Spotlight: A PORTRAIT TO DIE FOR by Radine Trees Nehring

BREAK THROUGH PROMOTIONS PRESENTS ...

What A Writer Thinks

by Radine Trees Nehring

In 2016, established authors, many of them multi-published, are full of gratitude (or should be) for what they have accomplished. But these days, even for the well-established, there can be self doubt and a long list of questions disturbing assurance and wrecking dreams.on. Why?

These days there is so much that's negative flying around out there.

I began selling short non-fiction in 1986, but, in 2002, I became a published mystery author, with strong roots in the support connections offered to those of us in the mystery field--we who write a wide array of stories ranging from cozy, and perhaps religious, to tales more dark and violent. Our groups, clubs, and conferences were created to give support and share ideas in what can be a lonely profession for any writer. (After all, working alone at a computer, and pondering ideas silently is necessary for our product production, isn't it?)

But, these days, many of our favorite groups are full of anguished wails: "Publishers in NY are cutting mid-list authors," "We need to spend hours on social media without knowing which avenue for promotion is most effective," and much more. Discussions also include questions like "Are mystery novels less popular today? "Does offering my work free pay off ultimately?" "Will poorly edited self-published books discourage all readers?"--on and on.

Well then . . . what's a serious writer to do?

It depends on our needs, and how each of us views our profession. What are we looking for? What does anyone creating a quilt, a cake, a painting, or a book look for?

Not wealth or fame--these days that can't be a goal, though it may come to a few. Well, what about loving the act of creating? That's what got me started. I put words and sentences on paper (yes, paper back then) and was surprised how wonderful they sometimes seemed. "Did I really write that?" I thought little about publication. But, on a whim, I submitted an essay about the Ozarks and it sold. Oh! Seeing it in print stunned me. That was 1986.

Fast forward thirty years. I still love making sentences that please me. Yes, I do the on-line promotion and marketing plans and on and on. But, honestly? If nothing sold, I probably couldn't stop making stories, though it is very nice when others tell me they enjoy reading what I write. But, do they enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed visiting special places, doing research, and writing a mystery adventure in that location? I doubt it.

As in all the creative arts, no matter which--shouldn't the joy of creation be the best reward?

Thank you Radine.  and now to hear about A PORTRAIT TO DIE FOR...

A Portrait to Die For

By

Radine Trees Nehring

ISBN-10: 1610092228

ISBN-13: 978-1610092227

Dark Oak Mysteries

Paperback: 284 pages

April 22, 2016, $16.00

Genre: Mystery

Synopsis

Carrie McCrite, a volunteer librarian at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, discovers two versions of a portrait on loan to the museum. When a reporter writing about that portrait disappears, Carrie must choose between honoring Henry's request that she stop jumping into danger on behalf of people in trouble--or work to find the woman who was a college friend of her son's. 

“A charming marriage of love and mystery.”

—Nancy Pickard, author of The Virgin Of Small Plains

“A delightfully clever novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. Radine Trees Nehring's warm and believable characters are like good friends that I am happy to see again. The Civil War history, train ride, antiques and diner food were icing on the cake! I look forward to Carrie and Henry's next adventure.”

—Earlene Fowler, author of Love Mercy and State Fair

“What a great mix for Carrie’s latest adventure! She and Henry have their hands full with suspicious characters aboard an excursion train, switched identities, Civil War treasures, stolen jewelry, rifled rooms, and a “safe house” incident. Did I mention a dead body? Radine Trees 

Nehring has given us another ‘can’t put it down’ read.”

—Joe David Rice, Arkansas Tourism Director

About Radine Trees Nehring

For more than twenty years, Radine Trees Nehring's magazine features, essays, newspaper articles, and radio broadcasts have shared colorful stories about the people, places, events, and natural world near her Arkansas home.

In 2002, Radine's first mystery novel, A VALLEY TO DIE FOR, was published and, in 2003 became a Macavity Award Nominee. Since that time she has continued to earn writing awards as she enthralls her original fans and attracts new ones with her signature blend of down-home Arkansas sightseeing and cozy amateur sleuthing by active retirees Henry King and Carrie McCrite King.
Website URL: www.RadinesBooks.com

Blog URL: http://radine.wordpress.com

Facebook URL: www.facebook.com/RadineTreesNehring

Twitter: @RTNehring

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/radine-trees-nehring

Buy link for Portrait to Die For

http://www.amazon.com/Portrait-Die-Radine-Trees-Nehring/dp/1610092228/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457470278&sr=8-1&keywords=Portrait+to+die+for+nehring 

 

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