IndieView with Maureen Miller, author of, Jungle of Deceit

“They have an expression in football that a player is ‘running downhill’, meaning you can’t stop him. I wrote this book ‘running downhill’. Every time I completed a scene, the next was already staged in my head.”

Maureen Miller 26 February 2012

The Back Flap

Mitch Hasslet, a war photojournalist relegated to a desk job, is the sole witness to a heist of Mayan artifacts. Recruited by the enigmatic director of the Museum of Art and Antiquities, Mitch is sent to Guatemala, the last location the shipment was tracked to. Acting as the museum staff photographer, Mitch joins a group of archaeologists. His goal is to locate the artifacts as swiftly as possible so that he can collect his compensation and get the hell out of the jungle.

Alexandra Langley is about to run out of funds. She has yet to discover the lost Mayan civilization she knows lurks in the rainforest. To achieve her grant, she will accept the museum’s latest nuisance, Mitch Hasslet, and any other obstacle that is sent her way.

Unsuccessful and desperate, Alex has decided to move the group to a portion of the jungle referred to as, “No Man’s Land”−a sector where archaeological teams have ventured but never returned.

As Mitch and Alex discover romance, will their bond protect them in a jungle filled with deceit?

About the Book

What is the book about?

JUNGLE OF DECEIT is a romantic adventure, with the emphasis on the adventure. Mitch Hasslet, a photographer for the Daily Chronicle is the sole witness to a heist of museum artifacts. The Director of the victimized museum has tracked the shipment down to Guatemala and solicits Mitch’s assistance in identifying the men responsible. Looking for a fast buck, Mitch agrees. So as not to draw attention, it is prearranged that he will pose as a photographer for an archeological dig already in place in the area.

Heading up this dig is Professor Alexandra Langley who wants no part of the photographer imposed on her. He will only point out the lack of material to photograph, and threaten her grant. In an effort to produce something grant-worthy, Alexandra decides to move her group to an area of the jungle called No-Man’s land. An area where archaeologists have ventured but never returned.

What they find here is a compound surrounded by barbed-wire and heavily guarded. After a fire breaks out in the jungle they are forced to seek shelter inside this compound. Now it’s a battle to ever get back out.

When did you start writing the book?

Several years ago. It was the classic case of a story stuck inside my head, but too many other pressing items to address ahead of it.

 How long did it take you to write it?

Tying together the gaps in writing, all in all this was probably close to a year in the making.

 Where did you get the idea from?

It’s actually an interesting tale. A few years after 9/11, I read an article that was not even a blip on the news radar. It inspired me to do a little research.

In 1988 Customs agents at Miami International Airport searched the suitcases of two New York residents flying home from Guatemala City. In the suitcases they found Mayan artifacts. The couple insisted they had bought them at an open Indian marketplace and the pieces were not valuable.

An authenticating process revealed that many of the pieces were pre-Columbian and the couple lacked the documentation required to remove historically significant items from Guatemala. The artifacts were confiscated and eventually made their way to New York where they were stored in the heavy vault at Custom House, 6 World Trade Center, in the World Trade Center complex.

That is where they were on Sept. 11, 2001.

When the vault was unearthed by crews sifting through the rubble, the artifacts and other items were all intact. The legal battle against the man and woman smuggling in the artifacts collapsed as well, and several years later the artifacts were finally returned to the Guatemalan government.

Now granted, the plot for JUNGLE OF DECEIT really has nothing to do with that tale, but sometimes all it takes is an interesting seed planted in your head.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

I struggled doing research on the Fer-de-lance. I fully admit that I have not seen one in person. Nor do I ever intend to!

What came easily?

They have an expression in football that a player is ‘running downhill’, meaning you can’t stop him. I wrote this book ‘running downhill’. Every time I completed a scene, the next was already staged in my head.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

These characters are definitely fictitious. I would like to meet Mitch though—if a person like that does exist.

 We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

There are far too many great authors that have had an impact on my writing. I would like to say I sat down to tea with Emily Bronte one day and she divulged a host of literary tricks to me…but alas, that is not the case.

 Do you have a target reader?

Traditionally my target reader was someone who enjoys romantic suspense—particularly dark, cold and stormy romantic suspense. Those target readers may wonder who possessed me as I wrote JUNGLE OF DECEIT.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I cannot say that I have process. A process would be my regimented schedule at the desk with a cup of coffee early in the morning. That process unravels like the loose thread of a sweater by the end of the day, and you will more often find me writing, curled up on the couch with the laptop. Something mindless may be on TV in the background, like WIPEOUT.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just Chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

When I started writing many years ago I never had outlines. I thought, ‘hey, you just write what comes into your head.’ Years later I realized how naive I had been. I thrive on outlines now. I often won’t permit myself to write unless I have the scene scripted in advance.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

Both.

Did you hire a professional editor?

I do now! Back in those early days before I knew any better, I admit to self-editing. (Slaps hand!)

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Absolutely not. I have to concentrate. I was never one of those who could listen to music and type. I’d end up doing just that…tapping my fingers, and even worse, possibly singing. 🙂

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Initially. I even had an agent for awhile. I don’t feel like it has hurt me not having one to date, but I’m always open for new avenues.

What made you decide to go Indie? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

The encouragement of others. That little nudge of a knuckle in the bottom of your spine, pushing you forward.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did it you do it yourself?

I designed the cover for JUNGLE OF DECEIT.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

With several other books out, my marketing plan is based primarily on time. Some days I am a marketing diva, flitting about the internet and heralding my book. Other days, I’m the slug on the couch, nose deep into the laptop on the next novel.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

It sounds cliche, but Indie publishing opened up a whole new world to me. That world is full of wonderfully supportive authors. Some have become great friends, some have become close enough that I would consider them family. If I had it to do all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing because I would be lost in this industry without their support.

End of interview

Link to where the Book can be purchased or downloaded if free.

You can buy Jungle of Deceit at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Smashwords and you can find out more about Maureen and her books at Maureen’s website or her Goodreads page.