I’m doing something never before attempted: researching for an historical fiction series.

I’ve got a strong setting, memorable characters in development, multiple story lines beginning to weave and an interested agent but…it’s all based in an earlier century.

Of course, being historical is one of the idea’s key assets; however, I’m finding that it’s the biggest drawback to actual writing. Can I find the voice?

I’ve created worlds before, ones involving murder, opera, golf, even the stigmata but recreating a different time, with all the inherent and fascinating elements of geography, social, family and political issues, dialogue and who know what else is proving a challenge.

I keep reminding myself of some of my past research efforts: caddying for days in the pouring rain, testing vocals (and teacher’s ears) to experience opera and surviving an apple pie-making bee.

Guess I’ve just gotta shut up and get on with it!

But…when will I find that voice?

Welcome to The Novel Experience®, the podcast dedicated to the craft and art of fiction writing. Listen, enjoy and improve your chances of getting published!

The Novel Experience Podcast

Episode 13: From Words to Print

Today, I continue my three-part chat with publisher, editor and visual artist Clare Thorbes (click link above or below).

Clare brings a diverse perspective to the writing/publishing business, being a professional editor and former co-owner of Salal Press, a boutique publishing company during the nineties.

Listen to discover the inside scoop on what a small publishing house looks for in a manuscript. Also, ever wondered what is meant by “finding your voice”? Don’t despair; using the visual arts as a comparison, Clare’s explanation is simple and clear and soon you and your “authorial voice” will be one. (duration ~ 15 minutes)

The Novel Experience Podcast Ep. 13 – Clare Thorbes 2

This episode’s music track is a demo of a very touching song, A Better Man, by Glynne Turner.

Find out more about Clare’s editing services and her art by emailing her at thorbesedit (at) gmail (dot) com.

Welcome to The Novel Experience®, the podcast dedicated to the craft and art of fiction writing. Listen, enjoy and improve your chances of getting published!

The Novel Experience Podcast

Episode 11: From Screen to Page Part 3

I’m pleased to announce the release of the last episode of my three-part conversation with award-winning Canadian screenwriter and children’s author, Don Truckey (click link above or below).

Don, whose credits include the television series, Street Legal and Urban Angel, and the movies, Net Worth and Chicks with Sticks, discusses the differences in the crafts of writing prose and penning a screenplay. He’s also the author of the children’s series, The Adventures of Caraway Kim.

Don and I worked together on some TV pitches and scripts; he’s funny, talented, quick thinking and very professional. Plus, he wrote a movie about women’s hockey!

If you’ve ever thought of writing a screenplay or adapting a novel to the screen, you’re gonna want to listen to this episode as Don offers practical tips to help you fine tune your blockbuster, provides nifty insights into the screenwriting world and gives us a taste of his new script. (duration ~20 minutes)

The Novel Experience Podcast Ep. 11 – Don Truckey 3

This episode’s showcase song by Glynne Turner, a lovely story aptly titled Our Children, resonates our children’s theme.

Click below to discover more about The Adventures of Caraway Kim by Don Truckey:

Now, I’ve just launched a new book trailer for your enjoyment. It was an interesting challenge: my first non-fiction trailer. I decided to forgo music and go with narration.

Have a gander below. Love to know what you think!

Click here for more info and places to buy Youdunit Whodunit!. And thanks for your interest.

Sweet peas

Fall’s here on southern Vancouver Island and the air’s cooler, the ground wetter and my cottage garden’s beginning to fade.

Garden pots

Passion flower

As I strolled around yesterday, deadheading and pondering a new non-fiction book idea, I was struck and delighted at how much blooming colour still exists.

Front garden

Garden Jewel

One season down, another to come…and with it some Himalayan blue poppies, I hope!

Poached eggs

The information is gleaned from my little non-fiction e-book primer called Youdunit Whodunit! How to Write Mysteries and offers my tips, techniques and information suitable for crafting of all types of genre writing.

So, even if you write romance, sci-fi, fantasy or horror, please keep reading and learn with us crime writers.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT (Part 10)

The last group of posts have concentrated on the story structure of a mystery novel. Been there; done that. Now we’re onto developing characters or as I like to think of it: Ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille.

In the post on character development, I introduced an essential question: Who’s telling your story? You can have more than one storyteller but for our purposes, we’ll stick to one.

You need a point of view (POV) from which to tell your tale. There are two common POVs in fiction writing: First Person, which we discussed in our last post, and Third Person.

LEMME TELL IT MY WAY: Today, we’re beginning to discuss Third Person POV

Multiple Lion POVs (credit E. Polinsky)

Third Person POV can offer the writer some intimacy, mobility, control and flexibility. He or she may describe scenes before characters enter, may create different character voices and mix up times and locations. And best of all, the writer can split up the sleuthing responsibilities, perfect for those fun duo detective capers.

Contemplate this passage from THE WATCHERS OF TIME, by Charles Todd:

“Coming back into the dark study, he failed to see the shadow that stood immobile in the deeper shadows beside his private alter…In the figure’s hand was the heavy crucifix that had always stood on the alter…It was lifted high and the base brought down with stunning force…”

This POV is ideal for adding or increasing suspense since the reader can leap ahead of the heroine and fear for her. It’s also very good for the cozy-style mystery as the reader may see the fictional world from various players’ viewpoints and see the characters from the outside through another’s eyes.

Third Person is a flexible POV, providing three main viewpoint types which we’ll get into in our next post.

If you found this of interest, you may wish to see the previous How to Write a Mystery posts.

…Of course, there’ll be MORE how-to write a mystery tips and techniques continued in the next Friday post as we continue exploring character development in Ready for my close up, Mr. DeMille, Part 11.

Find out further information or how to purchase my mystery-writing primer e-book, jam-packed with ways to immediately improve your writing, click Youdunit Whodunit (only $2.99US!).

Welcome to The Novel Experience®, the podcast dedicated to the craft and art of fiction writing. Listen, enjoy and improve your chances of getting published!

The Novel Experience Podcast

Episode 4: The Bowdancer Part 1

Just launched the fourth episode where I begin a two-part chat with the prolific and genial North Dakota fantasy writer Janie Franz. (Duration: roughly 19 minutes)

Listen (above or below) as Janie generously reveals the twists and turns in her long journey into the publishing light, offers some insight into the fantasy genre and provides a few solid marketing tips. Discover which aspect of writing challenges Janie the most and what she does to survive it. (And no, it’s not eating chocolate fudge!)

The Novel Experience Podcast Ep. 4- Janie Franz

If you would like to hear my other Novel Experience interviews, please click The Novel Experience Podcast.

Buy Janie’s book:

Welcome to The Novel Experience®, the podcast dedicated to the craft and art of fiction writing. Listen, enjoy and improve your chances of getting published!

The Novel Experience Podcast

Episode 3: Date with a Sheesha Part 2

Just launched the third episode where I continue my conversation with the award-winning crime writer Anthony Bidulka, the pride of the Canadian prairies. (Duration: roughly 15 minutes)

Listen (above or below) to Part 2 to discover Anthony’s Five ‘Cs’ of author promotion and help your own book marketing…oh, all right. I’ll give you a hint. The first three are: Confidence, Communication and Capitalization.

Of course, to learn the last two and to hear Anthony’s terrific insight on Capitalization, which he describes as capitalizing on your strengths and dealing with your weaknesses, you gotta listen.

If you haven’t heard Part 1 or would like to hear my other interviews, click The Novel Experience Podcast.

The Novel Experience Podcast Ep. 3 – Anthony Bidulka

Buy Anthony’s book:

The information is gleaned from my little non-fiction e-book primer called Youdunit Whodunit! How to Write Mysteries and offers my tips, techniques and information suitable for crafting of all types of genre writing.

STORY STRUCTURE (PART 7 (b))

This is it. You’ve driven your story and your readers headlong towards the final solution (as described in earlier posts.) The occasion when all is revealed. The moment your audience has been waiting for…so make sure that your story’s Ending:

• Winds up all the sub-plots first and achieves the bits and pieces necessary in order to attain the main goal
• Gives everyone what they deserve, good or bad
• Arises logically through the action and detection of the lead character isn’t obvious but is believable, bestowing that much-sought after “Ah ha!” moment for your audience
• Ends at the very end; sounds ridiculously obvious yet it’s not always pulled off, and

And finally, once all is exposed, everything else is a reader’s let down. So, quickly tidy up any loose ends and beat a hasty exit. Leave your audience wanting MORE not less.

If you found this post of interest, you may wish to see the previous posts starting here.

…MORE how-to write a mystery tips and techniques continued in the next Friday post as we begin exploring character development! Ready for my close up, Mr. Demille.

Find out further information or how to purchase this e-book, jam-packed with ways to immediately improve your writing, click Youdunit Whodunit (only $2.99US!).

Welcome to The Novel Experience®, the podcast dedicated to the craft and art of fiction writing. Listen, learn and improve your chances of getting published!

The Novel Experience Podcast

Episode 2: Date with a Sheesha

Just launched the second episode where my erudite and entertaining guest is the pride of the Canadian prairies, award winning crime writer Anthony Bidulka.

Listen to Part 1 below to discover Anthony’s excellent tip for character development and to find out why Anthony ‘plays God’ now and then.

Come back soon for Part 2 to learn Anthony’s five ‘Cs’ of author promotion and help your own book marketing. (Duration: roughly 14 minutes)

The Novel Experience 2

Buy Anthony’s book: