Yolanda Renée's New Murderous Novel - and, sharing intimate words with her lead sleuth...

Today, as a celebration for Yolanda Renée's new release, Memories of Murder, I sit down and get all cosy with the charismatic sleuth, Detective Quaid, and leave with a bit of a crush...

An Interview with Hawk

Emma, the housekeeper, ushered me into the great room and wow, what an understatement, more like a magnificent room. A huge stone fireplace warmed the space, and the huge windows provided amazing views of the valley to Anchorage. The furnishings were obviously antiques, but the room was comfortable and the amount of art was breathtaking. 

Emma poured me a cup of coffee, and offered me a plate of cookies. I waved them off because Detective Quaid joined us. He shook my hand, and sat down opposite me in a wingback chair near the fire.

Quaid: I'm sorry, but I only have a few minutes, please proceed. 

He did not settle back but sat up straight, his hands on his knees. I sensed he was sizing me up. He looked so serious, not tense, but rushed, almost worried. I considered the bad press he'd had recently and understood his reluctance to talk.

Charmaine: Thank you for agreeing to see me, I understand you're a wealthy man, why did you choose to be a detective?

He seemed surprised by the question. 

Quaid: Money has nothing to do with it. I owe society my best skills, we all do. I believe that a job any job, well done, is a service to the spirit. 

Then he shrugged.

Quaid: I find the work challenging, and rewarding.

Charmaine: I understand the Raven is an important symbol of the Tlingit tribe and that you're from the Eagle Clan, but your nickname is Hawk. How did that happen?

He almost smiled.

Quaid: A nickname by coworkers, it holds no bearing on the spirit or my place in Tlingit Culture.

Charmaine: Can you share a secret with us that wasn't revealed in the book?

Quaid: I have no secrets. Secrets are destructive in the wrong hands.

A fluster of activity interrupts our session, as Sarah arrives and is immediately at Steven's side. 

Sarah: "I'm sorry, John was running late, forgive me. His arm went around her waist. He pulled her close and kissed her tenderly. He whispered something in her ear. 

She smiled, and kissed his cheek.

He grinned. How handsome he was when he smiled. Not that he wasn't before, but wow, to have a man look at me like that, swooning would come back into vogue. 

She finally acknowledged me.

Sarah: I don't mean to interrupt. 

I stepped forward to shake her hand, but those two only had eyes for the other.

Charmaine: It's lovely to meet you. Why don't you join us?

Sarah: Oh, no. I'm really running behind, please excuse me. I am sorry for the interruption.

Steven walked her to the staircase, and watched as she ascended. I saw a changed man when he sat down. More relaxed, he couldn't wipe the smile from his face. I understood his earlier distraction.

Charmaine: What do you notice about a person first?

Quaid: Eyes, smile, ear lobes.

I knew he was thinking of Sarah.

Charmaine: What do people notice first about you?

Quaid: Most likely my race, but I hope the badge. 

I disagreed, the first thing I noticed was his ice blue eyes, his long dark hair, and muscular build, but I kept my observance to myself.

Charmaine: What's the most important thing in your life? What do you value most?

Quaid: Sarah.

Charmaine: What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Quaid: Family.

Charmaine: What is your biggest fear? Who have you shared this with? Who would you never tell this to? Why?

Quaid: Losing Sarah.  

His smile disappeared. 

Charmaine: I understand you're engaged. Will it be a formal wedding? He grinned again, and looked upstairs to where Sarah had disappeared.

Quaid: We haven't decided."

Charmaine:  Well, congratulations. Can I ask a more serious question?

He nodded.

Charmaine: What is the one strong memory that has stuck with you since childhood? Why is it so powerful and lasting?"

His smile disappeared. He stood and walked to the windows. I followed; he turned to look at me. 

Quaid: I was fourteen when I found my uncle. He'd been murdered. It's an unsolved case, and very personal.

Charmaine: I'm sorry for your loss. Are you working the case?

Quaid: Always.

Charmaine: Which living person do you most despise? I was told Scott Chase is a rival.

Steven's entire body tensed. His jaw clenched. He looked at his watch, then me.

Quaid: I'm sorry, it's late. We have a dinner engagement. Thank you for your patience.

He shook my hand and then took the stairs two at a time. He disappeared behind the same door Sarah had.

I was speechless. 

Emma hurried over. She looked at me and shook her head.

Charmaine: What? What did I do, what did I say?

She pretended to zip her lips closed. She wasn't talking.

Charmaine: Off the record. Do you know what I had to do to get this interview, how far I've travelled? Tell me, what just happened?

Emma: Off the record?

I nod.

Emma: You mentioned Chase.

I was stunned. 

Charmaine: He's jealous of an ex-boyfriend?

Emma nodded.

Charmaine: I see. How does Sarah feel about that?

Emma once again sealed her lips. The interview was officially over, and she walked me to the door.

Detective Steven Quaid, is a talented sleuth, but so in love with Sarah that even the mention of Chase's name rises his ire.

What do you think, is jealously a good thing, or a troublesome thing? What traits would you or have you overlooked for love?

***** *** *****

Memories of Murder

Yolanda Renèe

Decades ago, the seeds were planted …

Today, dark, fathomless eyes rake the image before him. One final task and the transformation is complete. Steady fingers screw intricately carved horns on each side of a stiff brow, and a gargoyle suitable for Notre Dame scowls from the smokey mirror in satisfaction. 

A jagged smile rips through his smooth, hairless face, and inked, reptilian scales caress his naked body. 

A laugh of hideous resonance emanates from his gut as the demons of hell welcome Lucifer into their fold.

In a dungeon-like chamber, his Lilith awaits. The kidnapped daughter of a nun, groomed to fit the final piece in the complex puzzle for world domination. Will Lucifer marry his bride, on the summer solstice? 

Only two things stand in his way ...

His greed ...

And ...

Detective Steven Quaid. 

***** *** *****

~ Memories of Murder ~

&

~ Murder, Madness & Love ~

available at 

Amazon ~ Kobo ~ B&N ~

***** *** *****

Yolanda Renée:

An adventurous spirit took Yolanda Renée to Alaska where she hiked the Brooks Range, traveled from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, and learned to sleep under the midnight sun.

She claims her vivid imagination as a blessing, a habit, a hobby, a calling and sometimes a curse.

Renée now resides in Central Pennsylvania with her husband, two sons, and Boston terrier, Patches.

You can find Renée here: 

~ Defending The Pen ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~

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Writing Blurbs

Kitty's little dog Spade, sometimes known as 'No-Spade-No!'

Dognapped? A Dog Show Detective Mystery is almost ready for release. As the cover is getting put together by the team at Book Cover Cafe, I'm writing the blurb. Hey, it's just a short description for the back of the book, how hard can it be? 

Um, yeah. How to summarise the story without making it sound dull or too complicated? 

There are no rules, but, I try to include: Character (this is the most important part for me), premise or plot, setting, conflict and a hint at the theme or message of the story (although I don't think it needs to be stated). Then I try to find a creative way to portray this, so it doesn't read like a list.

So how do you start? I cheat. Yep, I do. I grabbed about twenty novels in the same genre (girls' mystery novel) then rewrote their blurb out with my story's information. 

Here's an example changing Trixie Beldon's story to suit mine:

Kitty can't believe she's stuck in this sleepy little town with nothing to do and no friends. Then she enters her miniature schnauzer Spade into the local dog show, and things start to liven up. A lost dog is found, and another stolen, a secret inheritance is revealed and Kitty teams up with an unlikely sleuthing partner. Could all this lead to murder? Maybe living in the country won't be so boring after all!

I didn't stop there. I rewrote at least ten more. By the time I finished this exercise I knew which things were important for me to include, and what could be left out. If the blurb is too long, the reader will lose interest. Then I took the parts I loved, tweaked and merged them and came up with this:

One dog found

One dog stolen

A mysterious will

All this equals murder!

Introducing Kitty Walker and her mischievous dog Spade in the first Dog Show Detective Mystery: 

Twelve-year-old Kitty, friendless bookworm and amateur sleuth. All she wants is to gain her mother's attention, spend time with Spade and avoid Miss Perfect, Jessica Jones. But now she needs Jessica's help to find the owner of a lost dog, hunt down a dognapper and solve a murder!

Can you solve the mystery before Kitty?

And look, I managed to get a list in! What do you think, does it work? Do you like writing blurbs? Any tips on blurb-writing?

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Choosing Your Detective

Romantic Friday Writers provide an interesting writing prompt every month. I try to join in when I can because it's fantastic practice and allows you to get feedback on your stories. This month I was extra-excited because the prompt is:

I love crime novels, especially mysteries. On the Romantic Friday Writers' site, I posted an article about the need for a strong motive in mystery stories. Another essential element is a great detective. Who will solve your crime? Will it be the:

• world-weary detective who's seen it all before;
• young enthusiastic copper, who makes too many mistakes;
• suspended police officer working outside the law;
• criminal only slightly more moral than the perpetrator;
• old lady playing amateur detective; or
• a child or other innocent, now exposed to the harsh truth of life and death?

I've been consuming a lot of kids' mysteries lately and here are some of my favourite child detectives:

Miranda from When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. Beautiful story about friendship. Read a review from 11yr old Milly at Paper Dolls.

Phyllis from Phyllis Wong and the Forgotten Secrets of Mr Okyto. Reviewed at Paper Dolls.

The Masked Avenger in The Amber Amulet by Craig Silvey.

Here is my flash fiction for the prompt Driven to Murder (if you're motivated, feel free to critique for improvement):

Grisly Business

'Think it’s too late Sergeant?' Officer Sarah Camden hurried to catch up as Sergeant John Hart trudged across the gravel parking lot.

He looked up from his extended sigh. 'Too late for what?'

'For the woman sir. I mean, if someone grabbed her between here and the tavern then it was an opportunity attack—not likely they’re keeping her somewhere.'

'Yes, I’d say it’s too late for Donna Locke.'

'Think we’ll turn up something on the CTV cameras?'

'Nah.' John clicked the button on his keyring and the Commodore’s lights flashed once. With his hand on the door he added, 'What we’ll find Camden is that Donna Locke did indeed walk home alone at 2:15am this morning after her friend’s hen’s night and that her walk was relatively uneventful.' He got into the car and shut the door.

Sarah rushed around to her door and scrambled in.

'You don’t think she’s really missing?'

'Oh she’s missing to some, her friends, colleagues, and her children. She’s missing to them.'

'Think she’s pulling a Fairly Arrow Sir?' Referring to the hack pop singer who’d faked her own abduction in the nineties, hoping to gain celebrity status on her 'miraculous' return.

John grunted as he fastened his seatbelt and adjusted the rear-vision mirror. 'That’d be the best outcome. But no, she didn’t strike me as the type.'

Sarah pondered this for a few moments and slapped her knee. 'A lover! Donna Locke met up with a lover and chances are she doesn’t know there’s a search on for her.'

'Hmm, maybe.' John checked over his shoulder and the car rolled out of the lot.

'What? That’s logical.'

'Yeah, except she made no calls. How would this fellow know where to meet her?'

'She jumped in a cab?'

'I’ve got Johnson on that now, don’t reckon it’ll turn anything up. Hope I’m wrong.'

'So if she didn’t get grabbed or take off, why didn’t she make it home?'

John indicated and merged into the traffic. 'That’s just it Camden, experience has developed my gut feeling, and my highly-trained intestines are telling me she did make it home.'

'Then why… the husband?'

'Usually is.'

'You think he killed his wife, dumped the body, then reported her missing?'

John sighed again. Thirty years with Robyn, they’d had a lot of rough ones. Even now there was no knowing if things could be repaired. Still, the act of murdering your spouse? It was just so… final.

'But Sergeant, why’re we putting out a media release to find Donna Locke?'

'Two reasons, I’m hoping to pick up an eye-witness who places Donna entering her apartment around 2:30am, and, because I don’t want Damien Locke to suspect we’re onto him. There’s evidence in that apartment and as long as Locke thinks he’s in the clear, the better the chance he’ll slip up.'

A horn blasted, and a silver Audi zipped around them. Sarah glanced at the speedometer, as usual the Sergeant was driving ten kilometres under the speed limit.

'Sir?'

'Hmm?'

'You think he did it because of the affair?'

John raised an eyebrow at the girl.

'I mean… if there was an affair.'

He shrugged. 'Jealousy or money are the most common motives, although money usually wins out.'

Sarah opened her mouth to speak again a few times, but the deep furrows across his forehead and the weariness in his eyes stopped her. 

They pulled into the station car park.

'Grisly business Sir.'

'It always is.'

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Writing for Reluctant Readers (and getting them to read!), Part One

I wrote My Zombie Dog with reluctant readers in mind. I had plenty in my classroom to motivate me. I wanted to share with you all the advice and help I've found for reluctant readers. There is so much information available, I've split this into two posts, here is part one:

Children's literacy is important to me. Although I was an early reader devouring adult novels from a young age, I'm well aware that many kids struggle to catch on to the reading bug. There can be many reasons for this, but I've come across many kids who don't read because they feel they're not very good at it (which could stem from not enough practice or from a reading/literacy/sight disorder). Nobody enjoys pursuing activities they're not good at. This can be a bit of a cycle when more practice can help improve reading technique and lead towards reading enjoyment, but lack of interest/enjoyment leads to not practicing.

If you want to write for reluctant readers (and they're not just boys), or you want to find suitable books for your reluctant reader, here are some suggestions I've found valuable:

Fast paced books

Kids want stuff to happen in their books. Not just metaphorical stuff, thinking, planning, reflecting--they want the protagonist to DO stuff. Take action, make things happen. How many scenes involve the main character running? Really running for their life?

Daniel X by James Patterson - kid gets gut-shot. I know, you think this is disturbing, but this kid is an alien with super-healing powers and boys just love the fighting action in this novel.

Humour

Who doesn't like to laugh? The best part is kids like all sorts of humour. If you don't think you can come up with the witty one-liners, try some slapstick humour. There are rules to writing humour (you want your character to sound funny, not cruel). If you want more tips on funny characters, see a previous post J is for Jester.
The Fourth Stall by Chris Rylander is a parody of The Godfather. I like this concept because kids get a funny story, but are introduced to a more advanced story.

Mystery

I've found this usually appeals to girls more than boys. They like a story they can solve before the protagonist does. The Maggie Brooklyn Mystery series books are short, easy to solve and have dogs in them. Kids like dogs.

Familiarity

Most avid readers wouldn't dream of watching the film before reading the book, but for kids who find novels daunting, previous knowledge of the plot, character intentions, and even visual aids for setting, can help them settle into a novel. Although Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton may be a bit advanced for most kids, you can now get action series books set in the world of Jurassic Park. Watch the film, then read the book?

Short chapters

Keeping chapters short and using chapter numbers (not just titles) allows kids to quickly progress through the story and be able to measure their success ('Wow, I'm up to Chapter 7 already!'). James Patterson is a master at this technique.

Short Stories
This can be a great way to introduce kids to reading without the commitment of a full novel. My kids both loved Chris Priestley's Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror. Short and scary is a good combination! (You can read their review at Paper Dolls)

Now you've just got to get them to read...

Novalties

Lenny's World covered an awesome program involving kids reading to dogs. Specially trained dogs listen to kids reading books. Reading aloud helps a child develop their reading skills, as it's easy to miss words when you read to yourself. To save kids the anguish of reading in front of a parent or teacher, try getting them to read to their pet. Dogs don't judge.

Visit Lenny's post here: Reading To Dogs

Alice in Zombieland might give the dog nightmares Matilda!

I'll have lots more tips on writing for reluctant readers (and getting them to read) next week in part two! Do you have any reluctant readers at home? Any tips on how you trick/coerce/bribe them to read?

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10 Best Writing Workbooks

You can get great books on the craft of writing and learn to write a novel at home, but there's so many, how do you pick? My favourites are the workbooks providing exercises to try yourself. Here are the top ten workbooks for writing that I couldn't do without:

Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook by Donald Maass

You could write your whole novel with this workbook. Now don't be confused, there are two releases under this title. Writing the Breakout Novel is probably a good book too, but I prefer the workbook. It's condensed on the chapter lengths but has the added bonus of exercises for you to complete.

Steering the Craft by Ursula Le Guin

At first glance this seems like a run of the mill how-to book on writing. Nope. Le Guin has a magical way with words that transcends her fiction and makes a technical book a pleasure to read. She tackles the usual devices for good writing, but goes beyond and looks at elements that make beautiful writing. For example, her first chapter is on the sound of your writing and includes an exercise titled: 'Being Gorgeous'. It's not all airy-fairy though, you will cover punctuation, syntax, sentence length as well as some fun things like repetition, switching your point of view and using adverbs and adjectives (come on, we could all use some improvement with those). Her examples come from some of the greatest writers. I could read this book again and again.

The Writing Book: A Workbook for Fiction Writers by Kate Greenville

I use some of these exercises in my writing group. The book's a bit wordy for my short attention span, but good if you just use one section at a time (each section looks at a writing skill, such as dialogue, character, description, etc). The topic is explained, examples given and then you are asked to try your hand at writing with a guided exercise.

Don't Forget to Write: For the Secondary Grades by 826 National

Created by an amazing writing centre for young people, this workbook offers lesson plans for high school teachers wanting to offer their students some amazing creative and persuasive writing workshops. You don't have to be a teacher to use it, try the exercises yourself. There is also a Don't Forget to Write: for the Elementary Grades, if you've got some younger writers at home (5-12yrs).

The Art and Science of Light Bulb Moments by Tom Evans

Evans is an amazing speaker, just look for him on YouTube and you'll find many interviews. This is a writing manual with a difference, it's not about technique it's about sparking amazing creativity and ideas. You'll get amazing exercises but also find out the psychological or scientific reason these exercises work for us. Even simple acts like breathing can inspire creativity and kick start our imagination. 

The Artist's Way Workbook by Julia Cameron

Whenever there's a workbook available for a text, I'll just buy that. This is great to get you living the creative life rather than making small slots of time for creativity. Do the exercises even if they feel silly--my experience has always been the tasks I'm reluctant to try always harvest the best results. Each week you'll be assigned small tasks to promote creativity.

Specialist Subjects: 

Writing and Selling your Mystery Novel by Hallie Ephron

I'm still working my way through this workbook but it is perfect if you're writing a… well mystery obviously. Learn all the tropes and gain an insight into the necessary structure of a well-planned crime novel. There are charts for you to fill in and exercises that will take you right through the planning stages.

The Writer's Guide to Crafting Stories for Children by Nancy Lamb

This book is such a good guide it could be helpful for writing any kind of novel, but does offer a lot of insight into the children and YA book market. Find out exactly what kids expect from fiction. The text was suggested to me during a writing course I took and I'm glad to have discovered it.

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Workbook by Betty Edwards

I know what you're thinking: 'But this is an artist's workbook!' Yes it is, and trust me, I'm no artist, however, drawing inspires creativity. Try a drawing exercise right before you sit down to work on your manuscript. There's something about allowing the pencil to flow over the page that helps release the words.

Adventures in Fantasy by John Gust

Another resource for the classroom but just as good for adults. This book is a whole workshop starting with planning your fantasy setting map to filling the world with characters and conflicts. Great for someone setting out to write their first Fantasy novel. There's lots of sheets to print or copy, so I recommend getting the physical book rather than the ebook version.

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Crime - Truth and Fiction Exercise

My favourite crime show!

My writing centre (QWC) and the talented Meg Vann hosted another amazing writer's workshop - Research for Crime Fiction. This one was made even more special by the setting - The Queensland Police Headquarters, which hosts the Qld Police Museum. What a perfect place to study crime research!

All writers went along with a brief outline of the crime novel they would like to work on. My crime fiction is Warracknabeal Kids: 

In the summer of 1939, a freak fire tore through the Warracknabeal Racetrack, destroying the decrepit clubhouse, but nothing else. This was suspicious enough, as the insurance payout would fund a much needed rebuild. When the town scallywag, 13yr old Harry Conner, finds a dead body in the burnt-out ruins, there's no doubt this is foul play. But the body disappears and no one believes him, not even his father, the local sergeant. Harry is on his own solving this case and he's wondering if it has anything to do with his own mother's disappearance two years ago. Perhaps his father knows more than he's saying. Meanwhile, across Victoria, the state is experiencing the worst bush fires it has ever seen.

My story was inspired by learning the clubhouse really did burn down in 1939 and the circumstances were suspicious (locals said the insurance payout was the most luck that track had ever seen). I decided to add a body and a town full of quirky characters. Real life provides plenty of prompts for murder mysteries, just watch the news or read the papers. But if a real crime inspires you, how can you go about using it for a novel without offending people involved?

One exercise we tried was to mix up events, characters and locations from different eras and crimes. We walked around the Police Museum taking note of the crimes and artifacts that interested us. This is something you could try using online resources for your news articles. Here's the steps we took and my responses:

1. Choose one person (victim, investigator, witness, etc) and record three details about that person: Eileen O'Donnell was one of the first women officers in Queensland, joining the force in 1931. She was good at catching bag snatchers. Women could not make arrests, but mostly did typing or chaperoning male officers when they arrested young women.
2. Choose one setting and record three details (from a different source): A vet surgery was the setting for Brisbane's notorious cat-lady murder. Found inside was the body and blood samples from two people, one belonging to the victim. Smell of ammonia and cat urine. Smooth linoleum floors. Very violent struggle.
3. Choose one incident/event: 1977 string of rapes and murders. Victim found in apartment by boyfriend. He had been at night classes at local TAFE before discovering the body.

The next step is to change any names (people and locations) and mix the elements together for a story idea. This is what I came up with:

   'Step back love, don't want to taint the crime scene.' Officer Robert Hacker put an arm out in front of officer Joyce Malloy, as if protecting her from stepping into traffic. 

   He'd already warned her several times on the way to this scene that it might be brutal and she could wait in the car if her stomach wasn't up to it.

   Joyce let out a 'humph' and stepped around Hacker's arm. She'd been on the force since 31. Her and Louise the first women officers in Queensland. Five years. Hacker had not yet served six months and he was giving her orders. 

   In her time on the force she'd seen robberies, assaults, wife-beatings, but, as she peered into the doorway of the veterinarian's office, she acknowledged she'd never seen anything this bad. Through the stench of feces and urine wafted ammonia, and in crates cats howled for release.

   Joyce stepped over the dead woman's extended arm, taking care not to tread in the glossy dark blood spread across the otherwise dull linoleum. 

   Another one dead. Women in men's professions. This one a vet, the last a lawyer. The knife used to rip the life from the deceased left by the body, just as the report had said about the previous victim.

   'Woah, you're a bit keen there Joyce.' Robert stomped in and for a moment almost lost his balance, slipping in the menacing fluid.

   He looked down, up at Joyce, back down, then threw up over the body.

Think you'll give this a try? It's a worthwhile exercise, you never know what you'll end up with!

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D is for Detectives

My last post was on chaos and that might be appropriate, because today is detectives and the good ones have this uncanny ability of being able to tune out the chaos, the static noise and busyness to focus on a single point, a clue.

I love detective stories and most of my novels have a mystery to solve involving clues. At the moment I'm editing the first book in the Dog Show Detective series called DOGNAPPED? In this mystery series, 12 yr old Kitty, with the help of her mischievous mini schnauzer called Spade, solves the mysteries that come her way. You'd be surprised how many times a young girl can be involved in a murder mystery (especially in small country towns, happens all the time). Here's my favourite detectives, which ones are yours?

1. Dexter. Dark, disturbing, deadly Dexter. I'm enjoying the books and love the tv series (they're quite different except for the premise and characters). Dexter is a serial killer, but he's a good guy, he has a code - only kill people who are... serial killers.
2. Columbo. I just loved this show. He was so clumsy, ragged and had no social skills. But boy, his 'one last thing' was always a showstopper.
3. Miss Marple. Old and frail, but incredibly quick witted.
4. House. The Sherlock Holmes of today, with Wilson as his Watson. House is not a people person. He is selfish and rude. No mysterious illness can stump him.
5. Harry Dresden. I have the audiobooks for The Dresden Files, Sam Spade style detective, only, more of a coward and he's also a wizard with a few enemies.
6. Christopher Boone. Christopher is a 15yr old boy who decides to solve the mystery of the death of the neighbors dog. He is a mathematical wiz and able to analyze all the clues, he's also autistic.
7. Castle. Alright, I just think he's yummy.
8. Trixie Beldon. Childhood favourite. Trixie is a teen tomboy who solves lots of mysteries with her best friends and brothers. For some reason I could never warm to Nancy Drew.

Click here to visit the source for this pic

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Ready, Set... What was I saying?

NaNoWriMo has begun! Actually it began on the 1st of November, but I was having issues deciding which story to begin. After running through all the possibilities, I decided to go with my original idea of book 2 in the Dog Show Detective series.

Kitty Walker continues to chase those elusive show ribbons with her best friend, Miniature Schnauzer, 'Spade'. Unfortunately, Spade happens to be the worst show dog ever. While Kitty tries to mend Spade's naughty ways through obedience school, she stumbles upon another mystery. Someone is breaking into the cars of the obedience school members while they are busy on the field. Things escalate to house break ins. It starts to become obvious that one of the obedience school members are responsible for these thefts. But who? 

Surely not Kitty's mother? 

Mrs Walker tries to prove her own innocence, after all, Kitty is banned from solving mysteries after she put her life at risk when got involved in the last mystery. Sadly Mrs Walker is as bad at detecting as Spade is at dog showing. Ultimately, Mrs Walker will need Kitty's help, especially since the crimes have escalated from theft to murder.

Day two, I've managed 1632 words. Opening with a show, Spade nicks a scarf off the judge and makes her chase him around the ring until he gets bored. Now Spade has been sentenced to dog obedience school or his showing future is over.

Schroeder, my less naughty, more sooky Miniature Schnauzer

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6 Great Tips for Generating Ideas for Your Novel

After seeing I had over 80 books I've listened to in my audiobook list, I decided I would revisit some. Being in a learning mood, I chose Dwight Swain, after all, the cover claims he is a 'Master' writing teacher!

The audiobook covers the process of creating a novel, and I found Mr Swain had some good points on ideas. Here are Dwight Swain's (Master Writing Teacher) advice on ideas:

1. If students came to Mr Swain with the complaint that they just didn't have any ideas, he would take a screwdriver from his drawer, go over to the door, remove the doorknob and hand it to the pained writer. Then he would tell them they could not leave the room until they have come up with ten ways to murder someone with the doorknob. By the time they leave, they have the ability to come up with new ideas.
2. Get yourself a long list of bad ideas, because sooner or later a good one will surface.
3. When you find one you like, write as many plot points that you could use for this idea, don't worry if some are just silly.
4. Ask yourself, will this idea have enough angles to carry a novel length book?
5. Choose an idea that really hooks you, not just one you think people would buy. Keeping momentum for a whole novel is hard enough, so, you better have an idea that turns you on.
6. Keep in mind, a story is the record of how somebody deals with danger. Danger is anything that threatens happiness, and, happiness is not the same thing for everyone.

So, I've got to come up with seven more ways to murder someone with a doorknob (and one of mine might only maim).

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Everyone's A Suspect

You all look suspicious!

I've been praising the humble notebook as a writer's most important tool when you're on the go. Mine has had quite a work-out. In 7 Tips to a Writer's Year I told you I won't be allowed to start any new writing projects until I have my current manuscripts edited. Now I am allowed to write a little in my notebook each day, things like ideas, dialogues I overhear or writing exercises.

Real life has in it's own beautifully arty way, managed to provide me with plenty of new material. I'm a mystery lover and enjoy the challenge of working out an intricate mystery plot. Now I have been exposed to a real mystery.

Summer holidays has ended and our high schoolers were due to come back on Monday. But. On Saturday morning there was a fire at our school and our Canteen and toilet blocks were burnt down. This is disappointing and a little sad (especially if it turns out to be a teen from our small community), however it also provided some insight into the characters I work with. Our  teachers have pulled together and managed to get all our new year 7s introduced to high school life, with the aid of a local church as premises (we can not use the actual school site until it is deemed safe for the students).

The kids have had loads of activities, including swim school, English and Music quizzes and I even got to 'perform' a Spanish class for about 90 students at once. It might have seemed like a problem, but turned out to be a bonus. The kids got very hyped and enthused, possibly because of the size of their crowd and the new kids have had a chance to bond with teachers in a friendly environment.

I had my notebook handy and was constantly scribbling any updates about the fire and the investigation's findings (according to most thriller movies, doesn't that make me a suspect?). Dismissing teens-up-to-misadventure, I came to find several teachers wanted the canteen torn down years ago because of asbestos. Hmmm. And what if (my pet phrase) the motive wasn't to burn down the canteen, but to hide a more sinister crime, or, if the culprit needed the school to be empty on a particular day because they found a map for buried treasure on the site, or there would be an international spy meeting and they didn't want anyone to recognise 006 AKA Elvis Presley. But, what if it was actually a travelling arsonist just passing through Yass with a shady past?

Motive can turn up anywhere.

So, you see why I can view this as a blessing disguised as a slight disaster. We will have temporary facilities put in place until our amenities can be replaced, it's been a bonding experience, and, there are schools in Queensland that were so badly flooded that I imagine they won't be opening for a while. It just depends how you look at it. Our Deputy Principal had a great saying at our last meeting:

Happiness is a decision you make in advance.

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Christie's Classroom for Murder

Most of my fiction contains a murder - murder most foul. As a teen I loved going to the cinema to see Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot solve Agatha Christie's murders. So, when I was recently looking for an audiobook to keep me company on a long drive, I decided to revisit Christie and downloaded And Then There Were None.

Not all Christie mysteries are created equal, this thrilling story was the best I've come across. It surprised me (and that's not easy - there's not many plots I haven't already come across before). Right to the end I kept guessing the culprit, and then re-evaluating my conclusion when that suspect would turn up dead. It was suspense at its best and brightest.

Agatha Christie was shunned by my Feminist Literature lecturer at Uni. Why? Just not literary enough - she was likened to the Mills and Boons of mystery. So what? Sometimes I want a plot. Agatha gave good plot. Her stories are told simply and her writing style does not get in the way of the story. I think this was a big lesson for me - stop trying to prove you can write well and just get on with the story. Her novels are also so well planned, they'd have to be to carry the complicated lines of suspects, victims and red herrings. 

The next audiobook I listened to was The Crooked House and Christie was also masterful in her story-weaving with this one. You follow the clues and just can not guess the murderer, and yet, at the end, the culprit is the only logical choice. This is the way murder mysteries should be told.

I'm excited about rediscovering Christie and I've just downloaded her book about her story-writing for my Kindle:

Now I'm off to read and research!

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Writing Animal Characters

One of my latest reads has been Dog On It, a mystery series by Spencer Quinn, featuring the detective duo, Chet and Bernie. The narrative is told in first person by the point of view of Chet. Chet is Bernie's dog.

Telling the story from the pet's point of view has been done before, but has the potential to be too cheesy. Chet wouldn't mind, he likes cheese. But, this book does not become corny, thankfully Quinn resists any urge to have animals carry on conversations with each other.

I write dogs. In Dog Show Detective my mystery-solving duo are 12yr old Kitty Walker and her Miniature Schnauzer, Spade. I love dogs, watch dogs and feel I know dogs pretty darn well. I try to capture the character of my dog's size, breed and individual personality. Too often, I read stories where the dog is just 'there', loitering on the pages and yapping occasionally (or worse, saying 'woof'!). Quinn has captured the essence of the dog perfectly utilising Chet's strengths (good sense of smell, strongly loyal, and, can take a bite when necessary) and his weaknesses (memory gets a bit foggy and events get blurred, plus, he has no will power when it comes to food - or urinating on interesting objects).

Quinn captures the dialogue of a dog perfectly: "I hopped out and trotted around, lifting my leg on some of those spiky bushes and a round rock with a flat rock sitting on top of it - couldn't ignore something like that."

The mystery is interesting enough to carry the story (this one is about a missing girl) and I loved it enough that I'm currently reading Thereby Hangs a Tail (the next mystery in the series).

Tonight I fly to Brisbane, I'm a nervous flyer, so I've packed lots to do on my short 1hr40min flight. I've got my Kindle (my Chet and Bernie mystery waiting on it), a book on Mystery Writing, audiobooks on my iPod and various snacks. It will be worth it. Tomorrow I'll be attending the CYA Conference at the Brisbane Writers Festival - I'll try to take lots of pics and notes to share with you all!

stay calm, stay calm, stay calm...

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13 Best Links for Mystery Writers

I like to write mysteries and have accumulated some great links from many websites and blogs - here are my favourite:

1.  Tips and Reviews of Mystery Writing Books:

http://www.squidoo.com/writing_whodunit_mystery

2.  Story Structure for your Mystery Novel:

http://nicolafurlong.com/blog/2010/05/how-to-write-a-mystery-novel-–-2-story-structure-key-elements/

3.  Every villain needs a motive - read about popular motives and how to use them:

http://clancytales.blogspot.com/2010/04/m-is-motive.html

4.  Mystery Plot Formula:

http://ticket2write.tripod.com/mysplot.html

5.  The Mystery Writing Checklist:

http://mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com/2008/10/mystery-writing-checklist.html

6.  Types of clues and how to use them:
http://www.writing-world.com/mystery/clues.shtml

7.  Choosing the Point of View:
http://sylviadickeysmithbooks.wordpress.com/2009/12/07/point-of-view-defined/

8.  10 Rules for the Classic Detective Story:
http://www.sherlockandwatson.com/how%20to%20write%20the%20classic%20detective%20mystery%20novel.html

9.  Not enough? 20 Rules for Detective Stories:
http://gaslight.mtroyal.ca/vandine.htm

10. Mysteries often have several plot lines - learn how to keep track of them:

http://howtoplanwriteanddevelopabook.blogspot.com/2009/11/finding-your-storys-pathways-art-of.html

11. Mysteries by Kids:
http://kids.mysterynet.com/writing/

12. 10 Tips for your Mystery Novel:
http://www.poewar.com/mystery/

13. Not sure where to start? Check out this clip for ideas:

Happy writing!

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