Procrastination

Today has been one of those days. Not sure why but I've started this blog post four times now, each time with a different subject. And, it's taken me only 2 1/2 hours to get this far.

I've read a couple other blogs, caught up in a discussion group, chatted with my mom by instant message, google chatted with another writer and even made a few notes on another idea for a story.

One of the things most writers have in common is procrastination. So, help a fellow writer out and share your cure for procrastination.

Me, I'm going to turn off Instant Message, set my status as busy at google chat and apply the BIC method. Hopefully, I'll make some progress.

Link Salad

Remember, become one of the first 25 followers and be entered in a drawing for a free book.

I've got an autographed copy of The Tomb by F. Paul Wilson, The Writer's Digest Handbook of Magazine Article Writing (hardcover) and an "uncorrected proof, limited edition of Lifelines by CJ Lyons for you to pick from.

Here's some things to check out.

Pen to Press Retreat - Spend a week working on your manuscript with best selling authors and pitching to NY agents and editors. I'm registered and looking forward to learning from some of the best.

Hillerman Mystery Novel Contest - got a mystery novel set in the southwest then you might be interested in this. Winner gets a nice advance and a published novel.

Do you blog? Here's an interesting post on why you should.

Hardboiled Heros & Cozy Cats Mystery Conference. Sponsored by the Mystery Writers of America Southwest chapter and held in Dallas Texas, June 19-20 2009. They have some really great looking workshops.

Series Characters

Not long ago in chat over at Long Ridge someone asked me what was the key to remember when developing characters that might be the start of a series.

We discussed several things we thought important and I thought I'd share my top three with you.

1. A series character must be likeable. This is a character the writer will be spending a lot of time with and getting to know better than their best friend. And, if we're lucky, our readers will be spenging lots of time with this character too. It's darn hard to spend time with someone you don't like and most of us won't.

2. A series character must be interesting. I think this is why so many series characters have such cool jobs. Landscapers, privite detectives, cops, forensic specialists, caterers, medical professionals and the list goes on. Not only does the writer get a chance to try out a new profession, but the reader gets tag along. Of course, the character's profession must be done correctly or your book will end up a wall banger and none of us want that.

3. A series character must have room to grow and develop. Not only as a person but in their career. Again, this character is going to be around a long time. Growth keeps them from becoming stagnant. Stagnant characters get boring quick. And we don't want that either.


So, what do you think are important when considering a series character?


Jean


Tomorrow I'll post a review of Get Known Before the Book Deal by Christina Katz.

Welcome!

Thanks for stopping by. Here's some of what you can expect to find.

Book reviews of "how to write a mystery" books and other writing related books.

Reviews of mysteries we are reading.

Contests and conference information that relate to the mystery genre.

We'll also hold the occasional contest and give away stuff. This is where being a follower will pay off.

We'll take you with us on our journey from "first draft to publication" and pass along the things we learn along the way.

So, introduce yourself in the comment section. Let us know if there's anything you'd like to see on the blog.



Jean