NO BONES ABOUT WRITING BAD GUYS a guest post by Dark Pursuit author Jennifer Chase

 No Bones about Writing Bad Guys

When I outline bad guys for my novels, it often reads like a police rap sheet and a psychological profile.  I cannot overstate the effectiveness for research and outlining in fiction writing.  There’s always those little pieces of nuggets that you can weave into the story that gives it the added realism and authenticity.  These nuggets are like pieces of gold for me and I love hunting for them.

Research into creating new characters works well for me because I love learning new things that I did not know yesterday, but it can be a daunting task if you don’t enjoy the process.  I’ve managed to streamline my process a bit so that I don’t get overwhelmed with too much information and avoid a major time void sucking the life out of me.

I remember when I first began writing screenplays, it was quoted many times in books and from successful writers that you must love all of your characters – even the bad ones.  I embrace that simple task with every book project.

Writing is a learning process and you never know what you can truly accomplish until you dig deep into your imagination to create a devious bad guy or even a quirky supporting character bordering on bad.

I divide my bad guys into three main areas: physical, background, and psychological.  I approach my bad guys the same way whether they are a major character, supporting character or someone just mentioned in one chapter.

PHYSICAL

This is where I create the actual physical qualities of the character, what he/she looks like, mannerisms, specific characteristics, how he/she dresses, and even habits.  I begin to get a real picture in my mind how this person looks, walks, and talks.  It’s a writer’s character rap sheet with an added dimension that rolls through my mind.

BACKGROUND

It’s getting to be fun.  This is where I begin to develop a who they are with a history, life experiences, family, work environment, criminal activity, relationships, living conditions, education, and anything that wasn’t addressed in the physical area.

PSYCHOLOGICAL

Now, I have an actual image of the character and some background information.   It’s endless in creating the mind of a bad guy and you can have so much fun with this area of writing.  This is no doubt my favorite step to creating a bad guy.   I like to have these characters answer a few questions for me, like what they would do if confronted with certain situations.  This also includes their internal and well as external conflicts.  Many of my bad guys are serial killers so they are skewed with distorted perceptions, beliefs, and lack of impulse control.  How fun is that?

The moral to creating bad guys?  Well, I make no bones about it.  I dive right in to creating their physical and psychological background and wait to see what happens.

 

Synopsis:

From the International Award Winning EMILY STONE THRILLER SERIES: 

Vigilante detective Emily Stone has covertly hunted down killers and closed more serial cases than most seasoned homicide cops combined. Her exceptional profiling skills and forensic techniques, along with deductive crime scene investigations, have made her a compelling force that cannot be beat.

She has reached her ultimate breaking point and now must face her toughest opponent yet – her biggest fears.

With preciseness, the Tick-Tock Killer has taken his next child victim and promised to dump the body precisely four days later, mocking police and the community. Stone struggles to balance her inner demons and ghosts from the past, against the wits of a brutal and cunning serial killer in an all-out battle of psychological warfare.

Can Stone save the next child in time? Dark Pursuit is an action-packed cat and mouse game that will take you to dark places rarely explored.

 

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Interview - Book Wormie Joss Reviews

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Guest Post - Lightning Chronicles 

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Interview - Julius Thom Novels

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Interview - charline’s blog and more… 

Review – Elite Reviews 

 

 

Jennifer Chase is an award-winning author and consulting criminologist.  She has authored six crime fiction novels, including the award-winning Emily Stone thriller series along with a screenwriting workbook.

Jennifer holds a Bachelor degree in police forensics and a Master’s degree in criminology.  These academic pursuits developed out of her curiosity about the criminal mind as well as from her own experience with a violent sociopath, providing Jennifer with deep personal investment in every story she tells. In addition, she holds certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling.  She is an affiliate member of the International Association of Forensic Criminologists.

www.authorjenniferchase.com 

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GUEST POST, First Sci Fi movie I ever saw by THE OUTLAW RIVER WILDE author MIKE WALTERS

First Science Fiction Movie Mike Walters ever saw, was it love at first sight with the genre or did it grow on him through the years?

 

The first Science Fiction movie I saw, and was crazy about as a kid was Star Wars. In sixth grade I remember looking at an article in some magazine, can’t remember which one, perhaps World, anyhow it was 1976 and I couldn’t wait for the movie. It is the first movie I remember reading about and getting excited to see. I had a funny picture with me standing on the steps of my Junior High School as the Student body president and I am wearing a Star Wars t-shirt with R2D2 and C3PO on the front. I love the sense of adventure and exploring the unknown and science fiction fascinated me at an early age. I loved to sleep outside in the open air in a sleeping bag as a kid growing up in the Pacific Northwest. I would lay there for what seemed like hours looking up into the dark black sky peppered with stars, planets, and wonder what was out there.  There was always hope for a UFO sighting. Star Wars, along with Star Trek on T.V. and the big screen eventually were hands down my favorite movies. To this day, I get anxious every time a preview or word comes out about a new scifi movie that has some substance. Star Wars, Star Trek, Alien, Blade Runner, and Thing are a few of my favorite SciFi movies of all time.

Original Title: The Outlaw River Wilde

Author: Mike Walters

Release Date: March 31, 2015

Genre: Science Fiction, Mystery

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Who of us, at one time or another, hasn't wondered if we’re alone in the universe? Mitch Wilde never had until a failed attempt at pulling an arrow out of his best friend Jack’s shoulder began a string of strange and unexpected events in the small Pacific Northwest Town of Outlaw River.

When Native Americans start vanishing throughout the country and re-appearing in strange places on horseback, Mitch is challenged in ways he never dreamed. In addition, who are the uninvited strangers ransacking some of their homes? Added to this, Jack has taken to odd nocturnal treks. The local sheriff releases hostility he has held against Mitch since high school and something—nobody wants to call them UFOs—has just crashed into several surrounding lakes.

Can Mitch keep himself out of jail? Can Mitch figure out what the strange entities emerging from the lake are and why? Can Mitch protect the beautiful life he and his wife Mabey worked so hard to create? Finally, can Mitch help his eccentric neighbor save the residents of Outlaw River before it's too late?

EXCERPT

When Debbi gave Mitch, the description of what she and Cindi saw, the hair on the back of his neck straightened. Her description took Mitch back to what he and Mabey saw on the road the other night. There had to be some connection. His sub-conscious had been working nonstop trying to make sense out of what they had seen. Mitch couldn’t put his finger on exactly what it was. Hearing Debbi talk about their incident brought Mitch’s thoughts into focus: kachina dolls. A real in the flesh, kachina. At least in Mitch’s mind it was real.

“Debbi, you remember the other night—the flower club fundraiser?”

Debbi moved her brown hair over her ears, using both hands, pushing backwards along the side of her head. Mitch was fascinated the way the hair perched behind the ears as if on command with only a few strands breaking ranks.

“Yeah Mitch, please tell Mabey I’m sorry I wasn’t able to stay. I had to close the Shack myself that night and was just too tired.”

“Sure, I’ll let her know. She knows how hard you work. Besides, I think after the way things went she wishes she hadn’t gone, either.”

“Oh, do tell.”

“Oh, nothing really. Just Mayor Jenkins being his typical charming self. He had several of the flower clubwomen feeling as if they were failures for not raising more money. He’s an ass most of the time. That night was no exception.”

“No argument from me.”

“Okay, anyhow, Mabey and I left about ten or so. She was driving. We took Riverside Drive home. Near Deadman’s Bend, she hit the brakes hard and I slammed my head into the dash. After greeting her with a couple of properly chosen expletives, I saw why she stopped the car so quickly. Smack dab in the middle of the road was what appeared to be an Indian on a magnificent looking white horse.”

“Seriously, Mitch, what did you guys do? What happened?”

“Well, you know me. I was fumbling for my camera on the phone to take a picture. I know I got the shot, but later there was nothing but night sky and dark road. The Indian was gone.”

“Jesus. Have you guys told anyone?”

“I told old man Jasper and now you. I don’t think Mabey has mentioned it to anyone. We thought briefly about calling Gunther like you did.” Debbi and Mitch let out a simultaneous laugh.

“Yep, we certainly know how that would have turned out,” Debbi replied.

“So what do you think you guys saw?”

“I have no idea. However, it was startling and it felt real. Hell, the whole atmosphere in the Shack felt odd. You could tell something was there. Nevertheless, as I said earlier, it was more startling and unexpected than frightening. Why the coffee shop, though?”

“It’s strange that something like that would go in there, unless he had heard really good things about your espresso. You do make an outstanding espresso, Debbi.”

“Very funny. Jesus, how does Mabey put up with your shit? Want another lemonade?”

“I do, but better not. I need to get home soon. This does put some clarity on what Mabey and I saw.”

“Clarity?”

“What I’m trying to say is your description gave me a clearer understanding. I’m surprised I didn’t think of it before, actually.”

“Really, do tell. I’m all ears.”

“Have you ever heard of kachina dolls?’

“No, I can’t say as I have.”

“Well, I don’t know that much about them, but I do know that they derive primarily from Hopi Indians. I think the Navajo had them as well. Anyhow, my brief research online when I first became interested showed the Indians used the dolls to teach their young about their spiritual beliefs.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mike Walters and his debut novel, The Outlaw River Wilde, sprung from an idea while watching Ancient Aliens on the History channel. He intertwines his love of Native American culture and a passion for the Pacific Northwest, primarily his birth state of Oregon. Mike sat down one day and started writing. The characters and story were revealed each and every day he wrote.

"Every session was as if I were reading something new myself for the first time. It was a blast seeing what would happen next. This is why I enjoyed writing this novel so much. "

Mike is a Director of Marketing & Product at Auto-Graphics, Inc. based in Ontario, CA. That's California, not Canada. A-G makes software for Libraries, primarily public. So on your visit to the library, when you sit down to search for a book this is the software that A-G makes.

"I am very fortunate to work in an industry that has a meaningful impact on society. It makes going to work each and every day enjoyable. I mean who doesn't think we need, and who doesn't love, libraries?"

Mike learned photography as a freshman in high school and later took the passion and used it as a photographer in the United States Air Force. He loves to ride bicycles in SoCal year around, volunteers in Los Angeles at the Westside German Shepherd Rescue taking photos of the beautiful dogs, and has a passion for Micro-brews, particularly Porters and Stouts. You will frequently find him sampling, with his son Alexander, at Claremont Craft Ales, a personal favorite --- or one of the many fine breweries in and around Claremont, CA. Mike is currently at work on the follow up to The Outlaw River Wilde, which will be titled - Still Wilde in the Outlaw River. The book should be out later this year or early 2016.

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GIVEAWAY

The author is giving away paperback copies (INTERNATIONAL) to 5 winners of the Rafflecopter.

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My Life Reimagined : Love, Marriage, Abuse, and Perseverance ...... by H Manoguerra

This is a heartfelt riveting autobiography about a woman's journey through her abusive marriage. Holly was only 19 when she met Aiden. It took many years for Holly to identify the controlling abusive behaviors in her marriage. When she finally did identify the control and abuse, it was too late. She and her husband had two kids and she hadn't worked outside of the home for many years. Holly now needs to find her way out of the storm and is emotionally crippled along the way. Watch as her husband transforms from the perfect partner to the person that leaves others traumatized, scarred, and bruised.

Will Holly overcome these traumatic events?

Who will persevere?

AMAZON

 

*****5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful Story About the Pattern of Domestic Abuse

February 6, 2015

By J. Kraus

Verified Purchase

This is a powerful story about a woman who wasn't aware of the pattern of domestic abuse and how bad it can get. I thought it was interesting how young she was when she entered into this relationship, not having much prior experience or other role models to be able to see the early signs of trouble. One of the most complex issues with domestic violence is how to get out (especially financially) and the casualties of leaving a bad relationship (kids, family, pets, etc.). It is easy to become brainwashed over time by someone professing to love you and not be able to live without you, and this book clearly demonstrates that. The husband in this book is overwhelmingly charming and manipulative, with affluence and power. He's the life of the party, the cool buddy to hang with, the perfect dad -- all for appearances. Holly struggles for years and years to hold it together for the sake of her children and her lack of resources to get out, yet finally finds the courage to break the cycle of abuse. Although this situation happens all over the world, Holly is challenged with living in a small town much of the time where even her relatives and friends somewhat influenced her to continue staying in an abusive marriage. I was genuinely amazed by the roller coaster that became Holly's "normal" - never knowing when or if her husband was coming home or what to expect by calls in the middle of the night. She struggles to shield her children from the rages and chaos and put on her game face for appearance sake. On top of that, add to that the stress of her having to move back and forth between various states continuously. I noticed when things were good they were great, and when they were bad they were horrible. Holly wanted the fairy tale but was only married to the handsome prince once in a while.

Holly portrays how domestic abuse doesn't just happen one day. It happens over time. Every day stresses such as money and work can take a toll on any relationship, yet there is no excuse for the behavior exhibited by her husband. I felt so sad for Holly throughout the story, always hoping she would make it out alive. I hope Holly's story teaches other girls and women the evolution of abuse so they can recognize that they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and should never live in fear or uncertainty.
I applaud Holly's courage and perseverance.

A GREAT READ!!! Pass it on to your friends!!

H Manoguerra

 

Novelist and educator Heidi is a teacher, principal, wife, and a mother of five who finds herself passionate about writing this autobiographical series: abuse, relationships, divorce, love, parenting, hope, love, jealousy, control, and drama. Pick up H. Manoguerra's work and you can be assured of suspense, compassion, hope, love, and an ending that will leave you with a sense of peace.

 

is an educator and an e-book author. She self-published her debut novel My Life Reimagined in 2015, about surviving a relationship surrounded by domestic abuse.

 

She is a member of  groups.yahoo.com  and yahoo.biography and memoirs 

 

You can contact her on FACEBOOK 

Amazon Author Central Page

 

 

 

 

 

Magic of Books Promotions; Author Laura Strickland

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COMING SOON ............... HEROIKA

Pre Order on AMAZON

The art of dragon killing: Dragons have been eating humans for centuries. Now heroes throughout history stalk their legendary foe. Learn how to hunt, kill, and eat the wild dragon. Never before has revenge tasted so good. A literary feast for the bloody-minded.

In Janet Morris' anthology on the art of dragon killing, seventeen writers bring you so close to dragons you can smell their fetid breath. Tales for the bold among you.

HEROIKA 1 -- DRAGON EATERS, an anthology of heroic fiction edited by Janet Morris, features original stories by Janet Morris and Chris Morris, S. E. Lindberg, Jack William Finley, Travis Ludvigson, Tom Barczak, J. P. Wilder, Joe Bonadonna, Milton Davis, Alexandra Butcher, William Hiles, M Harold Page, Walter Rhein, Cas Peace, Beth W Patterson, Bruce Durham, Mark Finn.

 

 

 

 

 

Taming the Tida

In 2014 the nation was in crisis. Partisan politics were the rule of the day, stifling and sabotaging meaningful change in Washington. Americans were desperate for someone—anyone—to offer them hope, to show them there was indeed a light at the end of the tunnel.

 

That hope came in the form of Sharmin Smith, a contestant on the breakthrough reality show Who Wants to Be President? Designed to increase voter participation and heal a deeply divided nation, Who Wants to Be President? pitted contestants against each other in speeches on America's most pressing issues, from abortion and health care to immigration and the economy.

 

Smith, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, caught the country's attention, delivering her unusual, groundbreaking opinions with two service dogs by her side. She gave a nation hope, and in return, Americans gave her their trust.

 

The first book of the Change the World trilogy, Taming the Tida gives hope to those tired of contemporary political gridlock and looks to a brighter tomorrow.