Pen, Spoon & Dagger

There are days when I just want to turn off my computer and never turn it on again.  Days I wonder why I ever thought I could be a writer.  Days I wonder why I didn't learn a nice trade -- like blacksmithing. The process of writing is far harder than I imagined when I started out, several years ago, to write the next great mystery.  I had time, an idea, and the reassurance of friends that I had a knack with words.  What more did I need? I can hear the groans, sniggers, and laughter out there.  Like anything else worthwhile, good writing is a lot harder than it sounds. A lot, lot harder. Writing is not for the weak, the faint of heart, the quitters. About the same time I took up writing, I started yoga - for relaxation.  I started with the usual Om Shanti , repeating it over and over.  Now I have a new mantra:  Never give up . I'd like to take credit for this brilliant philosophy, but like most plots, it's been said before: “ Never, nev...

Yesterday's writing total: 1,076 words.  And half an hour's research into my chosen weapon - but that's a secret. Characters need to change throughout a series, to develop and grow.  That keeps them interesting and real.  Characters succeed if they're vivid (if they have likes, quirks and habits the reader can relate to).  They need physical traits and internal motivation (what makes them do what they do).  When I wrote my first mystery -- Never Eat Fish on Monday -- I carefully plotted out character descriptions for my protagonist and the three recurring secondary characters.  I found myself constantly revising the charts as my manuscript progressed and the characters evolved.  For 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall , I'm starting with the protagonist I developed last time.  It's a very detailed chart, running some five pages in total.  It covers everything from physical appearance to where she lives.  I also made a list of ten things ...