Sweet Success! Robert Spiller

By: Kathie Scrimgeour

Robert Spiller’s amateur sleuth mystery novel, Napier's Bones (5th Bonnie Pinkwater mystery),was released April 11, 2015 by Jmars Ink (ISBN# - 9781511454964, softcover, 302 pages). It is available online, rspiller.com and on Amazon and CreateSpace.

When a skeleton is unearthed in a field next to East Plains High School, math teacher Bonnie Pinkwater is thrust into a three-decade-old murder. What she uncovers are Satanists, ruthless mercenaries, murderous homecoming queens, a crazed mother, a fateful blizzard, and the death of someone near and dear to her. As her once considerable gifts of memory and deduction are eroded by the trauma of loss, Bonnie must solve a thirty year old cold case before the killer decides the best way to remain free is to add one female mathematician to his list of victims.

Besides being a master of space and time, Robert Spiller is the author of the Bonnie Pinkwater mystery series: The Witch of Agnesi, A Calculated Demise, Irrational Numbers, and most recently Radical Equations. Napier's Bones, the fifth in the series was released April 2015. His math teacher/sleuth uses mathematics and her knowledge of historic mathematicians to solve murders in the small Colorado town of East Plains. A retired mathematician, Robert lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado with his wife Barbara. E-mail Robert at: rspiller2004@gmail.com

Quote of the Week and the Week to come

“I can never read all the books I want; I can never be all the people I want and live all the lives I want. I can never train myself in all the skills I want. And why do I want? I want to live and feel all the shades, tones and variations of mental and physical experience possible in my life. And I am horribly limited.”  ~ Sylvia Plath

Oct. 27-1932-Feb. 11, 1963
Source: Bing.com/Images 

Sylvia Plath was an American poet, novelist, and short-story writer. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, she studied at Smith College and Newnham College at the University of Cambridge, before receiving acclaim as a poet and writer. Most notably recognized as the author of The Bell Jar, Plath was clinically depressed for most of her adult life. She committed suicide in 1963.

This week on Writing from the Peak:

October 19    Rethinking Goals by Karen Albright Lin

October 21    The Ultimate Writing Weapons! By Aaron Michael Ritchey

October 23    Pikes Peak Writers celebrates Robert Spiller’s Sweet Success

Amateur Sleuths – A Nod and a Wink from the Garden of Miss Marple

What does a yoga instructor, a witch, a burglar, a birdwatcher, a math teacher, a 12^th century friar, a bookseller, a museum curator, and a very clever cat have in common? If your first guess wasn't that they solve murders then I'd like to officially welcome you to the wonderful world of the amateur sleuth. You need to know I could have used wacky, wild, weird, occasionally waggish, and warped (I was in an alliterative mood) and been equally accurate.

Let's begin with the obvious. Amateur Sleuth Mysteries are from the get-go mysteries. They lead off with a crime, present victims, catalogue suspects and clues, have a few twists and red herrings, and eventually arrive at a solution. Bad guys get their comeuppance.

For this article, because of its limited space we're only going to consider a few of the unique aspects of the amateur sleuth mystery.
First, how to get, say, a stamp collector gets involved in a murder investigation.

As a rule, professionals—FBI, cops, private eyes, and medical examiners, just to name a few—frown on amateurs mucking around at homicides.

Quit sticking your nose in where it doesn't belong.

This ain't no game, Missy. This is murder.

If I see you or any of your knitting/mailman/cheesemaking buddies at another crime scene, I'm going to haul the lot of you to the gray bar hotel.

Declarations like these are common in the Amateur Sleuth. After all, your average cheesemaker doesn't ordinarily involve him or herself in a death, stinky cheese maybe but not so much death. So, how do you insinuate a cat fancier or antique dealer into deadly mayhem?

Glad you asked.

As a writer of two separate amateur series, I've employed (or at least considered) the following devises for embroiling Bonnie Pinkwater (my mathematician sleuth) into the thick of things: 

1.      She's a suspect.

2.      She barely escapes being a victim. And now she's pissed.

3.      The victim's death has been ruled a suicide and she doesn't believe it for a minute.

4.      She believes the person apprehended for the crime is innocent but the police do not.

5.      A relative of the victim asks her to poke around.

6.      The crime is personal for her. Actually, the crime should always be personal.

Certainly not an exhaustive list but the excuse to get our frankfurter salesman involved in the mix is important. It will always be necessary to find a plausible one.

Once inclusion—if not an enthusiastic invitation—in the investigation is established the case proceeds according to the amateur sleuth's strengths. After all, these are experts in their particular field, even if that field is dog grooming. And one of the reasons to read an Amateur Sleuth mystery is to immerse oneself in an unfamiliar setting which is also for a segment of the populous familiar.

Unless one's day-to-day career involves police procedure, say that of the private eye or a forensic anthropologist, for the majority of us the world is somewhat mundane. Imagine your career is high-rise construction. Wouldn't a mystery series where an architect is forced to regularly solve murders be cool to read?  

This is where the amateur sleuth sub-genre shines. I call it Value Added. First of all we walk in the shoes of someone who has either a vocation or avocation in some area in which we have an interest.

A Bartender—we learn a bit about mixology. How the heck does one make the perfect chocolate martini, harvey wallbanger, or rude bastard?
A Wrangler at a Dude Ranch—we learn about the shoeing of horses, perhaps the pre-dawn birthing of a foal.
 A Rare Book Dealer—we learn about the ins and outs of the book auction, maybe the history of an actual rare manuscript of Dante or Oscar Wilde.
An Historical Mathematician—we delve into the eccentric world of medieval or ancient mathematicians, maybe look over their shoulder as they make an important discovery.
A Burglar—What locks are the hardest to pick? How does one go about fencing precious stones? What equipment is necessary to be a second-story man (or woman)?

But that's just the tantalizing first taste of the Value Added Amateur Sleuth. Now that we've worn their clothes, lived in their world, and experienced their unique anxieties how can we use their talents to solve murders? Here are two examples:

-          Our architect's skills at designing buildings relates to how a serial killer is planning his murders.

-          A game designer realizes the killer is using the rules of a newly designed video game to carry out his nefarious intrigues.

 

 There is so much more to the arena of the Amateur Sleuth (did I hear you say historical or geographical mysteries?) but space demands I rein in my enthusiasm. So, mystery lovers, check out the fastest growing segment of the Suspense world.

About the Author:  Besides being a master of space and time, Robert Spiller is the author of the Bonnie Pinkwater mystery series: The Witch of Agnesi, A Calculated Demise, Irrational Numbers, Radical Equations.  The fifth in the series, Napier's Bones, is due for release late 2015. His math teacher/sleuth uses mathematics and her knowledge of historic mathematicians to solve murders in the small Colorado town of East Plains. For thirty-five years Robert taught Mathematics at every level from Elementary through university, the last ten at Lewis Palmer Middle School. Now retired, Robert lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado with his wife Barbara.

Quote of the week and week to come

"One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure." ~ William A. Feather

 

Source: Bing

William A. Feather was an American publisher and author, based in Cleveland, Ohio. Born in Jamestown, New York, Feather relocated with his family to Cleveland in 1903. After earning a degree from Western Reserve University in 1910, he began working as a reporter for the Cleveland Press. In 1916, he established the William Feather Magazine. In addition to writing for and publishing that magazine, and writing for other magazines as H.L. Mencken's The American Mercury, he ran a successful printing business, and wrote several books.

This week on Writing from the Peak: 

August 24:  Aaron Michael Ritchey, The Amazing Blessings of Being a Writer

August 26:  Robert Spiller, Value Added Amateur Sleuths

August 28:  Sweet Success: M.J. Brett

Checking Off My Bucket List

By Darlene Grippo-Sowa

Hello, All.

I was honored and excited to be a scholarship winner to the Pikes Peak Writers Conference 2015. It was a definite bucket list experience for me. I self published a book for my dissertation called Rebuilding the Veil. It is a book on cults, but I had no experience and no idea how to write a book.

dreamstime.com

The conference was an eye-opening experience. I’ve never met so many incredible, giving, kind, and helpful people in my life, and here there were hundreds in one place. The speakers, authors, agents and fellow writers were kind and supportive beyond my expectation. Before I left for the conference, my husband told me not to get my hopes up and to try to have a good time. I was literally on Cloud 9 the entire time. And I’m a New Yorker - nothing surprises me. 

The authors who came were so giving of their time and knowledge and the staff and attendees were nothing short of incredible. Each workshop was brilliant. I’ve never been to a conference where I could say I learned something at every single event. I was given the opportunity to read the first 32 lines of my manuscript and the author/attendees gave me the best advice and support. I was also asked to submit a manuscript. How I will ever come off that cloud, I have no idea.

One of the best experiences was during a talk about comedy by Robert Spiller, author of The Witch of Agnesi. He said he loved midgets and anything to do with them. I asked a question and made mention that my book was about a very small coroner. “You had me at hello,” he said. I couldn’t have laughed harder! What a great moment.

I also have to add that the Marriott staff were the most kind I’ve ever encountered. I attend about four or five conferences a year. I usually have to tote all my own food due to my 20+ allergies. The hotel staff bent over backwards (and did some flips) to meet my dietary needs. Again, completely blown away. 

This was the best experience and the most fun I have ever had at a conference and I plan to go again and again! I was completely in awe. I will go every year and donate and support the Pikes Peak Writers. Thank you so much for this once-in-a-lifetime experience!

 

Darlene Grippo-Sowa
Teller County Deputy Coroner

Inside Author 101: A Sneak Peek at the Prequel Workshop

Compiled by MB Partlow

Author 101: Let the Journey Begin is just one of the three-hour workshops offered as part of the Thursday Prequel to the 2015 Pikes Peak Writers Conference. Robert Spiller is one half of the dynamic writing duo teaching this powerful, motivating workshop (along with Angel Smits), and he agreed to give us a look at what new writers can expect to take away from the experience.

PPWC: What was your path to becoming an author?

Bob: When my second marriage evaporated, I took off on a three-week bicycle ride in the Four Corners area. I was equipped with five spiral notebooks and an idea for a sci-fi novel. By the time I ended up at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, I had written the bones of that novel. In 1998, I attended my first PPWC with three intentions: win the PPWC writing contest, pitch that novel, construct a critique group. I won second place, pitched the begeebers out of the novel, and formed a killer critique group. Unfortunately, that novel never saw the light of day, but I was sold on the Pikes Peak Writers Conference. By the following year, I had written my second Sci-fi and pitched it as well. Still, no takers. Then I thought I’d try my hand at mystery writing with a female mathematician sleuth. The Witch of Agnesi sold to Medallion Press (a medium size press out of Chicago, no agent) in 2005. After that came A Calculated Demise, then Irrational Numbers, and most recently Radical Equations. For most of my writing career, I have taught Mathematics, so I wrote when I could. Now I have the luxury of being retired and can write at my leisure.

PPWC: What’s one piece of advice you wish someone had told you at the beginning of your career?

Bob: Sit your butt in the chair. There are a lot of reasons not to write. Life is a complicated and demanding business that will seem so reasonable when it whispers in your ear any number of things: You’re tired, You have nothing to say, You got too much on your plate today. You name it and some small voice will whisper it into your ear to keep you away from putting words on a page. Don’t even get me started with game playing, Facebook, and e-mail. So, here’s the deal. Not every day will generate first rate prose. Some days your task is to sit down and write the cow pucky that’s forefront in your brain, but know this. Right behind the junk is the good stuff that was just waiting for you to remove the dross so it could leap into your story and make you remember why you became a writer in the first place. So, put your butt in the chair.

PPWC: How do I untangle the different genres so I can figure out ‘What I Write?’

Bob: For me the answer – as someone who has written YA Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Sci-fi/fantasy, and is currently writing a historical mainstream – is my critique group. If I didn’t have this resource, I would avail myself of the many services of Pikes Peak Writers. Writer’s Night with Deb Courtney would be a good place to start. This collective evening of writers, both published and not-yet-published can steer you toward identifying the genre of your piece and help you make choices based upon that identification. Literally go to the meeting and say, “I need help identifying my genre.” Another resource is Write Brain. Scope out the expertise available in these monthly classes. I have learned valuable lessons and I have no doubt between the teachers and the other participants you can find someone to help you identify your writing’s place. Lastly, there is the Pikes Peak Writing Conference. What I did when I was first starting out was find like-minded individuals at this wonderful conference that I would use as a resource. They identified my genre, critiqued my work, and helped me keep my head on straight through some trying times.

PPWC? Which publishing path do you recommend for new writers?

Bob: I don’t have any specific recommendation. I have friends who have had success going the traditional route: Agent, Major Publishing House, both self and in-house promotion of their book. The advantages of this route are numerous. A good agent will help you edit your work to publishable quality; they will guide your career. A major publishing house will help guide your book onto bookstore shelves. This avenue of distribution is amazingly helpful. Hopefully, their promotion departments will guide you in the often tricky business of getting the public to notice your work by setting up reviews in major publications such as Publisher’s Weekly and Romantic Times.

At the other end of the spectrum, I have friends who are currently having success even though they self-published. They have availed themselves of the services of such self-publishing aids as CreateSpace and Amazon. They have designed their own covers. And after much work, have reaped the rewards of keeping all of their profits. In between these two extremes are un-agented small presses, of which even the relatively small community of Colorado Springs has a few. These small presses take on all of the worry of producing a quality product for a relatively small percentage of the profits. A good small press will also provide much of the promotion that only the larger presses provided just a few years back. I wish I could be more helpful in steering you toward the path that was ideal for you but in this changing era of publishing there are just too many viable options to rule any of them out.

PPWC: How can this class help me get started?

Bob: Getting started is what Author 101 is all about. We have four hours to share what we’ve learned in over twenty years of being in the game. The subjects covered will include: Critique Groups, Writing Advice, Publishing Paths and their Pitfalls, and Genres just to name a few. With such a large block of time my partner and I will endeavor to answer every one of your writing and publishing questions. We will lay bare our souls and tell you what has worked and what has not worked for us. In the end, hopefully you will come away with a better understanding of what it will take to get your masterpiece in the hands of folks who will cherish reading it as much as you loved writing it.

PPWC: What’s your favorite part of being an author?

Bob: That’s a toughie. First of all, I love it when I write a scene and it works. In mystery this means laying out the puzzle in a fun and informative way. In my current project this means being fearless and allowing my main character’s flaws show through. I also love meeting with readers and talking about writing and books. I guess one of my favorite things is when readers e-mail me and talk to me about what they liked about Bonnie Pinkwater or how a scene affected them. Currently, I’m collecting e-mails from every state in the union. Yeah, it’s pretty much all a good gig.

The 2015 Pikes Peak Writers Conference takes place on April 24-26, with extended Prequel workshops on Thursday, April 23. The Prequel can be added to registration for the conference, or can be purchased as a stand-alone day.

Besides being a master of space and time, Robert Spiller is the author of the Bonnie Pinkwater mystery series: The Witch of Agnesi, A Calculated Demise, Irrational Numbers, and most recently Radical Equations. Napier’s Bones, the fifth in the series is due for release at the end of 2014. His math teacher/sleuth uses mathematics and her knowledge of historic mathematicians to solve murders in the small Colorado town of East Plains. A retired mathematician, Robert lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado with his wife Barbara. Robert has taught a number of classes at PPWC, Write Brain, Authorfest, Texas Middle School Conference and the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Conference.

Faculty Interview: Robert Spiller

Compiled by Jason Henry

Are you excited? We certainly are! Why shouldn't we be? The 2015 Pikes Peak Writers Conference is just around the corner! It has been an absolute pleasure recruiting the incredible faculty that we have lined up for you this year and the workshops they will be teaching are proving to be just as amazing.

Pikes Peak Writers Conference is known as one of the best and friendliest conferences for many reasons. One of those reasons is that we provide as many opportunities as possible to not only learn from our faculty, but to get to know them. Keeping in the spirit of that very statement, we interviewed all of our faculty members to get inside their heads just a little. Really, we don't see the point in waiting until April. Do you?

Over the weeks to come, we will be posting those interviews along with the responses right here on the PPW Blog. Be sure to check in on Facebook and Twitter as well! We hope you enjoy reading these brief Q&As as much as we have!

Robert Spiller (Author, Colorado)

1. What are the most compelling elements you feel are necessary for a good read? 

Two things really: First of all is the fun factor. If I am enjoying myself during the read, as in time spent with a good-hearted lunatic like Bertie Wooster or in the mind of an ingenious antagonist as in the Cask of Amontillado, I'm there. Second I love to learn something. Luckily for me, a number of the books I've been sucked into lately fit this bill. One that comes to mind is Freakanomics. Now a book that is both fun and teaches me something is a gem.

2. What do you see as the pleasures and difficulties of being a writer/artist in today's world? 

Time is a factor in both. Time to write, edit, promote, and critique other's works comprise both pleasure and pain. Although, I have to confess, the magic time at the beginning of a new project is as close to pure pleasure as only one other activity that I can think of.

3. What is the best career/writing advice someone has given you? 

Write even if all you have to say is pure crap. Because behind the crap is all the good stuff.

4. Would you pass that same advice on or alter it? 

I pass it along as often as I can.

5. What do you love most about your career?

 I love to hold a book I've written in my hand.

6. What is something you wish everyone knew (or didn't know) about you?

 I'm not sure I have any secrets, but here goes. I have room in my heart and soul for as many friends as are willing to give me a go.

7. Which fictional character do you relate to the most, and why? What character would your friends/family pick for you?

I have no idea what character family would pick for me, but as for myself, here's a list: Cyrano, Harry Bausch, The King in King Bidgood's in the Bathtub, AJ Fikry, and of course Samwise Gamgee.

Quick Qs:

Pen or Keyboard? Keyboard

Plotter or Pantser? Plotter

Book or E-Book? Book

Spicy or Mild? Spicy

Sunrise or Sunset? Sunrise

Mister Rogers or Sesame Street? Mister Rogers

Facebook or Twitter? Facebook

  

Besides being a master of space and time, Robert Spiller is the author of the Bonnie Pinkwater mystery series: The Witch of Agnesi, A Calculated Demise, Irrational Numbers, and most recently Radical Equations. Napier’s Bones, the fifth in the series is due for release at the end of 2014. His math teacher/sleuth uses mathematics and her knowledge of historic mathematicians to solve murders in the small Colorado town of East Plains. A retired mathematician, Robert lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado with his wife Barbara. Robert has taught a number of classes at PPWC, Writebrain, Authorfest, Texas Middle School Conference and the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Conference

Pikes Peak Writers Conference: Read and Critique

By Robert Spiller

Here's the deal. I am excited (read somewhat intimidated) to be the Read And Critique Coordinator for the 2015 Pikes Peak Writers Conference - in my opinion the finest, most useful, funnest (yeah, that's a word) writing conference in the solar system.

In hopes of being more than just a pretty face, let me school you about Read and Critique sessions in general and the types of sessions in particular.

What the heck is a Read and Critique Appointment, you say?

Are you proud of your work? Here is a chance to show it off!

Industry Professionals (Authors, Agents, Editors) will provide immediate, I'm talking on the spot, feedback concerning the beginning of your manuscript. And it doesn't have to be completed as of the conference.

What are the types of Read and Critique Sessions?

Read and Critique Author

As the title suggests, you are with a published author. You read your opening two pages. (Don't cheat. We're talking industry standard format.) You are in a small intimate setting; just you, your author, and a few other participants. The author provides immediate feedback. Additional feedback from the other participants is encouraged. 

Read and Critique 1,2,3

A staffer reads your first page, 16 lines (either chapter 1 or your prologue) aloud. You remain anonymous. A panel of one Author, one Agent, and one Editor listens, then each provides insight and direction. These sessions are open to attendees to listen in and take notes.

Read and Critique X

You read aloud your first page - again 16 lines - to an Agent or Editor. The coolness factor in this type of session is that every effort will be made to match you up with professionals who align with your genre. As in all Read and Critique sessions, feedback will be immediate and one-on-one.

How might I avail myself of these wonderful opportunities to have my work evaluated?

Glad you asked!

First be diligent. Decide what type of Read and Critique suits you. Research the conference faculty at the Pikes Peak Writers Website.

Next, request an appointment on your registration form.

Which brings us to registration. Register for the conference ASAP. The earlier you are ensconced in the conference, the more likely you will receive the Read and Critique appointment of your choice. Be sure to provide your genre, since this will determine how you are assigned a session and who you will be with.

Oh yeah, one more thing. All Read and Critique sessions are at no extra charge.

If you have any additional questions, I would advise a delightful excursion to the Pikes Peak Writers Website. Write on. 

About the Author: Robert Spiller is a displaced Pennsylvanian living the good life in Colorado Springs, Colorado with his wife Barbara. Within shouting distance are his three daughters and four grandchildren.  

He is the author of the Bonnie Pinkwater mysteries: The Witch of Agnesi, A Calculated Demise, Irrational Numbers, and Radical Equations. These combine four of his passions: teaching, mathematics, math history, and writing. 

Although recently retired, Robert has taught math from elementary to college for the past thirty-five years. In 2005, he realized a long time dream when he ran the Pikes Peak Ascent - a thirteen mile half marathon to the top of America's mountain. He is the 2015 Pikes Peak Writers Conference Read and Critique Coordinator.

Quote of the Week and Week to Come

"You can't wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club."

www.gopixpic.com

Jack London

(January 12, 1876 - November 22, 1916)

The Call of the Wild, White Fang

This week on Writing from the Peak:

 * PPWC Conference: Read & Critique     Robert Spiller

* Glossary of Fiction Terms                       Jax Hunter

* Why Can't We Be Friends?                     Aaron Michael Ritchey

July Write Brain: Robert Spiller and The Musical Scale of the Funnybone

When:  Tuesday, July 17, 2012 – 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where:  Community Room - Colorado Springs Fire Station 16, 4980 Farthing Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80906

(Note: The fire station is set back from the main road, behind Oak Meadows Park.)

Humor can bring stress relief and perspective when people are facing tragedy, both in real life and in fiction. Join us for this timely Write Brain where author Robert Spiller will help us bring humor into our writing with his presentation of “The Musical Scale of the Funnybone.”

Spiller says if you make someone laugh, you've won them over for life. “The Musical Scale of the Funnybone” is designed to help writers add humor to their writing for just that purpose. This hands-on class will give you the tools to make that manuscript funny (Slapstick and Stupidity) or just a little more clever (Reverses and Plays on Words). Bring a joke. Get ready to giggle.

Robert Spiller is the author of the Bonnie Pinkwater mysteries: The Witch of Agnesi, A Calculated Demise, Irrational Numbers, and Radical Equations. The fifth in the series, Napiers Bones, is due out at the end of the year. His school teacher/sleuth uses mathematics and her knowledge of historic mathematicians to solve murders in the small Colorado town of East Plains. Robert and his wife, Barbara, live in Colorado Springs.