by Mary Jo Burke
My mom was a big mystery fan. Agatha Christie and Mary Higgins Clark were her go to authors. To my junior high self, it was uncool to read my mom’s books. To outwit or intrigue me, she suggested MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS was too complicated for her to understand. A dead body on a snow stranded train with most of the suspects women. She didn’t get it. As a service to her, I read the book. No spoilers, simply a mystery writing master class.
Since then, I’ve been hooked on whodunits. Not only for the stories, but life lessons.
First impressions are usually right, trust those Spidey senses. Be quiet and listen to what is said and unsaid. Observing adornments and body language add to the full picture of each person. So much free information is offered up.
Everything is small stuff, details matter. Beauty and pain can hide in the shadows. Everyone has secrets, for good and for bad. All add to their story and its up to you to accept or reject them where they stand.
Most importantly, life is full of problems and challenges. Be able to step back, push aside the emotions of the moment, and analyze the facts. Hopefully, not only to solve murders, but to find workable alternatives.
Read on and conquer!
Everyone has a story in them
In school, I sat by the window and imagined myself in every passing car. Fast forward a few decades, physically stuck in an endless meeting, mentally I’m gone. My daydreaming mind needed an outlet. My solution was writing.
An avid reader with an editor’s eye for detail I ask a constant question. What if? I change the ending or the relationships in the story. Lovers to enemies, family to foes, dogs to cats. Eventually, I wrote down some of my ideas and let them percolate. Looking for input and advice, I joined a writers’ group that met at my library. With encouraging feedback and a dash of confidence, I submitted a manuscript. Found some welcoming spots to land, but rejection ruled the day.
Not all worthy stories feel the warmth of a publisher’s glow. Some sit idle on laptops or handwritten and stuffed in the bottom drawer. Either way creativity and imagination need to be celebrated, even if its quietly. Personal success is attainable. Why not give writing a chance!
Seriously, what if Elizabeth Bennet blew off Mr. Darcy, moved to London, and opened a bookshop? Contemplate her mother’s poor nerves and the endless possibilities.
Mary Jo is a USA Today bestselling author and 2014 WRWDC Marlene Award winner. She writes whatever pops into her head including paranormal, fantasy, romance, and mystery stories. Being an eternal pessimist and multi-tasker helps Mary Jo put her characters in desperate situations. She reads, likes her kids, and is currently working on her next project.
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