It Should Be About the Journey

In the second Caitlyn Jamison mystery she is back in Riverview for a few days to take photos for her friend’s winery brochure. It is Caitlyn’s misfortune that a man is found dead, under suspicious circumstances, on the day she arrives.

Writing progress has started and stopped several times because I feel I need to create a story as good or better than the last one. I believe that writers have a “contract” with their readers to educate and entertain, and not disappoint. That’s the quandary.

My writing partner and I have had several emails back and forth about this issue. She said, “You (the writer) spend all this time writing in isolation, worry, working, rewriting …and then the book is out and people are reading it and asking when the next one is coming.” She’s right!

I am so pleased that people are reading my book and enjoying the story. I have also come to realize that I should put aside the pressure, and just write, because as with the first book, the writing process should be about the journey.

Here’s to a happy, healthy, and successful writing in the New Year

The book I grabbed to read on the commuter train to DC on Monday happened to be Elizabeth George’s, Write Away.

Although I read this book several years ago, now that I have a published book under my belt and am well into starting the next one, it was fortuitous that I singled out Write Away.

I like the way Ms. George begins each chapter with a line from her journal, expressing the same doubts and frustrations that many writers have. She first presents the basics to keep in mind when writing any story – character.

She believes the foundation of any story is its characters. They are what readers will remember and will talk about. Developing character descriptions was difficult for me to do, but I must have done something right, as I am getting comments from readers that they love my characters; they can’t put the book down.

I am thankful Write Away jumped off the bookshelf and into my hand this week. I need to reread the advice that Elizabeth George imparts.  

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

This past month has been filled with book marketing, book selling, volunteering, holiday preparations, and more book marketing/selling. In fact, I can’t believe it has only been a month since I published An Unexpected Death.

Today I pause and thank all those who supported me through this past year through their time, energy, and talents. It is you who helped bring these type of comments from readers:

“It is an absolutely incredible book for a first-time author. In jaw-dropping admiration I congratulate you!!!!!!!!!!”

Thank you everyone, and may you all have a happy, healthy and peaceful new year.

Review from a reader in Florida

Touching comments continue to come in via personal emails. Below is part of one such note:
 

Wow!  Just wow!  From start to finish.  As a crime/mystery book lover, I've read hundreds, maybe thousands, and would rank M.E.Maki right up there with my favorite dozen authors.  The ones I anxiously await and delightfully secure sequels.  Glad you are working on your next one - I'll be looking for it.  You have touched on some really contemporary topics, which is pretty rare.  And given a fresh treatment to the old standards.

 I am so thankful to these readers who take the time to let me know not only that they enjoyed the book, but what they enjoyed about it. So helpful as I work on the next adventure facing Caitlyn and Ethan.

Where do book ideas come from?

"Where do you get your ideas?" This might be the number one question authors are asked. For those who have read An Unexpected Death and made it to the acknowledgement page you know what inspired one of the plot lines.

Another plot line was developed after I read Summer in a Glass by Evan Dawson. This book is about the history and stories behind some of the Finger Lakes wineries. By spending time and developing relationships with the owners and staff, Mr. Dawson was able to creatively capture the personalities that make up these fabulous New York wineries. I found the book fascinating and became so involved in their stories that I wanted to incorporate in my book this growing part of New York's agriculture.

Back to the question of where do ideas come from? They come from everywhere and anywhere and sometimes from the most unexpected places.

Reviews

I have learned that not everyone knows how or is comfortable with posting a book review on Amazon. Instead, they send a personal note, and those bring tears to my eyes. The notes are heartfelt and have provided me with the incentive to keep writing.

The first note came in early December:

It’s written in English - Semicolons, grammatical structure, no dangling participles. A rarity in the 21^st century. So far, big kudos. The amount of research this took must have been daunting.

Great smoke screens surrounding the killer … interesting characters with back stories that kept you guessing.  … What I am most waiting for you to explore is the husband of the town clerk, Penny Mitchell – the genealogist. I bet he could bring a lot to the plot of the next mystery.

Great job. Big, big, big, big congratulations. You did it!!! – Reader, December 2015

Not only did I get a thumbs up from this voracious reader (and who works in a Chicago book store), but she also told me what she wants to see me develop in the next book.

Where am I going with this?

Ah, the vicissitudes of writing. I wrote a great first chapter. Character and setting descriptions were good. My writing group thought it was great. I’m on my way. Or am I?

I’m stuck. That great beginning wasn’t a springboard to the rest of the story. The character I had killed off hadn’t been developed. He needed to be.

There was no segue into the plot line, and my protagonist wasn’t going to show up until several chapters in – not good writing/planning.

During my 5:00 a.m. coffee time, gazing at our Christmas tree, I ruminated about this problem. My helpful muse (a spirit that inspires) finally appeared and a new plan developed.  I quickly grabbed by writing notebook and jotted down ideas. My original first chapter will be saved and used later in the story. But I came up with a new first chapter that segues into the plot line, and I am now on my way.