Two of the Greatest Words in a Writer's Life

“The End”

Yes, those are beautiful, heartwarming words to an author and I love typing them. Then I like to sit back and read them again. It means the end of one story and hopefully the beginning of another. I’ll be completing another Sandi Webster mystery this week, assuming life doesn’t interrupt.

Is that really the end? No. Now it’s time to do some fine-tuning and hope I’m up to the task. I have three people who critique and proofread for me, and they do an exceptional job, catching both the big and little things that I miss.

Additionally, I have more research waiting for my attention. This book was difficult to research because the resources kept disappearing, or they weren’t there at all. Consequently, my protagonist has problems, too. If I can’t find the answers, how can she, short of making things up? Of course, the book is fiction, but some of the background of the location isn’t. I’ve written about research in the past. We can’t just ignore facts, even if the book is fiction. I have one more possible resource, and that’s a local historian. I hope she’s in a talkative mood.

 

 Possible background for book

What’s next? I can’t move on to a new book yet. I still have to create a book cover, and I think this one will practically create itself – thankfully.

The story takes place in a small town at a bed and breakfast out in the country. Since I live in a small town and there’s plenty of countryside, I’ve been out snapping pictures. I believe I ended up with a winner. We’ll see how the end result turns out. The B&B is a fictional house, so this will involve a lot of finagling. Adding one picture to another and erasing what doesn’t work. I’m not an artist, but I can say I have a lot of fun putting covers together.

Then there’s the business of publishing the book. Again, thankfully, the timing will be up to me. I changed my course a few years ago and began self-publishing. It has its drawbacks, but so far it’s worked for me. I rather like being my own boss.

What about the story? The title is Having a Great Crime – Wish You Were Here, and it involves the murder of an actress in 1936 (fictional, of course). As the story moves along, it turns out it involves a lot more than the poor woman’s death.

After each book I take a break to deep clean the house and take care of business. I’d like to make another book trailer, but I think I’d go with Choosing One Moment – A Time Travel Mystery, rather than the new story. I truly had a great time writing this one. When a book is fun to write, it practically writes itself. (Only joking. Lots of blood, sweat and tears go into every story, figuratively speaking.)

 Black Butterfly (real name, Red Admiral)

During all of this time, ideas for a new book keep popping into my head. If it will take shape, it’ll be called Black Butterfly. I can’t decide if it’ll be a Sandi Webster mystery, a Bogey Man mystery, or a standalone story. So many decisions, and I haven’t quite finished the latest project.

I’m oversimplifying the overall process, but it’s easier to deal with if I don’t go into great detail. Every author has to learn what works best for her or him, and then take the necessary steps.

Sandi Webster is finally back and having a great crime. She and Pete are also on a belated honeymoon, for all the good it does her, but they’re doing what they love best; investigating a crime.

P.S. After last week’s post about pets in books, I have to admit that Bubba stayed home with Sandi’s neighbor. No pets were used in the making of this story.

Until next time, have a great week and read a good book. There are so many out there to choose from, and I hope you find a good one.

CLICK HERE to visit Marja McGraw’s website

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Repetitive, I know, but keep your eyes open – Coming Soon: Having a Great Crime – Wish You Were Here (A Sandi Webster Mystery)