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'Crooked River' A Talk with Valerie Geary
Crooked River, Valerie Geary's debut novel, is a coming-of-age-story, a ghost story, and a literary tale of psychological suspense. Told in the alternating voices of 15-year-old Sam and her 10-year-old sister Ollie, the novel opens with them grieving the sudden death of their mother. They move to rural Oregon to live with their eccentric, teepee-dwelling, beekeeper father. When a young woman's body is discovered in a nearby river, their father becomes the prime suspect and the sisters find themselves in the center of a suspense-filled storm.
Did you always want to be a writer?
I did. I think I wrote my first story in kindergarten. It was about a girl who lost a red balloon and chased after it. I don't remember how it ended. I started reading fairly young and loved getting lost in the imaginary world of books. When I was in the third grade, a writer came to my school and talked to us. That was the moment I decided it was what I wanted to do, and that resolve remained with me the rest of my childhood, and throughout high school and college. Whenever I tried finding something else to do, it never felt right. It didn't fit with who I felt I was.
In Crooked River you combine paranormal phenomena with suspense. What are your thoughts about these separate writing genres?
I read a lot of suspense novels. It's probably my favorite genre. When I was younger, I read more paranormal books. I do think the combination of paranormal and suspense go well together. There's an element of suspense in paranormal novels because you never know what's going to happen with the supernatural.
The axiom "Write what you know" seems applicable to you. I understand there are some parallels between the lives of Sam and Ollie, and your own life.
Yes. I have a sister. We're twenty-two months apart, closer in age than Sam and Ollie are in the novel. When I started writing this book, I drew inspiration from my own relationship with my sister and the things we did as children. There are similarities, but as I wrote about Sam and Ollie, they developed their own personalities. Another important parallel is that I lost my mother when I was nineteen. I was old enough to be able to move forward, yet young enough to feel a significant loss. It was an unexpected death, as is the death of Sam and Ollie's mother in the book. The decision to include their mother's death came a bit later on in drafting the novel. I wasn't sure it was territory I was ready to explore. But I went ahead, and it ended up being a catharsis for me. The process of writing about these sisters and their grief was a way to explore my own grief process.
Before Crooked River, you published short stories in literary journals and magazines. What challenges did you face in going from writing short stories to penning a full-length novel?
Probably, the biggest challenge was that of being more patient with the process. A short story is at most, five-thousand words. It's compact. You get it done, and can feel proud of what you've accomplished. Writing a novel reminds me of the old joke, 'How do you eat a whale? One bite at a time.' If you visualize the big picture, a novel can be intimidating. The biggest challenge for me was to push myself and have enough patience to finish the manuscript.
You once said, "I feel the most me when I'm writing, and it's been like this as far back as I can remember." Will you talk about that?
I've always had trouble expressing myself verbally. I never know if what I'm trying to say is really getting across to other people. Sometimes, the words seem to just fall out of my mouth. I think I have a bit of social anxiety, and I also see the world a bit differently than most people do. When I talk, people may not understand my perspective. But with writing, I'm able to explore different parts of me that I'm not able to share in a one-on-one setting.
In an online guest post, you once described using a stopwatch to time your writing. Will you discuss that?
I started using a stopwatch when I quit my day job to start writing full-time. I struggled with discipline. It was easier to read, or look at e-mail, or think up clever tweets. Setting a timer helped me maintain concentrated periods, focused on my writing. I still use the stopwatch if I'm feeling distracted, or not really wanting to work. I'll set the timer for an hour. The minute I start writing, I get into it; but it's the getting started that can be difficult. The timer also reminds me to take breaks, and helps me construct my day without feeling I'm working either too much or too little.
Your writing style has been compared to those of Tana French and Laura McHugh. Any thoughts?
I'm speechless. That's an honor. Those women write great fiction, books that are both suspenseful and literary.
You've said you're a huge fan of Gillian Flynn and Kate Atkinson. What about their work inspires you?
I like how their books are readable, but challenging. They maintain a delicate balance between being page-turners while also making you think. It's the combination of their storytelling abilities and the inspirational way they use language.
If you could have dinner with any five people, living or dead, from literature or all of history, who would they be?
I'd love to have Margaret Atwood over for dinner. Ever since I read The Handmaid's Tale in college, I've been a big fan. I would love to pick her brain about writing and her career. I'd like to have Jennifer Lawrence, too. She's been so successful at such a young age, it would be interesting to learn how she processes that. I'd invite Amelia Earhart, and ask her about her life in an era when women mostly stayed home. I would love to have Malala Yousafzei, the Afghan winner of the Novel Peace Prize. Another great guest would be Sacagawea, the Shoshone woman who interpreted and guided Lewis and Clark on their expedition.
What's coming next from Valerie Geary?
I'm writing a new book, but it's still in the drafting process. It will be another suspense novel with a bit of the supernatural, too.
Congratulations on writing Crooked River, which has been described as a literary thriller and psychological study of the effects of loss.
Flesh and Blood: A Fascinating Talk with Patricia Cornwell
Patricia Cornwell is the internationally bestselling and award-winning author of 33 books, the most famous and widely read being the 22 novels of the "Kay Scarpetta" series.
In Flesh and Blood, Kay Scarpetta notices seven shiny pennies, all dated 1981, placed on the wall behind her Cambridge house. She soon learns of a shooting death nearby, where copper fragments are the only evidence left at the crime scene. Scarpetta links the murder to two other deaths in which the victims were killed by a serial sniper. The victims had nothing in common, but seem to have a connection to Scarpetta herself.
You were a technical writer and computer analyst for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia. Your Kay Scarpetta novels are so richly detailed in medical forensics, it's hard to believe you're not a physician. How did you learn so much forensic pathology?
People mistakenly call me 'Dr. Cornwell.' I was an English major in college. For thirty years, I've been a self-educated student of medical forensics, ballistics and all things related. It's my avocation. I constantly cruise the Internet looking for new information. I have consultants on whom I rely for the latest technologic advances. I also do field research. For Flesh and Blood, I went to Texas firing ranges to test high-tech assault rifles and ammunition, the things you'll read about in this book. That's how I continue to learn. While I would not qualify as an expert witness in court—I don't have the pedigree—there's nothing to stop me from educating myself.
Did you ever want to become a physician?
No. I'd rather write about a Scarpetta or Lucy or Marino than do what they actually do. I'm a writer first and foremost. Before writing fiction, I was a journalist. My background puts me in a good position to write about and let the world see what these really cool professionals do.
Your Kay Scarpetta novels have influenced TV programs such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and Cold Case Files. Do the television writers ever ask for your advice?
I don't really want to be a consultant on other people's shows. However, I'm writing a pilot for a CBS show called Angie Steele. It's about a woman investigator who went to MIT, but decided to become a cop. So, I'll be a consultant for that show, but I don't have an interest in consulting for other shows.
Your writing style has varied in the Scarpetta series—from past to present tense, from first person to omniscient narrator, and you've gone back and forth. What brought about those stylistic changes?
I think a writer looks for different ways to explore abilities and skill sets. You always want to evolve, and my goal has always been to get better at writing. I'm constantly exploring different ways to do it. In writing a series, there's a lot of latitude for experimentation, opportunities to stretch your wings. In 2003, with Blow Fly, I switched to a third person point of view. The fans didn't like that. They wanted to be inside Scarpetta's head. I write these books for my readers. So, I switched back to the first person point of view. I'm quite sure I'll continue writing in the present tense. I've always thought of writing as a glass window pane through which the reader enters a new world. I try honing my writing style to be as immediate, physical and tactile as possible, almost like the reader is watching television.
For me, the present tense lends immediacy to the work, makes it almost cinematic. The great challenge for writers is to draw the reader into the novel, as though it's a movie. When you're reading, the brain must translate printed words into sights, sounds, smells and taste; whereas you don't have to do that as much in movies. That form gives you an immediate emotional response. The limbic system is on fire when you're watching a movie or when you're at a rock concert. When reading a book, the brain has to do the work of getting the reader to that place. So, I do whatever I think is necessary to help the reader make the transition to those emotional responses. In a sense, you can call me an emotional facilitator (Laughter).
Conflicts between Scarpetta's associates—in Flesh and Blood, between Marino and Machado—often occur. What's the reason for this?
Police are people. They get competitive. I often see investigations where detectives don't collaborate well. You're dealing with human beings, so this sort of thing happens. The biggest bear trap in police work is having multiple jurisdictions working on a case. It's not always the seamless collaboration you wish would occur. But that's true in non-law enforcement workplaces, too—in the academic world, hospitals, law firms—actually, it happens anywhere. It's like any family: there are rivalries.
What do you think so fascinates readers about forensic work?
I think it's the same thing that's so fascinating about archeological excavation. Or, your own discoveries when you find an object like an old arrowhead buried in your backyard. You start recreating the scenario of how that object got there. Why is it here? What happened? Did someone live or die on this very spot? Our human nature demands that we be intensely curious about these mysteries and try piecing together our surroundings so we're better informed. That's what forensics is all about.
To me, this goes back to our tribal survival instincts. If you can recreate a situation in your mind about what happened to someone, how that person died, there's a better chance it won't happen to you. I think it's part of the life-force compelling us to look death in the face. We're the only animal with an understanding that someday we'll die. I think we all want to make our temporary stay on this planet less mysterious, more knowable. We want to learn what happened here, so we'll feel less vulnerable about the same thing happening to us. It's the kind of curiosity that propels us to study monsters.
More than 100 million copies of your books have been sold; they've been translated into 36 languages and are available in 120 countries. After all this success, what has surprised you most about writing?
What's surprised me most is the very process of creativity. I've been fascinated by where ideas come from. I feel when we really open ourselves up to our urges and get our conscious brains out of the way, we're almost channeling things from areas we don't begin to understand. It's both a scary and amazing experience. I've been repeatedly surprised how secret parts of my mind are creating something without my conscious knowledge. Hemingway was very aware of this phenomenon. He had an ironclad habit: when he had written a very good sentence and knew where he was going next, he would quit writing and not think about it until he went back to it the next day. He wanted to give his sub-conscious mind enough time to work on the story. That continues to surprise and amaze me: this ability the human mind seems to have. It even goes to the issue of genetic memory. We channel things creatively that really come from someplace that's part of our genome, our primal heritage.
What do you love most about writing?
I love the way it keeps me company. I find no matter what's going on in my life, I don't have to wait on somebody else to fill my time or give me satisfaction. If I have an hour or two, I can sit at my desk, open something I'm working on and be transported to the same world I want to take the readers. I probably developed that ability for a very good reason. As a child, writing was my best friend. If I wrote a poem or an illustrated short story, or described the scenery while I looked out over a valley in North Carolina where I was brought up, it made me feel less by myself.
I think being on this planet is a lonely experience and without imagination, it's very isolating. For me, writing has been a gift. Creative expression is a great coping mechanism. If you're sad, scared or lonely, much as I was as a child, writing was my retreat. I played sports and all that, but the thing that healed my soul and touched those parts of me nothing else could, had to come from within myself. If you can reach inside yourself and create something—a painting, a drawing, a book— it can be healing and very life affirming.
Who are the authors you read these days?
I'm an eclectic reader. I read a lot of biographies. I love non-fiction, especially history. In fiction, I enjoy reading Lee Child, Dan Brown, Michael Connelly, and Harlan Coben. It has to be something very engaging; otherwise, my attention will wander.
If you could have dinner with any five people, living or dead, from history, politics, or literature, who would they be.
I'd love to have dinner with Dickens. I'd love to have dinner with Agatha Christie. I'd love to have met Lincoln. I'm so sorry I never got to meet Truman Capote. I think In Cold Blood is one of the greatest true crime books ever written. I think dead people might be my specialty (Laughter). And then there's Harriet Beecher Stowe. She's supposedly a relative—allegedly, an ultra-removed aunt of mine. It may be part of my genetic heritage, because she and I write basically about the same thing: abuse of power, whether it's slavery or anything else. I visited her home in Connecticut and can honestly say I felt a kinship, something almost akin to channeling something from her.
What would you be talking about at dinner?
I'd be fascinated about their writing processes. I'd love hearing how they started their days and the things that compelled them to write what they did. I know Dickens was influenced greatly by his childhood—working in a bootblack factory by the age of twelve. It would be fascinating to talk with Agatha Christie. I understand she was incredibly shy and introverted. Becoming a celebrity was difficult for her because she was happiest staying at home and writing. Also, both Dickens and Agatha Christie were heavy into research, so we'd have a great deal in common. If she were writing today, who knows? Miss Marple might have been a medical examiner.
What's coming next from Patricia Cornwell?
I've started the next Scarpetta book. I'm finishing the remake of my Jack the Ripper book. I'm also writing the pilot for the CBS series, Angie Steele. It's about a woman investigator who has a fraternal twin brother who's a sociopath, and she's very worried about having a child because of what her genetic heritage might entail.
Congratulations on penning another Kay Scarpetta novel, Flesh and Blood. It's certain to keep your fans very happy.
Naming Characters in Your Novel
We're familiar with Shakespeare's famous lines from Romeo and Juliet in which Juliet says the names of things don't matter; the important thing is what they are.
What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet
While that's very true in botany, in fiction, characters' names may matter a great deal. A name can become a device by which a reader visualizes, hears, and even senses a particular character. The name hopefully becomes the essence of a character as the reader traverses the story's arc.
Certainly, the name "Hannibal" makes one think of Thomas Harris' malevolent character in Silence of the Lambs. Similarly, "Stingo" summons William Styron's callow protagonist from Sophie's Choice. "Garp" brings to mind the idiosyncratic man from John Irving's The World According to Garp. Think of other characters in literature: Ahab; Hamlet; Ishmael; Raskolnikov; Scrooge; Achilles; Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. These names evoke thoughts of compelling characters and their traits.
Novelists, including me, are often asked how they come up with characters' names. There are many ways.
Many writers choose names readers will easily recall—those that will resonate in the reader's mind. And, many writers agree the names should have some acoustic quality making them memorable.
Most writers choose dissimilar names for different characters so the reader doesn't confuse one character for another (as may occur in Russian novels). A writer certainly doesn't want to force a reader to backtrack through a novel, trying to clarify is speaking or acting.
So, how does a writer go about picking characters' names?
Some writers go to the telephone book, perusing lists of names appropriate names. Others listen to the names of people they encounter during the course of everyday life, while some may describe a character to friends or relatives and ask for name suggestions.
Harlan Coben sometimes offers to name characters after people who bought his current novel; submit proof of purchase; and thereby become eligible for a character to have the buyer's name in a subsequent novel. A writer as popular as Coben, garners a cascade of names, and engages readers in his efforts. It's also a great promotional idea.
There's the old standby: naming characters after relatives, friends and acquaintances. I do this frequently with secondary characters. I've occasionally named a major character after someone I know—using the person's full name. In one instance, I thought a physician-friend's name was perfect for a villain's, and used it—but only after conferring with my doctor friend, who not only understood, but agreed and wholeheartedly endorsed my using his name.
In some novels, I've made mention of a friend in setting up a protagonist's background or back-story. One psychiatrist friend telephoned me after reading the novel. He was delighted to learn that in his novelistic iteration, he was not only a shrink, but owned a Blimpie franchise in Westchester County, New York. We laughed together about his fictional investment and managerial acumen.
But by whichever method a writer selects a name, it must fit and become emblematic of that character. Reading or even mentioning the character's name should bring to mind an entire set of personality traits; a certain look; sound; and feeling tone. The name should evoke a strong image in the reader's mind, and have an audacious ring of authenticity.
After all, no writer wants a rose to evoke the scent of a chrysanthemum. Or far worse, the smell of a stinkweed.
The Burning Room & Bosch: A Talk with Michael Connelly
Michael Connelly is the award-winning bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Harry Bosch dedetective series and the Mickey Haller novels.
His latest Harry Bosch novel, The Burning Room, has Bosch setting his sights on a cold case that began a decade earlier when the victim was shot. With the victim having just died, the act is now considered murder, even though the case is ten years old. Bosch has been assigned a new partner, rookie detective Lucia Soto; and with retirement just around the corner, Harry does his best to teach Lucia the ropes of detective work and solve this ten year old case.
Harry Bosch is nearing the end of his career. Is this the last novel in which we will see him?
No. I think developments in the The Burning Room give me some opportunities to take Harry in a new direction.
Will we now also be following Lucia Soto's career?
I really like her and will bring her back. I always ask myself if I've said all I want to about a character, and with Lucy, the answer is 'No.' There's unfinished business with her. She and Harry connect with each other as dedicated detectives. That was one aspect I really liked about her.
Bosch is a police procedural television series produced by Amazon Studios and scheduled for release in 2015. How did this project happen?
Harry's had a checkered history when it comes to Hollywood. Early on, there was interest in him. I sold the rights for a film in the 1990s. It was a long-term deal. Even though nothing came of it, I don't regret it because it was Hollywood money that permitted me to become a full-time writer. It allowed me to focus on Bosch's character in the books, which is a big part of why I'm still able to write about him. It was something of a deal with the devil, but I would do it again.
Years went by, and I finally got the rights back. By that time, I'd written many books about Harry Bosch. It seemed clear that if I went back to Hollywood, the best way to tell the story would be in a television series. You know, in Hollywood, word leaks out and Amazon came calling. A partnership was formed. From my standpoint, it was easy and painless. I wasn't drifting around Hollywood, trying to sell Harry Bosch. It all kind of fell in my lap.
Beyond the connection to book-selling, Amazon wanted me involved in the TV series. That's quite unusual in Hollywood. Normally, they take a book and say, 'Be a good little fella and run along. We'll take care of this.' But Amazon wanted my involvement to help nurture the visual recreation of the character with whom I'd spent twenty years of my life. The prospect of participating was very attractive to me and it was a no-brainer. The first season of Bosch will be ten episodes which can be streamed on television. It will premier in February of 2015. It'll be a binger's delight, filled with Harry Bosch.
What's your involvement in the television series?
I co-wrote the pilot with the show-runner. In television, the show-runner is the creative boss. I don't have experience with television, so we wanted to get someone who did and whose creative mind-set was similar to mine. We went to Eric Overmyer who'd worked on The Wire and Treme, and who's worked on other shows I've loved. So, he's the boss—the show-runner. I'm his lieutenant. He runs stuff by me to get my take, and make sure we're on point with Harry Bosch's stories.
Harry Bosch is played very effectively by Titus Welliver. I don't recall elaborate physical descriptions of Harry in the novels. How do you feel about this physical representation of Bosch?
First of all, you're right. There are nineteen Harry Bosh books and someone told me if you add up the descriptions of Harry from all of them, it would come to less than three pages. He's very elliptically described over the two decades during which the novels occur. I did that by intention. I write the way I read. I like to imagine and build characters in my head. I trust the readers to build their own visual images. To me, that's part of the wonder of reading.
But, with television, we have to apply flesh and blood to the character. I'm glad I had a say in the decision about depicting Harry on the screen. I'd seen Titus Welliver in a few shows and felt he had some inner demons in his portrayals, as does Harry Bosch. That's a key trait for Harry. The few physical descriptions of Harry in the books are mere window dressing. The real challenge is for an actor to portray a guy with the inner demons of Harry Bosch. In Titus, I saw the ability to do that. After all the auditions, we decided to go with Titus, and I'm very happy with him. We're six episodes into the filming of the first season, and Titus really owns that part.
In the pilot, I noticed flashbacks implying that as a kid, Harry was beaten and abused. I don't recall that from the novels.
The novels don't hit it on the head as much as the pilot does, but they do contain references to Harry's growing up in foster homes. It can be inferred that there was physical abuse in his childhood. In writing on the page, you can be a bit elliptical; but on TV, you can't dance around stuff. You either show it or you don't. We decided to show it in the series.
In the shift from page to screen, were there any important changes made to Harry Bosch and his world?
Yes. Basically, the novels provide a twenty year palate from which to choose. In the books, Harry ages in real time. If we're lucky and have a successful show, we might have a five or six year run. We have more information in the books than we need. We're picking and choosing what we want for the series. For example, the books begin in 1992 with Harry being forty-two years old. In The Burning Room, he's sixty-four. He has a seventeen year old daughter in the book. In the show, Harry's forty-eight, and has a thirteen year old daughter. We move in time for what we need. The first season of the series hits heavily on two books and touches lightly on a third book. To develop the best first season possible, we take a bit from here and there in the novels. And we can create new stuff with our cadre of writers. So, we're not going to have a rigorous adaptation of the books. We're using the novel City of Bones as the mainstay for the first season. That story is the ninth or tenth in the Bosch series, so we're not conforming to the order in which the novels were written. We chose the story for the first season that we thought best showed what Harry Bosch is all about, what draws out his inner demons.
Will Harry age in real time, assuming the series continues for six years?
Yes, he will, because Titus will age (Laughter). But, it's a smaller microcosm. My books are always set in the year they're published, even in the month they're published. Every subsequent novel involves Harry one year later. With television, it might not be that linear. In fact, we incorporated some later books into this first season in order to transition right into season two and hit the ground running.
I understand you're participating in writing the TV series. As a seasoned novelist, how does co-writing screenplays differ from writing novels?
It's hugely different on at least two levels. The first is what you lose when you go from writing novels to writing for television. In the books, Harry's a very internal guy. One reason he's been around for twenty years is that people like the way he thinks. In a television depiction, you can't go inside his head as you can with a novel. Everything on TV is about what he says and does, which is how a viewer determines whether or not he's likable. I think Harry has a kind of "Everyman's" sensibility with which people connect. In the books, it comes out in his thinking process; but with television, it's really all about what he says and does. That's a big transition for me.
The other aspect is for twenty-five years, I've been in a room by myself, writing these books. Of course, I get edited when I turn a book in, but for the year during which I'm writing, it's me against the machine. For the television series, I'm in a room with writers, and all four walls are covered with 3×5 cards showing every scene from each episode. It's very much committee work until everything's nailed down and plotted out. Then, different scripts are assigned to various writers who go off and work on those episodes. It's very different from the way I write. I don't even use an outline. Now, I can go into a room and see every act and each beat of a scene, an episode, or the entire season right there on the wall. By the time I go off to write a script on my own, I pretty much know everything.
How are you adapting to this sea change in circumstances?
They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks. But for me, it's been a real breath of fresh air. I feel that after twenty-five years in a room by myself, I'm now writing differently. I'm having a great time with it. I think it's going to carry through in my writing future books.
In the pilot episode, Harry seems to be a more edgy guy than in the novels. Was that done as a concession to today's TV audience?
In writing a book, you have to connect quickly with your readers. You also have to instill a momentum in your story. In TV, you have to hit the ground running because there's so much else going on. You're right, in the TV series, Harry's edgier than in the books. This was our choice. We chose a story we knew would have Harry connecting with a case at the very beginning of the series. When a homicide detective gets involved with a case that resonates with his own past—that taps into his inner demons— he's going to be more on edge because he really wants to find who did this.
Dumb question. In The Lincoln Lawyer, Mickey Haller is driven around in a 1986 Lincoln Town car. In the pilot episode of Bosch, Harry drives around in an old model Cadillac. Does this reflect your preferences in cars?
No, but I do like the idea of wisdom coming from experience and age. In the opening scene of the pilot, Bosch is sitting in an undercover car—that old Cadillac. I didn't choose the vehicle, a props person did. But I'll take your question further and say that Harry would never drive a sports car. He'd drive an old, reliable machine.
How do you now apportion your writing time while working on a novel and television series?
I don't know if it's going to work, we'll have to see. The production company knows my priority is writing books. When we went into pre-production, I wasn't around a lot, and was able to finish The Burning Room. When we started production, I was totally dedicated to the series. We'll finish the last episode of the season before Thanksgiving; and after that, I'll be starting my next book. So, I'm hoping things won't interfere with each other.
So will the next book be a Harry Bosch or Mickey Haller novel?
Right now, I believe it will be both. The story will have Bosh, Haller, and Lucia Soto in it. But as I said before, I don't outline. Right now, I have an idea for the novel, but won't begin writing until December, so who knows what will come of it? Things change, and I might get hit by the lightening of another idea and just go with that.
Mickey Haller is my favorite fictional character. Is another Mickey Haller novel coming?
I think what you connect with is that Mickey's more of an outsider. Harry carries a badge and represents the State, but Mickey's outside that rarified coterie. In some respects, he's almost an outcast, and that can make him very likable. Recently, I've found myself more fascinated by Mickey's stories, and I want to get back to him.
I don't know how long I'm going to keep writing, but I see my writing life as orbiting around Harry. There's still a great deal more I can say about him. When I look back at the nineteen Bosch books, at about every sixth one, a curve ball comes that resuscitates and sustains the series. I think that happened with The Burning Room. So, I'm excited about the possibilities for Harry Bosch's next decade.
Congratulations on another Harry Bosch novel, The Burning Room, and a television series that's sure to be a streaming blockbuster and binger's delight.
Don't Knock Thrillers
Thrillers are often viewed as "lesser" literature than other genres. But is this a fair assessment?
Have you considered that Homer, Virgil, and Shakespeare were thriller writers? Let's step back for a moment and define a thriller.
A thriller is a novel involving a threat to the life or well-being of the protagonist, the community, or even the world. Catastrophe will occur if the protagonist doesn't act decisively, and if necessary, with violence. There's a crushing urgency in a thriller—the clock is ticking—and the stakes are high. Reading a thriller may be described as a "heart-pounding" experience.
A thriller is not a mystery. The two genres are often lumped together to the detriment of both.
A mystery involves a puzzle crying out to be solved. The protagonist must solve the mystery of who committed a murder or some other heinous act. Rarely is the hero's life in danger, though that may occasionally occur. A mystery's pace may be slow, even languorous, but eventually, the puzzle will be solved.
The bestseller list is often dominated by thrillers. Many have been successfully adapted to the screen. Think of Gone Girl, The Day of the Jackal, Reacher, The Bourne Identity, The Hunger Games, The Godfather, The Shawshank Redemption, Fight Club, Silence of the Lambs, and many others. The ease with which thrillers become movies and embed themselves in our culture, may help explain why they're often viewed as "lesser" works by the literary establishment. After all, how can something so wildly popular have literary merit?
Would we apply the popularity criterion to the world's most esteemed authors?
Keeping in mind the definition of thrillers, we see that Shakespeare, Homer and Virgil penned them. The plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides were unrelenting thrillers. Their works brimmed with danger, fear, and blood-letting. Included in the ranks of thriller writers would be Robert Louis Stevenson, Victor Hugo, Miguel de Cervantes, James Fenimore Cooper, Earnest Hemingway, Charles Dickens, Dumas, Defoe, Melville, Hawthorne, Dostoyevsky, Conrad, Tolstoy, Vonnegut and many others. Many of their novels have been adapted to film. For centuries, their writings have been immensely popular, suspenseful and
pulse-pounding forays into every aspect of human nature, including fear, paranoia, violence, guilt, and retribution.
In short, these literary masters often wrote thrillers.
Why I Write Crime Thriller Fiction
I'm occasionally asked why I write crime-thriller novels.
They say write what you know, but I prefer to write what I love. And they always say, write the kind of book you would love to read. So, I write crime-thriller fiction.
But as a psychiatrist and novelist, I think there's more than that when it comes to crime thriller fiction.
While the range of human emotions and experiences can be tapped in any genre, there's something about crime novels—something elemental about villains and victims—that makes them so compelling.
Partly, I think crime novels are so popular and gripping because they describe events that could actually occur. They describe experiences that could happen to any of us. The chance of being transported to another planet, or of having some paranormal experience is quite remote. Sci-fi and dystopian novels truck in pure fantasy, which is fine, but these events don't seem to be within the realm of possibility (at least for now).
However, you could very well be the victim if some thug's violent intentions, or become the target of extortion, or death threats. Any of us could unwittingly run afoul of the law, or become embroiled in some criminal enterprise while unaware aware of the snake pit into which we've fallen. These events can actually happen. One look at a newspaper or the evening news makes that very clear.
In other words, crime novels tap into the prospect of the possible which makes them so compelling and frightening. These things could actually occur.
But more than fear or the possibility of evil drives the popularity of these novels.
Greed, lust, avarice, revenge, cowardice, nobility—all run rampant in crime and thriller novels. Yet, it's vicarious, so the tension, anxiety, and outright fear occur to someone else—not to us. We can live it through a character's experiences, not our own. That makes it tolerable—even enjoyable. We can pull back from the tension or horror anytime we want.
Of course, there's the page-turning, heart-racing element of suspense. Will this brilliant and bold bad guy (who we admire, despite his crimes) really get away, or be brought to justice? (Think of The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth). Will this flawed detective or FBI agent prevail, despite his or her shortcomings? Will a thriller novel's protagonist survive the horrendous experiences described in the book?
Many characters in thriller fiction are larger-than-life. (Think of Jack Reacher in any Lee Child novel). If they're well-developed, they draw the reader inexorably into their spheres. The reader is "there" amidst the danger, pulse-pounding exploits, or the nerve-racking chase to a rocket-driven conclusion.
Think of the power of Vito Corleone in The Godfather, or the tenaciousness of Harry Bosch in Michael Connelly's novels. Consider the stealth and patience of Barry Eisler's John Rain, a master assassin; or the characters in virtually any novel written by the Dickens of Detroit, Elmore Leonard. How about the cunning brilliance of Thomas Harris' Hannibal Lecter? (He's even in Wikipedia).
John Rain and Hannibal Lecter raise another point about crime fiction. Some villains are portrayed so richly, are so complex, and are so brilliant and out of the ordinary, they fascinate us. Who among us isn't mesmerized by the exploits of Vito Corleone, or his son, Michael? Who can resist admiring John Rain—master assassin—for his skills, cunning, and despite his profession, his ethics? How many of us would admit—however secretly—admiring the incredible skill and tenacity of The Jackal in Frederick Forsyth's The Day of the Jackal? What is the psychology of our fascination with these characters? Is it because they can and will do things we wouldn't dare do ourselves? Are their exploits those which we only dare fantasize about? Do we play out our own evil fantasies vicariously, by reading about them? It's safe to do in the comfort of an armchair.
Whether the characters are heroes or villains, we love some, hate others, and even fear some of them. The most memorable have become American icons. Think of Vito Corleone, in The Godfather. Or Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs.
Maybe it all boils down to basics — the good versus evil dichotomy of human existence. There's good and evil in each of us—maybe more evil than we care to admit to ourselves.
I just love crime thriller novels. I love reading them and writing them.
WHICH HERO AND VILLAIN DO YOU FIND MOST MEMORABLE? Tell us bycommenting on the blog or on our Facebook page and you'll be entered to win a a copy of MAD DOG JUSTICE! (U.S. entrants only, please.)
Coming Soon: a new novella, "Return to Sandara"
Coming November 3rd, "Return to Sandara" When two brothers, Luke, two years out of college, and Gabe, entering his last year of college, go to Spain's Costa Brava for the summer, they anticipate sun, surf and women. They have no idea of what awaits them. The world is a dangerous and unpredictable place.
Raymond Khoury's Opinion of "Mad Dog Justice"
"Damage" A Talk with Felix Francis
Felix Francis is the son of the late Dick Francis, who was the bestselling author of more than 40 mystery novels. Felix studied physics and electronics at London University and taught advanced level physics for 17 years. Over a number of years, Felix assisted Dick with both the research and writing of his novels. Mary Francis, Dick's wife, did much of the editing, until her death in 2000, when Felix took over. Dick Francis drew on Felix's experience as a physicist, and on his prowess as an international marksman.
By 2005, Felix assumed a greater role and co-authored four novels with his father. Following Dick Francis's death in 2010, Felix wrote four novels set in the world of horseracing. His latest, Damage, involves undercover investigator Jeff Hinkley, who must solve the mystery of who is trying to topple the entire world of horseracing.
You've gone from physics to fiction. How did you make this seemingly incongruous transition?
I really wanted to be a pilot but had hip trouble and couldn't fly for the RAF. So, I went into teaching as a stopgap measure until I found what I wanted to do with my life. I loved it and spent seventeen years teaching physics. I was he
ad of a science department at a school in the UK. My parents had moved to America and were living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I went on vacation to visit them with my wife and young son. My mother asked me if I would help my father prepare his taxes. I then spent the next five years of my vacations going there and helping my father with his tax preparations. I did more and more looking after both my father's and mother's affairs.
It became very difficult because of my teaching and other obligations, and I told my father so. He simply asked if I would give up my day job and work for him full-time. I said, 'You don't pay me for what I do' and he replied, 'I'll pay you twice what you're getting now.' I thought about it for two seconds and gave up my teaching career to work for my parents on a full-time basis. I also gave up working with an expedition company leading expeditions around the world. I never regretted my choices for a second.
I worked for my parents doing everything from changing light bulbs to investment management. My mother died in 2000 and my father retired. I continued looking after him, and he wasn't in the best of health for the last five years of his life. In 2005, my father's literary agent invited me to lunch. He said, 'We have a problem. No one is reading the backlist of Dick's books.' They weren't available in bookshops. Of course, nowadays, with Kindle, you can buy backlisted books again, but back then, you couldn't buy any backlisted Dick Francis books.
The agent said, 'We need a new Dick Francis novel.' I told him, 'You're not going to get one because my mother and father used to work on them together.' My mother had died, and my father was ninety-five years old. The agent wanted my permission to recruit a crime writer to pen another Dick Francis book.
I heard myself saying to him, 'Before you ask anyone else to write one, I would like to have a go at it.' He d
idn't roll his eyes and ask why I thought an ex-physics teacher could write a Dick Francis novel. Instead, he said, 'Okay, I'll give you two months to write two chapters.' So I wrote two chapters, sent them in and he said two things to me: first, 'You'd better speak to your father' and secondly, 'You'd better go on and finish this book.'
I went to my father who initially wasn't terribly excited, but when he read the two chapters of Under Orders, he became enthusiastic. The novel came out as a Dick Francis novel in 2006. It was only designed to get people to read the backlisted books, but it shot to the bestseller lists in the UK and America.
The next thing I knew, I was writing another book, and then another, and Damage is the latest one. So, I've been a full-time writer for the last nine years. When my father was alive, we'd discuss the plots. He'd give me pointers and direction, and the books had both our names on the covers. Crossfire, which has both our names on the cover, was less than half-finished when he died.
Of course, I miss him in very many ways, and one of those ways is that I don't have him to discuss plots with today. If it hadn't been for that lunch with the agent, I'd never have thought about writing. And now, it seems like the most natural thing in the world.
You once said, 'The production of a Dick Francis novel has always been a mixture of inspiration, perspiration and teamwork.' Tell us about that.
My mother and father used to refer to it as the family business. My mother said it was a cottage industry without the cottage. All the Dick Francis books have been a family effort. That includes my own. My father wrote a book about a ph
ysics teacher—Twice Shy—and that was me. He wrote another about someone running a racehorse transport business, and that was my brother. In Gamble, I used my cousin's son, a financial advisor, to do my research. My brother was involved in horseracing, and he's the first one to read an early draft of a new novel.
My father had the ideas for the novels. My mother was a great believer in the rhythm of sentences. She did all the editing. She was very important in working on the flow of the novels. I've always believed that good literature should flow like cream off a spoon. It shouldn't get stuck in your throat like barbed wire. Family teamwork was very important in all the books.
There are scenes in Damage where your background in physics and technical matters is quite evident. How much research is involved in your writing?
I do quite a lot of research. Even though it's fiction, you've got to have your facts straight. I talk to friends and tap their expertise whenever I can. In Damage, a great deal of information about how undercover operations work was gleaned from a friend of mine, a former policeman. He read the completed manuscript and checked for any police procedural mistakes. I use the Internet frequently. I do as much as I can to mold the story into an interesting tale. I don't try to teach my readers anything; and you don't need to know a thing about horseracing to enjoy them, but by reading one of the novels, a reader might learn something about the sport.
Tell us how you plot a mystery story.
If I knew that, I'd do it. (Laughter). I write in the first person, which means, by definition, the book contains a continuous timeline. The story is seen through the experiences of a single character, in this book, Jeff Hinkley. The traditional detective/murder mystery is usually a third person narrative. You know, you get twelve people in a house. Someone gets murdered and the police arrive. I can't do it through the eyes of the investigator because he can't be there before the murder. I write in the first person because it's what my father did and it's what the readers expect.
As for plotting the story, I have only a conception of how the book will begin when I start writing. I do know my main character will prevail in the end. But I don't know who's going to be the bad guy. I don't even know where or when he's going to appear. I don't plot out the entire book. I begin the novel because I have a good idea for a start. I set up the mystery. Then, I begin thinking about how I'm going to solve it. People sometimes say, 'Oh, I knew who did it from the moment he arrived on the scene.' I don't see how that's possible, because it's more than I knew when I introduced the character while writing the manuscript. When I begin a book, I start by creating characters and setting out their story lines. The second half of the book involves bringing the characters together and tying things up so the mystery is resolved.
So it really is for you, as well as for the reader, a process of discovery.
Completely. Absolutely. There will be things in a novel that I hadn't even thought about when I began writing it. It really boils down to setting up the beginning of the novel in which my character realizes there's something he's going to have to investigate.
Jeff Hinkley is an interesting character in Damages. Will he be the protagonist of another novel?
Yes, he will be. I haven't had a recurring character before this. My publishers have said how much they really like him and want me to use him again.
What, if anything, has surprised you about writing?
The most surprising thing is that I discovered I can do it. Equally surprising is that I'm able to put a considerable amount of emotion into the writing, and in my characters. Writing in the first person makes it easier to include emotion. I'm not afraid to say that when I write certain passages, they make me cry. If they don't make me cry, how could I expect them to make anyone else cry? Emotion is so important in a novel because above all, you want the reader to feel something for or about the character. I've discovered the ability to make both readers and myself cry.
What do you love most about being an author?
I love having finished the book. (Laughter). I love when it's published and people read it. I don't write for myself. I write because I want people to read the book. I really enjoy when I'm more than half way through a novel and things are going well. But there's nothing better than people coming up to me and saying how much they loved the book. I have the best job in the world, but I have bad days—lots of them. I go through terrible self-doubt as to whether the book is any good. I love when I can send it off and feel confident about the book's worth.
I just love those moments when I suddenly have an idea, or where the problem in the mystery opens up to me. It can come to me by asking myself questions. I can even ask the wrong question which may lead me to the right answer. In fact, that can happen quite frequently—the wrong question opening a door, leading to the solution to the mystery. I just love that kind of moment in the creative process. It's one of those Eureka moments. And I love it.
Congratulations on writing Damage, a beautifully plotted and engaging mystery novel set in the fascinating world of horseracing.


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subset: commoncrawl


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Did You Know?
Magellanic penguins are named after Ferdinand Magellan who first discovered them in 1519.
Maybe you heard this already, but last weekend, we had a bit of a missing falcon issue. If you live in the Lansing area, the media coverage was intense so I doubt you missed this bit of news.
Many of us have watched, heart broken over the images from the Gulf oil spill. The numbers of affected animals and the spoiled beaches and wetlands have been catastrophic. Then tragedy
As a child in the 1980s I was very much enamored with tigers. For many years I was a lucky member of the National Geographic Society's video club.
I went to one summer camp as a kid: Sam Vincent's Basketball Camp. I don't currently play in the NBA, so apparently it didn't take. It probably didn't help that I was the shortest perso
What is involved in the animal's yearly or every other year physical examinations? Quite a bit actually! For example, today two meerkats came to the veterinary clinic in their carrie


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why no private messaging here?
Thu, 12/14/2006 - 10:24
Thu, 12/14/2006 - 18:59#1
There is an upgrade in the near future, and the PM issue might be answered then.
Thu, 12/14/2006 - 21:03#2
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Fri, 12/15/2006 - 09:33#3


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Fugitive lip biter arrested in California
Nov 6, 2014
Jonathan E. Benedict
Oct 30, 2014
Darrell W. Cook
Oct 2, 2014
Michael Polchies
Sep 25, 2014
Home » News » Crime
Concord woman, Auburn man arrested in Salem
Police arrested Amy-Jo Currier, 25, and identified her as being a suspect in the July 2011 robbery of Pentucket Bank although she was not charged Wednesday with that crime.
Detectives had her under surveillance at the Red Roof Inn when she drove off in her car. They pulled her over and officers saw a baggie of heroin in her car, according to a news release.
She was arrested without incident and taken to the station to be booked. Officers then searched her car, finding several more baggies of heroin, $940 in cash and two cellphones.
She was later released on $600 cash bail.
On Tuesday, police arrested an Auburn man, charging him with indecent exposure and lewdness.
Police said Robert Lorden, 44, was sitting in a vehicle at the far end of the Interstate 93 North rest area with the seat reclined all the way back. As the officer approached the vehicle, police said Lorden tried to put a jacket over his lap and pull up his pants. There were several napkins strewn about the vehicle, police said.
He was later released on $1,000 personal recognizance bail, pending arraignment.
- Nashua man charged as drug enterprise leader; three others also arrested - 0
- More details, photos emerge on man accused of murdering parents and burning down their home - 0
- Police say alleged bank robber tried to take gun from officer in hospital - 0
- Police identify Manchester man wanted in bank robbery - 0
- 2 Vermont women face drug and other charges following arrest in Lebanon - 0
- State: Women struck in Hampton not interested in apology, meeting with driver - 0
- Jury gets a verbal text messaging lesson in trial of man who struck, killed former Amherst fire chief - 0
- Appeals underway for men in Canada accused of Nashua murders - 0
- County attorney defends plea deal for Hampton woman who fatally struck pedestrian - 3
Plaistow town planner arrested on forgery, fraud chargesREADER COMMENTS: 0
- Unlicensed employees cost Concord financial firm $100,000 - 0
- Woman killed in Nashua crash - 0
- Wednesday night Derry blaze under investigation - 0
- Weare residents turn out to discuss police department concerns - 0
- Manchester, Uber headed for a collision over taxi regulations? - 15
- Dave D'Onofrio's Patriots Notebook: Defense is Lions' weapon - 0
- UNH Notebook: Outright league title on UNH's agenda - 1
- NHIAA D-III Football Championship: Back to school in Newport - 0
- Pope to visit U.S. next year - 0
Claremont police investigate false report that locked down elementary schoolREADER COMMENTS: 1
Former mayor makes pitch for commuter rail
Shaheen, Ayotte split on Keystone vote
More details, photos emerge on man accused of murdering parents and burning down their home
Premiums drop, so do subsidies for Obamacare
VA wait times: They are still bad
Shaheen, Ayotte split on Keystone vote
King Obama: Creating a constitutional crisis
Premiums drop, so do subsidies for Obamacare
Former mayor makes pitch for commuter rail
VA wait times: They are still bad
- Whom do you think bears the brunt of the blame for the mayhem this weekend in Keene?
- KSC students
- 37%
- KSC administration
- 2%
- Police
- 6%
- Visitors from out of town
- 18%
- A combination of any/all of the above
- 37%
- Total Votes: 2483


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Archive for Peppercomm
The Intern Spotlight: Nicole InserraPosted by: | Comments
In today's post, meet current Peppercomm NYC intern and future industry star, Nicole Inserra.
Tell us about yourself—where did you/do you go to school, where are you from and what brought you to Peppercomm?
I'm a New Yorker, born in Westchester and currently living on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. So, I guess you could say I'm a New Yorker to my core. I recently graduated from Fordham University in the Bronx with a degree in Communications and Media Studies and with a minor in Environmental Policy. There was a time when I thought my future was going to take a more science based path, but then I had to enroll in multi-variable calculus and physics, and that was the end of that. I've completed a variety of communication type internships throughout college, ranging from public relations specific to special event coordinating and luxury wedding planning. Each has been a rewarding internship in its own right, and I've immensely enjoyed the experiences. I decided after college I wanted to try public relations again, and stumbled across Peppercomm through word of mouth. After reading about its comedy training and dog lover theme, I knew it would be the perfect home for me. Alas, here I am!
What area of the industry do you find the most appealing and why?
I love the media relations aspect of this industry. I'm quite a talker, which anyone at this company would attest to, so I really enjoy getting to interact with the reporters and journalists. When a reporter writes back and agrees to cover a story you pitched, it's the best feeling. You can't help but do a little happy dance when that happens. It's also an industry that is continually evolving, which makes it super exciting to be involved. Nothing is ever stagnant or dull in this industry. If I could focus all of my energies on the luxury accounts, I'd definitely be right in my element, but I know how beneficial it is to experience the many different types. You can't know what you like until you try it all.
Any surprises or revelations about your role, the industry or Peppercomm?
Honestly, I was surprised by the environment here at Peppercomm. In the past, I've only worked for very small firms, so the number of co-workers was easily below ten. The atmosphere was always very relaxed and comfortable. I wondered if working at a big time strategic marketing firm would be the complete opposite. I was a little worried, but couldn't believe how wrong I was since day one. Peppercomm is the most creative, fun-loving, interactive and energetic company I've ever worked for. The ideas are constantly flowing, and it is so obvious how much everyone here really enjoys and is passionate about what they do. I've experienced a variety of different companies, and this one by far produces the most well rounded, and happiest employees yet. Most importantly, I've found that my co-workers serve as each other's biggest fans. The encouragement is never ending.
Where do you see yourself going in the industry?
My future is as much a mystery to you as it is to me. I could definitely see myself staying within the public relations realm, but I like to keep my options open. Event planning is my passion deep down, specifically luxury wedding planning, and I do hope to one day find a place in that industry again. I guess only time will tell… Stay tuned!
The Intern Spotlight: Jenna BighamPosted by: | Comments
In today's post, meet current Peppercomm SF intern and future industry star, Jenna Bigham.
Tell us about yourself—where did you/do you go to school, where are you from and what brought you to Peppercomm?
Hey there! My name is Jenna and I am recent graduate of the University of Arizona with a degree in Communication and a minor in Business Administration. During my college years, I was very involved in my university's student government, ASUA, and was involved in countless organizations and positions over the course of four years. I was also heavily involved in our student section for athletic events' committee, ZonaZoo Crew and you could pretty much find me at every Wildcat sporting event that took place (Beardown!). I also was the TOMS Campus Club President for all four years of school, worked the front reception desk for the Pharmacology and Toxicology department of the university, and also worked (well, still work on the weekends) at the clothing store Anthropologie. Over-involved seemed to be the common theme throughout my college years and I could not be more proud to say I am a Wildcat alum now.
I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, but after 22 years of the desert and the longest, scorching summers, I decided to take a chance and move to the Bay Area! I could not be happier here and am constantly finding new and exciting things to do. Moving up here is actually how I discovered Peppercomm – I told one of my Aunt's friends that I had just graduated with a degree in Communication and was looking to break into the wild world of public relations. Turns out, her next door neighbor is Partner and President of the West Coast Peppercomm office, Ann Barlow, and she put me in contact with her to get some tips on breaking into the industry. After learning more and more about the incredible things Peppercomm has accomplished and works on every day, and how awesome their internship program is, I had to get involved. Next thing you know, I was applying for the internship program and the rest is history!
What area of the industry do you find the most appealing and why?
I am so thankful to be working on a myriad of accounts that allows me to learn how each area of PR functions. The area that I definitely enjoy the most is the media relations side. I feel like I have really been able to experience how important it is for PR professionals and journalists to work hand in hand and combine forces to get both of their different (but somewhat similar) jobs done. Public relations, in general, has always appealed to me because I love bridging the gap between business and the media and ultimately working with a client to connect with the public.
Any surprises or revelations about your role, the industry or Peppercomm?
I was totally surprised (and pleased) to find that I was immediately given so much responsibility as an intern. The second I walked in the door on my first day, a media list project was waiting for me and I dove on in. I have heard so many experiences through friends that they feel like they did not learn anything about PR and were treated as more of an office assistant in their previous internships. That has never been the case here at Peppercomm and it's refreshing to be treated like a real team member and be expected handle the responsibility of an entry-level associate. I'll admit, I was a little nervous my first week to be working with such a wide range of clients from financial to legal to non-profit areas of business but it has helped me to become so well-versed in the industry already.
Where do you see yourself going in the industry?
I can definitely see myself working more in the consumer/lifestyle or tech side, just because I feel like that has always been the area of business I have always been passionate about. Down the road, I would love to either work in-house at company or with an agency that specializes in these things. For now, I feel so grateful to have been given the opportunity to constantly explore so many parts of the industry and learn each and every day from the amazing team at Peppercomm.
Your First PlacementPosted by: | Comments
YES — via #iworkinpr
How you feel about the first reporter that took a story you pitched
Four Websites To Help Your CareerPosted by: | Comments
Are you still searching for an internship or job? There are plenty of sites that claim to be the definitive source for that quest, but are they all the best? We've compiled a list of go-to sites for you that we think will help:
LinkedIn is the world's largest professional network with 300 million members in more than 200 countries. You can connect with colleagues, network with potential employers, do research on the industries and companies you may want to approach—joining this site is a no-brainer. And with any interview, you know your potential employer would be searching for your online presence, so having a strong LinkedIn profile can only help with that first impression.
Why bother with other job searching sites when Indeed.com exists? This website combs all job listings. Basically, if the job is posted online, Indeed will find it for you.
It's easy to search, apply for jobs right through the platform and, if you're looking to hire someone, you can easily list, too.
This site currently boasts 140 million unique visitors every month.
This website is a great supplement to LinkedIn and Indeed. With Glassdoor—which is touted as the most "transparent career community"—you have access not only to job postings, but you can look at company reviews, salaries, etc. It's a great resource for your research.
One word of caution, like with other review sites, keep in mind that some may post inaccurate content. If you're a disgruntled employee, you can easily take to Glassdoor to post an anonymous review. On the flip side, perhaps some happy employees may post extremely positive reviews/experiences to combat other reviews. While these could be true, good thing to keep in mind and all the more important to go for informational interviews at any prospective company.
It's no secret that those of us at PRiscope love Twitter. We're all pretty avid tweeters, but you're probably wondering why we think this could be good for your career. Well, we'll tell you:
1) You can do great research on the companies and employers you're targeting. The tone, news and basic content their sharing is a good indication of the company culture.
2) This is a great way to network with different companies and professionals. You can interact with them by replying to tweets, taking part in Twitter chats, etc.
3) You can search for jobs here, too. Use the hashtag #HAPPO (Help a PR Pro Out) as some listings are posted with this.
4) Your own following and the content you share may or may not be impressive to potential employers. Whether you have a slew of journalists following you or you're great at sharing relevant content, this is a talent and will potentially be part of your job in the industry.
So, those are our top sites. Any that you think we're missing?
Starting Your First Entry-Level JobPosted by: | Comments
You've done it. You may have just graduated from college or perhaps finished a post-college internship, but either way, it's your first entry-level job. There are so many factors to consider, many of which we cover in this blog, but wanted to share this great piece from US News & World Report on the 10 things you need to know when beginning that first job.
These are also great tips for those in an internship.
Any other tips you'd add?
The Intern Spotlight: Samantha RushovichPosted by: | Comments
In today's post, meet current Peppercomm NYC intern and future communications star, Samantha Rushovich.
1) Tell us about yourself—where did you/do you go to school, where are you from and what brought you to Peppercomm?
I am a rising senior at Boston University studying public relations at the College of Communications. I'm also minoring in Film & Television and have a concentration in Anthropology . . . so I'm very busy!
I'm originally from Stamford, CT just 45 minutes outside the city. I have lived in the same house my whole life and I love it. I have had dogs since I was about three years old. I am practically dying at school without my pups, but I try to see them when I can. Occasionally my parents will be nice enough to drop off my dog in Boston to stay with me for a weekend before I meet them in Maine (we have a vacation house there). So, yes, I have sleepovers with my dog J.
When beginning my search for summer internships I decided I was going to be ambitious and only apply to the top firms. I knew I wanted to spend the summer in NYC, since it's closer to home than Boston and I was ready for a new city for a bit. I looked up the top 50 PR firms in NYC and then looked through all their websites to see which ones had internship programs. Peppercomm specifically caught my eye because of the emphasis on comedy and work culture. I was learning through my internship in London at the time, that work environment has a huge impact on how enjoyable a job can be. It gave me that extra push to put just a little more effort into my Peppercomm application.
Oh, and Peppercomm is named after a dog, so I can't lie, that definitely impacted my decision to work here.
2) What area of the industry do you find the most appealing and why?
It's hard to say which area of PR I like the most. I've had experience in-house and I have now interned at a couple of agencies and one nonprofit, so my experience has been pretty broad. I definitely see myself going into nonprofit at some point, but I haven't yet decided if I would want to be in-house at a major nonprofit, like the ASPCA, or if I would want to handle nonprofit accounts at a firm. I love the agency life!
I've always been pretty involved in charity and volunteer work. It's mainly my love for animals that has driven me to be as active as I have been in the past. It's one of my strongest passions, so it would be great to combine that with my love for PR.
3) Any surprises or revelations about your role, the industry or Peppercomm?
I never expected to have as much autonomy as I do here at Peppercomm. I'm encouraged to throw ideas out there and to follow them through if my teams agree on it. I never imagined my client teams would value my opinions as much as they do. That experience alone has made this internship one of a kind.
I've also finally seen firsthand how CRAZY life as a PR professional is. My to-do lists are more than a page long before I have even had my coffee. I have had busy internships in the past, but I usually had a supervisor who told me what my priorities should be. However, at Peppercomm I'm on accounts and don't have someone managing my projects for me. It's all on me and I love the busy-ness of it all. I never thought I would feel so ready to enter the workforce, but now I'm eager to graduate and get going with my career!
4) Where do you see yourself going in the industry?
In the short term, I definitely see myself ending up at a mid-size, full-service agency. After graduation that would be ideal! I also could see myself joining one of the major global PR firms at some point.
WAY down the road I hope to open my own agency that specializes in nonprofits. I would like to cater to them based on their budgets and find ways to provide low cost services that are still highly effective. I have a lot to learn before I can start planning that though.
Working for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) would also be a dream come true. I've admired quite a few of their campaigns over the years and am a huge supporter of their cause.
Managing the PR World Without the MajorPosted by: | Comments
Today's guest post is from Meredith Briggs, future PR/communications star and current Peppercomm intern.
For those of you who don't know me, I'm a French and American Studies double major at Trinity College, a small liberal arts school in Hartford, CT. The French major is pretty self-explanatory, but American Studies occasionally throws people off. Most people just assume it's synonymous with American history, but it's much more than that. This major looks at all different aspects of American culture and lifestyle. For example, why we do certain things and what influences us. I have taken classes ranging from "American Technology," to "Female Bodies in 19th Century America," to, my personal favorite, "American Food and Culture." I chose to be an American Studies major because each semester I was drawn to the classes–there is such a wide range of classes to take. But while I do love my majors, for the past couple of years I have been drawn to the fast-paced PR/communications world. So, here I am today, a PR/communications intern who has never taken a class even remotely close to PR, advertising, marketing or journalism.
When I applied for my first PR internship last summer, the only knowledge I really had about the industry was from watching Kim Cattrall's portrayal of Samantha Jones on Sex and the City. I've come to learn is not the most accurate portrayal of the industry, but hey, what else did I have to go on? As soon as I heard that I had landed an interview with a PR firm I had applied to, I immediately called my dad. Of course he was excited and proud and wanted to do whatever he could to help me prepare and succeed. After we hung up my dad emailed me a document full of practice questions and told me to start practicing.
I sat at the desk in my dorm room and opened the document. The first question he listed was bolded with a red asterisk next to it saying "This will, without a doubt, be the first question they ask you." Overwhelmed by the thought that I was too simple and had nothing to offer, I called my dad again. "Already?" he said. I started to hysterically explain to him that I would have nothing to talk about in my interview. My dad then asked, "Well, tell me a little about yourself." I started to give the most basic answers: name, where I was from, school, and majors. Before I could even continue he interrupted me and asked me to explain my majors. After I answered, he asked me to explain why I picked each major. Lastly, he asked me how it applied to the PR world. If he had asked me this right after I had "told him a little about myself," I would have said it doesn't at all. But after having asked me the other two questions, I knew there was connection. After taking a few moments to think, I began rattling off different ways in which my majors actually helped me.
While I may not speak French in the office, having spoken French since 1st grade has provided me with many opportunities that allowed me to expand how I saw and thought of the world. I went to an immersion elementary school where all of my classes were taught in French. In 5th grade I participated in a "Back to Back" program, where at the age of 10 I traveled to Brittany, France, and lived alone with a family for a month and a half. The fall semester of my junior year of college I was again given the opportunity to study abroad in Paris. For four months I studied alongside French students, and explored France, along with other parts of Europe, which allowed me to change how I saw the world. Going to a very small high school, and a fairly small college, I was fairly closed minded to any world outside of what I knew. But exploring different cultures allowed me to not only learn about but actually experience different cultures and understand how and why they do certain things.
As for my American Studies major, it first and foremost gave me a chance to practice writing, which is, as you all know, very important in PR. In the PR industry you have to write a certain way for different people, just as you have to with different professors and different topics. Even at Peppercomm I write pitches one way for a financial services client, and another way for a consumer client, because the people I'm hoping to attract are two very different types of people. My American Studies major has also taught me to think about how to approach a situation or topic from all different aspects. My sophomore year I had to write a seven page paper analyzing a medical advertisement from the 19th century. While at first the task seemed impossible, as the ad was relatively small, I ended up writing more than the seven pages. I analyzed how the characters in the ad were portrayed, from their poses to their clothes, how that reflected the time period, the written text, and who the intended audience was, to name a few. These are all critical thinking skills that the industry uses daily, and I was able to learn them even without the traditional PR major.
When I went in for the interview I was nervous, of course, but had a new confidence I was lacking before. While on paper I may not have seemed like the most ideal candidate for a PR internship, I knew I had something to offer them. I was essentially pitching myself to this company for a summer internship position, just as you all pitch your clients to publications. They may not always be the most obvious choice for the article, but as a PR professional, or in my case a desiring PR professional, it is up to you to highlight all of the possibilities your clients have to offer, instead of any downfalls they may have. Fortunately, my pitch was successful and I was offered the position. My summer internship only reinforced my desire to continue in the PR industry, and taught me (along with my dad) that even though I don't have a PR background, that doesn't put me at a disadvantage for succeeding in the PR world.
The Beginner's Guide to NetworkingPosted by: | Comments
With job searching, finding the job you want is just half the battle. Prospective employees not only need to find the jobs they want to apply to, but it's always helpful to know someone at said company so you can get your foot in the door. But how can you do that? Networking.
Networking is one of the most important items for a person at every level to do. You never know if that could lead to a new job, finding a good employee for your current job or maybe getting a new client. The possibilities are endless, which is also why it's always good to meet new people and make sure you maintain relationships. But, how do you network when you're more entry-level? Where do you go? Here are a few thoughts to get you started:
- Set up informational interviews at companies you may want to work for even if they're not necessarily hiring. This will get you some great face time with the company and potentially allow you to connect with someone at the company.
- Stalk LinkedIn. See who in your network might already work at your dream company. Perhaps you already know someone there from college, or there is a friend that can set you up with an introduction to another friend.
- #HAPPO/Help a PR Pro Out is a great hashtag to search by on Twitter. Sometimes they have online chats and I have gone to a few in-person events, but many companies will tweet out about jobs using this hashtag.
- Go to any and all networking events. These can be a mix of industry events, maybe your college is hosting some, etc. These can be online and in-person, but great to go either way and get your name out there.
So get out there and start networking, it will help you get the job of your dreams (for starters).
PRowl now, PRocrastinate later.Posted by: | Comments
Today's post is by Peppercomm intern, Mandy Roth.
Senioritis symptoms escalate uncontrollably as the familiar aromas of chlorine and sunscreen ally to invade the residence halls. You procrastinate from studying for finals by determining the exact fashion in which you will dispose of the plethora of lecture notes that has accumulated throughout the semester; whether burning, shredding, or ripping will elicit the most satisfaction. It's finally May, and in a few days, the freedom of summer will be upon you; all will be right with the world. Suddenly you're confronted with a petrifying epiphany: your textbook sell back failed to cover your Dave Matthews summer tour ticket and your lifeguard certifications expired months ago. The taste of freedom that has inhabited your mouth since spring break is instantly tainted with the bitter zest of reality. It's not long before you regret the hours you spent perfecting your beer pong form and re-tweeting @UnluckyBrian when you should've been applying for jobs.
"Taking the summer off won't be so bad," you console yourself. "I'll get a 'real' job in the fall anyways." Great pep-talk, except that everyone with previous interning experience is suddenly ahead of you in the job market. "It's ok," you reason, "I've still got a few days before summer vacation. That leaves plenty of time to land an internship before June!" Your confidence is wonderful, but you've failed to consider where you'll be applying and what you're qualified for, let alone the millions of other students who made the same classic error you did.
I was fortunate enough to have been advised by my former boss, "Start your job search in the fall." I'll admit it seemed a bit premature at the time, especially considering that entry-level positions are often looking to be filled ASAP. In any case, I soon realized the brilliance in my boss's advice: I now had the opportunity to familiarize myself with companies and programs to figure out exactly what I wanted and what I had to do to get there. An early start turned out to be especially crucial when I realized that many of the agencies I was interested in happened to be in New York City. Since my graduation date was still but a figment of the future, I was able to visit NYC to determine whether I could in fact call home to the city that never sleeps.
While it might be classy to arrive fashionably late to a party, it's nothing short of dowdy to apply to a job past the deadline. Even if a company notes that they are looking for an immediate hire, it'll never hurt to put your name in the hat. Doing so might open up a door for the future; perhaps the company can't hire you now, but will keep your resume on file for future opportunities. Internships are in high demand, especially in this economy, and the number of intern applicants grows exponentially in the months leading up to summer. Instead of applying at rush hour, give yourself the chance to stand out by applying before the traffic gets too heavy.
Bottom line: a job isn't going to come after you. It all comes down to being proactive, making connections, taking the time to do your research, and ultimately giving yourself the best chance possible. If you take some time throughout the year to break-away from Facebook stalking your Economics TA and research potential job opportunities instead, suddenly your last months of college might bear a rhythm of relaxation rather than a period of panic.


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Players of Brazilian Capoeira, a mixture of dance and martial art inherited from the times of slavery, perform to celebrate the nomination of Capoeira to the list of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage at the Cais do Valongo (Valongo Quay) historical site, where about one million slaves from Africa arrived in the XIX Century, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 26, 2014. AFP PHOTO / YASUYOSHI CHIBAYASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images
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Snowmass Village Condo Rental Photos and Description
Condo, 2 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 2 Baths, (Sleeps 5-7)
This is a wonderful corner unit nestled into the mountain side. The corner location opens up the family room to lots of light with beautiful panoramic views of the Divide. Acquired in August of 2009, the entire unit has been redecorated for 2010 including new carpet, bedding, furniture, art, lighting, small kitchen appliances and home decor. Each year, the unit is inspected pre-season to ensure proper function of all the amenities and replace furnishings when necessary. Fully stocked to make any visitor feel at home, the unit has lots of amenities included to make your vacation easy and relaxing. Cuddle up by the wood-burning fireplace or nestle into a soft corner of the full sofas to read a book. After spending the days out on the slopes or hitting the trails, you can soak your muscles in the hot tub down at the clubhouse or take a dip in the full-sized, heated pool. Equipped with new fridge, stove, microwave, dishwasher, sofas, and large dining table- this unit has everything you need whether you are a large or small group looking to get away. It is so comfortable yet spacious. It even has a designated parking spot to bring the family car. You'll never want to leave Snowmass- especially once you've tucked into this lovely home.
If you have a large party or multiple families, ask about the sister unit. We own another unit in the same building, literally 50 feet away! This unit has tons of charm and comfort... come see for yourself!
Keywords: Condominium
- Suitability:
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters
- non smoking only
- pets not allowed
About Victoria
Hi, my name is Missy Hooper. My husband and I own 5 properties in Snowmass. I love to ski, hike, bike, run, and generally do anything involving the outdoors. That is only part of why Snowmass has such a special place in my life. There is so much to do here and wonderful people with whom to play, grow and learn.
Victoria purchased this condo in 2009
Why Victoria chose Snowmass Village
Snowmass is ideal for families, friends and athletes. It is a town that still has the charm and brotherly kindness you don't find in larger cities. I came here 20 years ago and Snowmass laid it's brand upon my heart. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the world! This unit is my favorite to relax and watch the snow fall out the windows, make a large family meal or warm by the wood-burning fireplace. The views out the windows in the family room are just breath-taking and it's only a short walk to the slopes, the new Clark's market or the Village Center. The bus literally picks up right outside your door and you don't need to wrestle to find a parking spot if you bring a car.
What makes this condo unique
This unit has phenomenal views of the Divide and Eastern ridge. There is no better unit to watch the sun rise in or just relax as the snow falls off your porch. It is spacious enough to allow everyone to stretch out, but cozy and easy to feel at 'home' in. This condo has excellent proximity to the free shuttle route and is only a 4-5 min walk to the Assay Hill lifts. Whether relaxation or ripping up the runs are in your plans- you can do it all from here!


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Evening Post (Newspaper) - September 23, 1812, London, Middlesex The Evening From Taefday September to Thurfday September U A G V Et bj tbe Earl of Albemtrle to tie States of aU tba paflid in tbf Intrentbments at that PoB rvts attacked by tbe Enemys Army under tbt of M arjod Villirs i be HE of Allies having de the 2dth of from the Camp at Anchin and and having paffed the Scbelde atNcufville encampd with theRight Wing at and the Leftat having the Scbelde before them and the Selle The Earl of rare thePaffage of the td cover the Bridjgeof The one oft66 tfas taken to great to be made ufe i munication over tbeSaihtiWsnd below in order to the Prince of Savoy pafied the JtfciiOpi wjtlr and all the foreign and caosasiem to the Right Wing at Left near Efcailloii and ttie fecpnd The Denain and wis Imperial and Palatine the was detached at the fame Time with ij Bat taHipns and 30 to takePoft at Denain on the Frintcof to fecure the Communication with to hinderJthp whence we were to draw Ammunition and Provifions he fet Men to work the fame Day on an Intrenchment for the fafe encamping of his Troops j the reached to the old Line which the Epejny had made from tbe Scarpe to the Schelde after the Battle of Malplacplerj and the Left to the Scbelde the Generals Cpofrng Quar ters in the Abbey and Villageof DenJfii the neceflary Pdfts every where were taken Poffeffioh and all Pre cautions were ufed for the Security of this The Saxon to the Number of 6 BattaHions 12 marching from the to tbe great immediately by others In the mean while my Lord Albemarle caufed Men to work hardon a double Line of which extended crofs the Plain of Denain to the Abbey of Thefe Lines were 2 Leagues and a half in and defended at proper Diftances by Redoubts and to fecure thePaffage of Convoys which were to goto to oppofe the Parties and Enterprizes of the my Lord Albemarle detachM Brigadier Berkhoffer with the Regiments of the hereditary Prince of and the 3 Squadrons of to guard the Boats with Artillery and whjch was before at Marchiennes remaind and ray Lord Al bemarle causd the infantry to encamp in the Intrench roent near the Abbey to cover the Boats againft any Hidden Attempt of the The yth of June the Army of the AUiesencampM between the Sefle and the Rivulet Efcaiflotv the Right Wing within a League of and the Left at Ghateaa to cover the Siege of Quenoy 5 ani then the forefaid Troops fcrved to guard to the Siege all the Cpnr voysof Ammunition and That Siege being it was refolved to undertake that of but the Armies being then lorpafs tbe an In trenchmeot was tbe 8th of for covering the Bridges at Denain againft the Infuits of the That Jntrenchment was guarded by the Regiment of tbe 1 ril A n f by that Side the Body of Troops great The lajne Daythe Princejpf tacbd with 30 BattallibHs and 40 Squadrp Landrecy And as amroiig them fomeof the Eatl pf Albemarle marcbd that ly fnppryd fo the Body at Dena loBattallions and 23 which the from Left to the ry andnnrantry Tbe the Enemys Army pafsd low after haying drawn t Troops from a Senfet They encajnpa and tlie Right at would offer Battle WhereBpon thi his Army under and ordered my to hold himfelf ready to march With hU fliould be And the the towards the great Army Albemarie again to JiiaTOhat 3S lift fTid to do it but at the behind the the RigTit at agahiftlhe Prince of a Uae tobe ma of tbcov atd pareferve the Cdmmunication with the UA r Which being that the Pontons of Che the were not he make a BrI3geof Timbers penters were 600 Men to This Work went oti Jntrenchment was guarded by the Regimenfof tbe here This Work went Jilt the ditary Prince of which encampM there in Bridge would have been d had i r n ne anrl it cnuld notbe finifnd becsofertpe 3 At the fame Time a new Line of Comma1 nicauonwas begun towards to re tackd us 5 and it could not be finilhd River was the Brea4th ef and
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