WRITING CAVE

My job at Huskie is a little weird in that when NIU is down for a holiday, like Christmas or Easter, very few buses are running. And because I really, really hate the runs they have available, this is the first Christmas break I've had totally off. This means no pay, but my meager SS payments and some savings to get us through.

And so, I've been writing. The third book was finished in less than 40 days, back in November. Of course, it was less than 200 pages, but still I wrote and plotted it along the way. This one was a bit special for my Lainey Quilholt murder mystery series.

So, I went through it a second time to fluff it out, and do a few other things to it, and after that I went to #4 book (which I wrote first, back in the summer), and am working on that presently, and I've almost got that one fixed. This one was difficult to figure out who murdered the victim, and who did what and why and when. It's a who-done-it, whereas the 3rd one is a different LQ in which the murderer is a serial killer, and he is stalking Lainey. It had me watching and reading a lot about serial killers, sociopaths and psychopaths. Oh, and painball guns and home security cameras. Fun stuff.

I'm going to bring you a post which I had done years ago about the first known serial killer in the US. We all know about Jack The Ripper of London. We have our own version and I'll be posting it in a day or so.

Thanks for stopping in.

Lainey Quilholt 

Series

November is for...

Ah. Yes. Some writers do the NaNoWriMo thing.
I don't need that nudge, thank you. I've never needed it. And it wasn't even in existence when I was writing with a pen or pencil and typing it all out on a typewriter--when I had one--once upon a time.
Now it's the computer and that's a blessing because I no longer have a huge callous on my middle finger at the first knuckle.

Now it's just typing on a keyboard, and nearly half of the letters on the keys are worn away. My computer is 10 years old, going on 11. Happy birthday!

As of this writing, I've gotten my second mystery sent to my publisher. I'm currently waiting on some covers--supposed to be new ones to help boost this, my next new series called

Lainey Quilholt

Mysteries

Lainey is 17 years old as this 1st book opens, and turns 18, then goes on to college in the next book. This mystery series is for young adults, or those who just enjoy a murder mystery. 

The first books is called Party to a Murder.

This is the current cover, I expect it to change in a few weeks.

Lainey, a 17-year-old small town girl, has no idea she's about to be involved in a grisly murder investigation.

After young Arline is murdered, Lainey's suspicions arise. Why does everyone seem to hate this girl? While digging for clues, she discovers that blackmail could be the motive. Trying to understand her friends' hatred for the murdered student, she finds herself in the middle of a second murder cover-up.

Clues lead to several other people, including Lainey's friend Wendy... and the more she wants to prove her innocence, the more it looks as if her friend has done the deed. With Sheriff Weeks's help, Lainey delves into who had most to gain by killing Arline. But can they find the killer before it is too late?

My next offering is called An Invitation to Kill.

When I returned from my hiatus from writing this summer, I began writing what I thought would be the next book, Until We Murder Again, but it takes place in the winter, and I felt I needed a book that takes place in the Fall. Something around Halloween. And in the back of my head I really wanted to tackle something serious, and more scary, like a serial killer. Something like this in the small (made-up) town of Montclair, Iowa, would have everyone worried, and Lainey, especially when she finds victim #3 in the woods behind her small college.

The ideas came and I went with it. Then the first paragraph came into my head and the next and the next and before I knew it, I was writing it.

This one, the third book, will be called The Serial Killer Beside Me.

(I just couldn't resist this title!)

Not wanting to get ahead of myself, I'll end this here. My next book should be out soon, and I'll be posting it. I just wanted to wet everyone's appetite for this next mystery, or my mysteries in general.

Murder, She Blogged

Last night, I stayed up watching a Columbo show. It was one of his later ones, where Peter Faulk was gray, and looked like someone who should have been enjoying his senior years at home collecting his pension. But the murderers in these stories are not your rough and tumble, ruthless types. They're rich, and Hollywood types. I must admit they do come up with some interesting ways to try and get away with their murders. Their motives are simple, which in every case are usually the basic need to either hide a past or present bad deed, or the need to get rid of a spouse, or a blackmailer for obvious reasons. The list goes on.



But, as in many of the Columbo shows this one had an ending that became almost silly. The murderer is always quite happy to go quietly after Columbo has solved the murder.


A lot like in the Murder She Wrote shows where the murderer volunteers to tell what they did and how, even after Mrs. Fletcher has put it all together. In most cases, the murderer has a pretty good motive, and the person they killed deserved it, in my opinion. But always has Jessica shaking her head, because no murder is justified in her opinion.

In nearly all cases in these TV shows, the murdered victim is someone just about everyone (in the show) hates, and has a reasonable motive to kill them, thus, you get a bunch of likely suspects, and usually your innocent person is being taken to jail where Jessica knows that they are innocent and tries to prove the police wrong.

In real life, innocent people are usually victims of murder. Sure, there are a few baddies who need to be snuffed out, but what if that bad person is the killer (more likely they are), and if the reader sees that one or two innocent people are murdered, wouldn't they be more emotionally involved in the story and rooting for the heroine more if it looked like the bad guy might get away, after murdering her friends and acquaintances? Especially if Lainey herself is in danger? I tend to think so.



In the first Lainey Quilholt book in the series, Lainey becomes involved because the person murdered was a classmate, Arline, who no one likes. She is last seen arguing with her ex-boyfriend, and a couple of tough girls nearly start a fight during a party, but this is broken up. The town sheriff, John Weeks, sets his sights on the murdered girl's fiance' (AJ) because he was last seen having that argument in front of a bunch of on-lookers. This sets him up rather easily as a murder suspect, but his father is a powerful lawyer type and gets him out of jail on a technicality.

However, AJ did go to Arline's apartment looking for something that is incriminating (that past deed, I spoke of earlier). In his haste he has pretty much trashed the place. However, he has not found the incriminating pictures that Arline took of him passed out behind the wheel of Arline's car while coming back from a vacation. Lainey, being slightly more clever than most, does find these pictures, and more. She's gathering the clues like Easter eggs and not only solves this murder, but a past one involving a rather rough individual who used to go out with Arline's best friend, who supposedly drowned, and she's able to point to the fact this may have been more than accidental.

In the end she helps Sheriff Weeks find the killer in a reenactment. Sure, this is sometimes used in other murder mysteries, but I think it works because there's a twist in what really happened, the killer(s) are caught because they're stupid (as most criminals are), and although her friend is involved, the reason comes to light.

Here is a link to a Instafreebie it's a first chapter, so if you are even slightly curious about the mystery, you can check that out here.

And, of course should you feel the need to buy and read it, here's the link to Party to a Murder. I think it will keep your interest.

Here is a description from Amazon:

Lainey is a 17-year old small town girl - and she has no idea she's about to be involved in a grisly murder investigation.

When Arline Rochell is found brutally murdered one morning, Lainey's suspicions arise. Why does this girl seem to be hated by everyone? While digging for clues, she discovers that blackmail could have been the motive. While trying to understand her friends' hatred for the murdered student, she finds herself in the middle of a second murder cover-up.

Clues lead to a number of other people, including Lainey's friend Wendy... and the more she wants to prove her innocence, the more it looks as if her friend has done the deed. Along with Sheriff Weeks' help, Lainey delves into who had most to gain by killing Arline. But can they find the killer before it's too late?

Decisions, Decisions

Since starting back to work (an interruption to my day), I've had less time to spend on any of my other pursuits, including writing. However, the first Lainey Quilholt mystery book is just about ready. I just have to decide on a cover. I'm posting the ones I like best here, and if you want to throw in your two cents, feel free.

Oh, and I rejected the first group sent to me, everything was red, author's name was bloody. I'm not writing horror here. This is a cozy murder mystery. Even though the murder(s) themselves take place off page--and it is pretty bloody what happened--there are a few harrowing things that happen to Lainey, my MC. But this is a mystery, and quite tame. My aim is to find readers who want something that doesn't give them nightmares, or make them run screaming, or want to burn the book.

So, I requested a little less blood this time around. See what you think. There's not much difference, but the slightest in the author's name, except for #4, where the title is gray. Any input is welcome. I'm having trouble with decision on these.

Cover #1

Cover #2

Cover #3

Cover # 4

A Pretty Darn Good Friday (13th)

Well, I had a pretty good Friday. This post is going to be me flapping my gums about it, so if you want to stick around, please go right ahead and put your feet up.

AT WORK:

Just before my second run (I drive transit bus for DeKalb/NIU), and my supervisor came up to the bus with a trainee, and asked if I wanted to read more of the book I was holding in my hands. Well, I didn't get it at first, and he said he was going to do a "live run" with the trainee for two runs.

I said "SURE! YEAH! GREAT! See ya in 2 hours!" I grabbed my things, jumped off the bus, went inside and wondered what I'd do with 2 hours. I felt like a kid let out of school suddenly. So, I decided I'd go into the cafeteria first, grabbed myself a milk (already had my lunch made), and sat down where it was quite, lightly low, and only a few people in there. I read and ate my sandwich. I spent the next two hours reading, grabbing ice from the ice machine on the second floor of the hotel, and read some more. Had a lot of bathroom breaks, since I COULD!

Of course I had 3 hours left on my shift when they got off. But I was able to deal with all the dozens of people who got on. Some asking questions, some confusing our bus line with another and asking for transfers, and had someone thinking we stop somewhere we don't, and another one tried to get on where we don't stop (sorry, no courtesy stops!), and people asking me to let them off at some place and I had to remember that! Sheesh!

But it all went fine. Then, when my husband picked me up he was all newsy. He told me he got to see 2 of the kittens. Someone who works for the forest preserve was there at the house getting well water, and had told him that he spotted them in the hole of the tree, and Dennis got to peek in there. (I got to see one when I got home. Spitting image of the mom with the dark tiger stripes and the golden cast around the face, and soooo tiny!)

We have been in a little dilemma about feeding the mother since we want to take a get away vacation soon. So, my husband also went down to our neighbors down the road from us. He asked the woman, Janna, about how long before the kittens would be weaned and so forth. He also asked about seeing if she could feed her. She's very nice and said she would love to do it.

And, let's see, oh, and my face creams came in the mail. I've been waiting for them a few days. This is Natural Advantage. You may have see the ad with Jane Seymour who talks about it, who uses it, her mother uses it and her grandmother as well, and they all look way younger than they are! Well, my husband had me get it, because I've tried everything on the store shelves and they'll work for a while, and then stop working after a few weeks. I began this stuff 4 weeks ago, and I definitely see a difference now. I don't think you can go wrong with this stuff. Sounds like I'm an ad here, but I wouldn't say something I didn't feel was true. I began seeing the deeper lines on my face and neck and thought GAK! I'm about to turn 58 next month, and I could pass for 49. I didn't like the idea of looking like a grandmother driving around college age kids. I don't mind them thinking I'm their mother's age, but not their granny. So, I think this was well worth the price.

And I've been waffling back and forth working on my vampire books, and my new mystery book. At the moment I'm working on the mystery. Sort of a nice change, but I'll tell you writing a pure mystery is way different. I'm looking into some books to help me. I want to get the book, "Writing Mysteries" by Sue Grafton. I saw it mentioned somewhere and thought that might help. If anyone has any others to suggest, I'll take them under consideration.

Plus, I had word that my short story, "Mother Knows Best", got past the first cut stage with Dark Moon Publishing, and I'll wait to see if it makes it past the second go-through. Since my other story didn't make it "Holy Devil", I put it up on Amazon. I felt I couldn't go wrong either way. But I'd like to see this short story make the cut for another of their anthologies (plus I'll get a little payment and a copy of the anthology!)

So, this was a darn good Friday--I never pay attention to the 13 part!--and now I look forward to a nice weekend! Hope yours went well too!

Teaser Tuesday ~ Dead Woman In The Street

Hello, my pretties. Yes, it's Teaser Tuesday and I've chosen the beginning paragraph from Chapter Four, from my next novel, Vampire Nocturne. Hope you enjoy!

I stared at the woman lying on her back. She wore a beautiful red dress with black lace and fringe along the front, sleeves worn off the shoulders. A corset gave her an hour glass shape, allowing a view of cleavage. Her black hooded cape with white satin lining spread beneath her like angel's wings. The dress style, from my educated guess, might be something like women would have worn on our world in the late 18oo's. Her fancy hat with fluffy feathers was slightly askew but still pinned on her head. My Knowing told me she had been placed here. My Knowing also told me she worked in a tavern of some sort. Her auburn hair, pinned up off her neck cascaded off one side of her face. Coppery coils draped over her shoulder and across the cape. Glittering jewelery suggested she was a bit more than merely a saloon slut—possibly a real party girl, from the many flitting images coming to me of her with men. One man in particular was prominent in the many scenes that flitted through my mind.

Clumsily, I tried to gain my feet without touching the dead woman too much. This proved to be next to impossible since I was sprawled on top of her.

©2012 Lorelei Bell

WORDSMITHING 101 ~ Learning to Plot from TV Shows

Have you ever watched older classic TV shows? I've been watching “Marshall Dillon” while having my coffee in the mornings with my husband. This was originally radio show, which later became the 30 minute TV show for 7 years, before it became the one hour show called “Gunsmoke” and lasted a total of 20 years, with the main characters, Matt, Miss Kitty, and Doc remaining on the show for all those years (except for Amanda Blake, who left after 19 years). I was in diapers when this show was on. Later when it became an hour long show, I remember watching it then, but I don't remember any of them.

What I've noticed in these shows are the basic murder/mystery plot. The first few minutes are used to introduce the characters who will be involved, aside from the 4 main characters. Dillon's side-kick, Chester, is played by Dennis Weaver. Anyway, the show opens up with the extras, and this is where you'll learn any motives which would make them look guilty for the murder that eventually takes place.

Although this is a western, the set up is like any murder-mystery. As in any murder-mystery, we, the viewer, can only know as much as our main characters. Matt Dillon, the sheriff of Dodge City, Kansas, must use the leads he has in order to find the killer. Often times, he has to track the person down out in the Kansas wilderness. Being a U.S. Marshall gives him this ability. Usually this person he is tracking is not the killer of the original murder in the beginning. But sometimes they have done something that will put them in jail, and often times they've killed someone along the way. Thus, you have a double-plot line, which is good for keeping everyone guessing. Misdirection is a basic key for a murder mystery. And depending upon how long a story goes, you could put in all kinds of red herrings and plot twists in to keep it interesting. Because “Marshall Dillon” was only 30 minutes long, it's easy to follow the plot line and see precisely how it is written.

What I've noticed is this is your basic plot all laid out. You have a mystery to solve. Doesn't matter if it is a murder. The mystery is what is important, and how it is solved.

You can learn quite a bit on how to set this sort of plot up by watching several of these shows. The simplicity of them helps one glean an understanding as to how to set up a very simple mystery. I've always enjoyed watching “Murder She Wrote” for the same reason, but mostly because she was a writer. I used to love watching this show because Angela Lansbury starred as an amateur sleuth and I loved her character as the mystery writer Jessica Fletcher. The plots of “Murder She Wrote” were really well done, with plenty of twits and turns to keep you guessing.

Learning and understanding how a murder plot is done, you might want to watch either of these shows. Besides, being entertained, I think you might get a few ideas for a plot all your own.