mystery writing and musings

2010-09-25T08:46:00.000-07:00

Seeking Inspiration . . .

Think actually there's a quote that says something about nine-tenths of inspiration is persperation. At least, that's true for the writer.

Been some time since I posted, but thought to give a few tips I've learned from others on writing.

1) Write or post your ideas wherever you are. In "olden days" that would mean having a pen and paper or a small pad to jot down notes. Nowadays, it would be the latest handheld device to capture a brief bit of dialogue or the next idea for a twist in your story.

2) Eavesdrop on coversations. One of the best ones for me happened in a library. Two guys and a woman at the next table were talking while I browsed books at mine. The two were comparing the relative comforts of the prisons in my state. They seemed to think the "big house" at Shelton had the better food.

3) Observe people while sitting at Starbucks or your favorite latte hangout. Actually, in my local coffee bistro, I picked up a teenage girl's mannerisms. She wobbled her hand back and forth to emphasize points, I think about someone's quirkiness, or the "iffy-ness" of a situation. Couldn't help but notice her long, shell-pink fingernails. Doubt that she played the piano or did any washing of pots and pans, by hand.

That's it for now.

Write and enjoy,

Pat

2009-01-02T14:22:00.000-08:00

My New Year's Resolution: Loving Words, Dreading Writing

Let's Take a Hard Look at that Word!

RESOLUTION "Making up your mind to do something . . . to resolve."

For me that's acting on thoughts, putting pen to paper and fingers to keyboard.

I love words--finding new ones --or using words in a way I haven't done before.

The latter can be a danger to the writer of mystery novels. Readers have a certain subconcscious expectation of style and pace. Going outside the norm may turn on a few readers. Reality is that doing so also causes many to close their books and toss them aside "for another time."

I've maneuvered around that "debris in the highway" so to speak, by going for old-fashioned expressions or sayings. These are ones that would fit one of my characters, usually an older auntie type or curmodgony neighbor.

Had that predilection (love that word) come "home to roost" when my 10-year-old granddaughter Bridget said to her mother:

"You know today I told my friend Alicia, 'Let's skeddadle'

Granddaughter Bridget threw up a hand to cover her mouth. She grinned slyly at me and added, "I sounded just like grandma."

And you know, that's okay by me.

Here's to your wordsmithing and publishing in 2009.

Day 1 of posting on my blog on Day 2 of 2009.

Yours in mystery,

Pat

2008-01-24T15:19:00.000-08:00

HINTS AND TIPS

Writer wannabees and experienced authors can benefit from this e-book. I'm proud to be one of the contributing authors, with "Grant Writing Tips for Authors." This is well worth a look and the price. check it out at http://www.lulu.com/content/775602 for paperback, and go to

doubledragonpublishing http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/glist.php?genre=Self%20Help
For e-book or Sony book version.

Cheers and yours in writing,

Pat

2008-01-20T23:08:00.000-08:00

2008-01-20T20:51:00.000-08:00

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHARACTERS

No, they are not one and the same. At least, not when I reflect on an excellent article in Forbes online titled "When the Old and Young Collide at Work."

The gist of this piece, developed out of research done by Cristina Simon, professor at the Instiuto de Empresa in Madrid, Spain, is that there are four generations that currently make up the corporate workforce. They include:

Traditional Workers (born before 1946);

Baby boomers (1946-1960);

Generation X (1961-1979); and

Generation Y (starting from 1980).

What does this have to do with those of us who write fiction--mysteries?

The answer is her research provides insight that helps us as writers to flesh out the "why" of how our characters act and react in certain ways. Most writers do character profiles or sketches as they embark on their novels. These sketches include more than the color of hair and the person's birthdate. Age, alone, without understanding the molding influence on that generation by the culture around, is to miss some of the richness contributing to the personality of the person.

So, for me, this article provided one of those "ah ha!" moments.

For example, I learned that:

Traditional workers value loyalty and discipline and respect authority and hierarchy. (Wouldn't it be fun to have two characters of that age group who do and then an additional one, who does not?)

Baby boomers have the largest population of workaholics in the corporate world, says the author. And that generation gave birth to the "yuppie;"

Generation X is rich in entrepreneurs, skeptical of large enterprises, and they are individuals who embrace flexibility and conciliation; and finally

Generation Y is the first generation to live entire lives with information technology, and are much more individualistic. (I knew that, but have to remember it deliberately when using a character from that age group.)

Every mystery story must have inherent conflicts and crises to be interesting. One way to provide them is to pit different generations as well as just peers.

I had fun looking at some of my current characters in my WIP and thinking about how to give them more depth because of this way of looking at them.

Here's the link to the Forbes article: http://jobs.aol.com/article/_a/when-the-old-and-young-collide-at-work/20080109164009990001

Hope this is fodder for your imagination.

Yours in mystery,

Pat

2008-01-12T11:04:00.000-08:00

NEW YEAR, FRESH START, GOOD INTENTIONS

A blog is a lonely venture if it isn't read--it's more of a useless space if it isn't written on a regular basis. So . . . that's --

New Year's Intention No. 1 -- Write often! Daily, in fact. See below!

No. 2 -- Invite fellow authors of the mystery genre to visit and write a blog. This has become a freebie and good resource for marketing, gaining name recognition and, hopefully, picking up new readers and sell books.

No. 3 -- Provide helpful tips learned from others and by the old-fashioned "hard way." That is, through painful experience. One of these tips is to:

Pick one word, or take one brief thought and write on it for ten minutes without self-condemnation or self-critiquing. Just go with the flow, even if it's fragment writing. One of the greatest barriers to turning out sufficient material and quickly for a couple hundred pages or more, is crippling self-doubt: Who am I to call myself a writer? Unfortunately, critique groups, writing sites and books on writing can tend to inhibit rather than encourage free flow writing. Sure, you'll have to go back, tear out sections, mutter, "blech," and rewrite and catch typos, etc. But, the important part is that you WROTE, you put words to paper.

No. 4 -- Post a variety of helpful links about writing, mysteries in particular, and share them for readers and those who pick up on RSS feeds. Here are a few:

MuseConferenceBoard@yahoogroups.com -- Lea Schiz runs this and offers an online conference in November that is excellent and fun. She also has the museclub@yahoogroups.ca which is a congenial writing group.
Crimeandsuspense.com -- Tony Burton, Editor/Publisher, also has a list for writers interested in the mystery/suspense field at crimeandsunspense@yahoo.com Visit the site, get a feel for what he has to offer and the submission guidelines. Tony often runs contests, too, and he's now paying for stories.

No. 5 -- Explore more the art, craft and business of marketing, which every author is required to go in the extremely competive field.

One of the musts is Dan Poynter's newsletter, publishinpoynters.com. He has a back file on a lot of topics relative to publishing, publishers and such.
Also, check out Self-Publishing@yahoogroups.com that gives useful information about self-publishing and the craft/business of selling books. Even if an author is with a traditional publisher, the info shared is helpful. SPAN stands for Small Publishers Association of North America.

No. 6 -- Reach out to someone, write a note of thanks, comment on others' blogs with helpful information or an "atta girl," or an "atta boy." The old expression fits here: What goes round, comes round.

Here's to a successful writing year to you.

Pat

KILLER HOBBIES: Canine Cops

2008-01-07T08:03:00.000-08:00

KILLER HOBBIES: Canine Cops

Love these kinds of stories and the background on this K-9 cop and his partner(s). Don't know how my amateur detective Bridget's pal, Narvik would do. But I suspect a pretty Norwegian Elkhound might like to hang our with a big, strong German Shepherd. The blog's worth a peek.

2007-09-04T09:49:00.000-07:00

TRAVEL WRITING AND

THE FOCUS FACTOR

Probably, I should throw in a palm tree or two. on this post. (In fact, I'm throwing in pre-pub cover art of my novel that I'm working on. Murder Visits Antigua and the research thingy is tough duty (she says, tongue in cheek.)

Along the way to finding out what was happening on a Caribbean Island in the 1930s for my Golden Age Mystery novel, I've had wonderful adventures. They included finding out from a taxi driver the name and phone number of a retired Leeward Island Police Commissioner. Then calling him up, finding his house in a tiny village and interviewing him.

Can I use the material in other ways besides lending authenticity to my novel's characters and setting? You bet, I can. Now here's where "focus" or lack thereof, comes in. I'm focused on the history and current times of Antigua, but I'll use the material in multiple ways.

For example, I'm also working on an article now for the Caribbean Trvel and Life magazine and am looking for more travel-related markets. http://www.carribbeantravelmag.com/ I have found out so much that would be of interest to other travelers, historians, archeologists and other interest groups.

It has to be the best of all worlds to be a writer and to have the epiphany: I'm looking through a multi-facted prism that glitters with multiple opportunities for writing and publishing my researcht in different venues.

Yahoo! It's a great life.

Wite on, my friends!

Pat

P. S. Check out my mock book cover pix.

2007-08-26T17:38:00.000-07:00

RESEARCHING EXOTIC SETTINGS

FOR MYSTERY NOVELS

ANTIGUA AND THE CARIBBEAN

Was It Hard Work? . . . You Got to Be Kidding!

Mystery Visits Antigua is a Golden Age Mystery featuring Aunt Amelia Winthrope. Am I ever having fun with this character!

I've done a pre-pub/pre-promotion cover with story overview that is uploaded. I used it in my interviews and contacts when in Antigua this month. I found that having the visual piece helpful to those I interviewed. They opened up more to my questions, gave me some wonderful referrals to folks that would have specific information about a place or time or event.

I've included below an update on my Antigua trip, and a bit about my "research" trip to the Caribbean Stonhenge. I hope you enjoy it. And, out of this trip, came an invitation to attend the Antigua Literary Festival held the first weekend in November.

Well, of course, I'm going, and I'm psyched. There are some wonderful literary Caribbean authors who will be speaking and attending. I feel priviliged to be asked.

So, friends, read on, and I hope you enjoy.

Yours in the mystery of writing and of life,

Pat

The trip? It went well--how could a person say otherwise? Fun thing going up to the Caribbean Stonehenge, although little of that site is left now. It's fast eroding because it isn't a priority for being maintained. For my last few trips to Antigua, one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean, I've been asking and asking to go up to the site with our Antiguan friend, Wayne. He acts as my kind of "minder" while I'm on the island.

The megaliths are on Green Castle Hill, about 600 ft. high with a vertical grade of 35-40 degrees in places. And it's above a stoney masonry factory that is busy carving out the limestone and volcanic rock that will end up in fences around expensive resorts and compounds. So, they often are blasting at the hill/mountain. At any rate, one of the villagers from Green Castle, Bonehead (true name) led the way with Wayne and me following. Lots of lemon grass, whipping ankles and legs, rutted trails, shale and loose rock. I made it about 7/8's of the way, the wind was gusting about 35 knots, and there was no protection from it. I had to stop. The guys went up to the top and took pictures for me.

The way down was harder, and the men held my hands as we slipped and slid down the mountain side. I had this idiotic picture in my head of looking like a debutante, hands outstretched on either side to a "gallant" escort, who helped me down steps, as I swept regally into the ballroom. The guys did hold my hands, but I was sweating, slipping, sliding, and they were, too. Hair hung in my eyes, cap half off. All, in all, I was not a pretty sight.

And then we had to cross paths through a potholed field with a bull who didn't look too happy to see this sweating, redfaced lady encroaching on his turf.

Then had an interesting session with trying to get a diabetic testing kit that I ordered for a retired Leeward Island Police Force commissioner. He couldn't afford one, so I had my son Stateside buy and FedEx one to my attention. (Things have a way of not getting to people in the small villages in any timely manner). Finally ransomed the diabetic kit from customs and took it to my friend, who also is vetting my manuscript.

Let me tell you, power in developing countries, is with the individual holding the rubber stamp--seal of approval. Never have any doubt to that. Had to have five sets of papers, rubber stamped in order to get that testing kit "free at last." My friend has the kit and all is well.

Truly, I had a marvelous time, a learning one, and I'd sure do it all over again.

BTW, I was asked to come back in November to attend the Antigua Literary Festival. It is primarily for Caribbean authors and this is the second year that is has been held. My WIP, Murder Visits Antigua, plus my story published on Amazon Shorts, "Antiguan Memories," makes me eligible to be invited.

If anyone has the time, please check out the story. It costs 49 cents from Amazon. And, I need more reviews posted on it. Write me off list, if you'd like a copy to peruse. The story is speculative fiction:

Set in the 1930s on the Caribbean Island of Antigua, a disillusioned Anglican priest,

a mute Antiguan young man, and the spirit of a murdered slave girl--all seek release

from their captive states.

2007-03-16T12:35:00.000-07:00

ERIN GO BRAGH! (Ireland Forever!) or . . . HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY
AND . . . A FUN, FREE CONTEST

It seems only fitting to run a contest this month of March, when supposedly some forty percent of the population in the U.S. claim Irish heritage! Undoubtedly, there will be much wearing of the green and toasting with Guinness tomorrow on the 17th.

Some of you know that my sleuth Bridget O'Hern, is named after my great-grandmother. She came from Ireland, on the border between County Wicklow and County Tipperary. Supposedly, family lore, don't you know, says that she was a senachie, a story teller. It's my hope that some of that quality runs in my blood and in my protagonist's too. I do have this fictional Bridget O'Hern, just a little bit fey from her grandmother. It helps her intuition when solving crimes.

Now as to the contest . . . please go to my website at www.patriciaharrington.com. You can opt in to my very occasional newsletter list, AND, you can enter a contest. Simply write in one or two sentences "Why I read mysteries," and send me the answer. Your name will be put into a box and the winner randomly chose. The winner will receive a free, autographed copy of DEATH COMES TOO SOON.

There's no loss, no harm and no foul to this contest . . . but some fun for both of us.

Remember, go to www.patriciaharrington.com. Details are there, and click on the links to my books there for a pix of Death Comes Too Soon.

Yours in mystery,

Pat

2007-03-11T15:25:00.000-07:00

THE POWER OF WORDS -- AND LINKS

Words are my bread and butter, that is as a grant writer and a mystery author, words are the means by which I put that sadly forbidden--but desirable--food on my table!

Words elicit, conjure, bring up and invade the mind with images. Words trigger feelings and emotions. Try the word "rotten." Betcha that you'll think of it and mentally add, "apple," and have a visceral reaction about rotting fruit or a bad person.

Word choice, the preciseness of the word in the context of its surroundings of sentence and paragraph, are important. Probably, that's why some of us--make that "me"--tend to rewrite a sentence many times to get just the right fit.

Here are some very helpful links to word lists, where a "word" a day is provided. I've found that reading these commentaries has helped me enrich my vocabulary, clean up some misconceptions about a word's meaning, and given me starter ideas for stories.

Here are a few of my favorites:

http://wordsmith.org/awad/ Provides a word a day with various meanings and origins.
http://www.word-detective.com/ Sends a word a day with a humorous take on the word and its meaning.

And, for the children's authors, don't forget the wonderful book by Alijandra Mogilner Children's Writer's Word Book, with gives word lists, grouped by grade levels for K-6.

Yours in mystery,

Pat
My children's mystery story, "The Case of the Purple Hands," features the Stanley Street Irregulars, a trio of fifth-grade, multicultural sleuths. It will be in "Stories for Children" in April.

2007-02-25T16:51:00.000-08:00

GREAT LINES FROM MOVIES

I just finished watching one of my all time favorite movies, Casablanca.

Probably everybody knows the story line:

Rick, the cynical and jaded nightclub owner had a love affair with the beautiful, blonde Isla in Paris, while her husband, Victor Laszlo, is detained in a concentration camp. He is a suspected French freedom fighter. Upon his release, Victor and Ilse make their way to Casablanca but need letters of transmit to leave the country. Rick is able to secure those letters, through his connections. Ilsa is surprised to run into Rick in Casablanca and feels her love for Rick rekindle. She believes that she and Rick will leave, and her husband stay to fight the Vichy. Rick, however, plays honorable and ensures that Ilse and her husband depart on the plane and he stays behind.

In the end, the good guys win out, and the music fades away.

There are two lines from the movie that are burned into the memory of every woman over 18 who has watched it: "Here's looking at you, Kid," and "We'll always have Paris," spoken by Humphrey Bogart as Rick.

The movie was made in 1942, and 65 years later, it still has appeal. Those quoted lines are frequently used on quiz shows because the words are imbedded in our cultural memory (thanks to reruns on TV and DVD).

So, are there lessons to be learned from this movie for writers of the short story or novel? The sentences are brief: five words in one and four in the other.

How is it that they carry so much weight, have so much impact?

Sure we have the benefit of two people looking soulfully at each other, Ingid Bergman as Ilsa has tears shining in her eyes as she turns away from Rick to leave. But I think the lines are memorable because they summed up the plot and Rick and Ilsa's relationship. Rick's cynicism is thin covering for his love and commitment. They--and his sacrifice--are all conveyed in those few words, "Here's looking at you, Kid."

We read what we need as observors, as voyeurs wanting to be in that place. Our reactions may vary, but they are felt deeply, we are touched in some visceral way.

And then there is, "We'll always have Paris." Simple but conveying so much, a heartful of memories, never to be experienced again, never to be forgotten.

Lesson here, I suspect, is to have the relationship and character of your story's players build incrementally and consistently, so that a few words by them speak volumes, leaving the reader satisfied, nodding and thinking, "Well done."

Yours in writing,

Pat

2007-02-12T20:17:00.000-08:00

2007-02-12T19:45:00.000-08:00

WRITING TIP ABOUT CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

One of the adages given to authors is "write what you know." That's an interesting concept for the mystery or crime fiction author. How many of us have committed the kinds of mayhem and skullduggery about which we write? Very few, I hope. On the other hand, all of us in this creating game--and the human race in general--have experienced the array of emotions and feelings that could have led us to do some dastardly deeds.

The three-legged stool that mysteries are set upon (and that I wrote about elsewhere here on the blog) are plot, character and setting. Plots are the story, of course, what happens and why. However, stories are only interesting if the characters are ones that readers find intriguing, appealing or else so loathsome that the reader wants to see the person get his or her comeuppance.

Consequently, the author has to consider carefully the nature and personalities of the story's main and secondary characters. Some advice that I was given has proven helpful in making sure that I stay true to my story's characters and their personalities. I write down each character's internal conflicts that drive him or her. Then I determine what are the likely external conflicts that would trigger an appropriate action or reaction.

This character list that has the internal and external conflicts identified is very useful as I write the narrative. For example, if a poor self-image and resulting feelings of jealousy are Susan's internal drivers--ones that trigger her to act irrationally, for example--then knowing that helps me to have Susan react appropriately. I can use her in settings and sutations to move the plot along and make the story more dynamic.

The character conflict list doesn't have to be elaborate, but it is fun to do and useful. And again, both the primary and secondary characters should be on it. It does save time later on because the characters are like buddies or acquaintences, where you can roll your eyes, and say, "Yeah, I know just how she's going to react in that situation."

I suppose the seven deadly sins could be a good starting place to start the laundry list of your characters' internal conflicts. You can always branch out, refine and move into the venal sins, I suppose . . .

Hope this might have been useful. If so, drop me a line and let me know.

Yours in mystery,

Pat

2006-12-18T09:32:00.000-08:00

HOLIDAYS MAKE GREAT TIMES--GREAT SETTINGS FOR MYSTERIES ...

PLUS CHECK OUT THE FUN CONTEST AT MY WEBSITE

Some years ago, M. K. Wren (Conan Flagg series) taught in a mystery writing class that good mystery stories perched on a three-legged stool. The three legs are character, setting and plot. Most of us think that plot is the essential piece. But ponder this. Plots depend upon interesting characters that you care about, otherwise you probably won't finish the book. The best plot twists in the world can't save a story if the the characters are literally paper thin.

Sometimes, as with Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, zany characters, the ones you become fond of like kooky relatives, can carry dull plots. You as the reader are more indulgent of them, and consequently of the plot, even it does run shallow.

Thinking of settings, plots and characters, I'd have to amend what I said above . . . perhaps. (Throwing stones while sitting in a glass house, don't you know.) I've posted a quick, short Christmas story at my website you might enjoy at my website www.patriciaharrington.com. "The Last Chance Gift" has an unlikely but plucky amateur sleuth. Please zip over and take a look at it and send me a note. In the story, was there one "leg" that stood out? Was the story more about setting, character or plot? Please let me know and while at it . . .

ALSO, ENTER MY FUN, FREE CONTEST:

Tell me in a sentence or two, the following--

Who is or are your favorite mystery protagonist(s)--detectives or sleuths.

And then tell me why.

The winner, randomly drawn, will receive a $10 Amazon gift certificate. Go have fun and play a bit! www.patriciaharrington.com

Yours in mystery,

Pat

2006-10-09T13:23:00.000-07:00

MULTI-TASKING: WRITING, PROMOTING AND CHARACTERS THAT WANT TO TAKE OVER

Writing the darn novel and also doing pre-promotion or marketing is a challenge.

"Why bother? You ask.

Because the nature of fiction writing for authors in these days is not only finishing the blooming novel but also hawking it to the world at large.

For example, my work in progress, MURDER VISITS ANTIGUA will have just a teeny, tiny window before it's published and a big event happens where I might be able to make beaucoup bucks--or at least approach a captive-reading audience.

Antigua is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean and will be one of the major venues next summer for the ICC or Cricket World Cup Matches. Supposedly, some 50,000 visitors will squeeze into the tiny Bird International Airport in St. John's and then fan out in exhaustion to various resorts on the island.

I figure that besides the avid cricket fans, there should be slews of female companions and/or wives, who will only want to sun on the beach with a good whodunit--a Golden Age mystery, i.e., Murder Visits Antigua, featuring a new amateur sleuth by the name of Aunt Amelia.

Yes, Aunt Amelia is a cross between Agatha Christie and Miss Marple, and I am having a ball with her character. Sometimes she raps me smartly on the knuckles to catch my attention: "Young lady," she says. "I'm not that old that I can't have a roving eye cast in my direction."

Apparently, she doesn't want to be relegated to lace shawls and gray hair done in a bun!

"But then," I argue. "I'll have to make you younger than I intended."

"Well, I can be mature, a widow, but not feeble in body."

The look Amelia casts, shrivels. It's the kind given by old school marms who brooked no disobedience or backtalk. Amelia goes on to say, "I thought you were a 21st century kind of author. What are you doing, stereotyping me?"

"Well, I want to reach readers that like cozy mysteries, and puzzling out the 'whodunit' of the story along with a smart, intuitive sleuth."

At this point in our exchange, I let out a big sigh, one that scatters the papers by my computer. I have enough problem with my own flesh-and-blood relatives without my fictional aunt getting pushy.

Politely, I tell Aunt Amelia to take a break for now, I will attend to her. At the moment, though, I'd like to get back on track with this blog and tell about a PRE-PROMOTION stint that I did.

I went to a dinner dance conducted by the Antigua and Barbuda Association of British Columbia. The invitation came through an acquaintance made on an Antigua Tourist Forum on the Internet. Like penpals of old, we became comfortable writing back and forth, and Donna, a member of the association, said, "Come on up to Vancouver, B.C. and join us for the weekend celebration of Antigua and Barbuda's Independence Day." Antigua just celebrated 25 years of independence, moving from British colony to status as a nation state in the Commonwealth.

Well, I went and had a blast. The prime minister of Antigua was there with his wife, and I met them and other dignitaries associated with the island and the Caribbean. Talked about my book, made valuable connections about where I might do book signings, and generally had a good time dancing to reggae music and eating wonderful Antiguan food.

So, if there's a quick lesson to this long blog, it is this:

1)Make your characters behave--within reason. Be attentive to their idiosyncrasies that will make readers like or identify with them, but don't let them run away with your story; and

2) Use the Internet and contacts on forums, blogs and other websites to pre-promote your book and compile a list of marketing contacts. It's what a good publicist or PR person would do, and so should you and I as authors.

That's it for now,

Yours in mystery,

Pat
P. S. GO TO THIS GREAT BLOG LINK for interesting stuff on MARKETING PLATFORMS FOR AUTHORS
http://www.writeandpublishyourbook.com/Marketing/Internet-Marketing/Author-Jones-Builds-a-Platform/

2006-09-14T20:33:00.000-07:00

THE ROAD TO YOU-KNOW-WHERE
IS PAVED WITH GOOD INTENTIONS

The last time I posted here, my intention was to finish a novel in about two months. Not! Life, trips, a little illness and a whole lot of procrastination led me down a dark, stormy and wayward path. But I am back on track now.

Perhaps the lesson here for all writers is not to beat up yourselves for failing to meet a goal, but to get back on that horse, bike, chair and type away. I'm doing that now, though paying a bit of penance, by stopping to write this blog.

In the meantime, I have been working on pre-promotion for this mystery-in-progress, MURDER VISITS ANTIGUA. I've also done a bit of pre-promotion and a warmer-upper by writing a short speculative fiction piece about Antigua. It has been accepted by Amazon! "Antiguan Memories" is set in the 1930's and the story involves a disillusioned Anglican priest, a mute Antiguan boy and the spirit of a murdered slave girl. Amazon is publishing short stories now under the label of "Amazon Shorts." The stories can be downloaded as a PDF file or kept in a virtual library at Amazon. The cost of each story is only 49 cents! Such a deal!

To see a bit about the story go to:

http://www.amazon.com/Antiguan-Memories/dp/B000GH3K7C/ref=sr_11_1/103-8858028-9085440?ie=UTF8

That's it for now,

Yours in mystery,

Pat

2006-04-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

Mystery Writing Tips Over Time . . . The Good Ones Still Work

Recently, I ran across a book on Mystery Fiction: Theory & Techniques by Marie F. Rodell. The "how-to" book was published 63 years ago. Some things don't change over time. In this case, it's the tips on what works when writing mysteries. The author was editor of The Bloodhound, a magazine of crime fiction, and she also was the author of three mystery novels.

Some of Rodell's advice includes "play fair with the reader." Plant clues and have a reasonable logic as to how the crime . . . make that murder . . . is solved. She stresses that the reader should close the book at the end and say, "Oh, of course, he/she did it!" All the clues were there and fair game for the reader to find. Rodell also stresses that setting and characters are more than accessories to color the story. She points out that the two are vital in driving the narrative and providing logical underpinnings to the story. In fact, Rodell likens crafting mystery novels to that of constructing a house. That was an interesting analogy for me because one of my novel writing instructors, Frank Lambirth, also described the process for building a good mystery in just the same way.

One of the closing chapters was on "The Economics of Mystery Fiction." Please keep in mind that we're talking circa 1943 here.

Rodell states, "The average mystery writer makes from the sale of his book in book form no more than five hundred dollars." She goes on to add, "The most successful mystery authors, at the very top of the heap, sell between fifteen and twenty thousand copies of each book." Rodell also points out that a good writer should be able to churn out two mystery novels a year.

How to do that? Complete a first draft in two months, the author says. Write without pausing to finesse words or parse paragraphs, and then do the cleanup, fine-tuning and checking for flow and logic. Sounds so simple, doesn't it?

But it's easier written about here than done. I know in my own case, I've been fooling around forever with my work-in-progress, Murder Visits Antigua!

Two months . . . Do you suppose? Hmmm . . . Maybe . . .

I'll give it a shot!

Yours in mystery,

Pat

2006-01-27T07:26:00.000-08:00

THE MYSTERY GENRE . . . GETTING RESPECT

There are some wonderful lists related to the mystery genre. A few include Tony Burton's Crime and Suspense www.crimeandsuspense.com, the Short Mystery Fiction Society (SMFS) list shortmystery@yahoo.com , and of cource, the Dorothy L list at listserv@listserv.kent.edu.
There are many others, but these are a few I enjoy. The point of mentioning these lists is that frequently, there's heated discussion about mysteries and the genre not getting the respect it deserves in the hierarchy of what is considered literature.

Debate swirls around whether it's a matter of semantics, the style and/or quality of the writing, the worthiness or seriousness of the story itself, and even, on which publisher is backing the book. Some of the mystery writers I meet, feel that they are slightly second class, standing at a distance, apart from the literati.

I'm proud of being a mystery writer and I'm doing exactly what I wanted when setting out to write fiction. While I dabble in other genres, I enjoy the mystery. Perhaps that's because I write pretty much a traditional one, where in the end, "justice is served."

I read somewhere that the first mystery story, if you will, was written by Cicero. And on a taped seminar given by P.D. James, she said that a long time ago, mysteries were a kind of morality play. Not preaching, but helping a society to see where boundaries were and what lines should not be crossed or--there was a recompense (justice done).

As my teenage granddaughter might say, with a shrug, "What-ever!"

If the story resonates with one reader. If there is one nod of appreciation or smile when the reader finishes the last page and closes the book--then I'm happy.

My work's done as an author.

Yours in mystery and respect,

Pat Harrington

2005-12-16T17:04:00.000-08:00

2005-12-15T18:19:00.000-08:00

TAIL WAGGING TALE

I’d readily say that getting my second book in the Bridget O’Hern series rewritten was a major triumph. It was a case of dogged determination, and perspiration--not inspiration. Why on earth would anyone rewrite a 72,000-word story that had already been revised umpteen times?
The answer: To keep a small and loyal group of readers, and all of them owners of Norwegian Elkhounds, also affectionately known as “moosedogs.”

It began innocently enough . . ..

My first mystery novel was DEATH STALKS THE KHMER (DSTK) and featured Bridget O’Hern, a series sleuth. I gave her a pet, a dog named-Narvik, to add depth to her life. Narvik was patterned after our own family dog of the same name. The real Narvik was loyal and wonderful throughout her 16 years with us. I’ll always believe Narvik helped our son through a serious illness by sleeping with him and giving him comfort. So it was natural to have a fictional Narvik helping my protagonist who was recovering from a severe depression.

A few months after DSTK was released, I started on DEATH COMES TOO SOON (DCTS). In the meantime, readers as far away as the UK and South Africa who had read DSTK began to write me. They said that they were absolutely delighted to find a beginning mystery series that had “not just a Northern breed dog, but an actual Norwegian Elkhound.” I was even asked to do a book signing at the Puget Sound AKC Dog Show.

Finally, it dawned on me that I had a problem. I had completed DCTS, but had left Narvik at home in chapter one with Bridget’s sidekick! In the story, Bridget goes out of town to the Oregon coast to work with an art league, and it didn’t make sense to have her take the dog along.

However, leaving the dog would never do, not if I wanted to keep and appeal to this niche of readers.

So I rewrote the novel and had Narvik accompany Bridget, which threw off the narrative. I had to remember to feed the dog, bring it inside and outside, and clean up after her from one chapter to another. Sometimes, I had Narvik attend meetings with Bridget (well, not many). After about six chapters, I got into the swing of things and had Narvik cozy up to the Interim Police Chief who was giving Bridget a hard time. The plot took some unexpected twists (characters do get away from me). To my surprise at about chapter nineteen, Bridget and Narvik find a stray cat . . . in a burned-out building, yet!

By the end of the novel, Bridget has solved the whodunit and she and Narvik are headed home to St. Mary’s Corner, an actual historic spot in Washington State. Of course, the cat is with them, too.

It was easy to figure an appropriate name for the cat that “rose from the ashes.” If you think you can guess it, too, drop me a line or e-mail me at authorwrites@aol.com. If you’re correct, I’ll send a small prize.

Yours in mystery and writing,

Pat

2005-11-27T13:43:00.000-08:00

Writing Short-Short Mystery Stories and the Short Mystery Fiction Society

Is it craft or desperation that makes a story short in length? It takes craft to create a story with a conflict, climax and conclusion in a hundred words or less. Often, it is desperation that drives the writer to want to be done with the dang thing, wrapping the story up prematurely . . . or chucking it into a wastebasket as the alternative.Just how short can a short, short story be?

Try 55 words. Yes, there are 55 word stories, though their longer (older) brethern and sisteren expand into the low thousands in terms of number of words. But short for most of the current short mystery markets means somewhere around 3,000 words or under. Yes, you can go longer. But if characters and plot need to have space to grow and roam, then perhaps they might function better in a novel-length treatment.

Here's a story that I published a few years back, and it runs about 110 words. It was for a flash fiction market, sometimes these short-short markets are also called micro fiction.

FRESH START
The New Year!A time for resolutions. I sit down with pen and paper.

lose 25 pounds
check out new BMW
call travel agent about Tuscany
buy nine mm
oops

I open the desk drawer, take out the loaded gun and then cross out the last item.

get rid of husband
make death look like intruder
collect insurancelive happily ever after
~~

Writers are always looking for markets, and I've included a few below. In addition, I belong to the Short Mystery Fiction Society group (shortmystery@yahoogroups.com). Take a look at it. Each year, the organization holds the Derringer Awards for the best short mystery stories. There are different categories for different word lengths. SMFS is a worthy group to join if you want to have writer camaraderie and helpful tips about writing and markets.

Browse the markets below, some favor traditional mysteries, some noir or hardboiled. All want good writing and an interesting story.

And as always,

Happy Writing and Good Reading

Mysterical-e Ezine - www.mystericale.com
Crime and Suspense Ezine - www.crimeandsuspense.com
Hardluck Stories - www.hardluckstories.com
posted by Patricia Harrington @ 8:39 AM

2005-10-21T07:15:00.000-07:00

CATS OR DOGS . . .
WHICH MAKES THE BETTER CREATIVE MUSE?

A 16 lb. Traditional Siamese blocks my monitor as I write. Good thing that I touch type and don't have to see the screen. Okay. Ash the Man (really, the cat) has moved to the desk and onto my papers where he's settling in for a nap.

Back to the subject at hand.

I realized this morning that it is harder to get inspiration from a dog than a cat in creating a mystery story. My series sleuth Bridget O'Hern has Narvik, a Nowegian Elkhound, who serves as her companion. Narvik does not play the creative muse. She actually functions more as a rescuer, pulling Bridget out of trouble. In that role, Narvik helps to move the plot along and add story texture.

So as a muse, a dog is not--though I dearly loved the real Narvik, our family dog, who lived to be 16 years old.

On the other hand, my three cats have prompted more than one mystery story. They not only inspired some story ideas, they also figured in them. Not the real kitties, but their fictional counterparts. Sadly, cats seem to play villainous roles very well.

What is it about the cat's character that makes them more servicable in the "bad guy" role? Perhaps, it is their independence that has them tolerating human kind. Even the most loving of cats seem to observe their humans with a certain detachment. Dogs, on the other hand, are compliant, eager to please--wired to be helpers.

Cats are very good at being under foot, too. That thought alone triggers a possible method and a potential opportunity for a mystery story. Now if a motive such as jealousy is added, then we have the three legs to the stool on which our mystery sits.

Which brings me to my flash fiction mystery stories. Cats, with their speed, seem to work quite well in mini-mysteries. I just sold "Secondhand Shoe" to KR Mullin's Flash Fiction zine, in which Cassie the cat played a very prominent role.

Let's see, shoes, steps, falls . . . you get the idea.

Happy Writing and Good Reading!

Pat

2005-10-15T06:14:00.000-07:00

TRAVELING . . . DELAYED FLIGHT . . . MAKING TIME PRODUCTIVE

Like many, I've had my share of delayed departures and long waits. Typically, the easiest way to deal with them is to curl up on a bench and catch a snooze, using my laptop for a hard pillow. The other alternative is to stick my nose in a book and ignore the airport clock with its slow-moving hands.

However, I've found a better alternative. After all, airports, bus stops and train stations are all great places to observe human nature. So I sit with my laptop open, fingers on keyboard, observe and write. I write down facial expressions, body types and snatches of interesting conversations. I file these under "Character Development." Later, when I need to find a disgruntled uncle type--and I have none in my family--I scan my file. Images flood back, and I find pieces of what I need from my own collection.

In particular, I take down notes about the clothing of travelers who obviously are of a different national origin than I am. I quickly describe the person's dress or clothing, color, apparent texture, how it fit. If a couple are talking, I try to catch a bit of their interplay, enough to write the inflection, placement of words, than might show a different orientation to spoken English. (Of course, if the conversation is intimate, personal, I don't copy.)

I feel much better about using this "delayed departure" time productively. Granted, I could work on my novel in progress, but I seem to balk at doing that in airport terminals.

Doing the note taking salves my conscience.

Good writing to you,

Pat Harrington

2005-10-13T08:21:00.000-07:00

A GOOD PERSONALITY TEST FOR MYSTERY WRITERS

For the writers among us, there's a fun quiz to take on your "Personal Brilliance." (www.mypersonalbirlliance.com/assessement)

You're rated on four characteristics: Awareness, Curiosity, Focus and Initiatve. All seem to be necessary qualities for anyone delving into the murky waters of writing mysteries and having them published!

My one-liner score assessment came back with this:

YOU ARE A DETECTIVE!

I kid you not. Finally, I've been justified and verified. Perfect! I am, after all, a mystery writer.The mysterious "they" who score such things, gave me high marks on awareness, curiosity and initiative. But--I fell down on that "focus" thing.

Why am I not surprised.

After all, I am curiously aware of all that's going on around me. I find browsing on the Net--following threads from kitty cat blogs to Theravada Buddhism-- to be a creative infusion. Of course, my Web wanderings do take me away from the novel-in-progress.

I guess the test results show that my focus is frazzled and easily drawn in many directions. However, I can justify this lack of focus on my heightened curiosity. I argue that this poor focus factor really reflects a right-brain activity known as "researching." In actuality, I'm scanning for tidbits that can provide an "ah hah" moment.

For me, the "ah hah" nugget is one that will push a plot to have more pizazz or gives a character a shot in the arm--a kind of personality lift.

Pshew. I feel better all ready just printing this. Surely, if my justification is in print, then it is the truth, veractiy at it's best.

Now what was I doing before writing this?