLEACHERS Fifty-Four Linked Fictions
By Joseph Mills
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/03/135-inside-emotion-of-fiction-bleachers.html

#136 03 15 2020
Science Fiction Romance
BLUE VISION
By Marie Lavender
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/03/136-inside-emotion-of-fiction-blue.html

#137 03 17 2020
Crime Fiction
12 Bullets
by O’Neil De Noux
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/03/137-inside-emotion-of-fiction-12.html

#138 03 18 2020
Flash Fiction Piece
Radical
by Kelle Grace Gaddis 
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/03/138-inside-emotion-of-fiction-radical.html

#139 03 20 2020
Mystery
HERE BE MONSTERS
By Jamie Sheffield
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/03/139-inside-emotion-of-fiction-here-be.html


#140 03 21 2020
Character Driven Novel
UNBROKEN
By Jamie Lisa Forbes
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/03/140-inside-emotion-of-fiction-unbroken.html

#141 03 23 2020 
Literary Murder Mystery
COLD COUNTRY
By Russell Rowland
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/03/141-inside-emotion-of-fiction-cold.html

#142 04 01 2020 
Sci-Fi/Paranormal
SWEET SLEEP
By Kim Cormack
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/04/142-inside-emotion-of-fiction-sweet.html

#143 04 02 2020 
Western Noir Short Story
“Night Rounds”
by James Reasoner
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/04/143-inside-emotion-of-fiction-night.html

#144 04 03 2020 
Southern Fiction
LITTLE TEA
By Claire Fullerton
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/04/144-inside-emotion-of-fiction-little.html

#145 04 04 2020
Mainstream novel with elements of crime, mystery, and magic
THE FORGETTING FLOWER
by Karen Hugg 
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/04/145-inside-emotion-of-fiction.html

#146 04 07 2020 
Historical Fiction
MEDICIS DAUGHTER
by Sophie Perinot
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/04/146-inside-emotion-of-fiction-medicis.html

#147 04 08 2020
Dark Urban Fantasy with elements of Paranormal Romance
COVEN BORN
by Stephanie Reisner aka AUDREY BRICE
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/04/147-inside-emotion-of-fiction-coven.html

#148 04 13 2020
Mystery With A Fantasy Twist
DEATH LIVES IN THE WATER
By Shoshana Edwards 
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/04/148-inside-emotion-of-fiction-death.html

#149 04 14 2020
Historical Fiction
ASHES
by Sharon Glogal Friedman 
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/04/149-inside-emotion-of-fiction-ashes-by.html

#150 04 19 2020
Vampire Horror Novelette 
Blood Thrasher:  The Devil’s in the Metal
by Adam Messer
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/04/adam-messers-blood-thrasher-devils-in.html 

#151 04 25 2020
Historical Fiction
Charis in the World of Wonders
by Marly Youmans
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/04/marly-youmans-charis-in-world-of.html

#152 04 29 2020
Historical Fiction
The Master of Verona
by David Blixt
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/04/david-blixts-master-of-verona-is-152-in.html

#153 04 30 2020
General Fiction (Family)
Bread Bags & Bullies:  Surviving the 80s
by Steven Manchester 
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/04/steven-manchesters-bread-bags-bullies.html

#154 05 01 2020
Adventure-Thriller/Horror
Into The Ashes
by Lee Murray
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/05/lee-murrays-into-ashes-is-154-in-never.html

#155 05 06 2020
Coming of Age/Crime Novel
All Things Left In The Wild
by James Wade
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/05/james-wades-all-things-left-in-wild-is.html

#156 05 10 2020
Paranormal Mystery
Southern Bound
by Stuart Jaffe
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/05/stuart-jaffes-southern-bound-is-156-in.html

#157 05 13 2020
Mystery/Crime Novel
Yardbird
By Mark Slade
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/05/mark-slades-yardbird-is-157-in-never.html

#158 05 15 2020 
Horror/Crime Novel
Hotel Nowhere
By David E Adkins 
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/05/david-e-adkinss-hotel-nowhere-is-158-in.html

#159 05 16 2020
Satire/Crime Novel
THE LYING BASTARD
by Clint Margrave
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/05/clint-margraves-lying-bastard-is-159-in.html

#160 05 19 2020
Southern Gothic Fiction
REVIVING THE HAWTHORN SISTERS
by Emily Carpenter
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/05/emily-carpenters-reviving-hawthorn.html

#161 05 21 2020
Women’s Domestic Life Fiction
MERCY HOUSE
by Alena Dillon 
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/05/alena-dillons-mercy-house-is-161-in.html

#162 05 26 2020
Screenplay/Film
BEAST MODE
by Drew Fortune and Spain Willingham
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/05/drew-fortunes-and-spain-willinghams_26.html

#163 05 31 2020
Coming of Age/ Psychological Thriller
MY SISTER & OTHER LIARS
by Ruth Dugdall
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/05/ruth-dugdalls-my-sister-and-other-liars.html

#164 06 01 2020 
Psychological Thriller
IN HARM’S WAY
by Owen Mullen
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/06/owen-mullens-in-harms-way-is-164-in.html

#165 06 02 2020 
Small Town Short Story Collection
SNAPSHOT “Old Lady”
by Eliot Parker
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/06/eliot-parkers-old-lady-from-snapshots.html

#166 06 04 2020
Noir Crime Novel
SKIN OF TATTOOS
by Christina Hoag
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/06/christina-hoags-skin-of-tattoos-is-166.html

#167 06 06 2020
Coming of Age/Historical
THE ORPHAN COLLECTOR
by Ellen Marie Wiseman
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/06/ellen-marie-wisemans-orphan-collector.html

#168 06 08 2020
World War Two Historical Fiction
THE PRISONER’S WIFE
by Maggie Brookes
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/06/maggie-brookess-prisoners-wife-is-168.html

#169 06 09 2020
Novella 
(about the 1960s, 
Rolling Stones in their exile,
genocide, it’s survivors, and
people from places that no longer exist.)
BLUE COAST MYSTERY:  ALMOST SOLVED
by Nick Sweeney
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/06/nick-sweeneys-blue-coast-mystery-almost.html

#170 06 11 2020
Family Life/Coming of Age Novel
THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF SAM HELL
by Robert Dugoni
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/06/robert-dugonis-extraordinary-life-of.html

#171 06 26 2020
Women’s Divorce Fiction
QUEEN OF THE OWLS
by Barbara Linn Probst
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/06/barbara-linn-probsts-queen-of-owls-is.html

#172 07 01 2020
Short Story “The Belindas” from the Short Story Collection LOVE WAR STORIES 
By Ivelisse Rodriguez
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/07/ivelisse-rodriguezs-short-story.html

#173 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
07 04 2020
Organized Crime Thriller
BLUES IN THE DARK
by Raymond Benson
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/07/raymond-bensons-blues-in-dark-is-173-in.html

#174 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
07 08 2020
Contemporary Literature & Fiction
THE ESCAPE OF MALCOLM POE
by Allison Burnett
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/07/allison-burnetts-escape-of-malcolm-poe.html

#175 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
07 09 2020
Horror Novella
TERMINUS STATION
by Jeff Lyons
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/07/jeff-lyonss-terminus-station-is-175-in.html

#176 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
07 12 2020
20th Century Historical Romance
“The Bootlegger’s Wife”
by Denise Devine
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/07/chris-rice-cooper-blog-176-inside.html

#177 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
07 24 2020
Literary Fiction Novel
“What Drives Men”
by Susan Tepper 
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/07/susan-teppers-what-drives-men-is-177-in.html

#178 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
07 27 2020
Short story
“Tidings of Comfort and Joyce”
by Kimberly Kurth Gray
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/07/kimberly-kurth-grays-short-story.html
 
#179 Inside the Emotion of Fiction 
07 28 2020
Historical Fiction
“Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey”
by Kathleen Rooney
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/07/kathleen-rooneys-cher-ami-and-major.html

#180 Inside the Emotion of Fiction 
08 04 2020
Screenplay
“BUNNY”
by Shaun Hughes 
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/08/director-shaun-hughess-screenplay-bunny.html 

#181 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
08 09 2020
Short Story 
“Wrong Road” from the Short Story Collection George’s Mother and Other Weird Stories
by Susan Berliner 
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/08/susan-berliners-short-story-wrong-road.html

#182 Inside the Emotion of Fiction 
08 11 2020
Thriller Mystery
“Death in the Time of Ice”
by Kaye George
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/08/kaye-georges-death-in-time-of-ice-is.html

#183 Inside the Emotion of Fiction 
08 13 2020
Screenplay
“Igor and Frankie”
by Jim Picariello
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/08/jim-picariellos-screenplay-igor-and.html

#184 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
08 14 2020
Short Story 
Short Story “Breaking on the Wheel” from the Short Story Collection No Call Too Small. 
by Oscar Martens 
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/08/oscar-martenss-short-story-breaking-on.html

#185 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
08 20 2020
Romance
A Secret, a Safari, a Second Chance
by Liz Fielding
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/08/liz-feldings-secret-safari-second.html

#186 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
08 26 2020
Mystery and Psychological Fiction 
Falling Woman
by Richard Farrell
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/08/richard-farrells-falling-woman-is-186.html

#187 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
09 03 2020
Children’s Picture Book
MAC AND CHEESE AND THE PERSONAL SPACE INVADER 
By Jolene Gutierrez
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/09/jolene-gutierrezs-mac-and-cheese-and.html

#188 Inside the Emotion of Fiction 
09 07 2020
Screenplay
JUDE COLE
By Janelle Marie Evans
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/09/janelle-evanss-screenplay-jude-cole-is.html

#189 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
09 09 2020
Historical Christian Romance
UNTIL JUNE
by Barbara M Britton
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/09/barbara-m-brittons-until-june-is-189-in.html

#190 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
09 10 2020
Screenplay
THROUGH THE SILENCE
by Elaine Roberts-Kercheff
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/09/filmmaker-elaine-roberts-kercheffs.html 

#191 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
09 16 2020
1960s Historical Fiction
California Dreamin’ Teens Interrupted 2
by KC Sprayberry 
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/09/kc-sprayberrys-california-dreamin-teens.html 

#192 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
09 17 2020
Screenplay
DAUGHTERS LOST TO THE DESERT
by April Snachez
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/09/kc-sprayberrys-california-dreamin-teens.html 

#193 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
09 18 2020
Contemporary Literature and Fiction
THE SHAMAN OF TURTLE VALLEY
by Clifford Garstang
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/09/clifford-garstangs-shaman-of-turtle.html 

#194 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
09 19 2020
Crime Fiction
THE ACE OF DIAMONDS
by ES Gibson
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/09/es-gibsons-ace-of-diamonds-is-194-in.html 

#195 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
09 20 2020
Historical Fiction
Katherine-Tudor Duchess
by Tony Riches
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/09/tony-richess-katherine-tudor-duchess-is.html 

#196 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
09 21 2020
Short Fiction
“Dinner Prep”
by Thaddeus Rutkowski 
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/09/thaddeus-rutkowskis-dinner-prep-is-196.html 

#197 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
09 22 2020
Screenplay
SWEET DREAMS
by Ben Johnson
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/09/bill-johnsons-screenplay-sweet-dreams.html 

#198 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
09 26 2020
Crime Thriller
Dirty Deeds
by Armand Rosamilia
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/09/armand-rosamilias-dirty-deeds-is-198-in.html 

#199 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
09 29 2020
Crime Thriller
Hunting Mariah 
by Janice Spina 
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/09/janice-spinas-hunting-mariah-is-199-in.html 

#200 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
10   2020
Crime Novel
Indelible:  A Sean McPhereson Novel, Book One
by Laurie Buchanan
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/10/laurie-buchanans-indelible-sean.html 

#201 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
10 04 2020  
Cross-genre novel
January River
by Bernard Jan
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/10/bernard-jans-january-river-is-201-in.html 

#202 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
10 10 2020
Historical Novel
Robin Hood’s Dawn: The Earl of Huntingdon”
by Olivia Longueville
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/10/olivia-longuevilles-robin-hoods-dawn.html


#203  Inside the Emotion
10 14 2020
Historical Novel
The Alexanders Volume 1 1911-1920
by Allan Hudson
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/10/allan-hudsons-alexanders-volume-1-1911.html
 
#204 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
10 15 2020
Short story
Forget Me Not
by Angele Ellis
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/10/angele-elliss-short-story-forget-me-not.html 

#205 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
10 16 2020
Coming of Age Fiction
My Gypsy War Diary
by Shawn Brink
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/10/shawn-brinks-my-gypsy-war-diary-is-205.html 

#206 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
10 19 2020
Western Screenplay 
The Search for Sundown, Texas
by Patrick Emralino
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/10/director-patrick-emralino-s-screenplay.html 


#207 Inside the Emotion of Fiction 
10 20 2020
Romance
A Promise for Faith-Briar Creek Love Book 1
by Stacy K Simmons
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/10/stacy-k-simmonss-promise-for-faith.html 

#208 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
10 22 2020
Terrorism Thriller
Death In The Cloud
by E.J. Simon
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/10/ej-simons-death-in-cloud-is-208-in.html 

#209 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
10 25 2020
Mystery
“The Nazi Spy Mystery Series Book 1”
by Alan Hardy
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/10/alan-hardys-nazi-spy-nazi-spy-mystery.html  

#210 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
10 29 2020
Historical
“The Unbridled Tongue”
by Catherine Meyrick
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/10/catherine-meyricks-bridled-tongue-is.html 

#211 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
11 03 2020
Short Story Collection
“Tales From Los Cabos”
by Lila C Duville
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/10/catherine-meyricks-bridled-tongue-is.html 

#212 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
11 09 2020
Historical Fiction
“THE LAST OF THE ROMANS: FIGHT OR DIE”
by Derek Birks
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/11/derek-birkss-last-of-romans-fight-or.html 

#213 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
11 12 2020
Historical Fiction
RISING FROM THE RUINS
by Anna Chant 
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/11/images-in-this-specific-piece-are.html 

#214 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
11 14 2020
Short Story
NEW SPEEDWAY BOOGIE 
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/11/paula-persoleos-short-story-new.html 

#215 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
11 29 2020
Science Fiction
A HOLE IN THE UNIVERSE 
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/11/jack-wears-hole-in-universe-is-215-in.html 

#216 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
12 11 2020
Historical War Fiction
The Wishing Well 
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/12/matthew-hamiltons-wishing-tree-is-216.html 

#217 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
12 22 2020
Historical Fiction
For Those Who Dare
By John Anthony Miller 
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/12/john-anthony-millers-for-those-who-dare.html 

#218 Inside the Emotion of Fiction 
12 26 2020
Fiction focused on human trafficking in Nepal
Pakhalieko Sundo
By Dr. Sangita Swechcha
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2020/12/dr-sangita-swechchas-pakhalieko-siudo.html 

#219 Inside the Emotion of Fiction 
01 07 2021
Japanese Literature
“Loose Ends In Yokohama-A Story of a Man on a Mission to Make Peace with His Past”
by Alex Lund
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2021/01/alex-lunds-loose-ends-in-yokohama-story.html 

#220 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
02 27 2021
Historical Fiction
“TRILLIUM”
by MLHOLTON aka Margaret Lindsay Holton 
http://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2021/02/margaret-lindsay-holtons-aka-mlholtons.html 

#221 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
03 12 2021
Women’s Fiction
“THE ARRANGED MARRIAGE”
by Stephenson Holt
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2021/03/stephenson-holts-arranged-marriage-is.html 

#222 Inside the Emotion of Fiction
03 25 2021
Psychological Thriller
“DEADLY HARM”
by Owen Mullen
https://chrisricecooper.blogspot.com/2021/03/owen-mullens-deadly-harm-is-222-in.html 



Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Candice Kelsey’s “Toward an Arctic Circle” is #269 in the never-ending series called BACKSTORY OF THE POEM

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*** The CRC Blog welcomes submissions from published and unpublished poets for BACKSTORY OF THE POEM series.  Contact CRC Blog via email at caccoop@aol.com or personal Facebook messaging at https://www.facebook.com/car.cooper.7


***Candice Kelsey’s “Toward an Arctic Circle” is #269 in the never-ending series called BACKSTORY OF THE POEM where the Chris Rice Cooper Blog (CRC) focuses on one specific poem and how the poet wrote that specific poem.  All BACKSTORY OF THE POEM links are at the end of this piece. 



Can you go through the step-by-step process of writing this poem from the moment the idea was first conceived in your brain until final form?
I often collect phrases that I find unique in sound or ambiguity and see just how fecund they can be. Should they sprout in my imagination over time, I watch the process until it's time to sit down and play with them. That's what happened with the descriptions of the Arctic Circle I was reading about in a National Geographic magazine. Something about "club moss" and "naked chive" took root for me. 


Soon I widened my focus and came to see the geography of Northern America somewhat paralleled my complex relationship with my mother, especially the recent text messages she had been sending me. It's one of life's inscrutable pursuits -- making sense of family -- so once I made the connection, the poem wrote itself. (Below Right:  Candice with her mom.  Copyright by Candice Kelsey)


Where were you when you started to actually write the poem?  And please describe the place in great detail. I wrote this poem while sitting in the local fish shop where I live -- an odd place for a vegetarian, I know, but they have Pacifico on tap, lovely rice and beans, and just enough kitsch decor to forbid me to take myself too seriously. I kept squeezing more and more limes into my beer until finally, my thumbs were sticky on my phone as I typed into the Notes app and imagined wild salmon rather than the fried cod the firemen at the next table were scarfing down. (Below Left:  The Local Fish Shop where Candice wrote "Toward an Arctic Circle")


What month and year did you start writing this poem? I believe this poem was written in the spring because I was trying to get to LMU on time to teach my freshman writing class. Although, in Los Angeles one never really notices distinct times of year.


How many drafts of this poem did you write before going to the final? (And can you share a photograph of your rough drafts with pen markings on it?) This poem had three distinct drafts, the final of which was sent to members of my writing group. Their notes are attached. (Right:  Candice Kelsey's rough draft of her poem "Toward an Arctic Circle"  Credit and Copyright by Candice Kelsey)


Were there any lines in any of your rough drafts of this poem that were not in the final version?  And can you share them with us? I definitely changed the title of the poem from "My Mother Watches Dr. Phil" to 'Toward an Arctic Circle." Also, I added a bit more about why the text message about Dr. Phil upset me while also exploring a more contemplative tone as opposed to an indignant one by adding these lines:


"and succumb

to my marrowed guilt

for hesitating

to accept this apology"


What do you want readers of this poem to take from this poem? I hope there's at least one reader (daughter or mother, or both) who can identify with the all-encompassing yet often elusive quest to connect with one's own flesh and blood.


Which part of the poem was the most emotional of you to write and why?  Definitely, I felt deep sadness in the final two stanzas:


I know now

we’ve gone too far –

these dunes

a desert mirage warmth

mere Ice Age relic –

so I tell it

thirty-five miles north

of us:

this place

I call

our Arctic Circle.

Has this poem been published before?  And if so where? It was first published by Tiny Seed Press  

https://tinyseedjournal.com/2019/06/23/toward-an-arctic-circle/

and featured in my collection Still I am pushing

https://www.amazon.com/Still-am-Pushing-Candice-Kelsey/dp/1646621603/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Still+I+am+pushing&qid=1616605841&s=books&sr=1-1 


Toward an Arctic Circle

 

There are lines 

my mother and I

cross borders 

we step past 


where flesh and bone 

meet cranberry 

and clubmoss  

outside the truth 

I like to call

our lower forty-eight.

  

We paddle 

sometimes motor 

up the Wild 

Salmon River 

toward the Boreal 

Forest I know

as the northern limits

of mother and

daughter.

 

Like today 

when she texted

I’m watching Dr. Phil

between caribou 

and birch 

and now I realize

I involved you 

in adult issues when

you were just 

a teen forgive me

Candice.

 

I mark time 

to the rhythm of 

the Great Kobuk dunes

while she inhales 

the onion portage its 

naked chive 

growth glowing like

the screen 

of my phone.

 

I’m watching

the white ruffs 

chalk caribou 

bulls' noble antlers

I read their

autumn pelage verse

and succumb to

my marrowed guilt

 

for hesitating

to accept this apology

not because 

she’s thirty years late 

to this continual night of

dwarf shrub 

silence –


but simply 

because her epiphany 

came from 

an unlicensed tabloid 

psychologist

who peddles failed

weight loss 

potions.

 

I know now

we’ve gone too far.

These dunes 

a desert mirage 

warmth

mere Ice Age relic

so I tell it

thirty-five miles north 

of us:


this place 

I call 

our Arctic Circle.


CANDICE KELSEY's debut book of poetry, Still I am Pushing, just released with Finishing Line Press. Her poetry has appeared in Poets Reading the News, Poet Lore, and others while her micro-chapbook The Pier House is available from the Origami Poetry Project. She won the 2019 Two Sisters Writing's Steve Carr Contest, received Honorable Mention for Common Ground's 2019 Poetry Contest, and was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Currently, she is working with the O, Miami Poetry Festival on an exciting project. An educator in Los Angeles for 21 years, she is devoted to working with young writers. (Right: Candice Kelsey giving a public reading. Copyright by Candice Kelsey)

Visit Candice at https://www.candicemkelseypoet.com