Mystery Weekend Roundup for March 23, 2014

Talking Crime with Declan Burke and William Ryan

 Mystery Tribune has a great interview with two of Ireland's best crime writers, which you can read here. They discuss their work and the influence that music has on the creative process, as well as the conflicts created when trying to write and raise a family. This quote from Declan rings true for me, when he states, "I always used to listen to music when I was writing, usually a collection of songs I’d identified as being close to the sound or feel of what I was trying to achieve."

When I write, I try to listen to a song that reflect the mood of my story. How about you? What's on the headset when your fingers are striking the keyboard? Right now, I'm listening to She's Not There by The Zombies.


Want Music?  Listen To Some Crime Jazz!

If you do listen to music while you write, then you'll want to check out this offering from the Retro Cocktail Hour, compliments of the host Darrell Brogdon. Click on the link here, then select the March 15th show to sample some familiar and not so familiar crime jazz music. The perfect way to stimulate those creative juices.


Do You Hear Voices In Your Head? Well, Let Them Out!

Writers listen to their characters, or at least the better ones do. Karen Dionne, who has written several thrillers, including Freezing Point, is one of those writers. She's been described as "the new Michael Crichton", and she has an article in the Huffington Post where she discusses the voices in our heads, and how we deal with them to create our stories.

In my first novel, In The Dismal Swamp, I had a minor character suddenly demand a larger role in the story. What did I do? I complied, of course, and she emerged as a driving force behind one of the suspects. I liked her so much, I've decided to put her in a sequel. I only hope she doesn't demand a cut of my royalties.


Writing Contest

Sharpen those pens. A short story mystery writing competition is open at Hofstra Law until May 1, 2014. Alafair Burke, Lee Child and Marcia Clark are the judges. First prize is $500 and online publication and promotion by Mulholland Books. The second and third prizes ($200 and $100 clams) ain't too shabby neither. Click here for the details.

There's just one catch...yeah, there's always a catch.

The story must feature a lawyer as a main character. And seeing as this is a crime fiction contest, I can't think of a better reason to include a lawyer.


Girl Scout Book Stand Vandalized

A free standing library set up by a local girl scout troop has been vandalized. The Girl Scouts are going to rebuild the library, but they need donations. If you can spare a book or two, send them to the Girl Scouts main headquarters at 4300 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson Arizona 85711. You can read more about this heinous crime at KVOA News in Tucson.


Want A First Edition of the First James Bond Novel? The Bidding Starts Here!

If you're a James Bond fan, you'll want to join in on the bidding for a first edition of Casino Royale, by Ian Fleming. The book is in great shape, and would make a great gift fir the Bond lover in your circle. Click here to join the bidding. You can bid until April 2nd. The current bid? Only 13,000 dollars.

But that includes the dust jacket. Good luck, and hope you win.

Mystery Weekend Roundup for January 31, 2013

New Years Resolutions For Writers

Is the ink dry on that list you've made for the coming year? If not, consider adding a few resolutions from my bucket list, 101 Things To Do Before You Die (For Crime Writers). It's lots of fun and may just be useful (though I make no promises). Some of my favorites:

#19. Contact your local coroner and ask to witness an autopsy. Go on an empty stomach and take nose plugs.

# 52. Make a movie trailer for your first/next book release and post it on your blog.

#73. Go into the attic and dig out an old family photo that has a scene or family member who no one remembers or can name. Study the photo. Write their story. Include a crime.

#90. Listen to some Crime Jazz while you write. Click here for a good example, from the original movie version, The Taking of Pelham, One, Two, Three.


Visit The Poe House in the Bronx...In The Spring

You may not want to visit this week, but as the weather warms up, consider a pilgrimage to one of the lesser known Poe homes, located in the Bronx. I didn't know it still existed. Smithsonian Magazine has a great article on the home that Poe occupied from 1846 until his death three years later.

At the time the cottage was in a scenic woodland, and Poe rented it for 100 dollars a year. It served as the inspiration for the final story published during his lifetime, published on June 9, 1849. You can read the story here: Landor's Cottage.


Writer's Conference Update

Brave souls are traveling to Chicago next week for the Love Is Murder Writer's Conference. Lots of great authors will be there, including Marcus Sakey, Heather Graham and Shane Gericke. Even if you're not going, check out the website for some great news in the world of mystery, including Weird Writing Rituals, (example, Vladimir Nabokov liked to write in a parked car).

If you like a warmer setting, try the SleuthFest 2014 Writer's Conference, taking place in Orlando, Florida at the end of February. Laura Lippman, Ace Atkins and Hank Phillippi Ryan will be there.


Murder, She Won't

NBC has announced they are cancelling plans for a new version of Murder, She Wrote, which would have starred Octavia Spencer as the amateur sleuth. The original series ran for 12 years from 1984 to 1996. NBC may revive the idea at a later date.