Guest Post

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Sunday, April 25, 2021

Challenge of writing mysteries and, count 'em, two thriller/suspense releases in April

 

cj Sez: My favorite genre to write is thriller/suspense, and I have two releases in April for you. They both have a touch of romance to keep give readers the warm fuzzies, but writing a romance novel this year has some challenges:

 
From Facebook

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   On today's writing front, I’m thinking up another challenge for the protagonist/sleuth in my work in progress, and it is Work. Writing a mystery is presenting a huge learning curve to me. Thriller and suspense genres I have managed (see the news of my April releases below), but a mystery is a whole ’nother story. Here’s what I know so far:

   What is the same among the genres is that my protagonist detective/sleuth must be likeable, have some personality quirks, and a bit of backstory baggage to be dropped intermittently into the story (no info dumps, please). My sleuth has a confidant, which is another recommended device. 

   My setting is rather unique as non-cozy mysteries go in it’s not in a big city, and there’s a love interest to add a little jazz. Each of the major characters, including the bad guy, will have a piece of history or secret that affects how they react, and—I hope—generate some degree of sympathy.

Jeffery Deaver: “I like the way words go together and I like the gamesmanship of poetry. It is such a challenge.”  

(cj Sez: Works the same way for me with novels.)


   Clues and red herrings are struggles for me. Where and how do I place them so they invite the reader to try to solve the mystery but don’t reveal so much that they can do that too soon. I am a pantser or, more accurately, a pathfinder. I find my path through the story by throwing roadblocks in the paths of my characters then figuring out how they escape. For a mystery, I’m going to have to do a bit of ::gasp:: plotting. Before I can hide the clues and weave in the red herrings, I have to figure out where they need to be.
 
   I recently heard of a program called Plottr that was said to be good at telling the writer where a red herring or clue could/should be inserted. If you’ve used it, what did you think?

   It’s said that Hallie Ephron struggles with these same problems, so that makes me feel better. I guess this struggle might be problem for many mystery writers. I do know that, like all manuscripts, my characters, clues, and red herrings will change and be rearranged with each future edit cycle.

Diablo Cody: “I don’t have a formal rewrite process. I just compulsively groom and re-groom scenes like a cat with OCD.”  (cj Sez: My method exactly. I can groom the words right off the page.)

   What I really like is that I’m learning new things. One of my personal goals is to learn something new every day, and writing a mystery is certainly helping me reach my goal. How about you? Do you have a personal goal?

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Thriller/Suspense releases in April:
 




THE DAWGSTAR launched April 15, 2021.  ebook pix

The Dawgstar is available at these fine sites: https://books2read.com/u/bojq91





DEATH ON THE YAMPA, is currently available for the pre-order price of 99 cents!  

At these sites: https://books2read.com/u/m0KWa0    ebook pix

Death on the Yampa launches April 30, 2021

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Writerly quotes: 

 “Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please.” Mark Twain   

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Something personal:  Jeff D. Johnston (my son) migratory bird photo.
Red-breasted Grosbeak. Taken on Dauphin Island, AL—a rest-stop for birds as they migrate north.

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 That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. 

cj

P.S.  TO ORDER my autographed books or any book of your choice on-line and support an indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
 
  The store has re-opened to limited hours (and they have an awesome bookstore kitty, Mr. Bingley), so if you’re in the Mobile area, you can stop and shop, too.

➜ Follow me . . .     
➜ on Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page
➜ on Goodreads: under re-construction

Sunday, April 18, 2021

Another new re-release...

 cj Sez: Another new re-release with new edits, new info, new cover, and new genre:
Launches April 30, 2021


DEATH ON THE YAMPA is a fast-read suspense/thriller.

"A woman and the man she loves are rafting the Yampa River through the delicious scenery of Dinosaur National Monument when they encounter a sleeper terrorist cell. She must confront terrorism that never seemed as horrible as it does when the face she sees is that of her brother—and she fears someone she loves could die."

   The eBook is scheduled to launch April 30. Available now for the pre-order price of 99 cents. https://books2read.com/u/m0KWa0  

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THE DAWGSTAR launched April 15.

   "Protagonist Mirabel Campbell spots a mysterious point of light in the night sky that puts her in the crosshairs of a madman. Mirabel and her CIA ex-husband reconnect in the midst of an action-packed suspense/thriller where a sociopath’s money can hire an assassin, turn friends into traitors, and threaten the world with a bioweapon."

   The Dawgstar is available at these fine sites: https://books2read.com/u/bojq91

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Writerly quotes: 

From Elmore Leonard:  “If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it. Or, if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go. I can’t allow what we learned in English composition to disrupt the sound and rhythm of the narrative.”      

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Something personal: 

This is one of my feral cat visitors. 

She's got one white hair, neon-yellow eyes, and is full-grown but as small as a half-grown kitten. I call her “Girlfriend” because after I trapped and had her spayed, she shamelessly flirts with all the tomcats that show up. She’s a sweetie who's become my in/out house kitty and will occasionally hop up on my tummy for a quick, purring push/pull.

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   That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. 

cj

P.S.  TO ORDER my autographed books or any book of your choice on-line and support an indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us

 The store has re-opened to limited hours, so if you’re in the Mobile area, you can stop and shop, too.

➜ Follow me . . .     
➜ on Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page
➜ on Goodreads: under re-construction

 

Sunday, April 11, 2021

A fresh look, ready for fresh eyes, and a giveaway!

cj Sez:  Fresh cover, fresh edits, new info, new ISBN, new name, and ready for fresh eyes: THE DAWGSTAR 


The novel formerly known as Deadly Star, launches April 15, 2021. Find out where to order your copy here:  https://books2read.com/cjpettersonauthorBooks

   Place your pre-order, send a copy of the receipt to me    ( cjpetterson at gmail dot com ) and I’ll put your name in the running for one of three prizes! Pre-order price of 99 cents goes up on launch day, April 15, 2021.

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   An invitation to apply for a grant from Sisters in Crime: The Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award. Submissions Open March 15 - May 15

   “The Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award is an annual grant of $2,000 for an emerging writer of color.

   'This grant is intended to support the recipient in crime fiction writing and career development activities. The grantee may choose to use the grant for activities that include workshops, seminars, conferences, and retreats, online courses, and research activities required for completion of the work.

   "An unpublished writer is preferred, however publication of several pieces of short fiction and/or up to two self-published or traditionally published books will not disqualify an applicant.”

cj Sez: To find out more visit:  https://www.sistersincrime.org/page/EleanorTaylorBland

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   Do you know the difference between ellipsis and ellipses? From Fiction University comes this post on How to Use an Ellipsis in Writing (Without Overusing It)  

   “Sometimes informally referred to as “those three dots,” Merriam-Webster officially defines ellipses as “marks or a mark (such as … ) indicating an omission (as of words) or a pause.”

   "In Latin and Greek, “ellipsis” means to fall short or leave out — an omission. At its core, that’s exactly how it’s used in grammar, to indicate words have been omitted or left out.” 

Read the entire post here:

https://thewritelife.com/how-to-use-ellipsis/?utm_content=bufferb01e2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer&fbclid=IwAR0xXTAoLTqTeK-v5XEgl4EsyoGFhSbQXccSqm_oBYlPVTS_CGeK2wMLvrI 

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Writerly quotes: 
   cj Sez: Love this . . . 

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   That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

cj

P.S.  TO ORDER my autographed books or any book of your choice on-line from an indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us

   The store has re-opened to limited hours, so if you’re in the Mobile area, you can stop and shop, too.
 
Follow me . . .      
➜ on Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page
➜ on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

 

Sunday, April 4, 2021

A day to celebrate miracles

 cj Sez:  Wishing you a blessed and happy Easter.


ALMOST 2,000 YEARS AGO 

JESUS CELEBRATED PASSOVER WITH HIS DISCIPLES. 

 TODAY CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE EASTER 

WITH JESUS, THE RISEN SAVIOR.


 

Wishing you the Gift of Faith

The Blessing of Hope

And a Life filled with Love

 

 

And for my friends celebrating Passover…


חג פסח

 



SHALOM

שלום