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:
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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?
§§
Thriller/Suspense releases in April:
THE DAWGSTAR launched April 15, 2021. ebook pix
DEATH ON THE YAMPA, is currently available for the pre-order
price of 99 cents!
Death on the Yampa launches April 30, 2021
§§
Writerly quotes:
“Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much
as you please.” —Mark Twain
§§
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.
§§
That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on,
and I’ll try to do the same.
cj
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 Goodreads: under re-construction
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