Another alternative to having a pair of crime solvers would be to use my other character Adelaide (Addie) Jones. I don't know much about her yet, but I think she is a lot more like me.
Any thoughts?
Thursday 17 May 2007
Monday 14 May 2007
Question for everyone...
Which pair of characters would you most like to see in a crime story?
Female: average height; quite thin; long, wavy, red hair; reasonably good looking; would prefer a book to a gym; is the middle one of three sisters.
Male: Tall; regged looking; short, scruffy, blond hair; blue eyes; commonly found in flannel shirt, jeans and hiking boots; wears glasses and has an accent.
‘or’
Female: Plain to look at; brown, shoulder length hair; brown eyes; tall but thin; has a daughter; wears reading glasses; runs in the mornings; lives in a house overlooking a beach.
Male: Dark! Of Gypsy herratige; Olive skin; dark brown eyes; dark hair worn in a braid; has history with said female.
Your feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Female: average height; quite thin; long, wavy, red hair; reasonably good looking; would prefer a book to a gym; is the middle one of three sisters.
Male: Tall; regged looking; short, scruffy, blond hair; blue eyes; commonly found in flannel shirt, jeans and hiking boots; wears glasses and has an accent.
‘or’
Female: Plain to look at; brown, shoulder length hair; brown eyes; tall but thin; has a daughter; wears reading glasses; runs in the mornings; lives in a house overlooking a beach.
Male: Dark! Of Gypsy herratige; Olive skin; dark brown eyes; dark hair worn in a braid; has history with said female.
Your feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Crime Writing - Week 1
On Saturday I started a short course on Writing Crime Fiction and I promised my friends I would write my notes here so they can also have access to them.
Our teacher, who is a published crime writer, started by breaking down the areas that come under the umbrella term CRIME. They are as follows:
Mystery:
80,000 ish words
Police Procedural – any location, must have police officer/detective as main character.
PI – Private investigator (usually ex-cop or military police) – can’t investigate a current open case. Can go places that police can’t.
Amateur – Professional (Harry Dresden) or John/Jane Citizen (Miss Marple)
Our teacher, who is a published crime writer, started by breaking down the areas that come under the umbrella term CRIME. They are as follows:
Mystery:
80,000 ish words
Police Procedural – any location, must have police officer/detective as main character.
PI – Private investigator (usually ex-cop or military police) – can’t investigate a current open case. Can go places that police can’t.
Amateur – Professional (Harry Dresden) or John/Jane Citizen (Miss Marple)
Cozy/malice domestic – always has closed list of suspects and NO blood splatter type crimes. Always puzzle driven.
Capers/Heists/Kidnappings – bad guy perspective, possible comic or comic look at today’s society.
Suspense:
100,000 + words
Thriller
Legal
Medical
Political
Technological
Military
Spy
Suspense
Psychological
Romantic suspense
Female in Jeopardy
Action/Adventure – quest based, search for treasure
3 components to a crime story:
- The crime itself (always at the very heart of the story)
- The character/sleuth
- The Setting (can be an invented place)
Always start with a crime scene.
Victim
Place
Time
Weapon
Clues/Red Herrings
Set up a table of suspects. Suspects across the top and the following list down the side:
Relationship to victim
Alibi
Motive
Opportunity
Other Details
Whatever you do, don’t forget the victim.
Ask yourself what happened to make them the victim?
What could be left at the crime scene, be it deliberate or just overlooked by the criminal?
Till next week.
Medieval Fair 2007 - The Day
6th May 2007
Well the day started bright and early (7:30am) and the weather was showing some promising signs. Mum had been up slightly earlier than the rest of us finishing off the hem on my new surcote.
After getting ready (that’s 3 layers of clothing, doing something with my hair and finding my shoes), we headed off to pick up one of my best friends – Margaret – who was to be traveling with us to the event. Some may think us completely bonkers, but for the last couple of Medieval Fairs the two of us have made the effort to go in costume.
An hour and a bit later we arrived at Gumeracha (the town hosting this years event). Street parking was at a premium as the local footy club had pulled their support (use of the oval for parking) at the last minute. Something about not having their new roadway completed in time.
There was a definite market/fair like atmosphere that I don’t think I have felt at previous events. Must be something to do with the location.
I also successfully managed to avoid getting a rose (although they seemed to be going for the kids this year which is a really good thing). Thank Wassname!
Another friend, Nadia, managed to join us as we were having lunch, so the three of us headed for the market stalls and to watch the knights AGAIN!
On the whole a fun day was had by all. I managed to purchase a book on patterns for my Marudai. Its one that had been suggested to be by Margaret’s mum and cost me more than what it probably should have. It means that I can now attempt more patterns than the spiral one I have managed so far.
Till next time.
Guardian
Well the day started bright and early (7:30am) and the weather was showing some promising signs. Mum had been up slightly earlier than the rest of us finishing off the hem on my new surcote.
After getting ready (that’s 3 layers of clothing, doing something with my hair and finding my shoes), we headed off to pick up one of my best friends – Margaret – who was to be traveling with us to the event. Some may think us completely bonkers, but for the last couple of Medieval Fairs the two of us have made the effort to go in costume.
An hour and a bit later we arrived at Gumeracha (the town hosting this years event). Street parking was at a premium as the local footy club had pulled their support (use of the oval for parking) at the last minute. Something about not having their new roadway completed in time.
There was a definite market/fair like atmosphere that I don’t think I have felt at previous events. Must be something to do with the location.
I also successfully managed to avoid getting a rose (although they seemed to be going for the kids this year which is a really good thing). Thank Wassname!
Another friend, Nadia, managed to join us as we were having lunch, so the three of us headed for the market stalls and to watch the knights AGAIN!
On the whole a fun day was had by all. I managed to purchase a book on patterns for my Marudai. Its one that had been suggested to be by Margaret’s mum and cost me more than what it probably should have. It means that I can now attempt more patterns than the spiral one I have managed so far.
Till next time.
Guardian
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