If someone tells you they enjoy cozy mysteries, you may find yourself asking, “What makes a mystery cozy?” The term ‘cozy mystery’ gets its name from the typical setting of the mystery: a quiet spot in the country, a seaside resort, village, etc.
The modern cozy mystery has its origins in the Golden Age of detective novels which dominated fiction in the 1920s—1940s. Popular Golden Age authors include Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham, Anthony Berkeley, Dorothy L. Sayers, and many more.
Writing may be different for everyone in some regards, but in a way we all follow the same pattern. We write what we know, and if we know it enough, we can write it very well. For the past year since Covid hit I have been writing my in-progress novel and the process is what I am eager to share with you today. When I was a young teenager, I struggled profoundly with major Depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Multiple times, I was committed to mental health treatment facilities due to my struggles.
I learned about and met the most one-of-a-kind people with psychological struggles of their own. What I knew when I was 14 is that I would never meet people like this again. I came up with the idea back then to write my novel based on what I had learned and experienced. It wasn’t until this past year that I, as a now healthy college student, decided to write about the people I met and the place I experienced when I was a young teen.
Shannon wrote again and gave an update on her progress. Specifically she wrote: here's my latest update if you'd like to use it. Here's something she may not realize . . . the guest blogger posts are by far the most popular posts I have on this blog! So, of course, I want it!!! - Ergo, here's Shannon's half-way post!
Here we are, halfway through the month of November already, which means we’re halfway through NanoWriMo. If you started Nano with a blank page, you are hopefully moving along nicely and find yourself now at about 25,000 words. Give yourself a pat on the back and a box of chocolates! If you haven’t reached the halfway point in your novel, or gotten as far as you’d hoped, cut yourself some slack. Writing a book while juggling a day job (for most of us) and housework and family and everything going on in the world is not easy! The important thing is that we do our best and keep writing. We all deserve a pat on the back for just showing up and putting pen to paper.
As I said in previous posts, I’m a Nano Rebel. I’m using Nano to finish the 2nd draft of my novel. I started the month 34,876 words into the 2nd draft. Halfway through Nano I’m sitting at the 47,423 mark. I’ve written what I believe to be the last paragraphs, so the remaining 2500 words or so will need to be incorporated into previous sections leading up to the ending. It’s like pulling teeth, trying to find another 2500 words when I’ve said everything I want to say. I know there are things I will expand upon in the next rewrite. Themes and metaphors and imagery and descriptions. All of that still needs to be fluffed out more, and I know that will come in the next draft. Still, I really want to hit that magic 50,000 words before Nano ends!
How about you? How far along are you? What are you struggling with? Let me know in the comments here or on my website ShannonHovey.com I'd love to hear from you!
We have a post from another guest blogger (see the others here). Alex has checked in. I'm glad to see that he's giving NaNo a try and it's coming along.
I have officially begun the challenge to write 50,000 words in a month. I’ve started writing, but I’m not as far along as I’d like to be. Fortunately, I have plenty in my head to write about. It’s almost as if I’ve been storing away stories and situations and techniques for many years now, and it finally has a place to pour out. My stories seem to be at the forefront of my mind now, which is a nice distraction and a nice escape from daily stresses.
A few weeks ago, I discovered something that I do in my mind when I have an interesting thought. I’m sure most authors have their own heuristics or peccadilloes that help them conceptualize novels or stories and I am discovering my own even this early in the process. When I have an interesting thought pertaining to my story, I either have to completely process the thought and write it down quickly. If I don’t write it down fast, I will forget it. I also have to completely explore the idea and wring out every usable drop from it. This whole process rarely happens.
More frequently, an interesting thought jumps into my brain and I have to convince myself to stop thinking about it. I write down the truncated thought then try my best to not think about it ever again until I have time to explore it. If I explore it and can’t write it down, it’ll be gone forever. Then I delude myself into thinking that when I do have time to explore it, I will get from it what I need. I don’t know how this affects my stories, but I will also never know, which is fine by me. Ignorance is bliss.
I’m curious to hear about other people’s idiosyncrasies when they are writing and how they battle their minds to get the best out of themselves.
Following up on last week's prep update (see here), Shannon provides a week 1 update with the below post! Keep up the great work!
Well we made it through the first week of NanoWriMo, amidst political unrest in the states that kept the entire world on the edge of their seats, holding their breath. I know for me, as a Canadian who spent almost twenty years in the states, it was incredibly difficult to concentrate on writing this week. That said, I did manage to make some headway on my work-in-progress.
As I mentioned last time, I’m a Nano Rebel. I did not start Nano with a blank page. At the onset of Nano I was 34,876 words into my 2nd draft. My goal was to finish Acts 1 – 3 during Nano, which would hopefully bring me to 50,000 words. Then I would work on my Epilogue after the Nano frenzy.
I’m really pleased to say I made it to 44,343 words this week, despite being glued to CNN for the better part of four days. That leaves me with 5,657 words to sort for the rest of the month. If I did 9,467 words the first week, it seems likely that I can make it (less than 2,000 words per week for the remainder of NanoWriMo).
Can I do it? Only time will tell!
Those of you who started with a blank page, if you’re struggling to find a path to the finish line, I highly recommend you check out Abbie Emmons on YouTube. She has a plethora of videos explaining every step along the way, and she’s doing Letters from Abbie for the month of November, where you can sign up to receive an email from her every day of NanoWriMo. These letters are encouraging, but also informative, and even though we’re a week in, you may still be able to sign up for the remainder. So if you find yourself lost or just needing a bit of a push, check it out.
In closing, I want to say that for those who think it’s crazy to try to write a novel (even just a very rough first draft) in 30 days, think of this: it takes about 30 days to develop a habit. This is why Nano is so awesome, because it can create habits that continue long after the month of November – habits that successful writers need.
Are you on your way to developing a daily writing habit?
For a look at all of the NaNo guest bloggers feel free to see (here).
Continuing with more guest bloggers, Reina asked if she could participate. She comes with a deep background and an obvious record of success! I can't wait to hear more about her work, and love her list of things to do to get off to a good start!
I I wasn't sure I'd join NaNoWriMo 2020, but today I'm glad I did. I'm drawing on my background as an Air Force intelligence officer and Soviet analyst to write a novel about the Eastern Front. It was great to spend today back in the Great Patriotic War with Soviet fighter pilots!
I managed to "win" NaNo five years out of the past six. My day job as a teacher is taking almost all my energy this year, but my novel just had to come off the back burner in November. I may be a "NaNo Rebel" in the year of COVID-- I can't commit to 50K this time around--but I can commit to doing a little something every day for a month.
Here are my three tips for a quick start:
Good luck with NaNoWriMo or whatever writing you're doing! You can find me on NaNoWriMo as "NUHistorian," or check out my web site at http://www.reinapennington.com.
As a part of the continuing series on guest bloggers for NaNo (see here and here), I got an entry from Linda, unexpectedly, and it's an awesome peak into what it takes to prep for NaNo. I look forward to hearing more about how her journey goes!
If I am going to write 50,000 words for the month of November why not start now in October? That is what I thought last year, 2019, and I started on my wip early and continued through the month of November. This year I started even earlier in October. It is never too soon to build good habits.
My goal is 2000 words a day on a specific story idea. I was successful in writing that much last year, but it was sometimes like pulling teeth to get the words out. My mind just goes down a certain path and comes to a dead end.
When that happens I usually starting writing what if's: “Just supposing I did have something to write about what would it be?”
“Well, it would be a fantastic idea with lots of action.” Or something along those lines is what I reply. All I needed was a jumping-off point to start talking about the ideas in my head. I talk to myself constantly, as many people do, and so I really can simply write for minutes on end. More than 20 minutes at a stretch wears me out and I need to take a minute or two breather.
But “what if” questions help me get over that internal editor who says I have to write something deep, something exciting, or worse of all “Something Original.”
No, you just have to write and all those other things happen in the rewrite. Once I agreed to give myself permission to write badly, on the theory that bad writing is better than no writing at all, I began to produce quantity. Did quality eventually come from that? I'm not sure I have made that goal yet, but at least I am on the path. I have written something. I have started NaNoWriMo in October.
Another Guest Blogger to follow up from Alex's post last week (see here). Shannon has agreed to give us her thoughts on the upcoming NaNo adventure and keep us abreast of her progress.
It’s just over a week until NanoWriMo, which means it’s Nano Prep time for all us writers participating this year. For most of us, that means developing your story idea, creating characters, deciding on setting, and making an outline for your plot (if you’re starting Nano with a blank page, check out the Nano site – they have lots of resources and checklists and exercises to help with all of that prep work).
For me, Nano Prep is a little different. I’m not starting a new story with a blank page, so the development of characters, plot and setting is complete (I’m told this makes me a “Nano Rebel”, which is a label I rather like). I crafted my rough draft using the Three Act Story Structure (which I highly recommend). My story is formatted into two sections, both written in the epistolary style. The first part is a series of journal entries taking us through the complete story arc, character arc, and ending with the Resolution. The second part is an Epilogue that is a series of letters (or emails) back and forth between the two main characters. My plan is for the journal entries to be about 50,000 words, and the letters about 10,000 or so. I am deep into the rewrites, so my Nano Prep is basically gearing myself up for a giant push through the month of November - making sure other commitments are as few as possible for the month, organizing notes, and focusing my attention on the upcoming scenes so that when the clock strikes midnight on November 1st, I’m ready to go (okay, so technically I’ll probably be asleep at midnight, but I’ll be chomping at the bit when I wake that morning!).
So, what’s my NanoWriMo goal? To complete the 2nd draft of the first part of my story (50,000 words). I’m now just over halfway through the rewrites of the first part, giving me a starting point for NanoWriMo of about 25,000 words. With the help of Nano Buddies holding me accountable (and perhaps a weekly check-in here with all of you!) let’s see if I can get to the 50,000 word point with my rewrites by the end of November!
What are your goals for NanoWriMo? Send me a Buddy Request and help hold me accountable!
(You can find out more about me and my writing at http://shannonhovey.com )
I've been working hard to find some other viewpoints that I can share with my readers for the upcoming National Novel Writing Month challenge that begins November 1. I have found some guest bloggers who have agreed to share their NaNo prep and NaNo writing adventures.
Earlier this month when I released my compilation of short stories I heard from my Number 1 Fan, Alex Cole (my cousin). Alex has always been curious about writing and has in the past asked about my writing process. I convinced him to try NaNo out and to share his experience with me in blog posts. Here's the first!
This first sample he's sent me belies his capabilities and experience. Having graduated from West Point and served as an officer in the armored cavalry, . . . not to mention being a new father, . . . he certainly has more than 50,000 words worth of stories in him. I look forward to his next post and seeing what he produces!
Well, I guess this is happening. I am gearing up for my first National Novel Writing Month, which means I have no idea what I am getting myself into. I don’t think I wrote 50,000 words in four years of college. But I couldn’t say no because Dick was so enthusiastic about it. His optimism and motivation are infectious, but I hope he knows that he has to keep me motivated and accountable as the month rolls on.
This type of endeavor is not typical for me. I am a very private person, so the idea of being vulnerable and putting a creation out into the world is terrifying. This will be a growth experience, and I’m already starting to broaden my horizons.
As I start to brainstorm ideas, I am learning that the things I want to write about are the things that normally excite me. I am an avid military history student and find myself looking to the past for inspiration. However, I’ve surprised myself as well by considering other genres and finding story ideas in mundane things around me that are not my normal passions.
I have also started thinking about my writing skills, finding my writing voice, coming up with an ideal story structure, character development, etc. I’ve even been asking myself questions like, “Can I realistically and convincingly write from the perspective of a young woman when I need to? Can I write about something I don’t know about? How do I learn to do that? How can I relate and connect to readers that are very different from me?”
I’m certain I am not the first NaNo participant to ask these questions of themselves, so I am in good company. So far, this journey has also brought me some joy and a new hobby to pass the day, which I am thankful for. More to follow.
