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…an attempt to bring good crime fiction to the attention of others. …an opportunity to share my mystery lecture topics with others. …an offering of mystery happenings.
About Me
- Msmstry
- I'm supposed to be retired, but I keep busy as a media escort and editor of inSinC, the Sisters in Crime journal. I read about 200 mysteries a year and have been reviewing and lecturing about mysteries for nearly 25 years. I enjoy moderating crime fiction panels at panels across the country. I often host mystery authors and book them into stores, libraries, and other venues in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area.
We follow Meritorious Mysteries
TriangleMystery
If you live in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area of North Carolina, you may want to subscribe to "Triangle Mystery" where I operate a list-serv alerting folks to upcoming mystery events and happenings. I post bookstore and library events as well as schedules for authors who are visiting with me. Just scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the "Join" button.
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Blog Archive
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2009
(108)
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May
(15)
- Mason-Dixon Mystery Tour
- AN HONORABLE GERMAN by Charles McCain (Grand Centr...
- POSED FOR MURDER by Meredith Cole (Minotaur)
- THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE by Alan Bra...
- KILLER KEEPSAKES by Jane K. Cleland (Minotaur)
- THE BIG DIRT NAP by Rosemary Harris (Minotaur Books)
- CAN'T NEVER TELL by Cathy Pickens (Thomas Dunne Bo...
- COVENANT HALL by Kathryn R. Wall (Minotaur Books)
- More Questions for Beth
- Guest Blogger - Beth Groundwater
- TO HELL IN A HANDBASKET by Beth Groundwater (Five ...
- Beth Groundwater, Guest Blogger, May 6
- Edgar Awards
- Agatha Awards
- THE COLD LIGHT OF MOURNING by Elizabeth Duncan
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May
(15)
12 comments:
Beth - How long does it usually take yo to write a book from start to finish?
Barb
Can I add one to Barb's question? Do you work on one book at once, or more than one?
Hey--If the fabulous Molly wants to make you a hat, say YES!!! I can attest to their beauty and her wonderful handiwork...
Ah, Hank, you make me blush!
Molly asked: "I was impressed by Claire's being able to give ski lessons! Does this come from you? Are you a big skier? Do I need to knit you a hat?"
LOL! Yes, I am an avid skier, tackling slopes rated anywhere from blue intermediate to double-black-diamond expert. I ski at least 20 days a year. However, I am very safety conscious and wear a helmet while skiing, as everyone should. I'd love to have something knitted from you, though! How about apres-ski socks or a scarf?
Barb asked: "How long does it usually take you to write a book from start to finish?"
The writing of the rough draft takes 5-6 months, but the pre-work of research, outlining and character profiles takes 2-3 months and the post-work of editing takes 3-4 months, so I spend about a year on a novel-length manuscript.
Sheila added: "Do you work on one book at once, or more than one?"
I can only hold one story at a time in my head, so I work serially, one manuscript at a time. Now what I HAVE done is overlap the pre-work on one book with editing post-work on the previous book.
Socks I DON'T do--the small needles male my hands wrists hurt. Scarves--bring 'em on! Color?
My favorite colors are green & purple, so you can choose!
Sorry that I've been gone so long. I had two meetings late afternoon & evening and I thought I'd have a break between them to check the blog, but they ran together with only enough time to grab a sandwich. I'll go answer the questions on the other post now. So, I'll be here for awhile tonight, then I'll check in again tomorrow morning for any additional questions that come up.
Do you think about the idea for a while before you start to work on it or just jump right in?
Donnas asked: "Do you think about the idea for a while before you start to work on it or just jump right in?"
Donna, I'm about as obsessive-compulsive and control freaky as they come, so I am a "plotter" who outlines her books beforehand versus a "pantser" who writes by the seat of her pants. Being a former engineer, I have to have the design firmly in mind before I implement the solution.
That doesn't mean that the plan never changes, though! Being a former project manager taught me that plans ALWAYS change, but it's a lot easier to re-plan, modifying an existing plan, than to come up with one in the first place mid-stream. Or at least it's easier for me!
Hi Beth, I may be too late to catch up with you here. I hope not. It looks like Claire's adventure takes place in Breckenridge. Is that your favorite ski hang out? Do you ever make it to Monarch in Salida or Purgatory near Durango? Lots of great places for more mayhem!
Thanks Beth. Love your analogy with project management.
Holly asked about my favorite ski areas. Breckenridge, since it's almost right outside the back door of our second home, is the one I go to most. I also enjoy the other Summit County resorts--Keystone, A Basin, and Copper--and Vail and Beaver Creek. With these six resorts all being within a short drive of our ski place, I haven't felt the need to go anywhere else.
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