The Roses of Prose: artists

Thursday, August 10, 2017

France is Ghost Country by Rolynn Anderson

Cézanne’s Ghost is the name of the novel I’ll release around August 15. Let me tell you about the title of my novel and why I used Paul Cézanne’s sayings (1839-1906) throughout the book. Nothing supernatural here: my story begged to be named Cézanne’s Ghost.

The most important influence: my husband and I lived for a month in the former home of Cézanne’s mother. Cézanne spent a good amount of time living with her and other members of the family, so Aix-en-Provence eventually adopted the man as the city’s favorite artist. Brass medallions affixed to buildings he visited and similar crests marching down the sidewalks, tell tourists about Cézanne’s favorite haunts. Les Deux Garçons (the restaurant Cézanne favored) is one such site; a path of medallions, set in cement like big bread crumbs, lead to a variety of shops and parks, ending at his studio, L’Atelier de Cézanne. Now, I’m not a ‘ghost’ person, but with such a Cézanne-presence in Aix, this writer took notice. (Below, a self-portrait of Cézanne)

Cézanne dabbled in art and supported other artist before he got serious about his Post-Impressionist renderings, marking a transition from 19^th to 20^th century art forms. Similarly, my main character, Leon, in Cézanne’s Ghost, is an American guide in Aix-en-Provence, who charms his clients by drawing caricatures. No one knows he is a budding sketch artist, a talent he hides because he can’t seem to complete a drawing. Formerly, he was an Olympic wrestler, leaving the sport abruptly. His guide company is suffering because three young American women have disappeared from his tours in less than three months. If he can’t find them, his career as a guide might be over, as well.

An interesting fact: Cézanne ‘grew into’ his art, learning from other famous painters and building a set of principles that not only guided his work, but in modern times, offer helpful advice to artists. For that reason, Cézanne’s observations set the tone for each of my chapters. His tour de force was precise brushstrokes, resulting in paintings far more interesting than the sum of each stroke, a concept so new, he was maligned by other artists. Still, with Emile Zola and Pissarro as his sometime partners, and a building confidence as a painter, he provided the world with extraordinary art.

Aline is the name of my heroine in Cézanne’s Ghost. Cézanne’s granddaughter and great granddaughters both carry that name.

Like Cézanne, both Aline and Leon question their career choices and their skills. And in a strong comparison to the artist, my modern characters benefit from trial and error, persistence, and the help of friends to change their worlds.

Below you'll see the Cézanne painting I chose and the sketch I bought. Last, you will see the final cover, thanks to the magical talents of Kris Lynn.

My question to you: Of all of your novels, which one 'pulled together' in the unusual ways Cézanne’s Ghost emerged from my experiences?

Only a few days of waiting and you’ll be able to read Cézanne’s Ghost. In fact, if you're a romantic suspense reader and would like an advanced copy to review candidly, let me know at rolynnwriter@earthlink.net I will send your favorite e-version.

Until then, here’s my most recent release: BAD LIES http://a.co/0DuYNPn:

Italy’s haunted caves spell danger for an American golfer and a NATO geologist

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Sophie Maxwell is a late-blooming, unorthodox golfer, and mother of a precocious thirteen year-old. Determined to put divorce, bankruptcy, and a penchant for gambling in her past, Sophie goes to Italy for a qualifying golf tournament.

Jack Walker turned his back on a pro golfing career to become a geologist. As a favor to his ailing father he’ll caddy for Sophie; off hours, he’ll find caves on the Mediterranean coast, suitable for NATO listening posts for terrorist activity.

Someone is determined to stop Jack’s underground hunt and ruin Sophie’s chances to win her tournament.

On a Rome golf course and in the Amalfi coast’s haunted caves, all the odds are stacked against Sophie and Jack. In their gamble of a lifetime, who wins?

Seven Suspense Novels Spiked with Romance

Web and Blog:

http://rolynnanderson.com

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https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4990049.Rolynn_Anderson

http://www.amazon.com/author/rolynnanderson

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Two Tales of Serendipity for this Suspense Author by Rolynn Anderson

My unusual story about the ‘seed’ for Cézanne’s Ghost:

Strange to say, but the woman who inspired me to write Cézanne’s Ghost is not someone I know. My train from Paris to Aix-en-Provence stopped for a time at a station, giving passengers a few moments to step off their car for a stretch or a smoke. I remained on the train, people-watching. A young blonde woman, dressed in jeans, a cream-colored tunic, and a black cowboy hat with a glittery gold hatband, caught my eye. I watched her interact with other people for no more than four minutes, yet something about her jump-started a riff in my imagination. Eventually, I named her Aline, the heroine of Cézanne’s Ghost.

I already told you about how I ‘found’ a picture of Aline:

Jeff Haines, is the artist I contacted because I wanted to put one of his sketches on the front of Cézanne’s Ghost. When we first talked on e-mail, he said he hadn’t worked with a novelist who wanted cover art before. Basically, he does custom drawings. The price he gave me was impossible for me to pay, so I passed on the picture. But I liked the picture so much, I decided to contact him again and negotiate. I explained to him how I would use the picture and how authors like me are selling very few books. He said he liked the artist-to-artist relationship and gave me I price I could pay.

So here’s a description of Aline from Cézanne’s Ghost:

The moment Leon saw her, framed by the doorway of the airport express bus, his inclination was to rush to the opening, push her backward, signal the driver to close the door, and wave the shuttle out of the dock.

“She can’t be mine. Don’t let her be mine,” he begged under his breath, while his heartbeat kicked up a notch, warning: She’s yours, Leon. She’s your tourist.

The woman hoisted a backpack, hopped off the bus, and walked his way, eyes focused on the sign he held, with ‘Aline Kerig,’ printed on it. She was a ghost sauntering toward him; how could he muster a welcome?

“Leon Beaudet. My guide.”

Though she vocalized the silent ‘t’ at the end of his French name, like most Americans would, he answered in French: “Bienvenue à Aix-en-Provence.”

Aline blinked away the greeting. “I speak no French, but back at ya.” She raised her black cowboy hat, and ran appraising eyes from his hair down to his boat shoes. “Trip Advisor did not lie. You even look like a heavyweight wrestler.” She cozied up close and smiled up at him, “Hell you make me look downright petite.”

A half smile for politeness, a step back, then: “Uh-leen,” he said, pronouncing carefully. “As in Aline, the name chosen for Cézanne’s granddaughter.”

She nodded.

“Good handle in Aix-en-Provence since this was the artist’s favorite haunt.” He paused for a response. When Aline gave him a big-deal look, he said, “Let’s get your bags.”

They waited in silence while passengers arriving from the Aix airport hauled luggage from the belly of the bus. She fiddled with her nose ring and brought a finger to the brilliant decorations on her ear, five silver studs. Six on the other lobe.

“I travel light. Backpack and carry-on.”

“Smart,” he said.

When she pushed down her black hat, gilded with a gold band, her straight blond hair lengthened to her shoulder. “I know how to travel. First time on a European tour, though.” She clicked her tongue in a way that was sexual as well as cautionary. “Hope you’re as good as Trip Advisor says.”

Leon’s chest tightened with the click and the flirty tone.

Aline stepped up to the bus to claim her black roll-on, and Leon observed her stylish ripped jeans and flip-flops, cardboard-thin. Red tank top; braless. While Leon wore a zipped jacket over a polo shirt and khaki pants in the fifty-five degree morning, Aline Kerig dressed for the beach.

***

Yup, Aline is going to be a handful. Get ready for some surprises in Cézanne’s Ghost. What's the last thing that surprised you in conjuring a story?

Only a couple weeks of waiting and you’ll be able to read the novel. Until then, here’s my most recent release: BAD LIES http://a.co/0DuYNPn: