The filling-your-book question reminded me of something you said in another video about how you familiarize your reader with new worlds/cultures/industries by gently including interesting things about that world seamlessly into your story. This seems like the perfect opportunity to talk about what people in your world do and how they do it, the common issues ppl in your world face (and how they face it) and how your sleuth views those issues, etc...

I know you said you didn't feel equipped to answer my plotting question, but I think you gave me a great answer. I'm gonna try doing a little bit of both planning and letting the story kind of take me. I know there needs to be a bit of a plan or else it can go anywhere and everywhere and land me in a loop not ending up in my destination.

@janekalmes

Жыл бұрын

Awesome, glad it was helpful!

Thank you for sharing your expertise.

@janekalmes

Жыл бұрын

You’re so welcome, Keith!

I just bought a fairly large house with lots of room and in the book I want to write I thought wouldn’t it be neat if a skeleton was found in a trunk in the basement. So far, that’s all I have. I have heard that it is easiest to write the villain first this is my first attempt at mystery writing my love to read mysteries. Do you have any tips on how to write the villain, or explain how the skeleton came to be found in the basement , etc.?

Great QnA, Jane, thank you!

@janekalmes

Жыл бұрын

You’re so welcome!

Thanks, Jane. I was able to beef up a couple of motives in two books. I did have to pause to type. :) For the person with the guy at the party, with pictures, I love the tie scenario, but what if he lost a sleeve button on this suit, or even just had it pulled enough to be dangling? Of course, leaving something like a button clutched in a dead hand is always nice, but a thick thread, a button outline, especially an ornate one, is good. And, if he's the type to dress very formally, a lost cufflink with a family crest would be excellent, although he could claim it was stolen, the pictures would expose his lie. It all depends how much trace evidence you want to leave behind and how easy you want it to be for your sleuth. Ooh, good idea with the stolen wig on the cruise show. "The lead singer really stood out being blonde amongst all the dark haired performers." When, in reality, her wig was missing, but the show must go on. Cruise ship internet is also expensive. But when you get to port, check where the crew are standing with their cell phones for free internet. Yes, everything counts as writing. Even Facebook. I was on Cops and Writers the other day, explaining how as writers we feel we need to know everything about a subject, when all we need is our characters to know someone who does know it. I wrote an example: I took the note to Alexander. "It's all Greek to me." "You're right. Ancient Greek. Go have lunch, by the time you're back, I'll have the translation done." I like Alexander. I'm going to have to use him somewhere, somewhen. :) Jon in rural BC, Canada

@janekalmes

Жыл бұрын

Great thoughts, Jon! And for sure the next time I’m on a cruise ship I’ll look for crew with their phones!

AHH THANKS FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTION

@janekalmes

Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome, Ophelia!

Dear Professor Kalmes, I’m sorry I couldn’t catch your live-stream the other day, I need help, I’m trying to write my mystery novel, but all I have in my head is the first line, haven’t even finished writing how many chapters, do you have any advice? What should I do?

@janekalmes

Жыл бұрын

Hmm…Can you elaborate on your problem? is it that you can’t get past the first line? Do you mean that you’re trying to outline, and can’t decide on a number of chapters? or that you’ve written a few chapters, but left them all unfinished?

@lukacunningham342

Жыл бұрын

@@janekalmes I know what my plot is, but I don’t know how to get it on paper

@janekalmes

Жыл бұрын

@@lukacunningham342 Ok! Have you tried writing some shorter works before? That may be a place to start.

I'm sad I missed the live stream while on a Zoom session. Next time.

@janekalmes

Жыл бұрын

Hope you can make it next time! The 19th at 12 EST.