comicfan

Aww. I'm so sorry to hear you are going through this KC. IF there is anything that can be done to help let me know.

arrival

Don't you always dance naked with the muppet?

If you think we automatically remember you crazy. The books I've read dozens of times yes, but the ones that tickle my memory send me to my book shelves where I start pulling them out like a mad man trying to turn up the right one. Between what I read for pleasure and what I've read for various college courses, yikes that is a lot of stories. lol

Every xray takes radiation, Sam. TIRED

I've never really dated anyone who was hairy. So I guess manscaping is good. What do you think of tattoos?

respite

I never treated Neal disrespectfully. TREAT

Didn't it depend on the professor?

Kryshim, All it takes is time to sit down and write. Then find yourself a beta and an editor. Trust me, you will thank me for that info later. Best of luck to you and welcome to the site. Now just ignore the bad comedy and have fun.

Welcome Dave. Welcome to the funny farm. We promise not to bite, unless asked.

The Mystery Story The mystery is one of those things that just can’t be jumped into. You really need to plan out a mystery before pen hits the paper, or in most cases before fingers hit the keys. There is a lot that happens in a mystery and it is important for you follow some basic ideas before you embark on such task. First up is the mystery itself. Did someone have something stolen? Was there a murder? Is it something that has been hidden for a long time? Not sure what you want to write about for your mystery, then turn to your local newspaper and see what jumps out at you. This will be your springboard for what you will create. Your detective is the next crucial part of the story. Who is it going to be? Will it be a teenager who has been all over the world, snotty and well read? Will it be the shy librarian who just can’t seem to get over her stutter? Maybe it is a pair of brothers like the old Hardy Boys? Whoever you decide to create make sure they are both interesting and have either flaws or skills that will help move your story in the right direction. The minor characters or sometimes the side kick is another important element. For Sherlock Holmes, his trusty Dr. Watson was a sounding board and a way for the reader to see what Holmes was really doing when he investigated. Sometimes this role is a close friend, the client, or even the hired help. Whoever you use may not be there to help. Is there the man who is out to stop your character from solving the mystery out of fear of another secret might be revealed? Maybe she is the villain out to prevent being caught? Or are they the mother who just doesn’t want to see their child hurt? Once you know who you are dealing with and what you are planning to have your character solve it is important to create the list of clues that will lead your character to solution of the mystery. If it is a case of a hidden family fortune, what clues did great great grandfather leave for his children to find the hidden gold? Where were the clues put, and how did one logically lead to the next? If it is a murder mystery how does the first clue left at the scene lead to the next logically? Remember, if you are having a cast of characters they will need alibis. Whose alibi will not hold up once all the evidence has been collected? Ever read a mystery and been taken in by the red herring? This is the clue that just seems to scream “HE DID IT!” Later on you realize you were so caught up in that clue you missed when the author casually mentioned the muddy shoe half hidden under the bed, which later proves to be pivotal to the real crime. A case of misdirection can be helpful and keep your reader guessing and interested in your story. Don’t forget the importance of setting in a mystery novel. There is the old house that the family has deserted that holds the secret to the family fortune. Maybe the seedy hotel where the body was found? The creaking stairs and near misses while trying to find the next clue. Then there are the dark alleys, foggy streets, and scary shops where your character can run into trouble. Perhaps the most important thing you need to know before you begin to write your mystery is how the whole thing will end. You don’t want to begin, letting the mystery build and then your character suddenly finds himself without any way to get the problem solved. Know how your snotty teenager finds the clues that direct them to the thief, or how the sweet old gentleman discovers the family fortune which will allow the family to stay together now that they aren’t facing the poor house. Mystery stories are real work. They don’t just happen. They take careful planning and sometimes include a lot of research before you ever begin to write. If you decide to take on this challenge plan it out, enjoy yourself, and take your readers on a ride that will keep them guessing till the end. We are waiting to see your mystery story and hope it is something you can be proud of.

Everyone always takes Eric's napkin. TAKES

Andy if you get this one then we really do have something in common. Oh and Andy, I never do odd numbers in a series. I always go with the first book in them. Only fair that way.

I majored in sleep and food. Didn't everyone?

Nathan evaded Vic's enormous rampage. LARGE

negative

As she carried Moishe into the kitchen and set him down by his food bowl, Hannah remembered the day he'd set up camp outside her condo door. He'd looked positively disreputable, covered with matted fur and grime, and she'd immediately taken him in. Who else would adopt a twenty-five pound, half blind cat with a torn ear? Hannah had named him Moishe, and though he certainly wouldn't have won any prizes at the Lake Eden Cat Fanciers' Club, there had been an instant bond between them. So anyone still with me as far as reading tastes go?

I'm a bit of whore when it comes to Betas. I've worked with a number of people. First because it gives me insight into how they write and second to improve my own. I am most comfortable when I have a team. Sometimes you need more than one person to read something over. I find it helps immensely when I am working on a character of the opposite sex. When writing a female character if I go to another male writer we might not get it right. However if I balance something between males and females then I listen to what both sides have to say. A good beta will tell you when you have gone astray in your story, when you change the character or haven't developed the character enough. Like Cassie stated they just don't go "I love this" or "This stinks". Instead it is usually more along the lines of "Since when was he able to read minds? I'm asking cause there is no way Jonas could have known this. For the story he will need to know it but you have to find someone to give him this information before he can act on it." Things like that are of major importance. Sometimes as the author I know what I want to happen and try to get there but if I skip something important, like getting a major piece of information to my character, I count on my beta to tell me so. Having worked with both Cia and Renee I can tell you neither will pull punches when they read which is one of the reasons when I can work with either one I am most appreciative.

I think I read this story to my cousin's daughter about five or six times, Anne of Green Gables. At least I am pretty sure it is.

stream

Why am I not surprised by the subjects lately?

PENIS Peter exited Nigel's inner sanctum. INNER

Lily - If you need to vent feel free. Otherwise know if you need us we are here. Mark - Glad you are climbing out of the darkness. Hate seeing you down. For those who have been following they know I have been dealing with my own crisis at the moment. Dad was bleeding internally and they released him from the hospital today. This is only a partial solution. While they stopped the immediate bleeding he has two aneurisms in his stomach area that they will have to operate on but want his body healed from round one before they begin round two. So panic one is over and now I wait for the second round. While not depressed completely stressed out and in need of some down time. In the meantime I try to soldier on. For those who have been offering support I can't Thank you enough. Just knowing someone was concerned was a big help in just keeping me focused and going. Wayne

SHOES Since Harry overthrew Evie's security. SECUR