Category Archives: Writer
Are your characters likable?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Plot twists, bodies, red herrings, murder scenes, cops, and bad guys aren’t all there is to a mystery. Your characters are the stars of the story. Therefore, the characters need to draw in the reader. They have to be likable or, at the very least, intriguing.
Editors didn’t like my first mystery. No, that’s not true; most of them liked the mystery. I have the lovely long rejection letters to prove it. However, they didn’t like my main character. She was too independent, too gritty. They couldn’t warm up to her. No matter that, her father and several loving but gristly ranch hands raised her. She was a person they didn’t understand. Their world wasn’t ready for that character.
However, my agent loved her. She worked hard to sell the book. Willing to continue to try to sell it, I think she felt let down when I pulled it to write something different.
Several years have passed, and maybe I should have her shop it around again. After all, since then the program Saving Grace became a hit. Grace is gritty, tough, and an independent character.
Could it be that editors would give the book a second look today? One never knows, but for now, I’m too busy with my works in progress to rewrite that one.
Posted in My blog, My books, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Musing on my muse
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Her voice made me jump out of my reverie. “I’m back.”
Once my heart settled back into its normal rhythm, I grumped at her. “It’s about time. I’ve been struggling here.”
“Hey, don’t blame me. You’re the writer.” My muse flounced over to a nearby chair and sprawled into it.
“Yes, but you’re my muse. You’re supposed to be here to give me inspiration.”
“Inspiration, shminpiration I have my own needs.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You know.” She stretched out her left hand and checked out her fingernails.
“No, if you don’t tell me. I don’t know.”
“I need space. I need my privacy. I need love too.”
“A likely story.” I turned back to my computer.
She stood and tapped me on the shoulder. “I’m serious here. Why don’t you believe me?”
“Because you only disappear when I’ve written my characters into corners that’s why.”
“So don’t do it.”
With that exasperating bit of news, I shoved my chair away from the desk. “Pray tell, how is that possible?”
“Write literary fiction. Give up on the mysteries.”
I picked up my phone. “Is there someone I can call to have you replaced?”
“Now, is that nice? After all I’ve done for you.”
Posted in My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Muse, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
The week in review
Posted by doggonedmysteries
This has been a long week. Very cold weather and now today, more snow. Dang, we were just getting to see some grass peek through the last dumping of snow we got. The furnace has been working overtime keeping the house warm. Eeks! We have frigid weather and another inch or two of snow predicted for this weekend. Take note people, with this surge in cold weather stocks in long underwear companies should rocket. Hurry up spring!
Meanwhile back at the pond, the waterfall is frozen but the fountains are running. We need a few days above freezing to thaw the filters and the waterfall. There’s no ice on the pond, due to the cattle trough heater, but leaves clogged the basket on top of the pump, thus the frozen filters. It took me two hours to get the fountains flowing. Ah, wet hands and frigid weather, what a lovely combination.
Gavin and Patty are as sick of snow as we are. Neither one wants to be outside long. Our normally quiet dog barked when she saw some people outside today. It seems that Patty has taken to complaining to the neighbors about the weather.
DH had a bad week. We’re hoping next week will be a better one for him. He’s going to skip his Avonex dose on Monday. We’ll see how that goes.
Here’s hoping for warmer days, melted snow, and DH feeling better.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, my garden, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Pond, Ponds, Rescue Dogs, Snow, weather, Writer, Writing
Driver license pictures—Oh, crap
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Smile for the camera!
It’s driver license photo time again. Groan. The last one I had done was horrible. This time I think I’ll try to get to my hair stylist before I go for the picture. I will try to remember to wear a flattering colored top and not the neon green T-shirt I wore last time. Looking back at the last time, I do remember I wasn’t in any mood to have it done. It shows.
The poor woman took three pictures and not one of them was good so we picked the best of the three. She was willing to try for more but I wasn’t. By that time, I just wanted to go home, crawl into bed, and pull the covers over my head. I prayed I’d never have to show my license to anyone. No such luck. It seems that ever since that awful picture became my ID everyone has asked for it.
At least I have over two months to get the picture done so I have time to plan. Oh, sure, like that ever works in this house. The best laid plans and all that malarkey.
Posted in Misc, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, comedy, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
It’s time for a party.
Posted by doggonedmysteries
A few posts back I wrote that I’d party when certain renters moved. They moved out tonight. Midnight movers—probably two steps ahead of their landlord. It’s so quiet around here now that you could hear that proverbial pin drop.
I’m calling G tomorrow so we can celebrate together. Since she lived behind them, she got all the incessant barking dog and kid noise. Whereas since I live in front of them, I got the dog, kids, and the car stereos blasting so loud they rattled my windows and the gunning of the car engine by the hour at all hours.
Pop that champagne cork peace is back again. Yippee! Now that’s the way to start the New Year.
When the landlord rents the place out again I do hope it’s to a nice, quiet family. People who don’t leave litter everywhere all the time like this last family did. Speaking of that problem, I hope they took that tire they’ve had out by the curb for months. If not we’ll put it on the porch and let the landlord worry about it.
Posted in Misc, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
What if people hibernated?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I don’t know about you but it’s during cold weather like this when I often wish that we were creatures who hibernate. No shoveling snow, slip sliding on ice, or braving 40 mph winds to go to the store. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to crawl into a nice warm bed, pull the covers up, and sleep until spring? Then we’d wake up slim and ready for warm weather.
Yes, I think about these things.
I think about this when I’m snuggled deep under my covers. Warm and snug not wanting to get out of bed knowing that the wind I hear outside is as cold and fierce as it sounds. Knowing I have to go and face the cold as soon as one of the pups wants out, I want to pull the covers over my head and doze some more.
Isn’t it spring yet?
Posted in Misc, My blog, Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Snow, Writer, Writing
It is ccccooold!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Grrr, It's freaking cold!
It’s cold weather like this that makes me wish for a home on a tropical island. The pups didn’t want to go out today unless they absolutely HAD to go. Yeah, it was THAT cold here. The next few days are supposed to be colder yet.
Oh, my dear Canadian friends please keep your arctic air to yourselves. I don’t want to share. The 9 degrees predicted for tomorrow is not my idea of nice weather. Hey, I’m no polar bear.
Spring cannot get here fast enough as far as I’m concerned. We’re supposed to get ten days of BRRRRRRRRRR. Please, Mother Nature, send that cold back to the frozen north, and let us have some nice 40 degree weather. I can live with 40 degrees for a few months.
Poor Miss Patty has a thin coat so she zips outside and back in as fast as her legs can carry her. Gavin’s coat is thicker, probably because he’s from Nova Scotia, and he’ll take his time. However, if I have him out, he will hurry because I tell him I’m freezing my buns off and there’s an extra cookie in it if he gets done faster. Yes, I sink to bribery.
Posted in My blog, Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Snow, Writer, Writing
Muse versus little editor
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Today my muse sauntered in and sent me off on a flurry of writing. As my fingers flew over the keyboard I swore, I wasn’t going to look back until my train of thought derailed.
Out of nowhere, my little editor appeared and began to jump about on my shoulder screaming for attention. I do wish they’d arrive on different days or at least take separate vacations. Two chapters in and my train screeched to a halt.
“You know, this would be a great place to throw in a red herring.” My muse sat back in the chair behind me and stretched. “I’m sorry I left you in a lurch but I really needed a vacation. How about this for a what if scenario?”
“Oh, that’s good.” My fingers waltzed over the keys.
“What if your main character gets backed into a corner here?”
“I like that. It works.” The waltz became a boogie woogie.
“This looks like a great place to start a new chapter.”
“You’re right. It will perfect.” We were rocking now.
Something kicked me in the left ear. “Ow.” My little editor had announced his arrival.
“Reread that. Your grammar sucks there.”
“I can do that later, I’m on a roll here.” My typing slowed and I reread the paragraph he’d pointed out. “Crap.” My finger hovered over the delete key.
My muse bolted upright. “Don’t do it. Move on. I have more ideas.”
Too late. The train had stopped. I flipped off my little editor and asked, “Why don’t you go on vacation?”
Posted in My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Ten resolutions
Posted by doggonedmysteries
With the New Year fast approaching, I thought I’d write down 10 New Year resolutions I intend to keep.
- When Dear Hubby is having a bad day I will try harder to make things more comfortable for him
- I will tell my loved ones ‘I love you’ often
- I will remember to seize the joy in life
- I will forget resentments, anger, and hard feelings and release them to the winds
- I will walk more
- I will take time to smell the roses even though they make me sneeze
- When the neighbors get on my last nerve, I will find something constructive to do rather than b**ch about it.
- I will eat more veggies and fruit
- I will speak my mind
- I will take time for me and write more
What are your New Year’s resolutions?
Posted in Holidays, Misc, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Holidays, Home, Life, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, New Year's Resolutions, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
A soggy trip
Posted by doggonedmysteries
It is still raining and our yard is soggy. After my last trip out there with Gavin so am I. I do mean trip. Gavin was wandering along the fence line and I walked back toward the shed. The wind we had last night knocked a small branch or two off the magnolia, I didn’t see the one that sent me flying until after I’d landed splat in the deepest puddle out there.
Gavin is always ready to play and when he saw me hit the ground, he thought PLAY TIME! Sixty five pounds of wet dog landed on me. I started laughing, I was laughing so hard I couldn’t get up. Well, let’s say that the laughing and the extra sixty five pounds didn’t help my efforts. Never laugh at or with a Bull Terrier, it makes them sillier.
By the time we made it back inside, I was soaked, muddy, and cold. Gavin was muddy, wet, and full of himself. Furthermore, he had the nerve to beg for a cookie.
I was about to remove my muddy coat when Patty rang the bells—she wanted her turn out. She had a quick trip.
My coat and jeans went into the washer. After a hot shower and a cup of Bengal Spice tea, I was feeling warmer.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
All I need
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Outside, rain, wind, and cold.
Stay in.
A warm, snug house.
A well fed and happy Hubby.
Having no stress is good for him.
Two cuddly dogs piled in my chair.
They are happy too.
A tall glass of fine wine.
Movie marathon—a combination of action and comedy films.
What more could a person want?
I told him no gifts and this time he listened.
Color me happy.
I look around and smile.
I have all I need.
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Welcome to electric massager addicts anonymous
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Our dog Gavin has a problem. He’s addicted to the Homedics back massager. We can’t turn the thing on without him leaping to attention and begging us to use it on him. I think he needs a support group. Poor boy, I think I’ll send him to one tonight…
“My name is Gavin and I’m an addict.”
“Hello, Gavin.”
“I’m addicted to the back massager. It’s my humans’ fault. They got me started. I can’t hear that thing turn on without turning into a drooling, rolling on the floor, whore for it. I must have it. I insist my humans use it on me first. Turn it on. NOW. I need it. It is MINE.”
“Whoa, whoa there boy.”
“Sorry, I can’t help it.”
“We understand.”
“It started when my Dad human brought the thing home from the pharmacy. He bought the wonderful thing for his back but then thought it would be funny to try it out on me. Oh, it felt soooooooo good! Later that night, I tried to turn it on myself, but couldn’t, and even if I could I have no thumbs and can’t hold it.”
“You poor boy.”
“Now they hide it behind the sofa where I can’t get at it. It’s no fair. I need it. I WANT IT.”
(Patty: Geez, he’s such an idiot.)
Posted in Dog related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
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