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I love my secondary book characters so much I’m writing stories starring them, and bundling a handful of these zippy tales in an anthology tentatively titled “Pepper Sprouts.” They’re drawn from my Pepper Kane Mysteries—cozy modern whodunits set up and down the West Coast. With dogs and horses. And elusive lovers. Stories are fun to write. They take less time than producing an entire book, which takes up to a year!

“Beach Body” is the first story of a projected five. It stars my amateur sleuth’s daughter, western jewelry designer, dog lover and new mom Chili Kane. I am polishing  another story with Pepper’s son, a former artist now working as a private detective in Seattle.

It’s unknown how many authors write stories about captivating secondary characters. But some give them starring roles in books outside the novel in which the person first appeared. If well drawn—and they have interesting jobs, roles or personalities—the characters makes us wonder about their lives outside the original novel(s). We want to read more about them.

Last year when casting about for new book ideas, I realized I had lots of cool characters in the Pepper mysteries. I drafted 20 pages of what I thought was a book starring Chili Kane. She’d recently divorced her Iranian husband, and moved with their baby from Seattle to the Oregon Coast—which I adore. She’d be closer to Mom, and live in a small town near the beach. (I love a good beach yarn: I’m reading “The Invisible Husband of Frick Island,” and “Coastal Christmas” is queued on my Kindle)

I soon got the idea that the proposed mystery book—and a possible series—could first be a story. A fine way to test the waters, as it were, for a full spinoff starring Pepper’s daughter. If the story floated, I would write the full novel.

*A story is a great way for readers to sample an author’s voice, style and genre in less than 30 minutes. It’s one reason I offer  “Beach Body” FREE, to valued email subscribers. There’s a signup box at www.caroletbeers.com My newsletters are OCCASIONAL, and information is NEVER shared).*

I—or any author—can write  stories with secondary original-book/series characters as one-offs, or by the handful to package as an anthology. What a fun way to market books, pique interest in ALL our creations. Seriously? If you’re a writer? Consider doing this.

The “Beach Body” story is a shade darker than my usual Pepper mysteries. Tighter, snappier, more twisted. But, as true of all “New West Mysteries with Heart,” it brims with outdoor drama, and animals, wrapping with a skewed yet hopeful ending. Not to mention a hint of romance. I have to have that, or at least a hint of it, in everything I write.

These new stories—singly or collectively—can stand strong on their own. But I also expect them to spur interest in my novels, both the modern mystery-suspenses set in the Pacific Northwest with its intriguing landscape and characters, and in the writing, whatever form it takes.

Penning these stories separately for newsletter swag, or offering them for sale in one package, gives repeat readers and newbies a time with those likable secondary characters. And it’s tasty bait. It can attract them to the fabulous books they spring from.

Why wouldn’t we?

 

We discussed book marketing at our last writers group meeting—how tough, draining and discouraging it can be. We wanted to know what we can do to get sales and reviews when we’re not widely known. Should we have giveaways, enter more contests? Pay for ads and boosts? Schlep product to more bookstores?

Marketing’s not fun for most of us. It takes time away from writing and editing, from the joy and delicious angst of creating a masterpiece. But, if you haven’t already done so, expand your efforts with social media. And I don’t mean one post a month.Show up regularly, once a week or more, on one or several platforms (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc.)

Support other author’s efforts there. Comment, or just like. At very least, it gets your name and brand out there. It might even spark a sale or at least a look. To borrow a fishing adage, you have to throw the line in the pond.

And you might blog-tour, host other authors on your website, and comment on others’ posts on their websites. Or in online crimewriting groups.

This social connecting, casual or intense, is something I believe in, because readers on social(s) tell me they buy/read my books—though not quite to bestseller status. I learn what they like or don’t like in each book. Elements they expect (or hate) so I can fine tune my books going forward and, occasionally, backward. Tweaking style and story. Broadening the base. Brightening my author brand: “New West Mysteries with Heart.” 

Word by word, book by book.

I find social marketing fun. But many don’t. It takes time away from writing, from the joy and delicious angst of creating. But why not give social media a good shot. Show up somewhat regularly on one or several platforms, and support other author’s efforts there. Comment, or just like. At very least, it gets your name out there. It might even spark a sale. To borrow a fishing adage, you have to throw the line in the pond.

Why toil away, sweat blood, and pounce on great ideas when you still have limited readers/followers? Would a musician keep playing to an empty theater? You want publicity. You need people to experience your art and craft. So work at it. All of it.

Authoring books is not just a journey. It’s a freaking expedition.

Does an author’s mashing genre and shifting voice in new books turn off readers? Cause whiplash?Blur the brand? Not if done right. And my horse Brad (pictured) would agree!

Opening my books, readers expect New West Mysteries with Heart. “The Pepper Kane Mysteries,” in fact. A little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n roll. Cozies with friends, family, and frisky femmes. And horses, of course. Then I hit them with a literary novella, a middle-grades fantasy, and now a slammin’ good Women’s Fiction/Thriller: “Runaway Moon.”

It’s set in the contemporary West, yes. It has a feisty heroine and critters. A fast, sometimes hellbent pace. And a budding enemies-to-almost-lovers romance. But there it differs from much I’ve written.

“Runaway Moon”—published this month—surprises some.  My writing colleagues call it darker. It’s a modern, coming-of-age novel about an abused teen’s escape from a modern Oregon ranch to chase writing and training dreams. Shades of “True Grit” X “Wild,” resolving into “Heartland.” Yes, Cora Cassidy faces wild animals, outlaws, starvation, and a would-be rapist. But she also faces her own demons, and finds allies she didn’t know she needed. In the end she solves a mystery (during a heart-in-mouth showdown), and finds a home for her heart. As heroes do in all my books.

See, that last is key. The trick in successfully mashing genres and writing a little outside your brand or usual voice, is this: Stay with a few familiar landmarks (relatable characters, settings and moral compasses). Things your regular readers expect and relate to. THEN you can turn up the dark or light. Use scarier or tamer scenarios. And let your character think, speak and act with younger or older, nastier or sweeter voices than characters in your other work do.

All my books you love may, on the surface, appear different. Mess with your expectations. But are they really different? Maybe in the kind of character and level of grit. But you know? They all have souls to root for, intriguing modern mysteries to solve, and tons of action. Not to mention, heart! Always. That’s what glues us to a page or a whole book. That, and a flawed but brave hero, fascinating setting and urgent, compelling quest.

I trust my wonderful readers to get that. And that they will love this new book—a true New West Mystery with Heart.

Welcome back to my Writer’s Heartland here in southern Oregon. I’ve missed you, but have been busy herding cats: promoting my Zuni-inspired fantasy novel, “The Stone Horse.” And writing a fire-investigator mystery novel.

Lately I am inspired by Carmen Peone. She’s an awesome friend, true lady of the West, a past president of Women Writing the West—and the author of notable YA and Romantic Suspense, plus haiku (who knew?) Please join me in welcoming Carmen to our literary ranch house.

Q: Hey, Carmen. Thanks for being a supportive friend and for writing such heartfelt, down-to-earth books! How do you see yourself, your role, in writing, today?

A: Thanks for having me, Carole. And congratulations on your new release, The Stone Horse. What a wonderful novella!  Well, first and foremost, I see myself as a literary entertainer. But one who covers important topics and issues like abuse, illness, and hardship. The good news is that my characters always find hope and love, family and friendship.    

Q: Background us a “smidge’ on your life. How does that background and its recurring interests and themes continue to shape you and your work?

A: I live on the Colville Indian Reservation in northeast Washington State. All of my books to this point have either Native American lead or orbital characters and are set on or near Indian Country in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. My husband and children are enrolled members of the Colville Tribe, and my grandchildren are either enrolled or direct descendants. 

Having a degree in Abnormal Psychology, writing wasn’t on my radar until I moved to the rez and worked with tribal elder, Marguerite Ensminger, learning the Arrow Lake language (One of the twelve bands that make up the Colville Confederated Tribes). Living among the rich Indigenous culture is what cultivated the material I needed to begin writing, first for teens and now for adults.     

Q: What main thing did you learn from leading “Women Writing the West?

A: Having coordinated the after-school program here on the rez, I knew the importance of teamwork. But with turning out a novel and curriculum, keeping up with a young horse and grandkids, and leading WWW, I learned how far I could be pushed and discovered my boundaries, which I’d pushed beyond healthy limits. 

The good news is, I discovered I could handle more than I’d thought, just not too much. But to be honest, somethings came up in my writing where I had the chance to get involved in the homeschool community by creating workbooks to accompany my novels, and I took it. This was something I’d been wanting to do for some time. 

Now that I’ve completed my curriculum and can reflect on my time with WWW, I can honestly say my WWW team was extraordinary and were an incredible support. I learned how dedicated the membership is. WWW is an incredible organization, and I urge those who write the west with female leads to join.   

Q: What are your ideal writing habits? Have you a set number of hours, or words, to write a day?

A: Yes. As a full-time writer, my goal is 2000 words per day and five to six days a week. I track them to keep me on course. I write in two to three spurts a day as I have a small attention span and animals to care for.  

Q: Tell us about your interest in writing haiku? Does poetry help your prose writing some way?

A: I began writing Haiku poems while coordinating the after-school program. Japanese college students have been visiting our community for about fifteen years or so and have taught me and my students how to write them. One day, I decided to pick it back up and use it as a tool to get my brain working in the morning before I start my writing day. I love photography and because the traditional Japanese Haiku poems accompany photos, it was a perfect fit. 

The poems have to be tightly written, so yes, that does help remind me to keep my novels tightly written as well, cutting extra words that don’t need to be there. Why write five words when two will do and pack a more powerful punch? 

Q: Are any of your young relatives interested in writing? What advice would do you give them?

A: Yes. For youth, I tell them to pay attention to their English teachers and learn spelling and grammar. For youth and everyone else, I tell them to get to know their characters on the most intimate level and that research makes their writing authentic. 

Q: Do you have a favorite horse, a favorite craft?

A: I am a lover of the American Paint Horse. Especially tobianos and happen to own one. Buck is now twenty. He was my extreme challenge horse until he came up lame. Now he gets to hang out at the ranch and boss my nine-year-old half-quarter, half Morgan horse around. I also love photography. It’s fun to turn my photos into haikus and greeting cards. It all revolves around the culture of my novels and my lifestyle. 

Q: Paint Horses! My favorite, too—no offense, other breed lovers.Have you a favorite oral story, Carmen, perhaps with humor, told by one of your or your husband’s elders?

A: “Coyote and the Origin of the Columbia River,” (both) of which I can view from my home, is one of my favorites. (Taken from Carmen Peone’s Girl Warrior Literary Guide.)

Origin of the Columbia River 

Coyote (Sinkaleep) was traveling, and heard water dropping. He said, “I will go and beat it.” He sat down near it, and cried, “Hox-hox-hox hox!” in imitation of water dripping. He tried four times, but the noise never ceased. He became angry, arose, and kicked the place where the water dropped. The noise ceased. He thought he had beaten it, and laughed, saying, “I beat you. No more shall water drip thus and make a noise.”

Shortly after he had gone, the water began to drip as before. He became angry, and said, “Did I not say water shall not run and make a noise?” The water was coming after him, and increased in volume as it flowed. He kept on running; but still he heard the noise of water, and was much annoyed. Now he traveled along the edge of a plateau. There was no water there, nor trees. He looked down into the coulee, but everywhere it was dry. It was warm, and he became very thirsty. He heard the noise of water, but saw none. Then he looked again down into the coulee, and saw a small creek flowing along the bottom. It seemed a long distance away. He went down and drank his fill.

He ascended again, but had barely reached the top when he became thirsty. He heard more noise of water, and, looking over the edge, saw a large creek running.

He went down, drank his fill, and ascended again, but had not reached the top when he was thirsty, as before. He thought, “Where can I drink?” The water was following him. He went to the edge of a bench and looked down. A small river was now running below.

He descended and drank. He wondered that much water was running where there had been none before. The more he drank, the sooner he became thirsty again. The fourth time he became thirsty he was only a little way from the water.

He was angry, and turned back to drink. The water had now risen to a good-sized river, so that he had not far to go. He said, “What may be the matter? I am always thirsty now. There is no use of my going away. I will walk along the edge of the water.”

He did so; but as he was still thirsty, he said, “I will walk in the water.” The water reached up to his knees. This did not satisfy him; and every time after drinking, he walked deeper, first up to the waist, then up to the arms. Then he said, “I will swim, so that my mouth will be close to the water, and I can drink all the time.”

Finally he had drunk so much that he lost consciousness. Thus the water got even with Coyote for kicking it; and thus from a few drops of water originated the Columbia River.

Q: Don’t you love it? Thank you so much, Carmen, for the gift of your time and energy. Stay safe, write on, and have a wonderful Spring and Summer.

*Read more about Carmen at www.carmenpeone.com (“Healing, Harmony, Hope, Horses”)

I saw a flight of doves yesterday while walking Georgie, my last remaining Boston terrier, down our hill. Then through bare branches against a weeping sky, I saw another small flight, chirping in time to their fast, pillowy wingbeats. I took this repeated sign to mean I should be at peace.

Peace has been hard to come by this holiday season. That’s because Dolly, our spirited 12-year-old Boston, has suffered from the effects of deafness, near-blindness and Cushing’s syndrome due to a brain mass. I have been her on-call nurse, guide and comforter.

That chapter or our earthly connection died Friday with our precious girl. My protector, finder and healer left us almost a year after Billy—her stoic yet playful consort—died last January. A wise and compassionate mobile veterinarian helped all of us honor the passing. We lay our Dolly in a sanctified hole in our fenced back yard, said sacred words, and smudged.

I have moved through subsequent days in a veil of tears or the oblivion of sleep, aware of her spirit slightly confused, but close, comforting. A streaky smudge of her face, llke ones left by Billy, remains on a front-door side window and a mirrored closet-door. She follows me, I talk. Sometimes stroke her invisible body. Trying to affirm and reassure us both.

But the pain remained, until came the doves. 

I’d just read in a book, “Signs from Pets in the Afterlife,” that the heart-center of beloved ones—pets and humans—sends signals to comfort us, to reassure us they are still around though in different form. Signals that suggest we feel at peace about them and ourselves. Signs that we cherish memories, but go forward with something like hope, faith and love. And that doves, a gentle, peaceful bird, embody all that plus peace. When one sees doves, especially in flocks, one is  reminded to embrace peace, and know that our loved one is at peace.

And, after yesterday, so am I.