Walter Luce

Tame Your Desires with Walter Luce

 

Walter Luce was born in Vermont where I still spend my summers.  He’s been a successful real estate developer in Florida, Georgia, and California.  Walter now lives in the Palm Springs, California area with his wife Bonnie, where he wrote his first novel of six, Eva Pennington.

Walter Luce is the oldest of seven, graduated from Braintree Randolph Union High School in 1962, and attended Miami Dade Junior college after being honorably discharged from the Army in 1967. 

 

Please tell us your latest news!

My novel VERMONT BOUND the third in the Donatelli series was just published by Oak Tree Press and it’s doing very well.  EVA PENNINGTON – TROUBLE IN GEORGIA is also published.   Next up will be ATLANTA EXIT, which is scheduled to be released just prior to this interview. My latest work is another Eva Pennington novel, EVA PENNINGTON – DAMSELS OF DIVERSION, to be released in August. 

 

Please describe your writing environment.

We own a cabin (Camp Cupcake) in the foothills of the Vermont National Forest and I have a writers loft on the second floor. In the desert I write from my in-house real estate development office.

 

Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?

The main characters are planned the others show up and I let them take me where they want,

 

How much research do you do for your books? Have you found any cool tidbits in your research?

I do some research.  I find that in the advent of the computer, research is made easier. 

 

How does your family feel about having a writer in the family? Do they read your books?

They’re amazed…as I am.  Most of them read my work.

 

What are your hobbies?

Golf and periodic running. 

 

If you had to choose one person to have dinner with, who would it be? And why?

A dead person would be Samuel Clemens…In my opinion he’s one of the greatest writers that ever lived. Today, would be Steve Forbes…I’m in favor of a flat tax.

 

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

I’ve just reread VERMONT BOUND for the umpteenth time and I wouldn’t change a thing. But that doesn’t mean it couldn’t be improved upon, your work is never complete.  Read something you wrote a year ago and see if you don’t just choke.  You have to draw the line. 

 

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

My wife at the time taught college journalism and was a MENSA member.  In the ‘70s she forced me to go to one of their meetings. After three meetings I was determined to do what they were talking about doing…write a book.  Thirty years later I wrote my first novel for all the wrong reasons—not being an educated man I thought if I wrote a book people would think I was smart.  By the way none of them ever wrote that book they talked about and writing a book didn’t make me any smarter.

 

Do you write full time? What did you do before you became a writer? Or still do?

I don’t profess to be a writer it just happened.  I’m a real estate developer who buys dirt and builds buildings.  I still do both.

 

What is your writing process? Do you outline, fly by the seat of your pants or a combination of both?

I start with an idea and just let the characters take me for a ride.  It’s easier now that publishers and the public like shorter novels.  I love the ride. 

 

Do you have a ritual when it comes to writing? Example….get coffee, blanket, paper, pen and a comfy place

Between five and six AM I secure my first of four cups of coffee, read the Wall Street Journal, check my emails, work on my real estate deals, reread what I wrote the day before and then write anywhere from 1,500 to 2,500 words. 

 

Current Release Details:

EVA PENNINGTON – TROUBLE IN GEORGIA was just released. ATLANTA EXIT the prequel to VERMONT BOUND is being released in June, 2013, and MIAMI EXIT the prequel to ATLANTA EXIT is being released in August this year. 

 

If you could be one of your characters - Who would you be? And why?

This might seem odd, but though I’m a man, I would like to be Eva Pennington.  She’s a ballsy lady in the 60s’ who doesn’t take any shit from men.  I’ve lived the Donatelli character. 

 

What do you do on a typical writing day?

Work on business deals for few hours in the morning, write until mid-day, and go for a run if I’m not playing golf.  In the afternoon I catch up on the news, check my emails and read. 

 

Can you please give us a sneak peek at any of your upcoming books?
 

ATLANTA EXIT

 

Turk Donatelli, a self-made millionaire at the age of twenty four. Turk grew up poor in a small Vermont lumber town, the oldest of eight. As Turk, whose thirst for knowledge was insatiable, grew into a teenager and then a man, he struggles to become respected, and respectable. 

In 1970 Turk Donatelli left the mob controlled city of Miami. Turk along with his close friend, China Jon and Digger his Navy Seal protector, follow a fast paced adventure through Ocala, Florida and the European continent before arriving in Atlanta.  Here he crosses the line when he builds adult bookstores for Nikolas J. Pappas, known as the "Porno-King of the Southeast,” and who is currently facing a charge of murder of a competitor. Turk thought money would cure his angst, as he lives a life he always dreamed about. Instead, it made him feel empty and unfulfilled.

Seeking to tame his wild desires…women, drinking, and gambling, Turk, marries a brilliant journalist, who has a five year old son. Their seemly idyllic marriage is far from ideal when his wife is diagnosed with progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Turk is determined to find a cure and raise his adopted son. When Niko is sent to prison Turk is pressured by the FBI to leave his employ; however he is forced to continue the partnership with Niko in order to fund his search for a cure for MS, preserve his banking ties, and to afford his lifestyle that has been so important to him…will Turk cross that line a final time?

 

OakTreePress / Amazon

 

Who is your perfect hero? And why?

My hero would be Ronald Reagan—a great communicator, a great husband and just a damn nice guy who did a lot for this country.  Visit his library…you’ll come out feeling that maybe America can regain her respect if only we could find another commander and chief like him. 

 

When you have writer's block how do you break free?

I’ve been fortunate I haven’t experienced the dreaded block yet.  I always have at least a couple of books in the works I can switch back and forth.  I read the same way.  I usually have three books going at the same time.

 

What would be the best way for readers contact you? Do you have a website? Email address? MySpace site? Blog? Message Board? Group? How can readers find out more about you and your books?

Visit my website www.walterluce.com or contact me at walterluce1345@yahoo.com

 

What is the best and worst advice you have ever received?

The best advice was to just write don’t worry about what you write just write. The worst advice I ever got was to, trust your banker.

 

What's your favorite genre to read?

I prefer biographies and classics.

 

What type of book have you always wanted to write?

I’d love to and will write a book modifying our political system. 

 

When did you first decide to submit your work? Please, tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step.

When the real estate industry fell apart in 2006 my wife Bonnie said to me, “Stop complaining about having nothing to do, and dust off that novel you wrote thirty years ago, and work on getting it published.”

 

What was your first published work and when was it published?

EVA MARIE PENNINGTON published on Kindle through Oak Tree Publishing in August 2010.

 

Is there anyone who really mentored or inspired you to keep writing until you were finally published?

I write not to get published…I write because I can’t stop writing.  If I was never published I would still write…its therapy.

 

College professor William Donnan
loves mysterious archaeology

William Doonan is an archaeologist and professor of anthropology in Sacramento, CA. He has spent many years conducting excavations in Central and South America. He is also a veteran cruise ship lecturer, traveling the world and speaking on topics as diverse as the Trojan War, piracy in the Adriatic, and the peopling of the Americas.

          Doonan is also the author of three mystery novels. Grave Passage and Mediterranean Grave recount the adventures of an octogenarian detective who solves crimes on cruise ships. His new archaeological mystery American Caliphate was released by Dark Oak Mysteries in April 2012

          Doonan lives in Sacramento with his wife and two sons. He blogs about undead conquistador mummies at www.themumiesofblogspace9.com.

Could you please start by telling us a little about yourself?

Let’s see - first I’d like to thank you for letting me visit with your readers.  I’m grateful for the opportunity.  My name is Bill Doonan, and I write mysteries.  I’m also an archaeologist and a college professor.  And I’m a father to two little boys, age 6 and 4, so I don’t get the opportunity to do much archaeology right now, but that’s OK, it gives me more time to write.

I live in Sacramento, California, where it is currently 230 degrees outside.  One of my tomato plants just caught on fire.

What are your hobbies?

This is kind of an interesting question.  When I tell people I write mystery novels, they ask me if that’s my job or my hobby.  And it’s not really my job because I already have a job, the aforementioned college professoring, and I don’t want two jobs.  But it’s not really a hobby either, because hobbies are delightful pastimes, and writing is often hard, agonizing, heart-wrenching, and tedious.  But most of the time it’s a blast.  So for me, writing is my hinterland, my own uncharted world. 

          As far as actual hobbies go, I’m learning to speak Irish.  I’ve been studying the language for about two and a half years, and I now speak it about as well as a four-month-old Irish baby.  But I won’t give up.  There are only about 72,000 native Irish speakers left, and if people stop speaking it, the language won’t be around for much longer.  And I can’t let that happen.

How much research do you do for your books? Have you found any cool tidbits in your research?

I do quite a bit of research for my books, so much sometimes, that it gets in the way of the actual writing.  My latest book American Caliphate is an archaeological mystery, and I based it on excavations I worked on in Peru.  So in a sense, the excavations themselves became my research.  Here’s a teaser for the book:

          Archaeologists Jila Wells and Ben Juarez are not thrilled at the prospect of returning to Peru; the ambush that nearly cost Jila her life still haunts her.  But the ruined pyramids at Santiago de Paz hide an important document that would shock the Islamic world.  Professor Sandy Beckham is assembling a distinguished team to dig quickly through the pyramid complex, following clues found in the diary of a wealthy Muslim woman who lived in Spain five centuries ago. 

          In the diary are details of an illegal expedition to Spanish Peru in three well-armed ships.  Convinced that Spain was forever lost to Islam, Diego Ibanez intended to bring the word of Allah to the pagan Americans.  Landing on Peru’s north coast, he learned that the fires of the Inquisition burned even hotter there than they did in Spain.

          As the archaeologists brace for the ravaging storms of El Niño, Jila and Ben hurry to complete their excavations.  But they’re not the only ones interested in this project.  Other forces are determined that the document remain hidden.  Should it be discovered, a challenge could be made under Islamic testamentary law to the throne of Saudi Arabia.  And the House of Saud has no interest in sharing power with an American caliphate that might now awaken from a five hundred year slumber.

If you could be one of your characters - Who would you be? And why?

In addition to writing about archaeology, I write a mystery series about an octogenarian detective.  Henry Grave is a World War II POW who investigates crimes on cruise ships.  I spent a number of years lecturing on cruise ships, so I learned a lot about cruise ship culture.  And I decided to write a mystery that takes place on a cruise ship.  Grave Passage was the first book, followed by Mediterranean Grave.  And in August, Grave Indulgence will round out the trilogy. 

          I think of all my characters I’d most like to be Henry Grave.  He’s eighty-five years old, and I would really, really like to be eighty-five years old someday.  On the downside, he drinks too much.

Can you please give us a sneak peek at any of your upcoming books?

I’ll be happy to.  We’re less than a month from the release of Grave Indulgence.

Grave Indulgence explores crime on the high seas, and establishes a valiant and original protagonist.  Henry Grave is an investigator for the Association of Cruising Vessel Operators.  A World War II P.O.W., Henry is as cunning as he is charming, and at 85 years of age, he fits right in with his fellow passengers.

At 1200 feet long, the cruise ship Indulgence is the largest in the world.  Accommodating 5400 passengers and 2100 crew members, she is nearly as populous as the Pacific island nation of Nauru.  At 226,000 tons, she weighs as much as four and a half Titanics. 

          Indulgence is anchored off Helsinki, Finland, preparing to take on passengers for her inaugural voyage when Henry comes aboard.  Indulgence is one day old, and nobody has yet been murdered on board.  The same could not be said about day two.

          With the help of an Arabian prince, a voodoo priest, and a displaced band of hunter-gatherers,  Henry draws on skills honed in a Nazi prison camp to track down a killer who might have his own reasons for taking this particular cruise, reasons unrelated to the sumptuous meals, delightful shipboard activities, and exciting ports of call.

When you have writer's block how do you break free?

I have about six or seven projects going at any time.  If I get stuck in one of them, I just move on to something else.  Usually when I get hung up, it will clear by the morning.  But if you don’t have those other stories and drafts going, you lose the whole day.

What would be the best way for readers contact you? Do you have a website? Email address? MySpace site? Blog? Message Board? Group?

I do have a website: www.williamdoonan.com.  William Doonan on Facebook.  My email is doonan1@aol.com.  I blog weekly at www.themummiesofblogspace9.com, and twice a month at http://novelspaces.blogspot.com.  

What is the best and worst advice you have ever received?

When I was in tenth grade, we had a guy come to class to talk about acting.  One of my fellow students asked him what advice he would give to an aspiring actor, and the guy answered, “I’d tell him to give it up.  Do something else.”  He went on to say that the profession was too brutal, it would chew you up.  And if you were the kind of person who would give it up just because someone told you to, you’d never make it. 

I think writing is like that.  It’s too hard.  Don’t do it.  But if you shrug your shoulders and start writing anyway, you might have a shot.

I can’t think of any truly bad advice I’ve received.  I’ve been lucky in that regard.

Do you belong to a critique group? If so, how does this help or hinder you?

I’ve been in some great critique groups and some rotten ones.  When they’re bad, they’re nothing but misery - you give a little constructive criticism and you’ve made an enemy for life.  But when they’re good, they’re indispensible.  I’ve been with the same group now for years - fearless guys who will look you in the eye and tell you the truth.  If you write a bunch of crap, you’ll hear about it.  That’s what you need, otherwise it’s just kindness and refreshments, and that won’t make you a better writer.

Do deadlines help or hinder your muse?

I couldn’t live without deadlines.  It’s far too easy for me to just turn on the TV or grab a book, and next thing I know, it’s midnight.  So I have to give myself firm deadlines.  When I’m working on a first draft, I write 5,000 words per week.  And if I fall behind, I feel great anxiety.  So I try not to fall behind.  Also, one of my resolutions for this year was to publish ten short stories.  I knew it was going to be a stretch, but I’m at six now, and it’s only July, so I still have hope. 

Nothing decays on the north coast, not even faith.

Archaeologists Jila Wells and Ben Juarez are not thrilled at the prospect of returning to Peru; the ambush that nearly cost Jila her life still haunts her. But the ruined pyramids at Santiago de Paz hide an important document that would shock the Islamic world. Professor Sandy Beckham is assembling a distinguished team to dig quickly through the pyramid complex, following clues found in the diary of a wealthy Muslim woman who lived in Spain nearly five centuries ago.

In the diary are details of an illegal expedition to Spanish Peru in three well-armed ships. Convinced that Spain was forever lost to Islam, Diego Ibanez intended to bring the word of Allah to the pagan Americans. Landing on Peru’s north coast, he learned that the fires of the Inquisition burned even hotter there than they did in Spain.

As the archaeologists brace for the ravaging storms of El Niño, Jila and Ben hurry to complete their excavations. But they’re not the only ones interested in this project. Other forces are determined that the document remain hidden. Should it be discovered, a challenge could be made under Islamic testamentary law to the throne of Saudi Arabia. And the House of Saud has no interest in sharing power with an American caliphate that might now awaken from a five hundred year slumber.

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A Ghost Writer  with a lot of Secrets … Lorna Collins

Lorna Collins was raised in Alhambra, California and attended California State University at Los Angeles where she majored in English.

Between 1998 and 2001, she worked in Osaka, Japan on the Universal Studios theme park with her husband, Larry. Their memoir of that experience, 31 Months in Japan: The Building of a Theme Park, was published in 2005 and was a finalist for the 2006 nonfiction EPPIE award and named as one of Rebeccas Reads best nonfiction books of 2005.

They have written two mysteries together: Murder… They Wrote, published in 2009, and Murder in Paradise, published in 2010. The latter was a finalist for the 2011 EPIC eBook Award in 2011. They are currently working on at least two more in this series.

Along with authors Sherry Derr-Wille, Luanna Rugh, and Christie Shary, Lorna wrote several romance anthologies: Snowflake Secrets, finalist for the Dream Realm and Eric Hoffer Awards, published in 2008, Seasons of Love in 2009, and Directions of Love in 2010. Directions of Love received the EPIC eBook Award for best romance anthology of 2011. The group added debut author, Cheryl Gardarian for An Aspen Grove Christmas, published in December of 2010. The group is currently working on three more anthologies.

Ghost Writer is Lorna’s first solo effort, and her favorite book so far.

Today she and Larry are retired and reside in Dana Point, California.

 

Could you please start by telling us a little about yourself?

I am one of those rare birds: a native Californian. I was born in Hollywood at a hospital overlooking the Hollywood Freeway. I grew up in Alhambra, California in the same neighborhood with my husband, Larry. I received a California State Scholarship and Cal. State LA majoring in English.

During my career in Document Control, I wrote many policies and procedures, leading me to other positions, including Sr. Technical Writer.

In 1998, Larry and I moved to Osaka, Japan to build the Universal Studios theme park. This adventure resulted in our memoir, 31 Months in Japan: The Building of a Theme Park, which was a 2006 EPPIE finalist, Editor's choice Award winner, and one of Rebeccas Reads best nonfiction books of 2005.

We then moved on to mysteries, the first of which was Murder…They Wrote. Our second, Murder in Paradise, was a finalist for the 2012 EPIC Award.

In addition, I write anthologies with Sherry Derr-Wille, Christie Shary, and Luanna Rugh. Snowflake Secrets, our first, was a finalist in the Dream Realm and Eric Hoffer awards. Another, Directions of Love, won the 2011 EPIC Award for romance anthology. There are two others: Seasons of Love, and An Aspen Grove Christmas.

Ghost Writer, my first solo work from Oak Tree Press, is my first fantasy/mystery romance. I had so much fun writing this one that I am already at work on another in the same genre called Sofia’s Garden.

Meanwhile, Larry and I are happily retired and writing in Dana Point, CA.

Please tell us your latest news!

I’m so excited about the release of Ghost Writer! It features my first ghost, Max, who is a crusty self-centered old curmudgeon. I adored bringing him to life since he’s so different from any other character I’ve ever written. In fact, I dragged my feet about finishing the book. I finally figured out that the reason was that I didn’t want to let go of Max!

Ghost Writer is a great beach read since it’s set in and around Laguna Beach, California.

Please describe your writing environment.

I believe in suffering for my art. But seriously, Larry and I share an office where we look out on our ‘Zen Garden’ complete with Japanese rock garden and waterfall. As we write, we can hear the trickle of water tripping down the stones. The waterfall is about thirty-five feet tall and goes from the top of the slope to the bottom, so the sound is heavenly. There is a link to photos on our website www.lornalarry.com. All 9,000 plus of my favorite tunes are loaded onto my computer, so I can also surround myself with wonderful music. It’s the best place in the world to support creativity.

Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?

I know who my major characters will be, but sometimes new ones appear as the story develops. In Ghost Writer, the character of Helen, Max’s former secretary, came along as a bit of a surprise. But I welcomed her when she showed up since she brought with her another whole story thread.

How much research do you do for your books? Have you found any cool tidbits in your research?

Research is the key to any book, and it’s absolutely necessary. Larry and I are currently working on a historical novel set in San Juan Capistrano. We’ve read as much as we can find on the period between 1800 and 1890, but there aren’t too many sources. Fortunately the ‘official’ historian of San Juan agreed to review our chapters as we complete them. She’s a fabulous resource.

As for something cool we discovered doing research, we were in Hawaii (doing research) at the time of the final edits for our second mystery, Murder in Paradise. We’d written about a restaurant we knew well. But when we arrived, we discovered it had moved! We made a couple of changes to the manuscript, and it was published with the correct information. But that’s why it’s necessary to be thorough in researching even for contemporary writing.

What main genre do you write in?

This is really a funny question since we only intended to write the memoir. But while attending the Maui Writers Conference in 2005, Larry came up with an idea for a mystery, and we met the inspiration for our protagonist, Agapé Jones.

Then I had a wild idea for a romance anthology with a through story. I floated it to Sherry Derr-Wille, and she liked the idea. Then I added two more author friends, and the anthologies came about.

The ghost found me. We were carpooling from work one day, and he came to me. He was so fusty and annoying, I had to write him! So now, I’ve added fantasy to the mix.

And I have an old romance novel languishing in my files waiting for me to get back to it.

How does your family feel about having a writer in the family? Do they read your books?

Since we’re both writers, the rest of the family has been very accepting and encouraging. We were blessed with amazing families who would have encouraged us in whatever we chose to do. Some of them read our books, and quite a few have passed them on and recommended them to friends. Of course, we write I a variety of styles, so most readers can find something they like. (The truth is, I’m easily bored, so doing different kinds of books keeps it interesting.)

Current Release Details:

Ghost Writer, my fantasy/romance/mystery set in and around Laguna Beach, CA, was just released by Oak Tree Press. It is available directly from the publisher’s website, www.oaktreebooks.com, or from most other online sources in paperback and ebook format.

Who is your perfect hero? And why?

Larry, of course. He’s the gentle but self-confident and internally strong guy I always write. I know him best since we’ve been married nearly forty-seven years, and I grew up with him. I’ve never met a more decent and kind person. And that’s what I want for the women in my books. They, like me, are usually pretty self-sufficient and strong. So, I know that the personalities of the main characters will work well together.

How can readers find out more about you and your books?

The best place to find out about us is on our website www.lornalarry.com. Our precious Japanese son-in-law, Toshihiro Komiyama, insisted on updating it. He’s kept it up ever since. On the site are links to my blog and lots and lots of information on us and our books.

We’re both on Facebook and Goodreads. I also post to LinkedIn and Twitter. In fact, if folks are anywhere in social media, it would be hard to miss me!

Do you belong to a critique group? If so, how does this help or hinder you?

Our critique group is probably the single most important reason we got our first book published. I had started the book, then asked Larry for input. He came back some time later with a completely different book. And that’s where I gave up until a friend suggested coming to the group to see if they could help. They did. And we learned to write together.

We continue to attend the group meetings every Monday night. And they continue to make suggestions that improve our work. I highly recommend finding a group that’s the right fit, but I always recommend working with a group.

What's your favorite genre to read?

I have always loved anthologies. I enjoy the shorter format since I usually read at bedtime. I can complete a novella in a few evenings. I also like reading tight, clean prose. I have read some books that go on and on without moving the story along. I find that kind of writing annoying. Not that I don’t’ enjoy many full-length novels as long as the writing is compelling and the story moves along.

Do deadlines help or hinder your muse?

Now that I’m retired, deadlines are a major force in focusing my attention where it needs to be. Since I now have more discretionary time, it’s easy to get distracted. Deadlines are a good way to stay focused on the next thing. Of course, I always have several manuscripts working at a time, so the one with the first deadline gets the most attention. Unless the characters are yelling at me, that is. Then the one who shouts the loudest often requires getting onto the page, if only to shut them up!

GHOST WRITER

When unemployed computer programmer Nan Burton inherits a California beach cottage from her great-great-aunt, she’s delighted. But she’s in for a huge surprise: The house is haunted by the ghost of famous romance writer Max Murdoch (pen name Maxine DuBois) who insists Nan complete his last novel, threatening to keep her from sleeping until she agrees. The ensuing clash pits youth against the long-dead but still egotistical author with humorous and moving results.

Publisher / Amazon