Ask the Author: G.G. Collins
Answered Questions (16)
G.G. Collins
She stood behind him quietly gripping the knife collecting her nerve. Her husband sat at the kitchen table wondering why he was so frightened.
G.G. Collins
I would go to Lemuria and in fact, my character Rachel Blackstone did just that. A friend was kidnapped and taken back in time to the continent of Lemuria. Rachel arrived there to try for rescue, just as the earthquakes and volcanoes commenced that would eventually sink the continent into the Pacific. In order to describe Lemuria I researched the history, both the fact and the mythology, until I felt I could describe their homes, clothing and way of life. As a bonus, I constructed the Temple of Knowledge where Rachel learned about her previous lives. Lemuria was a fascinating place.
G.G. Collins
I'll be writing Anasazi Medium this summer. Currently, I'm up to my bangs in the Fourth World of the Hopi. I find the Hopi a fascinating people. Usually people write about the Navajo, but the Hopi reservation is smack-dab in the middle of the Navajo reservation. They have had to be strong and steadfast. Even today, many Hopi do not have running water or electricity, but still they stay. I admire that.
In Reluctant Medium. Rachel Blackstone learned of a Hopi ritual to return the dead. Unfortunately, it went a little askew and Rachel found herself in evil spirit country. But she also found Joseph, a wise and kind shaman who assists her in understanding her newfound powers. He provides many of the magical ah-ha moments.
Rachel will delve further into Hopi legend in Anasazi Medium. She has to. The survival of the world is at stake.
In Reluctant Medium. Rachel Blackstone learned of a Hopi ritual to return the dead. Unfortunately, it went a little askew and Rachel found herself in evil spirit country. But she also found Joseph, a wise and kind shaman who assists her in understanding her newfound powers. He provides many of the magical ah-ha moments.
Rachel will delve further into Hopi legend in Anasazi Medium. She has to. The survival of the world is at stake.
G.G. Collins
You'd think after I wrote a book (Reluctant Medium) about the pitfalls of trying rituals you know nothing about, I would pass on performing one in real life. Oh noooo. Grief does strange things to us and when a dear friend died I, with no experience at all, enacted a "transitional blessing" for her. During the blessing, I asked if she could let me know she was okay, never expecting anything would come of it--but you know they do this in movies, and it works in that concept.
The following morning I was mundanely applying toothpaste to my brush when suddenly a small clock flew off a shelf, hit the wall on the other side of the room and fell into the bathtub. I was shaken and confused at this occurrence, but the clock was intact so I replaced it on the shelf.
All day I puzzled over this. The shelf was secure and level. How could this have happened? I even measured the distance from the shelf to the wall: eight feet. The clock had not fallen off, but streaked across the room like a UFO!
The following day as I prepared once again to brush my teeth, I touched the clock. It was stable. Reassured and about to believe I'd dreamed it all, I squeezed the toothpaste tube.
And then, the clock rattled on the shelf! At that point, I was actually a little afraid.
That's when I ran for my laptop and began writing what would become a Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mystery short story. The title is "Presence" and it's available at Amazon. Read it and discover what the message meant.
--G G Collins, author of the Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mystery series.
The following morning I was mundanely applying toothpaste to my brush when suddenly a small clock flew off a shelf, hit the wall on the other side of the room and fell into the bathtub. I was shaken and confused at this occurrence, but the clock was intact so I replaced it on the shelf.
All day I puzzled over this. The shelf was secure and level. How could this have happened? I even measured the distance from the shelf to the wall: eight feet. The clock had not fallen off, but streaked across the room like a UFO!
The following day as I prepared once again to brush my teeth, I touched the clock. It was stable. Reassured and about to believe I'd dreamed it all, I squeezed the toothpaste tube.
And then, the clock rattled on the shelf! At that point, I was actually a little afraid.
That's when I ran for my laptop and began writing what would become a Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mystery short story. The title is "Presence" and it's available at Amazon. Read it and discover what the message meant.
--G G Collins, author of the Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mystery series.
G.G. Collins
Nick and Nora Charles created by Dashiell Hammett. William Powell and Myrna Loy brought them to life in the Thin Man detective series. They were the coolest couple. He was suave and debonair; she was sassy and quick witted. Together, with dog Asta, they lived the high life and solved mysteries.
G.G. Collins
I like tenacity in the face of overwhelming odds. It's okay if the character is grousing and swearing all the way, she does what needs to be done anyway. A sense of humor is always welcome, even if inappropriate at times. Thank you for the question. It made me do some thinking.
G.G. Collins
The most difficult aspect for me has been trying to find a balance. Writing, research, marketing, promotions, social media, blogging and of course working with others formatting manuscripts and designing covers all require time. I'm not someone who enjoys being on a schedule so finding that balance is still a challenge. But, I have to say I enjoy all of them so whatever I'm working on, it's usually fun. Thank you for stopping by. (One of my characters is named Chloe. She is French and Rachel's best friend.)
G.G. Collins
Hi Christine. I write paranormal mysteries. After years of reporting on serious subjects I wanted to do something fun. Currently, I'm writing the third in the Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mystery Series. Rachel is a reporter who wants to talk with her dead father. She tries a Hopi ritual to return the dead, but something goes wrong--it's not her father standing in her living room!
I watch and read most anything about ghosts, space aliens, Bermuda or Dragon Triangle, Area 51, astral travel etc. The setting is Santa Fe, NM so the rich cultures of the area also come through.
The books are "Reluctant Medium" and "Lemurian Medium." "Atomic Medium" is under construction. They are fun, fast-moving adventures with a little bit of horror and humor.
Thank you for stopping by. GG
I watch and read most anything about ghosts, space aliens, Bermuda or Dragon Triangle, Area 51, astral travel etc. The setting is Santa Fe, NM so the rich cultures of the area also come through.
The books are "Reluctant Medium" and "Lemurian Medium." "Atomic Medium" is under construction. They are fun, fast-moving adventures with a little bit of horror and humor.
Thank you for stopping by. GG
G.G. Collins
Probably those we are least familiar with. I chose one that is fun because I'd been covering serious subjects for years. Although I am working on a serious novel. But you know, those genres such as Sci Fi, Fantasy and the Paranormal can be difficult because we can only go so far with plausible story-telling. At some point, we just have to make it up. Authors who write Western or Historical books can use more from history. But in reality, writing is difficult no matter what genre you write--but it's pleasurable work.
G.G. Collins
Currently, I'm about half-way through writing my third book in the Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mystery series. In it, Rachel must travel back in time to The Manhattan Project (the development of the first atomic bomb) to stop two evil men from changing history. Although it a serious subject, there are moments of humor and lots of Santa Fe (New Mexico, US) local color.
G.G. Collins
I was standing in Rainbow Man in Santa Fe (one of my favorite stores). It was home to The Manhattan Project office during the 1940s. In fact, it was the building that changed the world forever. One day I tried to imagine what the office might have looked like. From there it was easy.
G.G. Collins
I read about and watch things that some would find strange. Almost anything can set a new idea into motion. And then I research as much as I can and make up the rest.
G.G. Collins
Keep writing. Perseverance is a drag, but so many things in life require it.
G.G. Collins
Charting your own course. The creativity is always fun, but keeping the hours you want and working wherever you happen to be are definite advantages.
G.G. Collins
I don't believe in writer's block. If you're having difficulty moving forward it just means you have to work out what happens next. This is a natural part of the writing process.
G.G. Collins
Third in the Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mystery series: Atomic Medium. I'm hip deep in The Manhattan Project and time travel. Hope to complete book by end of the year.
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