A Nice Surprise

Over the weekend I received a nice surprise from Robin Rivera and Heather Jackson from Write On, Sisters! They were just nominated for the Real Neat Blog Award, something they deserve in spades! So, I’m reading along, learning more about these talented authors, when I see my name. They nominated me, too!

I’m always so honored by these awards. For one, it tells me that I’m not just talking to myself, even though some days it feels like I am. And secondly, someone thought enough of me and my site to take the time to nominate me. That’s really cool. So, if you have a minute check out their blog. You can find them listed on the sidebar, in the menu, and in my Crime Writer’s Resource, or go here. It’s an excellent blog devoted mainly to craft.

To accept this award I must answer five original questions that Robin and Heather thought up specifically for this nomination. Here they are with my answers…

What book, show, or movie do you wish you’d written?

There are so many. If I need to pick just one I’d say Silence of the Lambs. Do I really need to explain why? This book, then adapted to film, paved the way for the serial killer thriller. Its intricate plotline, characters, and an antagonist you couldn’t help but like — even if he was a cannibal — upped the stakes and made it nearly impossible to put down.

If you wrote fan fiction, what would you write for and why? If you already write fan fiction just say why.

Hannibal, the TV series. The murder scenes alone are some of the most creative I’ve ever seen. But, I doubt I could ever do it justice. I just don’t see how it could be improved, or changed in a way that would warrant attention.

What famous author (living or dead) would you most want to team up with to write a book?

This one’s easy. Larry Brooks. He’s a master storyteller and one of the nicest, most generous people I’ve ever known. Maybe someday, eh?

If you could have one day to use a time machine to go forward or backward in time, where would you go and why?

Forward. To the day my début novel hits the shelf so I know how much longer I have to wait and which novel it will be. Ha! Sad but true.

Have you ever written anything that you wish you hadn’t?

Oh, absolutely! A short story that I posted on this site AND on Prose & Cons. Nightmare! Thank God for the delete button. I’d also say my first novel, but that really wouldn’t be accurate because I was learning the craft and if wasn’t for that novel I wouldn’t know half of what I know today. Would I ever want the public to read it? Hell no! Hey, we all have to start somewhere, right?

So, that’s it. Now comes the part when I nominate other bloggers. Which is not my favorite thing to do. Because I follow hundreds of blogs it’s difficult to choose just a few. So, I’m going to cheat a little here and nominate some upcoming guests instead. Ben Wallace, Adam from Law Enforcement Technical Advisor, and Lucy from Blondewritemore. Incidentally, Robin Rivera will be joining us next month, too, so keep an eye out for that.

And here are your questions…

1. What is your all-time favorite book and why?

2. If you were a serial killer what fictional character would you be (books, TV, or movies)? 

3.  What is the best and worst piece of writing or blogging advice you’ve ever received, and why?

4. What’s the best thing about blogging for you?

5. (Barbara Walters question — confession time!) What’s your guilty pleasure social media site and how long do you spend goofing off there when you should be working? 

I can’t wait to read your answers!

I also nominate all of you. My blog would not be where it is if it weren’t for awesome people like yourselves. So, for anyone who wants this award, consider yourself nominated. Grab the award, say who nominated you — moi — and answer the questions. And don’t forget to tell me about it in the comments so I can read your answers. I’m laser-focused on my WIP now so I’m behind in reading posts… again.

Next up for murder blog: A guest post by a homicide detective who still works in the Major Crimes Unit. This promises to be an exciting, informative post that you won’t want to miss.

As always, if you haven’t received your copy of 50 Ways To Murder Your Fictional Characters go here, or read a sample here.

My Stamp of Approval (part 1)

Don’t you just hate being inundated with one promotional post after the next?  They fill up your inbox, usually they are self-promotional posts by writers you’ve never heard of, or by Joe Schmo who figured “Hey, why not? I know how to write.” when he really doesn’t.  I know I’m sick of it.  But that is NOT what you’ll find here.

All of these authors are superstars! If you’ve immersed yourself within the writing community, like I have, their names should ring a bell.  If they don’t then you haven’t waded out deep enough in the writing community pool.  And you should.  Let me give you a little nudge in the right direction.

But first, let me talk to you one-on-one here a moment…

Real Life Serial Killers– What makes them tick?

The serial killer has become wildly popular in crime fiction.  Maybe they are so fascinating to us, as readers, because they are complicated creatures.  They are deliciously bad.  We, as writers, are told never to make our antagonist (bad guy) all bad, or our protagonist all good.

Dr. Hannibal Lector is a perfect example of this.  Especially the one depicted in the television series, Hannibal.

Dr. Hannibal Lector– played by Mads Mikkelsen– is a brilliant forensic psychologist and culinarian (although some of the ingredients in his dishes are questionable).  In one scene we see his soft side with Dr. Alana Bloom, and in the next, he is slaughtering people and arranging them in dramatic convoluted poses.  Far beyond what is necessary to end their life.  He’s an artist when it comes to designing a shocking display for the FBI.  Yet, part of me loves him!  Why?  Because nothing is black and white with him.  He’s justified in his actions, which makes him a perfect character.  However, in the real world the serial killer is a frightening creature.  And one I never want to come in contact with in a dark alley.

Create Tension and Suspense. Keep the reader flipping pages!

I just completed the first draft of my latest novel, the sequel to Timber Point.  The working title was Dancing In The Shadows.  However, after completing the novel I thought of a title that fits better:  Silent Betrayal.

I often post about what stage I’m at in the process.  Therefore, today’s post is about creating tension and suspense in your thriller.  (Or in my case, make sure it’s done correctly during editing.)  Keep readers on the edge of their seat, flipping the pages.

I came across an article about this topic.  If you haven’t read The Kill Zone blog, I highly recommend it.  These tips were posted in that blog, but I added my own flair to them.  The expository is mine to help you better understand.

1.  Condense your setup and backstory.

Nothing is worse than reading ten pages about nothing.  All fluff.  Or hearing about the protagonist’s entire life story.  The author should know the story, but your reader doesn’t need every small detail.  However, IF parts of the backstory is relevant to the story line– keep it.  Just make it as short as possible.  Give the crucial elements your reader NEEDS to know without the fluff.  Add emotions, yes, but don’t let it lag along for pages and pages.

Our characters come to life on the page

As most of you know I am a pantser.  With that, comes surprise after surprise at what my protagonist, Shawny, says and does.

I am writing the sequel to Timber Point, as I’ve said before, and lately I find myself shocked by  Shawny’s actions and reactions.  Not to mention her mouth.  Some of the things that come out of that woman’s mouth are absolutely unbelievable.

 

Yesterday I was writing in my sun room, my husband, Bob, sitting at the table reading, when suddenly, I burst into hysterics– laughing so hard I was literally in tears!  Seconds later, I gasped.

Some of the situations Shawny gets herself into can only happen to her.