Mysteries with a Southern Accent
Crazy for Words is mystery author, Heather Weidner's blog on writing, reading, and anything that catches her interest.
Front: Maggie King and Vivian Lawry Back: Heather Weidner, Fiona Quinn, and Rosemary Shomaker
Rosie and a Friend
We had a really nice time at the Hanover Book Festival yesterday. Rosie Shomaker and Fiona Quinn led our workshop, "Anatomy of a Mystery," and we signed lots of copies of Virginia is for Mysteries. It is always nice to talk to so many mystery readers and writers!
Anatomy of a Mystery with Rosie and Fiona
It's going to rain tomorrow in Central Virginia. Come out and see the Virginia is for Mystery Authors at the Hanover Book Festival at Liberty Christian School (8094 Liberty Circle in Mechanicsville, VA) from 10 AM - 2 PM.
We are hosting a workshop on "The Anatomy of a Mystery," and we'll be there to sign books. Stop in and see Fionna Quinn, Vivian Lawry, Teresa Inge, Maggie King, Rosemary Shomaker, and me.
I downloaded the International Thrill Writers' anthology, Faceoff, edited by David Baldacci. Most anthologies have some sort of theme. This one is interesting because it pairs multiple writers and their protagonists in each story. It also introduced me to several new-to-me authors, and I look forward to reading their novels.
My favorites included Dennis Lehane and Michael Connelly's "Red Eye," set in Boston. Both characters are looking for the same kidnapper. One is because of a recent abduction, and the other is chasing a lead from a cold case in California. Steve Martini and Linda Fairstein's characters meet at a lawyers' conference in "Surfing the Panther." I also liked the twist in Heather Graham and F. Paul Wilson's "Infernal Night," set in New Orleans. "Pit Stop" by Raymond Khoury and Linwood Barclay encapsulates an action-packed car-jacking in the limited space of a short story. I also liked "Good and Valuable Consideration" by Lee Child and Joseph Finder. Jack Reacher stories are always a great read.
And the beauty of a short story anthology is that if you don't like a particular story, you can always move on to the next one. There is something in Faceoff for all tastes.
A critique group can help you refine your writing and get your manuscript ready for publication. The support and ideas are invaluable. But it does take some courage to put your writing out there for comments and criticism. You also need to be in the mindset to take the criticism and improve your manuscript.
Find a group that fits your work style and genre. Some are virtual (online), and others are in person. Mine meets monthly at a local library. We have six to nine authors who attend regularly. It may help if you can ask to visit before you join or submit your work to get an understanding of the rules, conventions, and group dynamics.
Make sure you know the rules. In our group, there has to be at least two submissions in order to have the monthly meeting. We also don't require members to submit something each month.
We make notes about grammatical and formatting issues and give them to the owner. We don't spend the group's discussion time talking about commas. Also, if someone mentions an issue that others noted, they jump in when it is first discussed, so we don't have to repeat items that have already been mentioned.
I like that my group has a good mix of published and pre-published writers. There is also a good balance between readers and writers. Our group started out with all female members, but we're now more gender and age diverse. That's helpful because we get a variety of opinions and ideas.
Don't take the criticism personally. The goal is to offer help to improve your writing. You're there to listen and learn, not to defend your work against every comment. And in the end, they are all opinions. If you really don't agree with something, don't use it.
I am very fortunate that my group focuses on mysteries and crime stories. The critiques are more valuable when the group members know the conventions of the genre. They also offer connections and advice that help writers at all stages of their careers.
You need to make sure that you're contributing to the group. Make the time to do serious critiques/reviews of their submissions. It takes some effort, but the advice has been invaluable for me.
My group is supportive. We help each other with marketing, social media, book launches, and technology. And we celebrate each other's successes!
We launched Virginia is for Mysteries last January. Since then, we've done quite a few book signings, panels, and presentations for our anthology. Here's what I've learned...
1. Always have lots of pens and give-aways with you. I had my only pen dry up at our book launch.
2. Stand up at your signings. It makes you look more approachable. I learned this from Lisa Scottoline at the Virginia Festival of the Book.
3. Always bring candy, and it should be chocolate. Thanks, Mary Burton for the tip.
4. Create a supply bag. Include tape, pens, camera, bookmarks, business cards, and anything else you could need.
5. If you're in a large room and you wear makeup, you may want to go with darker colors, so the folks in the back can see you.
6. Ladies, paint your nails. Everyone is looking at your hands.
7. When you schedule a signing, always ask about the location. We did an outside venue in January. And even though they had a heated tent, it was freezing.
8. Even if someone else is selling your books, keep a box with you. We had two signings where the bookstores ran out.
9. Always have something to give away. Print bookmarks, postcards, or business cards with your social media contacts. Don't forget to put your ISBN# on your materials.
10. I bought a fold-up handcart on Amazon. It's great if you're toting boxes of books to different venues.
Happy Book Signings!
I just finished Claire Cook's Must Love Dogs: New Leash on Life. This is the sequel to her fun book about dating, life, and dog ownership.
The crazy Hurlihy family is back for more adventures. This time, the narrator and preschool teacher, Sarah is in a new relationship with a dream guy who has just one problem. His dog doesn't like her. If that wasn't enough, her home has been invaded her brother Michael who is recently separated. He moves in with Sarah and moons over his loss as he tends to stalk his wife in her new husbandless life.
The adventures begin when the ex-wife takes the kids to her parents in Savannah and cuts off all contact. The Hurhihy kids jump in with a spontaneous trip to help Michael woo back his ex-wife. Chaos ensues. But there is a second (or third chance) for everyone.
Claire Cook's books are great summer reads. Add this one to the beach or pool bag.
Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather Weidner has been a mystery fan since Scooby Doo and Nancy Drew. She currently lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers.
Heather writes the Delanie Fitzgerald mystery series for readers who like humorous mysteries with a strong, female sleuth.
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