Writing My First Mystery

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 9 people | Log in to rate

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The Process

I've learned a lot from the experience, not just about writing but about people.  When one writes, one is creating another world.  You populate it with personalities, give the town and people a history, and make it come to life.  It's a fascinating process.  No longer do you ignore the old guy sitting at the end of the bar, reading a book.  He's a potential character.  Can't stand a co-worker?  Put her in your book and tell her off.  The possibilities are endless. 

Want to be inspired to write?  Tell people you're writing.  Call yourself a writer and soon you'll be thinking of yourself as a writer.  And don't forget to create your own lens telling everyone about it!  Check out my lens

Enjoy the journey!

Mysterious Issues Blog 

Chronicling the process and fun of writing my first full length mystery

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My Take on Writing Books 

A lesson I learned early on was to keep a notebook with me at all times. You just never know when the muse will whisper in your ear. Your job; be prepared. There's a certain romance about using the same type of notebook that Hemingway used. I like his work. The story of his expatriate time in France is very romantic. I suppose that was why I chose a Moleskine Large Ruled Notebook for my primary notebook. I like the spacing of the lines. Not too wide. Not too small. The elastic closure is a godsend. Though I've cut down, I'll still stick the odd piece of paper in my notebook for further exploration. The closure assures me I'll find it when I need it. The size is good too. The 250-page notebook should be plenty for my book. Easy to have just one notebook per project than several.

The large notebook is for home. When I'm on the road or just out and about doing errands, I carry the Moleskine Small Ruled Notebook with me. There have been many a time that I was glad to pull it out of my purse when an interesting idea or character came to mind. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that I'd be lost without my notebooks.

My rating:

Why Write 

Updates on the process of creating my mystery

I can remember early on that I wanted to write. In fact, I have a box of journals, filled with unfinished stories, blurbs of conversation, thoughts that must have been poignant at the time. I came across one of them when I started my current work-in-progress. The story was compelling. I only wish I knew where I had intended to go with it.

Because my mystery is set in the past, I do all of my note-taking with a fountain pen. It's advantageous for one in that the easy flow of ink makes writing easy. It also puts me in the mood for another time. One author of how-to books actually recommended such a pen. For my part, I certainly wouldn't use anything else.

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My First Book 

Actually, my husband and I are already published authors. We self-published our first book, 101 Things To Do on the Wisconsin Great River Road. The first time we drove this scenic byway, we fell in love with its scenery and the charm. We wanted to tell the world about our find.

Our next book is going to be "How to Invest Thousands in the Publishing World and Make Hundreds in Return". All kidding aside, we learned a great deal through by self-publishing. While I wouldn't be quick to recommend it as a way to see your work in print, there is a lot to be said for having total freedom on a project.

My husband also continues to write. Rather than self-publishing, he is working with the on-demand side of things, using CafePress. Again, there is enormous freedom, if that's important to you. What's more, there is no cost to you. There's not a lot of money in it, but if marketed properly you'll do okay. He was fortunate to have a ready audience. He wrote his book for himself, to tell his story about his legacy. Check it out. Underground Legacy

Old Time Radio 

I rediscovered this old time mysteries recently. I was immediately taken in with the tense dialogue and plethora of mysteries. These mysteries require attention, and therefore a more active participation of one's imagination. I find them incredibly useful for studying dialogue and for help on how to create suspense. Enjoy!

The Shadow (3-Hour Collectors' Editions)

Amazon Price: (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

Whistler

Amazon Price: $8.98 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

Suspense

Amazon Price: (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

More Help With Your Writing 

These books have proven to be incredibly helpful in the process of writing from how to do it to resources to get it right.

The Weekend Novelist Writes A Mystery by Robert J. Ray

The Weekend Novelist Writes A Mystery by Robert J. Ray

For those that need a plan for how to write their more...1 point

Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation, Seventh Edition by Barry A. J. Fisher

Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation, Seventh Edition by Barry A. J. Fisher

Here is your source for realistic mystery writing0 points

Crime Scene Investigation and Reconstruction (2nd Edition) by Robert R. Ogle

Crime Scene Investigation and Reconstruction (2nd Edition) by Robert R. Ogle

Another excellent source of technical info for wri more...0 points

Scene of the Crime: A Writer's Guide to Crime-Scene Investigations (Howdunit Series) by Anne Wingate

Scene of the Crime: A Writer's Guide to Crime-Scene Investigations (Howdunit Series) by Anne Wingate

What happens after death in layman terms? This is more...0 points

Police Procedural: A Writer's Guide to the Police and How They Work (Howdunit) by Russell Bintliff

Police Procedural: A Writer's Guide to the Police and How They Work (Howdunit) by Russell Bintliff

Learn how police work. Especially good is the sect more...0 points

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My Favorite Mysteries 

Okay, so I'm a bit biased. I like the classics. Here are a few of my favorites.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

A classic. Period1 point

Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

In a class of its own. What a fun read!1 point

Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

Not technically a mystery but a puzzle to be solve more...0 points

The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie

Not a Poirot or Miss Marple mystery, this one is a more...0 points

Bone Harvest by Mary Logue

Having written my own book about the Wisconsin Gre more...0 points

A Superior Death by Nevada Barr

Barr creates a spooky atmosphere for this North Co more...0 points

Death in a White Tie by Ngaio Marsh

Marsh's characters are developed and complex. Her more...0 points

"You get ideas from daydreaming. You get ideas from being bored. You get ideas all the time. The only difference between writers and other people is we notice when we're doing it."

-Neil Gaiman

Other Lens I've Created 

Creativity often finds many outlets. Here are a few of mine.
Artwork by Weborg Lodge Studio
When I'm not writing, I'm painting. Here is a lens about my work
Keeping It Green
Conservation is a passion of mine. This lens explores different aspects of this topic.
Weborg Lodge Studio
The website of Weborg Lodge Studio, my business for display and selling of my original artwork.
How Not To Be A Starving Artist
A work in progress. Sharing what I've learned about the business of selling my art. Emphasis on online selling
My Cat, Sophie
My little helper at the computer and inspiration for paintings and musings
Fitness For Life
The chronicle of my journey on the road to wellness. Fitness and nutrition info
Door County, Wisconsin
One of my favorite places ever and inspiration for my art.

My Art On ArtByUs 

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"Writing well mean never having to say, 'I guess you had to be there."


-Jef Mallett, Frazz

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My name is Chris. I am a Minnesota artist, specializing in watercolor landscapes of the North Country. Weborg Lodge combines two of my passions - pain...

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