Tag: Sandy Baker

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Writer's Notes

Lots to Report

By Thonie Hevron

March 1, 2019

Much going on here in the Hevron household. Now that taxes are done (ugh), I’m focusing on the upcoming Spring Market in Novato. Live sales have always been productive for me. This will be the second year in Novato. Last year I set a personal record for meeting people and selling books even though it rained all day. This year the weather looks to be the same, but I’ll have a new partner: Sandy Baker is a children’s author as well as a Master Gardener. She incorporates these two loves into kids gardening books. Jeane Slone will be back again later in the year. We will be at the Margaret Todd Senior Center, 1560 Hill Rd, Novato from 10AM-3PM on Saturday, March 2, 2019. Stop by if you’re in the neighborhood!         

This past weekend, February 21-24th, I was in Ventura, California for the annual board retreat for the Public Safety Writers Association (PSWA). I was voted in as a board member. It will be my pleasure to work alongside the many club leaders who have mentored (Marilyn Meredith) and supported me through the past years. I’m proud to stand by two prominent Law Enforcement technical writers, Tim Dees and Michelle Perin-Callahan, as we map out the future of our club. Also there, Mike Black who is a giant in the publishing world and makes the annual conference better every year, Mysti Berry our IT wrangler, John Schembra (a military/thriller/paranormal author) is our very capable membership chair.  The other new board member, Scott Decker, an award-winning non-fiction writer, has volunteered to man the social media console. The board came up with some great ideas and ways to implement them. I’ll be talking more about this as time permits in the upcoming months.

If you’re wondering what my job will be, wonder no more: in 2020, I’ll be the PSWA Contest Chair. With Michelle Perin-Callahan’s help, I’ll steer writers toward the coveted PSWA Writers Club award.                 

View from the Ventura Pier during an early morning walk.

~~~

In May, the Mister and I will be taking a well-deserved break. I’m not planning on posting, appearing or even writing for most of the month.

As always, thank you for your support.

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Writer's Notes

Writers Helping Writers

Howie's Hungabird Dilemma by Sandy Baker

By Thonie Hevron

“Writers helping writers” is the motto of my writing club, Redwood Writers, a chapter of the California Writers Club. Granted, it sounds a bit overused, trite maybe even idealistic. But this chapter takes its motto seriously. It’s something we all learn when we become members. From the President, Sandy Baker, Past President, Linda Loveland Reid down to the newest member—all are willing to share expertise, time and the wisdom gleaned from years of scribbling.

Something in the Attic by Billie Payton-Settles
Something in the Attic by Billie Payton-Settles

So when a friend, colleague and critique partner, Billie Payton-Settles, asked for help marketing her new book, I jumped at the chance. After all, didn’t romance writer Sharon Hamilton spend almost a full day helping me set the perfect sig line for my emails? Didn’t Kate Farrell teach me WordPress to help with the club website? I could go on and on, but you get the idea. Payback time.

Tonight, after our critique group, Billie took me into her office to show off her new website. It was wonderful! She now had a place where readers, agents and publishers can go to find out about her, contact her and order her book!

Another “Yay!” moment was my cousin Sandie, setting up a blog site within days after spending time exploring her new adventure into authorship. Yay, Sandie! She now has two posts on her site, with the promise of more. This while she works on her new book.

I know this post sounds like I’m patting myself on the back but my intention is just the opposite: I want to let the world know that these two women have taken the plunge–beyond writing a pristine manuscript and into the brand new world of social media and book promotion. This is not for the faint of heart as it requires commitment, organization and drive. Writing, publishing and marketing books isn’t like a Jessica Fletcher TV show. Times have changed. Publishers and agents demand authors promote their work more than ever before. This is almost as much work as the actual writing. And it’s a tough thing for writers, who are normally pretty shy. It’s work to put yourself and your project out there.

There will be times when they’ll be at the keyboard instead of having lunch with friends because of that commitment. Be patient, honor that streak of creativity that drives them. I guarantee, you’ll find a happier friend next lunch date.

Billie and Sandie are on the right track and I’m so pleased I could be a part of it.

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Writer's Notes

A Special Black Friday Event

Join me tomorrow to find out author Marilyn Meredith’s feeling about using cop talk in her new Deputy Tempe Crabtree novel, River SpiritsRiver Spirits

 

Holiday Faire RP

By Thonie Hevron

Last year, my sisters persuaded me to go to the Rohnert Park Holiday Arts and Crafts Faire on the day after Thanksgiving. My first thought was old ladies who crocheted toilet paper covers, but I went anyway because I wanted to spend time with my precious sisters. What a surprise! The Faire was at a large venue, attended by hundreds during my time there and encompassed arts and crafts of all kinds. If I’d had more cash in my pocket, I would have spent waaaay too much money.

The idea of doing Christmas shopping the day after Turkey day has always kind of put me off–I’m not a fan of crowded retail stores. This Faire, however was perfect! Everything is handmade, often by locals. I thought it might be fun to have a table to sell my books. Then I took it a step further and thought about how many of my fellow authors would like to do the same.

So this year, I rented two tables and will sell my books seven other authors. For your shopping pleasure, all different genres will be available: mystery, thriller, childrens, young adult, urban art, historical fiction and memoir. A little something for everyone on your Christmas list made special by an author signature!

Check out the authors who will be there:

 

Friday, November 28th

Laura-McHale-Holland-Book-2coverLaura McHale Holland 10-2  Memoir, anthology

Huachuca_cover_200Arletta Dawty 10-4

CF View 1 - Intent to HoldThonie Hevron 10-4

Something in the AtticBillie Payton-Settles 10-4

71mndFIRVBLLeena Prasad 2-4

 

Saturday, November 29th

spycoverwebsite96dpiJeane Slone 10-4

twilight_cover_250Kay Mehl-Miller 10-2

Cover By Force or Fear

Thonie Hevron 10-4

Howie_Cover-frontSandy Baker 10-4

amazon_cover_by_grace200Arletta Dawdy 10-4

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Writer's Notes

A victory…from Las Vegas

By Thonie Hevron

I’m baaaack!

This was my first trip to Sin City. It won’t be my last. Although the glaring grandeur had little appeal for me, I will say I thought it fun to cruise down the Strip. However, because I was tired, I was more than ready to be at the hotel. Silly me, I’d gone cheap and hired a shuttle instead of a cab. Live and learn.

The truth is that I only booked this trip for a Public Safety Writer’s Association Conference.  Vegas has zero appeal to me. Give me a redwood grove or a sandy Southern California beach any day. I’d submitted my unpublished manuscript, Intent to Hold to their annual writing contest. In 2012, I’d submitted and won third place for By Force or Fear. I was hoping history would repeat itself for Intent to Hold.

At the conference, I met many with whom I’ve corresponded through the years. Meeting people in person after developing an online relationship can cause some shifts in perspective. Thankfully, they were all very positive shifts. I met some terrific people.

During the months before the conference, the call for help went out from conference chair Michael A. Black. Like a dummy, I volunteered. While I used to hate getting in front of people, I’ve made strides in getting over the fear. Knowing that

Dialog and setting panel PSWA Conference, Orleans Hotel-Casino, Las Vegas July 2014 photo by Marilyn Meredith
Dialog and setting panel PSWA Conference at the Orleans Hotel-Casino, Las Vegas – July 2014   Photo by Marilyn Meredith

 

 

I’d have to speak in front of people to sell my books nudged me onward. Two years ago, I volunteered to co-chair the Redwood Writers Conference in April of 2014, to help de-sensitize myself. Month after month, I got up in front of the general membership and announced conference news. When that day came, I was a little nervous but my co-chair Sandy Baker was super-supportive and all went well. Here’s how PSWA shook out: I was a “contestant” on CSI-Jeopardy, a game played twice every day except the last (only once). I clowned my way to a pithy third but had a lot of fun. I sat on a panel of five discussing setting and dialog. Then, I was the moderator of a panel on wounds and forensics. Since I know nothing about the topic, I contacted the panelists in advance and culled questions from them. A well-rounded and very knowledgeable group that included an EMS/fire training consultant, and ER doc, a forensic scientist, a psychologist, a biology professor…and me!

Pic is a little fuzzy but you get the idea.
Pic is a little fuzzy but you get the idea.

Thank God, I only had to ask the questions.

The crowd was so responsive and attentive that we all had fun. In fact, when our time was up, many said they wanted more time with the panel. I’d say that was a success. Success for the panelists, audience, and me. I didn’t faint! In fact, I got one glowing compliment on my presentation voice.

And, I won third place for unpublished novel award for Intent to Hold. History did repeat.

I’ll be back in Vegas next year, only I’m bringing my hubby next time.

 

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Writer's Notes

KCRB Interview with photos

By Thonie Hevron

Well, technology defeated me yet again yesterday.

Back in April, Sandy Baker, Lex Fajardo and I did with KCRB’s Gil Mansergh to publicize the Redwood Writers From Pen to Published Conference (to be held on April 26th). The interview went well–I actually had fun. but it took me all this time to have a moment to find it. I did that yesterday and thought I set the post to appear on Wednesday with the thought that I’d add photos and some explanation today. Obviousy, I made a boo-boo because it appeared yesterday morning. So for today, I’m posting some of the photos we took.

Our host Gil Mansergh at KCRB. He made us feel at ease; a terrific interviewer!
Our host Gil Mansergh at KCRB. He made us feel at ease; a terrific interviewer!

Gil Mansergh is the host of KCRB’s Word by Word, a show reflecting the literary talents in the North Bay. Sandy Baker, my co-chair, is the author of the thriller Tehran Triangle as well as a host of darling children’s stories. Lex Fajardo is the creator of the graphic novel Kid Beowulf series and will appear at the conference in a session about book trailers, YouTube and other media for book marketing.

Sandy Baker putting on those pretty headphones
Sandy Baker putting on those pretty headphones

I was the third interviewee.

Me, Lex and Gil at KCRB
Me, Lex and Gil at KCRB

KCRB Interview

Categories
Writer's Notes

The Next Big Thing

 Intriguing title, huh? I thought so, too. It’s a fun way for writers to share their newest works. A fellow Redwood Writers’ Club member, Sunny Lockwood, tagged me for The Next Big Thing blog chain. Sunny is a writer of short stories and essays. Her newest book is Shades of Love: Stories from the Heart. Check out her blog at Onword.

A blog interview of Thonie Hevron

What is your working title of your book? My working title is Intent to Hold, which refers to the kidnapping section 209 of the California Penal Code.

By Force or Fear
By Force or Fear

Where did the idea come from for the book? This is a sequel to my first book, By Force or Fear, which I published on Amazon in ebook form last June. The title, actually both titles refer to elements of crimes. By Force or Fear is taken from the stalking statute, 646.9PC. I like to use crime codes to foreshadow the menace I address in each book. The tension in the first book dictated one of the main characters deal with a family problem that erupts in the second book. I set it in Mexico to have more latitude in plotting, the setting is glorious, and the character’s family is there.

What genre does your book fall under? Fiction, specifically suspense, with a sub-genre of police procedural. It’s unfortunate the tag for police procedural is sounds so boring, but in reality, as a law enforcement veteran, reading fiction that is accurate as well as exciting is very satisfying.

Benjamin Bratt
Benjamin Bratt

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? When I started my first novel, I used Mariska Hargitay of Law and Order SVU as a model for my lead character Meredith Ryan. These days, I tend to visualize Daniella Ruah from NCIS-LA. She oozes the self-assured competence of my young heroine. Benjamin Bratt was my hero Nick Reyes although Reyes is heavily influenced by a friend and former co-worker. Using actors for “models” helps me characterize so much! I use body movements, facial expressions and generally either try the dialog on for size or let the character make their own dialog. That happens only when you have a clear picture of who is talking. 

Daniela Ruah
Daniela Ruah

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? Detective partners Meredith Ryan and Nick Reyes sneak into Mexico to rescue Reyes’ kidnapped brother-in-law.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? Self-published for now. I plan on continuing to query agents.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? It will take about 8 months to write the first draft. My goal is to have it done for submission to a contest for unpublished manuscripts by May 2013.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? My first book, By Force or Fear, certainly. I would like to think any fiction by Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, Harlan Coben and Sandra Brown. I read PJ Parrish, David Corbett and Paul Bishop. I’d love to write like PJ Parrish-wonderful stories, layered characters and snappy dialog.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? First, it is set in Mexico–the mountains above Puerto Vallarta–in the steamy jungle, dark hillside tunnels, and the ocean below. All have inherent dangers.  Second, the two lead characters have a chemistry that makes readers’ guts groan. Within the storyline, I have kept the sex and violence to a minimum yet ramped up the level of excitement to the max. These two are too busy for a romance–or are they?

 

Sandy P. Baker
Sandy P. Baker

And the Blog Chain marches on: Sandy Baker is a formidable force within the Redwood Writers’ Club (RWC). RWC is the largest branch of the California Writers Club with over 200 members. Sandy is currently a Vice President and will assume the Presidency in the upcoming years and is the co-chair for the 2014 RWC Writers Conference. In her spare time, she writes childrens stories, has a thriller, The Tehran Triangle out and will publish another thriller this  year. She is also a Master Gardener in Sonoma County. Check out her blog at Garden Plots or her site at SandyBakerWriter.com

 

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