Banner Elk Author Releases Suspense Novel

By Scott Nicholson

B.J. Foster has been from the swamp to the mountains, and back again. That research pays off in her the pages of her new novel of romantic suspense called Bayou Shadows.

Bayou Shadows is an adventure filled with suspense, action and romance. For Stacy Stimmons, a gutsy young reporter for the Times Picayune who grew up in the swamps, getting out of those swamps and building a career to claim her independence is a consumin obsession.

While working on a newspaper article, she becomes involved with Ryan Townsend, a budding attorney with eyes on "cleaning-up" Louisiana politics, but convinced a woman's place is at home. Devastation follows when Stacy discovers that Ryan is entangled in Mafia drug trafficking.

Believing the romance is doomed, but in to get the story, she enters his world. Involved in a dangerous drug bust gone bad, both become targets of the underworld. The adventure that ensues takes them from New Orleans to Jamaica where survival depends on theirwit and reliance on each other.

Foster, a Banner Elk resident, was also one of the early members of the High Country Writers. Her fast-paced novel combines elements of suspense, mystery and intrigue. The hard cover novel is available at local bookstores. Foster also plans a seven state, sixteen-city book and speaking tour for the initial promotion of the book. Foster's next novel is in progress and is expected to be published early 2001.

Local author Marian Coe says of the book, "Readers who like suspense, mystery and intrigue with a romantic edge will enjoy the blend in Bayou Shadows, set in colorful New Orleans, where young reporter Stacy Stimmons finds herself challenged by both danger andlove."

Spruce Pine author Taylor Reese says Foster is "a new voice emerging from the grey moss, wisteria and magnolia. This action-packed novel introduces a modern Southern woman newspaper reporter who is a tiny package of TNT. B. J. Foster knows her way around, from Lake Ponchartrain to Bourbon Street; she knows the docks, the city room of her paper, and the old South. A good read."

Foster grew up on the east Texas coast and spent many years traveling and studying the swamps of southern Louisiana and the legends of New Orleans. She chose the area for the setting of her first novel because she is fascinated with the mystique of this vibrant city, its architecture and exciting history.

Foster won a contest about a "fire bug" for Fire Prevention Week in Junior High School, her first inkling that she could be a serious writer. She worked with her husband in an engineering consultant business, and didn't find the time to write until after they had sold the business.

In the following interview, Foster talks about writing and her new book.

Q: How did you begin writing?

In college I won a little essay contest and was told by head of Department that I could sell stories like that but writing didn't get to be something I had time for until we sold our business.

I think anyone who has created an imaginary playmate has the potential to be a writer but to be a novelist you must put it on paper-that takes energy and discipline. You can have the most creative mind on Earth but if you don't get it on paper, it doesn't exist.

Q: Where do the ideas come from?

Daydreaming, I usually get a germ of a character in my head and play "what if." Sometimes if I have a problem with a scene or character, I'll wake up in the middle of the night with the solution. When that happens you don't turn over and go back to sleep because it may not be there in the morning.

Often a character takes on a life "of his own" and that's wonderful. You just ride along and try to stay out of his way. Sometimes when I force my character to act in a certain way, the whole process just gets bogged down and I create a bigger and bigger problems.

Q: Do you keep notes?

I jot ideas down on 3x5 cards if they're handy. I stick them all over the house, carry a small notepad with me and if a napkin or someone's business card is available, it's fair game. Even if it's lost, you have a better chance of remembering the information if you have written it down. It's up there somewhere.

The business world made me organized. I'm a list maker-believe in a place for everything and everything in its place. That world also instilled a work ethic that serves me well.

When I'm working on a book I try to be at the computer by 9:00 A.M., break for lunch, and then work until Oprah comes on. If I'm really into it, I often go back after dinner. Then there are times when I totally rebel. I can't beat myself to the computer. I've stopped fighting that and do whatever I want to do that day. Usually I'm ready to get back to work the next.

We like to ski and usually spend our winters in Vail. So I worked out a schedule of writing one day and skiing the next. This accomplishes two things-on the day I ski my brain is subconsciously working on the book and the day I write my legs are getting a rest.

Q: What's the best part about writing?

I believe that you are either growing or regressing and if you are learning, you are growing. Writing provides a constant learning experience whether you're researching, learning your craft, traveling, talking to people, etc. It's also the only thing I've been able to come up with that I can do when I want to do it and anywhere in the world.

Q: What advice would you offer to a beginning writer?

Associate with people that encourage and support your efforts. Other writers who know the effort and discipline it takes to succeed and are willing to share what they know. The world's filled with negative thinkers who spend their lives putting down other's efforts and end up accomplishing nothing at all themselves. You have to be like that little train, "I think I can. I think I can."

Foster is working on a follow-up novel while marketing Bayou Shadows. You can learn more about the book at the official website, http://www.bayoushadows.net/.