Friday, April 10, 2020

Interview with a Monster

Thought for the day:  Stowy Jenkins is a deliciously vile character, but thank goodness, we the readers have the good fortune of encountering him from a safe distance. [me]

[image courtesy of morguefile]

A few years ago, as a participant in Yolanda Renee's blog tour to promote her book The Snowman, I had the dubious honor of using my handy-dandy Flight of Fancy gizmo to go to the Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward, Alaska, to interview the creepy-as-hell serial killer Stowie Jenkins, AKA the Snowman. (You can find that earlier interview HERE.)

Well, this time, I didn't sign up to be an official part of her current tour to promote her newest book Murder, Just Because, but it's my pleasure to help her unofficially, because I love HER and I love her book. But ain't no way I'm going back to interview that psycho. Nuh-uh. It was scary enough interviewing that psychopath when he was behind bars, but now, after ten years in the joint, he's escaped, and he's even scarier than before.

[image courtesy of unsplash]
So I did what any reasonable writer would do.

I returned to the handy-dandy Gizmo store and purchased a special attachment for my Flight of Fancy gizmo. It allows me to be... invisible. Ta DA! Pretty smart for an old broad, huh?

Besides,  there was no need for me to do an interview this time, anyway, because professional journalist Denise Cochran already did that in the book. In her family's secluded cabin in the middle of nowhere, Alaska. (Yeah, she's a lot braver than I am.)

But, ya see, the actual give-and-take of the interview isn't included in the book, so I'm gonna take another Flight of Fancy trip just for you guys, so I can observe the interview unseen and tell you all about it. (You're welcome.)

And awaaaaaay we go...

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Wow! This is some cabin! Cozy and homey, with a nice fire burning in the fireplace. But where the heck is Denise? The creep's over there sitting in a classy-looking wing-backed chair, as if he owned the place... and a number of cameras are pointed in his direction... but no Denise. So what gives? She must be one smart cookie. Obviously smarter than I am...

DENISE'S VOICE: Thank you so much for allowing me to interview you today, Mr. Jenkins, but I'm curious. Would you mind telling our audience why you agreed to it?

ME: (rolling my eyes) Oh puhleeeze. The creep's a publicity slut. Duh.

STOWY:  (grinning into one of the cameras)  You can call me Stowy... or Stone.  Mr. Jenkins was my old man's name.   (He sweeps the room with ice cold blue eyes, pausing for a beat too long as he looks in my direction. The hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention and a chill dances up my spine.  He can't see me, he can't see me, he can't see me... can he? Then he looks back into the camera, allowing me to breathe again.)  Thank you for hosting me,  Ms. Cochran, but I must say, as much as I appreciate being here in your lovely cabin, I'm more than a little disappointed you aren't actually here with me. I’ve always admired your beauty and your honesty. It would've been so nice to see you... (He grins again.) in the... flesh. 

DENISE'S VOICE: Yeah, well, I appreciate that, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. No point in taking any chances. So why did you agree to come? 

STOWY: (shrugging) I suppose I can't blame you for not wanting to entertain the Snowman face-to-face, but like I said, I admire you, so I would never hurt you. (He pauses for a moment before continuing. Then he gazes into a camera with a pseudo sincere aw shucks look on his face.) I agreed to talk to you so I could assure your devoted listeners that I mean them no harm. My only quarrel is with those people who did me wrong.

DENISE'S VOICE: Is that so? And how exactly have any of those people wronged you, Stowy?

STOWY: (eyes widening and voice rising) Are you kidding? They sent me to prison! For ten years of unmitigated hell. No man should have to endure that kind of treatment, especially me!

DENISE'S VOICE:  Wait a second. Let me get this straight. Isn't it an established fact that you killed those women?

STOWY: Well, technically, yes, but my mother tortured and molested me for years, and she's the real murderer here, not me. I think of myself as more of an... artist. 

DENISE'S VOICE: I see. Are you saying your mother controlled you... that she made you kill? 

STOWY: (with a humorless snort) Not at all. The stupid cow wasn't even aware of my hobby, but when I was nine years old, I saw her kill my father. She fed him her special chicken soup, and then she just stood there watching while he convulsed and died. Then she winked at me, tucked him into bed as if he were merely sleeping, and then waited an hour before calling the paramedics.

DENISE'S VOICE: I see...

STOWY: No, you DON'T see! (He leans toward the camera, his eyes wide and unblinking.)  I'm telling you the old bat was a homicidal maniac! She killed Winnie's mother the same way. (He sits back in his chair and folds his arms across his chest.) She's the one who should have been in prison. Not me.    
          
DENISE'S VOICE:   This is all news to me. Did any of this information come out at your trial?

STOWY:  HA! What trial? There was no trial. That was a kangaroo court. A travesty of justice! They put me away for life, and then added ten more life  sentences on top of that. I was railroaded.

DENISE'S VOICE:  But your mother is dead now, right?

STOWY:  (Looking straight at me, he grins broadly, his eyes and white teeth sparkling in the bright lights.) Yesssss, she is.


ME: (With a sudden overpowering urge to run out the door and into the Alaskan wilderness... or at least, back home to do the laundry.) Holy crap.  Can he see me? I hiccup and he furrows his brow in my direction. Shaking, I fumble in my pocket for the gizmo control. Where in the...
                    
STOWY:  And I must say, it was one of my most enjoyable kills


ME: I'm outta here!!! (I just remembered... my fella's in desperate need of  clean socks...) Sorry, but if you want to know how the rest of the interview went, you'll have to read the book and figure it out for yourselves.

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Murder, Just Because


Short Blurb:
The Snowman is back, and as his bloody rampage continues, terrified Alaskans increasingly doubt Quaid’s abilities. In a deadly game of cat-and-mouse, Jenkins starts picking off the people in Quaid’s life… and drawing closer to the most important person in Quaid’s life...his wife. The Snowman’s cruelty knows no bounds,  but the object of his hate knows no fear!

Tagline:

The Snowman’s cruelty knows no bounds, but the object of his hate knows no fear.





Bio:



Looking for a new adventure, Renee recently moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A storyteller from a very early age, an avid reader, and with an education and background in business and accounting, becoming a writer only made sense. And writing mysteries pure logic.






More titles from Yolanda:



MURDER, JUST BECAUSE
LINKS
Author Links:

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If you enjoy chilling thrilling books, look no farther. This one will definitely fill the bill. So, for that matter, will all of Ms. Renee's books. While you're hunkered down during this pandemic, you might as well cower under the covers with a good book or two, eh? (But pssstt! It's best to read them during the day...)

                         Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.

P.S. I  hope y'all are doing well. Turns out, I WILL be taking the rest of this month off, and I WILL be writing. After reading my poor neglected manuscript, I decided it's just might be worth finishing, after all. So I'll see you guys next month. Take care, y'all!


64 comments:

  1. BRILLIANT POST.
    I have already bought Yolanda's book (because I have less than no will power) but, as I told her, I will be waiting for a bright, sunny day to read it. And will no doubt do so in a locked house with my back to the wall.

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    1. PS: Which should have been first. I hope that you and Smarticus have a healthy, happy, safe weekend. The love and the laughter are guaranteed.

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    2. I don't have a shred of willpower when it comes to books, either, but it's an enjoyable obsession to have. :)

      I'm sure you'll enjoy Yolanda's book, but you're smart not to read it in the darkness of night.

      Thank you. I hope you and your fella stay healthy, safe and happy, too. Take care.

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    3. Yes, brilliant. Susan F. definitely has a way with these! Thank you Susan (E.C.) for that purchase. I do hope you find the right day to read them. And I'm sure the sunshine, and the rest of the story will make it much easier. It's not all killing. :)
      I'm thrilled, Susan F., that you are taking that break and that you are going to be writing. I can't wait to read the outcome!

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  2. This sounds VERY exciting. Good luck to Yolanda with the launch. And enjoy getting back to your manuscript! Have a safe Easter, hugs, Valerie

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    1. It sounds very exciting because it IS!

      Thanks. You have a wonderful Easter, too. Hugs back atcha.

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    2. Thanks, Valerie-Jael! With Susan's help the launch is a real success!

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  3. Oh boy! You really know how to tug open the purse strings! I have to buy these. I really do. Are they available as e-books?

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    1. Cool! Yes, ma'am, they are all available as e-books. :)

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    2. River, they are, and right now all are discounted at Smashwords!

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    3. And I didn't even stop to check, just went straight to Book Depository and bought the paperbacks. To add to the towering mountain of paperbacks on my bedside chest.

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  4. Hi Susan - yes as EC comments - brilliant post ... so much horror to chill my heart so early in the morning. Both of Renee's books seem to be murderous reads ... good luck Renee - and thanks for this.

    Susan - all the best to you and Smarticus during April ... enjoy the writing ... take care - Hilary

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    1. Hi-ya, Hilary. Yes, Renee's books are murderous reads, but there's also some heartwarming romance in them, too.

      Thank you. It's been so long since I did any work on my book, it may take me a little time to get back into the swing of it, but I do hope to enjoy the process. You take care, too. Cheers!

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    2. Thanks, Hilary! Susan is the best when it comes to highlighting a book release.

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  5. I loved the unseen interview! Fascinating...and chilling.
    Your wise decision to take the rest of the month off and write has inspired me to resume my literary endeavors.
    Take care and have a blessed Easter. Big hugs.

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    1. Thanks. I'm glad ya liked it. :)

      That is FANTASTIC news! Yes, by all means, YES, you need to finish those memoirs. (Your fans are waiting!)

      You take care, too. Hugs back atcha.

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  6. I wouldn't have hung around any longer either!

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  7. awesome creepy interview. Excellent post and blurb for Murder, Just Because. Good luck to the author.
    Glad you are working on your book - can't wait.
    Happy Easter and take good care.

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    1. Thanks. It was fun to do "creepy" for a change. :)

      Thank you. (I can't wait to read it, either! HA)

      Happy Easter to you, too, and thank you sooooo much for the post card. It tickled me pink to know you aren't traveling right now. You take care, sweet lady. Sending you a big hug... from a safe distance. :)

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  8. LOL, I loved it Susan. You always out do yourself when it comes to these interviews! Very entertaining, Stowy doesn't deserve you! Thank you!
    I do hope you have a successful writing break - I can't wait to read the next installment. Send it over, please!
    Happy break, Happy Easter!

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    1. Great! I'm really glad you like it, kiddo. :)

      Yes, ma'am. Will do later today. (Sounds like my better half is waking up... time to fix breakfast.)

      Happy Easter to you and you hubby, too.

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  9. Susan, that was an awesome interview. You had me ready to take flight. Thanks so much for sharing this.Yolanda's books are fascinating and have a way of pulling you in and not letting go until the last sentence. Hope you have a Happy Easter. Stay safe and I can only image how intriguing your own book will be. Happy writing.

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    1. Mason, thank you for all your work on the tour! Happy Easter!

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    2. Thanks, Mason. Sorry I didn't sign up for your official tour this time around.

      Happy Easter to you, too. Stay safe!

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  10. Sounds like he is a bit touched in the head lol serial killers, pffft.

    Great that you are going to write away too.

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    1. LOL, he's more than touched! Happy Easter, Pat!

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    2. Yeah, he wasn't just "touched" with a wacko stick; he's seriously deranged.

      Thanks. Here's hoping, anyway...

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  11. While I have read several murder mysteries I really don't know how anyone can write about them. yes, I do feel like I'm hanging on a cliff sometimes and hardly wait to turn the page to see what happens.. I really prefer love stories but sometimes you need to mix it up. Hope you get a lot done on your break and that you enjoy a Happy Easter!

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    1. I enjoy HEA romances, too, but I read all kinds of genres. The thrill is in the reading. (And there IS some romance in Yolanda's books, too.)

      Thank you. You have a wonderful Easter, too. Take care.

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    2. Honest, there is some romance! LOL Happy Easter, and Happy Reading no matter what you choose. A good romance does me just fine!

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  12. Very creepy! As an author, I find writing interviews like that an invaluable tool for getting inside a character's head.

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    1. Good! Creepy is exactly what I was going for. :) Believe me, Stowy is a verrrry creepy guy.

      Funny, but I've never interviewed any of my characters. I dunno why, because it sounds like a great idea. What I do is a detailed psychological and background study. (It's fun!)

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    2. Susan may not have done her own characters, but she sure gets mine right on! It is a great tool!

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  13. Wow! Susan you should become a publisher's publicity person - as well as an author of course.
    I love it, in horror films and novels, when a character enters their home, hears a noise and says "Is anyone there?"
    I'm waiting for the killer to say "Yes, I'm in the kitchen. Would you like a sandwich?"
    CLICK HERE for Bazza’s never knowingly novaturient Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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    1. Wow! Thank you. That's a wonderful thing to say.

      HA! Yeah, some of the lines in those films and novels are real corkers. If I hear a suspicious sound upon entering our house, I'm not gonna be looking to strike up a conversation. :)

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    2. Susan is the best publicist ever! She goes all out and it always makes a difference! And honestly, that's exactly what Stowy would say! Uncanny! LOL

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  14. What a fun interview! … said from the relative safety behind the other wing-back chair. You've got me capital I-ntrigued.
    'Hope your muse is a ready, willing and able partner!

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    1. Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Intrigued is good. :)

      I hope my muse is ready, too. Poor thing's been ignored for so long, I may have to bribe her to coax her out of her cave. (Perhaps a chocolate bar will do...)

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    2. Awesome, Mevely! Susan does that so easily!

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  15. I certainly enjoyed that interview from the safety of my girlfriend's kitchen, overlooking her garden.

    I'd better shut that door now. My back is facing it and I don't feel so safe anymore. :-)

    Stay safe! :-)

    Greetings from London.

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    1. Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed the interview, Mario. You stay safe, too!

      Greetings back atcha.

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    2. I never sit with a door at my back. Can't get comfortable for some reason. :)

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  16. There are too many guys like that Jenkins geezer. Sadly we only get to know them at the wrong time. People like Jenkins should be fed alive to starving Crocodiles.

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    1. I agree 100%! Have a nice day Vest!

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    2. I don't think there's ever a good or safe time to get to know people like Jenkins in real life. I'd rather meet him in a book. :)

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  17. That book looks interesting but I am not into scary books. I am more the type for “cozy” murders, like Agatha Christie’s. I did get a new book yesterday from England, second-hand but looks brand new. I did not look at it yet. It is a book you recommended called “Remarkable Trees of the World.” Since I have not been inside my house for 32 days I thought I needed to have at least a look at the outdoor and trees, even virtually.

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    1. Awesome! I dunno why, but hearing that you got that book on my recommendation makes me ridiculously happy. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. :)

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  18. The above article is nice and interesting, thank you willing to share! Greetings success of admin Aqur Printing wish you deign to visit my website, thank you :)

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  19. You're always the sweetest! How nice of you to join the unofficial tour. I'll do that every now and then because I am such a sporadic blogger that I miss the requests for help. I keep telling writer friends to email me...

    Snowy is one creepy dude. I wouldn't want to interview him either.

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    1. So true, Susan goes above and beyond! I think most writers have a hard time asking. I've done the same and gotten no response, but when I reach out with a date and an interview, they always say yes! Thank you both, for saying yes!

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  20. Just checking in to say I hope your writing is going well and that you and Smarticus are well.

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    1. Awwww, you're so sweet. Thank you. We're doing okey doke, and I hope you are, too. I'm ashamed to say I haven't done much writing, though...

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  21. Awesome on the book!
    All the best and stay safe!

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  22. Congratulations to Yolanda. The book sounds fun.

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    1. There are plenty of great words I could use to describe this book, but "fun" ain't one of 'em. :)

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  23. I enjoyed the interview. Thanks for posting.

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  24. Wonderful interview! This book is on my TBR. Love her work!

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