DON’T KNOW JACK: INTERVIEW WITH DIANE CAPRI

Today, I’m delighted to introduce my friend and fellow WANA1011 member, Diane Capri.

 Diane Capri is the bestselling author of six prior novels and a recovering lawyer. Diane says she writes mystery and suspense for the same reason she reads: to have fun, find out what happens, why people do what they do and to restore order to an unjust world. Diane’s readers say her books emphasize wry humor and everywoman’s inherent strength and self-reliance. Diane’s books are translated in multiple languages. She and her husband are snowbirds who divide their time between Michigan and Florida.

An active member of Mystery Writers of America, Author’s Guild, International Thriller Writers, and Sisters in Crime, she loves to hear from readers and is hard at work on her next novel. Connect with her on the web: http://DianeCapri.com

Along with her latest novel You Don’t Know Jack, Diane has four Judge Wilhelmina Carson Cases, and two Jennifer Lane Cases. They are all now available as e-books on Amazon Kindle. Buy or Download a Sample Today!

Don’t Know Jack: Behind the Book

The Hunt For Reacher

Begins now: Don’t Know Jack

Here’s the setup:

                       

Don’t Know Jack (The Hunt for Reacher series #1)

It’s been a while since we first met Lee Child’s Jack Reacher in Killing Floor. Fifteen years and sixteen novels later, Reacher still lives off the grid, until trouble finds him, and then he does whatever it takes, much to the delight of readers and the dismay of villains. Now someone big is looking for him. Who? And why? Hunting Jack Reacher is a dangerous business, as FBI Special Agents Kim Otto and Carlos Gaspar are about to find out. Otto and Gaspar are by-the-book hunters who know when to break the rules, but they Don’t Know Jack. Reacher is a stone cold killer. Is he their friend or their enemy? Only the secrets hidden in Margrave, Georgia will tell them.

Click here to: Buy or Sample Don’t Know Jack Now!

Behind the Book (in Diane’s words):

Readers ask me where I get my ideas. I usually tease, “I order them from ideas.com.” The truth is I don’t always know. Ideas spark, kindle my interest and sometimes explode into a novel or a series of novels. But in the case of Don’t Know Jack, I do remember the moment.

A couple of years ago, I was chatting with Lee Child at a book event in New York about his iconic character.

“Where is Reacher hiding?” I asked.
“Reacher doesn’t hide,” Lee said. Maybe a little huffily?

Lee’s a lot bigger than me. And he writes violence like a man with experience. I’ve always thought him a gentle giant, but …. I backpeddaled a bit.

“Right. But where does Reacher live?”
“Wherever he wants,” the tall guy said. I thought I dectected a slight challenge in his tone.

I backed out of arms’ reach before I pressed on. “He waits until trouble finds him and then he wipes the floor with the bad guys. Perfect. But what’s he doing between books?”

Lee shrugged, said nothing.

Tenaciously, I tried again.

“Reacher’s killed a lot of people by now. Sixteen books. A lot of bodies. Surely someone wants payback, don’t you think?”

Lee leveled the patented Reacher stare. “Who in his right mind would go looking for Reacher? You?”

Right. Only an idiot with a death wish — or an FBI agent who knows nothing about Reacher’s, er, talents — would undertake such a foolhardy quest. Even then, she wouldn’t do it if she had a choice.

But matching wits with Jack Reacher, now that would be interesting, I thought, even though it could very well be deadly. Then again, the bigger they are the harder they fall. Whoever takes Reacher down will become a legend in some circles.

What if a determined, ambitious woman …..

That’s the backdrop behind Don’t Know Jack, Diane’s  new Kindle suspense novel. (That’s right. Don’t Know Jack is only available as a Kindle eBook for $5.99. Don’t have a Kindle? No problem. You can read Don’t Know Jack on any device or computer. Instructions HERE.)

Click here to: Buy or Sample Don’t Know Jack Now!

The following is the interview I had with Diane about herself, her writing life and her new novel:

SHARON:     Diane, Thanks so much for agreeing to this interview. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself.

DIANE CAPRI: I’ve always been a writer. I’ve also worked as a lawyer, law professor, teacher, consultant, green onion stripper, and for one summer, I filled cones with soft-serve ice cream for tourists who didn’t mind eating amid the aroma of horse manure.

SHARON:     What inspired you to write your novels?

DIANE CAPRI: Initially, I challenged myself to complete Carly’s Conspiracy in the style of stories I most loved to read. I’d been through Travis McGee’s adventures a dozen times, never tiring of his exploits. By the time I started the work that would become my first novel, I’d moved to Florida and adored everything about the Sunshine State. So I wrote five suspenseful Florida mysteries. Rather than a strapping, muscular boat-bum like McGee, the heroes are Wilhelmina Carson and Jennifer Lane, women lawyers who deliver true justice along with a splash of humor. The books quickly found a publisher, an audience, and acclaim as well, so I was lucky — and grateful that readers enjoyed the books. Connecting with readers is one of the best feelings on earth.

SHARON:     Tell us a little bit about your book.

DIANE CAPRI: Lawyers are joiners by nature, so when I began writing fiction, I joined Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Romance Writers of America, and other writing organizations. Those relationships led to an invitation to join International Thriller Writers at its inception and shortly thereafter, an invitation to run for election as a member of the board along with my friend, the #1 International Bestselling Author, Lee Child.

At a book event in New York in 2009, Lee and I discussed a question that had been bugging me about Lee’s iconic character: Where exactly was Jack Reacher? We see Reacher in each book where trouble finds him, but what about between those exploits? Surely someone must want to find him? That conversation inspired me to write a series of suspense novels answering the inquiry. The first of those novels is Don’t Know Jack, introducing FBI Special Agents Kim Otto and Carlos Gaspar.

SHARON:     Who are your main characters? What are their goals? What are their conflicts?

DIANE CAPRI: FBI Special Agents Kim Otto and Carlos Gaspar are partnered for the first time in Don’t Know Jack. Reacher’s being considered for a special project. Otto and Gaspar are tasked with completing Reacher’s background check, ordered to learn everything he’s done since he left the army. They start in Margrave, Georgia, the setting for Reacher’s first appearance fifteen years ago in Lee Child’s debut novel, The Killing Floor. Reacher’s dangerous and no one who knew him then is willing to talk. But why?

SHARON:     Where can we buy your book?

DIANE CAPRI: Don’t Know Jack is available exclusively as a Kindle e-book, available from Amazon.

SHARON:     What are you working on now?

DIANE CAPRI: Book #2 in the Hunt for Reacher series, tentatively titled Get Jack Back.

SHARON:     What do you consider the genre for your book?

DIANE CAPRI: Good question! I’d call it suspense, with a twist of thriller and mystery.

SHARON:     Who are your favorite writers?

DIANE CAPRI: Besides Lee Child? Oh, my God. (laughs) That list would take a lot more room than you’ve got here!

SHARON:     f you weren’t a writer, what would be your dream job?

DIANE CAPRI: Writing is my dream job. Always has been. But I guess I might enjoy wine tasting. On the beach. With chocolate. (laughs)

SHARON:     Are the locations you use as settings in your works ones where you have lived or visited?

DIANE CAPRI: I’ve at least visited the places I write about. I’ve traveled quite a bit over the years, so I don’t get stuck in too many location ruts, thankfully. If I need more information about certain settings, I usually ask a local to help me. It’s important to get the details right, especially when I add the fictional elements to an existing setting. I love it when readers try to find the places I make up!

SHARON:     Do you pay much attention to reviews, reader feedback or critique of your book? How does it affect your writing?

DIANE CAPRI: I love reader feedback. It’s invaluable to me because I write for readers. I want them to have a great experience with the book.  Reviews are important, but professional reviewers generally have a different agenda from readers. Professional reviewers aren’t reading for pure pleasure, and that makes all the difference. As for critiques, I seriously consider all of those, too. I make every possible effort to get things right and if I haven’t, I want to fix that. Every time.

SHARON:     Describe your usual work environment (home, café, library?)

DIANE CAPRI: Years and years of lawyering have led me to be most comfortable at a desk, working in total silence. Just me and the computer and the work. No distractions.

SHARON:     Do you listen to music when you write? Name your favorite type of music and performers.

DIANE CAPRI: I love music, but music serves me best when I’m not writing. I’m a fan of most genres.

SHARON:     In addition to writing, do you have another career?  What is that?

DIANE CAPRI: No, thank God! Writing takes all my energy. The biggest problem I have with my career is not enough time to write!

SHARON:     If (when) you become a best selling writer, with what groups and organizations will you share your windfall?

 DIANE CAPRI: There are too many philanthropic activities worthy of our support. But literacy is my first love and first priority. Adult literacy should be paramount. Reading can save your life. Literally, as in reading the directions on poisons or medicines. Figuratively, as in fiction that transports us to another world when we find the one we live in lacking. Economically, because no job on the planet can be done effectively without reading comprehension. Resources abound to improve childhood literacy. But adults need more immediate help.

SHARON:     When you think of your audience/readers, what effect do you hope your book has on them when they’ve finished reading it?

DIANE CAPRI: Through my stories, I hope readers are entertained. I hope they’re inspired to realize the power they already have to achieve whatever they’re inspired to do. I hope they are reminded that all problems can be solved with creativity and humor and persistence. I hope they see themselves as heroes of their own lives, because that’s how I see them!

SHARON:  Thank you so much for visiting here today. I look forward to reading all your books.

Thanks to The BIG Exciting WANA1011 Blog Fest

Wow!!

Never thought I’d be pulling out the piece of paper to thank everyone as I accept my award.

But …

This morning I clicked on Ginger Calem’s blog titled The BIG Exciting WANA 1011 Blog Fest –and there my was my name: As one of the winners of the Liebster Award.

Thanks Ginger. And thanks to all the WANA 1011 tribe.

A little background on this. As Ginger so eloquently explained:

First, you might not know what ‘wana1011’ stands for so let me clarify. A group of 100 writers took a blogging/branding online workshop with the social media Goddess herself, Kristen Lamb. The class is based on her book We Are Not Alone (wana) and we were the class from October (10) 20(11). There is also a wana711 class and one that just started, wana112. We are ALL in this together! How about a group hug!

Since taking this amazing class, we have all seen such great success in our blogs and have made amazing connections in the exciting world of social media.

To spread the blog love collectively to fellow wana1011 classmates, Ginger and four of her friends (also WANA1011 members), Karen McFarland, Fabio Bueno, Louise Behiel, and Jansen Schmidt, cooked up this blog fest to pass along the following great awards.

One is the Liebster Award (see above), the other is the Versatile Blogger Award.

Please go to Ginger’s, Karen’s, Fabio’s, Louise’s and Jansen’s sites to see other award winners and the  7 facts about those writers that you might not already know.

As with any award, there are attached responsibilities. In this case winners link back to the wonderful person who awarded you the blog.

Thanks again Ginger.

Then you get to share 7 random facts about yourself.  I know you can’t wait to hear all about me.

1. I had to climb a tree and crawl through my dorm room during college when I missed curfew and the doors were locked.

2. I won the Betty Crocker Award in high school. Anyone familiar with my cooking and housekeeping skills will be shocked by that one.

3. I was a majorette (twirling that baton) with my high school marching band. I also played french horn–not so skilled in that area. At a concert competition, the band director told me to fake it–don’t play it.

4. I sang with a girl’s quartet in high school–The Donnells. I also briefly shared a mike (on separate occasions) with Deana Carter and Jessica Simpson. Scout’s honor, it’s true.

5. I hiked up the slippery slope of a MOUNTAIN (others called it a hill but I know it was thousands of feet high) to a waterfall in Kauai.

6. Among my favorite cars is a Karmen Gia (Spiffy), an 89 Volvo (Valerie) and a Volkswagen Jetta (Gretta). All those cars make it into my novels.

7. I played Asheron’s Call and World of Warcraft (multiplayer, online, fantasy computer games). It was all research for my novel Thicker Than Water (Brands Crossing Series). But I was no slouch with a sword, I’m telling you.

Then, the best part is that you have the fantastic opportunity to pay it forward and pass along your award to other WANA 1011 bloggers you would like to recognize. So now, I would like to award the Liebster Blog to:

Diane Capri has published several books including Carly’s Conspiracy (Judge Wilhelmina Carson Cases) which has made several best seller lists. Thanks also for suggesting I join KDP Select.

Debra Eve published Late Bloomers: 35 Folks Over Age 35 Who Found Their Passion and Purpose. Debra was the one of the first in our group to try out KDP Select and showed the rest of use the way. Thanks Debra.

August M McLaughlin  has completed two novels: In her Shadow and Beauty Complex. Thanks August for all your supportive comments on my blog.

Here you go ladies. Display it with pride.

The best part is that you now have the fantastic opportunity to pay it forward and pass along your award to other bloggers you  want to recognize.

Remember all the responsibilities I mentioned above in the blog.

Once again, thanks to all the WANA 1011s who have made such a difference in my writing life and thanks to Kristen for showing us the way.

Don’t forget to visit Ginger Calem, Karen McFarland, Fabio Bueno, Louise Behiel, and Jansen Schmidt‘s blogs today to see who they bestowed their awards to.

It’s a BlogFest after all. Let’s all celebrate together!!

Ebook Promotions

Hi everyone,

I’m still excited about all the promotion hype on my book Thicker Than Water (Brands Crossing Series). Today I’m doing an interview on Ann Montclair’s blog. I hope you will hop over there and see it. All comments will be appreciated. Through January 5th you can download a FREE copy of the Ebook version of my book at Amazon.

I really am excited about being a part of KDP Select and I’m grateful to my friend Diane Capri for steering me in that direction.

Today, January 3, is the last day you can download a FREE copy of Diane’s bestselling novel, “Carly’s Conspiracy.” An Amazon bestseller and reader favorite, this is the first in the acclaimed Judge Willa Carson mystery series.The book is clean, witty, and a great read. Loads of Florida atmosphere to get you through the January cold! You can download your copy here until midnight tonight:
http://www.amazon.com/Carlys-Conspiracy-Carson-Wilhelmina-ebook/dp/B005E8YSB 0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-ext&ie=UTF8&qid=1325595340&sr=1-1
One last reminder:

My online class Simply Creating Fictional Characters begins on February 1st. You can find more information by clicking on the Classes tab at my website http://sharonkowen.com. Hope to see you there in February.

CHASING MY OWN 15 MINUTES OF FAME

Thanks to Diane Capri and Debra Eve for helping me make the decision to go with KDP select.

Now, my book Thicker Than Water (Brands Crossing Series) has been listed on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords since July and has really generated few sales.

Based on my friends’ experiences, I temporarily unpublished my book on Smashwords and signed up for KDP select on Janurary 1st. I also chose to  participate in the 5 day promotion offering my book free during those days.  According to the report today and 13 copies free copies have been “sold” and four paperback books have sold since I signed up. Not bad for the first day. And that is nothing compared to Diane’s and Eve’s experiences. See below:

Diane:

Okay, folks — this is AMAZING, and I owe it all to Debra Eve (for the idea) and to all of you for the support! So here’s the amazing thing: Carly’s Conspiracy has been free on Amazon for 14 hours. It’s already #19 PAID in the Kindle store and #559 in the FREE store. Now, I don’t have a clue how many copies “sold” that actually is, but it’s very cool to see this after it’s been languishing there for 4 months! Woo Hooo! You guys are GREAT!!

Eve:

For three days last week I was on four Amazon Kindle best seller lists. Over 900 people downloaded Later Bloomers: 35 Folks Over Age 35 Who Found Their Passion And Purpose.

See Eve’s full story at http://www.laterbloomer.com/15-minutes-of-amazon-fame 

So, folks, feel free to download a free book of Thicker Than Water (Brands Crossing Series) for the next 4 days. At the end of that time it will sell for $2.99 for the rest of January and February while my blog book tour is in progress.

After reading Eve’s and Diane’s stories, have any of you changed your mind about signing up for the 90 days with KDP select?