April 25th, 2014

April's Round Robin

"You loved the blurb. First page sounded interesting. You bought the book. What makes you throw the book you're reading against the wall, stomp on it and go find another?"

I drop the book at the point the book disintegrates into an ‘every other book’ tale.

When I wrote for a print publisher I saw a distinct ‘drop’ in the writing after the first three chapters in some established authors' books.  Bear with me while I substitute 'hook' for first page.

The first three chapters were the hook that sold the book to the editor and made good reading.

After that there was this ‘oh lets get it done’ story that disappointed.

When the story begins to ‘sag’ it no longer holds me as a reader. 

When it’s the same story line as every other book the author has written, I give up on it.

My best revenge:  I put it down and tell myself 'I won’t try that author again'.

Luckily for me that there are some really good, prolific authors out there who do not disappoint.

As always Robin thanks for letting me have my say.

Now folks get a move on to Connie’s blog to read her take on the subject.

http://connievines.blogspot.com

March 22nd, 2014

VILLAINS

Do you need them? When do you use them, and what is the most diabolical type of villain to you?

Every mystery/thriller needs a villain or a perp as they are called in ‘police speak’.

The perpetrator is as necessary to the plot of a mystery or a thriller as sunshine to a plant.

In the romance genre too, the TV show Dynasty is a great example of how necessary villains are… Krystle Carrington seemed all the nicer when she was constantly battling Alexis’ ploys.

His or her wickedness throws the hero and heroine into sharp relief, draws the reader into the story and has him or her cheering for the main protagonist, the hero or heroine and hoping they will win.

In the young adult mystery series I’m writing:  The Green and Gold Mystery Series, the first three books, January, February (out now) and March (upcoming) have villains that are introduced early in the story.

They are used throughout the story and add richness to the mysteries.

In ‘The Green and Gold Mystery Series:  February’ (now available on Amazon.com), there is a unique twist on the perps.

Instead of being the usual dastardly criminal minds, they were people one can’t help liking.  They were funny, endearing and have troubles of their own.

Was I channeling Arsenic and Old Lace, a favorite movie of mine when I wrote this book?  I think so.  Though there are no murders involved in this mystery, the sisters do challenge the readers’ imaginations and the story has an unusual ending.

The most diabolic type of villains to me are the ones in the following psych thrillers,

A Perfect Murder

and

Along Came a Spider.

I love psych thrillers in which villains are disguised as good guys/gals and keep us guessing till the very end ‘whodunit’.

Please visit the next blog in the Round Rhobin for more:

http://connievines.blogspot.com

Robin thanks for organizing these and including me.