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Heirs of the Body

04/24/2013

8 Comments

 
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HEIRS OF THE BODY, the next Daisy Dalrymple mystery, is finished and "in production" (publisher-speak) at last. There were times that I thought I'd never finish it!

Due out in December in US and March (?) in UK.

Look for news of more Daisy coming up....
8 Comments
 

How to write...??

09/11/2010

 
I gave a talk to a writers' group this week, about how I develop a novel, intertwining character, plot, and setting. To tell the truth, I don't know how I do it--it just sort of happens. One thing leads to another.

That's why I can't understand it when mystery authors say they go back after finishing and drop in a few clues and red herrings in appropriate places. If I tried that, it would change the story and I'd have to rewrite.

I guess I've always written in much the same way. My first book (Toblethorpe Manor), having been written longhand and then typed, was way too long for what the publisher wanted. My editor said she'd have to cut it, and I, being young and innocent, said OK (nowadays I'd scream blue murder and insist on doing it myself). She tried. Next thing I heard was that the whole thing was so tightly intertwined she could only find a few paragraphs to cut. They published it full length for $1 more than their regular price!

It's really hard to explain my method--because it isn't a method--and impossible to tell someone else how to do it. I only hope I was some help to some of the audience, at least.