Please welcome C.J. Carson author of Murderous Envy
Murderous Envy
by C.J. Carson
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GENRE: Paranormal Mystery
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INTERVIEW:
1. What or who inspired you to start writing?
A young man named Eric Dawalga inspired me to begin writing again after a long hiatus by getting me involved in writing screenplays for some 48-hour film festivals. This first trilogy, The Veils of Parallel Times, was initially written as a screenplay for a pilot to film someday.
2. How did you come up with your idea for your novel?
It was my many life experiences and travels that inspired me to write this trilogy. To be perfectly honest, sometimes, when I review what I have written, I can't explain where some of it comes from. I think now I truly understand what writers mean when they say they have a muse.
3. As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?
I do have future plans for my writing. First, I will complete the trilogy of The Veils of Parallel Times. The three titles are “Murderous Envy” (released), “Murderous Interruptions” (August 2021 release), and “Murderous Karma” (December 2021 release). These books explore Allies' Native American ancestry on her father's side of her family. Going forward, I plan to explore her ancestry on her mother's side, which is Celtic.
4. If you could be one of the characters from this book, who would it be and why?
To be truthful there is a little bit of me each of my characters. Each character, resembles me in different times of my life. Honestly, I think it would be the most fun to Claudia. She funny, honest, strong and has always known who she was and what she wanted out of life.
5. Can you give us a sneak peek into this book?
[Excerpt]
THE STREETS WERE SILENT AND DARKas I pulled up to the front of the office building at ten fifty-five and parked. Leaving my car, I approached the building and unlocked the front door. Entering the lobby, I proceeded down the dark hallways, lit only by random floor lighting. Getting to my office suite, I opened the door, walked through my assistant’s adjoining office, and into my office. At my desk, I flipped on the desk lamp. I took my dinner out of the brown sack and placed it on the side desk. Once I settled in with my dinner and laptop, I began writing my summary for tomorrow morning’s meeting.
I took the first bite of my sandwich. Oh, yes, this is home to me, I thought, as memories of visits to George’s little shop and those precious moments, sitting across from my grandfather, in our favorite booth, drawing on the back of a paper placemat, eating French fries, and drinking chocolate milk came flooding back to me. In my mind’s eye, I saw his soft approving smile. I remembered the way he could make me giggle. Sometimes, he would say the most profound things to me, knowing I would only understand what he meant when I was grown and had experienced life with all its trials and tribulations.
Not long before my grandfather’s passing, he looked deep into my eyes and said, “Someday, I will be one with the earth again, but I will be all around you in the breeze, watching and guiding you with the eagles and our ancestors. I know, at this young age, these words are lost in translation, my little bird, but I am conversing with your spirit and it will teach you this in time. The key to your spirit is locked in your heart where your gifts reside.”
The buzzing of my cell phone pulled me back to reality. I picked it up and read a text from a number I didn’t recognize.
How are you?
Needing to get to work, I ignored it.
A few seconds later, it buzzed again.
I said, how are you?
Getting annoyed, I blurted, “What the hell?”
It buzzed again.
I said how are you, bitch? You look a little tired to me.
Then, it rang.
Annoyed, I answered it. “Who is this?”
There was no answer, but heavy, angry breathing. Then, silence.
As I got up from my desk to move to the office door, I heard the breathing again, but it was not just coming from the phone. It echoed from my assistant’s adjoining office.
In a split second, panic like I’d never known lodged in my throat.
6. Do you belong to a critique group? If so, how does this help or hinder your writing?
I actually belong to a group called “The Carolina Forest Authors Club. We are an eclectic group of writers. Some of us are seasoned and while others are new to writing. Some are published by publishing houses, while others are self-published. The genres we write in are also diverse. Some write murder mysteries, some young adult fantasy, and other children’s books. One writes family stories and romance, while another writes erotica, and the list goes on and on.
This wonderful group of people has been invaluable to me. We beta read for each other and give supportive and valuable feedback. The support of this group helped take me from a person who loves to write stories to a published writer.
7. When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?
I have always enjoyed writing, but it wasn’t until I began to meet with and become inspired by a group of writers from “The Carolina Forest Authors Club” that I realized that my dream of publishing my work could be possible. They have been highly supportive as I take this journey.
8. What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)
The best advice I have ever received is regarding marketing. It is very satisfying to put pen to paper and create worlds and characters, bringing it all to life, but if you want to share it with the world, marketing is as important as writing when you want to publish a book. You can be a great writer, but good marketing is what helps you share it and get into people’s hands.
The worst advice I have ever received is a more complex question. I guess there are a lot of opinions out there. Not every book is for everyone. So the only advice I have about bad advice is to trust your instincts. If you get negative feedback, go at it honestly. Look at it objectively and try to take the emotion out. If you do that, you will find some things constructive and can learn from them, but take what you need and leave the rest.
9. Do you outline your books or just start writing?
Well, I’ve been told I am a bit of a panster. I know where I want to achieve in my story telling, I know where I want to begin and end, but I let the story unfold as I write it.
10. How do you maintain your creativity?
To remain creative, I read and listen to lots of books. I love a good movie or series, and I am always observing people and situations. I like to sit in a restaurant or public place and choose someone or a couple out of the crowd. I then try to imagine a whole story about their life based on what I visibly see them doing, how they carry themselves, or how they are dressed. It’s fun and can be pretty effective in getting your creative juices going.
BLURB:
Allie Callahan had her whole life mapped out - run her family's marketing firm, make her first million, and get that next big contract. Destiny had another plan. After a catastrophic event forces her to rethink her life's path, Allie discovers that the heritage she's tried so hard to deny is about to lead her in an entirely new direction.
Unable to ignore her grandfather's Native American heritage, Allie embarks on a journey that will test her fortitude, strength, and courage, but it will also bring her the one thing she never dreamed possible - Love.
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EXCERPT:
HOURS WENT BY, THOUGH I COULDN’T be clear how many. I awoke from a dream where I was reliving my attack. Panic swelled in every cell of my body. Disoriented and completely confused; where was I? What had happened to me? Soft lambskin wraps restrained my wrists, with an IV in the back of my hand. My body hurt all over and my left eye was swollen shut.
A gentle hand touched mine. I opened my eyes to a small girl, wearing a hospital gown, gazing at me through the bed rails. The warmth of her smile gave me a sense of calmness. That’s when I realized I was in the hospital.
A matronly nurse with a heavy Southern accent stole my attention from the little girl.
“It’s okay, child, you’re in the hospital. There has been an accident. Please try to stay calm. Let me take off these wrist restraints. I’m so sorry we had to put them on, but you were thrashing so much during the night we thought you might hurt yourself or pull out your IV.”
The feeling of desperation overwhelmed me. “Where am I? What’s happening?”
She caressed my face, bringing my gaze to her. “My name is Laura and you’re safe. You’re going to be okay. You had an accident, so to speak, and you’re in the hospital.
“The hospital? What kind of accident?”
“Look, honey, try to stay calm. You had a rough night. Doctor Kennedy will be in shortly to see you.”
My throat felt raw and I could hardly speak. “Where is the little girl?”
“What little girl?”
I pointed to the side of my bed where the child had been standing less than a minute before. “She was right there!”
“Honey, I didn’t see any child. The children’s ward is on another floor.”
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
From a very early age CJ Carson has been inspired by a great story, but what has brought her to this juncture in her life and inspired her to put pen to paper are the many rich experiences and opportunities her life has put in her path.
Her love of learning and new adventures has afforded her opportunities to reinvent herself many times over.
While working in the medical field she became a licensed massage therapist, attending a number of classes to learn energy work. She then went on to become a Polarity Therapist and Reiki Therapist.
As an artist, she has explored many modalities that have taken her on many a journey.
Her acting has brought her into the world of theatre both on the stage and behind the scenes.
Painting introduced her to a group of artists that shared her passion of bringing a scene to canvas.
Her love of singing afforded her the opportunity to travel twice to Europe as a soloist with conductor Sonja Dahlgren Prior and a chorus out of Boston. Sonja, affectionately known as Sunny, inspired her to do something, she never dreamed possible.
But something CJ Carson has always wanted to do is write. As a young student in high school, she had a teacher who implored her to pursue a writing career, but life had other plans for her first.
Now she is finally introducing to the world her first published work, "Murderous Envy" from her trilogy, Veils of Parallel Times.
https://www.cjcarsonauthor.com/
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIZVHdD5tBSC-J_7DSpZ4VA
https://www.amazon.com/Murderous-Envy-C-J-Carson/dp/1954356005
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
CJ Carson will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter..
RAFFLECOPTER:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f3734
