Rattlesnake by C.Lee.McKenzie

 

The desert town of Rattlesnake isn’t a destination. It’s a last resort. Seventeen-year-old Jonah Guthrie’s aunt sold their home in New England and fled to this place to escape the humiliation of his dad’s indictment for embezzlement and subsequent disappearance.  

While their late uncle left them a house and a silver mine, the house is a shambles and the mine is defunct. They’re almost out of money, so they have no choice but to stay in Rattlesnake. And then Jonah discovers they’ve inherited something else. Her name is Catherine, and she’s been dead for over a hundred year. Now, she needs his help.

 

I really like C.Lee.Mckenzie's novels.  I guzzle them and often her characters stay with me (including minor characters).  I haven't yet read Rattlesnake which will be released in the coming days but I assuredly will - and soon.

When she asked me to help with promoting her latest book I jumped at the chance and asked her some questions which she generously answered.

 

Writers fill me with awe (and delight).  The work involved, from inspiration, though creation, editing and frequently marketing as well these days is HUGE.

Which are your favourite (and least) favourite bits of the process?

One thing I love about being connected with you, Sue is your enthusiasm. It’s contagious and very much appreciated. That’s the truth!

When I start a story, that's the hardest part for me. I suppose that makes it the least favorite time, but then once I get underway, I’m excited and the writing just happens. Then when I get to the middle, I really have to dig in my heels to keep going. I have a lot of stories that stop mid-way and stay there for a long time before I can return to working on them. 

Once I get a first draft down, I’m so relieved. 

The editing is my favorite. That’s when the book comes together for me.

 I think of marketing as a totally different animal. While there are some creative aspects (making trailers, figuring out the promotion that I want to do) It’s not the part that’s the most fun for me. It’s the business aspect of writing. Different hat! Still I find parts of it interesting and I like the challenge.

Am I right in thinking that names, of characters and books are difficult?  And that they both matter immensely?

For me the characters come with names. It's kind of like having children. You name them and they can’t be called anything else because those names are a fit. I have more trouble with titles than I do with character names. This book had at least five other titles before I settled on Rattlesnake. One I remember involved “gulch.” That was not a good choice.

Where did the inspiration for Rattlesnake come from?

I’ve always been fascinated by the 1800s in the U. S. West. So much happened then that changed the history of our country and still has impact. I love writing about that time and I love the theme of justice, so those two interests inspired this story. 

I believe that readers bring some of themselves to each and and everything they read, which may mean that they take away something different to what the writer intended. Do you agree?  And how do you feel about that?  What do you hope that people will take away from Rattlesnake?

I’m always surprised and pleased when I hear from readers about their reactions to one of my stories. Their input makes me realize just out important writing a book is. It not only gives readers insight into the mind of the writer, but also insight into the mind of the reader. The writing -reading interaction is as close as anyone comes to really understanding how another thinks. With Rattlesnake, I hope people escape with Jonah and Allie into another time and empathize with Catherine. 

 

You can buy Lee's book from the following places.

Amazon

 Smashwords 

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