Lit Fest New West Photojournalism by Leanne Dyck

The overriding lesson of this festival:  there's value in "free".

Friendly, helpful volunteers to greet me.

"Yes. It's just around the corner. Here I'll go with you."

"Oh, there it is. Just around the corner. Thank you."

Lit Fest New West understands...

that authors who are working to establish their career don't have much money--so there's no admission

that authors' time is valuable:  so they pay participating authors

Lit Fest New West obtains financial support from...

the city of New West

the province of B.C.

the country of Canada? Um. Nope.

Lit Fest New West was held in Douglas College

Next year?

It will be held in a new venue.

Workshop:  Crafting a Killer Mystery

Colleen Cross (thriller author), Sharon Rowse (historical mystery author), Robin Spano (traditional mystery author)

What I got from this workshop...

Know the rules so that you know what you're breaking.

Characters should be...

-clever, resourceful

-excellent at their profession

-courageous

-self-sacrificing

-out-law (follow their own moral code--which is the author's code)

-wounded (i.e. have flaws)

In every story the character must face professional, personal, and private challenges.

The villain should be a good match for the hero.

About the story...

The story is the reason the reader keeps reading.

Why should the reader care?

-to see the character develop

-to see what happens next

-to see what is going to challenge the hero

How you write is individual

Find your style and go with that

Keep your interest in the story and the story will continue to be interesting for the reader

How to build tension...

-Know the hero's goal and keep him from reaching it.

-Layer in smaller goals

-Weave in sub-plots with main plot

Write the entire scene then cut it off before the conclusion. This creates cliff hangers.

Always be aware of the ticking clock

Books recommended by the authors...

The Writers' Journey

Save the Cat

On Writing

(Photo from the web)

Presentation:  Memoir:  The Long and Short of Writing

Presenter:  J. J. Lee

What I learnt...

-The reader will feel something because I, the writer, felt something

-To continue to writer your memoir--continue to wonder as you are wondering

-Your reader will love you because you've shared something profound

-Writers are time travelers

-Your writing should open you up and give you something

3 Things the Writing Can Do

1) develop the character

2)advance the plot

3)reinforce the theme or nature of the conflict

Authors and Small Publishers Panel Discussion

Anvil Press and Leaf Press

Anvil Press 'Contemporary Canadian Literature with a Distinctly Urban Twist' Publisher:  Brian Kauffman

Leaf Press 'is an independent press located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Ursula Vaira founded Leaf in 2001 as a poetry chapbook publisher.'

I'm very glad I attended this panel discussion as it gave me a unique insight into life on the other side of the pen. What's it like to be a small publisher in Canada? What challenges do you face? How do you survive? 

It's my pleasure to report that I found dedicated people who truly care about not only their books but also their authors. And as one of the publishers pointed out, the relationship between a publisher and an author is like dating. It's nothing personal. Sometimes it's not just a good fit. 

Somewhere deep inside I knew this. But it was nice to hear a publisher say it. (Instead of read on a rejection letter.)

Recommended sites:

Association of Canadian Publishers

The Association of Book Publishers of British Columbia

A Critical View of the Arts

Presenter:    Max Wyman

This presentation had a profound effect on me. In fact, it made me change the name of one of the pages of this blog from 'Book Reviews' to 'Book Raves'. I knew I wasn't a reviewer. But I didn't realize how erroneous it was to title my page 'Book Reviews'. This error wasn't pointed out by the presenter. But as he outlined the qualities necessary to write reviews I realized I didn't possess them. Nor did I care to acquire them. The net is a negative place. As Mr. Wyman did pointed out, thanks to the social media, everyone is playing critic and not signing their names. This lack of accountability is dangerous. But now that the animal has been unleashed there doesn't seem to be anything that can be done. Balance is called for. That's why I'm proud to re-title my page 'Book Raves'. Will I rave about your book, if you ask me? Um, no. However, if I read your book and enjoy it I will be happy to sing its praises as well as yours.

A critic is not a...

consumer reporter

booster

judge

A critic needs to...

be willing to make connections

go into the experience with an open-mind

be able to describe the experience--how they've been changed

pay attention all at once

to be honest

be able to and love to write well

write without the use of jargon

must have a passion for the media (dance, music, art, literature) that you are engaged with.

must be able to say why you liked/disliked

to be aware of your own limitations

do their homework

In the past critics were policed by their editor. No one is policing them now.

Mr. Wyman would like to receive your critics on a novel he was recently written. Visit:  www.maxwyman.com

And there's still more...

That's a lot for free. But add to this a over two hour showcase mixing author readings, spoken word, dramatizations and music and you have Lit Fest New West. And so I ask you, where will you be next April?

Showcase At Douglas College (from the LitFest NewWest 2013 brochure)

Act I

Candice James - Poet Laureate

Don Hauka - Author

Michael Hetherington - Author

Sylvia Taylor - Author

Bob Robertson & Linda Cullen - Author

Intermission

Act II

Douglas College/Kwantlen University Percussion Ensemble

Royal City Literary Arts Society

Renee Saklikar - Poet and John Oliver - Composer

Shadows & Dreams Theatre Company

J. J. Lee - Author

C. R. Avery - Music & Spoken Word

Guest Post author Colleen Cross

Colleen Cross lives and writes in New Westminster, BC.  She is currently at work on book two in the Katerina Carter suspense series, Game Theory. Visit her blog at www.colleencross.com or follow her on www.goodreads.com and twitter: @colleenxcross. 

Find her books on Amazon and other online retailers:

Amazon.ca

http://www.amazon.ca/Exit-Strategy-Colleen-Cross/dp/098788350X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329250403&sr=1-1

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Exit-Strategy-Katerina-Carter-Suspense/dp/098788350X/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

How/why did you start to write?

How did you become an author?

I have an overactive imagination and constantly have stories percolating in my head. I started writing them down a few years ago.  Many revisions, workshops and critiques  later, my book was born!

What was your first published piece?

Exit Strategy is my first book and my first published work. It’s also the first in the Katerina Carter suspense series, set in Greater Vancouver and Argentina.

Katerina Carter is a flat broke forensic accountant and fraud investigator. She’s down to her last few pennies when she’s hired to investigate a multi-billion dollar fraud at Liberty Diamond Mines. Then two insiders are murdered, and she could be next – unless she solves the crime. Exit Strategy is all about blood diamonds, organized crime, and murder.

Who is your favourite character?

Kat is definitely my favourite. She’s smart, not always street legal, but she follows her heart and does what’s ethically and morally right. She’s also a bit of an underdog. A surprising other favourite to me is Clara, even if she isn’t a nice person. At first, I saw her only as a spoiled cartel boss’s daughter, but in a way she’s similar to Kat. She isn’t taken seriously. She does some terrible things, but it’s understandable due to her upbringing. I can’t tell you any more because it would be a spoiler, but there is a plot twist!

Where can we find your book?

Exit Strategy is available at Amazon, Kobo, Sony and other retailers in ebook ($5.99) and paperback ($12.99).  You can link to any of these on my website at www.colleencross.com

What did you do before embarking on your writing career? Was it an asset to your writing? How?

Like Kat Carter, I work in finance as an accountant. I’ve witnessed fraud first hand, and it’s a never-ending source of ideas for my books.  Fraud is everywhere, whether it’s a multi-billion dollar heist like the one in Exit Strategy, or smaller, everyday ones like auto insurance fraud. It impacts each of us financially, though we may not be aware of it.  Fraud is conservatively estimated to cost our economy about 5% of our national GDP. That’s huge. Think of the good we could do with that money.

Human nature also fascinates me. Greed is only one motivator for fraud. Fraudsters are often looking to satisfy for some unmet psychological need, such as admiration or respect.  Fortunately, forensic accountants have an arsenal of tools to catch these criminals.  Just like any other crime scene, there are clues obvious only to a trained eye.  Last but not least, fraud is one of the most common motives for murder.

What inspires you?

Everything, everyday.  I have no shortage of ideas. The trick is forming them into an interesting, well-plotted story.  I always start with the question “what if?”  There’s nothing better than making up stories in your head!

Please share one of your successful marketing techniques

Books might be an inexpensive form of entertainment, but I know readers are investing valuable time in reading my story.  I want to make their time worthwhile, and write the best book I possibly can. My goal is to entertain and temporarily transport them into another world.  If I succeed, it will generate positive reader reviews and word of mouth referrals. These are by far the most effective marketing a writer can have.

Aside from writing the best book possible, a social media presence is helpful. I am on Goodreads, Twitter (@colleenxcross), and Facebook.  I love getting feedback and interacting with readers—what readers think is very important to me.

What, in your opinion are the essential qualities of a good story?

Interesting characters in imminent danger, good conflict, pace and overall, an intriguing and fresh story. For me, a good story will entertain me and teach me something new at the same time.

Have you written any other books?

I am currently writing book two in the Katerina Carter series, called Game Theory.

Where can people learn more?

On my website: www.colleencross.com, I blog about fraud, books and other things. You can also find out more about my upcoming books. 

Parting words

Thanks for hosting me, Leanne!

You're most welcome, Colleen. And I hope that you can re-visit this blog when Game Theory is released.

Exit Strategy

Should justice be pursued at all costs? 

That’s what Katerina Carter thinks when she’s hired to recover Liberty Diamond Mines missing billions and the CFO who stole it.  Trouble is, CEO Susan Sullivan expects her to find the money and the CFO, without reporting the crime.   

Kat’s fraud investigation uncovers much more than missing money: a massive blood diamond laundering scheme is underway at Liberty’s Mystic Lake Mine.  Then two key Liberty insiders are murdered and it appears Kat is next in line. Unless she steers the investigation in another direction.  One that allows the real criminals to walk free.

Just when Kat makes the connection to organized crime she is framed for the murders, and must find the killer to clear her name and get the money back.  Her career and Liberty’s survival depend on it.  So does her life.