I spent the last two nights reading Sinead O’Connor’s 2021 memoir, Rememberings. I’m not going to write about all the things this amazing woman’s said and done. You can pick up the book and read it yourself. What I will say is that I felt like I was listening to a compassionate soul, a friend, whisper in my ear. Sinead made me think, not just about her life, but about my own.
I still get shivers listening to “Fire on Babylon.” Sinead didn’t need to say she wrote it about the abuse her mother inflicted upon her and her family. That much is clear. But what I love is that Sinead opened her throat and funneled all her hurt and rage out her vocal cords and into the microphone. Her voice is unique, beautiful, like nothing I’ve ever heard, and driven by sheer unabashed power. I wish I could sing like that. At one point, I wanted to be a singer and I still love to sing. But I have a spastic larynx that’s inclined to shut rather than open.
There’s lots of information available now online about laryngospasms but when they started happening to me thirty or forty years ago, I knew nothing. I just thought, I am going to die. When I was really stressed and teaching a decade ago, I remember having one in front of the class at the end of a long first day of talking. In the middle of a sentence, I couldn’t breathe in or out. I simply stopped talking and breathing. I walked out and collapsed on the floor in the women’s bathroom. Fortunately, my kids called for help and the next thing I knew, my friend, Phil Roque, came walking into the bathroom carrying oxygen. He made a couple of jokes and helped me through it. Most of the time it happens at night. A spasm can be triggered by a nightmare, or a day of stress, or hidden butter on a sandwich (which is why I always ask, “Is there butter in it?) Many nights, I remember sitting up alone in my bed thinking, I’m going to die here and now, while my daughter’s sleeping in the next room. I learned to use self-talk to bring me back from the edge.
When I self-diagnosed five years ago, my GP had never heard of such a thing. She said, “Well, it’s in your throat so I’ll send you to an ENT.” He stuck a camera down my nose and said, “Yes, your larynx spasms. You’re right. Look.” My larynx looked like a mouthful of shut teeth. He sent me to a speech-language pathologist who taught me about pursed lip breathing, something I’d been doing myself on shamanic journeys. Now I think what I really need to do is let my anger out by screaming “FIRE!” as loud as I can into a microphone followed by a list of names. Maybe then I could take back my voice.
yahoo
I love Sinead. I love that she shaves her head. I want to do that. It would be so freeing. I love that she’s psychic and has visions. That she’s intensely spiritual and always has been. That she advocates fearlessly against child abuse. I love that she talks honestly about mental illness, post traumatic stress, and agoraphobia. That she cuddles veterans and wants to become a health-care aid. I love that she’s claimed her asexuality. That in discovering The Koran, she put on a hijab, became Shuhuda, and converted to Islam because it felt like coming home. I love that she loves her children with all her heart and canceled her tour to grieve her son Shane’s suicide. I love that she lives alone in a garden cottage in Ireland and has a “crew of girlfriends” so she’s not lonely anymore in her retirement.
My favourite Sinead album is Sean-Nós Nua which she says “contains the very best singing that I ever did in my life” (223). The songs are “like ghosts; you have to inhabit the character of these songs to bring them alive.” It was produced by Shane’s father, the Irish folk musician Donal Lunny, and is as ethereal and Irish an album as ever could be. Nights I party alone with my piano and a glass or two of wine, I sing “The Moorlough Shore” and dream.
First, let me say, I’m excited to announce that LURE is a finalist in the 2022 Wishing Shelf Book Awards in the Adult Fiction category. There were 155 entries and 58 finalists. Congratulations to my friend, JP McLean, who also made finalist with her supernatural thriller, Ghost Mark.
Many thanks to all the readers who voted for LURE!
Authors are constantly invited to enter contests and they all charge fees—some are HUGE. Many are nothing but money grabs. This one is for real and is vetted by ALLi (pronounced ally.) The Wishing Shelf is a UK Contest organized by Edward Trayer, himself a writer and great communicator. Books were read by teams in London and Stockholm and are judged on editing, theme, style, and cover. They advertise the finalists on Goodreads and offer feedback to authors. And, they support Blind Children UK with Guide Dogs. How cool is that?
I’m especially honored to be part of this wide genre—Adult Fiction—which includes all kinds of sub-genres. The winners will be announced in April. Fingers crossed.
This news comes at a great time as my LURE ebook is on sale this week at Amazon.com and Amazon.UK If you haven’t read it, here’s your chance. You can also find it on The Fussy Librarian today under Contemporary Romance.
Finally, LURE is now available as an audio book on Google Play and Kobo!
This is the life of an Independent Author/Publisher. We’re constantly juggling a zillion balls. Thank you to all who support my writing journey!
Alright. I had to do it, With all the hype about AI, and particularly, this bot, I had to see what it would say about my first novel, To Charm a Killer. As most people know, I’m a book reviewer, and I was curious how this new intelligent writer could help me out. Is it ethical? I don’t know enough to go down that rabbit hole yet, but I will say this. I’m not a paid reviewer, and I actually read books that I review, sometimes twice, but I know many people who are paid reviewers, and I’ve read reviews where I can tell the person did not read the book. There’s a load of hype pulled from the blurb and maybe they’ve read the first few pages to get an idea of the writer’s style. Considering that I pay my publicist for reviews (usually $50) I want to know the parameters of this new intelligent literary force. I can see this becoming a profitable business since, for now, ChatGPT is free to play with.
In the first example, I asked it to write a review and gave minimal information. Here’s what I typed in the chat: Write a 5 star book review about an edgy urban fantasy mystery called To Charm a Killer by W. L. Hawkin. Here’s the review:
To Charm a Killer by W. L. Hawkin is an electrifying urban fantasy mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. The book follows a young woman named Lila, who has the ability to charm anyone with her words. She is drawn into a dark and dangerous world of murder and magic when a killer begins targeting those closest to her.
The world-building in this book is simply phenomenal. The author has created a rich and complex urban fantasy setting that is gritty, dark, and filled with danger. The use of magic and supernatural elements is well done and adds to the overall sense of mystery and intrigue. The author’s attention to detail in building this world is impressive, and I found myself completely immersed in it from the very beginning.
The characters in the book are equally impressive. Lila is a strong and compelling protagonist, with a unique set of skills that sets her apart from other urban fantasy heroines. Her journey throughout the book is one of self-discovery and growth, and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way. The supporting cast of characters is also well-developed, with each one adding a unique layer to the story.
The plot of the book is fast-paced and filled with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. The mystery aspect of the book is well done, with enough red herrings and false leads to keep me engaged throughout. The action scenes are also well written, with just the right amount of tension and danger to keep me on the edge of my seat.Overall, To Charm a Killer is a fantastic urban fantasy mystery that I highly recommend to fans of the genre. The world-building is superb, the characters are compelling, and the plot is thrilling. The author has crafted a unique and engaging story that will keep readers entertained from start to finish. This book is definitely deserving of five stars, and I look forward to reading more from W. L. Hawkin in the future.
Okay. It didn’t have enough information so it created a protagonist and plot. However, Lila and her ability to charm people with her words is a very cool character I could get behind, and this review sounds much like some I’ve read of my own work. I decided to give it a little more information and see where it would go. I typed in the following details that could be extrapolated from the blurb by an unethical book reviewer: Write a 5 star book review about an edgy urban fantasy mystery called To Charm a Killer by W. L. Hawkin about a Vancouver wicca coven who spin a charm to catch a serial killer abducting witches. The problem is the killer falls in love with the wicca high priest Estrada and will stop at nothing to get his attention including kidnapping people he cares about including Maggie, an innocent 17-year-old girl who travels to Ireland to escape the killer. Here’s the response:
To Charm a Killer by W. L. Hawkin is a thrilling and captivating urban fantasy mystery that I couldn’t put down. The book follows the story of a Vancouver wicca coven who spin a charm to catch a serial killer who is abducting witches. However, things take a dangerous turn when the killer falls in love with the wicca high priest, Estrada, and begins targeting those closest to him, including the innocent 17-year-old girl, Maggie, who travels to Ireland to escape the killer.
The world-building in this book is truly exceptional. The author has created a rich and intricate urban fantasy setting that is both dark and alluring. The use of magic and supernatural elements is well done, and the details of the Wiccan rituals and practices are well-researched and add to the overall sense of realism. The book is set in Vancouver, but the story expands to Ireland, adding to the mystique and enchantment of the book.
The characters in the book are equally impressive. Estrada is a compelling and complex protagonist who struggles with the weight of his responsibilities as a high priest. Maggie is an innocent and endearing character who becomes embroiled in the dangerous world of the coven. The supporting cast of characters is also well-developed, each adding a unique layer to the story and creating a sense of community.
The plot of the book is fast-paced and filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. The mystery aspect of the book is well done, with enough red herrings and false leads to keep me engaged throughout. The author has done an excellent job of building tension throughout the book, and the final showdown with the killer is both thrilling and satisfying.
Overall, To Charm a Killer is an exceptional urban fantasy mystery that I highly recommend to fans of the genre. The world-building is superb, the characters are well-rounded, and the plot is thrilling. The author has crafted a unique and engaging story that will keep readers entertained from start to finish. This book is definitely deserving of five stars, and I look forward to reading more from W. L. Hawkin in the future.
Alright. This I could use. It sounds like the person read the book, doesn’t it? There are even phrases I could use as pull quotes.
So what does this mean? For one thing, I’ll be scrutinizing reviews and reviewers in the future. Having said that, it could help me write more exciting book reviews of books I’ve read;) For another, I think the bot could be used in a positive way to inspire, even generate plot lines. Here’s an example. I’ve been considering sending Estrada back to Merida to finally reunite with his family. This is what I typed in: Write a review about a magician named Estrada who travels to his childhood home in Merida Mexico to see people he’s been estranged from for many years, and there he becomes embroiled in a murder mystery that touches his family. And here’s the review:
The Magician of Merida by W. L. Hawkin is a captivating mystery novel that centers around a magician named Estrada who returns to his childhood home in Merida, Mexico after many years of being estranged from his family. Upon his return, he becomes embroiled in a murder mystery that touches his family and threatens to unravel secrets from their past.
The author does a fantastic job of building the setting, drawing readers into the vibrant and colorful world of Merida. The descriptions of the city and its culture are vivid and immersive, and they add depth to the story. The characters are equally well-developed, each with their own unique motivations and personalities. Estrada, in particular, is a fascinating character with a complex backstory and a deep connection to his family and heritage.
The plot of the book is engaging and keeps the reader guessing throughout. The murder mystery aspect of the story is well done, with plenty of twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The pacing is excellent, with just the right amount of action, suspense, and introspection to keep readers engaged.
The author also weaves in themes of family, identity, and cultural heritage throughout the book, adding depth and complexity to the story. The book is more than just a murder mystery; it’s a deep exploration of what it means to belong to a family, a community, and a culture.
Overall, The Magician of Merida is an excellent mystery novel that is both engaging and thought-provoking. The setting, characters, and plot are all well-crafted and make for a satisfying reading experience. The book is definitely worth reading, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery novel.
Inspiring? What do you think? Not much of a plot line, but I do like the idea of involving his family in the murder and unveiling their secrets. And I love this piece: “the author also weaves in themes of family, identity, and cultural heritage throughout the book, adding depth and complexity to the story. The book is more than just a murder mystery; it’s a deep exploration of what it means to belong to a family, a community, and a culture.” I’ve been to Merida and it is a “vibrant and colorful world” I’d love to explore again. Could this be book 6?
AI is here to stay, so let’s keep an open curious mind, play with it, and see what happens. Thoughts???
Creating this book list was much harder than it looks. First, I had to choose books that had a similar bent to my own book, To Charm a Killer. Then I had to craft a short review to introduce each story in the light of the overarching theme. It had been so long since I’d read Interview with the Vampire, I bought the paperback and reread it. I was surprised at the depth of character, the broodiness of Louie, and the madness of Lestat.
One of my favorite reviewers writes this of To Render a Raven:
“I think the true draw of this novel for me, and this is probably true of the whole series, now that I think about it, is the intricate psychology of the characters, who are complex, nuanced, sympathetic, and occasionally, deeply irritating— a sign of just how invested I’ve become, and how well drawn their inner lives, as well as outer adventures, really are. Highly recommended read.”
To Charm a Killer started it all. As I complete the draft of Book 5, my mind drifts back to everything that’s come before, Estrada’s complex psychological journey, his desires, his loves and losses, and how he’s changed over two years of his fictional life—something that’s impacted several years of my life and continues to inspire me.
Finally, I recommend Shepherd.com as it’s a very cool, professionally vetted site. You can search for comp lists on all kinds of topics. For example, if you’re looking for adult fiction featuring witches, try this. If you’re an author, contact them to find out how to create your own list.
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing Anne Emery’s latest Irish novel, Fenian Street. You can read the full review in my Reviews. I reached out to Anne with some questions, and she graciously answered them in the following interview.
I’ve set two books in my series in Ireland, one on the West Coast, and the other in the Iron Age midlands (it’s about Old Croghan Man). I’m currently writing book 5 which is taking me back there again. I’ve travelled to Ireland a few times to do research (2005, 2006, 2017) and have threatened to move there many times. I love to walk on the land my characters walk on and feel the energy.Did you travel to Fenian Street yourself to do this research? What kind of research did you do? I loved doing pub research and made one of my characters an old trad player;)
I spend quite a bit of time in Ireland. Members of my family had their origins in several of the Irish counties. My first visit was in the 1980s; a friend and I took the train from Dublin to Belfast in the midst of the euphemistically-named Troubles, i.e., the war. I saw cars being stopped and searched at checkpoints, saw the tanks, and the British soldiers in the streets with their rifles. We were searched whenever we entered the city centre. In later years, I’ve been making yearly trips to Ireland, basing myself in Dublin and visiting other parts of the country. I have friends there, and that certainly adds to the good times.
As for research, I’m a bit of a fanatic. Even at home in Halifax, I’ll drive or walk along the streets to make sure I don’t have a character going the wrong way on a one-way street. I’ll look over a familiar building, and make sure I have the correct architectural style and period. For Fenian Street and my other Irish novels, I spend time in the various locations, taking photos of the streets and buildings, chatting with people there.
My twelfth book, The Keening, was a standalone historical novel. It is set in County Fermanagh between 1595 and 1607, and has a present-day plot as well. For the historical parts, every single line had to be researched. I couldn’t just say, “They went to the castle.” How did they get there? Walk, horse, carriage? I read dozens of books, even more articles, had interviews with professors, archaeologists, curators, and others, in person and online. And I received great assistance from the librarians in Enniskillen. When I told a friend here about my plans for the book, he said, “By the time you finish, you’ll have a PhD.” Meaning I’d have done as much research as I would for a doctorate. And he was right; it was way more research than I had done for my masters degree. When The Keening was launched, my husband and daughter sent me flowers with a card: “Congratulations on your PhD in Irish History!” And, like you, I’ve done a whack of “pub research” in my day!
I see you have contacts in the Garda Siochana. Did you just reach out to them? What was it like writing a Garda’s life?
I am very grateful to the owner of an Irish bar here in Halifax (where I’ve had several of my book launches). He had met Liam, the retired Garda detective, when the detective visited Halifax and stopped in at the bar. So, I had an introduction, and Liam and I corresponded by email for two years. He was enormously helpful with all my questions about the Garda, police culture and procedure in Ireland, and so much more. Then, on my most recent trip to Dublin, I offered to treat him to supper or drinks, and we agreed to meet. On my way to the bar, I asked myself, “How will I know him from the other fellas in the bar?” Turned out, there was no question who was the garda in the room: I copped on to him, so to speak, right away! I had some great times in Dublin with him and his wife, and I look forward to seeing them again.
Dialect. You use dialect so well, I was instantly transported to Dublin. I jotted down a list in the back of the book of all the ways to talk alcohol;) What was it like writing an entire book in dialect? How did you get it right?
Thank you for those kind words!
Writing dialogue is my favourite part of the process. I could spend hours with a group of people and not remember a thing about what they wore. But I can recount conversations, often word-for-word, and I can remember the cadences and the tones of voice. And I’ve had lots of conversations in Ireland. Take a train from, say, Dublin to Cork, and the person beside you will keep the chat going for the full two and a half hours, all of it entertaining. I’ve stayed in touch with a couple of people I met during train rides, made friends that way.
Spending all that time in Ireland affords me a familiarity with various dialects and, whenever I’m in doubt about a word or phrase, I’ll search for it on Google, to see if I can find it on an Irish site, to make sure it’s genuine. Currently, Fenian Street is being done as an audiobook by an actor originally from Dublin, Ashley O’Connell, so he’s well able for all those Dub voices!
I have one friend near Waterford and based my characters loosely off some young women my daughter lived with when she stayed in Galway to work for a year in 2005. And I have another friend near Glasgow I run lines by when my books take me to Scotland. Did you run your story by someone for a dialect check? Did you start thinking in Shay’s voice? I can sure hear it in the text. I’d be dreaming in dialect. Did you?
Yes, I do hear the characters’ voices in my head, whether I’m awake or dreaming. When a character says something in the Irish language – as Gaeilge – I always check with one of the professors in the Irish Studies program here at St. Mary’s University. He has been a great help to me in my writing.
How does being a lawyer affect your views? Given you write politically pro-Republican have you ever been criticized for your characters’ views or actions?
Oh, yes, being a lawyer has had a great influence on my writing. One of my main characters, Monty Collins, is a criminal lawyer. And I love writing courtroom scenes – with the proviso, of course, that the dramatic stuff must take precedence over procedure!
As for my Irish Republican characters, yes, I am generally in accord with their view, that is, that the 800 years of occupation of Ireland (in whole or in part) should be brought to a decisive end, and Ireland united as one country. But I belabour the question over and over, as my characters do. Brennan Burke in particular, priest and philosopher, agonizes over “just war” theory and its application to the situation in Ireland. He knows all too well that, even when a cause is a just one, the means of fighting for that cause are often far from just.
I remember one encounter here in Nova Scotia. On a day trip out of town, I happened to see a woman I used to work with. She was with her husband. He told me he was reading my book Ruined Abbey. I’m sure I turned pale at the hearing of it! His family is from Portadown in the North of Ireland. Portadown is known as a bastion of “unionism/loyalism”, that is, union with and loyalty to Britain. It is as far as you can get from a hotbed of Irish Republicanism! He was very courteous but allowed as how he didn’t agree with some of what I had written (that was understating things, I’m sure), and I said, “Oh, I understand completely.” And I said we should sit down someday and talk it over. And I hope we do.
Do you have anything in particular you’d like me to mention in my review.
I suppose you could add that the idea for Fenian Street came directly from the street itself. I’m familiar with the street and I thought, “That will be the title of a future book.” It’s all the more appropriate because of the double entendre. It’s the name of a street in working-class Dublin, but there is also the fact that an Irish Republican could say, “We’re all on Fenian Street, are we not?” The Fenians were 19th-century Irish revolutionaries, and the name still carries a powerful charge today. It is frequently used as a sectarian slur in the North of Ireland.
Any idea how long you’ll keep writing Collins-Burke Mysteries?
I’m hoping to keep writing the series indefinitely, le cúnamh Dé (God willing/with the help of God). As you’ve heard countless times before, “I always wanted to write a book.” All my life, I loved to write. I remember thinking how grand it would be to “have written a book” – there it is on the shelf, ambition realized. But half-way through my first book, Sign of the Cross, it struck me that I could not give this up; I’d have to write a series. That’s how addictive writing can be, as I’m sure you know.
For more on Anne Emery and her books, go to her website.
I read Canadian because Canadian writers are among the best in the world. I also review Canadian authors almost exclusively. I once read a post where someone wrote that there were no good Canadian authors. That just set me on a mission to prove them wrong. Still, a Canadian author can’t make the New York Times best sellers list unless they have an ultra rich American publisher who decides to bankroll them. That’s just the way it is. Too often, we Canadians are relegated to the bottom of the pile. For these reasons and more, I read Canadian and love the books I read.
This is a list of books I’ve read in the past year written by Canadian authors. Most have appeared, or will appear, in the Ottawa Review of Books. This is my way of supporting my fellow writers, giving them well-deserved exposure, and sending gratitude out into this beautiful land I love.
I may not read as much next year as I have my own books to write. But if you’re looking for some great Canadian writing, check out this list:
Under an Outlaw Moon, Dietrich Kalteis (crime)
Elements of Indigenous Style, Greg Younging (a must-have writing guide)
The Last of the Gifted series, Marie Powell (YA Welsh historical fantasy)
Hunting by Stars, Cherie Dimaline (YA Indigenous sci-fi)
Blood Mark, JP McLean (supernatural thriller)
White Lightning, Melissa Yi (crime)
Bloody Relations, Don Gutteridge (historical fiction)
A Stranger in Town, Kelley Armstrong (crime)
Wild Not Broken. Sarah Kades (romance)
The Deepest of Secrets, Kelley Armstrong (crime)
The Corpse with the Turquoise Toes, Cathy Ace (cozy crime)
Obsidian, Thomas King (Indigenous crime)
Deep House, Thomas King (Indigenous crime)
The Mother of All Degrassi, Linda Schuyler (memoir)
Cambium Blue, Maureen Brownlee (fiction)
Fenian Street, Anne Emery (Irish historical crime)
Ghost Mark, JP McLean (supernatural thriller)
The Things I Came Here With. Chris MacDonald (memoir)
The Legend of Sarah, Leslie Gadallah (fantasy)
Wolf at the Door, Joel McKay (fantasy)
Murder at Haven’s Rock. Kelley Armstrong (crime)
A Rip Through Time. Kelley Armstrong (time-travel, Scottish historical, crime)
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