WHEN THE PROTAGONIST TAKES OVER - Pepper's Wisconsin Chili

How often have you heard a writer say their protagonist started calling the shots during the writing process of a novel? That the character in question objected when the words felt wrong? Or twisted the plot in a completely different direction, even though the author had outlined the scene or chapter in excruciating detail?

When a writer's subconscious takes over and dictates the next move, chances are it is a sign of a well-developed character.

In the case of my Pepper Bibeau mysteries, the protagonist has even taken over some of my cooking duties. Below is a recipe Pepper developed, with little or no help from me. Chili is one of my favorite meals. And while Pepper leans toward pie whenever possible, it comes as no surprise that she also loves to prepare a kettle of chili for football game week-ends, especially when the snow is deep and the wind chill factor dips below minus 20 degrees in the land known as the frozen tundra.

But chili always tastes great, no matter if Pepper is working in Chicago or Green Bay. Even her home town of Honolulu has famous restaurants noted for their ono (delicious) chili. In Hawaii, though, the chili is served with "two scoops rice."

Pepper's Wisconsin Chili

 

Ingredients:
1 softball-sized sweet onion, chopped fine
1/4 cup walnut oil
3 lbs. 85% lean Ground Round
3 cans chili beans in medium sauce
2 pkgs. chili seasoning mix
2 - 29oz. cans of tomato sauce
1 - 14.5 oz. can of beef broth
3 cups dried macaroni noodles, cooked


Heat oil and add chopped onion, cook until tender.

 

Add Ground Round, and brown the meat in the onion mix.

 

Shake chili seasoning onto the meat; add chili beans with sauce, tomato sauce, and the can of beef broth.

 

Let chili simmer while boiling the macaroni, then add the cooked macaroni to the chili. Continue to simmer for about 30 minutes.

 

Serve with freshly grated Wisconsin cheddar cheese and oyster crackers.

(Salad and Wine optional . . . nah, just kidding, they're necessary!)

 

 

http://amzn.to/1MSMULR

 

http://amzn.to/1WzrUiv

These two Pepper Bibeau mysteries
are set in Wisconsin:
 

DEADLY AS NATURE
(Brown County, Wisconsin)
 

and
 

NESHOTO JUNCTION HOMICIDE
(Manitowoc County, Wisconsin)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warm up with the chili, stay cozy with a soft-boiled mystery!

 

 

Sandra "Jeanz" Author Interview

I met Sandra “Jeanz” Keys on Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com) where readers and authors come together to share their thoughts on books they have read, submit book reviews, and participate in numerous other book-related activities.

When Sandra offered to host an interview of me on her site, I readily accepted. Here is an excerpt from one of her posts on Goodreads:

"On the 18th of October Gail Baugniet will be featured on my blog, there will be an author interview and of course a review of her book "For Every Action There Are Consequences" Don't forget to call by and have a little look!"

Also, Sandra's October book giveaway contest is still open for entries, and my novel is one of the books in the giveaway. Please join me now on Sandra’s site for the interview:
http://jeanzbookreadnreview.blogspot.com/2011/10/author-interview-gail-baugniet.html

FOR EVERY ACTION There Are Consequences



 

SYNOPSIS:
Pepper Bibeau's insurance investigations for a Wisconsin-based company sometimes involve a murder, but she never thought she would cause one.

Days before the 1968 Democratic Convention, Pepper arrives in Chicago to settle questionable medical claims from an elusive doctor. Her assignment also includes a background check on a life insurance beneficiary who admits to stabbing his wife.

When a close friend is killed, and Pepper is hospitalized after an unprovoked attack, a homicide detective decides someone wants to put a stop to her investigations. For her safety, he suggests Pepper return to Wisconsin, but she is determined to learn why her insurance investigation has stirred up a tragic chain of events.

What she discovers are the devastating consequences of one person's greed that she must expose before someone stops her, permanently.

Available in Trade Book and Kindle format: http://amzn.to/fyjTsV
The book is also available in trade book format at my online e-store.
https://www.createspace.com/3536116

BLOG LAUNCH on BLACK FRIDAY #MysteryInCrime

When I chose 'The Day After Thanksgiving' as the date to launch my blog site, little did I realize the biggest shopping day of the year would arrive so quickly. My only regret in selecting this day is missing the murderously long checkout lines at Macys and Walmart.

I've been intrigued by many a well-written murder mystery over the years. But early on, reading was not enough so I took up writing mysteries. My first story, drafted at age nine and entitled Ergo Death, involved the demise of a person who fell down the coal chute in our basement. My focus wasn't on depth of characters back then. With practice, my stories developed a bit more complexity.

FOR EVERY ACTION There Are Consequences

26-year old Pepper Bibeau is my protagonist in FOR EVERY ACTION, the first novel of a planned series (print date pending*.) Through several revisions and much editing, Pepper evolved into a tenacious insurance investigator who deals with an eclectic collection of characters. One literary agent I spoke with early in the protagonist's development suggested that the career I had initially chosen for Pepper was not substantial enough to carry the story or a series.

.

I've learned two beneficial life lessons from this agent's suggestion:

1.) A strong personality generates attraction.

2.) Honest criticism deserves consideration.

My protagonist ultimately became an Insurance Investigator, a career that allows her to travel around the country and step or tumble into trouble every couple of years!

.

Now that I have taken action and launched this blog, I'm off to read the last three chapters of the final Harry Potter novel (on the lanai, with a tall glass of iced tea lemonade.)  

 

I'll return each Wednesday to share tidbits of topics and personal experiences gathered while writing my first Pepper Bibeau novel, FOR EVERY ACTION There Are Consequences.

 

Won't you join me for some blood-orange, lime, and lemonade on the lanai?

Aloha, Gail

 

*Publication Date: April 7, 2011 in trade and eBook format at Amazon.com