Thursday, August 22, 2024

Dru Ann Love: Reviewer, Influencer, AND Writer!

 

HALLIE EPHRON: Dru Ann Love... she modestly calls the mystery book review blogs she writes “dru’s book musings,” and she’s a gift to the mystery writer community. She’s also one of the most flat-out nice people you’ll ever have the good fortune to meet.


Now she’s getting a taste of what it’s like to WRITE mysteries, co-authoring a short story with another mystery book reviewer, Kristopher Zgorski. Their story, TICKET TO RIDE (you can read it here), won the Agatha Award for Best Short Story and is an Anthony Award and Macavity Award finalist.

What a way to start!

Today Dru Ann joins us on Jungle Red to share what the transition has been like for her, from a reader/influencer/reviewer of mysteries to writing one. I'm so happy to welcome her to the neurotic world of the aspiring writer.

DRU ANN LOVE: Thank you!

How did this all start?

I’ve always been a reader. I’ve read since early childhood, whether it was picture books graduating to books with words to the back of a cereal box and more. I enjoyed the written words and the stories the authors were entertaining me with.


As an adult, reading became an escape from the world and kept me engaged with something positive because at the end of the book I was reading, justice would usually prevail.

The more books I read, it became harder to remember which books I read until I read the first chapter and said to myself “I read this one already” and that’s when I created my online journal which morphed into the blog as you know it today, dru’s book musings. I’ve added three features: “A Day In The Life,” “Get To Know You,” and “Word With The Author” as well as weekly and monthly book releases and very, very short musings.

The blog gained traction and as a result, I became an “author champion,” a “book advocate,” or you may say an “influencer,” something I really didn’t aspire to. That just happened due to my love of books, reading, and attending reader/fan conventions. For example, my blog has been nominated for an Anthony Award twice, and I received the MWA Raven Award.

All the while, declaring myself a non-writer. I really had no desire to write. None whatsoever. I was very adamant about that until an editor approached Kristopher Zgorski from BOLO Books and I, asking us to collaborate on a short story for an upcoming Beatles anthology.

To say I was surprised, anxious, nervous, and whatever other emotions were running in my head, Kris and I decided to go for it.

So, unbeknownst to me, I became an aspiring writer, that is until our story was accepted and then yes (a big smile on my face), our story was published.

And the biggest thing that could happen to a first-time published author is being a finalist for the top writing awards—the Agatha (given out at the Malice Domestic Convention), the Anthony (given out at Bouchercon), and the Macavity (presented during Bouchercon’s opening ceremonies).

Being nominated was honor enough, but guess what, WE WON the Agatha Award, and we’ll find out the results of the other two nominations at Bouchercon.

During this whole process, I now better understood when the author talk about writing their books, editing their books, critiquing their book, being on deadline with their book, waiting for the book to hit the shelves, and then waiting for those reviews.

I understand and I think the transition from being a blogger (I still am) to being a writer went rather smoothly, despite a few hiccups along the way. Did you know we had to rewrite the story, changing it from third person to first person? Or that we got some notes suggesting that we add more crime to the story?

And let’s not forget all the precious words we had to cut even though we liked them, but they didn’t add to the story). So yes, I understand it all.

I am often asked if I would write another short story, and I think I would, but probably only in collaboration with another author. However, I did write a flash short story (under 550 words) all by myself and have submitted it to three publishers! So yes, now I know the submission side of writing, as well. I got one very nice rejection and am still waiting from the others.

HALLIE: Ah, rejections... They're the building blocks of a great career. I saved all of mine and I quote from them when I give talks. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger... or at least it can make you laugh.

Dru Ann will be checking in today so please ask her about her writing, her reviewing, what she's reading, what it's like to be an "influencer" ...

88 comments:

  1. Congratulations, Dru Ann, to you and Kristopher on your debut story and your award. . . what a lovely way to start your writing career! [Are you and Kristopher planning to write another story together?]

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Joan! As of this moment I'm open to collaborating on a short story, but no pressure on my part. Kris already have written at least two short stories that have been published.

      Delete
  2. Welcome, Dru Ann, and congratulations on your Agatha Award. It's a great skill to rework a MS--and can also be a great pain!! I'm impressed that you and Kris took it all so calmly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! We did take it calmly, but there were moments.

      Delete
  3. Congratulations Dru Ann, what a fantastic affirmation of your work and love of stories! Please keep the Reds community posted on your flash short story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Hillary. The flash story been on submission at the two other places for at least one month. At some point I may have to un-submit in order to submit to other publications.

      Delete
  4. You and Kristopher have been on such a roll with that story, Dru! Congratulations - the Agatha and other nominations are so well deserved. Fingers crossed for a win in Nashville.

    And of course your awards for your blog, which SO many of us love and appreciate.

    Ah, yes, revisions. I've written many short stories, and with some it can be so tricky to get it down to the maximum word count. It's an art form! Are you plotting another one with Kris or someone else?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Edith. At this moment, I only have the flash story. I still can't wrap my head around me being a published author and still don't think of myself as one.

      Delete
  5. Dru, I was thrilled for you and Kris when you won the Agatha. It's a great story and deserves the honors. I wish I could be at Bouchercon to cheer you on again, but I will be sending good luck wishes from home this year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Annette. We need all the good vibes.

      Delete
  6. FROM JAY:

    Dru Rocks! As if there was any doubt about that, right?

    Anyway, I'm thrilled that both Dru and Kris are finding so much success with their first story.

    So Dru, what are you reading recently? Do you finish every book you start? If not, how long does it take for you to decide to drop a book?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jay. Right now I'm reading an ARC of IN THE BLINK OF A PIE by Catherine Bruns and I'm enjoying it. I finish 95% of the books I start. I can determine if I will continue with a book between the first three chapters.

      Delete
  7. Love having you visit Dru Ann! It's exciting to see you begin your journey as a writer--you know so much more than many of us did as we started out! see you at Bouchercon, I hope!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Roberta. Looking forward to seeing you in Nashville.

      Delete
  8. DRU: Congratulations to you and Kristopher for writing an award-nominated and winning short story. I will be rooting for you both next week in Nashville. See you there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Grace. Looking forward to seeing you next week.

      Delete
  9. Dru Ann -- so lovely to see you on the front of the blog today. Congratulations to you and Kristopher on your debut success. Wow: what a way to start! Best wishes for your flash-length story. Enjoy Bouchercon!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dru, it's fun to see you taking a star turn on today's JRW blog.

    Your blog has informed me so very much about new-to-me authors and what to expect from books and series, that I must tell everyone how much I love seeing it in my email. I especially love your diverse taste in stories and the fairness in your approach to reviews. The star system that Goodreads and Amazon insist upon can discourage a reader from reviewing a book by a much loved author, when the reader can't give it a high enough rating compared to other's books, but still wants people to read it.
    Congratulations on your writing award and the nominations for more awards.

    I know that you are a fast reader. I am in awe of your weekly list of books being released and have to know if you have read all of the books on those lists. Have you? I read constantly and have few other obligations. When do you sleep?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Judy!

      I'm glad my blog helps to encourage your reading. No, I do not read all the books on the list, especially since I try to keep it diverse with cozy mysteries as well as thrillers, suspense and historical mysteries. Believe it or not, I do get at least 8 hours of sleep. I also try to be fair when I'm recommending books whether through shout-outs on FB or my musings. I will not say anything negative about a book simply because someone else might enjoy a book and I would hate to discourage them.

      Delete
  11. Congratulations, Dru Ann. An Agatha first time out, woohoo! I too have been a reader my entire life (librarians for parents) and it still brings great joy. I will sign up for your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congratulations, Dru Ann and Kristopher! It's always wonderful to see a longtime reader become an author. Having others appreciate that story is icing on the cake. Have fun on the conference trail!

    ReplyDelete
  13. DRU ANN: Congratulations to you and K on getting the short story published and Winning the Agatha Award! Well done! I remember meeting you and Kristofer (sp?) at Malice Domestic or Left Coast Crime. I attended many mystery conferences!

    Often read your blog every time I receive new posts in my email and discovering new authors. I'm sure that blogging is different from writing a mystery, though you use your writing muscles, right?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Diana. Yes, blogging is certainly different from writing...a lot.

      Delete
  14. Many congrats on the story, Dru. Hallie didn’t ask what it was like working with Christopher. He is such a unique person that it must have been both fun and challenging. Good luck at Bouchercon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Rhys! Kristopher is a gifted writer which you can tell by the reviews he does on BOLO Books. He is also a gem to work with. The fact that we are good friends made it an easy collaboration.

      Delete
  15. Dru Ann, the only horizon you have left to conquer is being an editor - so keep an eye out the next time someone emails you about "this anthology idea we have..." :-)

    As a reader, I want to say how much I like your short musings. When I'm deciding if a book is for me, I don't need paragraphs and paragraphs on everything between the covers. Tell me what you liked and why you liked it. Boom. Not a lot of reviewers have that much, shall we say, restraint, and I appreciate that you do!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Julia. Hmm, editor, perhaps. And thanks for liking my musings...I tried writing a *review* which requires at least three paragraphs and I failed. Like you, when I read reviews, I go to the last paragraph which tells me all that I need to know.

      BTW, how are you doing? Have you started PT yet? Keep doing them.

      Delete
  16. Nice to see you "above the fold" today, Dru Ann! And I'm really pleased for the success you and Kristopher have had with your story.

    But my dear, you ARE a writer, and a good one! Blogging is writing! Yes, writing a novel is different, but it's all putting your own words in sentences to communicate. You've been a "real" writer for a very long time already. You're just branching out into a different genre.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Karen. What you said reminded me when I used to say that "I'm just a reader". Again thanks for the kind words.

      Delete
  17. Congratulations on the very well-deserved success, Dru Ann! Your journey is such an inspiring one, and I'm so thrilled about your Agatha Award win. Wishing you all the writing wins and many more author milestones to come!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Loved "Ticket to Ride" the first time I read it and I read it again just now and love it even more. It's two days till the anniversary of my father's death from Alzheimers. His trauma was liberating Dachau and my mother was the 'Lester,' so I thank you for the reality and tenderness of this story as well as the amazing skill that earned you the Agatha. Well-earned congratulations. And, yep, I love reading your blog almost every day. Julia Spencer-Fleming is right -- you would be a remarkable editor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Maren! And our story resonated with so many who family are dealing with Alzheimer.

      Delete
    2. And that truly is important ... a group, especially caregivers, who often feel lonely and grateful to find themselves in a story ... and reading passes a lot of time.

      Delete
  19. Congratulations to you and Kristopher, Dru Ann! That editor who encouraged the two of you to collaborate on a story was a genius — and I note that the book in which your collaborative story appears is a finalist for the Best Anthology Anthony. Good luck to you, Kris, and HAPPINESS IS A WARM GUN: CRIME FICTION INSPIRED BY THE SONGS OF THE BEATLES!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Josh. It was your request that opened the gate for me and Kristopher and your editing was brilliant. And congrats on your Anthony nomination as well. Good luck to all of us.

      Delete
    2. It takes a village, and we do have a splendid one.

      Delete
  20. Dru Ann, I first “met” you here as one of the commenters on the JRW blog and it is where I heard about your blog. Since I started reading your blog, I have found so many new authors and books that my TBR is teetering! And every morning, I read the JRW blog first thing and Dru’s Book Musings second. Good luck at Bouchercon! I hope to see you there. — Pat S

    ReplyDelete
  21. I remember how excited I was to meet Dru Ann at Malice Domestic -- it was 2016, the year after my debut, and she was every bit as sweet, humble and charming as I'd hoped. I've had the opportunity to be on Dru Ann's wonderful blog (which I follow) several times and I am always grateful for it. But a highlight was having brunch with her and Kristofer at Bouchercon Toronto (Sunday a.m.). She probably doesn't remember any of those moments -- but they made a huge impact on my life. So, thank you Dru Ann!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Judy. I'm always happy to have you on my blog and your post have introduced a few authors to me.

      Delete
  22. It was a great story, Dru. You know I love your blog - and you. Can't wait to see you at Bouchercon - we can cheer for each other!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Liz. And yes, I'll be there cheering for you.

      Delete
  23. Congratulations on the success of your short story! I love your blog and appreciate what a champion you are for writers. And now you are one!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Dru!! What fun to have you here on JRW!!! And huge congrats on your short story success! You do so much for the mystery writing community and I love that you are now officially part of it!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Congratulations, Dru Ann! And thanks for being such a force in the mystery book world. How fun to make the leap from blogger to (award-winning!) writer so seamlessly.

    I agree with Hallie about saving all our rejections and showing them off! I still have one that is so hilarious, back from the days when editors would send rejections by mail. It was literally a checklist of reasons for rejecting the work, and they’d checked off the box “not the right fit for us at this time.” One of the best worst rejections ever! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I got several that said, "I don't have the requisite enthusiasm..." In other words your book is Blah. Devastating.

      Delete
  26. Congrats, Dru Ann! Cheering you on from So Cal.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Good for you, Dru Ann! I love to see a reader extraordinaire and blogger become even more!

    ReplyDelete
  28. It was a true delight writing "Ticket to Ride" with you Dru Ann. Writing is hard, but our friendship gave us a firm foundation on which to build. It's been a crazy ride and it continues next week at Bouchercon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Who would have thought of the accolades we would receive for our first collaborative effort. Onward.

      Delete
  29. STANDING OVATION! YOu are such a rock star in every way. I am in awe of your skills, and your persistence, and your incredible intelligence about storytelling . Your "A Day in the LIfe" s genius, too--and I have to say, every time I do one, I learn something about my character . So you are helping in ways you didn't even realize! How did you come up with that idea?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Hank!

      I was reading a book that I enjoyed and when I was finished, I asked myself “so what happens next” with the character. And that’s when I came up with the feature “A Day In The Life” which gives a glimpse into a character life before and after they solve a murder.

      Delete
  30. DRU- How nice to see you here! Such fun to read about your publishing journey. Keep on! - Gay Yellen, on the road to Killer Nashville

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Gay! Enjoy Killer Nashville. Will you be at Bouchercon?

      Delete
    2. Alas, not this year. Moving on to visit family in the Carolinas.

      Delete
  31. Dru, thrilled about all the wonderful and well-deserved honors you’ve received! Sending good vibes to you for Bouchercon!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'm back from PT...will respond to comments

    ReplyDelete
  33. Well done, Dru Ann!

    DebRo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dru Ann, we should have you back to talk about the wonders of PT... so many of us (me included) are (or have recently been) experiencing it.

      Delete
  34. Dru Ann Love, the nicest, most friendly and encouraging person ever! When we both went to all the conventions, we often found ourselves early enough to be the "First Person to Hug"! Now, it sometimes has to be a virtual hug. Congratulations, Dru, for landing on the other side of the rope along with Kristopher with a prize-winning story and an itch to keep writing.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Dru Ann, I snagged on one of today's comments that "blogging IS writing"...
    And yet, and yet, ... if only that were so. My experience is that storytelling flexes whole different muscles than book reviewing. Character arc and setting and viewpoint... are critical and none of which figure in writing about other people's books. Did you find it a stretch to write a story or was it easy peasy after the tons of reading (and book musing) you'd done?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it was easier than I thought, especially listening to other writers and the trials and tribulations

      Delete
    2. I wrote my first fiction with a partner and I do think, working with the right partner, can make it easier.

      Delete
  36. Congratulations Dru Ann. I really enjoy your blog and I'm sure you will be a successful writer. I'm looking forward to reading your first book.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Congratulations, Dru, and thank you for all you do for writers!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Dru Ann--Delighted to read about your reading, blogging, and writing story. Brava for you. So excited to see you at Bouchercon next week. It has been way too long!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Dru, you are an absolute inspiration and a real life lesson in "never say never". LOL. I am over the moon for you!!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Dru Ann, you truly are a wonder! Authors are always excited to be on your blog in one of your formats, and since so many people read your blog, it's understandable that they would want space on your blog. And, now short story writing. Wow! Congratulations on the Agatha and good luck on other nominations. I wish you much continued success.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Thank you Hallie and Jungle Red Writers for inviting me on your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  42. This may be my favorite Jungle Red post of all! I admired Dru Ann before, but now I absolutely adore her. Here's to living a life of courage and growth and the kindness to share it with others. Dru Ann has modeled exactly that by diving into the world of being a writer. Getting to know her better has left me inspired. Thank you, Hallie. And thank you, Dru Ann.

    ReplyDelete
  43. This is wonderful, welcome to the other side of the desk! And now that you have dipped your toes in, you will get bit by the bug, I'm certain. It's a thrill!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Great post, Dru Ann! I loved the short story you wrote with Kristopher. Good luck at Bouchercon!

    ReplyDelete