The Eyes Have It!

I think it's always important for a writer to expand their horizons and experience something new once in a while. Writing can become stale when an author has nothing new to add to their well (or gold mine, if you prefer) of knowledge and experience. Since the adage "write what you know" has been amended to "write what interests you" (do we really need people who write about serial killers to "know" their subject that well??), it's enriched my writing experience to be interested in new things and, thanks to my innate sense of curiosity, go out and experience new things.

But what if funds, time, and other constraints prevent you from actually "going out" and doing so? How do you take the "same old, same old" and make it new? What if your characters are stuck in the same rut you are?

Sometimes all it takes to enrich one's well or mine is to simply take a fresh look at things that are familiar and try to see them from a different viewpoint. Since we all have to get into our characters' heads in order to write about them, try to imagine what different characters think when they see what we're looking at. Or tasting. Here's an example:

Green chile is a staple in New Mexico cooking. My characters who are native to the state take it for granted. But not everyone is a fan of spicy food or are even familiar with a freshly roasted green chile. So if I introduce a character who is not from the area and not used to eating Mexican food, I can't just have them dig into a bowl of green chile stew and NOT react in some way. Either they are going to hear angels singing as their taste buds dance in ecstasy while they bask in a celestial light... or they are going to feel all the demons of hell pouring hot lava down their throats as they simultaneously stab at the insides of their mouths with pitchforks made of goathead stickers. Depending on the cook's mood and the number of Scoville units registering on a particular chile pod, I've felt both (sometimes in the same bite!)

A vision of Heaven or...?

It's not necessary to book a tour through an exotic country or have a meal in a fancy gourmet restaurant in order to keep our writing fresh. All we really have to do is take the time, once in a while, to experience common everyday events and things through our characters. I sometimes try to drive a different route home from work or the supermarket, just to change my routine a little, stop at a different stop sign or light and notice what's on that particular street corner, as if I were new in town. Different characters will see different things. A long-time resident will notice a stranger in a familiar place; a newcomer wouldn't. But a newcomer would notice something that "old-timers" take for granted, details that help cement the story in a certain place and time.

Start looking at the world through "fresh eyes"--yours and your characters'--and discover what's new right in front of you. You don't even need an eye exam (well, maybe I do, but that's another topic for another day....

Out With the Old, In With the... Older???

This past weekend was a very busy and rather emotional one for me. After twelve years of working in the bakery of the Walmart Supercenter in Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico (those of you familiar with my Black Horse Campground mysteries know that this is just down the road from fictional Bonney County), I pulled up stakes and transferred to the Walmart Supercenter in Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Or rather, I transferred BACK to Alamogordo.

I started with Walmart almost seventeen years ago when the Alamogordo store first opened. I helped set up the store and get the bakery up and running. Then, when circumstances dictated that it was best for my family that I transfer to Ruidoso, I did so with the mixed emotions of sadness of leaving "home" and the excitement of going on an adventure, along with the feeling of doing one's duty, with a brave smile to hide the anxiety of whether it was all going to work out.

And now, it feels like I'm coming home.

Ruidoso became home to me as well, and the people at store #0851 became family... you know, the people you live with and work with and sometimes you feel you'd easily take a bullet for them and other times you want to strangle them. I'm sure coming back to Alamogordo will be the same way!

But above all, Ruidoso gave me a lot more than a place to work... it gave me the setting for my mystery series. The Black Horse Campground could only exist in the cool pines near Ruidoso. The village gave me the feel of a place like "Cheers" where everyone knows your name, and that was the kind of place I wanted Bonney County to be like in my books. Not everyone trusts every stranger that comes through--because, of course, they want to keep their home and family safe--but it's rare for a stranger to remain a stranger for long.

And now... does leaving Ruidoso mean leaving Bonney County as well? Not at all! In fact, I hope to gain a little more creative energy by moving to a new locale, perhaps meet new characters, find new things to happen. Because no matter where I am physically, my heart always carries a piece of every place I've ever been and loved.

Especially Bonney County and the Black Horse Campground!

Talent and Intellect Start with Curiosity!

I think the saddest thing an aspiring writer has ever said to me is, "I don't think I'm smart enough to be a writer."

I'm not even sure what that means. Bad spelling? Ernest Hemingway, Agatha Christie, and F. Scott Fitzgerald were all notoriously bad spellers. A dictionary could fix that. Poor grammar? There are plenty of online resources these days to help a writer figure out how to construct a sentence. And why not audit a basic grammar course, either online or in person at a local community college?

In reality, I think when a person says they're not "smart" enough to be a writer, it means that they don't know a lot about EVERYthing. A writer, it seems to them, is some brainiac who, for whatever reason, chose not to make a living as a "Jeopardy" contestant.

I always feel uncomfortable when people assume that I know everything. I don't and I freely admit it. What I do know is that I love to learn about a lot of things, even things that don't necessarily interest me. It's called curiosity.

That sums it up. It's easy to point to different things I do besides writing (like cake decorating or cooking, for instance) and say I have special talents. In all honesty, though, I have to credit all the "talents" and "knowledge" I've acquired to an over-active curiosity gene (if you don't have one, I suggest getting one!)

In other words, the first step to gaining knowledge and developing talent is to get interested in something, even if it's something that normally doesn't interest you. My father always told me, "Don't be afraid to learn something you don't need to know." By taking that to heart, I've not only learned how to decorate cakes, cook, and write, I've also gained a passing knowledge of:

* gemology (the study of gemstones)
* history of different areas of the country and the world (this alone has enriched me beyond words!)
* oenology (the study of wine or the science of winemaking)
* professional sports including rodeo, wrestling, and football
* firearms and how to use them

And that's just a small sample. My library of interests grows daily!

Am I an expert in any of those fields? Not at all. Far from it, in fact. But many people are under the impression that learning about something means that they have made the decision to devote their entire lives to mastering that subject, and perhaps that intimidates them from making a "commitment" to learn something new. Learning experiences, indeed, life itself, can be a buffet; you don't have to take a plateful of anything, just a little of this, a little of that, taste something new, see if you like it.

And if you do, you can always go back for seconds!

Cozy Mystery Formula: Just Add Murder!

Anyone who's read mysteries (or romances, or thrillers, or even horror novels) for any length of time quickly finds out that there is a "formula" (or pattern, if you prefer) to all books in the genre.

In other words, the same scenario, same type of protagonist, same type of complications, all appear in every cozy with the names and places changed. After a while, I find that a lot of series all begin to sound the same ("I thought the protagonist's name was Jessie...? Oh, wait, that's the other series I read, the one where the girl moved back to her hometown after being dumped by her fiance and started her own pet massage business! This is the one where the girl dumps her philandering husband and moves away from her hometown to start an organic pet treats business!")

In the mystery genre, and I'm talking cozy mysteries, since that's what I write, there are a few "ingredients" that appear to be standard across the spectrum. When I decided to write my Black Horse Campground series, it was tempting to completely defy convention and ignore all the formulas until it occurred to me: these formulas exist because readers LIKE them. When they pick up a cozy, they expect the story to go a certain way--the protagonist has to find acceptance in her new life or business, she must have a painful past (romantic or otherwise) to overcome, she must find a new romantic interest (usually a love triangle results,) and, of course, she must face opposition from the local law enforcement when she takes on the task of solving the mystery.

That still doesn't mean that an author can take a template and use the "find and replace" tool to write a story.

Here's how I "tweaked" the formula to make the Black Horse Campground series a little different from all the other cozies.

1. Location--Corrie Black, my protagonist, has a painful past (more on that in a minute) but she didn't leave her hometown to escape it, or even come back to her hometown. She's always been in Bonney County, working her family business.

2. That painful past--not only does Corrie nurse a broken heart from a breakup many years earlier, she still remains friends and interacts on a daily basis with her ex, who happens to be....

3. The oppositional (did I just invent a new word???) local law enforcement--Sheriff Rick Sutton who has been one of Corrie's best friends since childhood, her first (and only?) love, and one side of...

4. The love triangle--in which both of the protagonist's love interests have legitimate reasons for not jumping into a relationship--Rick is a divorced Catholic and J.D. is a recent widower--but both are situations that could change. And I don't intend to drag it out until everyone (including myself!) is ready to give up on it!

Of course, many elements remain the same. The protagonist usually has a close friend to discuss the case with, there's always some character to provide light comic relief, another character who adds complications. It's up to the writer to add some spice, zest, and sweetness to their own recipe for a cozy and make it truly their own!

Just add murder....

Meet Ronald B. O'Gorman, Author of "Fatal Rhythm"!

Today on The Back Deck Blog, I'm hosting author and fellow Catholic Writers Guild member, R. B. O'Gorman.  I thoroughly enjoyed his medical thriller, "Fatal Rhythm", not only because it was a fast-paced, engrossing read, but the story is set in Houston, TX, in an area I'm very familiar with, as it is the neighborhood where my brother-in-law used to live! It was so exciting to read a story and think, "Yep, St. Ann's Church, I know where that is!" and be able to picture the exact location of the story!  So let's get to know this talented author and see what he's got coming up next!

I grew up in Texas where I developed a devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. I obtained a PhD in Biochemistry from Rice University and studied cardiovascular surgery under Dr. Michael E. DeBakey. My debut novel, “FATAL RHYTHM” is a medical suspense/mystery based on my training experience with Michael E. DeBakey, called the “greatest surgeon ever.” Currently, I live in Mobile, Alabama, where I write, teach, and practice medicine. My wife and I stay busy with our six children and first three grandchildren.

I’ve written non-fiction since college. During my surgery residency, I started the novel as a journal reflection on the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe. From there, it grew into the novel. Along the way, I read every self-help book on writing, plotting, character development, editing, query letters, finding an agent, and self-publishing. I also was fortunate to take graduate courses in Creative Writing.

“FATAL RHYTHM” is the story of a Latino surgery resident who dreams of becoming a heart doctor. First, he must determine the cause of a series of deaths in the ICU. In the process, he re-examines the ethnic and religious heritage that he had rejected. It is a medical thriller, but also a story of redemption and Marian intercession.

My writing process is a little unusual in that I write anywhere/anytime. I take moments during my day and jot down words on paper. Then, in the evening I transcribe into Microsoft Word. Later, I print out what I’ve written and make my corrections on paper. It’s been a long journey from my first reflections on Our Lady’s feast day to the finished debut novel. In the process there were multiple agents, editors, and publishers. The four most important lessons I learned: 1. I have time to accomplish all that God wants. 2. Never give up. 3. A wide network of friends/writers was required for me to accomplish my goal. 4. Outside affirmation is nice, but in the end I need to have faith in my work.

My next book is titled “CHANCE TO CUT.” It is another medical thriller set in the Texas Medical Center. A heart surgeon must determine how an assassin is going to kill the president-elect and save his life. After that, I want to publish a trilogy, “FOUND,” about a Guatemalan orphan who thinks his biological father is the president of the United States. I hope to publish many more books, and even more important, I hope to work with fellow CWG authors to promote the revival of Catholic Fiction.

I hope my blog readers check out "Fatal Rhythm" and enjoy it as much as I do and much continued success to Ron in his writing endeavors!

Writer's Dream or Nightmare? On Taking the Story from the Page to the Screen

By now those of you who read cozies (especially food related ones) are aware that author Joanne Fluke's "Hannah Swensen" series is coming to the small screen sometime this spring. "Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder" is going to be made into a Hallmark television movie with Alison Sweeney playing the role of Hannah.

I'm fairly certain that Joanne's initial reaction was a crazy little happy dance. And I'm certain that it doesn't matter if it's small screen or big screen, knowing that someone wants to take your story, your characters and put them out there as living and breathing characters living the story is a thrill that perhaps many authors dream of. If you're not familiar with Alison Sweeney, here is a picture of who will be playing Hannah Swensen:

If you're at all familiar with the books, it's quite probable that you took one look at Ms. Sweeney and said, "She's supposed to by Hannah??" Even the author, Joanne Fluke, said, "With curly red hair and a few extra pounds, I think she'll make a great Hannah!"

What does an author really feel when the character they've created and lived with for so long is suddenly transformed by a movie or TV producer or director's vision into someone he or she doesn't recognize? I think this question has been asked ever since Agatha Christie saw Margaret Rutherford cast as Miss Marple ("To me, she's always looked like a bloodhound.") And I have to admit, I never could see Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot (maybe because, in my head, I heard him as Prince John in Disney's "Robin Hood"?)

You see what I mean?

Of course, the excitement of having your book brought to the screen, big or small, can eclipse the concern over whether or not your characters will look or sound the same way to see and hear them in your head. And let's be honest: how often have we, as readers, pictured a character in our minds only to discover that the author's vision was very different from ours?

I could tell you what actors I would cast as the characters in my Black Horse Campground mystery series, but I can almost guarantee you would disagree with me! Everyone envisions characters differently, and in a way, it's almost a disappointment to see a character you love looking like someone totally different than what you imagined. To me, that will always be the benefit of a book over a movie; the reader can make the characters their own as well as the author's and truly feel a part of the story.

I'm going to give Hallmark and Alison Sweeney the benefit of the doubt and probably see "Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder" (if only to engage in a lot of "wouldn't it be great if...?" dreaming!) but I still see the actress better cast as Hannah's sister, Andrea. Maybe she could dye her hair red for the role, though I don't see her putting on extra pounds... and let's see if she can bake!

A Long Overdue and Heartfelt Thank You, Mrs. Quinn!

One of the best memories I will have of 2014 goes back almost 35 years to my days as a junior high student at Blessed Sacrament School in El Paso, Texas. I was fortunate, lucky, privileged, and above all, blessed to have Mrs. Patricia Quinn as my 7th and 8th grade Literature, English, and History teacher (small school; a few teachers had to teach many subjects.) Not only was she a teacher who was passionate about the subjects she taught, she also taught me things that I, now, as a writer, value highly and use every time I sit down at the computer to write.

First off, she taught me how to tell a story. Our classes were only about 40 minutes long and there were times when the subject she was teaching (usually history) would remind her of something that she experienced when she was a girl growing up in Washington D. C. At some point, she would remove her glasses and rest her elbow on the podium and begin to tell us the story. Now it would be easy to say that, naturally, a bunch of 13-year-old kids would welcome a chance to "ditch" class with the instructor's tacit permission. But the truth was, I think every one of us listened even MORE closely to Mrs. Quinn's stories than we did to her lectures (she probably should have tested us on her stories!) And because time was limited, she had to wrap up her story before the next bell rang.

Second, she was a stickler for perfection when it came to our writing assignments. This was back in the day when diagramming sentences was an integral part of every grammar class (do they still teach it?) and, to this day, whenever I'm reading a sentence--my own or another writer's--that doesn't sound quite "right", I whip out the pencil and paper and diagram it. It amazes me how many books are published with grammatically incorrect sentences!

Third, she was a cheerleader. Giving you an "A" on a paper you wrote wasn't enough; she told you what was good about it, what she liked about it. Praise wasn't earned easily, but when she had something good to say, you knew it was the absolute truth. And deep down, I knew, it wasn't something you wasted.

So when my first book, "End of the Road", was published in July 2013, I had to publicly thank her and let everyone who read the acknowledgments know to whom I give the credit for becoming a writer. I also tracked her down (not hard, since she still lives in the same house she lived in when she taught at our school) and sent her a copy of "End of the Road". I received a lovely letter from her, which I will always treasure, telling me how gratifying it is for a teacher to know that she made a difference in a student's life.

A few weeks ago, I received an email from one of her sons. He told me that his mother had, to her great distress, lost the book at the hair salon. He asked if it would be too much for me to send her another. I asked if it would be too much for me to give it to her in person. So on Saturday, December 13, I finally got to say "Thank you" in person.

I didn't ask her to grade it, but I think I passed with flying colors! We spent a couple of hours reminiscing and catching up (she's been a very busy lady all these years!) and I was thrilled to be able to tell her just how much I appreciated all she did for me. She was gracious enough to thank ME for taking the time to tell her so and to accord so much credit to her.

I hope we find the time, in the coming year, to seek out those who touched our lives and be able to tell them how much we owe to them for believing in us and encouraging us.

Thank you, Mrs. Quinn!