over your dead body | JoeyPinkney.com

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
David L, author of Chalk Outline Confessions
(Total Package Publications)

Enter The Mind Of A Woman Scorned. Francine Styles receives a visit from two detectives one fateful night announcing her husband’s death. She later finds out that his killer is another man that he has been having an extramarital affair with. Now she is on a mission to end the lives of men that lead a similar double life — a life of deception that their partners are unaware of.

Witness each murder firsthand as Francine’s wit and cunning continue to develop with each death. Even Fran’s trusted psychiatrist is nothing more than a helpless pawn in her quest for notoriety. Unable to pinpoint her whereabouts or deduce who is next on her sadistical list of names, she is labeled “The Revlon Killer” by law enforcement and media — a name given to her based on what she does to her victims after she kills them. Like the black widow spider, she seduces her victims before killing them in cold blood!

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Chalk Outline Confessions?

David L: I got the idea to write Chalk Outline Confessions from my love for well-written mystery and suspense movies. Historically, movies (as well as books) that involve anything related to serial killers have been overlooked and unmentioned. My premise for this book was premeditated: very little exposure has been given to serial killers.

Most (if not all) serial killers are typically White middle-class males. I wanted to reverse that trend and succeeded. My antagonist is a Black, female character. Like most women I’ve encountered throughtout my life, she is very calculating and methodical in her approach to each and every one of her victims!

JP: What sets Chalk Outline Confessions apart from other novels in its genre?

DL: Chalk Outline Confessions is different from any book from its genre for more than just what has been explained in the first question. First and foremost, the main character has completely rationalized why her actions are logical. Even more importantly, she has a required rite of passage.

In many novels written by some of the “top” authors, the book’s theme is surrounded by its character’s quest for right vs. wrong. My character takes that quest and combines it with the need for vindication. Secondly, Chalk Outline Confessions is written using an assortment of writing styles that accomplishes its mission in a way that does not confuse the reader: first person vs. third person and past tense vs. present tense.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Chalk Outline Confessions getting out to the public?

DL: The first thing that comes to mind is ensuring a fanbase of satisfied readers and holding myself and my writing accountable BEFORE my novels become available to the public. Chalk Outline Confessions already had validity as being a worthwhile novel to read due to the success of my first novel, Over Your Dead Body.

Also, I follow the same format before releasing a novel: write the book, edit the book, add needed detail and fix any “holes” in the storyline, then send the book to my editor (who is very judgmental and has no problems not sparing my feelings!). Finally, I send several drafts and galleys to reviewers in order to gauge the probability of releasing another well-written book worthy of being on the market.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Chalk Outline Confessions?

DL: My writing process is relatively simple: I write when the mood evokes me. In other words, I do not “force” what is written, thus avoiding a situation in which I am not mentally ready to give my readers my best product. One of the best things about running your own publishing company is the avoidance of writing based on a deadline.

Because I pride myself on developing characters that are universally identifiable with the reader, I often write based on the emotion that I am in. In other words, if a portion of the story calls for a graphically violent or angered individual, I often wait until I am in a mood which is somewhat close to what the character is feeling. Conversely, if the plot or particular part of the story calls for something that evokes happy thoughts or actions, then I too should feel somewhat similar to how the storyline is playing out. In other words – I prefer to become one with the character. So far, its worked to perfection!

I know of many authors that claim to have written their novels in several weeks…if not days. For the reasons stated above, my novel took somewhat longer. Exactly twelve months.

JP: What’s next for David L.?

DL: Up next for David L. is my upcoming novel, My Life Is A Movie. Readers can view a sample excerpt on my website blog at: totalpackagepublications.com/blogspot. Every month, I award one loyal reader to a gift card (of different value and store) just for being supportive of all of my literary endeavors and signing the guestbook that can be found on my website: www.totalpackagepublications.com.

Also coming up is the movie option that has just been approved for my first novel, Over Your Dead Body. The movie will probably begin filming sometime around early 2010. For now, look for me at your local book festival or local bookstore signing copies of any of my aforementioned novels. I’ll continue to say it over and over again…people lie. Reviews don’t! If you doubt any of what I’ve said: google me!

Thanks to you all and…TELL THE WORLD MY NAME!!

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