Showing posts with label #cozies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #cozies. Show all posts

Saturday, July 7, 2018

Do These Openings Draw You Into the Story?

by Elva Cobb Martin


This busy summer is proving difficult to keep at my normal writing speed. July in South Carolina is very hot, and this year, also humid. I seem to keep a film of perspiration down my back with minimal activity, even with good A/C. (Notice we southern belles DO NOT sweat. We perspire.) LOL

BUT I WILL NOT GIVE IN OR UP whether sweating or perspiring! Today I am going to give you a breakdown of what I am working on and some openings. Taking stock like this, keeps my writing goals from wilting in this summer heat. Jerry B. Jenkins says even if you can't write at the moment, keeping your goals in mind will make your subconscious work on your project while you're trying to get back to it. 

Here are my three current projects, two fiction, one NF:


1) An inspirational historical romance series set in the 1700's. I have completed the first draft of Book 1, Marisol, at 50,000 words and am starting back on the polishing which should raise the word count to about 70-75,000. I write my first drafts pretty fast to get the main plot points down, including the ending, then I go back and spit polish adding extra research and description before final editing. 


Chapter One    Cadiz, Spain, 1740  

Marisol Valentin pressed her tearful face on the neck of her beloved mare and tried to smother the ghastly metallic scent of blood in the corridor behind her. “Goodbye, dear Jada.” She forced her eyes from the sleek Andalusian and turned back toward the barn entrance.
Her breath strangled in her throat as she inched by the body of Diego Vargas, nobleman of Spain, sprawled in the passageway. She stumbled across the dark stable yard, and up the back stairs of the hacienda. Bursting into her bedchamber, she shoved the door closed, and leaned against it. Tears dripped onto her torn gown.
 “Oh, my lady.” Her maid dropped the camisole she was laying out on the bed. “What has happened?”
“Diego Vargas is dead. He came into the foaling barn after I went to check on Jada and         he . . .” Her voice cracked. She clenched her eyes to stop scenes of his brutal attack assailing her mind. “He’s ruined me.” Her lips trembled. “And I stabbed him to death with my sword.”

Carmela gasped and her hand flew across her mouth. “Madre de Dios!” 



2) A Christian Cozy Mystery

 Chapter 1
Aggie Perkins froze and gaped at the marble face of the man lying in the grass in the Meditation Labyrinth next to the chapel. A single bullet hole pierced his forehead. He was dead—dead as the proverbial door knob. He lay stretched out on his back with his hands folded across his chest.
     When she could breathe again, she stooped and groped for her purse she’d dropped on the lakeside footpath. She never took her eyes off the deceased she knew as Mr. Guy Jensen. Poor soul. Who would want to go and kill an old man like him? He kept to himself. Never bothered anyone. She shook her head and tried to remember the last time she’d witnessed to him about the hope in Christianity as she manned the registration desk at Lambton Inn. He cut such conversations off as fast as they began. Well, he certainly knew about the hereafter now.
     She sighed and then dug in her shoulder bag. Under a half dozen tissues, a too-pink tube of lipstick and sundry throat lozenges, she found her cell and dialed 911.
     “Sheriff’s office.” A female voice responded fast and interested.
      Aggie took a needed breath and willed her heart to quit rocking in her chest. She stumbled over the first words but cleared her throat and started again in her normal husky voice. “This is Aggie Perkins at Lake Juno Conference and Retirement Center. I’ve found a dead man, one of our residents, in our Meditation Garden. Is that new Deputy Dawson around?”
     “A dead man? Are you sure he’s dead?”
     “Of course I’m sure. I’ve seen a few deceased folks in my sixty years, young lady.” Then, not able to keep her eyes from returning to the terrible wound, she added with a shudder, “First time I’ve seen a bullet hole in a forehead, though.” 

Do these openings tempt you to read more? Feel free to critique.

3) A Healing School 4-week Class (Speaking and Writing)
The pastor of the church we attend asked me to do a four-week teaching on what the Bible says about healing. These free classes will be held on eight Wednesday nights for one hour starting July 11- August 29. Each class will last four weeks, then be repeated as other classes are also being offered and folks can sign up for two classes.
I love to share what the Bible says about our wonderful healing covenant in Christ! I believe all this study, preparing handouts, and sharing will evolve into another Bible study I will publish on Amazon. I already have Book 1 indie published on Amazon, Power Over Satan. Book 2 will most likely be Power Over Sickness. Would you join me in prayer for God to move mightily in those who need healing, to draw those who need to come, and for me to share exactly what He would have me share?

Thanks for stopping by. Want to share your writing projects and help keep them fresh? Did my fiction openings draw you into the story? Do leave a comment and share this blog by clicking on the small icons below.

Blessings,
Elva 

Elva Cobb Martin is vice-president of the South Carolina Chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is a former school teacher and a graduate of Anderson University and Erskine College. She has two inspirational novels published with Lighthouse Publishers of the Carolinas. Summer of Deception, a contemporary romantic suspense, and an historical romance, In a Pirate’s Debt. Both have spent time on Amazon’s 100 Best Sellers List for Women’s Religious Fiction. She has indie published a Bible study on Amazon, Power Over Satan, on the  believer's authority in Christ. Decision, Charisma, and Home Life have carried Elva's articles. Jim Hart of Hartline Literary represents her. She and her husband Dwayne are semi-retired ministers. A mother and grandmother, Elva lives in South Carolina. Connect with her on her web site http://www.elvamartin.com,on Twitter www.twitter.com/ElvaCobbMartin; Facebook http://www.facebook.com/elvacobbmartin;  and Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/elvacobbmartin

 Link to her romance novels and non-fiction works on Amazon:http://amzn.to/2pOgVHI





Friday, October 27, 2017

Writing the Cozy Mystery - Part 3 the Main Components

by Elva Cobb Martin

You can review Part 1 and Part 2  of this series by clicking on my archives. We covered the differences between Mystery, Suspense and Horror novels in Part 1.
In Part 2 we defined what a Cozy Mystery is.

Today let's talk about the Main Components of a cozy we will need to plan.

The Amateur Sleuth
Unlike regular mysteries (detective stories, police procedures) a cozy has an amateur sleuth protagonist working to solve the mystery, although there may be trained law officers also working on the case. Think of Father Brown on Netflix, who solves the case right under the angry inspector's nose who tries to keep Father Brown out of the picture. Think of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and Poirot. I love these amateur sleuths. And I love Sherlock Holmes, but can't class him as amateur. He's too much a brain.

Location/Setting
One reason I like Father Brown and Agatha Christies' series is the English village setting. Don't you love the stately old manors, churches, modes of travel, and the dress? I'm probably going to need to consider writing an historical cozy since I love historical stuff.

The Murder Victim and Crime
Eddie Jones, CEO of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, says in his Cozy Mystery Workshop that the body must appear very soon in the story, definitely by the end of Chapter one or sooner. The crime must capture the reader's imagination and give enough information about the victim to make the reader care that justice will prevail.

Great Plotting
Like any other type story, we have to have a well-thought out plot. Plot usually has three main stages:

1) Beginning - getting to know the protagonist and set up for the conflict/crime
2) Conflict/Problem/Journey
3) Resolution

These are broken down into many parts. For a mystery it must also include clues, red herrings, and many twists until the very end. The end does not have to be happy but it must be satisfying.

Are you thinking about writing a mystery? Do you have a question? I look forward to your comments and please do share this on your social media by clicking on the below small icons.

Blessings,
Elva Cobb Martin
Link to all my books on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2pOgVHI











Friday, October 20, 2017

Writing the Cozy Mystery - Part 2 Definition

by Elva Cobb Martin

In my last blog we defined Mystery and Suspense and reviewed the major differences between Mystery, Suspense and Horror novels. You can find that blog in my archives. Carolina Reckoning by Lisa Carter is a great mystery I enjoyed.

What is a Cozy Mystery? --by Eddie Jones, CEO, Lighthouse Publishers of the Carolinas (LPC):
A cozy mystery features an amateur sleuth solving a murder within the confines of a controlled setting (think train, mansion, small town). Most of the suspects know each other and thus know each other's secrets. This leads to lots of accusations as to whom the killer might be.

Another definition I like is: A cozy mystery is a sub genre of crime fiction that gives readers a chance to delight in vicariously solving a murder--without graphic violence or sex. As a Christian writer this is what makes a cozy mystery my favorite kind of mystery and the kind I will want to write.

Others have said: "Cozies offer readers the kind of escapism that harder-boiled detective stories simply can't deliver."

"The abiding appeal of the cozy owes a lot to our collective memory, true or false, of simpler, sweeter times."

Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers are two cozy authors who have inspired several generations of cozy writers.

According to Brian Klems, Writers' Digest editor, there are four things a writer should know if considering venturing into cozy-mystery writing today:

1) Cozies have evolved since Christie and Sayers in faster pacing and more driving action with a broader range of subject matter.



2) Series are the way to go - virtually all cozies published today are part of a series with recurring characters and may be anchored around a hobby or craft--or even cats like the Lilian Jackson Braun series, which I have also enjoyed on tape as I exercise.

3)  Sales are steady, but moderate.

4) Genre-specific support is available - like Sisters in Crime writing group
(sistersincrime.org) one of the leading networks for mystery authors. It offers
a Guppies program that provides help for new mystery writers.
http://sinc-guppies.org/


Who is your favorite cozy author? Please join the conversatoin and share this on your social media by clicking on the small icons below.

Blessings,
Elva Cobb Martin

 Link to all my books on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2pOgVHI  



Friday, October 13, 2017

Writing the Cozy Mystery - Part 1 Mystery, Suspense or Horror?

by Elva Cobb Martin

I've had a cozy mystery novel on the back burner for quite a while and have just decided to pull it up to the front burner. You are invited to trek along with me as I refresh my thinking about mysteries in general and this cozy book idea specifically on my next several blogs. Of course, my cozies will always have a good dose of romance!

To start with I've refreshed my understanding of the difference between Mystery and Suspense novels, and also Horror novels.

Here's a fave mystery writer's definition of Mystery: 
A Mystery is a story that has a crime already committed (preferably violent like a homicide) and the suspect is unknown until the end of the story. Mysteries can be broken down into sub-genres like Hard-Boiled Mystery, Police Procedure, Detective Stories, Cozy Mystery, Legal or Medical Mysteries, etc.

A Suspense novel is where the suspect may be be known to the reader, but the thrust of the story is the protagonist's attempts to catch, stop, or overcome the antagonist before a murder or mayhem can be committed.

Another interesting break down I've seen is the difference between Crime/Mystery, Suspense, and Horror stories relating to four aspects:

1) The Murder 
2) The Secrets 
3)  The Question
4) The Appeal

The Murder:
Crime/Mystery: The body is discovered close to the beginning.
Suspense: We anticipate the murder.
Horror: We see the murder happen in real time.

The Secrets
Crime/Mystery: We know none of the secrets until later.
Suspense: We know half the secrets; the characters know none.
Horror: We know all the secrets.

The Question
Crime/Mystery: Who did this and why?
Suspense: Will the character live or die?
Horror: How and when will the character die?

The Appeal
Crime/Mystery: Intellectual Curiosity.
Suspense: Worry and Concern
Horror: Gut Reaction

So now that I've gotten that review freshened in my mind, I will be ready next time to delve into the specifics of Cozy Mysteries.

Do you like mysteries? Do you  like to read Robert Whitlow's legal thrillers? Many of us call him the Christian version of John Grisham. WHO doesn't like Agatha Christie or Perry Mason, Monk, Colombo, Murdock, or Father Brown?  My husband will watch most of these series with me on TV. There are several good mystery series, but my favorite are cozy mysteries. In my next blog I'll tell you why and define what makes them "cozy."

Would love to hear about your fave mystery writer. And please do share this on your social media by clicking on the small icons below.

Blessings,
Elva Cobb Martin
Link to all my books on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2pOgVHI