Geri Buckley Borcz

Multi-published author Deb Stover talks about the art and craft of writing and about her newest release The Gift.

First off, Deb, tell us about The Gift:

Certain members of the Dearborn Family are born with some variance of an empathic gift. Beth's "gift" manifests in a particularly frightening manner, by enabling her to experience the final moments of those who've died violently. As an adult, she chooses a career as a homicide detective, and--obviously--is very successful. However, the experience of being "murdered" repeatedly takes a terrible toll and she turns to alcohol for solace. When she hits bottom and seeks treatment for her addiction, she is convinced the only way she can stay sober is to somehow suppress her gift-turned-curse by avoiding places where the spirit of someone who died violently might contact her. She leaves her position and takes one as a nomadic insurance investigator.

Her new career keeps her safe and sober for three years. Convinced her gift has faded from lack of use, she finally accepts an assignment involving possible life insurance fraud, which leads her to a small town in eastern Tennessee.

Ty Malone's wife, Lorilee, disappeared over seven years ago. Though the town and his father-in-law remain convinced she ran away to pursue a career as a painter in Europe, he has always maintained that the only thing that could keep his wife away from her children is death. It's time to learn the truth, so he petitions the court to have her declared legally dead. The life insurance claim brings investigator Beth Dearborn into his life.

The Gift is part mystery, part ghost story, part suspense, part romance, part thriller. The novel also touches on the issue of women and alcoholism on various levels. Beth is a recovering alcoholic, and the reader will also meet a character who is a practicing one.

Both Beth and Ty will be forced to face their greatest fears to learn the truth, and to find happiness.

So what pulled you into the story and made you think 'I have to write this'?

A protagonist always pulls me into a new story. In this case, I "met" Ty's wife, Lorilee, first. She introduced herself to my muse, and I wrote a scene that appears very late in the book it would be a spoiler if I told you about it) as a prologue initially. Then I saved it and used it later. From that scene, the entire story evolved. She is the catalyst who brings about all the events.

What's your writing process and where do you write?

I prefer to write at my desk, mostly for comfort. Since I have rheumatoid arthritis, ergonomics are extra important. I have a special keyboard, keyboard tray, chair, mouse, etc. I love my laptop, but if I spend too much time on it, I pay the price. I'm typically a very early morning writer--a lark--and often wake hours before dawn to work while the rest of the house is sleeping soundly. I love quiet, and rarely listen to music while working--especially in first draft. While editing, I can listen to anything, but in first draft I can't have any lyrics. They pull me out of the story.

I'm very much a "pantser"--and I have to say I hate that term. I much prefer Jo Beverley's "writing into the mist" description. I start with a character in a situation, then start writing. Once I have a global idea of the general plot and the cast of characters, I write a narrative synopsis and send it to my agent. Once we go to contract, do any revisions to the proposal, if requested, I plunge ahead. I confess my finished product does not always follow that synopsis verbatim. And I NEVER outline. Perish the
thought....

Any advice for aspiring writers?

It's your book. Trust your instincts. There are no rules. Critique is a smorgasbord--take what you want and leave what you don't. There are a thousand how-to books, workshops, and know-it-alls out there dying to tell you how to do your job. There is no special handshake. There is no secret potion. There is no magic elixir. You only have yourself, your muse, and the blank screen/Big Chief Tablet/whatever medium you choose. Keep throwing the spaghetti against the wall until something sticks.

And what's next for you?

I am currently at work on the sequel to The Gift--working title is The Secret. When you read The Gift, you will meet Beth's cousin, Sam Dearborn. His "gift" manifests in a different way. He jokingly refers to himself as a "psychic errand boy."

My thanks to Deb Stover for taking time from her busy schedule to share her thoughts on writing, and be sure to look for The Gift at your favorite book store.