Want to learn a new computer skill or brush up on an old one? Come to the John's Island Regional Library for computer instruction! All computer classes are free and are for adults and young adults. For more information please call 559-1945 and ask for the Reference Department. Class space is available for 8 participants per session.
Computer Basics
Tuesday, February 3 from 10:00 a.m.–12 Noon
Registration starts 1/20
This class provides a basic introduction to the personal computer and its parts. Learn how to use the mouse and navigate the computer screen. There is time for hands-on practice. No computer experience is necessary.
Keyboard Basics
Tuesday, February 10 from 10:00 a.m.–12 Noon
Registration starts 1/27
Basic orientation to using the computer keyboard. Learn to be a more efficient keyboarder. General instruction and hands-on practice. No computer experience is necessary.
Files and Folders: File Organization and Management
Tuesday, February 17 from 10:00 a.m.–12 Noon
Registration starts 2/3
Learn how to organize your computer files more effectively. Basic concepts include: creating a file or document, creating folders, naming folders and saving document in a folder and deleting files. Prerequisite: Computer Basics will be helpful.
Internet Basics
Tuesday, February 24 from 10:00 a.m.–12
Noon Registration starts 2/10
An introduction to the Internet, focusing on the World Wide Web, using Internet Explorer. Provides an overview of how the Internet is structured and introduces searching on the World Wide Web. Prerequisite: Some experience using a mouse will be helpful.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Jennifer Vido Interviews Suzanne Brockmann
By now, loyal readers of this blog should know Jennifer Vido, our summer visitor to Kiawah Island. Her full bio is at the end of this post. Jennifer is now sharing her interview with author, Suzanne Brockmann. Brockmann's latest book, Dark of Night, is now on order at the Charleston County Public Library. Don't missing answering Jen's trivia question below for a chance to win your own copy of Dark of Night!
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(Brockmann photo by Shirin Tinati)
Jen’s Jewels
February 1, 2009
Suzanne Brockmann
Now that I have confessed my penchant towards secret agents, the floodgates have literally opened up. It seems my desk is overflowing these days with possible interview candidates whose specialty involves some sort of international espionage. Truth be told, no one is more thrilled about my recent admission than my husband. Usually when my shipment of upcoming releases arrives, he kindly opens the box and leaves them on the counter. Now, I have to go hunt down the books!
This month’s Jen’s Jewels epitomizes the best of both worlds…romance and suspense. Who better to celebrate Valentine’s Day with my readers than New York Times Bestselling Author Suzanne Brockmann? Her latest release, DARK OF NIGHT, is the fourteenth installment in her award-winning series Troubleshooters, Inc. From secret agents to steamy, hot love scenes, this book has it all.
As part of this interview, Ballantine Books has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to check out the trivia question at the end of the column. And as always, thanks so much for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.
Jen: Being named a New York Times Bestselling Author validates the superb caliber of writing that is found within the framework of an author’s novel. Remarkably, the story behind the actual climb can be just as fascinating. Please tell us a little bit about your journey and what particular aspect contributed most to your success.
Suzanne: Well, thank you. I appreciate the thought, although I must acknowledge that quite a few forces well out of a writer's control (including luck!) play a very important part in achieving success. Yes, it's true, in my opinion, that reader-generated buzz ("What a great book!") promotes books better than any publisher-paid ad campaign ever could, and if the books are easily found, well, then things can happen. But in a genre where an author's shelf life is a heartbeat and books go out of print in the blink of an eye, too often the buzz comes too late, readers end up scrambling to find out-of-print books via e-bay and used book stores.
So the key to my success, I believe, was to always, always deliver my personal best in each book. Quality and quantity was my war cry in the early part of my career. My goal was to be ready, should both luck and lightning strike.
Jen: For any author, finding her niche is the crucial part in establishing a name (or brand) within the industry. For my readers who are unfamiliar with your work, your two award-winning series, TROUBLESHOOTERS and TALL, DARK & DANGEROUS, center on U.S. Navy Seal teams. What made you choose to focus on operatives as your primary characters? Do you come from a military background?
Suzanne: My dad served in the Army, but that was long before I was born. Still, I was always fascinated by the picture of him, in uniform, that was in my grandparents' house. I was also, from around age eleven, a total WWII history buff. I read everything I could get my hands on about that war -- from The Great Escape to dry strategic analyses of battles. It really resonated with me, and beneath it was a strongly held respect for our country's servicemen and servicewomen.
So when I was at that just-starting-out phase of my romance writing career, back in the mid-1990s, I found out about SEALs. The more I read, the more I was convinced that these guys would make terrific heroes -- and that I would not only enjoy the research needed to make them come to life, but that I could do them justice. Everything clicked beautifully.
Jen: Please give us some insight as to the creative process that is unleashed in the metamorphosis of your books. Do you write one series and then flip-flop to the other? From conception to completion, approximately how long does it take to write a novel? Which series is more of a challenge to write and why?
Suzanne: It's been a long time since I've written a book in the Tall, Dark & Dangerous series, but back in the day, when I was writing both, I would go from one to the other. Now my focus is almost completely on my Troubleshooter, Inc. series. And, it can take anywhere from four to six months to write a book. Some come easy; some are like hitting myself in the head with a hammer. I've written nearly fifty books since June 1992, and I try very hard to make each book fresh and different and new. That's pretty challenging.
My methods change over time -- I'm currently writing two books a year, which, when I write that, provides a pinch of stress. Check back with me in April, though, when my next book is due on my editor's desk! Only one thing is certain -- it's never the same.
Jen: Approximately how much research goes into the writing of each book? What stands out in your mind as the most unusual piece of information you have uncovered along the way? Did you incorporate it into a storyline? Why or why not?
Suzanne: Oh, man, this is a hard question to answer. See, I'm always researching. Every web-surf, every overheard conversation in a restaurant, every book I read, and every news program I watch on TV...
It's a constant, ongoing process for me.
The piece of research that stands out most for me was something I found relatively early in my career. This was in the mid-1990s.
Okay, so I knew I was going to be writing about Navy SEALs, and I wanted to focus on counterterrorism as the external conflict of my books, so I was surfing the web, finding out all I could about terrorist groups. And I came upon an Israeli university website, which claimed to have information on every terrorist group in the world. And I flipped through it briefly and -- because I liked hard copies of things -- I decided to print it out. Two, three pages, right? I mean, how long could it be?
An hour later, it's still freaking printing. It was pretty chilling. And it was in that very overview that I got my first lengthy introduction to Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda.
I kept that printout for years, and pulled it out when I was plotting The Defiant Hero, the second book in my Troubleshooters, Inc. series. (This had to be, oh, late 1999, early 2000.) I needed a terrorist group for this book and...
I re-read the chapter on al Qaeda, and was once again convinced to not use them in my book. Instead I created a fictional terrorist group in a fictional country, and thus Kazbekistan came to be.
Jen: Your latest release, DARK OF NIGHT, is the fourteenth novel in the TROUBLESHOOTERS series. First of all, for someone who is new to this series, is the back story available? Is it necessary in order to follow the storyline?
Suzanne: No, this book absolutely can be read as a stand-alone. But with that being said, it's got to be better to start at the beginning, don't you think? As far as DARK OF NIGHT goes, readers who want to get the full story don't have to start all the way back at The Unsung Hero. They can start with Flashpoint. That's the book where the main characters in DARK OF NIGHT are introduced.
Jen: In this installment, Troubleshooters, Inc. is up against their most formidable opponent…The Agency. Of the central female characters highlighted in this book, which one, Tess, Sophia, or Tracy, is the most indispensable to the organization and why?
Suzanne: This is a book about teamwork -- about my belief (and that of the Navy SEALs) that a team working together is far stronger than any individual in that team.
You ever watch any of those terrific Discovery programs on BUD/S -- where the SEAL candidates learn to identify their team's strengths and weaknesses? The guy who is the strongest swimmer may not excel in the ten mile run, and vice versa. But if the strong swimmer helps the weak swimmers and the strong runner helps the weak runners... The team then excels in both areas.
Tess, Sophia and Tracy all have their individual strengths and weaknesses. And the beauty of working in a team...? Is realizing that sometimes your perceived weakness can be your true strength.
Jen: The amount of testosterone thrown around by the gregarious male operatives greatly affects the women with whom they fraternize. What makes James Nash so irresistible?
Suzanne: I don't think he's irresistible to quite everyone. But yeah -- he's a man with a dark past and some pretty heavy-duty secrets, so that makes him a favorite of some readers.
Jen: Is Sophia settling for second best? What makes Dave the right man for her at this time in her life?
Suzanne: Ah, but if I told your readers that, they wouldn't have to read the book. This is one of the big internal conflicts of DARK OF NIGHT. I really can't say too much about the book without revealing spoilers. (Talk to me again several months after the book's release date!)
Jen: What is your favorite scene in this book and why?
Suzanne: Anything with Sam and Jules. I love their friendship, because their relationship started out so rockily. Jules is a POV character in DARK OF NIGHT, and Sam plays a major secondary role. So their scenes were fun to write. (And yes, readers will get to meet Sam and Alyssa's new baby, too.)
Jen: I would think writing many books in the same series would be a balancing act of sorts in order not to repeat tried and true dialog or themes. How do you manage to avoid these pitfalls while keeping the storyline so fresh? Are there a set number of books planned for each series?
Suzanne: I'm a fan of the open-ended series, so no, there's no set number of books. However I do tend to plot out on-going story arcs in finite sets.
Take DARK OF NIGHT, for example. This book brings to an end what I think of as the "Flashpoint story arc." I introduced a number of new characters in Flashpoint -- Tess, Sophia, Jimmy Nash, Decker, Dave. Tess and Nash were the "hero and heroine" of that book, according to traditional romance rules. But I knew when I finished writing that book that they and the other characters would be back in upcoming books. And indeed they were. They played a part (in varying degrees of importance) in nearly all of the books since Flashpoint. (They weren't in Force of Nature or All Through the Night, but they were mentioned in both books.)
But now, in DARK OF NIGHT, all five of those characters are front and center. A lot of questions are going to be answered.
Jen: What has surprised you most about the publishing business? If you could turn back the clock and do one thing over in respect to your career, what would it be and why?
Suzanne: Wow, if I could turn back the clock, I wouldn't waste that power on changing a career that's been pretty dang good! LOL!
To be honest, there's always something in life that you can do differently. Steve Axelrod -- my agent. I probably would've signed with Steve much, much earlier. He's The Man. I love him.
But who's to say that changing the path I took would've made things easier or better? I'm a control freak, and yeah, I probably made some bad choices along the way, but they were my choices. I wrote the books I wanted to write (that I burned to write!) and I still do.
Jen: Now that you have earned your stripes, if you will, and established your place in the business, what has been the most humbling part of your journey thus far?
Suzanne: It's always humbling to walk into a bookstore and see just how many books are available for sale, every single day. Every one of those books was written with love (and sometimes blood) by its author. It's humbling to realize that, unlike many of my peers, I earn a good living from the sale of my books.
And it's humbling, too, to meet my readers. I have the utmost respect for the people who spend their hard-earned money buying my books, and I love meeting them face to face. My goal is to give them my personal best with each book that I write. (With the understanding, of course, that there's no way I can please all of the people all of the time.)
Jen: Please tell us about your website. Do you participate in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one? Do you have e-mail notification of upcoming releases? Do you participate in a blog?
Suzanne: Readers can visit my website at www.SuzanneBrockmann.com. From the start of my career, I built and maintained my own website, and I still do. This means that although it may be lacking in whistles and bells, the content there is always written by me.
Aside from my Facebook page, the closest thing I've got to a blog is my e-newsletter -- again, maintained and written by me. I send out news about once a month via a yahoogroups list. The link to my website e-newsletter signup page is http://www.suzannebrockmann.com/mailing_list.htm. And of course, readers are welcome to friend me on Facebook!
To be honest, I'm trying to cut back on promotional efforts, in order to do that two books a year thing. So I'm not currently doing many appearances at RWA chapter conferences, or signings, or even phone chats. I do, however, have my own internet message board at http://members2.boardhost.com/brockmann/, and I schedule all day visits with Q&A sessions every three months or so.
I'll be doing an appearance at the Selby Library in Sarasota on February 11th (in just a week or so), and I'm planning to attend the RWA conference in Washington, DC this July. But that's about it for me in 2009.
Jen: Are you currently at work on your next novel? If so, what can you tell us about it?
Suzanne: The book after DARK OF NIGHT is called HOT PURSUIT. It features two of my most popular characters, Alyssa Locke and Sam Starrett. Alyssa's been hunting a serial killer known as "the dentist" for years. In HOT PURSUIT, he turns the tables and begins stalking her. It's scheduled for release in July 2009.
Jen: Thank you so much for stopping by to chat with my readers. It has been an absolute pleasure being able to talk with you. Best of luck in 2009!
Suzanne: Thanks so much! Happy (almost) Valentine's Day!
I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Suzanne. If you need a Valentine’s Day gift for your significant other, why not stop by your favorite bookstore and pick up a copy of DARK OF NIGHT today? Better yet, how about winning one instead? Be one of the first five readers to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the trivia question and you’ll win!
Name the title of the sequel to DARK OF NIGHT.
Later this month, I will be bringing to you my interview with advice columnist Amy Dickinson (Ask Amy). You won’t want to miss it.
Until next time…Jen
February 1, 2009
Suzanne Brockmann
Now that I have confessed my penchant towards secret agents, the floodgates have literally opened up. It seems my desk is overflowing these days with possible interview candidates whose specialty involves some sort of international espionage. Truth be told, no one is more thrilled about my recent admission than my husband. Usually when my shipment of upcoming releases arrives, he kindly opens the box and leaves them on the counter. Now, I have to go hunt down the books!
This month’s Jen’s Jewels epitomizes the best of both worlds…romance and suspense. Who better to celebrate Valentine’s Day with my readers than New York Times Bestselling Author Suzanne Brockmann? Her latest release, DARK OF NIGHT, is the fourteenth installment in her award-winning series Troubleshooters, Inc. From secret agents to steamy, hot love scenes, this book has it all.
As part of this interview, Ballantine Books has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to check out the trivia question at the end of the column. And as always, thanks so much for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.
Jen: Being named a New York Times Bestselling Author validates the superb caliber of writing that is found within the framework of an author’s novel. Remarkably, the story behind the actual climb can be just as fascinating. Please tell us a little bit about your journey and what particular aspect contributed most to your success.
Suzanne: Well, thank you. I appreciate the thought, although I must acknowledge that quite a few forces well out of a writer's control (including luck!) play a very important part in achieving success. Yes, it's true, in my opinion, that reader-generated buzz ("What a great book!") promotes books better than any publisher-paid ad campaign ever could, and if the books are easily found, well, then things can happen. But in a genre where an author's shelf life is a heartbeat and books go out of print in the blink of an eye, too often the buzz comes too late, readers end up scrambling to find out-of-print books via e-bay and used book stores.
So the key to my success, I believe, was to always, always deliver my personal best in each book. Quality and quantity was my war cry in the early part of my career. My goal was to be ready, should both luck and lightning strike.
Jen: For any author, finding her niche is the crucial part in establishing a name (or brand) within the industry. For my readers who are unfamiliar with your work, your two award-winning series, TROUBLESHOOTERS and TALL, DARK & DANGEROUS, center on U.S. Navy Seal teams. What made you choose to focus on operatives as your primary characters? Do you come from a military background?
Suzanne: My dad served in the Army, but that was long before I was born. Still, I was always fascinated by the picture of him, in uniform, that was in my grandparents' house. I was also, from around age eleven, a total WWII history buff. I read everything I could get my hands on about that war -- from The Great Escape to dry strategic analyses of battles. It really resonated with me, and beneath it was a strongly held respect for our country's servicemen and servicewomen.
So when I was at that just-starting-out phase of my romance writing career, back in the mid-1990s, I found out about SEALs. The more I read, the more I was convinced that these guys would make terrific heroes -- and that I would not only enjoy the research needed to make them come to life, but that I could do them justice. Everything clicked beautifully.
Jen: Please give us some insight as to the creative process that is unleashed in the metamorphosis of your books. Do you write one series and then flip-flop to the other? From conception to completion, approximately how long does it take to write a novel? Which series is more of a challenge to write and why?
Suzanne: It's been a long time since I've written a book in the Tall, Dark & Dangerous series, but back in the day, when I was writing both, I would go from one to the other. Now my focus is almost completely on my Troubleshooter, Inc. series. And, it can take anywhere from four to six months to write a book. Some come easy; some are like hitting myself in the head with a hammer. I've written nearly fifty books since June 1992, and I try very hard to make each book fresh and different and new. That's pretty challenging.
My methods change over time -- I'm currently writing two books a year, which, when I write that, provides a pinch of stress. Check back with me in April, though, when my next book is due on my editor's desk! Only one thing is certain -- it's never the same.
Jen: Approximately how much research goes into the writing of each book? What stands out in your mind as the most unusual piece of information you have uncovered along the way? Did you incorporate it into a storyline? Why or why not?
Suzanne: Oh, man, this is a hard question to answer. See, I'm always researching. Every web-surf, every overheard conversation in a restaurant, every book I read, and every news program I watch on TV...
It's a constant, ongoing process for me.
The piece of research that stands out most for me was something I found relatively early in my career. This was in the mid-1990s.
Okay, so I knew I was going to be writing about Navy SEALs, and I wanted to focus on counterterrorism as the external conflict of my books, so I was surfing the web, finding out all I could about terrorist groups. And I came upon an Israeli university website, which claimed to have information on every terrorist group in the world. And I flipped through it briefly and -- because I liked hard copies of things -- I decided to print it out. Two, three pages, right? I mean, how long could it be?
An hour later, it's still freaking printing. It was pretty chilling. And it was in that very overview that I got my first lengthy introduction to Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda.
I kept that printout for years, and pulled it out when I was plotting The Defiant Hero, the second book in my Troubleshooters, Inc. series. (This had to be, oh, late 1999, early 2000.) I needed a terrorist group for this book and...
I re-read the chapter on al Qaeda, and was once again convinced to not use them in my book. Instead I created a fictional terrorist group in a fictional country, and thus Kazbekistan came to be.
Jen: Your latest release, DARK OF NIGHT, is the fourteenth novel in the TROUBLESHOOTERS series. First of all, for someone who is new to this series, is the back story available? Is it necessary in order to follow the storyline?
Suzanne: No, this book absolutely can be read as a stand-alone. But with that being said, it's got to be better to start at the beginning, don't you think? As far as DARK OF NIGHT goes, readers who want to get the full story don't have to start all the way back at The Unsung Hero. They can start with Flashpoint. That's the book where the main characters in DARK OF NIGHT are introduced.
Jen: In this installment, Troubleshooters, Inc. is up against their most formidable opponent…The Agency. Of the central female characters highlighted in this book, which one, Tess, Sophia, or Tracy, is the most indispensable to the organization and why?
Suzanne: This is a book about teamwork -- about my belief (and that of the Navy SEALs) that a team working together is far stronger than any individual in that team.
You ever watch any of those terrific Discovery programs on BUD/S -- where the SEAL candidates learn to identify their team's strengths and weaknesses? The guy who is the strongest swimmer may not excel in the ten mile run, and vice versa. But if the strong swimmer helps the weak swimmers and the strong runner helps the weak runners... The team then excels in both areas.
Tess, Sophia and Tracy all have their individual strengths and weaknesses. And the beauty of working in a team...? Is realizing that sometimes your perceived weakness can be your true strength.
Jen: The amount of testosterone thrown around by the gregarious male operatives greatly affects the women with whom they fraternize. What makes James Nash so irresistible?
Suzanne: I don't think he's irresistible to quite everyone. But yeah -- he's a man with a dark past and some pretty heavy-duty secrets, so that makes him a favorite of some readers.
Jen: Is Sophia settling for second best? What makes Dave the right man for her at this time in her life?
Suzanne: Ah, but if I told your readers that, they wouldn't have to read the book. This is one of the big internal conflicts of DARK OF NIGHT. I really can't say too much about the book without revealing spoilers. (Talk to me again several months after the book's release date!)
Jen: What is your favorite scene in this book and why?
Suzanne: Anything with Sam and Jules. I love their friendship, because their relationship started out so rockily. Jules is a POV character in DARK OF NIGHT, and Sam plays a major secondary role. So their scenes were fun to write. (And yes, readers will get to meet Sam and Alyssa's new baby, too.)
Jen: I would think writing many books in the same series would be a balancing act of sorts in order not to repeat tried and true dialog or themes. How do you manage to avoid these pitfalls while keeping the storyline so fresh? Are there a set number of books planned for each series?
Suzanne: I'm a fan of the open-ended series, so no, there's no set number of books. However I do tend to plot out on-going story arcs in finite sets.
Take DARK OF NIGHT, for example. This book brings to an end what I think of as the "Flashpoint story arc." I introduced a number of new characters in Flashpoint -- Tess, Sophia, Jimmy Nash, Decker, Dave. Tess and Nash were the "hero and heroine" of that book, according to traditional romance rules. But I knew when I finished writing that book that they and the other characters would be back in upcoming books. And indeed they were. They played a part (in varying degrees of importance) in nearly all of the books since Flashpoint. (They weren't in Force of Nature or All Through the Night, but they were mentioned in both books.)
But now, in DARK OF NIGHT, all five of those characters are front and center. A lot of questions are going to be answered.
Jen: What has surprised you most about the publishing business? If you could turn back the clock and do one thing over in respect to your career, what would it be and why?
Suzanne: Wow, if I could turn back the clock, I wouldn't waste that power on changing a career that's been pretty dang good! LOL!
To be honest, there's always something in life that you can do differently. Steve Axelrod -- my agent. I probably would've signed with Steve much, much earlier. He's The Man. I love him.
But who's to say that changing the path I took would've made things easier or better? I'm a control freak, and yeah, I probably made some bad choices along the way, but they were my choices. I wrote the books I wanted to write (that I burned to write!) and I still do.
Jen: Now that you have earned your stripes, if you will, and established your place in the business, what has been the most humbling part of your journey thus far?
Suzanne: It's always humbling to walk into a bookstore and see just how many books are available for sale, every single day. Every one of those books was written with love (and sometimes blood) by its author. It's humbling to realize that, unlike many of my peers, I earn a good living from the sale of my books.
And it's humbling, too, to meet my readers. I have the utmost respect for the people who spend their hard-earned money buying my books, and I love meeting them face to face. My goal is to give them my personal best with each book that I write. (With the understanding, of course, that there's no way I can please all of the people all of the time.)
Jen: Please tell us about your website. Do you participate in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one? Do you have e-mail notification of upcoming releases? Do you participate in a blog?
Suzanne: Readers can visit my website at www.SuzanneBrockmann.com. From the start of my career, I built and maintained my own website, and I still do. This means that although it may be lacking in whistles and bells, the content there is always written by me.
Aside from my Facebook page, the closest thing I've got to a blog is my e-newsletter -- again, maintained and written by me. I send out news about once a month via a yahoogroups list. The link to my website e-newsletter signup page is http://www.suzannebrockmann.com/mailing_list.htm. And of course, readers are welcome to friend me on Facebook!
To be honest, I'm trying to cut back on promotional efforts, in order to do that two books a year thing. So I'm not currently doing many appearances at RWA chapter conferences, or signings, or even phone chats. I do, however, have my own internet message board at http://members2.boardhost.com/brockmann/, and I schedule all day visits with Q&A sessions every three months or so.
I'll be doing an appearance at the Selby Library in Sarasota on February 11th (in just a week or so), and I'm planning to attend the RWA conference in Washington, DC this July. But that's about it for me in 2009.
Jen: Are you currently at work on your next novel? If so, what can you tell us about it?
Suzanne: The book after DARK OF NIGHT is called HOT PURSUIT. It features two of my most popular characters, Alyssa Locke and Sam Starrett. Alyssa's been hunting a serial killer known as "the dentist" for years. In HOT PURSUIT, he turns the tables and begins stalking her. It's scheduled for release in July 2009.
Jen: Thank you so much for stopping by to chat with my readers. It has been an absolute pleasure being able to talk with you. Best of luck in 2009!
Suzanne: Thanks so much! Happy (almost) Valentine's Day!
I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Suzanne. If you need a Valentine’s Day gift for your significant other, why not stop by your favorite bookstore and pick up a copy of DARK OF NIGHT today? Better yet, how about winning one instead? Be one of the first five readers to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the trivia question and you’ll win!
Name the title of the sequel to DARK OF NIGHT.
Later this month, I will be bringing to you my interview with advice columnist Amy Dickinson (Ask Amy). You won’t want to miss it.
Until next time…Jen
Jen's Bio:When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Need Help Completing Your Income Tax Forms?
The AARP Income Tax preparers are back again this year to help with the preparation of income tax forms. They will be available from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays from February 7 through April 11 at the John's Island Regional Library. In order to have time to assist individuals, the last person will be helped starting at 1:30 p.m. Also note: first come, first served and assistance in Spanish/Español will be available.
If you would like more information concerning sites where free income tax assistance will be available in the greater Charleston, SC area, please call the Reference Desk at (843) 559-1945 or visit the Charleston County Public Library website.
Some helpful websites:
Internal Revenue Service: www.irs.gov
South Carolina Income Tax Information/Department of Revenue: www.sctax.org
Jennifer Vido Interviews Dan Gutman
Jennifer Vido, a regular summer visitor to Kiawah Island, is back with her latest Jen's Jewels column. Jen is interviewing popular children's author, Dan Gutman. His books are available at the Charleston County Public Library so check one (or more!) out today. Want to know more about Jennifer Vido? Her bio is at the end of her column. And, don't miss entering her trivia contest for a chance to win a copy of Gutman's MY WEIRD SCHOOL DAZE #4: COACH HYATT IS A RIOT!
Jen’s Jewels
January 15, 2009
Dan Gutman
My clock is ticking and no, it has nothing to do with babies per se. It concerns my youngest son. A couple of weeks ago, Sam turned eight. For those of you with older children, you know where I am headed. Gone are the days of holding hands in public. Forget about blowing kisses when he gets out of the car for school. And above all, I can’t use any terms of endearment in front of his friends.
Luckily, I have not yet been banned from our favorite nightly ritual. There’s nothing quite like snuggling with him for a good bedtime story. His infectious belly laugh is the perfect medicine for washing away the day’s stress. I know, I’ll be getting my walking papers soon, but until then, I am going to relish every precious moment I have left.
It seems only fitting to be launching my first children’s author Jen’s Jewels column this month. And of course, there’s no better person to bestow this honor upon than my son’s favorite, Dan Gutman. A fellow New Jersey native, his witty repartee has been making kids laugh for years.
As part of this interview, HarperTrophy, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers has donated five books for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end of the column. And as always, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.
Jen: Please tell us a little about your educational and professional background that led to your pursuit of a career in writing.
Dan: I never took a writing class in my life. I studied psychology at Rutgers. I even went to graduate school for two years. But I decided that I didn't want to be a psychologist. So I thought, what do I like to do? I always enjoyed writing letters to my friends, so I decided to give writing a shot. That was around 1980.
Jen: Was there a particular life-changing experience that validated in your mind this career choice or was it more like a “let’s see where this takes me” kind of journey?
Dan: Well, I started out writing for grownups, and I was a dismal failure. I was awful, and I wasn't making a living at it. But then...see your next question!
Jen: What made you decide to write children’s books?
Dan: My son, Sam, was born in 1990. With Sam, I started reading a lot of children's books for the first time since I was a kid, and I decided to try to write one. And as soon as I started writing for kids, I thought--THIS is what I'm good at!
Jen: I would think that writing computer-based stories as you did early on in your career versus children’s books which you do today would be like comparing apples to oranges. What I want to know is how did you manage to pick up the lingo without sounding like you were trying too hard? (“Oh, snap!”, a catch-phrase from My Weird School, is often used in our house!)
Dan: I fell into the computer thing by accident. I was working on a magazine about video and computer games. But I didn't know ANYTHING about computers. I was a total fraud, and I had to try very hard to hide that fact. I don't have to try at all to relate to kids. That comes naturally. And my own kids, of course, have helped a lot too. I get a lot of the catch phrases and stuff from them. But I got "Oh, snap!" from a camp for physically handicapped kids where I worked for four summers during college. The kids in my bunk used to say that.
Jen: Also, when I read your books aloud to my youngest son, I wind up laughing as much as he does. Your books appeal to both audiences simultaneously. What’s your secret?
Dan: The secret is to have the brain of a 53 year old and the maturity level of a 10 year old.
Jen: As you know, writing any novel is a labor intensive process that incorporates many facets of development including characterization, themes, and voice to name a few. Children’s books are much shorter and the language is obviously simpler. What is your major focus when you begin writing a children’s book? And, what overall strategies work best for you? Do you plot first? Outline?
Dan: I try to come up with a "big idea." Like, I try to take an ordinary kid and put that kid into an extraordinary situation. A kid runs for president of the United States. A kid gets the chance to take one foul shot for a million dollars. A kid finds the most valuable baseball card in the world and discovers he has the power to travel through time with it. These are the kinds of stories I think kids can fantasize about. And yes, I plan out the whole story in advance before I write anything. I'm a big planner, and outliner. I figure that people who can just stare at a blank computer screen and start writing must be geniuses.
Jen: From a technical standpoint, during the creative process, did you collaborate with Jim Paillot (your illustrator in the MY WEIRD SCHOOL DAZE series) as to exactly where the illustrations would appear throughout the book? And, do the illustrations affect the writing of the story in any way or is it more of an after-the-fact kind of procedure?
Dan: Actually, Jim and I have never even met. He lives in Arizona and I live in New Jersey. For the most part, I write the story and he decides what to draw and where to put it. Sometimes I will write him an email if I think something needs to be pictured. And I try to make the stories very visual so Jim will have plenty to work with. But the covers have to be drawn even before I write the book. So Jim (who is brilliant, by the way) will create the look of the character, and sometimes I will use something he drew when it comes time to write the story. I might let him know that the computer teacher Mrs. Yonkers will be dancing around with a big hunk of cheese on her head, for example, and he will put that into the cover. One time (Mrs. Dole is Out of Control!) he had to change the cover because I decided that Mrs. Dole would be Ryan's mom. Ryan is African-American, so Jim had to redo the cover to give her darker skin!
Jen: Tacking onto the last question, how is an illustrator selected? Did you personally choose Jim or did HarperCollins make that call?
Dan: I had nothing to do with it. HarperCollins picked Jim, and I'm glad they did. He is terrific. Each cover looks different, but similar.
Jen: Your latest release, MY WEIRD SCHOOL DAZE #4: COACH HYATT IS A RIOT!, is the fourth book in your highly popular series. For those readers new to this series, how did you arrive at the premise? Who are the main characters? What makes your series unique?
Dan: I got the idea for the My Weird School series when my daughter Emma was in second grade. She was really enjoying the Junie B. Jones books, and I wanted to try a series for that age group. I thought it would be cool if there was something like Junie B. Jones told by a boy. All the books in My Weird School, you may have noticed, are dedicated to Emma. The first title, “Miss Daisy is Crazy,” came from the old song “Tutti Fruiti.” It goes, “Had a gal named Daisy, she almost drove me crazy.” The main characters are A.J. (who is the narrator), his arch-enemy and love interest Andrea Young, Andrea's crybaby friend Emily, and A.J.'s friends Michael, Ryan, and Neil the nude kid (who was actually the "new" kid but everybody thought it was "nude.") By the way, when I was a kid, there was a girl in my class named Andrea Young, and she was a real smarty pants. I hope she never sees these books.
What makes the series unique? I guess the rhyming titles and the idea that the kids are normal while the adults are all insane. I think kids enjoy reading about adults doing weird things.
Jen: From Ella Mentry School to Vomitorium, your play on words is quite entertaining. Do you try-out your phrases on your children to see if they’ll sink or swim? Do the kids give you any input for the storylines?
Dan: A lot of that comes from my kids. Like, I overheard my daughter say the word "poodlenasta," which is noodles and pasta. Instantly, I knew I had to use that. And often, yes, I'll think of some silly word or phrase and run it by the family. I like the sounds of strange words. I think I heard "vomitorium" at a school I visited once. They had an "auditorium," a "cafetorium" and a "vomitorium."
Jen: Unlike adult fiction where stand-alone titles dominate the market, children’s books often wind up as series. How are you able to keep each story fresh while writing twenty or so books with the same set of lead characters?
Dan: Beats me. Every time I finish a book, I think there's no way I can come up with another one. But when I sit down to write it, the thoughts somehow flow.
Jen: In MY WEIRD SCHOOL DAZE, with which character do you most identify and in what ways? (I have to admit. I’m so Andrea)
Dan: I'm a combination of A.J. and Andrea. I'm more like Andrea, but I always wished I was more like A.J. People like him seem to have all the fun.
Jen: What is the biggest challenge for children’s authors today? In your opinion, how has the market changed? Do you think that e-books are a viable option for kids? Or is there something to be said for a good old-fashioned well-thumbed book?
Dan: For me, the biggest challenge is keeping all the balls in the air. I need to write a MY WEIRD SCHOOL book every three months, a baseball card adventure once a year, plus I do some other projects and do a lot of speaking engagements too.
I don't really know how the market has changed. I don't pay much attention to that stuff. That's why I have an agent!
Down the line, I guess e-books will be a big thing with children's books. But there will always be people who prefer to hold a book in their hands, and I hope there will always be books on paper. I wouldn't want to take an e-book into the bathtub with me, that's for sure.
Jen: Please tell us about your website. Do you have e-mail notification of upcoming releases? Do you participate in book talks and/or school visits outside of the New Jersey area? If so, how would my readers go about contacting you?
Dan: I don't have it together enough to email people that a new book is coming out. Once a year, I update my site and list the new books that will be coming out that year.
I used to travel all around the country visiting schools. But I got sick of airplanes, airports, hotels, and all the hassles that go with travel. So now I only visit schools I can drive to. But I did make a DVD version of my school presentation for people who are farther away. You can see a preview of it on my web site. The site also has some of my rejection letters people will enjoy reading, a chapter from a book that hasn't come out yet, a trivia quiz about my books, bio information, me ranting about global warming, and lots of other stuff. It's like having a TV station all about me broadcasting 24/7!
I get a lot of email and it is really hard to keep up. I know the day is coming when I won't be able to reply to each email, but until then, people can go to my web site and click a button to send me an email. I really do appreciate my readers. And thanks for doing this interview. Your questions were excellent!
I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Dan. Please stop by your favorite bookstore or local library and pick up a copy of MY WEIRD SCHOOL DAZE #4: COACH HYATT IS A RIOT! today.
Better yet, how would you like to win one instead? Be one of the first five readers to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following question and you’ll win! Good luck!
Name the lead female character in the MY WEIRD SCHOOL DAZE series.
Next time, I will be bringing to you my interview with New York Times Bestselling Author Suzanne Brockmann. You won’t want to miss it.
Happy Reading!
Jen
Jen's Bio:When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
All branches of the Charleston County Public Library system (including the bookmobile) will be closed on Monday, January 19, for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Jen's Jewels with Steve Berry
Our regular summer visitor to Kiawah Island, Jennifer Vido, is back with a great interview of author, Steve Berry. Come to the library to check out some of Berry's books. Jennifer's bio is at the end of her column and be sure to enter Jen's trivia quiz for a chance to win a copy of Berry's book, The Charlemagne Pursuit. And thanks to Jennifer Vido for sharing her column with our blog readers! (Steve Berry Photo Credit: Kelly Campbell)Jen’s Jewels
January 1, 2009
Steve Berry
January 1, 2009
Steve Berry
There’s just something about the beginning of a New Year that appeals to me. Of course, this time last year I was lamenting hitting my forties. How I wish I had known then that it would be just a stepping stone in my journey of rediscovery! We live in such a fascinating, yet uncertain time as seen in the 2008 presidential race. Our country is headed in a new direction with all of us banding together at the helm.
The same is true for my column. Once a purely romance writing venue, it has taken on its own voice by encompassing all genres and capturing the true essence of the best and the brightest in the publishing industry. In celebration of its new path, it only seems fitting to be kicking off the New Year with New York Times Bestselling Author Steve Berry. His latest release, THE CHARLEMAGNE PURSUIT, is an explosive military thriller that spans various continents and challenges the many truisms of history.
As part of this interview, Ballantine Books has generously donated five copies of his blockbuster hit for you, my readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end of the column. Happy New Year and welcome back to Jen’s Jewels!
Jen: Most authors only dream of writing internationally bestselling novels yet for you, it has become a reality. What makes an author truly stand out from the rest of pack is the defining moment in his life when this choice is made. Please tell us a little bit about your educational and professional background that paved your way for a career in the publishing business.
Steve: I was a lawyer who wanted to write international suspense thrillers. I've always loved history, read it constantly since I was a teenager. Finally, in 1990, I decided to quit thinking about it and do it. Unfortunately, I discovered that writing novels is hard and it took me 12 years—85 rejections over 5 different manuscripts—before Ballantine Books finally bought a manuscript.
Jen: Eighty-five rejections over five manuscripts is quite a big number. During that difficult time period, was there a specific area of your craft that you chose to focus on in order to bring your writing to the next level? From your first book to the latest, how have you seen yourself grow as a writer?
Steve: I don't adhere to the adage, ‘Write what you know.’ Bad advice. Instead, ‘Write what you love.’ I've always been partial to a little bit of history, secrets, conspiracy, action, adventure, and international settings. So I focused on international suspense thrillers. I also worked hard on craft, attending a writer's workshop every Wednesday night for 6 years. And, of course, I wrote every day. No question, there is a marked difference in my craft today from 18 years ago. If every writer can't say that, then there's something wrong. None of us gets it right all the time. All we can hope for is what we wrote today is better than yesterday and what we write tomorrow is better than today.
Jen: The central character in your highly successful novels is Cotton Malone. First of all, why did you select such an unusual name? Was it a conscious effort to set him apart as a unique human being from the get-go?
Steve: He was born in Copenhagen, while I was sitting at a café in Højbro Plads, a popular Danish square. I love that city, so I decided Cotton would own a bookshop right there. I wanted a character with government ties and a background that would make him, if threatened, a formidable opponent. Since I personally love rare books, it was natural that Cotton would too, so he became a Justice Department operative turned bookseller who manages, from time to time, to find himself immersed in trouble. I also gave him an eidetic memory, since, well, who wouldn’t like one of those? At the same time, Cotton is clearly a man in conflict. His marriage has failed; he maintains a difficult relationship with his teenage son; he's lousy with women; and he’s tired of the risks that seem to follow him, even in retirement. In short, he has problems just like us. As to his name? That will remain a mystery.
Jen: Back in November, I had the pleasure of interviewing Katherine Neville, author of THE EIGHT. As she did, you chose to incorporate Charlemagne into your latest work, THE CHARLEMAGNE PURSUIT. What particular aspect of this powerful historical figure’s life contributed most to your decision to center the story on him? What was the most fascinating tidbit of knowledge you learned along the way?
Steve: The fact that he hasn’t appeared in many thrillers was the main draw. As you noted, Katherine Neville is the only writer I can recall who’s made good use of him, and The Eight is one of my favorite books. Charlemagne is fascinating. He ruled for 47 years and lived to be 74 at a time when kings rarely reigned more than 5 years and people died long before age 40. He unified a continent and laid the groundwork for the formation, centuries later, of a modern Europe. Many of his policies and practices became proven models for western law and government. He was a visionary who surrounded himself with smart people and, for the first time, placed the needs of his subjects before royal ambition. He was so progressive that it begs the question—did he have help? Was he privy to special knowledge? Both are interesting questions that spurred my imagination
Jen: I like how you took the time at the end of the novel to explain the historical relevance to your plot including some liberties that you, as an author, took in order to bring your story to life. Would you briefly set the stage for my readers as to significance of the American-run operations Windmill and Highjump and the Nazi exploration of Antarctica in relation to THE CHARLEMAGNE PURSUIT?
Steve: I always include a writer's note at the end so the reader knows where fact and fiction separate. But readers should never go there first. It will spoil the whole story. Read that last. As to the Antarctic expeditions, the Nazis went in 1938 to scout strategic locations and search for untapped mineral wealth. But they found a continent tough to tame. Great mineral deposits exist, but they are difficult to extract, especially with the state of technology at that time. World War II eventually interfered with Germany returning, though conspiratorialists believe that they did return and established a secret base. Our Operations Highjump and Windmill, which came a decade after, were pure military jaunts. We went to explore, test men and equipment, and learn. Some say we went to find that Nazi base. Much about both of these extensive, cold-weather military operations remain classified to this day, which only encourages speculation as to what might have been encountered.
Jen: Setting the tone of a novel is the role of the main character. In a sense, his thoughts and actions determine the overall fluidity of the plot as well as the credibility of the storyline. I think one could make a case for saying that your novel has four main characters, Cotton, Stephanie, Ramsey, and the Oberhauser family, since they all are interconnected within the framework of the book. In a sense, Cotton is simply the thread that weaves them together. What was the most challenging part of writing four “central” plots at the same time?
Steve: Keeping them all on track. I use these separate stages (usually 3) to increase the suspense and drive the story forward. But I have to be cognizant of the fact that these story lines must, eventually, collide. The interesting thing about THE CHARLEMAGNE PURSUIT is that they do collide at the end, only several thousand miles with two continents separating the characters. Yet all plot lines are resolved.
Jen: Not only does this novel entail the pursuit of Charlemagne over various continents, but also it details Cotton’s personal pursuit of the truth surrounding his own father’s death. At any time during the creative process did you sense that the evolution of this book took on a whole new approach not evident in previous Cotton Malone storylines? And if so, in what way?
Steve: No question. I knew that Cotton confronting what happened to his father would be an emotional experience. For 38 years he’s pondered that situation. Then I came across the book Ice, by Marianna Gosnell, which described the amazing affects of the Antarctic cold. Once I realized what was possible, I increased the intensity of Malone’s journey. As a writer, I struggle with character development. It’s something I work hard to expand. This book, my seventh novel, allowed me an opportunity to expand my craft. This story is much character-driven than the others. I can only hope that reader’s regard my effort as a positive one
Jen: Part of the sheer enjoyment of reading a thriller is the locales the author chooses to depict. What drew you to these three in particular…Zugspitze, the Biltmore Estate, and Antarctica? Have you had the pleasure of experiencing each one of them?
Steve: I visited the Zugspitze in Bavaria and rode the same cable car 10,000 feet up that Malone finds himself trapped on. I also loitered around the cathedral in Aachen for four days, trying to conjure up the Charlemagne pursuit. Biltmore Estate in Asheville is one of my favorite places. I’ve visited several times, especially at Christmas. As for Antarctica, unfortunately I didn’t make it there (thank goodness the good Lord created National Geographic). My goal is to walk upon all seven continents. I have two to go, one being Antarctica, which is at the top of my must-see list.
Jen: As far as the secondary characters are concerned, who is the strongest member of the Oberhauser clan…Dorothea, Christl, Isabel, or Werner? How so?
Steve: They're all equally weak, though each one of them thinks they are the strongest. It was that precise fault that I exploited relentlessly, and it’s what leads to their downfall. They were a lot of fun to create, develop, and evolve as the story progressed.
Jen: I just have to take a moment and ask you about the sinister Admiral Ramsey. No good suspense novel is complete without the evil character and his malevolent deeds. What makes Diane McCoy such a formidable opponent for him?
Steve: Ramsey is like most antagonists --- he thinks himself smarter than everyone else, including Diane McCoy. He underestimates her, thinking her equally as ambitious as himself, so much so that he can't see that she's nothing like him. I like the character of Diane McCoy. She's named for a lovely lady who lived in my community and was a great fan. Unfortunately, cancer claimed her before the book was finished, so she never saw her name on the page. She'll live on, though, with this story.
Jen: What’s in store for Cotton’s future? And, are you at work on your next novel?
Steve: I've just completed his 2009 adventure and will shortly start the 2010 story. He'll be around in 2011 too. Hopefully, he'll continue on, but that all depends on how readers react to him. So far they seem to love him.
Jen: Please tell us about your website. Do you have e-mail notification of upcoming releases? Do you participate in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one? Do you have reading group guides for your novels?
Steve: My website is located at steveberry.org. It's a great site. Lots of information, podcasts, some videos, and photos. We tried to keep it simply and fun. There is an e-mail link to me. I read every e-mail and we respond to each one too. There are some reading guides for the first three novels on the site, too. As to author phone chats, I've never done those but wouldn't be opposed.
Jen: Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to stop by and speak with my readers. THE CHARLEMAGNE PURSUIT is the perfect novel to kick off the New Year with what we hope is filled with new beginnings and a bright future for our country. I wish you only the best in 2009.
Steve: I appreciate you having me participate. To yourself and all your reader's --- have a Happy New Year!
I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Steve. Please stop by your local library or favorite bookstore today and pick up a copy of THE CHARLEMAGNE PURSUIT. Or better yet…would you like to win one? Be one of the first five readers to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following question and you’ll win!
What is the name of the lead character in THE CHARLEMAGNE PURSUIT?
Later this month, I will be bringing to you my first children’s author interview with one of my all-time personal favorites…Dan Gutman. You won’t want to miss it.
Until next time…Jen
Jen's Bio:When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com
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