My
writing journey
I
fit the statistics. The big 8. Most authors get published after they’ve
written 8 books or after they’ve been writing steadily and trying to get
published for 8 years. I was a high
school teacher and principal before I started writing full time. My debut novel, a thriller/romance (LAST
RESORT) was published in 2012; I’ve had two books, FADEOUT and SWOON of the
Funeral Planner Suspense Series, published in 2012. I’ve written 12 novels in total, with a new
manuscript in TWRP’s hands as we speak, and another book ready for revision on
the back burner. I’ll be starting on
FAINT, the third novel in the Funeral Planner Series very soon.
Where
did the idea for the Funeral Planner Series come from?
Back
in 2005 after my father died, my sister, my brothers and I began planning his
funeral with a fairly traditional approach in mind, until my teacher-self spoke
out in alarm: “The children will be watching!”
In fact eight children under the age of 15 were going to be present; the
youngest was two years old at the time.
Could we design a funeral ceremony about the death of a loved one that
wouldn’t frighten children? Indeed,
could we use the event as a teachable moment?
Our
second challenge: most of the grandchildren knew my father during the time he
was bewildered by Alheimers. What could
we provide in the ceremony that would show the audience he once lived a robust
and productive life?
My character, a
boutique funeral planner emerged out of this experience. Of course, I had to add suspense and romance to the equation when I
wrote the story.
****
“Don't miss
SWOON by Rolynn Anderson! If you like an interesting cast of characters, a
heavy dose of mystery and a lot of fabulous surprises, you'll be happily
turning pages late into the night.ˮ
~
Brenda Novak, NYT and USA Bestselling Author of WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES
****
Blurb:
Her dead clients won’t rest in peace.
When the dead tell
tales, Jan Solvang’s first reaction is to RUN!
But then she gets caught up in their mysteries.
Jan’s a boutique
funeral planner, new to risk, hired to bury a missing woman and memorialize an
infamous man. Yet when she digs for
clues to write their eulogies, she disturbs family secrets and unmasks killers.
Roman Keller,
hard-driving documentary writer, is in complete control of his life and his
stories, until he falls for Jan, a woman who trusts her dog, her faint-dreams,
and her instincts more than she trusts him.
Can they make the
sacrifices necessary to cement their relationship or will the mayhem caused by
the dead ruin their second chance at love?
Where you can find me on
the web:
Buy
links:
Amazon Paperback *** Amazon ebookBarnes & Noble Paperback *** Barnes & Noble ebook
I think the idea for this series is so unique, Rolynn. I wish you much success!
ReplyDeleteCalisa, I totally agree--it's a fantastic premise. :)
DeleteThanks, Calisa and Melissa. My research shows most religions have strict rituals for funerals, but Baby Boomers, in particular, prefer to put their own spin on things. Think wedding planner...and the variety offered. My boutique planner is offering individualized funerals. What's neat is the suspense rises out of Jan's research into the lives of the dead. Very fun! Anybody out there attended a personalized funeral?
DeleteThe latest thing my extended family has got into funeral wise is being buried in PJs or Tee shirts and sweats...because really, who wants to spend eternity in a suit or dress? I don't. They are also sent off with something they loved stashed in the box with them.
ReplyDeleteNow, that makes sense. Thanks for the idea, Nickie. Might as well be comfortable AND have something special to take along, as well!
DeleteI like the idea of using the funeral as a teachable moment about death. I wish someone had thought of it when I went to my first funeral -- and I was 15. I knew the concept of death but wasn't ready to see my grandmother lying in the casket.
ReplyDeleteI have the first book in your funeral planner series on my Kindle and hope to be able to read it soon.
Thanks so much, Katherine. In January, I helped choreograph my mother's funeral. I have to say that writing the funeral planner series helped me plan a good send-off for my mother; better yet, all the kids who attended the 2005 funeral of my dad showed up, ready to participate in the memorial for my mom. I call that evidence of a worthy lesson. What's more, my brother caught the spirit of the concept and posted pictures of my mother (for two weeks) in her younger years, on Facebook. He got such good feedback about the pictures, my mother's incredible life as an Army officer's wife...we all felt good about witnessing a historical perspective of her life. Truth is, my writing teaches me so much...and especially helps me manage grief.
ReplyDeleteFrom the moment I read the first blurb, I thought your idea was both unique and ingenious.
ReplyDeleteYou are a sweetheart, Angela. Let's hope the world agrees with you! I appreciate your support so much!
DeleteThanks so much for hosting me, Melissa. We truly are a sisterhood I cherish! Rolynn
ReplyDeleteI think the problem with children and funerals are the adults don't like to discuss death. I think it should be discussed from little on. After all, people should be prepared for the end, because you never know when that will be.
ReplyDelete