Silenced Cry, the first in a series of crime/mystery novels, was internationally released in April 2007, by BeWrite Books (UK). An August virtual book tour will give readers further insight into the book and the author. The tour will kick off on Monday, July 30, at 7:30 p.m. EST with a talk on the Internet Voice Radio. Other planned virtual events throughout August include guest blogs, interviews with the author and special guest, plus a chat session.

Events details and links are available on http://booktour.com/author/marta_stephens#top. Some topics are still pending. I look forward your comments on the blogs and hope you can join in on the chat! Additional information will also be posted on my website, www.martastephens-author.com. Please feel free to post these links on your sites.

Marta Stephens
Author of Silenced Cry

My bookshelves are stuffed with guides on everything from how to structure a sentence to how to find publishers and agents. I must admit though, my first source of information these days is the Internet and because it’s so readily available, I tend to take it for granted. It’s only when I lose my connection that I get a full dose of reality and find how completely isolated I could be from the rest of the writing world!

Realistically, the Internet hasn’t been around that long, but it certainly hasn’t taken long for it to become an intricate part of the way I do business. In this fast-pace, gotta have it done right now life style, everything is a mouse click away. The greatest thing for me though has been meeting others from around the world with an equal passion for writing. The downfall; over-abundance of information. There’s a multitude of resources, on-line workshops, forums, and watchdog sites readily available. So the question is, where do you start and what/who do you trust?

I’m grateful that I didn’t have to go at this writing thing alone. When you’re new to the business like me, making the right decision is as risky as flipping a coin. So much of it is still a guessing game, but at least I've found comfort in learning from those who have succeeded before me – which I wouldn’t have met without the Internet.

I’m working on my second book but I'm also neck deep in marketing and promoting Silenced Cry. As I continue to look for contacts and reviewers, I'm grateful for the ease with which I'm able to find privately owned mystery bookstores throughout the US and other countries who might be interested in selling Silenced Cry. Last night I Googled my name and Silenced Cry again to see how many more links popped up since this past week’s networking effort. It’s mind-boggling. I even found the link to one reviewer who has my book on her list of reads. I least I know she received it. The wait begins.

In pre-web days, I imagine success would have been measured by how many local bookstores and libraries carried an author’s book. Then as now, placement of a book in a shop doesn’t guarantee that it will sell, however, with global exposure a few more books are bound to sell, right? I was doing my routine check last night and discovered that in addition to all the Amazons (US, UK, Germany, France, Canada, China, Japan) and other locations listed on my website, www.martastephens-author.com, Silenced Cry is also available at the following on-line shops.

http://www.booksamillion.com/ncom/books?id=3788506894645&isbn=1905202725

http://www.powells.com/biblio/61-9781905202720-2

http://www.1bookstreet.com/1905202725/Silenced_Cry_Sam_Harper_Crime_Mystery.html

B&N on-line bookstore has Silenced Cry listed but it’s not available there … yet. I suspect the sales generated by our on-campus B&N has prompted their main computer to list it—ain’t life grand?

Earlier this week, I checked my server report and the number of hits my website received since I launched it on March 12. At last count, it’s been viewed by people in over 20 countries—some I can identify, others I can’t.

So my final word on all of this is network, network, and oh, yeah, network!

Marta Stephens

"Silenced Cry leads you by the hairs on the back of your neck through a chilling case, fraught with twists and long-buried secrets, and finishes you off with a sucker-punch to the gut. Stephens' debut novel is a strong start to a series worth watching. More Detective Sam Harper, please!"
-- S. W. Vaughn, Author of Broken Angel

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"... Talented author Marta Stephens opens a door into the darker side of society and human nature that will make the reader consider how much life is wasted here, how much hope is lost. You'll wonder that anyone survives in this world. Sit in with interviews of witnesses and learn the story of the lost baby. You'll want to cry. A tale that could be taken from the news, this is a book you will remember and look for other tales by this creative author. A realistic cast of characters lead us step by step into the past, into the darkness of the human soul. The twisting trail has a surprise at the end for the reader. Enjoy. I did."
-- Anne K. Edwards, Author of Death on Delivery

* * *

"Detective Sam Harper is one mean SOB. Marta Stephen’s newest novel Silenced Cry introduces the world to Sam Harper, narcotics detective and his partner Gillies. The death of his partner sets Harper on a cold case file of a murdered infant. The cold case opens up lines of deceit to the top of the force and city hall. Murders, rape and fratricide all lead to one exciting conclusion. Readers of Sue Grafton and James Patterson have a new cop to add to their bookshelves. Fast paced and full of more twists and turns than a new rollercoaster… I now have a new favorite ride."
-- Jake George, Senior Editor, Virtual Tales. Author of Grandfather’s Song and A New Dawn

Q: What is your routine when working on a book?

A: It depends largely on where I’m at in my writing. Before I write that first word and after I get a general idea of the story line, I research – a lot. I write crime mystery/suspense, so my research might involve everything from autopsy procedures and the rate of putrefaction to religion and weather patterns. However, research is on-going so I can’t say that I spend “x” number of hours on it before I move on. Once I get a general idea of the plot and the sequence of events, I start typing. On average, I work on my writing 3-4 hours in the evenings. Weekends are different. I’m a morning person so my favorite thing to do is get up early (somewhere between six and seven), put on a pot of coffee, take the dogs out, and then start to work. If I hit a snag, I walk away from it. The story is always in the back of my mind and often the change in activity helps to renew the thought process.

Q: Do you ever show people your WIP?

A: Absolutely. It’s critical for me to get feedback. My books have multiple sub plots and complex story lines. I couldn’t do it without the help of a fresh pair of eyes to tell me if I’ve left holes in the plot. This is especially true when I reach certain critical points in the story. Silenced Cry went through a full critique by five members of my critique group and an untold number of selfless family members and friends. Weeks before I sent the manuscript to my editor, a friend of mine who also writes crime mysteries caught an oversight that I and everyone else missed. In addition to belonging to a critique group, Deadly Prose, I have been very fortunate to meet a great group of authors whose opinions I trust and value. We help each other informally at every stage of our writing and frankly, writing wouldn’t be nearly as much fun or fulfilling without someone to share in the process.

Q: Do you listen to music when you work?

A: I listen to music when I’m not in the critical thinking stage. I find it relaxes me when I’m making corrections to the text, reading/research, that type of thing. When I’m working through a scene, I can handle some level of noise, but not music. It’s too distracting. Having said that, however, music does influence the mood of my writing.

Q: Who has influenced your writing the most?

A: For me it’s not so much who but what. I grew up with Agatha Christi and Alfred Hitchcock books. I love stories with suspenseful twists and turn; the kind that you have to work at to figure out “who dunit” as you race against time. I especially enjoy stories with surprise ending that take your breath away -- the endings I don’t expect. Those are the types of books I enjoy reading and I’ve tried to emulate that in my own writing.

Q: Have you always wanted to be an author?

A: Never thought about it until the winter of 2004. I have a degree in journalism and I’ve written numerous newsletters and other professional pieces that were work-related but never thought I had what it took to write anything anyone would want to read. I stumbled onto it. I was encouraged by the reactions I received from others who read my early works and continued to work on it. I believe that all things happen for a reason though, so I’m sure it was in the works -- I just didn’t know it.

Q: How do you write, free-thought, or from an outline?

A: I begin by writing a brief synopsis of the storyline to get a general idea of the plot. I make a list of the characters, write brief bios, and one page of background information about each primary characters, both protagonists and antagonists. This helps me to understand who they are and what motivates their actions/thoughts. I’m always amazed at the things that my characters reveal during this process. The next step for me is to make a list of each chapter with a one or two line description of what happens in each. I have to “see” the events unfold. This list also gives me a visual of the timeline and lets me know at a glance if the chapters are out of order. I've also created flow charts showing the connection between character and the critical information that each contributes to the plot. All of this, of course, is subject to change. Outlines or whatever other method an author uses to organize his or her thoughts should only be used as road maps. It has to be flexible enough to allow for changes as they develop.

Q: Where can we find your work and what are you working on now?

A: My publisher is Bewrite Books www.bewrite.net. They published a few of my early works (short stories). Silenced Cry, is my first completed novel and the first in a series of crime mysteries that will be available on April 23, 2007, in paper back and e-book format through the Bewrite site, Amazon, other online bookstores, and traditional bookstores. Information about Silenced Cry is available at http://www.bewrite.net/authors/marta_stephens.htm

Silenced Cry was originally submitted to Bewrite over a year ago as a novella along with two other novellas in the Sam Harper Crime Mystery Series; The Black Pearl and Grave Witness. A fourth Sam Harper Mystery is in its first draft form and waiting its turn. I am currently working on The Black Pearl. This story has the usual ingredients found in hard-boiled detective mysteries with a splash of the supernatural, a power-hungry drug dealer, a religious fanatic, and a hint of romance to make things interesting. 

Q: Do you work on more than one book at a time?

A: I have to concentrate all my attention on the current plot. When I began to expand Silenced Cry into a novel, I allowed myself to get side-tracked with the other books in the series. It wasn’t until I shoved them completely out of my head that Silenced Cry took on a life of its own. I treat each chapter the same way. This is not to say that the chapters don’t connect, but I find that if I treat the chapters as if they were stand-alone stories, they have more depth to them.

Q: What do you read when you are writing?

A: My husband and I both love to read mysteries/suspense and thrillers so you can go to any room in our home and find something good to read. When I need a break or hit a snag in my writing, I just grab a book (any book) and read random chapters. It’s often enough to jump-start the thinking processes. I also have sizable collection of “how to” books and magazines on topics on everything from writing techniques to criminal investigations. And let’s not forget the Internet. I enjoy researching topics for my books. I also enjoy reading about other authors and their works.

Q: What would you say to an aspiring writer?

A: I feel that I have been extremely fortunate and blessed, but the journey hasn’t been without its bumps and bruises. Here are a few of the things I’ve learned along the way.
1. No one would be interested in reading about what I know. Let your imagination sore, find what compels you to write, study it, explore the possibilities, and read everything you can about it. Why limit yourself to your backyard when you have a whole world to explore?
2. Quit talking about writing and do it. Take that course you’ve been promising yourself to take, study the works you admire, but at some point you have to write that great opening paragraph.
3. Writing is work. Establish a schedule and stick to it. Would you sign up to run a marathon without a workout schedule? No, then don’t expect to get published unless you focus and dedicate yourself to it.
4. Don’t let little things distract you from your writing.
5. Don’t fall in love with your words. Learn to edit yourself and be ruthless. The best way to self-edit is to read it out loud. Record yourself. You’ll be amazed at how awkward that perfect sentence sounds when you hear it spoken.
6. Network as often as possible with other authors. If you can find one in ten who inspires, encourages you, and offers honest feedbacks, consider yourself fortunate.
7. Ask questions and lots of them. Writing is an on-going learning process -- no one has all the answers.
8. Don’t be intimidated by other authors. Every author stood on the very same starting block.
9. Remember that everyone has an opinion. Find a mentor -- someone you trust to read your work (see number 6); someone who will offer you an unbiased critique. Too often aspiring authors lack self-confidence. If you listen to every bit of advice given, you’ll risk ending up with something that doesn’t even remotely resemble your work. Accept the comments, consider only those you feel are valid, and for goodness sake, listen to your heart.
10. At some point, you have to type the words: “The End.”

Marta Stephens

My argument for a critical fresh pair of eyes was recently confirmed when a fellow author read the first few chapters of my work in progress. In it, my female character is supposed to be a strong-willed individual. She is driven, spunky, and the perfect counter balance to my male protag. Yet the reader interpreted the character’s actions as someone who is somewhat of a scatterbrain. Shock! To make matters worse, the reader couldn’t understand the character’s motivation. A double whammy!

My first reaction was to balk. I was certain that was not the way I had written this character. After reading through her comments several times, I decided to study the scene again, this time from a reader’s point of view with a fresh pair of eyes. That’s when I discovered that the reader was right on target. The problem wasn’t the character though; it was me. I had been so wrapped up in recording my thoughts that my mind raced ahead of the typing. I know this character well. She is key to the plot and can’t be anything less than strong and assertive. But I had jumped ahead of myself and had not taken time to share my knowledge of the character and her motives with the reader. Fortunately, it was a relatively easy fix, but I have to wonder if I would have seen the omission without someone pointing it out to me.

I find it interesting that my attitude toward the critique has changed nearly as much as my writing. In fact, the two seem to go hand in hand. It’s all about improving the writing and the only way to do that is to accept the honest, harsh critiques. The secret is to selectively “listen” and use only the valid information. There have been times when I didn’t agree with a suggested change, but when I looked beyond the comment at what really bothered the reader, the solution often revealed amazing new ideas. Whether it was a matter of changing a few words or not, it invariably was enough to strengthen the prose and occasionally spin the scene in a different direction. When in doubt about the clarity of a scene, check for the answers to the what, where, who, why, when.

I may have a bit more experience now, but I’m no less sensitive or thicker-skinned than before. A harsh critique can still be as painful as a swift kick in the shins. But trial and errors have made it clear that an honest critique is the only way to improve the writing. Author Laura Hendrie wrote a piece titled: “What to Do About Criticism” in which she indicated that a writer’s first reaction to a harsh critique is to recoil and feel insulted. Some writers may stop there, but she goes on to say that, the difference between a writer who succeeds and one who fails depends less on the quality of the work than with the way he or she handles criticism.

Marta Stephens

Marta Stephens

I bet she was an author.

I Googled my name and just for the record, I’m not the jeweler, the Atlanta mode of transportation, or the character in Margaret Craven’s novel, “I Heard the Owl Call My Name.” Yeah, Marta Stephens, that one blew me away.

I write crime mystery/suspense and up until a few years ago, my work was something I shared only with family and friends. Close friends. People who love me; in whose eyes I can do no wrong. It was a safe place to be, but a little voice in the back of my head nudged me forward. I expanded my circle to include an amazing group of talented fellow authors -- the real test of endurance -- the best move I’ve made.

My writing has evolved from a pastime, to a passion, and now an addiction. I can’t go more than a few hours without hitting the keyboard. I must admit to wondering if I have become my neighborhood’s version of the woman who lived in the corner house. Is the light in the window above my front door the only proof to others that I exist? Perhaps down the road, but not today. After all, I’ve been Googled -- exposed to the world, to the scrutiny of public opinion, their questions, and expectations.

My first novel, Silenced Cry: A Sam Harper Crime Mystery Series, will be released on April 23, 2007. Gasp! A real taste of world-wide publicity at last. It’s exciting and chilling all at the same time. In six short months, I’ve gone from worrying about passive phrases to marketing my book. Ain’t life grand?

Marta Stephens