Mt. Rainier
Once I decided on a volcanic disaster to provide the setting I needed, I watched a TV documentary on the History Channel to gather information and get some idea of the scope I was dealing with. It was called Mega Disasters, Season 1, Episode 4, American Volcano.
This was absolutely terrifying to watch, and fascinating at the same time. The scenario it presented of Rainier’s potential for damage made my incredible idea seem quite plausible. This is where I first learned about the altered rock on the western flank, weakened by centuries of sluicing in sulfuric acid. This is where I first learned about lahars, how fast and ferocious they are and the devastation they cause.
I also read In The Path of Destruction, by Richard Waitt. The book is a pretty comprehensive coverage of the Mount St. Helens eruption.This is where I first learned of David Johnston and his heroic efforts to warn the public and save lives. Until I read this book, I had no idea of the political machinations working behind such an event. It made for interesting reading and I was tempted to use more of it in the novel, but didn’t want to pull readers in the wrong direction, placing too much focus on a side story, albeit a fascinating one. Riley is the heart of the book.
I visited some fun and informative websites. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has pages of information about the volcanic hazards at Mt. Rainier. Also, check out this interactive site at USGS, about predicting volcanic eruption. It puts you in the role of the geologist who must monitor the volcano and issue warnings to the public based on your observations. Another good site to visit is geology.com.
Mt. Rainier will erupt with devastating consequences. It’s only a question of how soon. Everyone who lives in the shadow of an active volcano should be aware of the hazards and prepare for a possible eruption. Visit the sites I mentioned above for more information about volcanic eruptions and spend some time preparing your family for emergencies of any kind. I’ve included a few good places to go for information:
The Red Cross
The Epicenter
FEMA
USGS Volcano Hazards Program
What’s the deal with the Sheriff’s deputy?
So often, when I’m reading a book, I’ll wonder how the same story would look seen through the eyes of a different character. This kind of thing fascinates me no end. Every story should be presented from the point of view of the best character to tell the story, but I like to think about different perspectives.
My original outline for the book included two subplots which I ended up cutting. The book was running too long, with too many characters, and I didn’t want to pull too much away from the main storyline. One of the subplots involved Nate’s ex-wife and daughter isolated, during the disaster, with a possible pedophile. The other involved the Sheriff’s deputy, Randall Steadman, and his partner who responded to Nate’s call for help but took two days to arrive. Theirs is a whole other story that intertwines, in a couple places, with Riley’s adventure. I hated cutting that part because I had so much fun putting it together and it’s got a fair amount of snap to it.
So, I devised a plan which allowed me to indulge my passion for looking through another set of eyes. I cast about for a word to call it—a story that runs alongside another story. Not a prequel, or a sequel, but something like a paraquel—a parallel story. I thought I was quite clever with that, but it turns out I’m not the first one to think of it.
At any rate, watch for the paraquel, a shorter companion piece, told by the Sheriff’s deputy. I plan to publish it soon after the novel and offer it for free. It will be fun to see how the two stories fit together.
WATCH FOR MY NEXT BOOK
A FAITH-BASED THRILLER
COMING SPRING 2018
MORE BOOKS BY JOSLYN CHASE
What Leads A Man To Murder
Adalet
A Touch of Native Color
Furrows
Rachmaninoff’s Peasant
The Sodden Spectators
Tickling The Tiger
Available on
Amazon
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joslyn Chase writes suspense fiction, ranging from mysteries to thrillers and veering toward the occasional horror story. She is also a classical pianist, music teacher, public speaker, and storyteller. She loves American History and holds a degree in American Studies.
Joslyn loves to travel and has ridden camels through the Nubian desert, fended off greedy monkeys on the Rock of Gibraltar, punted on the River Cam, and hiked the Bavarian Alps, but she still believes that sometimes the best adventure is in getting the words on the page or in the thrill of reading a good story.
She currently lives in the Pacific Northwest, with her husband, a dog, and at least one child at any given time, but has previously resided in Spain and Germany as well as various locations in the United States.
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Nocturne In Ashes
A Riley Forte Suspense Thriller, Book One
Copyright © 2017 by Joslyn Chase
All rights reserved.
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This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is fictionalized or coincidental.
For inquiries regarding this book, please email: [email protected]
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations for the purpose of a book review.
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Nocturne In Ashes: A Riley Forte Suspense Thriller, Book One Page 29
