Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest Janet Walker author of Colour To Die For which was published in ebook format.

Janet lives in Australia with her partner Rob and a pleasantly plump cat called Chloe and a Lakeland terrier called Jack.

Colour To Die For, the first in the Private Investigator Fee Weston mystery series combines themes of: race, adoption and sibling assassination in an intriguing mix of suspense, humour and romance. The second in the series, Exercise Is a Killer has themes of; loss, identity theft and husband homicide.

Good day Janet and thanks for participating in our interview

Norm:

How did you get started in writing? What keeps you going?

Janet:

A few years ago, I presented a book program on radio with author interviews and publishing industry news. Inspired by the books I reviewed, it was the right time to realize a dream and write a book. Certain I would be top of the best seller lists quicker than it takes your eye to flicker, I got busy. Isolating and time consuming as it was, writing became an addiction and with the time limit I gave myself to be a bestselling author past, I found I couldn’t stop. Fee Weston, my main character, interrupted my thoughts with funny exciting stories that she insisted I tell – Fee talked and I typed. After completing two crime novels, I have discovered writing about Fee Weston’s alarming lifestyle is an addiction I don’t want to give up.

Norm:

Why are you publishing your books in e-book format?

Janet:

I was on a major publisher’s shortlist for hard copy publication but there was a problem: As a fundraiser for Australia’s native animals and birds the felling of trees and the resultant loss of wildlife habitat necessary to supply the publishing industry’s voracious appetite was a cause of great concern. So what to do? The solution was simple: opt out of the publisher’s list and publish in ebook format. To those who think nothing could ever replace the look, feel and smell of a real live book, don’t panic, hard copy books will survive; there just won’t be so many of them. Ebooks, now 8% of the worldwide book market are the way of the future. Trust me, ebook publishing will save trees and it’s great to know that by buying ebooks you are saving the home of a furry or feathered friend.

Norm:

What is your creative process like when writing your books? What happens before sitting down to write?

Janet:

Thinking time is very important for me before I sit down and write. Quite often, while I’m pondering who’s doing what to whom and why in my story, a phrase from a television program, newspaper article or a snatch of music prompts my characters to life and if I can’t get to a computer, I reach for a pen to record what they tell me before it vanishes down the rabbit hole of lost creativity. Another process I find useful during the first draft of a book is to storyboard plot points to ensure they are all headed toward the same believable conclusive ending. So far, I have never experienced writer’s block. When I am at the keyboard I write a minimum of a thousand words and then re-read to do corrections.

Norm:

Could you tell our readers something about Colour To Die For?

Janet:

Private Investigator, Fee Weston, takes a break from crime to visit palm reader, Cedric, for a preview of what’s upcoming on life’s clipboard. Ced’s in trouble; his illegally adopted daughter, Lina, drowning in a cocktail of booze and depression, wants to find her birth mother.
Ask any cop and he will tell you baby buying is a criminal offence; ask Fee and she will tell you it’s a growth industry. Fee takes Cedric’s case and dives head first into a twilight world of babies-for-sale. Murder follows Fee around, as she uncovers an adoption scam at a women’s refuge, outplays a homicidal Harley bike rider and has a front row seat when a blackmailer gets whacked.
Fee doesn’t know why the secrets surrounding Lina’s birth demand the death of all those involved… but in a night of terror with a knife wielding maniac, she stops the killer and gives Lina her birthright; an identity.

Norm:

Do you believe you have already found “your voice” or is that something one is always searching for?

Janet:

Fee Weston, the “voice” of my novels is a thirty-two year old Private Investigator with a penchant for murder and muffins (not necessarily in that order). Both Fee and I have almost natural blond hair and a weakness for curly headed guys. In the first two novels of the series Fee certainly is my voice but in the third, Drop Dead Dating, my voice changes to reflect the values, thoughts and opinions of a middle-aged woman; Fee’s mother. The future is difficult to predicate, but as I have a self-help book in the planning stage, I hope my voice and writing skills will continue to evolve and entertain readers.

Norm:

How did you develop the plot and characters? Did you use any set formula? Did you have a hard time fleshing out characters initially?

Janet:

When I began writing I read an article by a well known author who stated: As long as you know the first and last line of a story the rest is easy. It isn’t but it does help. I knew the basic storyline and characters before I started but I needed help with technique. Advice from a professional editor is a must have for a beginning writer. I hired an editor who with encouraging conversation and gentle flourishes of a red pencil explained what was okay and what wasn’t in my writing. Colour To Die For developed under her watchful eye and after a few sessions the plot took shape and my writing flowed with characters whose actions were realistic and integral to the storyline.

Norm:

Do you agree that to have good drama there must be an emotional charge that usually comes from the individual squaring off against antagonists either out in the world or within himself or herself? If so, please elaborate and how does it fit into your novel?

Janet:

In the mystery/crime genre, conflict or the hint of conflict has to be present on every page. Mystery writers have to capture the emotional reactions engendered by conflict; empathy, romance, shock, fear or laugh out loud to hold a reader’s attention and ensure they continue reading. In Colour To Die For, Fee Weston, often beset on all sides, has issues with weight, her mother and a track record of disastrous alliances with clients and guys. Fee forms a bond with readers, as broke and struggling with self doubt, she fights to get justice for her clients, a livable cash flow and a guy to share the lonely nights.

Norm:

What are your hopes for Colour To Die For?

Janet:

The news from Planet Earth almost always bad, my hope is that the enjoyment of reading Colour To Die For will give readers a respite from life’s daily grind and establish me as a writer of suspenseful, entertaining mysteries. Royalties from the sale of my ebooks will be donated to raise funds for Wildlife Carers – heroes of the Australian bush. Visit my website picture gallery for images of wildlife shelters.

Norm:

What has your experience been like with self publishing? Do you recommend it over traditional publishers?

Janet:

Self publishing an ebook gives authors a lot of control over their work and the finances they outlay. I chose Smashwords as my publisher/internet distributor because Director Mark Coker and his team were so helpful – Smashwords website is full of free, easily understandable advice. I have also published with Amazon Kindle which was a simple quick exercise.

I have not published with a traditional publisher so it’s difficult to comment on their methods, however, anecdotal evidence points to self publishing as the easiest way for a first time author to market their writing.

Norm:

What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while writing your book? How did you overcome these challenges?

Janet:

Writing is a happy time for me but finding the time to do it can be tricky with all the distractions that wax and wane around my keyboard. Work, partner, pets and friends all want a piece of my writing pie. I have had to be strong and set aside time to write; time which cannot be interrupted by telephones, tornadoes or low flying objects; housework isn’t even an option. Only another writer understands how precious time alone with your characters is; I don’t try to explain to the rest of the world, it only interrupts my writing.

Norm:

Where can our readers find out more about you and your books?

Janet:

Visit my WEBSITE

Download a free sample of Colour To Die For to your computer, phone, ipad, ebook reader by following  Smashwords and  Amazon

Also available at Deisel and B&N

Norm:

Is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered and what is next for Janet Walker?

Janet:

Exercise Is A Killer, the second in the Fee Weston mystery series, is waiting in the wings for ebook formatting/publishing so that’s my next task. The first draft of Drop Dead Dating beckons and I’m organizing a fundraiser for wildlife in the near future. Time refuses to stand still and the virtual trip I have been on since epublishing Colour To Die For continually presents new opportunities and challenges. It’s amazing how much generous support and advice my ongoing journey in the cyber community has provided, not the least of which is this interview with you, Norm. I have really enjoyed sharing my writing and publishing experiences with you and your readers. If any reader would like more info about epublishing email me at meandfee@hotmail.com.

Norm

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors