Today I welcome new author JQ Rose, whose debut mystery, SUNSHINE BOULEVARD, has just been released!
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About SUNSHINE BOULEVARD:
Who or what is killing the seniors on Sunshine Boulevard? Jim and Gloria Hart are snowbirds who annually migrate to Florida for warm sunshine, fun, and golf with friends in snow-free winters. However this season, Jim Hart, a volunteer First Responder in his retirement community of Citrus Ridge, is drawn into the investigation of the mysterious deaths. Even in the midst of the unfortunate demise of the residents on Sunshine Boulevard, the Harts try to get together with friends. They don't realize that their friends are getting together for their own kinds of affairs with each other. The neighbors are in a dither over the deaths, but perhaps more intrigued by the gossip about the affairs and why the naked lady was found lying in the geranium bed.
Excerpt:
As they stepped into the bright kitchen, Jim turned to her. Looking straight into her eyes, he said, “Royce called this morning. George’s death was peculiar. I guess, that’s what the Medical Examiner is saying.” Jim was friends with the county M.E., Royce Williams. They worked together on investigations involving the First Responders Unit. Living in a retirement community, the Medical Examiner and medics were frequent visitors. An ambulance at a home was not a significant event at Citrus Ridge. It was part of life and death.
“Royce told us George’s body did not rot. It couldn’t have decomposed that quickly because Miss Lottie checked on him every day when she brought him the mail in the afternoon. She delivered it the day before he died. He was alert and talked about the weather.
“When Lottie called 9-1-1 at one o’clock yesterday, she was so upset she couldn’t even speak. They traced the call to her house. When the police arrived, she only pointed to George’s house.”
Jim stopped a minute. Gloria saw the anguish in his face. “They discovered George sitting in the living room in his recliner[. His body was mustard yellow."
* Check out JQ Rose's blog
Writers Are Observers
Watch out! Your conversation with your girlfriend in the local coffee shop may end up in a story. The little old couple walking hand in hand along the beach may be the fodder to develop into murderers, child snatchers, or lovers escaping from their spouses in a mystery/suspense novel. A writer’s creative mind can make up stories from observing everyday scenes. Go to Walmart and discover a gentleman who will become the beloved uncle in a children’s story. The lady checking out in front of you would be a great model to be the crazed hooker in the next mystery.
Watching people is one of my favorite things to do. I don’t mind waiting in the car or mall because I can see all kinds of stories developing as the shoppers walk past. They have no idea who they could become in my author’s mind. What is more fun than combining the features of a gentleman with the quirky habits of your Uncle Leroy and throw in some pet sayings of your grandmother to develop one funny guy for a story? Or how about choosing your favorite celebrity to be the main character in your latest romance work-in-progress (WIP)?
Writing is an escape into another world of familiar but new characters. Have fun with your creative side. If the Muse leaves you for awhile, go out to the mall or restaurant and just observe humanity. Your excursions will result in all kinds of ideas for character development, settings, plot, etc.
8 comments:
Oh my, great job on the scene! I could feel the emotion fly off the page. Sounds like an intense and powerful read so if that was the intent, congrats...you did it.
Thanks, Chris, for the opportunity to share this fun story with your readers.
Oh, Karen, you made my day. So happy to hear the scene was intense and powerful for you. You bet. This story has mystery, suspense, a little bit of horror (if there is such a thing), and humor. Quite a combo,eh?
Great ideas on people watching! Sometimes I'm so busy using every spare moment to scratch something down on a page, I forget to look up. Thanks!
I'm with Theresa. I forget to watch because I'm trying to write. :-)
Theresa, thanks for stopping by today.
People watching really does work. Sometimes when I can't come up with a good character, i go to a really crowded place and just watch the different people passing by. A minute later, I have my character and a story idea. :P
Thanks, nutschell, for sharing that people watching does help! It's one of my favorite past times AND an exercise in making up stories to fit the folks I see...
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