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! 
Enjoy the journey!
Mysterious Issues Blog
Chronicling the process and fun of writing my first full length mystery
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byMy 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:
Help With Your Writing
These websites are great resources for all aspects of writing a mystery. Take time to explore and enjoy!
Mystery Writers of America - Home Page
The source page is a GREAT source of info. Take y more...1 point
Mystery Net.com: Online mysteries, mystery games, mystery books
Fun source of online mysteries1 point
Cluelass.com
Good info about writers in the genre0 points
The Lab: Home Page
Great info on those nagging questions about dead b more...0 points
DorothyL - The Official Website
Welcome to the official web site for the mystery l more...0 points
Sisters In Crime
Sisters in Crime, the world-wide organization for more...0 points
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.
Check out my art on Etsy
Enjoy a Fountain Pen Yourself!
Cross Century II Medalist Fountain Pen with Polished Chrome and 23 Karat Gold Plated Appointments and 23 Karat Gold Plated Nib - Medium
Amazon Price: $77.50 (as of 11/25/2009) 
Cross Century II Black Fountain Pen with 23 Karat Gold Plated Appointments and 23 Karat Gold Plated Nib - Medium
Amazon Price: $76.00 (as of 11/25/2009)
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
Detectives: Old Time Radio Shows (Orginal Radio Broadcasts)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/25/2009)
Mystery: Old Time Radio Shows (Orginal Radio Broadcasts)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/25/2009)
The Shadow (3-Hour Collectors' Editions)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/25/2009)
Whistler
Amazon Price: $8.98 (as of 11/25/2009)
Suspense
Amazon Price: (as of 11/25/2009)
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
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
Here is your source for realistic mystery writing0 points
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
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
Learn how police work. Especially good is the sect more...0 points
My Favorite Mysteries
Okay, so I'm a bit biased. I like the classics. Here are a few of my favorites.
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
- 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
ArtByUs.com Art Auctions - Buy and Sell Fine Art, Original Oil Paintings, Watercolor Paintings, Acrylic Paintings, ArtThere are no current listings for this seller. Please visit ArtByUs.com Art Auctions for other great artists!
Sites For Writers
Good sources of info and fun for mystery writers
What Do You Think?
Be kind. We creative types can be sensitive. Thanks for looking!
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Reply
- SaraMu SaraMu Aug 5, 2009 @ 11:53 am
- So many great resources and links. Thanks for the lens; it's a nice guide to mystery writing.
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Reply
- Andan Andan Mar 29, 2009 @ 4:49 am
- Hi Chris, thank you for your very enthusiastic lens. I hope things go well on the way to your first mystery book!
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Reply
- ElizabethJeanAllen ElizabethJeanAllen Mar 11, 2009 @ 7:10 pm
- My first book, My Mother's Shoes, was released in Sept. 2008. It was and still is a thrill beyond belief. I love writing mysteries and I like to make people laugh. With My Mother's Shoes, I did both.
Keep writing!
Lizzy
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Reply
- Ramkitten Ramkitten Dec 9, 2008 @ 11:17 pm
- I'm glad you commented on my "Hiking Writer" lens, because now I've found yours. I'm new to this world of Squidoo but am impressed at all of the excellent writing and information. I'll be back to read more of yours. Thanks! Deb
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Reply
- Lee_Emory Lee_Emory Aug 25, 2008 @ 9:21 pm
- This is a really nice lens. You've put together some very helpful information here. When you get the chance, please stop by my lens and say hello.
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- weborglodge
- aka weborglodge
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- Just published my latest Suite 101 article on planting mosses in your garden. Looking forward to the end of winter. http://ow.ly/F0FO
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- Still time to get a commissioned original watercolor. DM me for details.
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- Finished planning my estimated taxes for next year. That was a job. Always enlightening to know how much I pay in taxes.
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- My latest article on environmental issues associated w/farming. http://ow.ly/EkpZ
"Writing well mean never having to say, 'I guess you had to be there."
-Jef Mallett, Frazz
by wayfarer
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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