#AtoZChallenge Q is for Yolanda Renée's Detective Quaid

Established Author Name: Yolanda Renée

1- Would you tell us about the inspiration for and a little about your Detective Quaid character?

Spending four years in Alaska inspired the series and the detective. Detective Steven Quaid is half Tlingit Indian and half Irish. Even though he descended from the gold miners that settled Alaska and Tlingit royalty. It gained him no favor during his adolescent years nor on his road to becoming a detective. After solving his first case, The Snowman, Quaid gained a bit of fame, which grew with each consecutive case. But Murder, Madness & Love tarnishes his reputation after he falls for a suspect. Which may not have been the best way to introduce my hero character. 😊

2- In what category/genre do you write? Why?

Crime, mystery, romance, and horror are my favorite genres, but I also write sci-fi. My sci-fi story Ever-Ton won a spot in the IWSG Anthology, Parallels: Felix Was Here. I also dabble in poetry. I write what I know and what I want to read. I grew up reading Nancy Drew mysteries, Daniel Steele romances, Steven King horror, and Ray Bradbury science fiction. My grandmother wrote poetry and encouraged my writing. My book, For Opal, was written to honor her.

3- What part of one of your stories was the most fun to write? The most challenging?

Two of my most controversial characters were the most challenging and fun to write. Lucifer from Memories of Murder, and Stowy Jenkins from The Snowman, and Murder Just Because. Writing true evil is more complex than you think. Research is vital.

4- Would you please, in 160 characters or less, give a #WriteTip ?

Write your antagonist's entire history. Birth through adolescence, to first kill. Even if it's not in the book, because with that knowledge, the character will lead you to their destruction.

5- What draws you to flash fiction, and what's happening at writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com?

I love the challenge of telling a complete story in the least number of words. My books went from 149,000+ words to 80,000+. Flash fiction writing helped me hone my skills and cut, cut, cut.

WEP – Write, Edit, Publish is a semi-monthly flash fiction challenge created by Denise Covey. I'm one of several hosts, Nila, Jemi, Sonia, and Olga. This year we chose movie posters as our inspiration, and this week we are writing to the movie prompt, "Life Is Beautiful."
The WEP allows writers of all levels to stretch their writing chops with different genres. While giving them constructive feedback and an opportunity to win prizes, advertise their work, and, most importantly, become part of a writing community.
https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com

6- What do you love and hate most about being a published author?

I love sharing my work. I enjoy the entire process, but what I hate most is marketing. Too many rip-offs that promise tweets, shoutouts, and publications on book sites that don't exist. Or emails promising a discussion with a movie producer for only $1,000. It's very discouraging. Creating ads on Amazon or Facebook triggers my dyslexia and causes migraines. It's incredibly frustrating for an introvert.

7- Do you publish traditional, self, hybrid, other? Why?

I'm currently self-publishing. My first three books were traditionally published. But problems receiving royalties soured that option for me. I now have the rights to all my books. But I'd love to be able to safely hand off the publishing responsibility and have someone else running the show for book promotion.

8- What question are you dying to answer?

Why did you write two books with Stowy Jenkins as the antagonist?
In The Snowman, Stowy was captured and tried for his crimes, but Alaska doesn't have the death penalty, so he was sent to prison.
In Murder Just Because, he escapes to get his revenge on Quaid. He had a much bigger story to tell, which I wasn't aware of until I wrote the first book. He's one of the most hideous villains I've ever created. Lucifer was crazy, but Stowy is evil incarnate.

9- Would you please ask our audience an intriguing question to answer in the comments?

What book or author has made the biggest impression on you?

10- What are you working on now?

I'm currently editing Murder on Mount Fairweather, the 7th book in the Detective Quaid series. I'm hoping for a December release.
Quaid is in New York when he gets the news that a hijacked plane has gone down in the mountains west of Juneau. His wife is on board. An Airforce Jet can't get him home soon enough.
Despite Quaid's best efforts, the weather has the mountain socked in, and it isn't letting up. Can he reach the top of Mt. Fairweather in time to save his wife from the horrors of the Alaskan triangle and capture the hijacker?
FYI - each book is only .99 cents on Amazon Kindle this month. The entire series can be purchased for $5.99. @ Amazon.com


Coming soon: Murder on Mount Fairweather
Read more by Renée @ Defending the Pen
Thank you, Operation Awesome, for this opportunity to discuss my writing and showcase my books.
Yolanda Renée


Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge 2023
a-to-zchallenge.com

OA Recommends - Write Edit Publish #WEP

Every month we introduce you to a different writer-oriented website. These are sites with which one or more of our team members has had positive experiences. We hope you'll check them out and let us know what you think!

For our second installment of OA Recommends, we interviewed Denise Covey of the Write...Edit...Publish blog.  Welcome Denise!

1- Are there any big events or exciting news for WEP in 2021?

We are, for the first time, using world art as prompts throughout the year. The artworks have been chosen after much deliberation - to reflect the current socio-political issues we are facing on an ongoing basis worldwide. They represent a swathe of artists, eras and places, from Italian masters to modern day painters. The last time we used an art prompt concept – in Feb 2020 with van Gogh’s Café Terrace, there was such an explosion of creativity – can’t wait to see where a whole series of arty prompts leads us! Excited!

2- Other than the bimonthly flash-fiction event, what does the WEP site offer?

We are connected to a huge pool of talent in writing and publishing and our prizes reflect this – we offer critique prizes to the challenge winner from professional editors and/or published authors. But that apart, depending on the member’s preference, we offer immediate individual critiques through our monthly challenge bloghop, tailored to their requirements. We are a supportive community that provides usable and actionable feedback on writing efforts, regardless of a writer’s proficiency levels. Many of our members have gone on to publish short stories or novels that started as a response to one of our challenge prompts. That’s so exciting for us!

Besides which, WEP is a great place to connect with like-minded writers and just generally hang out, we are a fun and a close knit community.

3- If someone wanted to offer a critique prize, what qualifications, background, or pedigree should they have, and how would they contact you?

Email Denise Covey at – den.covey@gmail.com with an initial enquiry outlining publishing creds, unique writing successes etc. (We’re always seeking out critique prizes for our writers!) There’s a page on our site which outlines what can be sent for publicity – bio, image of latest book and what critique prize on offer (check out the sidebar at WEP for ideas).

4- What are some of the biggest changes WEP has experienced over the years and have your original site goals changed?

A major change was when we began, our word limit was 400 words! Now it’s 1,000 words, the maximum for flash fiction. Having a word limit encourages our writers to learn how to edit superfluous words, a useful tool. Our original overall goal was to provide immediate feedback for writers and this continues to be our most important role in the online writing community.

5- What is the origin story or history of the site?

WEP began as Romantic Friday Writers in 2010. Many participants were uncomfortable with the romantic element, so we dropped that requirement. From the outset there were two hosts – the original founder, Denise Covey, along with Francine Howarth. Since then, Denise continued with Donna Hole as co-host, then alone for a short time when changing from RFW to WEP. Now we have a team of five – Yolanda Renee, Nilanjana Bose, Olga Godim and Laura Keltner -- all with their own complementary roles.

6- What does it take to win the "BEST COMMENTER AWARD"?

Easy - commenting widely! The Best Commenter award is given to the members who visit and comment on maximum entries. Where there are multiple bloggers eligible the winner is chosen by lottery. This award is on hold for the time being though, as WEP is in an era called “WEP-lite” as members grapple with life events and the challenges of the pandemic. To their credit, through this award, members are in the habit of commenting/providing feedback.

7- What is the most beneficial aspect of WEP for writers who are new to the site?

The gift of confidence and self-awareness. Some new writers are tormented by self-doubt. Some want to polish up a certain aspect or writing skill. WEP can help them identify what they need to do to improve in a non-judgemental, impartial but supportive way. Whether they choose to publish or not, their control over their writing will be greatly enhanced at WEP. And they will have a lot of fun. And that fun includes friendships. Many WEP participants have formed bonds which continue outside of WEP. The fact that some current members have been with us since 2010 is a great testament to how they see WEP as being important to their lives.

8- Which genre is most often used for the thousand-word stories?

No genre restrictions apply at WEP except erotica. We welcome all genres – crime, horror, fantasy, action, sci-fi, drama, romance, poetry, women’s fiction, non-fiction… The prompt often dictates genre. And some clever writers have used the prompts to write ongoing serials during the year. We have those who toy with super-short fiction, which is always delightful. In a word – “diversity”.

9- With all the websites for writers out there, why should someone take the time to be on yours; what makes it unique?

The unique, customised support we provide to writers though our feedback, all sorts of support along with the critique prizes. And we have the most sumptuous badges, too, to display on websites! Nowhere else! A participant recently said: “There are not many websites that offer writers the opportunity to publish their fiction and have speedy feedback from other participants. Personally, I treasure this feature of WEP.”

10- Would you please list your links and ways people can find and connect with WEP?

The only link anyone interested to learn more needs is to our WEP website: https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com All other links and information can be found there.

Caged Bird #WEP #WEPFF #IWSG #FlashFiction

Free Oliver Awesome

By: The Operation Awesome Team

Nathaniel: Oliver Awesome was no stranger to prison. His first time in The Big Cage came practically right after he learned to hold a pen with his wing. When they put him away this time, they didn’t even bother taking prints of his feathers. Last time, they got him for infodumping too much in the opening paragraph of his unfinished manuscript. But he’d violated probation when his editor came across this line in the first draft of his query:

“COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF BUTTER is an Adult Historical Romance complete at 100,000 words. It chronicles the adventures of Julia Child, a KGB spy and a trenchcoat full of gnomes.”

Oliver learned the hard way that an Oxford comma could mean the difference between three characters having a quirky, absurdist road trip and calling Julia Child both a Russian secret police officer and a long emo jacket full of tiny mythical creatures. They were using any excuse to put him away at this point.

He put a tick mark on the wall for every word in the edited version of his manuscript. A cage was no place for a bird, but he wasn’t worried. He knew he would get out eventually. Because the most dangerous animals of all were the creative and carnivorous.

Kate: And Oliver was both.  The prison diet of birdseed and water was supposed to weaken him, but Oliver refused to let it.  He imagined each stale husk was a mouse, fresh and juicy and delicious.  It kept both his strength and his spirits up as he stared through the bars at the lines of cages, each holding a feathered friend.

"What did they get you for?" he asked the cockatoo in the neighboring cell.

"Impersonating royalty," the cockatoo squawked back in his coarse, Australian accent.  He tossed his head, showing off the gold crown he still wore, even in prison.  "This time...  Last time it was pinching sandwiches from tourists."

Oliver shook his head.  Typical of Australian birds.  They were all crooks.  Must have learned bad habits from all those prisoners that settled the country.  But Oliver could use someone with a criminal mind.  If he was going to escape this cage, he'd need an accomplice.  And what better accomplice was there than a career criminal?  Someone whose mind was tuned to the nefarious?

"I'm Oliver," Oliver said.  "Pleased to make your acquaintance."  And to cement the burgeoning friendship, Oliver tossed a few of his choicest seeds into the cockatoo's cage.

J: The cockatoo ate the offering. "Right nice to meet such a generous fella. Name's Quentin Cocky.  What's your crime?"

Oliver relayed his story.

"That title reminds me of the movie, Butter. Human friend-of-the-feather, Jennifer Garner, is in that."

Oliver hooted and jumped around in his cage. "That's what I compared it to in my query! Another alleged crime of mine. They said comparisons are meant to be to other books, recent ones with decent ranks, and in the same genre. Not to films."

"Eh, whatda' they know?" Quentin Cocky chewed on his cage. 

"Careful, you'll hurt your beak." Oliver twisted and turned his head until, at last, he found a loose feather on each wing. "Can you keep watch for the guards?"

"Mate, that's my specialty!" 

Oliver used his quills to pick the lock. A skill he researched for his crime book THE HEN WITH THE PHOENIX EMBLEM. If anyone glanced at his search history from back then, he'd be plucked for sure. He listened to the click of the pins. His mouth opened as he puffed his throat in and out.

The cage swung open. Oliver flapped his wings, preparing for his flight of freedom.

Amren: "Wait!" Quentin hissed, and Oliver paused. "Guard's coming, mate."

Oliver quickly shut the cage door once more and ruffled his feathers, trying to make them look raggedy and unpreened. A huge raven with hulking talons appeared at the end of the hall. Sergeant McBill. 

McBill peered into the cages as he flapped past, clicking his beak harshly at any caged bird who looked back at him with the wrong spark in their eye. His talons were long and thin enough to reach through the bars and scrape out a prison tattoo on anyone who stirred his ire. Oliver shrank back with fire in his veins. He'd get free. He would. 

"What a preener," Quentin Cocky taunted.

Oliver groaned internally as McBill's flinty eyes turned their way. He should've known better than to throw in his lot with such a flashy bird - and an Australian at that. Did he learn nothing from his debut, WHEN THE CAGED BIRD DOESN'T SING? McBill hovered in front of Quentin's cage, his gaze flicking from Quentin to Oliver.

"What you say, squawker?" McBill cawed.

And as his head swung in Oliver's direction, Oliver realized that his cage door wasn't quite shut.

Dena: McBill eyed the door. “What the-?

“Lenore!” Quentin squawked.

The raven whipped around. “What'd you say, jailbird?”

“Lenore!” Quentin squawked again.

“I ain't no Lenore,” McBill snarled. “But that name does sound familiar...”

Oliver took a deep breath and exploded out of his cage. “Lenore!” Wrapping his wings around McBill, Oliver spun him around and squeezed him tight. “I've missed you so much!”

“Confound it!” McBill spluttered, attempting to extricate himself. “I ain't no Lenore!”

Oliver twirled the raven and conjured a tear. “I can't believe you're back! How've you been? We have so much to catch up on.” Reaching the open cage, he shoved McBill inside and slammed the door shut.

“Good onya, mate!” Quentin cawed.

Hoots and shrieks filled the room. Oliver plucked two more feathers and opened all the cages. The sound of furiously flapping wings filled the air.

“Cheers, mate!” Quentin said, saluting Oliver. He and the other former prisoners disappeared into the night.

Oliver turned a piercing stare on McBill. “We writers don't follow no stinking rules.” He left McBill, never flitting, still just sitting, contemplating the cage door.

McBill shook his head. “Nevermore.”

---

We hope you enjoyed our story of Oliver Awesome's writing crimes. Be sure to check out the other WEP entries! Click the image:

What writing crimes have you committed that would land you in the bird cage?

📢 The Operation Awesome Team is proud to introduce you to our newest member, Dena! Be sure to check out the introduction post tomorrow. 🎉

Want to learn more about cockatoos? https://www.natureaustralia.org.au

Open our Jewel Box of #WriteTips for the #atozchallenge and #wep

The Operation Awesome Team presents a different kind of jewel box for you to OPEN.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/jewel : "thing that is treasured, esteemed, or indispensable."

Writing knowledge is the jewels in our box at OA. So here's a #WriteTip from each of us!

J: #WriteTip When publishing on Amazon, be sure to link your ebook and print book.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1090907575 That's my print version. It ends with my ISBN-10 number.
https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Book-Reviews-Author-Inspiration-ebook/dp/B07MYDYDZX That's my ebook version. It ends with my ASIN number. 
Amazon will send an email saying: "links to its Kindle eBook version may take up to 48 hours." But if two days have passed and it hasn't automatically linked, here's what to do: 
https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G200652220 Go there and CONTACT AMAZON. Not only does having them linked look more professional, it also increases sales. People who prefer one or the other will not go looking elsewhere for your other version. They expect it to be linked because that's how it is for all the other books. 
.

Karis: #WriteTip Here's what I all but screamed at my roommate recently, when she told me she didn't tell people she was a writer and struggled to think of herself as one because she hadn't been writing a lot lately. And what I told her, what I have been trying to remind myself, what I want to remind every writer out there who struggles with self-doubt and sometimes feels like they're not working hard enough, not working enough in general, is that you are always a writer. You are a writer because you write. You are a writer because storytelling through the written word lives in your veins, powers you forward, keeps you going when you don't know otherwise how you'll move on.
You are a writer because it's who you are, what you are. Whether you write daily or take a 10-year (or longer) gap. You. Are. A. Writer. 

Nathaniel: #WriteTip This isn't exactly practical advice on craft, but please remember to keep your writing life psychologically healthy. Treat writing as a mini-vacation as opposed to stressing yourself out about word count or grammar. Write something that you're truly passionate about and run with it for as far as the rough draft takes you. Listen to your characters and build the universe they live in to make yourself happy, setting a time for this each day if you can. 

But there's a catch to this. 

Recently, there has been a lot of tension in the online writing community as of late, particularly in the YA sphere. The most important part of keeping yourself mentally well when writing is accepting the fact that your work is not going to be loved by all. There has not been a book in the history of the world that has been universally loved. My favorite book is "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky, and the Goodreads reviews are mixed to say the least. I suggest that you look up your favorite book on Goodreads and read the one and two star reviews just to solidify the idea that even a work that you deem the magnum opus of a genius can be disliked by others. 

Write what you love, do your research, take constructive feedback into consideration...but make sure you don't forget to accept that you can't please everyone. That is the best advice I can give you.

Kate: #WriteTip The best piece of writing advice I ever got was to always break the story down into three questions.  Who is the character?  What do they want?  Why can't they have it?  If you can answer those three, you probably have a story.  If you can do it for every character in your book, you might have a novel.

Amren: #WriteTip I'm going to tell you the best piece of writing advice I ever got: "Every character should have a goal." Freaking changed my life. Every character, no matter how small their role, shouldn't just be in your manuscript to fill a void. Think about it: everyone breezing in and out of your life has their own individual goals; why shouldn't the characters that fade in and out of your main character's bubble? You don't have to outright say what that goal is, but it should inform the way that character interacts with others. Make sure that your characters feel real!

Thanks for stopping by! Please tell us if you liked the tips.