Tag Archive for: #cozymystery

The Weather Factor

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By Lynn McPherson

There are so many aspects to consider when writing a book, today I’m going to tackle an area that doesn’t often get much attention—weather. If a book is set in a place with year-round sunshine, or during a season with a comfortable temperature then it may never come into play. And that’s okay. No need to complicate something when there’s no reason for it. However, sometimes weather cannot be overlooked. It can have a direct or indirect affect on the story. Let’s look at some ways that weather can become a factor.
1.     Increased Danger.
Weather can up the stakes or heighten the tension in a story if it provides imminent danger. For example, the threat of an impending hurricane, or a tornado can force the story or its characters to move quickly and quicken the pace of what might otherwise be a slow-moving plot.
2.     A Closed Set.
Sometimes weather can have a direct effect on the setting of a story. If an author wants to have a isolated location, where characters cannot easily come and go, weather is one method to provide it. For example, a Nor’easter in Maine may prevent characters from coming and going to a place that might normally have fluid movement. It can be a great way to limit the number of people who are involved in the story, or give an automatic set of suspects.
3.     Time of death.
When a body is discovered, time of death can be a critical piece of information. This is especially true when the cause of death is murder.  If a body is discovered outside, temperature is a key factor that comes into play when calculating time of death. If it’s cold enough outside, the accuracy of pinpointing it is much more difficult to determine, often leaving a big range of time that can be frustrating for investigators who are unable to narrow the parameters within a day or more. 
There are so many elements of a story, setting is important. Weather can provide a fun way to change it up and completely alter the pace, the surroundings, and the complications your characters must face. 
Lynn McPherson has worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, ran a small business, and taught English across the globe. She has travelled the world solo where her daring spirit has led her to jump out of airplanes, dive with sharks, and learn she would never master a surfboard. She now channels her lifelong love of adventure and history into her writing, where she is free to go anywhere, anytime. Her cozy series has three books out: The Girls’ Weekend Murder and The Girls Whispered Murder, and The Girls Dressed For Murder.  

In The Mood For Writing…

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By Lynn McPherson

Today I want to address a question a lot of writers face at some point in their career. What should I do if I don’t feel like writing? The short answer is to write anyway. My opinion is not shared by everyone. For that reason I’ve decided to give you my thoughts on how to get it done and hope I will persuade those who disagree. Let’s get started.
1. Find your focus. Writing requires a clear head. With the turmoil and difficulties facing the world over the last few months, it is no doubt almost impossible to naturally fall into that sweet space where the thoughts clear and the imagination roams free. So how can one reach the level of concentration required to get their stories down on (virtual) paper? Here are a few ideas:
a) Meditate—I’m not talking hours, how about 2-5 minutes?
b) Get up early before the mind is clouded by news and chatter
c) Go for a walk. Simple yet effective.
2. Be Creative. Writing time doesn’t have to mean adding to the manuscript every time you sit down. Editing, Plotting, and Character Development are all essential elements that don’t always require the same level of concentration first drafts do. Why not use the time to work on other parts of your book if you’re not in the mood to push the story forward?
3. Eliminate distractions. For an hour a day, whether it’s early, late, or during your lunch break, sit down in front of your laptop (or whatever device you write on) and stare at it. Make sure your phone and wifi are switched off and put your email on hold. One hour. My guess is that blank screen won’t stay blank for long.

There you have it. My thoughts on how to write even when you don’t feel like it. I’m not saying you should write every day. That’s up to you. But it’s a good idea to figure out a schedule and stick to it—whether that means once a day, three times a week, or only on Sundays. What works for me is to get up with the sun and write every weekday morning. It gives me about 8-10 hours a week of concentrated writing time. It’s not a lot but it’s something.
What works for you?
Lynn McPherson has worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, ran a small business, and taught English across the globe. She has travelled the world solo where her daring spirit has led her to jump out of airplanes, dive with sharks, and learn she would never master a surfboard. She now channels her lifelong love of adventure and history into her writing, where she is free to go anywhere, anytime. Her cozy series has three books out: The Girls’ Weekend Murder and The Girls Whispered Murder, and The Girls Dressed For Murder.  

How Are You Coping?

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by Sparkle Abbey

Wow, we’re at the half-way point and 2020 has been quite a year! It’s been a long how-ever-many weeks since this pandemic began and we have to confess that sometimes the fact that it’s June seems surreal. We’ve been staying safe/staying home, wearing masks, social-distancing, shopping online, supporting local businesses, doing curb-side pickup. In other words, doing what we can.

We must say working from home sounded so much more fun than it actually is. And yet, any complaints we have are absolutely trivial when we think about what others are going thorough. Our hearts go out to those directly affected or those who have family members dealing with the virus.

Our problems are minor. Some days are so busy that it’s hard to keep up and other days it seems like time has stopped. Sometimes the technology breaks down at the worst times. Occasionally the delivery is completely different from what we ordered.

All truly minor problems in the big picture. The hardest part of all for us has been being away from friends and family.

But we’ve found some ways to cope – here are a few of them: 

1. Zoom Get-Togethers – We’ve done family dinners, met with our critique group, even played long-distance bingo with out of state family. It’s an easy way to stay in touch and have some human contact, even if it’s not in-person.

2. Facetime Parties – Though Facetime with grandkids had always been a great way to hear about their day, the Grand Doll Party took it to the next level. Invitations went out for the date and packages with supplies were dropped off. And with three grands and their American Girl dolls, everyone did a mini-spa day, switched to pajamas, and watched a movie together. Of course, there was popcorn.

3. Helping Others  – There are opportunities to help wherever you look. The local residential Y put out a call for some very simple needs their residents had. And so, we reached out to family members and rounded up some of those items.

4. Staying Active – It’s great if you have exercise eqiupment at home, but it’s not a requirement. In our area walking has been okay most of the time. Few people are out if you go early or late. Also, we’ve discovered some online exercise classes that also work to keep us moving.

5. And last, but not least, another big coping strategy for us is reading. Reading is the ultimate escape to a different world when the world you’re living in seems out of control. Sometimes it’s taken a few tries to find just the right book for that escape. It can be difficult to concentrate with everything that’s going on. But the adage is true: Reading gives us someplace to go, when we have to stay where we are.

So, there are a few of our #COVID-Coping methods. We’d love to hear what things you’ve been doing to cope with the changes over the past several months?

Sparkle
Abbey is actually two people, Mary
Lee Ashford and Anita Carter, who write the national
best-selling Pampered Pets cozy mystery series. They are friends as well as
neighbors so they often get together and plot ways to commit murder. (But don’t
tell the other neighbors.) 


They love to hear from
readers and can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, their favorite social media
sites. Also, if you want to
make sure you get updates, sign up for their newsletter via the SparkleAbbey.com website

Finding Inspiration…

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By Lynn McPherson
In a time of chaos and stress, writing fiction can be challenging.  Everywhere we look, there is tragedy and loss. There are always stories of hope to be found, but sometimes the world can bring us down. Today I’d like to share some ideas about how and where to find inspiration for our creative minds.
The first one is to get outside. Leave all devices at home and just walk, or ride, or roll. Whatever your favourite way to enjoy the outdoors, now is the time to do it. What better distraction from all the heavy news and numbers of the day than bright flowers and budding trees? Taking time to feel the sun, the wind, even the rain is worthwhile. It makes you feel good and gets your blood flowing. If you want your mind to move, start with your body. I’m always a sucker for a walk in the woods. In the last few weeks, I’ve been lucky enough to spot deer, foxes, and even coyotes.  What are your best sightings?
Another way to get excited about writing is by finding some new authors that excite you. Reading great books is invigorating and fun. I’ve been reading an excellent Canadian thriller author, Shari Lapena, whose stories have kept me up at night. Another new favourite is Tana French. Her stories are absolutely gripping, leaving me amazed at the detail she puts into her descriptive and lyrical passages. What about digging out some old favourites? I’m always up for reading one of my favourite classic cozy authors, Rita Mae Brown or the hilarious and educational Bill Bryson. They make me feel good and are always fun to revisit.
My final suggestion is to get up early. Why? It’s the best time to work without distraction. My best work is always in the dark hours before sunrise. My coffee maker is set for five o’clock. I come downstairs to the only quiet time in my house, before the kids are up, the phone is ringing, and the news starts seeping in from the radio or television. It is my focus time. When the alarm goes off I’m not always excited to hear the ring, but I never regret the time it gives me to work on my writing and feel a sense of accomplishment first thing. It’s a great way to start the day. Not everyone is an earlybird like me. But it’s worth giving it a shot. After a week, if you’re still bleary eyed and no further along in your manuscript or project, give it up and hit the snooze.
I’d love to hear more ideas and suggestions for finding inspiration. Feel free to send yours in.
In the meantime, set that alarm and get to bed early.

Lynn McPherson has worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, ran a small business, and taught English across the globe. She has travelled the world solo where her daring spirit has led her to jump out of airplanes, dive with sharks, and learn she would never master a surfboard. She now channels her lifelong love of adventure and history into her writing, where she is free to go anywhere, anytime. Her cozy series has three books out: The Girls’ Weekend Murder and The Girls Whispered Murder, and The Girls Dressed For Murder.  

Checking In with Yourself

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By Sparkle Abbey

For us, it’s week seven of practicing social distancing and working
from home. Or as we like to call it, doing our part. Basically, like everyone
else, we’ve been hunkered down in the same living space for over fifty days. (Why
do fifty days seem longer than seven weeks?) Sheltering in place or staying
at home, depending on your community, has us all feeling some sort of emotion—anxiety,
fear, worry, boredom, solidarity, gratitude or blessed. With this mixed bag of
emotions emerges the need to support each other, and it only takes a quick scroll
through social media to see or hear the reassuring phrase, “We’ll get through this
together.”
While it’s true we’re in this together,
each one of us is dealing with the pandemic crisis differently. Some of us are
staying busy baking, learning a new language, or tackling those long-forgotten DIY
lists. Others are just trying to make it through each day, putting one foot in
front of the other. Even for us glass-half-full folks, it can be difficult to
stay positive while the world is self-isolating.
We need to do more than just
survive, we need to thrive. With that thought, it’s more important than ever to
practice self-care. We wanted to share five questions to ask yourself daily.
  1. Who am I connecting
    with today?     – We may call it social distancing, but it’s really physical
    distancing    . Humans are social
    beings. Pick one or two people to check in with each day.
  2. What
    expectations of “normal” am I letting go of today?     – This is the time to
    figure out what’s really important. We’re in the middle of a global pandemic.
    You don’t have to check off each item on your daily to-do list.
  3. How am I getting
    outside today?     – Getting outside can improve your mood and reduced
    anxiety. Take a walk. Do some yoga in your backyard. Sit in the sun.
  4. How am I moving
    my body today?     – Keep moving! An active lifestyle during quarantine is an
    important part of keeping both your body and your mind healthy.
  5. What am I
    grateful for today? –     Take two minutes and jot down what you’re grateful for
    or what has brought you joy that day. The practice of being thankful can help
    you relax and improve your mental health.

Sheltering in place is our normal for now. The idea is to ask these questions to check in with ourselves, but not
to stress about the answers. What you need might be different. If so what questions would you add to the list?



By the way – In honor of National Pet Week THE GIRL WITH THE DACHSHUND TATTOO is only $0.99 through
the 15th at your favorite eBook retailer!


Spring forward!

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By Lynn McPherson
Spring is emerging and I couldn’t be more grateful for it. No matter what is happening in the world, seasons change and time moves forward. Daffodils and tulips are coming up. Beauty surrounds us in spite of the dark days.
It is a great time to discover a new book, a new series, or a new author. Have you been looking? There are so many great new stories emerging, it may be time to peruse your local bookstore—online, of course.
Independent bookstores have been working hard to meet the demands of social distancing. You may be surprised to find that many are temporarily delivering right to your door.
My local independent book seller, A Different Drummer, has closed its doors, but is providing free delivery. As a big supporter of local authors like myself, it is important to keep them in mind.
Not sure what to read? Why not check out some of The Stiletto Gang members’ new books?  With so many fabulous options, it could take a whole day trying to choose which one.
We can all do our part to help each other. If staying home and reading a book is a start, you will not hear me complaining.
Take care of yourself and be well.

Lynn McPherson has worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, ran a small business, and taught English across the globe. She has travelled the world solo where her daring spirit has led her to jump out of airplanes, dive with sharks, and learn she would never master a surfboard. She now channels her lifelong love of adventure and history into her writing, where she is free to go anywhere, anytime. Her cozy series has three books out: The Girls’ Weekend Murder and The Girls Whispered Murder, and The Girls Dressed For Murder.  

The Senses of the Season

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By Lynn McPherson
With Thanksgiving just days away,
it’s time to kick off the holiday season. As I opened up all the boxes with
lights and decorations, my festive feelings were thrown into high gear with just
one whiff of a gingerbread-scented candle.
It was a great reminder of the
importance of using all five senses in writing. Let’s look at how much of a
difference it can make if a writer incorporates more than just what the eye can
see. I thought we could use a Thanksgiving setting as our demonstration…

What could be the highlights of a
Thanksgiving meal, if we were restricted to the sense of sight: a big turkey,
decorative pine cones, family gathered together, a festive tree, sparking
lights, a dimmed room with a roaring fire. Now, add in the smell of turkey
cooking in the oven. And the scent of fresh pine of a crisp after-dinner walk.
Doesn’t that start to bring the scene alive?  How about the murmur of happy chatter and the
warmth emanating from the fire? With the addition of sound, smell, and touch, the reader is given a fuller experience—perhaps even
initiating their own memories of holidays past. Without this, the scene may seem hollow—and that’s never good when you’re trying to
entice the reader into your character’s world.
How about if we switch the scenario
to a busy city street?  Other than the
sights around, there might be a pungent smell of a passing garbage truck, the
loud honking of nearby taxis, or the firm brush of hurried passersby. Another
example could be a busy coffee shop. Look around next time you’re in one—think about
what’s happening. Would you miss the buzzing of friendly chatter? The grinding
sounds of a coffee maker preparing to serve fresh brew? And the delicious smell of fresh brew. All these things can
help the readers set their imagination in motion. This is particularly
important at the beginning when you want to hook the reader.
            So
as you unpack your ornaments and prepare your festive dinner, let it be a
reminder to be aware of all the wonderful sensations the holiday season has to
offer and to enjoy each one.
            I
wish everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving weekend. May you have the chance
to see your loved ones and curl up in front of the fire with a good mystery—I
know that’s what I’ll be doing…


Lynn McPherson has worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, ran a small business, and taught English across the globe. She has travelled the world solo where her daring spirit has led her to jump out of airplanes, dive with sharks, and learn she would never master a surfboard. She now channels her lifelong love of adventure and history into her writing, where she is free to go anywhere, anytime. Her cozy series has three books out: The Girls’ Weekend Murder and The Girls Whispered Murder, and The Girls Dressed For Murder.  

The Joys of Getting Out!

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By Lynn McPherson

On Saturday, I had a book launch for my third book, The Girls Dressed For Murder. Accomplished and hilarious author, Melodie Campbell, shared the stage with me. We did short readings and answered questions by talented artist and reviewer, Don Graves. It was at our local independent bookstore and had an excellent turnout—made up of local authors, supporters, and readers. It was a wonderful afternoon and reminded me of the fun that can be had by doing something different.
It is often hard to tear myself away from the laptop. Other than my regular procrastination hobbies, such as tidying and organizing my writing area (nothing too in depth, of course!), I have been known to be somewhat of a homebody. Today I want to talk about fun stuff to do outside of the comforts of home--things to get us moving past the front door. I'm going to share my top picks. Hopefully, this will serve as a good reminder to you, as it has for me, that there's a lot going on out there--and some of it is truly worthwhile. Maybe you'll have a few ideas to add. I'm always looking for suggestions!
First of all, there’s nature. The natural beauty of the outdoors is unparalleled. Venture into it and look around--take in the red, orange, and yellow hues mixed in with the never-changing coniferous trees that fall has to offer. It is a great reminder that the magic Mother Nature provides us deserves our attention--even a jaunt in an urban park will give people a glimpse of the colours and crispness of the season.
There is also the importance of socializing. Friend time is not just for the young. It is important to take time out of our busy lives to connect with our favourite people and have a laugh. It has been proven to lower stress and cause spontaneous moments of joy!
The last reason is for all the writers out there—inspiration! How can someone write about life when they are shut away? Lone dogs may make for a mysterious character, but if a writer isn’t out and about, how can they accurately portray the way people interact and behave on a daily basis? Connection is key.
So there you have it, folks. A gentle reminder to dust off the old walking shoes (or stilettos!) and get out of the house—you’ll be glad you did.

Lynn McPherson has worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, ran a small business, and taught English across the globe. She has travelled the world solo where her daring spirit has led her to jump out of airplanes, dive with sharks, and learn she would never master a surfboard. She now channels her lifelong love of adventure and history into her writing, where she is free to go anywhere, anytime. Her cozy series has three books out: The Girls' Weekend Murder and The Girls Whispered Murder, and The Girls Dressed For Murder.  

Why I Love Writing About a Food Blogger

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Special Guest Post by Debra Sennefelder




I’m so excited to be here today to share with you the three reasons why I love writing about a food blogger. There’s a piece of advice that new writers hear repeatedly and that is to write what you know. It makes sense on so many levels, and when I sat down to write the first Food Blogger mystery, I knew I wanted it to be culinary-themed, but I wasn’t sure what Hope’s job would be. Then it hit me – she’s a food blogger. Now, three books later, there’s no doubt in my mind that I chose the right career for Hope.
So why did I chose to make Hope a food blogger?
The first reason is that I know the job inside and out. Nine years ago, I launched a food blog with a handful of recipes, a few cookbooks I loved and wanted to review and a desire to do something different.
I found a community of bloggers, spent my nights and weekends cooking, baking, and photographing. It was a lot of work, especially since I had no photography skills. But I loved the blog, and whenever I got a new comment, I was so excited. Fast forward to 2015 when I sat down to write the first Food Blogger mystery. I understood what Hope would be juggling, how she had to balance her personal life with her public life on her blog, and how she had to hustle to earn money. Back when she started her blog, ads were her primary income producer. Now she has created her own e-products to sell to her readers, and she’s doing sponsored posts for brands, plus some other things to earn her living.
The next reason I love writing about a food blogger is the behind-the-scenes tasks that go on when writing the book. Keeping up to date on all things blogging is fun, but what’s crazy fun is developing the recipes for the books. This is a perk I love because the kitchen is my favorite room in our home and I get to whip up yummy meals and desserts all in the name of writing. By the way, my neighbors and friends love it when I’m working on recipes for upcoming books.
 Another reason why I enjoy writing these books is that I get to explore the relationship between Hope and her readers/followers, and it intrigues me. I don’t want to say too much about this because I intend to explore this dynamic in a future book. However, what I can say today is that I’m fascinated by the new relationships we’re developing online. Hope has thousands of followers, and because with each post/recipe, she shares her life, her home and her loved ones (with their permission of course) her readers feel like they know her. Now, not every reader will love her, but maybe a few may love her too much. Either way, it’s a fascinating dynamic to explore.
One of the great things about the cozy genre is that we get to learn about different careers and hobbies through those books. With my background, I’m able to sprinkle little details about Hope’s job and hopefully give readers a glimpse of what it looks like to have a food blog.
Bio:
Debra Sennefelder loves to read – mystery books being her biggest passion. When she is not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and is a former food blogger. Born and raised in New York City, she now resides in Connecticut with her family. She is the author of the Food Blogger and Resale Boutique Mystery Series.



Links:
FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE: Debra Sennefelder Author Page
About THREE WIDOWS AND A CORPSE: Third book in the Food Blogger Mystery series available on October 29, 2019.
Food blogger Hope Early finds one item not on her scavenger hunt list—a dead husband . . .

Between developing her food blog, Hope at Home, and choosing low-cal recipes for a feature in Cooking Now! magazine, Hope has a full plate. Still, she’s never too busy to compete in a Jefferson, Connecticut, tradition—the town’s annual scavenger hunt.

But as she races with her team to check off the next item, Hope discovers a grisly surprise—the body of shady real estate developer Lionel Whitcomb, shot in a parking lot. His wife Elaine, who’s also in the hunt, gasps and nearly faints. But two other women on the scene cry out that their husband is dead.

It turns out this louse of a spouse was more than a little lax in legally divorcing his former wives. Did one of them put a bullet in the bigamist? Number one suspect and number three wife Elaine begs Hope to investigate. Now Hope is on a new kind of hunt—for a cold-hearted killer and triple widow-maker . . .

Includes Recipes from Hope’s Kitchen!

Question for Readers: What was the career/hobby that you’ve read about in a cozy mystery that unexpectedly piqued your interest and you wanted to learn more about it?

Pets in Mystery Fiction – Partners, Props, or Presence?

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Guest Post: Arlene Kay
Today Sparkle Abbey welcomes Arlene Kay to The Stiletto Gang as our guest. Her topic is Pets in Mystery Fiction, a topic that’s near and dear to our hearts. Here’s what she has to say…

A recent poster on a mystery blog lamented the overuse of
cover art featuring pets. False advertising, she charged! Many of these novels
barely mention a dog or cat yet their images are used to entice cozy readers.
As a mystery writer and ardent animal lover, I offer a different perspective.
Occasionally a pet may grace a cover without any connection to the novel in
question but that is uncommon. Animals are and have always been intimately
connected to crime fiction in different ways. Even the great Sherlock Holmes,
hardly an animal lover, frequently relied on the scenting prowess of Toby the
hound and in Silver Blaze, the key clue was provided by the guard dog that didn’t
bark.
Some novels may feature service/military dogs, whose
official job it is to help catch criminals or simply animals that further the
exploits of their human partners. For instance, the late Virginia Lanier’s
series featured tracking dogs, while Diane Kelly’s “Paw Enforcement” series
includes an intrepid K-9 officer and his human partner. One of my all-time
favorites, anchovy lover Lulu the Basset Hound, the brainchild of author David
Handler, is the tireless pal of ghostwriter Stewart Hoag. Other examples
abound. Rita Mae Brown co-authors the Mrs. Murphy series with her tabby Sneaky
Pie Brown. Mrs. Murphy, a spunky feline, marshals her animal pals to help and occasionally save their human mama, Harry, from
harm. In each of these novels, animals play an active and integral part in resolving
the mystery.
For many authors, animals are a constant presence in our
novels as they are in our own lives. While pets may stay in the background,
they help to define the protagonist and advance the plot. For instance, Keats
and Poe, (part of my Creature Comforts series), are retired military canines who
join a rag tag band of rescues residing with Persephone Morgan. They may not
solve the puzzle, but they sustain their human caretaker and enrich her life.
Fans of Lillian Jackson Braun’s “Cat Who” series know that the contributions of
Koko and Yum Yum were only vaguely connected to the mystery at hand, but they
defined Jim Quilleran as a most sympathetic character.  I ask you, who can resist a man who nurtures
and loves felines?
From pet salons to dog shows, our animal friends provide
fans with a host of venues and plot devices that enhance their reading
pleasure. Perhaps that old saw is actually true: you can tell a book by its
cover!
Arlene’s Short but Sweet Bio
An artful combination of humor, satire and savagery make
Arlene Kay’s tales unique. The published author of nine mystery novels, is a
former Treasury executive who traded the trappings of bureaucracy for the
delights of murder most foul. She wisely confines her crimes to fiction
although like all mystery writers she firmly believes that most deaths are suspicious,
and everyone is a suspect. Her Creature Comforts series from Kensington
(Lyrical), includes Death by Dog Show; Homicide by Horseshow; and Therapy by
Murder.