Deadlines

By Kathryn Lane

I love deadlines! They revitalize me. Twists and turns in my mystery novels become more exciting once I’m approaching the deadline with my editor.

Not all deadlines are equal. Some are important; others can be juggled. Then there are deadlines I gleefully ignore.

At times, I fantasize what would happen if I missed such and such important deadline. That activity takes the form of various possible outcomes, as if I lived in a quantum world where there’s an infinite number of possibilities.

Meeting a deadline!

And it reminds me of a wonderful European film from 1998 titled, Run, Lola, Run. An experimental film at the time, the lead character, Lola, needs to acquire $100,000 deutschmarks in TWENTY minutes or her boyfriend will die. The film gives three versions of what happens. Each version is predicated on the lapse of a few seconds where random, unexpected events happen that impact Lola’s ability to obtain the money. These random events change each one of the three endings.

In the past month, I’ve had the opportunity to think about random, unexpected things that happen. Some are good, some not so good.

On the return trip from the Killer Nashville International Mystery Writers’ Conference (which was wonderful) in late August, we experienced an unexpected event.

Driving through Georgia, a speeding motorist hit us a few miles south of Atlanta. Fortunately, everyone, including the motorist who hit us, walked away with only minor bruises. A different story for the vehicles – both were totaled.

Random events, good or bad, set off unexpected consequences, which ripple through already planned events, like getting a manuscript finished for your editor.

Meeting manuscript deadlines!

As in the three outcomes in Run, Lola, Run, my mind considered various scenarios: If only we had not stopped for gas when we did, if only we had started our journey a few minutes earlier (or later) that day, if only we had been in a different lane. But we don’t live in a quantum world. Nor do we live in a world where we can restart the day and get a different outcome.

Small, unplanned events can add spice to life. Large ones, like car accidents, can create havoc on deadlines. C’est la vie.

Deadlines are important to my characters too. It’s like they’re telling me “If you write it this way, it will be better”. Or they will kick my butt, saying “Go this other direction and get our story told”.

Maybe that’s a little like the different outcomes in Run, Lola, Run. In novels, only the author knows the various endings that could have taken place.

How do you handle deadlines?  

***

Kathryn’s mysteries – The Nikki Garcia Mystery series:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B08C7V2675/ref=dp_st_1942428944

 

Kathryn’s short story collection – Backyard Volcano and Other Mysteries of the Heart

https://www.amazon.com/Backyard-Volcano-Other-Mysteries-Heart/dp/1943306044

 All available on Amazon

 Kathryn Lane started out as a starving artist. To earn a living, she became a certified public accountant and embarked on a career in international finance with a major multinational corporation. After two decades, she left the corporate world to plunge into writing mystery and suspense thrillers. In her stories, Kathryn draws deeply from her Mexican background as well as her travels in over ninety countries.

https://www.kathryn-lane.com

 

Serendipitous Discovery!

By Kathryn Lane

A week's’ worth of newspapers, yes, old-fashioned printed versions, beckoned me on the coffee table. I confess that in the midst of downsizing and moving, I’d been too busy to read them.

Working my way through the papers, I hit serendipity! An article about the changing car culture.

Ford's 1896 Quadricycle

What was serendipitous about that? It covered a topic I’d mentioned in my May newsletter.

First, I should explain that I ask my newsletter readers to submit their favorite quote to me, promising that I will use it in a future newsletter.

This month’s quote was: “My friends are my estate”, submitted by Ann McKennis, a fabulously supportive fan of my work. Instead of analyzing why an introvert like Emily Dickinson would write these words to a friend in a letter, I explored the idea of friends.

So I wrote about the lifelong friendship of inventors Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. In 1896, Ford introduced his quadricycle. It ran on gasoline. Edison congratulated his friend, but told him to “keep at it”, predicting electric cars were the wave of the future. It also inspired Edison to work on an electric version.

Thomas Edison and Henry Ford 

As a writer, why are cars important to me? Authors use them in novels all the time. Think getaway cars in a robbery, luxury vehicles villains use to impress women, and forensic investigators recovering evidence from cars involved in homicides. Vehicles often break down on dark, isolated roads in crime stories. The list goes on.

Cars are important in real life crime as well. John Dillinger, the infamous criminal, made the Model A Ford synonymous with a gangster’s choice in driving during the 1930s. Then Bonnie and Clyde used a 1934 Ford 730 Deluxe Sedan, a car later riddled with bullets when they were killed.

The Bonnie and Clyde Car

I marveled at the coincidences of stumbling upon a great article about electric and gasoline cars, especially since Edison and Ford were mentioned. Plus, I learned something new: in the early 1900s in New York City, there were more electric cars than those that ran on gasoline.

So what happened? According to Daniel Yergin, Edison put money, effort, and his personal prestige into developing an electric vehicle, but Ford’s gasoline Model T won the hearts of car buyers. Almost a century later, General Motors introduced a mass-market electric vehicle. In 2008, Tesla introduced the stylish Roadster.

Fiction writers will follow the trend. Electric cars are here to stay. The infrastructure to support self-driving vehicles is under construction. I’m anxious to see authors using self-driving cars for getaways. Of course, institutions that villains can rob may be all online, making the getaway car obsolete.

***

Are you using electric cars in your novels?

Kathryn Lane started out as a starving artist. To earn a living, she became a certified public accountant and embarked on a career in international finance with a major multinational corporation. After two decades, she left the corporate world to plunge into writing mystery and suspense thrillers. In her stories, Kathryn draws deeply from her Mexican background as well as her travels in over ninety countries.

https://www.kathryn-lane.com

https://www.facebook.com/kathrynlanewriter/

The Nikki Garcia Mystery Series: eBook Trilogy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GZNF17G

 Photo credits:

Quadricycle: "1896 Ford Quadricycle Runabout, First Car Built by Henry Ford" by The Henry Ford is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Thomas Edison and Henry Ford by Tom Raftery is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND-SA 2.0

The Bonnie and Clyde Car "DSC_0081" by Jay Bonvouloir is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Newspaper Article: Wall Street Journal, Weekend Edition ─ April 24-25, 2021; “The New World of AutoTech” by Daniel Yergin.

Kathryn’s books – designs by Bobbye Marrs

I Dream in Science Fiction!

By Kathryn Lane

Fiction writers take ideas from everywhere, the reason a saying says, “Be careful what you say around me – I’m a fiction writer.” To prove the point, I’ll paraphrase one of T.S. Eliot's quotes: “Good writers borrow; great writers steal.”

Dreams offer me a favorite reservoir of ideas to borrow. I dream in full technicolor, and in Spanish and English. Several short stories have come directly from stuff obtained during my REM sleep.

However, I was shocked when I had a science fiction dream, complete with language from an Orwellian future. I read sci-fi, but I’ve never attempted to write it. I do not have the grasp of physics, astrophysics, astronomy, chemistry, and artificial intelligence to write convincing sci-fi, so I limit myself to simply reading it.

Years ago, I’d read a lot of Ray Bradbury, who said, “Anything you dream is fiction, and anything you accomplish is science; therefore, the whole history of humankind is nothing but science fiction.”

Now back to my sci-fi dream. I was at a party, complete with fireworks, set in futuristic surroundings. An older couple left the party and drove away in a self-driving car. In the amorphous environment of dreaming, I was concerned about them so I called to make sure they were okay.

I heard an automated voice inform me through my implanted earphone that “Public driver 00Z1921 was detained by a squadron of public protectors for bypassing the self-driving controls of 00Z1921’s auto.”

“What’s the accusation,” I asked.

“Reckless speeding and endangering the disciples,” the automated voice responded. The voice further instructed me to locate 00Z1921 at the hostile crisis center.

Still dreaming, I arrived at the center and found the small self-driving car surrounded by ten hostile-looking storm trooper types.

Then I woke up! Unfortunately, the dream ended before I learned the outcome of poor old 00Z1921.

Guess I’ve been reading too many futuristic articles on the speeding up of technological advances resulting from our lockdown, and those ideas zoomed me into a future time zone!

Or maybe, as Ray Bradbury might have said, we are all living in a science fictional world.

***

Do you dream in technicolor? Do you have dreams set in a sci-fi future?

Kathryn Lane started out as a starving artist. To earn a living, she became a certified public accountant and embarked on a career in international finance with a major multinational corporation. After two decades, she left the corporate world to plunge into writing mystery and suspense thrillers. In her stories, Kathryn draws deeply from her Mexican background as well as her travels in over ninety countries.

https://www.kathryn-lane.com

https://www.facebook.com/kathrynlanewriter/

The Nikki Garcia Mystery Series: eBook Trilogy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GZNF17G

Photo Credits:

Fireworks: "Looks like the Sky will bleed with Colors tonight. Wishing everyone a wonderful evening of fun & excitement!" by williamcho - licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Waymo self-driving car front view by Grendelkhan - licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Storm Trooper at Oxford by Sheng P. - licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Kathryn’s books – designs by Bobbye Marrs

Mystery and Romance Authors - How Many Books Should You Publish?

 

Antique Underwood Typewriter and Calla Lilies

Social media has swept instant and fleeting tidings over us - the expectation of continuous news snippets. I wondered how this impacts the work of authors. In doing research, I found an interesting quote from Donna Tartt, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Goldfinch:

“There's an expectation these days that novels – like any other consumer product – should be made on a production line, with one dropping from the conveyor belt every couple of years.”

Every couple of years? I was astounded. Quite a few authors, including New York Times bestselling ones produce at least one book a year, such as Stephen King, Danielle Steel, Harlan Coben, and Jeffery Deaver. I also know writers who publish four books a year – and happen to be USA Today bestselling authors. Probably none of the ones I’m thinking of will be honored with a Pulitzer, but they are satisfying their fan base by penning multiple novels per year.

 ca

Antique Printing Press

It gives the aphorism “publish or perish” a whole new meaning. The impact on genre authors to keep
publishing new books increases their fan base, improves their rankings on Amazon, and sustains their visibility among readers within their genres.

Yet The Goldfinch author takes ten years (that’s right – a full decade!) to write a novel. A literary genius, Tartt has fans across the globe. Plus, she’s backed by big publishing houses and their gargantuan budgets, here and abroad.

Most of us who write genre would “perish” if we only produced one novel every ten years.

Selling novels boils down to two basic issues:

A. Storytelling ─ writing a compelling and fascinating story.

B. Markets ─ how these “consumer products” that Tartt mentions are advertised and distributed.

In 2018, more than 1.6 million books (both print and eBook with registered ISBNs) were published in the US alone. You can dismiss a portion of these as coming from aspiring writers or people doing a memoir for family purposes. But the point is made ─ the diversity of choices for readers contributes to the difficulty new authors encounter when trying to distinguish themselves in a crowded market.

Despite the intense competition, I would not for a minute give up my writing! It’s the most satisfying, and craziest, endeavor I’ve ever done.

Care to share how you distinguish your novels in the crowded market?

***

Photo credits: Kathryn Lane for Antique Underwood Standard Typewriter, Printed page flying off antique printing press; Bobbye Marrs for Nikki Garcia Trilogy

Kathryn Lane started out as a starving artist. To earn a living, she became a certified public accountant and embarked on a career in international finance with a major multinational corporation. After two decades, she left the corporate world to plunge into writing mystery and suspense thrillers. In her stories, Kathryn draws deeply from her Mexican background as well as her travels in over ninety countries.

https://www.kathryn-lane.com

https://www.facebook.com/kathrynlanewriter/

The Weather Factor

By Lynn McPherson

There are so many aspects to consider when writing a book, today I’m going to tackle an area that doesn’t often get much attention—weather. If a book is set in a place with year-round sunshine, or during a season with a comfortable temperature then it may never come into play. And that’s okay. No need to complicate something when there’s no reason for it. However, sometimes weather cannot be overlooked. It can have a direct or indirect affect on the story. Let’s look at some ways that weather can become a factor.

1.     Increased Danger.

Weather can up the stakes or heighten the tension in a story if it provides imminent danger. For example, the threat of an impending hurricane, or a tornado can force the story or its characters to move quickly and quicken the pace of what might otherwise be a slow-moving plot.

2.     A Closed Set.

Sometimes weather can have a direct effect on the setting of a story. If an author wants to have a isolated location, where characters cannot easily come and go, weather is one method to provide it. For example, a Nor’easter in Maine may prevent characters from coming and going to a place that might normally have fluid movement. It can be a great way to limit the number of people who are involved in the story, or give an automatic set of suspects.

3.     Time of death.

When a body is discovered, time of death can be a critical piece of information. This is especially true when the cause of death is murder.  If a body is discovered outside, temperature is a key factor that comes into play when calculating time of death. If it’s cold enough outside, the accuracy of pinpointing it is much more difficult to determine, often leaving a big range of time that can be frustrating for investigators who are unable to narrow the parameters within a day or more. 

There are so many elements of a story, setting is important. Weather can provide a fun way to change it up and completely alter the pace, the surroundings, and the complications your characters must face. 

Lynn McPherson has worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, ran a small business, and taught English across the globe. She has travelled the world solo where her daring spirit has led her to jump out of airplanes, dive with sharks, and learn she would never master a surfboard. She now channels her lifelong love of adventure and history into her writing, where she is free to go anywhere, anytime. Her cozy series has three books out: The Girls' Weekend Murder and The Girls Whispered Murder, and The Girls Dressed For Murder.  

[Lynn's Author Site] - [Buy Lynn's Book]

Lessons From My Garden

By Saralyn Richard

I’ve always loved to plant flowers and vegetables and watch them grow, but never, until now, have I had the time to nurture, weed, water, and admire the horticulture. For all of the things the pandemic has taken away, the joy of gardening is one thing it’s brought to my life in technicolor.

            During days when time inside seems to stand still, when one day pours into the next, so it doesn’t matter whether it’s Monday or Saturday, the ever-changing splendor of my garden provides something new. In March, I planted the caladium bulbs kept in the garage all winter. Even from the first day after planting, they were pushing up shoots that turned into buds, that opened into showy broad red and green leaves. The progress was rapid and almost magical.

            The caladiums reminded me of the book release process. When I published my debut mystery novel, MURDER IN THE ONE PERCENT, in 2018, I experienced that creative push of final edits, review blurbs, pre-publication hype, and, voila! The book was “above ground,” out into the world. As the book was nourished by reader reviews and a dizzying book tour schedule, it opened up to book clubs, new readers, and beautiful new connections.

            The fig tree in my back yard, however, has taught me patience. The sequel to MURDER IN THE ONE PERCENT, A PALETTE FOR LOVE AND MURDER, was released in February of this year. I had no idea that a pandemic would wreak havoc with every launch party, book talk, and book club I had so enthusiastically planned. Like the new mystery novel, the fig tree burst forth in a passionate profusion of fruit. Once the first crop was picked, though, the tree slowed down. It’s still full of potential. Hundreds of green buds remain, patiently awaiting their natural time to explode into luscious purple fruit. Though the book launch for PALETTE was not what I expected, the joy of the first crop of readers and the early reviews has been gratifying. Now I need to nurture the green buds, knowing that, if I’m patient, they will produce fruit.

            A final parable comes from the enclosed planter on my front porch. I’ve never been able to grow anything in this shady area. Too little sun, too little water, and too little attention from me were all to blame. I had literally given up on having anything there, except an air plant, a few aloe vera plants, and a touch of tradescantia zebrine (wandering jew). I decided that this was the time to experiment. I took a cutting from a healthy ginger plant in my back yard, and I planted it in the planter. I decided to keep the porch light on all night to give it extra light for growing, and I water it every day. At first the leaves turned brown and I was sure the plant was dying, but after a few more days, baby shoots started popping up in the soil. Now the plant is thriving, and the planter is a source of pride.

            So many times in writing, the easy path would be to give up. I might blame a lack of time, a dearth of creative ideas, a busy calendar, family demands, even a pandemic—innumerable excuses for not writing. The truth is, however, that an author with a creative spirit can produce a story to be proud of. Yes, there are obstacles, but obstacles can be overcome, as long as the passion and will are there.

            Those of us who read and write, who love books, have likely learned many lessons during these months of social distancing. Here’s hoping all of our lessons bear the sweetest fruit.

Award-winning mystery and children’s book author, Saralyn Richard strives to make the world a better place, one book at a time. Her books, Naughty Nana, Murder in the One Percent, and A Palette for Love and Murder, have delighted children and adults, alike. A member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America, Saralyn teaches creative writing at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, and continues to write mysteries. Look for A Murder of Principal to be released in January, 2020. Reviews, media, and tour schedule may be found at http://saralynrichard.com.

 https://www.amazon.com/Murder-One-Percent-Saralyn-Richard/dp/1626947716/ref

 https://www.amazon.com/Palette-Love-Murder-Detective-Parrott/dp/1644372045/ref

The Senses of the Season

By Lynn McPherson

With Thanksgiving just days away, it’s time to kick off the holiday season. As I opened up all the boxes with lights and decorations, my festive feelings were thrown into high gear with just one whiff of a gingerbread-scented candle.

It was a great reminder of the importance of using all five senses in writing. Let’s look at how much of a difference it can make if a writer incorporates more than just what the eye can see. I thought we could use a Thanksgiving setting as our demonstration…

What could be the highlights of a Thanksgiving meal, if we were restricted to the sense of sight: a big turkey, decorative pine cones, family gathered together, a festive tree, sparking lights, a dimmed room with a roaring fire. Now, add in the smell of turkey cooking in the oven. And the scent of fresh pine of a crisp after-dinner walk. Doesn’t that start to bring the scene alive?  How about the murmur of happy chatter and the warmth emanating from the fire? With the addition of sound, smell, and touch, the reader is given a fuller experience—perhaps even initiating their own memories of holidays past. Without this, the scene may seem hollow—and that’s never good when you’re trying to entice the reader into your character’s world.

How about if we switch the scenario to a busy city street?  Other than the sights around, there might be a pungent smell of a passing garbage truck, the loud honking of nearby taxis, or the firm brush of hurried passersby. Another example could be a busy coffee shop. Look around next time you’re in one—think about what’s happening. Would you miss the buzzing of friendly chatter? The grinding sounds of a coffee maker preparing to serve fresh brew? And the delicious smell of fresh brew. All these things can help the readers set their imagination in motion. This is particularly important at the beginning when you want to hook the reader.

            So as you unpack your ornaments and prepare your festive dinner, let it be a reminder to be aware of all the wonderful sensations the holiday season has to offer and to enjoy each one.

            I wish everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving weekend. May you have the chance to see your loved ones and curl up in front of the fire with a good mystery—I know that’s what I’ll be doing…

Lynn McPherson has worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, ran a small business, and taught English across the globe. She has travelled the world solo where her daring spirit has led her to jump out of airplanes, dive with sharks, and learn she would never master a surfboard. She now channels her lifelong love of adventure and history into her writing, where she is free to go anywhere, anytime. Her cozy series has three books out: The Girls' Weekend Murder and The Girls Whispered Murder, and The Girls Dressed For Murder.  

[Lynn's Author Site] - [Buy Lynn's Book]

Move Over, Partner!

By Lynn McPherson

I’m in the process of developing a new cozy mystery series. Part of that is figuring out all the characters. I’ve known for a while who the protagonist is. But now I need an ally —someone trustworthy enough for her to share secrets with. How else am I going to bounce ideas off about who the murderer could be with the readers?

Today I’ve decided to share my top three characteristics in a sidekick. I’m sure there are lots of ideas. Here are mine:

1.     Good Listening Skills!

What is the point of having great insight if there is no one around to share it with? A sidekick in a mystery must be willing to indulge the protagonist no matter what they are prattling on about. It goes beyond the passive ability to hear. The character must absorb what the sleuth is saying and sometimes even help progress ideas along so they are not mere musings. The amateur sleuth can either turn them into coherent theories, or pass them off as sheer observations.

2.    Loyalty

Of all the qualities in a friend, this one always tops of the charts. The main character in a cozy needs someone to rely on through thick and thin. This is especially important in the business of amateur sleuthing since the protagonist is almost always mixed up in murder! It’s important for the reader to have faith in the friendship, as well. With so many suspects on the loose, there should be at least one dependable friend at all times—someone who will always be there, even when things go awry.

3.    Humor

Part of the charm of mysteries is the knowledge that a solution lies at the end of the book. The puzzle will be solved, order will be restored. Light mysteries require an element of joy that is brought about through close relationships within the surrounding community—most notably, with her ever-present true friend and confidante. Why not make them a funny? It’s a great way to lighten the mood and show the sleuth doesn’t take herself too seriously all of the time.

So there you have it, folks. My take on what makes a good sidekick. Agree? Disagree? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Until then, happy reading! 

Lynn McPherson has worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, ran a small business, and taught English across the globe. She has travelled the world solo where her daring spirit has led her to jump out of airplanes, dive with sharks, and learn she would never master a surfboard. She now channels her lifelong love of adventure and history into her writing, where she is free to go anywhere, anytime. Her cozy series has three books out: The Girls' Weekend Murder and The Girls Whispered Murder, and The Girls Dressed For Murder.  

[Lynn's Author Site] - [Buy Lynn's Book]