The Mystery Starts Here

So, here I am again. When I started this blog, my idea was to discuss everything about mysteries. Not just reading them but writing them as well, so from time to time, I’ll try to throw in a few writing tips. For instance, do you ever listen to the music of your words? I used to do it all the time, but recently I’ve forgotten. I just pulled out Gary Provost excellent book, “100 Ways to Improve Your Writing.” I try to re-read the book at least once a year because the advice is good and I tend to forget or get too busy. So, how do you listen to the music? Read your piece out loud. With a book, read a chapter at a time. Believe me, you’ll hear the clinkers. If you have trouble writing dialog, this is essential. Or, and this is a bit more time consuming, read your words into a tape recorder. Wait a few days and play it back. You’ll be amazed at what you hear! Your words may be Bach, or Tiny Tim . They may be a symphony or grunge rock. Either way, you’ll know where to make changes. Try it and let me know how you make out.

Book Review - I’m half way through reading Dinah McCall’s “The Survivors” and while it has a great premise and a good start, I’m starting to scan. Why? It’s got so many subplots I get lost and some parts are just toooooo unbelievable. It’s long and I think would have been better with about 50 - 100 fewer pages. I won’t spoil it for you in case you want to read it, but if you do, you’ll know. So, what are you reading these days?

I guess that’s it for today. I’m going to try and update at least twice a week in the future. Let’s face it, I’m pretty verbal - okay I talk a lot but even I will run out eventually, so I’d best slow down now, before disaster strikes! Enjoy the weekend.

Here I am again, writing my little heart out. I can’t say I’ll be this diligent in the future, I do have a life you know. Okay, yesterday I discussed my 50 page rule when reading mysteries. I guess I’m not alone, because both Jeanne and Diane have the same rule and asked, what keeps me reading. I’d have to say, curiosity. When an author writes a really good inciting incident, or opening, it’s gets me curious and I’ll keep reading. Of course, the story after the opening has to continue to peak my curiosity. You can’t write something intriguing, then drop it. That would be grounds for tossing the book at a wall. Oh, come on, you’ve done that, you know you have. Let me give you an example. My book, “The Colors of Death” starts out when a young woman answers the phone in a print shop. (They say write what you know, and I know WAY too much about the printing industry!) The man on the other end of the line is Joe, a recyclers who picks up waste paper from the print shop and recycles it. Joe tells our heroine, Cally, that he found a severed arm in the last barrel he picked up, and if they keep putting body parts in the barrels, he’s not coming by any more. Is this intriguing? I hope so - but more importantly, that severed arm is part of the ongoing mystery. (Shameless plug- you can upload that ebook soon and find out what happens.) I remember another opening in a book I read years ago. Can’t remember the name and this is a paraphrase: “Of the four men in the room, only one was dead.” Now, aren’t you going to keep reading to find out who, why, what the heck happened etc.? I did and remember is was a darn good book.

Okay, I guess that’s all I have to say today. Let me know what keeps you reading once you start a mystery.