Would You Leave Your Child to Play at a Park?

Posted on May 19, 2012 by jchasenovelist

When you were a kid, how often did you hop on your bike and race down to the nearest playground with a group of your buddies from up and down the street?  How much of your play time was spent without the direct supervision of an adult?  One writer, Lenore Skenazy, believes that we should allow our kids those same freedoms as a way of building independence and confidence.

You may recognize Skenazy for being the mom who allowed her nine-year-old to ride the subway by himself, resulting in national television appearances and now a book and blog through which she advocating raising “free-range kids.”  As part of her efforts, she has proclaimed one Saturday in May to be “Take Your Kids to the Park . . . and Leave Them There Day.”  Skenazy points to statistics that demonstrate crime rates, for both kids and adults, are lower than in the 1970s and 1980s and asserts that the common fears of kidnapping and predators are overblown.

Skenazy believes that around age seven is an appropriate age to allow kids to spend time at the playground without adult supervision, assuming they are accompanied by other kids and the members of the group look out for one another.

As an author who has included child abduction in my storylines, someone who studies criminal behavior and has spent a great deal of time talking with police officers about what they face every day, I can see both Ms. Skenazy’s desire for kids to have a childhood that doesn’t require an adult observing every move but I also understand the concerns that many have with her proposal.

Today, though, I want to know your thoughts.

 Do you allow your kids to play unsupervised? 

At what age is this acceptable? 

What trends of childhood play are you seeing in your neighborhoods? 

What about this notion of advertising the fact that kids will be unattended at the park on this one certain day?

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Author Blog: https://authorjenniferchase.com/
Crime Watch Blog: http://emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/
Book & Crime Talk:  http://blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase
Books: Compulsion  Dead Game  Dark Mind  Silent Partner  Screenwriting
Posted in crime, Police | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Thriller Thursday Guest — Author Richard C Hale

Posted on May 17, 2012 by jchasenovelist

I welcome today Author Richard C Hale with his Young Adult Thriller Frozen Past.  Let’s find out what makes him tick.

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Synopsis:

Luke is only fourteen. Eliana is his whole world and for a fourteen year old, the burden is immense. You see, Eliana is being stalked. Stalked by a madman who wants nothing more than to see her dead. The madman knows things that no one should know and sees things that no one should see. He tells them if they say a word to anyone, they will both die. And Luke can’t let that happen.

Eliana’s past is catching up with her and Luke must do anything to save her. Anything.

You can purchase Frozen Past HERE.

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Jennifer Chase: If Luke was trapped in an elevator with three other people, how would your hero devise a plan to escape? Would he take any of the people with them?

Richard C Hale: He’s a kid who likes electronic stuff so he would probably try to rewire the electrical system or use a cell phone to hack into the computer system of the elevator. And oh yea, he’d bring everyone with him.

Jennifer Chase: How do you get inside Luke’s head when writing?

Richard C Hale: I have to put myself back to an age that seems, well, ages ago. It’s tough sometimes, but being a kid can be fun and my 14 year old daughter helps to remind me what it’s all about.

Jennifer Chase: What’s your specific genre? If you could write in any other genre, what would it be and why?

Richard C Hale: I write mainly Thrillers, but mix in some paranormal and creepiness into them. I grew up on Stephen King and he has always influenced my perception of what writing is. I’d like to try my hand at horror too and see what bubbles to the surface.

Jennifer Chase: Why should readers pick up your book Frozen Past?

Richard C Hale: FROZEN PAST is a fast paced, mystery thriller that you will not be able to put down. Make sure you have a weekend or a couple of hours of free time. I’ve had folks tell me, jokingly, that they were pissed because they had stuff to do and didn’t get anything done because they couldn’t put FROZEN PAST down.

Jennifer Chase: What types of emotions will readers experience when they read your book?

Richard C Hale: Almost the full spectrum. Humor, anger, sorrow,  happiness,  joy, even a little jealousy. I like extremes.

Jennifer Chase:  Now, it’s time to play word association with your main character. Please respond with one word that comes to mind (in your main character’s voice) to the words listed below.

Richard C Hale:

Plot – Rescue

2012 – Life

Predator – Worthington

Giggles – Ellie

Rural – Terror

Omnipresence – Magic

Thank you Richard C Hale for stopping by today!

Author Bio:

Richard C Hale has worn many hats in his lifetime including Greens Keeper, Bartender, Musician, Respiratory Therapist, and Veteran Air Traffic Controller. You can usually find him controlling Air Traffic over the skies of the Southeastern U.S. where he lives with his wife and children.

You can find out more about Richard C Hale and his books:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Posted in Guest Post, Thriller Thursday | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

When Your Child is a Sex Offender

Posted on May 16, 2012 by jchasenovelist

How did you celebrate Mother’s Day this past weekend?  Did you call your mom or take her out to brunch?  If you are a mom, maybe you were treated to breakfast in bed or a beautiful bouquet of flowers.  Over the holiday weekend, CNN decided to shine a light on one group of moms that we may not think about too often – those women who raised convicted sex offenders.

Have you ever thought about what it must be like to live every day with the fact that a molester or a rapist or a hoarder of child pornography was brought up in your home?  I imagine the guilt must be a daily emotion, as well as the painful tug of wanting to protect your son or daughter.  Do you still think of the adult criminal as the innocent-looking young child from school photos that you have framed in your living room?

The article features some gripping interviews with mothers who have paid mortgages on homes for their sons to live in permitted zones upon release from prison, who have had their marriages torn apart over arguments about how to deal with a child facing very serious charges, and who now replay every second of their parenting efforts to figure out where they went wrong.  The article also points out that when the sex offense involves violence, it is not unusual to learn the perpetrator witnessed his mom as the victim of violence in the family home.

Do you have a natural inclination when you think about the moms of sex offenders?

Are there certain assumptions you make about their parenting?

Or, do you believe the theory of nature wins out over nurture in what these sons . . . and sometimes daughters . . . chose to do?

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Author Blog: https://authorjenniferchase.com/
Crime Watch Blog: http://emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/
Book & Crime Talk:  http://blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase
Books: Compulsion  Dead Game  Dark Mind  Silent Partner  Screenwriting
Posted in Criminology, Police | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Me, Myself and Hitchcock

Posted on May 14, 2012 by jchasenovelist

I have lived most of my life in the Northern California area.  I find that I still enjoy the beautiful cities, towns, and various attractions every year.  California is a large state with vast climates of mountains, deserts, ocean, bay, and lakes in both rural and city settings.   It’s one of the reasons that I enjoy living and writing here.

It’s no secret that I love the cinema and photography.  Artists, filmmakers and writers love to use California as a backdrop to their stories.

One particular filmmaker stands out to me, who also loved to film in the Northern California area, was Alfred Hitchcock.  He was rightly dubbed “master of suspense” as a film director and producer.  It was suggested that he literally developed the “thriller” genre.  His films spanned the years from 1921-1976, but his movies still stand the test of time even today.

Some of my favorite films include: Vertigo, Rear Window, Strangers on a Train, Spellbound, Notorious, Dial M for Murder, The Birds, and Psycho.  Hitchcock inspired many filmmakers, such as De Palma, Spielberg, Kubrick, Brooks, Lynch, Burton and the list goes on.

What makes Hitchcock’s movies so psychologically frightening? 

Hitchcock had an extraordinary ability to make audiences feel a part of the story as a movie-going voyeur.  His directional style was unsurpassed and definitely recognizable with unusual angles, extreme close-ups and scene framing, protagonist’s point of views, and fantastic story twists.  His techniques not only engaged the viewers but also ratcheted up the anxiety, terror and suspense – all without any gore.

Psycho, Vertigo, and The Birds played upon common, relatable fears to build suspense in the story, in addition to the crime, murder, and mayhem elements.

Hitchcock explained about the writing process of his movies: “The writer and I plan out the entire script down to the smallest detail, and when we’re finished all that’s left to do is to shoot the film. Actually, it’s only when one enters the studio that one enters the area of compromise. Really, the novelist has the best casting since he doesn’t have to cope with the actors and all the rest.”

Recently, I visited the California Mission in San Juan Batista where the Hitchcock thriller Vertigo was inspired and filmed in 1958.  The storyline revolves around a retired police detective turned P.I. suffering from acrophobia.  He is hired to follow the wife of an acquaintance.  Hitchcock filmed Vertigo mostly in the San Francisco area.

Interesting tidbit from Wikipedia about the movie Vertigo:

The Mission San Juan Bautista, where Madeleine falls from the tower, is a real place, but the tower had to be matted in with a painting using studio effects; Hitchcock had first visited the mission before the tower was torn down due to dry rot, and was reportedly displeased to find it missing when he returned to film his scenes. The original tower was much smaller and less dramatic than the film’s version.

(See my recent photo at the top of the post of what the tower really looks like today)

What I find interesting as an author is that we can find inspiration from movies and especially from how movies are shot.  It’s true what they say, “show don’t tell” and it’s something that needs to remembered when writing any mystery, suspense, crime or thriller novel.  Don’t dismiss some of the classic black and white movies to find inspiration for your next book.  Or, the next time you watch a film see if you can pick out some of Hitchcock’s style.

Here are some of the photos I took a few weeks ago at the Mission San Juan Batista.  I tried to give them a little Hitchcock flair…

What’s your favorite Hitchcock film? 

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Author Blog: https://authorjenniferchase.com/
Crime Watch Blog: http://emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/
Book & Crime Talk:  http://blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase
Books: Compulsion  Dead Game  Dark Mind  Silent Partner  Screenwriting
Posted in Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

13 Reasons to Read DARK MIND

Posted on May 12, 2012 by jchasenovelist

It’s almost summer and I wanted to lighten things up a bit.

One of my favorite beach memories was sitting on a deserted beach in Kauai a couple of years ago – it was what actually inspired my latest thriller Dark Mind.

The white sandy beaches and the perfect temperature of 80 degrees made it difficult to leave.  There is nothing better than the warm tropical breeze against your face, scrunching the sand between your toes, the sound of the waves lapping against the shore, and of course a nice icy drink of your choice.  I had my first Mai Tai that trip!

Here’s my list of 13 reasons to read Dark Mind:

    1. For the love of reading.
    2. Better than watching television reruns.
    3. Zero calories – it’s indulging but not fattening.
    4. It’s summer and vacation time!
    5. Stay cool indoors and read a book – even if you get creepy goose bumps.
    6. You get to be a sidekick to vigilante detective Emily Stone.
    7. Add an adrenaline boost to your day without coffee.
    8. Challenge yourself to a thriller duel.
    9. Better than housework or cleaning out the garage.
    10. My dogs need a new pair of shoes – well maybe just a new toy.
    11. Test yourself and see if you can guess the killer.
    12. Close your eyes and take that jump…
    13. Check out a new kind of crime heroine – covert vigilante detective and angel of justice.

Here’s a few things that reviewers have been saying about Dark Mind:

“Dark Mind is a fast-paced chilling crime thriller that will captivate you and leave you sitting on the edge of your seat as you turn the pages. The storyline is well written, the author weaves a story that is intriguing and keeps the reader guessing what will happen next with every gripping twist and turn. The attention to detail in regard to the crime investigation is first rate, the author utilizes her experience in the criminology and forensic areas to provide a story that diehard crime thriller fans crave.”  ~ Kathleen Anderson

“Dark Mind is very well written using wonderful descriptions and to transport you to the beautiful island of Kauai. You won’t be disappointed, as the plot thickens you are driven to keep turning the page with the promise of more danger just around the bend. I would highly recommend this book and am personally looking forward to reading the first two books in the Emily Stone Series.”  ~ Penny Minding Mom

“I finished DARK MIND a few weeks ago and to this day…author Chase’s vivid descriptions stay with me. This was my first EMILY STONE novel but it won’t be my last. Lots of intriguing characters, a well-plotted story and the visual beauty of Kauai (I felt I was there experiencing the island first hand) added to my love of this book.”  ~ Author Douglas Wickard

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Author Blog: https://authorjenniferchase.com/
Crime Watch Blog: http://emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/
Book & Crime Talk:  http://blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase
Books: Compulsion  Dead Game  Dark Mind  Silent Partner  Screenwriting
Posted in Dark Mind | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Thriller Thursday Guest — Author Robert Stanek

Posted on May 10, 2012 by jchasenovelist

I welcome Author Robert Stanek today with this thrilling NSA novel, The Pieces of the Puzzle.

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Book Synopsis:

Scott Madison Evers is the son-in-law of the Chairman of the National Security Council. His wife is pregnant with their first child. While in Munich conducting a rendition of a known terrorist, Scott’s cover is blown. Before Scott can get away, his entire operations team is wiped out, and he alone escapes into the night. When he returns to the US, he finds himself a wanted man, and must go on the run from the agency that is trying to convict him of high treason. Now Scott conducts secret surveillance of those he thinks can give him a way out while slowly getting drawn into a web of deceit. Ruthlessly, the other side draws his wife and unborn child into the struggle. Scott’s only hope to save them and himself is to do the unthinkable, and that is what he sets out to do.

The Pieces of the Puzzle is available as a low-cost paperback (http://amzn.to/IyGX61) and as a Kindle ebook (http://amzn.to/IyH01w).

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Jennifer Chase: If Scott Madison Evers was trapped in an elevator with three other people, how would your hero or heroine devise a plan to escape? Would he take any of the people with them?

Robert Stanek: Scott was a field operative for many years and is fully in touch with his inner MacGyver. He’d figure a way out and save everyone in the process whether it meant overriding the elevator controls, prying open the elevator doors, or hustling up the elevator cables to the next floor.

Jennifer Chase: How do you get inside your characters’ head when writing?

Robert Stanek: Making your characters flesh and blood is right up there in priority with plot and story. Through writing about them, I develop my characters’ lives. Knowing their hopes, desires, fears, dislikes, and dreams, I know what motivates them and why they do the things they do. I know with certainty how they’d react in certain situations and what they’d do to get themselves out of a jam.

Jennifer Chase: What genres do you write in? If you could write in another genre, what would it be and why?

Robert Stanek: I’m an old workhorse, so I’ve written in a few genres already. The Pieces of the Puzzle is a thriller. Keeper Martin’s Tale is a fantasy. Absolutes is science fiction. Into the Stone Land is young adult dystopia. Bugville Critter’s Go to School is a children’s picture book. Effective Writing is a writer’s guide. Stormjammers is a memoir. That’s already pretty widespread, like buckshot on a paper target. But if I had to pick another genre, I’d pick paranormal romance—and it’d be more like Supernatural the show than True Blood the show.

Jennifer Chase: Why should readers pick up your books?

Robert Stanek: Because my early successes as an indie drove the establishment bonkers? Kidding, sort of… Seriously though, the reasons to pick up my books are many. I’d like to think people read my books because they’re good, because my early successes helped pave the way for other indies, and because I’ve supported other writers my entire career. In the early days of the web, I supported writers through resource sites like Writer’s Gallery and Internet Daily News (archives still up at www.tvpress.com/wg and www.tvpress.com/idn respectively). Over the years, I’ve helped more than a few people get professionally published and I’ve run Go Indie since 2007.

Jennifer Chase: What types of emotions will readers experience when they read your books?

Robert Stanek: Read my books because you’ll be elated, excited, surprised, relieved, and ultimately satisfied.

Jennifer Chase: Now, it’s time to play word association with your main character. Please respond with one word that comes to mind (in your main character’s voice) to the words listed below.

Robert Stanek:
Plot — Secrets

2012 — Mediterranean

Predator — Assassins

Giggles — James (His infant son)

Rural — Gettysburg

Omnipresence — Agency (as in The Agency: NSA)

Thank you Robert Stanek!

Author Bio:

Hi, Jennifer (and readers), first of all a BIG thank you for having me on your blog. I appreciate your time and interest. I’ve been writing fiction as Robert Stanek and non-fiction as William Stanek for nearly 30 years. As a technology journalist, I’ve written for PC Magazine, Dr. Dobbs, TechNet Magazine and a variety of other leading magazines. As a writer, I’ve written for Simon & Schuster, Random House, Macmillan, Pearson, Microsoft, O’Reilly and other publishers. I started down the indie road in 2000 and my first indie book was published in 2001, as an e-book only edition that was followed by a print release in 2002. At the time, everyone told me e-books would never be anything—how time changes all things.
I host Go Indie on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/groups/goindie/) and run the Read Indies blog (http://readindies.blogspot.com). We have a big upcoming event that’s open (and free) to all indies called Summer of Indie. The book I’d like to talk about today is The Pieces of the Puzzle, an NSA thriller, featuring Scott Madison Evers.

Posted in Guest Post, Thriller Thursday | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Officers Face Evidence of Their Violence in a California Courtroom

Posted on May 9, 2012 by jchasenovelist

Family Photo of Kelly Thomas

As I’ve shared many times on this blog, I have had the honor of shadowing some amazing police officers and learning about the risks they face and the split-second decisions they must make all the time.  I have the highest respect for the men and women who determine law enforcement to be their professional calling.  So, when two men appear to degrade the uniform through excessive, deadly force, I get angered on behalf of all the great cops out there.

Many of you will recall the videotaped beating death of homeless schizophrenic man Kelly Thomas last summer in California.  Officer Manual Ramos and Corporal Jay Cicinelli, along with four other officers who have not been criminally charged, allegedly hit Thomas, exhausted a taser on him, and eventually beat him unconscious.  Thomas died five days after the incident.  This week, a preliminary hearing is taking place in Orange County to determine if the officers will stand trial.

Kelly Thomas met his violent fate after not cooperating fully with the officers when they responded to reports of a homeless man peering into car windows.  On the videotape, Thomas screamed that he couldn’t breathe and that he was being killed.  He cried out for his father, who was present in the courtroom to watch the tape of the beating.  Both officers have pleaded not guilty to the charges they face.

How do you react when you see stories like that of Kelly Thomas?  Do you see such incidents as isolated examples that don’t reflect on a police force as a whole?  Or, do you worry that there are more events like this that take place and we just never hear about them?

Of course, these two men are innocent until proven guilty and the justice system will run its course.  I’m just wondering what gut reactions are in this instance.

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Author Blog: https://authorjenniferchase.com/
Crime Watch Blog: http://emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/
Book & Crime Talk:  http://blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase
Books: Compulsion  Dead Game  Dark Mind  Silent Partner  Screenwriting
Posted in crime, Police | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments