HELP WANTED! (For a Messy Writer)

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:  You’d think the Edgar-winning Naomi Hirahara (a longtime friend of the Reds) would be nothing but happy. 

 Have you read her new CLARK AND DIVISION? (Look at that cover!)  It is, ahem, getting some attention.  Just scroll through this little list:

A Parade Magazine 101 Best Mystery Books of All Time

A New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice

A Washington Post Best Mystery and Thriller of 2021

Barnes & Noble Best Books of 2021

Amazon Best Mysteries and Thrillers of 2021

2021 ABA Indie Next List Genre Gift Guide

An ABA IndieNext Pick

A BookPage Best Mystery & Thriller of 2021

Bustle's Most Anticipated Books

An Apple Best Books of the Month

An Amazon Best of the Month for Mystery/Thriller

And the incredible Sarah Weinman, in the New York Times book Review, had some thoughts: “Searing . . . This is as much a crime novel as it is a family and societal tragedy, filtering one of the cruelest examples of American prejudice through the prism of one young woman determined to assert her independence, whatever the cost.”

And so, Reds and Readers, as I mentioned, you’d think the Edgar-winning Naomi Hirahara (a longtime friend of the Reds) would be nothing but happy. But, alas, she says she needs your help with some stuff. And by stuff, she means...stuff.

Help Wanted for a Messy Writer

 By Naomi Hirahara

These past couple of days, after watching a slew of cleaning/minimalist/organizational youtube gurus, I’ve come to the conclusion that there’s an underserved market: still messy Golden Girls who also happen to be writers/researchers/educators. In other words, me.

 

Over the decades, I’ve purchased various self-improvement books with the word, “messy,” in the title. I would tell you the exact titles, but I can’t seem to find them behind an avalanche of books. I read Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and nearly had a heart attack when she advised to throw most of it away. Doesn’t she realize that those pamphlets collected at research sites, thoughts on a yellow Post-It note or printout of some delicious detail can be someday be the perfect basis for my next brilliant novel?

 

Of course, I have segued to the digital age in some matters. During the pandemic I finally transitioned to Google calendar from a paper date book.  It’s less fun to look at, but much easier to access from either my phone and my computer. And I now rely on Evernote to file away pertinent website links in digital notebooks, a great way to track details for present and future books. So I’ve somehow decreased the steady stream of paper that enters our house and home office.

 

But that still doesn’t address the moving boxes full of research files that I’ve been collecting the past 35 years! And also piles of books that don’t have a space on my existing bookshelves. Over the past five years, I’ve been trying to trim my library collection. It’s been tough.

There are books I haven’t read but hope too. And books I’ve read and remind me of a certain seminal time of my life. There are books written by friends which have been inscribed to me. Before the pandemic, I regularly packed a couple of books in a backpack for dog walks and left them in a free library at a local playhouse, hoping that maybe one of the books would inspire a theater adaptation.

 

On Black Friday I ordered two additional bookcases from Wayfair and plan to reorganize my books throughout my house. We have four bookcases in the living room, one in the kitchen just for cookbooks, one in the upstairs hallway for my husband’s sports book collection, three in the office, and two in the bedroom. The Wayfair bookcases will go on my side of the bedroom. Hopefully that will eliminate any piles on the floor. ((ed note: HA!)

 

The morning that I’m writing this, I finally went through several bowls and containers that held notes and business cards.

Why was I hanging on to this stuff, when I can now easily find contact information on the Internet? No need to hold each one and see if it sparked joy. Not to mention that in many cases, the business cards were not current. Now I have eight empty bowls, baskets and containers to fill!

 

I’ve come to you, followers of the Jungle Reds Writers, for additional help. I need to declutter paper, specifically boxes of research that I’ve collected for future books. Any advice for me? How can I incorporate a system without extinguishing the spark of creativity and imagination?

HANK: You’re asking me? As I said above: HA HA HA.  Although, actually, I did just realize I don’t need to save the bills I pay after getting them in the mail. That was GREAT. (I know, soon I’ll get them all online. It’s a process.)   

And I have donated many many books, by saying: I’ll fill TWO bags, then stop. It makes the job less onerous.

How about you, Reds and readers?

 

***

Naomi Hirahara is an Edgar Award-winning author of multiple traditional mystery series and noir short stories. Her Mas Arai mysteries, which have been published in Japanese, Korean and French, feature a Los Angeles gardener and Hiroshima survivor who solves crimes. Her first historical mystery is Clark and Division, which follows a Japanese American family’s move to Chicago in 1944 after being released from a California wartime detention center. Her second Leilani Santiago Hawai‘i mystery, An Eternal Lei, is scheduled to be released in 2022. A former journalist with The Rafu Shimpo newspaper, Naomi has also written numerous non-fiction history books and curated exhibitions. She has also written a middle-grade novel, 1001 Cranes. For more information, go to www.naomihirahara.com.

Playing Marilyn Monroe by Naomi Hirahara

JENN McKINLAY: Many conferences ago, I was lucky enough to make the acquaintance of a delightful woman named Naomi Hirahara, whose fourth Mas Arai mystery had just come out. Being a series reader, I had to go back to the first title, Summer of the Big Bachi, and once I read it, I was hooked. Recently, I saw pics pop up on Twitter of Naomi being inducted into Vroman's walk of fame, and I knew I had to ask her to come and share her insider's perspective of this amazing honor. Congratulations, Naomi! And thanks for joining us today!

NAOMI HIRAHARA: So honored to guest blog for the Reds! I’m a big fan of every single one of these writers and I’m wearing a red plaid throw as I compose this post.

The most remarkable thing happened to me this year—I got a chance to play Marilyn Monroe. If you’ve seen me in person, you are definitely calling my bluff right now. I’m 4’10” and my measurements will remain a secret. But my local hangout, Vroman’s, the oldest and largest independent bookstore in Southern California, made it all happen.

Vroman’s, established in 1894, owns the Pasadena property extending from its bookstore on Colorado Boulevard to an art movie house. As a result, the store management has decided to create a Walk of Fame, sporting handprints and signatures of authors cast in concrete a la Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

I actually witnessed the ceremony in the past and thought it was the coolest thing ever. In this age of digital book reviews, e-books and online sales, sometimes I feel like I’m living in a virtual world. To see something literally in concrete celebrating writers seem anachronistic, in the best possible way.

So when Vroman’s came calling this year to invite me to participate, I was completely floored. In fact a couple of days before the ceremony, I was feeling a bit sick to my stomach. I’m not a household word. I’m not worthy. But then my wise husband told me, “None of us really deserve any of it.” In other words, whatever we manage to receive is a gift. 

Jenn: You absolutely deserve it, but I adore your husband's wise words!

The event was a blast and after I cleaned off my hands, I did a Q & A with the wonderful Nancie Clare, a kindred spirit who is a writer of both history and mystery.

The wet cement was covered by a wood platform to protect it and for several days orange cones and yellow tape were placed around it to ensure that no dogs left their footprints. (Although it would have been cute if my Jack Russell was able to leave his.)

Since my husband and I often frequent that block in our neighborhood, he always tries to get us to stop at my square. Somehow it’s too embarrassing and I decline and usually keep walking.

The other day when my husband was away, I went to the movies on my own at the art movie house. After the film ended, I did stop at that square of concrete. Looking down at my signature and hand print, I had to smile and laugh. It was a gift. For a day, I was Marilyn Monroe.

Happy holidays, everyone!

Okay, Reds and Readers, if you could see the handprints of any author, dead or alive, on a Walk of Fame, whose would you want to see? And would you compare your hands to theirs? (Yes, I totally would).

***

Naomi Hirahara is the Edgar Award-winning author of two mystery series set in Southern California and numerous short stories. Her Mas Arai series ended this year with the publication of the seventh, Hiroshima Boy. The first in her Officer Ellie Rush series won the T. Jefferson Parker mystery award. A consultant for TV cable series and historic books/exhibitions, she is currently working on a mystery with a new character, Leilani Santiago, set on the island of Kaua‘i. Iced in Paradise will be released in September 2019.  She is also writing a historical standalone mystery based in 1940s Chicago. For more information, visit www.naomihirahara.com or her blog http://naomihirahara.com/blog/.

Bother the Librarian!

INGRID THOFT

Let me introduce you to my favorite librarians (after our own Jenn McKinlay, of course), Andrea Gough and Linda Johns.  They are both reader services librarians at The Seattle Public Library, where their jobs involve connecting readers with the right book at the right time.  Doesn't that sound like an amazing job?  They were kind enough to give me the scoop on their days in the stacks.

INGRID: The Seattle Public Library does much more than just provide books to Seattle’s citizens.   Can you tell me a little bit about the library’s patrons and the services they utilize?

The spectacular Central Branch

ANDREA: First, I will just say that I feel lucky to be a librarian in the city of Seattle, where so many people are readers. So we do have a ton of people who use the library to get books (print, digital, audio) and suggestions for what to read next - for themselves, and for their kids. Outside of books and reading, the library is still very much “the people’s university,” a place patrons come to learn new skills or just satisfy their curiosity.

Of course, our computers are still very in demand, by folks who may not have internet access or a computer at home, and we’ve tried to expand that type of service by assembling a collection of WiFi hot spots available for check out. I’m continually amazed at how busy our library branches are - along with the bus, it’s really one of the only spaces left where every part of society mingles. We try to do fun stuff, too - writing classes, bookish happy hours in bars, story times (for children and adults!), occasional concerts, book bingo, and summer learning.

LINDA: I hope people will keep in mind that libraries are the “people’s university.” You can dabble or dive in, keep up on civic discussions through programs, attend an author reading and feel like you’re coming away from it a bit smarter, a bit more enlightened. The same wonder you loved about libraries as a kid still holds true for all ages and stages of your life.

Linda in the stacks

IPT: I always recommend that visitors to the city take time to see the spectacular Central Branch, which was designed by architects Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Prince-Ramus.  What’s it like working in an iconic building?  Are there things you like best?  Least?

LINDA: Going to work in the Central Library in downtown Seattle feels like a privilege - and I truly love it.  It feels a bit like a European museum structure. It’s not for everyone, though, and particularly not for people who haven’t been in a library for years (or decades). Those people tend to cling to nostalgia about libraries, hoping for hushed atmospheres and dark corners. It’s the light that I like best in the Central Library. It’s apparently hard to find bathrooms in our library, though, based on the number of times each day staff get asked!

ANDREA: I love that it brings in people - both tourists and Seattle residents - who haven’t been to a library in years, although Linda’s right that that may clash with their expectations of a library. I love coming to work in this building, in part, because it is a testament to how much the people of Seattle support libraries. The navigation here is tricky, though, which I think can lead to frustration for people who just want to use the resources, not marvel at the architecture.

IPT: What do you wish library patrons knew about librarians?

LINDA: Remember that you can ask a librarian ANYTHING! You can walk into any library, anywhere and ask for a book recommendation, ask for ideas for your book group, or ask how to research a new vacuum cleaner in your budget. When school groups come in, we encourage them to always talk to the librarian. In fact, we often have them shout “Bother the librarian!” in unison. It’s a glorious thing to hear 30 middle-schoolers shout “Bother the librarian,” (although less enchanting when a lone adult does it) and we hope they remember that motto for the rest of their lives. 

ANDREA: Ditto. Also, I always want to know when a patron has read a good book and what they liked about it - come tell me! 

They're well-read and glamorous!

IPT: What would you like to know from readers?

ANDREA: How do you find your books?!? Where are you looking to find new authors and titles to read? Sometimes I feel like I’ve been surrounded by professional readers for so long that I don’t know how other people figure out what to read next.

LINDA: I want to know how readers make their choices, too! And how do they stay on top of things? I’m always mystified and delighted when I go to place a hold on a forthcoming title, feeling like I’ve got insider knowledge from an early review, and then find that 22 readers are already in the hold queue for that book. How did they know? How do you decide what to read when browsing online? Also, if I recommend a book to you, I’d love to hear what you thought. It helps me make a better book match for you in the future.

IPT: How do you figure out what to read next and what to recommend to us next?

LINDA: We look to trade reviews (Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Library Journal) for forthcoming titles and to keep up on the pre-publication buzz.  We also pay attention to Library Reads where librarians across the U.S. vote for their favorite new books each month. I feel super lucky to work in a reading culture where there are daily conversations with colleagues about what we’re reading and loving. I’m always eyeing Andrea’s book stacks for my next reads, too.
ANDREA: I’m pretty active on Goodreads, where I keep track of what I’ve read and also get to see what other people I know are reading. I also love NPR’s book coverage, especially their end-of-year Book Concierge; it’s a great discovery tool! I feel lucky to have a community of readers, too, friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers.

IPT: Last question:  Name a book you love recommending to patrons.

ANDREA: Just one?! I frequently recommend the Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling) series, beginning with The Cuckoo’s Calling. I feel like the books in that series fire on all cylinders: twisty plots, well-written, and I find the main characters Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott to be so interesting I just want to spend more time with them.

IPT: I love that series!  Great pick!

Andrea with one of her picks.

ANDREA:  In a very different direction, I love suggesting Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead by Sara Gran. That book and its sequel take a very specific kind of reader, one who is open to weirdness, unconventional methods of detection, and a sometimes unlikable character - but when I find those readers, I get so excited!

LINDA: The Ellie Rush series (starts with Murder on Bamboo Lane) by Naomi Hirahara stars a young L.A. bike cop whose connections to the rich ethnic neighborhoods of Los Angeles and aspirations to be a homicide detective combine into terrific character-driven mysteries. I’m always looking for younger sleuths and it’s a pleasure to recommend this series. 

Thank you so much Andrea and Linda, and now, it's time to "Bother the Librarian!"  They'll be checking in all day to answer your questions!

Grateful Heart

Rosemary Harris: I first met today's guest blogger at the Edgars banquet a few years back. Against some very stiff competition Naomi Hirahara walked away with the Edgar for best PBO and in the process created a warm and memorable character, Mas Arai. Here's how it started.

Naomi Hirahara:  “I wouldn’t be that interested in reading about an old Japanese gardener,” declared a woman in my writing group, who happened to be Japanese American.

            At that time, I had been working on my novel off and on for several years.  The main character?  A man named Mas Arai, an aging gardener and Hiroshima survivor.

            Her comment didn’t faze me much (well, on second thought, it must have, because years later, it’s still implanted in my mind).  Her comment, at least, didn’t persuade me from abandoning my protagonist.  So year after year, I wrote in early mornings before work and during my vacations.  My husband still hasn’t forgiven me for bringing my manuscript on our honeymoon.  I had forgotten it on the outdoor conveyer belt after going through security check at the Kona airport in Hawaii.  I didn’t realize what I had done until we were on the plane.  Luckily, due to their aloha spirit, Kona airport security called me when I got home to report that they were going mail me my found work-in-progress.  (It was sent cash-on-delivery, but still, what hospitality!)

            Mas Arai officially came into the world in spring 2004.  The third Mas Arai mystery, Snakeskin Shamisen, won the Edgar Award for best paperback original in 2007.

            I do believe that a writer’s experiences and true point-of-view are woven into his or her work.  In my Mas Arai books, especially so, because Mas is modeled after my late father, whose nickname was Sam.  (Spell the name in reverse and what do you get?  It wasn’t intentional, by the way.) 

(JR note : This is Sam Hirahara in front of the house in Watsonville that inspired the fifth Mas Arai mystery, STRAWBERRY YELLOW.)

I’ve always rooted for the underdog. For years, I observed my father toiling out in the hot Southern California sun without getting much respect (especially from his teenage daughter).  As a result, I had to make him the one man who could solve certain crimes that law enforcement could not.

            Of course, although inspired by him, Mas is not my father.  Mas is much more of a curmudgeon and nonconformist.  There is a large communication gap between him and his daughter, Mari, whereas my own father and I could sit and “talk story” for hours.  (Yes, there was still a lot of silence in between the talking, but we still were communicating.)   Imagine my personal distress when my father was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2010 and finally passed away in 2012.  In addition to dealing with everything involved with this kind of loss, would I be able to complete the fifth Mas Arai mystery, which was already in the works?

            Surprisingly, the writing process turned into a healing salve.  I could continue infusing my series with the essence of my father and other men and women like him.  And, let’s face it, whether we are writing thrillers or traditional mysteries like mine, we are engaged in fantasy building.  So while mixing truth with fiction, I was concocting something that I hoped would provide some pleasure for readers both inside and outside of Mas’s world.

            The resulting book is Strawberry Yellow, released this month and set in the strawberries fields of Watsonville, California.  While the writing and publishing community continues buzzing (and I’m part of that buzz, too) about the future of our industry, I can’t help but to exhale deeply.  The mystery genre enabled me to create a sleuth who represents “the least of these.”  And for that I will be forever grateful.

ROSEMARY: If this isn't one of the loveliest guest posts we've ever had, I'll eat my garden hat. Naomi is on her way to left Coast Crime today but she will be checking in when she can - AND she's offering a signed copy of Strawberry Yellow to one lucky commenter.