by Holly West
Lately, I've been thinking about changing the way I use Facebook. When I first got into social media, I was pretty good at keeping my professional life separate from my personal life. Twitter was for professional--meaning I followed lots of different people, most of whom I'd never met in person, and kept it pretty much writing related. Facebook was for family and friends, people I knew in real life and didn't mind sharing personal details with.
Six or seven years later, all of that has gone out the window. For one thing, I've met (in person) so many of the writers I previously knew only online. It makes sense that I'd be friends with them on Facebook. There are many people I haven't yet met in person but through social media, a genuine friendship has developed. I'm cool with sharing my personal Facebook page with them, too.
But over time, there's been a gradual expansion of my criteria for accepting friendship requests. It used to be that I only friended people I had personal experience with. Then I began friending people who I was familiar with through the larger writing community but hadn't necessarily interacted with myself. After that, things kind of just exploded, like that shampoo commercial: "And they told two friends, and they told two friends, and so on and so on..." Suddenly I'm friends with a load of people I have no real connection with, other than--possibly--writing and/or reading.
To be honest, I'm not all that wary of someone using the information I share for nefarious purposes, although I'm aware that does happen, probably with more frequency than I'd like to acknowledge. But my Facebook feed has become unwieldy and while I have the option of removing someone from my feed while still remaining friends, I'm not comfortable with knowing there are strangers out there who might be reading my personal posts and I have no idea who they are.
I'm not sure how to remedy the problem, however. Some people I know have stated outright that they're culling their friendships on Facebook and directing people to their author/professional page. I'm cool with that in principle, but if I did it I might feel a little jerky. Like--hey, you're not good enough to be my real friend but hop on over here and buy my books. Mind you, I'm not criticizing my friends who've done this--it seems like a reasonable solution to the problem.
Another solution might be to assume that if I unfriend someone who I don't actually know, without announcing it beforehand, they won't miss me in the first place. No harm, no foul, as the say. But that seems kind of dickish, too.
One thing I've always had trouble with is determining what to post on my author page versus what to post on my personal page. If it's related to my books, then of course I should post it on my author page, right? But what if I want a larger audience to see it? Facebook has changed the way it presents promotional posts, so posts to my author page receive only a fraction of the viewership and interaction that my personal page does. Sometimes I end up posting something to my author page then sharing it on my personal page as a result.
With all of this said, I often think, wow, this is only Facebook. Get a freaking life, Holly. Then I change nothing, and a few months later, I'm thinking, "I really should do something about my Facebook page."
How do you handle Facebook with regard to personal and author pages? Shower me with your wisdom, please.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Monday, July 6, 2015
The Summer of Reading Westerns - June reads
About a month ago I posted some thoughts on the western. The summer of reading westerns continues so I thought I'd check in with what westerns I read in June.
.44 by H.A. DeRosso (1953) - It's easy to see why so many crime folks recommend this one. It's basically a classic, mid-20th century noir dressed up as a western. It can be a little tough to continue buying the protag's continued staying in the town but, recognized as the noir that it is, this is an easy enough hurdle to cross and the doomed ride becomes fun in it's own way. Recommended
The Searchers by Alan LeMay (1954) - This is one of those books that is hard to talk about without mentioning the movie. If you put the race issue aside for a moment, I've always thought the movie had its problems. Part of that is that Ethan (Amos in the book) dominates the movie so much. The book is told in a tight 3rd person pov from Martin's perspective, so the Mart character in the book is a far better character, with a lot of nice character growth, and worth the price admission alone. There's also some scenes that are gripping. One in particular is Amos and Mart trapped in a gulch by a blizzard for 60 hours. Just a fantastic scene. Is Ethan/Amos racist? and Is The Searchers racist? are two questions that have surrounded the movie for years. Is The Searchers (book) and it's author racist? I'm punting and will say that is thoughts for another day. Highly Recommended.
Death of a Gunfighter by Lewis B Patten (1955) - Good book that deals effectively with the idea of the aged gunfighter and his place in society as it progresses. In this case the town gave the gunfighter the Sheriff job to clean up the town, and then told him he could keep it for as long as he wanted since he did such a good job. Now they want him out, and he doesn't want to go. Patten explores both sides of this issue and swings the reader's loyalties from one side to the other. Recommended.
Monte Walsh by Jack Schaefer (1963) - Schaefer's Shane always gets the praise but Monte Walsh may be the better book (I read Shane year's ago and will be re-reading it this summer). Schaefer wrote some short stories about Monte Walsh that were then collected together and tied up together as the novel Monte Walsh. So the novel has a very episodic feel. Monte Walsh is an intimate epic, where one man's life represents the entire old west. Not only is the book a rousing story and very moving at times but Schaefer can actually write, so Monte Walsh utilizes a number of different literary techniques and modes by which to tell the story. Monte Walsh is an unheralded great American novel. Highly Recommended.
Gospel of the Bullet by Chris Leek (2014)
Gunmen by Timothy Friend (2015) - Straight forward westerns. My only observation of note (not a criticism) is that they both feel like the beginnings of larger stories rather than full stop stories. Maybe the authors will revisit these stories and characters at a later date. Recommended
Paradise Sky by Joe Lansdale (2015) - Lansdale's tribute to the black cowboys that rode in the west. This is a big old Texas yarn that is at times funny, harrowing, moving, goofy. Recommended.
Pig Iron by David James Keaton (2015) - What the hell is Pig Iron? Part absurdist western, part goof, part homage to western movies, part fleshing out of a Marty Robbins song. Sure, all of that and more. Some part of Pig Iron work better then others but it is a highly imaginative, highly original, highly fantastical western that is, at its best, a lot of fun. Recommended (but may not be for everyone).
Haints Stay by Colin Winnette (2015) - Haints Stay is a dark, moody, modern, revisionist western that is tonally related to the Sisters Brothers. Chances are if you liked The Sisters Brothers you'll be inclined to like this one too. One of the problems with revisionist westerns post Blood Meridian is that they all think that they are the first one to try and turn the genre on it's head. Revisionist westerns continue to trickle out, a couple a year or one every couple of years, and each occurrence is treated as if it's the best thing since...well... the last time it was done. And I say this as someone who likes a good revisionist western (which, btw, first started getting published as far back as the 50's). Recommended.
.44 by H.A. DeRosso (1953) - It's easy to see why so many crime folks recommend this one. It's basically a classic, mid-20th century noir dressed up as a western. It can be a little tough to continue buying the protag's continued staying in the town but, recognized as the noir that it is, this is an easy enough hurdle to cross and the doomed ride becomes fun in it's own way. Recommended
The Searchers by Alan LeMay (1954) - This is one of those books that is hard to talk about without mentioning the movie. If you put the race issue aside for a moment, I've always thought the movie had its problems. Part of that is that Ethan (Amos in the book) dominates the movie so much. The book is told in a tight 3rd person pov from Martin's perspective, so the Mart character in the book is a far better character, with a lot of nice character growth, and worth the price admission alone. There's also some scenes that are gripping. One in particular is Amos and Mart trapped in a gulch by a blizzard for 60 hours. Just a fantastic scene. Is Ethan/Amos racist? and Is The Searchers racist? are two questions that have surrounded the movie for years. Is The Searchers (book) and it's author racist? I'm punting and will say that is thoughts for another day. Highly Recommended.
Death of a Gunfighter by Lewis B Patten (1955) - Good book that deals effectively with the idea of the aged gunfighter and his place in society as it progresses. In this case the town gave the gunfighter the Sheriff job to clean up the town, and then told him he could keep it for as long as he wanted since he did such a good job. Now they want him out, and he doesn't want to go. Patten explores both sides of this issue and swings the reader's loyalties from one side to the other. Recommended.
Monte Walsh by Jack Schaefer (1963) - Schaefer's Shane always gets the praise but Monte Walsh may be the better book (I read Shane year's ago and will be re-reading it this summer). Schaefer wrote some short stories about Monte Walsh that were then collected together and tied up together as the novel Monte Walsh. So the novel has a very episodic feel. Monte Walsh is an intimate epic, where one man's life represents the entire old west. Not only is the book a rousing story and very moving at times but Schaefer can actually write, so Monte Walsh utilizes a number of different literary techniques and modes by which to tell the story. Monte Walsh is an unheralded great American novel. Highly Recommended.
Gospel of the Bullet by Chris Leek (2014)
Gunmen by Timothy Friend (2015) - Straight forward westerns. My only observation of note (not a criticism) is that they both feel like the beginnings of larger stories rather than full stop stories. Maybe the authors will revisit these stories and characters at a later date. Recommended
Paradise Sky by Joe Lansdale (2015) - Lansdale's tribute to the black cowboys that rode in the west. This is a big old Texas yarn that is at times funny, harrowing, moving, goofy. Recommended.
Pig Iron by David James Keaton (2015) - What the hell is Pig Iron? Part absurdist western, part goof, part homage to western movies, part fleshing out of a Marty Robbins song. Sure, all of that and more. Some part of Pig Iron work better then others but it is a highly imaginative, highly original, highly fantastical western that is, at its best, a lot of fun. Recommended (but may not be for everyone).
Haints Stay by Colin Winnette (2015) - Haints Stay is a dark, moody, modern, revisionist western that is tonally related to the Sisters Brothers. Chances are if you liked The Sisters Brothers you'll be inclined to like this one too. One of the problems with revisionist westerns post Blood Meridian is that they all think that they are the first one to try and turn the genre on it's head. Revisionist westerns continue to trickle out, a couple a year or one every couple of years, and each occurrence is treated as if it's the best thing since...well... the last time it was done. And I say this as someone who likes a good revisionist western (which, btw, first started getting published as far back as the 50's). Recommended.
Sunday, July 5, 2015
Guest Post: Nancy Allen
The Story Behind the Story of A Killing at the Creek
By Nancy Allen
In A Killing at the Creek, my new Ozarks Mystery, prosecutor Elsie Arnold has been handed her first murder case, prosecuting Tanner Monroe, a 15-year-old boy, for murder in the first degree.
He has been certified to stand trial as an adult for cutting a woman's throat and dumping the body in Muddy Creek in the Ozarks hill country.
Why did I choose to accuse a child of tender years of such a horrific crime in my legal thriller? Why did I create a character as dark as Tanner Monroe? Well, it's not because I hate young people, honest to god. I have a teenage daughter; I'm on faculty at Missouri State University; I’ve taught thousands of young students in my law classes. I love teenagers! Crazy about them!
But in my career, I served as prosecutor in the Ozarks, and one of my cases involved a similar scenario. I tried and convicted a sixteen-year-old boy for the crime of first degree murder. That case served as the inspiration for A Killing at the Creek. I must stress: my book is a novel, it’s fiction; all characters are solely the product of my imagination; the defendant, plotline and story arc are not a repetition of that real life prosecution. But the case provided the seed for me to craft my story, and gave me the professional experience to write a courtroom novel that rings true.
In A Killing at the Creek, there are plenty of surprises; everything is not always as it seems. But that's also a reflection of our justice system. As an old trial salt with dozens of jury cases under my belt, I've seen plenty of twists and turns, things that would curl your hair. The bright side is: my experience provides inspiration and a wealth of raw material to weave into more adventures for my protagonist with feet of clay, the flawed yet loveable Elsie Arnold.
Hey--I like teenagers! Really, I do. I'm a faculty member at Missouri State University; I have a teenage daughter; I'm surrounded by teens. They're wonderful. But when a person of tender years is involved in, or accused of, a terrible crime, it raises fascinating questions. Did they actually do it? How could they be so cold-blooded at such a young age? Why would they do such a thing? Were they framed? Are they insane? These are some of the areas I was eager to delve into in A Killing at the Creek.
I knew my character Elsie was ready for a murder case, so I wanted to give her one. And in recent years, we hear so many reports of juveniles being certified to stand trial as adults for homicides. So I thought it was timely topic, and intriguing.
And yes--I have the background to write it. I tried murder cases in my years as a prosecutor, and one of those cases had a sixteen year old defendant. So I know the ropes. But, let me stress: my teen defendant in A Killing at the Creek is a fictional character! The book is a work of fiction, the trial and the scenes are a product of my imagination.
I was so young when I became a prosecutor: twenty-five years old. And I was handling major felonies, harrowing sex crimes, murder, crimes of violence. The drama of courtroom work, and the exposure to the victims' pain, kindle a desire to tell stories of criminal law from the prosecutor's perspective. In my years as a criminal trial lawyer, I knew I wanted to write about it; I even took a stab at it, but without success. I needed distance from the work, and the passage of time, to gain perspective.
Nancy Allen, an attorney, is a member of the law faculty in the College of Business at Missouri State University. After receiving her undergraduate degree in English Education from Missouri State University, she entered law school, and received her Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law. Nancy practiced for fifteen years, serving as Assistant Missouri Attorney General and as Assistant Prosecutor in her native Ozarks.
When Nancy began her term as prosecutor, she was only the second woman in Southwest Missouri to serve in that capacity. In her years in prosecution, she tried over thirty jury trials, including murder and sexual offenses. During that time, she served on the Rape Crisis Board and the Child Protection Team of the Child Advocacy Council. As Assistant Attorney General, she argued criminal appeals and worked for consumer protection for citizens of Missouri.
Nancy lives in Southwest Missouri with her husband and two children. She serves on the Board of Directors of The Victim Center, a non-profit organization that provides counseling to victims of violent and sexual crime.
Her first novel, The Code of the Hills, was released by HarperCollins in April of 2014. HarperCollins released her second novel, A Killing at the Creek, in February of 2015.
By Nancy Allen
In A Killing at the Creek, my new Ozarks Mystery, prosecutor Elsie Arnold has been handed her first murder case, prosecuting Tanner Monroe, a 15-year-old boy, for murder in the first degree.
He has been certified to stand trial as an adult for cutting a woman's throat and dumping the body in Muddy Creek in the Ozarks hill country.
Why did I choose to accuse a child of tender years of such a horrific crime in my legal thriller? Why did I create a character as dark as Tanner Monroe? Well, it's not because I hate young people, honest to god. I have a teenage daughter; I'm on faculty at Missouri State University; I’ve taught thousands of young students in my law classes. I love teenagers! Crazy about them!
But in my career, I served as prosecutor in the Ozarks, and one of my cases involved a similar scenario. I tried and convicted a sixteen-year-old boy for the crime of first degree murder. That case served as the inspiration for A Killing at the Creek. I must stress: my book is a novel, it’s fiction; all characters are solely the product of my imagination; the defendant, plotline and story arc are not a repetition of that real life prosecution. But the case provided the seed for me to craft my story, and gave me the professional experience to write a courtroom novel that rings true.
In A Killing at the Creek, there are plenty of surprises; everything is not always as it seems. But that's also a reflection of our justice system. As an old trial salt with dozens of jury cases under my belt, I've seen plenty of twists and turns, things that would curl your hair. The bright side is: my experience provides inspiration and a wealth of raw material to weave into more adventures for my protagonist with feet of clay, the flawed yet loveable Elsie Arnold.
Hey--I like teenagers! Really, I do. I'm a faculty member at Missouri State University; I have a teenage daughter; I'm surrounded by teens. They're wonderful. But when a person of tender years is involved in, or accused of, a terrible crime, it raises fascinating questions. Did they actually do it? How could they be so cold-blooded at such a young age? Why would they do such a thing? Were they framed? Are they insane? These are some of the areas I was eager to delve into in A Killing at the Creek.
I knew my character Elsie was ready for a murder case, so I wanted to give her one. And in recent years, we hear so many reports of juveniles being certified to stand trial as adults for homicides. So I thought it was timely topic, and intriguing.
And yes--I have the background to write it. I tried murder cases in my years as a prosecutor, and one of those cases had a sixteen year old defendant. So I know the ropes. But, let me stress: my teen defendant in A Killing at the Creek is a fictional character! The book is a work of fiction, the trial and the scenes are a product of my imagination.
I was so young when I became a prosecutor: twenty-five years old. And I was handling major felonies, harrowing sex crimes, murder, crimes of violence. The drama of courtroom work, and the exposure to the victims' pain, kindle a desire to tell stories of criminal law from the prosecutor's perspective. In my years as a criminal trial lawyer, I knew I wanted to write about it; I even took a stab at it, but without success. I needed distance from the work, and the passage of time, to gain perspective.
Nancy Allen, an attorney, is a member of the law faculty in the College of Business at Missouri State University. After receiving her undergraduate degree in English Education from Missouri State University, she entered law school, and received her Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law. Nancy practiced for fifteen years, serving as Assistant Missouri Attorney General and as Assistant Prosecutor in her native Ozarks.
When Nancy began her term as prosecutor, she was only the second woman in Southwest Missouri to serve in that capacity. In her years in prosecution, she tried over thirty jury trials, including murder and sexual offenses. During that time, she served on the Rape Crisis Board and the Child Protection Team of the Child Advocacy Council. As Assistant Attorney General, she argued criminal appeals and worked for consumer protection for citizens of Missouri.
Nancy lives in Southwest Missouri with her husband and two children. She serves on the Board of Directors of The Victim Center, a non-profit organization that provides counseling to victims of violent and sexual crime.
Her first novel, The Code of the Hills, was released by HarperCollins in April of 2014. HarperCollins released her second novel, A Killing at the Creek, in February of 2015.
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