Geri Buckley Borcz

I'm pleased to showcase debut author W. Charlene Ammons's new murder mystery The Plan and to have her share her thoughts on the writing process:

First off, give us a taste of The Plan, Wendy:

The Plan is about Omega, a fictional town located in Southeast Alabama. The time period is the early 1940's (pre-WWII) and the town is feeling the effects from the Depression and the drought that has plagued the area. Into this charming Southern town walks Rev. Mode Lee. He is not only handsome and charming, but appears to be a miracle worker. The rains begin; the morale increases; and when a local farming family is brutally murdered, he appears to raise one of the family members from the dead. Mode Lee quickly becomes a savior to many members of the town. Not everyone in the town is seduced by the ebony haired pastor. It would take the nosy mother of the county sheriff, a mentally ill child, and a fiery red head to find out the truth of who the killer really is.
The Plan touches on a variety of different topics: racial conflict, class structure, faith (or lack thereof), murder, and small town Southern charm.

When did you first begin writing?

I have always loved to tell a story. I remember as far back as the 6th grade writing stories, just for fun. I also kept a journal and wrote in it all the time. I joined Journalism when I was in 11th grade. I worked on the yearbook and I was the editor of the school newspaper. At the time, I believed that was where my life was going to lead. I became very involved in politics and had my career mapped out--journalism, law school, Congress, first woman president. I even wrote "Letters to the Editor" and argued constantly with the local newspaper.
In 12th, my English teacher Mrs. Locke graded one of my creative writing assignments and she told me that my writing reminded her of a Danielle Steele novel. Needless to say, I was shocked. I never forgot that.

Tell us about your writing process and where you write:

For me, it is much easier to write when I am very sad or very angry. I have also found that my best writing is during those times. I usually can not write when I hear my husband watching his favorite hunting show on TV; however, I can write while listening to music. As a matter of fact, while writing The Plan I listened to a CD of Roy Acuff singing gospel music over and over. It put me into that time and place--it transported me to Omega, Alabama, 1941. As for where I write, it just depends. I don't have a desk at home. I may write while I'm lying on the couch, or I may write while I'm lying in bed. It just depends where I am most comfortable at the time and whether the hubby is watching Buckmasters.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what movies and books would be there with you?

Movies: O Brother Where Art Thou?, Silence of the Lambs, To Kill a Mockingbird, Gone With The Wind, Coal Miner's Daughter

Books: To Kill a Mockingbird, Rhett Butler's People, Twilight, Interview with the Vampire, Anatomy of a Lynching

If The Plan were a movie, who would you want to play your main character? Love interest? Bad guy? Would you play a role?

Honestly, I originally saw Hugh Jackman or Rob Lowe playing the main character of my book--Mode Lee. I then came across Ian Somerholder from the Vampire Chronicles and knew straight away that he was the one. He fit the character perfectly. As for the love interest, Lola Harrison, I see Kate Winslet. I can also see myself; this is because so much of what makes Lola is what makes me. If I were to name one bad guy in my book (because honestly there are quite a few), it would be the character of Emery Harrison, and he would be played by Kevin Spacey. He is a master at portraying rich Southern men (i.e. Jim Williams in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil).

My thanks to W. Charlene Ammons for taking time from her busy schedule to share her thoughts on writing, and be sure to ask for The Plan at your favorite book store.