tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46123268528445607212024-03-05T01:28:20.094-08:00A Clean, Well-Lighted BlogAllen Eskens' author BlogAllen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-52416497774932949302019-02-13T15:15:00.000-08:002019-02-13T17:08:30.739-08:00THE SHADOWS WE HIDE - THE SEQUEL<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Shadows We Hide, the sequel to The Life We Bury is on store shelves now and I'm proud of how it is being received. The Minneapolis TV station KARE 11 chose it for their January Book Club pick and we did a live Facebook discussion. KARE 11 was kind enough to put together a little clip - eleven things to know about yours truly - attached below, if you want to check it out.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/kare11-sunrise/11-things-to-know-about-mn-author-allen-eskens/89-ebac1427-8d6c-4b9c-a029-e57d80d0df8c?fbclid=IwAR1rQe14v-l4lmaG2lPfSMcOHYCuwEHchgzCWyotEk2u1Tfn4K4UoTZYt98" target="_blank">https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/kare11-sunrise/11-things-to-know-about-mn-author-allen-eskens/89-ebac1427-8d6c-4b9c-a029-e57d80d0df8c?fbclid=IwAR1rQe14v-l4lmaG2lPfSMcOHYCuwEHchgzCWyotEk2u1Tfn4K4UoTZYt98</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_29S2R6fZrVrxn5320LCTvnEUd-d2GjDdw4APXjhwIz1D_BCufDbKlCNCgGhsmi9G9I2TwlzZUDu-9_zcf1iWwNEnyUvauvtQ_cP1DmJLRA9YlRhx2WHh9KSJhiftiyykroRVBOjVqRjD/s1600/both+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="695" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_29S2R6fZrVrxn5320LCTvnEUd-d2GjDdw4APXjhwIz1D_BCufDbKlCNCgGhsmi9G9I2TwlzZUDu-9_zcf1iWwNEnyUvauvtQ_cP1DmJLRA9YlRhx2WHh9KSJhiftiyykroRVBOjVqRjD/s320/both+2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I also am honored to say that The Shadows We Hide is a finalist for both the Barry Award and the Minnesota Book Award. The Life We Bury was also nominated for both of these awards, winning the Barry that year. The Shadows We Hide was also chosen by Amazon and Barns and Noble as being a Best Book for November when it was launched.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was great revisiting Joe, Lila, Jeremy and Kathy. It is also wonderful to hear from readers on Goodreads and Amazon who say they are loving the book. I just want to thank all of you who have read my work and took the time to reach out to me. I'll continue to do my best to keep writing novels that bring enjoyment to readers.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-80799164535391516982017-10-13T08:38:00.000-07:002017-10-13T08:38:24.611-07:00MY FIRST LIVE MORNING SHOW<span style="font-size: large;">I just survived my first, live morning show--<a href="https://globalnews.ca/video/rd/1072582211990/" target="_blank">Global News</a> Toronto! Thank you Jeff McArthur for making this experience painless. And thank you Penguin Random House (and Samantha Ruinsky) for all your help. <a href="https://globalnews.ca/video/rd/1072582211990/" target="_blank">interview</a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdSq3uF9Tu81BsdwcpVPRCwSnUcISPrl2UqbsX3WK3gRofGKwU6kxVAaXJdMZQK9Wp3zB5eyoM1syj4m9muL7uvNwom_bHllsv_rU_ILXycjVeyPSEK5WBGrpd0Dpsu5t4v9jOOBOynUu/s1600/morning+show+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="1318" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdSq3uF9Tu81BsdwcpVPRCwSnUcISPrl2UqbsX3WK3gRofGKwU6kxVAaXJdMZQK9Wp3zB5eyoM1syj4m9muL7uvNwom_bHllsv_rU_ILXycjVeyPSEK5WBGrpd0Dpsu5t4v9jOOBOynUu/s640/morning+show+2.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-21292655015218458092017-10-03T07:10:00.000-07:002017-10-03T07:10:40.503-07:00THE DEEP DARK DESCENDING<span style="font-size: large;">Today is the launch of THE DEEP DARK DESCENDING, my fourth novel. I'm excited to see it head out into the big world, and am grateful for the buzz it's getting. Entertainment Weekly has it on the top of their list for Best New Books (Oct. 6 ed.), and Amazon has chosen it as one of their <a href="https://www.amazon.com/b/ref=s9_acss_bw_cg_KCedit_9a1_w?node=17276798011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-2&pf_rd_r=TD13VZ4VPMZPZH3HMHSX&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=49677b48-2f06-43d3-b3dc-d754608b615e&pf_rd_i=17143709011" target="_blank">Best Books of the Month</a>, next to such names as Stephen King, Dan Brown, Harlan Coben, John Grisham, and more. I am also grateful to all the blog reviewers who take the time to read my work and comment on it. Your support is instrumental and greatly appreciated.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am particularly grateful to Wendy Tyson who wrote a wonderful feature article about me and my books for <a href="http://www.thebigthrill.org/2017/09/the-deep-dark-descending-by-allen-eskens/" target="_blank">The Big Thrill</a> magazine. Today I begin the publicity tour and couldn't be more pleased. I look forward to meeting readers, so if you have a chance, stop by one of my <a href="http://allen-eskens.blogspot.com/p/events.html" target="_blank">events</a> if you can. Now, back to writing!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy23CnAtoN8LpNl29A8VB7mMIACxyxJ_aTXQv9VdAWtuhP0jIbSaPD479d4XlVvogKmuMynPljd_VnFt6gWC5wYenJFjGKgYyDamuIGdOEbsavICvC9PDqP8P8hFLyc08CD1QPN5fz1JyL/s1600/deep+dark_cover+final+60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1485" data-original-width="997" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy23CnAtoN8LpNl29A8VB7mMIACxyxJ_aTXQv9VdAWtuhP0jIbSaPD479d4XlVvogKmuMynPljd_VnFt6gWC5wYenJFjGKgYyDamuIGdOEbsavICvC9PDqP8P8hFLyc08CD1QPN5fz1JyL/s400/deep+dark_cover+final+60.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-15659937656953281672017-05-01T17:39:00.000-07:002017-05-01T17:39:56.797-07:00<span style="font-size: large;">Just a quick note--</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ptBLlJuq_mRXewZc-P7FJDVCzpSGacKpcn3FsL5_BU2D769wAsYKVoN09D3gWHTcACyQvGjfW0IZyG6JueuMdMdITsI2T5Fakl_jOQJwuGMBC5zUjOL0WAtk8bwTTE4A96lb_QAEmHkq/s1600/com-regular-clip-art-school-completely-free-clip-t7SdmB-clipart.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ptBLlJuq_mRXewZc-P7FJDVCzpSGacKpcn3FsL5_BU2D769wAsYKVoN09D3gWHTcACyQvGjfW0IZyG6JueuMdMdITsI2T5Fakl_jOQJwuGMBC5zUjOL0WAtk8bwTTE4A96lb_QAEmHkq/s320/com-regular-clip-art-school-completely-free-clip-t7SdmB-clipart.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the best lessons that I've learned is on what John Gardner called profluence. Profluence is that sense of compulsion that a writer instills in a reader which makes the reader want to (need to) keep reading. Gardner sums it up as follows:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<i> </i><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><b>Page 1, even
if it’s a page of description, must raise questions, suspicions and
expectations; the mind casts forward to later pages, wondering what will come
about and how. It is this casting forward that draws us from paragraph to
paragraph and chapter to chapter. The moment we stop caring where the story
will go next, the writer has failed and we stop reading.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">-- John Gardner The Art of Fiction (writing on
profluence)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-69498798695449621332016-11-05T15:22:00.000-07:002016-11-05T15:22:47.760-07:00THREE BOOKS -- A Great summary by TheShadesofOrange<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've been meaning to do a video blog to talk about having three books published: </span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">THE LIFE WE BURY, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">THE GUISE OF ANOTHER &</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>THE HEAVENS MAY FALL</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to discuss how each book is different and how readers with a particular preference may enjoy one book over another.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Then low and behold, I came across this terrific video blog by TheShadesofOrange, where this brilliant young woman named Rachel did exactly that. Thank you Rachel for the great post. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Snn5YYsMxYg/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Snn5YYsMxYg?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Snn5YYsMxYg" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Snn5YYsMxYg</a></span>Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-3533032727314484582016-08-03T16:51:00.000-07:002016-08-03T16:51:07.355-07:00PBS Interview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9fjwWmVQOI_VQNS1swEOi8dFmEykeuIIJFgya15j_OJNyimb-0U3bMdFwpVzu2MCxtcMhuCCEYnYQamGqS5vi_WQLAZ5AgAId7-GRv49xLr_ju6rvt8VOV5gKNIp-zfFgJ4fDiYIkd-K/s1600/Heavens+May+Fall_cover+revised.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9fjwWmVQOI_VQNS1swEOi8dFmEykeuIIJFgya15j_OJNyimb-0U3bMdFwpVzu2MCxtcMhuCCEYnYQamGqS5vi_WQLAZ5AgAId7-GRv49xLr_ju6rvt8VOV5gKNIp-zfFgJ4fDiYIkd-K/s320/Heavens+May+Fall_cover+revised.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">On the eve (figuratively) of the launch of my third novel</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">THE HEAVENS MAY FALL </span>(October 4, 2016), <span style="font-size: large;">I continue to bask in the glow of the success of THE LIFE WE BURY. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today I would like to thank Kevin Hanson and the rest of his people at KSMQ/Off 90 for the wonderful PBS piece that they put together spotlighting my adventure as a writer. I love how it turned out and it captures the spirit of what I most enjoy about being a writer.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Take a look at the interview at the link below:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WSg-_Tfrns&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">KSMQ - Off 90 interview of Allen Eskens</a></span>Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-91335897601381514232016-04-19T16:01:00.001-07:002016-04-19T16:15:49.452-07:00<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dysHwQH54xyfxhf6dfmOb4X4XZRoJcY4pEXj9E8xn1kiJhSz65Gd4ZhdPeYK4Zs-0INo4fzSa69lZgOLjlaXQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">A little video in honor of </span><span style="font-size: large;">National Autism Month</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>To see the Erin Toland review that prompted this post click on the blog link below.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://booksmusicallthingswritten.wordpress.com/2016/04/17/the-life-we-bury-by-allen-eskers-review/">https://booksmusicallthingswritten.wordpress.com/2016/04/17/the-life-we-bury-by-allen-eskers-review/</a>Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-69894443223616075902015-08-25T08:56:00.000-07:002015-08-25T08:56:36.668-07:00HOW NURSERY RHYMES HELPED MY WRITING.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">As I was studying and honing my skill as a writer, I sought
to come up with road markers to push my abilities and give me the confidence to
take the next step. One of these markers was my Jack-and-Jill exercise.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMhUIFTvGsgBfeyWA_2chozOoNc_2v5gpWYKsO9Z5EPm664nbZD7wxshk8PFFVcsQYAwSXdbd_HxOc1ozCrSKPqj1tnzUj-9vJpak94UGFSc1QQMpPJ1Pv_DjoFWyMEjIXeRyvS0Y-Qq0/s1600/jackjill.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMhUIFTvGsgBfeyWA_2chozOoNc_2v5gpWYKsO9Z5EPm664nbZD7wxshk8PFFVcsQYAwSXdbd_HxOc1ozCrSKPqj1tnzUj-9vJpak94UGFSc1QQMpPJ1Pv_DjoFWyMEjIXeRyvS0Y-Qq0/s320/jackjill.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Jack-and-Jill exercise grew out of the fact that I write
mysteries and thrillers. Mysteries and thrillers tend to rely heavily upon
plot. I would sometimes read a mystery that, I felt, relied too much on plot
and left out other elements of literary style. This may be a matter of taste
because I gravitate toward literary mysteries like those of Tom Franklin and
Dennis Lehane. So in my own work, I tried to come up with an assignment that
would remind me of the importance of these other elements—even in a plot driven
genre. What I came up with was my Jack-and-Jill exercise.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Basically, the Jack-and-Jill exercise is to take a nursery
rhyme (like Jack and Jill) and rewrite it into a short story of some length
relying on skills other than plot. Because the plot is already laid out and
well known before the exercise begins, it forces me to focus on those
other elements of story such as description, dialogue, pacing and character. To
me, it feels like I’m working out those literary muscles that tend to atrophy
when I focus too much on plot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">This exercise often comes to my thoughts as I write my
novels. When I come to a place where I’m stepping from one plot point to
another and I find myself struggling to write that transition, I take a step
back and remember my Jack-and-Jill exercise. I change my focus away from plot
and try to make the transition stand on its own merit. Over the course of
writing three novels, I’ve found this exercise useful.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-14504417304567197782015-08-03T17:32:00.000-07:002015-08-03T17:32:16.735-07:00NEXT STEP . . . HOLLYWOOD (hopefully).<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After months of knowing that this was in the works, I can finally announce that </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>THE LIFE WE BURY</i> had been optioned for development as an independent feature film! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Here's the official announcement: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Allen Eskens' debut thriller THE LIFE WE BURY, winner of the Rosebud Award for Best First Mystery, has been named a finalist for five additional awards including the prestigious Edgar Award for Best First Novel and ThrillerFest Best First Novel. It was chosen by Suspense Magazine and MysteryPeople as one of the best books of 2014, and called a "masterful debut" in a starred review by Publisher's Weekly. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">THE LIFE WE BURY is now under option to Mary Jane Skalski and Damon Lane of Next Wednesday to be developed as a feature film.
</span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="font-size: large;">Currently producing WILSON for Fox Searchlight, Skalski's credits include the award-winning </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rRMsH1ugTEkYEhnSNpJNatDj5wmyNI9pILfpX2jwoqo_Vf-CXey3kXNjTb_3A8GNNxBW-ZIkUMrH0OgbMGDeDfZpbMy4RXQrKfx_HRor2dT8u6mB7HmZYQjY5xjI_R1EKiO7qBMnrDCg/s1600/director.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rRMsH1ugTEkYEhnSNpJNatDj5wmyNI9pILfpX2jwoqo_Vf-CXey3kXNjTb_3A8GNNxBW-ZIkUMrH0OgbMGDeDfZpbMy4RXQrKfx_HRor2dT8u6mB7HmZYQjY5xjI_R1EKiO7qBMnrDCg/s320/director.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">THE STATION AGENT (she won both the John Cassavetes and Independent Spirit Producer Award), the Oscar nominated THE VISITOR, WIN WIN, and MYSTERIOUS SKIN. Lane, who has been a manager at Zero Gravity Management as well as head of Development and Acquisitions at Capitol Films, has worked in film sales, finance and production for over 15 years. He has produced LOCKED IN and ANOMALY with Noel Clarke. He is currently packaging CHURCHILL with Studio Canal and Sierra/Affinity.
THE LIFE WE BURY was published by Seventh Street Books and the option deal was handled by Mary Alice Kier and Anna Cottle of Cine/Lit Representation on behalf of Amy Cloughley of Kimberley Cameron & Associates.</span>Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-73133177491774486082015-07-06T09:08:00.000-07:002015-07-08T10:09:07.364-07:00<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My Surprising Journey to Becoming an Author</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since the release of my debut novel <i>The Life We Bury</i>, I’ve been so happily astonished at its warm reception. I’ve received many moving, heartfelt messages from readers who have enjoyed and been affected by the book. And it has continued to steadily find new readers everywhere—it’s been in the top 100 at Amazon in Canada for the past 100 days, for example, and starting today, <i>The Life We Bury</i> will be sold on the “Emerging Authors” shelves of Target stores! As exciting as it is to see <i>your</i> <i>book</i> on the shelves at Barnes & Noble and independent bookstores, seeing it in a big box mass retailer like Target is a bit surreal.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">All of this has inspired me to reflect on the path I’ve taken to this point, and I made a short video to share with readers the surprising journey I’ve taken to get here. This video goes out to the wonderful readers who have written and asked me about my personal story, as well as to new and potential readers who want to learn more about the man behind the book.</span></span><br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zuxC9in2994" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<br />Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-90105640338654551612015-06-12T17:40:00.001-07:002015-06-12T19:18:01.946-07:00THE GUISE OF ANOTHER is coming!<span style="font-size: large;">I went to my very first Book Expo America and it was a blast. For those who have never been there (like me three weeks ago) it's the largest trade show of book publishers and buyers and others in the country. My publisher flew me out there to sign advanced reading copies of my soon-to-be-released novel The Guise of Another.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84HVP2TrkMG6ANQTKa_FT5uMEEYZavoh4H1cYjcIY2LkoDNMRpIN_-e1P-f9Sd_wHv5MiJKaYtL1IoCzQzgnF2t62FWowJ6Nj-tuZ50SCb1KR8DxFF45uK6K2vlJ1A9oB6xfsFfEfgBor/s1600/writer-.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84HVP2TrkMG6ANQTKa_FT5uMEEYZavoh4H1cYjcIY2LkoDNMRpIN_-e1P-f9Sd_wHv5MiJKaYtL1IoCzQzgnF2t62FWowJ6Nj-tuZ50SCb1KR8DxFF45uK6K2vlJ1A9oB6xfsFfEfgBor/s320/writer-.png" width="247" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">When I got there, they had stacks of my new book lined up along the wall -- six hundred of them. It all seemed a bit daunting. But I sat down and pulled out my pen and to my surprise, had a steady stream of readers coming by. I met so many amazing people, all excited about reading (except for the one or two who wanted a signed ARC to put on Ebay).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> I also stayed for Bookcon, which was after BEA. I was utterly impressed with all of the young people collecting books. I had some very nice conversations with aspiring writers and I hope that my words encouraged them to follow that dream -- and not wait until they turn fifty like some of us. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">On a different note, I want to thank Maddee James and her team at XUNI for the revamped web page. I'm looking forward to filling it with content. <a href="http://alleneskens.com/">http://alleneskens.com/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And finally, I have to thank Maria from Good Choice Reading for the exceptional review of The Life We Bury that she posted today. 6 out of 5 stars is one hell of a compliment. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.goodchoicereading.com/2015/06/review-life-we-bury-by-allen-eskens.html">http://www.goodchoicereading.com/2015/06/review-life-we-bury-by-allen-eskens.html</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you've read and liked The Life We Bury, please like my author page:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Allen-Eskens-author/162795953749215">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Allen-Eskens-author/162795953749215</a></span>Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-84901982662085362262015-04-04T18:49:00.000-07:002015-04-04T18:49:38.952-07:00<br /><div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm back...</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, so it's been a while since I blogged about my novel-writing adventure, but I have a good excuse. I was kidnapped by a band of roving Norwegians and forced to learn the accordion. They took me on a circuit, visiting every KOA Campground in the country where I was forced to perform for my meals. I finally escaped and made it back to Minnesota to discover that my novel, The Life We Bury is doing very well. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">After the launch, I got some wonderful reviews from big names like Publisher's Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus and from a bunch of terrific bloggers from all over the world. At the end of the year, The Life We Bury was chosen by MysteryPeople and Suspense Magazine as one of the Best Debut Novels of 2014. I figured I'd reached a peak and finished the year quite happy with The Life We Bury.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then January came. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">First, I received a nomination for the Rosebud Award, for Best First Mystery Novel. This award is given out by attendees at the Left Coast Crime Conference in Portland, OR. Then The Life We Bury was nominated for a Minnesota Book Award for Best Genre Novel. And when I thought things couldn't get better, I was nominated for the Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best Debut Novel. This is often called the Academy Award for mystery writers. I can't believe my good fortune.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">So, feeling both excited and humbled, I flew to Portland. To my great surprise and honor, The Life We Bury won the Rosebud award. On that same day, I learned that my novel was named a finalist for the Barry Award, for Best Paperback Original novel. That Award will be presented at the Bouchercon Writer's Conference in the fall. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">And last week, The Life We Bury was named a finalist for the Thriller Award for Best First Novel. In sum, it has been a crazy and wonderful few months. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've taken time to blog tonight because I'm feeling a sense of calm right now. I just sent my revisions in for my second novel. The title has been changed from the original working title to The Guise Of Another. I'm happy with how the novel turned out, but we'll see once it comes out on October 6, 2015.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'll try to be better with writing here as things develop. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cheers.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-50814107923586320702014-09-20T10:18:00.000-07:002014-09-21T18:45:35.454-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">TIME TO WRITE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQmQVXOGuHS5n-Jw28qXskdQINx9T53R5gIC7UNnLVCE7UwR6HYHpESo1PykkeIkpR7fi1-lHYxZsJp5taGX3foRYisHR7xWm-qN71DuYqRxFinha55PJbTDB_bhZZ2IXNTylEY7641DK/s1600/cover+art+compressed+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQmQVXOGuHS5n-Jw28qXskdQINx9T53R5gIC7UNnLVCE7UwR6HYHpESo1PykkeIkpR7fi1-lHYxZsJp5taGX3foRYisHR7xWm-qN71DuYqRxFinha55PJbTDB_bhZZ2IXNTylEY7641DK/s1600/cover+art+compressed+2.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When I wrote my first novel, <i>The Life We Bury</i>, I didn't feel like a I could call myself a writer as I felt more like a lawyer
writing a novel (and as I've learned since, that’s what most lawyers apparently
do). I’d spent nearly two decades learning and practicing and studying to
prepare myself for this adventure and when the time came, my words flowed out
at an easy pace. I had no deadline. I was in no hurry. Writing was fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With novel number two, I felt no need to have a
product out by a particular deadline either. I began novel number two when I
was in the dreaded agent-query process. If you are in that part of the process
now, I highly recommend that you start your next novel while you query. The time
between sending out a query letter and hearing back can take weeks, sometimes
months. Writing another novel will
distract you from wanting to check your empty email every five minutes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But when I submitted my second manuscript to my
publisher, I decided to ask for a three-book deal. I had ideas for all three
books, and their stories worked together in a nice arc, so why not. Well, my request
was granted. I received the contracts in the mail and signed them with the
high-minded feeling that I was no longer a lawyer writing books, but rather a
novelist who also practiced law. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now it’s time to write novel number three and it
seems as though I haven’t any time. With <i>The
Life We Bury</i> coming out in less than a month, I have been inundated with
tasks I hadn’t expected. It never occurred to me that I’d be writing so many
interviews for bloggers and reviewers. Don’t get me wrong, I love writing
Q&As. I can’t tell you how gratifying it is to get a Q&A request from
bloggers. Then there are the articles
for <i>Writer’s Digest</i> and The Big Chill. On top of that I have been fortunate
enough to have events scheduled that put me in touch with many potential readers
and fans. In short, I am busy and completely loving it. I would devote every waking hour to spreading
the word about <i>The Life We Bury</i> if I
could.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But then I remember that I have another novel to
write (and a law practice to run). I </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuaz0rp3iEEog4nqt9WgrcxYxQCOw4VxOvbV-PaWc_56rOTtEPEjgKmGdcg_R7nIGxjadvQXMid7T2D-KSrYVfBfL8bkGvGjlPXvk0gz2jYHAO6BeEz6x1Mq701Ql3IYapg1UA79nx8H7/s1600/Boy+clip+art.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuaz0rp3iEEog4nqt9WgrcxYxQCOw4VxOvbV-PaWc_56rOTtEPEjgKmGdcg_R7nIGxjadvQXMid7T2D-KSrYVfBfL8bkGvGjlPXvk0gz2jYHAO6BeEz6x1Mq701Ql3IYapg1UA79nx8H7/s1600/Boy+clip+art.jpeg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
have novel number three outlined and a couple
chapters written. Lucky for me, I had my second manuscript finished and sold to
the publisher before <i>The Life We Bury</i>
hit the store shelves. That means that novel number three won’t launch until
the fall of 2016. Where before, I could write when the feeling struck me, I now
have to be more disciplined and schedule time in advanced for writing. I hope
to never box myself into a corner where I don’t have the time that I want (or need)
to write the quality of novel I want to write.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I used to think that if I <i>had</i> to write, I would not enjoy it as much as I did when I wrote because
I <i>wanted</i> to write, but I am finding
that that is not the case. I’m writing this blog post on a break from my
morning’s work and as I finish this piece, I can’t wait to go back to my
manuscript. It’s a lovely Saturday morning and I’m sitting on my deck with my
laptop on my lap. It’s a good day to write a novel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-53361884678592612052014-05-18T19:18:00.001-07:002014-05-22T08:26:39.421-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">MY WRITING PROCESS BLOG TOUR</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you, Emily Carpenter, for tagging me in this Writing
Process blog tour. Emily is a new friend who gets to share the amazing talents
of our mutual literary agent, Amy Cloughley, from the Kimberley Cameron Agency.
Emily is a writer from Atlanta, an award winning screen writer and can be found
at http://www.emilycarpenterauthor.com/<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">MY WRITING PROCESS<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">What am I working on?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJAuaqsLWM1SahbWW_EESCsNMvT7CehUGAWLChRzbpTiQrcYi24Q9WARXlfpEXYev-9RE0PfPGG0Fh7t0ARPweHlU_rBr1TvbwJp1sSDFD9e9-8p2Wf6gICke05ZS72CcV-q3FT6rP5wo/s1600/allen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJAuaqsLWM1SahbWW_EESCsNMvT7CehUGAWLChRzbpTiQrcYi24Q9WARXlfpEXYev-9RE0PfPGG0Fh7t0ARPweHlU_rBr1TvbwJp1sSDFD9e9-8p2Wf6gICke05ZS72CcV-q3FT6rP5wo/s1600/allen.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I write this blog, I am taking a break from doing
revisions on my second novel, tentatively titled, IN THE PATH OF THE BEAST. It
is a little more plot driven than my first novel, THE LIFE WE BURY, which will
launch on October 14 of 2014. Both novels are mysteries, although IN THE PATH
OF THE BEAST has a thriller element to it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">How does my work differ
from others in my genre?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Answering this question is a lot like answering the
question of how my child differs from other children. There are many
similarities between THE LIFE WE BURY and other books in the genre, which allows me to put my novel on the shelf with other mystery novels. But at
the same time it is different in some key ways. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">First, my protagonist is a college student. He has
no special training and, much like the main character from a Hitchcock film, he
is pulled into a situation not fully of his choosing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another distinction is the internal plot. in THE LIFE WE BURY I have a
strong relationship between my main character and his autistic brother. I feel
that this pairing gives the story a
bigger heart than one finds in most mysteries.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Why do I write what I
do?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I write what I do because I enjoy it. I took up
writing for the creative outlet and the fulfillment I found in crafting a good story. I continue to write because it makes me happy. If that ever changes, I
will stop writing what I do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">How does my writing
process work?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am a strenuous outliner. I can’t begin writing
until I have the plots and subplots down on paper. I know the point of view
character for every chapter and I know what information will be fed to the
reader when. I don’t let the
outline prevent me from taking a detour or tangent, but if the story veers too
far from the outline, I stop and redo the outline so that I know where I’m
going. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I write around 5000 words a week, either completing
one long chapter or two shorter ones. I save one entire weekend day to edit
what I wrote that week before moving on to the next section. During the first draft
stage I stay pretty close to that schedule.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I finish the first draft I revise until I’m
happy with it. Then I give it out to a few trusted beta readers, incorporate their
ideas. I then send it to my agent and get more editorial suggestions before it
goes to the publisher.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">That’s it for me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next week please read up on the writing process of a pair of talented mystery writers whom I admire.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Mickie Turk, and Pat Dennis.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">MICKIE TURK</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJ71oUYant8jkpAmWzTNRVhQQK7-LDK07_WpBhIP7YlwlZfF4clDQ1bFU7cCotDp97nsRRzCzXRA6g7m0w1k0UkOvs9BIBhusO0ES8ESZu3EqVfVzHPU2NsWGQYHxUG67QhT8P7p74uxd/s1600/MIckieFB+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJ71oUYant8jkpAmWzTNRVhQQK7-LDK07_WpBhIP7YlwlZfF4clDQ1bFU7cCotDp97nsRRzCzXRA6g7m0w1k0UkOvs9BIBhusO0ES8ESZu3EqVfVzHPU2NsWGQYHxUG67QhT8P7p74uxd/s1600/MIckieFB+copy.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mickie Turk has worked
independently and commercially in film, photography, and journalism for the
past 20 years. She wrote, directed, and produced
films—both short and feature-length narratives and documentaries. Her travels
to Cuba produced a film on the religion Santeria and <i>Havana Nights,</i> a locally screened shorts film festival. Early
educational and employment experiences included adult mental health services
and juvenile community corrections. Mickie has written novels, screenplays, and a variety of short stories and memoirs. Most recently, she is a film curator at Edina Film Festival and Vice President of Twin Cities Chapter of Sisters in Crime<span style="color: #262626;">. </span></span><a href="http://mickieturkauthorandfilmmaker.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">http://<wbr></wbr>mickieturkauthorandfilmmaker.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zr98KhUSkIO9i1NxANaENS6HERyo4o3GJAtoxooeWn3qf3OiqHuvTFf2nZ__MxN6GIkCcBLD3WORKSSrpahI-kWdTs7AqznlL97uP_pkUU_WCaXVxrGCOp680Uo6KDJFVzXxjErTBSoR/s1600/Pat+Dennis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zr98KhUSkIO9i1NxANaENS6HERyo4o3GJAtoxooeWn3qf3OiqHuvTFf2nZ__MxN6GIkCcBLD3WORKSSrpahI-kWdTs7AqznlL97uP_pkUU_WCaXVxrGCOp680Uo6KDJFVzXxjErTBSoR/s1600/Pat+Dennis.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">PAT DENNIS </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pat
Dennis is the award-wining author of <i>Hotdish To Die For</i> -- a
collection of six mystery short stories and 18 hotdish recipes. Pat Dennis authored <i>The Witches of Dorkdom</i>, a middle
school novel. Her numerous short stories and humor have appeared
in <i>Hotdish Haiku, Minnesota Monthly, Woman's World</i>, The Minnesota
Crime Wave's <i>Resort to Murder</i>, The Minnesota Crime Wave's <i>Silence
of the Loons, Once Upon A Crime Anthology, Writes of Spring, Who Died in Here?
Pioneer Press, Sun Current, Hartford Journal, Impressions</i> and <i>Anne
Frasier's Deadly Treats</i>. Pat is also a stand-up comedian with over 1,000
performances at comedy clubs, Fortune 500 companies, Women's Expo, and special
events. She has appeared on the same venue as Lewis Black, Phylis Diller, and
David Brenner. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><a href="http://patdennis.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">http://patdennis.blogspot.com</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-44180477150240698632014-01-01T09:38:00.001-08:002014-01-01T09:46:21.767-08:00<span style="font-size: large;">THE WINTER OF MY CONTENT</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">As 2014 begins, I find myself in that wonderful place where anticipation and hope hold hands. I will soon be doing the final edits on THE LIFE WE BURY, and the countdown to my first book launch in November ticks away. I attended a writers conference in November taught by Christopher Vogler, James Scott Bell and Donald Maass. I came away with a deeper understanding of some important aspects of writing, many of which I had been doing intuitively but didn't fully appreciate. If you are a writer and have an opportunity to catch this program, I recommend it.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">As I sat in that conference room, contemplating character and Joseph Campbell's seminal work THE HERO WITH A THOUSAND FACES, a thought struck me. I realized that the characters and themes that Campbell (and later Vogler) wrote about are concepts that can transfer from one character to another. For example, a novel needs a protagonist--a hero that the reader can cheer--but that hero is a concept that can jump from one character to another. Similarly, a villain can change stripes so long as the reader has a new person to fear or despise. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">For example, in SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, Hannibal Lecter is a truly fearsome villain in the beginning. However, as the story progresses the reader warms up to Lecter because he treats Clarice Starling with more respect that her peers do. As the reader begins to like Lecter, the specter of Buffalo Bill rises to take over as the one to be feared. The antagonist is not bound to a particular character, rather, the concept of the antagonist can move from one character to another, so long as the concept exists in the story. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This idea intrigues me. I have put this notion to a test in my next novel, which I just sent out to my beta readers. So far, the reviews are coming back great. I am looking forward to getting feedback from my agent and editor.</span></div>
Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-92156335329036769932013-06-20T17:16:00.001-07:002013-06-20T21:35:23.050-07:00MY AUTHOR WEBSITE IS FINISHED<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClfL4Atx5iF1RSu0V4Uw6jNr8fO-tu84TIEhppV9Svh58zZd84vf78I_71YqELaeujBnTYHe7Vw1a8Pzk20eFcOfs4NkSR4bEtu4-AyEGpwFZbRSJ7f_HXqmp6aexT3kmuNfQdtPZqtjT/s1600/thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClfL4Atx5iF1RSu0V4Uw6jNr8fO-tu84TIEhppV9Svh58zZd84vf78I_71YqELaeujBnTYHe7Vw1a8Pzk20eFcOfs4NkSR4bEtu4-AyEGpwFZbRSJ7f_HXqmp6aexT3kmuNfQdtPZqtjT/s320/thumbnail.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>Kudos to Maddee James and <a href="http://xuni.com/" target="_blank">xuni.com</a> for the excellent author's website. The launch of THE LIFE WE BURY is not scheduled for over a year but the work of building a platform marches on. At the top of the list was to create an author's website. After asking around for recommendations, Maddee James at XUNI was the favorite. I came away from the project happy with the result and happy with the service and attention provided by Maddee. Please visit my site and browse around, <a href="http://www.alleneskens.com/">www.alleneskens.com</a> and don't forget to sign up for my <a href="http://www.alleneskens.com/media-contact.php#mailing-list">newsletter</a>. I am certain that there will be book giveaways and more associated with the launch of THE LIFE WE BURY.
</b>Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-77506986749236231382013-05-31T10:47:00.000-07:002013-05-31T12:13:56.398-07:00AUTHORS LOCKED OUT OF BARNES AND NOBLE?<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What is happening at Barnes and Noble? Yesterday, one of Minnesota's favorite authors, William Kent Krueger, blogged on his author Facebook page that he is being prohibited from doing book signings at Barnes and Noble because of the dispute between his publisher, Simon and Schuster, and the book selling giant. Krueger wrote:</span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span style="font-size: large;">"I just learned that I can’t visit any Barnes and Noble store with the release of my upcoming novel "Tamarack County," the thirteenth in the Cork O’Connor series. There’s a spat going on between my publisher, Simon and Schuster, and the bookstore chain. No Simon and Schuster author may visit any Barnes and Noble until further notice."</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/tcsistersincrime/10150525668702168/#!/williamkentkrueger/posts/609827255703246"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.facebook.com/groups/tcsistersincrime/10150525668702168/#!/williamkentkrueger/posts/609827255703246</span></a></span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span style="font-size: large;">News of this problem made it into the PublishersMarketplace post today. The PM story had a response by Simon and Schuster laying the blame at the feet of Barnes and Noble, stating:</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span style="font-size: large;">"Throughout this period of difficult negotiations our position has been to make available any and all our books B&N has ordered, and we are more than willing to set up author events. If a Simon & Schuster book is not available at B&N, or an author event cannot be scheduled, that is by their decision alone as part of their negotiating strategy, which we view as counter-productive. We have done nothing to diminish our presence of our books and authors at B&N."</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span style="font-size: large;">The PM story had no response from Barnes and Noble, so I do not know for certain if they are wearing the black hat in this matter, but ultimately they have the final say as to who can enter their stores for a book signing. The final comment on this story can be found in the post of Mr. Kent Krueger, which reads:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">[T]his business is difficult enough as it is, and I bust my rear end to sell books. Then this kind of chicanery gets thrown into the mix. I have a friend who used to wear a T-shirt at writers’ conferences: Publishing Business—Isn’t that an oxymoron? Damn straight.</span><br />
<span class="userContent"></span><br />
<span class="userContent"></span><br />
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td nowrap="" style="white-space: nowrap; width: 24px;" width="24"></td><td align="center"><div style="color: #999999; font-size: 8pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
Advertisement</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.5em;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: #000099; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: bold 11pt/normal Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px;">
</div>
Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-63414272955882262392013-05-10T09:36:00.000-07:002013-06-19T13:45:34.438-07:00IT'S OFFICIAL!<span style="font-size: large;">My novel, THE LIFE WE BURY, has found a home!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Seventh Street Books (an imprint of Prometheus Books) has acquired the rights to my book and has scheduled its launch for the fall/winter of 2014. I am looking forward to working with my editor, Dan Mayer, whose reputation precedes him. I want to thank my agent, Amy Cloughley of the Kimberley Cameron Agency, for her hard work, enthusiasm, and faith. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To memorialize and commemorate the occasion, I have copied the announcement from Publisher's Marketplace below. </span><a href="http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/deals/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/deals/</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To learn more about my novel, THE LIFE WE BURY, check out my blog post from January 27.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://allen-eskens.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-life-we-bury.html">http://allen-eskens.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-life-we-bury.html</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">PublishersMarketplace</span><br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td nowrap="" style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter">
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0">
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0">
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1">
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2">
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth">
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight">
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1">
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2">
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth">
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0">
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight">
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0">
</v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas>
<v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f">
<o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit">
</o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype><v:shape alt="http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/s.gif" id="Picture_x0020_70" o:spid="_x0000_i1027" style="height: 14.5pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 1.5pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata o:title="s" src="file:///C:\Users\CRuser\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif">
</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td colspan="3" nowrap="" style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-color: rgb(102, 102, 102) rgb(0, 0, 0) rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid none none; border-width: 1pt 0px 0px; mso-border-top-alt: solid #666666 .75pt; padding: 0in;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">May 9, 2013 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td colspan="4" nowrap="" style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape alt="http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/s.gif" id="Picture_x0020_71" o:spid="_x0000_i1026" style="height: 2pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 1.5pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata o:title="s" src="file:///C:\Users\CRuser\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif">
</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td nowrap="" style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); height: 1.5pt; padding: 0in;" valign="top"></td>
<td style="background: rgb(238, 238, 249); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); height: 1.5pt; padding: 0in;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape alt="http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/s.gif" id="Picture_x0020_72" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 2pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 3pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata o:title="s" src="file:///C:\Users\CRuser\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif">
</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); height: 1.5pt; padding: 0in;" valign="top"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td nowrap="" style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in;" valign="top"></td>
<td style="background: rgb(238, 238, 249); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0.75pt 4.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #333399; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; line-height: 140%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fiction:<br />
Mystery/Crime <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in;" valign="top"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; line-height: 140%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Allen Eskens's THE LIFE WE BURY, about a Minnesota college
student on a dangerous quest to discover the truth about a dying convicted
murderer, but hamstrung by a dysfunctional mother, sibling guilt, and a
haunting childhood memory, to <a href="http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/dealmakers/detail.cgi?id=22698"><span style="color: #333399; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Dan Mayer</span></a>
at <a href="http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/dealmakers/detail.cgi?id=22699"><span style="color: #333399; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Seventh Street</span></a>,
in a nice deal, for publication in fall/winter 2014, by <a href="http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/dealmakers/detail.cgi?id=27425"><span style="color: #333399; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Amy Cloughley</span></a>
at <a href="http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/dealmakers/detail.cgi?id=14998"><span style="color: #333399; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Kimberley
Cameron & Associates</span></a> (World English).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-14069873813257605922013-03-12T19:52:00.000-07:002013-04-04T19:06:27.881-07:00SLOW IT DOWN<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As if in slow motion…<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The next time those
words pop into your head—stop writing. Here are some ways to slow down the pace
of a novel without resorting to that tired phrase.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Increase the level of
your detail</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">. In the constant balance between plot
and scene, the greater the detail of the scene, the slower the pace of the
novel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Go back in time before
the current event</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">. Bullet is about to hit the character
and he reflects on the misstep that brought him to that point in time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Go forward beyond the
moment</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">. I would one day look back on that moment and
remember the prayer I uttered when I heard the gun fire its bullet. I would say…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Uncertainty</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.
I can’t remember if I heard the explosion of the bullet in the gun’s chamber
before I felt the heat of the lead in my gut…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Step by step
description</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">. The blood drained away from the crease
in his knuckle—the pressure of his finger on the trigger reaching that all
important point when the hand and mind gave way to the mechanics of the gun…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Questions</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.
Would it hurt? Would I even feel the bullet enter my body? Or would it be like the
doctors on all of those old movies say, “he didn’t feel a thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Use Latinate instead of
Anglo-Saxon words.</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Capacious, commodious and erudite
expressions slow down pace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Stop time and reflect.</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
I could not see the bullet on its path, but I knew that my time to die had come.
I knew it as surely as I had ever known anything in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Make sentences
complicated and diverse in structure.</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Word choice.</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Lazy
or tentative words will bring that pace to the reader.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Paragraph length.</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
Longer paragraphs equal slower pace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">12)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Use of comparisons</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> The similes and
metaphors and other analogies tend to slow pace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">13)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Direct action vs.
summary.</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> This is somewhat duplicative of #5, but
the more description of the action, (and by extension, less summary) the slower
the pace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If you have any other
tip to slow down the pace of writing, please leave a comment!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-33181204401761976432013-02-09T09:33:00.000-08:002013-04-04T19:05:47.585-07:00Opening with a foreshadow<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I confess that I am a fan of foreshadow in the opening
paragraph of a novel. It is an effective way to interject questions into the
minds of the readers—and, as we all know, placing a question in the reader’s
mind is the key to suspense. My favorite author, Harper Lee begins TO KILL A
MOCKINGBIRD with an internal discussion as to where her story should begin. She
opens her novel with the information that “When he was nearly thirteen my
brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.” Her next paragraph flashes
back to a time before the broken arm debating when the story that led to the broken
arm began. “When enough years had gone by to enable us to look back on them, we
sometimes discussed the events leading to his accident.” What Harper Lee has
done is to foreshadow an event—the broken arm—in order to let the reader know
that something bad will happen in the novel, make them question how that broken
arm occurred. Then, she goes back in time to tell the reader the story of how
that bad event came to be. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Another of my favorite
authors, Dennis Lehane’s uses this opening technique in LIVE BY NIGHT, opening
the novel with: “Some years later, on a tugboat in the Gulf of Mexico, Joe
Coughlin’s feet were placed in a tub of cement.” It tells the reader so much,
but so little. It makes the reader ask so many questions—most importantly, what
did Joe Coughlin do to arrive at this moment. The paragraph goes on to add more
questions, ending with this sentence: “And it occurred to him that almost
everything of note that had happened in his life—good or bad—had been set in
motion the morning he first crossed paths with Emma Gould.” The reader now wants
to know, not only how did Joe arrive in the tub of wet cement, but how does
this Emma Gould bring him to that moment. </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">With a third person narrative that
foreshadowed event can be the death of a main character, as in LIVE BY NIGHT,
or the famous first line of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF
SOLITUDE, which reads: “Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel
Aureliano Buendia was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took
him to discover ice.” But, in first person narratives, the bad event is likely
not going to be the death of the main character, although authors like Alice
Sebold have made the death of a main character the opening sentences with great
effectiveness. The first two sentences of THE LOVELY BONES are: “My name was
Salmon, like the fish: first name Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on
December 6, 1973.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My penchant for foreshadowing
in the opening paragraph is why I started my own novel, THE LIFE WE BURY,
with:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember
being pestered by a sense of dread as I walked to my car that day—pressed down
by a wave of foreboding that swirled around my head and broke against the
evening in small ripples. There are people in this world who would call that kind
of feeling a premonition, a warning from some internal third eye that can see
around the curve of time. I’ve never been one to buy into such things. But, I
will confess that there have been times when I think back to that day and
wonder to myself: if the fates had truly whispered in my ear, if I had known
how that drive would change so many things, would I have taken a safer path, turn
left where before I had turned right? Or would I still travel the path that led
me to the murderer, Carl Iverson?</span></span>Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-29009423371141296472013-01-29T19:49:00.002-08:002013-04-04T19:06:15.140-07:00I just received edit notes from Amy, my agent, and I am reminded of the summer I spent detasselling corn in Iowa. In college, I once had the unenviable job of detasselling corn. The tassel of the corn is that yellow plume sticking out of the top of the corn stalk, and for some reason that I cannot remember (either it offended the farmer or had something to do with cross-pollination) the tassels had to be pulled off the stalk. They used to hire college students (and maybe still do) to walk down the rows of corn and pop those tassels out. You didn't get paid unless you pulled something like 98 percent of all the tassels in your row. I thought this would a simple gig. I conscientiously plucked tassels for an entire hot, Iowa-summer day and then went home to have a beer and await my pay check. Instead I got a call to return and pluck more tassels out of a row of corn that I was certain would have no more tassels. Turns out, there were more tassels--tassels that I swear were not there the day before. I went down the row once again and pulled all the tassels. Confident that I had thoroughly detasselled every stalk, I went home; I waited, and again I got that dreaded call. There were more tassels in my row.<br />
<br />
The edits for my manuscript THE LIFE WE BURY remind me of those tassels. Even though I had line edited that work to death, I received edits from my agent where she found errors that I swear weren't there before--missing quote marks, missing commas, and a few run-on sentences. Instead of depressing me (like the tassels did), this makes me happy. My agent has given my work the scrubbing it needed. I cannot tell you how impressed I am. Thanks Amy. Now back to work on those tassels...I mean edits.Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612326852844560721.post-22498037206583717822013-01-27T16:54:00.000-08:002013-06-20T17:46:05.088-07:00My novel: THE LIFE WE BURY
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPjG3WJvjZ1hcb2naj3PJxTFbORc2o4UyHfrURaMHJ_oGEvSF6JjR7nwxmmAKi3Uo_f6ekysZVlxwN9K5N-RNKNxZZAT4AZFd7lkS9443DLEeX5WP00ISgZp1Uv-baVE4Va4y9GIMIoA9/s1600/crop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPjG3WJvjZ1hcb2naj3PJxTFbORc2o4UyHfrURaMHJ_oGEvSF6JjR7nwxmmAKi3Uo_f6ekysZVlxwN9K5N-RNKNxZZAT4AZFd7lkS9443DLEeX5WP00ISgZp1Uv-baVE4Va4y9GIMIoA9/s320/crop.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style=" background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style=""><b><span style="font-size: large;">Hello, and welcome...</span></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style=""><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style=" background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="">I will be using this site to muse about my journey toward publication of my debut novel:</span><br />
<span style=""><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style=" background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="">THE LIFE WE BURY</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style=" background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style=""><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style=" background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="">I spent a year writing it, and then jumped into the task of seeking agent representation. I am happy to announce that I have just signed a contract for agent representation with Amy Cloughley at Kimberley Cameron and Associates Literary Agency. I am elated and am looking forward to working with Amy.</span><br />
<span style=""><br /></span>
<span style=""><br /></span>
<span style="">Below is a brief description of my novel, THE LIFE WE BURY. It is difficult to describe a ninety thousand word novel in two paragraphs, so I hope this gives you a taste of the novel and I hope you continue to follow my march toward publication</span><span style="">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style=" background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style=""><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style=" background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="">___________________________________</span><br />
<span style="">THE LIFE WE BURY</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style=" background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style=""><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style=" background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="">a novel by Allen Eskens</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style=" background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style=" background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="">What
starts out as a college writing assignment leads to…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style=" background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style=""><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style=" background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style=""> “As I went limp, a wave of disgust flashed through my
mind, disgust at my naiveté, disgust at not seeing the man’s tight grip on the
neck of that whiskey bottle for what it was, disgust that my life would end quietly,
unceremoniously, lying face down in frozen grass. I let this old man—this
whiskey-soaked, child molester—beat me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style=" background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style=""><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style=" background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="">Joe
Talbert left his bi-polar mother and his autistic brother behind in order to
run away to college. At school, he gets an assignment to write a story about a
person who has lived a long life. Because he has no relative to fit the bill, he
goes to a nursing home to find a subject to write about and meets Carl Iverson, a man dying of
cancer who has been medically paroled from prison after spending thirty years
locked up for a grisly murder. As Joe learns about Carl’s life, especially
Carl’s valor as a soldier in Vietnam, Joe has difficulty reconciling the heroism of the soldier with
the despicable acts of the convict.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style=" background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style=" background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="">Joe throws
himself into unravelling the tapestry of a thirty-year-old murder, but is hamstrung in his efforts by having to
deal with his dangerously dysfunctional mother and the guilt of abandoning his
autistic brother.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="">_______________________</span><br />
<br />
<span style="">...more to come.</span><br />
<span style=""><br /></span>
<span style=""><br /></span></div>
<br />Allen Eskenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12939216580469564729noreply@blogger.com1