Emerald City Writer's Conference, Bellevue, WA, Oct 1-3, 2010, "Hell, Yes! I Want to be a Happy Writer' workshop with Susan Lute
HUNTER'S REVENGE
Computer programmer by day, crime fighter by night. Hunter Kelly's life was shattered eleven months ago by the abduction and murder of her twin sister. An ordeal
she shared, but survived. Triggered by the trauma, Hunter connects to other victims – before the crime happens – but her new weapon doesn't help as the anniversary
of her sister's murder looms, and the killer is back to punish the only woman to survive his twisted game.
Detective Walker has a cold case to solve and a series of notes that point to more victims. A by-the-book homicide detective, the one thing he despises is
vigilante justice – it got his father killed in the line of duty. His desire for Hunter is against the rules, and could cost him a decorated career.
Being attracted to the sexy detective isn't in Hunter's plans and everybody she's ever loved has left her, one way or the other. A physical relationship with
the cop would be fine, but he could become a fatal distraction.
With no leads on the sister's murder, Detective Walker has only one suspect – Hunter, until she's the target of a vicious serial killer. With murder escalating
around them, Hunter and Walker must track down a ruthless killer, while coming to grips with their own definition of justice … and love.
Hunter's relationship with Walker, her struggle with her abilities and her quest for justice
span two more books in HUNTER'S RAGE and HUNTER'S REDEMPTION.
HUNTER'S RAGE: Has the Elliott Bay Token Killer returned from the dead? Or did Hunter's quest for vengeance kill an innocent man? Hunter's relationship with Walker hits a rocky spot when he wants to move in together … but she's not ready.
When a new man enters her life, bringing light to her darkness, who will she choose the cop who wants more from her than she's ready to give, or the free-wheeling man who shows her how to let go of her troubles, even if it's for a little while?
HUNTER'S REDEMPTION: The Elliott Bay Token Killer has escaped, but has Hunter had enough of chasing a serial killer? Does justice have any place in her life now, when all
looks grand … until the killer ups the ante, making his last bid to exact his style of vengeance on Hunter.
Det. Robert Walker - the cop-turned-lover - has a new plan … to make Hunter his wife. Is commitment-shy Hunter ready for a relationship that permanent? Redemption is Hunter's only chance at a happily-ever-after, but can she find it, without sacrificing her identity?
Story behind the Story
Like I stated before, this book started out as a What If? question, but there wasn't enough character or plot to give me something to build on. Then, a fellow writer gave a workshop on her writing process. One technique she uses is to ask her character these three questions: What is your secret? What is your real secret? What is your REAL secret?
When Hunter first came to me (crazy-sounding, I know, but then most good writer's are a little crazy, LOL!), she was a nebulous character. I knew her name, and that her sister was dead. So, on paper it looked a little like this ...
Author (me): "What is your secret?"
Hunter: "My sister is dead."
BORING!!
Author: "What is your real secret?"
Hunter: "My twin sister is dead."
Okay, Twins are interesting, there might be something there I could work with, but I had one more question to go ...
Author: "What is your REAL secret?"
Hunter: "My twin sister is dead and it's my fault."
Whoa! Back the truck up!! Now, THIS is a character I can write about!!
My daughter has grown up to be one of my best friends, and is a great sounding board when I'm writing a book. From living with a writer for her entire life, she's got a
vivid imagination and can come up with plausible scenarios without going to the absurd. Hunter's Revenge was a book I sounded out on her while I had her as a captive
audience–I mean when we were on a drive to town (we live about 30 minutes from anything remotely resembling a thriving city).
Later she brought me a picture she'd found in a magazine and said, "This looks like a character who belongs in your book, Mom." And Hunter was real, 3-D.
The model had the look and attitude that was perfect for my kick-ass vigilante heroine. So my daughter was instrumental in shaping who Hunter became is this series.
