I am sudden death.

The Tourist Killer ends and A Year Without Killing opens
in Manhattan near Penn Station.
Here's a shot I got from Hoboken. 

The Eight Sentences:

“I am sudden death.

Unexpected. 

Unwelcome. 

Final.”  -- For over thirty years, it was the credo of one of the most successful and least known professional assassins in history. In A Year Without Killing, Claudia Barry takes a year off from work. 

She doesn’t leave her weapons at home.

The Back Story:

       Today's excerpt is the promo line for my third novel.

        If that was all you knew about the book, would you click your mouse to find out more?

        As usual, all feedback welcomed.

Open call for writers:

Join us here at Weekend Writing Warriors. The  same link will take you to the work of dozens of talented writers. For a treat, please check out their work, too.  

Here's the Facebook link for the Sunday Snippett group.

Meet Claudia Barry

Cindy A invited me to participate in a "Meet Your Character" blog hop. Cindy is the author of The Milk Carton Murders due out next spring. Meet Cindy and view her blog, HERE.

Now, Meet My Character:

1) What is the name of your character? Is he/she fictional or a historic person?

    Claudia Barry - fictional

2) When and where is the story set?

    Current times, eastern seaboard USA

3) What should we know about him/her?

    Readers meet Claudia in my first book, The Tourist Killer. She’s sixty-two years old and has successfully negotiated a career of over thirty years. Now she’s contemplating retirement and examining her life. What’s next for a professional assassin? Who do you retire? Her assigner convinces her to take a year sabbatical rather than retire outright. A Year Without Killing is the sequel and chronicles her time off.

4) What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?

    Is retirement from this career any easier than retiring from the CIA or the mafia? How do you break away and stay alive? Claudia must now find a way to be at peace with herself so she can enjoy the rest of her life. As The Tourist Killer ends, she and her lover are in separate parts of the country and neither knows the fate of the other.

5) What is the personal goal of the character?

    Claudia wants to settle down with John Hixon and pursue life without the burden of being the harbinger of death to others.

6) Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it?

    A Year Without Killing, my current work in progress is the third book in the Barry-Hixon series and is the sequel to my first book, The Tourist Killer. I participate most weekends in a blog hop, titled, “Weekend Writing Warriors” and most of the excerpts I publish for the next few months will be from AYWK. Catch up with Claudia and her exploits HERE.

7) When can we expect the book to be published?

    E-book and trade paperback versions should be available in the spring of 2015. A Year Without Killing will debut in serialized form, with two chapters per week in either late fall of 2014 or winter of 2015 on the publisher’s site, Venture Galleries.

To keep the meetings going, I'll tag:

Caleb Pirtle , Stephen Woodfin , and David Stokes.

The world thinks he had a heart attack.

The Eight Sentences:

She touched a remote switch and heavy drapes concealed the windows and muted the sound of the thunderstorm, “I’m going to the States for a meeting with Julian Thibaut.”

“You’ve spent a noteworthy amount of time with him since Brian’s death.”

She ignored the suggestion and took the conversation in another direction, “You mean, since Brian’s murder.”

“The world thinks he had a heart attack,” answered Byrd.

“We know different -- and I know who pulled the trigger and who put up the money.”

Byrd was staggered by the revelation. He hesitated for a moment, looked at the floor, took a deep breath and changed the subject, “Do you think Thibaut will have an interest in a sizeable portion of our stock?”

Star made eye contact, smiled, and replied, “Probably, but before I find out, I’m having an old friend for dinner.”

The Setup:

     Star Braun plans a trip to the States. It's just the tip of the ice berg and the first in a series of dominoes about to fall. She's discussing it with a business associate and friend.

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Manhattan Skyline

The Eight Sentences:

The Manhattan skyline glowed like bullion thanks to the sun’s rays just before dusk. Claudia Barry appreciated the spectacle from her table in the Vu Lounge of the Hyatt Regency in Jersey City. She held her martini glass up so she could observe the Freedom Tower through her drink. She liked the distorted view. It gave her ideas for a watercolor painting she planned to complete while in the northeast.

She turned to a fresh sheet of paper in her leather portfolio and wrote with her antique fountain pen.

She moved the pen with a deliberate pace. The painter’s hand moved the premium writing instrument with an assassin’s precision.

Claudia's view of the Freedom Tower from Jersey City.
Image credit: Etier Photography/Royal Flamingo Works, LLC

The Back Story:

     Readers first met Claudia Barry in The Tourist Killer. As that book ended, she had decided to take a year off from work. The sequel, A Year Without Killing, tells what she did during that twelve month sabbatical. She did not leave her weapons at home.

What now?

 Looking for more viewers, readers, and contacts?

Join us here at Weekend Writing Warriors. The same 

link will take you to the work of dozens of talented writers.

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 Sunday Snippett group.

Paying It Forward

Recently another author invited me to participate in a “blog tour” by posting an article in which I answer several questions. Here goes.

My writing time in addition to blog articles is focused on my third novel, A Year Without Killing. This will be volume three in the “Barry-Hixon Conspiracy” series. It is also the sequel to my first book, The Tourist Killer. Writing is not my full time occupation, so it make take a while. If it all works out, maybe AYWK will be available in time for Christmas shopping.

While some books neatly fit into a particular genre, I’m not a big fan of the genre-labeling game. My first book prompted this comment from reviewer, Blaine Coleman, “The Tourist Killer is a complex story that’s difficult to pigeonhole into a single category: is it a novel about crime, international intrigue, a psychological thriller, a look into the mind of a paid assassin, or, is it a romance?” You could say that my books are “crossover” in terms of genre and that’s what makes them different.

Dale Carnegie said to speak about something that you have: 1. earned the right to speak about (personal experience) or 2. done extensive research and can speak about with knowledge. Applying his advice to writing, I write about what I know. My wife says I talk too much and she’s probably correct. My editor prefers me to use dialog to drive the story so I put my experience to work. The combination has earned kudos from reviewers for the conversations in my books. From a review of The Presidents Club, “Also intriguing are the elderly men themselves, their histories, and their opinions. Although they are, at times, catty, insulting, and sly, they seem like people we'd want to know (Hey, Louie, bring me a beer.) Etier has captured real conversations as the characters' comments overlap, entertain, and yes zing each other.”

I write for the same reason many readers open a book -- escape.

The time spent with my characters is wonderful and meaningful.

If I can escape and become totally absorbed with my characters in the story, then, perhaps my readers can also.

When I write dialog, it helps to (as they say in the theater), "get into character."

When a few weeks pass without writing, and then I return to it, I'm always surprised at how much I missed being with my literary friends.

When I begin a project, I think about characters and make notes on them. An overall story arc helps and then I write the first and last chapters. At that point, I turn the characters loose and hang on for dear life. It is often surprising what the characters do.

It is never disappointing and that’s why I love writing.

At least three of my writer friends will receive an e-mail from me soon with an invitation to answer the same questions and invite three of their fellow authors.

The "Pro Choice" Choice

The Eight Sentences:

"When I lived in Baton Rouge, I knew quite a few people, men in particular, who would profess their belief that abortion should be banned. Complete total ban in every situation. They’d brag about standing up in meetings of the Knights of Columbus and announce bold, confident proclamations of their beliefs. They were fond of using absolutes like ‘always’ and ‘never’.”

“It’s good to see people stand firm with their convictions, don’t you think?” asked Debert.

“Ah, yes, but listen to this. Find one of those men out of that environment and ask them in private, ‘What if it were your wife or daughter that got raped by a retarded, homeless drug addict?’ The expression on their face would change and then you’d see what I’m talking about when I refer to, ‘situational ethics.’” 

The Back Story:

       Last week's snippet featured a conversation between professional assassin, Claudia Barry, and her only confidant, Mr. Debert, about her choice to put her unborn baby up for adoption. 

       Today's sample comes from another chapter in which she and Debert are discussing her career choice. During a lengthy diatribe in her attempts to justify her profession, the subject of abortion comes up. Claudia is a conflicted woman who has made conflicting choices and yet is still at peace with herself.

News:

The Tourist Killer was featured this past Friday, Nov. 8, in the debut of a new website, The Fussy Librarian. 

If you'd like your book promoted by direct e-mail to thousands of readers who have requested recommendations (by genre) then check'em out.

What now?

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The Planned Parenthood Flashback

The Eight Sentences:

Debert pressed on, “It’s clear that your career choice had a major influence in your putting the baby up for adoption.”

“Picture this -- first grade teacher has each child stand up and talk about their family. My kid stands up and says, “I don’t have a daddy but my mom makes lots of money killing people.”

“You’re right, that wouldn’t sound good,” replied Debert, playing along.

“Besides, it’s too late now anyway.”

“What do you mean?” Debert became concerned.

“I’ve already killed someone --two, in fact.”

There was a long silence, Debert was stunned and speechless.

Art Hoffman

The Back Story:       It's 1976, three years after Roe vs. Wade and Claudia finds herself pregnant. The above eight sentences come from the flashback in which she visits her doctor in the Hackensack, NJ Planned Parenthood office. Claudia has decided to pursue a living killing people, but when faced with this choice, she chose adoption. A PP doctor will deliver the baby. In that same scene, she meets with the only person she can trust (Mr. Debert) and they discuss her conflicted nature and her current situation.       

[Special thanks to my good friend, Art Hoffman who traces his involvement in the family planning movement way back to 1970 when he began working at his first Planned Parenthood in Chicago, Illinois. Over the ensuing decades he also worked for or supported Planned Parenthood affiliates in Los Angeles CA, Rochester NY, Albuquerque, NM and Louisville, KY. Not surprisingly, most of his co-workers were females, so he developed an admiration for strong, fearless and independent minded women. Perhaps that is why Claudia intrigues him so.]                                                           

What next?

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Glen or Glenda, Victor/Victoria Flashback

The Eight Sentences:

         Claudia entered a public restroom on the main floor near the ballroom where the breakfast meeting would occur. No one saw her exit. In one of the stalls, she changed from her business suit which consisted of a blouse, skirt and jacket into dark slacks and a white button down men’s oxford shirt. She removed the brunette wig and shook her head letting her fresh cut hairstyle fall into place. Next the makeup was removed with cold cream to reveal her Gulf Coast tan. Her skin was smooth and clear and would pass for the fresh-shaved face of a man. She packed the clothes she had worn coming in and stepped out into the hallway. Claudia Barry disappeared into the crowd. 

The Back Story:

The next morning was the beginning of a personal challenge. She had two self-assignments. First, she wanted to infiltrate the wait staff of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and for at least a few hours, become one of them — as a male. It was important for her thesis to show, how using deception, timing, and disguise, she could move in close to important people in spite of security. Second, her next goal would be to disappear from the premises undetected. Her effective use of group dynamics would be put to the test. She’d have to rely on an unplanned diversion to occur — unless she could come up with something on the spur of the minute.

What now?

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The inspiration:

     This scene from the movie, Victor Victoria made a memorable impression. When it came time for a scene in which Claudia Barry would pull off an amazinge deception, the idea of Julie Andrews portraying a man was a great inspiration. 
     Fast forward to the 4:45 mark in this scene (unless you'd like to enjoy the entire production number):

This just in...

     Friday night, 10-18, I saw this story on Yahoo:
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/lady-looks-like-a-dude--female-model-goes-male-to-get-more-jobs-171123533.html

Faculty Club Flashback

The Eight Sentences:

 “I’ve been experimenting with some of your suggestions -- you told me several months ago about the seating arrangements. Ever since, I always make sure my wife is seated to my right when we’re discussing certain things.”  

“When I saw the two of you at the Faculty Club last week, her body language told me that it wasn’t working,” Claudia smiled.

“Of course, I didn’t see you.” 

“Yes, you did -- I waited on you.”

He was surprised, “What?”

I told you I wanted to include a section in my paper about disguises. Well, it worked, didn’t it?”

LSU's Faculty Club - a popular restaurant for faculty
as well as the general public.

The Back Story:

Never one to flout her talents, Claudia became a self-styled recluse in junior college, and none of her Columbia, Missouri, high school friends ever knew that she had graduated from the University of Arkansas with a major in sociology and earned a master’s degree at LSU in group dynamics. Disassociation from any childhood or teen acquaintances had become her first disappearing act. 

This snippett continues the series of flashbacks and features a conversation with her masters advisor. 

He speaks first.

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Ascension Sunday in Pirate's Alley

The Eight Sentences:

It was Ascension Sunday and he had attended the evening mass at the St. Louis Cathedral alone. As he left the service, a young man called out to him, "Mr. Duplessis, please help me."

The kindly older gentleman found it hard to resist a personal call for help so he stepped eagerly into Pirate's Alley to offer his assistance to the young man in need. Perhaps he was feeling benevolent upon leaving the religious service.

They walked arm in arm several paces into the alley then the young man turned to his companion and said, "This is for Barry -- Clarence Barry, remember him?"

Her disguise and make-shift silencer worked to perfection. The immoral cop and corrupt politician crumpled into a heap in the darkness of the alley. 

Claudia disappeared into the night and reemerged a few blocks over on Toulouse Street.

St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans fronted
by Jackson Square in the French Quarter
Image credit, Wikicommons

The Back Story:

Claudia Barry's first kill.

She avenges the death of her own father at the hands of a dirty cop.

Is she a hero -- or a psycopath?

She uses her skills at disquise to hide from her victims and herself.

Her reaction to his experience can be found in this snippett from last year: http://etierphotography.blogspot.com/2012/11/nov-4-six-sentence-sunday.html

What now?

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The white scarf flashback

The Eight Sentences:

"Claudia, you've known me since you were six or seven years old, don't you remember? You would often point me out to your grandfather and say, 'Look, Grandpa Hooligan, there's Mr. Debert.'"

"You know what I called him."

"Why shouldn't I -- I was always around."

They sat together in companionable silence while she thought. Finally, she said, "I'll wear a white scarf when I want to see you."

"What about after Labor Day?" he asked sincerely.

"That's for shoes," she said with a note of sarcasm.

The Back Story:

Today's snippet comes from the flashback at the beginning of Part 2 of The Tourist Killer. Here, readers meet the mysterious "Mr. Debert" (day-bear), Claudia's confidant, one of only two people with whom she can discuss any aspects of her career. She's decided she can trust him and they make arrangements for scheduling meetings.

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Flashbacks add structure to debut novel

The Eight Sentences

"Not many shooters — regardless of sex — have the resume I’ve acquired, my vision is remarkable for any human. When I chose this career, it was obvious that I would never be in the limelight. I’ll be happy to be just as anonymous as you.” Claudia had resigned herself to anonymity even before the choice of professions. She had taken herself out of the fight for women’s rights with the selection of careers. She couldn’t attract attention to herself advocating any issue publicly and then hope to reach the upper echelons of her craft. She could, and did, find ways to make financial contributions to the cause. After her first few jobs, she had stashed away enough funds to live happily ever after — when and — if she ever retired.

The Back Story

      Readers meet professional assassin, Claudia Barry, when she's sixty-two years old and considering retirement. How do we tell her story and establish her current status without some flashbacks?

My original manuscript was cluttered and confusing due to the flashbacks.

My editor/publisher had a brilliant idea. Divide the book into sections and open each one with a flashback related to, or supporting the action in that section.

Remember the movie, Fried Green Tomatoes? It was structured similarly.

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They're here, they're there -- they're everywhere!

The Eight Sentences

She replied, “Name a few of the organizations you would consider if you believed in conspiracies.”

Without hesitation, Hixon said, “The Council on Foreign Relations, the CIA, the Bilderbergers, Trilateral Commission, should I continue?”

“Yes,” she said, “please do.”

“The Freemasons, Skull and Bones, the Knights Templar, Illuminati, Opus Dei, Knights of Columbus, the Schutzstaffel, Rosicrucians, Scientology, the KKK, the Costa Nostra, Al Qaeda, and the UMYF.”

“Did you ever read Ayn Rand’s book, Atlas Shrugged?” 

Hixon raised his eyebrows and shrugged, “No, but I read The Fountainhead, why?”

“She had a fictitious organization in the book called, ‘Friends of Global Progress.’ They claimed to have interests in psychology, folk music, and co-operative farming, and after decades of being known simply as ‘The Council,’ Thibaut’s group stole that name from Rand -- obviously they had more pernicious interests.”

The Set Up

  In this scene from The Presidents Club, Thibaut's secretary, Rosemary Woods, is talking to John Hixon about the organization to which her boss had been named Chairman. The image below comes from Wikipedia and depicts the wide variety of members in the Council on Foreign Relations (one of Hixon's examples).

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