Crime Bake!
Writing a report no one cares about.
So here I am in Dedham, doing one of the most writerly things I’ve ever done. I am attending a writers convention/conference. Mystery Writers of America’s North East chapter hosts an annual conference for writers and by writers. There are agents and a full spectrum of talented writers.
This morning was a treat, in that I spent it listening to a panel of very successful, talented authors offer their insights into a variety of things such as, plotting, characters, cliches and tropes. Now chances are if you are reading this you might geek out with me about this stuff.
If you want the short version of the panel talk I think it’s like this, write authentic, textured characters. Avoid cliches but use tropes as long as it’s done to drive the plot and characters. Keep the story believable and don’t disappoint the reader.
It’s interesting for me to hear other writers talk about their writing techniques, style and rules. I don’t think much about this stuff when I sit down to write. I just tend to write and then edit and most importantly I take to heart the advice my editors offer. They are objective and know what they’re doing. By the time one of my books has been edited I been living with it, in it for months, and can’t see the forest through the trees.
Okay, there more events to attend. Fortunately I am hanging out with the very talent author Roberta Gately, if you haven’t picked up any of her books, you should.