Vocal Expressions

Author’s Bio: Jeff Elkins is the author of 12 novels, 4 books on the craft of writing, and over 100 short stories. He prides himself in writing engaging stories with dynamic and interesting characters. Almost all of his stories take place in Baltimore. He podcasts and coaches writers as “The Dialogue Doctor.” Currently, he lives north of Baltimore with his wife and 5 children.   Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your books? Jeff Elkins: All of my books have started with a scene. I’ll see in my imagination characters having a conversation or experiencing something emotional. Sometimes these scenes come in a dream, other times they come when I’m wide awake and working. They always carry big emotions. These scenes tend to stick in my brain for days and I can’t let go of them. First, I’ll write them as a short story. Then, if I think there is more to uncover, I’ll turn the short story into a novel.   For example, my most recent novel NRDS: National Recently Deceased Se

This is the first multicultural romance I've read by C.L. Donley, and I found her style to be simple, realistic, and engaging. The novel is more character-driven than plot-driven, which makes for an intriguing read. Meet Anita Parker, a 38-year-old personal assistant to eccentric CEO Jonathan Jantzen. After six years of navigating his demanding personality and efficiently managing his business, Anita is surprised when, just as she's offered her dream job as a forensic investigator, Jonathan counters with a marriage proposal. The catch? It’s a six-month arrangement. Anita throws herself into planning a “big ass” wedding, complete with all the bells and whistles—venue, dress, cake, and more. She and Jonathan begin their staged romance, practicing affection in public while only a select few of Jonathan’s friends know the truth. However, things shift when a date and a candid discussion about their past relationships reveal the emotional baggage, they both carry. They’re afraid to b

Author Bio: Debbi Mack is the NY Times bestselling author of the Sam McRae and the Erica Jensen mystery series and other novels, a screenwriter, and producer of two podcasts: the Crime Cafe and Dark and Twisted Alleys: A Film Noir Podcast, co-hosted with crime writer F.R. Jameson. She loves books, movies, travel, cats, espresso, and Doctor Who —not necessarily in that order. You can find her online at debbimack.com.   Deliah Lawrence: What is your writing process?   Debbi Mack:   I tend to outline after I get the germ of an idea. I usually write from the first person, so I try to plan out the key moments of the story in terms of the main character’s feelings in that moment, how revelatory they should feel. I also start with a type of ending in mind. All of this is subject to change, based largely on where the characters lead me. So, I start with a bare outline and improvise from there.   One nice thing about writing a series is that you get to know your cast of character

Author’s Bio: Brian received his chemical engineering degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1974 and has worked in the chemical industry, primarily in the environmental, health and safety area since then.  Brian is also an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren and serves as a part-time pastor at two small churches.  In that role he has written and delivered more than 500 sermons.     He lives in Elkton, MD with his wife, Emily and has two sons and seven grandchildren. While he has worked as an engineer during his adult life, he has had a life-long passion for all types of history as well as his family history. Brian has taken letters from his father and two uncles and diary entries from his grandmother with some headlines from the Johnstown Tribune into two books about the experiences of his family during the extraordinary time of World War II.   Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book?  Brian Berkey: When I was given the letters that my father