The ExPat Returneth

Monday, December 3, 2012

Using Route 66 to Write Murder #bookgiveaway


Glad to be visiting your blog today, Larissa. You’ve offered me the opportunity to talk about setting—one of my favorite topics.

I’ve had several opportunities on this tour to babble on about how locations grab me. Indeed, to quote myself: “For each of my novels, my inspiration and first kernel of an idea has come from a location that has reached out, grabbed me, and wouldn’t let go. Sounds a bit silly, and it’s not the whole story, but truly, so far, I’ve been inspired to start a story because a location said, ‘Me! Me! Write about me!’ So, location/setting are central to my stories and writing.

From the location, I’ve then wondered—who would have lived there, or come that way? What is their story? And in the case of my first, Uncle Si’s Secret—the compelling thought at a particular place along the Snoqualmie Valley Trail on my dog walks also kept returning—‘What a perfect spot for a murder!’ (Another reason why exercise is good for you)

For Reticence of Ravens, there is a mini-mart at an I-15 exit I often pass, and for me is still most compelling—even though the book has long entered the world of published words. The gas pumps still don’t work, and food and beverage offerings remain minimal. And even now, every time I pass, something about the place sings to my heart.

In Lies of Convenience, my latest—the most wonderful view from my cousin’s apartment on Michigan Avenue and an aged Quonset hut in California’s Mojave Desert—combined in a most wonderful way to produce the “kernel” of Margot Madison-Cross’s adventure. In this adventure Route 66 “Roadies” have parts to play.

Which leads me to your interest in international life and travel. My last two novels have focused on Route 66, and I’m finding out about—with happy amazement—Route 66’s international appeal and following. There are auto, motor-cycle, van, and escorted tours—individuals and groups—from around the world who “do” the road. Indeed, I’ve personally met “Roadies” from Germany, France, Japan, and Australia at events, or at The Barn in Newberry Springs. Also in Newberry Springs is the restaurant The Bagdad Café (a cult-movie was made there), and buses, full of excited travelers stop there from myriad countries!

And for me, most important regarding setting, is “To take the reader there!” Be it the soggy rain forests of Washington, the wind driven and sand permeating California desert areas, or the world of Route 66!

Thanks so much, Larissa, it’s been great visiting with you today. One of the wonderful things about our blog tour is meeting new (to me) authors and readers!

Madeline’s books are available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, and Smashwords, in paper and e-book formats. You can visit her online at her website http://www.mmgornell.com, or her BLOG http://www.mmgornell.wordpress.com or email her directly at mmgornell@earthlink.net 

Book Giveaway:
Buster, Dobie, and Mugs (the latest) are each drawing a name from comments for free copies of Lies of Convenience (or a M.M. Gornell title of your choosing).
Check M.M.'s blog on December 11 to see if you've won!

Madeline (M.M.) Gornell has four published mystery novels—PSWA awarding winning Uncle Si’s Secret (2008); Death of a Perfect Man (2009); Eric Hoffer Fiction finalist and Honorary Mention winner, the da Vinci Eye finalist, and Montaigne Medalist finalist Reticence of Ravens (2011)and PSWA award winner and Hollywood Book Festival Honorary Mention Lies of Convenience (2012). Both Reticence of Ravens and Lies of Convenience are Route 66 mysteries.

Madeline is also a potter with a fondness for stoneware and reduction firing. She lives with her husband and assorted canines in the Mojave Desert in a town on internationally revered Route 66.



13 comments:

  1. Madeline, Thanks so much for this post! I love Route 66 as a setting. You've got such a variety of interesting spots within the context of a recognizable theme. What a great idea!

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    1. BTW, Madline, I've got a potter in my 2nd Cherry Tucker book who does Raku ware. Just thought I'd mention since you are also a potter. Next time I have a question, I know who to ask!

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  2. Good morning, Larissa, so glad to be here and talking with you and followers of your blog. It's been lovely getting to know you on this tour and I'm sure enjoying myself! Will have to go off for a few hours this morning, but will be checking in later in the morning and this afternoon(West Coast time!) So not to worry, I plan to "talk" with everyone who visits! Nothing better I like to do.

    On the Raku front, unfortunately I'm having a hard time fitting pottery into my schedule, but plan to get back to it in the new year. I don't do Raku right now (just high-fire reduction in a standard kiln, standard process)--Raku is special with some fantastic results(I've seen). I'm very much a novice with the process--and frankly have had disappointing results. But I love pottery, and the feeling when you take a pot out of the kiln that grabs you is very special!

    Madeline

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    1. Thanks Madeline! I always wanted to try pottery in my art days, but never did. Had some friends who make some wonderful creations, tho. I've got some lovely Raku ware from Japan, too. I collected a lot of pottery when living there. I should take some pictures and share them with you sometime.

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  3. Route 66 conjures up all sorts of wonderful ideas--much more so than the more traveled I-15. And you know I have a special fondness for the sign that points to Newberry Springs.

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  4. Madeline,
    I started reading "Lies of Convenience" last night and I didn't want to put it down. I can't wait to get back to it tonight!

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  5. Route 66 was a big deal back before Interstate. I for one miss those great stops along way from Midwest to Coast. Your books remind me of those super stops.

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  6. Thank you for this post. I love to find authors whose books I have not yet read. I would be so excited to win a copy of Lies of Convenience it has excellent reviews.
    Katie Johnson (johnsonk133@yahoo.com)

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  7. Back from DMV and smog place! What a wonderful way to spend the morning (smile!)

    Marilyn, I know you wave and say hello as you pass our 1 exit! Always warms my heart--the dogs know when you pass by the way...

    Oh Patricia, you have made the rest of today for me! What a wonderful comment to come back to. I really mean that!

    Jake, I follow the Route 66 listserve and it sure sounds like there are Route 66 devotees that are trying to keep the few remaining stops and live, and even bring back some. Those memories of mine also, and most cherished.

    Katie, thanks so much for dropping by, and for sure your name will be in the Dobie, Mugs, and Buster bucket for the drawing! The best of luck!!

    So nice coming back to such nice comments.

    Madeline

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  8. Love hearing about how you pick your locations, Madeline. Very interesting. Good luck on your release!

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  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. Misspelling--so deleted and started over. What I meant to say was, thank you Terri, for stopping by, and glad you enjoyed the post!

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  10. I'm more determined than ever to try driving some of Route 66.

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