Six Rivers County

In my last post, I reviewed a great book. It is number 5 in a series, and I have read all of them. Each one stands on its own, but as a series, they sing. What makes a good series so compelling? A couple of things. First, you get to know the characters in much more depth than you would in just one book. Second, you have that over-arching mystery or conflict that continues to develop through all the books. In each book, then, the author reveals a little more, sometimes coming very close to solving the main character's conflict—that conflict that put them on the path that brought them to the mysteries they solve in each book. My mission in writing Smoked is to give it a prolonged story arc that will follow the main characters throughout a series. The continuing conflict involves a writing professor at Six Rivers University, who must match wits with a syndicate king-pin. The mob boss masquerades as an upright citizen, pretending to be against drugs of any kind, supporting th...

I have devoted this blog to my process of writing, and that often includes looking at successful writers for inspiration, even though they may not write books like the mine. Historical mysteries are among my favorite sub-genres. The historical mystery satisfies two jones at once: a puzzle to solve and a lesson in history. One of the best historical mystery series I have read are by Jeri Westerson. She calls them “Medieval Noir,” and they have all the qualifying elements of noir. Crispin Guest is her protagonist. Having been stripped of his knighthood by Richard II, he must make his living in a less than hospitable 14 th century London. Using his intelligence and skills, he has become known as The Tracker, because they didn't have detectives back then. Not unlike Sam Spade, Guest has his flaws and his lost loves. Still, though betrayed by his aristocratic cohorts and the legal system, Guest never loses his sense of honor. In Blood Lance, due out in a couple of mo...

When I started this blog, I was determined to write every week. Sunday's nights would be devoted to imparting amazing thoughts to a fascinated audience. Well, that isn't happening. However, my time is taken over by the rewriting of Smoked. The new draft includes scenes from Sam's point of view. He's no longer a character in Mary's adventure; he's an active observer in each chapter. He has become a stronger presence, and as a result, Mary has become a stronger character, too, because we see her through Sam's eyes. The other characters also grow interesting by the same tactic. The killer as well as the scapegoat take on added facets. I want to thank Robert J. Ray and Jack Remick for their wonderful book, The Weekend Novelist Writes a Mystery. I started reading it because I recognized my weak plot. (Plotting has always given me problems.) This book is the first that gives me step-by-step instructions that seem to work. For me. They take you through ...

Writing a mystery novel is a big undertaking, and a writer needs all the help available to make it happen. I belong to Sisters in Crime as well as Oregon Writers Colony. Through them, I not only network with other writers, editors and publishers, I also find a community that gives me professional support. And critique groups. Critique groups are essential for less experienced writers. Although I've been writing since I was 10, I am working on my first book-length novel, and I cherish my fellow critiquers. They remind me that though I should have fun with what I'm doing, I will have to consider the reader. They point out that if it isn't on the page, the reader ain't gonna get it. I may know what I mean, but others might not. Also, it helps to have feedback on how the emotional impact of the book affects the reader. So, as the descendent of the rascal Randy Galvan stalks my heroine, I have to make sure that the reader feels her panic and his determination. You remember...