Behind the Scenes - The Big 80s

I am Generation X. We were first generation “Sesame Street” and “M-TV.” Television, movies, music, and the mall scene were part of formative years, and we grew up with ever-changing technology. So, it was a natural fit for pop culture to play a key role in my mysteries and characters’ lives.

In the first Delanie Fitzgerald mystery, Secret Lives and Private Eyes, the sassy Private Eye is hired by a tell-all author to look into the rumors that 80s rock star, Johnny Velvet of the Vibes, faked his death and was living incognito on a small farm in Amelia, Virginia. Delanie’s whisked back to the era of boom boxes, teen mags, mix tapes, and other pop culture memories from the decade of excess as she searches for what happened to the members of the Vibes. Could the handsome John Bailey really be the Johnny Velvet?

My mix tapes were full of Duran Duran, Culture Club, the Cure, Billy Idol, Cyndi Lauper, and A-ha. And my closet doors were covered in pictures of C. Thomas Howell, Rob Lowe, Ralph Macchio, Llmahl, and George Michael. I sported blue eye shadow, banana clips, braces, and shoulder pads. Delanie is a bit younger, but she experienced the Big 80s in elementary school.

Check out how it all began for Delanie and Duncan (and Margaret, the English bulldog) in Secret Lives and Private Eyes.

Writing Advice I'd Give to a Younger Me

Someone asked me on a panel recently what advice I would give to a younger version of myself. Here’s a longer answer to that question…

• Write every day. I know there are so many other interesting things in this world, but if you want to be published, you need to put in the time. And the more time that passes between writing sessions, the harder it is to get back to work.

• Start now.

• Find a group of supportive writers. These folks will be there to help you celebrate and to move on after disappointments.

• Decide what you want to write and read everything in that genre you can get your hands on.

• Pick a few writing books to read. Don’t get so bogged down in the self-help reading that you don’t actually write.

• Perfect your craft. The writing part is fun and easy. The work comes during the revisions. And there will be many of them.

• Don’t let every little comment bother you. Learn what you can from the feedback and don’t dwell on the negative ones.

• Know that the first manuscript you’ve worked on for so long may not ever be published. Many authors have two to three manuscripts in a drawer. I have two abandoned ones.

• Writing is a business. Agents and publishers are looking for books they can sell.

• You will need to do A LOT of book marketing. Be prepared. Be creative.

• Find a schedule that works with your life and try to stick to it. I am more productive if I write every day.

• There are going to be set backs and disappointments. This is a tough business. If you want to see your name on that cover, you need the grit and determination to keep moving toward your goal.

• Find a critique group or writing partner who will give you honest feedback about your writing.

• Don’t rush it. Make sure you are prepared and that your manuscript is ready for the world before you start to query it.

• Invest your time and money in things that will help you improve your writing.

This is a tough business, and there are as many ups as there are downs. Keep the faith and keep writing.

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Kristi Charish

I’d like to welcome author, Kristi Charish, to the blog today for #ThisorThatThursday.

A few of your favorite things: Coffee, green tea, Pacific coast rocky shorelines, and my SPF 50 sunscreen.  

 Things you need to throw out: All my old iPhones...seriously, why do I keep finding them in my drawers? AI revolution? Possibly.

Things you need for your writing sessions: hummingbird feeder (best conflict prompts ever!), coffee (caffeine is becoming a theme), a device capable of running Word.

Favorite foods: Basil - I used to make salads out of basil, heavy on the oregano and thyme...there might have been vegetables in there too.

Favorite music or song: I have two bands on my playlist favorites - The Asteroids Galaxy Tour and The Dandy Warhols.

Favorite beverage: Besides coffee? I adore a hoppy, dank, musky west coast hazy IPA. Thankfully British Columbia is famous for both!

Favorite smell: Sandalwood, basil, and old fashioned sunscreen.

Something you’re really bad at: Ok, be honest now, how many other authors on this blog were tempted, sheerly out of principle, to choose writing on this one? ;-) 

Something you wish you could do: Ride a motorbike. I’ve gotten as far as my Cook Island scooter license.

The last thing you ordered online: Second hand clothes! I love reusing and there are some absolute fashion treasures to be found. The depreciation that happens as soon as an item leaves Nordstrom should be a wonder of the world.

The last thing you regret buying: Always lipstick. I hate wearing it and - let’s be honest- rarely does it make anyone look good. Lip balm all the way! Also, I regret this keyboard. PSA: Don’t bargain shop for a keyboard on Amazon. You will be underwhelmed.

Things you’d walk a mile for: My morning coffee. No competition. I’m pretty certain I’ve done it at least twice.

About Kristi:

Kristi Charish is the author of KINCAID STRANGE, a paranormal mystery series about a voodoo practitioner living in Seattle with the ghost of a grunge rocker, and THE ADVENTURES OF OWL, an adventure fantasy about ex-archaeology grad student turned international antiquities thief, Alix— better known now as Owl—a modern-day “Indiana Jane” who reluctantly navigates the hidden supernatural world. 

 Kristi writes what she loves; adventure heavy stories featuring strong, savvy female protagonists, pop culture, and the occasional RPG fantasy game thrown in the mix. Kristi is also a scientist. She has a BSc and MSc from Simon Fraser University in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry and a PhD in Zoology from the University of British Columbia. She specializes in genetics, cell biology, and molecular biology and gratuitously uses her expertise throughout her fiction. You can find Kristi with her laptop on Vancouver film sets, getting paid to write while filling in the background. 

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Behind the Scenes - Drag Shows

In Glitter, Glam, and Contraband, sassy Private Eye, Delanie Fitzgerald, is hired to find out who is stealing from the talent at a local drag show.

I had never been to a show before, and my writer friend, Rosemary Shomaker, organized an outing for a group of writers at Godfrey’s in Richmond, Virginia. We had so much fun, and brunch was wonderful. The banana-stuffed French toast tasted like dessert. And the talent was extremely generous with their time before and after the show. They answered a lot of my questions, and everyone wanted to be in a murder mystery.

I made up the club in Glitter, Glam, and Contraband, as well as the entertainers’ names. My characters, Amber Alert, Ana Conda, Ginger Snap, Kiki Jubilee, Cherri Bomb, Nova Cain, Paige Turner, and Tara Byte were a lot of fun to write. I gave each of them a stage persona with props. Ana Conda brought her boa to the show until it scared someone in the audience. Ginger Snap and Cherri Bomb were sexy redheads. Nova Cain was a naughty nurse, Paige Turner was a librarian, and Tara Byte was a computer geek.

While I was writing the book, I did a lot of research on websites like Ru Paul’s Drag Race. There are also a lot of good sites with makeup tips. I always learn interesting stuff while researching books.

The Gang from Godfreys with authors Fiona Quinn, Tina Glasneck, Rosemary Shomaker, and me

Check out all the adventures of Delanie and Duncan (and Margaret the English bulldog).

Don't Rush It - Tips for Authors

I am a Type A (ESTJ) girl, and I like action. “Maybe” or “Wait” drive me crazy, but I had to learn not to rush my writing life. Many times, you only get one chance with an agent, editor, or publisher. Make sure you and your book are ready.

Your Work in Progress (WIP)

• Make sure it is formatted like a standard manuscript (12 pt. Times New Roman, Paragraph Indents instead of Tabs, Double spaced, with One-inch Margins).

• Proofread, proofread, proofread. Do a round of proofreading every time you make major edits.

• Print out your manuscript to review. You will catch more errors on paper than you will on screen.

• Make sure all character and place names are spelled the same. If you changed character names, make sure you’ve removed all old references. (And if you write multiple series, make sure the other books’ characters don’t appear by mistake.)

• When you think you’re done, read it again.

• Make sure to build in time for beta readers or critiquers to go through your manuscript. My critique group reads 50 pages a month, so it takes a while to get through a novel. They are not reading the book end to end in a few days like a reader would. I make sure I have a few beta readers who will read the entire manuscript as they would a book and provide feedback.

Querying

• Be prepared. Each agent, editor, or publisher is going to have his/her own process.

• Do your homework. Don’t do a shotgun approach and query 50 agents at once. Target ones who represent (and sell) books like yours.

• Query in small batches and keep a list/chart/spreadsheet of who, when, and the result.

• The agent or editor shouldn’t be the first person to read your book. You need a critique group, writing partner, or beta readers to give you feedback on your writing. Make sure your early readers read your genre.

• Have all of your documents ready. You will need a synopsis, character list, and a list of comps (books comparable to yours). Take the time to prepare these. Make sure that all of your documents are polished and look professional.

• Follow all instructions for the person you’re querying. Some have specific requirements for formatting and what documents they want to see.

• If you’ve had contact with the person (e.g. at a conference or a personal reference), make sure to include that. Don’t exaggerate the connections though. People talk, and they check references.

• Make sure your WIP fits the conventions of the genre. Don’t submit a 250,000 word manuscript for a cozy mystery.

• Know how to describe your work. Agents/Editors will ask you where your book fits. Bookstores won’t know how to shelve a Western, romantic, paranormal suspense with vampires, space aliens, and clowns.

Take your time and make sure you and your manuscript are ready. You may only get one chance, and you need to make it the best it can be. Best wishes with your writing project!

Behind the Scenes - Larping

Surprisingly, I do a lot of research for my mysteries (even though the books are fiction). For The Tulip Shirt Murders, my sassy PI, Delanie Fitzgerald, needs to interview a twenty-something who was accused of stalking. In their conversations, she learns he larps (live action role playing).

According to C. Don Wilson in the Urban Dictionary, This is a “form of role-playing game where the participants physically act out their characters' actions. The players pursue their characters' goals within a fictional setting represented by the real world, while interacting with one another in character.”

Originating in the 1970s, the activity gained popularity in the 1980s. According to Wilson, “The fictional genres used vary greatly, from realistic modern or historical settings to fantastic or futuristic eras. Production values are sometimes minimal, but can involve elaborate venues and costumes. LARPs range in size from small private events lasting a few hours to huge public events with thousands of players lasting for several days.”

According to the World of Geek, larping differs from cosplay in that larping involves action and reenactments. “Cosplay, from the words ‘Costume’ and ‘Play,’ is about costuming and re-creating the design of already existing/original characters.” (World of Geek). Cosplay usually involves less role-playing and action events like battles.

Larping often has rules, and participants “immerse themselves entirely in their character and act out their actions” (World of Geek).

In my story, the suspect, Douglas Black, invites Delanie to an event in a local park where his group or guild reenact Medieval life, including battles between warring factions. He tries to convince her to join him by offering to lend her a replica sword.

Popular culture is a large part of the Delanie Fitzgerald series. In her investigations, she meets all kinds of interesting people with unique jobs and hobbies, and it’s a fun way for me to learn about new things.

Check out the adventures of Delanie, Duncan, Margaret, and Chaz in The Tulip Shirt Murders.

Required Reading - Tips for Authors

I was the kid who got her first library card at four, and a trip to the library or bookstore was always magical. I was also over the moon every time the teacher said read quietly at your desk.

Good writers need to be good readers. Read everything you can get your hands on and make sure to read books in your genre.

I use the annual GoodReads reading challenge as a way to track what I’ve read throughout the year.

Here are some ideas of things to look for as you read:

The Industry

• Read author acknowledgment pages. See who the agents and editors are. Keep a list of those who specialize in what you write. You will be at the querying stage, and this will help you target who represents your genre.

• See what groups authors belong to.

• Look at the publishers and editors for the type of books you write.

• Recently at SleuthFest, author Richie Naraez reminded the audience to not only read contemporary books in your genre, but also read the classics. If you’re a mystery writer, you need to understand the history of the mystery (e.g. cozies, hard-boiled, pulp fiction, etc.).

The Craft of Writing

• Pay attention to the dialogue and techniques.

• Watch how authors transition from one scene to another.

• Look at the ways the writer moves the story along. He or she doesn’t give you every mundane detail.

• Look for “rules” or conventions in your genre. Does the murder happen in the first few chapters? Is the sleuth a professional?

• When you like a book, think about what caught and held your attention.

• Watch how the ending is revealed.

The Details

• Look at the character names. In many cases, the name has some meaning or reveals something.

• For series, see how the author sprinkles in details from the past in each book.

• Where is the book set and how does that affect the story?

• Look at the minor characters and how they support the protagonist.

• Pay attention to how the writer uses conflict to move the story along.

Make sure that you have time to read. It’s research. And be kind and leave a review for the books you like. It doesn’t have to be a book report, but reviews do matter to writers.

Grit and Grind - Two Tools for Your Writer's Toolbox

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Grit

firmness of mind or spirit; unyielding courage in the face of hardship or danger (Merriam-Webster)

Grind

to work hard; to be fully dedicated; to have no limits (Online Slang Dictionary)

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I often mentor folks who are interested in starting or furthering their careers. One of the frustrations I hear a lot is that it takes too long to get where I want to be or I seem to be spinning my wheels. My advice is often that you need to make sure that you’re putting in the time and effort to gain the experience, knowledge, and connections to move yourself on the path where you want to be.

Grit, grind, and even hustle have popped up in my consciousness and readings a lot lately. And it’s been a good reminder to me to review my goals (life and writing) and my daily routine Am I doing the things that will get me where I want to be?

Recently, I finished Trevor Moawad’s It Takes What It Takes. He is a mental conditioning expert who I heard speak at a Risk presentation at Virginia Commonwealth University. He’s worked with some stellar athletes (including hometown favorite, Russell Wilson) and elite military units. Check out his book. It puts things in perspective. You have to change your way of thinking, you need to adapt, and hard work/discipline are the keys to success.

These truths apply to your writing journey, too. There are very few Cinderella stories where an author pens a book and tops all the charts. If you talk to successful authors, they will tell you that years of hard work led them to where they are today.

Author Brad Parks gave a wonderful closing address at Sleuthfest 2021. He encouraged writers to have a routine, write daily, exercise, eat right, and focus on your end goal. Sitting at your desk for six hours watching cat videos is not writing. He also talked about professional athletes and their routines. He provided numbers of how many athletes are at the top of their professional game, and the numbers are relatively small. He compared that with top tier writers. Writing is a tough industry with a lot of disappointments. Writers need to work on their craft and to write.

One of his tips for avoiding distraction was to type “XXX” in his manuscript when he needed to research something. Then when he was at a stopping point, he would search/find the spots and do all the research at one time. (He called it doing his “exes.”) During this crazy pandemic time, I find myself getting distracted easily, and this tip is on my list to try with my new work in progress.

Literary agent, Jill Marr, and editor, Terri Bischoff, did a workshop recently where they critiqued query letters. Both stressed the importance of writers doing their homework. Query letters and manuscripts need to the be the best they can be. Don’t get excited and start querying too early. You often get only one chance. When you think you’re done, edit/revise it again. The editor or agent should not be the first one to read your manuscript. Also follow the conventions and the standards for content, formatting, and style. Do your homework. Make sure the agent/publisher is a good fit for your manuscript.

Back to my earlier question. Am I doing the things that will get me where I want to be? Decide where you want to go with your writing career. You need to be the professional. Invest the time, energy, and money to hone your skills. Put in the hours (weeks, months, years) it takes to write and revise, read books in your genre, network, and build your platform. Decide what works with your life and responsibilities and focus on your writing life.