Monday, May 23, 2011

Author Jean Henry Mead

Jean Henry Mead is a mystery/suspense and western historical novelist. She's also an award-winning photojournalist. One of her fortes is interviewing writers, actors, politicians, artists and ordinary people who have accomplished extraordinary things. She began her writing career as a California news reporter/editor/photographer, first in Central California and later in San Diego. Mead later transferred to Casper, Wyoming, to serve as a staff writer for the statewide newspaper. While there she served as editor of In Wyoming Magazine and two small presses. She also freelanced for other magazines, both domestic and abroad, among them the Denver Post's Empire Magazine.

Please welcome Jean Henry Mead.

Writing for Children and Seniors.
by Jean Henry Mead

My recently published novels include an autobiographical children’s book, Mystery of Spider Mountain, and Murder on the Interstate, the third novel in my Logan & Cafferty mystery/suspense series featuring two sassy, 60-year-old amateur sleuths.

Although I’ve written and published 14 books, the task of writing a children’s mystery was daunting because I didn’t know the language. Watching Saturday morning children’s shows helped and I added a few “hey, dudes,” “sweets” and “bros” to the dialogue. But, because I wanted to write for 9-12 year-olds, I had to do more research, which included taking a course in children’s literature. Middle graders don’t require complicated plots so it’s best to concentrate on one powerful theme in a simple plotline, such as bullying or losing a friend or parent.

Setting is also important. Most middle graders’ lives are centered around school so you have to decide if your plot takes place during those hours or on vacation or after school. When you decide how the problem or action is going to take place, you need to develop a time schedule when events are going to happen. That means outlining, which doesn’t have to be detailed but it should include events that get progressively worse as the plot marches on. Otherwise, you can paint yourself into a corner, which I’ve done in the past. You then need to decide which events are needed to complicate the problem. And, above all, allow the child to solve the problem on her own, with only minimal help from adults, including her parents.

I don’t mean to imply that senior readers are in the same category as children, but a few rules seem to apply as far as sexual content and language. Older women comprise a large percentage of readers and many are turned off by graphic language and sex. Most, according to recent surveys, enjoy reading about people in their own age groups, so I substitute humor and a little romance.

 In my latest novel, Murder on the Interstate, which features my two senior sleuths traveling Interstate 40 in northern Arizona in their motorhome, they discover the body of a young woman in her Mercedes convertible. The killer returns to make sure his victim is dead, and disables Dana and Sarah’s RV. A trucker named “Big Ruby” McCurdy comes to their rescue and they chase after the killer in her produce truck to get his license number, but soon realize that he’s pursuing them. The language is authentic as well as humorous because I drove my RV over the same route while listening to truckers on my CB radio.

Carolyn Hart, a senior herself, wrote the following blurb for the book:
Careen into crime with two intrepid sleuths who outwit terrorists in a fast-paced plot taken from today's headlines. A page turner. 
I hope I didn’t leave any of my senior readers so breathless that they needed oxygen.

Thank you Jean!

Jean’s first book was published in 1982. She's since published fourteen novels and nonfiction books. You can also catch her on four different blogs: Mysterious Writers, Writers of the West, Murderous Musings, and Make Mine Mystery. If you’d like to take a look at the trailer for Murder on the Interstate, zip over to You Tube.

Before you go, leave a comment or question for Jean. Here’s your chance to ask an expert.

34 comments:

  1. Murder on the Interstate sounds like a fun read. I've added to my every growing list!

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  2. Jean and I go quite a long way back now, although I seem to have lost touch with her over the past couple years - Jean, where are YOU? (wink)

    I've read a couple of her books, both excellent reads, and I have no doubt this one will prove she's more than up to the task of writing a YA mystery. Thank God for the Internet and Google, when you need to quickly bone up, right?

    Enjoyed the feature - thanks to you both!

    Hugs,

    Marvin D Wilson

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  3. Using authentic language, settings, experiences in a novel has such a way of making the story very real, drawing us right in. Great advice to keep in mind, thanks Jean and Helen.

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  4. Maybe you could package oxygen masks with the book?

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  5. Helen,

    Thanks for hosting my vitual book tour. I'm honored to be featured among such good writers. The rest of my tour is listed at: http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2011/03/25/murder-on-the-interstate-virtual-book-tour-may-2011/ in case anyone is interested in winning one of my books or becoming a character in my next mystery.

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  6. Marv,

    Thanks for the kind words. I've lost touch with several good friends because I'v been so busy writing and blogging. I'll be sure to stop in at your excellent blog site to say hello.

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  7. Thank you, Liza. I hope you enjoy the book. Although the novel's theme is homegrown terrorism, it contains humor and light romance.

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  8. Joanne,

    I'm glad you agree that personal touches in any plot--like cloves inserted in ham--add richness and flavor to the storyline as long as it lightly done.

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  9. LOL, Alex. Humor is important in any book, whether fiction or nonfiction.

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  10. Thanks for hosting Jean today. I'm glad to see some fans chiming in. She is running a contest during her virtual book tour. Here are the details:

    The author's virtual book tour takes place from May 2-May 27. Three copies of Murder on the Interstate will be given away and one of the winners (from a drawing of blog visitors leaving comments) will be a character in her next book. The tour schedule is posted at: http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2011/03/25/murder-on-the-interstate-virtual-book-tour-may-2011/

    You can also find her video trailer for Murder on the Interstate at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V92sNBH-TE I hope your readers will check it out.

    Thanks again.

    Cheryl

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  11. I can see how interviewing such a wide array of proplr can help develop a plot and characters. Great post today and best wishes Jean on the success of Murder on the Interstate!

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  12. I like Alex's idea! Oxygen masks with books - now that's a market gap!

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  13. Thanks, Cheryl, for arranging such a fun tour.

    And Stephen, you're right about my journalism background serving me well in developing characters, especially while serving as a California news/police reporter.

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  14. Talli, you and Alex could be right about Oxygen masks sold with books, although I like to think that younger readers will also enjoy the Logan & Cafferty series. Dana and Sarah aren't exactly dodering old ladies confined to kniting in rocking chairs. Sixty, in most cases, is still young enough to take part in everything enjoyed in earlier life, with the possible exception of roller blading. :)

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  15. I loved this book, if I tell Jean enough, she'll know it's absolutely true.

    Marilyn

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  16. And seniors need larger font than size 9 Times New Roman!

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  17. I love the idea of "older" protagonists. The population is getting older (or is that just me?).

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  18. I never would have thought to watch childrens' TV as research. You have a creative mind. :)

    Can't wait to read the new book. I thoroughly enjoyed Village...

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  19. Hmmm ... one powerful theme and simple plot ... I was destined to be a children's mystery writer. Anyway, Murder on the Interstate sounds fun.

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  20. I love writing older protagonists. :) I enjoyed reading your thoughts on writing for them, Jean. I think children are a tough audience sometimes...sounds like you got it nailed, though!

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  21. I think we need more good books for seniors.

    Christopher, you should write comedy.

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  22. Great tips for writing MG & for seniors! I've got an idea for MG roaming around in my head & I like your approach :)

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  23. Murder on the Interstate was definitely a fun read. And I'm enjoying reading these essays by Jean--a blog tour worth following.

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  24. Bless you, Marilyn. I love your books and am glad you like reading mine.

    lol, Diane. I'va always had a hard time reading a 9 point font. I think pblishers who offer books in 9 pt. to save money on paper are making a big mistake

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  25. Thanks, Marja. I love your Bogie Man series and look forward to the next one.

    Thanks, Christopher. Be sure to let me know if you have a children's mystery published.

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  26. Thanks, Elizabeth. I hope you're right. :)

    I hope you go for it, Jemi. If it's rattling around your head, you need to let it out. :)

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  27. Thank you, Sheila, and for hosting my blog tour. I hope some of my mutterings are helpful to other writers.

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  28. And thanks again to Helen, who has one of the most informative and friendly blog sites on the Internet.

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  29. An interesting interview. I have followed Jean for some time now, and have her books on my TBR list.

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  30. Jean, hope you do drop by - got a party goin' down on Free Spirit today also - prizes and giveaways, too!

    Marvin D Wilson

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  31. Why did you decide on writing for children? I love romance stories and writing for adult and seniors are good variations. But I find it hard to write romance for teenagers.

    Chemical Fusion

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  32. Thank you, Glynis,I hope you ger a chance to read them.

    I'd love to take part in your party, Marv, but have been in the process of moving, with packing boxes up to my ears.

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  33. Enid,

    I had the story that became Mystery of Spider Mountain in my head for many years before I decided to write it. I never intended to write children's books but the first one led to a series and I've never had so much writing as I've had with the Hamilton Kids' mysteries.

    I think you're brave to consider writing romance novels for teens. Thats something I don't think I'd attempt, althogh I edited a nonfiction book titled: What Our Parents Should Know: Advice from Teens. It was writen by my daughter's advanced junior high students several years ago.

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  34. Thank you so much, Jean, for spending time with all of us. It's been very interesting and quite fun!

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