Love is Murder

We went to Love is Murder last year and had a great time and met lots of wonderful people including Morgan. This pic was taken in the courtyard where my husband and a few others including Mary Welk had a snow ball fight. I had to change my shoes and missed the whole thing.

Not sure that we can swing it this year with airline travel so expensive.

We are already committed to two conventions that we can drive to--Epicon and the Public Safety Writers Association's conference both in Las Vegas. Also gives me the opportunity to visit my sis who lives there.

We signed up for Bouchercon in Indianapolis, so that may be it for next year.

Marilyn

Love Is Murder Just Around the Corner By Morgan Mandel

It's already Fall. Before we know it, it will be Winter. With Winter, comes the Love is Murder Mystery Conference.

Last year marked the 10th annual Love is Murder with special guests like Tess Gerritsen and Lee Child. Each year gets better than the one before. Here's the official spiel from the organizers:
February in Chicago freezing?
Not when you have the hottest mystery, thriller, dark fiction and romantic suspense authors steaming up the joint at Love Is Murder.

Add forensic experts, crime scenes, contests, film clips, agents and editors, booksellers and vendors, and lots of great food, and whew!!!!!

We'll be turning up the temperature on crime February 6-8, 2009. Don't get left out in the cold...check out the heat at http://www.loveismurder.net/!

I recommend it. There's where I met the senior editor for Hard Shell Word Factory, who published both my books. You could be next. (If you're already published, there's lots there for you also.)
Morgan Mandel
http://www.morganmandel.com/

It's time for all the new mysteries to begin for the new season. It's premiere time on all the cable and network tv stations. There'll be new forensics mysteries to unravel, fresh family relationships to figure out, military murders to solve and more. For mystery lovers, this is a great time to sit back and enjoy our favorite characters -- and some new ones we'll discover -- spin their deductive skills in an hour or less each week.

There's no beating a good mystery book, but mystery mavens love the genre, no matter the medium. What's your favorite mystery story -- was it ever adapted to tv or film?

Let's enjoy the mysteries coming our way the next few weeks -- it's a great way to spend a bit of time!

Set Your Pace By Morgan Mandel

Rascal on vacation this Spring

When I walk Rascal, I have to set the pace. If I have time, I let out more leash to let her explore. When I don't, I shorten the leash and walk briskly. Otherwise, I'm at her mercy, being pulled along or getting stopped when that's not what I want.

When you've finished your manuscript, it's a good idea to go through it and check for pacing. Does it race through areas where you'd rather have your readers linger?

Does it drag where you want it to race?

To get a manuscript to slow down, add more sentences. Make the sentences longer. Throw in more descriptions.

To set a faster pace, shorten the sentences. Eliminate adjectives, except for the most vital. Use action verbs.

Remember, you're in control of your manuscript's pace. Lengthen or shorten the leash as needed.

Morgan Mandel
www.morganmandel.com
http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com
http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com

The Uncertainty of Life

Of course I kept watching the news about Ike and being thankful I didn't live in the path of that horrific storm. Everyone touched by Ike has had their lives completely changed from what they'd expected.

The folks who took the commuter train from Los Angeles had an unexpected turn in their lives--and for some it was the end--when they were hit head-on by a freight train.

We just never know what is in store for us. Despite that we keep on dreaming and planning for our future.

Last week we set out for Crescent City for a book event. I know what I hoped for--but in this case it turned out far better than what I even dreamed. On our way home we took a different route--supposed to be shorter, but wasn't--but were able to see things we hadn't seen for many years such as Mt. Shasta (a quiet volcano) and Crater Lake. We also found two little hold in the wall cafes, one where we ate breakfast, the other our supper, and the food and prices were wonderful.

I'm not sure what the point of this essay is except that we never know what will happen in our future--whether we have to face a huge disaster, a small alteration in our plans, or have a wonderful surprise that exceeds our expectations, in most cases we do what we have to do and move on. When what happens is better than what we hoped for, it's time to rejoice.

Life does have its ups and downs.

My next adventure is flying to St. Louis and then driving to Taylorville IL for a writers conference where I'll be one of the instructors. I have no great expectations except that I'll be seeing a part of the country new to me.

Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com

Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time, a reader discovers mysteries -- often we start with Nancy Drew, and work our way along, finding Agatha Christie and Phyllis Whitney, and being led to the action adventure mysteries popular today -- such writers as James Rollins, Lincoln Child, Doug Preston and others. It's as addictive as potato chips, but way better for us -- fat and cholesterol free and engaging. We have to stretch our minds, figure out the clues so cleverly placed, and then go back and see what we missed the first time around.

And then the bug bites -- I could write a mystery, too! That's when we discover just how hard it is to lay the framework, tuck in the clues and keep our reader entertained and distracted from who-dun-it. There have been many, many books written about how to construct a mystery, dissect a mystery, read between the lines, etc.

I think one of the best things mystery writers can do is read voraciously. Yes, read the how-to books, but also read the best mysteries you can find...which isn't necessarily what's on a best seller list either. Check out your favorite publisher for mysteries and figure out what makes them work.

Flex New Muscles - The Gym Shoe Blog - By Morgan Mandel

New gym shoes are not the same. They may be the brand, style and size as the old ones,but they aren't. The old ones fit just right, but were unwearable with their worn down soles, crumbled insides and ugly scuffs.

The new shoes feel higher up, give better support and look a lot prettier. They are much better than the old gym shoes. Still, at the beginning they make my legs hurt. That's because when I walk in them I use different muscles than before. My legs need to adjust, which will take time.

Right now I'm exploring a new way to promote. It's like an old one I've used, but better. Before, I blogged every Wednesday since that's my day off work. Now, I blog every day. It's not easy. Sometimes my eyes smart because I'm tired. Sometimes I don't answer all my e-mail or I miss watching a TV show.

Still, I believe the sacrifice is worth it. By blogging daily, I've found my mind is more receptive to new ideas to write about. I'm gaining a larger audience and getting more Google hits. I'm also establishing a discipline for myself. As I continue on, blogging gets easier.

Yes, it takes valuable time away from writing my novel, but as I blog, my writing abilities improve. The potential audience for my novel grows. I'm having fun thinking up new things to write about. My writing muscles are getting stronger. They don't hurt as much as when I started. It's well worth the effort.

For my daily blog, catch it at http://morganmandel.blogspot.com

Morgan Mandel
www.morganmandel.com
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com
http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com

Fall Issue of PSWA Newsletter Available

The fall issue of the Public Safety Writers Association (PSWA) is now available on the website:
http://www.policewriter.com

The website also contains information about the writing contest–be sure to read the article in the newsletter written by the contest chairperson–and the PSWA conference coming in July of 2009. There is an early-bird price break on the registration fee until September 30. I hope a lot of you will take advantage of this.

I’ve been a member of PSWA for over ten years and watched it evolve into an organization with great resources for anyone writing either fiction (mysteries, thrillers, etc.) or non-fiction about crime, law enforcement or any other public safety entity.

I’d be glad to answer questions about the conference or the organization either on list or off: mmeredith@ocsnet.net

Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com

We're Heading Off to Crescent City

In the a.m., after the inside cats and the outside cats are fed (and yes we have someone to take over this duty when we're gone), we're jumping in the car for a two day drive to Crescent City CA.
(I always add CA because many people think of Crescent City as being New Orleans.)

This Crescent City is at the northwestern corner of California sitting next to the Pacific and the Oregon border. It is a beautiful place.

The reason we're going is two fold--to visit old friends and promote my latest book. (Visit http://fictionforyou to learn more about that.)

Because of the price of gas--this will be an expensive undertaking. Writers do a lot of things that are costly in order to promote their books. Probably the most expensive is when we fly somewhere for a conference.

Besides selling books and getting your name known in new places, one of the pluses for my husband and I has been visiting places we've never been before. We've been to Madison and Milwaukee, Tampa and Orlando, Chicago, Omaha (several times because we fell in love with the place), Washington DC, Oklahoma City, Virginia Beach, Portland, Seattle, Denver, San Antonio and El Paso, Maui and other spots I don't remember.

Some of the places I've traveled by myself are Anchorage, Bethel, Wasilla and Kwithlik in Alaska, New York City and Reno, Austin and Plano.

I count these trips as the the pluses of being an author. I've met people I'd have never met otherwise, and some have become great friends.

Once again we're off on another adventure, one that will afford us the opportunity to see beautiful scenery, see old friends and make new ones.

Ah, the writer's life.

Marilyn

PRUNE WITH CARE By Morgan Mandel

For years we'd owned a lilac bush in the backyard. We kept it groomed and trimmed each fall, yet it never bloomed. We couldn't figure out why.

Then, for a few summers we let things slide. We didn't get around to trimming the bush or some of the others. Also, the professionals wanted more than we could afford to get the job done.

A strange thing happened. A few summers ago, to our surprise, lilacs appeared on the bush.

Someone mentioned we hadn't had blooms before because we'd been trimming the bush incorrectly, at the wrong time of year. It appears the trimming should have been done earlier instead of in the Fall.

The same thing can happen with a manuscript. If you don't edit it correctly, it won't grow into its true potential and be published.

After you do your best to fix whatever errors you find in your manuscript, you're not done. It's amazing how the mind can fill in or change what's actually on a page. Don't ask me how - it's come kind of cruel magic trick.

Since it's difficult to be completely objective about your own work, before sending it out to a publisher for consideration, turn it over to one or more competent writers to check for errors, or, if it can be worked into the budget, a professional editor to do some careful pruning.

Then, instead of getting one of those envelopes containing your rejected manuscript, you'll get one with a publishing contract and your book will bloom like our lilac bush!

PS - I recommend http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com for editing tips from authors and editors in the know.

Morgan Mandel
http://www.morganmandel.com
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com

Fine Arts Festival in Elk Grove/Thillers

Saturday I participated in the Book section of the Fine Arts Festival in Elk Grove.

Robin Burcell (seen at left), mystery writer was one of the keynote speakers. I know Robin from Sisters in Crime and have met her at a couple of mystery conventions. She told me a lot about her decision to change from writing mysteries to writing thrillers. Thrillers are the big thing right now and what agents are looking for. The big thing with thrillers is they have to be a larger number of words than most mysteries--although this isn't totally true.

The book sale part was fun though I only sold 8 books. I had lots of looky-loos. One particular young woman who was with her mother came back to look at my books three times. She didn't have any money and couldn't talk her mother into buying the books she wanted. She took my card, hopefully she'll visit my website and get the books she wants that way.

I talked to lots and lots of people, handed out many cards, ate some wonderful Nachos while hubby minded my table.

Next weekend we're off to Fresno to the San Joaquin Chapter of Sisters in Crime where I'll be talking about my journey to publication and my latest book.

Marilyn
http://ficitonforyou.com