WELCOME AUTHOR
JOYCE T. STRAND
Author bio:
Joyce
T. Strand is the author of who-done-it mysteries set in the San Francisco
Silicon Valley and Napa-Sonoma wine regions of California.
Her
most recent novel, HILLTOP SUNSET, is the first of a new series featuring
protagonist Brynn Bancroft, a financial guru in transition to winemaker from
corporate executive. Brynn Bancroft is a minor character in Strand’s novels ON
MESSAGE, OPEN MEETINGS, and FAIR DISCLOSURE—three mysteries solved by Jillian
Hillcrest, a publicist whose boss was Chief Financial Officer Brynn Bancroft.
Much like
her protagonist Jillian Hillcrest, Strand headed corporate communications at
several biotech and high-tech companies in California’s Silicon Valley for more
than 25 years. Unlike Jillian, however, she did not encounter murder in her
career. She focused on writing by-lined articles, press releases, white papers,
and brochures to publicize her companies and their products.
Strand
lives with her two cats and collection of cow statuary in Southern California,
and seeks out and attends as many Broadway musicals and other stage plays as
possible.
She
received her Ph.D. from the George Washington University, Washington, D.C. and
her B.A. from Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.
Brief synopsis of
your book:
A mystery set in wine country pitting financial exec Brynn Bancroft
against a determined stalker, a troubled love interest, and career clashes.
Brynn Bancroft learns that a
former employee who beat her nearly to death has returned to stalk her and her
friend, Jillian Hillcrest, also a former victim. Recently divorced, Brynn turns to a new love
interest only to encounter additional unwelcome issues. Meanwhile, short-timer
Brynn, who has resigned from her Silicon Valley company, becomes bored
fulfilling her remaining responsibilities there. She begins to prefer supporting
the launch of her ex-husband’s new hilltop winery while waiting to move to her
next position. Between her stalker and her new love interest, Brynn faces a
series of life-threatening events.
Book title:
Hilltop Sunset:
A Brynn Bancroft Mystery
Current book or
project you’re working on:
What moment or
event sparked the inspiration for your novel?
I created the story for Hilltop Sunset by fictionalizing a
real case solved by the FBI in 1980s Silicon Valley. A retired FBI agent who
helped solve the case suggested it to me. I drew the characters from this and
my other novels from my corporate background heading public relations in
several high-tech and biotech companies.
Please share
three interesting facts about the characters in your book.
1) Brynn
Bancroft played a minor role in my first three mysteries as the boss of
protagonist Jillian Hillcrest, and lover of the married Chief Executive
Officer.
2) Liam
Bancroft, Brynn’s ex-husband (she chooses to keep his last name), secretly
continues to love her but has given up on her largely due to her extra-marital
affairs.
3) H.
Todd Logan, Brynn’s new love interest, pulls her out of a funk following her
divorce, and exhilarates her in more ways than one, but brings his own shadowy
complications to the relationship.
Who is the most
complex issue you dealt with, as a writer, in your current novel?
In order to transition Brynn from an unfeeling promiscuous
financial executive to a caring committed winemaker, I had to introduce her as
a somewhat unlikeable character – yet simultaneously engage readers to want to
read more about her. In an early draft, she changed too quickly; so I slowed
down her progression, but still gave small indications that it was coming. Also,
her ex-husband, Liam, gave some insight into her background, enlightening
readers about the reason for her behaviour.
Are there any
characters in your book that remind you of yourself?
Jillian Hillcrest reminds me of me! I served as the head
of various communications functions at several high-tech and biotech companies,
much as Jillian does. However, where she is tall, slender, and successful,
well, I’m not. Also, I never encountered any murders nor helped the police
solve any crimes.
If you could pick
any well known or famous author to review your book who would you pick and why?
Mary Higgins Clark writes books with female amateur
sleuths who more or less stumble into mystery and life-threatening
predicaments. Therefore she could best
review Hilltop Sunset, which tells the story of a financial executive drawn
into a mystery and life-threatening events that she must solve. Clark could
best review the effectiveness of the suspense, plot, and character building—all
of which she does so well.
Genre/Author/Reader:
What genre and
age group does your book fall into?
Mystery for readers over 21. There is some light sex and violence which might not be
appropriate for younger readers.
What is the first
book you remember reading, that affected how you thought or felt about
something?
Discounting the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries that I
read very young purely for entertainment, I think the first book that really
influenced my thinking when I was in junior high school was Nevil Shute’s On the Beach. It terrified me and I
spent much of my youth worrying about the ramifications of nuclear war.
Which three
authors have inspired you the most, and why?
1) Tom
Clavell – and Shogun is my most
favorite novel. His descriptions of medieval Japan put me there; and the
chess-like moves of the players intrigued my puzzle-solving senses.
2) John
Steinbeck – he wrote so real but not despairingly so. I welcomed his characters
into my life.
3) John
Grisham – he can tell a story with suspense and educate me about the pitfalls
of law firms, supreme courts, jury-fixing, southern bigotry, and the death
penalty.
Have you ever
read a book you couldn’t finish reading?
Yes, James Joyce’s Ulysses.
Do you read a
book, while you are writing a book?
I read books at any time, including when I’m writing. I
love mysteries specifically. Or historical novels. I’m currently reading The Devil in the White City by Erik
Larson.
The process:
How many books
have you written? I’ve written and published four
mysteries; I also count my PhD dissertation as a book (it was 170 pages) so
that’s five, although it’s non-fiction; and I’ve written a first draft of my
fifth fictional book, which I plan to publish June/July 2015.
Which book is
your favourite and why?
Oh, you’re asking me to choose from among my own
children!-- but I guess of the ones I’ve published, my favourite was Fair Disclosure, perhaps because I have
seen the crime of UN-fair disclosure up close and really care about it, because
it’s not understood.
Is there anything
that helps get you in the mood to write?
Sitting quietly by myself thinking about the story makes
me want to get started. Driving for long distances helps me think through a
plot. Opening my computer and starting to write is what helps the most!
What were three
challenges you faced when writing your book?
1) I had to transition from being a writer of marketing
literature like press releases, by-lined articles, or white papers to being a
writer of fiction that told a mystery with suspense and interesting characters.
2) Creating credibility for the mystery/murder and police
procedural parts of the books.
3) Endings – I have difficulty concluding my mysteries
without calling everyone into the parlour to inform them of who did what, why,
and when.
What is one of
your favourite sources for research and why?
My favorite sources – other than Google – are experts, i.e.,
real people who have lived and performed in the field I need to discuss.
Do you ever
experience writer’s block? If so what helps you to ‘overcome’?
I sometimes get stopped in developing my plot because I
can’t figure out how to get from one point to another. Sometimes I’ll just skip
that part and write a different scene, and come back later to bridge the
troubling segment. Also, I have a rule when writing that I will write at least
3000 words a day – no matter how bad. That keeps me moving, even if I discard
much of the bad stuff.
Was there a time
when you felt possessed by a character when you were writing? If so from which
book and which character?
Actually, that has happened with my next book which is set
in 1939 Ventura CA and is the story about a Judge. To maintain the objectivity
so coveted by Judges, I tell his story from the perspective of a precocious
16-year-old wannabe author. Wow! Did she ever take over. I had to keep
reminding her and me that this is the Judge’s Story, not hers.
Do you take part
in creating your book cover and if so what do you find the most difficult part
of the process?
For all of my books, I’ve had a conceptual idea of what I
wanted, but quite frankly I have no visual arts talent whatsoever. I usually
can describe what I want the cover to say but I rely on an artist’s skills to
say it visually. I’ve been very fortunate to have designers who could implement
my concept far beyond what I could have imagined.
What part of the
process becomes the most critical for you?
Selling books!
How long does it
usually take for you to complete a book?
Conceiving the plot, ie, finding the case on which to base
the story, drafting a brief or detailed outline, and writing a book can take
approximately three months – but that’s barely the beginning of the process.
Then, I edit the first draft, send it to some alpha readers, and then re-write
and then send to beta readers and rewrite and then send to a professional
editor and REALLY rewrite – that process takes another three months. Then, of
course, there’s proofing and proofing and proofing and… Next there’s the
formatting – so from beginning to end the process can be as long as a year.
Do you have any
ideas for your book and Hollywood? Actors, directors, music.
Well, Brynn Bancroft is a shapely blond with a Mensa IQ
about 40 years old, so perhaps a blonde Catherine Zeta Jones. Her ex-husband,
Liam, is handsome, athletic, and charismatic and could be played by Mark
Valley. Her lover, Todd, is tall and somewhat professorial and I picture
someone like Chris Noth. Brynn is constantly playing music like John
Fogarty/Creedence Clearwater version of “Down on the Corner” so that would be
the kind of music I’d put with it.
Which book to
movie conversion is your favourite?
John Grisham’s The
Client.
Do you watch a
lot of science fiction or fantasy movies?
No – except I have been drawn to some of the new Marvel
comic book features, like The Avengers.
Oh, and of course the new Star Trek
and I’m really looking forward to JJ Abrams version of Star Wars.
Do you study
science, criminology, police, medical, or anything special to help you with
your writing?
I have attended several conferences where criminology and
police procedures are discussed. However, I rely on retired police and FBI
agents to offer guidance. I’m more interested in the people and the plot than
in police procedure, although I do try to make police activity accurate.
What, who, and
when, first inspired you to write?
As a PR professional for more than 25 years, I had to
write press releases, background documents, by-lined articles, and many other
types of documents. However, I had never considered writing fiction until one
day, following my being laid off my job in 2008, my husband said “Why don’t you
write a book? A mystery.” And that’s how my writing career really began.
Personal
favourite info:
Drink – Lemon
drop (the kind with vodka) or red wine
Food – Italian
Vacation –
Broadway to see as many musicals and plays as possible
TV show – West
Wing (current – the newest Sherlock Holmes with Benedict Cumberbatch or NCIS)
Movie – The Usual
Suspects or Princess Bride
Animal – cat
Sport – American
football
Book – Shogun
Comedy – Some
Like it Hot
Struggle –
growing old
How can people
connect with you?
Website/Blog:
Website: http://joycestrand.com
Blog: Strand’s
Simply Tips http://strandssimplytips.blogspot.com
Twitter: @joycetstrand
Where can readers
find your book?
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=joyce+t+strand
HILLTOP SUNSET
Amazon Paperback and Kindle
Barnes and Noble Nook
Signed Paperback: Unicorn Book Store
