What were the hurdles that you had to overcome when you were writing the retreat?
Initially, the hurdle was that there were four story ideas in my head and I couldn’t make up my mind which one to focus on. I wanted to do a 90’s inspired murder mystery where the lead singers of popular local rock bands were getting killed off one by one (the title is 3B4U). I also wanted to do a family massacre story where the sole survivor is an eleven-year-old girl and the prime suspect is her twelve-year-old guy best friend (the title is Breathe). Then there is the modern akyat-bahay story (the title is Climb) that I wanted to write because it was happening in our village. And lastly, there was the story of a woman who was raped as a five-year-old child by a neighbor (the title is Lost).
And the way I overcame the hurdle? I told myself, I will cover ALL four, so I had to think of a premise where that would be possible. So I basically fictionalized the #HeistClub writing workshop into something a bit more mysterious, sinister, and provocative. A challenge from one of the biggest publishers in the country, for authors to write a true-to-life crime story set in the Philippines, not fully resolved. The authors should be willing to go on a writers’ retreat in an undisclosed place, cut-off from the real world, without telling anyone. And the prize would be enough money to retire and just write with a guaranteed platform for release.
And with that, I had the stories of my four writers retreat participants.
What made you take a chance to write crime fiction?
I love crime fiction. I love reading and watching it (TV series or movies) and am really just interested in anything related to crime, mystery and suspense. I also am interested in police work and the workings of court cases. I used to want to be either a detective or a lawyer, then I said maybe I would be better as a psychologist and focus on abnormal psychology and be a profiler, but I ended up as an Accountant who went into IT and Project Management. Reality bites, huh? So I guess, the next best thing for me was to write about crime and crime solving, since I couldn’t live it.
How was it different from your other books: genres you write in?
I always said that I could write in any genre. It all depends on what story is stuck in my head and needs to come out. Having said that, I’ve written speculative fiction (time travel and alternate realities), paranormal romance, children’s literature, romance and now crime. What’s different is that crime fiction needed more research and more believability. I had to ensure that I had all my facts straight. A lot of my crimes had to be psychologically sound, so I use a lot of resource persons to validate my character portrayals.
Have you always wanted to write crime fic? Why so?
My earliest writings when I was a child could be filed under crime fiction, because I was a Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys fan – the books and the TV series way back. So yes, crime fiction has always been something I wanted to write and the #HeistClub writing workshop was a welcome surprise and suddenly, I was back to my first love in terms of writing.
The retreat is not your first book right? There's turning points and in my dreams, right? So this is your third book?
Yes, The Retreat is my third book released. Turning Points was the first. This is the speculative fiction book about time travel and alternate realities. It is also a product of a writing workshop-#JustWritePH. In My Dreams is the paranormal romance which was written as part of Mina V. Esguerra’s #StrangeLit workshop. So you could say that I write mostly well under pressure and on a deadline, as those three books would be proof of. I am working on a romance book right now, again for Mina’s #romanceclass workshop, and let me tell you, out of all the genres, romance is probably the most difficult for me to write. And it’s because of the dark part of my brain which lets me write crime fiction well. I always want something dark and sinister to happen, and in romance, everything needs to be done based on a structure, with of course a happy ending. My initial draft actually had elements of crime that I was not aware of, and I have to clean it up so it becomes a real contemporary romance story. So yes, crime fiction is in my blood.
Other things that you would like to share
I mentioned earlier that I included the concept of four stories in The Retreat, as these were the manuscripts brought by the authors participating in the writers’ retreat that were reviewed, critiqued and in the process, solved. These four “manuscripts” will be released as the next part of The Retreat. They may be released individually (probably in ebook format), or in tandem (maybe 2 in a book for print release), or maybe as a whole – an anthology with four stories for print release. But the four stories have more or less been written, three completed and in the process of beta reading and revisions (3B4U, Breathe, and Climb), while one is in the process of being completely written (Lost)—it is a bit more challenging, and it is because of the nature of the topic. This is the story of the woman who was raped when she was five years old. What is hard is that it is a true-to-life story and I need to be able to write it well and get it right, in fairness to the person this horrible crime happened to. That is my challenge right now.
Friday, July 29, 2016
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Author Interview: Till Death Do Us Part's Irene Recio
*This is the full transcript of the author interview, parts of which came out in in an article in Manila Bulletin titled Criminal Minds last July 11, 2016.
Another thing, even though I love to watch police procedural and crime fiction, I pretty much avoid the gore and carnage that most crime stories offer. I’m not a big fan of guts and extreme violence. I found it difficult to research on violence and motivations and take on that kind of mental state while writing. And I think one of the hardest parts in writing in this genre is that it would stir up the darkest fears I have. Being a wife and mother, my fears are so much more than my own already. Writing about it was very stressful and challenging.
What made you take a chance to write crime fiction?
I’ve always loved reading mysteries. It all started in grade school when I would borrow Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys from my school’s library. It was addicting. These books would take me to thrilling adventures and be part of their crime solving activities. And my love for a good suspense thriller really motivated me to try writing crime fic.
How was it different from your other written works?
This is my first attempt at writing crime fiction. My other stories are about romance and others are for children’s literature. So this is really different from the ones I’ve written before, but not so totally different because it still has a romance angle to it.
Have you always wanted to write crime fic? Why so?
Aside from my love of books stemming from my discovery of Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, I also love how women are now represented in tv and movies as strong, independent, and very capable – deviating from the usual damsels in distress. I’ve always wanted to be able to write about such women. I want my women characters not just to be strong, smart, clever, independent, and capable, but also show their vulnerable and human side. And it was so awesome that #HeistClub gave us this platform where we could create characters to our liking.
She ends, "We have the most awesome group of #HeistClub writers where people support one another. How cool is that??! This is such a nurturing and uplifting group!"
Till Death Do Us Part and other #heistclub books are available here href="http://bit.ly/heistclubamazon">http://bit.ly/heistclubamazon
For more about #HeistClub: http://alicekamatis.blogspot.com/search/label/%23heistclub
Mother and author Irene Recio talks about juggling motherhood and a writing career. She's raising a wonderful daughter, that my best friend swear is the best kid ever. But. it's not an ordinary motherhood blog that she's engaging in, it's more of the troublesome kind, as she engages in crime fiction.
What were the hurdles that you had to overcome when you were writing Till Death Do Us Part?
Time is always a problem when I write. I usually write late at night when the whole house is asleep – when there are less distractions. But I wake up everyday at 3am so I usually pass out from exhaustion around 8 in the evening after all the chores have been done. Sadly, there goes my time to write. So I just try to write whenever I can. Like small pockets of opportunities at any given time of the day.
I also found it hard (and scary) at times when I have to dive into the dark side to write about the antagonist or even the aggrieved character and suddenly switch back to high-energy positivity that motherhood requires. It can be challenging to stay in character when your bubbly happy child calls to mommy to proudly show her artwork or an impromptu performance. It’s funny now that I look back, but it was kind of crazy switching from character to real life back and forth! J
Another thing, even though I love to watch police procedural and crime fiction, I pretty much avoid the gore and carnage that most crime stories offer. I’m not a big fan of guts and extreme violence. I found it difficult to research on violence and motivations and take on that kind of mental state while writing. And I think one of the hardest parts in writing in this genre is that it would stir up the darkest fears I have. Being a wife and mother, my fears are so much more than my own already. Writing about it was very stressful and challenging.
 |
| For a review of this book: http://alicekamatis.blogspot.com/2016/06/read-till-death-do-us-part-by-irene.html |
What made you take a chance to write crime fiction?
I’ve always loved reading mysteries. It all started in grade school when I would borrow Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys from my school’s library. It was addicting. These books would take me to thrilling adventures and be part of their crime solving activities. And my love for a good suspense thriller really motivated me to try writing crime fic.
How was it different from your other written works?
This is my first attempt at writing crime fiction. My other stories are about romance and others are for children’s literature. So this is really different from the ones I’ve written before, but not so totally different because it still has a romance angle to it.
Have you always wanted to write crime fic? Why so?
Aside from my love of books stemming from my discovery of Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, I also love how women are now represented in tv and movies as strong, independent, and very capable – deviating from the usual damsels in distress. I’ve always wanted to be able to write about such women. I want my women characters not just to be strong, smart, clever, independent, and capable, but also show their vulnerable and human side. And it was so awesome that #HeistClub gave us this platform where we could create characters to our liking.
She ends, "We have the most awesome group of #HeistClub writers where people support one another. How cool is that??! This is such a nurturing and uplifting group!"
For a review of Till Death Do Us Part: http://alicekamatis.blogspot.com/2016/06/read-till-death-do-us-part-by-irene.html
Till Death Do Us Part and other #heistclub books are available here href="http://bit.ly/heistclubamazon">http://bit.ly/heistclubamazonFor more about #HeistClub: http://alicekamatis.blogspot.com/search/label/%23heistclub
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Review: Sampaguita by Mark Manalang
Goodreads blurb
What would you do when a crime happens before you? When Japanese expat Keniichi Daimon witnessed a kidnapping, he failed to answer that question.
His moment of indecision would later cost a little girl her life, and endanger what he dearly holds the most. With innocent blood now in his hands, Keniichi will aim to atone by seeking out the perpetrator, but his quest will expose a greater evil hiding in Manila's lights and shadows, a force as terrible as the crime and corruption seeping into society itself.
Thus begins a story of vengeance, love, unbreakable will, and justice.
Review (Warning: may contain spoilers)
Keniichi's love Manila is transparent as he takes walks by his lonesome in the red light district of Manila. But not to ogle at the girls mind you, but to relish (I hope, as I feel the same way) the old glory. Surely, he's not the prime target in a place full of whites, and nobody will automatically peg him as a CEO of a multimillion company. Maybe for some, he is just some random Tsinoy, but what Manila is and Keniichi's crime-conscious ways is an odd if not affable mix.
Strong female characters in the novella Sampaguita are not lacking. Maya is in control of Keniichi even of the office that she manages to run things on the day that her boyfriend cannot function, Jasmine stood as the parent for her younger sister providing for her in both physical and emotional support.
These women's weakness, however, seems to be in the sexual aspect. They both cannot seem to say no, or rather they cannot manipulate the opposite sex when it comes to physical desires, the way that they can manipulate fate in everything else.
Maya, even just a humble secretary, rose to power and can control a company but cannot ward off the hungry predators who are the Keniichi's business partners. Jasmine, who grew up in the streets and knew what GRO meant, cannot fight off her urges towards an expat even in the most crucial times.
I have to say, that I was affected with Maya's passing, but call it as a McGuffin, as if the lovely Filipina had not died, would Keniichi have acted out the way that he did?
This may seem trite and all, but I cannot wait to know what will happen to Keniichi, especially since Maya is now gone.
What would you do when a crime happens before you? When Japanese expat Keniichi Daimon witnessed a kidnapping, he failed to answer that question.
His moment of indecision would later cost a little girl her life, and endanger what he dearly holds the most. With innocent blood now in his hands, Keniichi will aim to atone by seeking out the perpetrator, but his quest will expose a greater evil hiding in Manila's lights and shadows, a force as terrible as the crime and corruption seeping into society itself.
Thus begins a story of vengeance, love, unbreakable will, and justice.
Review (Warning: may contain spoilers)
Keniichi's love Manila is transparent as he takes walks by his lonesome in the red light district of Manila. But not to ogle at the girls mind you, but to relish (I hope, as I feel the same way) the old glory. Surely, he's not the prime target in a place full of whites, and nobody will automatically peg him as a CEO of a multimillion company. Maybe for some, he is just some random Tsinoy, but what Manila is and Keniichi's crime-conscious ways is an odd if not affable mix.
Strong female characters in the novella Sampaguita are not lacking. Maya is in control of Keniichi even of the office that she manages to run things on the day that her boyfriend cannot function, Jasmine stood as the parent for her younger sister providing for her in both physical and emotional support.
These women's weakness, however, seems to be in the sexual aspect. They both cannot seem to say no, or rather they cannot manipulate the opposite sex when it comes to physical desires, the way that they can manipulate fate in everything else.
Maya, even just a humble secretary, rose to power and can control a company but cannot ward off the hungry predators who are the Keniichi's business partners. Jasmine, who grew up in the streets and knew what GRO meant, cannot fight off her urges towards an expat even in the most crucial times.
I have to say, that I was affected with Maya's passing, but call it as a McGuffin, as if the lovely Filipina had not died, would Keniichi have acted out the way that he did?
This may seem trite and all, but I cannot wait to know what will happen to Keniichi, especially since Maya is now gone.
Guest Post! Racquel Castro and #HeistClub
I was so skeptic in joining #HeistClub for it talked about dark souls and offenses. As a born again Christian, I have to show them that people was not born evil. I could make a story that would open the eyes of every man that being evil was always a decision. It has pros and cons; every evil man has his reason. It maybe envy, revengeful heart, or seeking justice. Everyone has needs; some people seek their needs in the wrong way.
I answered the challenge by Mina V. Esguerra to write crime fiction because I wanted to expand my horizon and learn from the best Filipino crime fiction authors.
The class started September 20 up to November 7, 2015. We had assignments regarding our Introduction, Concept or Story Description, First Three Pages, Last Three Pages, and the Final, Edited story.
After the schedule was given, we were blessed to start with a long inspiring message from F.H. Batacan, the author of Smaller and Smaller Circles. After that, Kevin Uy shared the topic of valuable things that we treasured. Aside from Tips on Good Pacing and the formula of a typical thriller by Jennifer Hiller, the author of Creep, Juliet Grames, who is currently with Soho Press, shared the tips for the aspiring crime fiction authors.
I personally enjoyed the lessons by R.J. Taduran, a forensic anthropologist; CSI 101, Forensic Behavioral Science and Evidence 101.
In choosing for the perfect crime fiction for me, I scraped out murder and ended up researching about theft. Aside from the fact that many crime fiction dealt with murder, I really cannot imagine myself writing a murder story.
I considered embezzlement first but after watching the news about ATM Fraud, I already have the idea to write a crime story about the schemes of ATM Fraud because everyone has an ATM Card.
The choice of a ruthless female antagonist was a right decision that I made so far. The scary part for me has to be day dreaming of a woman with a gun on one hand and stilettos on the other hand. Why is it that the main character, Gabe Jacinto, was a millionaire? It is because I wanted the readers to see a millionaire risking his life for some good reason. Other characters to watch for are Cherry and Manuel.
The subplot of Chasing an ATM Schemer is romance. What do you expect with a romance writer like me? We breathe romance and as we explore different literary genres, it will have a romance subplot. Expect romance blooming on the next book.
Lastly, I have to say that writing crime fiction is more than the love for writing because it is mainly a privilege and a responsibility. I really enjoyed it seeing every reader aware, vigilant and satisfied. Their comments and reviews are a boost to make the second book even more exciting.
Punishment is a part of justice. You will see how God works in the heart of every man; reminding them the greatest gift of all, forgiveness.
Blurb
Gabe Jacinto is assigned to capture a lady ATM Schemer, Teri Francisco. When Teri heard that he was dating the beautiful Carrie Rios, she plots on using her to trap the fraud hunter. Will Gabe risk his life and money to save Carrie even though he knows her true identity?
For print edition, contact the author: racquelcastro2884@gmail.com
About the author:
Racquel Sarah A. Castro is living with Cerebral Palsy. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology in AMA Computer College-Binan Campus. She always wanted to inspire people in all ways. She also desires to prove the goodness of God through her life. Racquel is living with her parents in Binan City, Laguna, Philippines. She is a geek, a math tutor, a food addict, a web designer, and a free lance programmer. Her family is currently a ground volunteer of Basics Global, a non-profit organization based in Dubai, UAE. She also leads a music ministry branch in Jesus Christ Rules Bible Christian Church. She aspires to be an emissary of People with Disabilities. She started the campaign on Novel Cerebral Palsy Awareness Drive by featuring her disability on her works.
Contact the author: racquelcastro2884@gmail.com
Check out other stories from Racquel: https://racquelsarah.wordpress.com/books/
Twitter: @rsacastro017
For Alice's review of Chasing an ATM Schemer: http://alicekamatis.blogspot.com/2016/07/read-chasing-atm-schemer.html
Chasing an ATM Schemer and other #heistclub books are available here http://bit.ly/heistclubamazon
For more about #HeistClub: http://alicekamatis.blogspot.com/search/label/%23heistclub
After the schedule was given, we were blessed to start with a long inspiring message from F.H. Batacan, the author of Smaller and Smaller Circles. After that, Kevin Uy shared the topic of valuable things that we treasured. Aside from Tips on Good Pacing and the formula of a typical thriller by Jennifer Hiller, the author of Creep, Juliet Grames, who is currently with Soho Press, shared the tips for the aspiring crime fiction authors.
I personally enjoyed the lessons by R.J. Taduran, a forensic anthropologist; CSI 101, Forensic Behavioral Science and Evidence 101.
In choosing for the perfect crime fiction for me, I scraped out murder and ended up researching about theft. Aside from the fact that many crime fiction dealt with murder, I really cannot imagine myself writing a murder story.
I considered embezzlement first but after watching the news about ATM Fraud, I already have the idea to write a crime story about the schemes of ATM Fraud because everyone has an ATM Card.
The choice of a ruthless female antagonist was a right decision that I made so far. The scary part for me has to be day dreaming of a woman with a gun on one hand and stilettos on the other hand. Why is it that the main character, Gabe Jacinto, was a millionaire? It is because I wanted the readers to see a millionaire risking his life for some good reason. Other characters to watch for are Cherry and Manuel.
The subplot of Chasing an ATM Schemer is romance. What do you expect with a romance writer like me? We breathe romance and as we explore different literary genres, it will have a romance subplot. Expect romance blooming on the next book.
Lastly, I have to say that writing crime fiction is more than the love for writing because it is mainly a privilege and a responsibility. I really enjoyed it seeing every reader aware, vigilant and satisfied. Their comments and reviews are a boost to make the second book even more exciting.
Punishment is a part of justice. You will see how God works in the heart of every man; reminding them the greatest gift of all, forgiveness.
Blurb
Gabe Jacinto is assigned to capture a lady ATM Schemer, Teri Francisco. When Teri heard that he was dating the beautiful Carrie Rios, she plots on using her to trap the fraud hunter. Will Gabe risk his life and money to save Carrie even though he knows her true identity?
For print edition, contact the author: racquelcastro2884@gmail.com
About the author:
Racquel Sarah A. Castro is living with Cerebral Palsy. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology in AMA Computer College-Binan Campus. She always wanted to inspire people in all ways. She also desires to prove the goodness of God through her life. Racquel is living with her parents in Binan City, Laguna, Philippines. She is a geek, a math tutor, a food addict, a web designer, and a free lance programmer. Her family is currently a ground volunteer of Basics Global, a non-profit organization based in Dubai, UAE. She also leads a music ministry branch in Jesus Christ Rules Bible Christian Church. She aspires to be an emissary of People with Disabilities. She started the campaign on Novel Cerebral Palsy Awareness Drive by featuring her disability on her works.
Contact the author: racquelcastro2884@gmail.com
Check out other stories from Racquel: https://racquelsarah.wordpress.com/books/
Twitter: @rsacastro017
For Alice's review of Chasing an ATM Schemer: http://alicekamatis.blogspot.com/2016/07/read-chasing-atm-schemer.html
Chasing an ATM Schemer and other #heistclub books are available here http://bit.ly/heistclubamazon
For more about #HeistClub: http://alicekamatis.blogspot.com/search/label/%23heistclub
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Guest Post! Writing with The Gung Ho Lady, one of the #HeistClub Books
Hi everyone! Arlene Manocot here, and the generous Ana offered me to do a guest post on her blog that’s why I’m here. Thank you
This is part of the #HeistClub Blog Tour this month, and I’ll be talking about my #HeistClub story. Take it away! :)
The Gung Ho Lady was the second book I published after the Vengeance: The Awakening from the #StrangeLit class. My first crime fiction TGHL was produced from the #HeistClub online writing workshop facilitated by Ms. Mina V. Esguerra. I didn’t intend to write any genre in particular, but the opportunity knocked and who was I to resist.
It was not easy to write in this genre, but with the help of F.H. Batacan, R.J. Taduran and Jennifer Hillier, at least I was able to get a glimpse of what was writing crime fiction like. The hardest part would naming the procedures, and the technical terms and the likes, and the World Wide Web helped a lot. It was also fun writing the book, the whole writing process per se. Also, I was able to get my very first help from a beta reader, Amae, and I realized the importance of having someone to read my manuscript.
In the Philippines, F.H. Batacan was the first crime fiction Filipino writer, I heard of, if my memory would serve me well. It would be safe to say that there’s really no comprehensive selection of in print crime fiction in our country, but don’t fret anymore because we’re here, the 16 #HeistClub Authors with your support and patience, dear readers, we would be able to write more stories in this genre. Writing in this genre is very important because it’s a reflection of what kind of society we have in our country, and it can serve as an eye opener to some certain issues we are facing now. Hopefully, we can get solutions for these issues through writing Filipino crime fiction. Together, let’s fight crime through writing crime fiction! Aja! Fighting!
Blurb
DARKNESS is buried within the deepest part of her soul. A blurry past unceasingly haunts her passive and calm universe and her distorted mind is a burden she can’t get over with. Involved in a murder case, will she be able to prove her innocence?
Margaux Dela Cruz has always viewed the world as a place for repentance. A place to pay the debt of sins, a place where humans pay the price of being alive. The price that can never be sufficed by anyone in this world and while praying for the permanency of her everlasting solitude, men, creatures from another herd, appears and bedlam begins to ensue in her once placid life.
A story of Sins. Repentance. And Love.
Links
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Gung-Ho-Lady-Book-ebook/dp/B01H8621U0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469232636&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Gung+Ho+Lady
Buqo: http://buqo.ph/Shop/Book/f0b91ff6-c752-48fc-8454-79e979498d45
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/the-gung-ho-lady
Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31165205-the-gung-ho-lady?from_search=true
About the author:
Arlene Manocot is a fantasy-suspense-romance fiction Filipino author. She also writes poems about life and love (mostly unrequited). She is an avid fan of anime and manga. Her works are available on Amazon, Kobo and Buqo, or http://bit.ly/BooksbyArleneManocot for print edition.
Blogsite: writingandlovinit.blogspot.com
Facebook: facebook.com/manocot.arlene
Twitter and Instagram: @arlenemanocot
Wattpad: ArleneManocot
Email: arlenemanocot@gmail.com
The Gung Ho Lady and other #heistclub books are available here http://bit.ly/heistclubamazon
For more about #HeistClub: http://alicekamatis.blogspot.com/search/label/%23heistclub
This is part of the #HeistClub Blog Tour this month, and I’ll be talking about my #HeistClub story. Take it away! :)
The Gung Ho Lady was the second book I published after the Vengeance: The Awakening from the #StrangeLit class. My first crime fiction TGHL was produced from the #HeistClub online writing workshop facilitated by Ms. Mina V. Esguerra. I didn’t intend to write any genre in particular, but the opportunity knocked and who was I to resist.
It was not easy to write in this genre, but with the help of F.H. Batacan, R.J. Taduran and Jennifer Hillier, at least I was able to get a glimpse of what was writing crime fiction like. The hardest part would naming the procedures, and the technical terms and the likes, and the World Wide Web helped a lot. It was also fun writing the book, the whole writing process per se. Also, I was able to get my very first help from a beta reader, Amae, and I realized the importance of having someone to read my manuscript.
In the Philippines, F.H. Batacan was the first crime fiction Filipino writer, I heard of, if my memory would serve me well. It would be safe to say that there’s really no comprehensive selection of in print crime fiction in our country, but don’t fret anymore because we’re here, the 16 #HeistClub Authors with your support and patience, dear readers, we would be able to write more stories in this genre. Writing in this genre is very important because it’s a reflection of what kind of society we have in our country, and it can serve as an eye opener to some certain issues we are facing now. Hopefully, we can get solutions for these issues through writing Filipino crime fiction. Together, let’s fight crime through writing crime fiction! Aja! Fighting!
Blurb
DARKNESS is buried within the deepest part of her soul. A blurry past unceasingly haunts her passive and calm universe and her distorted mind is a burden she can’t get over with. Involved in a murder case, will she be able to prove her innocence?
Margaux Dela Cruz has always viewed the world as a place for repentance. A place to pay the debt of sins, a place where humans pay the price of being alive. The price that can never be sufficed by anyone in this world and while praying for the permanency of her everlasting solitude, men, creatures from another herd, appears and bedlam begins to ensue in her once placid life.
A story of Sins. Repentance. And Love.
Links
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Gung-Ho-Lady-Book-ebook/dp/B01H8621U0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469232636&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Gung+Ho+Lady
Buqo: http://buqo.ph/Shop/Book/f0b91ff6-c752-48fc-8454-79e979498d45
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/the-gung-ho-lady
Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31165205-the-gung-ho-lady?from_search=true
About the author:
Arlene Manocot is a fantasy-suspense-romance fiction Filipino author. She also writes poems about life and love (mostly unrequited). She is an avid fan of anime and manga. Her works are available on Amazon, Kobo and Buqo, or http://bit.ly/BooksbyArleneManocot for print edition.
Blogsite: writingandlovinit.blogspot.com
Facebook: facebook.com/manocot.arlene
Twitter and Instagram: @arlenemanocot
Wattpad: ArleneManocot
Email: arlenemanocot@gmail.com
The Gung Ho Lady and other #heistclub books are available here http://bit.ly/heistclubamazon
For more about #HeistClub: http://alicekamatis.blogspot.com/search/label/%23heistclub
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Author Interview: Georgette Gonzales and her book Classified
Georgette Gonzales (aka Edith Joaquin) has set out a four part crime series. We talk about what made her decide to make women as the main characters and what were the challenges.
How long did it take you to conceptualize the story? You said that it was a four story book right, how long was the idea in your head?
This series was meant initially for My Special Valentine (Bookware Publishing Corp.). Or at least the next four books after Classified. The concept and plot was given to me by a fellow author who believed I could give the story better justice than she ever could. She wanted it full-blown action and she said between her and me, I can do it better.
So with that, technically, I didn't spend time with the concept. What I will be spending so much time on would be researching for the details. The plots for the books are rather complicated (and I like making things difficult for myself) because the stories involve terrorist plots and such.
What made you decide to make women as the protagonists in your book?
When we speak of crime lit, usually, men take the lead. And although I love taking the male POV when I write my romance novels, I feel women kicking ass give a higher adrenaline rush. Like, I know the lead for Salt was first intended for a man. Tom Cruise, to be exact. But the producers (or director ba?) changed their minds and offered the role to Angelina Jolie. Made the role more interesting, yes?
What was the most difficult part of writing the story? Was it the research oe maybe writing the actual crime?
In any of my work, the more difficult part is writing the ideas down. Research is enjoyable even if it's difficult but to translate the details into a story that I want readers to enjoy, that's a different thing.
I can also say that writing the actual crime could be difficult, but I enjoy it because it gives me a chance to practice being evil and devious (insert wicked laughter here, with thunder and lightning). I love delving into the mind of the perpetrator, the problem solver, the victim.
Were there any character or scene that you had a problem writing about? How about you found easy? How so?
Conspiracies are easy enough to come up with but it's the tedious task of nitpicking which ones are believable but obviously fiction, and those that are fiction yet appear to be too close to the real thing. Because that last thing? That could get me into trouble with the law. I could be labeled a terrorist or conspirator. Thank God, though, I haven't encountered that kind of road block. Otherwise, I'll see you in Muntinlupa. Har har
Do you have any learnings that you would incorporate into the next books of the series?
When I come up with stories, I make it a point to outdo myself from the last. I can't specify what particular learning point to apply, but I know, and I can feel if my current WiP is something I can be prouder of than the more previous one. If not, then that only means I didn't work hard enough.
Other things you would like to share
This is not the first crime plot I came up with. In the interview by Bookbed for the #HeistClub bundles, one of the questions were about how crime fic fares in the local scene. I said there are readers who love reading crime but as a subgenre of romance. And that's what I had been writing for My Special Valentine. That being so, crime fic has become a genre I enjoy writing. I hope to come up with more of these stories as I fulfill my dream of putting out a Tom Clancy-ish series sometime in the future. Crossing my fingers. ;)
Classified and other #heistclub books are available here http://bit.ly/heistclubamazon
For more about #HeistClub: http://alicekamatis.blogspot.com/search/label/%23heistclub
How long did it take you to conceptualize the story? You said that it was a four story book right, how long was the idea in your head?
This series was meant initially for My Special Valentine (Bookware Publishing Corp.). Or at least the next four books after Classified. The concept and plot was given to me by a fellow author who believed I could give the story better justice than she ever could. She wanted it full-blown action and she said between her and me, I can do it better.
So with that, technically, I didn't spend time with the concept. What I will be spending so much time on would be researching for the details. The plots for the books are rather complicated (and I like making things difficult for myself) because the stories involve terrorist plots and such.
What made you decide to make women as the protagonists in your book?
When we speak of crime lit, usually, men take the lead. And although I love taking the male POV when I write my romance novels, I feel women kicking ass give a higher adrenaline rush. Like, I know the lead for Salt was first intended for a man. Tom Cruise, to be exact. But the producers (or director ba?) changed their minds and offered the role to Angelina Jolie. Made the role more interesting, yes?
In any of my work, the more difficult part is writing the ideas down. Research is enjoyable even if it's difficult but to translate the details into a story that I want readers to enjoy, that's a different thing.
I can also say that writing the actual crime could be difficult, but I enjoy it because it gives me a chance to practice being evil and devious (insert wicked laughter here, with thunder and lightning). I love delving into the mind of the perpetrator, the problem solver, the victim.
Were there any character or scene that you had a problem writing about? How about you found easy? How so?
Conspiracies are easy enough to come up with but it's the tedious task of nitpicking which ones are believable but obviously fiction, and those that are fiction yet appear to be too close to the real thing. Because that last thing? That could get me into trouble with the law. I could be labeled a terrorist or conspirator. Thank God, though, I haven't encountered that kind of road block. Otherwise, I'll see you in Muntinlupa. Har har
Do you have any learnings that you would incorporate into the next books of the series?
When I come up with stories, I make it a point to outdo myself from the last. I can't specify what particular learning point to apply, but I know, and I can feel if my current WiP is something I can be prouder of than the more previous one. If not, then that only means I didn't work hard enough.
Other things you would like to share
This is not the first crime plot I came up with. In the interview by Bookbed for the #HeistClub bundles, one of the questions were about how crime fic fares in the local scene. I said there are readers who love reading crime but as a subgenre of romance. And that's what I had been writing for My Special Valentine. That being so, crime fic has become a genre I enjoy writing. I hope to come up with more of these stories as I fulfill my dream of putting out a Tom Clancy-ish series sometime in the future. Crossing my fingers. ;)
Classified and other #heistclub books are available here http://bit.ly/heistclubamazon
For more about #HeistClub: http://alicekamatis.blogspot.com/search/label/%23heistclub
Monday, July 18, 2016
Author Interview: Bianca Mori talks about #HeistClub
*This is the full transcript of the author interview, parts of which came out in in an article in Manila Bulletin titled Criminal Minds last July 11, 2016.
Romance author Bianca Mori, known for Tame the Kitten tries her hand at a completely different genre, she shares her experience with us.
What were the hurdles that you had to overcome when you were writing Snakehead?
Time, mostly! We had about two months to submit the first draft, and I was really busy with work, so at one point I locked myself in one Saturday and banged out 8 chapters in order to make the deadline. In retrospect...not the best way to write a procedural. Editing was brutal.
Another hurdle is just getting into that headspace which allows a person to write about crime. Crimes are an aberration - basically an act that declares rebellion against moral and legal mores that we all agree to live with in exchange for a relatively harmonious society. So trying to understand why a person would commit such an aberration - exploring their motives, and the fallout/consequences of their act - that's not an easy place to inhabit.
What made you take a chance to write crime fiction?
It's one of my favorite genres. I love a good procedural. I had a true crime phase when I was all caught up with heinous murders and such, but in time I had to stop because it was really disturbing. So I guess I just wanted to write something that I also liked to read.
How was it different from your other books, genres you write in? Romance right?
I've mainly written romance, but since last year I shifted towards romance-suspense which shares some aspects with crime (i.e. morally compromised characters, violence, tricky procedurals). I also used to write a lot of horror so writing crime was like revisiting the same well.
There are a lot of differences especially in the genre conventions. Romance mandates a happily ever after, for example. You also have to root for the characters, which is not necessarily the case with crime.
Have you always wanted to write crime fic? Why so?
It was something I really wanted to try, since I enjoy reading it. There's a technical aspect to writing crime / mystery / thrillers that really interests me, that sleight-of-hand, misdirection thing that is so satisfying when done well. I don't think I'm at that level yet, but it's fun to figure out how it's done!
Other things that you would like to share?
I re-read Snakehead prior to adding it on Amazon and I just realized how influenced it is by Gillian Flynn. I remember reading Dark Places in preparation for #HeistClub and that book is so distasteful, but I kind of have echoes of that in my story.
Snakehead and other #heistclub books are available here http://bit.ly/heistclubamazon
For more about #HeistClub: http://alicekamatis.blogspot.com/search/label/%23heistclub
For more about #HeistClub: http://alicekamatis.blogspot.com/search/label/%23heistclub
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Interview with #HeistClub Facilitator Mina V. Esguerra
*This is the full transcript of the author interview, parts of which came out in in an article in Manila Bulletin titled Criminal Minds last July 11, 2016.
Why crime? Why did you choose this genre?
I enjoyed reading it, and have dabbled in writing it. I'm not alone in this and apparently many authors were up for it, but were maybe overwhelmed by the research and procedure aspect of crime fiction. So I tried to provide a basic set of resources for the authors, that would make it easier to start writing their stories.
You yourself is a mentor, but was it hard to get insights from other mentors (FH Batacan, Jennifer Hiller, etc)? How so?
It wasn't difficult reaching out to established authors Jennifer Hillier and FH Batacan. I knew people who knew them and worked with them, and once they found out about the class they were happy to share their advice.
Do you think that there is a market here in the Philippines for crime?
I think if we can watch Hollywood movies about it, and read foreign crime fiction books, then there will be an audience for the kind of crime fiction that #HeistClub authors wrote.
When comparing readership to your online (romance, YA, etc) books, how does the Philippine market fare?
What are the top countries which hou sell the most? Anyone already on Amazon is probably already paying for ebooks, and that's why it's been easier for years to just market to Amazon's audience which is primarily international. But the Philippine market is still substantial, in terms of sheer number of readers. When a free story can get thousands (or over 100,000!) downloads and reads just within our country, and then the challenge becomes producing something that a percentage of them will be willing to pay for.
Was it hard to encourage writers to join and finish their stories? What were the challenges? Over 30 authors signed up for #HeistClub and about half of them completed stories. That's an awesome enough turnout and finishing rate, but a romance class for example will get 100 interested authors. I guess it's so far been a genre that many authors think is difficult to start with, so they don't. I hope the story of the #HeistClub class makes it seem a little more accessible.
How do you think can we get the Philippine market to read crime (and even romance for that matter)?
Write good books and get them in the hands of people who already like reading them, or were curious to begin with. I'm not for converting the uninterested--this was done for fun and we welcome readers who approach the process of reading and discovering new books with the same spirit of fun and joy.
What other genres will you be exploring?
I'm not sure yet if we should do more genres or just do a batch 2 of the classes we already tried!
Other things that you would like to share.
Anyone interested in reading the books should go buy the ebook anthologies on buqo.ph. If you buy from Amazon, you can also support the authors there. Here's a list of what's available: http://bit.ly/heistclubamazon
For more about #HeistClub: http://alicekamatis.blogspot.com/search/label/%23heistclub
Romance queen Mina V. Esguerra initiated an online class; but instead of all the usual feels, she went on a different route, and set out to stir trouble.
Esguerra author of Young Adult (Interim Goddess of Love) and contemporary romance novels (Fairy Tale Fail, The Harder We Fall) helmed an online writing class where sixteen crime stories where produced.Why crime? Why did you choose this genre?
I enjoyed reading it, and have dabbled in writing it. I'm not alone in this and apparently many authors were up for it, but were maybe overwhelmed by the research and procedure aspect of crime fiction. So I tried to provide a basic set of resources for the authors, that would make it easier to start writing their stories.
 |
| Mina V. Esguerra |
You yourself is a mentor, but was it hard to get insights from other mentors (FH Batacan, Jennifer Hiller, etc)? How so?
It wasn't difficult reaching out to established authors Jennifer Hillier and FH Batacan. I knew people who knew them and worked with them, and once they found out about the class they were happy to share their advice.
Do you think that there is a market here in the Philippines for crime?
I think if we can watch Hollywood movies about it, and read foreign crime fiction books, then there will be an audience for the kind of crime fiction that #HeistClub authors wrote.
When comparing readership to your online (romance, YA, etc) books, how does the Philippine market fare?
What are the top countries which hou sell the most? Anyone already on Amazon is probably already paying for ebooks, and that's why it's been easier for years to just market to Amazon's audience which is primarily international. But the Philippine market is still substantial, in terms of sheer number of readers. When a free story can get thousands (or over 100,000!) downloads and reads just within our country, and then the challenge becomes producing something that a percentage of them will be willing to pay for.
Was it hard to encourage writers to join and finish their stories? What were the challenges? Over 30 authors signed up for #HeistClub and about half of them completed stories. That's an awesome enough turnout and finishing rate, but a romance class for example will get 100 interested authors. I guess it's so far been a genre that many authors think is difficult to start with, so they don't. I hope the story of the #HeistClub class makes it seem a little more accessible.
How do you think can we get the Philippine market to read crime (and even romance for that matter)?
Write good books and get them in the hands of people who already like reading them, or were curious to begin with. I'm not for converting the uninterested--this was done for fun and we welcome readers who approach the process of reading and discovering new books with the same spirit of fun and joy.
What other genres will you be exploring?
I'm not sure yet if we should do more genres or just do a batch 2 of the classes we already tried!
Other things that you would like to share.
Anyone interested in reading the books should go buy the ebook anthologies on buqo.ph. If you buy from Amazon, you can also support the authors there. Here's a list of what's available: http://bit.ly/heistclubamazon
For more about #HeistClub: http://alicekamatis.blogspot.com/search/label/%23heistclub
Friday, July 08, 2016
Read: Chasing an ATM Schemer
This book is part of #HeistClub, where authors were challenged to create a book one of a crime series. This is a fast paced intro to what seems to be a promising expansive series.
Gabe Jacinto is a famed detective who has been nicknamed the Fraud Hunter. In his first outing, he goes after Teri Francisco. The two know each other, and they both know that they are not friends. Teri, whose real name is Ella, plots out her illegal moves not to get rich but to get even to an ex-lover. That former flame is engaged to Jacinto's sister. Oh, how the world is small and these two characters go after each other, it gets smaller and smaller.
ATM schemes are just one of the many fraudulent (estafa) acts in the country. So, looking forward to more of that. Hopefully, the next books in the series will expound how Jacinto garnered popularity and how his intel sources grew.
Goodreads blurb:
Gabe Jacinto is assigned to capture a lady ATM Schemer, Teri Francisco. When Teri heard that he was dating the beautiful Carrie Rios, she plots on using her to trap the fraud hunter. Will Gabe risk his life and money to save Carrie even though he knows her true identity?
This books and other #heistclub books are available here at http://bit.ly/heistclubamazon
For more about #HeistClub: http://alicekamatis.blogspot.com/search/label/%23heistclub
Gabe Jacinto is a famed detective who has been nicknamed the Fraud Hunter. In his first outing, he goes after Teri Francisco. The two know each other, and they both know that they are not friends. Teri, whose real name is Ella, plots out her illegal moves not to get rich but to get even to an ex-lover. That former flame is engaged to Jacinto's sister. Oh, how the world is small and these two characters go after each other, it gets smaller and smaller.
ATM schemes are just one of the many fraudulent (estafa) acts in the country. So, looking forward to more of that. Hopefully, the next books in the series will expound how Jacinto garnered popularity and how his intel sources grew.
Gabe Jacinto is assigned to capture a lady ATM Schemer, Teri Francisco. When Teri heard that he was dating the beautiful Carrie Rios, she plots on using her to trap the fraud hunter. Will Gabe risk his life and money to save Carrie even though he knows her true identity?
This books and other #heistclub books are available here at http://bit.ly/heistclubamazon
For more about #HeistClub: http://alicekamatis.blogspot.com/search/label/%23heistclub
Thursday, July 07, 2016
Read: The Retreat by Yeyet Soriano
Goodreads blurb:
What would you be willing to do to secure a publication deal of a lifetime from the biggest publisher in the country?
The challenge: You have to write a true-to-life crime story set in the Philippines. The case should not be completely resolved. At least 75 percent of the manuscript needs to be completed within thirty days. You have to be willing to go on a week-long writers’ retreat in an undisclosed location to discuss your manuscript and be critiqued by the other participants. Afterward, you have to be ready to revise and edit the manuscript for final publication.
The prize: Enough money to retire and just write with a guaranteed platform for release locally and internationally.
The catch: You can’t breathe a word to anyone. Post anything on social media and you are out. You will be asked to sign a nondisclosure agreement and a release that removes any responsibility from the organizers should anything untoward happens to you. You will not be allowed to bring any gadgets to the retreat. You will be completely cut off.
So . . . are you game?
The characters each had a chance to open up about wrong doings (whether they did it, it was done to them, or they were in any way a spectator). A
Simon (rockstar murder who I guessed right (yippy)) and Philip's (akyat-bahay) story were interesting, but it was the women's who moved me more. Pity, Maggie and Rhodney though.
However, statistics speaks true about this. One out of every four girls have been sexually harassed, abused, or raped. I can only imagine the horrors of their childhood. Thank goodness Rhodney came to this retreat for she finally confronted her demons. Even though Maggie had no knowledge that was being done to her was wrong, the implications that it gave her were more severe. Case in point, is the recent Stanford rape victim letter. Part of my advice to these women is to accept it, but do not let the perpetrators run free. Make them accept the greater consequences, just as you have had. It will be a hard road to travel, but never give up.
The story of the four authors have already been talked about in this book, which makes me wonder what the other four books will offer that has not been spoiled by book 1.
That's something to watch out for, yes?
The Retreat and other #HeistClub Books are available here at http://bit.ly/heistclubamazon
For more about #HeistClub: http://alicekamatis.blogspot.com/search/label/%23heistclub
What would you be willing to do to secure a publication deal of a lifetime from the biggest publisher in the country?
The challenge: You have to write a true-to-life crime story set in the Philippines. The case should not be completely resolved. At least 75 percent of the manuscript needs to be completed within thirty days. You have to be willing to go on a week-long writers’ retreat in an undisclosed location to discuss your manuscript and be critiqued by the other participants. Afterward, you have to be ready to revise and edit the manuscript for final publication.
The prize: Enough money to retire and just write with a guaranteed platform for release locally and internationally.
The catch: You can’t breathe a word to anyone. Post anything on social media and you are out. You will be asked to sign a nondisclosure agreement and a release that removes any responsibility from the organizers should anything untoward happens to you. You will not be allowed to bring any gadgets to the retreat. You will be completely cut off.
So . . . are you game?
Alice's review
Great, entertaining read.The characters each had a chance to open up about wrong doings (whether they did it, it was done to them, or they were in any way a spectator). A
Simon (rockstar murder who I guessed right (yippy)) and Philip's (akyat-bahay) story were interesting, but it was the women's who moved me more. Pity, Maggie and Rhodney though.
However, statistics speaks true about this. One out of every four girls have been sexually harassed, abused, or raped. I can only imagine the horrors of their childhood. Thank goodness Rhodney came to this retreat for she finally confronted her demons. Even though Maggie had no knowledge that was being done to her was wrong, the implications that it gave her were more severe. Case in point, is the recent Stanford rape victim letter. Part of my advice to these women is to accept it, but do not let the perpetrators run free. Make them accept the greater consequences, just as you have had. It will be a hard road to travel, but never give up.
The story of the four authors have already been talked about in this book, which makes me wonder what the other four books will offer that has not been spoiled by book 1.
That's something to watch out for, yes?
The Retreat and other #HeistClub Books are available here at http://bit.ly/heistclubamazon
For more about #HeistClub: http://alicekamatis.blogspot.com/search/label/%23heistclub
Tuesday, July 05, 2016
Read: Silkworm by Robert Gall
Just like the first novel, this had me guessing who the killer was, which I again did not get right. Hahah!
The reason why I'm blogging about this (apart from the fact that it is a great thrilling read) is that there are Filipino characters in the story, Manny and his mother Nenita.
I am not going to call the author racist because she portrayed the Pinoys as househelpers. I will just leave it as it is.
It makes me proud each time I read or hear the word Filipino or Philippines. It makes me even prouder is that wherever you are in the world, there will always be someone who you can hear or talk to in Filipino. So, if ever you get lost, you know you can truly trust in that person.
Finding a Pinoy (whether in real life or in the books) is like finding a long lost sibling. #luksongdugo
***
From Abante (tabloid):
Pinoy ang mag-inang Nenita at Manny na minor-minor characters sa nobelang The Silkworm, bagong akda ni Robert Galbraith.
Ang ‘Robert Galbraith’ ay pseudonym ni J. K. Rowling, ang may-akda ng mga nobela tungkol kay Harry Potter.
Sa The Silkworm, nag-pose nang walang saplot ang poging si Manny sa amo niyang latent homosexual (publisher na si Daniel Chard).
The reason why I'm blogging about this (apart from the fact that it is a great thrilling read) is that there are Filipino characters in the story, Manny and his mother Nenita.
I am not going to call the author racist because she portrayed the Pinoys as househelpers. I will just leave it as it is.
It makes me proud each time I read or hear the word Filipino or Philippines. It makes me even prouder is that wherever you are in the world, there will always be someone who you can hear or talk to in Filipino. So, if ever you get lost, you know you can truly trust in that person.
Finding a Pinoy (whether in real life or in the books) is like finding a long lost sibling. #luksongdugo
***
From Abante (tabloid):
Pinoy ang mag-inang Nenita at Manny na minor-minor characters sa nobelang The Silkworm, bagong akda ni Robert Galbraith.
Ang ‘Robert Galbraith’ ay pseudonym ni J. K. Rowling, ang may-akda ng mga nobela tungkol kay Harry Potter.
Sa The Silkworm, nag-pose nang walang saplot ang poging si Manny sa amo niyang latent homosexual (publisher na si Daniel Chard).
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