Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Interview and book giveaway with author Heidi Glick.

(Why does that name sound familiar?)

by Jeff Reynolds

WE HAVE A WINNER FOR THE BOOK GIVEAWAY
CONGRATULATIONS TO MARY ZANDER

I'm sure the name and photo of my interviewee are familiar to those who regularly frequent this blog. It's my delight to interview co-contributer Heidi Glick.

But first, a little backstory. (Or should I wait till the middle of the section of the blog before dumping any backstory? Sorry. A writer's joke.) A couple of years ago I joined ACFW and joined the large critique group. My favorite stories to critique had titles like Ten Degrees From Normal, Fuller Island, The Letter, and Dog Tags -- written by Heidi Glick and Jackie Layton. Thus, it was an honor when I was asked to join these ladies and Deb on this blog.

A lucky reader will be winning a copy of Heidi's book Dog Tags. More info at the end of this interview.

Jeff Reynolds:  Heidi, welcome to Sleuths and Suspects. As if you've never been on this blog before. I know this is an eventful year for you. I believe your second most exciting achievement of 2013 is the release of Dog Tags, your first novel. Please give us a story summary. What inspired it?

Heidi Glick: 
The story is about a marine, the woman he loves, and the stalker who is obsessed with her.

At first, Dog Tags started out as a romance novella. I subbed it to a publisher, and it was rejected. But the story wasn't ready for publication. I revamped it as a suspense novel. I wanted a hero with real struggles, and I wanted a villain who would capitalize on the hero's weaknesses. The book's themes include forgiveness, loss, and fear. Because these are common themes that most people deal with, I'm hoping that the book will speak to many readers. In 2011, my father died from ALS, and so I've used that experience to help me write this book as well as another work in progress (Ten Degrees from Normal).


 JR:  You might disagree with me, but I believe the real star of your novel is Sparky. Could you tell us about him and his real life counterpart? Is he involved in the marketing of the book? If I remember correctly, he had been interviewed once, correct?

HG:  In the novel, the hero owns a Schipperke named Sparky. In real life, I have a Schipperke named Sparky. He is a rambunctious dog, hence the name. He is involved in the marketing of the book. You are correct. I did interview him once:  http://queencityquill.blogspot.com/2012/09/interview-with-schip.html



JR:  Are you an outliner, a blank pager, or somewhere in between?

HG:  I'm somewhere in between but more of an outliner. I'm a planner by nature, and so I like an outline. When I first started out as a writer, I was more of a blank pager, but as I studied the craft of writing, I found that outlines save me time because I rewrite less when using an outline. Nonetheless, I still like to allow my characters to speak to me, and I like a few surprises.

 JR:  I've had the honor of critiquing this and a couple of your other stories in the ACFW's large critique group. Could you share how both the critiques of others on your writing and your critiques on your writing peers have helped your work on Dog Tags?

HG:  Singlehandedly, crits have helped me grow the most as a writer. I would not be published were it not for the crits of others. Other writers showed me areas of improvement.

JR:  People compare finishing and releasing a book with childbirth. Which brings me to your most exciting achievement of 2013. Would you like to tell us about that? How does this affect your writing and marketing? What is Sparky's take on this?


HG:  Let's back up a year. In 2012, I signed a contract with a publisher, but even more exciting than that was finding out I was pregnant (after infertility). In Februrary 2013, I gave birth to Aaron Samuel Glick. For more info. on the miracle baby:  I'm leaving my job to spend time at home with my son. He is my priority right now, so writing takes a backseat, which is fine with me. I still jot down ideas and work on writing while he naps, but I am allowing myself time to enjoy being a mother. Sparky whimpers when Aaron cries and likes to rush into the nursery to check on the baby. 

JR:  Okay, enough about the important things in life and back to writing. Am I correct that you have three blogs that you work on? Could you tell us about these, and how do they help you develop as a writer?

HG:  The Ohio State Parks blog is about some of my experiences visiting Ohio State Parks with my dogs. The Queen City Quill is a hodgepodge (posts on writing, authors, book reviews, etc.). Sleuths and Suspects is about mysteries, suspense, romantic suspense, thrillers, and anything related (book reviews, author interviews, and book giveaways).

JR:  I know you've been working on a couple of other stories. Do you work on multiple stories at the same time? How do you prioritize which one to focus on? Is there any "separation anxiety" with the stories you set on the shelf?

HG:  Sometimes I work on multiple stories at once. I prioritize by working on the story that I'd like to submit to a publisher next. So for example, I love working on my "Ten Degrees" novel, but I need to work on the Dog Tags sequel/spin off. I feel separation anxiety from the Ten Degrees characters.

JR:  Thank you for your time. Please share any websites you have, and any other information you'd like us to know.

HG:  I'd be glad to. Here they are:
Also check out the trailer for Dog Tags at


 Jeff back, talking to the reader. If you'd like to win a copy of Dog Tags (and who in their right mind wouldn't?), then there are four things you need to do.
  1. Leave a comment on the blog. (That sounds tough, doesn't it?)
  2. Become a follower of this blog. (Oh boy, I know how to make things difficult, don't I?)
  3. Include your e-mail address (Is it my imagination each one gets harder?)
  4. Now for the real challenge. Heidi has mentioned her Schipperke. Which out-of-the ordinary breeds of dog, or breeds of cats, interest you the most?

25 comments:

  1. Jeff, Thanks for interviewing me. I look forward to the release of Dog Tags but also to giving away an autographed copy of the book as well as connecting with Sleuths and Suspects readers! :)

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  2. Dog Tags sounds like an interesting story. Bet you've had an interesting story for that past 4 months. It's been a while, but I can still remember bringing our first child home from the hospital. Life changed forever. :)

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  3. Harry,

    Thanks for stopping by! Yes, the past 4 months have been exciting! Life changing is a good way to describe them!

    Heidi

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  4. I am happy to have found this blog and what a great interview. Dogs: I love dogs. I have three of them. I am obsessed with Dachshunds and Rat Terriers at the moment. I tend to change depending on what is going on in life. For awhile there I was obsessed with Rottweilers and had a couple of them. Our last one, Gretchen, passed away with cancer. I think Rotties are gorgeous animals and I loved being a Rottie Mama. Currently I have a Boston Terrier named Jake. Jake has his own blog: http://jakearoodog.tumblr.com and I also have a pug named Frankie and a Goldendoodle named Chevy. A goldendoodle is a cross between a standard poodle and a golden retriever. Is that out-of-the-ordinary enough? If not, does the fact I've always wanted a Bull Mastiff count?

    I've signed up to get your blog in my email box and I hope to win this book. It sounds delicious. My email address is kkakins (at) gmail (dot) com.

    Write on!

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  5. Karla,

    Thanks for stopping by and participating! My sister has two pugs!

    Heidi

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  6. I'd like to win her book :)jenhall63 (at) gmail (dot)com

    My favorite dogs are bassett hounds, not a unusual brand, but the sweetest. A shout out to my dog Max!

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  7. Jennifer,

    Thanks for stopping by!

    Heidi

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  8. Enjoyed reading the interview. the next dog i get is one I have heard does not shed-a Coton de Tulear.
    JWIsley(at)aol(dot)com

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  9. Joye,

    Thanks for stopping by! I've never heard of that breed. How interesting! :)

    Heidi

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  10. Dear Heidi,
    I'm already a follower of this blog. My email is
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
    I can't comment on the breed of dogs or cats because I'm very allergic to both and can't have either one.
    Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
    Janet E.

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  11. Janet,

    Thanks for stopping by and participating! :)

    Heidi

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  12. I can't wait to read your book! My son recently graduated from Cedarville University, and it would be great to read a book by a Cedarville graduate. My email address is dlr1009@gmail.com. My favorite dog is a Sheba-Inu as we have had on of these adorable little dogs for the last 13 years. (I also signed up for this blog.)
    God bless you in all you do.
    Cheri Robison

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  13. Cheri,

    Thanks for stopping by! What a small world we live in! :)

    Heidi

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  14. I signed up as a follower of the blog. Thanks for this opportunity. Looks like a great book.

    clSwalwell@gmail.com

    In Him,

    Cheri :)

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  15. Cheri S.,

    Thanks for stopping by!

    Heidi

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  16. I love that Sparky became a character in Dog Tags, how cool!
    I love my German Shepherd but years ago we had a Maltpom, a Maltese/Pomeranian breed named Preston who was an awesome little dog.
    I'm a follower.
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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  17. Merry,

    Thanks for stopping by! I have always wanted a German Shepherd but have never owned one!

    Before my oldest sister had a pug, for many years, she owned a Pom! It was a spunky little dog that chased cows on a ranch!

    Heidi

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  18. I've always wondered about the hairless cats. Were they like that originally or inbred or what? This looks exciting! shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  19. Veronica,

    Thanks for stopping by and congrats on winning a copy of Hide and Seek!

    Heidi

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  20. I know corgis aren't all that weird, but I think they are so funny looking.
    dutchbunny5@yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. I have to add this, Beckie. Before buying our house, we lived in a 3rd story apartment in the rear of the complex, and for a large portion of the time a family that had 2-3 dogs including a corgi lived in the house behind our apartment. What was fun was when it snowed watching the excited corgi jumping around in the snow. (Before that, we also had rented from the owner of a corgi. They're great.)

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  21. Beckie,

    Thanks for stopping by!

    Heidi

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  22. By the way, I forgot to add my favorite dogs. We don't own one currently, and if we did we would probably pick one from the shelter or something like that; we have an outdoor cat who adopted us and she would be very offended if we got a dog. But the breed that I like the best are Keeshonds (pronounced Kays-hond), with Miniature Pinchers (aka Min Pins) a close second.

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  23. I would love to win a copy of the book. I like a Weimaraner dog.

    Janice H,
    NC

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  24. Janice,

    Thanks for stopping by!

    Heidi

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