Tag Archives: Chloe Winston

Chloe Winston at Barnes & Noble

DSCN5939Writers Forum member Chloe Winston will be signing books at Barnes & Noble today in Redding at 1:00. Chloe’s third book, China Caper, has been released, and copies will be available for purchase, as well as her first two books, Argentine Assignment and Belize Barter.

Chloe uses her extensive travel experience as background for her Briana Fraser adventures. Much as Louis L’Amour used to do with his Westerns, if Chloe writes about a place in her books, you can be pretty sure that she’s actually been to that place in real life. Her descriptions reflect that sort of detail. Chloe loves to weave real world events into her novels, as well, which adds to the flavor of authenticity. For instance, in Argentine Assignment, Chloe weaves the truth of los desaparecidos, people who simply disappeared during that country’s political upheaval. Chloe’s second book, Belize Barter, opens with the death of Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez.

If you enjoy international thrillers, come and sample Chloe Winston’s tales!

See you at Barnes & Noble.

 

Member Monday: An Excerpt from Argentine Assignment by Chloe Winston

Welcome back to Member Monday. Today we feature an excerpt from Argentine Assignment, Chloe Winston’s latest book. Here’s a little more about Chloe.

Chloe Ryan Winston 001Chloe Ryan Winston was born on a ranch in eastern Oregon, graduated from Marylhurst University, and earned a master’s degree at Idaho State University.  She lived in Ashland, Oregon, which is featured in her writing, as well as Mexico, and has traveled extensively to fifty-eight countries.  Ms. Winston has contributed to several blogs, and as a travel writer to publications including The Los Angeles Times, International Travel News, and Mature Lifestyles.  She has been a cruise destination lecturer as well as a high school teacher, counselor, and administrator. Chloe will be signing copies of Argentine Assignment at Barnes and Noble on October 24 at 1 p.m.

An Excerpt from Argentine Assignment

by Chloe Winston

The plane’s engines were already rumbling as we scrambled up the narrow, wobbling steps as though the devil himself could have been right on our heels.  I didn’t dare look back.  I whispered, “Knee, don’t fail me now!”  It wouldn’t do for that old sledding accident to kick up a fuss.

A dim light at the top told me the door was ajar, perhaps we could squeeze through that opening. Was it left open for us? Who was on the other side? Were we leaving the frying pan for a fire?  I tripped, my dicey knee buckling a little, and I grabbed the skinny rail to keep from falling.  One of my fingernails ripped.  A brisk gust of wind tore the scarf off my head.  I glanced down. 

The curly girlish wig that I’d put on Jaime’s head was now askew. I yanked one reluctant hand off the rail to reach over and straighten it.  I wanted him to look like a girl until I found out what was going to happen after we boarded the plane. And perhaps should keep him looking like a girl until I handed him over to Derry in Mexico.

My hurried movement threw us both off balance for a moment.  I feared we would fall, and I took a quick breath. Just a few more steps. The door opened a fraction wider, showing a slender hand extended to us.  I shoved the boy inside just as the airplane’s engine strummed more deeply in an initial readying for takeoff.  As I shoved him, I again lost my footing, falling to my knees. A painful slip.  Our helper giggled—a strange reaction I thought, but at least a friendly sound. We probably did look funny…entering a plane this way rather than the more usual collapsing corridor.  I got to my feet, losing sight of Jaime for a moment. Then the attendant slammed the door behind me, swinging the lock into place.

A Note from the Webmaster: If you’re a Writers Forum member in good standing and would like to be featured on Member Monday, please send your submission to writersforumwebmaster@gmail.com. Submissions should be 75-750 words, appropriate for all ages and error free. Please include a short bio, a headshot and any related links. The author retains all rights and gives permission to Writers Forum to publish their submission on the website and/or in the newsletter. Thank you!

Upcoming Events: Chloe Winston’s Book Signing

Today we’re featuring an excerpt from Writers Forum member, Chloe Winston.  You’re invited to join Chloe for her book signing on May 8th from 11:30-1:30 at Sportsman’s Express 76 located at 14385 Wonderland Blvd. in Redding.

An Excerpt from Argentine Assignment

by Chloe Winston

          Please let him be alone. He was angrier than before; I could tell from his voice. I didn’t hear any responses to his shrill comments, so maybe he was on his cell phone. That might mean there wasn’t another person with him. But I didn’t dare take that chance.
        From the unclear sounds of his side of the conversation, things weren’t going right for him. That meant they might go right for me. But maybe not.  When he walked through the door, he looked furious, which promised to make things worse. He didn’t pay attention, not even focusing on me.  Big mistake.
      No time. Go!  I went. Gripped the knitting needle more firmly; checked the pilot’s door.  Not a player–yet. I tossed the drape aside and faced the man. He tried to jump back, but he’d been coming so fast, with too much momentum. I was up against him. I jabbed him in the side so hard I felt the needle bend.Don’t break; not now. It was him or me. He leaned toward me, hands outstretched, then leaned back, breathing hard.  When he staggered against the wall, I pulled the needle out, hoping he’d bleed enough to slow him down.  Then I ran. And ran and ran.
A Note from the Webmaster: If you’re a Writers Forum member in good standing and would like to be featured on Member Monday or would like to submit an excerpt and an event, please send your submission to writersforumwebmaster@gmail.com. Submissions should be 75-750 words, appropriate for all ages and error free. Please include a short bio, a headshot and any related links. The author retains all rights and gives permission to Writers Forum to publish their submission on the website and/or in the newsletter. Thank you!

Member Monday : February Writers Forum Meeting with Pamela Britton by Chloe Winston

Pamela Britton

Welcome back to Member Monday!  We had a great meeting with author Pamela Britton and today please join me in welcoming Writers Forum member Chloe Winston to give us a recap.

     “Quit making excuses and write!”  Award-winning best-selling author Pamela Britton gifted Writers Forum attendees with a pyramid of crucial writing advice at a recent Saturday Forum meeting.  With over a million books in print and being discussed by TV gurus like Jay Leno and Stephen Colbert, she brought authenticity to the writing process.
     Patience, production, and proposals are the keys to publication, she said.  She also discussed two other “p” words:  pay and pitch.
    One major focus of her talk was a clarification about category writing and single title work.  Category writing is shorter (55,000+), has a short shelf life, usually has one protagonist, and is easier to build an audience.  A single title has over 100,000 words dealing with conflict between two protagonists, is harder to build a loyal audience, but is globally published, a plus financially.
     A second focus was her list of 12 steps to writing success, including be kind to oneself; do pages each day, every day; keep your own voice; have writer friends (critique groups!) and write where you write best.
     Write to make people laugh, cry, change, and touch lives, but enjoy what you do.  Be sure to craft an “elevator pitch” so that you are ready at moment’s notice to impress an editor or agent trapped in an elevator with you . . .or elsewhere.
     A third major focus for this Cottonwood author was successful marketing by the writer and by the publisher.  The key to success is not only good writing that responds to the market’s moods, but also the author’s willingness to be visible in public and “on the road.”
     She also spoke about agents and publishers, describing their delicate relationships with authors.  (Head nods by published Forum members indicated she was “right on” with her comments.)  Britton was frank about her income from her business-like approach to writing, as well as how she interacts with publisher and agent requests for changes.  She mentioned the need to “stalk editors and agents” and to regard the sanctity of deadlines.  She also touched on the emerging market of E-books.
     Writers need to have thick skins, she said, with high energy, an ability to maintain focus, be open to continued working on writing skills, and to realize the value of professional promotion following publication.
     A writer’s voice is crucial as one develops a style that readers recognize . . .and respond to.  And buy!  See what else is selling, spot a trend early on, and write, write, write.  Her last words of advice:  be aggressive, be strong, don’t be shy, have a sense of ego.  Be generous, embrace change, stay healthy, constantly learn, maintain focus, and like people
    She reminded us that if one writes a page a day for a year it results in a 365 page book, so she challenged Forum members to get busy with their own dream novels.  She ended with: “like winning the lottery, lightning may strike!”

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