キャミー・タング著「戌年」連載小説 プロのドッグトレーナーであるマリ・ムトウは、厄年を迎えている。 犬小屋と訓練所の改築をしながら、いつも不服そうにしている家族と同居することになった。母と姉に言わせれば、犬の毛とよだれかけにまみれる仕事は、家族にとって恥ずべきものだという。彼女は元カレを説得し、数ヶ月間犬を預かってもらうことにした。しかし、彼の兄は、数週間前に彼女が誤って車に追突した、怒り狂ったセキュリティ専門家であることが判明する。 アシュウィン・ケイトウは十分な問題を抱えている。叔母が玄関先に現れ、同居を希望している。彼は彼女にすべてを借りているので、断ることができません。母親が家を出て行った後、ネルおばさんはアシュウィンと弟を引き取り、愛のあるキリスト教の家庭で育てた。しかも、弟のダスティもアパートを追い出され、居場所を求めている。しかし、彼は犬を飼っている。そして、その犬の飼い主は誰だと思いますか? しかし、旧友でオアフ島のノースショアでデイスパを経営する私立探偵のエディサ・ゲレロから依頼を受ける。マリの施設で奇妙な破壊行為があり、3年前に失踪したエディサの妹の財布を発見する。エディサはマリが危険な目に遭っているのではと心配する。警備の専門家であるアシュウィンがすでにマリを知っていることを知ったエディサは、忙しい若い女性を密かに監視することを彼に依頼する。 アシュウィンは、活発でのんびりとしたドッグトレーナーに不本意ながら惹かれていく。彼女は、幸せそうな母親を思い出させる。その母親の裏切りによって、彼は人と距離を置くようになったのだ。マリは、アシュウィンの冷たい外見を見抜き、彼が家族に忠実な男であることを認める。彼は、彼女のキャリア選択を批判するだけの母親や姉とは違う。 マリのバラバラな家庭とアシュウィンのバラバラな家庭の中で、過去を隠そうとする人たちから、彼らの周りに危険が迫ってくるようになる。彼らは、影で動く秘密に光を当てることができるのか? 過去に発表されたパートへのリンクはこちら。 *** 第8章 - 恐ろしくも真っ白な不動産書類 『みんな仲良くできないのかな?』 マリは無用に力を込めて箱に本を投げ入れた。最近、なぜ彼女は人生の中で全員と言い争いをしているのだろう?もしかすると、これは本当に悪いアイデア
Captain's Log, Stardate 01.18.2006
Continuing my interview with author Tracey Bateman:
CT: What is your most memorable moment as a writer?
TB: The night I received THE CALL from Rebecca Germany that my first Heartsong book was sold.
CT: When did you first discover that you were a writer?
TB: When my first trade book came out. I think I'd written about 20 books by then.
CT: Writing a novel is ...
TB: hard work.
CT: What's your greatest writing weakness and how do you overcome it?
TB: Description. I'm a cut to the chase kind of person in real life, I skip description when I read, so I tend to do that when I write also. But I don't necessarily overcome it. It's part of my voice. I just don't do a lot of description.
CT: What's your best writing strength?
TB: Characterization.
CT: How do you handle deadline stress? Any advice or tips?
TB: Nope. I don't handle it well. I eat too much, sleep too little, farm my kids out to whoever will take them and basically demand silence and my own way. Well, maybe I do have a little advice. Be prepared to apologize!!!!
CT: Most writers struggle with insecurity. How do you retain your confidence as a writer?
TB: Ha! I have no confidence in my abilities. Every day I'm amazed that I'm published and I struggle with each word I write. It truly is a walk of faith for me.
CT: What's the biggest risk you've ever taken as a writer?
TB: Allowing Steve to read the Claire synopsis I had written. It was first person, which was different, and I didn't really know if I did first person very well. I thought I'd stick with romance because I knew I could write that. On one hand I was nervous about what he'd say, but on the other hand, I didn't figure I had anything to lose. And the rest is history.
CT: How do you handle writer's block? Do you ever get writer's block?
TB: I get it all the time. Writer's block comes from two sources. Either you're working too hard, <> or you aren't working hard enough. :) If you're working too hard, you need to step away and do something: read a book, go see a movie, whatever. Sometimes it's just a matter of getting away fromthe computer long enough to wash the dishes. If you know you haven't fleshed out the idea enough, then it's a matter of not knowing where the story goes. And in that situation, you have to go someplace quiet, close your eyes and think the story through. Usually that unclogs the block.
CT: Describe your writing space as it is now, and your fantasy writing space.
TB: I write wherever. I have desk in the kitchen, a laptop and an alphasmart that I write with when I'm in the bedroom or livingroom. This morning I had to have tests run at the hospital, so I took my alphie and got some writing done in the waiting room.
My dream writing space is a room I can call my own with a nice desk and a fluffy chair. I'm pretty simple in my expectations. We have to be realistic and be content with what we have. As we grow as writers and earn income, our space can grow with us.
CT: Do you have a special verse specifically to inspire your writing?
TB: Not specific to writing.
CT: What's the best writing advice you've ever received?
TB: Sit your butt in the chair and do it.
CT: Thanks for doing the interview, Tracey!
Yo, Peeps, next month (February), the ACFW Book Club will be discussing LEAVE IT TO CLAIRE. So pick up a copy at your local or online bookstore.
Continuing my interview with author Tracey Bateman:
CT: What is your most memorable moment as a writer?
TB: The night I received THE CALL from Rebecca Germany that my first Heartsong book was sold.
CT: When did you first discover that you were a writer?
TB: When my first trade book came out. I think I'd written about 20 books by then.
CT: Writing a novel is ...
TB: hard work.
CT: What's your greatest writing weakness and how do you overcome it?
TB: Description. I'm a cut to the chase kind of person in real life, I skip description when I read, so I tend to do that when I write also. But I don't necessarily overcome it. It's part of my voice. I just don't do a lot of description.
CT: What's your best writing strength?
TB: Characterization.
CT: How do you handle deadline stress? Any advice or tips?
TB: Nope. I don't handle it well. I eat too much, sleep too little, farm my kids out to whoever will take them and basically demand silence and my own way. Well, maybe I do have a little advice. Be prepared to apologize!!!!
CT: Most writers struggle with insecurity. How do you retain your confidence as a writer?
TB: Ha! I have no confidence in my abilities. Every day I'm amazed that I'm published and I struggle with each word I write. It truly is a walk of faith for me.
CT: What's the biggest risk you've ever taken as a writer?
TB: Allowing Steve to read the Claire synopsis I had written. It was first person, which was different, and I didn't really know if I did first person very well. I thought I'd stick with romance because I knew I could write that. On one hand I was nervous about what he'd say, but on the other hand, I didn't figure I had anything to lose. And the rest is history.
CT: How do you handle writer's block? Do you ever get writer's block?
TB: I get it all the time. Writer's block comes from two sources. Either you're working too hard, <
CT: Describe your writing space as it is now, and your fantasy writing space.
TB: I write wherever. I have desk in the kitchen, a laptop and an alphasmart that I write with when I'm in the bedroom or livingroom. This morning I had to have tests run at the hospital, so I took my alphie and got some writing done in the waiting room.
My dream writing space is a room I can call my own with a nice desk and a fluffy chair. I'm pretty simple in my expectations. We have to be realistic and be content with what we have. As we grow as writers and earn income, our space can grow with us.
CT: Do you have a special verse specifically to inspire your writing?
TB: Not specific to writing.
CT: What's the best writing advice you've ever received?
TB: Sit your butt in the chair and do it.
CT: Thanks for doing the interview, Tracey!
Yo, Peeps, next month (February), the ACFW Book Club will be discussing LEAVE IT TO CLAIRE. So pick up a copy at your local or online bookstore.