How My World Shapes My Writing by Paty Jager

 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT is our Theme this month in honor of our Eleventh Blog-o-versary! I found some very special posts from past years to repost in case you missed them the first time around.

In " How my world shapes my writing ", first published July 4th, 2011, Western Romance and Murder Mystery Author Paty Jager tells us how her personal experiences led her to the genre’s she writes. (File this one under "Writer's Life")

I’ve dabbled in different venues of writing over the course of my lifetime. First as a child writing plays for stuffed animals, then at thirteen writing stories of love and lust that my friends and I passed back and forth adding scenes, to witnessing what words can do when an English teacher read one of my assigned fiction projects to the class and all the way through writing children’s stories for my kids, writing murder mysteries when I wanted to kill someone (killed that person off in two manuscripts), writing for the local paper when it fit my lifestyle, and finally settling into western romance.

Each stage of my writing had to do with what was going on in and around me at the time so it only makes sense that I find myself writing about the west. Where I live and the American history I love. Specifically the 1800’s has always been my favorite subject. I love museums, historical sites, and finding bits of history that were so integral to life when this country was spreading and growing.

I think having grown up in a semi–isolated part of the state that was slow to get technology it brought out the pioneer spirit in me. Until I was twelve, my paternal grandparents lived with us. There were seven people in a three bedroom, one bath farmhouse. We had a woodshed where we chopped kindling and stored the wood for the cookstove. When we did get an electric range we still had a wood heating stove and used the wood cookstove when the power went out which was fairly often. The power went out often so we used kerosene and oil lamps, the outhouse, and hauled buckets of water to the house from the ditch. Looking back, it was usually in the winter that the power went out. And on many occasions the pipes from the well to the house froze, and we had to haul water to the house.

My family had a small herd of dairy cows and used an old hand crank separator to separate the milk from the cream. We used the milk for ourselves and the hogs we raised. We made our own butter from the cream and sold the rest to the creamery. We raised 100 chickens every year, butchering all but thirty, which were laying hens. I hated the smell of the wet feathers after you dunked them in the boiling water to loosen the feathers. And disemboweling them and cutting them up-I’d always offer to fold clothes, clean the bathroom, or whatever other chore I could think of than spend hours smelling the feathers and butchered chickens. My grandmother sold extra eggs to neighbors and the local grocery store.

These are all events in my life that easily happened in the era that I write about. I can feel the heat of the woodstove, hear the clank of the metal plates as grandma put more kindling in the fire. Smell the acrid smoke that slipped through the chimney standing in the middle of my bedroom. I'd stand as close to it as I could on cold winter mornings as I dressed. Growing up, I lived the life I write about in my historical westerns.

And now, ranching with my husband, I've encountered many of the obstacles that I write about in my contemporary westerns.

And I grew up in the land of Chief Joseph's Nez Perce and have always had a fascination for them and believe I saw an apparition of a Nez Perce warrior one summer day while riding my horse in the mountains. That moment has stuck with me, and I believe the catalyst that pushed me to write the Spirit Trilogy.

If you are a writer, what shaped the genre you write? If you are a reader, what is your favorite genre to read and why? 
Paty

www.patyjager.net
www.patyjager.blogspot.com

Graphic by: http://www.holidaygraphics.com
Photos: Paty Jager

Discovering a Lost Art by Paty Jager

Do you ever listen to music from another culture? I don't mean you grew up listening to the Jive and now listen to today's Rock. 

Native American,  Central American, Chinese, Andes. I have CDs with music from all of these places. I listen to it as I write first drafts of books. 

Why you might ask? I've had books with either characters of these nationalities or set in the areas. By listening, I feel the rhythm of the culture and the nuances. Does that make me strange? Probably, but I believe it helps me gain a better understanding of the people and place where the music originated.

My latest Shandra Higheagle mystery which is in pre-order and releases this month is once again set on the Colville Indian Reservation in Washington state. In the book, Shandra is discovering even more about her Nez Perce roots. I have her dancing and watching traditional dance. As you might expect given what I said earlier, I listened to drumming and dance music by Blackstone a Native American drum group. They aren't Nez Perce, but I've discovered listening to various artists that while some may be heavier on flute and another on drum, they all have the same basic pulse and fluidity to them. 

The art of drumming and dance isn't lost to the Native American culture. They have regional and national Powwows where they show off their drum and dancing skills. Even their regalia-traditional style clothing they wear for the dances.   

While researching the Seven Drums Religion, Dreamer Faith, or walahsat- the religion I have Shandra's deceased grandmother having been a follower- I discovered there is little to be found about the religion. It was one of the first things the Nez Perce were forced to give up to believe in a Christian religion and not be considered a heathen when the religious sects came to the west to "civilize". It is also one more thing that divides the Lapwai treaty Nez Perce in Idaho and the Nespelem non-treaty Nez Perce in Washington.   

What I did discover about this lost religion is:

• They always sing a song for each day of the week.
• They move counter-clockwise with the earth
• They jump and dance.
• They believe the animals all have spirits.
• That every thing is a gift-food, sight, hearing, children, everything. 
• All gifts come from the Creator.
• They believe in vision quests. 

While this religion is slowly coming back to the Nez Perce, I consider it a lost art. 

I share a small bit of it in my latest Shandra Higheagle release, Dangerous Dance.

Book eleven in the Shandra Higheagle Mystery Series

Jealousy… Drugs… Murder…

At the reservation to make final arrangements for her upcoming wedding, potter Shandra Higheagle gets caught up in the murder of a young woman about to turn her life around. 

Having no jurisdiction on the reservation, Detective Ryan Greer pulls in favors from friends in the FBI to make sure there is no delay in their wedding. 

However, the death occurs in a sacred place and could place the nuptials on hold. Following the clues may not only stop the wedding... but separate Shandra and Ryan for life. 

Universal Link: https://www.books2read.com/u/mKKB7d

A Smorgasbord of Books!

I read across all genres. So I thought I would share some of the different books I've read.

First a sci-fi from Author M. Pax. This book is packed with adventure.

"In the far future, humanity settles the stars, bio-engineering its descendants to survive in a harsh universe. This is the first book in the science fiction series, The Backworlds. Try it for free. A space opera adventure. After the war with the Foreworlders, Backworlders scatter across the remaining planets. Competition is fierce, and pickings are scant. Scant enough that Craze’s father decides to improve his fortunes by destroying his son. He tells his only boy their moon isn’t big enough for them both and gives Craze a ticket for the next transport leaving the space dock. Treated worse than a stranger, like the scuzzbag of the galaxy, Craze is forced to flee his home. Cut off from everyone he knows with little money and no knowledge of the worlds beyond his, he must find away to forge a new life and make sure his father regrets this day."

"The Troublemaker Next Door" is NOT Erotica, but it is VERY HOT!
This is the first of a three book series. Excellent read! Marie Harte writes men who walk and talk like real men. I've never found a better writer who can make male characters so-o-o believable.

"He's not into relationships. She's done with idiots. But where there are friends...sometimes there are benefits. And sometimes the boy next door might be just what you need at the end of every day."

If you like mysteries, Paty Jager's "Double Duplicity", the first in the Shandra Higheagle Mystery series, is a must read.
 Book one of the Shandra Higheagle Native American Mystery Series 
Dreams...Visions...Murder...
On the eve of the biggest art event at Huckleberry Mountain Resort, potter Shandra Higheagle finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. She’s ruled out as a suspect, but now it’s up to her to prove the friend she witnessed fleeing the scene was just as innocent. With help from her recently deceased Nez Perce grandmother, Shandra becomes more confused than ever but just as determined to discover the truth. 
Detective Ryan Greer prides himself on solving crimes and refuses to ignore a single clue, including Shandra Higheagle’s visions. While Shandra is hesitant to trust her dreams, Ryan believes in them and believes in her. 
Can the pair uncover enough clues for Ryan to make an arrest before one of them becomes the next victim?

This book by Kate Curran /Kathy Coatney was very entertaining. The pace was perfect and the characters came alive on the pages.

"Leave Me Breathless… What do an inquisitive reporter, a dedicated cop, and a band of geriatric mystery sleuths have in common? The desire to see justice done! Tossed from a prestigious San Francisco newspaper, journalist C.J. Pulaski returns to her hometown of Conspiracy, California, in disgrace. She’s hit rock bottom and will do anything to find her next big story and get her career back on track. In desperation, she even joins her father's Trench Coat Brigade, a wacky group of seniors with a penchant for solving mysteries. After his partner was killed in the line of duty, Nate Cole left the LAPD to become police chief in Conspiracy. Small town living suits him just fine until he has to solve a thirty-five-year-old murder, keep the Trench Coat Brigade in line and deal with a spunky, outspoken reporter. Now, Nate suspects there’s been something missing from his life."

There are so many good/great books available. I just can't keep up with all of them!! My to-be-read pile is so big, it will take a couple of years to read all the books. Unfortunately, I keep adding to the pile! Go figure. I'm a writer and a reader!!!  

What genre do you like to read?  

Ecletic Reading by Paty Jager

I write in several genres and that makes me a reader of several genres. While I have written mostly romance, it isn't my favorite genre. My favorite is mystery. Not thriller. If the writer goes to deep into the killer's mind it scares me and I can't read anymore or sleep!

But I have found a mystery writer I really like. J.L. Simpson's Daisy Dunlop series is a bit like Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. Only it's set in England with Daisy being married to a hunky man. Daisy is trying to find herself as her one and only son is getting older and will soon be off to the university.  Her ineptitude has made finding jobs a problem. That is why her hunky husband calls in a favor from his hunky best friend to give Daisy a job. His friend is an ex-spy and does P.I. work. This is a fun series with believable secondary characters and wonderful main characters. The best news is you can start following Daisy's escapades in her first book, Lost Cause for free! http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Cause-Daisy-Dunlop-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00NK5OPLC

Not only do I like mystery but I have a fascination of good witches. I'm not sure if it came from watching "Bewitched" as a child or reading the Witch of Blackbird Pond in Junior High. I've become a believer and follower of the Coastal Coven series by Diana McCollum. Her book The Witch with a Trident Tattoo has a good witch trying to find out who or what is killing life in the ocean. The witches are all unique and "enchanting". The story line is believable and James her "familiar" is over the top and perfect for the story. Pick up your copy and enjoy hanging out with the Coastal Coven witches. http://www.amazon.com/Witch-Trident-Tattoo-Coastal-Coven-ebook/dp/B018N7F2DQ

Besides my love of a good mystery book, I have a fascination for American Indian lore. Another mystery series that I enjoy and am sorry to hear Shannon Baker isn't writing any more are the Nora Abbot Mysteries. Book one Tainted Mountain starts the series with Nora Abbot and her husband trying to keep a ski resort in Northern Arizona afloat. Many things happen and not only is her husband killed but many other lives are at stake. I met Shannon at the Left Coast Crime conference this past February and completely understand why she's ended the series. She picked an American Indian tribe who are very closed off to the world. Trying to gather information for her books was like pulling teeth.http://www.amazon.com/Tainted-Mountain-Nora-Abbott-Mystery/dp/0738734225

I've also recently finished a Young Adult novel written by Carmen Peone. It is a coming of age story set in 1870. This story follows three teen-aged boys as they head off on a three day adventure. Only things go from bad to worse and the main character must draw on things he's learned from an Indian friend to help the three survive their trip. The author of Delbert's Weir lives on the Colville Indian Reservation in Washington state and has incorporated many of the Native American survival skills into the story.  http://www.amazon.com/Delberts-Weir-Gardner-Sibling-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B0199AAR6I

I don't get a lot of time to read for pleasure as it seems I am always reading reference books for the current or next book I'm writing.  I hope if you pick one or all of these books up to read that you enjoy them as much as I did.

Happy Reading!

http://www.patyjager.net
Writing into the Sunset 

Eliza Couldn't Vote, But...

by Diana McCollum

It wasn't till June 4, 1919, that Congress passed the 19th Amendment guaranting all American women the right to vote. The 19th Amendment was ratified and became law on August 18, 1920.

You still had to be a citizen to vote. The Civil Right Act of 1866 granted citizenship to everyone born in the US. There were exceptions: those born to foreign diplomats and Native Americans that were "not taxed" or Native Americans who lived on Reservations.

I'm giving you this background information to show what a heroine Eliza (Lydia) Burton Conley was during her life span.

She was half Native American and half European. Eliza was born in 1869, a direct descendent of Chief Tarhe. Her family lived on the Wyandotte Nation in Kansas. Her parents encouraged their three daughters to attend school and get an education. This was not something women were encouraged to do back then.

Eliza not only received an education, she went on to college and became a lawyer. (She still could not vote!) Eliza was the first Native American and the first Woman to be admitted to the Kansas State Bar.

Eliza fought all the way to the Supreme Court to protect the Huron (Native American Cemetery, a Wyandotte burial ground, from being sold to Kansas City. This was the resting place of her mother and father and the final resting place of hundreds of Wyandotte Native ancestors.

"We were fighting for the grave of our mother, and what could anyone do, in a case like that, but die rather than surrender?"

Kansas City had grown around this last piece of tribal land, the cemetery. The good folks of Kansas City wanted to get rid of it. 

She was instrumental in getting Congress to protect Indian Burial Grounds nation wide. This was 1909. Women and Native Americans did not have the right to vote!

Eliza went on to fight for women and Native Americans in a time in our history when it was not an easy path to take.

She believed in respect for the repressed Native cultures. Eliza paved the way for women's rights refusing to agree with the gender roles of the times.

Eliza (Lyda) Burton Conley

To Eliza Burton Conley, little known heroine who paved the way for women, & Native Americans!

Shiny New Series! by Paty Jager

When the topic First in Series came up and the call went out for posts, I had to write about this topic.

I kind of killed my momentum as a historical western author when I followed all the shiny new ideas in my head. But it has given me the experience to dive into a new series without flinching.  I just have to keep my series ideas focused on the genres that I have the largest following and my heart dictates.

The first series I wrote was the historical western romance Halsey Brothers series. It started out as one book, and I "fell" into the series when readers wanted the brothers' stories. That gave me, Marshal in Petticoats, Outlaw in Petticoats, Miner in Petticoats, Doctor in Petticoats, and Logger in Petticoats. Readers still hadn't had enough of the Halseys, and I wrote three more novels (Laying Claim, Staking Claim, Claiming a Heart, and A Husband for Christmas) with younger men who came into the family through marriages and a Christmas novella with the daughter of one of the heroine's.  While I enjoyed the Halseys and writing their stories I was ready to move on after the 8th book and the novella.

But before I moved on to a new historical western series, I played with the idea of a series with Pinkerton agents. I wrote the first book, Improper Pinkerton, with the dream of a series, but it didn't receive the love of the readers as much as I loved writing it. I could still resurrect it as a series but I moved on.

I had the idea for a historical paranormal series and ended up with the Spirit Trilogy. A three book series about Nez Perce Spirits who watch over the Wallowa Valley Nez Perce. The first book, Spirit of the Mountain, is set before the whiteman came to the area, the second book, Spirit of the Lake, when they arrived and the third book, Spirit of the Sky, takes place when the Army chases Chief Joseph and two other bands of Nez Perce toward Canada. These books show the life and history of the Chief Joseph band and were written with just the three books in mind. I've been asked for more Native American books but we'll see. There isn't as big a following for this type of book and they require tons of research to get the facts and lives correct.

While complaining about a book that wasn't what it was toted, I ended up coming up with an action adventure series. This contemporary series was a LOT of fun to write. The female protagonist is an Indiana Jones/ MacGyver character who specializes in Native American cultures and works for the World Intelligence Agency. Isabella Mumphrey's Latin DEA agent helps heat up the pages. These three books may some day be a larger series but for now they are a trilogy. Secrets of a Mayan Moon, Secrets of an Aztec Temple, and Secrets of a Hopi Blue Star.

After dabbling in romance books, I finally bit the bullet and started a mystery series. Mystery has always been my first love for reading and the first type of book I wrote decades ago. Shandra Higheagle Mystery series, Double Duplicity.  I'm currently writing the fifth book in this series, Killer Descent, and loving visiting Huckleberry and the characters I've established in the town and area.

Using my love of Native American culture, specifically the Nez Perce, I came up with an amateur sleuth who is a potter. I gave her a big slobbery, cowardly dog, an eccentric older woman who works for her, a handsome county detective, and quirky characters in a small ski resort town. Coming up with all the elements for this series was as much fun as writing the first book in the

I just released my first book of a new historical western romance series. The series title is Letters of Fate, the book is titled, Davis. Seeing so many people clamoring for Mail Order Bride books, I decided to write a book kind of like that only with the hero as the person searching for a new life, not necessarily a wife but as the letter he receives changes his life it also brings him to the woman who fulfills him. What I like

best about this new series is how many stories I can write with a letter as the catalyst and that the stories while being a series won't have to be read in order to enjoy them.

I have written stand alone books, but I have to say, I enjoy coming up with the premise and ideas that make a series. It helps me find continuity with my thoughts and the way to put the books together.

Do you enjoy series books? If so, what is your favorite part about series? The same characters, the same premise, or just the feeling of coming home as you read?

Award-winning author Paty Jager and her husband raise alfalfa hay in rural eastern Oregon. She not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it. All Paty’s work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. Her penchant for research takes her on side trips that eventually turn into yet another story.

You can learn more about Paty at

her blog; Writing into the Sunset 

her website; http://www.patyjager.net  

Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paty-Jager/132536633482029

Newsletter: Paty’s Prattle: http://eepurl.com/1CFgX

Paty’s Posse: https://www.facebook.com/groups/402519373168442/?ref=bookmarks

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1005334.Paty_Jager 

twitter  https://twitter.com/patyjag

Spirit Trilogy - Books of My Heart

Growing up in an area rich in Native American history has made me curious and empathetic to the band of Nez Perce who summered in Wallowa County many generations before Lewis and Clark entered their lives.

The Wallowa, or Lake Nimiipuu as they call themselves, are a band of the Nez Perce(Nimiipuu) who moved like nomads across the Pacific NW and into the plains with the seasons. They wintered along the Imnaha River in the lower warmer regions of Wallowa County, spent the early spring in the camas meadows of Idaho, and summered at Wallowa Valley, fishing the Columbia in the fall and returning to their winter home before the snows became too treacherous. The warriors and some of the women went out on hunting expeditions to the plains for buffalo.

They were nomadic, but they had a fierce love of the land in their hearts.

The spirit entity in these books is all a figment of my imagination, but it felt real to me. My fascination with the Native American culture, their healing herbs, chants, legends, myths, and vision quest all primed my imagination when I came up with the spirit siblings who are the main characters in the books. 

Spirit of the Mountain

ISBN 9781940064833

Evil spirits, star-crossed lovers, and duty…which will prevail?

Wren, the daughter of a Nimiipuu chief, loves the mountain and her people—the Lake Nimmipuu.  When a warrior from the enemy Blackleg tribe asks for her hand in marriage to bring peace between the tribes, she knows it is how she must fulfill her vision quest. But she is torn between duty and her breaking heart.

Himiin, as spirit of the mountain, watches over all the creatures on his mountain, including the Nimiipuu. When Wren shows no fear of him as a white wolf, he listens to her secret fears and loses his heart to the mortal maiden. Respecting her people’s beliefs, he must watch her leave the mountain with the Blackleg warrior.

When an evil spirit threatens Wren’s life, Himiin rushes to save her. But to leave the mountain means he’ll turn to smoke…

Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spirit-of-the-mountain-paty-jager/1100249639

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Mountain-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B00MQCAYIS

Apple https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id909696594

Windtree Press http://windtreepress.com/portfolio/spirit-mountain/

Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/spirit-of-the-mountain-3

Spirit of the Lake

ISBN 9781940064857

Can a spirit set upon this earth to see to the good of the Nimiipuu stay true to justice when revenge burns in his heart?

Wewukiye, the lake spirit, saves a Nimiipuu maiden from drowning and bringing shame to herself and her family. Learning her people ignored her accusations against a White man who took her body, leaving her pregnant,Wewukiye vows to help her through the birth and to prove the White man’s deceit.

Dove slowly heals her heart and her distrust as Wewukiye, the warrior with hair the color of the sun, believes in her and helps her restore her faith in her people and herself.  

On their quest for justice, Dove reveals spiritual abilities, ensnaring Wewukiye’s respect and awe. But will these abilities seal their future or tear them apart?

Buy Links:

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MYOSCPU

Apple https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id912073592

Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spirit-of-the-lake-paty-jager/1100443073

Windtree Press http://windtreepress.com/portfolio/spirit-lake/

Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/spirit-of-the-lake-2

Spirit of the Sky

ISBN 9781940064871

Can enemies not only work for peace but find love?

Sa-qan, a Nimiipuu eagle spirit, must take a human form to save her mortal niece when the Nimiipuu are forced from their land by the U.S. Army. Sa-qan strives to remain true to her spirit world and her people, but finding an ally in a Cavalry Officer has unraveled her beliefs

.

During battle with the Nimiipuu, Lt. Wade Watts finds a blonde woman hiding a Nez Perce child.  He believes she is a captive when her intelligent eyes reveal she understands his language. Yet she refuses his help. Their paths cross several times during the skirmishes, and she becomes his savior when renegade warriors wound him.

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Sky-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B00N47L8XY

Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spirit-of-the-sky-paty-jager/1110762147

Apple https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id913632233

Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/spirit-of-the-sky-2

Windtree Press  http://windtreepress.com/portfolio/spirit-sky/

website: http://www.patyjager.net

blog: Writing into the Sunset