How Come I Know What I Mean and You Don't?

I've just completed another round of editing with David, my eyes-over-the-shoulder who catches all kinds of errors and leaps of logic in my writing.   I want to type in the margins that I knew exactly what I meant when I wrote that!  How come he can't understand it as well?  The simple answer is this: We cannot expect others to catch our meaning by osmosis.  It would be a neat trick, of course, but it's not gonna happen. Not on this plane of existence.

Relationships are that way as well.  In the workplace, in our families, in our friendships:  If we don't speak up and explain or correct or enlighten, those around us might not understand us.  And this, unfortunately, leads to misunderstandings and rifts in our life that in turn become holes.  So, keep talking.

And keep writing!

Time Travel - it's For Real!

I love to time travel.  All it takes is a book and I'm there!  'Little Women' is one of my faves from childhood and the penultimate destination for those who want romance, intrigue, and drama .  I've owned many versions of this classic story about four sisters, beginning with my first copy at age five.  The March family held my attention from the start:  I wanted to be as pretty as Amy, loved as much as Beth, and in charge like Meg.  The sister that I identified with most, though, was Jo.  I admired her spunk and the fact that she loved to read and write as much as I did (and still do).  She seemed to be the perfect combination of old-fashioned values and independent thinking, and I have paid homage to Louisa May Alcott, Jo's creator, in my 'Jo Anderson' series.

Check out 'Little Women' soon, whether it's for the first time or the fiftieth:  the story never grows old.  And give my Jo a try as well.  Her first adventure, which takes place in the beauty of the Colorado Rockies, was fun to write...and she was a kick to meet.   'Becklaw's Murder Mystery Tour' is available at Barnes and Noble as well as Amazon.

Whether you need a portal  to the past or just crave a vicarious adventure, books are the best way to travel.  See you out there- and keep reading!

Spring Cleaning

I love what Louise Penny, the amazing author, said about editing: "Reading and re-writing. Definitely familiarizing myself with the story and the threads and themes so far. Doing a little 'cleaning up' and simplifying. But not too much. I find I really only know what a book's about when I finish the first draft. The subsequent drafts are all about keeping what feeds those themes, and getting rid of stuff that just clutters and obscures." If anyone should understand this process, it has to be her!

I like to think that I can apply this process to myself as well.  I want to make sure that the loose ends are cleaned up, that I don't have reoccurring issues that need to be resolved.  I like the idea of getting rid of 'stuff that clutters and obscures'.  Emotional, physical, spiritual detoxing!  

One method that had never failed me is list-making.  I write down things that I need to fix or remove, and this can apply to all areas of life.  This gives me a clear picture of what I need to work on...or let go.

If you have extraneous 'stuff', spring clean!  You'll feel better.  And keep writing.

I Can See Clearly Now

As I sit here composing this blog, I am trying to breathe.  It's nothing but a head cold, but I am a wimp when it comes to things like this.  I tend to whine some, sleep lots, and read as much as I can.  As you can see, there is a silver lining!

Thankfully, my vision for my current book-in-progress is still clear.  Jo Anderson's sassy personality seems to land her in situations that would stump most folks; her current foray into the candy-making business in "Sweet Death" is one sticky mess (pun intended).  At this point I'm fairly certain who the killer is, but that can change.  Characters, especially those who are dynamic, tend to take the plot in hand and manipulate it as they will.  It makes for an interesting time, I can tell you!

Back to me and my cold.  I'm feeling bleary-eyed (I've wanted to use that description forever!) and feverish and probably need to be in bed.  The real world is calling, though, and I need to go to my 'day job' as a high school teacher.   Unlike Jo, whose personality seems greater than the boundaries of the written word, my students are still finding their way. They tend to come to a stand-still without guidance.  And that's okay:  This is the place where they will learn to cope with life's issues and learn how to create their own 'plot'.  Tomorrow, though, they will get a taste of 'coping skills':  I'm getting a sub.

Keep reading!  That's what I'll be doing...

Finding My Way

I'm new to the world of self-promotion.  I know - sounds implausible, but that's the truth.  Learning the ins and outs of networking with fellow mystery writers - particularly those of Sisters in Crime - has been eye-opening, to say the least.  What I've discovered is this:  We are truly a 'band of sisters and misters'.  There has been nothing but outstretched hands and lots of shared tips about the mystery writing business, and I've been very, very grateful for all of the help.

In a society where success is held in high esteem, those who are the most successful tend to grease the steps behind them:  Not to make it easier for those coming behind, but to make it harder for them to climb the same ladder.  Not so with Sisters in Crime (a big shout out to the Desert Sleuths!).  One day I will be able to return the favor.  And I will.  I like to think of us mystery writers as one long chain that extends from the past into the future, and every link in that chain is held together by the links on either side.

Alright - enough of the mushiness.  I'll wrap up my thoughts by telling you that you absolutely must read the books by Elaine Viets and Donis Casey.  And by Louise Penny.  These women, true successes in the world of writing, have been kindness incarnate to me.  Check out my interview with Donis Casey at www.danemccaslin.co - she's amazing!

For all of you writers out there, keep trying and reaching and writing.  I'll be here to help.

Spring Solstice

I do love Spring:  longer days, but not too long, and warmer temps, but not yet the need for asbestos shoes.  Even the season's name indicates anticipation: we are all given the chance to 'spring' forward and find new ideas, new paths, new beginnings.

This is exactly the way I feel when I begin a new manuscript.  I am filled with anticipation as I meet new characters and watch them interact in the plot, and I'm usually surprised at how things turn out no matter how much planning I've put into it.  Like tightly curled buds ready to open, my books tend to unfold in their own way.  And I like that.  I've tried forcing a plot into life and the result is stilted and not worth reading.  Letting it develop on its own is a better plan.

Keep writing!  And don't be afraid to let your own plot develop naturally.  The results will be beautiful.
 

Will the Real You Stand Up

To paraphrase F. Scott Fitzgerald, a writer is a bunch of characters all trying to speak.  (For the quote purists out there, forgive me.) The thought of multi personalities is foremost on my mind as I sit here in the Happiest Place on Earth and watch children be alternately awed, scared, and thrilled to meet Mickey, Minnie, and the rest of the gang.  They have no idea that under those costumes is entirely different person. I hope.

A writer is like that as well.  You might be sitting next to an author and have no idea that just behind her eyes is an amateur sleuth or a killer, a protagonist and an antagonist.  Writers are constantly living more than one life at a time and for some the lines might become blurred.  That, however, is a blog for another day...

Speaking of another life, my character Jo Anderson is morphing into quite the interesting person.  I hope you've enjoyed her first adventure, 'Becklaw's Murder Mystery Tour'.  Her next scheme, entitled 'Sweet Death', should make an appearance in the winter.  Keep checking bank for more information.

And keep reading.