Tag Archives: Karen McFarland

ROW80: Alive and Kicking!

 
Is it Sunday already? Wow, where did the week go?
 

How was your week everyone? I have to say that my week went pretty well. Again, a rather peaceful week, although I did seem to pick up some kind of bug so it slowed me down a little, but all in all I have nothing to complain about. I know, can you believe it? Don’t answer that!
 

It feels great to finally be able to move forward and make some progress! 🙂
 
 

Okay, so are we ready? Here we go…
 
The dreaded check-in
 
Let’s take a look at how I did last week, shall we?…
 
 

Goals for Round 1:
 
 
1- Work on my current WIP.
 
This really could be combined with goal number two. But I am in the process of moving forward with both WIPs and also plotting a new story for my third novel.
 
 

2- Check in with Donna Newton at WWBC once a week.
 
Check. I did converse with Donna via email this week. Several times actually. Donna as we speak is now reading my number one WIP. She is all excited about reading it. Well Donna, let’s just see how excited you are after you’ve read it! LOL! Just kidding. I hate this part but I need to put myself out there.
 
 

3- Participate in my online class to help authors balance writing and business with Bob Mayer.
 
This will be the last week of our class. I had a lesson from the end of the previous week on “Command” which talked about taking command of our future as a writer and where the future of publishing is heading. He made some good suggestions for newbie writers and whether or not to self-pub or to publish traditionally and query for an agent. Then on Thursday Bob sent out our last lesson on “Complete” and how we now need to put what we’ve learned into action in order to succeed.
 

So as you can see I’ve now completed this goal and this will leave more time for me to work on my WIPs.
 
 

4- Blog at least once a week.
 
Yep, posted on Wednesday. I have to say that once a week is working for me. I think that it makes it easier for those who follow my blog to visit and comment. And I can’t thank you enough for all the support and wonderful comments that you leave on my site. You guys have been awesome! So awesome that I want to thank:
 

@wayneborean – “The Wana1011 Daily” and @vsandbrook – “The Internet Ready Fiction Standard” for placing an article in their e-magazines about my post this week!
 
 

5- Visit and support 5 bloggers per day.
 
I am happy to say that I have read actually more than 5 bloggers per day. As you know I made it a goal to visit everyone in the WANA1011 class and I accomplished that goal last week. I must say there are some really talented writers out there, so I want to encourage all of you to try to go visit them. And yes I am still trying to finish reading those amazing posts from the “Beauty of a Woman” Blogfest. I’m almost through. You girls are unbelievably honest and beautiful. 🙂
 
 

6- Tweet at least once per day.
 
Yep, I was able to meet this goal and I’ve been busy all week tweeting to support others. And I would like to take this time to thank these awesome people for all their support and Twitter love!
 

@Angela_Peart @JennettePowell @DianeCapri @DianaMurdock @_FabioBueno_ @SerenaDracis @AMckennaJohnson @Judythe2 @NatalieHarford @LenaCorazon @DebraKristi @BryanThomasS @PrudenceMacleod @GeneLempp @DebraEve @LindaAdamsVA @MyndiShafer @lisaHallWilson @jenjensen2 @colin_falconer @barrycrowther @ElaineSmothers @MarcyKennedy @LynetteBurrows
 

Thank you for your Tweets and Re-Tweets! I’m sending you all a big Hug!!!!
 
 

7- Exercise during the week.
 
I did exercise this week. I’m trying to get my husband out there on walks with me. It would seem that I am a social exerciser! I’m sure nobody’s shocked about this one. And so not to discourage him, our walks have been on the short side as his back is still bothering him. I know, not good. But I have to say he’s a good sport. 🙂
 

So now I’m looking forward to a fresh new start to this week.
 
 

Oh, before you go, be sure to check out these blog posts from this week that caught my eye:
 
 
I’m stealing this one from my friend Natalie Hartford because some of you have mentioned that you’ve been floundering as to what to write about on your blogs—myself included. Take a look at Anne R. Allen’s post on “What You Should Blog About”. In it she gives some very helpful suggestions on what to write that will help you build your author platform.
 

I found this post helpful, “25 Ways to Increase Blog Traffic”. Robert Lee Brewer gives some excellent advice on how it wasn’t until he got serious about his blogging efforts that he finally saw more traffic to his site.
 

Emma Burcart wrote a post this week on, “Looks are important, too!” Emma asks the question, “Do you prefer good looking characters, or average looking characters in the books you read?” What do you think? If looks are important to you in your writing, go take a peek!
 

Then last but not least, go take a few minutes and read Louise Behiel’s latest blog, “What Does It Take To Change?” Hmm, good question Louise. How many of us are really satisfied with our lives? Louise is starting a series of blogs addressing not only this, but other issues that will help us to make the needed changes that we all struggle to make.
 
 
Okay I did it. I got through another week and I’m not alone. There are others that are right beside me to help me along the way. So that I don’t irritate my wonderful supportive subscribers, feel free to delete my ROW80 posts if they start to irritate you. They probably won’t be all that interesting, unless…

Unless I can temp you all to join us over at the party at ROW80! Feel free to jump in anytime. See you there! 🙂
 
 

So what do you think? How did I do? I know I can still count on your support, right? Or you have my permission to come and give me a swift kick in the butt! LOL!
 
 
Thanks guys! I knew I could count on you!
Karen.
 
 
 

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O’ Money Ain’t For Nothing!

 I think it is safe to say that most of us have been hit by this recession in one way or another. For those of us who have been fortunate enough to have our jobs in tact, our money isn’t going any further and with inflation we might be trying to cut back on some of our expenses. Maybe we hold off on certain unnecessary purchases. It might mean we may not go out to eat as often and take fewer vacations. We may be cutting out more coupons in the newspaper or watching for Groupon specials. We might even stretch out the number of times we get our hair cut, go to the movies, or take the kids to the toy store.
 

But for the unfortunate ones that have been hit the most, this might mean the loss of a job, living on one income instead of two or possibly with no income at all. They might be eating more rice and beans than hamburger or chicken. Perhaps they’ve been forced to play “Go Fish” when it comes to paying their bills. They are unable to afford new clothes for the children, let alone buy new toys. And like so many today, they may be upside-down with their mortgage, which in the state of California is hovering over 44%. They may have had to move in with a close family member or friend when the bank decided to foreclose on their house.
 

Whether it is a relative, neighbor or friend, at this point we all know someone that has been affected by this extended economic downturn. And as it rolls over from one year to the next, it can be inspiring to watch the fortitude and resourcefulness for which through the ages has strengthened our fellow man around the globe.
 

Take for instance a certain Irishman in the city of Dublin. As we all know Ireland has had its share of financial woes throughout the years or perhaps even for centuries. They did have a slight glimpse of economic sunshine during the 1990’s until its intensity dimmed during the world monetary banking crisis that started in 2008.
 

What did this unemployed Irish artist do when push came to shove? Well, what would any unemployed creative person do?
 

Use his imagination!
 

Frank Buckley had originally wanted to create a gallery for his mixed-media artwork called “Expressions of Recession”, but he ended up building a house instead. What would you do if someone handed you $1.4 billion euro dollars? In Ireland, people build houses out of it.
 

What?
 

It seems that Ireland’s mint has lent their shredded money to Mr. Buckley. And for roughly 12 hours a day, every day since the beginning of December, he has been fast at work laying 50,000 decommissioned Irish Euro bricks into the construction of his house that contains a bedroom, bath, and living room. He plans to continue expanding the house that sits in the lobby of an empty office building to include a kitchen, shower, and patio.
 

If you’re wondering how it feels to live in a house made out of paper currency, this Irish artist said that it’s quite warm inside: “Whatever you say about the Euro, it’s a great insulator.” Mr. Buckley is one of countless amount people from all over the world that have been affected by this recession.
 

“It’s the reflection of the whole madness that has gripped us,” he said. “People were pouring billions into buildings that are now worth nothing.” So the reason why he built the house was because he “wanted to create something from nothing.”
 

It will take about two more months to complete the building of his new home, but Frank Buckley welcomes any visitor who wants to take a look at his billion-dollar masterpiece.
 


 
Yes optimism is alive and well and has always been in the hearts of the people of Ireland and the rest of the world. It just shows that with a little ingenuity and imagination what we can all recreate in our own hopes and dreams. You see, a little bit O’Money Ain’t For Nothing! 🙂
 
 

So what do you think? If you were to go through an economic crisis, would you have been that ingenious? As an artist, what would you do to make a statement about your predicament? Are there some fun ideas that you and your family or friends have found while helping to cut back on expenses that you would like to share?
 
 
 
Thank you everyone.
 
Now if I may I would like to change the subject.
 
 

I finally have the results from the drawing at Diane Capri’s launch day party for “Don’t Know Jack!” Thanks for your patience. It took some time, but I worked Diane over for extra prizes and I think all of you will be pleased!
 

First, we have five winners from the first day of the drawing!
 

These five winners will receive a FREE Kindle copy of “Don’t Know Jack”! But that’s not all. You will also receive a FREE Kindle copy of EITHER Lee Child’s “Killing Floor” OR Lee Child’s “Bad Luck and Trouble.” In order for you to receive your prize, you will need to leave your email address at Diane Capri’s website, http://dianecapri.com/contact/ . And don’t worry if you don’t have a Kindle because Diane can help you convert her books to a format of your choice.
 

See, I told you it would be good! You not only receive one book, but two FREE books!
 

Ready? Here are the winners:
 

1- Prudence MacLeod

2- Debra Kristi

3- Diana Murdock

4- M. G. Miller

5- Pat O’Dea
 

But that’s not all!
 

For those of you who commented on the first day of the launch, Diane has decided to award the rest of you with a FREE copy of Lee Child’s book “Killing Floor” OR “Bad Luck and Trouble.” This will be of your choosing, but you must purchase a copy of her book, “Don’t Know Jack” and the Lee Child book will be gifted to you through Amazon. (A proof of purchase will be required.)
 

Then for those that arrived fashionably late for the party, that is after her launch date of February 1st, Diane has also decided to award you with a FREE copy of Lee Child’s book “Killing Floor” OR “Bad Luck and Trouble”. This will also be of your choosing, but you must purchase two copies of “Don’t Know Jack” and the Lee Child book will be gifted to you through Amazon. (A proof of purchase will be required.)
 

The winner’s of the prize for naming a character in Diane Capri’s new book in the “Hunt for Reacher” series “Get Jack Back” are Fabio Bueno and Lynn Kelley! Diane will contact you both to finalize your choices.
 

Now wasn’t this exciting? I love it when everyone comes out a winner!!!!
 

Congratulations to all and thank you for making Diane Capri’s launch day of “Don’t Know Jack” a memorable one!
 
 

If you enjoyed this I encourage you to run up to the top of the page and hit the follow button for future posts!
 
Thank you for your many thoughts and fine comments everyone!
Karen
 
 
 

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Runnin’ Down a Dream!

Today I thought that I would let you in on a secret fetish of mine. Well, one of them anyway. And for those of you who do not know me, this is way beyond my comfort zone. I do not make a practice of talking about myself. But there is a certain event coming up that stirs my soul with restless excitement.
 

Now before I let you in on this, you have to know that I’ve always been thought of as somewhat of a prissy girl. I love all things primping—the hair, the face, picking out the right clothes and the accessories; the jewelry, the shoes, the handbag, well just about everything that has to do with being a girl. And I did marry the right guy because he has always loved taking me shopping and buying me new clothes. Well, that is when the budget can afford it of course.
 

Yet, it shocks people after they get to know me, especially since at first glance your impression of me might be a bit proper, or prissy. People are always taken back after I tell them this little tidbit of information. Let’s just say that I love to drink Champagne with the girls, but enjoy having a beer with the guys.
 
 

How to explain? I guess the best way to describe it could be taken from a line from a Tom Cruise movie…
 
 

“I feel the need—the need for speed!”
 


 

Yes, the NHRA Winter Nationals are coming!!!!
 
 
I know, I know, this sounds completely oxymoronic! Way out of character for the person that you’ve come to know. Well, all I can say is, there are times in our lives when we must bust the mold, and this is one of them. And in my dreams I see myself running down the quarter mile track in a Top Fuel Dragster.
 

Okay girls, I don’t want to lose you here. Hang in there—I promise it will get better!
 
I think I have some leftover Champagne from my interview with Diane Capri if you need some liquid fortification to get through this, although I think I’ve just peeked the attention of all the guys. LOL!!
 

But why the drags? Why not Six Flags, or Disney World/Disneyland, or some other form of coaster rides for whimsical speed and entertainment?
 

Well, why not? What else is there that compares to the speed and acceleration of an Extreme Motor Sport like Top Fuel?
 

Now I’m not talking about Comp, Pro Stock or Alcohol Dragsters or Funny Cars here—I’m talking Top Fuel. And here’s why…
 

They don’t compare in speed.
 

Let’s take the Dragster for instance. (My personal fav.)They are 25 feet long and weight in race ready at a little over a ton or just around 2250 pounds and can cover a quarter mile in 4.4 seconds at more than 330 mph. These computer-designed wonders have sleek profiles and wind-tunnel-tested rear wire foils that exert 5,000 pounds of down-force on the rear tires with minimal aerodynamic drag.
 

Now that’s what I’m taking about.
 

They’re powered by a 7,000 horsepower supercharged fuel-injected 500-cubic-inch adaptation of the famed Chrysler Hemi engine. (Remember the Cuda?) They can burn up to 15 gallons of nitromethane fuel during a single race and are constructed out of chromoly steel tubing and carbon-fiber composite.
 

Just one Top Fuel Dragster has more horsepower than the first 4 rows at the Daytona 500!
 

Uh oh, did I lose you girls? Hold on, we’ll be done here in roughly 4.4 seconds!
 

I love it when they race at night. The competition soars as two Top Fuel dragsters meet in front of the starting line burning their rubber to promote traction sending a cloud of thick gray smoke to loom over the crowds. Amongst the dark of night their engines roar sputters out through the exhaust raw burning nitrous gas that with each push of the throttle fires off white hot flames into the air like pyromania.
 

It’s time to cover our ears to protect them from the extreme whiny sound that can pierce our eardrums and there is a pounding sensation thuddering against our chest with each hit of the throttle.
 

VAROOOOMMM, VAROOOOMMM!
 

The dragsters crackle as they inch forward to the edge of the starting line. They rock with every vibration due to the power and force from their engines. We stand in anticipation of the green light on the Christmas tree—smoke and flames fill the sky at take-off, our necks turn to follow the rails as they fly down the track. Their Parachutes launch and in roughly four seconds the race is over.
 

Watch this.
 

 

See, pretty cool huh? Gotcha going didn’t I? Girls, are you still with us?
 

Hey this sport isn’t just for guys. There have been many women over the years that have made their presence known. Shirley “Cha Cha” Muldowney is considered the “First Lady of Drag Racing” and became the first and only woman to win a major racing championship and there have been others: Louise Smith, Janet Guthrie, Lyn St. James and Danica Patrick.
 

So as a writer let your dreams run down the tracks of your imagination, let them soar like the undeniable force of the ever powerful Top Fuel Dragster. It may burn up a lot of fuel to come up with these inspiring stories that fill your minds with great suspense and thrilling excitement. But as you do be assured that I will be thinking about my next story as I sit on the sidelines in a crowded stand along the racetrack watching Top Fuel Dragsters run down the quarter mile of my own novel fantasies.
 
 

Yeah, runnin’ down a dream,

That never would come to me,

Workin’ on a mystery,

Goin’ wherever it leads,

Runnin’ Down a Dream.
 
 

So what do you think? What type of mystery are you working on? What things do you find thrilling and exciting? What kinds of ideas throttle your imagination? What lengths would you take to run down a dream?
 
 

If you enjoyed this, I encourage you to run up to the top of the page and hit the follow button for future posts!
 

Thank you for your many thoughts and fine comments everyone!
Karen
 
 
 

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ROW80: Kicking and Screaming

Well I am Kicking and Screaming in a good way this week!
 

First of all, can you believe it’s February already? What I want to know is, what happened to January? Is it just me or am I losing it? Okay, don’t answer that question.
 

Well, I’m happy to report that last week rocked! It was a busy week but I think I’m finally regaining my sanity and falling into a schedule. I didn’t have anyone in the hospital last week which made a huge difference, although for those of you who have been inquiring, Hubby did have a follow-up appointment with the surgeon and he is still in a lot of pain. Apparently, his recovery is going to take some time. So we’re in this for the long haul, but at least we know what to expect. Thank you all for your kindness and concern.
 

So ready or not, here we go…
 

The dreaded check-in
 

Let’s take a look at how I did last week, shall we?…
 
 

Goals for Round 1:
 
 
1- Work on my current WIP five days a week.
 
Although I did not work on my WIP again last week, I have been reading James Scott Bell’s, “Plot and Structure” book which as most of you know is amazing. In it, he suggests a daily ten minute exercise of writing sprints. So I have implemented this into my schedule and have been enjoying myself immensely. I think of it as greasing the wheels of my imagination. And while reading his book, I’ve gained confidence in the fact that I might just know what I’ve been doing in regards to how I’ve structured my novel. Who knew? It was an “Aha” moment for me and has given me a renewed determination to press forward and finish the editing on one of my WIPs.
 
 

2- Check in with Donna Newton at WWBC once a week.
 
I did connect with Donna this week. Can I just say that she is a doll! She is always there when you need her and is willing to do just about anything to help. I think after talking last week I’m slowly getting it into my head what needs to be done with my next novel. I cannot thank Donna enough for her support.
 
 

3- Participate in my online class to help authors balance writing and business with Bob Mayer.
 
If you have the opportunity to take any of Bob’s classes, this is the class to take. It will help give you the mind set on how to become a successful writer. Last week’s lesson dealt with “Change” and what we need to do to make the necessary changes in our thinking and decision making in order to succeed. For some of us this might not be an enjoyable task, but I love this kind of stuff.
 
 

4- Blog at least once a week.
 
Yep, posted on Wednesday and it was my very first interview and I was a wreck! Can I just say thank you for all your responses! You were unbelievably supportive to both myself and especially to Diane Capri for her launch of “Don’t Know Jack!” All the blog love, your comments, tweets and re-tweets on Twitter were amazing. Diane and I were both taken back at the response, but we shouldn’t have been. Because after all, it’s the WANA spirit that made the launch of her book a success! You guys are an awesome team! Someone asked me if I was working undercover for “The Today Show”. That was hilarious and a very nice compliment, but I don’t think so. I think for now I’ll stick with novel writing and my blog thank you.:)
 
 
5- Visit and support 5 bloggers per day.
 
Check. I’m seeing some awesome blog posts out there! Last week I told you all that I’m following Fabio Bueno’s advice and it’s working quite well. I’ve made it through half of my WANA1011 classmate’s blogs and it made me appreciate how much blog love I’ve received from all of you. For that I’m very grateful. But I was saddened to see that some are not blogging or have never started. I think we’re all realizing that it takes time to write these blogs and set them up on our sites, tweet, post on Facebook and more importantly, write our novels. And I know that sometimes we all might feel like giving up. I hope that won’t be the case because I see a lot of fantastic writing out there. So keep it up! Eventually I plan to make it by to see all of you!
 
 

6- Tweet at least once per day.
 
Check. No problem this week. Did that at least twice, if not three times per day. It doesn’t take long—five to ten minutes at a time. I like to skim through the columns to find those sweet tweets to RT. Again, it is my intention is to support others!
 
 

7- Exercise on my elliptical twice a week.
 
Well, uh…I got on that thing last Monday and it felt great. Then the week fell apart again. I decided this week that I’m blaming it on Diane Capri since she’s not here. Uh oh, whoops, hi Diane! LOL!! Oh well, baby steps. 🙂
 
 

So now I’m looking forward to a fresh new start to this week.
 
 

Oh, and before I go I must thank Prudence McLeod for the Kreativ blogger Award! Really, I can’t believe all this blog love people. Thank you so very much!
 
 
Whew, okay I did it. I got through another week and it really wasn’t so bad. And I’m not alone. There are others that are right beside me to help me along the way. So that I don’t irritate my wonderful supportive subscribers, feel free to delete my ROW80 posts if they start to irritate you. They probably won’t be all that interesting, unless…
 

Unless I can temp you all to join us over at the party at ROW80! Feel free to jump in anytime. See you there! 🙂
 
 

So what do you think? How did I do? I know I wasn’t able to meet all my goals, but I can still count on your support, right?
 
 
Awe, thanks guys! I knew I could count on you!
Karen.
 
 
 

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An Interview with Diane Capri

I must say it gives me great pleasure for the privilege of having Diane Capri here as my guest today. But if you noticed, this is no ordinary Guest Post. No, this time we’re doing an interview. My very first interview—ever. Shivers! Why me? I have no idea. That’s what I get for asking.

Diane Capri is not new to the publishing scene. She has written both fiction and nonfiction in several languages besides being the author of six best selling suspense novels, all written with expertise that shines on every page with intense legal drama alongside courtroom overtones and thrilling twisty plots.
 

KM: First of all, are you comfortable Diane?

DC: Yes, thank you Karen, I’m quite comfortable.
 

KM: Are you sure? Because it seems really warm in here to me for some reason.

DC: Karen, are you okay? You seem a little nervous. Take a deep breath, it’s going to be okay.
 

KM: Oh Diane, don’t be silly. Me…nervous? Why would you say that?

DC: Well, your face looks flush and you seem to be perspiring.
 

KM: Oh that. Ha, ha, ha. That’s just a hot flash Diane. Don’t worry, it will pass.

DC: Are you sure about that?
 

KM: Okay, you caught me. Yes, I’m nervous Diane. But I think we should get started, don’t you?

DC: Whenever you’re ready, I’m ready. I have to say that you’ve done a beautiful job putting this together Karen. All the flowers and the Champagne. You really didn’t have to go to all this trouble.
 

KM: Oh it was no trouble at all Diane. In fact, I thought it was the least I could do this being a celebration of a wonderful event! Should we tell them?

DC: Why of course, go right ahead.
 

KM: Because today is February 1st…It’s Launch Day for “Don’t Know Jack!”

DC: That’s right Karen. Three years of hard work flies by fast, and here we are!
 
 

KM: We also have something special that we want to share with you, the audience today. Should we tell them now Diane?

DC: Why don’t we wait until the end of the interview and surprise them.

KM: Spoken like a true mystery writer Diane. Okay you guys, I tried, but you’ll just have to wait!
 
 

KM: Diane, why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself. I read somewhere that you are a snowbird. That sounds rather migratory—all that flying back and forth stuff. What part of the world would your two feet be solidly planted now and what brought you there, well, besides snow?

DC: Right at the moment, I’m in Florida. Anywhere north of here is a bit too chilly for me in February. Love to hang in the Sunshine State.
 

KM: I understand that you are a lawyer in recovery, is that correct?

DC: *sighs* A never-ending process it seems…
 

KM: What type of Law do you practice, if you don’t mind me asking?

DC: Civil litigation. Lawsuits. Everything that’s not criminal. Or at least, cases not proceeding in criminal courts. The sorts of cases I write about in my fiction.
 

KM: That sounds interesting. I can see where your background certainly gave you a great advantage when it came to writing the Judge Wilhelmina Carson Series and the Attorney Jennifer Lanes Cases.

DC: Yes, most of my books were inspired by something I worked on as a lawyer. Fiction gives me the chance to change the facts and create better outcomes for those cases, though.
 

KM: Since you started off practicing law as your profession, when was it that you started to write?

DC: Well, most legal work is writing. So lawyering is writing with a great paycheck! And most of what I wrote as a lawyer was non-fiction. *grins*
 

KM: When did you decide it was time to start a new career and how long did this take you? I ask this question because so many new novelists have a hard time making the transition from their day job to supporting themselves by writing full time.

DC: Well, I’ll let you know when I get to the point of replacing my legal income through writing fiction. *laughs* But Sue Grafton once told me the secret to this was to “write your way out.” She meant that we should write and sell and write some more until we can pay the bills with writing. In her case, she said it took five years and she started from screenwriting in Hollywood, so she didn’t have as steep a learning curve. It takes a good long while to learn the fiction craft and then sell something and then build an audience. In my case, it took me three years to write my first published novel, Carly’s Conspiracy, writing nights and weekends. And another two years to get it sold and published. Six novels and two non-fiction books and many words later, here we are.
 

KM: Well, we’re glad you’re making the transition Diane! I’d like to take a minute to read a few remarks that have been said about your talented writing and your gripping, suspenseful novels, if I may?

DC: *Nods*
 

1- “Beneath this Judge’s robe is a riveting character—she’s quick, witty and stubborn…and takes the reader on a roller coaster ride that leaves you wanting more!”
The Tampa Tribune

2- “Expertise shines on every page.”
Margaret Maron, Edgar, Anthony, Agatha and Macavity Award Winning MWA past President.

3- “A fast-paced legal thriller…energetic prose…an appealing heroine…clever and capable supporting cast…that will keep readers waiting for the next book.”
Publishers Weekly

4- “…A welcome surprise. Works from the first page to ‘The End!’ “
Larry King
 

KM: But then there was this particular accolade that got my immediate attention:
 

“Full of Thrills and Tension-but Smart and Human Too!”
Lee Child
 

KM: Hmm… Lee Child, Lee Child, Lee Child… That name does have a familiar ring to it. Would this be THE Lee Child that has written all those Jack Reacher novels? I think there are 16 if I’ve counted correctly.

DC: *smiles* Yes, that’s right.
 

KM: Okay, let me get this straight Diane. You know Lee Child? Lee Child, the #1 New York Times Best Selling Author of Mystery/Suspense/Thriller Novels? That Lee Child?

DC: Yes.
 

KM: You mean your new suspense novel “Don’t Know Jack” has something to do with Jack Reacher?

DC: Yes.
 

KM: Oh, do I ever feel a story brewing here. But before I ask you my next question, might you give us some background information about this Jack Reacher character just in case someone in our audience is not familiar with him?

DC: *laughs* Seriously? Well, more than 50 million copies of Reacher’s exploits have been sold world-wide. But just in case, Jack Reacher is sort of a modern day Lone Ranger, Travis McGee, and Sir Lancelot, all rolled into one! He’s got brawn to spare and brains aplenty. He’s a tough guy who does whatever it takes. Someone we’d all want on our side when trouble finds us.
 

KM: Oh, for a moment there Diane I thought you were describing my husband! LOL!
But seriously, please do tell. What is your connection with Lee Child? And how did this all come about?

DC: Not much of a mystery here. The writing community is fairly small and most of us know each other. The internet makes that easier — which is how I met you. *grins* But in the case of Lee Child, we’ve been friends for a long time. We worked together on the board of International Thriller Writers, too.

  
DC: A few years ago, we were talking about Jack Reacher at a book event in New York City. I asked Lee something like, “Where does Reacher live between books?” Lee replied, “Where ever he wants.” After a bit more back and forth, it occurred to me that someone would be looking for payback, given all the bodies Reacher’s left in his wake…
 

KM: So, can you give us a teensy weensy idea what “Don’t Know Jack” is about?

DC: Okay, since you’ve asked, here’s the description:

Jack Reacher, is he a Friend or Enemy?

It’s been quite a while since we first met Lee Child’s Jack Reacher in Killing Floor. Fifteen years and sixteen novels later, Reacher still lives off the grid, until trouble finds him, and then he does whatever it takes, much to the delight of readers and the dismay of villains. Now someone big is looking for him. Who? And why? Hunting Jack Reacher is a dangerous business, as FBI Special Agents Kim Otto and Carlos Gaspar are about to find out. Otto and Gaspar are by-the-book hunters who know when it’s necessary to break the rules; Reacher is a stone cold killer. But they Don’t Know Jack. Is he their friend or their enemy? Only the secrets hidden in Margrave, Georgia will tell them.
 

KM: That sounds so intriguing! Now you’ve peaked our interest Diane!

DC: I hope so, Karen. You and a few million of your closest friends! *laughs*
 

KM: Ha, ha, ha, your funny Diane. A few million of my closest friends? One could only hope! But I’m making them as fast as I can Diane and I hope they’ll all run out to buy your new book!

DC: Sounds good to me Karen!
 

KM: So may I ask, who is your favorite character in the novel and why?

DC: I’d have to say agent Kim Otto is my favorite. Kim exhibits fierce courage in the face of unrelenting pressure and overcomes her anxiety to do the job at hand. This bravery will enable her to battle Reacher when the time comes. Who knows? She might even win! *grins*
 

KM: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

DC: The task was quite a challenge from the outset, and I love a good challenge. The series is about “the rest of the story,” or what happens after Reacher leaves town. In this first book, Otto and Gaspar are introduced as members of an elite FBI task force, reporting to a mysterious Big Guy. They’re called out in the wee hours of the morning and sent on a secret assignment to Margrave, Georgia, the first place Jack Reacher surfaced after he was discharged from the army. They’re told to “build the Reacher file” from his army days to the present, but they don’t know why and they don’t know what they’re supposed to find out. One of the writing challenges was to reveal what Reacher fans already knew to Otto and Gaspar in an interesting, suspenseful way, without cheating new readers who would be coming to the Reacher cannon for the first time. It was fun to make that work.
 

KM: How long will we have to wait before we can expect another novel from your “Hunt for Reacher” series?

DC: Slave driver! *laughs* I’m writing as fast as I can! Readers can sign up for my mailing list to get announcements along the way. I’m doing my best to finish and I’m sure it won’t take me three years!
 

KM: Oops, sorry, I have been known to be a slave driver! LOL! But since I’ve already read “Don’t Know Jack” , I can only say Diane that I hope it isn’t too long! It was a fantastic read and kept me turning the page on my new Kindle!

DC: Why thank you very much Karen. I love those words coming from readers! I can only hope that everyone will feel the same way.
 

KM: Well Diane, since it is the end of our interview, can we tell them what we’d like to do to make this launch of “Don’t Know Jack” more memorable?

DC: You go right ahead Karen.
 
 

KM: Okay, let’s do this. And just so you know, I’ve been working Diane over so we have all sorts of goodies in store for you today!
 

First of all, there’s more than one way to win! For everyone that leaves a comment here today, your name will be drawn out of a hat and the winner will receive a free copy of “Don’t Know Jack”! Also, if you ping-back to this blog from your blog, your name will be added to the hat. Incidentally, your name can be entered more than once and there will be multiple winners!
 

So go for it!
 

Now another way that you can get your name tossed into the hat is to pop over to Diane’s site! Once there, sign up to become eligible to name one of the new characters in Diane’s next “Hunt for Reacher” novel in progress! Here’s the link: Don’t Know Jack
 

Km: How does that sound?

DC: Sounds great to me Karen!
 

KM: This is so exciting Diane! I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to hop over to my blog today to share the launch of your new novel “Don’t Know Jack” with us!

DC: Thank you Karen and a big thanks to everyone who dropped by to help make this a wonderful book launch for “Don’t Know Jack”! I hope you’ll all enjoy it! It was great fun!
 
 

To make this the most memorable launch day for Diane guys, let’s all go out into the Twitterverse and Tweet our big hearts out, shall we? Let’s announce to all our followers to check out Diane Capri’s fantastic new book, “Don’t Know Jack”!!
 

 
You can connect with Diane Capri online:

 
DianeCapri.com

Twitter: @DianeCapri
Facebook.com/DianeCapriBooks
Facebook.com/DianeCapri1

The Hunt For Reacher Begins:

Don’t Know Jack

http://www.amazon.com/author/dianecapri
 
 

So what do you think? Do you like to read Mystery/Suspense? Are you a Jack Reacher fan? Are there any questions that you would like to ask Diane about her new book before she leaves?
 
 
If you enjoyed this, I encourage you to follow by email for future posts!
 

Thank you for your many thoughts and fine comments everyone!
Karen
 
 
 

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