Thriller versus Mystery

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I was following a fabulous feed via @joannaharness on Twitter form a writer’s conference, when a speaker (apologies the name evades me) said:

‘A thriller is a bad thing is about to happen and we have to stop it’  and
‘A mystery is a bad thing happened and we need to find out why’

At first, I was blown away by the succinct definitions, until I examined my current WIP, which is the first book in a series. I am calling it a crime thriller; although on reading the above definitions, I find my contemplating where it actually falls?

The currently untitled WIP begins with the discovery of a body – hence the mystery would appear to be the correct definition. Yes, we do need to know why, but then we discover that there’s a missing person, who may or may not be connected with the dead person. There is mystery again, but then the reader has the thrill of searching for them and wondering whether something bad may happen to them too.

My third novel is a psychological thriller, which although it has a pacy plot, it focuses a lot on the internal machination’s of the characters – hence the psychology tag.

I’m not sure that there’s such a defined distinction between a thriller and a mystery – for me, the two are intertwined, and one needs the other.

What I believe is important in this genre, is that the reader is getting what they hoped for – suspense; shock;sometimes a brutal description of a crime or murder; emotional turmoil; twists; character interaction that moves the plot along and intrigue.

That is what I hope for when I read a novel in this genre – Lynda La Plante does it for me.
I’m finding this WIP a challenge which is giving me a thrilling ride that I know won’t be over for a while yet.

Happy Word Flow One & All

Patience is the proverbial virtue

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I wasn’t going to write about this, as I’ve read somewhere on blog planet that one should never write about rejections – but WAIT I haven’t been rejected – an agent responded to my query letter asking to see the synopsis and first 3 chapters – a step in the right direction.

I am a positive person by nature, but I’m mindful that they may not feel my work is right for them. It wouldn’t be the end of the world, as I would just move onto the next potential agent on my list.

The suspense sometimes rises within me, but then general life erases the niggles as I’m a needed as mother, wife or friend. So, in order to keep my mind focused on developing my writing, I’m researching for my next WIP – a crime thriller. I can use some of my own knowledge from working as a forensic nurse in a Youth Offending Team, but I also need to surf the web to obtain more facts for authenticity.

So there you go, short and sweet, but I have shared my progress. Hope I don’t get a rejection e-mail later – otherwise more chocolate would definitely be required.

Welcome to Amy – thanks for following

Happy Word Flow One & All

When to let the baby go?

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Over the past few days, I’ve spent 8 hours each day polishing my ms. Snipping, cutting, amending, until I feel just about satisfied.

This has been my baby since January and I feel a reluctance to let it go, even though the character from my next novel is already butting into my thoughts.

In a bid to let my baby fly, I queried an agent last night. It’s always worrying wondering whether someone else with think your baby is ugly.

I’ve trusted my baby with someone I think will find my genre fitting to their needs, but that’s only an educated guess from my own research. And if my baby’s not talented enough for them, I’ll have to look elsewhere for a suitable nursery.

Now i play the waiting game to see whether the agent replies. Disappointment will wash over me when I get an e-mail alert, only to see it’s no from the agent.

Anyway, my baby has been washed, dressed, fed and changed, so now I will turn my attention to mind mapping my next novel, with the aid of the new character who is screaming to be heard.

Happy Word Flow One & All

Striving for perfection

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Perfection is mentioned in writing magazines, on the blog and on numerous websites – all assaulting my brain with how to write the perfect opening lines, ending, synopsis and covering letter – to name but a few.

I soak up the advice and try and hone my skills by writing and re-writing until I feel I’m almost there.

But the thing I hoped I didn’t need to be perfect with was my blog. Granted, I’m still a newbie at this, but I hoped it could be an interesting and honest appraisal of my journey writing my current WIP. I hoped that I was voicing what other aspiring authors think and feel, so that the collective “we” don’t feel so isolated.

It was lovely to see that my blog on pace struck a chord with a reader who then tweeted me – and it’s those instances that encourage me to keep going.

I read how a blog should be a showcase for my writing. However, if I wrote my blog as dark and as gritty as my novels, then my blog could be deemed too depressing or harrowing to read.

Striving for perfection in all areas of writing can sometimes take the spontaneity out of something like writing a blog. I certainly don’t want to be judged by my ramblings here – as depending on my mood du jour, I could be portrayed in a variety of lights – not all of them flattering.

Happy Word Flow One & All

Obsessed with WIP

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I have been remiss at writing my blog as I’ve been totally obsessed with my WIP – Dark Edges (WT, but may stick if nothing better comes along).

Of course as a wife and mother, I do have other commitments (why can’t we live on sandwiches?), and I try to fulfil them to the best of my ability (although I have sometimes forgotten to prepare a meal).

I’m writing the denouement, where all the threads from the subplots and the twists come together, hopefully making sense and surprising the reader.

The characters are certainly surprising me, and in my notebook (I scrawl words first then type them up, changing as i see fit), I have flashes of inspiration written in the headers to use later. Sometimes I do wish the characters would calm down and stop clamouring for attention – I already have a family.

I can’t write fast enough at times as my brain is screaming words at me, and I get so obsessed with the story that I’m unaware of the time passing – living on coffee and earl grey tea during the day, can’t be good.

Having said all this, I’m finding the writing exciting and I’m having to watch my pace (see earlier blog) as I can be in a tearing hurry if I’m not careful.

I already have the burgeoning of the next novel and character’s name scrawled in my notebook – but one thing at a time please brain.

I do hope that you are finding your muse exciting and inspirational – mine is positively whizzing at the mo – and I will re-read this post if I have a blank day to remind me that even a muse needs a rest at times before she flies again.

Happy Word Flow One & All

When characters lead the way

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When I started the current WIP, I had written character cards detailing their appearance and habits. I had also detailed the plot and subplots as well as the denouement.

For the first few thousand words all seemed to be going according to plan. However, around the 50,000 word count, one of my characters wanted to head a certain way, which led me down a surprising route.

I read my WIP as a writer and also as a reader; as a reader, I expected something to happen in one way, but I was shocked to discover the shift in plot and direction. I’m pleased I allowed the character to take charge, although it has led me down a path I wasn’t prepared to write about, yet it excited me. There was a wealth of emotion and characteristic flaws that they displayed – as though opening their hearts and dark souls for me to inspect.

I still have the denouement in mind, but I’m aware that changes may also happen there – something I haven’t yet seen, but that one of the characters may already have in mind.

Perhaps you too find that certain characters take control and push you into unseen plot lines – but I think it can be a positive action that shouldn’t be ignored.

Happy Word Flow One & All