5 QUESTIONS FOR AUTHOR JANET EVANOVICH

Janet Evanovich is a literary treasure. Not only has she sold more than 75 million books worldwide, but her last 11 novels have made their debut at number 1 on the N.Y. Times bestseller list.  Her first Stephanie Plum novel is becoming a movie in 2011 starring Katherine Heigl as Stephanie Plum.  She's funny, self-deprecating and allows her fans to choose the name of her upcoming novels.  She was also reckless enough to stop by and play 5 questions with me.

1- Your 1993 novel, "One for the Money," is finally becoming a film. Is this a big deal to you, or do you feel it's a bigger deal to your fans?

I think it's great and from the mail we get, I think my readers are looking forward to it, too.

2- Is there something precarious about Stephanie Plum becoming a visual image on a large screen rather than the unique image in each particular reader's mind?

I suppose that's always a risk. However, most people know that a book is a book and a movie is a movie and they are very different. People still read James Patterson's Alex Cross series, Robert B. Parker's Spencer and Robert Ludlum's Bourne books despite the fact that well known actors played them in the movies and on TV. In the long run, I don't think much damage is done.

3-What percentage of Stephanie Plum is your alter ego?

In terms of klutziness, it's about 100% With regard to being able to come up with snappy rejoinders off the cuff and having the energy of a 30-year-old, the similarities diminish.

4- Do you always feel your latest book is your best or do you have favorites?

I usually think my latest is my best. I'm currently at work on the next Plum -- Smokin' Seventeen -- which will be out in June. I really like it. I should also say that I'm really excited about the new series featuring the character Diesel. The first of that series, Wicked Appetite, was published this past September and I can't wait to get to the next book.

5- With the emergence of the digital age, how do you see the publishing world looking in ten years?

Good question. I don't have a crystal ball, but I'd say that e-books are going to continue to grow and become a big factor in publishing. Maybe I'm a Pollyanna, but I don't think traditional books will disappear. While a number of my readers come to my book signings and ask me to sign their e-reader covers, most folks who wait patiently in line say they love paper and ink and don't have plans to convert anytime soon.

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Have you ever been to a bookstore and rummaged through a bunch of books, reading the first paragraph or two until you found one you liked? Of course, we all have.  Well I'm hoping to cut down on your time by doing some of the legwork for you.

Since I began this blog I've offered a monthly writing contest to showcase talented new writers who wanted a new platform for their work to be seen.  I know of at least three literary agents and a couple of publishers who routinely check the results of the contest.  It's always rewarding to see people get noticed.

Now for the different part.  I'm going to attempt to highlight some lesser known or Indie authors work.  These will be writers who have either an e-book or print book for sale.  I will work with the authors to offer free books to some of our readers.  The details aren't finalized, but will be soon.

Stay tuned.  As a reader you should discover some talented new authors to follow.  As a writer you should find new eyes for your work.  I'll continue to post interviews and insights from the industries best and brightest, but I began this blog to help fellow writers get noticed and that commitment will not change.

GUEST POST BY CRIMINOLOGIST/AUTHOR--JENNIFER CHASE

Below is the guest post by Jennifer Chase. Jennifer holds a bachelors degree in police forensics and a masters degree in criminology. She's a freelance writer, a criminologist and award-winning author of the very succesful Emily Stone series.  She took time out of her busy schedule to post a blog about criminal profiling. Who better to speak to that subject than a bonafide criminologist.

What’s the Real Deal on Criminal Profiling? 

Criminal profiling is not a type of psychic or intuitive paranormal ability. It is a behavioral analysis used as a practical scientific resource in criminal investigations. Criminal profiles should never offer quick estimates, guesswork, or academic statistics. That technique is not a “real” criminal profile and doesn’t have any value in an investigation. That’s the cold, hard facts of the matter.

The goal of the criminal profiling process is to objectively analyze and infer traits of an individual through scientific behavioral and physical evidence. It helps to identify an individual(s) who have committed a specific crime or set of crimes in order to narrow the suspect list and to move the investigation process forward. This is an important investigative tool and it is especially important during the deductive profiling phase of behavioral evidence analysis.

Deductive profiling entails a criminal profile or investigative report that reviews and describes relevant physical and behavioral evidence patterns within a crime or related crimes. A profiler must possess “absolute objectivity” in searching for “facts” and be able to interpret the findings in preparing a complete criminal profile.

There are two types of effective profiles used: threshold assessment and complete criminal profile.

A criminal profile shouldn’t take the place of solid investigative work; however, it should be one of the pieces available in the criminal investigation arsenal. No two crime scenes occur in the same way, or are ever exactly alike. This is where it’s important for the investigator/profiler to use his or her analytical and deductive reasoning skills in an objective manner.

According to criminal profiler and forensic scientist, Brent Turvey, a “threshold assessment” refers to a document that reviews the initial evidence of crime behavior analysis, victimology, and crime scene characteristics of a particular case or a series of cases. This scientific procedure is the evaluation of what is understood to be fact about a particular case or series of cases, and does not render the conclusions or opinions of a full criminal profile report.

A “threshold assessment” should include the following:

1. Overview of established facts of the case.
2. Overview of established facts relevant to the victimology (thorough study of the victim).
3. Overview of established facts relevant to the crime scene.
4. Initial hypothesis of motivational behaviors.
5. Initial hypothesis of offender characteristics.
6. Suggestions of further facts needed to be determined or analyzed.
7. Suggestions of further facts needed through victimology.
8. Suggestions and potential strategies for suspect development.

All of this information is helpful in creating a full, complete criminal profile.

A complete criminal profile refers to a “court-worthy” document that incorporates all of the physical and behavioral evidence relating to the known victimology and crime scene characteristics of the offender responsible for the crime or series of crimes. This document concludes with the opinions and conclusion of the profiler of the most logical suspect for the case or series of cases.

Criminal profiling shouldn’t be limited to just homicide investigations; it can used for burglary, rape, and arson investigations as well. In fact, unsolved burglary and rape cases would absolutely benefit from criminal profiles in order to close more cases.


Below is the link to Jennifer's latest novel, "Silent Partner."
http://www.amazon.com/Silent-Partner-Jennifer-Chase/dp/0982953607/ref=sr_1_1?