Patricia Stoltey

Author

D is for “Don’t Murder Your Mystery”

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Special Note:

If you’re interested in putting your name in the April book giveaway from Mystery Writers of America, check my post from yesterday (Sunday, April 4th). The list of books and the link to the entry page is there, just for you.

D is for “Don’t Murder Your Mystery“

Today’s post is the fourth in my Arlee Bird A to Z Blog Challenge for the month of April. If you want to visit any of the other participants in the challenge, Arlee’s blog, Tossing It Out, is the place to go. He has all those blogs listed in a special blogroll — I can’t visit them all every day, but the ones I’ve read so far have been awesome. This is the most diverse group of bloggers I’ve shared an experience with so far, and I’m enjoying every minute of it.

Okay, down to business. The letter D. I’ve recommended this book in the past, but I have new readers, some of whom are writing mysteries. In my humble opinion, this book is indispensable. Its complete title is: Don’t Murder Your Mystery: 24 Fiction-Writing Techniques to Save Your Manuscript From Turning Up . . . D.O.A.

For those of you who write in other genres, award-winning author Chris Roerden has a more recent publication called: Don’t Sabotage Your Submission: Save Your Manuscript From Turning Up D.O.A. The main difference between the two editions is that Chris adds examples from non-mysteries to expand on her advice.

Chris Roerden is an expert in her field — with experience as an editor, author and teacher, and her success in helping us become better writers, she is the perfect person to listen to as we strive to make our writing better. You can check her website for editing information and formatting standards. Published authors can find her submission guidelines for good writing quotes for her future “Don’t” books.

So, D is for don’t — don’t stop reading and learning. If you’re a writer, Chris Roerden’s books are a good place to start.

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Comments

  1. I love the idea of “D for Don’t – don’t stop reading and learning” – fundamental life lesson for anyone, not just authors.

    As for talking about you behind your back, it doesn’t qualify as saying nice things, when every word you say is true.

    ~ Rayna

  2. I’m not a writer, but am an avid reader! Congratulations on your published books — a wonderful accomplishment indeed!

    Blessings,
    Lisa

  6. Hey, there, Pat,
    Thanks for the visit and the kind comments you left. I am not really a writer, per se, but I do love to write. (does that make sense?) The only published writing I have had is my blog. Today was my 450th posting. I have done a bunch of reading though, and as you may know, murder mysteries are my favorite. Thanks for following my blog. Right now, I am preparing supper for us and our neighbor family: soup beans, cornbread, Potatoes O’Brian, salad, and homemade apple pie/ice cream for dessert. Have to kind of catch the blogs in between other stuff.
    Best regards to you.
    Ruby

  13. Thank you for the advice, I don’t write mysteries as you know I write poetry but advice is always welcome. I have met so many new friends since starting this challenge it’s unbeiveable the differnt sort of blogs there are around.

    Take care.
    Yvonne.